“Sometimes life knocks you down and the struggles pull out every ounce of strength in you to fight back. Some people even relinquish their longing for a better life. They think this is how life is going to be. Only a few remain untarnished and strive for a more fulfilling life.” Veronica stood quietly beside Christian, listening intently to Aries’s voice reverberating through the microphone. The lights dimmed, and the big screen lit up to a backdrop of Eminem’s Mockingbird Instrumental music. Her lips slightly parted as she watched her old picture on the screen, remembering when she was a waitress in the café before she started dating Keith. “That was when she started to work for her sustenance.” Veronica contorted her features towards Aries. “Today, I would choose to honor the beauty of the human spirit within her. She crossed paths with different people at various points in her life. Some were tough on her, some were rude to her, some were kind to her and some had a role in her d
“Look what you’ve done!” The elevator lights flickered off, plunging the small space into darkness. “It’s not my fault!” Veronica’s revolting voice boomed. “I couldn’t find the call option on my phone! Don’t shout at me!” Aries disregards her bickering and takes out his phone to call, only to find that it is dead. “Awesome!” He sighed and walked over to Veronica, closing the small gap between them. “What are you doing?” She desperately wiggled while he tried to get her clutch bag from her. “Give me your phone, damn it! Let me call for help.” He said in a loud pitch, but she still wasn’t convinced and hid it behind her, and then tossed it away. “What the hell?” He turned to look for it in the pitch-black elevator. “Exactly! What the hell?” He heard her while looking for her phone on the floor. “Why did you come back?” His hand stopped. “I was just doing fine without you. I was finally happy, but you came back to ruin everything all over again!” Aries heard the clatter of her award
The second Aries opened the door of his suite, a ball of volcano charged at him, pushing him to take a step back. “What the hell do you think of yourself?” Veronica roared in his face, and Aries furrowed his brow, his eyes traveling to his bodyguards, and he signaled them to leave them be. Veronica heard the sound of the door shutting. “Calm down,” Aries tries to hold her, but she shrugs him off. “How dare you kiss me?” She confronted him. “What do you think of yourself? You can go whenever you please and come back when you wish, pretending nothing has changed?” “We can sit and talk,” Aries said. His calm, composed demeanor irked her more. “I would never sit down with you and have a fucking talk. It’s over between us! How dare you kiss me in the elevator?” Her eyes sparked with anger as she glared at him. “I was tired of your ranting, so I had to shut you up!” His response caused Veronica to clench her jaw in frustration. She cringed at the memory of her emotional outburst, and he
“I don’t understand what sort of psychotic fun you find in torturing her. You still haven’t told her the truth and confessed your actions?” Ace sank into his chair, disappointed. “Why did you go to Sweden behind her?” “Dad, I’m not ready! Ever since they told me about my latest reports. I’m skeptical about coming clean.” Aries looked into his eyes as he answered. “Does it give me joy when she stares at me with her vitriolic gaze?” He arched an eyebrow. “I’m not in the right set of mind! Thinking about my future is eating me up. How am I gonna sum up everything?” “Let’s wait for the doctor. This is not the end of the world.” Ace said as they waited for the doctor. “But one thing I want to assure you,” He put his hand on Aries’s shoulder. “We will not support any of your absurd decisions from now onwards.” Aries stared at him. “Let me check on the doctor. What’s taking him so long?” Aries watched his father leave, and he scoffed. “Everyone thinks I enjoy making Veronica suffer. But th
Lily and Chase were surrounded by the warm, fur-filled energy of the six cute pups. Chase was running around the living area, his laughter ringing out in loud giggles, as Lily chased after him. The glass door separated them from Veronica and Aries, who decided to have a word in private in the garden. “Let me stay here. I want to work on my relationship with Chase.” Aries said. Veronica’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I am surprised at your audacity in making such a statement. How on earth did you think I’d let you stay in my house after the pain and suffering you put me through?” “I’ve every explanation to clear the air between us. Just give me some time.” “Shh… I’m not looking forward to your any explanation. Your actions spoke louder and clearer than your words.” She interrupted him. “Didn’t you advocate for aborting Chase?” Aries let out a deep sigh and sunk into the hard wooden bench. “And when I didn’t go along with your plan, you coldly dismissed us. After a year of not inve
“Chase,” Veronica looked for him under the bed while he was riding on Milo’s back just in his diapers and blowing raspberries as the latter sauntered into Aries’s room. Chase’s eyes lightened up at the sight of him sleeping peacefully. “Woo,” He stretched his hand in his direction and Milo took him to the bed. He carefully held the edge of the bed with his tiny hands and Milo supported him to crawl onto the bed, and with a loud giggle, he reached to Aries on his fours on the other side of the bed. Veronica checks Chase’s playroom. “Where did he go?” She rushed out and glanced down at the servants from the staircase. “Where is Chase?” They looked back at her blankly. “Don’t look at me! Check everywhere!” She said in a high pitch and then sprinted off to the room at the end of the hallway and stopped at the door of Aries’s room. Her eyes stopped at Chase, who was holding the edge of the wooden headrest. Aries’s head was between Chase’s legs and the former was sleeping peacefully. “
Claudia had her eyes trained on Chase as he played with the children of his age in the park. “Please do not worry, everything is in order and running smoothly. Veronica expects me to send Chase’s pictures every hour.” She glances at her watch. “In two minutes, the next picture will be sent, and that will be the last mementos of Chase for her.” “Alright. The goons are waiting outside for your orders,” she heard the man say. Claudia’s face lit up with a beaming smile. “Tell them to beat the bodyguards. It should look real,” she said. “Let’s begin our plan in five minutes!” After concluding the call, she reached out to Chase. “Hey Chase, smile for Mama!” She clicked his picture and sent it to Veronica. “It’s time for lunch!” Lifting him into her arms, she departs the park with a bodyguard trailing behind her and she throws a suspicious glance at the men who had just stepped out of the black car across the road. The chauffeur pulled over the car and opened the backdoor for them. Takin
Inside the farmhouse, Aries sent Claudia’s picture to Simon, who was chilling at Noah’s place. “Investigate the background of this woman. Put our investigator into action. Three hours!” His eyes shifted away from his phone to Veronica and Keith, their laughter tickling his ears as they conversed in the kitchen. Elijah sidled up to Aries, and the latter pulled him close, cradling his arm around him. Chase’s eyes widened when he saw them, and he immediately raced towards Aries. “My dady!” Chase repeated what Elijah said to him every time he was close to Keith, and he quickly wriggled Aries’s arm from his shoulder, grunting. “Easy, buddy!” Aries caressed Chase’s back and his focus drifted back to Elijah. “Hey, what’s wrong?” “Chase has got mom and dad. But I’m still alone! Why?” Elijah glanced at Aries with a sorrowful stare, seeking answers. “Grandma said Veronica would marry Daddy, but last night, he said it’s impossible because you’re back! Why did you come back, Uncle Aries?” He
“Let me go!” I cried out in terror as they threw me onto the freezing floor of the dungeon, and I observed the silhouettes of five towering figures looming over me in the dim, wavering light. One of them made a call to my father, Connor Blair. The closest ally and confidant of Anton Genovese, the most feared Mafia King of New York City. “If you’re willing to see Janet again, just do as I say!” The sound of their menacing voices on the phone call sent a shiver down my spine. “Let’s see who you choose between your precious daughter and loyalty to Anton Genovese.” He finished the call and glared at me with murderous eyes. Despite the threat of harm, my father remained loyal to the Genovese family and made the decision that left me to face the consequences of their anger alone. Realizing that I was now worthless to them, they resolved to present me as a gift to the Russian mafia to enhance their alliance in their struggle against Genovese. They handed me over to a group of Russian arme
One year later, ~Veronica~ Today, for reasons I cannot fathom, my mind wandered back to the words Jasper spoke to me years ago. ‘Cara, the savior in a difficult situation, isn’t always the hero. The world we live in is not always kind, and not everyone you trust is virtuous. How come you are so gullible?’ As I reminisced about the past, I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, realizing how naïve I was back then. Or perhaps now I am wise enough to decipher the true meaning behind his words. As I take a stroll down memory lane, I am reminded of the angels that entered my life at just the right moment to rescue me. I would have died that night if it weren’t for Megan Morgan taking me in. Sandra consistently had my back and ensured I never went to bed hungry. Keith, who made me feel special even for a brief amount of time, and left behind all the differences between us in the past, I respect him for that. He made me experience love for a small amount of time and I am thankful for all th
Gianna’s white halter dress fluttered in the wind as she paced outside her apartment, her heart racing with anticipation. Glancing at her wristwatch, she groaned, realizing that Keith was already twenty minutes late and her stomach grumbled with hunger. “I better go back inside and grab a bite,” she thought to herself and turned to head back into the apartment complex, letting out a sigh. However, a black range rover pulled up next to her, causing her to roll her eyes. She crossed her arms over her chest and fixated her gaze on the car door. Keith stepped out in a neatly tucked white shirt and black pants, spiking his hair to perfection. But it wasn’t him who caught her attention. Elijah made quite the entrance as he stepped out of the car, looking dapper in his black suit and carrying a bouquet of red roses that were almost as tall as he was. “Dad, help me!” Elijah struggled to hold them, and Keith sighed, bending down to take them from him. Elijah breathed a sigh of relief and fl
Gianna glanced at her watch when she heard Elijah sitting next to her in the car. “You shouldn’t have disturbed Dad. He is always busy with work. He doesn’t like anyone interrupting him.” Keith’s attitude agitated Gianna. “If he refuses to support his son, how will my therapies be successful? I’m a doctor, not a magician!” As soon as the ten minutes were up, she gritted her teeth in frustration. “It would be wise for me to withdraw from this case.” She contemplated as Keith got into the car. “Hi!” he smiled and then his eyes moved to Elijah. “Why did you go to see the doctor alone? Why didn't you call me?” “I didn’t want to disturb you,” Elijah lowered his head. As Keith opened his mouth again, he caught Gianna's eye, and she gestured for him to take a deep breath and speak calmly. Keith followed her and put his hand on Elijah’s head. “Eli, are you upset with me?” “No,” he didn’t meet his eyes. Keith's internal conflict had been brewing, and he finally decided to confront the iss
Aries pushed the plate of cookies forward. “Here,” “What do you mean?” Veronica lifted an eyebrow. A puzzled expression crossed Aries’s face. “Do you think I am cheating on you?” A look of hurt crossed her face and Aries could see tears swimming in her eyes. “Aries, I go to Keith’s place to spend some time with Elijah. Since you weren’t here, it’s hard for you to comprehend the special bond that Elijah and I share. I don’t want him to hold any grudges against Chase because I am too busy to give him the attention. It has nothing to do with Keith. I find him occupied with work in his office whenever I’m at his place. It’s just that today…...” Aries grabbed a cookie and stuffed it into her mouth. “Hold your horses, sweetheart!” He placed his hands on either side of her and locked his gaze with hers. “When did I say you’re cheating on me?” He lifted an eyebrow. “You’re still so stupid!” He playfully smacked her forehead and let out a chuckle. She takes the cookie out of her mouth. “I
Elijah stood beside Veronica outside the principal’s office, absentmindedly tracing circles around her wedding ring with his thumb. “I’m sorry Veronica. I’ll never do this again.” She heard him say and looked down at him. “Sweetie, you are always so calm and patient. What went wrong?” Veronica ran her fingers through his hair. “He said bad words about Mom.” Elijah lowered his head, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Everyone in school thinks you’re my mom because I told them you’re marrying my dad!” He answered “They saw your wedding pictures on the internet and mocked me. They said I deserved to be motherless and I’ll always be miserable. Am I miserable, Veronica?” His sad eyes met hers as he looked up. “Of course not! Did you know your mom loved you the most?” She caressed his face. “And I love you. So much!” She planted kisses on his cheeks. “We all love you, baby!” The sound of heels clicking in the empty hallway caught their attention, and their eyes shifted to the woman in
“Baby Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo… Baby Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo… Baby Shark…” Chase stole a glimpse at his father, who let out a frustrated groan after listening to the same song repeatedly. Chase’s face lit up with a wide smile while munching on another fruit snack, and he redirected his focus to the screen. “Mommy Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo… Mommy Shark…” “Fuck, I can’t take this anymore!” Agitated, he got out of bed and began pacing the room. “Stop playing this song or I’ll turn into a shark!” His glare made Chase twitch his mouth. “Go to sleep!” “No,” Chase shook his head. “Daddy Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo… Daddy Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo… Daddy Shark…” “Daddy Shark!” With a loud exclamation, Chase raised both hands into the air and began swaying his body to the tune. Veronica couldn’t help but stifle a laugh as she watched the father-son duo. “You’re really enjoying yourself, aren’t you?” Aries gazed at Veronica with eyes full of accusation. The baby shark song looped again in the back
[MATURE SCENE AHEAD] ~Veronica~ As I rolled down the window, I couldn’t help but gaze out at the roads, trees, cars, and buildings speeding past me, just like the faint memories of my past life that seemed to fade away with each passing moment. It was all on a loop again. Cynthia and Alfred beating me up and kicked me out in the dead of the night. Encountering Keith and finding a short-lived sense of comfort. Meeting the captivating grey eyes right amidst shattering glasses. Aries saved me from the crossfire, risking his life. Keith’s rejection. Losing my baby. The club Flames of Sizzling Desires and the night Aries claimed me. “I have a question!” Keith’s voice seized my attention, causing me to face him next to me. “The news of your wedding left Elijah feeling very melancholic. He thinks you’ll stop visiting him.” He chuckled. “And he awakened some questions in me that I’d like to know from your stance!” His eyes settled on my face and I wondered what was in his mind. “Look, d
“Why isn’t she picking up the damn calls?” Aries let out a frustrated sigh. “Are you sure she went to meet Cynthia?” His gaze shifted towards Isla. “I don’t think she would dare go to her. But it’s habitual for her to switch off her phone whenever she’s doing something that’s prohibited.” She pursed her lips in contemplation. “No, she won’t go to her ever! I should go and check.” She turned on her heels. “You’re not going anywhere!” They heard Liam’s firm voice. “The last time you visited her, you experienced a severe bout of depression.” Aries’s eyes moved to Isla. “But I’ve recovered! I don’t have any such issue. In fact, I don’t need medicines ever since Chase stepped into our life.” Her eyes briefly shifted to Chase in Aries’s grasp before settling on Liam. “I must check. It’s my mother who made Veronica’s life hell.” “The answer is still a firm no! I don’t want you anywhere near that evil woman. All she does is ruin people’s lives.” He finished his drink and made his way out