The tycoon backing him—a powerful, faceless figure—had been pressing him harder with each passing day. The messages came through encrypted lines, always cold, always clear:“It’s time to finish what you started.” “Her family must fall.” “You’ve been paid. Deliver.”James didn’t even know who this man truly was. They had never met face to face. Everything was conducted through intermediaries, encrypted emails, and burner phones. The only thing James did know was that the money was too good to ignore. Especially now. With his mother’s medical bills piling up, his own reputation sinking, and his business crumbling after Antony’s death, he was hanging by a thread. And this tycoon, whoever he was, had offered him a lifeline—a dangerous, bloodstained lifeline.The burden of that secret grew heavier with each passing hour. He’d stare into his mother’s face and wonder, Would she approve of what I’m doing? Of course not. But she wasn’t here to stop him. No one was.He tried to convince himself
The house that once echoed with Antony’s laughter now stood silent and heavy with sorrow. Every corner seemed to breathe his absence, every wall haunted by memories—his childhood drawings still pinned on the fridge, his books left untouched on the shelf, and the worn sneakers by the door that no one had the heart to move.Charles, Antony’s elder brother, was the first to drown in guilt. He hadn’t told anyone, but he blamed himself for not checking in more often, for thinking Antony would be fine after the accident. He spent most of his time in the garage now, pretending to fix broken tools when really, he was just trying to fix himself.Lydia had become a shadow of herself. She rarely left her room and barely touched her food. Every night, she sat by the window whispering apologies into the wind, hoping somehow Antony could hear her. She carried the unbearable weight of knowing her own actions may have pushed him into despair.Their mother, pale and weakened, had aged ten years in a w
Linet sat in the corner of the bedroom, her knees tucked to her chest, listening to the murmurs outside the door. Francis’ mother, aunt, and older sister were seated in the living room, voices raised just enough to be heard.“If she can’t conceive, then it’s time we consider another wife.”“Exactly. This isn’t personal—it’s about legacy. Our name must live on.”“And Francis won’t wait forever.”Linet’s heart sank with every word. The same people who had praised her grace and elegance on her wedding day were now plotting her quiet replacement. To them, she was no longer a bride—just a barren vessel.Francis hadn’t said a word. As always, he let them speak for him.Later that night, Linet confronted him again.“They want you to marry another woman.”Francis, who had just returned from what he called a "business trip," poured himself a drink and shrugged.“Maybe I should.”The bluntness struck her hard, but she didn’t flinch. “So that’s it? That’s your solution?”He gave a hollow laugh.
Mary had always been quiet — observant, but never idle. She had a talent for reading between the lines, and lately, those lines had become increasingly blurry where Linet was concerned. The announcement of her pregnancy had come out of nowhere. No build-up, no symptoms, just a declaration that stunned the household and left Mary unconvinced.She had noticed the subtle things first. The way Linet continued to wear tight-fitting clothes well into her second supposed month. How she dodged family invitations to visit the clinic for a scan. How she never showed any signs of fatigue or nausea, always claiming to be “feeling great” with a wide, almost rehearsed smile.Something was off.Mary wasn’t confrontational by nature, but this time, she couldn’t ignore her instincts. She started to quietly follow Linet’s movements, watching, waiting. It took time — over a week of subtle surveillance, late-night parking outside the estate, and whispered questions to the household help.Then, on a breez
Rita’s heart raced as the doctor’s words echoed in her ears, a melody she had longed to hear for years. She was pregnant. After endless nights of silent prayers and hidden tears, the universe had finally answered. She imagined the joy lighting up James’ face as she shared the news, a spark to revive their crumbling marriage.Clutching the ultrasound picture close to her chest, Rita hurried home, her heels clicking against the dusty path leading to the farmhouse. The faint smell of freshly tilled soil lingered in the air. For the first time in months, her footsteps felt lighter, her lips trembling into a smile she could no longer suppress.“James!” she called as she pushed open the front door, her voice filled with eager anticipation. The house was strangely silent. The curtains, partially drawn, cast eerie shadows across the living room.Her instincts urged caution, but excitement propelled her forward. She headed to their bedroom, her mind rehearsing the words she had longed to say.
Rita stumbled out of the farmhouse, the bitter taste of betrayal lingering in her mouth. The cool evening breeze kissed her tear-streaked face, but it offered no comfort. Her heart was shattered, and her mind was a chaotic whirlpool of emotions. The world she had sacrificed everything for had turned its back on her, leaving her alone in the dark.She walked aimlessly, her heels digging into the dirt road as the sound of distant laughter from the house echoed behind her. Her mother-in-law, Linet, and even James, now all strangers to her. Rita clenched her fists, trying to suppress the sobs rising in her throat. She wouldn’t cry for them, not anymore.The small bar at the edge of town came into view. Its dim neon sign flickered faintly, barely illuminating the cracked walls and rusted door. Rita had never set foot in such a place before, but tonight, she didn’t care. She just needed something—anything—to numb the pain.Inside, the bar was dimly lit and crowded with locals. The smell of
The morning sun painted the sky with hues of orange and gold, but its warmth barely reached Rita’s heart as she sat by the roadside, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. The events of the past 24 hours felt like a cruel blur. Her body ached from the cold night under the bridge, and her spirit was bruised from the betrayal she had endured. But as the dawn broke, so did a spark of determination within her.For the first time in years, Rita allowed herself to think about the life she had left behind, the life she had hidden from James and his family. She had walked away from luxury, wealth, and a powerful family name, all in pursuit of love and simplicity. But that love had proven to be nothing more than a mirage, leaving her stranded and broken.No more, she thought. No more hiding. No more sacrificing herself for people who didn’t deserve her. It was time to reclaim the life she had abandoned.Rita looked around, spotting a woman sweeping the dusty roadside in front of a small kios
As Rita was ushered into the mansion, she was overwhelmed by the sight that awaited her. The grand foyer, adorned with crystal chandeliers and intricate carvings, was decorated with fresh flowers. The dining hall was transformed into a festive space, with a long table laden with sumptuous dishes. The aroma of roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and exotic spices filled the air.The staff had prepared a feast fit for royalty a testament to how much they adored her. Rita’s heart swelled with gratitude, but a pang of guilt lingered. She had left all of this behind, and yet they welcomed her back without hesitation.Her mother, elegantly dressed and radiant as ever, appeared at the top of the staircase. Her eyes filled with tears as she descended, her steps quickening until she reached Rita. “My darling girl,” she whispered, pulling Rita into a tight embrace. “You’re home. You’re finally home.”“I’m so sorry, Mama,” Rita choked out, her voice breaking. “I shouldn’t have left. I shouldn’t
Mary had always been quiet — observant, but never idle. She had a talent for reading between the lines, and lately, those lines had become increasingly blurry where Linet was concerned. The announcement of her pregnancy had come out of nowhere. No build-up, no symptoms, just a declaration that stunned the household and left Mary unconvinced.She had noticed the subtle things first. The way Linet continued to wear tight-fitting clothes well into her second supposed month. How she dodged family invitations to visit the clinic for a scan. How she never showed any signs of fatigue or nausea, always claiming to be “feeling great” with a wide, almost rehearsed smile.Something was off.Mary wasn’t confrontational by nature, but this time, she couldn’t ignore her instincts. She started to quietly follow Linet’s movements, watching, waiting. It took time — over a week of subtle surveillance, late-night parking outside the estate, and whispered questions to the household help.Then, on a breez
Linet sat in the corner of the bedroom, her knees tucked to her chest, listening to the murmurs outside the door. Francis’ mother, aunt, and older sister were seated in the living room, voices raised just enough to be heard.“If she can’t conceive, then it’s time we consider another wife.”“Exactly. This isn’t personal—it’s about legacy. Our name must live on.”“And Francis won’t wait forever.”Linet’s heart sank with every word. The same people who had praised her grace and elegance on her wedding day were now plotting her quiet replacement. To them, she was no longer a bride—just a barren vessel.Francis hadn’t said a word. As always, he let them speak for him.Later that night, Linet confronted him again.“They want you to marry another woman.”Francis, who had just returned from what he called a "business trip," poured himself a drink and shrugged.“Maybe I should.”The bluntness struck her hard, but she didn’t flinch. “So that’s it? That’s your solution?”He gave a hollow laugh.
The house that once echoed with Antony’s laughter now stood silent and heavy with sorrow. Every corner seemed to breathe his absence, every wall haunted by memories—his childhood drawings still pinned on the fridge, his books left untouched on the shelf, and the worn sneakers by the door that no one had the heart to move.Charles, Antony’s elder brother, was the first to drown in guilt. He hadn’t told anyone, but he blamed himself for not checking in more often, for thinking Antony would be fine after the accident. He spent most of his time in the garage now, pretending to fix broken tools when really, he was just trying to fix himself.Lydia had become a shadow of herself. She rarely left her room and barely touched her food. Every night, she sat by the window whispering apologies into the wind, hoping somehow Antony could hear her. She carried the unbearable weight of knowing her own actions may have pushed him into despair.Their mother, pale and weakened, had aged ten years in a w
The tycoon backing him—a powerful, faceless figure—had been pressing him harder with each passing day. The messages came through encrypted lines, always cold, always clear:“It’s time to finish what you started.” “Her family must fall.” “You’ve been paid. Deliver.”James didn’t even know who this man truly was. They had never met face to face. Everything was conducted through intermediaries, encrypted emails, and burner phones. The only thing James did know was that the money was too good to ignore. Especially now. With his mother’s medical bills piling up, his own reputation sinking, and his business crumbling after Antony’s death, he was hanging by a thread. And this tycoon, whoever he was, had offered him a lifeline—a dangerous, bloodstained lifeline.The burden of that secret grew heavier with each passing hour. He’d stare into his mother’s face and wonder, Would she approve of what I’m doing? Of course not. But she wasn’t here to stop him. No one was.He tried to convince himself
After everything that had happened, Rita couldn’t bring herself to go back abroad immediately. The weight of the tragedy and the unanswered questions about Antony's accident kept her grounded, unable to leave just yet. There were things she needed to understand—things that didn’t sit right with her. Rita knew she needed more time, not just to grieve but to observe the complex web of relationships and power dynamics around her. She couldn’t ignore the possibility that there were forces at play that she hadn’t yet uncovered.Meanwhile, Anita, always a step ahead in the game of manipulation, had managed to hook up with James. It wasn’t out of love or attraction—Anita’s intentions were far more calculating. After James had been devastated by the loss of Antony, she saw an opportunity to rise to the top. She knew he was vulnerable, looking for someone to pick him up after the crash, and she had found a powerful figure willing to back him up. In her mind, this was the perfect way to secure
The world seemed to blur around Rita as she stood in the middle of the hospital corridor, surrounded by wails and murmurs, but none of it reached her ears. Her entire being felt numb. Everything she saw and heard was filtered through the fog of disbelief, heartbreak, and sheer devastation.Antony was gone. The only person who had truly seen her—believed in her when the rest of the world questioned her worth. He had picked her up when she was at her lowest, reminded her of her strength, and stood by her with unwavering faith. And now… he had vanished. Just like that.She sank slowly to the floor beside his stretcher, pressing her forehead against the cool metal edge. “You weren’t just my friend,” she whispered through trembling lips. “You were… everything I never thought I deserved.”Charles came to kneel beside her, his face creased in sorrow. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “He talked about you all the time, Rita. You… meant the world to him.”Rita let out a choked sob, her
The morning sun spilled gently through the windows of Charles’ penthouse apartment. Birds chirped outside, and the city was slowly coming to life. Charles was sipping coffee and going through work emails when his phone rang.He didn’t recognize the number at first, but he picked it up casually.“Hello, Charles speaking.”There was a pause, then a rushed voice came through, almost too fast to comprehend.“This is City General Hospital. We’re calling in regard to Mr. Antony… we’re very sorry, but there was a complication early this morning… he—he didn’t make it.”Charles froze.“What?” he whispered.“Sir, I’m deeply sorry. The doctors tried everything. He suffered a cardiac arrest at dawn…”“No, no—wait—what are you saying? That’s not possible!” Charles stood up, knocking over his mug. Hot coffee splashed across the table and floor, but he didn’t even notice.“He was recovering. I was there yesterday—he laughed at my jokes! You must be mistaken!”“I wish we were, sir… but I’m afraid we
The room was quiet except for the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor and the gentle hiss of oxygen flowing through the tubes connected to Antony. The dim lights cast a soft glow on his pale face, still as stone, save for the slight flutter of his eyelids every now and then—a signal that he was somewhere in between this world and the next.Rita sat by his side, her fingers laced with his, whispering softly to him as though her voice could guide him back. Lydia sat quietly across the room, still nursing her guilt but silently praying—pleading—for Antony’s return.Then suddenly, a faint twitch.Rita’s eyes snapped open, staring at his hand. There it was again—a faint, almost imperceptible squeeze. She sat up straight, her heart thudding wildly. “Antony?” she whispered urgently, “Can you hear me?”His eyelids fluttered again, this time more deliberately. His brow furrowed, as though struggling to escape some invisible weight pressing down on him.“Antony, it’s me—Rita. I’m here,” she s
The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air as Rita stepped into the brightly lit hallway of the hospital's ICU wing. Her heart thundered in her chest like a war drum, echoing the fear gnawing at her insides. She gripped Adrian’s hand tightly, her knuckles white, as they approached the nurse’s station.“Antony Kirui,” she said softly, almost unsure her voice had come out at all. “He was brought in this morning after an accident.”The nurse glanced at the chart in front of her and gave a small, solemn nod. “Room 6. But he’s still unconscious. Only one visitor at a time, please.”Rita swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. Adrian squeezed her hand reassuringly, then let it go. “I’ll wait right here,” he whispered. “Take your time.”Her feet moved, but her mind was numb. As she walked through the corridor, memories flashed before her eyes—Antony helping her carry boxes when she moved into her new apartment, defending her from cruel tongues, calling her strong when she felt weake