"It's Okay. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Vanessa said softly.Hayley glanced up at her. "Thank you." She whispered quietly. Soon, they heard hurried footsteps approaching them and Hayley quickly looked up, it was Riccardo. She quickly rose from her chair and ran towards him."Riccardo, you're here." "Yes, I drove down here as soon as I got your call." He said, leading her to seat down opposite Vanessa who he had not seen yet.Vanessa on the other hand was surprised to see Riccardo there. Then it hit her like a tidal wave, Riccardo had accompanied these two women the last time she was at the hospital.So, definitely he was their friend."Take a deep breath." He said, trying to calm Hayley."What happened?" He asked.Hayley did as he said, then went ahead to tell him all that had happened."Don't worry, we'll get to the root of all these." He assured her."The doctor hasn't come out yet?" He asked."No." Hayley shooked her head, tears already brimming at the corners
"Thank you for bringing Leila here." He added, tucking his hands into his pants pocket.Vanessa was almost tempted to ask him what his relationship with Leila was, but she swallowed back her words because it wasn't her business and she felt that she wasn't in any position to know."It's not a problem." She shrugged."You should go back in. I have to leave." Vanessa said."Alright, I'll see you during the weekend." Riccardo smiled."Weekend? Why?" Vanessa asked, confused for a moment."You forgot already?" Riccardo asked."Forgot what?""That you agreed that I'd take Ethan and Emma out." He said."Oh, so much on my mind." She muttered to herself.Glancing back at Riccardo, she said. "I didn't forget, it just skipped my mind." With that being said, she turned around and began to walk away, leaving Riccardo to stare at her retreating figure.Outside, as soon as Diego saw her, he opened the car door for her and Vanessa settled in.Diego started the car immediately and drove out of the ho
Riccardo pushed the door open violently to see Leila on the floor and Hayley trying to help her up.With steady steps, he advanced towards them with a worried look. "What happened? Why is she on the floor?" Riccardo asked Hayley."I tripped, I didn't see the bag on the floor." Leila said as Hayley helped her sit on the bed."Wasn't that scream a little bit too dramatic for a fall?" Riccardo asked, rubbing his face."I'm sorry. I guess I was just shocked." Leila apologized quickly."You don't need to apologize." Riccardo said, pulling out a chair to sit.He was glad that it was just a fall. Because for a moment, he actually thought that someone had broken into her room through the window."Are you going to stay here to watch us?" Hayley asked, glancing at Riccardo who sat opposite Leila's bed."Yes, till Lucas comes back." He nodded."Okay." Hayley muttered, moving farther away from Leila's bed. She sat on the couch across from her bed.Leila on the other hand, laid on the bed staring
He bumped into her first so Vanessa didn't bother to apologize as she waked past him and walked into th grocery store. If he was really the person behind all of this, then on thing was sure; him bumping into her now wasn't just a mere coincidence it was obviously staged. She turned around to see him walking into his car through the glass window.Vanessa decided to mind her business for now, she faced her front and walked towards the shelfs where flours where kept. She took a 10 gram bag of floor and other little ingredients she needed for baking a Cup cake.After picking them, she went to the counter to pay for what she bought. She walked out of the grocery store with a shopping bag in her hands. Settling down inside her car, she kept the shopping bag on the chair beside her since she was the only one sitting at the back seat.The ride to her house was a quite one as Diego was solely focused on the road in front of them and Lily was busy with some task on her Tablet while Vanessa scro
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
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