Chapter Seventeen: Debt to be Repaid It is one of those afternoons, few and far in between, when the air seems light and, for an instant, a blind eye is turned toward the thoughts of the past. The giggles of Simeon resonate in the living room as he tosses his ball into the air, his little face alight. I sit in the living room and cross my legs. His joy is infectious and that pulls me away from the heavy fog. Then, the doorbell rings. A sound that brings reality crashing back. I rise, wipe my hands on my jeans, and head towards the door. My heart skips a beat as I pull it open to find Nolan standing there. He is tense. His usual clear and easygoing expression clouded with something heavier-guilt, maybe, fear, definitely. "Marie," he says softly, stepping in. His eyes flick to Simeon then back to me. "Are you ready for this? I shoot a sideways glance at my son, who still plays away, completely oblivious to the tempest brewing around us. I nod, but my chest constricts as it really h
Chapter EighteenNolan is sitting behind his desk and he is going through the documents in front of him when a gentle knock breaks his concentration.Without waiting for his response, Nancy opens the door and enters, a sly smile playing on her lips.“Hey there, big guy," she purrs, leaning against the doorframe. Hers is a voice full of honey, at complete variance with the tension that fills the room. "I thought I'd come by and see if you needed a little distraction from all this paperwork."Nolan arches an eyebrow, unimpressed. "This isn't the time, Nancy.The smile falters a moment before she quickly regains her composure, swaying her hips as she moves into the office. "Oh, come on. You don't have to be all business all the time. I can lighten the mood, you know."Nolan's looked at her firmly, “I think it's time we talk now, it's time we talk about your position here”“My position? What has my position do with what we are about to do? What do you mean?”He takes a deep breath, befor
--- Chapter Nineteen: A Choice Between Love and Revenge I am inside when the doorbell rings. I didn't expect anyone by this time of the day, it's late at night and I am not expecting a visitor either Simeon is in the living room playing with his toys when I heard it. But only one person can come looking for me and that's Nolan . I glance at the time: 8:45 PM. He normally calls first. I wipe off my palms on my apron as I take a deep breath. I open the door and there he stands, tall and composed. My Nolan. “Nolan” I say softly. “It's late, what are you doing?” I ask worriedly. He steps inside without uttering a word. He looks at Simeon for a second before his gaze locks onto mine. “I miss you Marie” he says, his voice low but steadfast, “I just can't keep this again, I think it's time I talk” I nod, gesturing to the couch for him to sit. Simeon looks up from his toys, gives Nolan a big grin, completely insensitive to the tension filling the room. "Hope there's no
Chapter Twenty Nolan's face darkens as he takes a deep breath, taking this in. His jaw clenches then, and the air in the room grows just a bit thicker. "I didn't just know Leo," Nolan says, his voice low and controlled. "We used to be close. Very close." My heart sinks because the connection between Leo and Nolan had been a connection that I never knew existed. How could I have missed this? My mind is swimming as I try to put it all together now. "Why didn't you tell me?" Nolan goes on, irritation lacing into his voice. "Why didn't you say anything about your ex-husband being him?" I feel like I'm standing on shaky ground. "I didn't know it would matter, Nolan. Leo and I… we don't talk anymore. I didn't think it was relevant anymore." Nolan runs his hand through his hair, he keeps on pacing back and forth, “Marie, it matters. You don't know about him, you don't know about everything he has done. I really can't take this in, Leo is your husband?” He stops glaring at the fam
Chapter Twenty-One:I left my house to the address James sent to me.I step out of the car when I grtt there and I immediately feels the cold nipping at me as I pulls my coat tighter. I stare at the small café in front of me-my heart pounds inside my chest. I can see James Carter already seated inside, his face hidden behind a newspaper as he said he would be.I take a deep breath and push the door open. The bell above chimes softly, but it seems to echo inside my head like a warning. No turning back now.James lift his head to look at me as I approach, he unfolds the paper and set it aside His expression is blank but that doesn't matter to me, what I need right now is answer and I think he's the only one who can provide the information I want.“Marie” he says as I move closer to him.I sit taking a seat opposite him. “James” I say, my voice barely a whisper, “You know I am here right? I need you to tell me everything you know. Everything you know that includes Nolan and Leo, please
Marie's POVI can't hold my tears anymore. They spill down to my cheeks.“Is it true? I say, asking, “Everything on the phone, is it true?The heavy weight of a moment hangs between us as Nolan just stands there. His eyes, in pure shock, lock with mine. His mouth opens and his lips form my name, but nothing initially comes out."Marie," he finally says, his voice low, almost imploring.I wipe my cheeks roughly, my heart heavy with the sting of betrayal, not just by Leo but also Nolan. I choke on my words, pain and anger welling up inside me. "You let me think it was all my fault," I say, my voice barely audible. "That I wasn't enough for Léo, that somehow I was the reason he left me… and now I find out it was all because of you? You and him?But he steps closer, and I step back, unable to stand the proximity. It hurts too much, it's all so fresh, raw."I didn't want to hurt you, Marie," he says, and his voice is tight with regret. "I never meant for it to be like this.""But it is!" I
Chapter Twenty Three"This is a war I am scared of middling into. Leo is fighting you because of a case you know nothing about..your father actually made him go bankrupt. I can't tell how but that was what I heard from James"Nolan's face suddenly hardens, his eyes widen in shock. “My father? I do not understand, what does my father has dto do with this” he says, “My father doesn't even know I am friend with bim. What does my father have to do with Leo's father going bankrupt? I don't understand”I take a deep breath, steady myself for what I'm about to reveal. “That's what James told me. He told me that Leo's hatred for you isn't just some personal things. It was when you visited him at his house and when the mother saw you he explained everything to Leo. Your father and his father are once business partner and one thing or the other leads to his father bankrupt”Nolan glares at me, his jaws set tight and tension buzzing in his body. "That doesn't make sense. My father never said a
Chapter Twenty-FourChapter Twenty Four "Nolan, we can't keep doing this. Stand up, let's go," I say, clear with my voice, yet calm. It's obvious as I watch him plead with Leo, the cold refusal shining bright in Leo's eyes, he won't forgive him At first, Nolan doesn't budge. Shoulders tense, his head bowed slightly, he says in a murmur, "Marie, wait," without so much as turning toward me. The tone is low, still clinging to hope. "Leo, please-just listen to me one more time. This isn't going to fix anything. Revenge won't bring back what your family lost."Leo chuckles darkly, folding his arms as he leans against his desk, his posture casual, but his eyes gleaming with malice. "Fix? Who said anything about fixing? I don't want to fix anything, Nolan. I want you to break. Feel what I felt. And seeing you here, on your knees, begging-just the start."My stomach churns at his words. I really don't like seeing Nolan like this-pleading with a person who so enjoys this upper hand he's work
Chapter One Hundred: A Sudden VisitThe smell of sautéed onions and spices fills the small kitchen as Elena hums softly to herself. She efficiently navigates between the stove and the countertop, her hands deftly chopping vegetables as she occasionally follows along on the recipe pulled up on her cell phone. Sun pours through the window into the tidy space.Nolan leans lazily against the doorframe, arms crossed and his lips curled up in a small smile. He regards her with a quiet sort of admiration, though the tension in his shoulders betrays his thoughts."You know," he says at last, coming into the kitchen, "you really don't have to do all this. We could have just ordered something."Elena looks up briefly, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "And miss the chance to show off my cooking skills? Not a chance. Besides, you need a proper meal. Stress eating takeout isn't doing you any good."Nolan chuckles, moving closer. "Stress eating, huh? You make it sound like I'm falling apart."Elena r
Chapter Ninety Nine: UnitedThe soft hum of the morning sunlight pours into the kitchen, washing over the countertops and making everything moe bright. Elena stands at the stove, stirring a pot of oatmeal with a steady practiced motion. The kitchen is warm, comforting-familiar, normal in the chaos still hanging outside.The creaking of footsteps breaks the silence, and Elena doesn't need to lift her head to know who is behind her. Even before he says a word, the room fills with his presence- thick with tension now days over. She hears him stop right in the entrance, taking in the view of her; his gaze lingers as if she were the only thing keeping him bound to this earth."Elena," he begins, and the strained sound is almost weary. She doesn't turn around immediately, knowing he needs to say whatever is on his mind. She keeps her attention on the oatmeal, though she feels the heavy weight of his eyes on her."Something's wrong, isn't it?" she says calmly, while the undertone in her voi
Chapter Ninety Eight: A Fragile PlanThe room in the hospital is silent, except for the soft humming of machines that monitor Simeon's recovery. Morning light cascades through the blinds, giving the little room a pale glow. Marie sits by the window, observing her son leaning against his pillows. Simeon looks stronger now, his cheeks no longer as pale as they were when they first came in.“You’re getting better,” Marie says with a small smile. Her voice is warm, but there’s a tension behind it that Simeon doesn’t miss.“Yeah,” he replies, his tone flat. “I guess.”Marie hesitates, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her cardigan. She’s been thinking about this conversation all night, turning it over and over in her mind. She knows it’s risky, but she can’t shake the idea. Finally, she speaks."Simeon," she begins, her voice low. "I've been thinking. Perhaps we ought to get in touch with your father."Simeon freezes, his eyes narrowing as he stares at her. "What?"Hear me out," Marie sa
Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Predator ReturnsThe limousine rolls to a stop outside the towering iron gates of Leo Ralston's estate. The driver is out in a flash, briskly efficient as he opens the door. Leo steps onto the gravel driveway, commanding and cold. The air is crisp, biting against the fine fabric of his tailored suit, but Leo doesn't flinch.The gates groan to a creaky open, revealing the serpentine drive up to his mansion. In the distance, the imposing structure looms like a shadow against the fading light of dusk. This was always the house that represented his power, his untouchable status. Tonight, however, there seemed to be something off about it-something hollow in the silence that surrounded it.Leo's eyes go sharp as he nears the great front doors. The carving, once a pride, now feels almost mocking. He shoves the heavy doors open; the groan of it resounds through the halls that are now empty.A chill greets him from the foyer, one that has nothing to do with the eveni
Chapter Ninety-Six: A Storm on the HorizonNolan leave the hospital, he doesn't want to discuss with Marie, because he knew whatever he says might be use against him, just Incase Marie goes back to him againNolan steps out into the brisk evening air, the city alive with celebrations for National Unity Day, but the joy and lights feel almost like a different place. His mind is consumed by the news of Leo Ralston's release. Each step to his car feels so heavy, his thoughts gray with worry.Leo. Free.He knows what it means, and a chill runs down his spine. It's not just about him; it's about Marie and Simeon. It's about all the lives Leo could destroy again.The drive home is silent and unusually so. Even the sound of the engine feels muffled under the weight of his thoughts. He clutches the steering wheel a little tighter than usual, his knuckles whitening. Pulling into the driveway of his modest home, he readies himself for the conversation that will ensue.Inside, Elena is sitting o
Chapter Ninety Five: FreedomThe atmosphere of the morning was thick with celebration as the people prepared to celebrate National Unity Day. The streets around the nation were draped with flags, and every available square space was packed with citizens awaiting parades and merrymaking. But behind the scenes, the government is planning a far less publicized but equally important move-a gesture of goodwill that reverberated through every corner of society.Senior officials filled the seats of the long table inside the presidential mansion. At the head of the table, the president ran his eyes over the document before him. On it was a list of prisoners eligible for early release, an early but symbolic act of compassion pertaining to the national holiday.This will send a great message," the Minister of Justice says, his voice measured. "The country requires unity, and giving amnesty to some of the prisoners will show our resolve for second chances."The president nods but does not say a
Chapter: Nolan's PromiseNolan sits beside Simeon's bed, his elbows to his knees, his hands clasped together in tight fists. The soft beeping of the monitor is a reassuring cadence, a steady heartbeat that tells him Simeon lives, that he still fights. Morning light seeps through the blinds, but the exhaustion in his body will not abate. His vow to Simeon, "I won't let you down, not this time," is the litany in his brain.The door creaks open, and Marie steps in hesitantly, carrying two cups of coffee. Her face looks tired, her eyes heavy from a sleepless night. She stops near the doorway, watching Nolan for a moment before speaking.“You should rest,” she says softly, setting one cup on the small table beside him.“I’m fine,” Nolan replies, his tone curt, though he doesn’t look at her.Marie pulls a chair closer and sits down, wrapping her hands around her cup for warmth. For a while, neither of them speaks, the silence stretching out uncomfortably. Then, she breaks it.“You’re still
Chapter: Nolan Stays by Simeon's SideThe pale-faced Marie paces around the living room, her eyes on Simeon. He lay on the sofa, hardly conscious, with beads of sweat on his forehead. His wheezing is shallow and faint, and every wheeze refreshes a new panic wave in her mind.Simeon, please, stay awake," she begs, moving the cool cloth once more over his burning forehead. Her voice breaks, and for a moment, her emotions betray her. She clenches her jaw and tries not to fall apart, but seeing him like this breaks her.Her mind is racing with what to do next. She's not prepared for this-she's never been prepared for this. Simeon has always been the strong one, the steady rock in a world full of chaos. Seeing him like this, so vulnerable, terrifies her.Trembling, she picks up her phone and dials Nolan's number. It rings twice before he answers.Nolan," she begins, her voice strained with desperation. "Simeon is sick. I don't know what to do. Hè's burning up, and he can barely breathe. Pl
Chapter Ninety-One: "Torn Between the Past and PresentHe leaned back in his chair, sitting alone in his study, the faint light of the desk lamp casting long shadows across the room. The confrontation with Marie earlier in the day replayed in his mind-every word another dagger twisting deeper. The weight of her voice, the crack in her resolve when she begged for his understanding, still lingered in his mind like some unshakable ghost.Five years: five long, long years they shared together, once a time that seemed to be the basis of his future. But then it fell, torn down by the stab of betrayal. Twice, she failed him, and each time it felt as if someone plunged a knife into his soul.At this, Nolan runs a hand through his hair; frustration boils inside him. He knows what logic dictates: she's the past. Marie made her choices, and he made his. When she wasn't there for him, Elena stepped in. Elena had been the one to stand by him at his very lowest, when he thought himself empty and wi