I shouldn't be selfish. I knew that. But I wanted to live a happy life without conflict with anyone. I wished Dad and Mom to be healthy and always smiling. I dreamed of Father living a long life and watching Julius grow into a man.I hoped to still be with Farrell and have healthy, active children. I longed to remain friends with Bella, Jasmine, and Emily. Harold Bloom was a good boss, and I was happy to be the best employee every month.I imagined that my relationship with Eleanor and Dorothy would remain good. We would have lunch together, shop for the latest collections from their favorite brands, and defend each other when Dad and Farrell picked on one of us.However, all those dreams were shattered. Misfortune after misfortune befell me because of the great secret our family kept. One family destroyed and hurt another for the sake of inheritance. Instead of walking away, I entered this troubled family again.Something cold suddenly slapped my face, snapping me out of my thoughts.
After that deafening explosion, the room turned so quiet that my ears were ringing. I felt nothing in my body. Did the bullet lodged in the body numb the wound?I opened my eyes and saw that my lap was clean. There was no blood. Strange. No part of my body felt aches or pains. Did the shooter miss or misfire? I took a deep breath. No part of my body hurt, and I was still alive!"Noooo!!!" shouted Bella, startling me.My heart was beating fast. I turned and saw her running towards me. Oh, God. Did she want to kill me with both hands? I rebelled trying to break free from the bonds on my hands and feet, but it was in vain.Bella didn't approach me but knelt and held something under me. I turned my head and was surprised to see someone lying on the floor. Bella turned his body so that I could see his face. No way.That selfish man who only loved himself couldn't be lying there. He wouldn't sacrifice himself to save anyone, especially me. Farrell hated me. He only loved Bella. That was imp
[Otis]I had never felt so desperate as when I watched my wife being taken away before my eyes. I made the mistake of taking off my seat belt to kiss her cheek. As a result, my body was thrown and fell on the floor after the car hit something.Then, help came. People rescued us, and only then did I find out that our car tires were shot. Therefore, Jasper had difficulty controlling the car. He chose to crash into a shop rather than another vehicle.We weren't hurt, but it was different with Nicole. They shot her arm, and she fell off her motorcycle. The doctor had to perform surgery as soon as possible to remove the bullet and fix the position of her broken arm and leg."Farrell and Bella have to die," Jasper whispered. He stared at the operating room door with red eyes. "Brad is tracking down Mrs. Haworth. Sorry, I can't concentrate—""Nicole is your girlfriend." I patted the back of his hand. "I understand."It took Brad hours to figure out Camari's whereabouts. The perpetrators lear
[Camari]As the weekend passed, we went about our usual activities. Otis and I started the day with exercise. He swam while I practiced martial arts with Jasper. Things had been better since Nicole woke up, and Bella was in custody.I found it hard to concentrate since I was out of danger. I didn't know what was wrong with me. The day went by so fast, but it also felt so slow. I wasn't excited about the day either, even though I forced myself to smile so no one would suspect anything.Otis and Jasper entered the office, so I sat in my chair. My new bodyguard stood guard not far from me. I kept my distance from her to avoid getting emotionally involved. The events that happened to Nicole had left me devastated, and I didn't want to go through it again.I didn't know why the people closest to me kept getting hurt. I just wanted it to be over. Farrell was gone. Eleanor and Bella were behind bars. Hopefully, no more disasters would befall me or my family."Good morning, ma'am," a security
Otis and I went to separate places after work. He met Carlos to discuss business, while I saw my psychologist. I cried my heart out in that room, telling her everything I'd been through over the past week.I felt so relieved after pouring out my feelings. Jennifer didn't suggest anything. She just congratulated me on successfully ending my hatred for the two people who had done me harm.Otis was still talking to Carlos, so I went home with my bodyguard. Looking at the numbers on the elevator, I thought of someone. I pressed the number to my old apartment and smiled. She must be in her apartment.Sure enough. Deborah greeted me with a smile and the aroma of delicious cooking from inside her unit. She offered me her appetizing lasagna. We enjoyed it while chatting in the dining room."I'm sorry about what happened to your family," she said with concern.I liked the word she chose. Family. She didn't mention Farrell as my ex-husband. "Thank you. What an unexpected turn of events. He was
[Camari]'I'm on my way home.'I smiled as I read the message from my husband. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My blonde hair was neatly combed, and my face was clean without makeup. I wore a transparent nightgown, leaving nothing to the imagination. I couldn't afford to waste my chance tonight.I sprayed his favorite perfume on my neck and wrists. The delicate scent of red roses entered my nostrils. My cheeks flushed at the thought of our activities tonight. I chuckled, embarrassed by my wild imagination.I walked out of the walk-in closet to the bedroom and smiled at the red rose petals decorating the bed. My heart beat with happiness. Finally, after three years together, we had the chance to make out like husband and wife.Farrell had been very busy with his family company since we got married. Business trips had become his habit. Moreover, I also worked for another company that demanded attention and time. But he wouldn't be that busy anymore. So, it was the perfect time f
It was suddenly quiet on the other side, but I knew he was there and listening to me. We were still together. How dare he flaunt their relationship in front of so many people. I saw them, so I was sure others might have witnessed the incident, too."Good, you know everything. Things will be easier now. Yes. Bella and I are getting married soon," he declared arrogantly. "We've been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. So stop ruining my plans. Sign the divorce papers and come to the court tomorrow.""Ruining your plans? Have you gone mad? You've ruined our marriage by cheating on my best friend!" I protested.He laughed. "Bella and I knew each other before we met, Camari. She was my first love, the woman I wanted to marry. Listen. I never loved you."His words pierced my heart like a sharp sword. The pain made me unable to speak for a while. I even had to lean against the wall, realizing my legs failed to support my body."Y-your first love?" I stammered. "Th-then what am I?""
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to brace myself. "Okay, Mom. I'll be there soon," I consoled."What do you mean, the distance between where you live and our city... are you on your way here?" she asked once she understood what I meant."Yes, Mom." Thankfully, I did the right thing by visiting them.Arriving at the hospital, I headed for the emergency room. Seeing that Mom wasn't there, I looked at my phone and found a new message from her. Dad was taken to the ICU. I rushed to meet her there. I was worried for my dad, causing my heart to beat rapidly."Camari!" called Mom frantically.I approached her and let her hug me tightly. "What happened, Mom?""The doctor said your dad had a heart attack. They've managed to help, but the critical period hasn't passed. He needs surgery immediately." She released her embrace and then looked at me with wet eyes. "Camari, the cost is huge.""What about insurance? Don't you have one?" I asked."Not with this type of surgery. I called the agent.