"Nothing," Eric answered, looking too casual. "This is about the Blackwind. My father paid me a visit just now and reminded me that this is about the company and our legacy. Whatever feelings I have towards you, I should put them aside. I'm going to own this company one day After all, so yes, I'm not going to let us lose a big client just because you're... well, a whore."The words hit me like a slap in the face, but I just couldn’t stop the laugh that followed. “Well, that took longer than I thought for you to start throwing names at me," I said, still chuckling. "But it’s the truth now, isn’t it? Why should we hide it?” he sneered. “Just remember that I’m your Sister-in-law.”“Sister-in-law? Oh, come on. The way Rita puts it, she doesn’t have a sister anymore. How you’ve embarrassed her and ruined her entire social life. She’s got a gold digger for a sister now. Some people even think that because the two of you are related, she might be like you.” He paused, a smug look on his f
"I love Emerson. He is in love with me. And we’re going to get married," I said, my voice steady and firm. "Since Emerson already has a son, I no longer have to think about starting a family or building one anymore. Because he already has it. So, I’m already a member of his family, which, in turn, makes me your family." I smirked, watching his expression darken. "You didn’t want to have a family with me, but guess what? I’m still your family. So there you have it. You get to have Rita as your wife, and you get to have me as your… mother.""Don’t you ever call yourself my mother," he snapped, his anger finally bubbling over. The confidence he’d worn earlier started to crack. He knew my buttons, but I knew his too and I wasn't scared to use them.Anger began to seep into his words. Ever since we’d started this discussion, he’d seemed to have the upper hand, hurling jab after jab at me. But now that we were back to the root of the issue, he couldn’t take it."You are not my mother, Mina
Eric shrugged nonchalantly, leaning back in his chair. “We already went to the conference room. We waited for hours and hours, but you didn’t show, so we left.”I stared at him, birlwarded. “You told me thirty minutes.”“Thirty minutes?” he repeated mockingly. “What do you think I have to prepare for in thirty minutes? I told you we should meet later—fifteen minutes later, to be exact. We went there, waited for fifteen minutes, and you didn’t show. So we left. I have other things to do now.”I clenched my fists, forcing myself to remain calm. “Eric, when you came into my office and said you were serious about this project—that this was about the future—I actually believed you. I thought we were going to work on this together. But now you’re playing games again. So, what is it? Do you not want to inherit anything? Or do you want to inherit a failing company?”His smirk faded slightly, but he remained silent.“You know that you need me,” I continued, my voice steady but firm. “You kno
Thank God Eric finally started taking things seriously. Though I could see he didn’t appreciate my comments and the way I had handled things, he eventually stopped trying to undermine me with clever remarks and got down to business.As he presented the project, he introduced me to the team, outlining who did what and their roles. Each member pitched in, sharing their reports of what had been done. I asked them where they thought things had gone wrong, and whether they had conducted any assessment after the project had failed, and they offered their views on the issues.I instructed them to prepare a detailed report because I would need to go through it myself later, cross-checking their findings to see where improvements could be made. I also reminded them that Emmerson had prepared an alternative presentation, and I asked the members who had worked with Emerson to create a new version tailored to the Flager project.As we delved into the discussion, a knock on the door interrupted u
I bit back a retort, refusing to give him what he wanted, proof that he had any importance to me. He adjusted his jacket and tie, walking toward the door with triumph.Outside, I could hear him addressing the team. "All right, guys, we’re wrapping this up tomorrow morning. I’ve got to head to a dinner with the client tonight.""All right, boss.““ All right, boss," came the chorus of responses.The team entered the room to collect their things—laptops, files, and whatever else they had brought. They didn’t say a word to me, acting as if I didn’t exist. It was like Eric had trained them to ignore me entirely and act like I didn't exist.I knew it was something I’d have to deal with eventually. These people were supposed to be my team too, and I had to lead them. It was not going to be easy since I knew who they listened to and that person happened to be my nemesis. But right now, it was the last thing I wanted to think about.For now, I was just happy that the day was over. I could loo
“Yes,” I said, though the answer felt all wrong. I didn’t know Jason well, apart from his impeccable work ethic and his loyalty to the company. Telling him anything about Eric would risk putting him in an awkward position between Emerson, Eric and me, and that wasn’t fair.“It was fine, Jason, really,” I said, brushing off his concern.He didn’t press me further, and we rode the elevator down in silence. When we reached the lobby, we walked out together, the sound of our footsteps echoing in the vast space. Just as we spotted Emerson’s car, Jason stopped, gently tapping my shoulder.I turned back toward him, confused. “What is it?” I asked himJason’s face had turned serious again. “I know today was tough, and I mean it—I’m serious about my offer. Emerson doesn’t have to know. If you need my help with anything, anything at all, please don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ve worked here much longer than you have, and I know how things work around here. If you ever need someone, just know I’
When I finally came to, I felt disoriented. For a moment, I didn’t recognize where I was, and panic began to rise in my chest. I nearly screamed, but then I felt the warmth of Emerson’s hand stroking my hair, his voice calm and steady.“Relax, Mina. It’s fine. I’m here. I am here with you. Relax,” he said softly.That was when I realized I was lying in his lap in the car. My head rested on his thighs, and his hand continued its gentle smooth pat from my hair to my shoulder. The tension in my body eased almost instantly, and I looked up at him, blinking away the remainder of my confusion.As I started to sit up, he helped me, steadying me as I adjusted to being upright. My Eyes shifted outside, and I noticed it was already dark.“What time is it?” I asked, my voice still a little groggy. “Why did you let me sleep for so long? Aren’t we going to be late?”“It’s fine,” he reassured me, clearly unbothered. “You’re not going to make us late. It’s just seven. You only slept for—” he glanced
I took a deep breath before I began. "Look, Emerson, it’s not what you’re thinking…. We weren’t discussing anything….." The words came out shaky, and I knew I sounded unconvincing. I was stuttering all over the place, unable to find the right balance between honesty and avoidance. I couldn’t meet his eyes and I was looking for something to say while running short.He watched me with those sharp, knowing eyes. “You don’t want to tell me, do you?” he asked suddenly, his tone calm but edged with a hint of something like disappointment or Frustration, I couldn't tell.“No!” I answered quickly, a bit too quickly. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, Emerson.”He didn’t wait for me to finish. He cut me off, his voice quiet. “We’re going to be late. It would be rude if we, as the hosts, kept Tina and her son waiting.” He opened the door on his side, stepped out, and without another word, began walking toward the house.“Oh my God. He’s mad,” I whispered to myself. The words felt foreig
MinaI was in the delivery room about to bring my baby into this world, and who knew it hurt like hell? Mmh!I was very lucky and very grateful to have my husband here with me. He kept holding my hand, telling me sweet things, and encouraging me when the doctors told me to push. He pushed with me, breathed with me. It was kind of crazy. I don't know, maybe after I was done here I would think about this moment and laugh about it. It was a moment in my life when I really needed him, and I was so, so happy and so grateful to have him here beside me.The two doctors that Mr. Emerson insisted on having here were top in their fields. He didn’t care, he had to fly one in as long as I got everything and I was in great hands.The doctors were great, they were encouraging. I just wanted this moment to be over and for my baby to come into this world so I could hear their cry. We were still in the dark; we didn’t know if we were having a girl or a b
EmmersonThe next morning, I decided to handle things myself. I know Mina’s already been through enough trauma with her family, so I don’t want to involve her in this. She’s still asleep, and I slip out quietly to deal with Eric.I find him at the hotel, slumped over, still asleep. I nudge him with the toe of my shoe, the force making him stir. Slowly, his eyes flicker open, and the haze of sleep and alcohol makes him groggy. He rises, blinking and groaning, his hand clutching his head."Wake up, Eric," I tell him as I open the curtains, letting the bright light flood the room. He immediately shields his eyes, groaning louder."My head... hurts," he mutters, his voice thick with a hangover. He grabs the bottle of water on the bedside table and gulps down a large portion in one go."Last night," he laments, "I didn't like how your men dragged me out of that nightclub.""You call that a nightclub? It was a strip
EmmersonOh yeah?” Mina’s voice is a little high-pitched.And then Rita says something that makes my blood cold.“Of course,” she replies, her voice dripping with arrogance. “I mean if I could take Eric from you so easily before… When you weren’t this heavily pregnant, and we weren’t even living in the same house. Just think how simple it would be to take his father from you now.”Her voice is low and suggestive. Mina scoffs, maybe out of shock, but Rita doesn’t stop.“I mean, look at you,” she continues, mockingly. “You’re pregnant. You can’t even walk properly without someone holding you. You have to be carried just to get around.” She chuckles,“And me?” she adds. “I’m just getting started. The exercises I’ll do, the maintenance I’ll keep up… You know I won't be breastfeeding, right? This baby is feeding from the bottle. Nothing is messing up this....hot body.”In my mind, I can already picture her motioning to her bo
Emmerson By nightfall, the police have already paid us a visit. It’s all over the news. Madeline had a little accident on the highway. Her car hit the side of a bridge and went down under. She suffocated. But I know the truth. Let her feel what it’s like to lose air. Anyway, the point is—she’s dead. The police came because, after her attack on Mina, there was already a record of her actions. They were just here to deliver the report. To tell us that she was gone. That also settled the issue with Rose. Mina had never been convinced that Rose was behind it, and now that Madeline was out of the picture, it was clear she had been wrongfully accused. Mina was shocked with the news, I never thought she would actually be upset after everything. Even though there’s still sadness in her eyes, I can see the difference. She’s no
EmmersonAfter I had taken Mina home, I gave her a bath, making sure she was okay and taken Care of. She was reluctant to eat at first, but I insisted. “You need nutrition,” I reminded her. “I know you don't want to but do it for the baby. You’re pregnant, you're doing it for our baby.”She sighed, but eventually gave in, taking small sips of the warm soup I had prepared. I watched her closely, ensuring she had everything she needed. Then, I sat her down and gently caressed her hair.I kept talking as I did it—about everything and nothing at the same time. Just filling the silence, making sure she felt covered and safe. My voice was low and comforting. I caressed her head, feeling the softness of her scalp, letting her know she wasn’t alone.And then, she fell asleep.Once I was sure she was deep in rest, I finally allowed myself to feel it all—the anger, the frustration, the overwhelming sense of failure.How could I h
As Emerson's voice continued on the phone, offering words of comfort, trying to calm me, I felt my tears flow faster. I couldn't hear him clearly anymore over the noise in my head, the panic, the certainty that I was going to die. I just listened to him, letting his voice be a thread tying me to something.Then, the banging stopped.I hadn't even realized it.Instead, a knock. A soft, reassuring knock."Mina, Mina, come on, open the door," Emerson's voice came through the phone, clearer now.I still didn’t understand what was happening. My mind was so clouded by fear, but hearing his voice… it soothed me in ways I couldn’t explain. I was barely aware of his words, just the sound of him calling my name, telling me it was okay."Emerson, is that you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper."Yes, it's me. Open the door, Mina."The reality of it hit me. I had been trapped in a nightmare, my heart frozen with terror, bu
I started scribbling on the piece of paper.[I can't do this anymore. I'm going to kill myself.]I set the pen down and exhaled. "Okay, I'm done."Madeline narrowed her eyes. "What did you write so fast?"She stalked toward me, snatched the paper out of my hands, and read it. Her expression darkened, and before I could brace myself, she slapped me hard across the face. The force nearly knocked me out of the chair.A sharp sting spread across my cheek, my vision blurred for a second. My entire face tingled from the impact, and I gritted my teeth, refusing to let a single tear fall.Who knew I would ever be in this situation? Kidnapped at gunpoint. Forced to write my own suicide letter.Madeline took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. Then she smirked."You're smart, Mina. We can argue about a lot of things, but not that. You're a smart little thing, a devious little thing. That’s how you got Emerson i
Madeline’s grip on my arm became almost painful. I could feel the gun on my side, like a silent, invisible threat.I forced a laugh, shaking my head. "Oh, you know... My condition." I gestured vaguely at myself. "It’s still hard for me to get up, takes a while to get out of bed. I was sleeping."Tom stared at me, his eyes searching my face as if he was trying to read through my words.Then, finally, he gave a slow nod. "Okay."But he still didn’t leave."Can I come in?" he asked. "I can give you some company.""No!" The word shot out of my mouth too fast, too loud, too desperate.Madeline pressed the gun against my side, a silent threat, a warning that made my blood turn cold.Tom’s frown deepened.I forced another smile, shaking my head quickly. "I mean—no, it’s okay. I was sleeping. I don’t need company right now."I gave an awkward laugh, motioning toward the inside of the apartment. "If you came in, you’d just be sitting alone because I’m going back to bed."Tom didn’t look conv
"I'm sorry, Madeline, I swear I didn’t—""Just tell me why!" she shouted to my face, her voice filled with frustration.I was shaking, my throat dry, my mind running a mile a minute. "I don't know, okay? Maybe because he was there. He was nice. He was understanding, and he made me feel safe. He made me happy. He made me feel like I could be the person I wanted to be." My voice cracked, and I rushed to explain, desperate for her to believe me. "It was never about his age, Madeline. I always thought he was cute, you know? I always thought he was really handsome. And then when we slept together, I realized I could have everything I ever wanted with him, okay? I'm sorry. I really didn’t know—"She let out a cold laugh, cutting me off. "You're not sorry. Stop trying to act like some innocent girl who thought he was ‘the one.’"Her voice was mocking, twisting my words into something dirty."You don’t even love him. Not really. You love the things he represents." She took a step closer, he