Alex woke up before dawn, the first light of day just beginning to creep through the curtains. His mind was made up. There was no more room for hesitation or second-guessing. Today was the day he would finally put an end to the nightmare his marriage had become.He moved through the house quietly, showering and dressing with robotic precision. Each action felt like a small step toward reclaiming his life, a life that had spiraled out of control since the day he and Emily had said their vows. But those vows were nothing more than empty promises now, shattered by the endless arguments, the cold silences, and the growing resentment that hung between them like a thick fog.As he stood in front of the mirror, tying his tie with trembling hands, Alex caught a glimpse of himself. He hardly recognized the man staring back. He looked tired, worn down by the weight of a marriage that had long since turned toxic. But beneath the exhaustion, there was a flicker of resolve, a spark that reminded h
It was 12 noon. Everyone had gathered for the final part, the property shares.The courtroom was a cold, sterile place, the kind of setting that will make anyone feel insignificant the moment they stepped inside. Alex sat at the plaintiff's table, his lawyer, Liam sat beside him, the tension in the air was palpable. Across the aisle, Emily and her mother, Mary, sat with their own legal team, both women exuding an icy confidence that made Alex’s stomach churn.This was it. The end of the months of bitterness. What had started as a once-loving marriage had devolved into a legal battlefield, where every asset, every dollar, was a prize to be fought over. And today, the company that Alex had helped build for the past seven years, the same company that had fueled most of the disagreements in their marriage, was fought over too.The judge, a stern woman with graying hair and a no-nonsense demeanor, took her seat at the bench. She glanced down at the files before her, her expression unrea
Alex has not been in the office for over three consecutive days and he wasn't coming home anymore….Emily sat on the edge of her bed, her eyes red and swollen from hours of crying. The events of the past few days played on a loop in her mind, a relentless stream of anger, regret, and sorrow. The divorce, the courtroom battle over the company, the way things had spiraled out of control—she felt like she was drowning in a sea of emotions, unable to catch her breath.She reached for her phone, scrolling through her contacts with trembling fingers. There was only one person she wanted to talk to right now, someone who would understand, who wouldn’t judge her for feeling this way. Omari.Omari had been Alex’s business associate, but over time, he had become more of a friend to Emily than to her ex-husband. They had been in touch most of the time even after she met to end all ties and forget the mistake they made..He had always been there, offering a listening ear and a shoulder to lean o
Dazzle had barely slept the night before, after his discussion with Kim. His mind was too tangled up in the consequences of the decision he had made. The decision to marry Kimberly.He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face as if he could wipe away the exhaustion that clung to him like a second skin. He had told himself that marrying Kimberly was the right thing to do—for the baby, for the stability they both needed. But now that the reality had set in, he wasn’t so sure. His heart felt heavy, weighed down by a commitment he wasn’t ready for, to a woman he didn’t truly love.As he sat there, lost in thought, he didn’t notice Leah approach until she was standing right beside his desk, a teasing smile on her lips.“Hey, Daz, what’s with the long face?” she asked, leaning against the edge of his desk. “You look like someone stole your lunch money.”Dazzle glanced up at her, trying to muster a smile, but it felt like too much effort. “I’m just tired, Leah,” he said, his voice flat.Leah ra
Jack and Mariam had spent a lovely evening together, enjoying a delicious dinner at a cozy little restaurant. The ambiance had been perfect—soft lighting, warm colors, and the gentle hum of conversations around them just like Mariam had liked it.. She chose the restaurant herself though.Jack had been completely engrossed in Mariam's company, savoring every moment with her. He’d been seeing her for a few months now, and though things were going well, there was still one aspect of their relationship that hadn’t progressed, their physical intimacy.After dinner, Jack invited Mariam back to his place. It had become something of a routine for them—dinner, a movie, and then maybe a quick night drive around the city. Mariam accepted the invitation with a smile, and they drove back to his place in comfortable silence, holding hands while he drove home.When they arrived, Jack opened the door for Mariam, and they walked into the warmth of his home. As he shut the door behind them, he turned t
Mariam woke up to the early morning light streaming through the curtains, her hand reaching out instinctively for Jack. But instead of finding him beside her, she found an empty space, the sheets already cold. She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and noticed the sticky note on the nightstand. With a sinking feeling in her chest, she picked it up and read the words."I am off to work, your breakfast has been ordered and it's on the way. Don't wait for me. Will be gone for a day or two and leave the keys at the flower vase outside the door. Love, Jack."Mariam frowned, reading the note again, trying to decipher the underlying tone. Jack’s handwriting was neat, almost too perfect, but there was something about the way he’d written the words that made her feel uneasy. The fact that he’d left without waking her up to say goodbye, and the vague “gone for a day or two,” all pointed to one thing: he was upset.She sighed, tossing the note back on the nightstand. She knew last night’s
Dazzle and Kimberly have not been living in peace or talking to each other. It's like they’re living as cat and rat, constantly at each other’s throats.Dazzle stood in the doorway of the living room, his arms crossed and a scowl etched on his face. Kimberly was on the couch, flipping through a magazine, but she wasn’t really reading it. She could feel his eyes on her, the tension between them palpable."Are you being honest and sincere with me and yourself?" Dazzle asked, his voice low but laced with frustration.Kimberly didn’t look up from the magazine. "What’s that supposed to mean, Dazzle?" she replied, her tone cool and detached.Dazzle uncrossed his arms and took a few steps closer, trying to keep his temper in check. "You know exactly what it means, Kimberly. I’ve been thinking about everything and I can’t shake the feeling that I was... trapped."At that, Kimberly finally looked up, her eyes narrowing. "Trapped? Seriously, Dazzle? You think I trapped you into this marriage?"
Jack sat at his desk, scrolling aimlessly through his emails. His mind kept drifting back to the last couple of hours, the argument with Mariam still weighing heavily on him. He tried to focus on work, but the nagging feeling in his chest made it impossible to concentrate.His phone buzzed on the desk, and he glanced down at it. A message from Mariam. He picked up the phone, hoping it was something that would bring them closer, something to bridge the gap between them. But as he read the text, his heart sank."I didn't think telling you to wait was a mistake.. Or probably you were looking for a way to get into my skirt.. And since you couldn't get what you wanted, you moved to another woman. I've never been good at telling people or opening up to how I feel but you made me at some point, to want to try. I laid it bare right into your hands and you left it broken and shattered. We are done, Jack. Go on with your so-called Ava friend. I hope you find happiness".Jack stared at the scre
The day Leah had dreamed of for so long was finally here. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the garden where her wedding ceremony was about to take place. White flowers lined the aisle, their fragrance filling the air, and the gentle hum of music played in the background. Leah stood in front of the mirror, dressed in her wedding gown, her heart filled with excitement. She couldn't believe this moment had finally arrived. "You look beautiful," Mariam said, smiling as she adjusted the veil over Leah’s hair. "Like a princess straight out of a fairy tale." Leah laughed, her hands trembling slightly. "I feel like I’m dreaming." "No," Mariam shook her head. "This is real, Leah. You’re about to marry the love of your life, the father of your children. You deserve all of this and more." Leah’s eyes welled up with tears, and she turned to Mariam, "I don’t even know how to thank you, Mariam. After everything… I never thought I’d get here." Mariam took Leah’s hands in hers
Emily watched as the prison gates swung open and Mary was led inside. The cold, gray walls of the facility seemed to match the evil in her mother’s heart.She had stood there, frozen, feeling both resentment and a strange sadness. After everything that had happened, she wasn’t sure how to feel anymore."Can I talk to her for just a few minutes?" Emily asked the guard, her voice low but firm.The guard shook his head. "Sorry, ma’am, no visits right now."Emily’s chest tightened. "Please... just five minutes. I need to say something. It’s important."The guard sighed, looking at her for a moment before finally relenting. "Alright, five minutes. That’s all."Emily took a deep breath, watching as her mother was brought back out. Mary, now in her prison uniform, looked smaller somehow, as though the weight of her sins had physically shrunk her. Her face was blank, trying to maintain the cold front she had always worn, but her eyes were puffy, and it was clear she’d been crying.As Mary ap
The police stormed Ranson's hideout, catching him and his gang off guard. As they pinned him to the ground, one officer shouted, “You’re under arrest for attempted murder and conspiracy!” Ranson struggled, cursing under his breath, but he knew this day was coming. As they dragged him into the police car, his heart pounded. During the interrogation, it didn’t take long for Ranson to crack under pressure. With his hands trembling, he finally blurted out, “It was Mary. Mary! She’s the one who wanted Leah dead! I was just doing what I was paid for!”Detectives exchanged glances, already suspecting her involvement but now having the confirmation they needed. With Ranson’s confession, they raced to Mary’s house. She answered the door, looking composed as ever, but her face paled when she saw the officers."Mary," the lead detective said sternly, "you're under arrest for the attempted murder of Leah."Mary’s voice quivered as she tried to mask her fear with confusion. “What are you talking
Emily lay awake all night, she had been trying to process all her mother’s confession. The horror of it consumed her. Leah had been so innocent from the beginning, and then possibly dead because of her mother’s actions. She hadn’t agreed to any of it, she didn't even know her mother had gone that far as taking someone’s life yet she felt just as guilty. By morning, her stomach churned with nausea. She had to do something.When the first light of dawn filtered through her window, she got up, and made her way downstairs. Mary was already in the kitchen, making coffee, her expression smug as though nothing had changed.Emily’s heart pounded in her chest. She had no choice. She had to confront her mother."I’m turning myself in," Emily blurted out, her voice shaky but determined as she entered the kitchen.Mary froze for a second, her back to Emily. Slowly, she turned around, her face twisting into disbelief and shock. "What did you just say?" She asked."I said I’m turning myself in,
The door creaked open, and in walked Mary, her expression triumphant as usual. Emily stiffened, sensing that something was off. Mary’s eyes were gleaming with a satisfaction that made Emily uneasy."Emily," Mary started, her voice dripping with excitement. "I’ve got news for you. Finally, everything has fallen into place."Emily blinked, unsure of where this was going. "What are you talking about, mom?"Mary sat down, a little too close to Emily, and leaned in. "Leah," she whispered, her voice cold and sinister. "It seems like she’s finally gone. No one has heard anything. No news. It’s been weeks. She’s probably dead, and they haven’t found her body yet."Emily’s heart stopped for a moment. She stared at her mother, wide-eyed, her mind racing. She had been angry at Leah for years, jealous even, but wishing her dead? That wasn’t something she wanted. Not like this."How? What happened?"... Emily asked.Mary continued, oblivious to Emily’s shock. "I told you, didn’t I? That girl was al
Richie stood at Leah's bedside two weeks after the accident, watching as she slept. Her breathing was steady, and her face looked peaceful. The machines surrounding her were no longer terrifying to him; they were signs of progress now. Signs that she was getting better. He smiled faintly, remembering how much darker everything seemed just days ago.The boys were sitting in the corner of the room, playing with some toys Dazzle had brought for them to keep them occupied.They were quieter than usual, but Richie could tell they were just as hopeful as he was. They had been through so much these days, yet they still managed to be helpful in ways they could.The doctor came in, his clipboard in hand, and gave Richie a nod before checking on Leah’s vitals. “She’s doing much better,” the doctor said, scribbling something down. “The baby’s fine as well. Everything looks good.”Richie exhaled slowly, letting all his worries out “Thank God,” he whispered. “But… her head? How’s the injury?”The
Richie stood by Leah’s bedside, his entire body shaking as he cried. The pain was unbearable, the thought of losing her too much to handle. The boys, their innocent faces wet with tears, clung to Richie as they looked at their mother lying so still on the bed."Dad… is Mom going to be alright?" one of the boys, his voice small and frightened, asked between sobs.Richie could barely answer. He dropped to his knees beside the bed, burying his face in his hands. His heart felt like it had shattered into a million pieces. He couldn’t stop the flood of tears. "God, please…" Richie began, his voice breaking with every word. "Save Leah. Please… I’ll be a good husband, I promise. I’ll take care of our kids… I’ll do anything you want me to, just save my wife. Please, God… don’t take her from us."The boys began to wail too, their small voices filling the room with a heartbreaking sound. Richie’s tears fell even harder, his hands gripping Leah’s cold fingers. "Leah, please come back to us… pl
Richie stood in the cold, sterile hallway of the hospital, his hands trembling as he held Leah’s belongings in a small, unassuming plastic bag. His eyes were red and swollen from crying, his heart aching everything that had happened. He couldn’t believe how quickly his world had fallen apart. Just days ago, Leah was smiling, and now… now he was standing here, lost in a nightmare he couldn’t wake up from.He pulled out the small stack of documents from her bag, his curiosity getting the better of him. He wasn't sure what the result of the medical documents might be. Maybe it was something routine, he thought, something insignificant. But as he opened the folder, his breath caught in his throat.There it was, staring back at him in black and white; Leah was five weeks pregnant.Richie blinked, unable to process the words for a moment. "Pregnant? Five weeks?"..He collapsed into the nearest chair, his hands clutching the papers as if they might offer some explanation. His vision blurre
Richie’s hand trembled as he hung up the phone, the news had hit him so bad. His mind spun, struggling to process what he had just been told. Leah, his Leah, was hurt badly. The details were still unclear, but it was serious enough for Dazzle to call the family in a panic.His legs suddenly were too weak to hold him up. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat heavier than the last. Grabbing his phone, Richie immediately canceled all his upcoming seminars and meetings, sending quick emails to his assistants. They would have to figure out the rest on their own. Leah was his priority now. Without wasting another second, he booked the earliest flight back home, his fingers shaking as he typed in his information.Meanwhile, Dazzle was pacing outside the hospital room, his phone clutched tightly in his hand. He had already called everyone in the family, delivering the horrible news. Their father, Mr. Leo had been silent on the phone, but Dazzle could hear the pain and fear in his fat