“It’s not his, and you know it.”Vivian stared at the message before her, unable to comprehend it. What on earth was she saying? How did she even find out about it?She paced around the empty house, the weight of the situation pressing down on her.“How do I explain this to Ranya without him kicking me out of his house? Since I returned, we’ve only had sex once, and he didn’t even finish!”Ranya wasn’t foolish; he was observant. She couldn’t pin a child on him without him suspecting her. She had to find a way to make him believe whatever lies she would weave. She had to make him give in; she would ensure it!“What about Yang?” she muttered under her breath, her eyes fixed on the message sent by the woman who threatened to ruin her life if she didn’t comply.Her phone rang suddenly, making her jump in fear as she nervously picked it up. It was an unknown number, but she knew who it was.After much hesitation, she answered, placing the phone to her ear.“You know better than to ignore t
“Marry me, Vivian,” Ranya blurted, his voice trembling as he knelt on the ground, holding the ring he had bought four years ago. The words felt wrong, and for reasons he couldn’t comprehend, he wished she would say no.Vivian’s eyes widened, her hand slipping away from the door handle. “Ranya?” she whispered, shock evident on her face.What was he doing? He should be happy, but instead, he felt a hollow ache in his chest. Why did this feel so wrong?“Let’s get married, Vivian,” he repeated, barely above a whisper, as if testing his own resolve.“I don’t understand this sudden... Are you under any pressure?” she asked, taking tentative steps towards him. Her voice wavered, and her eyes searched his face for answers.Maybe Signoral finally made an audible move since she has been acting in the shadows. Perhaps her grandfather finally made a move because she remembered how he left home this morning. Ranya is clearly acting on instinct.Ranya met her gaze, his eyes betraying the turmoil wi
"A freaking coffee shop?" Emily screeched over the call. "You've got to be kidding me.""No, Em, I consider it worthy. You would have loved it if you were here. It's still growing, but I'm so proud," Calista replied, holding her phone firmly while walking out of her portable office in the coffee shop.The coffee shop, named "Cal's Brew," was a cozy and inviting space with warm wooden floors and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The walls were adorned with local artwork and shelves filled with books and plants. Soft ambient music played in the background, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Comfortable seating arrangements, including plush armchairs and wooden tables, provided a perfect spot for customers to unwind or catch up on work. All this was put in place by Anthony. A sly smile cut across her face; owning something felt right."I can see you did a good job with the interiors. Los Angeles must have good interior decorators," Emily confessed as her friend showed her th
A not-so-quiet whimper from a woman woke him up from sleep. He stood up and walked quickly toward the slightly parted door of his room. He stared at the open door in shock; he was very sure he had closed it before going to bed. He turned, his eyes fixated on the bed where he believed Vivian would be, but she wasn’t there. The bed was empty.The whimper returned, a little louder than when he had been on the bed. His face furrowed, wondering if Vivian was the one crying in the dark. Ranya carried his steps out of the room, slightly closing the door behind him.He walked down the stairs; a dim light shone on the back of a woman kneeling on the floor, her hands covering her face. Her body shook vigorously as she cried, clenching her chest with her other free hand.Ranya hastened his steps, wondering what could be wrong with Vivian and why the living room was suddenly empty and void of furniture. The woman alone seemed to fill the room as her whimper echoed around the house.He approached
Despite his calm demeanor and the message on the phone, it was clear that he was confused and shocked. Vivian looked at him, feeling her heart race in her chest. She knew she was taking a risk, but she had already formulated her plans and now had the courage to voice them.“What were you saying, Vivian?” he asked, sounding slightly disappointed.She couldn’t despair, but she was sure a hint of disappointment was hidden in that thick voice of his. She closed her eyes briefly, opening them with a more determined look.“That’s the test confirmation from a month and a few weeks ago. I bet our first and only night together since I returned wasn’t actually as bad as we thought.”“Vivian!” he roared, causing her to flinch backward, her eyes flickering as she watched his jaw clench and unclench rhythmically. “That’s not what I was asking, and you knew it.”“Ranya, I knew I lied,” she breathed, taking the phone away from him. “I shouldn’t have, but I was scared to tell you. I just had to say s
“Hello, neighbor!” Anthony called out from across the window, waving his hands enthusiastically at the brown-haired girl standing elegantly, her lips forming a perfect smile wide enough to brighten the day.Anthony felt his heart beat steadily as he watched her wave back, her hair brushing across her pretty face. “When did you return?” she asked, raising her window so he could hear her. “You were supposed to return in the evening, right?”“Last night,” he replied. “How about I come over for breakfast, and then we can do what I promised a few days ago?”“Sounds perfect,” Calista replied, her index finger tapping the window frame. “Mom said the house had been extremely quiet since Willie returned to Yale. I bet she would be glad to have an extra mouth to feed.”“Sure!” he beamed. “I’ll be down in a minute.”She nodded and moved away, her smiley face accompanying her.Anthony reluctantly pulled himself away from the window, hoping Heaven would help him keep his hands away from his pants.
A few months later.“Signoral?”The husky voice of the elderly man in his late sixties called out as she walked into the elaborate office belonging to Chairman Hamilton, one of the richest men in Texas. The office, with its dark mahogany furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, exuded power and wealth.“Grandfather…” she replied, smiling broadly, her heels making a resounding sound on the polished marble floor as she approached him. “You always seem to know it’s me whenever I’m around. I’m really curious to know how you do that.”His throaty laugh filled the room, causing her smile to broaden with each step she took towards him. “You have forgotten that I’m your grandfather, your only family.”“I know… How have you been doing?” she asked, removing her sunglasses as she seated herself in one of the plush leather chairs. “It’s been almost a year since we had a proper family get-together.”The elderly man sneered, picking up his stick as he walked back to his chair. “
“Ranya...” Vivian’s voice was weak yet filled with happiness as he walked into the ward. His eyes bore into her, hiding contempt beneath their calm exterior. She pointed towards the crib beside her bed, where the baby lay. “Isn’t she beautiful?”“Congratulations, Vivian,” Damian greeted, stepping towards the crib and watching the baby. She was beautiful, resembling Vivian a lot.“How are you, Vivian?” Ranya’s calm voice echoed around the room. Her smile broadened at his demeanor. Before her water broke, she had been constantly nudging Ranya to marry her. Now, she believed he would do the needful as soon as she recovered.The past few months of being pregnant had been perfect with him. He made her feel loved and cared for, but he had never touched her.“The baby is lovely,” Damian said, gesturing for Ranya to come see his daughter. He nodded and walked towards the crib, taking in the sight of the baby. Ranya knew he would have been elated if the child were his. He had suspected the pre
The hospital buzzed with urgency as medics wheeled Calista into the emergency room. Tubes snaked across her fragile body, her face pale and lifeless. The doctor barked orders to his team, his voice sharp with authority.“She’s in critical condition! We need to stabilize her heart!”Ranya stood frozen in the hallway, his hands trembling as they clutched the edges of his blood-streaked jacket. His throat burned from inhaling smoke, but the agony in his chest far outweighed the physical pain. He paced, his eyes darting to the operating room’s red light. Every second felt like an eternity.When the doctor emerged, his face grim, Ranya rushed toward him, gripping his coat. “Save her!” His voice cracked, raw with desperation. “Do whatever it takes. I’ll pay any amount, give up anything—just save her!”The doctor placed a firm hand on Ranya’s shoulder. “We’ll do our best, but her heart is weak. She’s on life support now. The next 24 hours are critical.”Ranya staggered back, the weight of th
Ranya gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white with tension as he pushed the car to its limits. The tires screeched on the asphalt, leaving behind faint trails of smoke as the vehicle hurtled through the deserted road.His heart pounded violently against his ribcage, every beat a painful reminder of the urgency that gripped him. The image of Calista’s face - her laughter, her warmth - flashed before him. He gritted his teeth, muttering to himself.“Hold on, Calista. Hold on for me,” he whispered, his voice a mix of desperation and determination.Lynn’s voice crackled in his earpiece, updating him on the location. “Boss, the building is fully engulfed. Be careful.”“Careful?” Ranya barked back. “She’s in there, Lynn! Do you understand what that means?”Lynn’s silence was answer enough. Ranya’s foot pressed harder on the gas pedal as he weaved through traffic. His mind raced with worst-case scenarios. Was she alive? Was she trapped, crying out for him? The thought of her s
The whole crowd stirred the moment the old man spoke up, his voice reverberating through the grand hall. Chairman Hamilton, with trembling hands, pointed toward Signoral, his face etched with desperation. “Tell me now!” he rasped, eyes gleaming with unshed tears. “What did you do to my Allen?”Allen had always come to him in dreams, begging him to remember. Yet he would wake up to find his mind a blank slate—unable to recall anything.The guests murmured among themselves; the atmosphere turning electric. Whispers of confusion, disbelief, and anticipation rippled through the sea of faces.Signoral’s face turned pale, but she forced herself to remain composed. Clutching Ranya’s arm, her nails dug into his skin as she hissed under her breath, “Ignore him. Let’s finish this wedding. Now.”Ranya shoved her hands away and turned to her with a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “Afraid to lose, Signoral?” he asked mockingly, his lips twitching as he pressed a small button on his earpiece. “Ly
The wedding took place in the sprawling outdoors of a luxurious estate in Texas. Guests from across the globe - politicians, business moguls, and celebrities - graced the event. Despite the short notice, the wedding was a spectacle of grandeur. Ornate decorations, pristine floral arrangements, and the soft hum of a live orchestra created an enchanting ambiance. Ranya stood at the altar, his tailored suit exuding elegance, but beneath the surface, a storm of emotions churned. Worry for Calista tightened his chest with every passing moment. He fought to maintain his stoic facade, yet memories of his promises, and the potential consequences of this union—haunted him. Thoughts of Calista filled his mind: her smile, her trust, and the despair she must have felt. His hands, clasped tightly in front of him, trembled imperceptibly, a stark contrast to the composed image he projected. With every glance toward the arriving guests, the whispers of his conscience grew louder, questioning h
Signoral stood in front of the full-length mirror, her reflection a striking vision of elegance. Her white gown, meticulously crafted with intricate lace and shimmering beads, hugged her figure as though it had been made for her alone. Penelope and a small team of stylists hovered around her, making final adjustments to her veil and train. The air felt stiff, not just from the preparations, but from Signoral's brewing thoughts. She couldn't help but feel something was wrong. But she had made Penelope check over and over for any sign of leakage whatsoever. Charlotte, too, had seemed to be in good health, but she hadn't wanted to take any chances. That was why she had wired a lot of money to her, with stern warnings that she had to disappear for good this time. Her phone buzzed on the vanity table, drawing her attention. She picked it up, glanced at the caller ID, and swiped to answer. Charlotte's voice came through, sharp and accusatory. Talk of the devil. "Signoral," Charlott
The following morning, preparations for the wedding were in full swing. All of America buzzed with shock at the whirlwind announcement of Ranya and Signoral's wedding. Speculations ran wild, and everyone had an opinion about the sudden turn of events. Some believed Ranya was erratic, incapable of making rational decisions. Others celebrated, claiming that Signoral had finally secured her rightful place by his side. Meanwhile, a considerable number expressed disappointment, having grown fond of Calista and rooting for her relationship with Ranya. The media frenzy was unparalleled. Paparazzi and journalists flocked to both the Lewiston Estate and Signoral's residence, hoping for an exclusive statement from either of them. As expected, Signoral basked in the attention, offering vague yet tantalizing comments to reporters. Ranya, however, maintained a strict low profile, refusing to entertain any questions. Five hours before the open-air wedding—the most talked about in America—the
Washington, D.C."Did you do as I instructed?" Mr. Lewiston's voice emerged quietly, his hands working diligently on his laptop as he screened through the files the caller had sent him. "Yes, sir," came the composed reply of a woman from the other end of the call. "I sent you every single detail, including the supplements injected into his system. I had one of my men verify the data—it’s accurate." "And the real heiress?" Mr. Lewiston asked, his tone dropping lower. There was a brief pause before she responded. "She was spotted in China, sir, with your sister," she said, hesitating slightly. "But the authorities were already looking for her. I was about to make provisions to get her out, but they're out already... Mr. Windsor used his jet to take them out. They're on their way to Texas as we speak." "Good work, Rena," he said, leaning back in his chair as he moved his fingers away from the keyboard. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk while he processed the inform
Calista sat in the dimly lit room, her arms wrapped around the chair as the evening deepened into night. Anthony sat across from her, his expression torn between guilt and frustration as they both stared at nothing in silence. Signoral's guards loomed near the door, their presence a constant reminder of her captivity. Calista glanced at Anthony, her annoyance simmering beneath the surface. "Why?" she asked, her voice low and angry. Anthony raised his head and turned to her. Bruises marred his body from the beating. "Why what?" Calista turned away, her chest tightening. She couldn't shake her growing resentment toward Ranya. He hadn't even tried to reach out or threaten Signoral on her behalf. Did he even care if she was okay? He had told her the night before that he couldn’t breathe if she wasn’t near… but he sounded like someone who had enough oxygen to last him forever, even without her by his side. Her mind drifted to Signoral’s earlier words after she had ended Ranya’s
“The wedding wouldn't be held in Washington as I promised. We will have it here." Ranya ended the call with Signoral, his jaw tightening as the anger he had bottled up turned into weariness. The room fell silent for a moment, all eyes on him. Damian, Valerie, Lena, and Lynn exchanged wary glances, their expressions a mixture of concern and disbelief. "You didn't ask if she was doing okay…" Mr. MacQuoid's voice broke the silence. He couldn't help himself. His daughter was being held captive by someone who used to be her best friend. Ranya glanced at Mr. MacQuoid, knowing the man felt guilty and was beating himself up over Calista's kidnapping. Perhaps if he hadn't called her to talk about leaving Ranya, things wouldn't have escalated the way they had. "No," Ranya replied curtly, shoving the anger and worry aside. "Hearing her voice will only make me do nasty things I'd definitely regret." And that was the truth. He wouldn't be able to bear it if her voice betrayed any uneasin