Iris lay in the bed, the dim light casting eerie shadows on the walls, deepening the sense of isolation that had become her constant companion. Her body, weakened by the confinement and the minimal rations she was given, felt heavy and unresponsive. The baby within her moved slightly, a faint reminder of life, but even that small comfort was overshadowed by the relentless despair gnawing at her soul.The single hand that was free from the restraints rested limply by her side, a minor concession that allowed her some semblance of humanity in this hellish prison. The other hand was tied securely to the bed frame, the rough rope biting into her skin whenever she tried to shift even slightly.The door creaked open, a sound that usually signaled the arrival of her captors or the cold nurse, but this time, it was different. Iris was only half aware of the intrusion, her exhaustion weighing down her eyelids as she drifted in and out of a restless sleep.A figure moved silently into the ro
Flashes of images flickered behind her closed eyelids—disjointed, fragmented memories that didn’t quite make sense. A man’s face, his features blurred and indistinct, hovered in her mind’s eye, and then a woman, her voice soft and comforting, calling Iris’s name. Iris… Iris…The voice was familiar, like a half-remembered dream, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t place it. The images came and went, like the flicker of an old film reel, each one more elusive than the last. The man’s face appeared again, this time with a tender smile, but it faded before she could grasp its significance.Iris clamped her free hand over her ears as if she could block out the relentless assault of her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the images to stop, but they persisted, a cruel reminder of the life she couldn’t remember."Mum… Mum, is that you?" she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her despair. But the only response was the hollow echo of her voice in the empty r
Luca stared at his phone, disbelief washing over him as he read the message from one of the employees at Kendrick Enterprises.Bella’s presence at the office, along with a group of new faces claiming authority, had sent a shockwave through the company. His fingers tightened around the phone as he considered his next move.“Something’s not right,” Luca muttered to himself. He glanced at the clock on the wall. It was late, but this couldn’t wait. Grabbing his keys, he headed out the door, determined to get to the bottom of whatever was happening at the office.As Luca drove through the quiet streets, his mind raced with questions. How had Bella gained control so quickly? And why hadn’t she visited Ryan in the hospital? The pieces didn’t add up, and Luca felt a gnawing unease in his gut.When he arrived at Kendrick Enterprises, the building was still lit up, a stark contrast to the late hour. Luca’s footsteps echoed in the empty lobby as he made his way to the elevator, his thought
“Oh, I’m counting on that,” she said, her voice dripping with malice. “But trust me, Luca, by the time I’m done, there won’t be anything left to fight for.”Luca held her gaze, refusing to back down. “I’ll make sure Ivy knows what you’re planning. She won’t let you destroy everything her family built.”Bella’s eyes flashed with annoyance. “Ivy? That little fashion-obsessed brat? She’s nothing compared to me. By the time she realizes what’s happening, it’ll be too late.”Without another word, Luca turned on his heel and stormed out of the office, his mind racing. He had to warn Ivy and figure out a way to stop Bella before it was too late.Luca’s heart pounded as he dialed Ivy’s number, his hands shaking slightly. He needed to keep his cool, but the urgency of the situation made it difficult. The phone rang twice before Ivy answered, her voice laced with concern.“Luca? What’s wrong? It’s late.”“Ivy, we have a problem,” Luca said, trying to keep his voice steady. “I just got back
The evening sky was painted in hues of deep orange and crimson, the last rays of sunlight filtering through the blinds of Ivy’s apartment. The room was quiet, save for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Ivy sat at her desk, surrounded by a pile of documents, her laptop screen displaying the encrypted files she had been working on for hours.Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, the events of the past few weeks playing on a continuous loop. The treachery she had uncovered, the lies and deceit that surrounded her—it was all coming to a head, and now Luca had just informed her of Bella's claims on the company. She knew that if she wanted to survive, if she wanted to protect what was rightfully hers, she had to unmask the enemy, and as it stood, there were too many enemies.The sound of the doorbell snapped her out of her thoughts. Ivy hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering over the mouse. She quickly saved the files before closing her laptop and walking toward the door. She
“We’ll be careful,” Luca assured her. “But we need to move quickly. Time is not on our side.”Ivy stood, pacing the room as she thought through their next steps. “I’ve already started gathering some evidence,” she said, gesturing to the pile of documents on her desk. “But it’s not enough. We need something concrete, something that will prove beyond a doubt what they’re up to.”Luca watched her, his eyes following her movements. “We’ll find it,” he said, his voice filled with determination. “But Ivy, there’s something you need to know.”She stopped pacing and turned to face him, a sense of dread creeping up her spine. “What is it?”“There’s someone else involved,” Luca said, his expression grim. “Someone who’s been watching you, tracking your every move.”Ivy’s heart skipped a beat. “Who?”“I don’t know yet,” Luca admitted, frustration evident in his voice. “But I’ve noticed things—little things that don’t add up. Someone’s been tailing you, Ivy. They’re good, but I’ve caught glimpses.
The crisp morning air clung to the walls of the Kendrick mansion, its chill matching the tension that had settled over the household. Ivy paced in the library, her fingers drumming anxiously against the ornate mahogany table.The events of the previous night had left her shaken, but there was no time to dwell on the revelations about Victor.There were other battles to fight, and a new storm was brewing on the horizon, one that threatened not just her family but the entire city.Luca entered the room, his expression grave as he approached her. “Ivy, you need to see this,” he said, holding out a tablet.Ivy took the tablet from him, her eyes scanning the headline that blared across the screen."Kendrick Enterprises Linked to Major Political Scandal: Corruption and Conspiracy Unveiled."Her heart sank as she read the details of the article. It alleged that Kendrick Enterprises had been involved in illegal dealings with several high-ranking government officials, including bribery, fraud
“Ivy, how are you doing today?” he asked, setting the papers aside.Ivy approached the desk, her heart pounding in her chest. “Dad, I hope you are getting better, we need to talk. There’s something you need to know.”Mr. Kendrick’s expression grew concerned as he noticed the seriousness in her tone. “What is it, Ivy? What’s wrong?”Taking a deep breath, Ivy held out the tablet to him, the article still displayed on the screen. “This. It’s all over the news.”Mr. Kendrick took the tablet from her, his eyes narrowing as he read the headline. His expression remained calm as he scrolled through the article, but Ivy could see the tension building in his jaw.When he finished, he set the tablet down and looked up at her. “This is serious,” he said, his voice measured. “But it’s not unexpected.”Ivy blinked in surprise. “You knew this was coming?”Mr. Kendrick nodded slowly. “I’ve been aware of the possibility for some time. There are people out there who would love nothing more than to see
Months had passed since Parker waited in vain for Ryan to come to his rescue. As the cold reality set in, the hope that had once flickered inside Parker’s heart dimmed until it was nothing but a distant memory. The prison walls around him felt like they were closing in, suffocating him with the weight of his past mistakes. Every day, he wondered if his son would ever come, but no sign of Ryan emerged. He had gambled on the wrong side of history, and now he was paying for it with every lonely second that ticked by.Meanwhile, Mrs. Rose Kendrick, once a woman of unmatched power and deceit, was locked away in her world of doom. She had seen the writing on the wall long before now. When the truth came to light, when all the lies she had crafted so carefully unraveled before her eyes, she knew no one was coming to save her. The empire she had tried to manipulate for herself and her lover Parker had crumbled. Her final days were filled with silence, the kind that came not from peace but
Ryan paced the length of his father’s study, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. He held the hospital reports tightly in his hand, his knuckles white from the grip. The reports confirmed his worst fears—the man he had called his father for his entire life wasn’t his biological father at all. Dr. Parker was. The revelation had shaken him to the core, and he knew he couldn’t keep this secret any longer. He had to tell Mr. Kendrick.Taking a deep breath, he walked over to where Kendrick sat in his leather chair, his eyes already filled with concern. Kendrick had noticed Ryan’s turmoil the moment he entered the room, but he hadn’t pressed him to speak."Dad," Ryan began, his voice trembling slightly. He rarely ever called him anything but ‘Dad,’ but now, with this new information, it felt like a lie. Still, it was all he had ever known. "I received something today. It’s… complicated, and I don’t know how to explain it."Kendrick raised an eyebrow, worry etching deeper into his
The atmosphere in the house was finally calm, or so it seemed. After everything they had been through—the betrayals, the conspiracies, and the almost impossible escape from danger—Iris, Kendrick, and Jessica were relieved to be back home. The past few days had been nothing short of a nightmare, but now, with Ryan by her side, Iris felt like she could finally breathe again.Ryan had transformed into the kind of husband Iris had always dreamed of. He was attentive, caring, and endlessly devoted, especially when it came to their newborn. Late-night feedings and diaper changes—Ryan was right there with her, helping in every way he could. The chaos and distrust that once clouded their relationship were gone, replaced by a bond forged through hardship and love.One afternoon, as Iris cradled their baby on the living room couch, Ryan returned from the front door, holding a small package. There was no return address, just his name scribbled hastily across the front. He furrowed his brow as
The tension in the hospital room hung heavy as Iris took a deep breath and prepared to explain everything. The faces of those around her—Jessica, Ryan, Kendrick, and Ivy—were etched with a mixture of concern, curiosity, and shock. Ryan, especially, seemed anxious, as though every word Iris spoke would shift the very foundation of what he believed to be true.“I found out I was pregnant,” Iris began slowly, her voice steady but filled with emotion, “on the same day that Mrs. Rose asked to see me. She called me out of the blue and said she needed to talk. I thought it was something important about the family, but when I got there…” She paused, her gaze shifting to Ryan before continuing. “She told me to leave you, Ryan. She wanted me gone so you could be with Bella.”Ryan’s jaw clenched at the mention of his mother’s betrayal, but he remained silent, allowing Iris to continue.“I was devastated,” Iris admitted, her voice cracking slightly. “I didn’t know what to do, and on my way back t
The tension in the room had begun to settle after the police escorted Mrs. Rose and Dr. Parker out in handcuffs. The silence that followed felt like the calm after a storm, but there was still an air of unease.Mr. Kendrick stood in the center of the room, his expression heavy with guilt and regret. He turned toward Jessica, who stood with her arms crossed, looking as though she wasn’t quite sure what to make of him yet. Ivy and Iris, standing side by side, had barely spoken a word since everything unfolded.Kendrick cleared his throat, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m sorry,” he began, his eyes filled with sincerity as he faced Jessica and the twins. “Jessica, Iris, Ivy… I know words aren’t enough to make up for the years I’ve spent apart from you all, the lies, and everything else that’s happened. But please believe me when I say that I’ve regretted every single moment I wasn’t with you.”Iris remained silent, her face pale from shock, while Ivy’s gaze flickered between Jessica a
The room was suffocating. Ryan sat up straighter in his hospital bed, his eyes narrowing as Luca entered, his expression grim. The air felt thick with anticipation as everyone waited for the news. Luca cleared his throat and looked directly at Ryan. “The anonymous messenger? It was Sarah—your house help,” he said quietly. Ryan’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Sarah?” He glanced at Ivy, then back at Luca. “What do you mean? She’s just a housemaid. Why would she—" “She’s been traced and caught,” Luca interrupted his voice firm. “We got her while she was trying to flee the country. She’s been feeding information to your enemies, Ryan. She’s been working with Mrs. Rose.”The room went still. Ivy gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, and Kendrick’s face drained of color. Mrs. Rose stood frozen, her eyes wide in disbelief as all eyes turned toward her.“What… what are you saying?” Ryan’s voice was low, but it shook with barely restrained anger.“She confessed everything,” Luca continued, h
The silence that followed Mr. Kendrick's confession was deafening. Everyone in the room seemed frozen, processing the weight of his words. Mrs. Rose’s face was a mixture of shock and rage, her hands trembling as she gripped the back of a chair for support. Ryan and Ivy exchanged uneasy glances, while Jessica stood still, her expression unreadable, though her eyes glistened with the pain of memories that had long since scarred her.Kendrick took a deep breath, his voice thick with regret as he continued. "I was in love with Jessica," he admitted, his eyes locked on the floor as if unable to meet anyone’s gaze. "We were both so young, and I couldn't resist her. But I was already married to Rose. There was no way I could marry Jessica. I was the heir to the Kendrick family fortune, and it would have been a scandal—a disgrace—to have an affair and a child out of wedlock."Rose scoffed, her voice laced with venom. "So instead, you chose to keep me in the dark and raise the child of your
The tension in the room was so thick it felt as though it could suffocate them all. Mrs. Rose stood frozen, her heart hammering against her chest as her eyes darted from Jessica to Kendrick and then to her children. Her worst nightmare was unraveling before her eyes, and there was no escape. Kendrick, too, was motionless, his face a mixture of disbelief and confusion. His eyes met Jessica’s, and a flood of memories rushed back—memories he had buried for years. He tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat."Je… Jessica?" Kendrick’s voice was barely above a whisper, his shock palpable. Ryan, standing by his father’s bedside, turned to Kendrick, his brows furrowed in confusion. "Dad, do you know her?"Jessica stood tall, her eyes blazing with the fire of long-buried resentment. She ignored Ryan’s question and locked eyes with Mrs. Rose, whose face was now dripping with cold sweat. Rose’s hands trembled as she took a step backward, her composure slipping with every second."No…
Mrs. Rose paced anxiously around the hospital room, her heels clicking against the cold tile floor. She glanced at her watch for the hundredth time, her impatience growing by the second. Where were Ivy and Ryan? What were they up to? Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the door open. She turned swiftly, only to see Ryan step into the room, followed closely by Ivy. Relief washed over her for a split second, but it quickly faded as she saw the grim looks on their faces. Something was wrong.“Where have you two been?” Mrs. Rose demanded, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’ve been looking all over for you!”Ryan didn’t respond immediately. His face was hard, his jaw clenched. Ivy, too, seemed distant, her eyes fixed on the floor as if she couldn’t bear to meet her mother’s gaze.Before Mrs. Rose could demand answers, a weak cough sounded from the hospital bed. Her husband, Mr. Kendrick, had woken up. Slowly, he turned his head toward her, his eyes filled with anger and betray