The finality of his words hit her hard, and a lump formed in her throat. She had come here hoping to rekindle what they once had, but now it felt as though the distance between them had only grown wider.After Cassandra left, Hardy found himself alone in his room, staring at the empty space she’d occupied moments before. He felt a mixture of relief and guilt, unsure if he’d made the right choice by pushing her away.A few days later, he was once again sitting across the table from his father, the atmosphere tense but slightly less charged than before. He had spent those days reflecting on his father’s words and the complicated feelings he held for both Brenda and Cassandra.Will looked at him with a mix of concern and understanding. “I know I put a lot on you, Hardy,” he said, breaking the silence. “But sometimes we have to make hard decisions for the right reasons.”Hardy met his father’s gaze, a newfound resolve in his eyes. “I appreciate your advice, Dad, but I think I need to figu
ChapterThe whole incident traumatized Brenda. She thought resigning from her job would be best, but she knew this would impact her and her family.Now, with her mother needing every job that could support her until she recovered, everything seemed to worsen for Brenda.“Brenda, is that you?” her mother called as she sat, looking at the door to her room.“Yes, Mother!” Brenda replied happily as she stood to leave, though thoughts of her issues with Will continued to replay in her mind.With compassion in her eyes, her mother sensed something was wrong with her daughter, but she chose not to press further.“I’m thirsty. Could you get me some water, please?”Her mother’s request prompted Brenda to rush to the other side of the room to bring her water.“I’m glad you’re awake now. Are you feeling okay, Mum?”Her mother stretched out her hand to take the water, drinking her fill before sitting up to look at her daughter.“I hope you’re alright?”“No, I’m not, Mother. I feel like everything
Chapter“What, Father? How could you take away her job just because you don’t want her in my life? This is my life, Dad! Can you please just let me be?”“I won’t condone these actions of yours any longer. It’s best you go back to work, and we’ll talk about this when we get home.”“No, Dad. Either you give her the job back, or I leave this office—and your life. Don’t expect to see me at home!”Will dropped the paperwork he was working on, smirking at his son. “And how do you intend to survive?”“I really don’t know what you expect me to do. She’s been off work way too much, and her job is slipping. Did you expect me to put sentiments over my company?”“Come on, Dad. You know she had a sick mother to care for. This isn’t like you. You really need to grow up!”“Watch your words, Hardy. This will be the last time I speak on this matter!”Will banged his hand on the desk, and Brenda whimpered outside, tears rolling down her face.“Fine, Dad. You’ve made up your mind, and so have I. I quit
ChapterCassandra couldn’t stand the fact that Hardy was choosing a lowlife over her. “I will not sit by and watch him go with another woman!”Cassandra paced the room back and forth, causing her friend to roll her eyes.“You can’t be serious right now. There are plenty of men who would do anything to have you. Why stay stuck with a man who clearly doesn’t want you?” Layla said.Cassandra shook her head repeatedly. “No, I won’t accept that, and I won’t sit back and watch it happen. Hardy is mine and mine alone!”She breathed heavily, sweat beading on her forehead. “Okay, then—tell me, what do you intend to do right now?”Layla asked, walking over to Cassandra as she sat down, starting to cry. Layla knew things weren’t likely to end well.“I don’t really know, but I do know I’m going after that woman who thinks she can take Hardy from me.”Layla sighed, fully aware that changing Cassandra’s mind would be difficult. “Are you sure about this?” she asked in a low, worried tone.“I couldn’
Chapter Brenda looked around , as she carefully walked down the street, after coming down for the bus, she wasn’t sure I go it was right to still go on with such mission. but she needed the job, and would appreciate if it were to be true , she looked around to be sure she was in the right pace , definitely it was but , it was a coffee shop She was about going inside, even though she wants totally sure about it all, she knew that things were not going the way she planned it As she walks right down the table looking a rounded the her phone suddenly rang, but another person waved to her The face looked familiar but she didn’t know where she got to know the face from as she carefully made her way right Down to the person , as she picked the call , “ hello!!” She said but hardy who was on the other side quickly said “ do not say anything just , leave the phone on!!”Hardy said as Brenda didn’t know what exactly was happening just yet , but she knew not to ask questions “ hi!” sh
ChapterBrenda made it back to the hospital, still shaken from her encounter with Cassandra. She knew this wouldn’t be the last time they’d meet.The minute she stepped into the hospital, she felt a little dizzy but forced herself to stay steady as she headed to her mother, who was already asleep.“What exactly is going on?” she whispered, but there was no answer. The rest of the week passed without a word from Hardy.It took days before Brenda felt comfortable leaving her mother alone at the hospital. She needed to pick up a file from home and then head to Jane’s.She hoped Jane could offer some help, even if it wasn’t exactly what she expected.When Brenda arrived at her front porch, she noticed a package. She wondered where it came from; it seemed risky to pick it up and bring it inside.“I wonder where this is from!” she said, absentmindedly calling out for her father, who had obviously left the hospital.“Dad, are you home?”But there was no response. She set the package down and
Chapter Going around the whole issue it was going to cause Brenda a lot, she looked right at her friend as she watched her gracefully speak about the interest of her company with so much peace hovering around her.But she knew her life wasn't that perfect but, it was far better than hers, everything seemed incomplete without any form of, true love.“ will never loved me!!” she said within herself as she tried so hard to justify the cruel act towards her... But..Her head seemed adamant as it chose to either hate him or keep him out of her head, but The harder she tried, the more complicated it got for her That she didn't notice her friend was already speaking to her, “ Brenda ?”Her friend called for the third time before she was able to get her attention, “ oh, I am so sorry, I was lost there for a moment”“ oh, you were lost, is everything okay with you ?”“ yeah I am fine, I think I have to leave right now!!”Brenda said as she stood right up, picking up her bag, but Jane stopp
Hardy drew Brenda closer as he kissed her. He knew he had won; his dad was the least of his problems now—all he needed was to get himself together and move forward.Everything seemed blurry for Brenda. She knew she shouldn’t have accepted his proposal, as everything was going from bad to worse.“I can’t accept this marriage proposal,” she said to Gerald as she paced back and forth. But the more she thought about it, the more uncertainty built up in her heart.Hardy drove back home after much pleading from his aunt. “You’re finally back home?”“Yes, I am, Dad, and I think we should start preparing for my wedding!”“Why a wedding?”“My wedding with Brenda. I proposed to her today, and she said yes!”“You can’t be serious. What do you see in her that makes you want to go against my wishes?”“I just love her, Dad. Is there anything wrong with loving a woman I cherish?”“No, I don’t think so, but you need to think this through. She’s not the best for you, and you know it!”“I have nothing
“ you will learn to love him, get ready next weekend we are meeting his family for a family dinner, so don't make me drag you don't jw there !” Brenda was about to wage war against such an arrangement, feeling disrespected since no one, wanted to respect her space including bg her mother Her father suddenly rang, she searched through her bag looking at it she checked who the caller was, but it had not id Picking up, “Hello, this is Brenda on the line whom am I speaking with?” “ We are calling you from Will’s Book Publish Ltd, you have been shortlisted to be redeployed back to work !” “Are you serious ?” “Does it sound like I have that time to crack a huge ke with? You are to resume. Tomorrow and please do that on time !” “ oh, I will for sure thank you so much for this great news!!” The phone call ended as soon as it began, looking at her mother with so much happiness erupting from within, “Guess what mum, I just got my job back...” “ well that is good news, but the best n
“Who are you to tell me to leave my woman ?” Hardy said looking at the stranger as they both stared at him Brenda stared at him in awe, though his face wasn't viable at first but then she looked at him earnestly Trying to figure out who he is at first before concluding on anything… But the staffer himself wanted to have it as he walked slowly towards them, he walked towards Hardy and said “ I understand the fact that your father is one of the top billionaires in this country, but one thing I am most certain of is that you wouldn't want to be tagged in the news for assaulting a lady, would you?” Hardy was about to laugh at the stranger, as Brenda flinched, but Hardy thought about it twice knowing fully well that things might go a different way if he tried that Letting go of, Brenda I wondered if she knew that his hold on her was tight her... Massaging the place he held on to as she watched home walk to his car, and drive roughly into the road, leaving her and the stranger
Brenda suddenly woke up, looking at her surroundings, she was still in her home, her parents were me, so it was all a dream “ oh my goodness!” she exclaimed looking at herself as she sat up through the mirror opposite her.“ Brenda my child, are you awake we need to go see your mother and it is urgent “Her father called out from the living area, everywhere seemed to go silent the minute her father ended the discussion “ what exactly is going on?” she asked herself as she made her way right out of the bed and quickly freshened up.Stepping out of her room she knew she had to get her mind together, “ good morning dad ““To my goodness, you look like you didn't have any sleep at all ““ do I?” she inquired from her father as she didn't know how else to get things over with, understanding the fact that there was a lot on her mind Hardy proposing to her, and her parents have been in support, her mother recovering from a dangerous surgery And her family feels so indebted to Hardy, what
The Truth UnraveledThe room seemed to shrink around Brenda as she stood frozen, staring at Cassandra. The woman’s cold, calculating gaze swept over her, and the corners of her lips curled upward in a sinister smile.“Did you really think you could keep this all under wraps?” Cassandra’s voice was sweet but laced with venom. “You’ve been playing a dangerous game, Brenda.”Brenda’s stomach churned as she looked from Cassandra to Will and Hardy, each of them staring at her with a mix of confusion, suspicion, and anger. The air felt thick with tension, and for a moment, it felt like the world had come to a standstill.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Brenda said, her voice shaking but determined to hold her ground. She couldn’t let Cassandra win. She couldn’t let the truth she had fought so hard to bury come to the surface now.“Oh, I think you do,” Cassandra sneered, stepping further into the room, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. “You and I both know the tr
The Truth UnraveledThe room seemed to shrink around Brenda as she stood frozen, staring at Cassandra. The woman’s cold, calculating gaze swept over her, and the corners of her lips curled upward in a sinister smile.“Did you really think you could keep this all under wraps?” Cassandra’s voice was sweet but laced with venom. “You’ve been playing a dangerous game, Brenda.”Brenda’s stomach churned as she looked from Cassandra to Will and Hardy, each of them staring at her with a mix of confusion, suspicion, and anger. The air felt thick with tension, and for a moment, it felt like the world had come to a standstill.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Brenda said, her voice shaking but determined to hold her ground. She couldn’t let Cassandra win. She couldn’t let the truth she had fought so hard to bury come to the surface now.“Oh, I think you do,” Cassandra sneered, stepping further into the room, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. “You and I both know the tr
A Shattered SilenceThe night seemed endless. As the soft sounds of the final guests leaving echoed through the empty halls of the mansion, Brenda stood at the edge of their balcony once more, staring out at the sprawling grounds below. The stars twinkled coldly in the sky, mocking the turmoil that churned inside her chest.She had married Will, and yet, it felt as though a weight still clung to her, suffocating her from the inside. She thought this day would be the start of something new—a new chapter in her life with the man she loved. But instead, she found herself drowning in a sea of questions that had no answers.Her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her from her thoughts. She pulled it out reluctantly, a feeling of dread settling in her gut. The message was from an unknown number:“I know the truth about your child.”Brenda’s heart stopped. Her breath caught in her throat. She stared at the message, disbelief flooding her. Who could possibly know?She quickly glanced back in
Unfinished BusinessThe evening had fallen into a whirlwind of celebration. Guests mingled, champagne glasses clinked, and laughter filled the air. But Brenda stood on the balcony, alone. The cool night breeze ruffled her hair, and she pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders.Her mind raced with a thousand thoughts. The wedding had been beautiful, the vows heartfelt, but deep inside, a part of her still felt as if she was floating—untethered, as though she hadn’t quite found her place in this new world she had stepped into. Will’s love was constant, unyielding, but the memories of Hardy still tugged at her heart. The look in his eyes as he’d turned and walked away earlier had been so raw, so full of pain, and despite everything that had transpired, it left a mark on her soul.“Brenda?” Will’s voice called softly from behind her.She turned, her heart doing a little skip at the sight of him. He looked handsome in his tuxedo, his expression soft but searching. “You okay?” he asked
The WeddingThe grand ballroom of the Shaun estate was a vision of opulence. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in soft, golden light, casting a glow over the rows of white roses and lilacs that decorated the aisle. The soft strains of a violin floated through the air as guests murmured amongst themselves, awaiting the arrival of the bride.Brenda stood in front of the large mirror in her bridal suite, her fingers trembling slightly as she adjusted the lace of her dress. The gown, designed by the most sought-after couturier in the country, hugged her curves in a way that made her feel both beautiful and conflicted. She had once dreamed of a wedding like this, but never in a million years had she imagined it would be like this—marrying one man, yet carrying the child of another.Her heart was still caught in a storm of emotions. Will, her lover and the father of her child, stood outside the door, waiting to take her hand. She could hear his soft voice speaking to the guests, his confi
Will sat in the first-class cabin of the transatlantic flight, staring blankly at the screen in front of him. The thought of returning to the U.S. after weeks of avoiding the inevitable felt like a bitter pill he had no choice but to swallow. Despite the luxurious surroundings and the attentive service, his mind was consumed with one relentless thought: Brenda.The idea of her—his ex-lover—marrying his son was an insult he couldn’t stomach. For days, he had convinced himself that distance was the solution, that ignoring the situation would somehow make it disappear. But it hadn’t. Instead, the announcement of a firm wedding date had dragged him back, forcing him to confront the reality of what was about to happen.By the time the plane landed, Will had made up his mind. He wouldn’t allow this farce to go on any longer. He would speak to Hardy directly and make him understand why marrying Brenda was the worst decision he could ever make.Will’s car pulled up to his grand estate late