SARAHThe silence between Marco and me was so thick it felt like I could cut it with a knife. As soon as I got in the car, I felt a knot in my stomach tighten. I glanced at Marco from the corner of my eye, but he was focused on the road, his face a mask of calm.I couldn’t help but wonder what he had in store for me because of my escape attempt. My mind raced with possibilities, each one worse than the last. Would he be furious? Would he punish me? I tried to push those thoughts away, but they kept creeping back in.I looked out the window, watching the city pass by. The buildings, the people, the noise—all of it seemed so distant, like it was happening in another world. I felt a wave of regret wash over me. Maybe I should have stayed put, bided my time, found a better opportunity. But it was too late for that now.“What were you thinking, Sarah?” I muttered under my breath, barely audible.Marco glanced over at me but didn’t say anything. I wondered if he heard me. Did he even care w
SARAHI couldn’t believe what was about to happen. My heart pounded in my chest, my breaths coming in shallow gasps. This couldn’t be real. I had to stop it. I ran to where Marco was seated, dropping to my knees before him.“Marco, please,” I begged, my voice trembling. “Rethink this punishment. They don’t deserve this. It’s all my fault. I’ll take the whippings for both of them. Just don’t hurt them, please.”He looked down at me with cold, unfeeling eyes. Without a word, he flung me off him, his strength sending me sprawling to the floor. I gasped in pain, struggling to get up.“Sarah, you need to see what happens when people make silly decisions around me,” Marco said, his voice low and menacing. “Actions have consequences.”I crawled back to him, my desperation growing. “Please, Marco, they had nothing to do with it. I was the one who planned everything. Punish me instead. Whip me as much as you want, but let them go.”He scoffed, shaking his head. “You really think I’ll change my
MARCOI sat in my office, the silence almost deafening. The events of the day replayed in my mind, and I couldn’t shake the image of Sarah’s tear-streaked face. But I pushed the guilt away. It was a necessary evil. I needed to make a scene, to instill fear in her. It was the only way to ensure she wouldn’t try something like that again.I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. “I can’t let myself get too relaxed with her,” I muttered to myself. “I can’t afford to let my guard down.”The pain of losing someone you love—it’s something you never forget. I had promised myself I would never experience that again. Allowing Sarah any leeway, showing her any softness, would be a mistake. I couldn’t afford to let her think she could escape my control.“She needs to understand the consequences of her actions,” I said quietly. “If she doesn’t, she’ll never learn.”But even as I said the words, a part of me wondered if there was another way. Did I have to be so brutal? Could I have hand
MARCOI flung my fist on the table pacing back and forth, trying to make sense of everything. The latest attempt to intercept Marcel had failed, and my frustration was mounting. Tony turned to me looking equally worn out but determined."Marco," he started, his voice steady. "I know you're upset about this last attempt, but we're not giving up. We’ll get him."I slammed my fist on the desk. "Tony, we've been at this for weeks. Every lead turns into a dead end. It's like he's always one step ahead."Tony took a deep breath. "I get it. Marcel's slippery, but that doesn't mean he's invincible. We just need to change our approach, think outside the box."I looked at him, my anger simmering just below the surface. "What do you suggest? We've tried everything. Surveillance, informants, hacking his communications. Nothing works."Tony nodded, understanding my frustration. "Yeah, but maybe we’re looking in the wrong places. Marcel’s a ghost, right? He operates in the shadows. What if we use t
SARAHI stood in the kitchen, chopping vegetables while Maria worked beside me, stirring a pot on the stove. Since the incident with Marco, Maria and I had grown close. Her steady presence was a comfort in this twisted world.“Maria,” I started, glancing at her. “You’ve been working for Marco for a while, right?”Maria nodded, her eyes focused on the simmering soup. “Yes, it’s been almost five years now.”“Why did you take the job?” I asked, genuinely curious. “I mean, working for someone like Marco… it can’t be easy.”Maria smiled wistfully. “It’s a long story, Sarah. But if you’re really interested, I’ll tell you.”I set the knife down and turned to face her, eager to hear more. “I’d love to know. Please, tell me.”Maria took a deep breath, her hands never stopping their work. “I grew up in a small village, far from the city. We were poor, but my parents did their best to provide for us. I had three younger siblings, and I helped take care of them.”I listened intently, picturing a
SARAHWalking down the hallway with the maid, my heart pounded with every step. The air felt thick with anticipation, and I tried to steady my breathing. The maid knocked on Marco’s door, her knuckles rapping sharply against the wood. “Miss Sarah is here,” she announced, her voice steady and formal. She turned to me, offering a polite curtsey before walking away, leaving me to face whatever lay beyond that door.“Thank you,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering in my chest, and stepped into the room.Marco’s room was lavish, more so than I had imagined. The deep, rich colors of the decor exuded a certain opulence, yet there was an unexpected warmth that made the space feel oddly welcoming. It was a stark contrast to the man who occupied it—so much like him, yet so different. I realized then that I had never been in here before, and the thought intrigued me. I couldn’t help but take in every detail, my eyes roving over the int
SARAHStorming down the hallway, I barely registered the maid who had escorted me. My mind was a whirlwind of anger and disbelief. Marco’s audacity was beyond anything I had ever encountered. First, he tried to seduce me, and then, without missing a beat, he demanded I accompany him to a party.When I finally reached my room, I slammed the door shut behind me, leaning against it to catch my breath. My skin still tingled from his touch, but the anger burning in my chest quickly overwhelmed any lingering sensation.“How dare he?” I muttered to myself, pacing the room. “How dare he think he can control me like that?”I glanced at the clock. I had a few hours before this supposed party, and the thought of seeing him again made my blood boil. I walked over to the window and looked out at the sprawling estate. The idea of playing his game made me sick, but I knew I couldn’t let him think he had won. Not this time.“No,” I whispered to myself, shaking my head. “I won’t let it go his way. I’l
SARAHWhen we arrived at the party, the first thing I noticed was the elegant atmosphere. The grand ballroom was adorned with glittering chandeliers, and the guests, all dressed in their finest attire, moved gracefully across the floor. The theme of the night was a masquerade, and as we walked in, a server handed us both ornate masks.I looked at my mask, a delicate creation with silver and blue feathers. I slipped it on, feeling a little more hidden, a little safer behind its cover. Marco’s mask was black and gold, giving him an even more intimidating presence.As we walked further into the party, I took in the scenery. The room was filled with opulence—rich, dark wood paneling, plush velvet drapes, and tables set with elaborate centerpieces. The music, a soft classical piece, added to the air of sophistication.Marco’s arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him. The possessiveness of the gesture made my skin crawl, but I forced myself to keep a neutral expression. He glan
SARAHThe moment the doctor uttered those words, my entire world tilted on its axis. I stared at him, frozen in disbelief, his voice ringing in my ears like an unrelenting echo.“The results of the DNA test confirm that Mr Marco is the biological father of the child.”My heartbeat quickened, pounding so hard I could feel it reverberating in my chest. I blinked, my eyes darting between Marco, the doctor, and Isabella, desperately searching for some sign that this was a cruel joke. But there was no humor here—only cold, stark reality.“This… this can’t be true,” I muttered, my voice trembling, barely recognizable. My hands clutched the edge of my chair, my knuckles white. “There has to be some kind of mistake.”The doctor adjusted his glasses, his expression calm but unyielding. “Ms. Sarah, I can assure you that—”“No!” I interrupted, my voice louder, almost desperate. “You must’ve gotten the samples mixed up. You—You have to check again.” I turned to Marco, who sat silent and motionles
SARAHI woke up feeling lighter than I had in days. Today was the day. The day we’d finally be free of Isabella’s twisted games. The DNA results would expose her lies, and Marco and I could finally move forward without her constant manipulations hanging over us like a dark cloud.I got out of bed and headed downstairs, eager to see Marco. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I spotted him near the door, pulling on his jacket. His face was calm, focused, the same determined look he always wore when he was ready to handle something important.“Heading to the hospital?” I asked, a small smile creeping onto my face.Marco glanced at me, his expression softening just slightly. “Yeah. It’s about time we put an end to this.”I couldn’t hide my excitement. “Good. I can’t wait to see the look on Isabella’s face when she’s caught in her own web of lies.”He chuckled, shaking his head. “You don’t need to stress about this, Sarah. It’s not going to be that big a deal. Once the truth comes out,
SARAHI sat alone in the waiting room, tapping my fingers against the armrest of the chair. The fluorescent lights above buzzed faintly, and the sterile white walls did nothing to calm my nerves. I tried to distract myself by looking around—at the posters on the walls about healthy eating, the muted television playing some medical drama, and the occasional nurse or patient walking by—but none of it worked. My thoughts were a mess.Marco had stepped out to speak with the nurse, leaving me here to stew in my own anxiety. I hated waiting like this, not knowing what was happening or what might come next. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my eyes darting toward the door Marco had disappeared through.Then, I heard voices. Faint at first, but as I strained my ears, I realized it was Marco and the nurse talking.“…nothing to worry about,” the nurse was saying.My heart quickened. I leaned slightly in their direction, trying to catch more of their conversation.“Are you sure?” Marco’s voice
SARAHHere’s the expanded scene based on your outline:The ride to the hospital was painfully quiet. Marco had his hands firmly on the steering wheel, his knuckles white as he focused on the road ahead. I sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, staring out the window, trying to ignore the sound of Isabella wailing in the backseat.“Ohhh, it hurts so much! Marco, please hurry!” Isabella screeched, her voice grating like nails on a chalkboard.I clenched my teeth and looked over at Marco. His jaw was tight, his lips pressed into a hard line, but he said nothing. Of course, he wouldn’t. He was too busy trying to hold it together.I turned back toward the window, willing myself to stay calm, but it was impossible. Isabella’s dramatic cries filled the car, each one more ridiculous than the last.“Oh, Marco, I think I’m losing consciousness! Please, don’t let me die!”I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. “She’s unbelievable,” I muttered under my breath.“What was that, Sarah?” Marco asked, hi
SARAHI stood at the edge of the room, watching Marco approach Isabella. My heart was pounding, uncertain about what he intended to do or say. He had reassured me earlier that she’d be leaving today, but now, as he walked towards her with that unreadable expression, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety. What if she had more tricks up her sleeve?Isabella, sitting on the couch with her legs crossed, perked up as soon as she saw him. Her face lit up with a wide, overly enthusiastic smile, the kind that made my stomach churn with irritation. “Marco!” she exclaimed, her voice dripping with sweetness. “I didn’t know you were back already. You won’t believe how fascinating this show is! You should come join me.” She patted the cushion beside her, as if she had any right to act like this was her home.Marco didn’t respond to her theatrics. His expression was stony, his steps measured. He stopped just short of the couch, towering over her with an intimidating presence that even I coul
SARAHIt had been a full day since Isabella’s dramatic arrival, and I was still holed up in my room. I muttered to myself as I tossed another pillow back onto the bed. I wasn’t exactly hiding—I just couldn’t stand the sight of her. Every time I thought about her waltzing in, acting all smug and self-assured, my blood boiled. And Marco… He hadn’t said much since, which only made things worse.I tried to shake off the frustration as I moved around, tidying up my room just to keep my hands busy. “Marco will deal with this,” I said under my breath, like a mantra. “He’ll send her packing today, and this nonsense will be over.”Still, a part of me couldn’t help but wonder how we’d gotten here. How did our lives go from peaceful—almost blissful—to this chaos? One day we were happy, planning our future, and the next, Isabella was barging in with her ridiculous claim.I sighed and headed into the bathroom. The cool splash of water on my face helped clear my mind a little, though not as much as
SARAHI slammed the door behind me, leaning against it for a moment as I tried to catch my breath. My heart was racing, my chest tight with frustration. How had it come to this? Just this morning, Marco and I were fine—happy, even. And now, a woman stood at our door, claiming she was pregnant with his child. The thought made my stomach twist.I paced the room, running a hand through my hair. It didn’t make any sense. Marco had been different lately—better. He wasn’t the man he used to be. He’d been attentive, loving, even vulnerable at times. He was mine. I knew that. So how could Isabella show up with a claim like that?My mind replayed the entire ordeal. Isabella’s smug expression, the way she casually dropped her “news” like a bomb, as if she knew it would tear everything apart. The way she laughed at me, daring me to question her. And Marco—God, Marco. He just stood there, offering nothing but a weak denial.“Unbelievable,” I muttered to myself, clenching my fists at my sides.I c
SARAHIsabella’s words hit me like a brick. My head jerked back, and for a second, I could only stare at her, trying to process what I’d just heard. It couldn’t be true. It had to be a joke. A really bad, tasteless joke.“You’re joking,” I said, my voice sharp but shaky. “You’ve got to be joking. Pregnant? For Marco? Are you even hearing yourself?”Her smile didn’t waver. If anything, it grew wider, like she was enjoying every second of my disbelief. “Oh, Sarah,” she said, letting out a light laugh. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but no, I’m not joking.”I shook my head, still refusing to believe it. “Stop it. Just stop. You’re not pregnant, and if you are, it’s not for Marco. Do you even hear how ridiculous you sound?”Isabella tilted her head slightly, her expression oozing false sympathy. “I know this must be hard for you to accept, but denying it won’t change the truth.”The laugh that escaped me was bitter and sharp. “The truth?” I scoffed. “The only truth here is that you’ll say
SARAHI stepped out of the car, my heels clicking sharply against the pavement, each step fueled by my growing irritation. Marco was right behind me, his footsteps steady, but I didn’t care to wait for him to catch up. My focus was locked on Isabella, standing there like she belonged, her arms folded across her chest, her face a mask of indifference. That blank, self-righteous expression of hers was as irritating as ever. She looked smug and untouchable, as if she hadn’t caused enough chaos already.“What are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended. “Here to cause another scene, Isabella?”She didn’t even flinch.I stopped a few feet away, my arms dropping to my sides as I glared at her. She just stood there, perfectly still, like a statue carved from ice, her silence deliberate and calculated. The audacity of it made my blood simmer.“I asked you a question,” I snapped, taking a step closer. “What are you doing here, Isabella?”Nothing. Not a word, not even a fl