NoahMultiple men were headed our way. One of them was Simon. Relief flooded through me. When I turned back, I gasped. Malcolm staggered, his face twisted in shock and pain. He looked down at his chest, where a dark stain was rapidly spreading across his shirt. His gun slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground as he crumpled to his knees.For a moment, there was silence, broken only by Malcolm’s labored breathing. He looked up at us, his eyes wide with disbelief, before finally collapsing to the ground.The devil had fallen.The silence that followed was deafening. No one could believe it—a man as cruel and ruthless as Malcolm Blackwood had hesitated for a woman. The deranged drug lord, the embodiment of evil, was brought to his knees by… love.Simon and his colleagues had arrived just in time, their guns blazing. The shots echoed in the dark night. Each one was a hammer striking down the reign of terror Malcolm and his father had held for so long. As the floored man fought to
NoahThe car rolled to a stop in front of Raymond's father’s mansion. The grand estate loomed against the backdrop of a clear, cloudless sky. As we slowly drove up the spacious driveway, my heart raced with anticipation. Months of separation and the fear that I might never see my son again had gnawed at my soul. But now, the moment was finally here.I caught a glimpse of a small figure darting from the front door, running full speed toward us. My breath hitched. It was Neil—our precious little boy, safe and sound. The world around me faded as I threw open the car door and rushed out. Raymond followed closely behind."Mommy! Daddy!" Neil's voice, high-pitched and full of joy, echoed in the cool morning air.I dropped to my knees, arms wide open. He crashed into me with the force only a small child can muster. I wrapped him in a tight embrace. My tears were falling freely into his soft hazel hair. Raymond knelt beside us. His strong arms encircled both of us. For a moment, the world w
NoahI couldn’t help but wonder what Clara wanted to ask us. Her voice was hesitant, almost timid, as she spoke. "I’m… I’m looking for a place to live," she began, her eyes darting between Raymond and me. "I just finished college, but I don’t have a job yet. My grandparents left me a small inheritance, but… it’s not much."Her vulnerability was palpable. I could see how difficult it was for her to admit this. Before I could respond, Owen's mother stepped in. "We would love to take her in, but…" Her voice trailed off, filled with the weight of unspoken sorrow. Though Owen had been adopted, his parents had always treated him as their own flesh and blood. His death had left a gaping wound in their hearts. A wound that time had yet to heal.Owen’s father took a deep breath, his voice steady but tinged with sadness. "We’ve decided to move abroad for a while," he explained, glancing at his wife for support. "We need some distance, a change of scenery, to process everything that’s happened.
NoahI didn't mind having a new family member. Clara had nearly lost everything, and she was Owen's sister. How could I let this poor girl sink further into hopelessness? Welcoming her into our home seemed like the right thing to do. It wasn't just about offering her a place to stay; it was about giving her a sense of belonging, a place where she could heal. Besides, it wasn't a bad thing to have one more family member. Neil could use a nice big sister, maybe even a nanny of sorts. Clara got along with him surprisingly well. That was one of the most important reasons I accepted her so easily.Tonight, Raymond and I were about to have our first night together in our marital bed since his fall. We both hungered for each other, desperate to share the intimacy we'd been denied for so long. The weight of everything we'd endured made the moment even more intense. As Raymond held me, he whispered in my ear, “Noah, have you thought about having another baby?” His words were tender, full of
Noah"Clara, what’s wrong?" I asked. I noticed her gaze was fixed on the back of Raymond's torso as he walked out of the room. There was a strange look in her eyes.I felt a little tug in my stomach. Why was she looking at him like that? But I figured Raymond was a celebrity in Edendale—all women tended to stare at him.My words seemed to snap Clara out of her trance. She blinked rapidly and quickly averted her gaze. A blush spread across her cheeks.“Nothing, I, uh… I’m so sorry about the plates,” Clara said quickly, her voice trembling slightly. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”“Don’t worry about
RaymondI’ve always taken pride in my ability to keep business and personal life separate. But this situation was different. Clara wasn’t just any new hire—she was Owen’s sister. A part of the family by extension.My parents had insisted that we help her find her footing after everything she had been through. So, I arranged for her to take a position as an assistant to Stephanie, my long-time secretary.Stephanie had worked for me for years. Her experience was invaluable in keeping the company running smoothly. Clara’s role was to assist her with more trivial tasks. I figured this would be a gentle introduction to the working world for someone fresh out of university.That evening, I foun
RaymondI stepped out of my office, following the sound of muffled crying and raised voices. The moment I turned the corner, I saw Clara standing in the middle of the hallway. Tears were streaming down her face.Another female staff member stood opposite her, seething with anger. Her dress was stained by a dark splash of coffee. Stephanie, my long-time secretary, hovered between them. She looked uncomfortable and unsure of how to diffuse the situation.As soon as Clara saw me, her tears seemed to intensify. “Raymond!” she cried out, her voice trembling. “I’m so sorry! It was an accident, I swear!”The other woman, still fuming, opened her mouth as if to say something. But she snapped it s
NoahThe morning sun streamed through the kitchen windows, casting a warm glow over the room. After sending Clara and Raymond off with their usual lunch boxes, I turned my attention to Neil.He was still in his favorite dinosaur pajamas, sitting at the breakfast table. His little legs were swinging back and forth as he ate his cereal.“Mommy, look! I finished all my cereal!” Neil announced proudly, lifting his empty bowl to show me.I smiled, feeling a wave of affection wash over me. “Good job, sweetheart! Now, how about we get you all clean and ready for school?”Neil’s eyes lit up. “Bath time! Can I bring my ducks?”