The sharp knock on Nelson’s front door pulled his attention from the paperwork he was reviewing. His brow furrowed in irritation—he wasn’t expecting anyone. Pulling the door open, Nelson froze for a moment, his brow furrowing in genuine surprise at the sight of the person standing before him.Bianca?Bianca stood there, her stance confident, though her sharp eyes betrayed a mix of determination and caution. She was dressed impeccably, as always, her fitted blazer and heels exuding an air of power that Nelson had once admired—and feared.“Bianca,” he said, the name dripping with suspicion. “What are you doing here?”“Hello, Nelson,” she said coolly, her lips curving into a faint smile and eyes glinting with calculated warmth. “is that any way to greet an old flame?”Nelson’s lips quirked into a smirk, though his wariness didn’t fade. “Old flame, huh? You’ve never been one for nostalgia.”Bianca stepped forward, brushing past him into the house without waiting for an invitation. “Mayb
Nelson knelt by the bed, his fingers deftly wrapping the bandage around Victoria’s sprained ankle. His movements were careful, almost tender, as if this small act of care could erase the chaos he had thrown her life into.Victoria winced, her hand gripping the edge of the bed. “You don’t have to do this,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.Nelson glanced up at her, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Of course I do. I need you to be able to walk down the aisle when the time comes.”She turned her face away, her jaw tightening. “Nelson, this isn’t normal. None of this is.”He finished securing the bandage and stood, brushing his hands together. “Normal is what we make of it, Victoria. And once we’re married, everything will settle down.”Victoria’s heart sank at his words. It was as if he truly believed that a wedding could fix the mess they were in. Her thoughts drifted to Cherish, her little girl, alone somewhere , scared and confused.She forced herself
Bianca sighed as she finished her wine, the weight of the situation finally catching up to her. She stood, smoothing the fabric of her dress, and glanced at Gerald and Mildred.“There’s one more thing,” she said hesitantly, her voice softer now. “Nelson mentioned something about ‘everything being ready’ soon. I don’t know what he’s planning, but it sounded like there’s a timeline.”Gerald’s frown deepened. “Did he give any indication of what ‘ready’ means?”Bianca shook her head. “No. He’s being cryptic, as usual. But it sounded important—something he’s been working on for a while. Maybe it has to do with the wedding, or maybe it’s something bigger.”Mildred leaned forward, her expression serious. “If there’s a timeline, we need to move faster. We can’t let him go through with whatever he’s planning.”Bianca nodded, her confident demeanor returning. “I’ll do what I can. I’ll keep pressing him, and see what else I can get.” she said and grabbed her purse and headed for the door. “I’ll
Bianca's panties were already soaked by the time they got into Nelson's study. "I would have preferred the bedroom." she said in a hoarsed voice."No place I can't please you." Nelson retort and then bends her over the desk, "I remember this is your favorite position."Nelson’s hands gripped Bianca’s hips as he bent her over the desk, his movements assertive, dominating. The room was dimly lit, the shadows playing across the dark wood of the study. Bianca’s breath hitched as his fingers traced the curve of her spine, teasingly slow, yet firm in their intent.“You haven’t changed a bit,” he murmured, his voice low and filled with amusement. “Always craving the thrill of the forbidden.”Bianca tilted her head slightly, glancing back at him with a smirk. “And you’ve always loved being in control, haven’t you?”Nelson’s chuckle was dark as he leaned closer, his breath hot against her neck. “It’s not just control. It’s about knowing I’m unforgettable.” He rubbed his bulge against her butt
Realizing she was cornered, Bianca exhaled sharply and pulled the folder from her bag. She held it out to him, her jaw clenched. “There. Happy?” Nelson took the folder, but instead of opening it, he studied her face. “You’re clever, Bianca, but you’re not as clever as you think. What were you planning to do with this?” She tilted her chin defiantly. “Nothing. I was curious, that’s all.” “Curious,” he repeated, his tone mocking. He stepped closer, towering over her. “Curiosity can be dangerous. Especially when it involves me.” Bianca swallowed hard but refused to break eye contact. “Are you going to let me go or not?” Nelson's smirk faded into a steely glare, and the tension in the air thickened. He didn’t need to raise his voice to command attention. With a flick of his wrist, the guard tightened his grip on Bianca’s arm.“You think I’m just going to let you walk out of here after this stunt?” Nelson asked, his voice calm but icy. “I don’t think so.”Bianca’s defiance falt
The next morning, Gerald paced his living room, his phone pressed tightly to his ear. His concern for Victoria and Cherish was mounting, and now Bianca’s absence added to his unease. When the line finally connected, he exhaled in relief. “Gerald?” Mildred’s voice came through, curious and slightly alarmed by the early call. “Is everything okay?” “No, not really,” Gerald admitted, running a hand through his hair. “Have you heard from Bianca?"Mildred frowned, her voice turning serious. “No, I haven’t. The last time we spoke was two days ago. She hasn’t returned my calls, and it’s unlike her to go silent like this. Why? What’s going on?” Gerald hesitated, glancing toward the window as he gathered his thoughts. “I think Nelson has something to do with this,” he said finally. “He told Victoria last night to call me and forced her to tell me to sign the divorce papers. He even threatened Cherish.” Mildred gasped, her grip tightening on her phone. “That man is a monster. Did Victori
Nelson sat behind his desk, sipping a glass of whiskey while reviewing a list of influential guests for the wedding announcement party. His assistant, stood nearby, taking notes on his instructions."Make sure every major media outlet is there," Nelson said, his tone smug. "I want this event to dominate headlines. Victoria and I will be the power couple of the decade."His assistant nodded, but her eyes flickered with unease. "Of course, Mr. Brown. And about Bianca—she's been making a lot of noise in the room she is locked in."Nelson’s expression darkened, his grip tightening on the glass. "Yes. Find her. I will take care of that."His assistant nodded and quickly left the room.----Bianca sat on the edge of the small cot in the dimly lit room, her arms folded tightly across her chest. She had stopped pacing hours ago, choosing instead to conserve her energy for the inevitable confrontation. When the sound of a key turning in the heavy metal door reached her ears, her body tensed.
Nelson set his glass down with a sharp clink against the mahogany desk. His jaw clenched as he leaned back in his chair, contemplating his next move. Bianca’s defiance was an irritation he hadn’t anticipated. She had always been strong-willed, but this time, her resistance threatened to disrupt his meticulously laid plans.He reached for the intercom, pressing a button. “Bring me Carlos. Now.”Minutes later, Carlos, his most loyal enforcer, entered the study. Dressed in black, his imposing figure carried an air of silent menace.“You called, Mr. Brown?” Carlos asked, his voice steady and cold.Nelson leaned forward, his fingers steepled under his chin. “Bianca is becoming a problem. She’s making too much noise in that room. I need you to remind her why she’s here and ensure she stays quiet. Do whatever it takes—but keep her alive. She still has a role to play.”Carlos nodded, his expression unchanging. “Understood.”“And Carlos,” Nelson added as Carlos turned to leave, “if she so much
The air inside the courtroom was thick with tension. Every seat was filled, and the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Reporters sat at the back, cameras ready to capture the moment.Victoria’s heart pounded as she scanned the room in search of Gerald. She hadn't seen or spoken with him ever since that day he left.Mildred. Bianca. Becca.They were all seated around her, to give moral support.And then—her eyes landed on Gerald, sitting way behind in the courtroom, he looked so unkempt with overgrown beard.My heart, went out to him. But for now we were all here to witness the downfall of Nelson Brown.This was it.The end of Nelson Brown.At the defendant’s table, Nelson sat motionless, his jaw clenched. His once-powerful presence had diminished—no longer the untouchable crime lord he once was. He had lost weight, his face was gaunt, and his expensive suit did nothing to hide the desperation in his eyes.But it wasn’t over yet.The prosecution was just getting started.The attorne
Nelson Brown sat in the small, dimly lit common area of the prison, staring at the old television bolted to the wall.His hands tightened into fists as the news anchor repeated the words."Sources say this footage directly contradicts previous statements given by officials tied to the case, raising questions about a possible cover-up. Nelson Brown, currently serving time for—"The cup in Nelson’s hand shattered against the floor.The entire room fell silent.The other inmates knew better than to speak when Nelson was angry.A guard approached cautiously. “Brown. You good?”Nelson slowly turned his head, his expression terrifyingly calm. “Phone call. Now.”The guard hesitated—then nodded, leading him to the secured phone.Nelson punched in the number with controlled precision.It rang once. Twice.Julian picked up."You have something to tell me?" Nelson’s voice was low, lethal.Julian kept his tone neutral. “You saw the news.”“I did. And I want to know who the hell betrayed me.”Juli
Victoria opened the door just enough for Julian to slip inside.The room was dark except for the faint glow of the bedside lamp. She glanced toward the bed—Gerald and Cherish still fast asleep.She turned to Julian. “You said we need to talk.”Julian studied her, his expression unreadable. “Yeah,” He exhaled sharply, his grip tightening on the door handle. “Nelson wants you dead. All of you. Including your daughter.” Her breath hitched. “Why are you telling me this?”"Because I can't bring myself to follow through with his orders." Julian answered."Then help me stop him." Victoria pleaded.A bitter chuckle escaped his lips. “You think it’s that simple?” He took a step closer, lowering his voice. “You don’t understand the kind of man Nelson is. The kind of power he still has.”“I understand just fine,” Victoria shot back. “But I also know you hesitated.”Julian’s eyes flickered.“If you were really as far gone as Nelson thinks you are,” she continued, “we wouldn’t be having this conv
Victoria’s breath hitched.The weight of Gerald’s words settled over her like a suffocating blanket. The cameras. The interrogation room. The truth recorded in grainy, inescapable footage.She gripped the sheets beneath her, her heart pounding so hard it threatened to crack her ribs.“Victoria?” Gerald’s voice was steady, but his eyes were sharp, searching her face. “You okay?”No. She wasn’t.Because if they got access to those tapes, Nelson’s threat would be undeniable. It would be proof—hard evidence that he was still pulling strings from behind bars.But it wouldn’t be all it revealed.Her body stiffened at the memory, shame crawling up her spine like a cold, unwelcome touch.The way Nelson had backed her into a corner. The way she had let herself get lost, let herself fall.She couldn’t let Gerald see that.“I—I don’t know if that’s the best idea,” she stammered, forcing herself to look away. “Even if we get the footage, who’s to say it won’t get buried? Nelson has people in his
The car ride to the daycare was filled with tense silence. Gerald gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white, his jaw clenched in unspoken frustration. Becca sat in the backseat with Victoria, her hand resting over Victoria’s in quiet reassurance.Victoria barely noticed.Her thoughts were consumed by one name.Nelson.She knew him too well. This wasn’t a coincidence. It wasn’t bad luck. It was him.Her heart pounded as she thought of Cherish, of what could have happened if they had been home.Gerald suddenly slammed his palm against the wheel, breaking the silence."This doesn't make sense!" he burst out. "Why would someone do this? Who the hell would want to burn our home down?"Victoria pressed her lips together, looking out the window. She wanted to tell him. She needed to tell him. But how?Would he even believe her?Nelson was behind bars. To Gerald, he was already dealt with, out of their lives. But Victoria knew he still had power. She had felt his influen
Victoria’s phone buzzed against the table, cutting through the low hum of the café. She glanced at the screen—Becca.Frowning, she picked up. "Hey, Becca, what’s—""Victoria! Where are you?" Becca’s voice was frantic, breathless."Why?" she questioned."Your apartment—it's on fire!" Becca screamed with terror in her voice.Victoria’s heart slammed against her ribs. "What?""I-I don’t know how it happened, but it’s bad! The whole building is up in flames—firefighters just arrived, but it’s spreading fast!"The world tilted.Victoria's fingers clenched around the phone, her breath hitching in disbelief."Is Cherish with you?" Becca asked with panic."She’s at daycare," Victoria quickly reassured her. "She’s safe. And Gerald's here with me."But nothing felt safe anymore.Victoria shot up from her seat, nearly knocking over her coffee. Gerald looked at her in alarm. "What’s wrong?"She could barely get the words out. "Our apartment… it's on fire."Gerald’s face went pale. "What?""We hav
Victoria sat in the quiet café, her fingers tapping anxiously against the wooden table as she stared at her phone. The moment Mildred left, she knew what she had to do. No more hiding. No more lying. Gerald deserved the truth, even if it shattered everything they were trying to rebuild.She took a deep breath and dialed his number.It rang twice before he answered. “Hey, sweetheart.” His voice was warm, familiar, and it sent a pang of guilt through her.“Gerald,” she said, her voice steady but tense. “Can you meet me at the café? I need to talk to you.”A pause. Then, “Is everything okay?”Victoria hesitated. “Just come. Please.”Another pause. Then, “I’ll be there in twenty.”She hung up and exhaled, trying to prepare herself for what she was about to do.No more games, Victoria. Just the truth.Twenty minutes later, Gerald walked through the door. He spotted her immediately, his expression unreadable as he approached. Dressed in his usual crisp button-down and dark slacks, he looked
Victoria sat in the corner of a quiet café, her fingers absently stirring the cappuccino in front of her. She had barely taken a sip, her mind too restless, her stomach too unsettled.The weight of last night’s dream lingered, thick and suffocating, and she knew she couldn’t keep it bottled up any longer. That's why she had called Mildred, and set up a meeting here.She needed advice, and maybe Mildred could give her. She was the only one out of her friends fully involved int the mess Nelson created.A few minutes later, the door swung open, and Mildred stepped inside, her sharp eyes scanning the café before landing on Victoria. She approached with that same effortless confidence, sliding into the chair across from her.“You sounded urgent on the phone,” Mildred said, raising a brow. “What’s going on?”Victoria hesitated. Now that she was here, she wasn’t sure where to start.Mildred leaned back, crossing her arms. “Does this have to do with Nelson?”Victoria let out a slow breath. “I
Nelson sat on the edge of his narrow cot, elbows resting on his knees, fingers interlocked. The dim fluorescent light buzzed above, casting sharp shadows across the cold, gray walls of his cell.His recent meeting with Victoria still haunted him. How could she say those words to her? Has she forgotten who he was?"You’re done. You’re nothing."His jaw clenched. His hands balled into fists.She thought she had won.She thought she could walk away, rebuild her perfect little life, and leave him to rot in this cage."You lose."The hell he did.A slow, dark smile curved his lips as an idea formed in his mind.Nelson stood, cracking his neck before stepping toward the cell bars. He spotted one of the new inmates—scrawny, nervous, desperate. The type who’d do anything for protection.Perfect."Hey, kid," Nelson murmured, leaning against the bars. The young man looked up, wary."You want to make yourself useful?" Nelson continued, his voice smooth, deceptively calm. "Do me a little favor, a