Elena's POV“So, Lily, what do you think led to your miscarriage? We need to get to the root of this so that it won't occur again. We also need to know if we must get rid of some people.” She said, not looking in my direction but something told me that she was referring to me.“You asked me not to involve myself with your conversation, remember? I choose to remain silent.” Lily said defiantly.Monica bent her head for a while, using her hand to ease out the wrinkles on her face.“You're just difficult, Lily.” Monica muttered.“Elena, you can go now. In the future, I'll still ask further questions. Mind you, I'm watching your every moves, even when you think I'm not.” She said to me, dismissively.“Okay, thank you Ma'am.” I got up from the stool and left quietly, still feeling Monica's gaze behind me.As I got back to my room, I began to ponder on the fast and easy way to handle this situation. I really need to speak to Gina about this. There is never a convenient time in this house
Elena's POV My heart was drumming relentlessly. They can't be suspecting me now, it's too early. Not when I haven't dealt with Monica or even Julian yet.“If she is still alive, why then have we not heard from her ever since? You know Gina, she always loves to show herself.” Lily said.“I have speculations. I'm not sure yet, but when I am, I'll tell you of my findings. For now, we need to go to the hospital for confirmation.” Monica reaffirmed.“Alright, let me get dressed. We have less than an hour left.” Lily said, I could hear her footsteps as she headed to the bathroom.“What hospital is that again? Where you were admitted?” Monica asked.“Johnson's Hospital at Fifth Avenue. The driver knows the place anyways, he'll just drive us to that place.” Lily answered.That was all I needed. I tiptoed back to my room and picked up my phone to inform Gina.“Hello Ma'am.” I whispered, my voice laced with urgency.“What's wrong again this time?” Gina asked.“Change of plans. They're heading
Gina's POVHer fingers moved across the keyboard, and I watched as the screen lit up with a series of files and records. The process felt agonizingly slow, each click dragging out my impatience. "Hurry," I muttered under my breath, my irritation bubbling to the surface. I glanced at my wristwatch and saw that it was less than thirty minutes to 3pm. Lily and Monica would soon be here. I'm sure they're probably on the way by now.Dr. Lane shot me a brief look but said nothing, continuing her search. Finally, she found what she was looking for and pulled up Lily’s file. "Here it is," she said, pointing to the screen. "Lily Brookes. She came in a few days ago after experiencing a miscarriage." I leaned in, my eyes scanning the details displayed on the monitor. My heart skipped a beat as I reached the section about the cause. "We determined that her miscarriage was caused by poisoning," Dr. Lane continued, her voice clinical. "We found trace amounts of a toxic substance in her bl
Gina's POVFor a split second, panic gripped me. My breath caught in my throat, and the edges of my vision blurred. But years of careful planning had taught me how to act under pressure. But then, there was Elena standing behind them, carrying their bags. I knew she wouldn't recognize me anyway. I could imagine the sense of relief she would feel when she learns of what I did.I turned sharply on my heel, bending my head low as though something on my phone had suddenly demanded my full attention. Don’t look up. Don’t falter. The phone in my hand was merely a prop, a shield against recognition. My heart pounded wildly in my chest, each beat echoing like thunder in my ears. I moved with calculated speed, my pace brisk but not suspiciously hurried. As they drew closer, I could feel the weight of Monica’s gaze lingering, her sharp instincts trying to pierce through my disguise. Lily seemed distracted, her footsteps heavy with fatigue, but Monica was different. She always had a way
Elena's POVThe hospital air felt thick with sterilized coldness as I walked beside Monica and Lily toward the elevator. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly, casting sharp, unflattering shadows across Lily’s pale face. She was still weak, her steps unsteady despite Monica’s firm grip on her arm. I kept my face neutral, my expression carefully shaped into one of concern. It wasn’t hard to fake. After all, I had played my role well so far. As we stepped into the elevator, the doors sliding shut with a quiet whoosh, my phone vibrated in my pocket. My heart gave a tiny jolt, a mixture of anticipation and nerves. I already knew who it would be. Keeping my movements casual, I pulled the phone out and flicked my eyes down to the screen. **Gina.** I unlocked the message quickly, glancing at Monica and Lily from the corner of my eye to make sure neither of them were paying attention. *Everything has been taken care of.* That was all the text said. But it was enough.
Lily's POVThe car ride home was suffocating. Mom sat in the driver’s seat, her lips pressed into a firm line, fingers gripping the wheel so tightly that her knuckles turned white. I could feel the tension radiating off her like heat from an open flame. Every once in a while, she would exhale sharply, muttering under her breath, clearly unsatisfied with the doctor’s response. I stared out of the window, my head resting against the cool glass. The city lights blurred past in streaks of yellow and red, and the soft hum of the tires against the road filled the silence between us. I was angry. No—angry wasn’t a strong enough word. I was furious. The moment we stepped into the house, I spun around to face her, my chest tight with frustration. "Why did you take me to the hospital? Have you seen why I hesitated at first? I knew it would be useless.” I snapped, my voice cutting through the quiet like a blade. Mom turned to me, her face a picture of defiance. "Because I needed a
Gina's POVBy the time Elena arrived, I was dressed in a sleek black dress, my hair cascading down in soft waves. I had applied just enough makeup to highlight my best features—sharp cheekbones, full lips, piercing eyes. When I opened the door, Elena stepped inside cautiously, as she always did. She was dressed casually—jeans and a fitted top, her dark hair pulled into a ponytail. Her expression was neutral, but I could see the curiosity flickering in her eyes. “How is everything going at the house? I suppose Lily is getting better?” I asked, relaxing on the couch.“Yeah, she is becoming more lively. Julian hardly comes home these days. He stays out late more often ever since Monica came around.” “That's good. Let's get straight to the point then.”I placed my glass down and leaned forward slightly. “Lily and Julian are falling apart,” I said. “Monica made sure of that. But we need to make sure it stays that way.” Elena tilted her head. “And how do you plan to do that?”
Lily's POVThe house felt quieter after my mother left. At first, I thought I would feel relieved, free from her constant interference and overbearing concern. But instead, I felt… empty. I had spent days trying to pull myself together, forcing myself to move forward, to heal from the trauma of my miscarriage. Some mornings were easier than others. Some nights, I would wake up feeling like there was a weight pressing down on my chest, the memories of what I lost creeping into my dreams like shadows. I tried to remind myself that I wasn’t alone. I had Julian. Or at least, I used to. Since the miscarriage, since my mother’s warnings, he had barely spoken to me. He walked past me in the halls without a word, never meeting my eyes. If I greeted him, he would respond with the shortest reply possible—if he responded at all. At first, I told myself he was just grieving in his own way. That he was hurting too, and he needed time. But as the days stretched into more days, it became
Elena's POV I was packing my bags, my mind racing with thoughts of Asia and the new life that awaited me. But just as I was about to zip up my suitcase, my phone rang."Hello?" I answered, expecting it to be Gina."Hi, is this Elena?" a deep voice asked."Yes, it is. Who is this?""My name is Mark. I'm Gina's associate. She sent me to drive you to the airport."I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "Okay, thanks. What time should I be ready?""How about we meet at the coffee shop on 5th street at 2 pm?" Mark suggested.I agreed, and we hung up. But as I continued packing, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't right. I had an ulterior motive, one that I couldn't reveal to Gina or Mark just yet.I finished packing, but instead of taking my suitcase with me, I left it behind. I dressed up in a sun hat and glasses, concealing my face. I made my way to the coffee shop, my heart racing with anticipation.When I arrived, Mark was already there, sitting in a black sedan.
Gina's POV I walked into my house, dropping my bag on the floor. I was exhausted from a long day at work. As I made my way to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, I remembered that I hadn't spoken to Elena in a while.I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed her number. She picked up on the second ring."Gina! Oh my god, it's so great to hear from you!" Elena exclaimed.I chuckled. "Hey, Elena. I'm sorry I haven't called you in a while. How have you been?""I've been good, Gina. But I've had some trouble," Elena said, her voice serious."What kind of trouble?" I asked, my instincts on high alert."Julian and his friends sent some men to capture me," Elena said, her voice shaking.I gritted my teeth. "Those bastards. I'm so sorry, Elena. Are you okay?""Yeah, I'm fine. I managed to escape," Elena said.I took a deep breath. "Elena, I think it's time for you to get out of the country. I want you to fly to Asia."There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Asia? But why, Gina?""Beca
Elena's POV Some Days Earlier***I trudged wearily back to my apartment, my arms laden with groceries from the market. It had been weeks since I'd last spoken to Gina, and I was starting to feel like a ghost, invisible and forgotten.After leaving Lily's house under Gina's instructions, I'd gone into hiding, always looking over my shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'd rented a small apartment a few months ago, and it had become my refuge, my sanctuary.But I couldn't stay there all the time. I had to keep moving, had to keep changing my routine, just in case someone was watching. So, some nights I'd lodge in a hotel, paying cash and using a fake name.It was a lonely, isolating existence, but I knew it was necessary. I'd seen what Gina was capable of, and I knew that if she wanted to find me, she would.As I approached my apartment building, I noticed something that made my heart skip a beat. Two men, dressed in black and wearing masks, were snooping around the entrance.
Julian's POVI bent over and ripped the blindfold off the girl's face, my heart pounding. The dim light of the warehouse flickered over her tear-streaked cheeks, but as soon as I got a good look at her, my stomach twisted. It wasn’t Elena. Lily gasped beside me, her hand flying to her mouth. "Julian… this isn’t her."Monica, standing a few feet away, erupted into laughter. "You idiots," she scoffed, shaking her head. "You fools are always being deceived."My jaw clenched so tight I thought my teeth might crack. Rage surged through me like wildfire. I spun around and locked eyes with one of the men who had captured the girl. Without a second thought, I drove my fist into his face, feeling the satisfying crunch of bone against my knuckles. He staggered back, blood dripping from his nose. "You had one job," I snarled. "One fucking job! And you couldn’t even do that right."He groaned, holding his face, but I wasn’t done. I stepped forward, grabbing his shirt, yanking him close. "Go fin
Julian's POV The next evening, we got our confirmation. Bill’s men had eyes on Elena. She had just returned to the apartment after being out all day, and she was alone. “This is it,” Monica said, pacing excitedly. “We need to act now.” I glanced at Lily, but she was avoiding my gaze. “Bill’s men are in position,” I told them. “They can handle the grab. But once we have her, what’s next?” Monica grinned. “We make her talk. One way or another.” Lily shifted uncomfortably but said nothing. I nodded. “Alright. Let’s do this.” I made the call. Lily finally looked up, her eyes wide with unease. “Julian…” I reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. “Trust me.” She hesitated, then gave a small nod. I looked back at the message on my phone. Take her to the warehouse. We’ll be there soon.*******I paced the length of the warehouse, my shoes clicking against the cold concrete floor. The dim light barely illuminated the figure tied to the chair in the center of the ro
Gina's POV As Alex led me to the bedroom, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The events of the past few days had been overwhelming, and I was grateful for the comfort and safety of Alex's arms.We stepped into the bathroom, and Alex turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature to just right. We stood under the warm water, letting it wash away the stresses of the day. Afterwards, Alex gently towel-dried my hair and applied a generous amount of hair oil, working it through my tangled locks with a gentle touch.As he combed out my hair, I felt my eyes grow heavy, the soothing motion lulling me into a state of relaxation. Alex helped me slide into my nightgown, his fingers brushing against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.We climbed into bed, and Alex wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. I felt safe, protected, and loved."Gina, I want you to promise me something," Alex said, his voice low and serious."What is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper."I want
Gina's POV As the violins played a soft, romantic tune, Alex pulled me close, his arms wrapping securely around my waist. I let out a breathless laugh as he swayed us gently, our feet sinking slightly into the cool beach sand. “Dancing barefoot on the beach?” I teased, gazing up at him. “Who knew you were such a romantic?” He smirked. “You bring it out of me.” I shook my head, smiling. “I still can’t believe all of this. The dinner, the music, the stars…” I sighed, resting my head against his chest. “It’s perfect.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “That’s all I wanted—for you to be happy.” I closed my eyes, letting the moment wash over me. The rhythmic crash of the waves, the warmth of Alex’s embrace, the feeling of being utterly and completely loved. It was everything. After what felt like forever, he pulled back slightly, his hand still gripping mine. “Come with me. There’s one more thing I want to show you.” I arched an eyebrow. “Another surprise?” He chuckled. “Tru
Gina’s POVAlex led me inside the penthouse, and the moment I stepped through the door, my breath hitched. It was stunning. Soft, golden lights illuminated the spacious living room, casting a warm glow over the polished marble floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the ocean, the waves shimmering under the moonlight.A plush white sofa sat in the center of the room, surrounded by sleek modern furniture. In the corner, a grand piano rested near a collection of candles flickering gently, filling the air with a subtle vanilla scent. I turned to Alex, my eyes wide. “This place is incredible.” He grinned, watching my reaction. “I hoped you’d like it.” “Like it?” I spun in a slow circle, taking everything in. “Alex, it’s—” I shook my head, speechless. He walked up behind me, his hands resting gently on my waist. “Only the best for my wife.” A shiver ran through me at the way he said it. I turned in his arms, looking up at him. “You didn’t have to do
Gina’s POVAs the credits rolled on the screen, Alex stretched and turned to me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “The night’s not over yet,” he said. I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? There’s more?” He smirked. “Of course. You didn’t think I’d settle for just dinner and a movie, did you?” I chuckled. “Honestly? I was already impressed.” “Well, prepare to be amazed.” He took my hand and led me back to the car, opening the door for me like a true gentleman. As I slid inside, he leaned in slightly, his lips brushing against my temple before he shut the door. The simple touch sent warmth rushing through me. When he got into the driver’s seat, he started the engine and turned to me. “Comfortable?” I nodded. “So where are we going?” He grinned. “Patience, my love.” With that, he pulled out of the parking lot and started driving. As we cruised along the countryside, the city lights faded behind us, replaced by open fields and the soft glow of the moon. The radio played sof