Sara shot him a withering look. "If you don't trust me, call my assistant and ask her."
"You called Mom and said you were going to..." Neel trailed off, gritting his teeth in frustration.
Sara Owen cut Neel off mid-sentence.
"Hold up, Neel. I know what I'm doing. I lied to Auntie, okay?" She turned to Natalie and reached out to hold her hand.
"I'm sorry, Auntie. But we've got a big client interested in a product. If we seal the deal, it'll be a huge boost for the company. And I knew you wouldn't let me go if I told you the real reason. Will you forgive me?"
Natalie smiled sadly.
"Your husband always wanted this company to be the biggest in the world, and you're doing everything you can to make that happen. I'm so proud of you, Sara."
"Well, I may not be forgiven, but at least the punishment will be worth it." Natalie added.
Neel rolled his eyes. "You guys are too much."
Sara turned to Natalie. "So, what's the punishment gonna be, Auntie?"
Natalie gave her a playful scowl.
"Oh, you'll see. But how can I punish you when this house lights up just by having you around?" She pulled Sara into a gentle embrace.
Sara wiped away her tears and held Natalie's face.
"How about we go shopping tomorrow, just you and me?"
Natalie's face lit up. "That sounds wonderful, my dear."
With a smile on her face, Sara Owen glanced at the elders who were engaged in a cheerful conversation. Their happiness lifted her spirits, even though she had her own worries. She didn't want to let them down by confessing that she had no idea where her husband was.
After dinner, she walked the elders to their bedrooms and then headed to the swimming pool. The sparkling water under the soft poolside lights brought back memories of the first romantic dinner she had with her husband. Despite the enchanting ambiance, she couldn't ignore the heaviness in her heart due to his absence and the responsibility she felt to find him.
The first date...
Their first date…
Sara Owen found comfort and serenity by the swimming pool, memorizing a peaceful evening she once shared with her husband. They had a romantic candlelit dinner together and had a playful moment falling into the pool, which helped her overcome her fear of swimming.
Sara removed her robe and entered the pool, finding comfort in the water's warmth. As she swam, she tried to imagine her husband's presence, but her peace was interrupted by tears of sadness. The water couldn't soothe the ache in her heart.
Suddenly, as she made her way towards the pool stairs, someone grabbed her leg, attempting to pull her underwater. Panicked, she struggled to grab the handrail, but the force was overpowering, and she felt overwhelmed, fearing she might drown.
In the darkness, the housekeeper heard splashing and commotion coming from the pool but couldn't see anything. Desperate to help, the housekeeper's voice called out from the nearby veranda.
“Are you in the swimming pool, Madam?”
Sara felt the grip on her leg weaken, allowing her to hoist herself out of the pool. She gasped for air, her body trembling with fear, trying to make sense of the situation.
The housekeeper hurriedly switched on the pool lights. As soon as she reached, Sara collapsed into her arms.
Sara struggled to catch her breath and clung onto the housekeeper, eventually losing consciousness.
“Madam… Madam…”
Two hours later…
“Sara… Are you alright?” Neel Dixon caressed her forehead.
“Neel…” She stiffened.
“Neel… Did you see him? Did you?”
“Sara, what’s wrong?”
Sara Owen took a peek around. The doctor, the housekeeper, and Neel Dixon were all staring at her.
"Someone grabbed my leg and tried to pull me under. I didn't see who it was, but it was definitely a person."
The housekeeper's eyes widened in surprise.
Neel asked, "Were you swimming alone?"
"Yeah, I was by myself. Someone wants me dead, Neel."
The doctor and Neel Dixon shared a quick look with each other. Neel Dixon then let out a sigh of despair.
“Sara, don't worry. I'll ask the security team to check on this. Just try to get some rest, okay?”
“But what if someone tries to kill me again?”
“If you're scared, I can wake up Mom and she can sleep with you tonight.”
Sara glanced at the wall clock, “No, don't disturb her. She'll be worried. I'll just try to sleep.”
Neel Dixon left Sara's room and closed the door.
"Thanks, doc. And sorry for bugging you this late."
"No worries," the doctor replied. "Is what Mrs. Dixon said true?"
Neel Dixon shook his head, "I have no idea. You know how tight the security is here at the Dixon Villa. I don't know how someone could get in like that. But I'll try to find out."
The doctor hesitated before speaking up, "Based on Mrs. Dixon's condition, I have an idea. If you don't mind..."
"Sure, shoot."
“I know this is a stressful time for her with everything that's happened. And being pregnant on top of it all can't be easy. But now she had a scary incident in the pool and I'm worried about her mental state, especially since she's pregnant. It's normal for pregnant women to have mood swings, but stress can make it worse. So, if you can, try to keep her away from stress and maybe delegate some of her work responsibilities."
"Yeah, you're right. She's been dealing with a lot lately."
In the morning…
When Sara Owen emerged from her room, she saw the elders and Neel Dixon engaged in a serious conversation about the previous night's events. Their discussion abruptly halted as soon as they noticed her.
Natalie rushed forward and embraced Sara tightly.
"Two weekends in a row now. Can you believe it?" Natalie said, frowning.
"Don't worry, Natalie.” Bruno replied.
"The security is supposed to be top-notch. How could someone get in the villa?"
"I don't know, but we'll get to the bottom of it. The security team is investigating."
“What if it happens again?"
"There's no one, Mom." Neel said suddenly.
Bruno and Natalie looked at Neel Dixon, silently urging him not to say anything. However, Neel Dixon avoided their gaze and instead looked directly at Sara Owen."I checked all the CCTV cameras. No stranger came into the house. To get to the pool, one has to enter through the main door. The housekeeper didn't see anyone leaving the pool. So, it looks like nothing happened.""Neel, chill. It's okay," Natalie tried to calm him down.Sara Owen interrupted, “Do you mean I lied?”"I'm not saying you're making this up, but it's suspicious that you've been attacked twice and nothing has been found both times!" Neel exclaimed.Sara frowned, "Either you can't find the culprit, or you don't want to find him.”"So, let's say someone is really attacking you," said Neel. "Can you answer my questions? The first time, you were attacked in your bedroom. The only way in or out is through the door, but you had locked it from the inside. So how did the attacker get in?"“He must have come from the balco
Neel left the room. Overwhelmed with regret, Sara covered her face, realizing that her feelings for Neel had been a mistake. They had once been close friends in university, and she was initially drawn to his kind nature and good looks. When he expressed his love for her, she thought her dreams had come true. However, after their breakup, Neel's reaction was hurtful. Sara had moved on, happily married and expecting a child with her husband. Her love for Yohan was deep and unwavering. She didn't want to dwell on the past or entertain the idea of being with Neel again. Bruno Dixon stood outside the bedroom, eavesdropping on their conversation and feeling a newfound sense of fear. He wondered if Yohan Dixon knew about this. Sara took a deep breath, knowing it wasn't the time to worry about Neel's ultimatum. She received a message on her phone, bringing her relief. She quickly composed herself, grabbed her purse, and left the villa. Bruno Dixon watched her departure with a heavy sigh.
“What? No way! I've told you a million times that I'll take care of your mom and you don't have to work. But you don't trust me.”“I didn't come here to be just a hookup, and now I'm pregnant with your baby. Are you trying to make me look bad?”“You care too much about what other people think. Sara lived with Ricky before they got married, and no one judged her for it. Why should it be any different for us?”“She's Mrs. Dixon, Ryan! No one's gonna mess with her. But you ain't Mr. Dixon. What difference does it make if you're the best actor?” Gracie retorted.“I'm telling you, I ain't Ricky. I don't wanna make the same mistake he did. I can't stay away from you during your pregnancy. I don't wanna lose my kid just he did,” Ryan said, his voice tinged with anger.Sara Owen was taken aback by Ryan's outburst. Gracie and Ryan fell silent, looking at Sara's flushed face."What the hell did you just say?" Sara asked. Ryan let out a sigh, realizing he messed up."Oh, crap. Sorry, Sara. I sho
“You should not come here.”Sara Owen stood up, “Uncle, I never wanted to leave this house. I love you and Aunt Natalie more than anything in this world. You both are my family.”Bruno Dixon patted her head gently, “I know that, my child. And that’s why I am telling you that we will not force you to stay here if it makes you uncomfortable. But remember, you will always have a place in our hearts.”Sara Owen hugged him tightly, “Thank you, Uncle. I will never forget this kindness.”Bruno Dixon hugged her back, “Don’t thank me, my child. It’s my duty as a father to protect my children.”"You're making me feel uncomfortable. Ever since I married Yohan, I've become connected to the joys and sorrows of this family. I've tried my best to fulfill my responsibilities. You know, I don't come here just because Aunt insists. I come because I genuinely want to be here. This is my family.""I knew you would say that. But Neel..."Sara Owen interrupted him, "Uncle, do you think I'm scared of Neel's
"Are you sure about this?"Nolan nodded gravely. "Yes, Madam. The software of President lift is impossible to break. The technician who fixed the lift confirmed that the software had been tampered with so that you couldn't use it. And when you opted to use the staff lift, it was broken intentionally right before you were about to go in. It was clear that someone had planned to harm you.”She felt a shiver run down her spine as she thought about what could have happened if she had been in the lift when it broke down. The idea that someone was after her was terrifying. She had never felt so vulnerable before.Nolan was watching her with concern, and she could tell that he was equally disturbed by the incident. She turned to him, "Do you have any idea who could have done this?"Nolan shook his head, "I am not sure, but we are looking into it. We are checking the CCTV footage and talking to the security personnel to see if they noticed anything suspicious."Sara nodded, "Okay, keep me upd
The sun started to go down, painting the landscape with warm colors. The road was lined with trees, their leaves glowing in shades of orange and pink. It created a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, while birds chirped, adding to the tranquility. However, Sara couldn't escape the sadness weighing on her heart as she drove.She tried to find solace in the serene surroundings, but thoughts of her husband's condition kept resurfacing. The image of him injured and helpless made her feel deeply sad. She let out a deep sigh and shook her head, determined to stay focused on the present moment.During her drive, Sara noticed another car following closely behind her, and it only added to her frustration. Fear crept into her heart as the car continued tailing her. The intensity of her anxiety grew as the pursuing vehicle got closer. Her hands became sweaty as she tightly gripped the steering wheel. Despite feeling trapped, Sara summo
Sara was devastated when she saw Yohan Dixon hanging from the ceiling, his wrists tied with a hook.She tried to shout but could only whisper his name.The man's blood-soaked shirt terrified her. She couldn't help gasping seeing the bruises on his face and the wounds on his arms, realizing he had endured months of brutal torture.The sight made her feel nauseous. Her hands trembled as she gripped the ventilation window's rods, trying to calm her breathing. Tears clouded her vision, but she mustered the courage to look down at Yohan, desperately hoping to see any sign of life.Just as she was about to call out his name, the sound of the door opening grabbed her attention. Her heart pounded as two men entered the room, their laughter reverberating off the walls. Sara's anger and fear surged as she watched them approach Yohan, who hung lifelessly from the ceiling."Wow, look at this guy. He's in such bad shape!""He's barely hanging on. I mean, with all the blood he's lost, there can't b
Sara's heart raced as they ran, gasping for breath. Yohan held her wrist tightly. The sounds of their pursuers grew closer, but Yohan didn't slow down. They maneuvered through corridors and staircases. Finally, they arrived at a small window. Yohan helped boost Sara up, and she scrambled out. They had finally achieved freedom.In the forest, Sara's heart pounded as gunfire and shouting echoed behind them. She fixated on Yohan's back as he led the way. Heavily pregnant, she struggled to keep up with Yohan's pace.“Yohan,” she gasped heavily.Seeing her weakness, Yohan Dixon swiftly scooped Sara Owen into his strong arms. Sara felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen, causing her to gasp.Sara held onto him tightly, taking in his bruised and bloodied face that marred his usual handsomeness. Resting her head against his chest, she listened to his heartbeat, a moment of solace she had longed for throughout her pregnancy.It felt like a answered prayer.Deep in the forest, Yohan spotted a sm
"How... How is that possible? I remember, we chatted the morning I got attacked. You were the one telling me the baby was all healthy. What the hell happened?" "Maybe it's just my rotten luck, Jemma. But seeing you with Sunny, I can't help but be grateful you made it through and had a healthy baby." "Oh, Jia..." Jemma enveloped her in a tight hug, both women clinging to each other as tears flowed freely. Meanwhile, Noah reached the October Villa. As he approached, Yohan shot him a glare colder than a snowstorm. "Dad... Mom..." Noah greeted them, his eyes darting around to gauge the situation. Sunny was playing with Yohan. Noah swallowed hard, sensing trouble. "How can you be so careless, Jimmy? Why'd you let Jemma come here alone at this hour? You know the danger's not over yet," Sara scolded, her tone edged with worry. "Mom, I didn't want her to come, but she insisted..." "You're avoiding the situation, Jimmy. You can't change the past, but you shouldn't be dodging what's happ
"Jimmy, it's been days. I want to see her and the baby. What's the big deal?"He sighed, "I promise, we'll go later. I just need to sort some things out first."Jemma, growing more anxious, insisted, "But I've been waiting, Jimmy. I can't wait any longer. What's going on?"Noah, worried about her mental state, softened his tone, "Listen, babe. Trust me, I'll take you to see Jia, okay? I don't want to rush into things."Jemma, feeling a pang of doubt, couldn't hold back, "Are you hiding something from me? Why won't you just take me?""No, Jemma, it's not like that.""Jimmy..." her eyes turned tearful."Okay. I'll take you out to dinner tonight, at October Villa. Jia's staying there, and we can see her afterward. Deal?"Jemma hesitated for a moment, then agreed, "Okay, dinner it is. But you better not forget about it.Noah smiled, relieved that he had managed to divert her attention, "I won't. Now, let me get going, okay?"Jemma agreed, watching him leave for the office. As the door clo
Noah trudged back from work, the day's burdens still hanging on his shoulders. Opening the bedroom door, he caught sight of Jemma singing a lullaby to Sunny in her sweet voice. Emotions surged within him, and he quietly closed the door, not wanting to disturb their tender moment.Sinking into the living room couch, Noah leaned back with a heavy sigh. Guilt and regret enveloped him as he grappled with the reality of their situation. Conflicting emotions swirled as he recognised the joy in Jemma's happiness but couldn't shake the haunting feeling that everything was amiss.Jemma placed Sunny in the cot and, on her way to the kitchen for water, found Noah sitting in the dimly lit living room, a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whisky in the other. She touched his shoulder, and he opened his eyes, extinguishing the cigarette and placing the glass on the table."Tired?" she asked.Noah sighed deeply, rubbing the gap between his eyes. "Is Sunny asleep?"Jemma nodded, her palm on his che
The next morning dawned, casting a feeble light across the hospital room. The oxygen mask, a constant companion in her struggle for breath, had been removed, leaving her vulnerable in the stark hospital room.As Jemma slowly opened her eyes, the sterile scent of the hospital greeted her senses. Her gaze fell on Noah, sitting at the edge of the bed, his face etched with a mixture of exhaustion and sorrow. Desperation flickered in her eyes, and as she tried to speak, her voice emerged as a raspy whisper, "Jimmy... where's our baby?"Noah's heart clenched at the question, the weight of the unspoken truth hanging heavily in the air. He hesitated, avoiding her gaze, and gently urged, "Jemma, just take it easy. You need to rest."But Jemma, fueled by a mother's instinct and the gnawing fear that something was amiss, persisted, "Jimmy, please, where's our baby? Why won't you tell me?"His throat tightened with the burden of the truth he wasn't ready to share. Trying to divert her attention,
In the quiet aftermath, the doctor delivered a bittersweet message – Jia had given birth to a healthy baby boy, and she was fine. The family found themselves torn between joy for the new life and grief for the loss of Jemma's child. The terrace became a haven for Noah, who stood near the railing, his hands tucked into his pockets, gazing into the vast darkness.Jacob approached silently, standing beside him.Noah's shoulders slumped, burdened by the weight of the night. Understanding the unspoken unrest, Jacob placed a hand on Noah's shoulder."It's tough, Jimmy," Jacob finally said.Noah remained silent, still lost in the abyss of his thoughts."It's okay, Jimmy. It's not your mistake." Jacob added."You shouldn't have brought Jia here," Noah mumbled."I couldn't lie to her, and... I couldn't stop her," Jacob replied."How's she?" Noah asked, his voice strained."She's fine. Delivery went smoothly, not too hard on her. It's life.""How's the baby?" Noah's voice caught in his throat.
On a lovely evening, Jemma, bored at home, craved ice cream. Spontaneously, she called her driver and headed to the best ice cream spot. The cool sweetness lifted her spirits, turning a mundane evening into a delight.As Jemma indulged in her favourite ice cream, she decided to tease Noah, ignoring his earlier warnings about venturing out alone. Clueless about the impending twist in her evening, she initiated a video call, capturing the picturesque scene of her enjoying the sweet treat.Noah's face lit up when he saw Jemma's call, and his initial joy was evident as he glimpsed her savouring the ice cream. A smile played on his lips. However, his expression shifted when he noticed the unfamiliar surroundings and the people bustling behind her.Concern etched across his face, Noah interrupted her playful banter. "Jemma, where are you? You're not at home, are you?" he asked, his voice betraying a mix of worry and irritation.Jemma, still in her carefree mood, laughed, "Relax, Jimmy! Just
Yohan looked straight into her eyes, "Your mother didn't make a mistake giving birth to you and your brother. Being a mother ain't a mistake. The real mistake is not being able to bring a child into the world. And you didn't make a mistake wanting to bring life into this world."Jia lowered her head, tears welling up."He's a good guy. I'm proud of you."Jia rested her head on his shoulder, and he tightened his grip on her hand, patting it with his other hand."Jimmy's mad at him, not at you or your child. They're buddies. They'll figure it out.""Thanks, Dad."…Noah stepped out of the bathroom, catching sight of Jemma massaging her own feet. With a quick stride, he approached her."What are you doing? Lie down," he insisted, guiding her to lean back onto the bed. Noah grabbed a cushion, placing it behind her for support. Carefully, he lifted her leg, settling it on his thigh, and started massaging it gently.Jemma looked at him deeply, a gentle smile playing on her lips, radiating w
"Jimmy, just hear me out. It's true. It's Jacob, but...""I don't want to hurt you. Back off," he warned, and Sara covered her mouth in shock at the revelation."Mom, get her out of here," Noah yelled at his stunned mother. Jemma wasn't giving up, clinging to his arms to stop him."Jimmy, please... don't be so furious. At least try to understand. We can talk.""Jemma..." his dark eyes sent shivers down her spine, and she realized the magnitude of his anger.In the bedroom, as Jia and Jacob heard Noah's furious voice, Jia clutched Jacob's hand in fear. "Jacob...""Don't worry, I'll talk to him. Let me go.""No... no... please... please, Jacob..."Jacob gently released his hand from her grip and stepped out of the bedroom. Noah caught sight of him, and his anger surged."Freaking scoundrel!" Ignoring Jemma, he shoved her aside and lunged at Jacob."Jimmy... Jimmy..." Jemma screamed, almost drowned out by the chaos.Jacob attempted, "Jimmy, let's talk, okay.""I'll kill you!" But Noah un
"You won't do anything to him, brother. Please..." Jia approached him in fear."I'll kill that coward, Jia," Noah gritted his teeth, eyes blazing with anger."He's not a coward, brother.""This is pure cowardice. Who the hell leaves you in such a condition?" he shouted angrily."No brother, don't do anything to him. Please... he was going to tell you...""When? After the baby's born? It's been seven fucking months, Jia!" he screamed, shaking her. Jemma approached Jia, holding her shoulders, and said to Noah, "Jimmy, don't scare her. We can talk calmly.""I'm warning you, Jemma. Ask her who he is or get her ready to see his dead body in twenty-four hours."Saying that, he stormed out of the apartment furiously, leaving everyone shocked and scared. Jia sobbed, holding Jemma's hands, "Jemma... please... tell brother not to do anything to him... please... Jemma...""Calm down... calm down, Jia... don't cry... I'll talk to him."Jia rushed to Sara, stumbling into her legs, "Mom... please..