Krystie smiled up at Lucian. As the slow notes of Perfect by Ed Sheeran ft Beyonce filled the garden, Lucian gently pulled her into his arms. They swayed together, the world around them fading away. His forehead pressed against hers as they danced. Mark and Chloe joined them on the dance floor, laughing when Mark twirled her clumsily but caught her just before she stumbled. Around them, their friends watched with shining eyes. When the song ended, Joel took the microphone, clearing his throat dramatically. "Alright, alright!" he called. "Before we dive into the cake and the rest of the night, we have something to announce" Lucian stepped forward, reaching into his pocket for a small velvet box. He smiled at Krystie, a radiant smile reserved only for her. "I wanted to start our new life together by giving you something," he said, voice carrying through the garden. "Something that represents your strength, your compassion, your unwavering belief in doing what's right." Krystie f
The iron gates of the prison stood still under the grey morning sky. Rain drizzles fell as a man dressed in all black stood at the gate. One last glance at the prison before he left. Not long after, sombre news had already spread like wildfire through the city: Xavier West was found dead in his cell at dawn.The report listed it as a suicide.There was no note, only the silence of a man who had once tried to control too much and lost everything. The guards said he hadn’t spoken for days. He’d sat in the corner, staring at the cracks in the wall, as if waiting for something that never came.Two days later, a small and discreet burial was held at a secluded cemetery. There were no headlines or reporters. Just a closed casket, a simple grave, and a few scattered mourners who had once called him family.Mark took one last glance at the casket at turned around, tears at the corners of his eyes. Despite everything his father had done, he couldn't deny that watching him lay in that casket st
Krystie sat on a thick blanket spread out on the floor, cradling a sleepy-eyed baby boy in her arms while his twin sister giggled as Lucian lifted her high into the air, spinning her gently. "Easy, Lucian," Krystie laughed, brushing her son's dark curls from his forehead. "She’s going to think she's a plane." "She’s my little plane," Lucian said proudly, kissing the baby's chubby cheek as she squealed with delight. "A future heartbreaker like her mom." Krystie rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her lips. Their twins, Liam and Liana, were now six months old. Everything had changed since that magical wedding night. Regal Hospital, under Krystie's leadership, had become one of the most respected medical centres in the country. Krystie had restructured the staff, introduced groundbreaking programs for patient care, and expanded services to help the underserved. Her days were busy, filled with patients, administrative meetings, and, more often than not, chasing a
Author's POV The sunlight rays gently filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the disorganized bed where two figures were lying next to each other, hugging each other, completely naked, only covered with a white sheet. Krystie stretched her arms and opened her eyes. She was feeling her body sore. 'Maybe it's because of the long day that I had yesterday,' she thought to herself. But that was only until everything settled in her mind that she finally rose suddenly, memories of last night flooding her mind. Her legs were weak, and she ended up falling back on the bed with a thud. Krystie was shocked to find a handsome young man sleeping right beside her. His face was very calm and pale yet dangerous at a closer glance. She was not sure why his face was a little familiar to her, but she didn't have time to think of where exactly she had seen it. The only thing that she could think of was to run, yes, run for her dear life before he woke up and found her. She didn't kn
Krystie hurriedly ran down the stairs, trying her best to cover her exposed cleavage with her tattered dress. She was feeling embarrassed. She didn't want to think of what had happened last night and how she had ended up on a stranger's bed, which had resulted in her losing her virginity. But she didn't regret it. At least she had given her first time to a stranger than that jerk who had betrayed her. He had cheated on her with her, best friend, Cassandra! Flashback Krystie was super excited to go and visit her fiancee. It had been a long time since she had seen him. She was always so busy with several shifts at work that she hadn't gotten any time to hang out with him. She had pilled several shifts and overworked herself to create the time. A full week! That was so much for them! She wanted to surprise him, but who knew that she would be the one to be surprised instead? Krystie pulled Alex's spare key card from her handbag, but then she found the door was not locked. Ge
"How about we go out tonight," Chloe suggested after dinner. Krystie was not a fool to not have realized that she was doing all this for her. Chloe was not a social person, obviously she wanted her to feel better from the betrayal, and she appreciated it because she really needed it. Krystie and Chloe sat at the table, several bottles of liquor spread across the table. Mark, Krystie's colleague sat helplessly beside them. Watching Krystie sad broke his heart, he had always warned her about Alex and Cassandra, but never once had she headed to his warnings. But then, it wasn't the time to play blame games. He was her friend and always willing to support her in whatever decision she took. Krystie wanted to drown all that she was feeling inside, all her pains which had resulted from the two people she used to trust. Krystie shot Mark with a knowing look. She was very sure the reason why Mark had accompanied her was not entirely because she of her. After all, watching the way he lo
The bartender, a man in his late thirties was mixing a drink when Cassandra approached the counter. She leaned in slightly and slid a bill across the counter, lowering her voice to ensure nobody else heard her, "I need a favour," she murmured. The bartender glances at the bill and then at her. He had heard that phrase more than he could count. "Depends on the favour," he whispered too, as he slipped the bill into his jacket pocket. Cassandra shot him with a sweet smile as she pointed at the table where Krystie sat. "You see that blonde woman in the red dress at that table, drinking with friends. I need her drink to be a little special." The bartender's expression hardened, pushing the bill back from her jacket pocket. "I'm very sorry madam, but I can't help you. We don’t do that here." Cassandra smirked, unfazed. "Oh, come on. It’s harmless." She passed him a liquid in a small bottle. "Just a little something to loosen her up a bit. You look like a man who understands business.
"Krystie, I think you should slow down already, you have already taken a whole bottle and you're already tipsy. It is not your fault that he cheated on you, it's because he was a fool," Mark reached out to the bottle that she was drowning. Krystie had been crying, lamenting how she had caused an end to their relationship because she hadn't given her boyfriend any attention as she was always busy with work. She had also claimed that she had already moved on from him, and that she didn't care anymore. Mark and Chloe were not fools to not have realized that no matter how much Krystie acted like she didn't care at all and that she had already moved on from Alex, the truth remained that she was still so much in love with him, and even her act of kissing a stranger was only to provoke Alex, she still cared and that was what hurt her the most. At the moment Krystie was very drunk, and for some unknown reason she was feeling uncomfortably dizzy and nauseous, excusing herself from the tabl
Krystie sat on a thick blanket spread out on the floor, cradling a sleepy-eyed baby boy in her arms while his twin sister giggled as Lucian lifted her high into the air, spinning her gently. "Easy, Lucian," Krystie laughed, brushing her son's dark curls from his forehead. "She’s going to think she's a plane." "She’s my little plane," Lucian said proudly, kissing the baby's chubby cheek as she squealed with delight. "A future heartbreaker like her mom." Krystie rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her lips. Their twins, Liam and Liana, were now six months old. Everything had changed since that magical wedding night. Regal Hospital, under Krystie's leadership, had become one of the most respected medical centres in the country. Krystie had restructured the staff, introduced groundbreaking programs for patient care, and expanded services to help the underserved. Her days were busy, filled with patients, administrative meetings, and, more often than not, chasing a
The iron gates of the prison stood still under the grey morning sky. Rain drizzles fell as a man dressed in all black stood at the gate. One last glance at the prison before he left. Not long after, sombre news had already spread like wildfire through the city: Xavier West was found dead in his cell at dawn.The report listed it as a suicide.There was no note, only the silence of a man who had once tried to control too much and lost everything. The guards said he hadn’t spoken for days. He’d sat in the corner, staring at the cracks in the wall, as if waiting for something that never came.Two days later, a small and discreet burial was held at a secluded cemetery. There were no headlines or reporters. Just a closed casket, a simple grave, and a few scattered mourners who had once called him family.Mark took one last glance at the casket at turned around, tears at the corners of his eyes. Despite everything his father had done, he couldn't deny that watching him lay in that casket st
Krystie smiled up at Lucian. As the slow notes of Perfect by Ed Sheeran ft Beyonce filled the garden, Lucian gently pulled her into his arms. They swayed together, the world around them fading away. His forehead pressed against hers as they danced. Mark and Chloe joined them on the dance floor, laughing when Mark twirled her clumsily but caught her just before she stumbled. Around them, their friends watched with shining eyes. When the song ended, Joel took the microphone, clearing his throat dramatically. "Alright, alright!" he called. "Before we dive into the cake and the rest of the night, we have something to announce" Lucian stepped forward, reaching into his pocket for a small velvet box. He smiled at Krystie, a radiant smile reserved only for her. "I wanted to start our new life together by giving you something," he said, voice carrying through the garden. "Something that represents your strength, your compassion, your unwavering belief in doing what's right." Krystie f
The air in the small living room buzzed with excitement. Krystie, Lucian, Mark, and Chloe sat around the coffee table, papers, flowers, and swatches of fabric spread out chaotically before them. "I still can't believe we're planning this in a few hours," Chloe giggled nervously, twirling a pen between her fingers. "Are we really doing this?" Mark caught her hand and squeezed it. "We are, honey. I don't want to waste any more time." Lucian nodded in agreement, his gaze tender as it fell on Krystie. "Neither do I. After everything we've been through, it's time for a new beginning. A real one." Krystie's heart swelled with emotions. It felt almost surreal, planning a wedding in one day but she wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Her parents would have wanted her to live fully, to find happiness even after the darkness. The girls and boys quickly divided up the tasks. Chloe and Krystie called a few close friends to help with the arrangements, while Lucian and Mark secured the
Krystie stiffened slightly in Lucian’s arms, lifting her head to meet his eyes."You said I gave you purpose," she whispered, her voice raw from crying. "What do you mean by that?"Lucian gazed down at her, his thumb gently brushing away the tear tracks on her cheek. His lips curved into a bittersweet smile as memories of seven years ago flooded his mind."I never told you before," he murmured. "But I think I owe you now."Krystie blinked in confusion. "Lucian…?"He led her by the hand to the couch and sat down, pulling her down beside him. His hand never left hers."Seven years ago," he began softly, "I was at the hospital. I had just lost my brother, Damien. He was my guardian after our parents died. He was everything to me."His voice grew tight with emotion, and Krystie squeezed his hand encouragingly."I sat outside the operation room for hours, refusing to leave. When they finally told me he didn’t make it, I couldn’t breathe. I just sat there, in the cold hallway, crying like a
Mark stood in front of Chloe’s apartment door, his knuckles white from clenching his fists. He hesitated for a second before knocking. Chloe opened the door, surprised to see him, but the look on his face made her step aside without question. "Mark?" He stepped inside, but he couldn’t look at her. His voice broke almost immediately. "I accompanied Krystie to see my father." Chloe’s eyes widened slightly, but she waited. Mark exhaled a shaky breath and finally looked at her, eyes red. "He admitted everything, Chloe. He killed them. Your parents just because he was bitter and envious." His voice cracked. "And I’m his son. I carry his blood, he stammered. I... I wouldn’t blame you if you hated me. If you never forgave me. I wouldn't forgive me either." Before another word could leave his lips, Chloe pulled him into a hug. He was stiff at first, then broke down, crying into her shoulder. "I’m so sorry…" he whispered, his voice raw.Chloe gently patted his back, her voice soft. "You
The heavy steel doors of the Blackthorn Federal prison clanked open as Krystie and Mark stepped inside. The long corridor echoed with the distant occasional shout from inmates. Guards led them in silence toward the visitation room. Neither Krystie nor Mark spoke. They all had lots of unanswered questions they desired answers to. It had been a month since the judgement, but Krystie had one more thing she desired to know. They were shown to a cold metal table. A few seconds later, Mr. Xavier was escorted in, clad in his prison uniform, hands cuffed, his once well-groomed face now unkempt beard and hollow eyes. But his smirk remained. "Well, well," he drawled, taking his seat and leaning back as far as the restraints would allow as if he were still the one in control. "See who finally decided to visit me if not my dear son and goddaughter. I was wondering how long it would take for the prodigies to come visit me. Have you come to gloat?" Krystie didn’t waste time. She straightened a
The courtroom buzzed as Xavier West was escorted inside, clad in an orange prison uniform that couldn’t quite mask the pride still etched in his posture. His expression remained composed, almost arrogant. His attorney, Mr. Clarke, adjusted his tie and leaned over. "Relax. We’ve got the best money we can buy. The judges are in our pocket. There’s no hard evidence they can use. We’ll have this thrown out in a week." Xavier didn’t respond, only stared at the room with cool detachment. Journalists filled the benches, their cameras flashing and pens ready. The public gallery overflowed with curious onlookers, family members of victims, and a few hospital staff. Xavier’s smirk returned when he saw the judges entering, three men he knew well, the judges from his case seven years ago. The lead judge struck the gavel, and announced, "Court is now in session. Case number 2328: The People vs. Xavier West." The prosecution began with an impassioned speech, laying out the charges including hu
At the boardroom on the top floor of Regal Hospital, sunlight filtered through the tall windows, where Mr. Xavier West sat at the head of the polished table, flanked by board members and stakeholders. All were dressed in fine suits, sipping imported coffee as they discussed the hospital’s future, oblivious to the storm that was about to hit.Xavier wore his usual calm mask, a faint smile plastered on his face as he nodded at a proposal from the finance director. "If we accelerate the expansion plans for our offshore branches, we can double our quarterly revenue," he said smoothly, exuding confidence and control.The silence shattered when the heavy double doors burst open without warning. Ben, Mr Xavier's personal assistant, stood there panting, sweat trickling on his forehead, his tie crooked as if he'd run all the way."Ben," Xavier barked, his eyes narrowing. "What the hell do you think you’re doing? You don’t barge in here when I’m in a meeting, especially not with the board!"Be