ALICE' POVI had just finished applying my mud mask when Todd called. I answered, curious about what was so urgent.“Ma'am, you won’t believe what just happened,” Todd said, his voice frantic.“What’s going on?” I asked, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice as I adjusted the mask.“Well, the building caretaker stopped by Sylvia’s apartment and mentioned to her that the landlord wasn’t going to renew her lease. He overheard the whole conversation,” Todd explained.I sat up, my interest piqued. “Really? And?”“Here’s the gag—Grayson showed up just as this was happening. Sylvia and her kids were there with their bags packed, and now Grayson’s taken them somewhere. I don’t know where, but it sounds like he’s handling the situation.”My mind raced with frustration and curiosity. “So, Grayson’s intervened, but where does that leave us?”Todd sighed. “It’s hard to say. But it’s definitely something we need to keep an eye on. There’s a lot more going on than we initially thought.”I n
SYLVIA'S POVI stepped out of the car and looked up at the Lockwood mansion, taking in its grandeur. It had been six and a half months since I’d last been here, and it was just as magnificent as I remembered. The large garden, the elegant fountain, and the impressive walls of the mansion seemed untouched by time. Everything about the house exuded a timeless charm.As I admired the view, the kids tumbled out of the car, their eyes wide with wonder. “Mom, it’s so beautiful!” they exclaimed, running around the garden.Grayson, went to the trunks of the car. He called out to Paul, asking him to help with the bags. “Paul, can you give me a hand?” Grayson said, gesturing towards the trunk.Paul came over, and together, they began unloading the bags. I watched as the kids continued to explore, their excitement palpable. It felt good to be back, surrounded by the familiar comfort of the Lockwood mansion.I called out to the kids as they came running toward me. We walked together to the front
SYLVIA'S POVI woke up to the soft rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. I took a deep breath and smiled, still marveling at the grandeur of the Lockwood mansion. Sitting up, I glanced around the unfamiliar room, taking in the luxurious decor. It felt surreal to be here.Quietly, I slipped out of bed and made my way to the door connecting to the rooms where Zenith and Zendaya were still asleep. I peeked in and couldn’t help but smile at the sight of them curled up, peaceful and content.I walked back to my room and entered the bathroom. I turned on the sink and splashed some cold water on my face, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. The familiar routine of my old life seemed like a distant memory now.Just as I was about to head back to the bedroom, a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. “Who is it?” I called out.“It’s the maid,” came the response.I recognized the voice immediately. “Dora?” I asked, a bit surprised.“Yes,
SYLVIA'S POVI walked back to my room from the front porch of the Lockwood mansion, feeling the cool breeze on my face. As I entered, I noticed Dora still busy with her cleaning. I gave her a friendly smile before making my way to the adjoining room where I heard the cheerful sound of laughter.Curious, I approached the slightly ajar door and peeked inside. To my delight, I saw Grayson sitting with Zenith and Zendaya. They were all laughing and enjoying his jokes, their faces lit up with genuine amusement. Grayson’s presence seemed to bring out a side of them I hadn't seen before.I leaned against the doorframe, a smile spreading across my face as I watched the scene unfold. In that moment, it was clear how much of an impact Grayson’s presence had on my kids. It was different from what they had with Raymond. Yes, they loved Raymond, but the bond they shared with Grayson felt more profound, more natural. It was as if Grayson effortlessly stepped into the role of a father, and my childr
SYLVIA'S POVAs I approached the scene, my heart raced and my breaths came in shallow gasps. “Oh god, oh god,” I whispered, trying to steady myself as I took in the chaos.Zenith and Zendaya were still sobbing uncontrollably, their faces flushed with fear. I spotted Dora, who was standing there, her expression frozen in shock. “Dora, get my kids out of here!” I shouted, but she didn’t seem to respond. I grabbed her shoulders, shaking her slightly. “Dora, get them out and bring my phone. We need to call the cops!” I insisted.Dora blinked, her hands trembling, as she picked up Zenith and Zendaya. I watched her stumble out of the bathroom with my children, my mind racing. “And call Paul and Rex to come help!” I added, desperate for support.Turning back to the bathroom, I knelt beside Grayson, who was lying on the floor, a pool of blood and water around him. The sight of him in such a state made my stomach churn. He must have slipped on the wet floor and hit his head on the sink. The cu
SYLVIA'S POVI walked back to my bed after watching from the window as Grayson was being carried to the car by Rex and Paul. "Hm," she muttered nonchalantly, then flopped onto my bed and grabbed the TV remote. Flipping to *Love Island US*, she settled in to catch up on the latest episodes.A knock on the door interrupted my. "Mom, it's me. Open up," William's voice called from the otmy side."Come in," I responded without taking my eyes off the screen.William entered the room, looking concerned. "Grayson just had an accident. The maid, Dora, said he slipped in the bathroom because of the wet floor from Sylvia's kids."I barely glanced up, still focused on the TV. "Mm hmm."William frowned, noticing my lack of concern. "Mom, aren't you gonna say something?"I remained fixated on my show. "What I’m going to do is finish binge-watching several episodes of *Love Island* that I missed."William looked puzzled. "This is an opportunity, Mom. What have I always told you?"I paused the TV and
SYLVIA'S POVPresent day----------I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder and looked up to see Paul standing there with a container of takeout. "You should eat, ma'am. It's getting late," he said, offering me the food. I rubbed my eyes, bleary from exhaustion, and glanced out the hospital window. It was already well past daylight."Uh, thank you," I said, taking the container from him. As I settled into the chair, I couldn’t help but ask, "How long has it been?"Paul glanced at his watch. "It's been 12 hours already. The doctors needed to do a blood transfusion, so they had to find the right type."Tears welled up again, and I blinked them away. Paul patted my back reassuringly. "He will be fine," he said softly.I took a deep breath and looked around the stark, clinical room. "I've always hated hospitals," I admitted. "I was sick a lot as a child. My parents used to bring me here all the time, and then they died in a hospital. I almost died giving birth to my kids. I thought I was going
SYLVIA'S POV“Don’t worry about that, ma’am. Let them talk shit if they want,” Paul said, trying to ease my discomfort as I glanced at the TV screen in the hospital waiting room.I shrugged and replied, “It doesn’t bother me anymore. I’m used to it by now.” I walked over to a chair outside the operating room, and Paul followed me. I pulled out my takeaway food and started eating again, trying to distract myself.Paul took a seat next to me. “I didn’t meet you when Grayson and I were together. You must have started working for him after I left,” I said.“Yeah, I came on board shortly after you two separated,” Paul replied. “But I did hear about you.”I almost choked on my food. “Me? You heard about me?”“Yeah, quite a lot, actually,” Paul said. “Grayson talked about you all the time after I started. At first, he was drinking heavily, depressed, and heartbroken. He’d curse your name when he was drunk, then call out for you like he longed for you. Your name seemed to haunt the halls of t
SYLVIA'S POVThe music filled the room, a soft melody that perfectly matched the elegance of the moment. I stood with the crowd, cheering as Raymond and Beverly cut their wedding cake, the sweetness of the day mirrored in the layers of cream and sponge. I felt a tear slip down my cheek as I watched them share a kiss, a symbol of the love they had found in each other. It was a love that had grown stronger despite the odds, and seeing them now, so happy and so in love, filled my heart with an overwhelming sense of joy."Cheers to the newlyweds!" someone called out, raising a glass of champagne. The room erupted into applause and laughter, and I joined in, lifting my own glass before taking a small sip. The bubbles danced on my tongue, but the real celebration was in my heart. Two of the people I cared about the most had just vowed to spend their lives together, and I couldn't be happier for them.I watched as Grayson approached me, his smile wide and warm. He slipped his arms around me
SYLVIA'S POVI pushed my cart to the checkout line, trying to ignore the hum of the supermarket's television broadcasting the latest news. The report was a grim reminder of the chaos that had overtaken my life these past few weeks. Alice had managed to evade capture, despite the police's best efforts, and now her escape was dominating the headlines. The screen showed a grainy image of Alice from a surveillance camera, her face partially obscured as she slipped away. Todd Marlon and his wife, the couple who helped her, were also being sought, but it was clear Alice was the priority.My fingers tapped impatiently on the shopping cart handle as I waited for the cashier to finish scanning my groceries. I could hardly focus on the small talk she tried to make. My mind kept drifting back to the kids—Zenith and Zendaya—and the constant fear that loomed over us. As long as Alice was out there, nothing felt secure. My chest tightened just thinking about it.I paid for the groceries, my movemen
ALICE'S POVI could hear the buzzing of news reporters and paparazzi as my car came to a stop. The flashing cameras and shouted questions were almost deafening. I adjusted my black pantsuit, the fabric feeling too tight and heavy as I prepared for the day ahead. This wasn’t how I had envisioned my court hearing. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of stress and paranoia. I’d been so engrossed in my schemes that I failed to notice the net closing around me.Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady myself. The reality of the situation was sinking in—I hadn’t managed to cover my tracks as thoroughly as I’d thought. The thought of being caught off-guard was infuriating. My only real ace in the hole was the fact that I technically owned Lockwood; it’s hard to embezzle from a company you own. The charges against me were primarily about being an accomplice in the kidnapping of Zenith and Zendaya. But I was confident there was no solid evidence linking me directly to the crime. Beverly was
GRAYSON'S POVI stood in front of the mirror, struggling to get my tie just right. No matter how many times I adjusted it, it wouldn’t stay in place. The knot seemed to mock my efforts, slipping just out of reach of perfection. As I fumbled with the silk, I felt Sylvia’s presence behind me. Her gentle touch on my shoulders was a comforting contrast to my frustration.“Let me help,” she said softly. Her hands moved with practiced ease, guiding the tie into place. I felt her warmth as she adjusted the fabric, smoothing it down and securing it. When she finished, she gave a reassuring pat on my shoulders. Her eyes, usually so full of confidence, held a hint of worry. I could tell she was anxious about the upcoming meeting, about what this day might bring.“It’ll be okay,” I said, turning to face her. “Everything’s going to be fine.”Sylvia gave me a small, but hopeful smile. Her hands lingered for a moment before she leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. I kissed her back, trying
GRAYSON'S POVStepping off the private jet, the crisp New York air hit me with its familiar bite. I inhaled deeply, a mix of relief and anticipation washing over me. My eyes wandered to the tarmac where Sylvia and the kids were just stepping down the jet’s stairs. Zenith and Zendaya, holding onto their mother’s hands, looked up at me with wide, curious eyes.Paul and Stewart stood nearby, their faces lighting up as they saw me approaching. I broke into a smile and headed towards them. Paul extended his arms in a welcoming gesture, and I embraced him warmly. “Good to see you, Paul,” I said, giving him a firm pat on the back. I turned to Stewart, giving him a friendly hug as well. “And you, Stewart. It’s been too long.”As we pulled apart, Stewart nodded. “We have much to discuss. I’m glad you’re back.”Paul and Stewart greeted Sylvia next, and Paul’s eyes softened as he looked at the kids. “Look at you two! You’ve grown so much,” he said, making Zenith and Zendaya giggle and smile shyl
ALICE'S POVI sat at my desk, staring at the email on my desktop screen. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. This was a game-changer, a lifeline that I desperately needed. Another company, completely out of the blue, was willing to buy 72% of the shares in Lockwood Corporation. Lockwood’s value had been steadily climbing, and at present, those shares were worth around 96 billion dollars. My heart pounded with excitement and fear. This was my chance, my way out. The risks were enormous, but so were the rewards.The document of ownership for Lockwood Corporation was a ticking time bomb. I knew that. It was only a matter of time before it was contested. Taking Lockwood public was out of the question, not with the shadows looming over its ownership. But with this offer, I wouldn’t need to go public. I wouldn’t need to worry about the document anymore. Once the sale went through, I could embezzle the money, and by the time anyone realized what had happened, William and I would be long go
SYLVIA'S POVThe night sky was a canvas of flickering lights as I stood there, taking in the beauty of it all. The warm, balmy air of Rio wrapped around me like a comforting blanket, and the sound of music and laughter filled the air. It was a perfect night, a celebration of everything we had worked so hard to achieve. The lighters—thousands of them—filled the sky, their soft glow reflecting the joy and camaraderie that had blossomed within this community.I spotted Grayson on the dance floor, moving with a rhythm and grace that made me smile. He was in his element, completely at ease with the people around him, people who had once been strangers but had now become like family to us. I watched him for a moment, content to observe, to bask in the happiness that radiated from him.But then, as if sensing my gaze, Grayson turned and caught my eye. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he began to make his way toward me. I knew what was coming before he even reached me."No, no, no
ALICE'S POVAs I leaned back in my office chair, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as I signed off on yet another large sum of money being transferred to one of my offshore accounts. It had become a routine by now—a safety net I’d meticulously built over the past year, in case things ever went south. With each transfer, I felt a little more secure, a little more prepared for any surprises that might arise.It had been over a year since anyone had seen or heard from Grayson, Sylvia, or her children. They had vanished without a trace, leaving behind a wake of speculation and rumors. I had my theories about what happened, of course. Perhaps they were hiding, licking their wounds after the disaster that was Sylvia’s trial. Or maybe, just maybe, they were plotting their return, waiting for the perfect moment to strike back. That last thought always sent a chill down my spine, but I quickly dismissed it. They had been gone too long, and I had taken too many precautions to wor
SYLVIA'S POVI stood in the living room, my eyes locked on the bags Grayson had packed for us. They just sat there, lifeless and heavy, like the weight pressing down on my heart. This wasn’t how I imagined our lives would turn out—sneaking away in the dead of night as if we were fugitives. But this wasn’t about starting fresh anymore; it was about survival, about protecting my children from Alice and Konrad. Grayson had made it clear: we had to leave, and we had to leave now.I paced back and forth, anxiety gnawing at me with every passing second. Where were my children? They should have been here by now. My mind raced, pushing away the worst-case scenarios that kept creeping in. What if something had gone wrong? What if we were already too late?A hand touched my shoulder, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. I turned to see Raymond standing there, his expression calm, yet concerned. “They’ll be fine,” he said, his voice steady, trying to reassure me.I nodded, even though I wasn’t