Chapter sixty one(who is Sapphire?!)Sapphire's Point Of View:"Aren't you even going to invite me in?" He scoffed.I moved out of the way, opening the door for him to get in. “Come on in! Pardon my ill manners!” I said, gesturing for him to get in.As soon as he got in, I jammed the door before turning to him, crossing my arms.He looked at me with a straight face before turning to look around the house.“So this is where you're hiding yourself from Landon huh? How risky and insecure!” He scoffed, turning back to me.“What are you doing here?" I questioned, arms still crossed.He didn't respond as if I didn't even ask a question.“I said what are you doing here?! How did you find me?!" I shouted."Ha... bitch! Not so loud, okay? You're at risk here, not me! You don't need to know how I found you. You can never hide from darkness even if you're in a well lit room, even your shadow is darkness itself so I study every of your movements!”.I scoffed. "What do you want? You're not just he
Chapter sixty two(feel free to quit)Landon's Point Of View:“Our name has been dropping from the top list at the speed of light! What do you guys suggest we can do?” One of the workers informed us as we all sat around the table in the boardroom.A lady rose to speak. “Mr. Rykhard, I just really hope you don't get annoyed at me for the words I'm about to say but right here on the dashboard, it says you've been missing meetings a whole lot lately which makes us lose contractors and business partners that have trust in our diligence. This also slows down the production of our company as we have been making losses and not gains lately since the last two weeks so I highly recommend your previous commitment and diligence so we can keep topping charts just like we used to!”.“I'm highly in support of her words. But in addition to that, I think instead of being diligent alone, why don't you bring back Miss Rykhard. I noticed our company began to thrive on another level since the day she join
Chapter sixty three(my father isn't dead)Sapphire's Point Of View:I heard his footsteps followed by a door slamming open and close and some rustling noises. I peeked, noticing he had entered a room to search. I tiptoed to where Mrs. Grey laid, placing her head on my leg as I sat on the floor.She groaned in pain, holding her waist.“Mrs. Grey…" I cried, my tears falling on her face.She raised her hand to reach my face. “Don't cry. Leave before he sees you here." She whimpered.“No, your life is at stake. Let's get you out of here before he comes out. Please,” I pleaded."This is the only way I can protect you. Your life is at stake more. Run and don't look back. I'll slow you down if I come with you. Please, leave,” her voice broke.I sat there, unable to move. The rustles from the room stopped and the floor creaky sounds filled the air as footsteps approached.“Leave," she whispered, taking her head forcefully off my legs."But-”,"Please, just leave before it's too late,".I co
Chapter sixty four(the chase)Sapphire's Point Of View:“Why would I want to come with a stranger like you? How do I know you're not trying to kidnap me?".“There's only one way to find out. Come with me and you'll find out. Do I in any way look like a man who wants to kidnap you? For what reason?” He scoffed, looking right into my eyes without wavering.I sighed. “How do I know this isn't another trap?”.I've been trapped by Landon for four months and fucked him thrice without suspecting a thing so why would I even trust yet another human wholeheartedly?Aside from Mrs. Grey, I wasn't sure I was ready to trust anyone else. The only reason I trusted her was because she was blind, she couldn't probably hurt me as much as a normal human would.“It's either you risk it and meet your father or keep having trust issues and not meet him.”.I let out a sigh, nodding.I truly needed to meet him. After all, he was the mafia king of the Sage Mafia family before me so he would have a lot of conn
Chapter sixty five(Heiress)Sapphire's Point Of View:“I'm here to see Mr. Sage," I said to the two security men in front of the gate."Mr. Sage? Do you have an appointment with him? Who are you to him?" One of them asked.The second one nodded in agreement to what his colleague said.“Well…. sincerely, I don't have an appointment with him but well, I'm his daughter so I suppose I can go in without having an appointment wi-”.They both burst into laughter, hitting themselves playfully as if I just cracked a joke.My jaw was left hanging as I stared at them, holding myself back from grabbing them in the balls.They finally settled and one of them mimicked me. “I'm his daught-" they both burst into laughter again, their eyes becoming tearful.“Did I crack any joke?" I asked, curious.They laughed again and I was starting to get infuriated.I didn't have much time to waste here, I just needed to confirm something if my father was truly alive but I think I already did and these bastards f
Chapter sixty six(confronting Phoebe Sage)Sapphire's Point Of View:I watched as they snuggled, sharing an amazing moment, spitting nice words to each other.As nice and sweet they sounded, my heart kept slicing at each of their words.Was I a hater for feeling this way when they were sharing a special moment? Or were they just the cruel ones?I just couldn't believe any of these! I was never one of them from the start. I was never a Sage. I was never a part of the family.I was never the mafia Queen like I thought. I was never the daughter Mum was trying to make things right with. I was never the girl whose father died.I was never the girl with the most amazing best friend. I was never the heir to claim the asset. I was never a part.But the only thing I was is an outsider. I was always an outsider. A black sheep. A shadow. A bulwark to protect Tiara, no, Aurora from being the target.I was a scapegoat. A sacrifice. A bait. A prey. A weak victim. A target. A puppet. A doll. A playt
Chapter sixty seven(she's in there!)Sapphire's Point Of View:'SMACK!' My hand clashed into hers as she hindered my palm from reaching her face.She pushed my hand down with all the strength she could muster.“How dare you even try to hit me! I'm your helper and I posed as your mother all these years. I fed you and gave you shelter for years without complaining for once. How dare you even try to think about raising your hand to hurt me and even attempt it without fear! Are you out of your mind?”.“You don't deserve to be called a human, not even an animal, you don't deserve to live even for a second, you cruel thing!" I spat.Tiara chirped like a helpless bird, “Same way you don't deserve to be the heir and even have a family. Fate knows what's best for you so know your limits, shut up and get the fuck out of this ma-”.'POW! POW!’ Two loud gunshots flew in the air and a car zoom was heard, setting my heart ablaze.My eyes widened as I looked to my right to gaze out of the window.La
Chapter sixty eight(strip club chaos)Sapphire's Point Of View:FATHER'S NAME: SERGIO RAZINMOTHER'S NAME: NATALIA RAZINBIRTHDAY: 25TH OF JULY, YEAR 2000TAKEN ON: 30TH OF AUGUST, YEAR 2000FATHER'S OCCUPATION: MAFIA KINGFATHER'S COVER-UP OCCUPATION: STRIP CLUB OWNER(HIATUS STRIP CLUB).FATHER'S LIFE STATUS: ALIVE.FATHER'S AGE: 50MOTHER'S OCCUPATION: MAFIA PRINCESSMOTHER'S COVER-UP OCCUPATION: CEOMOTHER'S LIFE STATUS: DEADMOTHER'S DEATH AGE: 25MOTHER'S SUPPOSED AGE: 48EKATERINA WAS STOLEN FROM HER PARENTS ON THEIR HONEYMOON.THE SAGE MAFIA FAMILY AND THE RAZIN EMPIRE HAVE BEEN RIVALS FOR OVER DECADES.FATHER IS BASED IN RUSSIA UNTIL HE CAME ON HONEYMOON WITH HIS WIFE AND HIS DAUGHTER WAS TAKEN FROM HIM.HE BUILT HIS STRIP CLUB AND HAS BEEN SEARCHING FOR HIS DAUGHTER FOR YEARS.I flipped to the next page, my eyes widening. A photo of a man with a tattoo on his neck was on the next page, below was some information.NAME: SERGIO RAZINI immediately closed the file, rolling it up
Chapter ninety seven(the footage)Sapphire's Point Of View:It's been one and half week since I got that footage and I have been watching it closely for days, zooming in for details. I drew closer and closer to when box G/0/1/0- - 6/H would be delivered into the store room. I could have just fast forwarded the video to that part, but I wanted to monitor some other things to get clues.I managed to speak with the government agencies about demolishing the company and they agreed to give us about three weeks more to prove ourselves innocent or give it up for them.I have been traveling back and forth between New York City and New Jersey and the stress was a heavy burden to carry. The stress was weighing me down, but I couldn't neglect my responsibilities. I had to monitor Tyler and see if he was doing any better from the neurologist's treatments or not.At the same time, I had to return home to investigate my kid's kidnap and organize the company properly and also watch the footage.Wi
Chapter ninety six(60/40 chance)Sapphire's Point Of View:I remained still, trying to not process what he said but I had already processed it, I was only finding it challenging to digest it and comprehend properly.What did he just say? My Tyler has lost his memory? So he doesn't remember me anymore? He doesn't remember who the culprit was anymore? He doesn't remember anything? Or what?!No, there's no way this is possible.I still remained immobile, not blinking as tears clouded my vision, stinging my eyes as they threatened to spill.There was this silent prayer I said in my mind for him to just laugh out loud and smack me on my shoulder gently then tell me it's a prank or a silly joke, but his face didn't seem like it was fake.His face was heavy with pity and regret.I still didn't blink my eyes and finally, the tears spilled.The only part of my body that moved was my heart and I didn't know why. I didn't know why it didn't just stop beating and let me get buried at this moment.
Chapter ninety five(adoration turned uncertainty)Sapphire's Point Of View:“Who?" I asked, waiting patiently for his words.As his lips parted for him to speak, he jerked instead as he began to cough profusely. I placed my hand on his chest, trying to calm him down but he didn't stop.“Calm down. Easy there, sweetie,” I said, rubbing his chest gently as he coughed.His arm began to shake since he was using them to brace his body.“Lay down." I suggested but he seemed as if he was battling with the cough instead so he didn't hear me.I let out a sigh, not knowing what to do to calm him down.His shaking arm collapsed, leaving him to slam his head against the metal design below him.He stopped coughing immediately, lying there immobile.“Are you okay now?" I asked, only to realize his eyes were closed. A gasp escaped my lips as my eyes widened. “Tyler!!" I shouted, gently tapping him but he didn't budge.My hand cupped my mouth. “Oh shit!" I whispered, turning away and running out of
Chapter ninety four(golden opportunity)Sapphire's Point Of View:My eyes narrowed, my gaze focusing on the kids for a while.They were my kids. Jackson and Jason.Without second thoughts, I dropped the apples in my hand, shoving the passersby aside as I made it through them, making sure I didn't take my eyes off my kids who walked sheepishly with the man who was holding their wrists tightly. From the way he held them, I could tell he was forcefully taking them and he had probably threatened them beforehand.Oh, my poor kids. They were threatened.I would make sure he pays for this! I should have known he had something to hide when he was glancing at me like a mother fucking freak in the plane.“Sorry!" I shouted, separating a couple and running by without looking back.I still had my gaze planted on my kids. I drew closer and closer as the man approached the exit of the airport which wasn't really flooded with people.Suddenly, I felt my left knee bend and I fell to the floor like a
Chapter ninety three(The First Lady)Sergio's Point Of View:I groaned, holding tight onto my thigh as I watched sapphire walk away. I wanted to stop her but I couldn't as she was already far away. I squeezed my eyes shut, pain banging through me.The next thing I heard was the door slamming.Then silence followed. I have been left alone to cry and groan in pain. Left alone to sort myself. I could tell sapphire was feeling betrayed but I was the one who was supposed to feel betrayed instead.I lied to her about doing it for the Empire. Even if I was it for the Empire, she wasn't supposed to react this way as she knew our top rule that we don't sell each other out and we will do anything to protect each other at all cost.I understood that she loved that family but she knew the rules. Also, I only lied to her about saving the Empire. I was saving her instead. I was saving her from emotional distress and getting her reputation ruined.~FLASHBACK~“I'm risking five million dollars." Luca
Chapter ninety two(airport encounter)Sapphire's Point of View:I couldn't believe it. The words that emerged from his lips. It felt as though I didn't hear him so well.I thought something else happened but I was right, I didn't hear him so well as gunshots floated through the air, overshadowing his whispering voice.I stumbled backwards, my eyes scanning the backdoor as that was where the gunshots came from.I waited patiently, silence prolonging the anticipation as my heart hammered against my ribcage.It took every little fiber of self-control in me to stand there and not tell in frustration.I could hear nothing. Everywhere was dead silent except for my pounding heart and my shallow breath.Just as I expected, the door cracked open, the metal creaks piercing the silence.The door finally swung open, revealing a muscular man with piercing onyx eyes.I took two steps back in fear as I gasped. My blood ran cold whilst the hair at the back of my neck stood to the end, the man's eyes
Chapter ninety one(book a flight)Sapphire's Point Of View:“Are you okay?" Dad asked, stretching his hand to touch me.“Don't. Touch. Me!" I gritted my teeth before bending and picking my phone immediately, then turning and walking out as fast as I could.I wasn't ready to continue my confrontation with Dad. When he was ready to make things right with me, he would tell me the truth and tell me everything I needed to know.I slammed the door, entering into the car.All that ran through my mind was TYLER. Was he okay? How did he get himself into an accident? Will he be fine?From the name of the hospital, I knew it was a famous hospital in Jersey so I probably wouldn't be able to go there tonight despite the fact that I wanted to see my husband and spend time with him so badly.How was he doing? Did he sustain serious injuries?Why's all these happening now! Just why?! First, my kids got kidnapped and now my husband was involved in an accident. What was going on? Why did the pressure h
Chapter ninety(treasures, not sacrifices)Sapphire's Point Of View:'Here is where the game begins, Ekaterina!’.My hand trembled as my face became tensed, dread etched on my expression whilst my hand quivered uncontrollably.I screamed in fear, running out of the room and dashing down the stairs with my heart pounding heavily in my chest.With my chest heaving up and down, heavy breaths escaping my shivering lips, I grabbed my handbag from my couch, pulling the zipper immediately.My hand went into the bag and came out with my phone in it. I scrolled through my contact list, clicking on Tyler's number and waiting for him to answer the call.“Answer the god-damned call!" I shouted, beads of sweat trickling down my forehead.The call didn't even go through. As I paced back and forth the room, biting my nails for comfort, I tried calling him again but it still didn't go through.“Fuck you!” I yelled, tossing the phone on the couch harshly as I fell to the floor, digging my nails into my
Chapter eighty nine(two sides of a coin)Tyler's Point Of View:“Two bottles of whiskey, please!!" Kevin shouted, gesturing for the bartender to bring in more alcohol.He grabbed the bottle of almost finished champagne and poured some more champagne into our glasses.We all raised our glasses, clashing them before downing the glass, sighing.“We did it!" Alvin cheered, joy evident in his voice.Oh yes, we sure did it! We bagged the new contract! I thought it would take longer but it didn't so I would be returning home to my wife, Sapphire, tomorrow.“I can finally return home to my family tomorrow!" I sighed.Seth shook his head. “No! Family aside, we need to celebrate first. Don't forget we are all married with kids and we got married before you, so don't act as if your family is special. We also need some time, you know, away from family to enjoy! We are dudes and we should be free!”.Kevin pat Seth on his back, commending him for his words."Since you don't know then I'll have to t