Nicholas's father, James Hill, sat at the head of the conference table, his eyes scanning the room as he addressed the team. "Gentlemen, we need to discuss the Smiths' account. They're not happy with our current offer, and I've just received word that Moratti Corp. is making a move to poach them."The room fell silent, with all eyes on James. The Smiths were a key client, with a vast portfolio of estate properties and a lucrative hotel chain. Losing them would be a significant blow."What's the nature of Moratti's offer?" asked one of the team members, a middle-aged man with a keen interest in the details."From what I understand, they're offering a more aggressive deal structure, with better terms and a higher valuation," James replied, his expression grim. "We need to act fast if we want to keep the Smiths on board."The team erupted into a flurry of discussion, with ideas and strategies being tossed around the room. James listened intently, his mind racing with the implications of
Griffin found himself falling for Sarah's charms. He loved the way she smiled, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed, and the way her hair fell in soft waves down her back.He had secretly admired her for months, captivated by her kindness, humility, and genuine smile.Despite his affluence, Griffin felt shy and introverted around Sarah. He longed to talk to her, to get to know her better, but fear held him back. He worried that she might see him as a rich kid trying to impress her, or worse, that she might reject him.So Griffin kept his distance, observing Sarah from afar. He noticed the way she laughed with her friends, the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her passions, and the way her hair fell in soft waves down her back.As the days turned into weeks, Griffin's admiration for Sarah only grew stronger. He found himself looking forward to their classes together, just so he could catch a glimpse of her. He felt like a secret admirer, hiding his true feelings behind
Griffin's eyes blazed with anger as he watched Sarah flee, her tears and humiliation etched in his mind like a scar. He turned to face Nicholas, his fists clenched and his jaw set."You're a monster, Nicholas," Griffin spat, his voice low and menacing. "You think you're above everyone else just because you're rich and popular? Newsflash, Nicholas: You're not invincible."Nicholas held up his hands, palms outwards, in a calming gesture. "Griffin, stop. I don't want to fight you."But Griffin was beyond reason. He launched himself at Nicholas, his fists flying. Nicholas tried to defend himself, but Griffin's anger gave him strength. The two of them crashed into the hallway, their bodies locked in a fierce struggle.Just as it seemed Griffin was gaining the upper hand, Nicholas's friends, Adam, Josh, John, and Andrew, appeared out of nowhere and pulled Griffin back."Hey, hey, stop! That's enough!" Adam yelled his voice firm but calm.Josh and John grabbed Griffin's arms, holding him in
Matthew helped Sarah in the kitchen, his outward calm belied the storm brewing inside him. He was seething with anger, his mind consumed by thoughts of Nicholas and the humiliation he had caused his sister."How dare he reject her like that?" Matthew thought, his fists clenched. "And to make matters worse, he lets someone record it and share it with the world? What a coward."Matthew's protective instincts kicked in, and he felt a fierce urge to defend his sister's honor. "I'll make sure he pays for this," he thought, his anger simmering just below the surface. "No one hurts my sister and gets away with it."As he helped Sarah serve the meal, Matthew's eyes narrowed, his mind already plotting a way to confront Nicholas and make him regret ever crossing his sister. "He has no idea what's coming his way," Matthew thought, a cold determination settling in his heart. "I'll make sure he knows not to mess with my family."******************************Nicholas walked through the front door
Nicholas tried to subtly distance himself from Leena, but she seemed to sense his withdrawal and only tightened her grip. Literally.As they stood in the crowded ballroom, Leena's hand found its way to Nicholas's arm, her fingers wrapping around it like a vice. He tried to gently pry her off, but she held fast."Leena, I need to go get some fresh air," Nicholas said, attempting to extricate himself.Leena's eyes narrowed, her gaze flashing with possessiveness. "No, no, no. You're not going anywhere without me."Nicholas's discomfort grew as Leena's grip on his arm tightened. He tried to smile and placate her, but she was having none of it."Leena, come on. I just need a minute," Nicholas said, trying to reason with her.But Leena's voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "You're mine now, Nicholas. I know we have a connection. Don't try to deny it."Nicholas's heart sank as he realized the true extent of Leena's obsession. He was trapped, and he didn't know how to escape. He couldn't rev
"Hey, Matthew," Nicholas said, trying to sound casual despite the tension in the air. "What's up?"Matthew's gaze didn't waver, his eyes still blazing with anger. "You know exactly what's up, Nicholas," he growled, his voice low and menacing.Matthew's gaze didn't waver, his eyes still blazing with anger. "You know exactly what's up, Nicholas," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You rejected my sister, and then you had the nerve to post that video online."Nicholas took a step back, feeling a sense of unease wash over him. He had forgotten about the video, but he knew it had gone viral and caused a lot of embarrassment for Sarah."Matthew, I..."But Matthew cut him off, his anger boiling over. "You think you're so much better than us, don't you? Rejecting my sister like she's nothing and then humiliating her online."Matthew's expression changed from anger to surprise, clearly not expecting Nicholas to deny posting the video. He eyed Nicholas warily, trying to gauge his sincerit
Nicholas turned to Matthew with a determined look on his face. "Matthew, I need your help. I know I've messed up in the past, but I'm asking you to trust me now. I saved Sarah's life, and I'm asking you to help me save your family's future."Matthew's expression softened slightly, clearly still wary but also curious. "What do you mean? What's going to happen in the future?"Nicholas took a deep breath, his eyes locked on Matthew's. "I've seen it, Matthew. I've seen the future, and it's not good. I need your help , I need you to trust me and work with me to change the course of the event.Matthew hesitated, clearly torn. But then he looked at Nicholas, really looked at him, and saw the sincerity in his eyes. "Okay, Nicholas. I'll help you. But you have to promise me one thing: you have to promise me you'll do everything in your power to keep Sarah safe."Nicholas nodded fervently. "I promise, Matthew. I swear it. I'll do anything to keep Sarah safe. And there's something else, Matthew.
Finally, Professor Thompson shook her head. "Very well, Nicholas. You'll receive a detention for your tardiness. Again."Nicholas finally broke his gaze with Sarah and turned to Professor Thompson. "I'm sorry, Professor. I know I've been late a lot lately. It won't happen again."Professor Thompson raised an eyebrow. "See that it doesn't. Now, let's move on to the next topic."As the class continued, Nicholas couldn't help but sneak glances at Sarah, his eyes filled with deep affection. Griffin, on the other hand, looked on with growing resentment, his eyes fixed on Nicholas with a scowl.Professor Thompson smiled, "And finally, let's talk about love. Can anyone define love for me?"Griffin, trying to impress Sarah, spoke up first, but his voice trembled. "L-love is... uh... when you really like someone... and... uh... want to be with them..."He trailed off, his face reddening as he glanced at Sarah, who was watching him with an unreadable expression.Professor Thompson nodded encour
The weekend passed in a blur of quality time with Nicholas and romantic moments with Sarah.On Monday morning, Nicholas reminded Sarah of an upcoming family business party."Next Saturday, we need to attend the Smith's annual gala," Nicholas said, sipping his coffee.Sarah nodded, checking her calendar. "I remember. It's a big event for your family's business."Nicholas smiled. "We'll make it a family affair. Mom, Jace, and us."Sarah's eyes sparkled. "I'll make sure to get a new dress."Nicholas chuckled. "You'll stun them all."***************************The day of the party arrived. Nicholas and Jace waited in the living room, dressed to impress.Jace, in a miniature tuxedo, giggled as Nicholas tied his own bow tie."Daddy's going to be the most handsome man there," Nicholas whispered, making Jace chuckle.Sarah emerged from their bedroom, breathtaking in a red evening gown.Nicholas's jaw dropped. "Wow."Jace cooed, reaching out for Sarah.Sarah smiled, taking Jace from Nicholas.
Every Saturday and Sunday, Olivia, Nicholas's mother, visited Jace.She'd spend hours cuddling, playing, and reading to her beloved grandson.Olivia's eyes sparkled as she entered the nursery, filled with toys and colorful mobiles."Hello, my little prince!" she exclaimed, scooping up Jace in her arms.Jace giggled, and Olivia's heart melted.Nicholas and Sarah watched, smiling, as Olivia showered Jace with love."Mom, you're spoiling him rotten," Nicholas teased.Olivia chuckled. "That's what grandmas are for!"Sarah laughed. "We don't mind. Jace loves his grandma time."As Olivia played with Jace, Nicholas couldn't help but notice the resemblance between his mother and son.The same bright smile.The same sparkling eyes."Mom, do you remember Dad's stories?" Nicholas asked, his voice filled with nostalgia.Olivia's expression softened. "Of course, sweetie. Your father was an amazing storyteller."Nicholas smiled. "I want to pass those stories down to Jace."Olivia's eyes welled up w
Nicholas and Sarah sat in their opulent living room, surrounded by plush furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. Baby books and prenatal guides littered the coffee table, a testament to their excitement. They had just confirmed the pregnancy, and the air was electric.Sarah's hands cradled her barely visible bump, a soft smile on her face. "We're going to be parents."Nicholas's eyes sparkled, his hand covering hers. "We're going to be amazing parents."Their luxurious lifestyle ensured every possible comfort for their growing family.Their private estate, nestled in the heart of the city, would soon welcome its newest member.But as the reality of parenthood set in, anxiety crept in.Sarah worried about balancing her thriving art career and motherhood. "What if I'm not good enough?"Nicholas reassured her, "You'll be an incredible mom. We'll figure it out together. We'll hire the best nannies and staff to support us."Nicholas, meanwhile, fretted about
Sarah's face fell as she told Nicholas about the betrayal. "The head of my project, Alex, sold all the details to our rival company, Bluebird. And on the same night of your accident, Bluebird's owner, Marcus, burned down Alex's house and killed him and his family."Nicholas's eyes widened in shock. "What? Why didn't anyone do anything?"Sarah shook her head. "Andrew investigated, but there wasn't enough evidence to prove anything. Hill Cop suffered huge losses and is now bankrupt."Nicholas sighed, feeling a sense of responsibility. "I wasn't there to prevent it. This is why Hill Cop fell."Sarah looked crestfallen, but Nicholas took her hand. "Hey, business is like this. We'll start something new. How about a new cafe chain?"Sarah's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! We can make it happen."Nicholas smiled. "We will. We'll make it bigger and better than Hill Cop. And we'll do it together."Sarah nodded, a determined look on her face. "Let's do it. Let's show them that we won't give
Dr. Smith's eyes locked onto Sarah's, his expression empathetic. "Sarah, what Nicholas experienced is called confabulation. It's a phenomenon where the brain creates false memories or stories, often due to traumatic brain injury or other forms of brain damage."Sarah's brow furrowed, her eyes filled with concern. "So, you're saying Nicholas's memories weren't real?"Dr. Smith nodded. "Exactly. When Nicholas suffered the accident, his brain's ability to process and store memories was affected. As a result, his brain started to fill in gaps in his memory with fictional information, creating false narratives that he believed to be true."Sarah's gaze drifted to Nicholas, her heart aching. "But why? Why would his brain do that?"Dr. Smith's expression softened. "Confabulation is a coping mechanism. The brain tries to make sense of missing information by creating new stories. In Nicholas's case, his brain wove a tale of time travel, a son, and a future that never existed. It was his brain'
Sarah's thoughts drifted back to the past, to the accident that had changed everything. She had forgotten her resentment towards Nicholas's family; her anger and hurt were replaced by a deep concern for him. She missed him, his laughter, his teasing, and his flirtatious smile. She missed the way he made her feel, like she was the only person in the world.As she sat there, lost in thought, Sarah realized that she had been unfair to James and Olivia. They, too, had suffered, waiting for their son to wake up. They, too, had been hurt by her harsh words, but they never retaliated. They had borne it all, for Nicholas's sake.Sarah's gaze fell on her father's grave, and she felt a sense of peace wash over her. Time heals all wounds, she thought. And who am I to hold onto grudges when the person I love is fighting for his life?With a newfound sense of resolve, Sarah decided to let go of the past. She would forgive James and Olivia and start anew. For Nicholas's sake, for their sake, she wo
Nicholas's eyes fluttered open to the sound of beeping machines. He groggily sat up on the hospital bed, his mind foggy and disoriented. The nurse standing beside him took a step back, her eyes widening in surprise."Mr. Nicholas, you're awake!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with a mix of shock and curiosity.Nicholas rubbed his temples, trying to clear the haze from his mind. He looked around the hospital room, but nothing seemed familiar. He was already confused, and the nurse's reaction only added to his bewilderment."Wha...what happened?" Nicholas stammered, his throat dry and sore.The nurse's expression turned from surprise to concern. "You've been in an accident, Mr. Nicholas. You need to lie back down."But Nicholas was already throwing off the covers, his mind racing with questions. Had he traveled back in time again? Was this some kind of déjà vu?The nurse rushed to his side, trying to gently push him back onto the bed. "Mr. Nicholas, please, you need to rest."But Nichol
Griffin's eyes darted wildly, and he swiftly opened the drawer, pulling out a gun. He pointed it at the group, his hand shaking with desperation. "Stay back! I won't let you take him from me!"Sarah's eyes widened in horror, her voice trembling. "Griffin, please. Don't do this. You're scaring me."Griffin's gaze locked onto Sarah, his eyes pleading. "You don't understand, Sarah. I won't lose him. I won't lose Jace."Sarah took a step forward, her hands outstretched. "Griffin, listen to me. This isn't you. You're not a monster. You're kind, gentle...my friend."Griffin's face twisted, his voice cracking. "You don't know me, Sarah. You never knew me."Leena sneered. "Yes, Griffin, you're a monster. You kidnapped Jace, and now you're threatening us with a gun."Griffin's attention was focused on Sarah; his gun was still trained on the group. He didn't notice Nicholas slowly creeping up behind him, his eyes fixed on the gun.Sarah's words were a distraction, a diversion. And Griffin, blin
Griffin sat on the couch, playing with Jace's toy cars, completely absorbed in the little boy's world. He had never felt this way before, so carefree and happy. Jace's laughter and smiles had captured him, and for the first time in his life, he felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.Griffin's mind wandered back to his plans for revenge against Nicholas. But for the first time, he felt a twinge of doubt. Was it really worth it? Was his desire for revenge more important than the happiness he felt in this moment?Jace looked up at him, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Griffin, look! I built a castle!"Griffin smiled, feeling his heart melt. "That's amazing, Jace. You're so talented."Griffin realized he had forgotten all about his plans for revenge. He had forgotten about Nicholas, forgotten about the past, forgotten about everything except for this little boy and the joy he brought him.But little did Griffin know, his world was about to be turned upside down. Nicholas a