When they sat in the car to go back home, Jack asked Mariam about her past relationships. He wasn't the type to judge people for their past lives; he was more concerned with the present and the future.Mariam explained all that had happened to her in previous relationships and why she was hesitant to rush into another one. Jack also shared his experiences with past relationships to ensure they were on the same page. None of his former girlfriends had loved him; they were all after his wealth and material possessions. None gave him the love, affection, and care he desired.His most recent fiancée had stolen his money to give to her ex-boyfriend and also slept with him. The worst part was she got pregnant and pinned it on Jack. After discovering the truth, he canceled the engagement and called off the wedding. He had retreated into his shell and was only now beginning to emerge."I am so sorry. Men and women can both be scum," Mariam replied sympathetically. "Did I tell you my ex-fianc
"Has he been showering her with all his affection while treating me like a rag? Or was it their plan to hide that he slept with her and deflowered her behind my back, convincing me it might be someone else and not the rapists we paid? Is that why he told me the rapists didn't succeed?" More questions crowded her mind as her chest heaved with anger."No, I can't take this. I have to confront her now before it's too late."As Leah took a few steps with the kids towards the cafeteria, Emily grabbed her by the hair."You, Leah!" she yelled, pointing a finger at her.Leah was caught off guard. She hadn't expected this and was trying to understand the reason for it.Leah told Maria to go on with the kids while she dealt with Emily and her issues first. She didn't want to fight in front of her children."What is the meaning of what you just did, Emily? Is everything alright with you or have you gone crazy?" Leah yelled back, folding her arms and waiting for an answer.Emily's expression shif
Emily decided not to disclose her quarrel with Leah to Alex or her mother until she had concrete evidence. For now, she had to keep it to herself.A few weeks later, she received an invitation to the grand opening of Mr. Dickson's hotel, one of their clients. She was recognized as one of the top employees at Grande Villa, a construction and housing company, and was invited to attend as a VIP.Leah wasn't fond of crowded places, almost enochlophobic, but she decided to go. It was an opportunity to network with influential men and women and potentially secure more job offers.The day of the ceremony finally arrived. Leah styled her hair, applied red lipstick and makeup, and dressed in a white suit, red gown, white heels, and a red handbag. She wore Chanel from head to toe, including her perfume and glasses. She was the epitome of elegance.Dazzle, the vice president, was also invited as a VIP. Richard was on a business trip and had asked Dazzle to take his place. Leah and Dazzle arrived
Everyone around noticed how he shunned her, and she was embarrassed. "Leah has finally cast a spell on her husband and wants to break her marriage," she muttered to herself. She had to act before it was too late. She realized she needed to confide in her mother, as she would need her help.**********The theme of the ceremony was "Let Your Wealth Speak Volumes." It meant the highest bidder would go home with the properties on display.Leah returned and sat down beside Dazzle. "Seems you were on a call with your sweetheart," Leah teased."No, I wasn't. The call was from my brother, the president. He will be returning tomorrow, and I can't wait to officially introduce you to him."Leah smiled. "That’s great news then; I can finally meet him."Thirty minutes into the party, a building that Alex and his wife, Emily, had planned to buy was suddenly showcased on the screen. The highest bidder would win it. The building's price was already steep, much more than Alex had anticipated, but his
"What does that have to do with me? Send them away and let me go home. I am so exhausted, please," Richard yelled. As he tried to roll up the tinted window again, one of the guards stopped him. "Boss, this is serious and it needs your attention."Richard got even more irritated. "I am not coming down from here. Did you kill anyone? If not, just give them a hundred bucks to buy a snack and move this car!" His eyes were blazing with fury."Yes, Boss!" The guards handed over a hundred bucks to the boys, but they refused to take it. Their mother had instructed them not to accept anything from strangers.They replied, "Okay," and went back to the car.As the car moved, Richard didn't roll the window up again. The boys gently moved out of the way and passed by the side of the window where he was seated.As soon as his eyes glanced at the boys, he immediately yelled, "Stop!"He saw the boys and they were his exact replicas. He got out of the vehicle and instantly froze. "Was this what I was
"Alright, the results will be ready in two days," the doctor responded."Don't tell me that. I need the answers immediately. You have to do it now," Richard demanded."I'm sorry, I can't," the doctor apologized."I give you twenty-four hours to get back to me. Send the results to my office or my home address. First thing tomorrow morning, it shouldn't be later than noon.""Sure, I will.""Call the nurse to treat his knee, please."A nurse treated Jayden's knee after receiving the instruction.Dazzle had planned to spend the rest of the day with his favorite sweetheart, but his elder brother had come with his problems. "Always good at spoiling my plans," he murmured. "I hope he isn't in any danger."When Dazzle arrived, he was amazed at the sight. "What the heck! Have the heavens finally decided to smile on us and make us happy? How can these little human beings be identical to us like this? I might be mistaken as their father too." He couldn't continue; he just stood and stared at the
Mariam composed herself to answer the call, still scared of what and how to explain everything to Leah."Hello, Leah," she began."Hey, have you guys arrived? How are Mom and Grandma doing?" Leah inquired."They're alright," Mariam replied."And the boys, are they there?" Leah asked."Yes, they are," Mariam answered hesitantly."Let me speak to them, please.""Um... they're asleep, Leah. Probably call them back later," Mariam stammered."So soon? Okay, I'll call back once I finish work. I might come there too," Leah said."Oh, don't worry. You can just go home and have some rest. We'll meet you at home," Mariam suggested."Alright then. I do need some sleep. Just be careful with them when you are on your way back. Greet everyone for me as well.""Sure, I will," Mariam assured, and they both hung up. Mariam heaved a sigh of relief.Leah, unaware of the situation, trusted Mariam completely. She knew her kids were safe in her hands and didn't worry at all."Mom, you didn't even ask me ab
It was very early in the morning when Richie awoke to a series of missed calls. There were two from Dazzle, two from his mother, and over thirty from his supposed fiancée.She had landed late the previous night, intending to inform Richie of her plans to spend the weekend at his house, but her attempts to reach him had been futile.Dazzle had sent a heads-up message: "Big bro, ermm... your fiancée reached out to me. She said she was in the city and would be coming over to your place. What will you tell her about the kids? Should I come pick them up in the morning? Get back to me as soon as possible." This was the first message Richie read."No, don't bother. There's no need to hide them from anyone. She will have to handle it. They are my kids, and I have to take full responsibility for them. Thanks for your concern."Dazzle already knew the answer but needed confirmation. Richie had always been a resolute and straightforward man. It was up to others to accept him as he was.The secon
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