•DARLA•"What is she doing here? Is this some kind of a twisted joke?" Belinda complained to the lawyer as soon as she saw me walking inside the sitting room. "She can't be part of my husband's will!""She is the one person who has to be here, Mrs. Miller. So please, let's not waste each other's time and cooperate." The lawyer responded as I sat down on the single couch facing them. Belinda looked at me with contempt, and I felt my stomach sinking. She couldn't pretend that she found my presence to be an inconvenience in her life. She looked at me closely as the lawyer took out the will to read it to us. Anthony also kept glancing at me, his shady look reminding me that he still hadn't accepted me as his little sister. "To my beloved wife, Belinda Miller -" The lawyer started reading the will, and Belinda's face beamed. "I give full title deed to our house which she has cherished and made a home for the past 43 years we have been married." "Just like he had to," Belinda exclaimed.
•DARLA•When I got inside my car, I closed all the tainted windows, leaned my head against the steering wheel, and cried. I didn't know what to do after hearing the will and everything that my father had left me. Even though I was as much his child as Anthony was, I never thought that he would do something like that for me. I was his bastard child and grew up knowing very well that I was not entitled to anything that he owned because I was the product of his one-time infidelity with a woman he met when he was away on a business trip. But as I was pondering what I was going to do, someone knocked on my window, startling me back to earth, and I rolled down the window and saw Anthony. "Anthony?" I breathed. I was tired and almost knew what he was going to say. He hated me, and I knew that fact and accepted it while growing up. "What are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be on your way to celebrate for how you've embarrassed my mother and taken everything that belonged to us? Aren'
•ELIJAH•"Darla's coming with me to the 5th-anniversary celebration of Hope Lives charity. Please make sure that she's catered properly and everything goes according to plan. I don't want any mistakes.""Yes, Sir. We will make sure that the function goes well and that Miss Darla is treated as our important guest." "Good. Also, keep an eye on the guest list and make sure that everyone who was invited is welcomed inside, and everyone who is not invited is kept outside until we are sure that there is space for such people." Emily nodded as she took notes in her diary before leaving to resume her other duties. I was excited and looking forward to seeing Darla again.As soon as Emily left, Jason approached with his woman. I was happy that he was one of the first people to show up at the anniversary celebration of Hope Lives charity. After greeting his girl, she left to get something to drink while Jason and I chatted for a minute. "My guy," he excitedly shook my hand and gave me a side
•ABIGAIL•"There are refreshments in the boardroom. You can go and help yourself there." Elijah looked at me, frowning.There was only one thing to do because I didn't want Elijah to go home with Darla or reject me to be with her for the day. I grabbed my stomach and pretended that I was experiencing period-like pains since I was still very early in my pregnancy and not really showing. "Oh, Daddy, I'm not feeling too well," I groaned as I looked at Darla and then at him. When Elijah came over to me, trying to find out what was wrong with me, I tilted my head and smiled as Darla walked away inside the venue where the children were performing a play. I was happy that I had just proved to her that Elijah would always choose me over her because I was carrying his child and heir. When we got to the hospital, I told Elijah that I was feeling better and didn't think we needed to see a doctor. I hoped that he would take me home so that I'd be able to get my way with him. "No, we have to
•DARLA•After the end of the 5th-anniversary celebration of Hope Lives charity, I drove straight back to my hotel suite after I told Ethan that I was going to see Amelia. I didn't even want to do anything but to pin Ethan down on the bed and undress him as I pleased. His body was even inviting, and I wanted him inside me.'Bloody Elijah. Just when I was thinking that he was worth a second of my time, this is what I got. Humiliation and embarrassment in front of a hundred people. I will show him what an asshole he is.'I was hurting after what happened and how everyone looked at me as if they pitied me when Elijah left with Abigail in his car after she put up a show and acted as if she was experiencing some pain. "Baby, what's happening?" Ethan asked while I was riding him.I stopped and looked down at him, annoyed and on the verge of rolling my eyes. "What do you mean? Am I hurting you?" "Yes," he answered as he pointed to my hand on his nipple. I felt bad when I realized how tig
•ELIJAH•"What do you mean that you're not moving back here with her? Have you lost your mind, my son? How can you bring the mother of your child to be alone in your home while growing your child inside of her?" Zara asked as I headed toward my car. I rolled my eyes with a sigh as I turned to her. "I brought her here because I thought that it was the right thing to do considering that she was staying alone. What more do you want from me?" "I want you to fix your relationship with Abigail and make sure that you raise that child together as a family. She's the one that you wanted, isn't she? So, Elijah, I advise you to make your relationship work.""She will have the baby, and as the father, I will make sure that she and the baby are taken care of until she's back on her feet to receive child support. Other than that, it will be above my capabilities." "What kind of a man are you who can't stand up for his responsibilities? You wanted this when you got divorced from Darla and got Abi
•DARLA•"Darla Sullivan, you're speaking with Rowen Sanders. I just got a call from Julian that you're now the major shareholder of The Miller's Properties Lifestyle. When do you think you will be able to come to Georgia? I'd like to meet you.""Rowen Sanders?" I asked on the phone, shocked because I didn't think that the board members would find out about me so soon. The name and the voice sounded familiar as well, and I tried to remember where I knew him from. "Yes, ma'am. This is Rowen Sanders. Have you forgotten me?" He asked, and somehow it made me chuckle. I closed my laptop in my home office and got up from my chair. I stood near the window and looked outside the garden as I remembered my last moments with him. "Not at all. I didn't expect your call ever. How are you?" I caressed the necklace on my neck. "I'm good. I was actually thrilled when I found out that you will be taking over from your father. May his soul rest in peace." "Thank you, Rowen. It also came as a shock
•ABIGAIL•"Hello?" I answered the call as I walked to the kitchen to get something to drink from the fridge. "Miss Hayes, you're speaking with Emily. I wanted to discuss a few things with you on behalf of Elijah. I am his personal assistant."I suppressed a squeal as I refrained from asking if it was about the allowance that I had been anticipating since I saw him at the hospital yesterday. "Yes, Emily. How may I help you?" "I wanted to inform you about the allowance that Mr. Houston has acknowledged and approved to be sent to your account every second day of the month." She answered."Yes, I'm listening." I pretended as if I didn't care whatsoever, hoping that the money was good. "Mr. Houston will be sending you fifty-five thousand dollars a month, which includes your toiletries and anything you might need when going shopping. He will handle your doctor's visitation fees and transportation." "Thank you, Emily. Please do tell Mr. Houston that I appreciate the offer. But I can't w
•ELIJAH•'Fuck,' I muttered under my breath as I inspected my swelled eye in the bathroom.That motherfucker punched me right in the eye and it was just starting to hurt. I quickly looked for first aid in the bathroom cabinet so that I could treat it myself. I took antihistamine eye drops to reduce the discomfort and then went back to my bed to lie down just a bit. I hoped that the swelling would be a bit reduced in the morning since I had to go to my office.I was about to fall asleep when my cell rang next to me, and I quickly picked it up when I saw that it was Billy. "Yes?" I answered the call as I sat up on the bed."The hand is not real. It doesn't belong to Miss Harper or anyone. Just a mannequin hand with realistic makeup. I don't even think that Abigail knew that." I stood up to my feet and was flabbergasted. Harper was alive, and that meant that someone else took her. Either to save her since Abigail had left her to die or was going to ask for ransom before they could b
•DARLA•"Am I interrupting something?" Ethan asked as he walked inside the cabin restaurant, and I froze in my steps for a moment. I was so shocked that I didn't know what to say. I wondered for a second how he even found me and came at the moment when I couldn't even make up a lie for what he saw. "Ethan, hey." Elijah greeted him and extended his hand for a handshake. But he just looked at it and walked toward me.He looked pissed and I had no idea what he would do when he looked like that. "You said Amelia called and asked for you to come over to her place because her man was giving her some trouble. So, where is she?" He asked as he looked down at me. "Ethan, this is not what you think. I can explain. You don't have to be irrational," I answered as I tried to grab his hand, but he wouldn't take it. "Irrational?!" He snapped. "Bitch, I'm not the one lying so that I can go and see my ex behind your back! You left the kids with me just so that you can come here and dine with him,
•ABIGAIL•"Hey, where are you? I went to your place just a while ago and couldn't find you." Kathrine asked on the phone when I arrived at my hotel suite with Diego. "I just went for a short vacation. Is everything okay?" I asked as I changed into comfortable clothing. I didn't want to tell my sister that I was in Detroit to sort out my problem with Harper because she was obviously going to tell me that she told me so. "Jason came here to my bar asking for you. I didn't know what to say to him. Is there anything I need to know, Abi? You know that I'm your sister and can help you with anything. I just hate that someone from the police is busy going around asking about you.""Did he tell you what he wanted with me?" I sighed as I leaned against the dressing table. "He didn't say anything, but I'm sure we both know what he wanted. Elijah could be the one who sent him. I hope you made sure that nothing could lead to you. They can't ever find Harper's body." "I know, Kat." I groaned a
•ELIJAH•"Sir?" "Yes, Billy?" "I think I found her." "You did? Where is she? Is she okay?" I was so happy when he told me that he had found her. "I found a body." "What?" "I found a hand. I think it belongs to Miss Harper. Abigail and her bodyguard just left, and I decided to inspect the place. I think they left her here after they killed her. I'm not sure if it's her hand, but I'll take whatever I can get and do DNA tests." My whole world shattered, and I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how I was going to tell my Mom the news. They were going to break her apart. But since Billy wasn't even sure that the hand belonged to Harper, I was going to wait until DNA tests proved otherwise. I hung up the call and turned to Darla at the bench. I didn't want to leave her just yet, but it seemed like I didn't have a choice. "Seems like I have to be on my way home now." She got up from the bench and looked at me. "It's alright, I hope they will find your sister." "I think they'v
•DARLA•"Lily..." I whispered under my breath when I arrived at the orphanage center that Elijah had kindly turned around and made it a more comfortable home for the kids who weren't lucky enough to find their happily ever after home."Miss Darla!" She squealed as she wrapped her arms around me and squeezed. "Did you come with Elijah? He told me that he'll be coming with you the next time he comes to visit."I sighed as we sat down on the grass at their park. It was easy to spot her since they were having a sports day. "You only got me, unfortunately," I chuckled as I pulled out a diary book for her from my handbag. "This is for you." "What is it?" She asked as she took the diary. "I had one when I was your age. It helps to write down the chaos in your head and keep them inside the book. That way, things don't get into you very easily. I know how chaotic things get when you're 15." She gave me a brief hug again. "Thank you, Miss Darla." I wrapped my arms around her and rested my
•DARLA•"Elijah, what are you doing here?" I closed my office door, and he walked to the table and sat down on the edge. "I didn't know where to go. I couldn't sleep or do anything. My mind is all over the place, Darla. I don't know what to think. I think I've lost my sense of direction in life." He vented as I walked toward him with my arms folded on my chest. "What's wrong?" I asked. I didn't want to throw him out. Not when he seemed like he needed to talk. He chuckled as he got up and walked toward me, and that's when I realized that he was fucking drunk. It was 10 in the morning, but his breath was reeking of alcohol. "Can you believe that my mother, the one person that I deemed to be perfect in everything that she does, cheated on my father and fell pregnant with my younger sister? The one who disappeared?" "Harper?" "She lied to us all our lives when she knew very well that my father died because of her. He died from a cardiac arrest because of her. I'm sure he couldn't ta
•ABIGAIL•"Who do you think you are?" I scolded. "You can't come here and threaten me in my house." "I just want to ask you a few questions, Abigail. You don't have to be so defensive." My goodness, I couldn't believe that Jason dared to come to my place and ask me useless things. Harper was probably dead wherever she was, but this guy was still bugging my ass about her. He texted and called me several times last night to ask me if I knew anything about Harper's disappearance, but despite telling him that I didn't know anything, he decided to come to my place and interrogate me.It was clear that he and Elijah were convinced that I was the one who kidnapped Harper. But fuck. I was the one who made him suspicious of me from the beginning when I threatened to hurt Harper because she ruined things for us and made me kill my child.But no, they weren't going to prove anything. "I'm not defensive." I scoffed. "How would you feel if I showed up at your house at this time of the day an
•ELIJAH•"I gave you an order to find my sister!" I punched Enzo in the face after Jason called me to his garage when he found him having a drink at the club and having fun. Jason had recommended him because he had good reviews about his competency in finding lost people. He was praised by many and had a lot of success cases. But when Jason found him slacking, we had to teach him a lesson. Every hour that he wasted by putting Harper's life at risk and anything could happen to her. It had been 4 days without any lead to her, and we were starting to be more worried and on edge. We couldn't afford any little mistake. "If you knew that you weren't capable of finding my sister, you would've declined the offer and stopped wasting time and my money!" I was angry and felt like beating him up just like they were beating up Harper on the video."I'm sorry, Sir, it will never happen again. I swear that I did my job and went to the club because I just wanted to clear my mind before resuming m
•ABIGAIL•"You will always belong to me, Elijah. No one is ever going to take you from me unless they want to deal with me." I looked at Sonia, who rolled her eyes at me."That's never going to happen." "Alright, if you say so." I looked at her and scoffed because she clearly had no idea what I was capable of, but she was about to find out."Listen here, and listen very carefully, Abigail," Sonia scolded as she closed the small gap between us. "If you know what's best for you, I would advise you to stay away from my business with Elijah. If he wanted to be with you, he would've made that clear by marrying you instead of breaking off your engagement." "Bitch, I still have his ring on my finger," I cocked my head to the side and smirked as I showed her the diamond ring. "So, as far as this is concerned," I pointed to the ring. "He's still mine." "Leave my house, you two, right now!" Elijah escorted us out of the house, and I didn't have a problem.When I got inside the car, Diego roa