The atmosphere inside the dimly lit room was suffocating, almost too quiet for comfort. Iris lay on a small, uncomfortable bed, her hands resting over her swollen belly. She could feel the weight of each breath she took as if the air had become heavy with tension. The room had become her prison for months now, but lately, she could feel a shift—her time was drawing near.She winced slightly as the baby inside her kicked, a reminder that she wasn’t alone, despite the loneliness that consumed her. She was nearing her delivery date, and the nurse who came to check on her regularly had confirmed it during her last visit.“It won’t be long now, Ms. Iris,” the nurse had said softly, a hint of sympathy in her eyes. “You need to rest as much as you can.”But how could Iris rest? She had spent the last month locked up in this room, her fate uncertain, surrounded by enemies who were waiting for the moment she became vulnerable. She knew that once she gave birth, her life would be in even gr
The once vibrant Kendrick mansion, always buzzing with activity, now stood still, suffocating in an air of despair. The echoes of laughter and lively conversations had faded, replaced by heavy silence. Ivy had locked herself in her room for days, refusing to come out, refusing to speak. No one dared to disturb her any longer—not even Mrs. Rose, who had tried relentlessly to get through to her.Inside her room, Ivy sat curled up in a corner, her eyes swollen from crying. Tear-streaked lines ran down her cheeks, her once-perfect appearance now unrecognizable. She had refused to eat, to sleep, or to let anyone in. Her world had crumbled in the blink of an eye, and now she was drowning in her own guilt and shame. Everything she had built—her career, her reputation, her self-worth—was gone.Another knock came at the door, this time softer than before.“Ivy,” Mrs. Rose’s voice filtered through the heavy wooden door, her tone gentle but firm. “Please, sweetheart, you need to eat something.
“You joined mum in maltreating that poor girl. You made sure you seized every opportunity to humiliate her.”Her hand shook as she stared at his name on the screen, debating whether to answer. After a few long seconds, she took a deep breath and pressed the call button, holding the phone to her ear.“Ivy,” Ryan’s voice came through, calm but firm. “We need to talk.”She swallowed hard, her throat dry. “Ryan, I... I’m sorry.”“I know you are,” he said quietly. “But being sorry doesn’t change what’s happened.”Her chest tightened, tears welling up in her eyes again. “I didn’t mean for things to get this bad. I didn’t... I didn’t know it would come to this.”“Ivy, you need to understand something,” Ryan said, his tone serious. “What you did... what we did... it has consequences. You can’t hide from this forever.”She sniffed, wiping away a tear that had fallen onto her cheek. “I know. I just... I don’t know how to fix it.”Ryan sighed on the other end of the line. “It’s not about fixing it
The hospital’s sterile, quiet air weighed heavily on Mrs. Rose as she walked briskly down the corridor, her high heels echoing against the linoleum floor. The scent of disinfectant stung her nose, but it was the least of her worries. Her mind was tangled in the chaos of her crumbling family. She had always prided herself on being in control, but now, everything was falling apart, and she could barely keep up.She arrived at Dr. Parker’s office, her heartbeat quickening as she knocked on the door. The familiar voice of the doctor called her in, and she took a deep breath before stepping inside.Dr. Parker sat behind his desk, his usual calm and collected demeanor intact. His brown hair was neatly combed, and his hazel eyes flickered with knowing confidence. He looked up, his gaze locking onto hers as she closed the door behind her.“Rose,” he greeted, his tone neutral but laced with understanding. “I wasn’t expecting you this early. What’s happened?”Mrs. Rose sighed, running a hand t
Mrs Rose's heart pounded in her chest a mixture of relief and fear swirling inside her. They were playing a dangerous game, one that could easily spiral out of control if they weren’t careful. But they had come too far to turn back now.“So, we focus on Ken first,” she said firmly, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her mind. “Then we deal with Bella, and finally, we’ll bring Ryan under our control.”Dr. Parker nodded, his expression serious. “Yes, but we must be swift. The longer we wait, the more risks we take.”Mrs. Rose’s fingers clenched around the vial as she stood up from her chair. “I’m tired of waiting. Let’s finish this.”Later that evening, Mrs. Rose returned to the mansion, her mind racing with the details of her conversation with Dr. Parker. She entered the grand dining room, where Mr. Kendrick sat at the head of the table, staring blankly at the food in front of him. He looked even more frail than he had that morning, his once-strong presence diminished into somethi
The tension in the air was thick as Mrs. Rose stood inches away from Dr. Parker in his dimly lit office. Their conversation had taken a dark turn, but as always, there was an undercurrent of something else—something much more primal between them. The weight of their shared secrets seemed to pull them together, and before either could think twice, they had closed the gap between them.Dr. Parker’s hands found Mrs. Rose’s waist, pulling her closer as their lips collided in a heated, passionate kiss. It wasn’t just desire; it was desperation, a shared hunger that had grown more intense with every plot they devised. Their mouths moved against each other’s with urgency, tongues intertwining as they devoured each other like two people starved for affection. Every touch was a spark, every breath shared between them a reminder of the danger they were both neck-deep in.Dr. Parker’s hand trailed up to the nape of Rose’s neck, pulling her even closer as if the kiss could erase the uncertaint
The road stretched out ahead of Mrs. Rose as she drove back to the mansion, the night sky pressing down on her like a weight. The kiss with Dr. Parker still lingered on her lips, but her mind was far from the present. As she navigated the winding roads, her thoughts drifted back to the past—the tangled web of lies, deceit, and passion that had led her to this very moment. It all seemed so long ago now, but the memories were as vivid as ever.Rose had been young and ambitious when she first met Parker. He wasn’t a wealthy man then—just a medical student with big dreams and an even bigger heart. They had fallen for each other quickly, a whirlwind romance that consumed them both. Parker had been her everything back then. His kind eyes, his unwavering support, his dreams of becoming a doctor—they had all made her believe that their love could conquer anything. But then Kendrick had entered the picture. Kendrick, the wealthy bachelor who had swept into her life like a storm. He had come
Rose's knuckles turned white as she gripped the steering wheel, her thoughts consumed by Bella. How had everything fallen apart so quickly? Her careful plans with Parker, the years of deception, manipulation, and power—all shattered by one person. Bella. She couldn't believe that Kendrick's daughter would dare to interfere, and now she had ruined everything. But Bella would pay. Rose would make sure of it.Meanwhile, Luca’s mind was elsewhere, racing with concern for Ivy. Ever since her career had taken a nosedive, she had vanished from the public eye. She hadn’t answered his calls, hadn’t been seen in days, and Ryan’s words had only made things worse.“She’s locked herself up in her room,” Ryan had told him. “Won’t talk to anyone.”Luca didn’t hesitate. He had known Ivy for years, and though she often put up a tough front, he knew her better than most. Beneath that exterior was a woman who felt deeply—too deeply at times. Her career had meant the world to her, and now that it was in
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