Selene's POV. I strolled towards the elevator, with my MacBook in hand. My new assistant Gina had been very effective in the past few years and I sometimes wonder why it took so long before I realized how important she was to the business It was a great thing to come in contact with people who were like-minded. Running around in court trying to sew that loyal who obviously had a lot of connections but was not going to win nonetheless, was not easy therefore I realized how important this was going to be. Gina's call had me tapping my earphones as I looked away from the elevator. "Yes darling, what do you want?" "Good morning ma, I wanted to inform you that a few investors have arrived so that you would take the back door into the office. The meeting is slated for 9:00 a.m." she added after realizing that it was too early for me to comprehend what the hell was going on here. "No way, you can take them to the conference room while I prepare for the meeting. do not tell anyone that I
Jakob's Pov. Selene skidded to a halt, before glancing at her assistant as though she had driven a knife through her back. It was the most hilarious thing I had witnessed in the past month. Sean's advice had me on my feet and directed me here. I knew that there was every possibility that she was going to turn me down but I was not going to let that happen. She had to realize that not everyone was out to get her or make a mess out on her situation. No matter how problematic it might sound, some people loved and wanted her to enjoy the best of her life and the earlier she knew this, the better for everyone. "I see what you did there, Gina.""I don't think I should be here any more. I will just go attend to those people in a conference room." Gina mumbled before disappearing, leaving us staring at each other. "If anyone had told me you were going to come here I would have argued so badly. What the hell do you want?" She asked accusingly.My mouth suddenly went to dry and every spe
Selene’s Pov “Urgh, this is driving me crazy!” I couldn't stop my legs from fidgeting, even my hands trembled from how agitated I felt. Tears burnt at the corner of my eyes as I recalled everything the doctor had told me. It couldn't be true…could it? I pinched the bridge of my nose as a thought came to my mind. I sighed as I glanced at my phone, as much as I hated the very idea— I'd just end up going insane if I didn't speak to her and make sure this entire ordeal was true. I took in a few deep breaths just to still myself. When I felt a little better, I dialed her number. “Hello?” I spoke, trying my best to steady my voice as I waited for her to respond. “Selene?” Her voice came through on the other end, I bit the bottom of my lip to stop all the words I wanted to say from streaming loose uncontrollably. “Oh, I've been waiting for your call for so long sweetheart, I was getting a little depressed.” My hand tightened around my phone. The fact that she was acting like everyth
Selene’s POV My fingers drummed impatiently against the counter at the hospital’s reception desk. “C’mon how long is this going to take?” I groaned, my eyes unconsciously moving to the wall clock above. I had been waiting here for a reply a couple minutes too long. The receptionist, a tired-looking woman with graying hair, peered at me over her glasses. "I already told you, miss, no one by the name Giselle checked in or was admitted here," the woman repeated for the third time. I was beginning to get a little frustrated. What did she mean by Giselle hadn't checked in before? I was pretty certain that it wasn't a ghost I had interacted with so far. I wasn't having any of this. "That’s not possible," I insisted, trying to keep it calm. "She was here yesterday. She came to see me. Are you sure you’re checking the right records?" I asked for the fourth time and she looked at me through her thick spectacles. The woman sighed, with a hint of impatience. "Unless she used a different
Selene’s POV I felt a little more grounded at ease after taking a few deep breaths, but that didn't make the storm in my mind Brew any less. Sean’s voice was nothing more than a dull hum in the background at this point, like static on an untuned radio. I barely registered his words anymore. My mind was practically of panic and guilt, my chest tightening with each passing second. My hands trembled as I dug my nails into my palms, stabilizing myself in the only way I could. The image of that innocent woman—her face, her helplessness—flashed through my mind like a cruel taunt. My fault. My fault. I shot up from my chair so suddenly that it scraped against the hardwood floor. “I did this,” I gasped, my voice barely above a whisper. Sean stopped mid-sentence, his expression darkening as his eyes locked onto mine. “Selene, what are you talking about?” I shook my head sideways, my breath was uneven as I stuttered out “This woman, she… she was taken because of me.” My words tumbled out
Jakob's POV. I watched them from a distance trying to picture what they could possibly be talking about that warranted Sean hugging her so tight that way and she also reciprocating in a loving manner. I knew that I was probably overreacting but was I truly? With all the pieces of evidence right in front of me? If anyone had told me I would have rejected it but right now that was exactly how I felt. Sean had betrayed me in the worst way. He hadn't even told me that he was linking up with her all this while we discussed how she would be able to get out of this mess. This was probably because he knew that he had some sketchy moves and didn't want me to be aware of them. My heart was beating pretty fast and not in a great manner. I felt the betrayal wash through me like a wave but I couldn't find it in my heart to forgive them. Sean never hid anything away from me. For him to stop telling me that he wanted to see her behind my back after when I have wound him not to visit her that's
Selene's POV. My head was banging with various scenarios as my phone kept on ringing but Sean advised me not to pick up. I knew that he was doing it for my good but I couldn't help but feel like a bad person. Giselle was probably being tortured mercilessly for my sake and here I was hiding out like a coward. I didn't know what to do with my life. My assistant came towards me and looked at me sympathetically. "I'm sorry to say this but you look a mess, I know that this is probably way out of what I should normally say but I just feel like things could be done better. I don't know what exactly the problem is, but I just do not hope that this continues." She told me. This was another problem. Sean had advised me not to reveal the secrets to anyone because it could be used against me later on and I understood what he was trying to do. It was for my good anyway. "Do you need me to get you anything to drink or to calm yourself down?" She asked again, refusing to leave. The fact that s
As soon as I got to my friend's bar, she climbed down from the stool, coming closer to me and hugging me tightly. "I am such a bad friend for not coming to visit you since your ordeal. I'm so sorry about everything that has happened and I believe that one way or the other will be able to fix it." She said, Wasn't that pretty much hilarious to think that when I needed her the most when she didn't show up? I was not even in the mood to engage in blame games and name calling. "I guess that's the beauty of life. As time goes on we get to see how people act even when there is no reason for them to be nice." I responded stylishly, hitting her below the belt. She disengaged from the hug and looked at me weirdly. "I am aware that this is pretty much directly at me but isn't it too harsh for someone you call a friend? I mean I only made one mistake and now I have to suffer throughout my lifetime for it? That is even worse than you would like to admit. I know that I have probably pissed you
Epilogue(Author’s pov) The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting golden lights across the room. Selene sat on the bed, her laptop was open and her fingers flew over the keys as she responded to emails. Her work demanded her attention too much these days, but it was difficult to concentrate when Ethan was running around the house like a whirlwind. The little boy had energy that never seemed to run out. He kicked his small red ball against the walls and let out triumphant cheers when it bounced back, then ran after it with wild excitement. Selene had gotten the ball for him on his 3rd birthday and ever since, the boy had turned it into his companion and his father hadn’t stopped talking about how he was going to be the best football player in the world. His tiny feet thudded against the floor and along with his squeals of excitement, Selene was frustrated. She didn’t know how else to caution him and had already gotten tired. "Ethan, slow down!" Selene called, he
Selene’s Pov; I kept hearing voices, some were familiar and others, unfamiliar, but what enraged me was that I couldn’t tell whom the voices belonged to. My eyes fluttered open slowly after a while and I blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the blinding light in the room. The room was unfamiliar and I glanced around, trying to recall how I got here. The ceiling glowed with the harsh fluorescent light. The sharp scent of antiseptic burned my nose, the rhythmic beeping of a monitor filled the silence around me and my body ached, as if I had been torn apart and stitched back together. I tried to move but my legs didn’t respond and panic rose to my chest. I sucked in a sharp breath, my hands moving to my thighs. My fingers trembled as they pressed against my thighs and then my knees, nothing. No sensation, no movement. Nothing at all! A strangled noise escaped my throat as I tried again, harder this time, but my legs remained dead weight beneath me. No, no, no. My heart slammed
Author’s Pov; Logan glanced around quickly, his breath came in ragged gasps as he sprinted through the prison corridor. His palms were slick with sweat, and his heart raced, but that didn’t stop him. This was his moment. This was the perfect opportunity and this time, he was going to ensure that he was successful. But fate had other plans for him.Just as he reached the gates, someone yanked him back. "Going somewhere?" The warden’s voice was taunting. He had been watching the man and knew that he was up to no good. Turns out he was right. Logan gritted his teeth, trying to pull himself out of the man’s grip, but it was useless. Within seconds, two more guards tackled him to the ground, pressing his face into the cold floor. "Son of…" Logan growled, struggling against their grip. "Shut it," one of the guards barked, twisting Logan’s arms painfully behind his back. "You really thought you could buy your way out this time?" Logan chuckled darkly, despite the pain. "Do you ev
Selene's POV The doors opened, and the soft melody of the piano filled the small chapel. My heart pounded so hard I thought everyone could hear it. I took a deep breath, but it didn’t help much. My hands felt empty without someone holding them. I had dreamed of this day since I was a little girl, but in those dreams, I never imagined walking down the aisle alone. I had imagined my father to be the one ushering me down the aisle in my glistering and beautiful wedding gown and then into the hands of my husband but I guessed everything happens for a reason. I gripped my bouquet tighter and took my first step. My mother sat in the front row, smiling at me with teary eyes. Jakob’s parents sat beside her, their faces warm and kind. Martha gave me a thumbs-up. Sean nodded, his face serious, but I knew he was happy for me. Julie was grinning, whispering something to her boyfriend, everyone looked at me with love and support, but the empty space beside me was too loud, I was not supposed
Author's POV Two weeks had gone past since they returned to the country. It had been a hard time, keeping memories of sorrow; joy, however, was to remain valid for this night. Jakob and Selene’s parents sat together for dinner, sharing laughter and memories in a great camaraderie of friendship. Summer warm, one could hear names and clinking of glasses and rejoicings. Jakob surveyed the table. He breathed in once. “I want to say something, there is something very important I would like to say.” The attention of the room shifted to him. Selene appeared sweetly and placed her hand on his. He lifted his glass. “But before I say what I have to say, first of all let us take this toast,” he paused as they all took their glass of wine, " To family.” “To family!” Everyone chimed in and raised their glasses. Jakob looked on smiling. “I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for all of you. You have been my backbone, my strength. You pulled me out of the deep waters. Selene’s father..” J
Author's POV Mia planted herself on the cold bench within the jail cell and tapped her fingers against the metallic bars, letting out a huffed breath as she pulled out the tiny phone she had hidden in her pocket and moved her fingers quickly to dial Jacob's number. She needed to act fast before the prison guards on duty came to check on her and caught her, being without a phone was the worst thing that could ever happen to her in this cruel place. She cleared her throat and she mentally went on the words she was going to say to Jakob. The phone rang: once, twice, three times, and then he finally picked up, his voice barely above a whisper. "What do you want, Mia? How were you able to call me anyways?" She swallowed hard, pressing the phone closer. "Jakob, listen, I don't have much time so you have to listen to me attentively. I need you to get me out of here." Silence. Then a small chuckle. "You need me to do what?" Mia clenched her teeth. "Bail me out, Jakob! I shouldn't b
Selene's POV The TV had been on for some time, but my focus had wandered off entirely. My mind had been busy wandering amidst all the things I had to do when my name rang a bell.I blinked."Selene Carter’s art collection is making waves throughout the industry!" said the host, announcing. "People are talking, and the demand to see the owner herself is growing loud."I froze.Jakob must have been scrolling through his phone. "Did they just say your name?"I nodded slowly. "I think so."Jakob raised the volume. The host continued: "Collectors and critics are raving about the unique style, and emotion behind every piece. The name Selene Carter is being whispered about in art circles, and they want to know who she is?"My phone buzzed again, and a notification popped up, someone had mentioned me in a tweet."Where is Selene Carter? We need to see her! #ArtGenius #Masterpiece."Another tweet appeared."This woman’s art speaks to my soul. Who is she? Someone tell me!"I swallowed. This co
Jakob POV I breathed out the moment the plane touched down. It was a lengthy flight. Selene shifted beside me, stretching her arms. She didn't look at me, nor had she for most of the flight. I cared little, not my problem anymore. "We're here," I said, unbuckling my seatbelt. She sighed. "Yeah, we are here finally. The journey for me is so tiring, I need a cool bath and a soft bed to lay on." "Hmm,” I hummed, nodding in agreement to what she wanted. We got our bags and walked out from the plane. The airport was teeming with people; I barely noticed. My eyes straight went to the front where our parents stood awaiting, they spotted us instantly. My mother waved cheerily, and my father grinned beside her. Selene's mother stood there, too, blood-shot but relieved. I expected just a simple greeting, maybe some hugs but as soon as we stepped closer, laughter broke out. My parents were laughing so hard I had to blink, "What's so funny? Is there something on us or did we do something
Jakob's POV. At this point I knew that I was in for some huge ride and I needed to prepare myself for the reality of the situation. This was absurd for me to say the least, but even at that I was only hoping that I will be able to do what I should. Sometimes I wonder why I bothered myself so much with her situation when I should have been able to decipher that she didn't think of me in such a manner. It was more like a thing of convenience for her and even though I didn't want to accept it I guess I found myself doing that already. It didn't mean that I loved it, but I had no choice. "She was going to fight tooth and nail just to have her freedom, or what she considered freedom and I needed to be wise about fighting someone like this. It almost never ended well. I picked up my phone and called my friend. He was the only one who could tell me the truth without hiding. "I need your help because I think I am running mad. I need your help because this woman is about to make me into som