NEXT MORNINGThe loud ringing of the doorbell echoed through the silent walls of Leila's house. With heavy steps, she approached the door, wondering who was knocking so early in the morning.As she opened the door, her heartbeat accelerated at the sight of two uniformed police officers standing on her doorstep, their expressions grim and Cold."Leila Winston?" one of the officers asked, his voice hard and unfriendly.Leila nodded, her throat tightening with apprehension as she struggled to find her voice."That's me," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper."We're here to place you under arrest," the other officer stated bluntly, his words like a hammer blow to Leila's fragile composure.Tears stung at the corners of her eyes as she watched the officers approach, their hands reaching for the handcuffs that hung from their belts. She wanted to protest, to scream out, but the words caught in her throat, suffocated by the weight of despair that threatened to consume her.She knew
When Afternoon reached, Vanessa went with Diego to pick up her kids from school. She left them in Emily's care after calling Xavier on the phone and allowing her kids to speak with him.He didn't stay long during his last visit because he had a lot of pending shoots. He just squeezed out time to come see Vanessa and her kids that night. Which she was grateful for. Now she was on her way back to the office. She still had a lot of work to do, and it might drag on till evening or night.The following days, she had to meet with her clients. Most of the people she met at the party were willing to Partner with them. It was just three weeks since Vanessa came back and she was already making a name for herself in the Business world of America.Even Riccardo had not failed to hear about it. He had not gotten the chance to meet with her since the party, since their deal was already finalized. He didn't want to barge Into her office just to see her face without having anything important to do or
"You don't have to go, if you don't want too." Hayley whispered, holding her hands tenderly, as she stared at her."Let's go home." Leila muttered, walking ahead of Hayley.LEILA'S APARTMENTAs soon as she walked into the familiar walls of her home, her grandma pulled her into a tight hug which Leila reciprocated, snuggling closer into her embrace."My dear. I'm so happy you're back." Grandma Celine smiled, as they disengaged from the hug."I'm So Sorry, Grandma. I promise, I won't leave you again." Leila whispered, as she held her hands in hers."Come have dinner dear." Grandma Celine pulled her towards the dinning with a small smile. Hayley who had been quiet all these while followed behind them quietly.After eating, they sat on the couch in the living room.Grandma Celine turned to Leila. "A worker from the ROYALS came over." She informed, her lips stretched into a thin line."Hayley already told me." Leila replied, her gaze fixed on the wall before her."Do you want to go, dear?
Leila raced towards her burning house, with Hayley running behind her. The fire was increasing as the minutes passed by."Leila, please be careful." Hayley called out behind her.Leila stopped in front of her burning house. Just as she was about to walk into the burning fire, she heard Hayley's scream.Turning back, she saw a masked figure dragging Hayley, and trying to cover her nose with a sedated Handkerchief.Where are all their neighbors? Why wasn't anyone helping? Leila wondered. The sky was dark.She remembered her Grandma telling her to come back before nightfall.She glanced at her burning house and at Hayley who was actively struggling with the person who was dragging her. "Help!" Leila screamed, her cries echoing in the night as she watched helplessly, torn between her desire to save her grandmother and her concern for her friend.She decided to help Hayley first, who was now trying to pull herself out of the Unknown's dead grip. Just as she took a step forward, she felt a
When the time for the interview arrived, Vanessa and Riccardo found themselves inside a room at Riccardo's company, as the makeup artist put the final touches on Vanessa's face. She watched out of the corner of her eye as the assistant helped Riccardo straighten his shirt, noting that, as usual, he wasn't wearing a tie. But she refused to really look at him. Just as he glanced in her direction, she quickly diverted her gaze.Soon, the workers finished their tasks and left, leaving just Vanessa and Riccardo in the room. They sat opposite each other, with Vanessa doing everything she could to avoid his gaze.Riccardo, however, couldn't take his eyes off her. He had something on his mind, but he wasn't sure if now was the right time to bring it up. The Vanessa he was looking at now was the same Vanessa he had known years ago, not trying to act strong, just doing her best to avoid his gaze."Vanessa," he called out calmly, his brows furrowing slightly as he wondered if she would respond.
The interviewer was now solely focused on Mr. Rodriguez while Vanessa glanced at Riccardo. He looked as if he had just seen a ghost and Vanessa scoffed."Mr. Gonzalez." She waved her hands in front of his face."Are you Okay?" She asked, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.Riccardo snapped out of his thoughts. "I'm Fine." He replied, glancing at her.After the interview, Vanessa walked out with her father, who didn't bother to spare Riccardo a glance. Riccardo was left seating and staring at Vanessa's beautiful retreating figure."Mr. Gonzalez. It's time to leave." His PA said to him. Riccardo hadn't even noticed when he walked in. He stood up sluggishly and followed him out of the hall.***As Vanessa and her dad settled inside their Car, her father turned his focus towards her. "You're free for today right?" He asked."Yes. Are you going with me to see my kids?" She asked, a small smile plastered on her face."Sure." He returned the smile."Great. They'll be so excited to see y
Vanessa dropped the paper inside her drawer. Picking up her phone, she dialed Lily's number."Hello, Vanessa." Lily said, as she picked up after the second ring."Hey. Do you know any Amusement Parks around? Where I can take my kids to, without the eyes of the media around?" She asked."Yes. I heard about one. It's owned by one of the influential men in America. Reporters are not allowed there. It's highly secure." Lily informed."Are you sure about that?" Vanessa asked, scratching her forehead in thoughts."Yes, I am.""Alright. Book a reservation for three tomorrow." Vanessa instructed Calmly."Okay. I'll inform you when I do.""Thank you." Vanessa hung up and went to take her bath.When she entered to the living room, she met her kids sleeping on her Dad's lap while he patted their hair gently. She smiled at the gesture."Dad." She whispered, walking towards the couch where he sat.Her Dad turned his head slightly."You're here, Dear." He said.Vanessa nodded her head while standin
Vanessa's heart pounded in her chest as she turned to face him. For a moment, the world around her seemed to blur, leaving only the familiar, kind face of Riccardo's grandfather in focus. He looked older than she remembered, but his warm eyes and gentle smile were the same."Grandpa," Vanessa breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.He took a few steps closer, his cane tapping lightly on the ground. "Vanessa, my dear," he said, his voice filled with affection. "It’s been too long."Vanessa swallowed hard, fighting back the urge to cry. "I didn’t expect to see you here," she said, her voice wavering. "How have you been?""I could ask you the same," he replied, his eyes searching her face. "But first, come here. Let me take a good look at you."Without hesitation, Vanessa closed the distance between them, feeling a lump in her throat as he gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "You’ve always been like a granddaughter to me," he said softly. "And I’ve missed you.""I’ve missed you t
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