AVA I lay in bed, wrapped in the warmth of Liam’s arms, the soft glow of the morning sun casting a warm hue over us. His chest rose and fell gently against my back, each breath igniting a spark of comfort and desire deep within me. I could feel his heartbeat, steady and reassuring, a rhythm that felt like home. “Have I told you how beautiful you are?” Liam murmured, his voice low and intimate. I turned slightly to face him, a playful smile dancing on my lips. “Not in the last five minutes.” He chuckled softly, brushing a thumb along my cheek. “Well, consider yourself informed,” he said, leaning in to capture my lips in a slow, lingering kiss. As our mouths moved together, the world outside faded away. My fingers tangled in his hair, and I could feel the heat radiating from him, drawing me closer. I deepened the kiss, pouring all my longing into that moment, savoring the taste of him—warm and intoxicating. When we finally pulled apart, both breathless, I felt a rush of bold
Cynthia stood by the kitchen window, peeking through the curtains to make sure no one was watching. Her eyes glinted with cold calculation as she looked down at the small bottle of olive oil in her hand. She had planned this perfectly. A wicked smile curled her lips. Sacrificing her own son wasn’t something that bothered her. After all, it was a means to an end—her end goal of controlling Richard entirely. Cynthia peered around the corner to check if the coast was clear. She listened intently for any signs of life from the other rooms—silence. Satisfied, she moved swiftly, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. Slipping into the kitchen, she opened a drawer and pulled out a small bottle of olive oil. A wicked smile curved her lips as she twisted the cap off, pouring a thin, nearly invisible stream of oil along the top three steps of the staircase. She quickly wiped the bottle clean, placed it back where it belonged, and took a deep breath. "This should be enough," s
The sun streamed through the large windows of Richard’s mansion, casting an almost serene glow over the breakfast table—a stark contrast to the tension that weighed heavily in the air. Richard sat at the head of the table, his eyes fixed on his phone, seemingly oblivious to the thick cloud of discomfort that hung over his family. Across from him, Amelia sat stiffly, her hands folded tightly in her lap. The events of the previous night still haunted her, her father's harsh accusations ringing in her ears. Cynthia, seated beside Richard, was the only one who appeared completely at ease, her lips curled into a slight, smug smile as she calmly spread butter on her toast. Isabella quietly sipped her coffee, her eyes flicking between her daughter and Richard, unsure of how to break the silence. She could feel Amelia’s simmering anger and hurt from across the table, and her heart ached to fix it. But she knew it wasn’t that simple anymore. The clinking of silverware was the only sound
Ava’s heels clicked sharply against the stone path leading up to her father’s mansion, each step a surge of anger and determination building inside her. She had tried to stay away from this house, from her father’s betrayal, but she couldn’t ignore the call she’d gotten from Isabella and Amelia days before . The details of her father’s affair with Cynthia, the fact that the woman had moved into their home and was making life unbearable for her step mother and sister, had left Ava furious. As she reached the door, Ava took a deep breath and knocked loudly. She wasn’t sure what reception she’d get, but she was prepared for whatever would come. A few moments later, the door swung open, and Ava was met with the cold, assessing gaze of a woman she immediately recognized as Cynthia. She had an air of arrogance that seemed to ooze from her. Cynthia didn’t smile. Instead, she narrowed her eyes at Ava, scanning her from head to toe. “And who might you be?” she asked, her tone sharp
The early morning sun filtered through the heavy drapes of Richard’s study, casting muted shadows over the room. Isabella stood quietly by the door, her hand resting on the polished wood handle as she listened to the murmur of voices within. She had expected to find Richard alone, but instead, Cynthia’s unmistakably sweet, condescending tone drifted out, causing Isabella to pause. “Richard, darling, the villa in the south of France is perfect for a family vacation,” Cynthia purred, her voice dripping with self-satisfaction. “Just you, me, and... well, our son, of course. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? We need the respite you know, for our family. Jacob especially. The poor boy has been through a lot trying to fit into this prestigious family” Isabella’s heart clenched. Their son. A constant reminder of Richard's betrayal, of the family that had been forged behind her back. She pushed open the door and stepped into the room, her presence immediately altering the air. Richard and Cynt
The clock had long passed midnight, and the mansion was blanketed in silence. The dimly lit halls were still. Amelia lay in bed, restless, her mind buzzing with everything that had happened over the past few weeks. No matter how much she tossed and turned, sleep wouldn’t come. With a sigh, she threw off her blanket and decided to go downstairs for a glass of water, hoping it might calm her racing thoughts. As she padded barefoot down the stairs, the sound of hushed voices stopped her in her tracks. She paused on the landing, peering over the railing, and realized the voices were coming from the sitting room. One of them was unmistakably Cynthia’s, but the other was muffled—it was on the phone. Amelia’s curiosity got the best of her, and she moved closer, taking careful, quiet steps so as not to be noticed. Her breath hitched when she caught the tail end of Cynthia’s conversation. "We have to push her out, understand?" Cynthia’s voice was sharp, cold. "Isabella’s in the way. As lon
AVA I wasn’t feeling right all morning, but I brushed it off. Tamy and I had just gone for grocery shopping, and I could barely carry the bags myself towards the waiting car. My head was spinning that I thought I might collapse. Why was I feeling suddenly weak? Was it because of the stress in my family’s home? Was it affecting me mentally? It felt like my bones were so stiff and too heavy to lift me and the world around me kept spinning. I was close to the car door, when the first wave of dizziness hit. My head spun, and I felt a tightness in my chest. It was sudden—too sudden. I leaned against the car for support, struggling to catch my breath. "Ava? Are you okay? You’ve been unsteady, do you need water?” Tamy asked, her voice filled with concern as she came around to my side. "I... I don't feel good," I admitted, feeling like the world was tipping sideways. “I’m just feeling so lightheaded. I don’t know why” "We need to get you home," Tamy said firmly, helping me into th
John sat in his study, a glass of whiskey resting in his hand, when his phone buzzed. It was Dr. Reynolds. He answered, irritation flickering in his eyes. “What is it?” “John, I have some news about Ava,” Dr. Reynolds said, his voice serious. “What about her?” John asked, a hint of impatience creeping into his tone. “She’s pregnant,” the doctor confirmed. John felt the air rush out of his lungs. “Pregnant?” he repeated, the word tasting bitter on his tongue. “Are you sure?” “Yes, I just ran the tests. She’s definitely pregnant,” Dr. Reynolds reiterated. Shock morphed into fury within John. How could this happen? This was a wrench thrown into his plans, a threat to everything he had been orchestrating. But as the anger simmered, a sly thought crept in—perhaps he could still use this to his advantage. “Thank you for the information, Doctor. I’ll handle it from here,” John said, ending the call abruptly. John leaned back in his chair, his mind racing after receiving a call from D