Victoria awoke the next morning to an empty bed. The space beside her was cold, the sheets undisturbed, as though Nelson had been gone for hours. Her body ached—a reminder of the night before—but her mind was restless. The unanswered questions from the text thread she’d glimpsed now gnawed at her thoughts.She reached for her phone, only to find Nelson’s still sitting on the nightstand. Her heart raced. He’d never leave it behind.Temptation won.Unlocking it with the code, she scrolled back to the messages with Mildred. The words on the screen froze her in place:Mildred: Don’t forget our agreement. You need to talk to Gerald.Her blood ran cold. What agreement? What were they hiding? And what does Gerald have to do with all of this?Nelson’s voice startled her, breaking the silence. “Looking for something?”Victoria turned to see him leaning casually against the doorframe, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were sharp, watching her ever
Victoria’s declaration hung in the air like a thunderclap. Nelson’s eyes widened, and his lips curled into a satisfied smirk, but she caught a flash of something darker—triumph.“Finally,” he murmured, his voice low and steady. “You’re making the right choice, Toria. Gerald doesn’t deserve you or your loyalty.”“He doesn't,” she repeated, her voice shaking. “I need to take control of my life, my future. And my daughter’s.”Nelson stepped closer, his expression softening. “And I’ll be by your side every step of the way. Whatever you need.”But Victoria wasn’t ready to let her guard down. She stepped back, clutching the envelope like a shield. “I’ll handle this myself. I need to get custody of my baby, Nelson.”He nodded his head in agreement with het. “Of course. Whatever you want. I will get you the best lawyer.”Victoria looked away, her thoughts racing. The photograph in her hand was damning, and it gave her the ammunition she needed against Gerald. But it also raised more questions
Across town, Gerald paced in the park, his mind racing. The arranged meeting didn’t sit right with him. Victoria’s tone in the message was uncharacteristically curt, and her sudden urgency was a far cry from their last tense interaction. He had come prepared, though—he was going to tell her everything he knew that would definitely blow Nelson’s schemes wide open.At exactly 10 a.m., Gerald spotted Nelson approaching, his stride confident and deliberate. Gerald’s eyes narrowed. “Where’s Victoria?”Nelson’s smile was all charm, but his eyes carried a glint of malice. “She couldn't make it, she sent me instead. In the meantime, why don’t we cut to the chase? You’ve been lying to her, Gerald. Manipulating her. That ends today.”Gerald clenched his fists, his temper rising. “You don’t get to play the savior, Nelson. I know exactly what you’ve been doing—feeding her doubts, twisting her reality. She deserves the truth.”Nelson tilted his head, his smile widening. “The truth? That’s a subjec
Nelson’s words, brazen and unapologetic, sent a jolt through Victoria’s body. Her breath hitched as her heart began to race—not with anger, but with an undeniable spark of something deeper, something primal that she couldn’t ignore. His audacity, his raw confidence, and the sheer power in his tone ignited a fire within her, one she hadn’t felt in a long time.She swallowed hard, trying to find her voice, but it came out as a whisper. “Nelson…”He stepped closer, his presence commanding as he tilted her chin upward, his fingers grazing her skin. His voice softened, but the intensity remained. “You’re overthinking, Victoria. Let me remind you what it feels like to let go… to feel alive.”Her body betrayed her protests, leaning into his touch as her worries, fears, and doubts began to dissolve in the heat of the moment. His lips brushed hers, not with urgency but with a slow, deliberate claim that sent a shiver down her spine. The weight of her concerns faded away, replaced by a desperat
Gerald sat in the quiet café, his eyes glued to the entrance. He stirred his coffee absently, glancing at his watch for the fifth time in ten minutes. Victoria was late—later than she’d ever been for any of their previous meetings. His fingers drummed against the table as unease settled over him.She wouldn’t just not show up, he thought. Something’s wrong.The minutes dragged on, each one amplifying his worry. Finally, he pulled out his phone and dialed her number. The ringing seemed to stretch endlessly, each second tightening the knot in his chest.“Hello?” Victoria’s voice came through, sounding distant and flat.Relief flooded him for a brief moment. “Victoria! Where are you? I’ve been waiting for over an hour. Are you okay?”There was a pause—just long enough to make Gerald’s stomach churn. When she finally spoke, her voice was calm but cold, like a practiced script. “I won’t be coming, Gerald.”The words hit him like a punch to the gut. “What? Why? We agreed to talk, to clear th
Mildred sat across from Nelson in a dimly lit hotel room where they had just had sex. Having sex with Nelson was like medicine to her, if she stopped she'll fall ill. She could tell she was becoming obsessed with having him inside her always, but she really couldn't help herself. No wonder it hurts that he still chose to Be with Victoria, despite how willing she was to do whatever he wants. What was it about Victoria that he couldn't let go? What made her so special? The faint scent of expensive cologne mingled with the aroma of his whiskey clouded the atmosphere. She sipped her drink slowly, her sharp eyes watching him over the rim of her glass. How she had fallen for this man, she couldn't tell, but she needed to know why he had chosen Victoria over her.“You seem relaxed tonight,” she said, her voice smooth and measured.Nelson smirked, lounging back in his chair. “Why wouldn’t I be? Everything’s falling into place.”Mildred raised a brow, leaning forward slightly. “Including Vict
Mildred stopped in her tracks and lowered her phone, her mind racing. She replayed Nelson’s words, the threats dripping from his tone, and the confidence in his voice as he spoke of marrying Victoria and claiming her inheritance. For a moment, the memory of his touch mingled with the weight of his secrets, leaving her torn between her growing obsession and the nagging voice of her conscience.She slipped her phone back into her purse and hailed a cab. As the car weaved through the city streets, Mildred stared out of the window, her reflection blurred against the neon lights outside. She couldn’t let Nelson get away with this, but she also couldn’t act recklessly. He was powerful, dangerous, and far too calculating for her to make a careless move.Her mind drifted to Victoria, she was naive about everything, and Nelson sought to exploit. Victoria used to be her very good friend until things went south between them, but she couldn’t shake the guilt gnawing at her. Was it jealousy fuelin
Victoria stood at the edge of the grand fountain in the city square, the warm evening breeze rustling her hair. The square was unusually crowded for a weeknight, with people milling about, their attention drawn to something unseen. She glanced at her phone, puzzled by Nelson’s cryptic text earlier: "Meet me here at 7. Trust me."As the clock struck the hour, the soft hum of string instruments filled the air. A quartet emerged from behind a set of velvet curtains that had been hastily erected near the fountain. The crowd hushed as the first notes of a familiar romantic tune echoed through the square.Victoria turned, startled, and found Nelson approaching her. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored navy suit, his confident stride drawing every eye in the square. In his hand was a single white rose, which he presented to her with a smile that seemed uncharacteristically genuine.“What’s all this?” Victoria asked, her voice barely audible over the music.Nelson took her hand, guiding he
GVictoria followed Nelson up the winding staircase, her heart slamming against her ribs with each step. She knew she was walking straight into a trap, but she had no choice. She had to see Cherish. She had to get her out of here.Nelson led her down a dimly lit hallway, stopping in front of a door. He turned the knob and gestured for her to enter.Victoria hesitated. Something felt off."Go on," Nelson murmured. "Your daughter's waiting."Her breath hitched as she stepped inside, but the moment she did, a cold realization gripped her.The room was empty.No Cherish. No bed. Just four walls, a large, lavish bed in the center, and Nelson standing behind her, locking the door with a soft click.Victoria spun around, fury flashing in her eyes. "Where is she?"Nelson’s lips curled into a smirk as he stalked toward her. “Safe. For now.”Her pulse pounded. “You lied to me.”Nelson shrugged, his gaze dark and unreadable. “I told you that you’d see her soon. And you will—once I’m sure you’re s
Victoria clenched her fists, her heart hammering against her ribs as the weight of the plan settled on her shoulders. She had to be careful—one wrong move, and Nelson would see right through her.Gerald and Mildred exchanged another glance, their silent communication speaking volumes. They were worried about her. About how much she was risking. But there was no time for hesitation.Mildred winced as she stood, pain flickering across her face. “We don’t have much time. If Nelson suspects anything, he’ll disappear, and we may never find Cherish again.”Victoria’s throat tightened. She couldn’t let that happen.She exhaled sharply and reached for her phone. “I’ll call him.”Gerald’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist. “Are you sure?”No.But she had no choice.She nodded, pulling away and dialing Nelson’s number. The line rang once before he answered.“Well, well,” Nelson’s voice dripped with amusement. “I was beginning to think you didn’t care about your daughter, Victoria.”Her stomach
Becca’s nails dug into her palms as she stood in Nelson’s study, her heart pounding against her ribs. Cherish clung to her side, her small fingers trembling in Becca’s grasp. The little girl had been brave—silent, obedient—but Becca could feel the fear rolling off her in waves.She had just listened to Nelson’s conversation with Victoria. The threats, the manipulation, the sick amusement in his voice as he dangled Cherish’s safety like a prize.It made her stomach turn.“Nelson, you need to stop this,” she said, keeping her voice steady.Nelson turned from his desk, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand, his expression unreadable. “Stop what, Becca?”“Let her go,” she said, glancing down at Cherish. “She’s a child, Nelson. This isn’t a game.”His lips curled into a smirk. “Everything is a game, sweetheart. And right now, I’m winning.”Becca took a step forward, lowering her voice. “Victoria won’t just hand herself over. She’s not the same woman you controlled before.”Nelson’s jaw t
Mildred moved swiftly through the alleyways, her breath coming in short gasps. The sharp sting of a fresh wound on her arm reminded her just how close she had come to being caught. Nelson’s men had been relentless, but she had been smarter.She had seen the man tailing her the moment she left the safe house. At first, she pretended not to notice, walking at an even pace, blending into the crowd. But when she made a sudden turn into a less crowded street, the footsteps behind her quickened. That was when she knew—she had to run.The first attacker came at her from the left. Mildred ducked, spun on her heel, and drove her elbow into his ribs. He grunted in pain, but she had no time to celebrate. The second man lunged forward, a knife glinting in the moonlight.Pain shot through her arm as the blade nicked her, but adrenaline fueled her movements. She kicked the knife out of his hand, delivering a sharp punch to his jaw before dashing into the shadows.Now, she was safe—at least for the
Nelson set his glass down, his fingers drumming against the polished wood of his desk. Cherish will always be Victoria’s weakness. No matter what Victoria had planned, when it came to her daughter, she was nothing more than a terrified mother willing to do anything to protect her child.And Nelson was about to exploit that weakness.A response came through almost immediately."Consider it done."He leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. The moment Cherish was in his hands, Victoria would have no choice but to bow. She thought she could betray him? Thought she could run back to Gerald and destroy everything he had planned for both of them?Not on his watch.A sharp knock on the door made him turn. “Come in.”Carlos entered again, his expression tight. “Boss… we have our eyes on Mildred.”Nelson pinched the bridge of his nose. “Where is she?” He looked up at Carlos with an irritated glare. “I want her caught.”Carlos hesitated. “We're working on it boss.”Nelson’s jaw clenched. “I d
Nelson stormed down the grand staircase, his mind racing. The scent of Bianca still clung to his skin, a stark contrast to the cold dread creeping into his chest. He had spent years building his empire, ensuring he was untouchable. So why the hell were the police here?Carlos trailed behind him, stiff with tension. He knew better than to speak unless spoken to, especially when Nelson was in a volatile state.At the bottom of the staircase, two uniformed officers stood waiting, their faces impassive. A third man, dressed in a sharp suit, was clearly the one in charge. He studied Nelson with cool, assessing eyes.“Mr. Brown,” the man said, flashing a badge. “Detective Harris, Organized Crime Unit. We have a few questions for you.”Nelson forced a smirk, masking the irritation surging beneath his skin. “Detective, what an unexpected visit. To what do I owe the pleasure?”“We received an anonymous tip about your involvement in illegal financial activities—money laundering, blackmail, brib
Nelson pushed open the heavy oak door to his bedroom, the dim lighting casting deep shadows against the walls. His gaze landed on Bianca, bound to the bed just as he had commanded. Her wrists were cuffed to the ornate bedposts, her breathing heavy, chest rising and falling with both exhaustion and defiance.She turned her head at the sound of his entrance, dark eyes burning with a mixture of rage and something else—something that made his blood heat despite the fury simmering inside him.“Untie me,” she demanded, voice sharp despite her vulnerable position.Nelson chuckled darkly, stepping closer, his presence filling the room like a looming storm. “You have some nerve giving orders when you’re the one tied up, Bianca.”She yanked against the restraints, her body arching as she tested their strength, but the metal held firm. “Do you think this will make me talk? Make me beg?” she hissed. “You underestimate me, Nelson.”He sat on the edge of the bed, eyes raking over her form, his jaw
Mildred’s phone buzzed with a message. She glanced at it, her brow furrowing. “It’s from Bianca,” she said. “She’s in trouble. Carlos caught her trying to escape with files. She managed to send the documents to Gerald, but she’s still in his clutches.”Victoria gasped. “We can’t leave her behind!”“We won’t,” Gerald said, gripping the steering wheel. “But first, we secure you and the files. Bianca knew the risks and trusted us to use what she found. If we don’t, her efforts will have been in vain.”The car sped through the dimly lit streets, the tension inside as palpable as the stakes they faced. Victoria leaned her head back, her mind spinning with possibilities and fears.After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at a secluded building on the outskirts of the city. Gerald parked the car and ushered the women inside. The safe house was modest but secure, equipped with multiple locks and reinforced windows.“Stay here,” Gerald said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I’m go
The ballroom’s air grew thick with tension, every eye in the room fixed on Victoria. Cameras clicked furiously, capturing her poised figure as she stood at the microphone. Nelson’s smile remained frozen in place, though the fury in his eyes betrayed his unease.Victoria gripped the edges of the podium, steadying herself. She could feel Nelson’s presence looming behind her like a dark shadow, but Gerald’s steady gaze from across the room gave her the courage she desperately needed.“Love is a beautiful thing,” she began, her voice trembling slightly but gaining strength with each word. “It’s built on trust, honesty, and mutual respect. But when any of those are missing, what remains is an illusion—a façade meant to deceive.”A ripple of murmurs swept through the crowd. Nelson’s hand tightened into a fist by his side, his mask of charm beginning to crack.“Nelson has spoken so eloquently tonight about love and partnership,” Victoria continued, turning her head slightly toward him, her t