Next Morning, Lifeline Hospital:-“It’s starting,” Rachel said, driving everyone’s attention to her.The wardroom was filled with tension as Kiara, Leo, Ryan, Maya, and Rachel gathered around the television, their eyes fixed on the digital screen.News channels broadcast the last night’s event—Hunter being the winner, his speech, and then the press conference— that was missed by all of them. The moment Rachel told them that the news channels are showing a repeat telecast, they turned to the television to know what all has transpired after they left the event that the social media is flooding with negative comments and uproar of the public against Viaan.Also, they wanted to know what humility Hunter has shown that the people are chanting his name as a man of integrity. Because, certainly, they knew better!In the background, Viaan was still asleep, so they kept the volume down and stood in front of the screen.On the screen, they saw what Mr. Murphy had told everyone that the claims w
Hunter’s POV:-Did I disturb him in his private moments?“Good morning, Robin. I hope I’m not bothering you already.” I asked, scratching my brows impatiently. Please say no.“No, Sir. Not at all. Please tell me.” He replied in his usual polite tone.Letting out a sigh of relaxation, I came to the point. “Has Kiara contacted you? Is she coming to the office today? How is her family now?”“Kiara?” Robin paused for a moment as if he was confused by my questions. Then he said, “Sir, I’m sorry to say this, but I have no idea how Kiara and her family are doing. She hasn’t contacted me since last night. And I don’t know if she’s coming to the office today or not.” His apologetic tone resonated through the phone.I felt a surge of confusion and frustration. What was he talking about? He was the one who had told me that Kiara had left for a family emergency. How could he not know anything about it?“Robin, what do you mean you have no idea? You were the one who informed me that she had to lea
“Viaan!” A sweet voice called his name.Viaan felt a warm, familiar hand on his cheek, gently caressing his skin. He opened his eyes and saw his mother’s face smiling softly at him. She looked younger and healthier than he remembered, her hair shining and her eyes sparkling. He saw her ready like she is going somewhere.“Maa, where are you going?” Panicked, Viaan grabbed her hands.“I have to go now, Viaan.” She replied, caressing his face.“No, I won’t let you go anywhere. You can’t leave me.” He protested, stubbornly.Leena leaned down and kissed his forehead, whispering. “My time has come, Viaan. Let me go.”He felt a surge of panic and disbelief. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, burying his face in her chest. He could hear her heartbeat, slow and steady. He shook his head, refusing to accept her words.“Please don’t leave me. I’ll die without you, Maa.” He sobbed, clutching her tightly. “No, baby. You’re my strong child. Promise me, Viaan. Promise me yo
“I failed as a son, Kia. I wasn’t there when Maa needed me the most!” He hissed, feeling angry at himself. His traitor tears once again betrayed him and rolled down his cheeks, while he admonished himself.Kiara immediately shook her head, cupping his face gently. “No, Viaan. Don’t say that. You are nowhere to blame for her condition.”Viaan clenched his fists, feeling a surge of self-loathing. He had let his mother down when she needed him the most. He couldn’t stop the tears from spilling over his eyes, as he blamed himself for her condition.“Yes, I am, Kiara. I am the only one who should be blamed.” Viaan snapped. “You heard what Peter said, right? He found her unconscious in front of the TV, watching the live broadcast of last night’s event. She must have heard Thomas expose the truth about my marriage and must have related it to my promise to tell her the entire truth about us after the party is over. This must have shaken her; to find how I, her own son, kept her in the dark. I
Viaan’s POV:-“Please come back, Maa…” Pleading to her from a distance, I pressed my hands against the glass, my eyes turning moist. I felt like a helpless spectator, gazing through the small glass portion of the door, watching my mother lie lifeless inside the ICCU.“Hold yourself, Viaan. You need to stand strong for your mother. We are trying our best, but it is your love and prayer that will impact her the most.”I felt a hand on my shoulder, gently squeezing it. Uncle James standing behind me while I looked at my mother lying so lifeless amid all those wires and machines.His words resounded in my ears, but they did little to soothe the ache in my heart.For my eyes were fixated on the condition Maa was in. The drips inserted into her hands must have punctured her fragile skin. Oh, how much pain it must have given to my mother.I scanned the entire unit through that partition itself. A web of wires and machines enveloped her frail form, sustaining her fragile existence. Each beep,
Hospital wardroom:-Writer’s POV:-“What’s the update, Leo? I know Hunter has been awarded as the winner. What is the situation in the media and the public? I’m sure by now every single person in the country knows about my secret. My rival came out quite skilled in planning and taking revenge.” Viaan asked, chuckling bitterly. One can see through his hollow chuckle the pain he was hiding in losing his precious dream to his biggest rival.And that defeat was such that had shaken the core of Viaan’s personal and professional foundation.Kiara, who was sitting beside him, squeezed his arms in support, whereas Maya and Ryan shared a look of sympathy. They have just come back to his wardroom. Viaan initiated the topic that has been avoided for too long since morning. With the passing hours, the uproar in the media, social media, and the public has been only increasing tenfold. Leo, Rachel, Maya, and Ryan are updated with every minute detail, but Kiara and Viaan were totally aloof about how
“Boss…” Leo stepped ahead, trying to make a communication, but Viaan was, by then, shaking in anger.“He succeeded, didn’t he, Leo? Despite our numerous attempts to fail his cunning plan, he succeeded. He has fulfilled his promise of ruining me, tearing down the life I’ve built for the long term.”His anger intensified, the fury within him threatening to consume everything in its path. Viaan’s entire body shook with the force of his rage, the fire within him burning brighter with each passing moment. The betrayal of his fate cut deep, leaving him feeling vulnerable and exposed.Ryan, ever the voice of reason, stepped forward, his hand gently resting on Viaan’s back. He understood the storm of emotions raging within his brother, the overwhelming desire to lash out at those responsible. But Ryan knew that reacting with anger and impulsiveness would only serve to further damage Viaan’s already fragile situation.“Viaan, my brother, calm down,” Ryan urged, his voice steady and soothing. “
A few hours ago, London:-“Cheers to our success!” a man in his late fifties yelled jovially amid the booming noise of the music.The champagne corks popped, and the glasses clinked as the jubilant team of executives toasted to their success. They had just closed the biggest deal in the history of their company, a merger with a rival firm that would make them the dominant player in the market.“To the man who made the impossible possible.” The crowd cheered for the man who popped champagne.The man who had orchestrated this masterstroke was the CEO and founder of the company — Kingston Groups. He smiled and nodded as his colleagues congratulated him, but he felt a surge of pride and satisfaction that he didn’t share with anyone.He had worked hard for this moment, for almost a decade. He had started his company from scratch, with nothing but a vision and a passion.He had faced countless challenges, setbacks, and competitors along the way, but he had never given up. He had sacrificed
Writer’s POV:-Mr. Moore wiped the sweat off his forehead while waiting for the call to be received.“Hello!” The reply came as soon as the call was received.“I have done my work. Now give me my thing back!” He said over the call.“I am impressed with your quickness, Mr. Moore.” a masculine heavy voice was heard from the other side. “I thought you would still take a few more days. But no. You proved why this is priceless to you. Excellent, old man.” With a dark chuckle, the man added. The words were more like a mocking of Mr. Moore’s efforts, and that made the elderly man clench his fingers.Mr. Moore’s entire body shook with rage. At that moment, he wanted nothing but to thrash everything around. To get the man in a chokehold and punch him straight across the face for making him dance on his fingers. However, the helplessness of the situation had him holding from behind. He can’t act repulsive. Not at this stage when he is so close to the one thing that he has been finding for sever
Viaan’s POV:-I helped Maa get down from the car, supporting her gently as she stepped onto the gravel path. As soon as her eyes fell on the scene in front of us, she froze. Her fingers tightened around my palm, clutching mine with a grip that spoke volumes.“Viaan, this…” She began, her voice trailing off as disbelief washed over her.Not believing what she saw, she was struggling to find the right set of words. Her lips wobbled putting an impromptu pause. She looked back at me, her gaze searching for confirmation, her body trembling slightly.That was my cue to confirm her doubts.With pride and emotions lacing my own voice, I squeezed her shoulders and nodded. “Paradis d’Amour, Maa. Our dream.” I announced, taking my mother in a half hug from sideways, holding onto her as tightly as I could.She averted her gaze back to the property. With a dip in her brows, she looked at me once again, “Huh?”I knew, I knew she was getting the meaning of my words but the yearning self of hers want
Writer’s POV:-“Where are you taking us, Viaan? At least tell me now.” Leena asked for the nth time, getting annoyed at her son’s silence over the matter.Viaan, like the previous times, smiled mischievously and answered without looking back. “Patience, Maa, patience. You’ll come to know soon.”Leena scoffed audibly, narrowing her eyes at her son’s mischief, and scolded him lightly. “That ‘soon’ of yours has not come since the last three and a half hours of our journey. How long more would you keep it a secret?” Her eyes wrinkled at the corners while her nose flared in annoyance.Her anger didn’t seem to affect Viaan a bit as the man chuckled loudly. “As I said, it is a surprise, Maa. I’m not telling you to spoil the fun already.” He refused to reveal, making his mother smack his arms from the backseat.“You have become too naughty these days.” She said through her gritted teeth, only to get a burst of hearty laughter from her son.Huffing, she crossed her hands across her chest and s
Writer’s POV:-“Thank you so much, Guys.” An emotional Viaan expressed his gratitude to the two of the constant pillars of his life.Receiving brotherly pats on his back as a response, he reluctantly broke the hug. His dull face was uplifted with the pure essence of their support throughout his life.“You —” Ryan started to speak, but then his eyes narrowed as he studied Viaan’s features more closely. “Were you crying, Viaan?” His eyes scanned Viaan’s face with concern.On cue, Leo also took a closer look. “Yeah, you look off!” He exclaimed, pointing out the obvious signs of distress.Viaan stilled. His smile dropped into a thin line. Immediately, he averted his eyes away from them and looked everywhere around.How come Ryan observed that? His shoulders tensed once again.“No. Why would I cry?” He chuckled nervously shrugging his shoulders, not wanting them to read his face further.“Then why are your eyes red and moist?” Ryan scoffed, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t lie through your teeth
Back in the present time, The PenthouseViaan’s POV, :Looking at the keys, I fisted them tightly. I was in my penthouse where I had come just an hour ago to get freshened up. Last night, I had to lie to Kia and Maa as I had spent entire hours in planning for the surprise for Maa. Then this morning the leftover documentation took my time while I also went to check for last-minute preparations. I just happened to come here one hour ago as I can’t go directly to home. And as soon as I came here, the first thing I did was to call Maa. She deserves the surprise the most.All through this while, I also kept myself reassured that this was not a dream anymore but a reality.A beautiful reality.A certain kind of peace filled my heart. I felt the cores of my eyes moistening up. Our dream was finally completed.“Paradis d’Amour is finally ours, Papa. I completed your and Maa’s dreams.” My voice choked with emotions as I looked at the picture frame on my desk while placing the keys reverently b
Writer’s POV:-“Did Viaan tell when will he come?” Leena asked Kiara who was serving her breakfast.Her hands stopped in the air and she raised her head to her mother-in-law. “No, Maa. He had just dropped the text last night that he wouldn’t be coming home tonight as he had an urgent meeting and some important work. So, he is perhaps staying at the penthouse itself.” Kiara sighed, continuing to fill Leena’s plate.Leena nodded recalling the text Kiara showed her last night. Viaan had specifically mentioned to tell Leena about it, he himself didn’t text her thinking she must be asleep by then.It was around eleven in the morning. Both the ladies were having a late breakfast today, as Kiara was nauseous and not feeling good this morning; thus she had delayed her meal.Although Leena had something light earlier as she had to have medicines as well, she still joined Kiara in the late meal.It was Leena’s assistance that she was even eating, lest she was all ready to ditch the breakfast to
Writer’s POV:-“And the man said that Mr. Adams is ready to meet at the earliest possible date,” Daniel revealed, sounding serious and firm.Hunter sat straight with a jerk, his brows dipping in. “How come he agreed this early? Didn’t he and his lawyer want time?” The question triggered his mind, he inquired in a disbelieving tone.The frown went deeper on his face; his eyeballs moving constantly as he tried to figure out Viaan’s step. One thing was crystal clear neither Viaan nor his lawyer saw this proposal as a simple invitation to get rid of legal troubles. Hence it was very much acceptable for his rival to seek time to agree or even deny.That’s why, even when this frustrated Hunter, he was ready for any secret investigation Viaan did on him. But little did he expect, that his acceptance would come this early and fast.He heard Daniel huffing from the other end and came out of his thoughts. “I have no idea, Sir. But if they are ready then why not proceed? This was the plan after
Writer’s POV:-“Kia, calm down. Ryan said that he won’t reveal anything to Viaan.” Sophie tried to calm her down, but the girl was far from calming down.A ready havoc was created in her mind and heart and she had no idea how to deal with it.“But he didn’t even give me any time, Soph. All he allowed me is tonight.” Kiara retorted, holding her breath in apprehension.She can hear her heart pounding in her ears, and sweat beads adorning her temples even after the decreased temperature of AC.Her words followed a silence before Sophie sighed audibly. “You have taken more than you should, Kia. You can’t avoid it any longer. Dr. Ryan was right when he said the more delay you are making the harder it would be to make Viaan understand.” Sophie indirectly quoted Ryan’s words from the last evening.“Out of all people, you should be understanding my dilemma, Soph.” Kiara clicked her tongue, getting annoyed at not finding any solution. “I didn’t wait for Tyler to just wake up, but I needed to k
Writer’s POV:-“Not only this but also the fact that Aaron is Tyler and Sophie’s son!” Ryan’s voice was steady, but there was a hint of solemnity in his tone.As Ryan dropped the bombshell, Kiara and Sophie froze, their eyes widening in shock. The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of the revelation.A revelation that Kiara least expected today.The room fell into a stunned silence. The only thing audible at that moment was the ticking of the clock and the lazy evening wind coming through the open windows of Ryan’s cabin.With a composed face, Ryan watched the two women in front of him, trying hard to digest the truth he just disclosed.He knew this was going to be their reaction once her tells them the truth, but still watching them doing so, made him amused.Did they really think they would keep this massive truth away from him?Did they seriously think he wasn’t going to find it out, ever? He was a doctor, for God’s sake. It was impossible for this truth to be a secret fr