Today was one of those rare chances. I led her to the kitchen and helped her sit at the dining table. As I stepped away from her, I rummaged through her fridge and pantry. Luckily, she had all the ingredients. I got to work, focusing on every detail, and I even took the time to wash the dishes piled up in the sink.The minutes passed by faster in the kitchen than they had in her room. I put the finishing touches on the burgers—extra pickles and crispy bacon, just the way she liked it. I placed the plate in front of Sara.She sniffed the air and tentatively reached for the bun."T-thank you..." she said, sounding embarrassed. Her voice broke my heart.She managed to take a bite, chewing slowly. I waited, holding my breath for her reaction. Did she like it? Was it good enough?"Mmm... it's really good," she murmured, smiling a little. "Could you get me some water?"I grabbed a glass of water for her and sat down at the table. Sara took a few more bites before setting the burger asi
What if it's more than just Victoria's threats? And what about the Whites? They had a vested interest in ensuring this marriage went through. Still... targeting Sara would be taking things way too far. She was a Brown. They wouldn't dare, would they?"Are you doubting it too?" I heard her sigh. "It's easier for me to stay calm here in my own place while I heal.""Why are you here alone? Wouldn't it be better to stay at your parents' house?" I asked."I was there until last week, but I got tired of being cooped up on the second floor of their house. Here, everything's on one level. And apart from my useless attempts at finding a series to watch, I'm pretty efficient at getting around," she explained, trying to sound upbeat. She didn't manage to pull it off, unfortunately."Yeah..." I replied, feeling a pang of sadness."Yeah..." she echoed in the same tone."Would you accept my apology if I told you... I was a complete idiot for the way I spoke to you, knowing now what condition y
Jason Aldrich's P.O.V.Love was both the source of life and the root of destruction. No one could take away the bitter certainty I carried since the moment I set my eyes where I shouldn't have—on a forbidden woman. Life had a way of putting you in your place, stripping away fantasies and cheap lies, until all that was left was the harsh truth.My predictable, pathetic story started when I landed a job with the White family. During one of their political campaigns, Mark White had spotted me—saw "potential", he said. I wasn't the only one he "invested" in; he offered jobs to several young men from our neighborhoods, using us to win votes in the poorer districts. It had worked. He became mayor, and I had the "luck" of securing a place on his team.Sometimes, I was part of his personal security; other times, I looked after his family, his wife, and his daughter. As a bodyguard, you're trained to be invisible—to see and hear "nothing" while your employers live their lives. But over time,
Jason Aldrich's P.O.V.After so many years of silence and working tirelessly to erase the bitter memories of Emma from my mind, she had appeared before me out of nowhere. It was as if she had materialized from thin air—a vision I would have preferred never to see again.I was working as a cashier at a grocery store, just covering a shift. A place someone like her would never frequent. For a moment, I thought it was a coincidence, but Emma quickly made it clear it wasn't. After five years, she had finally returned, and of all the things she could have said, she chose to ask—puzzled—why I was working as a cashier.Over the years, I had tried to make sense of it all. She had been infatuated with me as a teenager; we had been "secret lovers" for a couple of years before she found a way to discard me. Cruel? Yes. But who wasn't immature in their early twenties? I had tried to move on. If she had just said a simple "hello", maybe this lingering resentment wouldn't have spread through my v
During Sara's recovery, my workload had shifted. For the three weeks she spent confined to her parents' home—where there was more staff than actual residents—it was the easiest money I'd ever earned. The week I spent assisting her at her own apartment wasn't much different.But one thing cast a shadow over her recovery: her emotional state. My boss couldn't stop crying or lamenting over Emma's fiancé. She wasn't the vibrant Sara who had interviewed me, and I doubted she would return to that version of herself anytime soon. I hoped that when she was fully healed, off all the medications they had her on, and those two finally got married, she might find some peace.Sara's love life wasn't my business. Neither was Lawrence's nor Emma's. Still, the bitterness had already seeped into my veins. The situation between Sara and Lawrence was both infuriating and, strangely, satisfying. It angered me that my boss, who didn't deserve to be treated like a mistress, was tangled in something so mes
There were several things that had happened recently that I would never have guessed at the start of this year. Having an emotional bloodbath with my childhood best friend, realizing I had romantic and lustful feelings for him, and, of course, the accident with my eyes.The combination of it all had turned this past month into hell. Physically and emotionally, I'd suffered more than ever before, and it absolutely sucked. The intense pain, constant tearing, redness, and swelling of my eyelids were all reminders of the damage caused by the shattered glass. Two surgeries, an infection, a slow recovery, and an uncooperative immune system later, here I was.Crying over Lawrence yet again. It wasn't the first time this month, but it was the first time I was crying in his arms, touching him and holding him close. I had missed him so much that the sadness of being apart had turned me into this—a melancholic wreck who only knew how to cry."I'm going to marry her, Sara," Lawrence said, his v
"There's no need to reschedule, Sara. I'll take you to your appointment," Lawrence announced.I had guessed it was Lawrence who entered my apartment earlier, but there were still so many things I couldn't figure out without seeing his facial expressions. What was he thinking? Why was he suddenly so determined to take me to the doctor?"Are you sure?""Yes, very sure. Go ahead and finish your lunch. Don't let this interrupt you," he said, directing the comment... to Jason.There was a sharpness in Lawrence's tone, something I wasn't used to hearing from him. Lawrence wasn't the type to talk like that to employees. Was it just my imagination or was there tension between the two of them?"Is that what you wish, Miss Sara?" Jason asked me instead.Oh, there was definitely tension. Though I couldn't see, my head instinctively turned back and forth as if trying to observe their faces. At the same time, I recalled that Jason still hadn't told me what was going on between him and Emma. A
Uncomfortable car rides were the absolute worst. This one, with Lionel driving me to the doctor, was the perfect example. Being practically blind didn't help matters either. Darkness was unbearable. To make it worse, I couldn't even remember the layout of Dad's car well enough to find the stereo and put on some music to lighten the mood.So, I did the opposite—I filled the silence with small talk. Anything to avoid dwelling in the shadows."Uh... so, what's Mom up to?" I asked, trying to start a conversation."She's busy with next month's event. Thankfully. If she wasn't, she might've been coddling you and that boy," Lionel said bluntly with no hesitation."Dad..." I replied, already uneasy."Why did he even bother visiting you after your accident? The least he could've done was show up sooner, don't you think?""Right, because if he had come to your house, you'd have welcomed him with open arms.""No, and you shouldn't have let him into your apartment either."If Dad knew that
If I had the superpower to walk up walls, trust me, I'd be doing it right now. How could I not? Lawrence, Emma, and Jason were all at that chaotic political debate. Sure, I agreed with the plan, but that was with the condition I'd be there, not isolated in my parents' house, waiting anxiously for updates and glued to the television.The program was showing introductions for each gubernatorial candidate while they took a commercial break. During the downtime, they cut to shots of the audience settling in their seats. My eyes stayed locked on the screen, my nails reduced to stubs, while I heard my mother coming down the stairs."Look at all these treasures I found, darling!" she exclaimed.I didn't take my eyes off the television, still focused on the delayed start."What did you find?" I asked absentmindedly."If you'd just turn around, you'd see what your mother is trying to show you."Sighing, I tore my attention from the screen and turned around. What greeted me left me both am
The officer's words hung in the air, echoing like a death sentence."Yes, yes, we'll confirm everything at the station," he repeated, motioning for Jason to be taken away.I stepped in their path, refusing to move. They asked me to step aside several times, but I stood firm. Just when I thought they might physically remove me, a voice froze everyone in place. Mark's voice."What's going on here?" he asked, his tone feigning martyrdom, like a man miraculously reborn.One of the officers summarized the situation—how they had been forced to shoot the sniper in the back and were accusing Jason of being his accomplice. I glanced at Jason helplessly, my heart breaking as he avoided my eyes. He wouldn't even look at me."Do you know him?" the officer pressed. "Do you have any idea why he would target you?""Unfortunately, yes, I know him. He has threatened my life multiple times and my daughter's too, driven by some sick obsession with her," Mark declared.Jason finally snapped, liftin
Emma White's P.O.V.The chaos in the auditorium was absolute—shouts, people running in all directions, and sheer panic painted a scene of hell. My eyes stayed locked on Mark, who lay on the ground with blood smeared across his face. I couldn't move, paralyzed by shock and confusion."Get down! Don't just stand there," Lawrence urged, pulling me to a crouch.Obediently, I dropped low, realizing we weren't the only ones doing so. Others had also taken cover, waiting for the madness to subside. Though the gunshots had ceased, the frenzy hadn't. I couldn't get a clear view of how badly Mark was hurt—his security team had dragged him behind the podium."What just happened?" I asked Lawrence breathlessly."Whatever it was, it wasn't fatal," he replied, his eyes scanning the stage.From my crouched position, I saw Mark rising to his feet, ignoring his guards' insistence to stay down. My mother suddenly bolted from her seat, rushing to the stage the moment she spotted him. Her face was e
"What's more humiliating than being left alone during the debate? That was the plan—to show everyone that neither his wife nor daughter supports him after his scandals, emphasizing the danger he represents," Lawrence argued."I have to go. I'm sorry, but it's something I need to do. What's your take?" I pressed, glancing at the others.In the end, we agreed Lawrence would accompany me with his security team, Jason would be nearby to help extract my mother if necessary, and Sara offered to provoke Mark by visibly supporting Isabelle Silver.Oddly enough, Lawrence scolded Sara, telling her to stop meddling and stay with her parents that afternoon. Even more strangely, Sara didn't argue. Instead, she pouted and quietly placed her hand over her stomach in a... peculiar way.Was it just me, or did she have a bit of a belly?-All the progress I'd made in the days away from Mark seemed to crumble the moment we arrived at the auditorium for the candidates' debate. Seeing his face on the
"With you... I'd want everything."I smiled like a love-struck fool, nibbling on my fruit as my heart melted. If there were ever going to be kids in our future, I had to be at my healthiest. Jason started talking about his morning routine, and I listened with the phone tucked against my shoulder as I continued preparing breakfast. But as I poured the batter onto the pan, it struck me how odd it was that my mom hadn't come out of her room yet."That's strange. My mom's still asleep," I said, glancing toward her door."Did you check to see if she might've stepped out?" Jason suggested gently."Why would she leave? We agreed neither of us would go anywhere... I'll check."I put the phone down for a moment and knocked on her door, calling out softly. There was no response. When I opened it, the room was empty—her bed neatly made, her shoes gone. My heart raced as my phone buzzed again, this time showing my mom's number. Picking it up, I quickly explained the situation to Jason and tol
Emma White's P.O.V.I woke up wrapped in an unexpected sense of peace. Despite the unfamiliar bed and the small, borrowed space, it was a kind of calm I'd never known before. Peace, as it turned out, wasn't something you could buy, no matter how much money you had.Life in Lawrence's apartment had been surprisingly pleasant. Each day felt a little brighter, a little safer. As I got up and made my way to the bathroom, I splashed my face with cool water, noticing with delight how much my skin had improved.By the time I reached the kitchen, I was in an unusually cheerful mood. Pancakes seemed like the perfect breakfast, so I opened the fridge to grab some pre-cut fruit—melons and papayas, today's choice. The sight of the neatly packed container brought a smile to my face. I plucked a piece of melon and popped it into my mouth. It was perfect.Setting the fruit on the counter, I gathered the rest of the ingredients: oatmeal, eggs, and milk. The clock on the microwave caught my attenti
"Have you forgotten that you're still engaged to Emma White? Because I certainly haven't," Lionel accused, his tone sharper than a blade."The repeated delays in the wedding should've given you a clue—it's not happening," Lawrence stated firmly."Then why is the engagement still active? Wouldn't it have been simpler to handle this in order? Or do you enjoy fueling the rumors about my daughter? You've turned her into your mistress," Lionel spat, his glare piercing.Lawrence visibly flinched at the accusation, guilt washing over him. He seemed lost for words, so I stepped in."Dad... are you really going to echo the same gossip as those busybodies? I already told you—there was never a real relationship between Emma and Lawrence. That engagement was arranged by their parents," I explained, trying to diffuse the tension."There was never anything between us," Lawrence added, his tone desperate for clarity. "Not emotionally, not physically. It was entirely a business arrangement."At
In my head, an apocalyptic soundtrack was playing; on my parents' faces, an apocalyptic expression was forming. My apartment had turned into the ninth circle of hell. From this moment on, everything spiraled out of control. Lawrence turned to face Lionel and Clara while I instinctively clung to his back, using him as a human shield."Sara Brown!" my dad bellowed."She's not here!" I shouted, clutching Lawrence so tightly my arms ached."What are you doing with that boy?!" my father roared.Still pressed against Lawrence, I could see him glance around the room, taking in the chaos of scattered clothing—including undergarments. And then, Lawrence did something unforgivable."Isn't it obvious, sir?" he said, calm as ever.Lawrence clearly wanted to watch the world burn, and my dad wasn't about to disappoint. He lunged toward us, but my mom intercepted him, wrapping her arms around his middle to stop a full-blown disaster. Meanwhile, I stayed glued to Lawrence's back, peeking out fro
"Because I just found out from Richard!" I exclaimed, watching Lawrence's brows lift in genuine surprise. "He said Emma is their half-sister, which officially makes Victoria the ultimate hypocrite. I mean, how was she planning to marry you off to the half-sister of your half-brothers? And I was supposed to be the 'incestuous' one because of her wild theory that you and I might be siblings?""Why would Richard tell you that?" Lawrence asked, his curiosity piqued.I looked at him with a mix of tenderness and pity. I knew that Lawrence had said back in that room that he didn't see Richard and Julian as brothers, but I also knew him better than anyone.Gently, I stroked his face. "Because deep down, those two brats care about you, and they still see you as their brother."He shook his head, unconvinced. "You heard them. All they care about is the money. I even offered to give them some before the will was read but they ignored me and kept coming at me. I'm done, Sara. Let them file wha