Leila's eyes fluttered open slowly, the remnants of her dream, still clinging onto her consciousness. She felt disoriented, her surroundings seemed Blur.But as her vision cleared, the stark reality of her situation came crashing down around her like a tidal wave. She wasn't in her room, she was in a hospital bed, surrounded by sterile white walls and the quiet hum of medical equipment.Panic surged through her, making her heart race in her chest as she struggled to make sense out of what was happening.How had she ended up here? And more importantly, was she okay?"I'll go get the doctor," a voice broke through her thoughts, drawing Leila's attention to the figure standing by her bedside. It was a nurse, she realized, her voice calm and reassuring despite the urgency in her tone.Leila nodded weakly, her throat dry and scratchy as she tried to form words. "Thank you," she managed to croak out, her voice barely above a whisper.With a gentle smile, the nurse disappeared from view, lea
Vanessa walked into her company, with Lily beside her. She was dressed in a blue cooperate gown and a pair of black heels. The sound of her heels resounding as she made her way towards the elevator that led to her office. As she passed by, her workers kept greeting and complimenting her, and she replied with a slight nod of her head."Good morning, Ms. Rodriguez.""Welcome, Ms. Rodriguez.""You look stunning, Ma."Vanessa smiled at all their greetings. "Thank you." She replied with a small smile. Standing in front of the elevator, she pressed the button and waited for it patiently."Ms. Rodriguez. I just received a mail from the office of Mr. Carter." Lily informed.Just then, the elevator doors swung open, and they both walked in."They informed me that Mr. Carter had just passed away, and you are being invited for the burial, which is being held tomorrow." Vanessa's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat as the unexpected news hit her. She felt her heart skip a beat, her
Tears rolled down uncontrollable from Leila's cheek as the reality of her situation dawned on her.Her grandmother was dead. Her friend was alive but now deaf. She'll never let the ROYALS go scout free after ruining her family like this! Her once peaceful life had suddenly turned to a tragedy overnight.She stared up at Hayley and tears were rolling down her cheeks too as she sobbed. Leila brought her hands towards Hayley's face and began wiping her tears away."Don't Cry, Alright." She coaxed, but more tears slipped down her own eyes, knowing her friend coudn't hear her.But she made up her mind not to keep crying. The ROYALS weren't crying when they ruined her life like this. And Crying wasn't going to help her or Hayley recover from the damage they've cost them.She couldn't help but wonder what would have been their faith if Lucas hadn't found them.She suddenly removed her hands from Hayley's own, and she wiped her tears away with the back of her palm. She then stood up with det
Three Days LaterLeila stood in front of Hayley's ward as she recalled her conversation with Lucas.FLASHBACK "What do you mean by that?" Leila asked, confusion etched on the features of her face."I believe that you fully understood what I meant," Lucas shrugged his shoulders like it was no big deal. Leila stared at him in surprise. Well, what did she expect? After saving her life and paying for her hospital bills, she didn't expect him to let her go freely. If you're wondering how she knew, she had asked a nurse the previous day, and she said it was Lucas that brought her here and also paid for all the expenses, including the emergency surgery. "He must really have a lot of money to be able to afford all these," Leila thought inwardly."I'm talking to you," Lucas said as he waved his hand in front of Leila's face, and she blinked her eyes before facing him."Huh!, What did you say?" She asked"Take your time and think about my proposal; I'll be waiting for your response," he sai
Leila heart thumped loudly against her ribcage as she dashed out of Hayley's room. Her mind swirling with worry as she frantically searched around the Hallway for her. Before she could fully make her way out of the hallway. She came face to face with Hayley and a nurse. Relief washed over her like a wave.The tension that had gripped Leila earlier released in a rush as she exhaled deeply. She let out the breath she didn't know she had been holding. She had not realized how tightly she had been holding on until that moment."You're here," Leila muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, her words carrying the weight of her apprehension.The nurse nodded her head gently, acknowledging their unexpected encounter. Her Calm demeanor provided a sense of calm for Leila. Her presence reassured her that her friend was safe, admist the Chaos of her swirling emotions."Yes. She wanted to take a stroll." The nurse replied, her tone professional, yet tinged with a hint of concern, as she gestured
CARTER'S RESIDENCEJuliet stared at the woman before her. She was a scheming woman. What made her think that she'd believe her like that. "How do I know that's what my Father Said?" Juliet asked, raising her eye brows.Her Step Mother, Sophia smiled as if she had been expecting that question. She grabbed her phone from her bag and played a recording."My dear Juliet. I know that I shouldn't be saying this now, but I can't help it. I want what's best for you. I'm sorry for letting you go all those years. I should have held onto you when you needed me the most. I'm really sorry, my dear."Tears brimmed at the corners of Juliet's eyes as she heard her father's voice again. After how many years? And she was finally hearing his voice but, it was something that was recorded. She didn't get the chance to see him one time before he passed away. Her heart clenched in hurt as she struggled to keep her tears in check. She didn't and won't break down in front of her Step Mother and Daughter."I
Vanessa stood by the door, not knowing what to say."What the hell was Riccardo doing in front of her door?"No. That's not supposed to be the question. She mentally faced palmed herself."How did he know my house?" Vanessa's grip tightened around her doorknob. She was happy that Emily wasn't around and that her kids were asleep.She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. Why was Riccardo always popping up in front of her? She's trying her best to stay away from him, yet he just keeps showing up. "What are you doing here?" She managed to ask as she steadied her voice. He was about to reply, but she waved her hands in front of his face, willing him to stop."How did you know where I live?" She asked, now standing akimbo. Her eyes are not leaving his."I came to see you." He replied, his gaze fixed on Vanessa. He was wearing a white shirt and black pants. Not cooperate, just simple. It fit his stunning Raven Black hair, which was gelled backwards."How did you know where I
VANESSA'S OFFICE Vanessa sat at her desk, lost in thought. The day had been long, and she could feel the weight of it pressing down on her. The soft ticking of the clock on the wall was the only sound in the room. Her fingers absently traced the edge of a document, but her mind was elsewhere.The door creaked open slightly, and Lily stepped in. She held a folder in her hands. Vanessa looked up, meeting Lily’s eyes. “Ms. Rodriguez." Lily started, her voice gentle but firm, “There’s something we need to discuss.”Vanessa leaned back in her chair, nodding for Lily to continue. She could sense that whatever Lily was about to say wasn’t going to be easy.Lily took a deep breath, then walked over to the desk, placing the folder in front of Vanessa. “Mr. Gonzalez suggested another deal." She informed and Vanessa's eyes widened."I'll forward you the summary of it all.""We were also given another deal to secure within a month." Vanessa groaned inwardly, why couldn't Damien just let her be
A NEW CHAPTER Three years later. Ethan and Emma were running around, playing tag with Riccardo, who pretended to struggle to keep up with their speed.“Daddy, you’re too slow!” Emma giggled, darting away as Riccardo reached out to catch her.“Oh, I’ll get you!” Riccardo teased, his playful growl making both kids squeal with delight.Vanessa leaned against the doorframe, cradling her six-month old daughter in her arms. The baby cooed softly, her tiny hands grasping at the edge of Vanessa’s blouse.“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, Sofia?” Vanessa whispered, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s soft hair.The past three years had been a journey of hope, love, and healing. Vanessa’s diagnosis had been a heavy weight, but with Riccardo’s unwavering support, they’d found the best doctors and treatments. Through hard work and a little luck, her. condition had stabilized.“Mommy, come play!” Ethan called, his dark curls bouncing as he ran toward her.Vanessa smiled, walking over with Sofia in
TWO DAYS LATER Vanessa’s heels echoed on the marble floor of her office as she paced back and forth, her phone pressed to her ear. Her movements were sharp, her mind racing. For weeks, she had been gathering evidence against Alexander Grey.He had done too much harm, kidnapping Ethan and Emma, orchestrating the failed attempt on her life, and lurking in the shadows, ready to strike again. But she wouldn’t let him win.Her phone call ended with a click, and she stared out of the large window overlooking the city. The evidence was solid. It wasn’t just a small victory, it was the beginning of the end for Alexander Grey. She took a deep breath, her hands clenching at her sides.“Ms. Rodriguez?” Diego’s voice interrupted her thoughts. He stepped into the office.She turned to him, her voice calm but firm. “It’s time, Diego. I’ve sent everything to the authorities. The files, the recordings, everything. We’re moving forward.”Diego nodded, his respect for Vanessa clear in his eyes. “They’
ONE MONTH LATERThe sun hung low in the sky, casting golden light through the windows of Vanessa’s office. She sat at her desk, focused on reviewing a stack of reports. The past month had been hectic. Riccardo had recovered, Lucas had been relentless in tightening security, and life was slowly falling back into its usual rhythm. But today felt... different.Vanessa glanced at the calendar on her desk. It was her birthday, but she had no plans to celebrate. Birthdays had never been a big deal for her, especially not now when there was so much work to do. She sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of her face as she reached for her pen.A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. “Come in,” she called, expecting Lily or Diego with an update.The door opened, and Emily poked her head in. “Ms. Rodriguez, sorry to bother you, but can I steal you for a moment? There’s a small problem with Ethan and Emma.”Vanessa frowned, setting her pen down. “What’s wrong? When did they get back?"
The warm sunlight streamed into Juliet’s room, touching her skin and making her stir. Slowly, she opened her eyes, blinking at the brightness filling the space. For a moment, she stayed still, letting the peace of the morning calm her. Then it hit her, like a storm rolling in.She remembered.Her heart began to race as memories came rushing back. She could hear her stepmother’s cold voice, the cruel words that had shattered her world. Juliet had overheard her stepmother plotting to kill her, all for her father’s money and property. The betrayal still burned deep in her chest.Her breathing quickened as more came back to her. The fear. The panic. She could see herself running, her steps fast and desperate as she tried to escape. She had been so scared that she hadn’t noticed the car. She remembered the blinding headlights, the screech of the tires, and the sharp pain when she hit the ground.And then... Romeo.He had been the one to save her. She saw his face in her mind, calm and stro
The quiet hum of the machines filled the room as Vanessa sat by Riccardo’s side, her fingers gently brushing against his cool hand. Each second felt like an eternity as she waited for Lucas. The sound of hurried footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. Vanessa glanced up just as the door opened, and Lucas stepped in. His tall frame filled the doorway, his dark eyes scanning the room until they landed on Riccardo. His face, usually composed, twisted with worry and anger.“Vanessa,” Lucas said, his voice low but steady. He crossed the room in a few quick strides, his gaze fixed on Riccardo. “How bad is it?”Vanessa stood, smoothing her hands down her blazer as if it would steady her nerves. “The doctor said he’s stable,” she began, her voice quiet but firm. “The bullet missed his vital organs, but he lost a lot of blood. He hasn’t woken up yet.”Lucas nodded, his jaw tightening. He pulled a chair beside Riccardo’s bed, his hands curling into fists on his lap as he stared at his unconsci
Vanessa paced outside the operating room, her heels clicking softly against the sterile tile floor. She kept her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her fingers gripping the fabric of her blazer like it was the only thing keeping her together. Lily and Emily sat on the nearby bench, their faces pale and somber. Diego stood close by as he watched the hall for any sign of the doctor."I can’t believe this is happening," Vanessa muttered under her breath, her voice thick with emotion. She stopped pacing and turned toward the small group. "He took a bullet meant for me.""Ms. Rodriguez," Lily said gently, her voice trembling. "It’s not your fault."Vanessa shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. "How can it not be? If he hadn’t been there..." Her voice broke, and she quickly looked away, blinking back tears.Emily, sitting with her hands folded tightly in her lap, glanced up. "He’ll pull through," she said, though her voice lacked confidence. "He’s strong, isn’t he?"Vanessa n
The faint sound of the ambulance’s siren echoed in the distance, fading as it disappeared around the corner. Vanessa’s heart raced, a knot forming in her stomach as she turned sharply to face Diego. Her voice came out in a breathless whisper, a mixture of fear and urgency."What hospital is the ambulance heading to?"Diego hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on her before he quickly checked his phone. The seconds stretched painfully. He didn’t need to ask why. Vanessa’s face was pale, her eyes wide with worry, and she was already halfway to her car."The nearest hospital," Diego finally replied, his voice calm but urgent. "Saint Anthony’s.""Let’s follow them." Vanessa’s voice was steady, though the tightness in her chest made her words feel like they were being dragged from her.Before Diego could protest, she was already inside her car, the engine roaring to life as she slammed the door shut. The sleek black vehicle peeled out of the parking lot, its tires screeching against
The workday finally came to a close, and the sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft orange glow over the city. Vanessa stood in her office, the final task of the day weighing on her mind. Emily and Lily had just walked into the room, the slight shuffle of their shoes breaking the silence.Vanessa smiled as she looked at Emily. "Emily, dear. You did well today."Emily blinked in surprise, a soft smile crossing her face. "Really? Thank you, Ms. Rodriguez. I’m happy to help with whatever I can."Vanessa’s eyes softened. "I appreciate it, truly."Lily cleared her throat, her expression eager. "Are you ready? Let’s go."Vanessa nodded, the last-minute decision still fresh in her mind. "We won’t be using the same car today," she said, her voice firm but calm.Lily raised an eyebrow, and Emily’s face faltered for just a moment, but they both said nothing."I’ve already told Diego. He’s brought another car for me," Vanessa added.As they made their way to the parking lot, the evening air wra
Vanessa paced her office, the tension in her chest growing heavier with every second. She couldn’t let this drag on. The mole had to be identified before the end of the day. Picking up her phone, she called Damien.“Vanessa,” Damien’s voice was brisk.“Get to my office now,” she said without preamble. “We have a serious problem.” She added.“I’ll be there in two minutes,” he replied and hung up immediately.Few minutes later,“What’s going on?” Damien asked, shutting the door behind him. “We have a mole,” Vanessa said bluntly. “Someone leaked the designs for our new product to Grey Enterprises. They launched it ahead of us this morning.”Damien’s jaw tightened. “Do we have any leads?”“Not yet,” Vanessa admitted. “But we don’t have time to play detective. I want this person caught before the day ends.”Damien nodded. “Alright. Let’s start with the basics."He pulled out his laptop and placed it on Vanessa’s desk. “We’ll need to narrow it down. Vanessa, do you know exactly which files