SHARON "That was close," I thought as Tony and I got off the bed and began to leave the room. My heart was still racing from how close I came to attacking him in order to save myself. It was a good thing he was easily manipulated by me. I would have been deeply saddened if I had failed in my mission and let Aislinn down. She trusted my capabilities, and I couldn't afford to make a mistake now. I knew Aislinn was watching everything that was happening, but still, I needed to inform her myself, I couldn’t take any chances. It was crucial for her to know that Tony was planning to discard Mildred's body at ten. I had to be precise about the time, down to the last detail. While we had sex earlier, I had deliberately moaned loud enough for Britney to hear, relishing the mental torment I was causing her. I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face. Hadn't she wanted me dead? Well, she was about to find out what true misery felt like. After all, my boss had specifically instructed
MARIANNE "Wait!" I exclaimed just before Astrid and his cohorts pulled the trigger, my voice cutting through the tense air. Astrid smirked darkly. "Any last words?" he asked mockingly, his cold eyes studying me. "Of course, it's useless to make any requests. I can promise you that none of them would be fulfilled." I chuckled softly, and his brow furrowed in surprise. Then, without warning, I burst into laughter. Astrid scoffed, his annoyance barely concealed. "And what's so funny? The fact that you are about to die?" I smiled slowly. "No, I'm laughing at the fact that you all are live. Did you really think I came unprepared? I have cameras all over my body. Every word you've spoken and every move you've made has been recorded and is currently being streamed on the internet as we speak." Astrid’s smirk faltered slightly. "What are you talking about?" "Think of all the people watching right now," I continued smoothly, "especially your precious commissioner. Even if I die n
MARIANNEI could not understand why I was being chased with police dogs as though I was a deadly criminal on the run.The fact that Astrid had prepared such formidable backup meant he had also been scared that there was a chance ahis plan would flop."Too bad, he still lost," I said out loud as I placed my palm over the glass sheet on the ground, activating it instantly and making it open into a concealed passageway.Without wasting even a second, I began to descend the flight of metallic stairs and struck my palm against the metal below, instantly closing the entrance above me.I heaved a sigh of relief as I continued down the narrow shaft. The tunnel was dimly lit, lined with cold steel walls that echoed every step. A soft hum of air filled the passage, a reminder of the hidden ventilation system. The space smelled faintly of damp earth, but it was solid and unyielding, built to withstand any external threats. It was the kind of tunnel meant for survival, a labyrinth of security an
MARIANNE "What is this fool doing?" I muttered to myself, watching Tony rip the sheets off Sharon’s body, grab her by the hair, and declare she had to die. I scoffed. "Well, let's see who dies first." There was no fear for Sharon’s safety; she was a fourth-degree black belt, trained from childhood by her late father, who had been a master in the art. I’d dug into her background thoroughly before hiring her, and I knew she could handle herself if things turned violent. None of her clients had ever dared to treat her badly, and for good reason. Sending her to Tony’s house had come with no reservations. She was resourceful, strong, and more than capable of taking care of herself. If she decided to beat Tony to a pulp in order to save herself, I wouldn't have any complaints. I was already more than pleased with what she had accomplished so far. Watching her seduce Tony in the bathroom and seeing him fall for her tricks, I felt a pang of shame that a man like him had ever been my h
MARIANNE Mildred's body began to drift away, her form growing smaller as my vision blurred and my arms fell still. A deep numbness settled over me, and for a moment, I welcomed it, the darkness closing in. I shut my eyes, surrendering briefly, and then a face appeared in my mind—Troy’s. The memory was sharp and vivid, cutting through the haze. “I am your husband, Troy Stanford.” I remembered the first time I met him, after waking up disoriented in the hospital. His steady gaze and calming voice had anchored me, though I barely knew who he was. "We’re here to get married," I recalled, almost smiling at the memory of standing before the courthouse, Troy staring at me in stunned disbelief. That look in his eyes—it was confusion, maybe even anger, all mixed together. He hadn’t expected me to come up with something so crazy, but somehow, we’d found ourselves entangled in this pact. His voice echoed in my head, breaking through the fog. “I’ll stay by your side until the very end.”
TROY Something suddenly felt off. The four men in front of me were far from the formidable threat I had anticipated. Two of them were in wheelchairs, frail and haggard, while the other two appeared unharmed, at least physically. Yet the expressions on their faces betrayed a different story—a mix of helplessness, fear, and a shadow of regret that didn't quite sit right with me. I kept my gun trained on them, as I struggled to piece together what exactly had happened. And then, Astrid's face twisted with rage, his voice a low, venomous growl as he spat, “Tell that monster you call a wife to run as fast as she can. Because the moment I catch her, I swear, I'll tear her apart.” A cold fury washed over me as I leveled my gaze at him, warning, “Threaten my wife one more time, and I will not hesitate to tear you apart. I dare you.” His words had stirred a flicker of hope within me—hope that Marianne had outwitted these men, whatever they’d planned for her. But there was still no clar
MARIANNE I could not hold back anymore. Perhaps I would regret my actions, but that could come later. At this moment, I wanted Troy. I would not deprive myself of the pleasure of being in my husband’s arms. I would savor every second of the time we had left. However, Troy suddenly pulled back from me, his eyes wide with confusion. Was he about to reject me? My heart pounded in my chest, and I swallowed hard as he took another step back. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. "I'm afraid if I don't pull away now, I’ll lose control," he panted, his voice strained. "I’m scared of pushing you away from me." Relief flooded through me as I realized the implications of his words. I smiled, and he mirrored it with his own grin. "Are you a virgin, Troy?" I teased, trying to lighten the mood. He raised his brows, looking amused. "Are you serious?" "Is that a yes?" I asked, arching an eyebrow. He scoffed, "Do you really want to know?" I chuckled, folding my a
MARIANNE After a quick shower, I laid beside Troy, feeling his warmth against me as I drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep. When I woke up in the morning, the bed was empty, with no sign of Troy. I stretched my hand across the cool sheets, wondering if last night had all been a dream. A soft laugh escaped my lips, realizing that the scattered evidence—my clothes tossed on the floor and the fact that I was naked—proved otherwise. I freshened up, choosing a sleek, fitted white dress that hugged my figure and made me feel both powerful and beautiful. As I walked out of my room, a mouth-watering aroma filled the air, leading me to the kitchen. My stomach grumbled, and I found myself smiling as I spotted Troy, focused on making breakfast. Without a second thought, I wrapped my arms around him from behind, resting my head against his back as I whispered, "Good morning, hubby." He turned with a grin, his eyes warm as they met mine. "Good morning, Cherie. I was hoping to serve yo
Alva stretched her legs cautiously, testing her ankle with a few steps. Then, with a sudden burst of confidence, she strode across her room and twirled around. “Perfect!” she declared to the empty space. “Goodbye, crutches. Hello, independence!” Vidar, walking by her room, poked his head in. “Did you just say goodbye to inanimate objects? Should I be concerned?” Alva grinned. “Laugh all you want, Vidar. You don’t know what it’s like to walk with crutches or limp around.” “True,” Vidar agreed, leaning against the doorframe. “But you’re walking fine now, so no slacking for you, especially during this workshop. You’ll be networking like a pro.” “Networking?” Alva groaned. “Why does that sound like a punishment?” Vidar smirked. “Because it is. But you’ll survive. I’ll make sure of it.” At this time, Thea was pacing her room, muttering under her breath. “If Alva hadn’t come along, I would’ve been the one going on this trip with Vidar,” her voice dripped with resentment as s
Freya sat nervously in the corner of the small eatery. Her hands were clenched tightly in her lap. The place was warm and simple, with soft chatter and the clinking of plates filling the room. Across from her, Jonas leaned back in his chair, watching her closely. His gaze was sharp but didn’t feel mean. “Relax, Freya,” Jonas said, a small smile on his face. “You look like I called you here to yell at you.” Freya shifted in her seat, trying to smile back. “It’s not that… I just don’t know why you wanted to meet.” “Let’s start with dinner,” he said, pointing at the menu in front of them. Freya shook her head quickly. “I already ate. I’m not hungry.” Jonas raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. He set the menu aside and leaned forward, his face turning serious. “Alright, let’s get to the point. Freya, I was angry with you before. Because of what you did, I kept misunderstanding Alva, and things between us got bad.” Freya’s stomach twisted with guilt. She opened her mouth to apol
Freya’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she grabbed Alva’s hand tightly. “You’re incredible. I knew you were destined for greatness, Alva, but CEO? That’s next-level stuff. I’m so proud of you!” “Thank you,” Alva replied, squeezing her friend’s hand. “And when the time comes, you can come work with me in the company. We’ll run it together.” Freya’s lip quivered, and she blinked rapidly, trying to keep her tears in check. “Alva, you’re the best friend anyone could ask for. No, scratch that—you’re the best human being alive.” Alva giggled. “Don’t cry, Freya. Save the waterworks for the CEO inauguration.” “I can’t help it!” Freya wailed dramatically before pulling Alva into a bone-crushing hug. “I’m the luckiest person in the world to have you.” As Freya finally released her, she wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, smiling brightly. “So… can I come on this fancy business trip too? I’ll hide in your suitcase.” Alva shook her head, laughing. “No can do.” “Why not?
Thea’s fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her teeth ground against each other as she watched Alva bask in the warmth of everyone’s affection. The realization hit her like a slap to the face—Alva had planned this. She had the evidence all along and had played the helpless victim, crying her way into everyone’s hearts. And Thea? Thea had walked right into her trap. Her head began to spin as her mind screamed, 'I was outsmarted by her?' “How could I be so foolish?” Thea muttered under her breath, her voice so low only she could hear it. Karina’s voice snapped Thea out of her angry thoughts. “I will think of a befitting punishment for what you’ve done,” Karina said, her gaze icy as she looked down at her daughter sprawled on the floor, still feigning remorse. “Mom, I didn’t....” “You’re grounded for a month, for now, until I think of a much better punishment,” Karina declared firmly, cutting off Thea’s weak protest. Thea’s mouth dropped open. Grounded? She
Alva’s hands trembled as tears streamed down her cheeks, her voice barely audible. “Why does this always happen to me?” she whispered, clutching her chest as though trying to hold her breaking heart together. Vidar stepped closer, his voice steady yet soothing. “Don’t cry, Alva. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters here is that the jewelry is yours, and you have every right to take it whenever you want.” Her mother, Karina, nodded firmly, moving to stand beside Vidar. “He’s right, Alva. What’s mine is yours. You’re my daughter—feel free to take anything you need, anytime.” Karina’s voice held a protective tone, though her furrowed brows betrayed her inner conflict. Alva glanced at her mother, her lips quivering. “But I didn’t even know the jewelry existed until now.” Before Karina could respond, Nikolai interjected, his jaw tight with anger. “Alva didn’t put that jewelry there. Someone else did this, and I won’t spare them.” Vidar placed a firm hand on Nikolai’s shoulde
Thea's tears fell freely as she sobbed in the middle of the room, her voice trembling. “I can’t believe this is happening. I’ve only ever wanted the best for this family.....for us. And now, you’re all treating me like I’m an outsider.” She sniffled, glancing around the room with a pitiful expression. “I was only trying to help. Alva is my sister, and I just wanted to make sure she’s on the right path.” Alva softened her gaze. She stepped forward, her voice calm yet firm. “You’re right, Thea. Maybe you’re only doing this because you care.” The room fell silent, everyone staring at Alva as she faced Thea directly. “If you think this is your way of helping me, then I’ll prove to you that I don’t need saving,” Alva said gently. “What would it take for you to believe that I didn’t take the jewelry?” Thea hesitated, her lips twitching as if she was weighing her next words. Finally, she spoke, her voice tinged with resolve. “If we searched your room and didn’t find the jewelry, I’d bel
The room was tense. The weight of Thea's accusations hung in the air like a storm cloud, thick and suffocating. Alva stood in the middle of the chaos, her face calm. “You’re all acting like I’m the villain here!” Thea’s voice cracked with frustration, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “I can’t just sit back and let Mom be wronged. I love Alva, she’s my sister. But it kills me to think that she could do something like this to the person who’s given her everything!”Alva scoffed but she didn’t respond. Thea turned to the others, her voice softening, as if she were pleading for their understanding. “Even if Alva wanted the jewelry, that wouldn’t have been a bad thing. Mom was already planning to give it to her. But stealing it? That’s what hurts. Seeing my sister hurt my mother is unbearable.We all know Alva didn't grow up with us. She had a rough life and no one knows how many times she must have stolen, just to survive. How can we help her if she doesn't acknowledge her pr
Freya’s gaze lingered on Nikolai like he was a piece of art she couldn’t quite stop admiring. Alva smirked, nudging her lightly with her elbow. “Hey, Freya." Freya’s eyes brimmed with tears, but before a single drop could fall, Alva held out her hand, stopping her. “Please, save me all the drama,” she teased, breaking the tension with her signature wit. Freya broke into a grin as Alva pulled her into a tight hug. It was like old times again, the invisible wall that had separated them melting away. “Have you forgiven me?” Freya asked, her voice tinged with excitement and nervousness. “How can I stay mad at my bestie?” Alva replied, though her tone softened. “What you did really hurt me, Freya. If you ever betray me again, I swear I’ll never forgive you.” Freya pulled back, shaking her head furiously. “I’ll never dare to betray you ever again. I promise.” Their heartfelt moment was interrupted by Nikolai’s voice. “What are you two whispering about?” he asked, his sharp ey
Alva finally found her grandfather’s room after wandering down the quiet hallways. The door creaked softly as she knocked and pushed it open, revealing him sitting upright in bed, a pair of reading glasses perched on his nose, and a thick book cradled in his hands. “Grandpa,” she whispered, a wave of relief washing over her. He looked up, his eyes twinkling with warmth. “Alva, sweetheart. What are you doing up this late?” “I wanted to check on you,” she said, limping over on her crutches. “Nikolai told me your blood pressure spiked earlier. I got worried.” He chuckled, setting the book aside. “That brother of yours is worse than a mother hen. He’s been fussing over me all day, insisting I stay in bed. I feel fine, truly.” Alva dropped onto a chair by his bed, her crutches leaning against the wall. “You can’t blame him. We all just want you to be okay.” Her grandfather reached out, taking her hand in his. “And I am okay, as long as I see you smiling. Come here.” He patted th