As I was getting ready to spend the day with Martins, my phone rang, and to my dismay, it was Nelly calling. I hesitated to pick up, but her persistent calls made it impossible to ignore, so I reluctantly answered."Hello," I said tersely, my voice betraying my reluctance to engage."Hi Carina, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday," Nelly chirped, her voice falsely cheerful.I remained silent for a moment, trying to process her unexpected call. Why would she bother reaching out to me now, after everything that had happened between us?"Why did you call, Nelly?" I finally asked, unable to mask the skepticism in my tone.Nelly let out a sigh, her voice tinged with regret. "I know things haven't been great between us, but I genuinely wanted to wish you a happy birthday. I hope you have a good day," she replied, her words sounding rehearsed.I couldn't help but scoff at her attempt to feign sincerity. "Did you hear that I'm no longer considered a daughter of the family? Is that wh
As I hung up the phone with Nelly, a sense of unease settled over me. Should I tell Madam Katie and Martins about the meeting with Nelly and Leah? I pondered, weighing the risks and benefits. Ultimately, I decided to keep it to myself. They had enough on their plates without worrying about my family drama.Exiting my room, I found Madam Katie and Martins waiting for me, their eyes lighting up as they caught sight of me. "Carina, you look stunning!" Madam Katie exclaimed, her smile warm and genuine.Martins nodded in agreement, his gaze lingering on me. "Absolutely breathtaking," he added, his voice filled with admiration.I forced a smile, grateful for their compliments but unable to shake off the weight of my thoughts. "Thank you," I murmured, my mind still preoccupied.Madam Katie placed a hand on my shoulder, concern flickering in her eyes. "Is everything okay, dear?" she asked, her tone gentle.I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I'm just... thinking about some things," I
Martins stopped me from walking away, I felt the floodgates of emotion burst open. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, and I struggled to find my voice amidst the turmoil raging inside me.Martins looked at me with concern etched on his face. "Carina, what's wrong?" he asked gently, his voice filled with compassion.I took a shaky breath, trying to compose myself enough to speak. "It's Nelly," I managed to choke out between sobs. "She called... to apologize."Martins' brows furrowed in disbelief. "Apologize?" he repeated incredulously. "Do you honestly believe that?"I nodded, wiping away my tears with the back of my hand. "She sounded genuine," I insisted, though doubt gnawed at the edges of my mind.Martins sighed, shaking his head in frustration. "Carina, you can't be this gullible," he chided gently. "You know this is just another ploy to manipulate you."I knew Martins was right, but a part of me desperately wanted to believe that Nelly could change. "But it's not Luke th
The truck driver peered through the windshield, his eyes fixed on Carina as she stood alone at the deserted park. He revved the engine, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he anticipated the moment of impact. Carina glanced around nervously, unaware of the impending danger hurtling toward her.With a sudden surge of adrenaline, the driver pressed down hard on the accelerator, the engine roaring to life as the truck barreled forward at full speed. His heart pounded with excitement as he aimed directly for Carina, his intentions dark As the truck closed in on its target, the driver's gaze remained fixed on Carina, his mind racing with thoughts of the destruction he was about to unleash. He calculated the perfect angle, the ideal moment to strike, his anticipation building with each passing second.Suddenly, just as he was about to make his move, a figure appeared out of nowhere and yanked Carina out of harm's way. The driver's eyes widened in shock as he realized he had missed
Madam Katie paced her room, her worry for Carina gnawing at her insides like a hungry beast. The phone call from her assistant brought a glimmer of relief."Carina's luggage is ready for her flight tomorrow morning," the assistant reported."Good," Madam Katie replied, though her tone belied her anxiety. "Make sure she has security escorting her.""Will do," the assistant affirmed before hanging up.Madam Katie's next call was to Martins. She needed to ensure Carina's safety, no matter the cost."Where are you, Martins?" she asked as soon as he picked up."At the hospital with Carina," Martins replied, his voice calm but tinged with concern."Bring her home immediately," Madam Katie instructed, her voice firm. "I have a bad feeling."Martins hesitated, concern evident in his voice. "But Carina's fast asleep, and she's been through so much...""I don't care," Madam Katie interrupted, her worry overriding any sense of hesitation. "I need her home where I can keep an eye on her.""Okay,
Martins rushed back to the hospital room, his heart pounding with worry. He burst through the door, expecting to find Carina waiting for him. But the room was empty, and his fear intensified."Carina?" he called out, his voice echoing off the sterile walls. There was no response.Frantic, Martins checked every corner of the room, hoping to find some clue as to where Carina might have gone. He spotted her phone lying on the bedside table, abandoned and silent. Why would she leave without her phone?Panic rising in his chest, Martins dashed out of the room and down the corridor. He flagged down a passing nurse, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Have you seen a young woman, about this tall, with dark hair?" he asked, gesturing wildly.The nurse shook her head, her eyes widening at Martins' distress. "I'm sorry, I haven't seen anyone matching that description," she said apologetically.Martins cursed under his breath and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. Where could Carina hav
Martins turned around and saw me, his expression shifted from worry to relief in an instant. His eyes widened with a mix of surprise and relief, and before I could process it all, he was rushing towards me, wrapping me in a tight embrace. I was taken aback by his sudden display of affection, but then I found myself melting into his arms, feeling his warmth and the weight of his emotions."I didn't know you cared for me so much," I blurted out, my voice barely above a whisper, surprised by the intensity of his reaction.Martins held me tighter, his arms a comforting embrace around me. "I thought I lost you," he confessed, his voice choked with emotion.I leaned into his embrace, feeling a sense of security I hadn't felt in a long time. Madam Katie, sensing the gravity of the moment, quietly slipped out of the room, leaving us alone with our feelings.We stood there in silence, the weight of our emotions hanging heavy in the air. For a moment, I forgot about everything else—about Luke,
Martins sat in his car, the weight of what had just happened with Carina heavy on his mind. He rested his head against the steering wheel, replaying the moment their lips had met over and over again in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling of shock and confusion that had washed over him in the aftermath.How had he let himself kiss her like that? It was reckless, impulsive, and completely out of character for him. He knew he had crossed a line, and now he had no idea how to face her, especially with her departure for the airport looming ahead.Just as Martins was lost in his thoughts, his phone rang, jolting him back to reality. It was Luke, his nephew, calling him. Martins hesitated, unsure if he wanted to answer, but eventually he relented and picked up the call."Hey," Luke's voice came through the line, cheerful and upbeat as always.Martins could feel the tension building in his chest as he responded, his voice clipped and distant. "What do you want, Luke?"Luke didn't seem to
Dear Diary It’s been three years since everything changed. Sometimes I still marvel at how quickly life can transform from chaos to calm, from pain to peace. I’m sitting in my room now, surrounded by the comforting hum of everyday life, and I feel compelled to capture this moment, to reflect on how far we’ve come, Everyday I wonder if it's a dream but I don't think I want to ever wake up from this dream,I am finally happy, Over the years things have changed but let me take you on the ride. Martins and I are happily married,Ohh and our wedding was the talk of the town, Every day with him feels like a blessing. We have twins now, A beautiful girl and a boy, Their laughter fills our home, and watching them grow has been one of the greatest joys of my life, Leah won't stop thanking us for giving her siblings, She has settled into junior high school remarkably well. She’s blossomed into a bright, confident young woman, and I couldn’t be prouder, The stigma that her father was a murder
I felt a surge of excitement that I couldn’t contain. I wanted to share the incredible news about our engagement with the people who had supported me throughout this journey. Without hesitation, I reached for my phone and dialed Madam Katie’s number.“Hello?” Madam Katie’s warm voice greeted me.“Madam Katie! It’s Carina,” I said, barely able to keep the excitement out of my voice. “I have some wonderful news to share with you!”“Oh, Carina! What’s going on?” she asked, her tone immediately brightening.“I’m engaged!” I blurted out. “Martins proposed to me tonight here in Jeju, and I said yes!”There was a brief pause before Madam Katie’s delighted gasp came through the line. “Oh, Carina, that’s wonderful! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you both.”“Thank you! I wish you could have been here to celebrate with us,” I said, my voice filled with happiness. “We had a perfect evening. The setting was beautiful, and the proposal was just as magical as I’d hoped it would be.”“I’m sure it
Martins and I had spent a perfect week exploring the island, soaking in its natural beauty, and trying out new experiences. Today was our last day, and I couldn’t believe how quickly the time had flown by. I’d been recording every moment for a special video, capturing the highlights of our trip.After finishing up my latest video segment about our visit to a stunning waterfall, I was excited to see what Martins had planned for our final evening. He had hinted at a surprise, and the anticipation made my heart race.As we walked back to our accommodation, Martins was unusually quiet, his gaze occasionally shifting to me with a secretive smile. I couldn’t help but wonder what he had in store. When we reached our place, he helped me get ready, making sure I looked my best for whatever the evening had in store.A private car soon arrived to take us to a special restaurant Martins had booked. The ride through the picturesque streets of Jeju felt almost surreal, with the soft evening light c
Carina and Martins prepared for their much-anticipated trip to Jeju Island, the air was filled with a mix of excitement and relief. They had dropped Leah off with Mandy, who was more than happy to look after her. Carina had managed to give Leah a quick hug and a few reassuring words before they left. The bittersweet feeling of leaving Leah behind was softened by the knowledge that she was in good hands. Mandy and Leah stood at the airport, waving goodbye as Carina and Martins made their way to the boarding gate.The airport was bustling with activity, but Carina felt a sense of calm wash over her as they approached the gate. She and Martins had been looking forward to this trip for weeks. It was their chance to unwind and escape the chaos that had dominated their lives recently.As they boarded the plane, Carina felt a flutter of anticipation. She and Martins settled into their seats, and Carina glanced around the cabin, noting the comforting familiarity of their private space. The pl
yMartins had sent a message about a special trip we were taking together to Jeju Island. I couldn’t wait to escape, even if just for a little while. As I approached the front door, I could already feel the excitement bubbling up inside me.Martins greeted me with a warm hug as soon as I walked in. His eyes sparkled with genuine happiness, something I hadn’t seen in a long time. “You made it! I was starting to think you might change your mind.”“Never,” I said, smiling up at him. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”We shared a soft kiss, and it was like the world outside ceased to exist. All the trials and tribulations seemed to vanish for that moment, and it was just the two of us. Martins took my hand and led me to the living room where soft music played in the background. He had set up a cozy space for us to unwind. There was a bottle of wine chilling in a bucket, and he poured us each a glass as we settled into a slow dance.The music was soft, almost ethereal, and as we swayed
The gala party incident had become the talk of the town. Social media buzzed with clips of the shocking revelations and the dramatic arrests of Luke, Claire, and Nelly. News outlets dissected every detail, and the public eagerly awaited the legal proceedings. Carina's bravery in exposing her tormentors was widely praised, but now, the focus shifted to the consequences for those who had wronged her.Claire was the first to be investigated. She sat in the interrogation room, her face a mask of defiance. Despite the overwhelming evidence against her, she maintained her silence."Mrs. Grant, we have substantial evidence against you," the lead detective said, his tone firm but not unkind. "Your best option is to cooperate."Claire’s lawyer, a sharp-eyed man in a tailored suit, leaned forward. "Claire, listen to me. The evidence is irrefutable. If you plead guilty and cooperate, we might be able to negotiate a lighter sentence."Claire’s eyes flashed with anger and fear. She looked at her l
I woke up on the morning of the gala with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. Today was the day we would finally expose Luke, Nelly, and Claire for their crimes. But first, I had to make sure Leah was safe. Mandy and I drove to her niece’s house, where Leah would stay for the night. Mandy’s niece was a sweet, responsible young woman who adored Leah, and I felt confident she was in good hands. “Thank you so much for taking care of her,” I said to Mandy’s niece as I hugged Leah goodbye. “Of course, Carina. She’ll be safe with me,” she assured me with a warm smile. Leaving Leah behind, I drove to the event hall where the gala would be held. The place was a hive of activity, with people bustling around, setting up decorations, arranging seating, and checking sound equipment. Everything had to be perfect for tonight. I walked around, ensuring that all the preparations were on track. Satisfied with the progress, I headed back home where my fashion designer was waiting for me.
I sat in Madam Katie’s cozy living room, the weight of anticipation heavy in the air. Mandy, Martins, and Madam Katie were with me, all of us gathered to watch the video that Miguel had sent. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the screen in front of us. My heart pounded in my chest as I pressed play, and the recording started.Miguel's face appeared on the screen, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and determination. He began to speak, detailing his involvement in Luke’s dirty dealings, Nelly’s scheming, and Claire’s cold-blooded actions. As the video played, the room grew eerily silent, each of us hanging on every word.When the video ended, I looked around at the others. Mandy’s face was pale, her eyes wide with shock. Martins sat with his head in his hands, and Madam Katie had a look of grim determination.Martins was the first to break the silence. “I can’t believe it. My own sister... she killed her husband.” He looked up, his eyes meeting mine. “She acted so de
Carlos felt a strange mix of satisfaction as he walked into the headquarters of the Mexico police. After days of meticulous planning and gathering evidence, he was finally ready to bring Miguel down. The evidence he had collected was damning, enough to put Miguel away for life and bring justice for all his victims. Carlos handed over a thick file to the lead investigator, a stern-faced woman named Inspector Rodriguez."We've been looking for Miguel for a long time," Inspector Rodriguez said, flipping through the documents. "This is exactly what we needed."Carlos nodded. "I'm ready to play my part. I have been undercover as Miguel's right-hand man for some time now. I can lead him right into your trap."Inspector Rodriguez looked at Carlos with a mix of admiration and concern. "You know the risks, Carlos. If Miguel suspects anything, you're a dead man."Carlos's jaw tightened. "I know. But this is the only way to bring him down."The next day, Carlos slipped back into his undercover