I slowly regain consciousness. My head is heavy."Uh…" I groan and try to sit up, wincing. My hands are still tied behind my back and are hurting.The pungent smell of gasoline hits my nostrils, jolting my nerves and making my heart race even faster. I stir and sit up, only to find myself in a dark, damp, and cold cave. The surroundings are eerie.My eyes widen in horror as I notice a man spilling gasoline from a big container at the entrance of the cave, the volatile liquid streaming onto the ground.I tug at the ropes binding my hands, my fingers feeling numb from the tight constriction. Panic surges within me as I realize the gravity of the situation. My unborn children are in danger, and I must escape this sinister trap.In the dim light, the perpetrator of this horrifying scene appears to be a shadowy figure with darkness covering his face. I can't see his eyes, but I feel his malevolence as he continues to spill the gasoline with a deliberate and methodical demeanor."Please, le
Five years later…I finally come back to my hometown five years later. As I push the luggage cart out of the airport, I inhale deeply, feeling the air of the place where I was born and brought up. Bittersweet memories fill my mind.Those people who hurt me back then didn’t exist in my life anymore. I return only to meet my parents and I will go. When I left the city, I vowed to reach out to my parents once I made sure of my and my babies' safety.Five years before, I changed my identity and started my life anew. I am now a successful fashion designer, known as Mist, with plenty of work in hand. My children are now five years old.As the years pass, I find strength in my new identity and the love I share with my children. I continue to grow as a person, finding joy in my work and the beauty of life. The pain of the past never completely fades, but it becomes a part of my story, shaping me into the person I am today.Michael remains a distant memory, a Chapter of my life that I keep clo
As Evan examines the photos of George more closely, his mind starts to race with thoughts and questions. The resemblance between himself and this man, George, is striking, and Evan can't help but wonder if there is a genetic connection between them. Could George really be his father?The possibility fills Evan's mind with curiosity and excitement. He has always wondered about his biological father, and now, seeing this resemblance, the idea that George might be his dad seems both thrilling and intimidating.Evan's heart pounds with a mixture of emotions as he contemplates the implications of such a discovery.He knows that his mother has kept the details of his father a secret, and Evan can't help but feel a sense of urgency to find out the truth. Perhaps this is the opportunity he has been waiting for—a chance to learn more about his past and his biological family.Evan's determination to uncover the truth intensifies with every passing moment. The possibility that George might be hi
It is Saturday morning. While Abigail is still asleep, Evan and Barbe steal away from their hotel room, eager to embark on an adventure. Hand in hand, they stroll down the street, searching for a taxi to take them to their mysterious destination. Despite Barbe's growing unease, Evan remains calm and collected.As they wait for a taxi, Barbe's curiosity gets the better of her. "Evan, where are we going?" she asks, her voice laced with anticipation."To the church," replies Evan casually, his eyes scanning the road."Why?" Barbe asks in surprise, innocently blinking."George Stanley is getting married today," Evan says. "Have you forgotten about that?""Oh, so, today is his wedding! What are we going to do there? Are we going to stop the wedding?" Barbe is getting more and more curious.Evan contemplates her words and says, "I will let you know. Just do as I say, okay?"Okay." She nods and beams."Now we need to hail a taxi. We can’t be late there." With that, Evan stops a cab.The cab
Vivian’s shock is palpable, her emotions swirling in a mix of confusion and disbelief. She had never imagined that her past would collide with her present in such a surreal and unexpected way.Seeing George and Megan together, about to embark on a new Chapter of their lives, and she intruding unexpectedly, fills her with a sense of bewilderment.As Vivian stands frozen in her spot, George's eyes lock onto hers, and she feels a wave of emotions crashing over her. Memories of their past together and the pain she endured come rushing back, mingling with her uncertainty about the present situation.Time seems to stand still. Vivian can sense the weight of George's penetrating gaze, but his expression remains unreadable. Is it surprise, guilt, or something else hidden behind those eyes? She cannot tell.Meanwhile, the other guests exchange curious glances, whispering amongst themselves, trying to figure out the cause of the interruption. The priest himself looks a little flustered, unsure
Once they're ready, we hurry back to the lobby and check out of the hotel. I glance around, half-expecting to see someone watching us, but I can't sense any immediate threat. We hail a taxi and head to the airport.The taxi comes to a halt at the entrance of the airport, and we hastily step out onto the curb. My heart races as I look around frantically. The cool breeze blows through my hair, and I shiver despite the warmth of the sun."Mommy, why are you so agitated?" Evan asks, tugging at my hand. His big eyes were filled with concern. "Is it because of the man at the wedding? Are we in danger? Do you know Mr. George?"His question catches me off guard and irritates me further. It is all because of his adventurous mind that we are in trouble."Who asked you to leave the hotel without informing me?" I scold him. "You could have fallen into danger. And you, little girl." I turn my sharp glare at Barbe. "Why didn’t you tell me? Do you enjoy troubling your mother?"Barbe pouts, her eyes
I am even more taken aback when I hear him plead with me. I will never make the same mistake of putting my faith in him, and going back to him is not an option. Using all my strength, I pull my arm back and level the glare with him."I am not going to fall into your trap again," I snarl. "So, stop fooling me and leave me alone."I try to walk away, only to be pulled back to him. George towers over me, and his piercing eyes seem to bore into my very soul. I can feel his gaze lingering on me, making my skin crawl with discomfort."Do you think you can get away from me?" he asks menacingly. "Take a look around you, sweetheart."I glance around with apprehension. It is only at this point that I notice several men in black suits stationed here and there in the terminal. I am sure his men are also inside the airport.I feel a wave of despair washes over me, threatening to consume me whole. My thoughts are a jumble of fear and uncertainty.George is right. I can’t escape him, no matter how h
I have been watching Evan and Barbe play in the garden, which is when a familiar voice from the hall catches my attention."George… Where are you hiding? Come out right away.""Grandma!" My eyebrows crease slightly. Hearing her angry roar, I can tell how furious she is.Of course, she will be mad at me. I did something today that would anger everyone in the family. But what could I do other than cancel the wedding?I had yet to let go of Vivian’s memory, even though I couldn’t find her all those years. Still, I believed that I would find her out someday. That belief, however, started to waver as time passed, and Megan continued to urge me to marry her. So, I thought I should move on and start over with Megan. Deep down, I yearned for Vivian.How could I just marry Megan when Vivian appeared in front of me? This time, she brought two kids—my kids. I could never let her go. I will do anything to keep them by my side."George… Do you think you can hide from me after what you did?" Grandm