Noah and his friends at school had fun in the playground, agilely running around in excitement. The school playground vibrated with energy, children's laughter echoing off the swings and slides. Noah, his messy golden hair ruffling in the wind, chased after his friends in a heated game of tag, their sneakers squeaking on the vibrant rubber surface. Just as he sprinted towards the swings, his gaze suddenly fell upon a figure standing near the fence, partially hidden by the shade of a tall oak tree. His frame and body structure seemed eerily familiar and he couldn't help but take a few steps forward to take a closer look.Just then, his footsteps faltered, and his cheerful grin vanished. It was Desmond.Desmond stood with his arms crossed, watching him with an intense gaze as he leaned on the oak tree. His gaze held a hint of friendliness, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.Noah's feet rooted to the spot, his heart racing with mixed emotions. His friends continued playing, obliviou
Desmond was gone, and he took a huge chunk of Noah's peace of mind with him. The rest of Noah's day at school was ruined, leaving him scared and uneasy.Recess was still ongoing and Noah's friends invited him to play soccer, but he declined, faking a stomach ache. As he sat alone on a bench, his eyes scanned the playground, half-expecting his monstrous father to come back again.The threat lingered, poisoning every moment. Noah felt trapped, unsure who to trust or confide in. Desmond's warning echoed in his mind, sending chills down his spine.His anxiety lingered for days, and he was unable to tell Freya or anyone. Freya seemed stressed. To Noah, it seemed she was mentioned on the news alongside Diego. That was when Noah remembered Desmond's words about putting Diego in a mess of scandals. He didn't want to bother any of them. Besides, he didn't want to put them in trouble as Desmond had threatened to hurt them.Days went by and Noah's anxiety grew, manifesting in restless sleep, dim
Diego leaned back in his plush black leather swivel chair, his eyes fixed on the framed photo of Noah and Freya on his polished mahogany desk. With a deep sigh, he opened his laptop and logged in. His fingers frantically flew across the keyboard, his laptop screen glowing with search results. He sat hunched over his desk, his eyes scanning the screen with laser focus as he scrolled through adoption laws, paternity cases, and custody battles.With uncertainty etched on his face, he glanced through the few promising results which were too feeble to defend his resolve or console him.Files and papers cluttered his desk as well as Post-It notes scribbled with key points and questions. Diego's eyes scanned the information, his analytical mind absorbing each detail, searching for loopholes and strategies.He was fully aware of the consequences of his actions and how delicate the matter was. He could be saving a child's life or causing more harm than good. It had to be one. And he hoped it
Diego stopped by Freya's place after work, his sole intention to shed light on the adoption process, revealing how his lawyer had finalized the necessary documents and the significant role he would assume as Noah's father once the paperwork was officially processed.However, he was aware that Freya might feel betrayed and angry. So he decided to take it easy and not explain everything at once.In the living room, Freya and Diego settled into the couch together, watching TV. Diego wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close while Freya snuggled into his chest, laughing at the sitcom on TV.Just as the show reached its climax, Noah's hearty chuckles echoed from the next room, followed by the sound of toys crashing. The noise diverted their attention from the TV show and they exchanged uncertain glances.“Sounds like someone needs attention”, Diego said to Freya, smiling warmly.“Yeah, typical Noah. Let me go check up on him”, Freya said with a chuckle, starting to rise.“No,
Diego pulled up to Noah's school after work. He opted to drive himself to pick up Noah, without the aid of his driver.As he walked along the hallway heading to Noah's classroom, his heart raced with anticipation. He had been waiting for this moment for what felt like an eternity. The adoption papers were finally official, and he couldn't wait to share the news with Noah.For the first time, he felt like a real father and the thought of picking Noah up after the adoption papers have been made official made his heart swell with pride. Noah was now his son.As he stepped into the classroom and greeted Noah's teacher, Noah’s heart leaped for joy on setting his eyes on him.“Diego!” He exclaimed, sprinting into his arms.Diego wrapped his arms around Noah in a fierce hug, ruffling his hair playfully. Then, Diego sealed their hug with a gentle kiss on the top of Noah's head.“Diego, you won't believe what happened today”, Noah said, his words spilling out.Diego's face lit up with a warm s
Diego and Freya lay entwined in bed, reluctant to succumb to the morning's call. Their bodies relaxed in a tangle of sheets and blankets with Diego's arms wrapped tightly around Freya, holding her close as they savored the morning's warmth together. Freya's chestnut hair spilled across Diego's chest, and her gentle breathing synced with his. Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over Diego's luxurious bedroom. The city outside was slowly coming to life, the distant hum of traffic and chirping birds creating a gentle melody. Suddenly, the shrill ringtone of Diego's phone shattered the serenity and jolted them both awake. With a loud yawn, he groggily reached over to the nightstand, his eyes squinting against the bright light. Freya stirred and stretched her hands, yawning softly. Slowly, she opened her eyes and propped herself up on an elbow, her gaze meeting Diego. Diego squinted at his phone screen and his expression tightened as he
NEWS HEADLINE: Billionaire Diego Hunter Embroiled in Adoption Scandal“...shocking news tonight. Renowned billionaire Diego Hunter has found himself at the center of a highly publicized scandal. Allegations have surfaced that Diego illegally adopted Noah July, the biological son of fellow billionaire Desmond July, without his knowledge or consent”, the news anchor reported.Freya's shoulders slumped and her spirits dampened, her face wiped clean of color. She stole a concerned glance at Diego who sat beside her on the couch watching the news in peak anticipation, his jaw clenched in tension.“...According to reports, Diego adopted Noah with the consent of Noah's mother, Freya July, Desmond's estranged wife. The adoption allegedly took place without Desmond's awareness or involvement and CEO Desmond July fights back with a lawsuit…”The image on the news shifted to a live video of news outlets swarming outside Diego's mansion. Luckily, he was at Freya's house. But he wasn't so lucky be
The morning of the discovery stage of the pre-trial in the superior court of justice finally arrived, the plaintiff's and defendant's tables, parallel and stern, faced the elevated and imposing judge's bench which dominated the front.The morning sunlight filtered through the high windows of the courtroom, casting a pale glow on the tense atmosphere. The air was heavy with anticipation, thick with the weight of conflicting interests.The courtroom, with its polished wood and worn carpets, had witnessed countless battles. Today, it would host another.Diego, seated beside his lawyer, Attorney Anthonia, fidgeted with his tie. His eyes darted between the clock and the door, awaiting Desmond's arrival while his lawyer reviewed notes, her demeanor composed. Diego's face remained neutral and his demeanor nonchalant.Across from them, Mr. Thompson, Desmond's lawyer, organized documents with precision, his expression a mask of confidence. While he was distracted with organizing files, Diego s
Freya frantically adjusted her sitting posture, her expression turning worried. How could she have forgotten that Diego was an expert in tracking her location? He had bodyguards stationed practically in every corner of the city.Desmond remained frozen in shock, his stunned gaze still fixed on Diego whose neutral stare seemed to transform into a glare. His smirk had faltered, his confidence wavering for a moment."Diego, I wasn't expecting you”, Freya whispered, her voice neutral, but her eyes flashing a warning.However, Diego's gaze never left Desmond. His icy stare pinned Desmond to his seat, threatening to disrupt his composure. Just then, Desmond snapped out of his stunned form and regained his confidence, his face scrunched up in a contemptuous scowl."I see you're joining the party, Diego”, Desmond sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm."More like ending it”, Diego retorted, his tone cold and even. With a confident gesture, he adjusted his navy-blue blazers and smoothed his
With her lips curled in a hateful snarl and her eyes narrowed, Freya leaned forward, her arms crossed against her chest."Drop the lawsuit, Desmond. Or face the consequences”, Freya threatened, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper.Desmond's expression remained unmoved, his eyes glinting with amusement. In reaction to Freya's subtle threat, he simply leaned back in his chair, deliberately getting on her nerves."Consequences, Freya? From you? Oh, I'm so scared”, he said with a sarcastic chuckle.Then his expression turned sober, and he feigned fright, widening his eyes and mouth in an attempt to provoke Freya further.With a contemptuous glare, Freya watched him mimic a scared person and burst out laughing. Desmond chuckled for seconds, his body vibrating ridiculously as he tried to control his amusement.Freya's face twisted in rage, her hands clenched into fists. “What the hell is funny?” she spat.Desmond held his chest, attempting to suppress his laughter. “I'm sorry. I guess it
At exactly 9 PM, Desmond arrived at The Eclipse restaurant, his sleek black car gliding to the entrance. Quickly, his driver alighted and held the car door open in order for him to step out. With a stylish gesture, he stole a cautious glance at his luxury silver wristwatch. Seeing he was right on time, his lips curved in a pleased smirk.With a confident expression and demeanor, he stepped out of the car, stylishly adjusting his cufflinks. As his driver shut the door behind him with a soft click, Desmond took a minute to gaze upon the tall, exquisite five star restaurant, a hint of admiration in his eyes. Freya did have a good taste.He was dressed in a classy tailored charcoal gray suit, crisp white shirt, and black tie, his polished black shoes reflecting the dim street lights. He chuckled inwardly as he couldn't explain why he felt like he was going on a date. Freya's unexpected meeting got him overly fastidious about his dressing.With a mischievous smirk, Desmond strode into the
The rest of Freya's day was ruined, following the sudden lawsuit. Her performance in the kitchen dropped by a certain percentage and her focus flew out the window.Her hands moved on autopilot, chopping, sautéing, and seasoning, but her mind was elsewhere. Soon, her chopping turned aggressive and frustrated as a picture of Desmond's face came to mind.She wondered how Diego would react to the news. He might get furious and confront Desmond. And if things were to go south, Diego would be on the receiving end, getting criticisms from the public. That was the last thing she wanted.As she measured out ingredients, her gaze drifted to her phone, lying stationary on the counter. She kind of wished Diego’s call would come in that instant. Hearing his voice would definitely soothe her frazzled nerves. Then, her gaze shifted to the knife on the table and for a minute, she imagined pushing the sharp edge through Desmond's chest, ripping his heart out. At least, she'd go to jail for the right
The morning sunlight danced through Bayside Bistro's windows, illuminating Freya's domain, where she reigned with effortless finesse and precision as head chef.The previous months had been pretty rough; the distraction which came with the lawsuits. Her personal struggles began to take a toll on her work, fueling absenteeism and dwindling productivity. Fortunately, Freya's colleagues rallied around her, offering unwavering support and a helping hand, empathizing deeply with her challenging circumstances. For that, she was grateful.The lunch menu loomed and Freya's hands moved with precision, chopping vegetables in perfect rhythm as the kitchen's warm atmosphere enveloped her. Sizzling pans and the aroma of roasting meats filled the air, leaving her with a sense of home, and that of accomplishment. She was lost in her cooking, her mind clear and focused.Though it was initially difficult, she eventually pushed away the negative thoughts and energy which came with the lawsuit and force
8:00amFreya cracked Noah's room door open and sneaked in, a mischievous grin on her face. She tiptoed towards the bed where he lay, sleeping soundly.She took a minute to observe him, to admire his innocent features which shone in the bright morning sun while he snored quietly. With a warm smile, Freya gently shook Noah's shoulder, pulling him out of his deep sleep."Happy birthday, sweetie! Rise and shine!" Freya said excitedly, her voice soft and soothing.Noah squirmed lazily on the bed and rubbed his sleepy eyes. He let out a long loud yawn as he stretched his tiny arms and legs to full length, unwilling to get up. Then slowly, his eyelashes lifted, revealing his tired icy-blue eyes, and his gaze slowly focused on his mom's warm smile."Mom..." he mumbled, flashing a weak, sleepy smile at her.Freya's smile widened at how cute he looked in his messy morning hair and his tired blue eyes. As she sat gently on his bed, she leaned in and kissed him softly on his forehead. “Happy bir
Freya paced across her living room, her feet wearing a path in the carpet. Her face was etched with uncertainty and worry, and her brows furrowed in a deep crease.The court hearings weren't going according to her expectations. After the last court hearing, where the testimony of the adoption agency officer painted Diego as a fraudulent person, Freya was certain Diego would lose the case. And what if the final verdict wasn't just going to be about canceling the adoption? What if Diego was to be sentenced to a jail term?Her mind raced with worst-case scenarios: Desmond winning the case, Noah's uncertain future, Diego's life being ruined. Her heart clenched with anguish, a sharp pain piercing through her chest. She couldn't take it anymore. She had to take action now.Just then, the doorbell broke the silence, interrupting her thoughts. Freya's heart skipped a beat as she hurried to answer it.As she flung the door open, her eyes fell on Diego who stood on her porch, his expression so
The oath-taking was over and it was time for Mr. Thompson's direct examination. Mr. Thompson approached Ms. Regina Jenkins and with a clear crisp voice, he began his examination, "Ms. Jenkins, can you describe your role in the adoption process between Diego Hunter and Freya, Noah's biological mother?"Ms. Jenkins nodded, taking a deep breath before speaking, "As director of the adoption agency, I oversaw the entire process. Mr. Hunter approached us seeking a private adoption, presenting Freya's consent form. So, I facilitated the adoption, ensuring all parties complied with state and federal regulations.""Did your agency verify Desmond July's paternity before finalizing the adoption?" Mr. Thompson asked further.Diego let out a deep sigh, his face etched with uncertainty. Sensing his growing worry, Freya reached for his hand and squeezed it gently in a reassuring manner. She stole a fleeting glance at him, as if pleading with him to calm down.At Mr. Thompson’s question, Ms. Jenkins
The next court session had finally arrived. With Freya's consent form annulled, Diego's chances of winning the case were slim. And his lawyer, Attorney Anthonia, was beginning to run out of ideas on how to save him. Everything seemed bleak.As the litigants took their seats, the courtroom fell silent, heavy with anticipation. Diego sat rigidly, his eyes fixed on the empty bench. His charming gray eyes had lost their spark and were now vague. With the way events were unfolding, Diego slowly began to lose interest in his physical appearance. He now paid less attention to the way he dressed and how his hair looked. He dressed simple, in a white dress shirt and black corporate pants; no tie as per usual. His dark longish hair was simply tied up in a small ponytail, revealing the majestic sweep of his forehead.Freya sat beside him, her fingers intertwined with his. She stole concerned glances at him at intervals, hoping he was fine. Though she couldn't help but notice just how much his ph