“Stop drinking, how long are you going to do this?” Franklin’s worried voice intruded Mirable’s ears but she didn’t give a hoot! She picked up another bottle and drowned herself in it and Franklin angrily snatched the bottle away. “Stop it goddamn it! Rose isn’t going to come back just because you drink away your sanity!”“Leave me alone… Mister… what’s your name again?…. Oh Franklin…”She staggered against the bar stool and actively tried to reach for the bottle. “Just let me…” She whined and squinted her eyes in annoyance. “Why can’t I even drink?! Let me!” Her yelling started gaining attention and heads began turning in their direction. The very thing Franklin hate was happening and he could only ruffle his hair and try to manage the situation.“Let’s leave first” He said above a whisper and instead of Mirable’s drunken voice a solid male voice responded to him. “I’ll take her” Franklin looked ahead and saw Mitch taking long strides towards them.“I’ll take her home” He sa
The rest of the ride was chaotic and Mirable eventually gave up her dream of being released. She sat quietly until his car stopped right in front of her apartment but none of them moved a muscle.“Rose is safe” Franklin broke the ice and Mirable slowly turned her head in his direction. “Are you serious?” She asked eagerly and readjusted her posture. It seems her tipsiness has subsided. “Yes, so refrain from doing such things. Getting yourself drunk would do you no good. Think of your mother” Franklin’s words sobered her a little bit more and she turned her gaze to her door. The thought running through her mind was peculiar. Her recent behavior should worry her mother yet it’s the other way around.She couldn’t explain it but her mother’s been out of it for a few days. She’s been zoning out a lot lately and Mirable had to check in with the authorities to make sure her Father was still behind bars. But everything was fine so what could be the issue? “Thanks for the ride” She calm
Mirable eyes fluttered open and a shining bulb caused her vision to blur out for a while. A groan escaped her lips as she tried to sit up. “You’re awake” A voice beside her caught her attention. “Mom…” she breathed and when she looked again she saw another figure at the end of the room.“Franklin…?”He didn’t respond but relief was visible in his face. “I’m glad you’re awake, I’ll take my leave now” It was only after his words that she stared out the window and saw the bright morning sun. “Ah! I have work, why didn’t you guys wake me?” She hurriedly raised herself and reached for her phone while Franklin couldn’t help but mumble some words.“You literally slept like a dog, how could we wake you up?” Mirable heard him but something else caught her attention, something far more grave that easily made the things he said about her trivial.“T-This!” She stammered as she pointed to her phone.“Why does it say Rose is getting married?!” Her voice climbed a pitch and the shock on he
The grand hall was a vision of opulence and excess, an embodiment of Marcus’s iron will and wealth. Ornate chandeliers hung like frozen explosions of light, casting a golden glow over the rows of plush chairs adorned with white ribbons. The air was heavy with the floral scent of roses, white, red, and the occasional blue arranged meticulously in towering vases that lined the aisle. In short, Marcus didn’t hold back in showing off his wealth!The arrival of the guests marked the beginning of gossips around themselves, some excited by the grandeur, others unnerved by the whispers of coercion surrounding the bride’s presence. The news of Marcus buying over the Beauregard family business from Jake spread like wild fire and the sudden wedding announcement only made things worse. Many had their opinions on the matter but none of which was likened to the real deal!Rosella stood near the grand double doors at the back of the hall, her heart a tumultuous storm beneath the delicate lace bodi
The SUV rolled up to the front entrance of Donovan’s sprawling mansion. The estate was dark and foreboding, its grandeur emphasized by the towering stone walls and iron gates that surrounded it. Rosella sat silently, her hands clutched tightly in her lap. She glanced at Donovan, who leaned back against the seat, his jaw clenched in pain but his composure unyielding.As soon as the car stopped, Donovan’s men sprang into action. One opened the door for Rosella, while another helped Donovan out of the car. He waved them off impatiently, refusing to appear weak despite the blood soaking through his tailored suit.“Take me to the hidden room,” Donovan ordered, his voice rough but steady.Rosella followed closely, her heart pounding as they entered the mansion. It had been months since she’d last been here, but the memories flooded back instantly every hallway, every detail, a ghost of their time together. Donovan, ever private, led them down a discreet corridor that ended at a reinforced s
Rosella stood in the dimly lit bathroom, staring at the mirror. Her pale reflection seemed like a ghost of herself, the revelation of her pregnancy weighing heavily on her chest. She glanced toward the bedroom, where Donovan lay sound asleep, his breathing steady and untroubled. A pang of guilt stabbed at her heart, but she knew what she had to do.She pulled on her clothes quietly, careful not to disturb him. As she crept toward the door, she hesitated, looking back at him one last time. His face was serene, stripped of the usual arrogance and intensity that defined him. For a fleeting moment, she felt the pull to stay, but the weight of her situation forced her forward.“I’m sorry, Donovan,” she whispered, barely audible, before slipping out of the room and into the night.Rosella arrived at the hospital under the cover of dawn. The sterile smell of antiseptics and the hum of fluorescent lights greeted her as she approached the front desk. After a brief exchange with the receptionis
Rosella stepped into Marcus’s mansion, the heavy doors creaking shut behind her. The quiet of the hall was oppressive, a stark contrast to the chaos it had witnessed earlier. She noticed the broken furniture and shards of glass and the tension in the air lingered like a storm waiting to break.Her shoes clicked softly against the marble floor as she made her way to the living room. Marcus was there, seated on a sleek leather chair by the fireplace. He looked surprisingly composed, his damp hair slicked back from what must have been a long, deliberate bath. His white dress shirt was open at the collar, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the corded muscles of his forearms. He swirled a glass of amber liquid in his hand, the firelight casting flickering shadows across his face.When his gaze lifted to meet hers, his expression was unreadable, a mask of calm that only unsettled her further.“You came back” he said, his voice low and smooth, though his lips curved into a smug s
Rosella’s new life in Marcus’s mansion felt more like a gilded cage than a home.The morning sunlight streamed through the massive windows of her room, highlighting the luxurious furnishings that screamed wealth: a four-poster bed draped in silk, a vanity lined with gold trim, and a closet filled with designer clothes she hadn’t chosen. It was beautiful, opulent even, but none of it felt like hers.She sat on the edge of the bed, staring out at the sprawling garden below. The grounds were immaculate, with perfectly trimmed hedges and a sparkling fountain at the center. It might have been paradise, but for her, it was a prison.The knock on her door startled her. Before she could respond, it opened, and in walked Marcus. He looked sharp as ever in a tailored black suit, his every move exuding confidence and control.“Good morning” he said, his tone casual, as if this were a normal interaction between a couple.Rosella barely glanced at him. “Morning” she muttered, her voice devoid of e
The tension in the hospital lingered in the air like an uninvited guest, heavy and suffocating. After the doctor delivered the news that their mother had survived the surgery but was now in a coma, neither Rosella nor Mirable could breathe a sigh of relief. The hope of her waking up was the only thread holding them together, yet it felt too thin, too fragile.Rosella’s knees buckled, her strength waning, but Donovan’s strong arms shot out and caught her before she could collapse completely. His grip on her was firm yet gentle, his eyes filled with concern. “You need to rest,” he murmured softly, but she barely heard him, her mind too occupied with the image of her mother bleeding out in her arms.The room where their mother was moved to was quiet, save for the beeping of machines and the faint rustle of nurses shuffling about. The doctor informed them that they could visit, but before they could take a step, Mirable turned to Rosella and Donovan, her expression conflicted. “Rosella… c
Blood spattered on the ground, pooling beneath the crumpled body of Rosella's mother. The sound of the gunshot still echoed in Rosella's ears, even as chaos erupted around her. Her body froze, rooted to the ground as the weight of her mother's falling figure pressed against her chest."No-No, no, no!" Rosella cried, catching her mother in her trembling arms. The air seemed to thicken, bullets zipping past her in the ensuing firefight. She didn't flinch.The world blurred, focusing solely on the woman bleeding out in her arms. ‘Why did she throw herself in front of me?’ Rosella’s mind was pinned on this thought. "Mom! Stay with me!" she screamed, shaking her gently. Blood seeped through her mother's dress, staining Rosella's hands and knees. "Please, don't close your eyes, don't do this to me!"Her mother's eyes fluttered open, her irises clouded with pain yet filled with a strange serenity. "Rosella..." Her voice was barely audible, a faint whisper under the chaos.Tears streamed d
The tension in the air was suffocating, thick enough to choke. The small warehouse echoed with the sound of guns cocking and men shifting into position. The stale scent of sweat, gunpowder, and mildew permeated the room, clinging to the skin like an unwelcome reminder of the danger that loomed.Rosella could barely breathe as she sat on the floor, her wrists raw from the ropes that had only recently been removed by Marcus, her heart thundering in her chest.Her mother was beside her, pale and trembling, though her gaze flickered with a strange kind of strength. Across the room, Odessa stood tall, her arms crossed and her expression cool but edged with irritation as she surveyed the chaos she had orchestrated.In the middle of it all stood Marcus, he suddenly rushed in holding a gun that wavered between two targets, Donovan and his mother, Odessa. His jaw was clenched, his brow furrowed, and his breathing uneven as he wrestled with the storm of emotions raging inside him."Marcus," O
Rosella was slumped against the cold wall of the dimly lit room, her wrists sore from the ropes digging into her skin. The air was damp and carried the faint metallic tang of rust and decay. The room itself was barren save for a flickering bulb overhead, casting long, ominous shadows across the cracked concrete walls. Every creak of the floor, every distant muffled noise made her flinch, the tension wrapping around her like a vice.Odessa stood before her, her figure imposing despite the elegant tailored suit she wore. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she paced, the sound filling the otherwise silent room. Her lips curled into a smirk, and her dark eyes gleamed with satisfaction. She looked every bit the predator who had cornered her prey.“You must be wondering,” Odessa began, her voice smooth but laced with venom, “why I hate Donovan so much. Why I’ve gone to such lengths to tear him down.” She paused, her gaze flickering to Rosella, who stared back with defiance despi
Rosella's breath caught in her throat as her gaze locked onto the older woman slumped nearby. For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Mirable's mother, her mother was sitting just feet away, her head bowed, her blonde hair falling limply over her face.The revelation felt like a sucker punch to the gut. This wasn't just a coincidence or some cruel game Odessa was playing. The truth was undeniable. The woman who had shielded Mirable with her life during the earlier chaos, the woman whose face seemed strangely familiar from the moment Rosella laid eyes on her was the same woman who had abandoned her as a child.Her mother.Rosella's heart thundered in her chest as a whirlwind of emotions tore through her.Shock, betrayal, anger, and the faintest hint of longing all fought for dominance.She clenched her fists against the ropes binding her, her nails digging into her palms as she fought back tears.Across the room, Odessa’s smirk widenedas she basked in the tension. "Well, well," she dra
Rosella’s world felt drenched in icy water as her senses came alive. She gasped, her body jerking against the tight ropes that bound her to the cold, damp floor. The sharp sting of water dripping from her hair to her skin left her shivering, but the real coldness came from the person standing over her.Emma.A wicked smile stretched across Emma’s face as she held an empty bucket, her gleeful eyes mocking Rosella’s misery. “Good, you’re awake,” she said, tossing the bucket aside carelessly. The clang echoed in the dimly lit room, its harsh sound amplifying the tension in the air.Rosella’s eyes darted around, panic rising in her chest. The room was barren except for a few scattered crates and a single dangling bulb casting a dim, flickering light. Her gaze froze when it landed on a motionless figure slumped against the wall.Mirable’s mother.The older woman was still unconscious, her blonde hair matted and her pale face streaked with grime. Rosella’s heart raced, a sinking dread settl
Rosella paced her room, the plush carpet muffling the frantic huffs of her breaths. Her heart raced in sync with her thoughts, each beat heavier than the last. Donovan’s warning to stay indoors had seemed simple enough at first, but as the hours passed, unease wrapped around her like a suffocating fog. Why wouldn’t he or Franklin answer her calls? What was happening out there?The vibration of her phone jolted her from her thoughts. Snatching it from the table, she saw the name Dalgliesh Residence flashing on the screen. Her breath hitched.“Hello?” she answered, her voice trembling.“Miss Rosella,” the voice on the other end was panicked, rushed. “It’s Mr. Dalgliesh. He’s collapsed, been rushed to St. James Hospital. It’s bad… very bad.”Rosella felt her knees weaken, her free hand gripping the edge of the desk for support. “Collapsed? What happened?!”“We don’t know yet. The doctors are trying their best, but…” The voice faltered, leaving the grim implication hanging in the air.Ros
Felix had his father discharged, watching him from home was best, even though Daisy was against the idea he went ahead with it anyway. He hated hospitals, he put up long enough already, any more would break him. Daisy adamantly followed him set his Father at home. Felix leaned against the porch railing, his gaze distant. Could he even look Daisy in the eye after what he was about to say? She stood a few steps away, her face a mixture of hope and hesitation. Did she feel the same tension in the air, the same heaviness that sat like a stone in his chest?Daisy spoke first, her voice soft. “Felix… I know things haven’t been the same since I left, but—”“Why did you come back, Daisy?” he interrupted, his tone gentle but firm. “Was it guilt? Regret? Or did you think you could fix what’s already broken?”Her eyes widened at his words, and she shook her head. “I came back because I realized what I lost. I made a mistake, Felix. I thought I was doing what was best for us, but… can’t we try a
The rain poured relentlessly, a thunderous symphony that matched the turmoil in Mirable’s chest. She tried to wrest her hand free from Mitch’s grip, but his hold was firm. His face was a picture of regret, drenched in rainwater and guilt.“Let go, Mitch!” she shouted, her voice sharp, raw.“Mirable, please, just listen!” Mitch’s voice cracked with desperation.Suddenly, a hand shot out of the downpour, grabbing Mitch’s wrist and forcing it away from her. The strength of the grip made Mitch stumble, and Mirable gasped as the figure stepped into view.It was Franklin.“You heard her,” Franklin growled, his voice low and menacing. “She told you to unhand her.”Before Mitch could react, Franklin’s fist connected with his jaw in a brutal punch, the sound of the impact cutting through the rain. Mitch staggered back, clutching his face as blood dripped from his lip.“Franklin, stop!” Mirable cried, her shock evident.Franklin wasn’t done. He grabbed Mitch by the collar, lifting him slightly