The engines hummed softly as the jet soared above the clouds, a sense of tension still lingering between Becky and her father, Mr. Scholes. Though she had made it onto the plane and away from the tangled mess Alexander had left behind, her emotions remained raw and open, like a wound that refused to heal. She stared out of the window, her fingers trembling with a mix of anger and sorrow, eyes glistening with unshed tears as the weight of betrayal pressed heavily on her chest. “Dad!” she finally broke the silence, her voice cracking as she turned to face him. “How were you able to pull that off so brilliantly without notice?” She squeezed his hand tightly. Mr. Scholes exhaled deeply, his face hardened with a steely resolve. “I told you to trust me. But I’m angry at your decision…” He looked at her with a mixture of love and frustration, the paternal ache in his gaze nearly tangible. Becky leaned forward, her tone darkening. “I need to do what’s on my mind, Dad. I know how to serve h
“What did you just do?” Zara’s voice broke the silence, her expression a mixture of disbelief and astonishment. Helen didn’t answer, her eyes fixed somewhere distant and her feet stood still. They stood in the quiet living room, when Zara held Helen’s phone up, staring at the screen to confirm the caller ID. “You ignored Mr. Alexander’s call?” Zara nearly stumbled over her words, she furrowed in shock. “The CEO of the biggest corporation? Are you out of your mind? And this… this is his personal number!” Helen simply nodded, her gaze calm but edged with bitterness. “Yes. Why shouldn’t I? After the way he treated me at the hospital? Do you think I’ll jump up the moment he calls, like nothing happened?” Zara’s mouth opened, but no words came out immediately. She looked down, trying to process her friend’s decision, then managed to find her voice. “Helen… this is Alexander. The Alexander…” She emphasized his name as if to break through Helen’s resolve. “Ignoring his call is… well, risky
Alexander clenched his fists, his heart pounding as Humphrey hesitated. He could feel the frustration mounting, each second of silence filling him with a dark rage. With a surge of desperation, Alexander seized Humphrey by the collar, his voice filled with fury. “So, you knew all along and kept it from me? How much did they pay you to hide this from me? What have I done to deserve such a betrayal?” Humphrey’s face was pale, a glisten of sweat forming on his forehead. He looked cornered, trapped, his thoughts swirling as he wrestled with whether to reveal the truth. “Can he handle it?” he thought, anxiety clear on his face, though he tried to maintain his composure. Alexander's eyes narrowed, suspicion dawning in his gaze. Humphrey’s hesitation only fueled the fire of his anger. Stepping back, Alexander shook his head in disbelief, his expression darkening. His tone shifted, colder and more dangerous. “If you won’t talk, then maybe you’re the one responsible,” he said. Alexander’s pho
Becky stepped out of the car, feeling excited as she took in the familiar sight of her parents’ home. She hurried to the boot, ready to grab her bags, but her dad quickly waved her off. "Leave your luggage, love. I’ll carry it in for you," he insisted, his voice warm with affection. "You’ve gone through a lot of stress and you need a proper rest now that you’re home." Becky smiled, touched by his kindness, but she couldn't ignore the weight of her bags. "Dad, they’re really heavy, and you’re not getting any younger..." she teased with a smirk. "Don’t say that," he huffed, pretending to be offended. "If you’re doubting my strength, ask your mum. She can tell you." He turned to his wife with a grin. “Honey, how would you rate my energy?” Her mother chuckled, rolling her eyes. “Must you relate everything to…well, you know…” Becky burst out laughing, and her dad made a dramatic motion, gesturing for her to head inside. "Go on, get yourself settled." "Shall I call the butler to help
“There’s nothing scarier than my younger sister coming back…” Manni muttered as she paced around the small porch just outside the sitting room.“Calm down, sweetheart. Let’s go inside and sit. Is this about my position?” John asked gently, already sensing her answer. Manni had shown up at his house first before he arrived, yet she hadn’t even used the spare key he had given her to let herself in. She just stood there, visibly tense, too worried to enter. Even more telling, she’d chosen not to go with her mom to welcome her long-lost sister, who had been gone for three years without a single word. It was hard to believe they shared the same parents; their behavior towards each other seemed more like stepsisters, competitive and strained.John’s question brought Manni back to the moment. She folded her arms, looking at him with a mix of frustration and hurt. “Have you forgotten where I found you? Sometimes I wonder if you even care about my feelings…”“I’m sorry, darling.”“Don’t ‘darlin
"What did you come here to do, you loser?" Manni's cold words hit Becky like a slap. She blinked, wondering if she was dreaming. This was her sister, wasn’t it? The same one who had just asked kindly about her in the sitting room, smiling as if she actually cared? Back in the sitting room, their mom had watched them exchange pleasantries, probably thinking the bond between them had held firm, despite all the years apart and how things used to be. But now, in the privacy of Manni’s bedroom, that friendly mask had fallen away, revealing a harshness Becky hadn’t expected. For a moment, she told herself she must have misheard. Maybe Manni was on the phone? But no, Manni’s gaze was fixed on her, eyes narrowed with something like disdain. Becky’s heart skipped a beat. "You said…?" she managed, her voice softer than she intended. She didn’t want to make trouble. She wasn’t here to stir up old fights. But Manni didn’t answer, instead turning to lock the door with a loud, deliberate click, B
Alexander felt a soft touch on his shoulder, but his mind was still racing from Humphrey's words. Humphrey had spoken to him in a way no one ever had before, raw, unfiltered, leaving him unsettled. He barely noticed the presence behind him, so lost in thought that the touch seemed almost familiar. “Helen?” He murmured, turning slowly, surprised to see her standing there. The woman before him wore bold, red lipstick, the shade he always admired, and her low-cut dress revealed her intentions as clearly as her gaze, which lingered with a seductive glint. She took a step closer, her posture suggestive as she leaned, adjusting her dress just enough to expose more of her legs. “Stop pretending, Alexander,” she whispered, her voice soft and alluring. “I know you want me, and I know you’re hurt because of what has happened.” Alexander’s heart clenched. He felt the weight of his grief, and yet here she was, assuming she could fill a void that went far deeper than she seemed to understand. Hi
“Go to your room now,” Becky’s dad whispered urgently in her ear. His eyes widened with fear, darting around. What’s wrong with Mr. Scholes because of a knock? They stood far from the main door, and unless he yelled, no one outside could hear them. Maybe he was worried about Mr. Alexander’s assistant, who kept pressing him, asking, “When is the burial date of my boss’s late wife?” Perhaps he feared losing respect or simply wanted to keep his daughter safe from any harm being the one thwarting his daughter's plan. Becky gently placed her fingers to her eyes, trying to stop her tears as she remembered Manni's words. She turned to the left, heading toward her room, while her dad went in the opposite direction. He stayed silent, even as the person at the door knocked again. As he walked to the door, he thought, Can’t he speak out? Looking through the peephole, he blinked and was surprised. “Diana?” he whispered aloud. Then he opened the door. “Good evening, Mr. Scholes.” Diana’s small
Kathrine’s POVI felt so dizzy I might have collapsed if I hadn’t been sandwiched between Henry and Noah, their strong bodies holding me up. The kitten, tired of being squished, had climbed onto my shoulder, her tiny claws pricking my skin.Was this real? Had I slipped into some alternate reality? Maybe the almond milk my mom gave me had sent me into a coma, and this was all just a dream. Because who in the world gives their girlfriend a house for her nineteenth birthday?But it wasn’t the price tag or the extravagance of the gift that hit me the hardest. It was the understanding.Henry and Noah knew. They knew that for the past three and a half years, my life had been nothing but temporary, unstable, unreliable, and downright terrifying. When I lost my dad, I lost my home, my safety, my security. I’d followed my mom from one boyfriend’s place to another, always feeling like an unwanted third wheel, always at the mercy of strangers. I thought I’d built up a tough shell, that I was str
Kathrine’s POVI wasn’t expecting any more gifts from the Robert brothers. They’d already spoiled me with flowers, a fancy stainless steel water bottle, an incredible dinner on the gazebo, and those stunning rings. I couldn’t stop twisting the rings on my finger, just to remind myself this was real. This wasn’t some scene from one of my romance novels—this was my life.But when they drove me out to the waterfall, I almost melted. It was such a sweet, romantic gesture, taking me back to where it all kind of began. Okay, technically, it started at the Professor’s house, but our first real date was here, at the swimming hole under the man-made waterfall. That was the moment I started to believe I could actually be with both of them.When we arrived, there was a blanket laid out on the grass, scattered with rose petals. A vase of fresh flowers sat beside a white box tied with a big red bow. They sat facing me, their eyes full of anticipation, like they were waiting for something huge. It
Henry’s povI woke up before the sun even started to rise, the sky still dark over the mountains. Kathrine was curled up next to me, our legs tangled together with Noah’s. My brother was on the other side of her, holding her close while she faced me. At some point during the night, we’d kicked off the blankets, but the three of us together kept the bed warm and cozy.When Noah and I planned her late birthday dinner, we never imagined it would end the way it did, with the most incredible, unforgettable night of my life. Maybe even our lives. I reached for her hand in the dark, my fingers brushing over the ring she now wore. She’d accepted it. She’d accepted us.Kathrine stirred, stretching with a soft groan. “Oh my God,” she mumbled, her voice still heavy with sleep. She threw a leg over mine and sighed. “I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus. No, make that two buses.”I smiled, brushing her hair back from her face. Even in the dim light, I could see how beautiful she looked. “I’m sorry,
Kathrine’s POVI should have done this a long time ago. Sliding behind the wheel of my new car, I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter than necessary, just to remind myself that it was real, this was real. The scent of pine-tree air freshener mixed with the sharp, chemical tang of whatever they used to polish the interior at the dealership. It wasn’t exactly pleasant, but it smelled like freedom. Like a fresh start.No more asking for permission. No more borrowing keys. No more waiting for some taxi driver to show up at his own pace. This was my car, and I could go anywhere I wanted, whenever I wanted.It should have been a good feeling, liberating, even but there was a dull ache gnawing at the back of my mind.My mother wasn’t speaking to me.Late last night, I’d heard her voice sharp and angry, drifting from the other end of the house. I couldn’t make out every word, but I didn’t have to. I knew exactly what the argument was about.She must have gone to Weah, her voice rising
Noah’s PovEven though Kathrine was trying to hide it, I could see she was upset. When I got to the dojo, she was already there. She had taken off her jacket, put on boxing gloves, and was hitting the heavy bag hard. She wasn’t just practicing, she was putting all her strength into every punch and kick. I could almost feel the force of her hits. Her face was red, her breath was sharp with each strike, and sweat was running down her neck.It was impressive and attractive, but also a little scary.I wouldn’t want to be that bag, but that wasn’t what worried me. It was the way she was fighting, so intense, so focused, so fierce. It was like she was fighting for her life. Or maybe she was punishing herself.After what Henry told me about her meeting with her mom, I thought it might be a mix of both. I wasn’t sure if I should stop her or let her keep going. Since we were in the dojo and she was higher-ranked than me, I felt unsure of what to do.Luckily, Clement noticed something was wrong
Kathrine’s Pov“Time to face the executioner,” I muttered under my breath as I opened the door and headed downstairs to confront my mother. My purse was slung over one shoulder, and I could hear the keys to my new car jingling inside, almost as if they were taunting me. I kept my face calm and composed, but inside, my stomach was churning with nerves. I had no idea how my mother was going to react, and I really didn’t want Henry to witness it if she completely lost it.I found her pacing back and forth between the living room and the kitchen. She had kicked off her heels by the back door and I mean kicked. One of them had flown halfway across the room. Her hair, which had been neatly tied up, was now loose and floating around her flushed face. Her pupils were tiny pinpoints, and she was shaking with anger. She was furious, and it showed in every movement.I took a deep breath, trying to detach myself from her emotional state. It wasn’t easy. Her stress and anxiety felt like invisible
Kathrine's povBuying my own car might have been a little impulsive, but I didn’t regret it. Well, not entirely. The process wasn’t exactly smooth, though. I had to visit three different dealerships before I found a salesman who actually took me seriously. The first one looked me straight in the eye and told me to come back with my parents. Can you believe that? The second one laughed in my face when I said I wasn’t interested in financing and planned to pay in cash. It was frustrating, to say the least. But at the third dealership, I finally found a guy who treated me like an adult. We talked about the pros and cons of different cars within my budget, and after some back-and-forth, I settled on a modest, older Toyota with low mileage. It wasn’t flashy, but it was reliable and affordable.I paid for the car in full and drove it off the lot, feeling a mix of pride and guilt. This was my first car, and it should’ve been a happy moment, but instead, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in
Henry’s POV“How much longer?” I barked into the phone, my patience hanging by a thread.“We’ll wrap up by Tuesday,” said Guy Wilson, the contractor I hired to handle the asbestos cleanup at the old factory. “After that, you’ve got to wait at least 48 hours for the air to clear. Honestly, with a job this big, I’d give it a full week before we run the final tests to make sure it’s safe.”I rubbed my eyes, frustration gnawing at me. A week shouldn’t feel like a lifetime, but with the chaos at home, it felt like an eternity.I always knew Kathrine’s mom wouldn’t be on board with us, but I didn’t expect her to go full attack mode. The way she tore into Kathrine was disgusting, shaming her, calling her awful names. It made me sick.That morning at breakfast, Clara dropped the bomb. “You’re grounded,” she announced, her tone dripping with superiority. “And you’re not touching your car. Got it?”Kathrine didn’t even blink. She just raised an eyebrow, squeezed a lemon into her water bottle li
Kathrine's POVThis wasn’t going to blow over. I could feel it in my bones, like the ache of a storm before it hits. The tension in the house was thick enough to cut with a knife, and I knew it was only a matter of time before everything came crashing down. Unless I walked away from whatever this thing was between the Robert brothers and me, my mom and Weah would keep pushing. And I’d be the one caught in the crossfire.I was the odd one out here. The outsider. The girl who didn’t belong in the Robert’ world. And honestly, I could see why my mom was so uncomfortable. Weah, her professor boyfriend, was all about appearances. He was the kind of guy who ironed his socks and probably had a spreadsheet for his grocery list. I could practically see him breaking things off with her if I caused too much of a scene. The thought made my stomach twist.Even if I ignored my mom and Weah, this thing with the twins was a risk. A huge one. Relationships were messy enough, but with two brothers? It w