Marcus leaned back in his office chair, the phone pressed against his ear. He was quiet for a moment before finally speaking.“Lily called me last night,” he began, his tone calm but cold. “She said she was sick and needed me to come over immediately. I rushed to her house, of course, thinking something was seriously wrong. But when I got there, it was a lie. She said she just missed me and wanted to see me.”There was a pause on the other end of the line before Nicholas, his best friend, responded.“Wait, what? She faked being sick just to get you to come over?” Nicholas asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.“Exactly,” Marcus confirmed, his jaw tightening at the memory. “At first, I thought it was just some immature ploy for attention, but then… things got strange.”Nicholas was silent for a moment before replying, his tone laced with curiosity. “Strange how? What do you mean?”Marcus hesitated, recalling the unsettling sequence of events. “She tried to grab me. At one point, she e
Marcus turned his attention back to his laptop, trying to focus on the work in front of him, but he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something wasn’t right. Lily sat across from him, her smile unwavering, her demeanor as calm and innocent as ever. Despite his suspicions, her act was impeccable, and it left him questioning his instincts.“Are you sure you’re okay? You seemed really off yesterday,” Lily asked again, leaning slightly forward. Her voice was soft and tinged with concern, but Marcus couldn’t help but wonder if it was genuine.“I told you I’m fine,” he replied, his tone clipped. He adjusted his tie and focused on the numbers flashing on his laptop screen.“I’m sorry for lying to you about being sick,” Lily said after a moment of silence. “I just missed you so much. You’re always busy, and I just wanted some time with you.” Her voice cracked slightly, and Marcus glanced up to see her pouting, her eyes shimmering as if she might cry.Marcus sighed. He wasn’t sure if her
“You don’t look happy to see me,” Marcus said as he took a seat across from her, his eyes scanning her features with a quiet intensity.Lilian glanced at him before rolling her eyes. “Who would be happy to see their crazy ex?” she replied with a carefree shrug, sipping her coffee as though she were unaffected.Marcus raised an eyebrow at her nonchalant response. “Crazy?” he repeated, letting the word linger in the air between them.Lilian set her cup down, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him. “Yes, crazy. And if you’ve forgotten, we’re divorced now, so stop acting like we’re still tied to each other.” Her voice was firm but measured.He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he observed her. “Oh, so now I’m crazy, huh?” he said, his voice cold with a hint of amusement. “What do you want, Lilian? You think we can’t talk like normal people?”Lilian met his gaze without flinching, her voice steady as she spoke. “If people see us together, they might think we’re involved, that
Lilian stepped through the door of the company building, the familiar, reassuring clink of her heels echoing in the otherwise quiet corridor. It had been another exhausting day, but nothing compared to the chaos she had experienced earlier. The weight of the morning’s events lingered in her mind as she made her way to her office, ready to tackle whatever else was thrown her way.Before she could even reach the door to her office, she saw him. Moses. His broad frame filled the doorway, his sharp eyes watching her every movement. He hadn’t been standing there long, but it felt as if he had been waiting for her all day.The moment she spotted him, Lilian raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You’re here?” she said with a smile, her voice light and slightly teasing. There was always something about Moses that made her feel safe, but she couldn’t help but playfully question his sudden appearance.Moses didn’t take long to respond. “I heard Marcus was at the coffee shop today,” he said, his voice
Lilian waved her hand repeatedly, her delicate fingers moving back and forth in a deliberate motion. She waited patiently until the receptionist finally snapped out of her trance.“You…” The receptionist’s voice faltered as her trembling hand pointed at Lilian. Her eyes were wide, brimming with disbelief, as if she had just seen a ghost.“What?” Lilian asked, breaking into a soft laugh. She tilted her head slightly, feigning confusion at the receptionist’s dramatic reaction. Deep down, though, she had anticipated this. After all, such a response was only natural.“You’re really siblings?” the receptionist asked, her voice rising with incredulity. She leaned forward, her gaze darting between Lilian and the elevator as though Moses himself might suddenly reappear to confirm this shocking revelation.Lilian nodded with a small smile, her lips curving just enough to tease. She raised a finger to her lips in a mock secret gesture and whispered, “Secret.”The receptionist blinked rapidly, n
Lily strolled through the opulent shopping mall, her heels clicking against the marble floors. Bright lights reflected off every polished surface, highlighting luxurious store displays adorned with gowns, jewelry, and accessories. The mall bustled with activity: shoppers chattering excitedly, clerks adjusting displays, and the faint hum of a distant piano playing a soft melody. For Lily, this was no ordinary day—this was wedding shopping, the day she’d anticipated ever since she had said “yes” to Marcus.Her two closest friends, Joy and Medusa, accompanied her, their arms laden with shopping bags from previous stops. Joy, ever lively and opinionated, seemed almost as thrilled as Lily herself. Medusa, on the other hand, was quieter, occasionally offering a hesitant smile or a murmured agreement.They arrived at a high-end jewelry store, its entrance marked by shimmering chandeliers and a red carpet runner that hinted at exclusivity. Lily’s eyes immediately scanned the dazzling array of
Medusa smiled politely at Lily, her demeanor calm and composed. “Thank you for your offer, but I don’t think there’s any need for that,” she said, her voice even, though there was a trace of unease behind her words.Lily’s expression hardened instantly. Her perfectly manicured nails drummed against the counter, and her jaw tightened as her eyes bore into Medusa. “Medusa!” she snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut through glass. “If you want to attend my wedding, you must get a new dress!” Her voice rose with each word, filled with the kind of authority she had perfected over years of getting her way.Medusa’s polite smile faltered as her brow furrowed. “Why does it matter so much?” she asked, her voice soft but tinged with frustration. She looked at Lily, her shoulders tensing as though bracing herself for the inevitable.Before Lily could launch into what would no doubt be a tirade, Joy interjected with a cheerful laugh that seemed almost out of place. “Of course, she’ll get a new dr
“Huh?” Medusa blinked her eyes innocently, tilting her head slightly as if she didn’t understand why Lily seemed so upset.“You picked a gown worth $550,000?” Lily’s voice was sharp with disbelief, her eyes narrowing as she stared at Medusa.Medusa smiled, not even flinching under Lily’s gaze. “It was the most beautiful and rare piece there,” she said with a touch of smugness. “I couldn’t resist.”Lily scoffed. “Can you afford to pay for it? Do you even have that kind of money in your account?” She crossed her arms, her voice thick with condescension.Before Medusa could respond, Joy quickly jumped in, trying to smooth over the situation. “I think the dresses here are all quite expensive, Lily,” she said, her tone calm and reassuring. “This is actually one of the more affordable options here.”Lily’s expression flickered, her posture stiffening before she forced a smile. “Oh, really?” she asked, her voice still laced with suspicion.Joy nodded, her smile unwavering. “Yes, you can even
Lilian walked into the private room, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. The air carried a subtle hum of conversation as several CEOs were already present, chatting amongst themselves in low voices. Heads turned briefly when she entered, though most of them quickly returned to their discussions, only sparing her a glance.“CEO Lilian, you’re here!” the host exclaimed warmly, his voice breaking through the quiet hum of the room. His welcoming smile was broad as he stepped forward to greet her.Lilian nodded politely, her expression composed yet approachable. “Yes, I am,” she replied, her voice steady and professional. Her gaze swept the room subtly, taking in her surroundings. It wasn’t overly crowded—just enough people to make the gathering feel important but not overwhelming.The host gestured toward a seat in a more secluded section of the room. “Please, let me show you where you can sit.”Lilian followed his lead, her movements measured and graceful, reflec
Moses walked into the living room with a deep frown etched across his face. He sank onto the couch, the weight of his thoughts dragging him down. Franklin, seated beside him, turned to look at him with concern. “Are you okay, brother?” he asked, his voice low but steady.Moses turned his head slowly to meet Franklin’s gaze. “I got an email from Lily,” he began, his tone laced with confusion and frustration. “She said we’ve made a mistake—that she’s actually our younger sister.”Franklin’s brow furrowed in response, but before he could say anything, Noah let out a loud chuckle from across the room. “What kind of nonsense is that?” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “She must be dreaming. Someone needs to wake her up.”Franklin nodded in agreement, a scowl spreading across his face. “Ridiculous. She’s just being stupid,” he added dismissively.Moses didn’t respond immediately. His silence filled the room like a heavy fog, thick and suffocating. He leaned back against the couch, his
Lily stormed into the house, her expression a storm cloud of frustration and anger. She slammed the door shut behind her with a little more force than necessary, causing her mother to glance up from the table where she was sorting through some documents.“You’re back already?” her mother asked, a mix of surprise and curiosity on her face. “Was Marcus not at the company?”Without replying immediately, Lily tossed her bag onto the couch and sat down heavily, crossing her arms. Her face remained tight with irritation.“The gateman didn’t let me in,” she said sharply, her voice carrying the sting of humiliation.Her mother straightened, clearly startled. “What? Why not? Did he give you a reason?”Lily huffed in frustration, the memory of the encounter replaying vividly in her mind. “He said Marcus wasn’t in the office,” she explained, her tone dripping with annoyance. “I told him I’d wait inside, but he refused. Can you believe that? He wouldn’t even let me near the gate!”Her mother’s ex
Lilian walked into the company the next day, her heels clicking against the polished floor with an air of authority. The receptionist immediately stood up when she saw her, her professionalism sharp and unmistakable.“Good morning, ma’am,” the receptionist said politely, a warm smile on her face.Lilian acknowledged her with a small nod. “Hello, good morning to you too,” she replied, her tone calm yet direct. Without breaking stride, she headed straight for the elevator.Inside the elevator, Lilian pressed the button for her floor and leaned slightly against the wall. It had been a whirlwind few days, and she was determined to tackle everything head-on. As the elevator arrived with a soft chime, she straightened her posture and stepped out, ready to start her day.What greeted her, however, made her pause. A young woman sat at the desk outside her office, engrossed in her phone. Lilian’s brows furrowed slightly. This was unexpected.The woman, oblivious to Lilian’s presence, continued
Lilian arrived home later than usual, the weight of her day evident in her slightly tired expression. She had stayed back at the office, determined to finish the stack of files that had been sitting on her desk for too long.As she stepped into the living room, the soft glow of the lights made the space feel warm and welcoming. Noah looked up from where he was sitting, immediately smiling when he saw her. “You’re back,” he said, his tone cheerful at first, though his smile soon faded into a concerned frown. “How was work? And why are you so late?”He was the only one in the living room, and the absence of the usual chatter made the house feel quieter than normal.Lilian offered him a tired but genuine smile. “It’s been a while since I was at the office, so I took the opportunity to finish up some pending work,” she explained, setting her bag down on the nearest chair.Noah nodded in understanding. “Where’s everyone?” she asked, glancing around as if expecting someone to suddenly appea
Lilian walked into the company lobby, her heels echoing on the polished tiles. She carried herself with the calm confidence of someone who knew the space inside and out. The familiar environment of her workplace brought a small sense of comfort, yet something was off. Her eyes immediately landed on the receptionist’s desk.Where Linda, the usual friendly face, should have been, sat a stranger. A young woman, neatly dressed in a crisp blouse, was typing away on the computer. Her sharp focus broke the moment she spotted Lilian approaching.The receptionist quickly stood up, smoothing her skirt nervously. “Good morning, ma’am. Do you have an appointment?” she asked, her tone professional but polite.The question threw Lilian off. She raised an eyebrow, her expression morphing into confusion. “Uh… no,” she replied distractedly, her gaze fixed on the woman as if trying to place her.The receptionist gave her a tight, apologetic smile. “Oh, I see. I’m sorry, but you’ll need to make an appoi
Lilian hadn’t gone to the company in days. She stayed home, consumed by emotions she couldn’t quite understand or control. The smallest things made her anxious. Every time Matt left her sight, her heart would start to race, and her mind would conjure the worst scenarios. She tried to hide it, but her panic was always evident.Her brothers, Noah, Franklin, and Moses, stayed close, trying to comfort her whenever they could. But it was clear to everyone in the house that Lilian’s silence weighed heavily on them. Gabriel, her father, was especially worried. He had seen Lilian strong and confident in the past, so this sudden vulnerability scared him. He felt powerless watching his daughter struggle, and he didn’t know how to help her.That morning, Gabriel and his sons gathered in the living room. The air was heavy with unspoken concerns. The usually lively house was eerily quiet, the only sounds coming from the occasional creak of a chair or the ticking of the clock on the wall. No one sa
Marcus clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles whitening under the pressure.“That means you’re a father!” Benson, one of his closest friends, exclaimed, his face lighting up with a wide grin. His tone was filled with excitement, almost as if it were his own discovery.Marcus’ lips twitched into a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. The weight of Benson’s words settled heavily on his chest. The realization was overwhelming, and his emotions were all over the place. Was he happy? Nervous? Angry? He couldn’t tell.His mother’s face flashed in his mind. She would be thrilled to hear this—ecstatic, even. For years, she had begged him to settle down and give her grandchildren. And now, the dream she’d been holding onto for so long was real. But his excitement was dampened by a darker thought: Lilian’s family.He already knew how they felt about him. Every interaction with Moses or any of Lilian’s brothers had been marked by tension. Their disdain for him was obvious. They
Moses walked into the company building with an urgency that made the receptionist sit up straight. She blinked in surprise—she hadn’t seen him here in ages. Ever since Moses had stopped coming to the office regularly, his appearances had become rare, almost nonexistent. To see him now, walking in with such a determined expression, left her momentarily speechless.Quickly regaining her composure, she stood up from her desk. “Good afternoon, sir,” she greeted, her tone cautious yet polite.But Moses didn’t respond. He brushed past her as if he hadn’t even heard her voice. His intense expression and hurried steps suggested something serious was going on. The receptionist watched, puzzled, as he headed straight for the elevators and stepped inside.“What could’ve happened?” she murmured, watching the elevator doors close. He looked so worried. But whatever it was, it clearly wasn’t her business, so she sat back down and returned to her tasks.Upstairs, the elevator dinged softly as Moses