Jackson’s mind reeled. His hand trembled uncontrollably as he held the document. “The baby… is it really beyond saving? Isn’t it seven months along? Can’t we do a cesarean section?”The nurse sighed, her voice tinged with regret. “If Emily had arrived at the hospital sooner, there might have been a chance. But by the time she got here, it was too late. We can’t detect a fetal heartbeat, which means the baby’s heart has already stopped…”Jackson felt as if the nurse’s words were drifting from a distant place, an unreal feeling overwhelming him. The last time he saw Emily, she was a tender, hopeful mother-to-be, eagerly anticipating the baby’s arrival. Now, not long after, the baby was lost, and Emily was in the operating room. What had happened…?“Sir? Sir?” The nurse nudged him. “Please sign the document quickly. Time is of the essence. The patient needs immediate surgery. There can be no further delays.”Jackson came back to reality, wiped his face in a daze, and scribbled his name i
Emily began to regain consciousness, her eyes fluttering open slightly.“Doctor, she’s awake. Her pupils are responsive,” a nurse reported urgently.Emily saw four figures surrounding her. Overhead, a glaring light illuminated her abdomen. But her abdomen felt completely numb!“My baby…” Emily murmured, her voice a weak whisper.The doctor frowned. “Get the anesthesiologist.”The nurse quickly complied. “Yes, Doctor.”Emily’s heart sank. “Doctor, what about my baby…”The doctor, drenched in sweat, focused intently on the surgery. “Miss, I need to concentrate completely on this procedure. The anesthesiologist will take care of you shortly, and my assistant will explain everything to you once the surgery is done.”“But my baby…”The anesthesiologist entered, clad in sterile garb, and placed an oxygen mask over Emily’s face. Within seconds, she was completely unconscious. Yet, her mind lingered for a few moments, faintly hearing the voices around her.“… abandon treatment? Did her family
Four years have passed since everything changed.The prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize ceremony was being held in Rome. This year’s award had taken everyone by surprise—a complete unknown had won, a young architect who had just turned thirty. The fact that she was American only heightened the intrigue.The last time a thirty-year-old American won this award was Logan Morgan. But his reputation had been shattered when it was discovered that his award-winning design wasn’t his own but stolen from another architect. The incident became one of the biggest scandals in architectural history, and the committee had not only stripped him of the prize but also declared that year’s award void. The scandal rocked the architecture world to its core, stirring debates about ethics and trust in the industry.In the aftermath, a wave of xenophobia swept through some circles, with some extremists arguing that Americans shouldn’t be allowed to compete for the Pritzker ever again. While this idea w
The host subtly lowered the microphone and leaned closer to Miranda, his voice a quiet whisper. “Ms. Carter, just stay calm. I’ll guide you through this.”Miranda looked slightly surprised but managed to mask it with a polite smile. “Thank you,” she replied, her tone warm.“Go ahead, take that trophy that’s rightfully yours.”Miranda gently released his hand and walked slowly to the microphone stand.Bright spotlights bathed her in light, and the constant flash of cameras created a dazzling blur. From her perspective, all she could see was a sea of white—she couldn’t make out faces or the number of attendees.The trophy was placed on a pedestal nearby, waiting for her to lift it. But first, she had to face the scrutiny of the audience.“Good evening, everyone. I’m Miranda Carter.”Her voice was melodious, clear, and carried a calm confidence.At this, the male reporters in the audience snapped their cameras into focus on her, some even momentarily forgetting their duties as they caugh
Perfection has never been her; it has always been her designs. After all, who among us can claim to be flawless?Miranda's skin was as radiant as silk, her red lips curving into a sensual smile. “So, shall we proceed with the award ceremony now?”The host, still smiling, nodded. “Of course, Ms. Carter. But before we hand over the trophy, the judges and members of the press have some questions for you. You'll need to provide convincing answers, and if you succeed, the award will undoubtedly be yours.”Miranda accepted the challenge with grace. “I'm ready.”The ceremony continued...The award presentation lasted a staggering seven hours.Starting at eight in the evening, it dragged on until well past three in the morning. Many attendees were fighting off sleep, some even openly pleading for the event to end. However, a few stubborn individuals, determined to trip Miranda up, kept the questions coming.Despite this, Miranda showed no signs of impatience. Instead, she remained poised and
“Hey, Miranda, remember our deal? No saying ‘thank you’ to me,” Jackson said with a playful smirk.Miranda laughed softly, covering her mouth. “Sorry, I forgot again.”Jackson rolled his eyes in mock annoyance. “You forget every time, and I always have to remind you.”“My bad,” Miranda replied with a grin.“Hmph.”As they exited the conference hall, Miranda couldn’t shake her worry about Amy’s ability to manage things on her own. Her uncle Bert had never been to the Europe before, and he didn’t speak Italian. If he got lost, it could be a major problem. Reluctantly, she asked Jackson to drive her to airport so she could personally meet her uncle and ensure his safe arrival.This was her second visit to the airport ; the first had been just a few days ago when she was rushing to attend an awards ceremony. She hadn’t had time to take in her surroundings, and it had taken her ages to find Amy at the international arrivals gate.Amy had just stepped out of a convenience store, holding two
“Miranda, there are still good people in this world. As soon as I arrived, two young men saw I was lost and immediately offered to help me find my way. I’m really grateful to them,” Bert said with a relieved smile.Miranda gently reminded him, “Uncle Bert, I go by Miranda now.”“Oh, right, Miranda. I’ll remember that,” Bert said, tapping his forehead. “Getting old, my memory isn’t what it used to be.”Bert, though just fifty years old, looked much older, the wear and tear of life showing clearly in his features. Years of hardship had taken their toll on him, making him appear far older than his years. He had spent over twenty years abroad, searching for the man who had wronged his sister, and upon returning, had devoted himself to caring for William. His entire life had been a series of burdens, leaving little room for anything else.Miranda felt a pang of sadness and linked arms with him. “You’re not old at all, Uncle Bert. Don’t say that.”Bert chuckled heartily. “You’ve grown so mu
Jackson stood with his arms crossed, squinting slightly as he surveyed his surroundings. “So, you’re in Rome too?”A man in a sharp suit replied, “I just ran into madam’s uncle. He mentioned coming here to meet a friend. Was it you who brought him here, Jackson?”Jackson smirked, his tone lazy, almost indifferent. “What if it was me? What if it wasn’t? Why are you stopping me from leaving? This is Rome, not back home. I could easily have you arrested for unlawful detention.”From inside a nearby café, a man in a suit and sunglasses called out softly, “Dylan.”“Yes, sir?” Dylan responded promptly.“Invite Jackson in for a cup of coffee.”Dylan hesitated. “Sir, Jackson doesn’t seem too interested in talking. He’s being quite hostile.”The man sighed. “That’s just how he is. It’s not about you. Go ahead, tell him it’s me inviting him.”“Yes, sir.” Dylan walked back to Jackson’s side.A dozen bodyguards surrounded Jackson, making any attempt to flee futile. But Jackson remained unbothered