Emily It was Saturday morning, and I needed to go out to pick up a few things. After getting up, I took a quick shower and joined everyone for breakfast. Father didn’t join us again, Mother said he had stayed up late last night. I wondered if he was avoiding me, but if that were the case, I’m sure that Mother would have said something. I'm her only daughter, after all; she wouldn't keep secrets from me. After breakfast, I grabbed my keys and headed toward the door. As I descended the stairs, Lisa was coming up and stopped when she saw me. "Father wants to see you in his study." She informed me, turning around without waiting for a response. "Is he already awake?" I called after her, but she didn’t stop. Her eyes looked heavy, probably from sleep. Mother had woken her up just in time for breakfast. I continued downstairs and made my way to Father’s study. "Good morning, Father." I greeted, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "Good morning. How was your night? It’s the weekend; where are
"I don't blame her; she takes after you. So I'm not surprised she's showing this kind of attitude." I said. The smile Samantha had when she showed up vanished. It was clear she was holding back from unleashing that side of her. We were in public, and everyone knew her as Ryan's mother. If she did anything foolish, she would be all over the news. "You see, she's talking down on you. She was your maid, Mother, you shouldn't be nice to her." Amber said, clearly wanting to hit me, but Samantha held her back. "Get a grip on yourself, Amber. We have wronged her in the past." Samantha said through gritted teeth, before turning to me. "I know you are still mad at me for what we have done to you in the past, but please spare me some time." I was taken aback; she had never spoken to me this softly. It was always one insult after another. I had never been on her good side, even when I did things correctly, she found fault. And when I got it wrong, she would curse me until she ran out of thing
RyanIt was the weekend, and I had planned to rest at home until my assistant told me the Mayor had invited me for dinner at his place. I had wanted to relax at home and get enough rest before Monday, but hearing the Fernandez family would be there, I decided to go, hoping I would see Emily at the dinner.It’s been over an hour since I arrived, and the house was a bit crowded with a few families invited, but I still hadn’t spotted Emily. I met her father, and we exchanged pleasantries as usual and talked briefly about business before parting ways. His wife, however, didn’t seem pleased. I understand she dislikes me because of what happened to her daughter, which is why I need to win her back.“Ladies and gentlemen, please come over to the dining room.” I heard, and I made my way toward the dining area, a few guests trailing behind me.I took my seat, conversing with a lady and her husband next to me, when I heard someone call my name.“Hello, Mr. Ryan. We meet again.” Looking in the
Attending this dinner had truly been an honor. Coming here turned out to be a good decision; the encouragement to win Emily back was overwhelming, and I’m determined to do just that. Her mother may be against it, given the furtive looks she cast around the room, but if I need to win her over too, I will. Taking a sip of water, I stood up and excused myself, making my way out to the parking lot. The guests at this dinner were the Mayor’s close allies, those who had supported him during his campaign. Having influential people like Fernandez in his corner likely helped him secure the election. Reaching the parking lot, I saw Jasper leaning against the car. "Boss, are we leaving?" He asked, straightening up. "Not yet. What about Emily? I asked you to set up a meeting with her." I reminded him. He looked down, as though reluctant to deliver bad news. "I haven’t told you yet, but believe me, I’ve tried everything I could. She’s being stubborn, and I’m not sure what else to do." I was si
Emily Staying home alone was unbearably boring, with no one around to talk to. I wished Lisa had stayed, but she insisted on going with the others for dinner. After returning from the store, I tried passing time at a lounge, but Biggy suggested we leave because he suspected someone was tailing us. It bothered me, my life now revolved around constantly looking over my shoulder. The days of carefree parties with my college friends were long gone. It was exhausting, but I was learning to live with it. Thinking of my old friends, I picked up my phone, scrolling through contacts. I had two close friends, but they both lived in Italy. They hadn’t approved of my marriage to Ryan, which was why they stopped calling. Two years later, I tried reaching out, but they never picked up. I figured they were still upset with me, but holding a grudge for so long felt harsh. Just then, Anderson’s name flashed on the screen. I’d been expecting his call. Pressing the answer button, I put the phone to m
I walked Anderson out to the parking lot, standing there until he drove off. Once he was out of sight, I turned back toward the house, hoping to retreat to my room in peace. But as I entered the living room, I found Mother standing by the stairs, as if waiting for me. After everything that had happened, I wasn't in the mood to talk. What she did earlier was uncalled-for. Father has done so much for me, more than I could ever ask for. Yet, she had the nerve to question his role in my life, asking what he had really done for me. "Let’s talk for a few minutes." She said, her voice softer than usual. I said nothing and walked past her. She’s my mother, she should know me better than anyone. She should remember the life I have had, especially with my birth father, who never showed me any care or kindness. All he ever did was hurl insults, making me feel worthless. When I was six, I came home from school one day, and Mother told me he had died. That was the last I ever heard of him. Moth
It's crazy how everyone knew, but I didn’t. It was so embarrassing that I had to lock myself in my room all weekend. I’m grateful the weekend is over, and I will finally be leaving the house. I had been starving, but thanks to the junk food and water in my room, I managed to feed myself while staying indoors. Now that I'm going out, I plan to stop by a good restaurant and have a healthy breakfast. I woke up as early as 5:30 a.m. to get ready for work, knowing there will be a bunch of documents to go through since I spent the weekend doing nothing. It was supposed to be a relaxing, stress-free weekend, but that changed when I found out I had been deceived by the people I called family. I finished getting ready for work, applying a bit of lipstick and then checking myself in the mirror. Today, I decided against wearing a blazer. I was tired of them and thought I should try something more stylish and revealing. I had a few new outfits from Ethan that stopped just above the knee but ha
EthanThis wasn’t the plan—flying back to the country when I still had work to finish. But I have to clear things up with Emily. I didn’t expect her to find out so soon. Mother had sworn never to tell her about it, so what changed? What misunderstanding led her to reveal the truth about her father? If there’s anyone else to blame, it’s her ex-husband.I reached out to Lisa, who told me it started at the dinner they attended at the mayor’s villa. Thankfully, Emily didn’t go; it could have been even worse.My thoughts were interrupted by the surrounding movement. I looked up to see people leaving the plane, it had landed, and I hadn’t even noticed.I followed the crowd, picked up my bag, and made my way out of the airport. As I reached the exit, I spotted Father waiting with his guards. I had asked him to pick me up.I walked up to him, smiling before he noticed me. "Father." I called as I got closer."Ethan, welcome." He pulled me in for a brief hug. "Was your flight delayed? Why are y
"Just be patient. You heard what your mother said. But she had no right to decide what she thought was good for you." He said, his voice firm yet calm.He sighed, looking away briefly. I could sense the concern in his tone, but as a doctor, he wasn’t supposed to show emotion, especially since this wasn’t about a patient. Doctors are trained to hold back their emotions, reserving their dread for moments when a life is truly lost.He patted my shoulder before standing up from the couch and striding back to his desk.I remained tense, unable to speak since returning from Grace's room. How did I not know she was my cousin? Why would Mother hide this from everyone? Was Amber even aware? She’s nowhere to be found, so I have no idea what she knows.Is she aware Mother hired Zara? Amber and Zara never got along, so it’s possible she knows, and that’s why she despises her. But why would Mother harbor such dislike for her niece and nephew without a good reason?Zara once had a brother, but he p
RyanI urged Jasper to drive faster. I needed to get to the house before mother leaves. She was supposed to be at home, but ever since Amber went missing, she hadn’t ceased visiting her boyfriend. I had called Zara repeatedly, but she wasn’t answering. Now, I wasn’t sure if she was deliberately ignoring me.Was this all part of some plan? How could she tell Emily she was pregnant with my child? Was she trying to destroy what I was still struggling to rebuild with Emily? She said she would change, yet here she was, tormenting her again.Everyone needed to understand their place in my life. I couldn’t let them ruin what I was building, especially after four years of neglecting Emily and finally trying to make things right.When we arrived at the house, I stepped out of the car and headed straight into the living room. Without hesitation, I ascended the stairs, striding purposefully toward her room.At her door, I knocked briefly, and as soon as she responded, I pushed the door open and
I walked into the living room, and there Ryan was, seated on the couch. His gaze met mine, and he smiled. I couldn’t help but smile back, my excitement bubbling over. Seeing him this close after a few days felt surreal."I didn’t expect to meet you here. We could have…" He began, but his words trailed off as he stood and walked toward me. Before I could even drop my bag, he was already pulling me into a hug.I snuggled into him, inhaling his cologne—a sweet mix of strawberry and vanilla. It hadn’t even been a week, but I missed him so much already.I fucking love this man. I’ve always loved him. Nothing has ever changed that. I thought I had moved on, but seeing him now made me realize it was all a lie from the start.Remembering why I was here, I gently pulled away from him. There would be time for this later, but right now, I am needing answers. He had been hiding things from me, and that had to stop.His brows furrowed as I stepped back, the smile on his face fading into a frown"A
I wasn’t sure if I should even be here, but before I knew it, I found myself driving toward her house. I needed an explanation, something to justify what she had done to me. What had I ever done to deserve this? Paying someone else to carry his child, knowing full well he was sick and could barely father one on his own?I could have been patient. I was there for him, ready to wait for as long as it took. I gave up everything, turned my back on my family, my career, my dignity, all for him. What more could I have sacrificed?I stepped out of the car, my heart heavy with anger and hurt, and made my way to the living room. Nothing had really changed here. The memories came rushing back, those years I spent cleaning, cooking, and doing her laundry because the maid was either sick, on her off days, or simply unavailable. A lot of it fell to me, and I endured it all.I marched into the house and was greeted by the maid. She looked up from her task, freezing the moment her eyes met mine. I e
Emily I arrived at the hospital and hurried inside the building, my heart pounding frantically since I’d heard the news. She couldn’t be pregnant for him, there was no possible way. I had suspected he was sleeping with her from the start, but everything seemed to shift when I was called to help him on the day he had the substance in his system. Alex had confirmed that he was given something that caused his intoxication, accompanied by heavy sleep. I knocked on his office door and waited a few seconds for a response, but there was none. Was he outside? Attending to a patient? Either way, I decided I could wait inside. I pushed the door open, but the room was empty. I walked further in and sat down to wait for him. That’s when I heard muffled sounds. Turning my attention to the source, I looked behind the bed. To my surprise, I saw a little child lying there. "Hey, are you sick?" I asked softly, walking up to her. She nodded in response, her small face pale and fragile. "I have
Zara How the hell did this happen? I can’t believe our plans failed, and we lost her. If there’s anyone I should blame, it’s Adams. I don't understand why the hell he had to ask for money. All he needed to do was follow a simple instruction, ask her to come over. But he messed it up completely. I heard a car, and looked out the window to see who’s parking outside. Tiptoeing toward the sliding window, I peered through. It was Adams, parking in the lot. I needed an explanation for why he did what he did. I marched back toward the bed, pacing while I waited for him to come upstairs. Getting him involved in this had been a terrible idea. The money he asked for was something he already had sitting in his bank account. What more did he require it for? He’d stolen enough from Empire Company. So why pull this stunt? The door to the room creaked open, and I knew it was him. I stood still, listening as the door clicked shut. As soon as it did, I turned to face him. He wore a troubled expres
It wasn’t long before I made up my mind to step out of the car. The phone was never going to ring at this point, and I’m not sure if we are in the right address. Jasper had claimed he knew the place and had brought us here, but at this point, I don’t think it has to be this place. We have to leave, go back, and wait for them to call. I pushed the door open, looking around the place to find anything suspicious. Someone could be somewhere watching us without us being aware. If I find anyone here, he’s a suspect, he has something to do with this. The car that just passed is no exception; I have to look into it. Maybe there could be a connection. I continued to look around, but I couldn’t even find where my guard had entered. Too many incomplete buildings, not sure where to follow. "Boss." Jasper called, and as I turned to look behind, in the blink of an eye, something flew past my eyes, landing on the car. "It's a knife." He announced, just in time as I looked at the knife that pierce
Ryan"You were on the phone with Emily, weren't you?" Mother asked just as I returned to the living room. I had been with her for the past two hours, waiting for her to receive a call from Amber's abductors.I'm not sure if they are, but that's the only thing I can think of. She did show me the countless threat messages, but I can't even comprehend them—they don't make sense to me.Amber has been missing for five days now. I have been keeping things on the down low to make sure I get to the bottom of this.Mother isn't even helping. As much as she has been crying about it, her so-called fiancé—I don't even know what he's doing to help."She's not. That was my secretary." I won't let her know I'm back with Emily; I don't want her opinion. The way she mistreated her without my knowledge is enough. I don't want further complications—not even Zara is allowed to go near her."She's your secretary, but you had to leave the room to make a call?" She questioned, skeptical of my response. "Oka
Mother wasn’t picking up my calls. They were supposed to be home by now, since we left the hospital. Could she be in the washroom? I’ll just call her later. I reached for my laptop, but the door suddenly flung open, startling me. My secretary barged in, panting heavily. My brows furrowed—something was clearly wrong, so I stood up, waiting for her to speak.“I’m… I’m so… sorry for barging in.” she stuttered, struggling to catch her breath.I gestured for her to calm down and speak.“I had to run when I saw him leave… the atmosphere…” she trailed off.I knew she was referring to my father, but why would she think something was wrong? There was no way he would harm me with so many people around.“I’m fine. You shouldn’t panic just because you saw him leaving.” I said, taking my seat.It was amusing how she had rushed in, thinking something had happened to me. Goodness, it was quite funny.“Is that you smiling?” She asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern.I looked up at her, unabl