Avery I sniffled, tears streaming down my face as I walked towards Nathaniel's car. The tension between us was palpable. "Avery, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. I was just worried," Nathaniel's voice was laced with regret, filling the air as we drove. I remained silent, unable to speak through my sobs. Nathaniel's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white. "I shouldn't have screamed at you. Please forgive me," he pleaded. I shook my head, trying to calm down. The city blurred outside the window, a kaleidoscope of colors. "It's so wrong of me, I know that. It was just that..." Nathaniel paused, glancing at me. I turned to look at him, his eyes searching for forgiveness. "It's fine, Nathaniel. You should stop apologizing. Okay?" I said, trying to reassure him. Nathaniel nodded, his expression still etched with concern. We arrived at the mansion, and I hastily exited the car, eager to compose myself. Nathaniel followed closely, his concerned eyes n
Nathaniel I sat in my office, staring blankly at the paper in front of me. The cryptic message sent to Avery's phone had been weighing heavily on my mind. Who could have written such a thing? And how did they know she was alive?"Impossible," I muttered to myself. "No one knows her new contact information."My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door."Enter," I called out.Oliver stepped inside, his expression professional. "Sir, the investigation regarding the charity event is complete.""And?" I asked, my eyes still fixed on the paper."Nothing out of the ordinary, sir. The Montgomerys seem clean," Oliver replied.I nodded, though my mind was still on Avery's message. "Very well. I'll attend the event to oversee things personally. Ensure everything runs smoothly."Oliver nodded. "Yes, sir. Shall I—""Just keep digging, Oliver. I want to know if anything suspicious has been going on with the Montgomerys," I instructed.Oliver's expression remained neutral. "As you wish, sir
AveryI paced back and forth in my living room, the phone still glued to my ear. Clara's reassuring voice calmed my frazzled nerves, but my mind raced with questions."Avery, slow down, what's going on?" Clara asked, concern etching her tone."I got this weird message," I explained, trying to steady my breath. "No name, no number. Just those chilling words. I don’t know how this person got my contact with the fact it’s a new one and I didn’t share it with people, something terrifying must be going on!” Clara gasped. "Oh my god, that's terrifying! I know how you must feel right now but you need to calm down, Do you think it's related to Ethan or the Montgomerys?”"I have no idea," I admitted, frustration creeping in. "That's what's driving me crazy. I've been racking my brain, but nothing comes to mind.""Don't worry, Ave," Clara soothed. "I'll dig into it. We'll figure out who's behind this."Just as Clara was about to continue, a knock at the door interrupted our conversation."Hold
NathanielI glanced at my wristwatch for what felt like the hundredth time, sighing heavily as I rubbed my temples. Another summons from Grandma. I loved spending time with her, but lately, our conversations had become predictable and annoying."The Montgomerys this, Sasha that," I muttered to myself, shaking my head. Grandma's fixation on their family was starting to grate on me.But I had promised Avery I'd play along. Time to put on a show. I gathered my thoughts, grabbed my jacket, and headed out of the office.The drive to Grandma's mansion was a short one, and before I knew it, I was pulling up to the grand entrance. The butler greeted me with a nod, and I made my way to Grandma's favorite sitting room.As I entered, Grandma's warm smile greeted me, and she opened her arms for a hug."Nathaniel, dear! I'm so glad you came," she said, squeezing me tightly."Sorry about last time, Grandma," I apologized, trying to sound sincere. "I had something urgent to attend to."Grandma's eye
Nathaniel I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my anger still simmering from the encounter with Ethan. Who did he think he was, laughing at me like that? I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the irritation. As I drove back to the mansion, my thoughts shifted to Avery. I needed to ensure her safety above all else. I wouldn't let anyone harm her, especially not the Montgomerys. My gaze wandered to the side of the road, and I noticed a small flower shop. On a whim, I pulled over and parked the car. A bouquet of flowers might lift Avery's spirits, and I longed to see her radiant smile. I stepped into the shop, greeted by the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the warm smile of the florist. "Welcome to Petals and Posies! How can I help you, sir?" Her bright blue eyes sparkled, and I found myself returning her smile. "Hi. I'd like to get a bouquet for someone special. Something to brighten her day." "Aww, that's so sweet!" She nodded enthusiastically. "What's her favorite flowe
AveryI woke up feeling refreshed, my body stretched out across the soft mattress. For a moment, I forgot about the chaos that had been brewing inside me. But as my gaze drifted to the person lying beside me, my face flushed with embarrassment. Nathaniel, with his chiseled features and piercing eyes, was watching me with a gentle smile.Oh no, oh no, oh no. How could I have asked him to stay over? I thought, mortified. The memories of last night's desperation flooded back, the tears, the pleas, the vulnerability. I had broken down in front of him, and now, I couldn't bear to face him. I had always tried to remain or look strong but it seems the wall I had spent so much time building suddenly started cracking yesterday. I quickly grabbed the pillow and covered my face, trying to hide from my own embarrassment. "What am I doing?" I whispered to myself."Avery, are you okay?" Nathaniel's deep voice asked, his hand brushing against mine.I hesitated, still hiding behind the pillow. "Yeah
Mrs. Montgomery sat behind her sleek, mahogany desk, scanning through the files spread out before her. Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized every detail, her mind racing with strategies and counter-strategies. Sasha suddenly burst into the room, her face twisted in anger."Mother, have you seen the event plan?" Sasha demanded, her voice low and urgent.Mrs. Montgomery looked up, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Of course, dear. What's bothering you?"Sasha paced across the room, her heels clicking on the polished floor. "They're going to mention Avery at the end of the event. Why bring her up now? Everyone's forgotten about her."Mrs. Montgomery leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers together. "That's exactly why we need to bring her up, Sasha. You still have a lot to learn if you want to survive in this world."Sasha stopped pacing, her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"Mrs. Montgomery's smile grew wider. "Avery's not just anyone, Sasha. She's a threat. And she's s
Avery’s POV I paced around my living room, frustration simmering beneath my surface. Nathaniel had forbidden me from attending the charity event, citing safety concerns. I understood his reasoning, but it didn't quell my desire to be there, to witness the proceedings firsthand. I snatched my phone and settled into the couch, flipping through the channels until I found the live broadcast of the event. The camera panned across the crowded room, showing familiar faces and lavish decorations. Sasha took the stage, her confident smile radiating through the screen. "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, welcome to tonight's charity gala. Tonight, we gather to support a noble cause, one that touches the hearts of many." I listened intently, my anger simmering as Sasha spoke about the Montgomery family's philanthropic efforts. I kept on watching and I saw the bidding people made, I knew that my stepmother had used this as an opportunity to milk from the elites, I groaned at each interval
“What do you mean, you can’t find him?” Mrs. Montgomery had screamed into the phone, the words sharp with panic, but the response had been nothing she wanted. Her voice cracked as she continued. “I’ve asked you three times, where is he? What’s going on?”Another pause, another incomprehensible answer. Mrs. Montgomery could feel the cold sweat breaking out along her temples.“Bunch of fools!” She yelled and ended the call. When the call finally ended, the silence left behind was suffocating. It wasn’t the kind of silence that felt like peace, it was heavy. Her mind raced, her pulse quickened, and still, no answers. Her husband was missing. They couldn’t find him. Again.A low growl escaped her throat, a sound she wasn’t even aware of making. She turned slowly, her body still tense, like a coiled spring ready to snap. Sasha was standing there in the doorway, her eyes wide, her face a mixture of confusion and concern.For a moment, Mrs. Montgomery didn’t speak. She just stared at her da
“What do you mean, you can’t find him?” Mrs. Montgomery had screamed into the phone, the words sharp with panic, but the response had been nothing she wanted. Her voice cracked as she continued. “I’ve asked you three times, where is he? What’s going on?”Another pause, another incomprehensible answer. Mrs. Montgomery could feel the cold sweat breaking out along her temples.“Bunch of fools!” She yelled and ended the call. When the call finally ended, the silence left behind was suffocating. It wasn’t the kind of silence that felt like peace, it was heavy. Her mind raced, her pulse quickened, and still, no answers. Her husband was missing. They couldn’t find him. Again.A low growl escaped her throat, a sound she wasn’t even aware of making. She turned slowly, her body still tense, like a coiled spring ready to snap. Sasha was standing there in the doorway, her eyes wide, her face a mixture of confusion and concern.For a moment, Mrs. Montgomery didn’t speak. She just stared at her da
Avery I paced back and forth in my room, the thick carpet beneath my feet wearing down with each anxious step. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, the weight of the world pressing down on my chest. Every second felt like an eternity. My father… was he okay? Was he still alive? The uncertainty gnawed at my insides, the fear of losing him clouding every thought in my head. I couldn’t stop myself from running through the worst-case scenarios over and over, each one more horrific than the last.“Take a deep breath, Avery,” Clara’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. I hadn’t even noticed she had entered the room, but she stood by the door now, her brow furrowed with concern.“I can’t,” I replied, my voice tight, barely able to hide the tremor. “I don’t know what’s going on, Clara. My father could be in danger. I need to…”“You will know,” Clara said firmly, walking over to me and placing a hand on my shoulder. “Nathaniel’s going to take care of it. I’m sure of it. Your
Mrs. Montgomery’s heels clicked sharply on the polished floors of the hospital’s main corridor. She stepped forward with purpose. Today, her husband would die not by some tragic accident, but by her own hands. The last thread of his life would be severed, and everything he owned and everything he had promised her would finally be hers.She thought about Sasha and the things she had said. How Sasha had begged her to wait, to let nature take its course. But Mrs. Montgomery had never been one to wait. She had no patience for fate. No, she had worked too long, too hard, for too many years to let some accident stand in her way. She would finish what she had started.Her heart was a slow drumbeat in her chest as she reached Room 307, the door clearly marked with the name “Montgomery.” She gripped the handle, her fingers trembling, and turned it. The door creaked open, but what she saw inside stopped her cold.Empty.The bed, once cluttered with tubes, wires, and the frail form of her husban
NathanielI could feel the adrenaline surging through my veins even before Oliver finished speaking. Mr. Montgomery, the man who had always been the picture of strength, had collapsed. He was the kind of man who never showed weakness, someone who carried himself with an ironclad resolve, unbending in the face of adversity. So, hearing that he was in any sort of trouble felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me.I had to know what happened. Now.“Are you sure of what you are saying?” I asked and Oliver nodded “Yes I am very sure, there is no way I would have come up with fake news, I am telling you the truth.” “Olivia, what happened?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I meant. The words tumbled out faster than my brain could catch up.He was shaking her head, looking more flustered than I’d ever seen him. “I don’t know. I was just there when it happened. he just collapsed. They called the ambulance. I…” his voice trailed off, and I could see the worry on his face. The wo
AveryThe phone slipped from my trembling fingers, clattering to the ground with a sharp, unforgiving sound. My eyes remained glued to Nathaniel, still processing what he had just said. It felt as if my heart had stopped beating, my entire body frozen in shock. I could hear the ringing in my ears, louder than anything else, drowning out everything he was saying.“Your dad is in a coma, Avery.”The words echoed in my head, over and over, but none of them seemed real. This couldn’t be happening. My mind was fighting against it. It had to be some mistake, some cruel joke. But Nathaniel’s face… it wasn’t joking. His expression was serious, filled with concern, but that didn’t make it easier to believe.“No,” I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief. “No. That can’t be right. He’s fine. He is always fine.” My voice was small.Nathaniel stepped closer, crouching down to pick up my phone from the floor, but I barely noticed. My eyes were still locked on him, searching for some glimmer of re
By the time the next week rolled around, the plans to relocate the project team to Crescent Moon Pack were in their final stages. Everything was moving faster than I had expected. It felt like I had barely gotten my feet under me again after returning from the pack, and now I was heading back into their world. But this time, I wasn’t going to be there to stay. I had a project to manage, and my head was focused on the tasks ahead, not on the triplets or the complicated emotions that came with them. I only had one job to do, which was to do some research and avoid everything else. Ruby was also getting ready to leave. She’d been a great support to me, especially after everything that had happened with the triplets. But now, it was her turn. She had arranged an introduction between me and her mate before they traveled. She was insistent on it, and as much as I tried to avoid the subject, she wouldn’t let up. “I’m not going to leave without you meeting him,” she had said one evening whe
I sat in the study, the quiet hum of the house around me doing little to calm the storm swirling inside. My fingers absently tapped the edge of my desk, but I couldn’t focus on anything, nothing but her voice. “It’s disgusting, Lucas.”The words had landed heavier than I expected, heavier than I wanted to admit. They repeated in my mind, over and over, as though she was still standing in front of me, her eyes flashing with anger, her voice cutting through the space between us. Disgusting. The word felt like a punch. And I couldn’t quite shake the sting.I had gone too far, hadn’t I?I hadn’t meant to upset her, hadn’t meant to cross any lines. But watching her with Ryan tonight, seeing the way that man had looked at her and tried to touch her, I couldn’t sit by and pretend it was fine. She didn’t deserve that kind of treatment. But the way she’d turned on me, my attempt to protect her, to help, had been met with nothing but contempt.She doesn’t need me to protect her.That’s what her
When I regained consciousness, the world felt wrong. It was the kind of wrong you sense in your gut, but your mind is too clouded to process at first. My body ached, a deep, dull pain radiating from my neck and limbs. I tried to move, but the restraints holding me were tight, unforgiving. I could barely move my wrists, let alone my legs. My surroundings were unfamiliar, cold, metallic, and humming with the low, steady rumble of an engine. I blinked several times, trying to adjust to the dim light.The realization hit me slowly. I’m on a plane.I jerked my head to the side, feeling the sharp tug of the ropes, but nothing gave. There was no escape. The air around me was thin, carrying a stale scent that made my stomach churn. As I struggled to orient myself, I saw Elena. She was seated across from me, her gaze locked on mine, unwavering and predatory. “How long?” I rasped, my throat sore from the silence. My words felt foreign, like they hadn’t been used in days. “How long was I out?”