Caroline’s jaw tightened. The thought of Jeffrey, his smug face, the way he’d discarded her… it all fueled the fire in her chest. "I'm going to make him know pain," she hissed, her voice low and dangerous. "I want him crawling, begging me in public. And when he does? He’s getting a full bottle of sparkling wine to the face, followed by a slap so hard his cheeks will be burning red for days!" Jane chuckled darkly. "Now that's the Caroline I know. Don’t forget to film it for us all to see!"Caroline’s anger began to morph into something more focused, more controlled. "I need to get this DNA test done." She said with a sigh. It was almost comical to think that after all the things she's gone through, she'd still need to verify her blood line. The nerve of it all!Jane nodded, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Good, once the test has been done and the result is out, no one can question you anymore.Caroline shot a look at her friend. "I know right?" She then began to analyze her thoughts. "B
Caroline pushed the front door open, kicking her shoes off as she stepped into the house. The smell of Jane’s tea filled the air, a comforting scent that always made her feel at ease. She dropped her bag by the door and walked into the living room, where Jane was sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone. "Finally home?" Jane asked, looking up with a small smile. "Yeah," Caroline replied with a tired sigh as she slumped onto the couch beside her. "It’s been such a long day. I feel like I’ve been running around all day for nothing." Jane chuckled. "That’s life, isn’t it? How are the kids?" Caroline perked up a bit at the mention of her children. "They’re okay, I think. How are they doing at school?" "They’re fine," Jane said, setting her phone down. "Busy with classes and friends, but they’re excited about the holidays. They’ll be home soon for the break." Caroline nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. She loved her kids more than anything and couldn’t wait to
Caroline stiffened, gripping the doorframe. She hadn’t seen Maralyn in months, not since the betrayal that had shaken their friendship to its core. "Caroline," Maralyn said softly, her voice trembling. "Please, can we talk?" Caroline’s jaw tightened. "Maralyn, what are you doing here?" "I needed to see you," Maralyn said, taking a tentative step forward. "I’ve been trying to reach you, but you keep ignoring me. This is the third time I’ve come here, and I—" "Because I have nothing to say to you," Caroline cut her off, her tone icy. Maralyn flinched, but she didn’t move. "I know I hurt you. I know I messed up. But Caroline, I need you to hear me out. Please." Agnes appeared behind Caroline, her expression wary. "Is everything okay?" Caroline glanced back at Agnes, then turned her attention to Maralyn. Her chest tightened. She didn’t want to relive the pain of what had happened, but seeing Maralyn standing there, looking so desperate, made her hesitate. "You have five mi
By late afternoon, Caroline began preparing for the evening. She stood in front of her wardrobe, pulling out dress after dress, trying to find the perfect one. She finally settled on a knee-length navy blue dress that hugged her figure without being too flashy. It was simple yet elegant, just what she wanted. After doing her hair and makeup, she stood in front of the mirror, giving herself a final once-over. She barely recognized the woman staring back at her. It had been so long since she’d made an effort like this, and it felt good—like she was reclaiming a piece of herself. As the clock ticked closer to her date, Caroline grabbed a small clutch and slipped on her heels. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. ---Meanwhile, back at Jane’s house, Granny had started to notice Caroline’s absence. "Where’s that girl?" Granny asked, looking around the living room. "She’s usually back by now." "She said she went to her house," Jane replied, flipping through her book.
As she drove back to her Grandma's house, her mind was racing. The evening had been more than she’d hoped for, and for the first time in a long while, she felt like she was moving toward something good. But as she parked her car and walked toward the house, she noticed the curtains twitching. Jane and Granny had been waiting. Granny was sitting in her favorite armchair when Caroline tiptoed into the house, hoping to slip past unnoticed. But Granny’s sharp eyes caught her instantly. “Caroline,” Granny said firmly, her voice carrying the weight of authority. “Where are you coming from?” Caroline froze, gripping the strap of her purse tightly. “Uh… I was just… um…” Granny raised an eyebrow, waiting patiently. Jane, sitting on the couch with a smirk, chimed in, “She’s coming from a date with Ancelotti.” Granny’s expression shifted from suspicion to curiosity. “Ohhh, so I was right. And here I thought you were lying about going to your house.” Caroline’s face turned bright r
When Maralyn stormed into her house, the door slammed so hard it rattled the frame. Her heels clicked loudly against the floor as she stomped into the living room, muttering angrily to herself. "Unbelievable! Who does she think she is?!" she yelled, throwing her purse onto the couch. It missed and hit the floor with a loud thud, but she didn’t care. She marched over to the coffee table and swept everything off it with one furious motion—magazines, an old mug, and a small vase all crashed to the floor. Pieces scattered everywhere, but Maralyn didn’t stop. She grabbed a pillow from the couch and flung it across the room, hitting the wall with a dull thump. “Stupid, stupid Caroline!” she shouted, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. Her hands flew to her hair, tugging at it in frustration. At one point, she yanked a picture frame off the wall. It was an old photo of her and Caroline, back when they used to be friends. She glared at it for a moment before hurling it to the
Caroline sat in the living room, absentmindedly flipping through a stack of papers she had brought from the office. Jane was lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone, occasionally throwing teasing glances at Caroline. “I think I’ll step out in a bit,” Caroline said, breaking the silence. “Maybe head back to the office and check a few things. If I run into Jeffrey, I’ll deal with him.” Jane raised an eyebrow. “You’re really going to face Jeffrey today? You’ve been avoiding him like the plague.” Caroline sighed. “I can’t keep avoiding him, Jane. It’s time I set things straight. He has to understand that I’ve moved on, and there’s nothing left between us.” Jane smirked. “Moved on? Sounds like Ancelotti is doing a great job.” Caroline rolled her eyes. “Please, don’t start. I’m just trying to focus on my life and my kids. Speaking of which, I need to stop by the school and check on the triplets later this week.” As she spoke, her phone vibrated on the coffee table. S
Jeffrey was practically vibrating with anticipation. His phone had buzzed with a message from the bank, saying Caroline Sterling had been asking about her grandfather's accounts, and that she was demanding answers. Jeffrey had almost choked on his coffee when he read it. After all these weeks, Caroline was finally reaching out again.Or so he thought.A wide grin stretched across his face. He'd always known she would come crawling back. Six years ago, he was the one who had ended things. She was nothing, just a nobody who he had gotten tired of. He had thought she would be nothing without him, he thought that he’s a big fish in this little pond that was her life. He had made her feel inferior. He was a fool. Now, the tables were about to turn. Or so he thought. He had always desired her. He was just too arrogant to admit it back then. He thought that she didn't deserve him, that she was too naive and too pure for his liking.He wanted to be with someone who was like him, someone t
Cut the crap," Maria snapped. "You think I don’t know you had a hand in this?"Ric chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. "You give me too much credit. If I wanted Ancelotti dead, he wouldn’t be breathing right now."Maria’s jaw tightened. "Then why are you here?"Ric sighed, stepping closer. "Look, Maria. You’re smart. You know what happens next."She stayed silent, waiting.He smirked. "Ancelotti’s in a coma. His men are lost. His enemies are about to tear each other apart trying to claim his throne. And you… well, you’re in a unique position."Maria’s stomach twisted. She knew what he was getting at."You think I should take over."Ric’s smirk widened. "Not ‘should.’ Will."Maria clenched her fists. "Ancelotti isn’t dead."Ric’s eyes darkened. "But he might as well be. And the longer you wait, the more unstable things become."Maria swallowed hard. She hated how right he was.The underworld didn’t pause for anyone—not even for Ancelotti.If she didn’t step up, someone else w
The deafening gunshot shattered the night air.Jane’s heart lurched as she pulled Caroline toward the back door. Every instinct screamed at her to move faster. She couldn’t let Ancelotti or his men catch them.Another gunshot rang out, followed by the sound of tires screeching on the pavement."Get down!" Jane hissed, forcing Caroline behind the kitchen counter just as bullets tore through the front door. Glass shattered. Wood splintered. The entire house shook under the assault."Jake!" Caroline gasped, panic flashing in her eyes.Jane's mind raced. If Jake had fired first, that meant—"Shit," Jane muttered, crawling toward the back window. She peeked through the curtain and saw Jake crouched behind his car, gun raised, returning fire.Ancelotti stood in the open, unbothered. His men flanked him, their weapons trained on Jake.Caroline's breath hitched. "Jane, we have to stop this."Jane grabbed her wrist. "No. We need to get out of here before—"The front door exploded inward.A tal
Jane sat across from Jake in a quiet, dimly lit café, her fingers idly stirring her untouched cup of coffee. The tension between them was thick, a silent battle of thoughts playing in their minds.Jake had been hesitant about speaking up for weeks now, but after everything that had happened—the near-fatal shooting, Caroline’s erratic behavior, and Maria’s suspicious alliance—he couldn’t keep quiet any longer.“Jane, I need to tell you something.” Jake’s voice was low, cautious.Jane lifted her gaze, her expression wary. “What is it?”Jake leaned forward, lowering his voice further. “I feel like Ancelotti is the reason why your sister is so disturbed. You need to let her get rid of him.”Jane’s brows furrowed, her grip tightening around her spoon. “Get rid of who? Jake, Ancelotti is the father of my sister’s triplets.”Jake froze. His breath caught in his throat. “Really?”“Yes,” Jane whispered, glancing around nervously. “Keep quiet. That’s a secret.”Jake’s mind reeled. That changed
Days passed in a blur of preparation and careful maneuvering. Maria played her part perfectly, slipping into Ancelotti’s world as if she had always belonged there.She knew how to charm, how to manipulate, and how to make people believe what she wanted them to believe. Every word she spoke to Ancelotti was carefully chosen, every look calculated.She made him feel safe, secure, as though she was a confidant he could trust above all others.But in the back of her mind, she never lost sight of the bigger picture. She wasn’t just here to be another pawn in Ancelotti’s empire. She was here to take it.She had already begun to plant the seeds of doubt. It was subtle at first—a whispered word here, a carefully timed gesture there.She played on his insecurities, feeding him just enough to make him question his own people. His confidence, so carefully built over years, was starting to crack.And then, one night, as Maria sat across from Ancelotti at a lavish dinner, she knew the moment had a
Maria listened intently, her mind already working through the strategy in her head. She could see how it might work—Ancelotti was a family man, and like most people, he would do anything to protect his loved ones. But there were complications.The family wasn’t the only thing that made Ancelotti dangerous. His empire was built on loyalty and fear, two things that couldn’t be easily manipulated.“And what if Ancelotti doesn’t care enough about his family?” Maria asked, her tone casual, but her eyes searching for a flaw in Henderson’s plan.Henderson’s lips twitched with a small, calculating smile. “Oh, he will. There’s no doubt in my mind. And even if he doesn’t, we’ll make him. We’ll create a crisis, something he can’t ignore.His empire is delicate, Maria. His people are loyal—but loyalty only lasts as long as it’s convenient.”Maria considered that. She had known men like Ancelotti before—men who prided themselves on their control, their power, their ability to build empires. But em
Henderson chuckled softly, the sound of it echoing in the quiet room like a predator's growl. "You’re not just the key, Maria. You’re the master key. You’ve got connections, brains, and an instinct for power. You're the only one who can pull it off."Maria felt a small thrill at his words. There was no denying the fact that she had always been good at getting what she wanted.But there was something about this—the weight of the decision—that was different. Ancelotti wasn’t just a man to eliminate; he was a rival, a force to be reckoned with."And what exactly are you proposing?" she asked, her voice steady, though her mind raced with possibilities.Henderson’s eyes gleamed, and he leaned in closer, as if sharing a secret. "Ancelotti has a weakness. It’s not the obvious ones, the ones that people would think of. No, his real vulnerability lies in his people. His loyalty, or rather, his misplaced sense of loyalty."Maria’s interest piqued. "Explain.""Ancelotti has always protected his
The night air was thick with the scent of expensive cigars and aged whiskey.The chandelier above cast a golden glow over the long mahogany dining table, its polished surface reflecting the flickering candlelight.The setting was intimate, elegant—exactly how Mr. Henderson liked things.Maria sat across from him, legs crossed, her silk dress clinging to her figure as she swirled the red wine in her glass. A slow smirk played on her lips. The rich, velvety taste coated her tongue as she took a sip, savoring the moment.She was no fool—this dinner wasn’t just about gratitude. It was a chess move.And in chess, every piece had a role.She watched as Henderson leaned back in his chair, his piercing blue eyes studying her like a man who had already won.His salt-and-pepper hair was slicked back, his suit tailored to perfection, his watch gleaming under the dim lights. He was the kind of man who carried himself like royalty—because in his world, he was king.But Maria?Maria had no intentio
The second gunshot rang out, louder this time, slicing through the thick silence like a blade.They barely had time to react before Ancelotti lunged, grabbing her by the arm and shoving her down behind the overturned couch.Jane let out a startled cry as she ducked low, hands clamping over her ears. Marco cursed under his breath, his gun already drawn."Stay down!" Ancelotti barked, scanning the dimly lit room. His fingers curled around the trigger of his own weapon, his breathing measured but tense.Another shot exploded through the window, sending shards of glass raining over the floor. The lamp on the nearby table shattered, plunging them further into darkness.Caroline's heart pounded against her ribs. "Who the hell is out there?"Ancelotti didn't answer immediately. He kept his back against the wall, eyes flickering toward the door.Marco crawled over, keeping low. "We need to move. If they have a vantage point, we're sitting ducks."Jane, still shaking, whispered, "Is it Maria?
Maria lounged on the velvet chaise in her bedroom, freshly bathed and draped in a silk robe, the soft fabric caressing her skin.She ran a hand through her sleek, dark waves, admiring herself in the floor-length mirror. Her reflection was flawless—sharp cheekbones, deep red lips, and eyes that held the confidence of a woman who had never truly lost.A slow, satisfied smile curved her lips."Ew, how can such beauty rot in prison?" she murmured to herself, stretching out her limbs like a cat.The thought of those cold, gray walls still sent a shiver down her spine. Prison had been a temporary inconvenience, nothing more.She had always known someone like her wouldn’t stay locked up for long. And thanks to Mr. Henderson, she was exactly where she belonged—on top.She reached for a crystal glass of wine on the nightstand, taking a slow sip as she replayed the moment of her release in her mind. The look on Caroline’s face when she had stepped out of that courthouse had been priceless. The