The flight felt never ending, but Vanessa let out a sigh of relief as the plane finally touched down in Spain. She adjusted her grip on her children, Emma and Ethan, as they descended the stairs. The warm Spanish sun kissed her skin, a welcome change from the chill of America. Lily had already disappeared to fetch their bags, and Diego excused himself to retrieve the car they would be using.Vanessa’s feet felt heavy against the tarmac, exhaustion creeping into her every move. Her twins clung to her sides, their little hands gripping hers tightly. “We’re finally here,” she murmured, offering them a small smile. The kids, though weary, perked up at her words, their excitement bubbling beneath the surface.A few moments later, Lily returned, with their luggage, her cheeks were flushed from the effort, but her grin didn’t waver. Not long after, the smooth hum of an approaching engine drew their attention. A sleek black Lamborghini Urus rolled up to the curb, its glossy exterior catchin
Vanessa pushed her chair back slightly and turned to her kids. “Emma, Ethan, how’s the food?”Ethan, with his mouth full of bread, gave her a thumbs up, while Emma nodded enthusiastically. “Grandma’s food is the best!” she declared, grinning at their grandmother, who beamed with pride.Vanessa chuckled softly, shaking her head. The warmth in the room was almost enough to make her forget her troubles. Almost.Her mother sat down, smoothing her apron as she did. “Vanessa, are you staying long this time?”Vanessa hesitated, her fork hovering over her plate. “No. I have a lot things to take care of." She replied with a small sigh.Her mother studied her for a moment, her sharp eyes catching the tension in her daughter’s posture. “If there’s anything you need to talk about, you know I’m here,” she said gently.Vanessa forced a smile, nodding. “I know, Mom Thank you for being here."Ethan piped up, breaking the somber moment. “Can we go to the beach tomorrow, Mommy? Please?”Vanessa ruffled
Vanessa adjusted her coat as she walked out of the hotel room. Emily followed closely, her steps quick to match Vanessa's pace, while Lily and Diego trailed behind. The morning air was crisp, and the sound of their shoes echoed in the quiet hallway.Emily had been staying with them ever since her school closed for the year. Her parents were constantly traveling, leaving her alone in their large house. So, when Vanessa suggested Emily come along to her company, she jumped at the chance.Outside, Diego opened the door to a sleek black van parked in front of the hotel. Vanessa helped Emily climb in before settling into her seat. Lily slid in beside her, while Diego took the driver’s seat. The van purred to life as Diego drove out of the parking lot, blending into the light traffic of the morning.Emily turned to Vanessa, her voice hesitant. “Ms. Rodriguez, are you sure this is a good idea?”Vanessa glanced at her and smiled softly. “Trust me, it won’t be bad at all,” she said reassuringl
Vanessa was sitting on the couch in the living room as she waited for her husband to arrive from work. He had always liked coming home late but today's own was getting out of hand. She was fidgeting with the hem of her dress. She was getting really worried it was already 11:30, almost midnight.She had already prepared his dinner even though she knew that he might not eat the food she prepared. Vanessa had no trouble performing her wifely duties and she always did it with so much Enthusiasm. She came back from her place of work earlier in the evening but she hasn't rested since then, she had prepared dinner and now she was waiting for her husband to return. She loved him dearly and always wished that he could feel the same way towards her, but his actions everyday tells her that he doesn't feel the same way. Still, she wasn't giving up.She had met Riccardo during her college days, for her it was love at first sight. She once confessed her feelings to him during college but he had tu
The continuous knocking on the door got Vanessa's eyes fluttering open. She realized that she was still inside the bathtub, she was already shivering, before she could stand up from the bathtub, Riccardo's pushed the door open and walked in. When he saw her state he scoffed, he was already dressed up for work, he wore a black suit and pants with a white shirt tucked in, with two buttons left undone, revealing his tanned chest. Riccardo always liked leaving two of his shirt buttons opened, he only wears tie during special occasions. Vanessa couldn't help but notice that he looked extremely hot this morning. "What are you doing there?" He asked, his voice cold as usual. "I suddenly fell asleep last night" Vanessa replied as she stood up from the bathtub, grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself. She was shivering a little. She watched as Riccardo took off his jacket and covered her with it. She smiled at his kind gesture. "Today is our third Marriage anniversary" Riccardo said.
”And what the hell do you think it is?" His cold voice sent shivers down her spine. She stared at him shocked. She threw the divorce papers on the table, before facing Riccardo. "Why? Why can't you just reciprocate my feelings? Was loving you all these years a crime!?" Vanessa asked as she stood before her husband Riccardo, her heart clenching in hurt. "After all these years, is this what you repay me with?" She asked staring down at the divorce papers on the table, her eyes burning with unshed tears. She didn't want to cry in front of him, but the continuous pain she felt in her chest made her want to just run away and cry her eyes out. Riccardo didn't reply, he brought out an envelope and handed it over to her. Vanessa's heart pounded loudly in her chest as she tore the seal of the envelope. Her heart literally stopped beating as she saw the content on the envelope. "Riccardo..." "You don't need to say anything, the picture says it all" Riccardo waved his hands in front of her fa
But she quickly wiped them off and returned to her bed. She picked up her phone from the nightstand and dialed a number, the person picked up after the third ring. "Hello Mom" Vanessa said. There was silence before her mom finally replied. "You finally decided to call?" Her voice sounded from the other end. "I'm sorry for not calling all these while. How are you and dad doing?" She asked slowly. "We're fine, but you don't sound fine to me. What's wrong?" Her mom asked. "Nothing Mom, I'm just tired" She lied. "Are you sure?" "Yes, I am." "When are you coming to visit us? It's been ages" "Tomorrow" she replied "Okay, I'll send my PA to pick you up at the Airport" "Thank you" "It's nothing, take care of yourself" with that being said, she disconnected the call. Vanessa brought down her phone from her ear and sighed. She quickly booked the earliest flight to Madrid, Spain. After, she was done, she laid on her bed and soon, she drifted off to sleep. The next morning, Van
I stepped into my room after a long day at work, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over me. As I walked further inside, an unsettling feeling of emptiness hung in the air. Something felt off, like a puzzle piece missing from its place. I headed to the closet, my heart pounding slightly, and opened the door. My eyes scanned the space, and I realized with a jolt that all of Vanessa's clothes were gone. All that remained was a single dress hanging there, a stark reminder of her absence.With a sense of dread, I moved to the bathroom. The matching couple toothbrushes and towels were missing, leaving bare hooks and an empty holder. Even the scented candles that used to sit on the nightstand, filling the room with a comforting aroma, had vanished. "I guess she finally left," I muttered to myself, feeling a mix of relief and sadness.My eyes were drawn to a stack of papers on the nightstand. Picking them up, I saw it was the divorce agreement, Vanessa's signature already in place. I
Vanessa adjusted her coat as she walked out of the hotel room. Emily followed closely, her steps quick to match Vanessa's pace, while Lily and Diego trailed behind. The morning air was crisp, and the sound of their shoes echoed in the quiet hallway.Emily had been staying with them ever since her school closed for the year. Her parents were constantly traveling, leaving her alone in their large house. So, when Vanessa suggested Emily come along to her company, she jumped at the chance.Outside, Diego opened the door to a sleek black van parked in front of the hotel. Vanessa helped Emily climb in before settling into her seat. Lily slid in beside her, while Diego took the driver’s seat. The van purred to life as Diego drove out of the parking lot, blending into the light traffic of the morning.Emily turned to Vanessa, her voice hesitant. “Ms. Rodriguez, are you sure this is a good idea?”Vanessa glanced at her and smiled softly. “Trust me, it won’t be bad at all,” she said reassuringl
Vanessa pushed her chair back slightly and turned to her kids. “Emma, Ethan, how’s the food?”Ethan, with his mouth full of bread, gave her a thumbs up, while Emma nodded enthusiastically. “Grandma’s food is the best!” she declared, grinning at their grandmother, who beamed with pride.Vanessa chuckled softly, shaking her head. The warmth in the room was almost enough to make her forget her troubles. Almost.Her mother sat down, smoothing her apron as she did. “Vanessa, are you staying long this time?”Vanessa hesitated, her fork hovering over her plate. “No. I have a lot things to take care of." She replied with a small sigh.Her mother studied her for a moment, her sharp eyes catching the tension in her daughter’s posture. “If there’s anything you need to talk about, you know I’m here,” she said gently.Vanessa forced a smile, nodding. “I know, Mom Thank you for being here."Ethan piped up, breaking the somber moment. “Can we go to the beach tomorrow, Mommy? Please?”Vanessa ruffled
The flight felt never ending, but Vanessa let out a sigh of relief as the plane finally touched down in Spain. She adjusted her grip on her children, Emma and Ethan, as they descended the stairs. The warm Spanish sun kissed her skin, a welcome change from the chill of America. Lily had already disappeared to fetch their bags, and Diego excused himself to retrieve the car they would be using.Vanessa’s feet felt heavy against the tarmac, exhaustion creeping into her every move. Her twins clung to her sides, their little hands gripping hers tightly. “We’re finally here,” she murmured, offering them a small smile. The kids, though weary, perked up at her words, their excitement bubbling beneath the surface.A few moments later, Lily returned, with their luggage, her cheeks were flushed from the effort, but her grin didn’t waver. Not long after, the smooth hum of an approaching engine drew their attention. A sleek black Lamborghini Urus rolled up to the curb, its glossy exterior catchin
TWO WEEKS LATER Vanessa sat quietly in the back of the sleek black van, her twins, Ethan and Emma, nestled on either side of her. The hum of the engine filled the air as Diego focused on the road ahead, his hands steady on the wheel. Lily sat in the passenger seat, flipping through her phone, occasionally glancing at the GPS. The van glided down the highway, and the gentle rhythm of the tires on the pavement seemed to mirror the steady thud of Vanessa’s heart.Emma leaned against her mother, her little fingers dancing across the screen of her tablet. "Mommy," she asked without looking up, "are you just dropping us off at the airport?"Vanessa reached out, smoothing Emma’s soft curls. "No, baby," she said gently. "We’re going to Grandma’s house first. I’ll take you and Ethan all the way there. I want to make sure you’re safe with her."Ethan, sitting on her other side, looked up from the book he was pretending to read. His lips pressed into a small pout. "Does that mean we won’t see y
Dressed in a blue floral gown, Juliet stood on the balcony, letting the morning breeze brush against her face. The scent of blooming flowers mixed with the faint aroma of fresh coffee from the kitchen below. She leaned on the railing, her fingers tracing its cold, smooth surface as she gazed at the quiet street below. The world seemed peaceful, yet her thoughts were far from calm.A soft noise behind her made her turn slightly, but before she could react, a light tap on her shoulder made her jump. She spun around, her hand flying to her chest. Romeo was dressed in a cooperate outfit, obviously getting ready for the day's job."Oh my gosh, Romeo! Stop sneaking up on me like that!" she exclaimed, her voice breathy from the scare.Romeo smirked, his brown eyes twinkling with amusement. "You should have gotten used to it by now," he said, crossing his arms casually.Juliet rolled her eyes and let out an annoyed groan. "Whatever," she muttered, brushing her hair out of her face. She straig
Thirty minutes later, Leila sat on the couch in the living room, flipping through channels on the TV. A light comedy show played in the background, but she wasn’t really paying attention. Her mind kept wandering to Lucas and how his day might have gone. She glanced at the clock on the wall, wondering when he’d get home.Just then, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway caught her attention. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stood up, smoothing down her top and brushing invisible dust off her pants. She wanted to look put together when he walked in, even though she knew Lucas didn’t care much about appearances.As the familiar sound of the car door shutting reached her ears, Leila moved to the front door. She opened it just as Lucas approached, his steps steady and his suit jacket draped over one arm.“Good evening,” she greeted him warmly, her smile lighting up her face.“Evening, Leila,” Lucas replied with a soft smile of his own, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to he
Vanessa decided to step out of her hotel room after ensuring her tasks for the day were completed. She took a deep breath, smoothing down the hem of her blouse as she walked toward the door. It was quiet in the hallway, the faint hum of the hotel’s central air conditioning the only sound. Vanessa twisted the doorknob and opened the door, only to find Diego standing there, his tall figure a calm but imposing presence.“Diego,” she said softly, her voice steady. She wasn’t surprised to see him; his unwavering dedication to her safety had become a comforting constant.“Ma’am,” Diego acknowledged, giving her a small nod. His sharp eyes scanned the hallway even as he stood still, his stance radiating readiness.“Thank you,” Vanessa said, her words carrying more weight than she let on. She knew Diego wouldn’t take any chances after everything that had happened. His vigilance meant more to her than she could express.Diego’s lips twitched into the barest hint of a smile. “Just doing my job.”
Vanessa walked down the hallway, her hand lightly brushing against the wall as she made her way to Ethan and Emma’s room. The house was calm, with only the faint hum of the air conditioner breaking the silence.Stopping at their door, she pushed it open carefully, making sure not to make much noise. The soft morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, lighting up the room in a warm glow. Ethan was already sitting up in bed, his hair messy, while Emma was still asleep, clutching her stuffed bunny close.“Morning, Mommy,” Ethan mumbled, rubbing his eyes and yawning.“Good morning, sweetheart,” Vanessa whispered as she stepped inside. She reached over to smooth his hair down, her fingers running gently through the tangles. “Did you sleep okay?”He nodded with another yawn. “Yeah. Is it time for breakfast?”“Almost,” Vanessa said with a smile. She glanced over at Emma, who stirred a little under the covers but stayed asleep. “Why don’t you get dressed first? I made something special.”
Vanessa rubbed her temples as she walked down the hallway towards her bedroom. The week's exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders. It wasn’t just work or the endless tasks waiting for her, it felt like the universe was piling one problem on top of another, daring her to collapse. But she refused to let it win. Not tonight. She would push through, like she has always done.Once inside her room, she kicked off her shoes and sank onto the edge of her bed, the mattress dipping under her weight. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm light on the familiar space. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand and hesitated for a moment, her thumb hovering over Riccardo’s name in her messages. They’d already discussed the case earlier, but something gnawed at her. She needed to be sure he was on it.Taking a deep breath, she typed out a short message.'Just checking in on the case. Have there been any updates?' She typed.Her finger tapped send before she could second-guess herself. Th