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.”“
AFTERNOONVanessa had finished her job for the day earlier than usual and she decided to come back before before her kids return from school to be able to make something delicious for them.But as Diego brought the car to a halt outside her house. Something felt off. The open gate and the eerie silence sent a chill down her spine.She couldn't find the guards that they had assigned to be on standby outside.Her breath quickened as she stepped out, the cool afternoon air brushing against her skin. Diego and Lily alighted from the car and quickly followed behind her. Her heels clicked sharply on the stone path as she hurried to the door.The door creaked open under her push. Vanessa froze in the entryway, her hand trembling on the doorknob.The living room was destroyed. The couch was overturned, pillows scattered across the floor. Shards of glass glittered under the dim light from a broken lamp. Picture frames lay in ruins, the smiling faces of herself and her kids inside them distorte
Vanessa stood in the middle of the room, her arms folded tightly across her chest. Her mind spun with fear and anger. She couldn’t stop thinking about her kids. What if they had come home early? What would she have found then? Her stomach churned at the thought, and her hands curled into fists.“I’ll make them pay for this,” she muttered under her breath, her voice sharp and low.Diego came back into the room, moving quickly and looking grim. He held a small piece of cloth in his hand, his face serious. “I found this by the back gate,” he said, holding it out for her to see.Vanessa stared at the cloth. Her pulse quickened. “What is it? Does it mean something?”“Maybe,” Diego replied, turning the cloth over in his hands. “We’ll check it out. It could help us figure out who did this.”Vanessa nodded stiffly, her chest tightening. At least it was something, but it didn’t feel like enough. Not with her home torn apart and her family in danger.Lily walked back into the room, holding her
The cleaning crew arrived, their quiet footsteps almost drowned out by the rustling of their equipment. Vanessa stood at the doorway, watching as they moved quickly to start cleaning up the mess. Broken glass clinked as they swept, and furniture was being shifted back into place.She turned to Lily, her voice steady but firm. “You’ll stay here. Make sure everything gets done properly. I want this house spotless, and keep an eye on the guards while they search the area. If anything unusual turns up, call me immediately.”“Yes, ma’am,” Lily replied, glancing nervously at the chaos.Vanessa nodded once, then turned to Diego, who was waiting by the car with a few guards. Without another word, she walked past him and got into the back seat. Diego quickly followed, starting the engine as the other guards got in their vehicle to follow.As the car pulled out, Vanessa grabbed her phone and tried dialing Emily’s number. It rang twice before the call dropped. Frowning, she tried again, but this
The air around the abandoned car was thick with tension. Vanessa paced near the vehicle, her heels clicking against the asphalt with each step. She clutched one of her children’s backpacks tightly against her chest, her heart hammering harder with each second that passed. The world around her seemed muted, Diego’s low voice as he spoke into his phone, the faint hum of distant traffic, none of it fully registered.She was just thinking about the worst scenario her kids and Emily might be in. She should have done better! Sh shouldn't have let her enemies get to them First.Tears threatened to fall from her eyes but she held it in. This wasn't the time to cry. What if her parents or Xavier called now, what was she going to tell them? That she's been receiving threatening messages and now her kids and babysitter have gotten kidnapped and her house raided?It all sounded absurd. What would people think of her? An irresponsible mother, who couldn't keep her kids safe?Her mind raced with po
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