SLYVIA'S POVWe slept well in our new home despite our current living conditions. The air mattress wasn’t the most comfortable, but it did the job. The next morning, we brushed our teeth, took our baths, and got dressed. Today, I plan to find a good school nearby for the kids. Just as I was gathering my things, I heard a knock on the door. “Who could it be?” I wondered. It couldn't be the movers since they weren't due until tomorrow.I peeped through the door hole and saw Grayson standing there. My heart skipped a beat. "Open up, it's me, Grayson, Sylvia," he said from the other side."Who's at the door, Mummy?" Zendaya asked loudly enough for Grayson to hear. There was no pretending we weren't home now that Zendaya had given us away.I took a deep breath and opened the door. My eyes fell on Grayson. He wore a dark navy suit with a black coat and a scarf, his hair brushed back perfectly. His eyes were as captivating as ever, and he had never looked more handsome. His presence filled
GRAYSON'S POVHearing that the kids had been bullied, especially Zendaya, broke my heart. I wished I could shield her from the cruelties of the world, to protect her from any harm. I stepped over to where Zendaya and Zenith stood and squatted down to their level."Hey," I began softly, "I want you both to know that you have me in your life now. I will never leave you, and I'll do everything to keep you safe. Your mom and I are going to find the best school for you, where no one will pick on you, okay?" I said, placing my hands gently on their cheeks.Zenith stepped forward and hugged me tightly, his small arms wrapping around my neck as I kissed his head. It felt like a breakthrough, a small victory. Zendaya, on the other hand, remained still, her big eyes studying me warily. Though she didn’t hug me, she didn’t pull away when I cupped her cheek. It was a tiny gesture, but it felt like a significant start.I looked into her eyes and smiled. "I promise, Zendaya, I'll be here for you."
SLYVIA'S POVThe kids were taken for measurements by the school tailor for their uniforms, leaving Grayson and I in the principal's office to finalize the paperwork for their enrollment. I sat there, trying to focus on the forms, but my mind kept drifting to the enormous fees."I'll call Paul to bring my checkbook from the car," Grayson said, snapping me out of my thoughts."Grayson, you don't have to do this," I insisted one last time, though my resolve was weakening.He gave me a reassuring look. "It's for the kids, Sylvia."I sighed, nodding reluctantly. A few minutes later, Paul appeared with the checkbook, handing it to Grayson. He quickly signed a check and passed it to the principal, who accepted it with a smile."Thank you, Mr. Lockwood. We’re thrilled to have Zenith and Zendaya join our school," the principal said warmly.By the time we finished the paperwork, the kids had also finished with their measurements and joined us, their faces glowing with excitement."Mummy, we saw
SLYVIA'S POV"Hi, everyone," Jocelia said with her fake smile, sliding into the chair next to Grayson. I watched Grayson's expression shift to frustration at the sight of her."What are you doing here... and how did you find me?" Grayson asked in a cold sharp tone."Oh, come on, Grayson. You dining at a place like this tends to make the news," she replied casually, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. I glanced around and noticed a few people sneaking glances at our table.Jocelia settled into her seat and looked around expectantly. "So, what are we having?" she asked, but no one responded."It's good to see you, Slyvia," she said, turning her attention to me."Is it, Jocelia?" I sneered, unable to hide the spite in my voice."Come on, you're not still angry, are you?" she continued, ignoring my tone. "We can get past our differences, especially since we'll be seeing more of each other now that you and Grayson are working together. And besides, Grayson and I are togethe
JOCELIA'S POVAs soon as I saw Grayson leave, I picked up my phone and called Alice. "I just met with Grayson," I told her as soon as she picked up."Listen, child, I have better things to do than listen to you and Grayson’s relationship problems," Alice said, sounding irritated."Wait, Alice, that’s not the issue," I said quickly."Then what is it?" she asked, clearly impatient."He was having lunch with Sylvia," I said."Okay, they’re business partners now, so I guess that's bound to happen. This is not a reason for you to call and disturb my manicure session," she replied dismissively.I felt my frustration rise at her casual dismissal. "Listen here, Alice, the problem isn’t just the lunch. Sylvia brought two kids with her—a boy and a girl. They looked like twins," I said, my voice filled with urgency.I could hear the concern creeping into Alice's voice. "Who could be their father...wait, you don’t think Grayson could be their father, do you?" Alice asked, her tone shifting to one
SLYVIA'S POVI woke up early to finish some work I needed to drop off at the office today. Glancing at the kids still sleeping peacefully, I smiled. Then panic struck me. "What about their lunch for school and breakfast? Shit, how could I forget?" I muttered to myself.I needed to get them breakfast before school and also sort out their lunch. Thankfully, I remembered that the school provides lunch for the students. I mean, paying almost six figures a year for each of them, the least they could do is provide lunch. But what about breakfast?I stood up and glanced out the window, hoping to spot a store that might be open. Then, my phone buzzed with a message. It was from Grayson. "Paul is coming over now to pick you and the kids up for school. He will be over in 15 minutes. Here is his number," it read. I breathed a sigh of relief and quickly called Paul."Good morning, Paul," I said, trying to sound calm."Good morning, ma'am. I'll be at your place in 12 minutes," he replied."Sor
I finished most of my work for the day and called my assistant. "I'm going out for a bit," I said."Okay, sir," she replied."If anyone calls, tell them I'm out," I added, feeling a twinge of excitement.I glanced at my watch. It was almost time for Zenith and Zendaya to get out of school. I don't know why, but I wanted to pick them up. I wanted them to know they could rely on me. I hadn't felt this excited in a while. I took the elevator down, ignoring a few colleagues who tried to stop me with questions."Sorry, I've got somewhere to be," I said, brushing them off.I walked briskly to my car in the parking lot. I could have called Paul to drive me, but I wanted to do this myself. For some reason, I felt protective of those kids. I enjoyed the look in their eyes when they saw me.I got into my car and drove to the school. As I approached, I noticed Zenith and Zendaya coming out of an ice cream shop with a strange man. I looked again, thinking I must be seeing things. Then the man tr
SLYVIA'S POVI was almost done with the meeting when my phone rang. I glanced at the screen and saw it was the movers. "Miss, we are at your house," the truck driver informed me."Oh god, I will be there in ten," I frantically replied. I turned to Lisa and the contractors. "You guys can handle it from here without me?""Yeah, we're good," Lisa assured me with a confident nod.I rushed outside, my mind racing with a million thoughts. I needed to get home as quickly as possible. I looked around, desperately searching for a cab. After a few seconds, I spotted one driving down the street. I practically ran in front of it, waving my arms frantically.The cab screeched to a halt. "Jesus, woman, you wanna die?" the cab driver yelled in a thick New York accent, clearly irritated."Sorry, I just really need to get to this address," I said, breathless, as I told him where I needed to go.The cab driver gave me a once-over, his expression softening slightly. "Alright, get in," he said, motioning
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