Richard entered his house and was taken aback by the dazzling brightness that filled the space. Normally cloaked in a dim, moody ambiance, today the windows and curtains were wide open, and the chandelier emitted a magnificent glow. The transformation left Richard feeling as if he had entered a completely different and airy world. "What on earth happened here? Did a spotlight convention just wrap up in my living room?" he questioned aloud. Just then, Juliette emerged from the kitchen, being assisted by a maid pushing her on a wheelchair. "Oh, you're awake already? I expected you to be out for at least three days. I guess you are pretty strong after all," Richard said, astonishment evident in his voice. Juliette smiled warmly. "Do you like the lighting? It felt so stifling in here, so I had them turn on the lights and open the windows and curtains," she explained. "It's as if the sun itself decided to take up residence in my home," he exclaimed, still marveling at the scene befor
She arrived at his house after what felt like an eternity. As she stepped through the doorway, her gaze roamed the rooms, desperately searching for him. At last, she discovered him in his chaotic room, gripping his phone tightly while engrossed in conversation. Ryan appeared disheveled, sporting a haphazard combination of casual shorts and a crumpled tank top. His hair resembled a wild bird's nest, looking untouched by a comb for weeks. Adrienne's eyes widened in surprise as she caught sight of Ryan, interrupting his phone call. Putting the person on the other line on hold, he hastily muttered, "I'll call you back later," before diverting his attention to Adrienne. Confusion etched across his face, he queried, "What brings you here?" Adrienne scoffed, taken aback by his question. "What brings me here?" she retorted, her voice dripping with disbelief. "I wasn't expect—" "What happened to you? We haven't spoken in nearly two days. I texted and called you multiple times, but r
Adrienne sat at the restaurant, savoring each mouthful of the delectable pasta dish she had ordered. She hadn't planned on dining alone, but an unexpected change in plans with Ryan led her to venture out to the hotel restaurant solo. "Food truly has its way of healing the soul," she remarked with a contented smile, raising her forkful of pasta to her lips. A voice, dripping with disdain, unexpectedly broke her reverie. "Well, that has to be the most absurd line I've ever heard." Startled, she glanced up to find a familiar figure occupying the seat across from her. Tapping into her memory banks, she gradually recognized those tall, broad shoulders, brown hair, and captivating brown eyes – it was none other than the arrogant jerk she had encountered at the restaurant two evenings ago. "Remember me?" he asked, his voice filled with disdain. Adrienne stared at him for a moment, trying to place the face. "You don't look like someone worth remembering. Who are you?" Linc grinned,
"Richard?" Adrienne's voice held a tinge of surprise and caution as she spotted him approaching her. "Two cans of refreshing soda for my lady in red," he said, extending one of the cans towards her with a smile. Adrienne scoffed, her annoyance evident as he sauntered over to her. "What are you doing here? How did... I have so many questions right now." Richard chuckled, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "And I'll gladly answer all of your questions, one at a time." He winked at her before handing her the can. She accepted it, opened it, and took a generous sip, mirroring his actions. "Thank you," she murmured, her annoyance fading slightly. "So... what are you doing here?" she inquired, her tone a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Richard's smile grew wider. "I came to see my lady," he responded with a subtle flirtatiousness. Adrienne rolled her eyes, not completely convinced. "How did you know I was here or that I was coming here? Did you follow me?" "No, Adrienne, I di
Adrienne's heart pounded in her chest as she stood frozen, her mind struggling to comprehend the horrifying scene unfolding before her. The deafening explosion echoed in her ears, drowning out all other sounds, as flames consumed her car and the valet trapped inside. The valet's desperate screams intertwined with the crackling of the inferno, piercing through Adrienne's consciousness. In that moment of shock and desperation, Adrienne's first instinct was to run towards the engulfed vehicle, tears streaming down her face. But before she could take a step, a strong arm reached out to hold her back. It was Richard, equally stunned by the sudden chaos, who shouted above the commotion with concern in his voice. "Adrienne, no! It's too dangerous!" Richard's grip tightened around her arm, desperation evident in his eyes. "We need to get you away from here!" Adrienne's frantic gaze searched the area, hoping to spot a fire extinguisher, anything that could help save the valet. As the secon
Everyone turned their heads towards the entrance, anticipation hanging in the air. The footsteps grew louder, echoing through the grand hallway of the mansion. As the figure came into view, Ryan's heart skipped a beat as he immediately recognized Linc. This was Ryan's first time seeing Linc, but the moment he walked in, Ryan knew that he had finally found the 'half brother' he had been searching for. "And you are?" Renee asked Linc nonchalantly, breaking the silence that enveloped the room. Linc paused for a moment, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "I present to you... Lincoln Williams," Michael announced, his voice filled with a mix of pride and anticipation. Linc stepped forward, his piercing blue eyes scanning the room with a confident gaze. He seemed taller than anyone else in the space, radiating an air of authority. His eyes found Anabelle, and with a playful wink, he tried to engage her. But Anabelle, sensing the tension in the room, quickly averted her gaze. "It'
"Fucking relationship?" Adrienne's mouth went dry as she absorbed the venomous words escaping Ryan's lips. The man standing before her seemed like a stranger, his aggressive side unmasking itself for the first time. "I have made countless sacrifices for you, only to find out you've been cheating on me," Ryan seethed, his voice heavy with betrayal. Adrienne's mind raced, desperately trying to piece together the fragments of their crumbling relationship. "Ryan... you pushed me," she uttered in disbelief. A dismissive scoff escaped Ryan's lips as he averted his gaze. While his attention wandered, Adrienne seized the fleeting opportunity to rise from the floor. "Why did you push me?" she asked through a tremor in her voice, the pain infused in her words palpable. Ryan's response cut through the air with a bitter edge. "Why did you cheat on me?" Blood rushed to Adrienne's head as she vehemently defended herself. "I have never cheated on you, Ryan. Never." A wicked smile cur
She leaned even closer to Adrienne, their noses almost touching... and Adrienne's eyes widened in shock at how close they were. Panic rushed through her, and she quickly pulled back, creating a significant distance between them. "What are you doing?!" Adrienne exclaimed, her voice filled with confusion and disbelief. Lisa, taken aback by Adrienne's reaction, immediately realized her mistake. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she struggled to find the right words. "I'm sorry, I...I didn't mean to...I thought..." Adrienne interrupted, her tone firm but understanding. "You were too close, and that means you crossed a boundary. It made me quite uncomfortable." Lisa nodded, feeling guilty, her words faltering. "No... Listen... oh... too close... yeah... sorry for leaning in like that..." Adrienne reassured her, realizing Lisa's genuine remorse. "It's okay." "And about Ryan... There's something he said that's making me uncomfortable," Adrienne continued, her voice filled