The person kept muttering, “Mum… Mum…” in a frail and broken voice.“Should we kill it?” the man asked, his face twisting in disgust. “This…thing is too revolting to even look at.”Regina’s expression hardened as she shook her head. “No. Take it with us. Make sure there is no trace we were ever here.”“This person…” the man hesitated. “It will be a liability. If anyone finds out—”Regina’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Actually, I’m looking forward to this kind of trouble.”Once they were outside, the person was bundled in layers of cloth to keep her hidden. Regina pulled out her phone and made a call. “Ronan, it’s Regina. I need your help.”A week later...Regina stood in a big bouse, facing the person who had helped her when she needed it the most as her expression full of gratitude. “Thank you so much for everything,” she said softly.The woman smiled warmly. “Come on, Regina. I like you. Of course, I would help.”Regina’s eyes softened. “Even with the risks, you still stepped in.
After Crystal left, Regina turned to Giovanni. “How do you know the Hawthorne family?”Giovanni leaned back, his tone casual and warm. “Crystal’s mother-in-law is the sister of Gideon’s grandmother. The two families are very close. They adore Gideon, so I ended up getting close to them, too.” He paused, then added, “Don’t worry about the patient. The Hawthornes have the best doctors. She will be as good as new.”Meanwhile, Limpy limped toward Claire, his face pale as he delivered the news. “Madam, the place was blasted.”He was so scared of Claire while delivering this news. He would not be shocked if she killed him. Fiona was her ace and now she lost it. She would die with grief and rage. “What do you mean?” Claire’s voice was sharp with confusion. She was not ready to accept the truth. Limpy stuttered, visibly shaken. “There was a fight between two families... our place, along with many others, was blown up. There is nothing left.”Claire’s eyes narrowed as she grabbed Limpy by th
The grand mansion stood far away from the crowded city. Tonight, it was bustling under the warm glow of chandeliers and the murmur of conversations as a party for a business launch was going on in full swing. The focal point of the evening was a woman dressed in a long, elegant black dress holding a glass of champagne, possessing the grace of royalty. Her name was Regina Spencer and she was no less than a royal princess. Regina moved through the crowd with sophistication and a flawless smile that could ease anyone while her foxy eyes were on every opportunity laid around her. The mansion's luxurious ballroom was adorned with priceless art and rare decorations and showcased the power and wealth her family wielded. It apprehended and awed every guest. Outside, the beautifully mowed gardens were sparkling under the moonlight and some people were chatting there. The Spencer House was always a talk among the guests as they don't seem to get enough of its beauty. "Regina, I saw what you
Anastasia stared at the boy standing in front of her who was begging her to change her mind. Little did he know that no persuasion would ever change her resolve."Anna, please give us a chance," Damien begged, holding her hand with utmost sincerity. His eyes which were usually so confident mirrored desperation at this time. "Anna, I love you," Damien whispered. "Please, let's not break up?"Anastasia pulled her hands from his grip and turned away, her gaze fixed on the busy cityscape from the terrace of the building where Damien had brought her. He had flown from New York to London just to see her. They had broken up two months ago when she left New York, and she hadn't expected him to come here to plead for another chance.She closed her eyes as tears threatened to spill. No, she couldn't be weak now. She had to stay strong. They simply couldn't be together. A sob rose in her throat, but she bit down hard on her lip to distract her emotional pain from the sharp physical pain. He cou
When Anastasia finally arrived home, she found her mother waiting in the living room. It was late and the sight of her daughter, clearly drunk and accompanied by Adeline and a young man, made Fiona's eyes narrow with concern."Miss Fiona, this is my brother, Austin," Adeline quickly introduced as she sensed the tension."What happened to her?" Fiona asked, her worry evident in her tone and expression."I’m not sure," Adeline replied, glancing at Anastasia with concern. "She said she had to meet someone, and when she returned, she was very sad. I tried asking her what happened but she didn’t say anything."Austin scowled, impatience lacing his voice. "Why don't you just tell her that Anna went to meet that boy?"Fiona's expression hardened at the mention of "that boy."Austin continued, "A woman also came to meet her at a café."Fiona's heart sank as she pieced together what must have happened. Someone from New York had come to see her daughter, someone from the life she had tried so h
A year ago, Anna had everything—a family, a perfect life, and a loving boyfriend. But one fateful night, everything shattered into pieces and she became all alone in this world with nobody to run to. She was born into a powerful and wealthy family as her father owned one of the largest conglomerates in the USA. She recalled a time when her parents were madly in love with each other. However, things took a turn when she was ten. Her mother left home after a heated argument with her father. After that, her mother never returned. That day she not only lost her mother but also her father. Anastasia’s life turned into a battleground of legal battle– choosing which parent to stay with. However, nobody had much of a choice when the person was one of the most powerful people in the country. Her mother couldn't win the custody case and she had to stay with her father, which meant she would never see her mother again. When Anna was eleven, her father introduced her to his new wife. Accepti
Damien stood with his back against the sleek-black car with his arms crossed and exuding an air of impatience and elegance. Behind him, his secretary Jack was a bundle of nerves who had beads of sweat trickling down his face. They had been waiting outside the civil affairs bureau for over half an hour and the tension in the air was thick around then. Jack gulped nervously while casting anxious glances between his boss and the entrance, and silently praying that the mysterious woman Damien was set to marry today would appear soon. If she didn’t, Jack knew all too well the kind of storm that would follow. To mess up with Damien Callahan was no less messing with the devil himself. Jack still couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that just days before, Damien had been on the verge of finalizing his engagement to Miss Regina Spencer, a woman with great family ties and social standing. How on earth had he decided to leave her for this mystery woman—someone who might not even have the s
Damien glanced at Anna who was grinning like a fool with her eyes fixated on the wedding certificate that she was holding in her hands for the last thirty minutes. “How can a stupid piece of paper make you so happy?” The words escaped his mouth before he could stop himself.Anna’s gaze shifted to him as her smile unwavering today. She said with her usual joy, “How can it be stupid, Hubby? This is our marriage certificate. It’s always been my dream to marry you.”Damien's eyes darkened as he heard her say, “First of all, the affection in your voice makes my skin crawl. Second, don’t call me endearments you don’t mean. And lastly, don’t forget you are the one who shattered your own dream and left everything behind.”The joy in her eyes dimmed as the weight of his words pressed down on her. The past she had been trying to bury resurfaced and her smile faded completely now. Damien's lips turned into a smirk and was satisfied with the impact of his words on her. Inwardly, he seethed. Bi
After Crystal left, Regina turned to Giovanni. “How do you know the Hawthorne family?”Giovanni leaned back, his tone casual and warm. “Crystal’s mother-in-law is the sister of Gideon’s grandmother. The two families are very close. They adore Gideon, so I ended up getting close to them, too.” He paused, then added, “Don’t worry about the patient. The Hawthornes have the best doctors. She will be as good as new.”Meanwhile, Limpy limped toward Claire, his face pale as he delivered the news. “Madam, the place was blasted.”He was so scared of Claire while delivering this news. He would not be shocked if she killed him. Fiona was her ace and now she lost it. She would die with grief and rage. “What do you mean?” Claire’s voice was sharp with confusion. She was not ready to accept the truth. Limpy stuttered, visibly shaken. “There was a fight between two families... our place, along with many others, was blown up. There is nothing left.”Claire’s eyes narrowed as she grabbed Limpy by th
The person kept muttering, “Mum… Mum…” in a frail and broken voice.“Should we kill it?” the man asked, his face twisting in disgust. “This…thing is too revolting to even look at.”Regina’s expression hardened as she shook her head. “No. Take it with us. Make sure there is no trace we were ever here.”“This person…” the man hesitated. “It will be a liability. If anyone finds out—”Regina’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Actually, I’m looking forward to this kind of trouble.”Once they were outside, the person was bundled in layers of cloth to keep her hidden. Regina pulled out her phone and made a call. “Ronan, it’s Regina. I need your help.”A week later...Regina stood in a big bouse, facing the person who had helped her when she needed it the most as her expression full of gratitude. “Thank you so much for everything,” she said softly.The woman smiled warmly. “Come on, Regina. I like you. Of course, I would help.”Regina’s eyes softened. “Even with the risks, you still stepped in.
“Miss!”“We found the location!”Regina stood at the beach, her gaze fixed on the horizon as the words she had been waiting for finally reached her ears. For the past week, she had tasked people with keeping an eye on her mother. Although she was angry with her, it didn’t mean she hated her. Her frustration stemmed from her mother’s constant interference in her life, not from a lack of love.What troubled her even more was the mystery of where her mother was getting those sketches. At first, she suspected her teacher might be helping, but over time, she began to notice inconsistencies. The designs clearly weren’t her teacher’s work. Regina vividly recalled the day her teacher subtly hinted that someone else was behind the designs.The scandal that followed unearthed even more questions. While critics tore her apart for copying, a few respected figures in the industry made a startling observation like her work bore an uncanny resemblance to the designs of the legendary Faye. But how co
Damien sat in a café, checking his watch. He had been waiting for half an hour when the door finally opened. A tall, striking woman walked in and as soon as she saw him, her face lit up. She walked over and hugged him.“How are you, Damien?” she asked with a confident smile. The woman was stunning, strong and intimidating with an air of mystery. She wore a dress with a low back, showing off a large phoenix tattoo. The tattoo gave her an untouchable aura, like she had risen from something difficult, carrying a story only she knew, a story which with hints of sadness.“I’m doing well, Gia,” Damien replied. “And you?”Giovanna laughed lightly as her tone was calm. “What could possibly happen to me?”“Right…” Damien said. Then he asked, “How is Gideon?”The mention of the boy made her expression soften instantly. “Gideon is doing great,” she said, a warm smile appearing on her face.Damien nodded, relieved. He thought back to her past about the struggles she had endured. Ten years ago,
“Did you do something?” Anastasia asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed Abel. She was currently in Damien’s office where she was planning to surprise him after her long day at work. She hadn’t expected to find out he was away for an important meeting and wouldn’t return until the evening. Since she was too tired to head home immediately, she decided to rest in his office and wait for him. But she hadn’t anticipated Abel walking in and looking like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. He looked so miserable that she could not ignore him. Abel froze momentarily at her question before attempting to brush it off. “Why would you think I did something?”He tried to appear casual but the misery on his face betrayed him. His usual funny and naighty demeanor was nowhere to be found.Anastasia tilted her head as a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Hmm. Let me think…” she mused dramatically before adding, “Maybe because you reek of guilt. It is written all over y
Damien studied him for a moment before speaking. “I’m going to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me. Can you do that?” Ronan opened his eyes, hesitant, but eventually nodded. “Do you love Regina? Not as a friend, but as a romantic partner?” Damien’s tone was firm and curious. “What?” Ronan looked startled. “Be honest, Ronan.” Ronan was quick to respond, his voice firm and sincere. “I don’t! I don’t see her that way at all. She is like the sister I never had. A little sister. I love her a lot, but not romantically.” He paused, his voice softening. “But she means the world to me. She has been there for me through everything, good and bad. She is someone I share my heart and soul with. Damien, I don’t love her as a romantic partner, but she is still my soulmate. I know it sounds strange, but it’s the truth.” Damien tilted his head while being intrigued. “If you marry someone in the future, how will you fit Regina into that dynamic?” Ronan met his gaze whi
Damien arrived at an abandoned property on the outskirts of town. The place looked abandoned, the kind of place one would pass without a second glance. He walked up to the door and rang the bell. Once. Twice. Ten times. Finally, the door creaked open, revealing a dishevelled Ronan. “You look like shit,” Damien said, tossing a bottle of whiskey to him. Ronan caught it instinctively and rasped, “What are you doing here?” “Came to find you, asshole,” Damien replied, brushing past him to step inside. Oh, the inside of the house was not as bad as the inside. Someone had made it livable. Ronan, too exhausted to argue, stared at the bottle in his hands. “Are you gonna drink this?” Damien rolled his eyes. “Anna would kill me first before diabetes would kill me, if I did drink it.” Ronan chuckled dryly and asked, “Why are you so scared of your girlfriend?” Damien smirked. “Actually, she is my wife.” Ronan blinked, his momentary exhaustion was replaced by shock. “What… when? How
Mr. Arnello slammed his hand against the table, crashing the decorations to the floor. He was so angry and Delilah, who was used to his anger, did not flinch. “How dare she!” he roared, his fury directed at Anastasia Spencer and her father. The thought of being humiliated and forced to pay five million because of them burned like acid in his chest. “That crippled old man and his brat of a daughter, unbelievable!” “Matt!” Delilah’s voice cut through his tirade. He turned to her, his face twisted with anger. “Did you see what happened today?” “I did,” she said firmly, crossing her arms. “And maybe if you weren’t so biased, you would see the bigger picture too!” Matteo’s jaw clenched. “That little Spencer girl—” he began, his voice was a venomous snarl. “How dare she cause a rift between our families! She—” The shrill ring of the home phone interrupted him. Delilah moved to answer it, her face paled slightly as she listened to the voice on the other end. “Matt,” she said, ha
Back at Damien’s mansionWhen Damien arrived home, the house felt unusually quiet. Neither his wife nor Adeline was there. Mrs. Luna informed him that Anastasia hadn’t returned from the office yet, and Adeline had gone out for work. Left alone, he decided to head to the gym, where he found Caleb practicing the moves he had taught him during their last session.Atleast, someone was home. “Hey, buddy. When did you get here?” Damien asked, his voice warm. He had grown so accustomed to Caleb’s presence in his home that, without realizing it, he had embraced the role of a father figure. Caleb, for his part, already saw Anastasia as a mother. Finally, Caleb was keeping the fences around his heart down and letting these two people come inside. “I came after school,” Caleb replied with a shrug. “I missed you guys.” Damien suppressed a smile and nodded. “Alright, let’s practice some more.” As they worked out, Caleb paused and asked, “When will Anna and Addy be back?” Damien sighed, wi