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 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 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 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 One Hundred One : Strength in UnityThe early evening light filters through the living room windows as Nolan sets down his coffee mug on the kitchen counter. He’s restless, his mind replaying Leo’s threats from earlier. Elena moves around the kitchen with purpose, her hands busy slicing vegetables for dinner."You're still pacing," Elena remarks without looking up, her voice calm but firm. "It won't change anything, you know."Nolan stops mid-step and leans against the counter. "How can you be so calm, Elena? The man practically declared war in my own house. And the way he looked at you—"Elena lifts an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "What, you're scared of Leo now? I thought you were braver than that."Brave? It's not about bravery. You don't know what he's capable of. He's not just some angry ex-con. Leo is-He's dangerous," Nolan says, running a hand through his hair.Elena chuckles softly, shaking her head as she stirs a pot on the stove. "Dangerous or not, we're not running.
Chapter One Hundred And Two: A Perilous PlanHeavy with the weight of his machinations, tension fills the air at Leo's large estate. The room is dimly lit, and quiet murmurs and conversations ensue between Leo's most trusted men-all handpicked for their loyalty and ruthlessness. Dominating the center of the room is a mahogany table littered with maps, files, and a few glasses of whiskey. Leo stands at the head, his commanding presence ensuring that all eyes remain on him.Leo's dark eyes dance with an unnerving mixture of anger and a resolution as he addresses his men. "Nolan thinks he can challenge me and win," he begins, his voice low but keen. "The fool actually took me to court, and now he has a woman strong enough to stand beside him. That's dangerous.One of his closest comrades, Marco, the man with a permanent scowl etched on his face, leans forward. "So what's the plan, boss? Do we hit him where it hurts? Burn down his business? Scare off his allies?"Leo shakes his head, his
Chapter One: * The Bitter Revelation “Mum, what are you doing? Are we still going or not?” my son, Simeon, asks impatiently from the hallway. His eyes gleam with excitement, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing in my heart. I glance at myself in the mirror, forcing a smile that feels heavier than it should. “Yes, sweetheart. We’re going to surprise Daddy. He’s going to love it.” My voice sounds distant, as if I’m speaking to someone else. Deep down, a gnawing feeling has been festering ever since last night. My husband didn’t come home. He hasn’t even called. I’d pushed away the unease, chalking it up to his busy work life. Not that this is his first time, but today is a special day and he should celebrate it with his family regardless of his hectic work. I pull on my jacket, smoothing down my dress, trying to cover the anxiety that gnaws within me. After all, we’re going to his office to surprise him for his 34th birthday. Surely, that’ll make everything right. “We’re
Chapter TwoComing back from submitting my CV, I could hear my son's voice, he's clearly talking to someone.I step in, and find my son and his father on the coach.“Mum, Dad is here! He bought me a toy,” my son says excitedly, showing off his new toy.I’m confuse, I leave home few hours ago, only to return and find my husband, the same man who left my son and me and even blocked me.“Leo, what are you doing here?”Leo glances at me, his expression indifferent. “Are you asking why I’m in my own house?”“Do you think you can just play with our hearts? Show up whenever you feel like it and disappear when it suits you?”Leo shifts his attention to Simeon, gently ruffling his hair. “Simeon, could you go to your room for a bit? Your mum and I need to talk. ”Simeon nods, though he clearly wants to stay and listen. Reluctantly, he leaves for his room.“You saw my message, right?” Leo asks.“Yes, I saw it. But you must be joking. It has to be a cruel joke. Not after everything I’ve done for
Chapter One Hundred And Two: A Perilous PlanHeavy with the weight of his machinations, tension fills the air at Leo's large estate. The room is dimly lit, and quiet murmurs and conversations ensue between Leo's most trusted men-all handpicked for their loyalty and ruthlessness. Dominating the center of the room is a mahogany table littered with maps, files, and a few glasses of whiskey. Leo stands at the head, his commanding presence ensuring that all eyes remain on him.Leo's dark eyes dance with an unnerving mixture of anger and a resolution as he addresses his men. "Nolan thinks he can challenge me and win," he begins, his voice low but keen. "The fool actually took me to court, and now he has a woman strong enough to stand beside him. That's dangerous.One of his closest comrades, Marco, the man with a permanent scowl etched on his face, leans forward. "So what's the plan, boss? Do we hit him where it hurts? Burn down his business? Scare off his allies?"Leo shakes his head, his
Chapter One Hundred One : Strength in UnityThe early evening light filters through the living room windows as Nolan sets down his coffee mug on the kitchen counter. He’s restless, his mind replaying Leo’s threats from earlier. Elena moves around the kitchen with purpose, her hands busy slicing vegetables for dinner."You're still pacing," Elena remarks without looking up, her voice calm but firm. "It won't change anything, you know."Nolan stops mid-step and leans against the counter. "How can you be so calm, Elena? The man practically declared war in my own house. And the way he looked at you—"Elena lifts an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "What, you're scared of Leo now? I thought you were braver than that."Brave? It's not about bravery. You don't know what he's capable of. He's not just some angry ex-con. Leo is-He's dangerous," Nolan says, running a hand through his hair.Elena chuckles softly, shaking her head as she stirs a pot on the stove. "Dangerous or not, we're not running.
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