Nathan narrowed his eyes, his expression skeptical. “You’re saying we let her run her mouth and make a fool of herself just to see what she’s up to?”Rita nodded. “Exactly. It’s clear she’s been sent here for a reason, and if we force her out now, we might lose the opportunity to uncover the truth. Let her stay—for now. But we’ll keep a close eye on her and whoever is pulling the strings.”Richard exhaled heavily, his displeasure still evident. “Fine,” he said reluctantly. “But I’m doing this for you, Rita. The moment she crosses a line—”“She’ll have to answer to us,” Rita finished, her voice firm. “Trust me, Papa. We’ll handle this.”Nathan exchanged a glance with their father, then sighed. “Alright, I’ll go along with this—for now. But if they think they can waltz in here and take over, they’re in for a rude awakening.”Rita gave them a small smile before turning her attention back to the front of the room, where Linet and Anita were now laughing and chatting with a small group of
The following day, Linet and Anita arrived at the company in their usual flawless style—dressed to impress, with impeccable makeup and hair. They had spent the night strategizing their arrival, determined to set the tone for how they would be treated from then on.As they stepped through the glass doors of the company lobby, heads turned. The employees, who had only heard rumors about Anita’s new role and Linet’s possible involvement, were taken aback. The office, usually buzzing with a casual energy, fell into an almost hushed atmosphere as they walked in, both of them exuding an air of superiority and power.Anita, who had always been keenly aware of the importance of first impressions, took a slow, deliberate walk towards the elevator, her heels clicking on the polished floor with each step. Linet, following close behind, matched her pace perfectly, her eyes scanning the room as if measuring each employee’s worth.The receptionist, who had been busy answering the phone, looked up a
Rita’s patience had worn thin, the sting of Linet’s insults festering deep inside her. She had been calm, composed, and controlled until now, but something snapped. Her hand moved faster than she could think, and with a sharp, resounding crack, her palm collided with Linet’s cheek.The sound of the slap echoed through the office, leaving a stunned silence in its wake.Linet’s head jerked to the side, her hair flying with the force of the blow. For a moment, she was frozen, her eyes wide in shock, as if she couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. The employees standing around them watched in disbelief, some whispering to each other in hushed tones while others simply stood there, too stunned to move.Linet’s hand instinctively went to her face, her fingers tracing the spot where the slap had landed, and then, with a growl of fury, she snapped.“You bitch!” she yelled, her voice venomous. Without thinking, Linet lunged at Rita, shoving her hard in the chest. The force of the push se
Rita stormed into Harry’s office, her eyes burning with fury. She barely glanced at the secretary as she marched straight past her, the sharp click of her heels echoing through the hallway. She didn’t knock, just opened the door wide and let herself in, slamming it behind her.“Harry,” she snapped, her voice laced with frustration. “The company’s management needs a serious revisiting.”Harry was sitting behind his desk, a half-smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he watched his sister pace back and forth, her movements sharp and tense. He leaned back in his chair, doing his best to remain calm, though he couldn’t help but feel a little amusement bubbling inside him. Rita was adorable when she was angry, her cheeks flushed, her lips pursed in that familiar, fiery expression."Rita, calm down," Harry said, his tone soothing. He leaned forward slightly, trying to keep the situation under control. He had seen her like this before, and he knew it was just a matter of time before she'
That evening, Rita stepped out of her car and took a deep breath of the cool night air. The soft lights of the lounge glowed warmly in front of her, and inside, music drifted gently through the windows. She had chosen this spot intentionally—quiet, familiar, and far away from the chaos of the company drama. She needed a break, and there was only one person she could truly relax around: her longtime friend, Janet.Janet was already waiting at a cozy corner booth, waving enthusiastically the moment she saw Rita. With her ever-vibrant energy and sassy charm, Janet was the kind of friend who made the weight of the world feel lighter—at least for a while.“Girl! You finally made it!” Janet said, getting up to hug her. “I was beginning to think you chickened out on me.”Rita chuckled softly, easing into the seat across from her. “I needed a breather. Work’s been… a mess.”Janet arched a brow playfully. “That serious? Come on, spill it.”The waitress arrived and took their orders. Janet orde
It wasn’t planned, and honestly, everything at work is turning into a circus. Linet’s been a nightmare, the manager’s playing favorites, people are whispering behind my back—”“And you’ve got a whole tiny human in there while dealing with that mess?” Janet gasped. “You deserve an award—or maybe a foot massage. Or both!”“I just wanted a break tonight,” Rita said, sipping her juice. “To be with someone who doesn’t have a hidden agenda.”Janet leaned over and squeezed her hand. “You’ve always been the strong one, Ri. I know things are messy now, but you’re not alone. You’ve got me. And this baby? This baby is going to have the coolest mom ever.”Rita’s eyes misted over, but she blinked quickly and gave Janet a teary smile. “You’re the best.”Janet grinned. “Duh. Now finish your juice, mama. We’re toasting to new beginnings—with vitamin C, of course.”They both laughed, and for the first time in days, Rita felt like herself again. The fight, the gossip, the betrayal—none of it mattered i
The Day Before the Big Bid Presentation – Office headquartersThe air in the office was thick with pressure. Desks were littered with coffee cups, sticky notes, and half-eaten snacks. The marketing team had been working around the clock for days preparing for the most crucial bid of the year—an international project that could thrust the company into an entirely new league.Everyone was exhausted, running on fumes and anticipation. Yet no one complained. This deal was everything.Rita sat in the conference room, laptop open, fine-tuning the final slides. Despite her fatigue and the quiet flutters in her belly reminding her she wasn’t alone anymore, she stayed focused. This presentation was her responsibility. Her department. Her name on the line.But somewhere down the hallway, behind the tinted glass of the executive office, Anita leaned back in her chair, a malicious smirk curving her lips.“She’s too confident lately,” Anita muttered to Linet, who stood by the door like a guard dog
When the office buzz finally dulled and the storm of sabotage settled into quiet whispers, Rita found herself alone at her desk, the glow of her computer casting soft shadows across her weary face. Her fingers absentmindedly grazed the edge of a delicate bouquet placed on the corner—white lilies and blush roses, fresh and fragrant.She hadn’t thought much of them at first. With everything going on—the chaos, the shame attempt, the endless meetings—they had simply been a gentle backdrop to her madness. But now, in the calm after the storm, her gaze drifted to the small card tucked between the stems.She pulled it out slowly, her eyes narrowing on the neat, careful handwriting.“Just a reminder: you are stronger than you think. – ”Her breath caught.Anthony.A soft, nostalgic smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Of course it was him. Anthony had always had this quiet way of showing up—never loud, never demanding, but always… present. Always watching out for her like the older broth
Adrian stood by the window of his study, his eyes fixed on the cloudy horizon. His mind wasn’t on the view—it was a storm within him that raged harder than the weather outside. The conversation with his father from the previous day had already left him drained, but it was nothing compared to the call he had just ended.This time, his father hadn’t just been stern—he had been livid."You’ve made decisions on your own before, Adrian," his father’s voice had thundered through the phone. "You walked away from the family business like it meant nothing. We let that go because you wanted to 'find yourself.' But this—this is not something I will tolerate."Adrian had barely gotten a word in before the older man continued."You think you can just disgrace the family name? A union with the Walkers—Sophie’s family—was not just about tradition. It was business, legacy, power. You’re a grown man, yet you throw all that away for a woman we know nothing about? And now, you’re living with her, claimi
Adrian sat in his office, staring blankly at the papers on his desk. The weight of everything that had happened in the last few weeks pressed heavily on him. Rita was distant, her trust in him fractured, and their future uncertain. Every attempt to bridge the growing gap between them seemed futile. He had made a mess of things with Sophie, and now, with the baby on the way, everything seemed to be spiraling out of his control.He rubbed his temples, trying to stave off the headache that was threatening to take over, when suddenly, his phone rang. The caller ID flashed: Father.Adrian froze. His father. The one person he had been trying to avoid, the one person whose approval he had always sought but never received. He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself, and then answered the call."Adrian," his father's stern voice came through the phone, sending a chill down his spine. "We need to talk."Adrian’s stomach churned. He had known this moment would come. He knew it had been in
And with that, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the apartment, leaving Adrian standing in the doorway, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.He had made his choice. He had to. And he would face whatever consequences came with it. But one thing was certain — he would not let Sophie stand in the way of his future with Rita. Not anymore.Rita sat on the edge of their bed, staring out of the window, her thoughts heavy and clouded. The days seemed to blur together, and the weight in her chest only grew with each passing one. She had always prided herself on being strong, on knowing when something was wrong, but this time, she felt like she was drowning in uncertainty.Since the confrontation with Sophie, something had shifted. Adrian was different — distant, more withdrawn. The tenderness that had once marked his every action towards her had become scarce, replaced with a cool formality. It was subtle at first, the small things — the lack of the playful touches, the absen
Adrian sat in the quiet of the living room, his thoughts swirling in a storm of confusion, guilt, and frustration. He had never once wanted Sophie in his life. The engagement had been arranged by their families years ago, long before he even met Rita. At first, it had been a simple, distant arrangement, one he never took seriously. But Sophie? She took it all too seriously. She clung to him, her arrogance and entitlement clouding every interaction, while he did everything he could to avoid her.His parents, especially his mother, had never stopped pressing him about Sophie, reminding him of the "important alliance" it would solidify. They saw the marriage as a business arrangement — a union that could strengthen their family’s standing, a way to bring in wealth, influence, and connections. But for Adrian, it was never about that. He had no interest in Sophie’s social status or her family’s power. What he wanted, what he had always wanted, was a life of his own, a life built on passion
Rita had barely rubbed the sleep from her eyes when the sharp knock echoed through the apartment. She glanced at the clock — 7:30 AM. It was too early for a visit, especially after the strange thoughts from last night still weighed on her mind. Who could it be?Pushing herself up from the couch, Rita shuffled towards the door, her bare feet against the cold floor. As she reached for the handle, the door swung open with force, and before she could react, a woman stepped past her, brushing Rita aside as if she didn’t exist."Excuse me!" Rita snapped, her heart racing with a mix of confusion and irritation. She wasn’t used to being treated this way in her own home.The woman was tall, with sharp features and an air of arrogance that made Rita’s blood boil. Her eyes scanned the living room dismissively before landing back on Rita."I’m Sophie," the woman said, her voice dripping with disdain as she stood in the middle of the living room. "I’m here to see Adrian. Where is he?"Rita’s jaw t
The days were warm and tender, colored with laughter, gentle music, and the soft rustling of baby clothes being arranged in drawers. Rita was glowing. Her belly had blossomed into full roundness, and her steps were slower, but graceful. Her cheeks were fuller, her eyes softer, and her smile — oh, her smile could light up their entire home.To everyone, it seemed like a perfect time. Rita was safe, happy, loved. But for Adrian, a storm brewed beneath the still surface.He would watch her from across the room — one hand on her belly, the other flipping through a baby book, her eyes twinkling with anticipation — and guilt would claw at his chest.He should have told her long ago. He should have come clean before the baby’s kicks grew stronger, before they painted the nursery, before she wrote down a list of names and laughed when he jokingly added "Thor."But every time he tried, the words failed him. He'd open his mouth, but her joy was too precious, too pure — he couldn’t bear to dim i
The plane touched down in the early hours of the morning, the golden rays of sunrise stretching lazily across the horizon as if to welcome Rita and Adrian back to their quiet corner of the world. The past weeks had been nothing short of stormy — Antony’s funeral, the uncovering of betrayal, the chaos at the company — and though they had held each other through it all, they were both silently craving the peace of home.As they stepped out of the cab and onto the familiar cobbled pathway of their apartment block, the cool breeze of the city wrapped around them like a long-lost friend. Rita clutched her small suitcase in one hand and instinctively reached for Adrian’s with the other. Her baby bump, now more visible than before, was the quiet promise of new beginnings.She had barely opened the gate when she heard it:"Miss Rita! You're back!" a small voice shrieked.Rita turned just in time to see little Naomi — the bubbly seven-year-old from next door — sprinting toward her in her pajam
Mary had waited long enough.She watched from the hallway as Linet lounged on the plush living room couch, sipping mango juice from a tall glass, her feet resting on a velvet ottoman. The air reeked of lavender perfume and fake sweetness — both of which made Mary’s blood simmer.She didn’t hate Linet. No, hate was too small a word. What she felt was disgust — a deep-rooted fury that this woman, this imposter, had the audacity to play the whole family for fools.Enough was enough.Mary took a deep breath, her phone tightly clenched in her hand. The screen still displayed the picture she had taken three nights ago — Linet laughing wildly with a bottle of wine in hand, her ‘baby bump’ hidden behind the haze of lies.She stepped in. Calm, steady… lethal.“Enjoying your juice?” Mary asked, her voice low and sharp.Linet glanced up lazily and offered a tight smile. “Very much. Francis had it chilled just the way I like.”Mary smiled too — only hers was ice cold. She walked over, dropped her
Days turned into weeks, and Linet wore her fabricated pregnancy like a royal cloak — commanding, dramatic, and laced with pretense. She had mastered every symptom, every mood swing, and every emotional outburst that came with it.With each passing day, her in-laws grew softer around her. Francis, once cold and unsure, was now her doting shadow — ready to fulfill every whim with pride. Linet had finally won the attention she had craved, and she wasn’t about to let it slip through her fingers.She lounged in the living room with her feet propped up on an ornate footrest, flipping through magazines as Francis gently rubbed her shoulders. “You’ve been so tense lately,” he murmured.“Well, carrying a baby while managing a household filled with expectations isn’t easy,” she said with a tired sigh. “But I’m doing my best.”Francis smiled faintly and kissed her forehead. “You’re doing amazing, babe. I’m really proud of you.”From the corner of the room, Mary watched in silence, biting her ton