Have you ever regretted making a decision?The decision I made seven years ago got me into this, and I regret it. The heavy prison gates creaked open, and sunlight shone a blinding white directly on Fiona Robison’s tear-filled eyes. Two years. Two years stolen and wasted on a crime she didn't commit. She has finally been released. Yet, it wasn't pure joy that filled her. It was a bitter cocktail of longing, disgust, and hatred. All of this for two different people. She clutched the worn photograph in her pocket—the image of her son, Rowan Watson, his gap-toothed grin—a glaring contrast to the harsh reality that she had experienced in prison. Taking a shaky breath, she hailed a cab, ignoring the tremor in her voice."Tanglin," she rasped, the word a foreign taste on her tongue. She highlighted in front of a sprawling mansion with a big iron gate. Despite the steely resolve hardening within her, a tremor ran through her hand as she fished out a crumpled twenty-dollar bill for the f
Fiona, recognizing the voice, swallowed hard and whipped her head around to meet the smug face of Brenda, Jackson’s mother. During the years of their marriage, Brenda was the most caring and loving mother-in-law, but right now to Fiona, she was the direct opposite of what she used to be. Fiona need not be told that things have changed since she left for prison. She turned away from her as soon as she took a glance at Brenda, who felt nonexistent with the unkind gaze Fiona shot her. Brenda seemed very shocked by Fiona’s reaction because years ago, Fiona would miss no opportunities to please her. Fiona's jaw clenched tight, but her voice remained steady. "Who am I?” She bit her lower lips, her gaze moving between Jackson and his smug accomplice Alaina. “I am the rightful owner of Veritas Holdings." She stated. She shifted her gaze to Brenda, who had just joined them. “I just put your ungrateful son in charge!” she gritted, aircoating the ‘ungrateful’. “And now I am back to claim the
Fiona stood rooted to the ground. She was expecting a divorce. If Jackson hadn’t been quick enough to demand a divorce, she would have done that first. After all, what’s there to stay in a deceitful marriage for? She turned and wore a small smile across her face, trying all hard to be strong for Rowan, who was clinging to her. She felt like a dagger was plunged into her heart, seeing Alaina and Jackson hanging all over each other, but what would she do? “Like I said earlier, Jackson, you don’t deserve me.” Her voice was firm, strong, and unwavering. Even though she felt betrayed by her husband and best friend, she wouldn’t allow them to see through her helplessness. Jackson fluttered his eyes. He'd expected Fiona to fall to her knees and beg him to take her back, knowing she had nothing to fall back on. Jackson had claimed ownership of every little thing she had. Jackson smiled wickedly, relishing in Fiona’s helplessness. He knew when she felt hurt, but he didn't care. “I wonder if
Fiona instinctively hid Rowan behind her in an attempt to protect him, as fear gripped her like icy talons, paralyzing her with its chilling touch. The tinted windows of the massive Mercedes-Benz offered no clues about the identity of the person inside. Just as she was about to gently move away from the car, the driver's door swung open.A tall, muscular figure of six feet and two inches stepped down, sunlight glinting off his short, styled dark hair. He wore a crisp, white dress shirt that stretched slightly across his broad shoulders, with the sleeves pushed up to reveal strong forearms. A simple Paul Newman Rolex Daytona peeked out from under his cuff. His features were sharp and defined, with a strong jawline and warm brown eyes that added to his captivating and dashing appearance. She fluttered her eyes, trying hard not to believe whom she was seeing. The legendary lawyer and founder of the highly regarded Miller Law firm in front of her? She gasped inaudibly, masking her surpr
“Mama, look at grandpa!” Rowan's high-pitched squeal snapped Fiona out of whatever was going on in her mind. She instinctively whirled her head in the direction in which Rowan had pointed. Her jaw hit the ground. She felt like her heart stopped pumping blood into her body. She couldn’t believe her eyes or what she was reading on the small TV mounted on the wall of the motel room where they had both lodged for the past two weeks since the incident of her divorce with Jackson. That same day, she returned to her father's mansion, hoping he would take her back now that she had learned her lesson and lost everything she had worked hard to build to Jackson's deception.She just held onto that glimmer of hope; maybe he would have let go of her past mistake, but to her dismay, her father still rejected her again, telling her he had long broken ties with her. The thought of what made her father denounce her years ago felt like a broken record playing in her mind, repeating the same melanchol
“You still have the guts to show your face? When it was so sure that you don’t stand a chance to inherit anything from father,” Bernard’s voice, dripping with condescension, welcomed her.Fiona didn’t utter a word; instead, she sat gently on the plush couch in the study with Rowan beside her. Mr. Logan cleared his throat and opened a leather-bound will. The room was hushed; the only sound was the ticking of the grandfather clock. "We gather here today to fulfill the final wishes of Mr. Beckett Robinson. This will was dated [02/10/2023]. I assure you, all legal formalities have been adhered to."A tense silence filled the room."The first clause is standard. All debts and taxes have been settled promptly. The second clause regards any minor dependents. As there are none, we move on to the heart of the matter."Fiona’s heart clenched, hearing what Mr. Logan said. ‘He never welcomed me two weeks ago; why did I even think he would recognize my son, whom he had just met once before his
“What’s the name of your school, Rowan?” Nana asked him as they walked hand in hand around the multibillion-dollar Robinson mansion.Rowan lifted his gaze to meet Nana’s curious face. “Maple College,” he answered. “Did you know where?” He was still staring at her. “Isn’t that the biggest school in Tanglin?” Nana asked rhetorically. Rowan nodded with a huge grin, dropped his gaze, and continued walking, holding onto Nana’s hand. Suddenly, he let go of Nana's hand and ran forward, as if he were running towards someone.“Rowan!” Nana called after him. “You shouldn’t run after a stranger, Rowan,” Nana cautioned, but gave up when Rowan wrapped his tiny arms around the person’s leg.“My friend!” Rowan’s childish voice echoed through the air. “Mr. Miller, w-we are sorry; don’t be mad at him,” Nana stuttered shakily after realizing that the man Rowan had gone to hug was none other than the renowned legendary lawyer, Ethan Miller. Nana attempted to get Rowan away from his body, but Ethan s
Would she trust him? Would he want something in return? Why was he helping her? Fiona was in a recess of her thoughts when something suddenly crossed her mind—the letter, which she had kept in her handbag some minutes ago. There must be something important there. It would be better if she checked now. She thought to herself. She dipped her hand inside her handbag and brought out the sealed envelope, tearing it open with less energy. Fiona's heart pounded as she picked out the paper in the envelope, her fingers trembling slightly with anticipation and fear. She took a deep breath and slowly unfolded the paper.She scanned the carefully written words, which were filled with her father's handwriting. Her eyes, filled with a mix of tears and joy, traced each word carefully. It was a confession, a heartfelt apology. Her father expressed his deepest regret for disowning her. And also wrote that he is forever going to love her.‘The companies will now be in your care. Do well to make me p