ARLAN'S POV: Saraya ended the call abruptly and I knew I deserved it, I leaned back in my chair, rubbing a hand down my face. She was right. I was confusing her, and it wasn’t fair. I had tried to keep my distance, to draw a line between us, but every time I thought I could walk away, I found myself reaching for her again.The thought of seeing her earlier had kept me awake all night and when I did see her, I almost lost every sense of reasoning.It had taken me a great deal of discipline to contain myself while we were in the boardroom meeting.I sighed heavily, staring at the phone in my hand as I was trying hard to resist the urge to call her again. And Matilda...The memory of her walking into my office just an hour ago replayed in my mind like a scene from a movie.****One Hour Ago*I had barely closed the door to my office when Matilda turned to me. “I hope you don’t mind me dropping by unannounced,” she said, taking a seat on the couch.I raised an eyebrow while chuckling,
ALEX'S POV:I watched Mary walked in looking gloomy as I glanced up from the tab I was holding. "What’s wrong?" I asked.She hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a low voice. "Your mom hasn’t joined us at the table since the board’s unanimous decision." Her eyes were downcast and so was her voice. "I've done everything possible to make her join us but she just won't concede.""If that is all, then you don't have to bother yourself about it." I muttered under my breath.Mary sighed. "She’s your mother, Alex. You should worry about her, as a matter of fact, I think you should stop avoiding her as well and talk to her."My hands tightened round the tab I was holding. "I’m not letting her blackmail me emotionally," I snapped. I was already tired of the emotional manipulation and wasn’t in the mood for another round.Mary stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on my arm. "I understand how you feel, Alex but I want you to remember her seventieth birthday is coming up. So you should patch th
ISLA'S POV:I don't know how long I was standing for after Alex left but from the way my knees were hurting, I could tell I had been standing for a while.I slowly walked to the sofa and sat at the edge. "How dare he open my wounds?" Tears formed me on my eyes.Reminiscing over James, my eyes fell on a picture. My hands clutched the photo that has never left my bedside. James and Alex, my two boys, the ones I have lived my entire life for.James stood tall and confident in the picture, his arm casually resting on Alex’s shoulder. His smile was warm and reassuring, the kind of smile that spoke of reliability and trust. And then there was Alex, his grin mischievous, his eyes glinting with that defiance I’d never been able to tame no matter how hard I try.James had always been my pride, my perfect son. He listened. He obeyed. He understood the importance of family, tradition, and loyalty. Alex, on the other hand, was chaos. The exact replica of his late dad, wild and untamed.From the
Two weeks later.SARAYA'S POVI walked to the dinning table and the whole place was lively, livelier than it has been for in the past two weeks. The decoration and lightening were beautifully made.My dad, Mary and Evan were already seated when I got there. A cake was sitting pretty with the inscription 'Happy seventieth birthday, mum!'"Are you sure she would show up?" I asked, my tone was pessimistic as I took my seat."Don't be so pessimistic, Sara." Mary said with a smile. "It's your grandmother's birthday. Of course, she will come."Grandma walked in, looking moody as usual. "Good morning mum!" Mary greeted her all smiles while dad pulled the chair for her.Mary leaned towards me and mouthed. "I told you she would come.""Happy birthday, mum." My father began, "I wish you long life and sound health."My grandmother looked at the table for a brief second, "you shouldn't have gone the trouble of making all these, a simple breakfast would've suffice.""Still, it's your birthday,
ARLAN'S POV.I couldn't sleep the whole night, I had turned side by side and paced when I could until the sun started rising and its rays flashed into my room."What a night!" I muttered. I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my call logs staring at Saraya's number, contemplating whether or not it was a good time to give her a call. Just then, Matilda call came in. "I have to give her some space for her to get over me." I had repeatedly told myself while ignoring her call.Staring at Saraya's number, "If I'm going to call her later, then is no point delaying." With that, I dialed her number.The phone rang and just when I thought she wasn't going to pick my call, she picked up."Hello."Her heart started racing at the sound of her voice and somehow, I couldn't find my voice."Hello!" Her voice came again with a hint of frustration.That gave me room for conversation. "What is wrong with you Saraya? You sound so down.""And that is none of your business." She yelled."Easy, butterfl
IAN'S POV:Meeting Saraya was an event I was looking forward since I got to know she had stole my position from me, all thanks to my uncle, Alex.I would be rounding my master's program soon and return to the Newman's mansion and most importantly join the empire.So I figured out my uncle, naming Saraya his heiress at a time when I was planning on joining the company immediately after my program wasn't a mere coincidence but was strategic.It was his way of telling me, I didn't belong here."You lie, Alex!" I snarled in a low tone. "The Newman's is my father's blood and sweat."My thoughts wandered back to Saraya. "How dare she throws her weight around her like she is all that when she is just a mere puppet Alex is using to hold down his position due to his failing health?" I said under my breath before stealing another glance at her door.My thoughts were interrupted by my uncle. "Why are you coming from Saraya's room?" He glared at me as he approached me."Just in time." I thought.
SARAYA'S POV;I was driving with my thoughts preoccupied with Ian's earlier action when a call came in through the dashboard of my car, disrupting my thoughts.It was my secretary, I tapped on the screen. "What is it, I'm almost there."“Miss Saraya, you need to get here now. Law agents… they’re... they’re taking everything!” He said breathing heavily.“What?” My heart skipped. “Who? Why? What are they taking?”“Documents, computers, everything. They’re saying it’s fraud—”"Who are the they?" I asked."They are from the FBI." He replied. "They've got a warrant, we couldn't stop..."I didn’t wait for him to finish. I ended the call and sped to the office, my pulse pounding in my ears. Fraud? That is impossible.When I got there, the scene hit me like a slap. Officers in dark uniforms were everywhere. Files were being boxed up, computers unplugged, cabinets emptied. My employees stood huddled together, their faces pale and confused.I shoved my way through the crowd. “What the hell is g
ARLAN'S POV;I was halfway through my cup of coffee when the news broke. The voice on the television droned on as I watched the business news.Saraya Newman. Arrested.The cup slipped from my fingers, and the coffee splashed across my shirt and hand, burning like hell."Shit!" I cursed, but the sting was nothing compared to the jolt in my chest. For a moment, all I could do was stare at the screen, my heart pounding like a war drum."What the hell is going on right now?" I asked as though someone else was in the room with me. "I spoke to her this morning... Ian?" Realization dawn on me. "I don't believe that sly snake would stoop so low to do this."Ignoring the mess, I grabbed my phone and dialed Alex. My hand was shaking, and I hated that. Hated how easily the mere mention of her name could unsettle me. The phone rang twice before he picked up.“Arlan.” There was something about his voice that sounded tired and frustrated when he picked up.“What’s going on?” I demanded, not botheri
SARAYA'S POV.The door behind opened but I was just too weak to see who it was. It's not like I cared about who came in or went out. I was already lost in a world of my own.My room was dark and the curtain were drawn to give me the feel of my state: lonely and dark. I could only close my eyes that way.I felt a hand on my hair and sniff a feminine scent. I don't need to be told who it was.She caressed my hair gently. "You wouldn't leave your room, are you okay?" She asked gently.I couldn't reply because I was choked on my tears."Good gracious, are you crying?" Mary asked alarmed. She switched on the lamp beside the bed. "What is this about?" She asked.I only pulled her close and cried out loudly, fortunately she didn't press any further. She just allowed me in her embrace and patted my back.Minutes passed as I sobbed into Mary’s embrace. My chest heaved with the effort of crying, but I couldn’t stop. It was as if every emotion I’d buried for days, weeks, maybe months, had erupte
MATILDA'S POV."Gosh! Girl, you're something else." Tessy covered her mouth and her eyes widened. "Your tactics gives me goosebumps, it's the way you involved Alex without spilling the milk for me."I shrugged my shoulders. "Well, I'm sure one way or the other, my message would have been relayed to Saraya." Tessy chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. "Poor girl, I feel so bad for her."I rolled her eyes, "you feel bad for her? I can't believe you're saying that right now." I was disappointed and I didn't hide it. "So what about me?" I asked. "You don't feel bad for me?""Easy girl, you know, not many people can pull off what you just did. Saraya is probably in one corner crying her eyes out as we speak.""That’s the plan," I said. "Not only to make her cry but also to get her to retreat from my man. I can't share Arlan with any other woman and definitely not with her.""So tell me, have Arlan come in terms with being a father and a husband?"A smile played on my lips. "What other
SARAYA'S POVI stood in front of the mirror, struggling to gather my hair into a ponytail, but the knots kept getting in the way."Ugh," I muttered under my breath, running my fingers through the mess I've made of my hair."Need help with that?"I turned around to see Mary standing behind me.I smiled. "I could use all the help I can get."Mary chuckled softly, taking the brush from my hand. "Let me handle this."I sat down, letting her work through the tangles I’d created."You're so good at this," I said, watching her expertly untangle my hair."You know," she began, a soft smile tugging at her lips, "after I had Evan, I always wanted a daughter but was too scared to try again." Her voice softened and she had this vulnerable look on her face."When he was little, I used to style his hair all the time. It feels like..." Her voice faltered, and she sniffed. "I'm reliving those moments of Evan’s childhood right now.""Mary..." I whispered, unsure of what to say."And we are done," she
ARLAN'S POVI traced my thumb over the edges of the sonogram and my hand trembled. It was such a small thing—this picture but it was about to change the course of my life. The walls felt like they were closing in and I felt so trapped. Trapped by my own feelings, by circumstances I couldn’t control, and by the fear of losing her.The thought of having a child, a life that I now have a responsibility to protect and what I would do with Saraya threw me off balance.I laid my back on my king size bed but my buzzing phone which was on the table got me up almost immediately.I checked and It was Alex. I hesitated for a moment before answering.“Yeah?”“Arlan,” He called out. "Congratulations, man. I just can't believe what I just heard.""What is this about?" I asked, not in the mood for long talks."Oh come on, don't play dumb with me, Arlan. Matilda just called me and told me you two are going to be a parent. Finally, I'm so happy for you.""God damn it!" I cussed under my breath, runni
MATILDA'S POV."Congratulations girl." Tessy hugged me. "I can't believe I'm going to be an aunt.""And a godmother." I added."Everything seems to be working in your favour but have you informed Arlan that he is going to be a father?" She asked still giggling.I shook my head. "This news is too big to be shared over a phone call or text. I want to tell him in person to see his reaction for myself."Tessy nodded her head approvingly. "I agree with you, I wish I could see the look on his face too."I placed my hand on Tessy's. "You don't have to worry about a thing, I will be sure to get you a full details of everything that happen once I break the news to him.""I trust you." She hugged me again. "This feels so good after the hectic day work."I raised my glass to her. "Cheers!" But Tessy grabbed the glass from me."You're pregnant and should cut down on drinking." She placed the glass down and gave me a glass of water.I chuckled, shaking my head as I took the glass of water. "You’re
ARLAN'S POV.When my secretary, Charles announced isla's presence, a million and one thoughts ran through my mind but I wasn't going to chicken out without knowing why she had come."Good morning, Ms. Newman." I greeted while showing her to the sofa to have her seat. I walked towards the sofa very slowly, trying hard not to show myself leaping."Nothing is good about the morning, Arlan." She retorted."Whatever she is here for, in certain she is up to no good." I told myself. Forcing a small smile on my face.I sat opposite her, studying her as she crossed her legs and leaned back, her piercing gaze locked on mine. Isla always had a way of commanding attention, but this time, I wasn't going to let her have it easy if her intention was to undermine me in my own space.“So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Ms. Newman?” I asked.She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she let her eyes sweep across the room before finally settling back on me. “Let’s cut the pleasantries, Arlan
ISLA'S POV.The phone rang and Ian picked almost immediately. "Hello, grandma!" His lively voice came on sending a wave of relief over me."Still mad at me?""I dare not, I'm sorry I've not been in touch with you since your birthday." Ian voice softened with regret as he apologized. "I just didn't know want to say to you.""Silly boy." I said teasingly and drew a small laugh from him. "You really do not have to apologize, Ian. I would've been angry if I were in your shoes and I apologized for my actions.""You don't have to apologize, grandma." Ian said. "I understand you perfectly, anyone would have thought of me as the culprit.""But I'm not anyone, I'm your grandmother." I reminded him."Still, the Newman's empire is your sweat and blood and Saraya's reputation is tied to it at the moment. From that perspective, I can understand you trying to protect it from harm.""You're so like your father, Ian." I complimented him. "Thinking from other people's shoes. You've grown, my boy.""It
MATILDA'S POVI paced round my living room with my phone pressed to my ear. "You won’t believe that girl, Tessy," I hissed, my voice was loud and filled with hatred."She had the audacity to stand there, look me dead in the eye, and sprout such nonsense as if she owns Arlan." I continued.Tessy’s amused laughter rang through the line. "Saraya again? That girl doesn’t know when to stop. You’ve got to teach her a lesson, Matilda. Don’t let her think she can walk all over you.""Exactly," I snapped, running a hand through my hair. "She’s arrogant, entitled, and entirely too bold for her own good. I mean, Alex has spoiled her rotten, and now she thinks she can challenge me over Arlan.""Don’t let her steal your man," Tessy warned, her tone dripping with mock sympathy. "I can’t believe Alex’s daughter is so wayward. She’s no match for you, though."I smirked. "She won’t get the chance. I’ll make sure of it. It's such a pity, Alex doesn't know he has a slut for a daughter, but I know exactl
ISLA'S POVI had stayed up thinking about Ian and how to make up with him. "Poor child, I think I was hard on him. I should call him very early in the morning, I miss him so much." I was soliloquizing when I heard the main door creaked opened.I have lived and stayed in this place to know which object or person made a sound without turning my head, so I was certain it was the main door of the mansion."That sneaky bitch is at it again." I turned to the direction of my door, contemplating whether or not to see what she's up to but I was closer to the window and decided to see what she was up to from there.I waited to see her but there was no shadow of her, I found it disturbing that there was no one in sight but I heard voices.I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The voices I thought I heard outside suddenly went quiet and I heard the door closed again."What is going on? I should go see what she is up to this time." I said and headed out of my room to Saraya's room.