Fred noticed the stunned expressions on the faces of the employees. He felt a mix of pride and awkwardness. This shift in Stephan’s demeanor was due to Sylvia, the Young Madam, whose influence had started to soften the usually stern atmosphere of the office. Fred smiled awkwardly, knowing that he deserved none of the thanks they were silently offering. “Dismissed!” Stephan ordered, his voice cutting through the murmurs. He stood up and strode out of the conference room with an air of authority. The employees immediately rose from their seats, bowing until the sound of their boss’s footsteps faded into the distance. Once they were certain he was gone, they released the breaths they had been holding, exhaling in unison like a pack of anxious schoolchildren finally released from detention. “Mr. Fred, did something good happen?” one of the employees ventured, stepping forward, curiosity evident in their eyes. The rest of the employees crowded around Fred, eager for any tidbits of in
He lay her down on the bed, before slamming his mouth on hers once again. Sylvia responded to him. He kissed her till she turned breathless, he released her so she could catch her breath. Sylvia suddenly felt something sticky in her thigh, she pushed Stephan away and ran into the bathroom inside the room. She opened her skirt and saw that her monthly visitor was here again. Sylvia opened the bathroom door cautiously, peeking her head out while her body remained inside. She felt a mix of embarrassment and urgency as she met Stephan’s bewildered gaze. His expression was a blend of confusion and concern, clearly not prepared for the awkwardness of the situation. “Uhm… My monthly visitor is here, so uhm… can you help me get that?” Sylvia stuttered, avoiding his eyes. She felt heat rise to her cheeks, an embarrassment that she couldn’t shake off. Talking about such personal matters with him was foreign territory, and she regretted even bringing it up. Stephan raised an eyebr
The doctor handed him the prescription. “Buy these medications for her and ensure she takes them regularly. This will help manage her symptoms and reduce the severity of her cramps. As for now, she’s still unconscious; you can call a nurse to change her clothes if needed.” Stephan took the prescription, grateful for the information, and made his way to the pharmacy. He hurriedly filled the prescription, his mind racing with thoughts of Sylvia and her well-being. He also picked up tampons, fresh clothes, and new underwear since her previous ones were stained. He knew how embarrassed she would feel if she woke up to find herself in such a state. After gathering everything, he walked back into the ward where Sylvia lay. She was still unconscious, her face pale against the stark white of the hospital sheets. He felt a swell of protectiveness and love as he approached her bedside. Gently, he lifted her into his arms, cradling her carefully as he made his way to the bathroom. Although
Relief washed over her, but it was quickly followed by a new wave of embarrassment. Of course, the doctor would know about her eating habits. The thought of him dissecting her life made her cringe. “Oh,” she muttered, nodding slowly. Stephan stretched his hand out, offering her the pills again. Sylvia took them reluctantly, her heart racing as she caught a whiff of their medicinal smell. “What are the names of these drugs?” she asked, trying to sound casual as she accepted a glass of water from him. “Just some pain relievers and vitamins. They’ll help with the cramps and keep you healthy,” he assured her, watching her with an unwavering gaze. Sylvia sighed, knowing she couldn’t escape this. “Can’t I just drink some tea or something?” she suggested, hoping to find an alternative. Stephan shook his head, his expression firm. “Nope. You need to take them as prescribed. Trust me, I wouldn’t push if it weren’t important.” With a defeated sigh, she raised the glass to her lips, hesi
She must be planning something. Sylvia looked at her body, noticing that the clothes she was wearing were different from those she had on earlier. Panic began to rise in her chest as she scanned the unfamiliar fabric. “Where are my clothes?” she raised her head and asked him, shock evident in her voice. Stephan replied casually, “I have washed them.” Sylvia was stunned. “Yo-u wash…them?” she stammered, disbelief weaving through her words. He nodded, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. But for Sylvia, it was anything but ordinary. No one had ever washed her clothes before, especially not those stained from her monthly visitor. The thought alone sent a wave of embarrassment through her; how could he wash them without feeling repulsed? She always felt a profound sense of discomfort when dealing with her menstrual mess. It was easier to throw stained clothes away than to confront the shame and disgust associated with them. Memories flooded her mind, taking her back to
“What do you want to eat?” he asked, a doting smile spreading across his face. “Hotpot!” Sylvia exclaimed, her eyes lighting up at the thought. It had been far too long since she’d indulged in one of her favorite meals, and the craving had built to a crescendo. She imagined the bubbling broth and the array of fresh ingredients waiting to be cooked. Just thinking about it made her mouth water, and she licked her lips in anticipation. Although Stephan wasn’t particularly fond of hotpot, he couldn’t help but feel amused by her enthusiasm. Her excitement was contagious, and he wanted to make her happy. With a chuckle, he started the car and drove out of the hospital parking lot, following the road to the nearest hotpot restaurant. … After a short drive, Stephan parked in front of a cozy establishment adorned with glowing lanterns and welcoming decor. Without waiting for him, Sylvia jumped out of the car, barely able to contain her excitement. Stephan shook his head, a smile creeping o
They finished eating the hotpot, and as Sylvia stepped out of the restaurant, she felt pleasantly bloated. The warmth of the meal still lingered in her stomach, a comforting reminder of their enjoyable evening. “Are you full?” Stephan asked, glancing at her as he drove out of the restaurant’s parking lot. Sylvia pouted slightly at the question but nodded. “Definitely full. That was amazing!” The drive home took about an hour and thirty minutes. The comfortable silence between them was punctuated by the soft hum of the engine and the occasional laughter as they reminisced about their favorite moments from the night. Sylvia could hardly contain her contentment; the combination of good food and Stephan’s company made for a perfect evening. When they finally arrived home, Sylvia walked into her room, feeling sticky and ready for a refreshing shower. She needed to wash off the remnants of the night and slip into something comfortable. She stepped into the bathroom, enjoying the s
Lily hesitated, biting her lip. “I think I’m pregnant,” she said in a near-whisper, her voice barely above a murmur. “Really? How did you know?” Sylvia asked, her surprise evident. “My period is late this month,” Lily explained. “Oh, you should confirm first before jumping to conclusions. What will you do if you are really pregnant? Will you keep it? And who is the man? Let your boyfriend know” Sylvia’s voice turned serious, knowing how important this decision was. “Well… I will explain to you when we next meet. About the baby I’m not sure,” Lily replied. “But it’s a life; I can’t just… you know. Plus, my mom has been bugging me about grandchildren, so maybe it would be fine?” Sylvia nodded, even though Lily couldn’t see her. “Okay, whatever decision you make, I’ll support you. Just don’t be too hard on yourself.” “I feel a little happy, though,” Lily said, a lightness creeping back into her voice. “It’s like… marriage feels like a bondage, and I don’t want to get married ye
Sylvia Luke nodded thoughtfully, absorbing Lily’s words. It felt like a moment of clarity had settled over her, one that brought a sense of understanding she had been searching for. “Okay, I understand now,” she said, finishing the last drop of her drink. It was refreshing, like a cool breeze on a sweltering day, and she felt a little lighter. Lily, however, had different plans. She poured a generous measure of alcohol into her glass and downed it in one swift motion. The burn felt familiar, a reminder that sometimes the easiest way to dull the ache of longing was to simply forget. She forced a smile, one tinged with bitterness, knowing Sylvia Luke couldn’t see the true emotion behind it. Deep down, she longed for someone like Stephan Damon—someone who would love her unconditionally. “You are a lucky girl,” she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible over the hum of the bar. It was a statement directed not at Sylvia but at her own unfulfilled desires. “Did you say
Lily Doo nodded, her expression shifting from playful to concerned. “Yes, I am. What about you?” she asked, studying Sylvia closely. Sylvia Luke shrugged, pouring a drink into the empty glass on the table. “I am okay,” she replied, attempting to mask the turmoil beneath her surface. Lily smiled knowingly. “You don’t look like you are alright,” she said, her tone laced with familiarity. “Is it written all over my face?” Sylvia countered, trying to keep her voice light, but the weight of her emotions was hard to hide. “If you want to deceive everyone, you can’t deceive me,” Lily said, her voice firm yet gentle. “I can tell when you’re not really okay. What’s wrong? Are we still best friends? You’ve started keeping things away from me.” Her expression turned sad, and Sylvia felt a pang of guilt. Sylvia sighed, feeling the walls close in on her. “It’s Stephan Damon!” she blurted out. “And I’m sure you’re keeping things from him too. What are you hiding from me?” Lily chuckled, a hin
Sylvia Luke closed her room door with a soft thud and sank onto the bed, her mind racing. Just then, her phone rang, slicing through her thoughts. Startled, she fished it out of her bag and glanced at the screen. It was Lily, her closest friend. She answered the call, placing the phone to her ear. “Hello?” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “What’s up?” Lily’s voice came through, bright and cheerful. “I’m good. What about you?” Sylvia replied, attempting to mirror her friend’s upbeat tone. “Okay. Are you around?” Lily asked, a hint of excitement in her voice. “Yes, I am,” Sylvia confirmed, feeling a spark of enthusiasm flicker within her. “Let’s meet at Shell Bar then,” Lily suggested. “Okay, I’ll meet you there in a jiffy,” Sylvia said, glad for the distraction. “Sure, waiting for you,” Lily chirped before hanging up. Sylvia placed her phone down and took a deep breath. She needed this—some time with her friend to clear her head. She got up from the bed and walked o
Stephan Damon’s expression darkened at the mention of her name. “She’s with the police. Why do you ask?” His tone was guarded; he didn’t want to believe that Sylvia Luke might feel sympathy for the woman who had wronged her. Sylvia Luke shrugged, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. “I just want to see her, to understand. I feel like she might have been deceived or something,” she said, her voice quieter now. The idea of confronting the woman was daunting, yet she felt a strange pull to learn more, to empathize with someone who seemed to be acting out of pain. Stephan Damon regarded her thoughtfully, his gaze searching her face. He could see the turmoil within her, the struggle between her desire for justice and her instinct to show compassion. “You don’t have to carry her burden too,” he finally said, his voice low but firm. “Focus on your healing first.” Stephan Damon nodded, the weight of the situation hanging between them. “She will tell the police all that. Did you re
Minutes turned into hours, and Stephan Damon remained by her side, his resolve hardening. He would do everything in his power to ensure that she felt safe and loved. The darkness that had encroached on their lives would be pushed away, and he would fight for their future together, no matter what it took. He leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “Please, come back to me,” he murmured, his voice laced with emotion. “I need you.” Stephan Damon walked out of the ward, needing a moment to collect himself and avoid disturbing Sylvia Luke’s fragile peace. He stepped into the dimly lit corridor and pulled out his phone, his fingers trembling slightly as he dialed a number. “Hello?” came a cautious voice on the other end. “Boss, the woman is still adamant that Madam seduced her husband. She claims she received some images on her phone,” the bodyguard reported, his voice shaky. Stephan Damon clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white. Anger surged th
Stephan Damon dropped to his knees beside Sylvia Luke, his heart aching at the sight of her. She lay still, her chest barely rising and falling, and for a moment He walked closer to her and carried her in his arms not caring about how dirty and haggard she looked. The smell of urine assaulted his nose, but he didn't care about that, he was a clean freak but he didn't even bother about getting dirty. “Sylvia?” he whispered, his voice barely above a breath. Sylvia Luke heard the familiar tone, like a lifeline pulling her back from the abyss. She struggled to open her heavy eyelids, each flutter feeling like a monumental effort. Finally, she managed to focus on the face that meant everything to her. “Hubby, you’re finally here,” she said in a low, raspy tone, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. The effort it took to appear cheerful only deepened the ache in Stephan Damon’s heart. His chest tightened painfully as he took in her disheveled appearance. She looked so fra
Just when she thought it couldn’t get worse, the phone in her pocket began to ring, cutting through the chaos like a beacon. The woman, still holding her down, felt the vibrations and yanked the phone out. She glanced at the screen, her expression shifting to one of disdain as she read the name: “Baby.” “You’re really shameless. Is it one of the men you seduced calling you? Let’s see who else you’ve seduced after my husband,” the woman sneered, holding the phone like a trophy, her expression a mix of triumph and derision. Sylvia Luke’s mind felt blank, a swirling fog taking over as she processed everything. The ringing felt distant, and she could barely comprehend the woman’s words. The humiliation, the anger, the pain—it all melded into a haze. Her consciousness flickered in and out, making it hard to focus on anything but the overwhelming embarrassment. “Answer it! Let’s see who you really are!” the woman demanded, pressing the phone to Sylvia Luke’s ear. Through the haze, S
“Hello?” a man’s voice cut into the conversation. Sylvia Luke’s brow knitted in confusion. “Who are you?” she asked, sensing the shift in tone. “I’m the officer handling Miss Emily Anthony’s case. Are you her workplace friend?” he asked, his voice professional yet firm. “Yes,” she replied, anxiety bubbling in her chest. “Okay, your friend borrowed a sum of one million dollars from a lady over the past two months and has refused to pay. Can you come to our station?” the officer explained. Sylvia Luke’s mind raced. A million dollars? What had Emily Anthony gotten herself into? “Where is your office located?” she asked, struggling to keep her voice steady. “Downhills Local Area,” the officer replied. Sylvia Luke muttered an acknowledgment before hanging up. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever awaited her at the station. She grabbed her jacket and hurried out of the house, her pulse quickening with every step. She didn’t see David, her personal driver, in
She scrolled down to the comment section, her heart sinking further as she read the barrage of supportive messages directed at Ruth Slice. The comments flowed in like a tidal wave: “Ruth Slice’s hubby: I know it was that bitch who seduced Mr. Tony. You’re really nice and kind hearted; you even forgive her and call her sister-in-law! That bitch seduces married men!” “Bitchy: Tsk tsk, you are really nice. You gave up easily! I love your courage—thumbs up! You are my role model from now on.” “Ruth Slice’s daddy: she even seduced other people’s men. Watch out for this whore!” “Anonymous: You are so kindhearted; you should not be like that black-hearted bitch. Keep being kind hearted!” Sylvia Luke laughed, amusement mixed with anger as she read the comments. Kind Hearted? she thought bitterly. Although she had no concrete evidence linking Ruth Slice to her earlier troubles, a nagging feeling told her that Ruth Slice had orchestrated much of the chaos in her life. Her instincts h