Felicia tapped her fingers on the desk while surveying the empty office. The quiet was meant to be relaxing, yet today it annoyed her and heightened her vigilance. She experienced the unsettling feeling of being seen once more. Anxiety surrounded her, suggesting that someone was watching her every action. Even though she convinced herself it was just a creation of her mind, she couldn't shake off the disturbing feeling. Deep in her thoughts, she was jolted when Julia, her secretary, knocked and entered without awaiting an invitation. "Felicia?" Julia looked concerned at her boss's astonished face.“Yes?” Felicia’s voice came out sharper than intended, her heart racing. She masked it with a tight smile, hoping Julia wouldn’t notice her agitation.Julia hesitated, her own gaze flicking around the room. “I, uh… just wanted to check if you needed anything else before I head out.”Felicia forced a dismissive wave of her hand, feeling her pulse begin to slow. “No, I’m fine. Go ahead.”Juli
Sophia sat alone in the dim, quiet room, her hands clutching her head as the echo of another rejection call lingered in her ears. She had run out of options. Everyone she had trusted, everyone she’d once thought might lend a hand, had shut the door in her face. Her shady “ally” had demanded more in exchange for help—a price she wasn’t sure she could pay without staining her soul beyond recognition.A soft knock at the door interrupted her spiraling thoughts. It was her sister, Lila, peeking in with a concerned look. “Sophia? Are you okay?”Sophia took a shaky breath, forcing herself to look up. “I’m… fine, Lila. Just… work stress.”Lila didn’t look convinced.She entered the room, bringing a chair nearer. “Sophia, I’ve never witnessed you in this way.” "It feels as though you are bearing the burden of the entire earth." Sophia directed her eyes downward, steering clear of her sister’s inquisitive stare. She had thought about sharing her feelings with Lila, telling her everything—but t
Felicia's heels clattered sharply on the pavement as she glanced back, her stomach tightening at the glimpse of the person trailing a few steps behind her. She accelerated her pace, her thoughts swirling. For several days, she experienced an uneasy sensation of being observed, a tingling awareness that someone was focused on her even in moments of solitude. But this was different. This was real.She rounded a corner, moving beneath the faint glow of a street lamp and stopping briefly to take out her phone, feigning a check of a message. The outline caught her attention out of the corner of her eye; it was a tall, dark figure, and as he got closer to her, his speed slowed. The beating of her heartbeat reverberated in her ears as she repacked the phone in her bag and resumed her walk, summoning her resolve. Her thoughts swirled with inquiries. Who was he? Was he one of Sophia's associates, or someone who had caught wind of her threats? She couldn't allow her anxiety to overwhelm her,
Sophia’s hand tightened around her phone as her ally’s message blinked across the screen. “We need to talk. Tonight.” She knew what that meant—pressure, demands, and more complications. Her heart pounded as she imagined their conversation, his cold, calculating stare as he pushed her further into the mess she had created. There was no way out, not yet. And now, she could feel the fractures appearing in her meticulously built facade. She hardly had a moment to reflect on the anxiety eating away at her when a gentle knock resonated on her office door. “Sophia?” her coworker, Dr. Malik, inquired, his tone soft but inquisitive. Sophia took a steadying breath, smoothing her expression before opening the door. “Oh, Dr. Malik. Is everything alright?”He studied her, his dark eyes probing, before taking a step inside. "I was intending to ask you the very same question." He held his gaze on her for a brief moment. “You’ve seemed… off lately. I thought I’d check in.”Sophia forced a laugh, wa
The taxi driver glanced at Felicia in the rearview mirror, his brow tightening as she whispered an annoyed series of words quietly to herself. She had just noticed that her handbag was still at the cafe. How careless could she be? Between paranoia and her split attention, it felt like she was slipping. She was usually so careful, always in control. But this… this was different.“Ma’am, are you okay?” the cab driver inquired cautiously, his voice reflecting both curiosity and worry. "Yes, I just… I have to return to the cafe," she retorted, attempting to hide her annoyance with herself. “Now, please.”The cab driver didn’t need to be told twice, and within minutes, they were pulling up at the cafe. She tossed some cash in his direction, hardly noticing his quiet gratitude, as she rushed out and looked at the tables inside through the window. There it was—her handbag, undisturbed, exactly where she had placed it. A sigh of relief left her as she entered to get it. However, when she li
The silence in Thane’s private office was dense, laced with his brooding presence and the subtle hum of the city below. He sat back in his leather chair, fingers steepled, eyes narrow as he awaited the update from his hired spy. The man fidgeted before him, wringing his hands, glancing at the shadows stretching along the polished floor. He swallowed hard, the noise barely audible yet it grated against Thane's patience.“You have one job,” Thane’s voice was low, a deadly calm that hinted at the storm brewing beneath. “One simple job, and you come back here stammering like a fool.”The spy's eyes darted, the adrenaline now pumping through his veins as he struggled to keep his voice steady. “Sir, I-I followed her as planned, but she… she noticed.”Thane’s fingers froze mid-tap on his armrest. His gaze locked onto the man’s, sharp as a blade. “She noticed?” His tone dripped with disbelief and derision. “Are you telling me this woman—a woman, mind you—uncovered your presence?”The spy pale
A gentle wind played with the loose strands of Kendall’s—or more accurately, Felicia’s—hair as she strolled along the street, her attention honing in on the comforting beat of her footsteps. She believed she had evaded Thane’s spy earlier, and the daring message she sent felt like a minor triumph, a sign that she still held the reins. The street was empty. Too empty. She cast a glance over her shoulder, then laughed quietly to herself, the sound barely echoing on the quiet sidewalk. “Getting paranoid, Felicia?” she muttered. “Since when did you let him get under your skin?”Just as she brushed the idea aside, a shadow darted rapidly, nearly without a sound, behind her. Before she had a chance to respond, a powerful arm wrapped around her waist, while another hand pressed over her mouth, silencing her astonished gasp. Fear erupted in her gaze as she fought against the iron hold, her heart racing, comprehending with chilling precision that she had been caught off guard. She tried to sc
It was Thane.Kendall—no, Felicia—sensed his presence like a chilling breeze seeping into her bones, an alarming reminder of the control he exerted over her. She didn’t have to look at his face to sense the anger emanating from him, the quietness that enveloped them thick with unvoiced menaces. Every part of her urged her to be wary, to proceed with care, but she couldn’t suppress the rebellious spark that ignited inside her. Without a word, his footsteps closed the remaining distance, and then came the slap—a sharp, stinging crack that sent her head reeling to the side. She inhaled sharply, her cheek igniting with a burning ache that radiated down to her jaw. The flavor of iron filled her mouth as she chewed the inside of her lip, compelling herself to stay quiet, suppressing any indication of fragility. Though the blindfold obscured his face, she could still envision his eyes, icy and ruthless, locked onto her with the contempt typically reserved for those who had the audacity to
"Unloved?"“Dismissed?”Thane's expression showed intense anger and feeling of being let down, his gaze focused on Isabella. Every word she spoke felt like a blade piercing his chest, and the burden of her falsehoods appeared to bear down on him, suffocating him with the harsh truth that he had simply been a pawn in her scheme. "Thinking about it now, all along you've been giving me reasons why we couldn't schedule a date, why you required more time for your 'career.'" His voice was thick with anger, a brittle edge that bordered on disbelief. “Were you ever planning on marrying me, Isabella? Or was I just some convenient distraction?”Isabella's expression contorted in annoyance, her usual sweet demeanor completely disappearing. "Oh, stop being so morally superior, Thane. You think I delayed the wedding for fun?” Defiance sparkled in her eyes as she raised her chin. I was ensuring my future. It's not my responsibility that you were unable to perceive what was directly in front of
Thane remained immobile, his thoughts battling to comprehend the unfolding situation in front of him. His gaze filled with betrayal and disbelief as it focused on Isabella. This was not the woman he thought he knew.“Isabella?” he finally managed, his voice low, laced with the sting of betrayal. “You… you’re pregnant? With Jason’s child?”Isabella’s jaw clenched, her gaze flickering briefly as she weighed her response. But her silence spoke volumes.Jason seized the moment, his expression resolute as he stepped forward. “Thane, you deserve to know the whole story. This has gone on long enough.” He pulled out his phone, his fingers tapping a few buttons before holding it out to Thane. “See for yourself.”Thane looked at Jason, a trace of wariness in his gaze, before reluctantly accepting the phone. The video started, and as it played, Thane’s face grew pale. Isabella was on the screen, putting something into Jason's drink and throwing herself on him with a cunning expression, looking a
Jason was focused on his report, combing through the details with his usual meticulous precision, when the office door swung open without warning. The abrupt intrusion jolted him, his concentration snapping as he looked up to see Isabella standing in the doorway, her expression stormy and unrestrained."Hi Jason," she said in a harsh voice, filling the room with hatred. He didn't try to hide his annoyance. Isabella. Why are you here? Ignoring his query, she walked fully into his office, and Jane, his assistant, was close after her, evidently flustered.“Ms. Isabella, Mr. Carter is busy with meetings today. You really need to—”“I’m not here for you, Jane,” Isabella said curtly, not even sparing the assistant a glance. Her focus was locked on Jason, her gaze steely, unyielding. “Jason and I need to talk. Alone.”Jason let out a resigned sigh, gesturing to Jane to leave. “It’s fine, Jane. I’ll handle this.”Isabella's tension was noticeable as soon as the door closed behind her, her e
Jason sat in the conference room, watching the projector screen attentively while one of his managers went over the quarterly reports in a monotonous tone. The numbers became hazy in front of him, constantly shifting in clarity. He had examined the information numerous times, yet on this day, his thoughts refused to calm down. Every few minutes, he caught himself thinking about Kendall. That morning, she was quiet and slightly more timid as she stood in the doorway, observing him as he picked up his coat. He still recalled how her face softened, a silent message in her eyes as she bid him farewell for the day. The memory stuck with him, unwilling to disappear. As the presentation droned on, he checked his phone out of habit, noticing a few missed messages from Isabella. He dismissed them with a swipe, his attention drifting back to the last glimpse he’d had of Kendall. He found himself wondering if she was alright, hoping she was feeling better after their recent challenges. It wasn
"Thane," Kendall greeted, her voice a forced calm, though a tight smile barely softened the edge of her unease. "Jason isn’t here."“That’s fine.” He spoke quickly and showed little interest. His eyes quickly scanned over her, sharp and evaluating, pausing to scrutinize the room's details as if looking for a hidden object. "I am here to have a conversation with you." A strange dread settled in her stomach. She dismissed the maid with a quick nod, hoping to mask her discomfort. As the maid retreated, Kendall gestured reluctantly for Thane to enter. His presence was unsettling, a dark cloud clouding the safety of her home, and every step he took seemed to carry a weight that filled the room.“Would you like something to drink?” she offered, hoping to fill the heavy silence with something—anything—to distract from his cold intensity.“No need.” He settled onto the couch without waiting for her invitation, his air of entitlement unmistakable. His gaze remained fixed on her, unwavering. "
Jason woke up to the soft light coming in through the curtains, creating gentle shadows in the room. Looking at Kendall next to him, he glanced over and saw her resting peacefully with a relaxed expression on her face. Her being there soothed him unexpectedly, providing a peaceful reassurance that was both fresh and recognizable. He briefly observed her, feeling warmth in his chest, surprised by the sudden appearance of this feeling. Kendall awoke, her eyes opening slowly, and when she looked at him, a faint smile formed on her lips, showing how tired she still was. She whispered "Good morning," in a gentle and sleepy voice. "Jason responded, his smile soft, mirroring the warmth in his eyes, saying, 'Morning!'" “How are you feeling? Still tired?”Kendall paused to breathe, moving a piece of hair from her face. "She actually admitted she was doing better, stretching out her arms." “I think I just needed a good rest… and maybe some company,” she added with a light laugh, though her e
Jason’s laughter filled the cozy living room as he poured two glasses of champagne, his smile easy and unguarded. Kendall observed him, feeling a warmth envelop her as she noticed the uncommon, easygoing side of him. Their festive dinner was a modest yet sincere event, filled with soft dialogue, exchanged looks, and a tacit comprehension lingering in the atmosphere. "To fresh starts," Jason remarked, raising his glass in her direction. Kendall raised hers in reply, locking eyes with him, and they tapped their glasses together. "To new beginnings," she repeated, a gentle smile dancing on her lips. While they drank, Kendall started to sense a slight wave of tiredness washing over her, more intense than normal. She dismissed it, not wishing to spoil the moment. Jason inclined his body forward, his eyes fixed as he observed her expression. “Are you okay?” he inquired, his tone reflecting a hint of worry. “You seem… tired.”Kendall shook her head, smiling reassuringly. “I’m fine, just…
Jason’s office hummed with subdued anticipation, his team moving restlessly in the background, gazes glued to the phone as they waited for the official announcement. Jason was at his desk, attempting to look composed, yet his fingers drummed a constant beat on the edge, revealing his eagerness. Kendall faced him, her gaze supportive and kind as she observed him. A sharp ring cut through the room. Jason’s assistant, Jane picked up, a hint of excitement flashing in her eyes as she turned to him. “Mr. Carter, it’s the call.”He nodded, inhaling deeply to calm himself. Kendall offered him a supportive smile, silently saying, "You can do it." Jason felt a surge of comfort from her being there. He lifted the receiver, his voice calm, yet there was a hint of something else—a subtle assurance. “Hello, yes, speaking.”The conversation began with formalities, and Jason’s responses remained professional, yet Kendall noticed how his shoulders gradually relaxed, a subtle shift in his expression
When the long-awaited day finally came, the big hall was filled with happy chatter and the sound of youngsters laughing blended with soft background music. Bright balloons, animated streamers, and tables brimming with toys adorned the location. Kendall strolled next to Jason, her eyes absorbing the vibrant scene with a gentle, caring look.A little girl tugged on her dress, drawing her attention. She bent down, meeting the child’s curious eyes. “Hi there! What’s your name?”The girl blinked shyly, hiding her face for a moment. “Lily.”Kendall’s smile brightened as she offered her hand. “Well, Lily, I’m Kendall. “Could you please show me which toys are your favorites?” The girl's expression brightened as she agreed, grasping Kendall's hand and guiding her to a table filled with stuffed animals and vivid blocks. Jason observed the situation from a short distance, his face relaxing as he noticed Kendall laughing and conversing effortlessly with Lily. “You’re really good with kids,” Jas