NEXT MORNING"Bye, babies." Vanessa waved at her kids one last time before their car drove out of the compound. As she walked back into her house, she glanced at the bodyguards stationed in front and sighed. She hoped that this would be enough for now to keep her kids and everyone around her safe.Diego had already assigned some guards that will be guarding Ethan, Emma and Emily in the shadows, to avoid them getting hurt. While the extra cameras would be installed today.Vanessa pushed her door open and walked in, shutting the door quietly behind her. She walked through the living room, making her way towards her room to get dressed.She took her bath early in the morning and had already eaten breakfast with her kids. Entering her room, she shut the door and walked to her closet, trying to pick out a good outfit for the day.After searching through her closet for about ten minutes, she finally settled for a black pants and white blouse with a black leather jacket over it. She matched
When the Jewelry Auction show was over, Diego steadily guided Vanessa out of the Venue before Tiffany could even approach her to cause any troubles. Back inside her car, she took out her phone from her purse as she scrolled through the internet while Diego drove her home.She happened to stumble upon a post of the ROYALS promotion their products and she paused for a while as she recalled what Riccardo had told her about being partners with them.So far, they were the most popular company in America when it came to cosmetic production. Could they be a threat to Leila? She thought.But she quickly shrug the thoughts off as soon as they came. There was no way that would be possible. They've always had a clean record.Instead of thinking of thinking about other People's problem, she decided to think about her own. She logged out of her social media account and went to her Messages.She read through the threatning messages she had received previously. Since that day, she had not received a
As Leila's hand started to tingle, confusion and fear washed over her. She tried to move her fingers, but they didn’t respond. She tried again, but it was still the same thing."Lucas…" she said, her voice trembling. "Something’s wrong." She uttered as quietly as she could.Lucas quickly glanced over, his brows creasing with concern. "What do you mean? What’s going on?""I... I can't move my hand." Leila’s voice shook as she looked down, her right hand hanging limply. "It feels numb. I can’t feel anything."Lucas slowed the car, pulling over to the side of the road. "Take a deep breath," he said, his voice calm but worried. He reached over and gently held her hand, pressing lightly along her fingers. "Does this hurt?"Leila shook her head. "No, it’s just… like it’s asleep, but worse. Like I can’t wake it up."Lucas took a deep breath, keeping his tone steady. "Maybe it’s just temporary. Did you sleep on it wrong?""I don’t know," Leila whispered, worry etched on her face. "I’ve never
The house felt unusually quiet. Maybe because she was the only one around. Leila moved slowly through the living room, adjusting pillows and tidying the coffee table. The warmth from earlier had faded, leaving a slight chill that seeped into her skin. She rubbed her hand, which still tingled faintly, as if to shake off the strange feeling. It had mostly faded, but a hint of worry stayed.Lucas was out for a bit, meeting with a business associate, and Leila had insisted she’d be fine on her own. Yet, as the house settled around her, shadows stretching long across the floor, a strange unease bubbled up.Leila sighed, shaking her head. "You’re fine," she muttered to herself, heading to the kitchen to make some tea. The silence was something she used to treasure, time to think, to clear her mind. Now, it just felt... heavy. She couldn’t shake the idea that something wasn’t right, that this numbness was only the start of something bigger.As she filled the kettle, her phone buzzed on the c
WEEKEND: VANESSA'S APARTMENT It was a bright Saturday morning, and the house was full of excitement. Ethan and Emma, were already dressed and couldn’t sit still. Today, they were going to the park with Riccardo, the friendly man they enjoyed spending time with. If only they knew. Vanessa knew they saw him as just a friend, unaware of his deeper connection to them. And though her feelings toward Riccardo were still complicated, she’d agreed to join them today, for the kids. She would keep her distance, giving the twins space to enjoy their day with him.Vanessa stood in the kitchen, sipping her coffee with a small smile as she watched Ethan and Emma race around in their sneakers. They practically glowed with excitement, and she felt a mix of warmth and worry. Riccardo had been clear about wanting to make things right with her, but it would take time for her to open up completely. Today, however, wasn’t about their past, it was about Ethan and Emma.The doorbell rang, and Vanessa set
The house was quiet after Riccardo left, and Vanessa was grateful for the calm. She knew she’d need some time to sort out her thoughts after the day they’d just had. Ethan and Emma were still buzzing from all the excitement at the park, telling each other stories of the slides, the ducks, and the ice cream. Hearing their laughter, she couldn’t help but smile.She walked up to their room, finding the twins getting ready for bed. Ethan was already in his pajamas, talking a mile a minute, while Emma brushed her teeth in the bathroom.“Alright, you two,” Vanessa said, leaning against the doorway. “It’s almost bedtime.”“But Mom, we had so much fun today!” Ethan said, his face still bright with excitement. “Can we do this again soon?”Emma came out of the bathroom, her eyes shining. “Yeah, Mom! Can Riccardo take us to the park again?”Vanessa nodded slowly, feeling a mix of emotions. “I’m glad you had a good time. And… yes, maybe we can do it again sometime.”The twins grinned and clambere
LUCAS'S MANSIONLeila woke up as the soft light of the morning came through the curtains. She stretched, still feeling the warmth of the bed around her. Lucas was still lying beside her. She smiled quietly, happy for these calm moments before the day started.As she sat up, Lucas moved next to her, his hand brushing her arm. He mumbled something and turned over, pulling her back into his arms. Leila chuckled softly and gently pulled away from him, knowing he would sleep for a while longer. She quietly got out of bed, trying not to wake him, and went to the kitchen to start her morning.It was Sunday, so there were no early meetings or work to worry about. Leila thought the day would be peaceful. As she made herself a cup of tea, her phone buzzed on the counter. It was a text from Hayley: “I’m on my way! Can’t wait to hang out today.”Leila smiled, happy her friend was coming over. She had been looking forward to catching up for days. It had been a while since they had time to relax to
Leila spent the rest of the morning reading on the couch. The sun streamed in through the tall windows, warming the room and making it feel peaceful. She flipped the pages slowly, trying to stay focused, but her thoughts kept drifting.The odd feeling from earlier still lingered, like something was wrong. She didn’t know why, but it left her unsettled. Shaking her head, she set the book down and got up to tidy the living room.Just as she fluffed the last pillow, the door opened, and Lucas walked in. He looked tired but still gave her a small smile.“You’re home early,” she said, walking over to him.“Yeah, I finished faster than I thought,” he replied, pulling her into a hug.Leila leaned into him, letting his familiar scent calm her nerves. “How was it?”“Busy,” he said, avoiding her eyes. “Just a lot to handle, but nothing I couldn’t manage.”Leila frowned, sensing something was off. “You okay?”Lucas hesitated for a moment before nodding. “I’m fine. Just a long day, that’s all.”“
Vanessa’s OfficeVanessa sat at her sleek glass desk, her fingers tapping softly against the keyboard of her laptop. The hum of the air conditioning filled the room, blending with the faint rustle of papers on her desk. The muted city sounds filtered through the large floor-to-ceiling windows behind her, casting long shadows across her pristine office. Despite the calm around her, Vanessa’s mind was anything but at ease.A sharp knock broke through the quiet. She paused, lifting her head as her dark eyes flickered toward the door.“Come in,” she called, her voice steady.The door creaked open, and Lily stepped inside, her beige blazer slightly wrinkled as if she had rushed up the stairs. Her usually bright demeanor was replaced by something more subdued, her expression careful.“What is it? Any news?” Vanessa asked, her voice clipped and to the point. She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest as she studied her assistant’s face.“Yes,” Lily said, hesitating for a
LUCAS’S MANSION: LIVING ROOMLeila sat in the middle of the plush leather couch, her eyes fixed on the large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. The headlines flashed in bold letters: ROYALS ARRESTED FOR MULTIPLE CRIMES. The images accompanying the news showed Monica and Robert Royal being led out of their mansion in handcuffs. Their faces, once filled with arrogance and power, were now masks of shock and humiliation.Leila’s face was unreadable, her expression cold and distant. Her hands rested on her lap, fingers loosely intertwined, but her knuckles were slightly white from the pressure she didn’t realize she was applying. The faint hum of the air conditioning filled the silent room, but her mind was elsewhere, consumed by the events unfolding before her.She had expected this moment for a long time, and now that it was here, it brought her no joy. The Royals were getting what they deserved, but she knew this was just the beginning. The evidence leaked online was only a fraction of
ROYALS MANSIONMonica adjusted her blazer in front of the full-length mirror, her polished heels clicking against the marble floor as she paced the room. The quiet hum of the central air conditioning was the only sound as the grand clock on the wall ticked steadily. Her handbag rested on the arm of the plush leather couch, ready for the day ahead.She took a final look around the living room, the modern decor gleaming under the soft glow of the crystal chandelier. Everything about the Royals Mansion screamed wealth and status, from the white marble floors to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.With a deep breath, she grabbed her bag and turned toward her husband, Robert, who sat leisurely on the couch. A steaming cup of coffee rested on the glass table in front of him, untouched, as he scrolled through his tablet with a calm demeanor."I'm heading out now," she said, her voice carrying a hint of nervous energy. “Wish me luck for today.”R
VANESSA'S OFFICE : NINE A.MVanessa paced the length of her office, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor as she held her phone to her ear. Her reflection in the large window showed her furrowed brow and the way her fingers tugged at the hem of her blazer.“Lily, make sure everything is set up. I don’t want any surprises at this press conference,” Vanessa said sharply, the tension in her voice was unmistakable.“Understood, Ms. Rodriguez,” Lily replied on the other end of the line. “The venue is ready, and the media has been briefed. You just need to arrive.”Vanessa let out a breath, nodding to herself. “Good. Thank you.” She ended the call and set the phone down on her desk.Emily, who had been sitting on the couch, looked up from her phone. “You okay?”Vanessa paused, her hands resting on the back of her chair. “Not really. This press conference could make or break the company. If I don’t handle this right, we’re done for.”Emily stood and walked over, her confidence
NEXT MORNINGThe shrill ringing of Vanessa’s phone jolted her awake. She groaned softly, rubbing her eyes as she tried to push herself up from the warm cocoon of her bed. Squinting at the screen, she noticed three missed calls from Lily.A quick glance at the clock on her nightstand confirmed it was just six a.m.“Why is Lily calling me so early?” she muttered, her voice heavy with sleep.She sat on the edge of her bed, her bare feet brushing against the cool tiled floor, and dialed Lily back. The phone barely rang twice before Lily picked up.“Good morning, Ms. Rodriguez,” Lily greeted, though her voice lacked its usual cheerfulness.“Morning, Lily. What’s wrong?” Vanessa asked, a knot of worry tightening in her stomach.“Ms. Rodriguez, you need to check the trending news,” Lily said, her tone sounding more serious than usual.Vanessa frowned. “What news?” She asked calmly, trying to braze herself for whatever Lily had to say.“It’s all over the internet. I think it’s better you see
FEW MINUTES LATERVanessa grabbed her bag and cast one last glance at Riccardo. His face was unreadable, his dark eyes steady as he stood by the doorway."I'm leaving," she said, adjusting her bag on her shoulder."I’ll come back to pick Emily later," she added firmly."Sure," Riccardo replied, his voice calm and steady. "Stay safe."Vanessa gave a small nod, muttered, “I will,” and headed out the door.Outside, the cool evening air greeted her. Diego stood near the car, his posture straight as ever. The moment he saw her, he moved quickly to open the car door."Thank you," she said, stepping inside. The faint scent of leather filled the air as she settled into her seat.Diego climbed into the driver’s seat and glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Where’s Emily?" he asked."She’s staying at Riccardo’s for now. I’ll pick her up later," Vanessa replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked out the window.Diego nodded silently. After a moment, he asked, “Where to?”
Vanessa pushed open the door to the guest room. The bright overhead bulb illuminated the space, making the white walls appear even more pristine. She expected to see Emily fast asleep, curled up under the neatly folded comforter. Instead, Emily sat cross-legged on the bed, her phone in her hands, scrolling leisurely.Vanessa paused in the doorway, tilting her head. “Why did you say you needed a nap if you’re not even sleeping?”Emily looked up, a playful smile on her lips. “I realized you both needed to talk. So, I gave you privacy.”Vanessa blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of her response. She stepped further into the room, closing the door gently behind her. “Wow,” she said after a moment. “That’s... unexpected.”Emily shrugged, setting her phone aside. “It wasn’t a big deal. You both looked like you had things to say.”Vanessa sat down at the edge of the bed, her movements slow as she processed Emily’s words. “Well, thank you. That was thoughtful of you.”“No problem.” Emily’s
Vanessa glanced around the house as Riccardo led Emily toward the living room. She had only been here once before, and that was under far different circumstances, desperate and frantic, begging him to help find her missing kids and Emily. The house still felt foreign, despite its warm lighting and elegant decor. The scent of polished wood and faint cologne lingered in the air, a reminder of Riccardo’s presence everywhere.She followed them into the spacious living room. The walls were lined with tall bookshelves, the shelves neatly filled, and a large painting hung above the stone fireplace. Vanessa took a hesitant seat on the soft gray couch, her posture stiff. Emily, on the other hand, settled in comfortably, running her fingers over the plush throw pillows.“Ms. Rodriguez, this house is so beautiful,” Emily said, turning her head to glance at Vanessa with wide, admiring eyes.“Yes, it is,” Vanessa replied simply, her gaze briefly flickering to Riccardo, who was pouring tea from a s
Two hours later, Vanessa leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as she glanced at the time on her laptop screen. It had been a long day, and the weight of it was beginning to settle in. She was just about to shut her laptop when a soft knock came at her door."Ms. Rodriguez, are you done for today?" Emily’s voice came through as she peeked in.Vanessa glanced up with a small smile. "Yes, dear. I’m just about to wrap up."Before she could finish, the door opened wider, and Lily walked in with Emily now standing beside her, both carrying the faint energy of people eager to leave for the day. Vanessa clicked her laptop shut and rose from her swivel chair, picking up her jacket from the back of it. She took a moment to stretch, rolling her shoulders as she approached them.But as she moved, her mind drifted back to Riccardo. She’d been curt with him earlier, perhaps too curt. A twinge of guilt poked at her chest.Was I too harsh? she wondered. He had helped her find her children, a