SethI hope Attorney Anthony is genuine when it comes to Madam Hyacinth. She's so kind-hearted that she would easily trust anyone, even with half of her heart. However, this moment does help us eliminate one of our suspects. Everyone has their own secrets, but when Anthony handed me his two phones, there was a hesitation in his gesture."Seth, there are confidential matters that I store in both of my phones, but anything related to Hyacinth, you can have," he said."Of course, sir. You can watch me go through all of it," I replied.He sat beside me as I began combing through his messages and photo gallery. There were pictures of him with Hyacinth, alongside a woman with curly hair—Maggie, I believe. I couldn’t help but wonder why there were so many photos of Hyacinth in his gallery… not just her, but Patricia and a few others as well. It didn’t seem harmful at first glance, but it could either be part of his scheme or perhaps some sort of extreme fixation on Hyacinth.I didn’t find muc
***Raven***Anthony’s demeanor was sincere, almost too much so. I had already had my men comb through his files before he even mentioned the alleged stalking. It seemed his ex-girlfriend was indeed intent on destroying his career. Her actions were calculated, deliberate, and venomous.Anthony’s family wielded considerable power, a status they had achieved largely thanks to their influential clients—Georgina and Eevi, the formidable Af Forselles mother-daughter duo. Georgina’s trust in the firm, and her decision to pass it on to Anthony despite his scandal, spoke volumes. The scandal itself was a tangled web: Anthony’s ex-girlfriend was now engaged to his college rival, a man who had competed with him not only academically but professionally, in several high-stakes cases. Despite the rivalry, Anthony had always excelled in defending his clients, even when the odds were stacked against him.The accusations against Anthony were damning—rape, leveled by the very woman he had once loved. Y
**Darcy** The scorching Philippine summer clung to the air like a thick, damp blanket as I made my way to the door. I plan to follow where my children are staying, which is where the yacht was parked—a brief escape from the chaos back home. The sun blazed mercilessly, turning the marina into a shimmering mirage. Even the sea breeze carried the salty tang of sweat and sunscreen. When Eino arrived, he looked like he had just run a marathon—his shirt clung to his chest, his dark hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. His usually sharp features were softened by exhaustion, his breath slightly uneven. “Oh, dear.” I plucked a few tissues from the box on the side table and dabbed at his glistening forehead. “Is the Philippine heat trying to roast you alive?” I teased, though my tone was laced with concern. He let out a breathless laugh, swiping the tissue from my hand to wipe his face. “The heat’s good, Auntie. Makes you appreciate the shade.” He pulled me into a quick hug, press
**Hyacinth**I gulped down another glass of cold water, willing myself to sober up. Having the Sinclairs on my yacht made me both nervous and excited. Two weeks wasn’t much time before we had to return to the US, but I was determined to make every moment count. Returning to the marina dock, I greeted Lian and Margarette with a warm smile. “Wow,” Lian gasped, her eyes widening as she pointed to the sleek black-and-platinum yacht. “Is that yours?” “Yes,” I said, pride lacing my voice. “A wedding gift from my husband.” I pulled Margarette into a gentle hug. “Oh, my little Regina,” she murmured, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “My mother-in-law and a few friends are already abroad,” I said, guiding Margarette by the arm as the staff assisted us onto the dock. She tilted her head up, her face softening. “The sky is so clear tonight,” she mused. “Full of stars.” I followed her gaze and nodded. “Just wait—the view only gets better from the water.” Inside, my mother-in-law, Darcy
PatriciaI spent the entire evening watching Eino closely, my bottle of water in hand. Tonight, I’d had my fill of alcohol. Observing the dynamics between Eino and Anthony, it became clear. Eino couldn’t take his eyes off Hyacinth, while Anthony seemed far more interested in his phone than anything else happening around him.It wasn't nearly as fun without Cal, Penny, or David around. The usual buzz seemed to be missing, and I found myself slipping into my comfort zone, distant from the others. Anthony noticed me in my bubble and, sensing my solitude, grabbed a bottle of water before making his way over. He sat beside me without hesitation.“So, no fun partying with Grandma Sinclair, huh?” he teased.I smiled, taking a sip of water, “I had fun. I was filming and taking some good photos.”“Did you get a good shot of my muscles?” he asked, clearly pleased with himself.I pulled out Janice’s expensive camera, which had been handed to me earlier. She was busy tossing floaties for photos,
Kelly I woke up with the same heavy feeling as always—except this time, I didn’t feel satisfied with my sleep. Maybe it was because I felt like I was floating. Not the good kind of floating, like when I’m in Cal’s arms. We loved staying on the yacht, scuba diving—though I never swam much. The vast, beautiful ocean terrified me. The first time I went underwater was as a teenager, and Cal was the one who guided me, leading me through the coral reefs and the vibrant fish that lived there. Damn, I miss Cal. I reached for my phone beside me with my left hand, checking for any missed calls or messages from him. Nothing. Just like every other day. "Miss Kelly?" My private nurse stood by the bed, offering her hand. "Do you need help in the bathroom?" I nodded, letting her assist me. Even my skincare routine was harder now—Mom had to help me with it every night. After washing up and changing, my nurse guided me out, only for us to stop when Eino emerged from his room, shirtless. "Goo
***Kelly's POV***The Batangas vacation in our private villa had been epic. Now, my casts were finally off, though I still wore supports on my right arm and leg. With my cousin's help, we'd escaped the Philippines - and my father, who would never have approved of this. I'm a grown woman with my own career, about to marry the man I love. So why does this anxiety keep clawing at my chest? I glanced at Patricia, who was pretending to read some business book while yawning for the fifth time. Hyacinth mirrored her exactly. Those two might as well be twins - best friends who shared the same short attention span for anything resembling nonfiction.My gaze traveled across our group - the Sinclair mother-daughter duo, Seth with some Russian woman I didn't recognize. Irene was absent, needed by Darcy back home. And Eino... I remembered with a pang how he'd stayed behind in the Philippines to handle GGC business. The extra security felt oppressive - two bodyguards assigned just to me. I stretc
**Hyacinth**Watching Cal endure the MRI and CT scans after his seizure shattered my heart into pieces. Kelly wept uncontrollably, her sobs echoing through the sterile hospital hallway, while Cal’s mother observed her from a distance, her expression unreadable. My chest ached with the weight of unshed tears, but I swallowed them back—I’ve always been good at holding myself together. But now, Cal’s condition is deteriorating. Short-term memory loss? He kept forgetting things—new faces, recent conversations, even the smallest details. I should confess to Cal’s parents—or Kelly’s—that this was my fault. Maybe then they’d stop blaming each other. I didn’t know the root cause of their tension, but their constant fighting was tearing Kelly apart. And deep down, I knew Cal would never want to forget her. There had to be a psychological reason behind his lapses, right? The thought of being forgotten by Raven one day sent a cold shiver down my spine. I glanced at Cal’s mother, my lips part
–Hyacinth–I planned it to be in Switzerland. Patricia always wanted to go there. So we made it. Raven and I decided to let them go wherever they want. While he and I stayed in our hotel room to make love. I promised him. That we would go crazy in bed once he’s fully recovered. It’s still his birthday week. Besides, my husband is all that matters now. I may not be able to give him children but this one happiness… maybe it’ll fill up his wants. “I am loving your body, right now.” He said while admiring me on a fitted dress that I put on for our afternoon walk. We’ll be meeting them in the restaurant that they found a few blocks from our hotel. “Really? I think I am fatter than before.” I approached her as he caressed my curves. “Oh, these… mama mia!” He grinned. I laughed and pushed his hair forward. “Let’s go. I want to eat and also enjoy this place.” “Okay, okay.” He bounced his head. “I don’t want my wife to get hungry. Hungry wife, disaster life.” He said as playfully as I sma
–Hyacinth–I quickly tucked the letter away, my fingers trembling slightly as I realized it could ruin the night for Raven. No, not tonight. Not on his birthday. I stepped outside, handed the bouquet to a passing housekeeper with a grateful smile, and whispered, "Thank you," before rushing back in.And the letter? I buried the storm of emotions twisting inside me. Because this isn’t just about me anymore. This time, I’m protecting him. I’m protecting Raven.The door burst open from the bathroom. “Love!” Raven called out, his voice bright and boyish.I turned with a soft smile. “Yes?”He peeked his head around the doorframe with that mischievous grin of his. “I was thinking… quick party, then make love?”I laughed, arching a brow. “You’re not fully recovered yet. So, we can’t—unless~”“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled, waving a hand. “I know. No more food poisoning, I swear.”“Mmhmm,” I hummed, unconvinced.He walked over, draping himself across the bed. “So, who knocked earlier?”I avoided h
–Hyacinth–I sighed, stomach churning. Ugh, probably too much soda. I rushed to the bathroom, hoping it would pass. That’s when it hit me—I hadn’t gotten my period.I froze, hand instinctively reaching for my chest. Tender. Really tender.“Oh, shit,” I muttered. “Am I pregnant… or is this just PMS?”No. Couldn’t be. I stopped taking the pill, yeah, but Raven had a low sperm count and we always used condoms… right?“This is just PMS,” I told myself, firm. “Just premenstrual weirdness. Totally normal. Nothing to see here.”I cleaned myself up and was just reaching for toilet paper when Raven knocked.“Come on, babe!” he called.I opened the door just enough to peek out.“I’m not feeling great,” I said, nudging him inside. “Your turn.”He rushed past me like a man on a mission. “Thanks! But hey, we still have places to be, remember?”“Yeah, yeah,” I said with a laugh.The door shut, and a groan came from inside.“You okay in there?” I asked, amused. “Want me to get you some medicine?”“Y
Hyacinth I’ve always dreamed of touring Europe, and now, with our budget secured, we finally could. The private jet made the trip hassle-free, and as we stepped onto foreign soil, I intertwined my fingers with my husband’s. But he brushed my hand away, handing me my purse instead. I pouted, only for him to secure his own bag across his chest before resting a firm hand on my waist. My irritation melted into a grin when he winked at me. “So, this is the surprise birthday trip you planned for me?” he asked. “Yes,” I confirmed. “I would’ve preferred it if we were alone, you know.” His grin turned wicked as he wiggled his brows. “Locked in our room for days—lazy, indulgent, just us. I’d never get tired of that.” “But I would,” I shot back, squinting up at him. “It’s bad for me.” He laughed as I did, then pushed open the door to the first café we spotted. The place wasn’t crowded, but the rich aroma of coffee and pastries was intoxicating. My eyes locked onto the cinnamon Dani
–Patricia–I had invited Anthony with Hyacinth’s approval, and they unexpectedly showed up together. I was surprised that Hyacinth had brought our favorite yogurt set, while Raven handed me the apple container.“You can eat all of that since you’re single,” Raven remarked with a pitying look. It was irritating, but I had to endure his constant jibes—after all, my best friend was paying me to tolerate his face.I put the yogurt in the fridge, only to be interrupted by a hand that appeared behind me, placing something next to it. I turned, nearly colliding noses with the newcomer. He quickly raised his hand and apologized, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”“No, it’s fine,” I replied with a grin. “You’re not trying to flirt with me, are you?” I teased.“What if I am?” he shot back, laughing and nodding.“You’ll have to ask my best friend’s permission first,” I quipped.He chuckled and patted my arm. “Sure thing. By the way, I have some questions,” he said, extending his arm. I gracefu
***Raven*** Rosie had put on quite the show. After days of comforting my wife and convincing her not to blame herself, it seemed to be working—somewhat. But I needed to double down. I had to find that last copy and destroy it, especially now that my wife was gaining fame. Maybe we should stop attending galas altogether. “Why are you packing so much?” I asked as she counted a few items. “We’re off to Europe,” she replied casually. “Babe, we’re not going to Finland again,” I teased. “I didn’t say Finland,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I have work.” “You can work from there. Besides, I made sure the jet is packed.” She winked and held up a piece of lingerie—tempting, to say the least. “Wow, second honeymoon?” I approached her, but she raised a finger to stop me, carefully placing the lingerie into the luggage. “Now I remember—our anniversary is coming up,” I said, walking around her and pulling her waist toward me. “Are you planning to make love to me?” “No way! After
–Raven–As soon as I answered his call, the first thing I heard was his heavy breathing.“I will kill her. I will kill Hyacinth,” Samuel said, as though Hyacinth wasn’t his daughter. His words sent chills down my spine. Even his own flesh and blood—he wanted her dead.“Killing Hyacinth won’t do you any good, Samuel,” I replied, keeping my tone casual.“She said something to Rosie. She must have. Now, tell me—what else did she say to Rosie?”I frowned.“I have no idea what you’re talking about. And whatever Hyacinth said must be true.”“I will end you both!”I sighed and hung up, immediately calling Samuel’s nurse. She answered after a few moments.“What’s going on in there?” I asked.“Unfortunately, Miss Rosie sent a message. She tried to overdose on pills. She’s currently in the emergency room.”I was silent for a moment, processing the news. Rosie—always desperate for attention. No, she wasn’t just seeking attention; she was demanding it. Just earlier, she had threatened Hyacinth, v
—Stalker’s Point of View—Smelling her, touching her—it almost drove me insane. But it wasn’t just her that consumed me. It was something our family was meant to possess. Her mother was perfect. The epitome of intelligence. A woman who had it all, despite being a commoner, not royalty. Yet everyone wanted her as their daughter-in-law. A genius in everything… except love. “I was thinking that maybe Hyacinth was also a victim of love.” I stood, pacing around my desk, glancing at the piles of recently filed cases. Boring paperwork, but necessary. Even the bomb incident was just another file to clean up. I hadn’t meant to kill anyone—just to isolate her. If everyone around her was gone, taking her would be effortless. But no matter how many times I tried, they clung to her. Maybe I should ruin her relationship with Darcy. “How do I do that?” My fingers tapped against the windowsill as I watched Hyacinth step out of her apartment across the street, her bodyguards trailing like
–Hyacinth— I was certain she intended to become my husband’s mistress. Proposing in front of me? Bold. But I had seen Raven flinch multiple times. That woman—Minerva—sat across from him, her foot subtly grazing his ankle, then sliding higher, testing his restraint. Raven’s discomfort was palpable. His glare could have scorched her where she sat. When our orders arrived, I draped my hand possessively over his lap. He shifted under my touch, but I only leaned closer, crossing my legs to shield him from Minerva’s advances. Let her try. “If you want, you can visit the site with us,” Colton offered. “Are we hiking, or…?” I trailed off, waiting. “Fly. We’ll fly,” Dane cut in, grinning. “I’ll be your pilot.” Raven’s hand settled on my thigh, a silent claim. “Let me taste that,” he murmured, nodding toward my tuna. Without hesitation, I fed him a bite, rice and all. Colton groaned. “Oh, come on! I don’t want to be a third wheel here.” I smirked. “Minerva’s here. You don’t