"Congratulations, Mrs. Dawson. You are two weeks pregnant."I blinked, frozen in place on the couch as those words sank in. My eyes shifted from the doctor to Farah, whose mouth was slightly open in shock, then to Matthew—who was standing stiff across the room, silent.A bittersweet ache spread in my chest. I should be happy, right? New life. A child. But nothing felt right. Not the place, not the timing. Not even the father.Farah slowly reached for my hand, squeezing it. “El…”The doctor packed up her things and gave a polite smile before excusing herself, leaving the three of us in heavy silence.I couldn't even look at Matthew.This wasn’t how I imagined finding out. Not here. Not like this.I laughed sarcastically, the sound dry and bitter. “Great. Pregnancy in this kind of situation.”Farah didn’t say anything. She just stared at me, worry etched deep into her face.Matthew took a slow step forward but didn’t speak.I looked at them both, then placed a hand on my stomach.“Of al
The next morning, I waited until Matthew left—he said something about a meeting, but I didn’t even register the details. I just nodded, watching him walk out the door like nothing was wrong, like I didn’t hear the truth bleeding from his lips last night.As soon as the door closed, I made my way to the kitchen where Maren was pretending to fix the sink. Her back was to me, but I knew she felt my presence.“I heard everything,” I said coldly.She froze, her hand tightening around the towel she was holding. “Heard what?”I stepped closer, my heart pounding. “Last night. You. Him. His sickness. One year. Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.”Maren slowly turned to face me, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know what you think you heard, Eloise, but—”“Stop it,” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. “Don’t lie to me.”She opened her mouth like she was going to deny it again, but something in my eyes must’ve stopped her. Instead, she just looked away, lips pressed
I was seated on a cold chair, my hands tightly bound behind my back. I didn’t feel fear—or maybe I’d just gotten used to it. In front of me, Noel was pacing back and forth like he was putting a plan together in his head. He was holding a folder, and with every step closer, I could hear the slight crack of his clenched knuckles.“You know,” he began, staring at me, “I’ve waited years for this.”I didn’t respond. I just looked straight at him, right into his eyes. I didn’t blink. I didn’t flinch.He opened the folder. Photos. Documents. Papers I couldn’t quite make out. “All of this, Eloise,” he said as he spread them out on the table between us, “is proof of how weak you are as the heiress of your mother’s company.”I smiled bitterly. “That’s funny. Because while you were collecting those, I was figuring out how to bring you down without even having to touch a single gun.”He paused. Then grinned. “So you’re brave now?”“I’m not brave, Noel,” I answered, my voice hoarse but firm. “I’m
As much as I loathe calculus, I hate family dinner.Isn't it hypocritical to call it family dinner if you all don't see each other as one? If you don't treat each other as one? As I sat there, staring at the neatly arranged plates and utensils, the air around me felt so fake. Every movement felt scripted, as if everyone was pretending we were this perfect family. But the truth? We were far from it. Why do we even need to keep up this weekly charade? We all just sit here, eating in silence, pretending we're closer than we actually are.And honestly, the silence was better than the fake conversations.Uncle Sandro broke the silence, flashing his usual polite smile. "So, Farah, how's school going?"Farah, who had been quietly picking at her food, perked up a little. “I’m actually running for valedictorian in 10th grade,” she said, a hint of pride in her voice.A small smirk tugged at the corners of my lips. At least someone in this family was achieving something. But before anyone else
"Ahh... Fuck…”“Damn… Ahh, fuck me… fuck me… Elijah, baby… Please… Ahh. Fuck me… Ah!”“You're so tight and wet! Fuck it!” Ahh… Fuck!”I'm there. I can feel it. I squeezed her boobs harshly as if holding to my sanity. I gave her a long thrust that made her moan long and loud before I convulsed. I immediately stood up, grabbed the condom, tossed it in the trash, and picked up my phone from the nightstand. I couldn't help but feel irritated when I still saw no reply from her. Me: Where are you? Me: I saw you with your friend yesterday. Me: Hey? Me: I saw your bank statement and you're running out of money. I was so frustrated I could have thrown my phone against the wall!“Is that Eloise Hart that I know?” Before I could type a reply, I felt someone wrap their arms around my back.“Not your business,” I replied, irritation creeping into my tone. She rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed with my response. “Come on, I was just asking. You don’t have to be so uptight.”I ignored her
"You son of a bitch!” “Eloise, please, let me explain first!” He pleaded, there's desperation in his voice.“There’s nothing left to talk about! Fuck you!” I spat back, my hands gripping the car door, trying to steady myself. My heart was pounding, fury surging through every vein.“Eloise, come on! We’re going to crash! Damn it, fix your issues when we get home!” Eduard shouted from the back seat, his voice frantic, but I barely registered it. “Stop the car! I can’t stand looking at your fucking face! Stop the car!” I screamed, tears burning my eyes.The car swerved, and suddenly, everything was spinning—I jolted awake, gasping for air, my heart still racing as if I’d just lived through it all again. Reality came crashing down as I looked around and realized where I was.Elijah’s penthouse.Not his. Not that night.I closed my eyes, trying to calm my breathing, pushing the nightmare to the back of my mind. After a few moments, I threw the blanket off and got up. This wasn’t the firs
"I will never let this slide, Elijah!" I rubbed my temples, feeling the weight of her words settle in. Four years. Four damn years since Matthew’s death, and my mother still couldn't let it go. Every mention of Eloise sent her spiraling. Taking a deep breath, I looked around. The early morning air was cool, the sky just starting to lighten, and here I was, standing outside in a simple white v-neck and sweatpants because my mother couldn’t resist making a scene.As I walked into the penthouse, I saw Eloise sitting at the dining table, eating ramen while watching something on my laptop—probably something she took from my room again.She looked different now than before Matthew died. Back then, she was full of life; her hair was bright, and her laughter filled the room. She was a painter, known for her bold colors and deep feelings. Everyone loved her, and she had a bright future ahead.But after the accident, it was like everything changed. The bright colors in her life turned dark. S
ELOISE“Isn’t it better if I take you inside? I can vouch for you to Uncle Edmund.” My face turned sour at his question. “What am I, a teenager?” I asked irritably as I unbuckled my seatbelt. I heard him laugh. “Aren’t you?”“Do you also want your nose to get broken like what I did to those jerks?” Elijah held up his hands in mock surrender, a playful grin still on his face. “Okay, okay, I get it. No nose-breaking today.”“Good,” I replied, finally pushing the car door open and stepping out. I straightened my clothes, feeling the evening chill brush against my skin."Thanks." That was the last thing I said before I walked away from his car.I could still hear his shout behind me, but I just raised my middle finger.I stumbled back into the house, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. The events of the morning felt like a blur, but all I wanted was to crawl back into bed and forget about everything—especially the drama with my mother-in-law.I shuffled through the hallway, ignoring the s
I was seated on a cold chair, my hands tightly bound behind my back. I didn’t feel fear—or maybe I’d just gotten used to it. In front of me, Noel was pacing back and forth like he was putting a plan together in his head. He was holding a folder, and with every step closer, I could hear the slight crack of his clenched knuckles.“You know,” he began, staring at me, “I’ve waited years for this.”I didn’t respond. I just looked straight at him, right into his eyes. I didn’t blink. I didn’t flinch.He opened the folder. Photos. Documents. Papers I couldn’t quite make out. “All of this, Eloise,” he said as he spread them out on the table between us, “is proof of how weak you are as the heiress of your mother’s company.”I smiled bitterly. “That’s funny. Because while you were collecting those, I was figuring out how to bring you down without even having to touch a single gun.”He paused. Then grinned. “So you’re brave now?”“I’m not brave, Noel,” I answered, my voice hoarse but firm. “I’m
The next morning, I waited until Matthew left—he said something about a meeting, but I didn’t even register the details. I just nodded, watching him walk out the door like nothing was wrong, like I didn’t hear the truth bleeding from his lips last night.As soon as the door closed, I made my way to the kitchen where Maren was pretending to fix the sink. Her back was to me, but I knew she felt my presence.“I heard everything,” I said coldly.She froze, her hand tightening around the towel she was holding. “Heard what?”I stepped closer, my heart pounding. “Last night. You. Him. His sickness. One year. Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.”Maren slowly turned to face me, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know what you think you heard, Eloise, but—”“Stop it,” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. “Don’t lie to me.”She opened her mouth like she was going to deny it again, but something in my eyes must’ve stopped her. Instead, she just looked away, lips pressed
"Congratulations, Mrs. Dawson. You are two weeks pregnant."I blinked, frozen in place on the couch as those words sank in. My eyes shifted from the doctor to Farah, whose mouth was slightly open in shock, then to Matthew—who was standing stiff across the room, silent.A bittersweet ache spread in my chest. I should be happy, right? New life. A child. But nothing felt right. Not the place, not the timing. Not even the father.Farah slowly reached for my hand, squeezing it. “El…”The doctor packed up her things and gave a polite smile before excusing herself, leaving the three of us in heavy silence.I couldn't even look at Matthew.This wasn’t how I imagined finding out. Not here. Not like this.I laughed sarcastically, the sound dry and bitter. “Great. Pregnancy in this kind of situation.”Farah didn’t say anything. She just stared at me, worry etched deep into her face.Matthew took a slow step forward but didn’t speak.I looked at them both, then placed a hand on my stomach.“Of al
Tears streamed down my face as Farah told me everything—every horrible detail.Noel killed Uncle Sandro. Just because he refused to sign that damn petition. Just because he stood for what was right.Farah was lucky to escape, all thanks to Matthew… and now here we are, clinging to each other like broken pieces trying to fit back together.I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, my voice shaky. “What about them, Farah? My kids… Elijah? Do you know anything?”Her face fell, and my heart dropped all over again."Days after you left, Elijah... also left the country, El,” Farah said, her voice low. “He brought the kids with him. Uncle Sandro and I tried to connect with him, but… we couldn’t anymore. He disappeared.”I froze.“What do you mean disappeared?” My voice was sharp, panicked.Farah shook her head, wiping her tears. “We don’t know where he went. He cut everyone off.”Farah lowered her gaze. “Maybe… maybe he just got tired, El. Of the push and pull, the hiding, the danger—everyt
In one blink of my eye, I saw Matthew clutching his arm, blood seeping through his fingers. He gritted his teeth, but he kept moving, dragging me with him behind a broken wall for cover.“Elijah…” I whispered, almost like a prayer, my eyes desperately searching the scene. My heart refused to believe it wasn’t him.Matthew snapped his head toward me, his face twisted in pain and fury. “It’s not Elijah!”But I didn’t listen. I couldn’t. “It is him,” I said through shaky breaths. “I know it’s him. I can feel it—he came back for me, Matthew!”His jaw clenched, breath heaving. “I'm telling you, Eloise! This is not Elijah!” His jaw clenched, breath heaving. “I'm telling you, Eloise! This is not Elijah!”I snapped.I shoved him back with all the strength I had left, my hands trembling, my vision blurred with tears. “It *is* Elijah! I know it! Why can’t you just admit it?!”Matthew looked stunned, caught off guard.“Why can’t you just give me up to him, Matthew?!” I screamed, voice cracking.
Every night, my children and Elijah haunted me. I can't sleep well thinking about them.I can't sleep thinking about how Eloah’s asthma is. Does he still keep his inhaler beside him like I taught him? Is someone checking on him when the air gets too cold?I can't sleep thinking if Eliana can sleep without me by her side. She used to curl up beside me, her tiny fingers always reaching for mine in the dark.I can't sleep thinking if Elijah… is finding me. If he's trying. If he’s losing sleep too. If he's blaming himself.I feel like I’m going insane here, and all I want now is to go home. As hard as it is to admit, I don’t think I’ll succeed with my plan. There are too many guards outside—armed, built like tanks... I know they won’t hurt me because I’m sure Matthew told them not to. But I’m also certain he instructed them to keep an eye on me every minute, every hour. Damn it.Maren was gently brushing my hair, her touch light and careful. She offered to do it earlier, saying it would h
The cold air of Denmark greeted me the moment I stepped out of the car. The house in front of me wasn’t anything extravagant—it was small, modern, and tucked away in a quiet, remote area. But what caught my eye wasn’t the house.It was the men.They were everywhere. Standing guard, pacing silently, some eyeing me with suspicion. I held onto the strap of my bag tightly and followed Matthew inside. Every step felt heavier than the last.The house looked normal, cozy even. But I knew better—this wasn’t home. This was a cage dressed in warmth.Matthew placed his hand on my shoulder, gently but firmly, like he was trying to remind me of something—of who he was to me before.“Angel,” he said, using the old call sign he used back then. I flinched, but said nothing.“This will be our safe haven,” he added, gesturing around the place.He walked me through the house, showing me each room—the kitchen, the living area, a small library, and a guest room that looked more like a surveillance space t
I've thought about this one. Clearly. Logically. Heartly...And it still hurts.What kind of wife and mother am I? I keep telling myself that I can handle everything—that I'm doing this for them, for their sake, because I love them. But who am I really fooling? This isn’t what love is. Love doesn’t leave quietly in the middle of the night without them knowing. I closed my eyes, gripping the suitcase tighter. I hated myself for doing this—for even thinking this was the right thing. I closed my eyes, gripping the suitcase tighter. I hated myself for doing this—for even thinking this was the right thing.Then my phone rang.I froze, heart pounding as I looked down at the screen.Matthew.I stared at his name for a moment, my thumb hovering. But I couldn’t answer—not now. Not when everything felt this fragile. Not when I wasn’t even sure who I was anymore.So I let it ring.And when it stopped, I slipped the phone back into my pocket and stepped out into the night.Just as I opened the
I stood on the terrace, phone in hand, staring out at the quiet view outside. Rafael was calling. I answered immediately."Any updates?" I asked, straight to the point."I don't know how to describe it. Elisse is still grieving. Matthew—your brother—he's moving fast," Rafael said cautiously."What now?" I asked, already sensing where this was going."He's hired a lawyer. One of those quiet but deadly types. He’s pushing to revisit the inheritance division—yours, Veronica’s, and his."I let out a quiet sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "Let him. I don’t care about the inheritance.""I know," Rafael replied. "But he’s spinning it like you’ve disappeared, like you walked away from everything. He wants full control.""Then let him think that." My voice was calm, firm. "I didn’t walk away from everything. Just from the parts that never mattered to me."There was silence for a moment on his end."Alright," he finally said. "Just thought you should know.""Thanks," I murmured, glancing back