By the time they arrived home, she felt drained, both emotionally and physically. She went straight to their bedroom, collapsing onto the bed, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.Ryan followed her, standing at the doorway with his arms folded. After a few moments, he walked over and sat beside her.Iris looked up at him, her eyes red and puffy. “Why do they hate me so much?” she whispered. “What did I do wrong?”Ryan sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You did nothing wrong. They’re just... difficult,” he said. “But you don’t deserve to be treated that way.”Iris leaned into his embrace, feeling a glimmer of hope despite the night’s events. It wasn’t much, but knowing Ryan was on her side gave her the strength to keep going.“Thank you, Ryan,” she whispered. “That means a lot.”He kissed her forehead, a tender gesture that momentarily made her feel safe, even loved. Yet the doubt still lingered in her mind. Could she truly endure the cold cruelty of his family forev
"I only want what’s best for him," she said, her voice almost too smooth. "If Iris makes him happy, then I’m happy for him."Ivy snorted dismissively. "Please. Iris is a parasite. She’s only clinging to Ryan for his money and status. She’ll never be one of us."Mrs. Rose nodded in agreement, her expression hardening. "It’s true. The sooner Ryan realizes the mistake he’s made, the better. He should have been with someone like you, Bella. Someone who understands our world—our expectations.”Bella’s smile remained, but there was a glint in her eyes, a flash of something dangerous. "It’s Ryan’s decision," she said softly, but her words carried an edge. "We should all respect it. For now.”The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Ivy looked to her mother, her frustration evident. "But why should we wait? Why let that woman ruin our family?”Mrs. Rose sighed, her voice low and calculated. "Patience, Ivy. We mustn’t act rashly. Iris will expose herself in time. People like her always do.
Mrs. Rose entered the master bedroom, its grandeur reflecting the wealth and status of the Kendrick family. The room was enormous, with high ceilings and elegant crown moldings. Plush carpets cushioned her footsteps as she approached her husband, who was in the middle of changing.A large, king-sized bed with a canopy draped in luxurious fabrics dominated one side of the room. On the other side, a seating area with a chaise lounge and a coffee table overlooked the manicured gardens outside through floor-to-ceiling windows.Mr. Kendrick was unbuttoning his shirt, his back turned to her. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his broad back."Honey," she began softly, she was cut short by her husband."I don't like the way you spoke to Iris. She's your son's wife. She should be given and shown respect. What you and Ivy did was wrong."Mr. Kendrick said as he sighed deeply, removing his shoes and placing them neatly by the bed."Rose, I
Mrs. Rose stayed close by his side, her hands never leaving his. As they settled him onto the bed, Mrs. Rose looked into his eyes, her own filled with worry and love."What happened, honey? You scared me to death."Mr. Kendrick took a deep breath, the weight of the secrets he carried pressing down on him. "I... I just got dizzy. I'm fine now, honey really."But Mrs. Rose wasn't convinced. She knew her husband better than anyone, and she could see the strain in his eyes."You need to see a doctor. This isn't something we can ignore."Mr. Kendrick nodded reluctantly, knowing she was right. The past had a way of catching up with him, and he couldn't keep running from it forever.As he lay in bed, his thoughts drifted back to that fateful day, the one he had tried so hard to forget. He had to keep it hidden, not just for his sake, but for the sake of his family. The truth was too dangerous to be revealed.But for now, he had to focus on the present. He reached out and took his wife's hand,
Ryan turned and headed back to his father's room. As soon as he was out of sight, Dr. Parker turned to Mrs. Rose and hugged her passionately, giving her a light squeeze on her butt. She pushed his hands away, a look of annoyance on her face."We can't do this here," she hissed, detaching from the hug.Dr. Parker composed himself quickly. "Of course," he said, clearing his throat.They both returned to Mr. Kendrick's room. Mrs. Rose sat beside her husband, gently holding his hand while Dr. Parker packed up his medical kit."Ryan," Dr. Parker said, turning to him, "could you drop by the hospital to pick up your father's medications?"Ryan nodded. "Of course, Dr. Parker."As Dr. Parker left, Mr. Kendrick, sedated by the medication, drifted into a deep sleep. He had sustained minor injuries from his fall in the bathroom, but they were not serious.Ryan decided it was best to head to work since his father was resting. "Mom, Ivy, look after Dad. I'll be at the office if you need me."Mrs. Rose
"Good morning, Mr. Kendrick," she greeted him, her voice smooth and alluring. "There are some documents that need your signature."Luca, who had been in the room discussing some urgent matters with Ryan, immediately understood the silent exchange of looks between Emily and Ryan. Sensing the need for privacy, he stood up and excused himself. "I'll be back in a bit, Ryan," he said, nodding at Emily before leaving the office.As soon as the door clicked shut, Emily walked over to Ryan's desk, her hips swaying with every step. She leaned forward to place the files on his desk, and Ryan couldn't help but notice how her blouse gaped open, showcasing her ample cleavage. Her top button was undone, nearly exposing her breasts. She bit her lower lip seductively, her eyes never leaving his as she slowly ran her hands over her hips, clearly itching for more intimate contact.Ryan felt a surge of arousal. He was known for his rule of never being with the same woman twice, but Emily's blatant invi
I'll be back soon."Luca nodded, noticing the tension in Ryan's voice. "Take care, Ryan. Let me know if you need anything."Ryan gave a brief nod and hurried out, his thoughts racing. He couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in his gut when Dr. Parker had held his hand and smiled earlier. There was something unsettling about it, but he decided to push the thought aside. He needed to focus on his father.He got into the car, and his chauffeur closed the door behind him before getting in and driving off. They arrived at Central Medical Hospital, one of the city's most prestigious and top-notch hospitals. The building was an architectural marvel, with its sleek glass exterior and modern design.Inside, the hospital was just as impressive, with spacious, well-lit corridors and state-of-the-art medical equipment.Ryan walked through the lobby, exchanging polite nods with the receptionist. "Dr. Parker is with a patient right now, but you can wait in his office," she informed hi
"Bye," the voice responded.Dr. Parker ended the call just as he heard a knock on the door. "Dr. Parker?" a voice called out."Come in," he replied, quickly composing himself.*********************As the evening approached, Ryan returned home, exhausted from the day's events. He went straight to his father's room, finding him still asleep. Ivy was there, her eyes red from crying."How is he?" Ryan asked softly."He's been sleeping most of the day," Ivy replied. "Dr. Parker said that's a good sign."Ryan nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "Thanks for staying with him, Ivy."Ivy gave him a small smile. "Of course. He's our dad."Ryan sat down beside his father's bed, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. He quietly handed the medication to his mother. "Here, Mom. The doctor says to administer them as prescribed.""Thank you, Ryan," Mrs. Rose said, her voice strained with worry. "Your father will be fine."Ryan gave her a reassuring nod and turned to leave. He needed to clea
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