Rose didn't know how best to answer him, she tried not to look at him. She had endured two abuses from him in one night and for some reason it didn't feel like it. Rose wondered if she was alright, on a normal day she would stand up against all that happened to her. Was she falling for his manipulative ways?.. she couldn't even understand her own emotions towards Sebastian.
But she knew that he didn't hold any special place in her heart, apart from the fact that she was grateful for all that he did. She was literally indebted to him, with the way he had gone about their relationship for the past few weeks.
"Emily is a friend, a school friend that I had to see yesterday". "I couldn't cancel because it was too urgent". Rose's voice sounded firm as though she was trying so hard to speak boldly.
He smiled as he removed his relaxed back from the wall, and headed towards the other side of the bed. He
She couldn't help but wonder what might be going through his head as she left the house as she couldn't stop contemplating that. She wasn't interested, but there was a tiny part of her that wanted to know more about him. She ignored those ideas, telling herself it wasn't her place to eavesdrop on his thoughts and feelings. She agreed to his request with a nod but made the decision to go on without him.The void between them seemed to be mirrored in the hallways echoing silence. She was on the verge of extending a hand that in reality would make her more vulnerable, when she finally decided against it after a brief hesitation. He obviously wanted some distance, when it was her who was supposed to need distance, so the least she could do was respect his boundaries, he was her husband after all, there was nothing she could do.As she stepped outside, the fresh breeze touched her face and briefly took her mind off her internal conf
As they entered the office, Hilda immediately noticed Rose's distracted expression. Concerned, she approached her and asked, "Are you alright, ma'am?" Her eyes reflected genuine worry and curiosity, silently urging Rose to share what was on her mind. Rose wasn't surprised. In fact, she expected Hilda to ask her, and she didn't disappoint.Rose forced a smile and replied, "Good morning, Hilda. Yes, I'm fine, thank you, I'm still trying to get over the rush of last night "" she knew Hilda didn't know about the rest of her night". She waved off the question, hoping to dismiss any further inquiries about her well-being. However, Hilda seemed persistent, her demeanor hinting that there was more she wanted to say.Curiosity piqued, Rose motioned for Hilda to take a seat and asked, "What is it, Hilda? Is there something you need to tell me?"Hilda took a deep breath and revealed, "I wasn't expecting you in the office today, ma'
Rose slowly regained consciousness, her eyes fluttering open as the clean, fluorescent lights of the hospital room pierced through her grogginess. She found herself lying on a crisp white bed, surrounded by the clinical aura of medical equipment and the faint scent of antiseptic. The room was structured with pale blue walls, adorned with framed prints of tranquil landscapes, in an attempt to provide a sense of serenity amidst the unsettling environment.As Rose attempted to move, an uncomfortable sensation rippled through her body, causing a sharp pang of pain to shoot through her limbs, down to her stomach. She winced and quickly realized that her entire body felt heavy and achy, as if it had been battered and bruised. The memory of the incident inside her office,with Hilda flashed in her mind, and she could still vividly recall the overwhelming surge of pain that she felt and the sight of blood.Rose shifted slightly and noticed the various tubes
Rose felt a mixture of relief and apprehension as she prepared to leave the hospital, seated in a wheelchair with Hilda by her side. The cool air outside provided a refreshing change from the sterile confines of the hospital room she had grown accustomed to, even though she didn't spend a lot of time there. Hilda was behind her expertly maneuvering the wheelchair through the hospital corridors, Rose's gaze wandered, through the large mass of spaces and rooms as they approached the doors more and more. Her mind filled with a flood of memories.The familiar sights and sounds of the hospital triggered a rush of recollections. She remembered that frantic day when she had rushed her younger brother to this very same hospital after his accident, the worry etched on her face as she navigated the maze of hallways, desperate for answers and reassurance. It was in these halls that she had witnessed the tireless dedication of the m
As the sleek, black limousine cruised gracefully to a gradual and steady halt, Samuel gingerly stepped out from the vehicle's luxurious interior, carefully collecting the wheelchair from the trunk. With utmost care, he extended his hand to assist Rose, gracefully guiding her as she pulled away from the plush seats to what was now the comforting embrace of the wheelchair."Here you go, ma'am," Samuel uttered softly, his voice carrying a gentle warmth as he ensured Rose settled comfortably into the wheelchair. A soft smile danced upon her lips as she looked up at Samuel, with obvious gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you," she said, her words laced with sincere appreciation.A momentary wince flickered across Rose's features as the intense sunlight pierced through the cloudless sky, sending an unwelcome pang coursing through her head. Sensing her discomfort, Samuel's concern mirrored in his eyes as he inquired, "Are you okay, ma'am?"
Rose sat in the dimly lit hospital room, her heart racing with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. The constant sterile scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of flowers from a vase on the bedside table. Sunlight filtered through the partially closed blinds, casting soft shadows on the pale walls, creating an atmosphere of both comfort and uncertainty.The door creaked open, and Dr. Diaz,a middle-aged man with a kind yet somber expression, entered the room. His white lab coat billowed slightly as he moved, lending an air of authority to his presence. Rose's eyes met his, her gaze filled with a mixture of fear and curiosity.As the doctor began to speak, Rose's breath caught in her throat. His words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her diagnosis. "Rose, I'm afraid you have cervical trauma," he said gently, his voice tinged with empathy. "The roughness of your
Rose sat still as her mother's words echoed in her head. She had always struggled with a strained relationship with Maya, and prisca's presence only added to her discomfort, and she wasn't ready for another awkward atmosphere. She wanted so badly to be inside her room, somewhere where it was just her, and no one else, to recollect and go through all the happenings that day. Somewhere that she could escape the complexities of familial dealings.Suppressing her frustration, Rose mustered a weak smile and replied, with her eyes narrowed and not looking directly at them "Thank you, Mother. I appreciate your kind words prisca, but I'm feeling a bit tired. I think I'll head up to my room now."And without waiting for a response from either of them, Rose mustered up the strength to push her wheelchair forward, as she was determined to distance herself from the uncomfortable atmosphere. she reached for the handles and, withou
As Rose's consciousness gradually emerged from the depths of sleep, she felt a lingering heaviness in her limbs, as if they were reluctant to part ways with the comfort of her bed. The tendrils of weariness tugged at her, reminding her of the hours she had spent lost in dreams that she could now barely longer remember, and the rejuvenation that had yet to fully infuse her body.She slowly blinked open her eyes, the room appeared hazy and muted, still shrouded in the remnants of slumber. Soon there was an automatic click and the lights came on, her vision struggled to adjust to the surrounding light, and she instinctively closed her eyes, seeking solace in the familiar darkness behind closed eyelids.Yet, despite the lingering fatigue, there was something different about that particular evening. The littering remains of echo from her dream, with its resurgence of long-forgotten aspiratio
Four months later.The car moved steadily along the road, the gentle hum of the engine creating a comforting backdrop to the silence that enveloped the interior. Rose's hand rested on her slightly protruding belly, her fingers absentmindedly tracing invisible patterns on the fabric of her dress. Michael, who sat in the back seat, was gazing out of the window, lost in his own thoughts.Max's fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, his gaze alternating between the road ahead and Rose's profile. He could sense the mixture of emotions in the air—grief for Rose's mother, the weight of their recent experiences, and the glimmer of hope for the future.As they approached the cemetery, Rose's grip on her belly tightened slightly. She took a deep breath and turned to Max, her voice soft but determined. "Thank you for being here with me, Max. I know it's not easy."Max offered her a reassuring smile
The tension in the warehouse reached its breaking point, Sebastian moved with deliberate slowness towards the elevated platform where Michael was tied. His demeanor remained cold and calculating, a dangerous calm emanating from him. He retrieved a gun from his pocket, the metallic click as he removed the safety echoing in the hushed air."Rose, drop the gun," Sebastian's voice was ice-cold, the threat underlying every word.Rose's hand trembled as she clung to the gun, her wide eyes locked onto Sebastian's every movement. The gun was her last desperate card, her only means to keep Michael safe, and she clung to it with a fervent desperation.Max, his eyes flickering between Rose and Sebastian, sensed the imminent danger. He moved swiftly, lunging towards Rose in a desperate attempt to disarm her. His hands closed around the gun, and in the struggle, a gunshot rang out, the deafening sound ricocheting through the warehouse.
Max's suggestion was a slim hope, an attempt to gather any useful information from Sebastian, but as Rose dialed the number again and waited for him to answer, there was a sinking feeling that he was always a step ahead."Sebastian," Rose's voice held a hint of desperation, "tell me where my brother is. I need to know he's safe."Sebastian's chuckle on the other end was infuriating. "Oh, Rose, always trying to assert control. How quaint.""Just tell me!" Rose's voice trembled with a mix of anger and anxiety.Sebastian's tone shifted, his voice dropping to a chilling calm. "I know you're with the cop, Rose. And I'm well aware of the audacious plan you're concocting. But remember this, you have limited time."Rose's grip on the phone tightened as she exchanged a tense glance with Max. "Where is my brother?"Sebastian's voice was like ice. "Meet me at the old warehouse by the docks. You remember it, don
They finally arrived at the boarding school, Rose's heart raced as they rushed into the reception area. She could feel the weight of every decision she had made up until this point pressing down on her. The thought of not being there for Michael when he needed her was like a heavy anchor dragging her down.As they reached the reception desk, a middle-aged woman looked up at them with a smile. "Hello, how can I help you?"Max spoke quickly, his voice firm yet respectful. "We're here to see Michael lugard, Is he currently at the school?"The receptionist checked her computer. "Yes, Michael lugardis a student here. However, visiting hours are usually—"Rose's voice trembled as she interrupted. "Please, it's really important. Can we see him? It's urgent."The receptionist's gaze softened as she recognized the urgency in Rose's voice. "Alright, let me make a quick call to the dormitory to see if he's avail
Rose's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as she drove through the dimly lit streets, her mind racing and her heart pounding. Bloodstained and shaken, she knew she had to find a safe place to gather her thoughts and figure out her next move. Just as panic threatened to engulf her, her phone rang, the sound cutting through the tense silence of the car.Rose sped through the streets, her hands trembling on the steering wheel, her mind was a whirlwind of fear and desperation. The events of the past hours had pushed her to the edge, and the knowledge that she was holding a shard of glass that had wounded another human being weighed heavily on her.Just as panic threatened to overwhelm her, her phone rang, the sudden sound causing her to startle. She glanced at the caller ID and saw Max's name flashing on the screen. With a shaky hand, she answered the call."Rose, where are you?" Max's voice, steady and concerned, echo
As Rose watched from her hiding spot, her heart raced as Samuel's footsteps echoed through the mansion. She crouched behind a corner, her breath held, as he slowly made his way into the living room. She could see that he was dressed differently, not in his usual attire. Her mind raced to connect the dots, and then the realization hit her like a bolt of lightning – he wasn't here as a servant."Mrs. Wayne? Are you here?" Samuel's voice echoed through the grand room, his tone tinged with a mix of urgency and concern. He seemed to be searching for someone, and Rose's heart pounded in her chest.The sight of him moving slowly and scanning the room sent shivers down Rose's spine. He was different, something had changed about him. He was no longer the calm and collected Samuel she was used to. His demeanor was tense, almost anxious.As Samuel called out for her, Rose felt a surge of fear. She bit her lip to stifle any so
The two women were locked in a physical battle, their faces inches apart, eyes locked in a fierce contest of wills. Rose could see the fear and desperation in Prisca's eyes, the conflicting emotions that seemed to war within her. It was clear that Prisca was deeply entangled in Sebastian's world, but at the same time, there was something else – a flicker of humanity, a trace of regret."Let go, Rose! You don't know what you're getting into!" Prisca's voice cracked with a mix of emotions, and her grip on the journal tightened, her knuckles turning white. Rose's heart wavered for a moment, torn between her determination to uncover the truth and the urgency in Prisca's pleas.But the weight of everything she had learned, the memory of all the lives that had been shattered, fueled her resolve. With a sudden surge of strength, Rose twisted away from Prisca's grasp, breaking their physical contact. The journal rem
Rose stood up from the bathroom, her face still stained with tears, and took a deep breath to steady herself. She whispered to herself, "Stop crying, Rose," as if trying to muster some strength to face what lay ahead. With determination in her eyes, she left her room and quietly made her way to Sebastian's room, her heart pounding in her chest.As she stood in front of the door to his room, her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the doorknob. She took another deep breath, as if preparing herself for whatever she might find inside. With a hesitant push, the door creaked open, and she slipped inside, her senses immediately enveloped by the familiar scent of Sebastian's space.The room was dimly lit, with the soft glow of a lamp casting shadows along the walls. Rose's gaze scanned the room, her eyes falling upon Sebastian's large wardrobe. A flicker of determination crossed her features as she walked over to it. She fumbled with the handles of th
Rose stepped into the mansion, her heart still racing from the recent phone call with Sebastian. The weight of the situation was almost suffocating, and all she wanted was a moment to gather her thoughts. She entered her room, her steps silent on the plush carpet. As she closed the door behind her, a sense of isolation settled in.The room felt both familiar and foreign at the same time. It was a place where she should have found comfort, but now it seemed tainted by the secrets that had been unveiled. She looked around, her eyes taking in the elegant furniture, the soft lighting, and the delicate decorations that once held some pleasant memories. Now, everything seemed different.With a deep breath, Rose pulled out her phone and dialed Emily's number. The call rang for a few moments before Emily's voice greeted her on the other end."Hey, Rose! What's up?" Emily's cheerful tone was a stark contrast to the turmoil that R