Share

Where Danger Meets Comfort

Author: Moonbunnie
last update Last Updated: 2024-08-26 17:58:42

“The flight will take twelve hours…”

“Make it seven,” Ranya commanded. His tone left no room for negotiation, even though the pilot knew the request was impossible, regardless of the route or speed.

“We can’t, sir…” the pilot, a man in his mid-forties, responded hesitantly. The two other pilots beside him exchanged nervous glances as Ranya’s intense gaze bore into them.

“What?” Ranya’s voice, though quiet, carried a weight that made the men flinch. “Those guys made it in eight hours. How can you say otherwise?”

“They made it in ten,” Valerie interjected, bowing slightly. “Mr. MacQuoid was taken around 7 a.m., and by the time we located him, it was already 6 p.m.”

The pilots exhaled in relief, sensing Valerie’s presence as a lifeline.

“I believe they took a brief detour before torturing Mr. MacQuoid for hours,” she continued, her voice even.

Calista shut her eyes tightly. The thought of her father suffering because of her made her want to scream. She had unwittingly condemned him to th
Locked Chapter
Continue Reading on GoodNovel
Scan code to download App

Related chapters

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Edge of Darkness

    5:42 AM.“We’ve arrived in Sicily. Please prepare for disembarkation!”Calista winced, stretching under the blanket. She blinked a few times, disoriented by the sudden announcement and the early hour.As she sat up to buckle her seatbelt, she realized it was already fastened.“Sorry your sleep was interrupted,” Ranya’s gentle voice came from in front of her. She looked up to see him smiling softly. “Good morning.”“What time is it?” she asked, her voice still groggy. He glanced up briefly from the tablet in his hand, earplugs nestled in his ears.“5:50.”“Oh.” She turned to Valerie, who was engrossed in her laptop, barely acknowledging her with a nod.“You both seem busy,” Calista observed, noticing the focused intensity on their faces.“Yes,” Ranya replied curtly, not looking up.Calista had seen him like this countless times—the seriousness, the way he immersed himself in work. It was one of the traits she had helplessly fallen in love with. Watching him so deeply focused made her w

    Last Updated : 2024-08-28
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Be my guest

    Signoral leaned back in her chair, her gaze locked on her phone. Calista should have called by now. Or perhaps Ranya. One of them should be groveling, begging her to release Mr. MacQuoid, while she seized her true prize—Ranya, all to herself.That was the plan. It was why she revealed herself in the first place. She wanted Calista to know who was in control, to remind her that this time, Signoral held all the cards.Her fingers tapped rhythmically against the leather armrest. It had been years since she felt this level of fury... Well, maybe that wasn’t true. Ever since she’d aligned herself with Calista, anger had become a near-constant companion, especially after that idiotic contract linking her to Ranya.But, as always, she was winning. Calista would vanish for good this time, leaving no trace. And she would pay dearly for her meddling.Her thoughts darkened as she remembered how her father had once intervened, costing him his livelihood. She had uprooted her life to monitor him,

    Last Updated : 2024-09-07
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   The Face of Deception

    She sat by the hospital bed, staring at Ranya’s sleeping form. The soft beeping of the machines filled the quiet room, the only sound marking the passage of time. Ranya wasn’t in a coma—the bullet hadn’t caused enough damage—but the sedative had knocked him out cold. The doctors had said he needed rest, and that was all he could do for now.She couldn’t take her eyes off him. His chest rose and fell steadily, a reminder that he was still alive, still breathing.Relief should have filled her, but all she felt was a growing pit of rage. She stared at the message long and hard, her heart full of anger. She never would have thought of it—sending such a message to Signoral was the last thing Calista would have done. But now she realized Signoral wasn’t the same person she once knew. She was now an enemy.She turned back to Ranya, tears welling in her eyes as she gazed at his peaceful face. He had taken that bullet for her father, nearly losing his life. And for what? To be lying here becaus

    Last Updated : 2024-09-19
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Ranya

    “How is that so?” Ranya asked, holding Calista’s hand tightly, his gaze fixed on Mr. MacQuoid. He could feel the tension in her fingers, mirroring his own unease.It was no secret how the Hamiltons had died. A tragic accident that claimed both husband and wife. Yet, despite everything that made their deaths seem like an unfortunate and unavoidable event, Ranya had always harbored his doubts.“I’m very sure of it,” Mr. MacQuoid replied, his voice heavy with conviction, as if he had witnessed the event firsthand. “She was there. Her voice, her body, and… her tattoo.”“Her tattoo?” Valerie interjected, eyes wide with disbelief. “I worked for Mr. Lillard Greystone, the Hamiltons’ personal lawyer, for months. Mrs. Hamilton never had a tattoo. At least, not one anyone would know about.”Mr. MacQuoid went silent, but Ranya could see the certainty in his eyes. The man wasn’t mistaken. He knew what he had seen.“How did you come into contact with Mrs. Hamilton when you worked for the Lewistons

    Last Updated : 2024-09-27
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   A Kiss of Redemption

    Was he surprised? He sure as hell was. He had expected many things from Calista, but definitely not a kiss.She noticed his shock and withdrew, feeling extremely embarrassed for acting on impulse. But before she could completely pull away, Ranya gently wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her head back, leaving only a little space between his lips and hers.His gaze swept across her in amusement as happiness coiled within him. Calista was back to him. She had willingly pushed herself back into his welcoming arms.“Cal...” he called, his voice husky with passion and amusement.Calista forced her eyes away from his lips, still shocked at how she had leaned in to kiss him. She had made the move herself, and now he was staring at her with those eyes—the ones she had longed for so dearly.“I... I...”“Shush...” he cut in, the swift breath from his words brushing against her nostrils, making her body tremble. “Don’t say anything, Cal. I just want to see you like this. I want you like

    Last Updated : 2024-10-08
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   A Game of Trust

    Valerie nearly jumped in her seat at the sound of Ranya’s laughter. She had only been gone for an hour, and now her boss was laughing loudly. His eyes fixed on Calista. The woman had somehow turned him into a schoolboy, all smiles and grins. Valerie could hardly believe it.“You won’t believe it, Ranny.”Ranny?Valerie’s eyes darted between Calista and her baby-faced boss, the man who would normally kill anyone for calling him such a cheesy nickname. ‘What in heaven’s name happened while I was away?’They were talking like she wasn’t even in the room, as if she had become invisible.“So Willia did that?” Ranya asked, laughing again, his eyes bright with amusement. “I knew she was a genius the moment I laid eyes on her.”Valerie suppressed a groan. She was happy to see this new side of him, but how could they laugh so hard over a story about a missing tooth? Apparently, Willia had solved a childhood mystery by questioning every guy on the basketball court until she found out who’d knoc

    Last Updated : 2024-10-08
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   One More Day

    Ranya stepped out of the hospital, inhaling deeply. The air outside felt fresher, warmer, like a small freedom after days of confinement.His arm was still wrapped in a bandage, but he felt much better, especially with Calista by his side. She had been sweet to him ever since they shared that unexpected kiss the previous day. Something had changed between them. Something gentle yet undeniable.He glanced at her as they walked together, her hand brushing lightly against his as they made their way toward the waiting Porsche. His mind raced with thoughts, mostly about her. The kiss lingered in his memory, and he wondered if now was the right time to ask her out again, properly this time, without the tension and chaos that had surrounded them before. She had always been special to him, but now, there was a closeness he didn’t want to lose.He couldn’t understand why he suddenly felt this way. Just weeks ago, he had been bold and determined in his efforts to win her over. Now, there was a

    Last Updated : 2024-10-10
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Golden Moments

    “My good God!” Calista exclaimed as she waved her hands, letting the perfect sun burn away her worries.It was funny how an unpleasant event had turned into one of the best moments of her life.The sun cast a golden shimmer over Lake Maggiore as the boat gently rocked on the water’s surface. The picturesque scenery around them— the glistening lake, distant mountains, and the warmth of the Italian sun—was breathtaking. But nothing captivated Ranya more than the woman beside him.Calista stood at the edge of the boat, gushing over the view, her eyes wide with amazement. The wind played with her hair as she gazed out at the stunning beauty of the lake.“This is perfect, Ranya!” she said, her voice brimming with joy. “I’ve always dreamed of coming here, but I never thought it would be like this. Isola Bella is everything I imagined it to be.” She paused, laughing heartily. “Just how rich are you to get a reservation so fast? It takes months, and you did it in a few hours! Did you know the

    Last Updated : 2024-10-10

Latest chapter

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Forever, My Love

    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

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Fury

    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

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Chairman Hamilton

    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

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Wedding

    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

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Talk of the devil.

    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

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Disappointed

    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

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Shadows and Secrets

    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

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Calista

    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

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Wedding

    “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

Scan code to read on App
DMCA.com Protection Status