A week after what felt like hell because of being confined for so long at the hospital, I almost thought I wouldn't last long. It was like even though I managed to survive the fall, I still felt like my other foot was already buried beneath the ground. Everything was like a tug of war game with death. But thankfully, I was able to survive that. It was even a miracle I could say that the child inside my belly was able to survive that fall and even my long period of stay at the hospital. The doctors under Aunt Lou’s orders were pretty much hands on in regards to my condition and the baby inside me, making sure that everything goes well.My aunt Lou simply has all the powers to do that knowing her husband was the medical director of the hospital. Without that authority and power she had on back, perhaps Justin could’ve have already learned about the truth of my pregnancy.“Margarette? Is something wrong?” speaking of Justin, he suddenly took away my attention while in the middle of dee
[ JUSTIN’S POV ]I had this bad feeling that what my mother has called me to ask something that has to do with Margarette’s accident. A few hours after the incident that almost took Margarette’s life, mother made a surprise visit at the company to check on the surveillance cameras for reasons I am not aware.I was only fortunate that Claude was even quicker than me to think about destroying the CCTv cameras in my office floors even at the exit connected to my floor so that evidence about Margarette’s fall would never leak out.Now it became a puzzle for me why on earth my mother suddenly wishes to see me and her tone even felt like it was something very urgent that I couldn’t even refuse.“Sit down, Justin.” Mother instantly told me the moment I entered her study. The moment felt insulting as I looked like a little boy who was about to be reprimanded by his mother. Knowing my mother, she would only be agitated if I turned my back on her now. However, as I obeyed her, I immediately
"Mother, what nonsense are you even talking about?" I immediately uttered to my mother so Andt she may refrain from inquiring further.As she was in the middle of trying to come up with a wave of her baseless accusations, i then added, "I instructed Regina to take this documents for me, mother. there's nothing to worry about here." I was hoping those answers would be enough to persuade my mother. However, it would seem that she happened to be not quite done just yet."Oh really, son? Then why Regina of all people?" And here she goes again with that attitude of hers towards Regina."Mother, we're not going to argue on this matter again, aren't we?" I reitarated. The path from which this conversation was leading to has been giving me the irritation I couldn't fully express knowing it was my mother who was testing me."Son, all that I'm concerned about is the company and its assets. You know I don't trust Regina, and so does your grandma. Just what do you think she would tell you once
[ MARGARETTE’S POV ]The process of my healing wasn’t that easy but I had Justin to always look after me. Without my husband to take care of me, I couldn’t even begin to imagine how I would have survived the past few weeks.Although if there was anything that I regret up to this very moment, perhaps it was the fact that I still couldn’t recall the few fragments of what took place prior to my accident. For some reason, it always remains blank whenever I try to recall what happened back then.It surely feels a bit scary when a horrible incident from your past becomes a mystery on how you were able to get through that.“Marga? Are you ready? We still need to see grandma today before we meet with the caterer.” Justin eventually reminded me of the appointment we needed to do for the day.Grandma’s eighth birthday shall be coming up in a few week’s time. Justin volunteered to prepare for the caterer on grandma’s huge celebration. And as his wife, I simply couldn’t just stand idly by. I also
As Justin and I concluded our errands for today, the two of us came to the decision to drop by at our favorite restaurant. It was just like yesterday, when I remember having an argument with Justin here because of Regina. However, things must have changed now because of Regina. Right now, I was under the impression that Regina could really be out of the picture.I didn’t have any idea whether what I believed was even true, however, I haven’t really seen Regina lately, so it gives me the impression that Justin may have actually discarded his mistress.Although when I tried to ponder it, I still had a few doubts that I was only fooling myself. I know that Justin couldn’t easily forget the woman he truly loves. He may have become more caring for me, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he could instantly remove Regina from his life.I have never seen Justin take a moment to be away from me since the accident. Which was why I suddenly came to the conclusion that he may have actually discard
Regina’s words left me raising a brow at her as my two hands were clutched together. “The nerve of you to even call me a whore when you’re the one who was trying to ruin my marriage with Justin.” I retorted, not trying to let someone like her intimidate me.Regina finally return the watch she has on her hand and this time, and it caused me to look at that item I was eyeing to purchase since earlier.“Did you really just come here to display your filthy behavior?” Regina even added, it brought me to become more irritated at her that I found myself almost wanting to slap her for her chosen words.However, I was not really in the mood to pick up on her ways to provoke me. Not today.I came into this shop with the sole intent of purchasing a watch I’ve seen earlier. It was a watch that I intended to buy for Grandma’s birthday present. When I saw Regina holding the limited edition watch, it made me feel somewhat intimidated. Like I really wanted to get that first. I don’t know if it was
I could not shake off the haunting feeling of what Regina shared with me at the boutique earlier. It had been lingering with me all the way back home. I could not even enjoy my shopping earlier because all I could think about was what Regina said.It made me suddenly wonder if what she was particularly telling me earlier today was still about the watch or if it already meant something else. And for some reason, Justin was the first name that popped into my head at that moment."Naturally, it was my husband she had her sights set on from the very start." I could not believe how much time I spent pondering over it—almost the entire afternoon. If only I had known earlier, I could have given Regina a taste of her own medicine. She should be grateful that I let it go without even realizing it.‘Margarette? What are you talking about just now? Who’s aiming for whom?’ Aunt Lou immediately said from the other end of the line.I was so lost in my own thoughts, replaying my encounter with Regin
My heart race from horror as I thought about what would become of grandma. After seeing her lying unconscious on the floor, my reflexes urged me to call for help. Emergency hotlines were faster to save grandma after I shouted to the maids to call for help. They were able to provide immediate response to Grandma. “Margarette…” Grandma’s voice sounded too low that I almost didn’t hear her whispering for my name. An oxygen mask was still clinging against her lower face enabling to help her breathe.What seemed to have happened to grandma was a series of asthmatic attract. It would appear that her personal nurse took a break believe that grandma wouldn’t be up from her afternoon nap until it’s dinner time.Not knowing that grandma was already up early because she forgot to take her inhaler. But since walking for too long was making grandma too tired, it was impossible for her to grab the inhaler at the wall cabinet where most of her maintenance medicines were stored.“I’m right here, Gr
Elise Grant was a woman born into privilege, but privilege came with its own kind of chains. She had spent her life learning how to play the game, but now she was realizing that the rules had changed—and I was the one rewriting them.I watched her disappear into the fog, but I knew she wouldn't be able to walk away from this. Not entirely. People like Elise didn’t just sit back and watch their world collapse—they fought, even when they didn’t know who the real enemy was yet.Leon let out a quiet sigh, his fingers flexing against his side. "She’s going to struggle with this."Dorian smirked. "Good. People make the best decisions when they think they don’t have any other choice."I pulled my coat tighter around me. The air was damp, the salty ocean breeze mixing with the lingering scent of gasoline from the fishing boats docked nearby. "She’s going to reach out again soon."Leon’s gaze flicked to me. "How can you be so sure?""Because she’s smart," I said simply. "And because she’s terr
The wind whipped through my hair as I watched Elise disappear into the night. A thrill ran through me, a mix of victory and anticipation. She had taken the bait, but we weren’t in the clear yet. Not by a long shot.Leon and Dorian flanked me, their expressions unreadable. The three of us stood in silence for a beat, the ocean waves crashing against the wooden pier below us.“She’s scared,” Dorian finally muttered, lighting a cigarette. The flame illuminated his sharp features for a moment before fading into the night. “Which is good. Fear makes people predictable.”Leon’s gaze remained fixed on the path Elise had taken. His jaw clenched, his thoughts miles ahead of us. “Fear also makes people desperate.”I turned to him. “You think she’ll run to her father?”He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he shifted his stance, slipping his hands into the pockets of his coat. “Not immediately. She’s smart enough to know that if she tips him off too soon, she’s collateral damage.”I nodded. “The
The moment Elise Grant’s fingers touched mine, I knew I had her attention. She was a woman who played in circles of power, who measured every interaction with precision. A single misstep could cost her everything.I held onto her hand for just a fraction longer than necessary, letting the weight of my words settle between us. Then, with a small, knowing smile, I withdrew, lifting my champagne flute to my lips.“Margarette,” Elise repeated, as if testing how my name felt on her tongue. “I don’t believe I’ve heard of you before.”I chuckled softly. “That’s the point, isn’t it?”Elise tilted her head, intrigued but guarded. “And what exactly do you do, Margarette?”I swirled the champagne in my glass, watching the golden bubbles rise to the surface. “I help people see things they’ve overlooked.” I lifted my eyes to hers. “Or things they’ve been kept from seeing.”Her smile didn’t waver, but something in her gaze sharpened. “That sounds dangerously close to a threat.”“Not a threat.” I to
The black SUV moved through the city under the cover of darkness, the tension inside as thick as the fog rolling in from the harbor. I sat in the passenger seat, my fingers drumming against my thigh, my gaze fixed on the glittering skyline ahead. Leon drove in silence, his grip tight on the wheel, while Dorian lounged in the backseat, casually checking his watch as if we weren’t about to walk into one of the most dangerous plays of our lives.“Elise Grant won’t be easy to approach,” Dorian mused, breaking the silence. “She’s got bodyguards, a strict schedule, and enough privilege to think she’s untouchable.”“That’s what makes her blind to threats,” Leon countered. “She’s never had a reason to look over her shoulder.”I exhaled slowly, my mind racing through the details of the plan. Elise would be attending a charity gala tonight, hosted at a high-end hotel owned by one of her father’s associates. It was the perfect opportunity to get close, to plant the seeds of doubt in her mind. Th
The cabin felt smaller now. Maybe it was the presence of this new stranger, or maybe it was the way my nerves coiled tighter with every passing second. Either way, the moment Dorian stepped inside, I felt it—the shift in the air.I gripped the revolver tighter, even as I pushed the door shut.Leon emerged from the hallway, still holding his phone, his dark eyes sharp as they flickered between me and Dorian. He didn’t look surprised. If anything, he looked… resigned."Dorian." Leon’s voice was clipped. "You took your time."The stranger—Dorian—chuckled, running a hand through his dark hair. "Traffic," he said, as if that explained everything. His green eyes met mine again, studying me with a mix of curiosity and something I couldn’t quite name.I didn’t trust him."You’re staring," I said flatly, not bothering to hide the irritation in my voice.Dorian grinned, unbothered. "Just making sure you’re as sharp as Leon said.""Flattery isn’t going to make me lower the gun."Leon exhaled, pi
The car ride was silent except for the occasional hum of the tires against the pavement. Lillian sat in the driver’s seat, her hands steady on the wheel, eyes flicking between the road ahead and the rearview mirror. Every so often, I followed her gaze, expecting to catch sight of a shadow trailing behind us.Nothing.Yet the unease in my chest refused to settle.Leon had sent one of his private drivers to pick us up outside of town, just past the tree-lined outskirts where the city lights faded into darkness. The safe house was in an undisclosed location—secluded, heavily secured, and supposedly impenetrable. But after everything that had happened, I wasn’t sure I could believe in impenetrable anymore.Aunt Lou had been hesitant to let me go, but she knew staying behind was too dangerous. Uncle George had slipped a small revolver into my bag before I left, whispering instructions in a firm voice I had never heard from him before."Use it if you have to. Don’t hesitate."Now, as the he
i sat in the dimly lit room, my fingers trembling slightly as I clutched the warm cup of tea Aunt Lou had prepared for me. The fragrant steam curled upward, but even the soothing aroma couldn’t quiet the storm raging in my mind.No matter how tightly I wrapped myself in the comfort of my aunt’s presence, my thoughts remained restless, tangled with fear and uncertainty. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same thing—Leon, his jaw tight with determination, refusing to back down no matter the danger. His need to uncover the truth had set us on a treacherous path, and with Alexa hidden away for her safety, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong.Sleep had been a distant dream for the past few nights. Every creak of the house, every gust of wind against the window, sent my heart racing. I knew I was being watched. Maybe not now, in this moment, but somewhere out there, someone’s eyes were on me.A soft knock at the door shattered my thoughts.Aunt Lou
The room remained silent for a moment, heavy with the weight of what Lillian had just revealed. My mind raced, processing the implications of the forged document. Justin wasn’t just trying to intimidate me—he was trying to erase my claim entirely, to make it look like I had given up willingly.I clenched my fists, my pulse pounding in my ears. “How did you get this?” I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.Lillian exhaled sharply, pulling out a USB drive from her pocket and placing it on the table. “An informant within Justin’s circle leaked these to me. They overheard him discussing his next steps—he’s preparing to launder the stolen assets and shift everything offshore. If we don’t act now, your parents’ properties will be out of reach forever.”Uncle George muttered another curse under his breath. Aunt Lou, pale and shaken, placed a protective hand over mine. “What do we do now?” she asked, looking at me as if I had the answers.I swallowed hard, then turned to Lillian. “Do we have
I sat in the dimly lit room, my fingers trembling slightly as I held the warm cup of tea Aunt Lou had prepared for me. Despite the comfort of her presence, my thoughts were a storm I couldn't calm.Leon’s determination to clear his name had put us on a dangerous path. With Alexa hidden away for her safety and Justin growing more desperate, the stakes had never been higher. The last few nights had been sleepless ones, filled with anxiety, and a nagging sense that something was about to go terribly wrong.A soft knock at the door snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. Aunt Lou exchanged a quick glance with Uncle George before rising to answer it. My heart pounded as I watched the door creak open, revealing a familiar figure—Claire Donovan.Claire stepped inside with her usual warm smile, but something about her felt different tonight. Her eyes held a sharpness that sent a shiver down my spine. She wasn’t here out of the goodness of her heart. There was an edge to her, and it set me on