NoahAs the bulletproof vehicle transported me to a new location, my thoughts were a whirlwind. When we arrived, a bodyguard lifted me into a wheelchair. It was the first time in ages I was outside. Yet, I couldn’t see any of it. My heart ached. I used to love watching the changing landscapes of Edendale. But I couldn’t appreciate any of it now.The season had turned to winter. The icy wind rushed past me in a sharp whistle, pulling my hair in every direction. I was grateful for my winter clothing and Raymond’s big, warm hand enveloping mine.When we entered the private sanatorium, the warmth welcomed us like an embrace. It was a quiet, secluded place that offered peace and security. Raymond had taken every measure to protect me. The surroundings were serene and the staff attentive. Yet, I couldn’t shake the unease that clung to me.Raymond tucked me into my new bed. It was way more comfortable than the last. A double bed, this time. I looked forward to spending the night next to my h
NoahI lay in the unfamiliar bed of the private sanatorium. The room’s silence was only broken by the steady beep of the heart monitor beside me. I was feeling much better physically. My energy was coming back. Every now and then, I saw a glimpse of light among the shadows. Was my sight slowly returning? Or was it just a hallucination?Josie's call replayed in my mind like a haunting echo. Her words, dripping with venom, had shaken me to my core. Why did she hate me so much? What did my father do to her?Raymond had stepped out to make calls, again. He was enlisting all his most powerful contacts to uncover Josie's and the Blackwoods' plans. His determination was a lifeline. But would it be enough?Suddenly, my phone buzzed on the bedside table. My heart leapt. Fear and hope wrestled within me. I reached for it, my fingers trembling."Hello?" I whispered, bracing myself for the worst.Silence greeted me, then a voice I recognized all too well. "Noah, it's me, Owen. I found something."
RaymondThe grand hall was a spectacle of opulence. It was filled with the city’s elite, draped in exquisite gowns and intricate masks. The chandeliers above glittered with thousands of crystals, casting a shimmering light over the crowd. Gold and red hues dominated the room, creating an air of decadence. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and mystery. Each masked guest added to the intrigue.Noah had insisted on coming with us. But it was too dangerous. She couldn’t see, and I wouldn’t let anything happen to her again. The thought of her vulnerable in this sea of masked strangers sent a shiver down my spine. I had to keep her safe, even if it meant leaving her behind in the sanatorium."We need to be careful," I said, adjusting my mask. "The Blackwoods might be here, and we can't predict their moves."Owen nodded. “Understood.”Owen was dressed in a sharp, midnight blue tuxedo. His indigo mask was intricately designed with silver accents. A dark wig and fake mustache completed his
RaymondThe staircase was a marvel of marble and gold. Each step echoed slightly under my feet. Suddenly, I heard Owen’s voice in my earpiece. “I’ll be listening along, R. If I hear anything suspicious, I’ll be right there by your side within minutes.”“Thanks, O. I appreciate it,” I replied softly. I quickly glanced over my shoulder. Although I didn’t see anyone around me, I couldn’t shake the feeling I was being watched. As I reached the next floor, I found the balcony doors slightly ajar. The night air was cool. A welcome relief from the warmth of the crowded hall below.Cassandra was waiting, her tall silhouette framed by the moonlight. She turned as I approached. Her brown eyes were gleaming with a mix of mischief and… something deeper.“Raymond, I presume,” she said, her voice low and melodic.“You must be Cassandra,” I replied, trying to gauge her intentions.She nodded, her mysterious smile never wavering.“How did you figure out who I am?” I asked. Owen and I had taken every
NoahThe night of the masquerade, I couldn't sleep. Worry gnawed at me, twisting my stomach into knots. Raymond was out there. He was facing who-knows-what dangers. Meanwhile I was stuck here, entirely helpless. Knowing that Owen was by his side and Uncle Henry had their backs was a comfort. But it didn’t ease my mind entirely.I tried to focus on other things, but horror scenarios kept invading my thoughts. I pictured Raymond and Owen being discovered by the Blackwoods, taken to some hideout, or worse. The images were vivid. Each one more terrifying than the last.I needed the toilet. Normally, I'd call a nurse. But tonight, I felt a desperate need to prove to myself that I could do something on my own. I got out of bed, relying on my memory to navigate the room. The darkness was oppressive. Each step was a challenge. I bumped into a few things, muttering curses under my breath."Will my eyes ever get better?" I whispered. A mixture of frustration and hope tinged my voice.When I
NoahIn the days following the masquerade, Raymond was barely by my side. He was deep in preparations with a team of elite policemen and secret agents at a military base. Owen was with him every day. Both of them were engrossed in devising a plan to bring down the Blackwoods. Meanwhile, I spent my days focused on my revalidation at the sanatorium.The sanatorium was an exclusive place, catering to the very rich. Its facilities rivaled those of luxury resorts. Each morning, I found solace in the indoor swimming pool. The warm water enveloped me like a comforting embrace. I swam laps, feeling the gentle resistance of the water against my limbs. I often imagined myself back at Raymond’s lake on a warm summer day.One morning, as I floated on my back, something was different. It wasn’t as dark anymore. There was a noticeable difference between the dark of night and the soft glow of daylight. The sun shone straight into my face through the glass dome that graced the ceiling. For the firs
Noah"Hello, thanks for agreeing to meet with us," Raymond said warmly. I heard them exchange a kiss on the cheek. The woman bent down to greet me in the same way."Hi, Cassandra. It's nice to meet you," I said, my voice trembling slightly. Her long, silken hair brushed my cheek. Even her perfume smelled alluring.I thought being here with Raymond would help ease my jealousy, but as they discussed the plans in hushed tones, I felt even more like an outsider.I sipped my cappuccino and took a bite out of my croissant, trying to look busy. My mind drifted elsewhere as I half-listened to their conversation.Images came to my mind. A stunning woman in a shimmering gown. Her and Raymond, both wearing masks, da
NoahI stood in the bathroom, held by a strange woman with a familiar voice. Her grip was iron. Her nails were digging into my skin.“What a pleasure to ‘see’ you again, Noah,” the woman said with a madness in her tone. The worst thing was that I recognized her voice. It was Josie, the woman who had become my worst nightmare. The realization struck me like a bolt of lightning.“Surprised? My-Dear-Old-Friend!” she sneered, yanking my hair back so hard it felt like my scalp might tear away. I winced. The pain was sharp and immediate.Her ghostly voice sent chills down my spine. The voice that had once been so familiar now felt like a deadly weapon, cutting through the remnants of our shattered friendship.
NoahI opened the box, and there it was—a delicate golden necklace with a teardrop-shaped ruby nestled at the center. It caught the light with a soft, familiar glow.“Wait a minute… Is this…?”Raymond’s smile widened. “The necklace Owen gave you after you saved his life as a child? It sure is.”I shook my head in disbelief, my fingers brushing over the ruby’s multifaceted surface. This was the necklace that had started it all—the one that ended my relationship with Owen, fractured my friendship with Josie, and, in the end, brought Raymond and me together.“No way… Where did you find it?” I asked breathlessly.He took my hand. “I went to Josie’s apartment after she passed away and found it tucked away in a jewelry box. I remembered the story you told me about it. I just knew you should have it back.”Overwhelmed, I looked up at him, my eyes filling with gratitude. He held my gaze, and we shared a lingering, tender kiss. One that was filled with years of love and unspoken promises. As
NoahThe grand hall was resplendent, draped in soft whites, blush pinks, and touches of gold. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, and the orchestra played a melody that filled the air with romance and elegance. I took a deep breath, looking out over the sea of familiar faces, and then my eyes found Raymond’s.He stood at the end of the aisle, his gaze fixed on me, his smile both proud and tender. The love in his eyes was so deep, so steady, that my nerves began to melt away, replaced by a warmth that filled my entire being.With every step, my heart beat faster, the anticipation building with each note of the music. Raymond’s gaze never wavered, and as I drew closer, I could see the emotion glistening in his eyes.Finally, we reached him. My mother released my hand and turned to Raymond, her own eyes shimmering. She placed my hand in his, her voice choked with emotion. “Take good care of her,” she said softly, her words laced with love and a hint of the strength that had carried us both.Ra
NoahAs I looked at Evelyn, her gentle smile seemed to melt the tension in my shoulders. Her eyes, always so full of determination, held a glimmer of joy as she spoke.“Don’t worry, Noah. It’s good news.”A breath I hadn’t realized I was holding escaped me. “Good news?” My voice was barely a whisper.She nodded, a spark of excitement lighting up her face. “The doctor said… well, they said there’s a chance I’ll walk again. The prognosis is good if I keep exercising, eating healthy, and pushing myself.”My relief quickly turned into a grin as the magnitude of her words hit me. “Mom, that’s amazing!”She wheeled closer, her hand finding mine. Her touch was warm and filled with the quiet strength that I’d come to admire even more through her recovery. “I know, right?” She laughed, her voice tinged with the thrill of newfound hope. “I can’t wait for the day I can pick up Rosie all on my own, to hold her without limits.”We sat there, both smiling, both overwhelmed by the idea that she migh
NoahCassandra’s labor dragged on, stretching through two long days. I felt every minute of it from my room. My worry and helplessness coiled tighter with each update. The doctor had ordered me to stay in bed. Although it felt good to rest, I hated that I couldn’t be there for her. She’d been such a support to me during my own labor with Rosie. Her words had steadied me through every contraction and every wave of pain. Now, here I was, stuck in bed while she struggled on her own.Little Rosie was my solace. Every time I looked at her, I felt a soft warmth spread through me, all the worry and exhaustion melting away. She was a tiny, perfect miracle with her miniature fingers and rosy cheeks. I couldn't stop staring at her. Raymond was wonderful too. He moved back and forth between rooms to check on Cassandra and then back to me, sharing gentle updates that kept me grounded.On his fourth or fifth return, Raymond’s expression was strained. He sat by my bed, taking my hand gently. “She
NoahThe words fell like a stone in the room. My heart stuttered as I looked between her and Raymond, my grip tightening around his hand. “What… what kind of complication?”The midwife took a steadying breath. “It seems your baby may be in a posterior position—facing up, rather than down. This can make labor slower and a bit more challenging.”A wave of worry swept over me, and I felt my breaths quicken. Cassandra placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. “Hey, Noah, breathe. She didn’t say impossible—just more challenging.”The midwife nodded, her tone reassuring. “We’ll try some different positions, some movements that might help encourage her to turn. This happens often enough, and there are ways we can support the process.”I nodded, feeling the tension ease a fraction as I met Raymond’s eyes. He gave me a brave smile, squeezing my hand. “We’ve got this,” he murmured. “We’ll help her get into position, and soon, we’ll be meeting our little girl.”The midwife guided me through some po
NoahI stared, slightly panicked, down at the small puddle forming beneath me. Cassandra brought her hand to rest gently on my arm. “It will be fine, Noah. Looks like your little girl has her own schedule,” she said with a reassuring smile. Her voice was calm and warm. Her words broke through my anxiety. I managed a shaky laugh, nodding in agreement.An employee approached, casting an understanding look at the situation. “Don’t worry about a thing—we’ll clean it up,” she said, a gentle smile on her face. “Good luck!” She gave a supportive nod as we carefully made our way out of the store. Cassandra held my arm to steady me.Once we were outside, Cassandra reminded me, “You don’t need to rush to the hospital just yet. They usually want you to wait until active labor is in full swing.” Her calm certainty helped, but I still felt jittery. I immediately grabbed my phone, dialing Raymond’s number. He picked up after the first ring.“Raymond?” I began, my voice trembling slightly. “It’s ha
NoahThe room erupted in cheers and joyful shouts as pink confetti rained down around us. It took a second to sink in: we were having a girl. Barely containing my smile, I felt Raymond’s strong arms wrap around me from behind. He leaned his head close, his voice a low, gentle murmur. “A little girl, Noah… our little girl.”My heart swelled as I looked at Neil, who was watching the confetti with wide eyes. He had a look of pure wonder on his face. It was the brightest smile I’d seen on him since everything that happened, and I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. He was still healing. But moments like these, surrounded by love, felt like the very first steps toward a new beginning.Evelyn rolled over, her eyes filled with emotion as she held out her hands to us. Slowly but surely, she was regaining control over her muscles. I leaned down to her, and she wrapped her arms around both Neil and me. “Oh, a little girl,” she whispered, her voice thick with joy. “Our family just keeps grow
NoahThe house buzzed with excitement and laughter as we invited everyone inside. Each new arrival was greeted with hugs and cheers. Cassandra's friends—Harper, Lila, and Gia—were here, their faces lighting up when they spotted me. Our trip to Vegas and Cass’s wedding had bonded us. Seeing them again brought a sense of closeness, comfort and normality after recent events. Raymond’s colleagues filled the space with their lively energy, and Simon’s friends mingled easily with Raymond’s parents, whose faces were aglow with anticipation.Neil quickly spotted his friends from school, darting over to hug a small girl with a sweet smile. I couldn’t help but smile knowingly; he’d mentioned her more than once—his little primary school girlfriend. Seeing him run and laugh, his face bright with joy despite the shadows of recent events, filled me with a deep, almost overwhelming sense of gratitude. After everything he had endured, there was hope that he might find his way back to himself. Seei
Noah“Oh, Raymond…” I murmured, my heart brimming with emotion as he knelt before me, the words barely forming in my mouth, tangled up with a happiness that felt almost surreal.He waited patiently, still on one knee. His hazel eyes sparkled with flecks of gold in the bright sunlight. His hand was steady, holding out the ring as if it were a promise. A reminder of how far we’d come. I glanced at my old engagement ring. My fingers trembled as I noticed the way this new ring was designed to nestle perfectly against the first one. It was so unmistakably Raymond—thoughtful, detailed, crafted to fit me like a missing piece.“Yes,” I finally said, smiling through my tears. “Of course, I will marry you… again.”His face lit up with a joy I hadn’t seen in years. He slid the ring into place, its sleek band clicking softly as it nestled against my old ring. The two pieces formed a sparkling whole. As the diamonds caught the golden glow of sunset, it felt like the most perfect reflection of us—