As the closing hour approached, an air of panic began to permeate through the office, casting a shadow over the typically bustling atmosphere. The weight of an unsettling event hung heavily in the air, casting a pall of unease over the employees.
"I wonder who must have done that... killed him," Hilda whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of shock and sorrow. Overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation, she instinctively wrapped her hands over her face, as if seeking solace from the outside world, "we Don't know for sure, if he was murdered by someone Hilda", Rose said. "The news said otherwise"
The news of the tragedy had spread like wildfire in the office, leaving everyone stunned and mummering as they walked by. . Fred was always a beloved figure within the office, and had been known for his kindness and amiable nature, making the loss even more devastating, and unbelievable. Hilda's heart ach
Rose vividly recalled her meticulous plan to visit her mother and subsequently meet Emily at the toy shop, all after a rather quiet day at work, except for the news of Fred's death. As she approached the luxurious limousine now parked in the garage, she couldn't help but think about the undeniable transformations that had taken place since she last saw her mother, a mere seven days ago. Deep down, Rose recognized the necessity of withholding certain details about her relationship with Sebastian from her, fully aware of the potential consequences.Determined not to overlook any crucial discussions, Rose conscientiously set a reminder for herself, ensuring she wouldn't forget to broach the subject of Michael. It had been months since they last conversed and saw her brother, and with his school holidays rapidly approaching, she felt an impending urge for a joyous family reunion. The mere thought of a gathering with her, Mic
As Rose retrieved her phone from her purse, her fingers trembled slightly with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. The unfamiliar number flashed on the screen, and a rush of emotions flooded through her as she answered the call."Hello?" she said, her voice a little shaky."Hey sis, it's me," a familiar yet distant voice greeted her on the other end of the line, it was Michael whom she hadn't spoken to in a long while. The tension between them had strained their relationship, and they had drifted apart over time. But now, in this very unexpected moment, he reached out to her.Her heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for letting their relationship deteriorate. Memories of their shared childhood flooded her mind, the laughter and adventures they once had together. She missed those days and yearned for a chance to rebuild their bond.He continued, his
Sebastian's eyelids fluttered open, his vision blurred as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, and the soft hum of medical equipment filled his ears. As his gaze focused, he saw the translucent glass separating the room revealing a glimpse of the hallways of the hospital And there, perched on a bench, sat Damian, his figure outlined by the dim hospital Lights.A mixture of relief and curiosity coursed through Sebastian's veins as he took in the sight. His legs were wrapped in pristine white bandages, rendering them immobile, while his head and one arm were similarly wrapped in protective coverings. With a sudden surge of realization, he tried to move his limbs, only to be met with a profound absence of sensation. Panic surged within him as the gravity of his situation settled like a heavy weight on his chest.Just as Sebastian'
Hey," Maya said, her voice trailing off as she neared Rose, her footsteps slow and deliberate. Rose looked up from her phone, her eyes briefly meeting her mother's before returning to the screen of her phone."Hey," Rose replied, her voice lacking its usual enthusiasm. The corners of her lips twitched into a faint smile, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared."Sorry I kept you waiting," Maya continued, her voice tinged with a mix of exhaustion and affection. "All these kids, you know? They're relentless, always demanding what they want, never giving you a moment's rest."Maya settled down beside Rose, her gaze fixed on her daughter's face, searching for any sign of distress. Concern etched deep lines on Maya's forehead as she waited for a response. This was the case the last time she saw Rose she hadn't had a genuine reason to smile since her wedding, she now had a constant outlook of
Is it me, or did you just grin, Rose?" Maya asked, perplexed by the sudden change in Rose's facial expression. They had never spoken about Sebastian before. The last time they did, Rose deliberately kept some things to herself, and she knew. She also knew that he had hurt her.I don't know, Mum," Rose said, her voice filled with uncertainty. The direction of her emotions had become a labyrinth, and she felt lost within its tangled web. She raised her trembling hands to her head, fingers combing through her tousled brown hair, allowing a cascade of curls to spill around her face in intricate patterns."We just had a time out, Mother, and I can't make sense of it all," Rose continued, her frustration palpable. Conflicting emotions swirled within her, creating a storm that threatened to consume her sanity. She searched for answers, desperately seeking clarity amidst the chaos. After
It's true," Rose said, her voice trembling, as she instinctively covered her mouth with her hands. Her eyes darted around the room, her mind racing with a mix of fear and urgency. "I better go."Maya, Rose's mother, looked at her with concern etched on her face. She could sense the gravity of the situation and wanted to offer support. "Who was it, Rose?" Maya asked, her voice filled with worry, as Rose began to hastily gather her belongings, preparing to leave.Rose paused for a moment, trying to compose herself amidst the chaos of her thoughts. "It wasn't someone that I've heard of before," she finally replied, her voice quivering. "He said his name is Damian. I think he's someone from the hospital."A wave of anxiety washed over Maya as she processed the information. She couldn't bear the thought of her daughter facing another loss, what it'll do to her. "I'm coming with you,"
Damian stood outside, his fingers fumbling nervously with his phone. Waves of anxiety washed over him as he pondered his grave mistake. How could he have misjudged so gravely? The person he had just called was definitely not the one he intended to reach. The weight of his error bore down on him, causing him to bow his head and run his hands through his luscious, ebony locks. As he lifted his hair, it cascaded through his fingers, the strands dancing in the air as if he were a model posing for a photoshoot. In that moment, anybody could easily mistake his worry for a captivating display of elegance and confidence.His fine, dominating body radiated an aura that was impossible to ignore. His alluring good looks had a magnetic pull on those who saw him. Damian was in a state of turmoil after making a recent mistake and talking to Ivy instead of Rose. He was aware of the possible upheaval he had unintentionally started. As h
Heart pounding, Ivy pushed open the door labeled "Room 79" and stepped inside, her hopes soaring high. The soft glow of dimmed lights bathed the room in a tranquil ambiance, revealing a spacious suite with plush furniture and tasteful decor. Her gaze immediately fell upon the figure lying motionless on the bed, hidden beneath a thin white sheet.Without a second thought, Ivy rushed forward, her footsteps muffled by the carpeted floor. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she thought about the imminent reunion with Sebastian. She wanted to by all means see his face, to hold his hand, and to try to relive those moments that they spent together, and hopefully bring them back.But as she neared the bedside, a hand shot out from the shadows, gently but firmly grasping her arm. Startled, Ivy turned her head to find a shocked nurse standing beside her, her eyes filled with questioning and a confused look .Who are you, Miss?" She
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