Raymond sat in a bar, his eyes fixed on the tumbler glass in his hand as if trying to spot something in his scotch whisky. Opposite him sat Jared, whose attention was glued to his phone, grinning from ear to ear.Raymond gulped down his drink, catching a glance at his friend's excitement."What's so special about your phone, man?" Raymond asked, refilling his glass. "You haven’t touched your drink since we got here.""You know what distracts a man," Jared said without lifting his eyes from his phone. "She’s unlike the others I’ve met before.""A woman?" Raymond asked. "We came here to chill after a long time, and you're distracted by a woman? She must be special.""More than special. She’s like a little demon in an angelic body," Jared said, replying to a message. "She’s arrogant and bad-mouthed, but I love the way she defends herself. It makes me laugh. She’s a nice girl, though.""This is the first time I’m hearing you talk about a woman like that. Who is she? Do I know her?""Her n
“Hi, Mom," Melissa waved at her mother, smiling awkwardly."What did he say?" Her mother asked in a clipped tone."What… what are you talking about?" Melissa's voice trembled."Don't play dumb with me!" Her mother snapped, jerking up. She fixed Melissa with a venomous glare. "You're pregnant for that bastard, aren't you?"Melissa's heart dropped. How did her mother find out? "Who told you that? I'm not pregnant," she tried to deny, but it was futile."You seem to have forgotten who your mother is. Did he take responsibility for the baby?" Her tone was laced with anger and disappointment.Melissa scratched the back of her neck. "He said… he didn't," she stuttered, retreating to the door."That asshole!" Her mother groaned between gritted teeth. "We're aborting that bastard. Get ready," she added, turning to go upstairs."I can't, Mom," Melissa flitted to her mother's front. "This is my child. I can't terminate my baby, please.""Then get ready to f
Raymond waited for the doctor as she examined Eureka, who was still unconscious. “What’s wrong with her, doctor?” he asked, his tone filled with worry.“We’re still evaluating your wife’s condition, but she appears to be stable for now. We’re running some tests to determine the cause of her loss of consciousness. I’ll provide more information once we have the results,” the doctor explained, turning her attention to Raymond.“Can you tell me more about what happened before she was brought in? Was she experiencing any symptoms or discomfort beforehand?” she added.“I’m not sure. We were chatting fine before she fainted,” Raymond said, but before the doctor could continue, his phone rang.“Excuse me,” he said, stepping aside to answer. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Raymond’s tone grew anxious. “What? I’m coming over. Just stay calm, okay?”Without a second glance, he dashed out of the hospital, leaving Eureka alone. The doctor called after him, but he ignored
Eureka stepped into the master bedroom and saw Raymond buttoning his dress shirt in front of the mirror. She had slept in the guest room after their fight. Her cheeks were red, and her eyes puffy from crying. She moved to his side.“Good morning,” she greeted, but he ignored her.“I want to tell you something,” she said.Raymond turned and gave her a once-over. “I also have something to tell you.”“You first,” she said, leaning her hips against the vanity table.“I want a divorce.”His voice was calm, but the weight of his words struck Eureka like lightning. She was about to announce her pregnancy, only to hear that he wanted a divorce. She stood frozen in place.“Okay…” she said slowly, urging him to continue.“How shameless can you be, Eureka? You’ve been sleeping with Harvey behind my back!” he growled, throwing some pictures at her. They showed Eureka and Harvey in seemingly intimate positions.Eureka sighed, placing the pictures on the table.
Raymond marched into Harvey's house. His father’s words had hit him hard, leaving him no choice but to look for Eureka. He never expected her to leave. He thought she would beg him, but her reaction had shocked him to the core. “Where’s my wife?” Raymond demanded, grabbing Harvey, who had just opened the door. “Where is she?” “You’re an idiot for asking me such a stupid question,” Harvey retorted, pushing him back. “What gave you the nerve to barge into my house, demanding Eureka?” “For the last time, Harvey, where is my wife?” Raymond growled, his eyes narrowing at Harvey, who stood unfazed. “Use the door,” Harvey replied calmly, trying not to escalate things per Eureka’s wishes. As he turned to walk back to the living room, Raymond cocked his gun. “Tell me where she is, or I’ll blow your head off.” “You really want to know where she is?” Harvey spun around, struggling to contain his anger. “She left the country because of your foolishness.” Raymond stumbled back, unable
It had been over two months since Melissa was disowned by her mother. Life hadn't been kind to her. She had also been kicked out of the hotel. Her mother refused to listen to her unless she agreed to abort the baby, but Melissa was unwilling. She couldn’t bring herself to do it.“I won’t kill my baby, Mom," Melissa had told her the last time she visited. “I don’t care what the world throws at me, but I’ll stand by my child. I promise to make you proud by becoming the woman you always wanted me to be. Even if you never accept me back, I owe you that. I love you," she said and walked out of the house.She thought she had friends to turn to until they proved they were never truly her friends. “You were with me because of my wealth?" Melissa cried when Linda refused her entry into her house with shallow excuses.“It’s ridiculous you’re only realizing that now," Linda scoffed. “You have no place with us anymore, Lisa. You’re no longer the famous Rachel de Leon’s daughter. You’re a nobody n
Raymond sat behind his office desk, going through some files when the door creaked open. He looked up at the intruder, who turned out to be Jared. Jared moved closer, his face long and shoulders sagging. Without a word, he sank into the chair opposite Raymond and removed his sunglasses."What's up?" Raymond asked, resuming his work."I thought you said she was a call girl," Jared said, his voice tinged with disappointment as he fixed Raymond with a sharp stare. He had been investigating what Raymond had told him about Melissa after she slapped him for calling her a prostitute."We're supposed to be friends, man. How could you say something like that? And to think I believed you—it makes me an idiot.""What are you talking about?" Raymond asked, his tone calm as he put the files into a drawer. "What did I tell you to do?" He leaned forward, interlacing his fingers on the desk as he met Jared's stern gaze."You told me Melissa was a slut," Jared said, his voice tightening as he struggle
Melissa crouched in the living room, cleaning the center table while humming a song. “I wish I knew how to sing like Eureka," she mocked herself, laughing.“Melissa?" Mrs. Cargill called, entering the living room.“Yes," Melissa replied, turning to face her.“I’m going out. The cook said she won’t be back today either. Can you fix dinner before I return?" Mrs. Cargill asked, adjusting the hem of her dress.“Cook?" Melissa exclaimed, surprised.“Why? You don’t know how to cook?"Melissa looked away, fidgeting. “Um, I… yes, ma’am.”"Yes, you don’t know how to cook?” Mrs. Cargill’s tone made Melissa’s stomach twist."No, that’s not what I mean. I mean I can cook well. What should I cook?” She lied."Fix spaghetti Bolognese. Don’t use red pepper flakes—use black pepper instead. Can you do that?"“Perfectly, Mrs. Cargill," Melissa replied with an awkward smile, scratching the back of her neck.“Alright. See you when I get back," Mrs. Cargill said as she walked out.The moment she left, Mel
The ballroom sparkled under the golden glow of chandeliers, buzzing with the voices of fashion elites, celebrities, and business tycoons. Glasses clinked, laughter rang out, and photographers darted through the crowd, capturing the grandeur of the night. At the far end of the hall, Kaiden stood near a floral backdrop, selfie stick in hand, adjusting the camera angle just right.“Yo, what’s up, guys! We’re live at my mom’s launch party!” he grinned, tilting his face to catch the best lighting. His Instagram flooded with comments almost immediately.“Looking sharp, Kaiden!”“Your mom is a legend!”“Show us the outfits!”Chuckling, he took a few selfies before refocusing on his audience. As he spoke, he didn’t notice the man approaching until a deep voice cut through the noise.“Excuse me.”Kaiden lowered his phone and turned. Standing before him was a tall man in an expensive, perfectly tailored suit. Golden-brown hair, piercing gray-blue eyes, a strong jawline. There was something oddl
The soft hum of a jazz playlist filled Raymond’s office, blending with the quiet tapping of his fingers against his desk. The floor-to-ceiling windows of his corporate tower overlooked the Los Angeles skyline, but his mind wasn’t on the view.His assistant, Logan, stood by the doorway, a tablet in his hand, shifting uneasily. Raymond barely glanced up. “If it’s about the board meeting, push it to tomorrow. I don’t have the patience for their nonsense today.”“It’s not about the meeting, sir,” Logan said, taking a step forward. “It’s about… Miss Bennett.”“And who the hell is Miss Bennett?” Raymond snapped. The past few days had been unbearable for him. He thought he had overcome his anger issues, but lately, everything was resurfacing. Small things irritated him, he snapped at everyone, and he preferred to be left alone. Coming to the office felt like a burden he had to endure daily. If the company weren’t his, he would have disappeared by now.“Have you lost yo
A black luxury car moved smoothly through the streets, but inside, Eureka sat stiffly, her fingers tightening around the cool leather seat. Los Angeles felt foreign and strange. She knew she had grown up here—at least, that’s what she had been told—but there was no warmth in the familiarity. No sense of belonging. She turned to the boy sitting beside her. Kaiden had his earbuds in, his sharp features illuminated by the city lights flickering through the window. He was quiet, staring outside as if trying to piece together something from the scenery, just as she was.Eureka swallowed, tears filling her eyes. Her son. She knew she had given birth to Kaiden, yet sometimes, when she looked at him, she felt disconnected. There was something about his features that tugged at her, like a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit.The doctors had told her not to force it, that her memories might never return. The accident had erased parts of her past, and she had to learn to live with the blank space
He stood and walked over. “You can go stay at your mom’s or Jared’s—I don’t care. Stetson stays with me,” he declared, pushing her aside and carrying the baby. “Go on. I’ll tell the driver to drop you off.” “You’re so mean, Charlie! Stetson is my baby! How can I live without him?” she sobbed, her resolve faltering. “Who knows? You can visit us once in a while,” he smirked, heading out. “Okay,” she said, blocking his path. “I won’t go. Just hand over my child,” she pleaded, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Not so fast. Why don’t you go out there and tell that loser outside the truth? We are getting married, and Stetson was never his child.” Melissa stumbled back, her back hitting the door. “You can’t make me do that.” “I’m not making you—just a suggestion,” he said. “Charlie, please,” she begged. “I don’t want to go back to Jared, but I don’t want him to think I fooled him. Let me show him his child, just once.”
A month had passed since Melissa agreed to marry Charlie, and they had been actively preparing for their wedding. Melissa wanted a simple wedding. She didn’t want outsiders witnessing their union—just family members and a few friends. Currently, Charlie opened the car door for her as they arrived at Melissa’s mother’s house. She stood for a moment, gazing at the home she once called hers. She wasn’t sure if her mother would throw her out again. The last time she was here, she had promised to become the woman her mother always wanted. Was getting married truly the beginning of that journey? She took a deep breath as Charlie held her hand, reassuring her.“She’s still your mom,” he said. Melissa nodded, and they headed inside. One of the maids let them in, then went upstairs to get her mother.“Your house is beautiful,” Charlie whispered. Melissa smiled, surveying the living room. Nothing had changed much. It was just as she remembered, except it was quieter. This had once been her hom
Melissa pinched her arm, hoping she was still dreaming, but no. She was fully awake, and Charlie’s words only made her feel lightheaded. “What… what do you mean?” she asked, her voice trembling.A sly smirk spread across Charlie’s face as he stared at her. “What were you thinking, Lisa?” he asked sharply, making her recoil. “Stetson is my son, and nothing can change that.”“Stop saying that!” Melissa snapped, her temper flaring. “Don’t make me go crazy, Charlie. I’m just respecting you.”“Oh, you are?” he leaned forward, his dark hazel eyes locking onto hers. “Why don’t you lose it? Let’s see how far you can go,” he challenged her, then leaned back again.Melissa scratched her neck, trying to calm herself. Her temper was bad, but Charlie’s could be worse. Though she hadn’t seen him lose control, she had heard stories.“Fine, tell me what you mean by Stetson is your son,” she said, her voice calmer.“I adopted him,” he said curtly, reclining against the headbo
Melissa didn’t look up as she felt his gaze piercing her, making her feel exposed. “Look at me, Lisa.” His commanding tone sent shivers down her spine, and she found herself lifting her eyes to meet his. She dared not defy that simple order from her charming boss. He was eerily handsome, and every time she got close to him like this, her heart felt like it might explode. Her body reacted so sensitively to his touch that she wondered if she was truly in love with Jared. When her eyes met his, her pulse quickened.“Tell me what you want,” he said, his voice low and seductive as his hand brushed against her arm. It was hot in the room, but Melissa was certain she felt goosebumps form where he touched her.“I… I wanted… us to…” her voice trembled. Charlie leaned in, his lips barely inches from hers. His gaze seemed to pierce straight through her soul.“I’m listening,” he urged.Instinctively, her hand reached up to his chest, his heartbeat mirroring hers. “Can we talk outside? It’s very h
“Lisa!” Charlie shouted in his sleep, startling Melissa, who had been admiring his sleepy face. He jerked upright, disoriented, until his eyes found hers.“Boss,” Melissa called softly, sitting up.“Are you okay?” he asked, inspecting her. “Does anything else hurt? I told you to stop saying last words!”“I’m sorry,” she apologized, confused. “I didn’t repeat it.”Charlie exhaled sharply. “I thought something bad happened to you. The doctor said—”“It was a dream,” she interrupted. “I’m okay now. I don’t feel severe pain anymore. The doctor also said Junior will be fine, so there’s nothing to worry about. I didn’t want to wake you up, seeing how stressed you were,” she explained.“Okay,” Charlie said, stretching. “I’ll go get you something to eat. Stay safe,” he added, picking up his phone from the bed.“Don’t bother. I’m not hungry yet,” she said, grabbing his hand. “I think you should go home and rest. The doctors will take care of me.”“Don’t worry about me. Let me get you food firs
The baby was immediately taken away as the doctors discovered he had breathing problems. “Where are they taking him?” Melissa demanded. “Just relax. He’ll be fine,” Charlie assured her, but she wasn’t convinced. “They didn’t let me hold him. They just left. Is my child okay? What are they doing to him?” she cried. “Do you think I’d let them do anything wrong to him?” he said, and she relaxed. “He’s in the NICU, receiving urgent medical attention,” he explained. “Thank you for being here with me. I would have given up without your support,” she said gratefully. “It’s nothing. I’m happy you made it through,” he smiled, grabbing her hand and kissing her knuckles. “I’ll always be here, okay?” “You missed your presentation because of me. You’re supposed to be angry,” she said, feeling guilty. Charlie chuckled. “Why would I be angry? I can always get another contract, but if I lose you, how do I get you back?” His reply made Melissa’s eyes water. Sh