Back at James’ residence, Linet sat stiffly on the edge of the couch, her fingers clutched tightly around a half-empty cup of tea that had long gone cold. The television played in the background, but her mind wasn’t there. She was far, far away—stuck on the image of Rita, lying on the office floor, clutching her stomach, with James rushing to help.Her heart thudded in her chest, not from guilt—but rage. Rage that Rita, the woman she had tried so hard to erase from James’s life, was now pregnant. With his child.To make matters worse, James’ mother had grown unusually quiet around her. Cold. Distant. The same woman who once praised her beauty, her poise, who welcomed her with warm arms and home-cooked meals, now barely spared her a glance.Just that morning, Linet had overheard James’ mother on a hushed call in the hallway.“She’s carrying his child. That changes everything… Yes, I know what I said before. But Rita is a true heirless, she has pedigree, blood… The family needs stabilit
When the news of Rita’s mysterious disappearance reached James and his mother, the atmosphere in their household shifted immediately. At first, James froze, a pang of something unfamiliar tightening in his chest. Could it be guilt? Regret? Or fear that the one person who truly slipped through his fingers might never return?His mother, however, saw something else entirely—opportunity."This is it," she said with a gleam in her eye, clutching her son’s shoulder. “This is our moment to get back into the good graces of Rita’s family. You need to act now—show them you're the man who will stop at nothing to bring her back.”James hesitated, but then nodded. He was a master of performance, after all.Later that day, the Grey family mansion was filled with panic and tension. Harry was pacing in the foyer, barking into his phone, giving orders. Rita’s parents sat silently on the couch, the weight of grief heavy on their shoulders.And then James arrived.He burst through the door with urgency
The tension was thick in the air, still buzzing from Linet’s outburst and James’s cold confession. But before the guards could fully take her away, Linet suddenly jerked back, eyes blazing with raw, unfiltered emotion.Her voice cracked like thunder through the night.“So you expect me to just stand here and watch you parade your fake affection—” she spat, her chest rising and falling rapidly, “and that baby… that baby growing inside of her?!”Gasps echoed all around. The words cut deeper than knives.Rita stiffened, instinctively placing a protective hand on her belly. The hush among the crowd broke into chaotic murmurs as heads turned, whispers igniting.James’s jaw clenched. “Linet, that’s enough—”“No, it’s NOT enough!” she screamed, voice thick with betrayal and desperation. “You think I didn’t see it? The way you looked at her tonight? Like I never existed? After everything I’ve done for you, James! I stood by you, I sacrificed my family for you—and this is how you repay me?”Ja
Rita was startled at first by Antony’s sudden appearance, but before she could fully process what was happening, his arms wrapped around her in a tight embrace. She could feel the warmth of his body pressing against hers, the urgency in his touch making her heart race. His shaky voice broke the silence, sending a jolt of mixed emotions through her."I'm sorry, Rita... I’m late," Antony whispered, his words barely audible, filled with regret and concern. His arms seemed to tighten around her as if he was trying to shield her from the chaos surrounding them.Rita, still reeling from the confrontation with James, stood frozen for a moment, her mind trying to catch up with the rapid succession of events. She hadn't expected this—hadn’t expected Antony to appear out of nowhere, but in that instant, she felt a strange sense of relief."It's okay," she whispered back, though her voice trembled slightly. She pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes. "I didn’t expect you to be here. But
As they arrived at Antony’s home, the atmosphere was calm and safe, a stark contrast to the tension and chaos that had unfolded earlier. Rita, still shaken but determined, followed Antony inside. He led her to the living room, motioning for her to sit on the couch while he went to get them both something to drink. Rita, grateful for the space and the quiet, sank into the soft cushions, letting out a long, exhausted sigh. Her mind raced with everything that had just transpired—the confrontation with James, the pain of the past few weeks, and now, the overwhelming reality of her pregnancy.Antony returned with two glasses of water and sat beside her, offering one to Rita. She took it silently, her fingers trembling slightly as she wrapped them around the cool glass."Rita," Antony began softly, his voice warm but tinged with concern. "What happened out there... it was a lot to take in. Are you okay?"She looked at him for a moment, searching his face, and then nodded. "I’m okay," she sa
The living room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the lamp in the corner. Antony sat on the edge of the couch, his hands clasped together as he listened quietly. Lydia paced back and forth in front of him, her voice low but heavy with frustration."Antony, I know you're kind. I know you’ve always wanted to be the hero, to save everyone. But this..." she gestured toward the hallway leading to Rita’s room, "...this isn't just about kindness. You're getting too deep. She's pregnant with another man’s child, and divorced. Do you really think this is the life you deserve?"Antony sighed, not looking up."You deserve someone who hasn’t been broken by someone else. Someone who will give you a fresh start, not baggage."Rita had woken up moments earlier, her throat dry. She walked barefoot toward the kitchen, careful not to make noise. Just as she reached the corner, Lydia's words echoed—"not baggage."She froze, her hand halfway to the fridge handle. The hurt settled in her chest like a ston
Antony stood in front of Rita now, shielding her. “That’s enough, Lydia.”But Rita stepped out from behind him, her eyes blazing through her tears. “No, let her talk. Let her finish.”They stared at each other—two women who once shared everything, now torn apart by choices, love, and grief.Lydia’s voice dropped. “I love you, Rita. You’re my best friend. But I can’t watch you destroy my brother. I won’t. If this is the path you’ve chosen… we better end this friendship here.”The words hung like a dagger in the air.Rita felt her knees weaken. She gripped the counter to steady herself. “So that’s it? After everything… that’s how we end?”Lydia blinked hard but didn’t answer. She turned on her heel, stormed toward the door, and paused—just for a moment—as if waiting for Rita to stop her.But no one spoke.The door slammed shut behind her.Rita sank slowly to the floor, her body wracked with silent sobs. Antony knelt beside her, wrapping her in his arms, but even his warmth couldn’t eras
The night was unforgiving.Lydia walked briskly down the empty street, her heels clicking on the pavement, suitcase dragging behind her, and the echo of Antony’s slap still ringing in her ears. Her cheek stung, but it was nothing compared to the fire raging in her heart.Her brother had hit her. Because ofRita.The same Rita who had once been her best friend.The same Rita who had turned Antony into a lovesick fool.The city lights blurred through her tears, but Lydia refused to let them fall. She wouldn’t cry. Not for them. Not for anyone.She checked into a cheap motel on the
The following morning, the air around Antony’s family home buzzed with tension and anticipation.Detective Mills and his team had requested an emergency meeting. Everyone, from Lydia to Antony’s grieving parents, gathered anxiously in the drawing room, their nerves raw from weeks of grief and unanswered questions.Detective Mills walked in with a laptop tucked under his arm and a hard, unreadable look in his eyes."We have news," he announced, his voice sharp and clear. "We were able to recover the surveillance footage that had been wiped from the hospital’s security system."A heavy silence fell across the room.Everyone leaned forward as Mills placed the laptop on the table and pulled up the footage.What appeared on the screen made every heart in the room stop.There, clear as day, was the image of a woman sneaking into Antony’s hospital room the night he died. She moved with eerie precision, her face partially covered but unmistakable to those who knew her.It was James’s mother.
While the Drakes and Rita's family were planning a new chapter filled with joy and beginnings, far from their world, another family was consumed by grief and questions — Antony's family.The suddenness of Antony's death had left a gaping wound, one that no condolences or prayers could heal. His parents, once lively and full of pride, now seemed like mere shadows of themselves. Their once grand estate felt cold and hollow, haunted by whispers of what could have been — and more darkly, what truly happened.The police investigation was tireless. Antony’s father had spared no expense, hiring not only private investigators but also forensic experts to comb through every detail surrounding his son's death. Reports were piling up — some inconsistent, some deeply unsettling.There was no peace at home either. Every conversation, every glance, was thick with suspicion and despair.And then there was Lydia.Since the day Antony was pronounced dead, Lydia had not been the same. She moved through
Her father gave her a long, scrutinizing look before pulling her into a bear hug as well. “You’ve been away for too long. How are you? And… how are the boys?” he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.“The babies are fine,” Rita replied, her heart swelling with affection for the tiny creatures that had changed her life. “They’re so much work, but so worth it.”Her mother stepped forward, gently placing her hands on Rita’s shoulders. “You look good, my dear. You’ve blossomed. I can see the happiness in you, even though I know it hasn’t been easy.”Rita smiled, nodding. “It hasn’t been easy, but I’m happy now. Everything’s going well. I’m finally settling in.”As her parents entered the house, they were introduced to the nursery, where the twins were peacefully sleeping in their cribs. Rita’s heart swelled as she watched her parents' faces soften at the sight of their grandsons.Her father stepped forward, admiring the little ones. “They’re beautiful. I see so much of Adrian in t
The house had barely settled back into the joyous atmosphere when the front doors slammed open again.The echo rang through the air as Sophie and James were dragged back into the limelight — but this time, it was a humiliating, bitter spectacle.Sophie’s carefully curated appearance had already started to unravel.Her red dress that once looked fierce and confident now appeared out of place, like the outfit of someone trying to hold onto their power that was quickly slipping away.Her perfectly painted makeup had begun to smear with the tears she couldn’t hold back.James, on the other hand, tried to mask his panic with a cocky, defiant smile.But his attempt at maintaining control was shattered when the guards escorted them directly into the middle of the hall, the center of all eyes.“This is your last chance,” Mr. Drake’s voice thundered through the room.The gathered family members looked on with curiosity, shock, and disgust.Adrian had never felt more disgusted in his life.His
Inside the hospital room, the atmosphere was light, warm, almost sacred.Adrian sat at Rita’s side, one baby asleep in his arms, the other tucked against Rita’s chest.Mr. Drake — the once cold, stern patriarch — stood by the window, hands behind his back, occasionally glancing at his grandsons with a rare smile softening his weathered face.Mrs. Drake couldn't stop fussing over the babies, cooing softly and wrapping the twins in tiny blankets she had rushed to buy.Adrian's sister was already taking pictures secretly, unable to contain her excitement at becoming an aunt.It felt surreal — like a wound that had long been open was finally being stitched closed.The Drakes — once divided, cold, and controlled by expectations — were finally feeling like a real family again.They started discussing plans for a small private welcome dinner, just close family only, to properly receive Rita and the twins into the Drake family.Mrs. Drake was excitedly suggesting decorations and baby gifts wh
Francis was spiraling.His father's threat echoed endlessly in his mind.If the world finds out… you're no longer my son.He could feel the walls closing in.Every whisper in the hallway, every glance from the house staff, felt heavier now — like they knew.Like everyone knew.And Linet…She wasn't staying quiet.Across town, Linet was preparing for war.She sat at her vanity, fixing her flawless makeup with steady hands, while her eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.She picked up her phone and sent a mass message to the elite social circle:"Exclusive family announcement coming soon. You won't want to miss it.Location: Dalton Estate.Time: Dinner party tomorrow.Dress to impress."Then, she called her lawyer."I want all legal documents ready," she said crisply. "If Francis tries to divorce me, I want full rights to use his infertility reports. Make it messy."The lawyer hesitated. "Are you sure you want to go that far?""I was thrown away like trash," Linet hissed. "It's their tur
Thrown out like garbage.Humiliated in front of everyone.Linet sat alone in a dim hotel room that night, staring blankly at the city lights. The shame burned through her skin like acid — but she didn’t cry. No, Linet wasn’t the crying type. She was the kind that bled inside until the blood turned to venom.“They think they won,” she muttered darkly to herself.“They think they’re so perfect...”A cruel smile curved her lips.Let them laugh now. Let them celebrate.Because when she was done, they would all regret the day they crossed her.Especially Francis.A few days later, Linet sent a calm, polite message to Francis:"Can we talk? Just a final conversation. I’ll even buy you coffee."To her surprise — or maybe not — Francis agreed.Guilt gnawed at him; maybe he felt he owed her that much.They met at a discreet little café, far from the estate’s judging eyes. Linet looked stunning — composed, almost saintly in a soft blue dress, no sign of the hellfire brewing inside her.Francis
Back at the city, darkness brewed beneath the surface.Mary, still recovering from everything she had been through, knew she couldn't let Linet’s lies continue any longer.After everything Linet had done — manipulating, lying, scheming — Mary had found out the ugly truth: Linet’s pregnancy was nothing but a well-played act to trap Francis and the entire family.Mary decided the upcoming family dinner would be the perfect stage to expose Linet publicly — in front of everyone Linet was trying to fool.She began gathering evidence carefully — doctor's reports, witness statements, and even a secret recording of Linet bragging to a "friend" about how her "baby bump" was nothing but a prosthetic trick for now.Mary was careful, calculating — she knew Linet was dangerous when cornered.What Mary didn’t know, however, was that Linet had already sensed the threat.Her instincts were sharp.She knew Mary wasn’t the type to stay quiet, especially after the last tense confrontation they had.Pani
Sophie stood frozen outside the hospital doors, her hands clenched tightly into fists.She could barely believe what had just happened.After all the years of loyalty, after enduring Adrian’s coldness for so long, his mother — the one person she thought she could rely on — had abandoned her without a second thought.Abandoned her... for Rita's babies.Tears of rage and humiliation welled up in her eyes.She had supported the engagement, she had tolerated Adrian’s indifference, and now, she was nothing but a discarded afterthought.Choking on her sobs, she pulled out her phone and called her father."Dad..." she whimpered the moment he picked up."I’ve been humiliated... She left me... for those... those babies!" she cried.Her father tried to calm her, but Sophie wasn't listening.The rage was blinding.She shoved the phone into her purse and stormed off down the street, not caring where she was going, bumping into strangers without apology.She was too angry to notice anything.That