Ryan sat in the massive living room, the silence of the house almost suffocating. His fingers absentmindedly trailed along the arm of the sofa as he stared at the empty walls, void of any warmth or personality. Bella had cleared everything. All the paintings, the photos, and any semblance of the life he once shared with Iris.But Bella was his wife now or so she told him. And she seemed to care about him more than anyone else. She told him how his family had turned on her, how they had never accepted their relationship. Bella claimed they had even tried to sabotage her when she took over the company, forcing her to step in and save the empire in his absence. Still, Ryan couldn’t help but feel a nagging doubt. It gnawed at the back of his mind, small flashes of memories that didn’t add up, but with no concrete evidence, he had nothing to cling to.He rubbed his temples as the confusion lingered. "Maybe I'm overthinking this," he muttered to himself.The door creaked open, and Bella
Bella waved her hand dismissively. “Nothing too drastic, just a bit of rebranding. The Kendrick Empire needed a fresh face, something modern. Trust me, Ryan, once you’re back on your feet, you’ll see it was the right move.”Ryan’s mind wandered back to those flashes of memories. “I just... I don’t understand how everything could change so quickly.”Bella leaned in, cupping his face with her hands. “Ryan, you don’t need to understand everything right now. What matters is that I’m here, and we’re in this together. You trust me, don’t you?”Ryan hesitated, his mind battling with the conflicting emotions. The logical part of him wanted to ask more questions and dig deeper into the fragments of memories. But he was exhausted, both physically and mentally. Bella had been there for him through all of it, and without any proof to the contrary, he forced himself to believe her. He nodded.“I trust you,” he said, though his voice lacked the conviction he once held.Bella’s smile widened as s
Jessica lay in the hospital bed, her body weak, bruised, and barely able to move. The sterile smell of the private ward filled her nostrils as the low beeping of machines echoed in the room. Her vision was blurry, and every breath felt like an effort. She knew she was being kept alive for a reason perhaps so Mrs. Rose could toy with her life just a little longer. Yet, a part of her still held on, hoping for a miracle.The door creaked open, and in walked a man in a white coat, his face obscured by a surgical mask. He closed the door behind him and briefly glanced at the guards stationed outside.He lingered for a moment, studying their positions and ensuring no one was paying too much attention."Mrs. Jessica," he whispered as he approached her bed, his voice steady yet urgent.Jessica stirred, her eyes slowly focusing on the figure before her. Something about his voice felt different, not like the cold, clinical tone she had grown accustomed to.The doctor leaned down, lowering h
Luca sat in the dimly lit corner of his office, his fingers drumming lightly on the edge of his desk. His mind was racing, eyes fixed on his phone. As he remembered how he tracked down Mrs Jessica.Every lead so far had led to dead ends. Mrs. Rose had covered her tracks well, but Luca wasn’t about to give up. He knew Jessica held the key to unraveling everything.Suddenly, his phone buzzed. Luca glanced down, surprised to see an unknown number. Hesitantly, he answered."Hello?""Luca?" came a low voice from the other end. It was raspy, like the person speaking was constantly looking over their shoulder. "I don’t have much time. I’m one of the guards assigned to watch Mrs. Jessica."Luca’s heart skipped a beat. "Go on.""She’s being moved to a hospital tomorrow morning. They’re trying to keep it quiet, but I thought you should know. She’s in bad shape, and if they take her where Mrs. Rose wants, I don’t think she’ll survive."Luca’s jaw clenched. "Why are you telling me this?""Becaus
Mr. Kendrick sat in his study room, staring blankly at the framed portrait of his late father on the wall. The weight of everything was crushing him. The empire he had worked his entire life to maintain was slipping through his fingers, and the woman holding the reins was someone he despised. Bella had cleverly maneuvered herself into a position of power, using forged paperwork and her manipulation of the board to oust him from his own company.His heart ached with helplessness. He felt like a prisoner in his empire, forced to play along with her schemes if only to keep what little control he had left. The board was firmly on Bella's side, lured in by promises of fresh leadership and new visions for the company. No one questioned her authority, not even the ones who had once been loyal to him.Slumping into his chair, Kendrick reached for his phone and dialed a private number. He had no choice but to act fast if he wanted to save his company from the clutches of this woman. The on
Ryan leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. "So... she’s not lying to me? Everything she’s said about the family hating her, mistreating her it’s all true?"Kendrick hesitated for a fraction of a second, then nodded. "Yes, it’s all true. She’s been through a lot, Ryan, but she stayed because of you."Ryan’s expression softened. He wanted to believe his father, wanted to believe that Iris had been acting out of love for him. But something still didn’t sit right."I need to talk to her," Ryan muttered, standing up. "I need to hear it from her.""Of course," Kendrick said, his voice tight. "But please, Ryan... don’t let this tear you apart. We all want what’s best for you."Meanwhile, across town, Mrs. Rose stormed into her office, fury radiating off her in waves. She had just received word that Jessica had disappeared without a trace from the hospital where she had been held. Her carefully laid plans were beginning to unravel, and she couldn’t allow that."How did this happen?" she
Luca paced the dimly lit hallway of the hotel, his footsteps light as he listened intently to the quiet hum of his phone. The tiny earpiece in his ear crackled softly as he heard the voice on the other end say, "She’s on the move."He nodded to himself, whispering under his breath, "Keep an eye on her. I’ll tail from a distance."For weeks now, Luca had been suspicious of Mrs. Rose. Her frantic behavior since Mrs. Jessica’s disappearance had set off alarm bells, and his instincts told him there was more to this story than anyone realized. Tonight, he was determined to uncover the truth. Disguised in a dark hoodie and jeans, Luca slipped out of the back exit of the hotel, blending into the shadows of the bustling city. He kept a safe distance from Mrs. Rose’s sleek black car as it glided down the street, the taillights faint against the night sky. She was heading to a private location, and Luca had a feeling Dr. Parker would be there. He tapped his phone screen, opening the tracking
Unbeknownst to them, Luca stood outside, hidden behind a tall hedge, listening intently to their conversation through the window left slightly ajar. His heart raced as he pieced together the fragments of their discussion. Mrs. Rose and Dr. Parker were involved in something far more sinister than he had imagined. The mention of Jessica sent a chill down his spine. He had suspected she was in danger, but now he knew for certain that her disappearance wasn’t an accident—it was orchestrated. Luca reached for his phone, quickly typing out a message to his contact: "They’re discussing Jessica. Something big is happening. Keep watch on their movements."As he slipped his phone back into his pocket, he leaned closer to the window, straining to hear more. Inside, the tension between Mrs. Rose and Dr. Parker grew thicker. Mrs. Rose stood abruptly, pacing again as she spoke. "We need to get rid of Bella. She’s becoming a liability. If Ryan remembers even a fraction of what happened, everything
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