Sophia gripped her phone tightly, her hands shaking as she looked at the names she knew well in her contacts. Every time she saw a new name or face, a fresh surge of guilt overwhelmed her, yet Felicia's expectations dominated her thoughts, silencing her conscience. She couldn’t think about the consequences right now—she needed the money, and she needed it fast.Taking a shaky breath, she dialed her sister, Megan. It was late, but Megan always picked up for her.“Sophia?” Megan’s voice was thick with sleep but tinged with immediate concern. “Everything alright?”“Hey… Megan,” Sophia forced a lightness into her voice, trying to sound normal. I apologize for phoning at this late hour. I simply didn't have anyone else to confide in. The concern in Megan’s voice sharpened. “What’s going on, Sophia? You sound stressed.”Sophia swallowed, already feeling her heart race. “It’s… something unexpected came up. I… I’m in a bit of a financial bind, and I need help.”There was a pause, one Sophia
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
A YEAR LATERJason stood on the soft carpet, lifting Liam in the air, his hearty laughter echoing in the warm room. Liam let out a joyful cry, extending his small hands towards his father's face. "Do you find that amusing, eh?" Jason grinned and delicately lowered Liam, placing a kiss on his round cheek. Kendall lounged on the sofa with her legs tucked beneath her, sipping tea as she observed. Her smile was soft but filled with pride. “He loves when you do that. It’s his favorite game now.” Jason looked over at her, his expression tender. Certainly, it is. "He's already seeking thrills, just like his father." “Thrill-seeker?” Kendall arched her eyebrow, placing her cup onto the coffee table. "Do you actually mean stubborn?" He’s definitely inherited that from you.” Jason chuckled, settling Liam into his lap. “I prefer to think of it as determination.” He leaned forward conspiratorially and whispered to Liam, “Don’t let your mom fool you. You get that charm from me too.” Liam
Kendall sensed her muscles were sore and smelled antiseptic about her. A faint discomfort in her stomach was a reminder of the procedures she had undergone. The warm, subdued light of the setting sun illuminated the room, but her vision was cloudy and her thoughts was foggy.A well-known voice called out Kendall's name, filled with relief and a touch of remorse. She blinked, forcing her eyes to focus. Jason was next to her, his usual sharp attitude mellowed by tiredness. His shirt looked wrinkled, his tie was untied, and his face showed signs of countless restless nights. "Jason?" she rasped, her parched throat feeling rough. “What… where am I?” He gently informed her that she was in the hospital, moving closer in the process. You underwent a cesarean section, and the physicians performed surgery for your cervical cancer. You’ve been unconscious for days.” His concerned was evident in the wavering of his voice. She instinctively reached towards her stomach, but he intercepted her
Jason walked back and forth in the clean waiting room of the hospital, his hands tightly clenched by his sides. The remote sound of machines beeping, the soft whispers of doctors in the corridor, and the tap of shoes against the linoleum surface felt excessively clear and intense. The rhythm of his own heart drowned out his thinking.“Why? Why did she wait to tell me?”His thoughts continued to rush, but it was futile. The doctors had rushed Kendall into surgery, explaining everything so quickly that their words became a blur. Cervical cancer. Emergency cesarean. Save both her and the baby. Jason wanted to scream, to tear at something, but instead, he stood frozen, his gaze fixed on the closed doors where Kendall had been taken. He had failed her. How could he not have seen that? For weeks and months on end, he failed to realize that something was amiss. His thoughts constantly went back to their disputes, to the times when she appeared delicate yet remained silent. “Mr. Carter?”J
Kendall stood on Jason's mansion doorstep, holding her coat tightly as her hands shook. The chill of the evening air nipped at her skin, yet it paled in comparison to the frostiness within her. She had to do this. There wasn't any alternative available. Jason had an unreadable expression on his face when the door opened, his eyes looking at her as if she was unfamiliar."Jason..." she said with a voice that cracked, her eyes begging for empathy. He stood silently, observing her, not responding right away, as though anticipating her to say something."I have to speak with you," Kendall murmured, moving closer, feeling her legs wobble beneath her. Jason moved out of the way, allowing her to enter silently, but he still stood rigidly, as if ready for combat. The door closed with a click.Kendall stopped in the foyer, trying to regain her balance. She momentarily lost focus, but quickly blinked to clear her vision. "Jason, I have been foolish," she started softly, her voice now filled
Isabella stood at the entrance to Thane's estate, holding her luggage tightly, afraid she might drop it. The large house stood in front of her, its impressive exterior highlighting the void she felt within. She had no other place to go, but she was determined not to give up. Not now. Not after everything.With fingers trembling, she pressed the doorbell, fighting to stay standing despite her overwhelming desperation. Before too much time had passed, the door swung open and Thane appeared, his expression devoid of any warmth. He hesitated before inviting her in, staring at her for a moment too long. Isabella swallowed, attempting to maintain her composure. "I—Thane," she began, her voice faltering, "I—I don’t know where else to go. Jason... he left me. He—he doesn’t care about me. "I have no one else to go to but you." She began to cry as her voice broke, allowing the tears to fill her eyes. She wished they appeared authentic; she wished he would trust her. Thane didn’t budge. His
Jason sat at his desk, gazing at the mountains of paperwork that had grown over the previous few days. The workstation was buzzing with activity, from phone calls to hushed chats, yet he remained calm and composed. His mind was elsewhere—on her. On Kendall."Mr. Carter?" A voice snapped him out of his thoughts.Jason looked over and saw Jane, his assistant, standing at the doorway with a pile of papers. She paused, observing the absent-minded expression in his eyes. She mentioned that you requested to be informed once the DNA test results are received. Jason’s pulse quickened. He stood up, walking briskly toward her. "Hand them over to me." Passing him the envelope, he impatiently tore it open. As he opened the papers, his heart raced while he quickly looked over the results. He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the confirmation that Isabella is not expecting. "He whispered, relieved as the tension he had been holding onto for days finally lifted." However, the feeling of reli
Tension grew in his jaw as he tightly gripped the doorframe with his hand. "Why on earth are you here?" Isabella stood at the entrance, her lips curling into a smug grin. She entered with a sense of ownership, her heels making a sharp clicking noise on the tiled floor. Jason remained still, obstructing her way deeper into the house. "Wow, that's not a very hospitable greeting," she remarked, but still pushed past him. "Is that how you say hello to the mother of your soon-to-be-born baby?" Jason's expression turned menacing, his hands tightening at his sides. “Cut the act, Isabella. What do you want?” "Regarding what is owed to me," she answered calmly, pivoting to confront him with a self-assured lift of her chin. With Kendall conveniently gone, I am ready to take my rightful position. For our child’s sake, of course.” He let out a cold, humorless laugh, his eyes narrowing. “Rightful place? You mean as a liar and manipulator? Spare me your theatrics.” Her smile faltered brief
Jason was positioned at the top of the lengthy meeting table, sitting with perfect posture in his crisp suit, though his thoughts were elsewhere. The board members' voices became a blur as he focused on the charts and projections on the screen. Jason’s gaze lingered on his tablet, his jaw tight. “Mr. Carter, do you agree?” His head snapped up, piercing eyes scanning the room. A beat passed as he composed himself, erasing any trace of distraction. “Yes,” he replied curtly, his voice steady, though he had no idea what they had asked. “Proceed as outlined.” An approving murmur spread through the room, but Jason paid little attention. He couldn't stop thinking about Kendall, remembering her tearful face and the vulnerability in her voice when she said his name. He moved around in his chair, tightening his jaw. “Concentrate, for crying out loud. This isn’t the time to be weak.” But no matter how much he willed himself to concentrate, the image lingered, seared into his thoughts. "
Jason was in his study with a half-empty decanter of whiskey providing him with some bitter comfort on the table. Thane's words echoed in his mind like a disturbing tune, preventing him from finding peace. His teeth gritted and his hand gripped the crystal glass tightly, causing the liquid inside to shake. He whispered to himself, pondering, his tone a mix of anger and hopelessness. "What happens if the child is not mine?" His mother's unwavering belief in him reverberated in his thoughts, her defense against his father and Thane's relentless pressure lingering in his memory. Catherine Carter always saw the best in Jason, even when he couldn't see it himself. But was he worthy of that faith now? He finished the remaining drink, the sensation of burning in his throat a harsh diversion from the pain in his chest. Kendall's tear-streaked face and trembling voice, pleading for his understanding, came back to his memory once more, but he couldn't find the empathy. Jason slammed the g