As the evening drew to a close. Alex couldn't believe the drama his wife and her mother displayed. He had to schedule a meeting with Leah and the other board members in a few days. If he had to give up the seat as the executive manager then he would gladly leave the company making sure that everything was in place and not in the wrong hands.Leah read the emails and responded that she would be there for the meeting.The day of the meeting finally came, Alex sat at the head of the long, polished boardroom table, his hands clasped in front of him. He had spent the past few days in a whirlwind of emotions, trying to come to terms with the fact that his wife Emily and her mother Mary had orchestrated a takeover of the company. The very thought of it made his blood boil, but he knew he had to keep a level head if he wanted to make the right decisions.Around the table, the other board members settled into their seats, exchanging hushed conversations. Leah, the most influential member of th
Kimberly sat in front of the vanity mirror, her reflection staring back at her, almost as if it were mocking the plan she was about to set into motion. The room was quiet, save for the distant hum of the city beyond the windows. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the foundation, carefully applying it to her already flawless skin. She needed to look perfect. Vulnerable, yet captivating.She had thought about this for days, weighing the risks against the potential reward. Dazzle had grown distant, and with her ex-boyfriend, Taurus presence in town, things had become even more complicated becausehe would come after her again. She couldn't let everything she had worked for slip away. Dazzle was her ticket to the life she had always dreamed of, and she wasn't going to let anyone, not even Dazzle himself, ruin that.Kimberly finished applying her makeup and took a deep breath. It was time to set her plan into motion. She picked up her phone and sent a quick text to Dazzle: "when
“Mal,” Dazzle greeted, trying to keep his voice neutral. “What are you doing here?”“I was on my way out of town, but I thought I’d stop by and say goodbye,” Mal replied, his gaze flicking over Dazzle’s shoulder, clearly aware that something was off. “Is everything okay?”Dazzle hesitated, glancing back towards the bedroom where Kimberly was lying. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Just… a bit of a situation.”Mal raised an eyebrow. “What kind of situation?”Dazzle sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s complicated, man. Kim’s not feeling well, and she’s… she’s worried about the baby.”Mal’s expression softened slightly, though there was still a hint of skepticism in his eyes. “You think she’s being straight with you?”Dazzle frowned, taken aback by the question. “What do you mean?”Mal shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. “I mean, she’s pulling you into a lot of stuff, Daz. Are you sure she’s not just… I don’t know, trying to keep you close?”The implication hung in the air, and Daz
Dazzle sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the floor. It was just 6:40am, the following morning. His thoughts were a tangled mess, swirling with doubts and fears that he couldn’t shake. The decision he was about to make felt monumental, like a heavy weight pressing down on his chest.Kimberly was still asleep, her breathing soft and steady. She looked peaceful, almost serene, but Dazzle knew that beneath that calm exterior lay a world of ambitions and wants. She had made her wishes clear—she wanted to be married, to be a family for the sake of their unborn child. And now, after a sleepless night of agonizing over the decision, Dazzle had finally come to a conclusion.He would marry her.The thought sent a chill down his spine, not because he didn’t care about Kimberly, but because he knew deep down that this wasn’t the life he had envisioned for himself. But sometimes life didn’t go according to plan, and he couldn’t turn his back on his responsibilities.With a deep sigh,
The phone in Alex's hand felt heavier than it had ever been before. He sat in the living room, the silence of the house pressing down on him like a thick blanket. It was late, far too late to be making this call, but the turmoil inside him couldn’t wait any longer. He needed to talk to someone, someone who had been there for him through every bad decision, every heartbreak. He needed to talk to his mother.With a deep breath, he pressed her contact on his phone. The ringing seemed to stretch on forever, each second amplifying the doubts swirling in his mind. When she finally answered, her voice was warm, even though it was tinged with the grogginess of having just woken up.“Alex? Is everything okay? It’s really late,” she said, her concern evident.“Mom, I... I’m sorry for calling so late. I just needed to talk,” Alex replied, his voice shaky, betraying the emotions he was trying to keep in check.“What’s wrong, honey? You sound upset,” his mom said, her voice softening, maternal ins
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
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