“Hi, I haven’t seen your face here before. Are you new here?”The question came from a young woman seated beside Marcus at the bar. Her dress was short and elegant, though its hemline left little to the imagination, exposing her toned thighs. She leaned toward him with an inviting smile, her confidence apparent as she toyed with the rim of her glass.Marcus had no idea why he was here. He hadn’t planned to come to this bar or even leave his home tonight. His hands had simply gripped the steering wheel, and before he knew it, he had arrived at the hotel. He sat at the bar now, nursing a drink, his mind in turmoil.When the woman spoke, he turned his head slightly, his gaze barely meeting hers. Then, with a dismissive wave of his hand, he said flatly, “I’m engaged.”The woman’s smile faltered for a moment before it returned, sly and determined. “Oh,” she said casually, as if the information hardly mattered. “That doesn’t mean anything. Your fiancée doesn’t have to know. It’ll just stay
Marcus stood in the middle of the bustling club, the flashing lights and pounding music doing little to distract him from the heaviness in his chest. Around him, people were laughing, drinking, and dancing, their joy only amplifying his sense of isolation.Why was he even here?He didn’t belong in this crowd. The suffocating noise felt like an assault on his already turbulent thoughts. Unable to bear it any longer, Marcus pushed his way through the throng of partygoers and headed for the exit.The cool night air greeted him as he stepped outside. It did little to sober him up, but at least it was quiet. He fumbled for his car keys, his movements a little sluggish from the alcohol he had consumed, though his mind still functioned well enough to get him home.Sliding into the driver’s seat, Marcus started the car and drove in silence. The streets were almost deserted, and the rhythmic hum of the engine was the only sound accompanying him on his way back.When he finally pulled into his
Marcus snapped out of his daze at the sound of Lily’s voice. He blinked a few times, his gaze landing on her. She looked so much like Lilian that sometimes, it made his heart skip. The resemblance wasn’t perfect, though; there were differences that only someone as familiar with Lilian as he was could notice. The slight curve of their noses, the subtle distinction in the color of their eyes, the way their expressions shifted—Lily’s smile never carried the same warmth that Lilian’s did.“Are you okay, Marcus?” Lily asked, her head tilting slightly as her brow furrowed. She was watching him with concern now, her playful tone momentarily subdued. “You’ve been staring at me for a while. Am I that beautiful?” she teased, the corners of her lips lifting into a grin.Marcus shook his head slightly, dragging himself out of his thoughts. “You are beautiful,” he said quietly, his tone distant despite the sincerity of his words.Lily’s eyes lit up with surprise, and a soft blush rose to her cheek
Lilian tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall back asleep. The clock ticked softly in the quiet room, the faint hum of early morning filtering through her window. After a few more futile attempts, she gave up, stretched, and got out of bed. She decided to take an early shower to prepare for the day ahead.The warm water cascading down her back helped wake her up fully. After finishing, she wrapped herself in a towel, stepped out of the bathroom, and walked to her wardrobe. Lilian chose a casual dress, slipped it on, and headed downstairs.The kitchen was quiet, and the faint scent of coffee from yesterday lingered. Lilian started preparing breakfast for her five-year-old son, Matt, and her elder brother, Moses. She liked getting an early start—her busy mornings demanded it. Matt needed to be ready for school, and Moses, though an adult, had his own chaotic routine.As Lilian was plating the last of the scrambled eggs, the sound of the living room door opening caught her attention. S
Lilian sat in her office, the soft hum of her computer filling the room as she typed away. Her focus was unwavering as she worked to complete a detailed report. The neatly organized stacks of paper on her desk and the color-coded planner next to her laptop were proof of her methodical nature.The door to her office suddenly creaked open. Without looking up, Lilian already knew who it was.“You’re still working?” Moses’ familiar voice broke the quiet.Lilian finally lifted her gaze, a smile spreading across her face when she saw her eldest brother. “Yes, I am. You know how it is,” she said with a playful shrug. “Matt’s in school, right?” she asked, needing confirmation about their youngest sibling’s whereabouts.Moses stepped closer, his hands tucked into his pockets. “Of course. Don’t you trust your reliable brother?” he teased, his tone lighthearted.Lilian chuckled softly and shook her head. “You’re very reliable. Very, very reliable,” she replied, emphasizing her words. She meant i
“Hope you are doing very well?” Arthur asked with a warm smile.Lilian blinked in surprise. Was this the same man who had answered them with such a cold, distant voice earlier? The stark difference in his demeanor left her momentarily wondering. Still, she returned his smile politely.“I’m very well, thank you. What about you?” she asked, keeping her tone friendly and professional.Arthur nodded. “I’m good too,” he replied simply. Then, reaching for a small bell on the table, he gave it a quick ring.For a few minutes, the room fell silent. Then came a soft knock on the door.“Come in,” Arthur said, his voice calm yet authoritative.The door opened, and a waiter entered, bowing his head slightly as he spoke. “What would you like to order, sir?”Arthur turned to Lilian, his gaze inviting. “What do you want to eat?”Lilian shook her head lightly. “I’m not that hungry,” she replied.Arthur raised an eyebrow at her response. “You don’t want to eat anything?” he asked, his tone carrying a
Lilian frowned, her gaze shifting toward the source of the voice.It was Marcus.Her expression darkened further as irritation washed over her. What could he possibly want this time?“What are you doing?” she asked, her tone sharp, her face an icy mask of disinterest.Marcus clenched his jaw, anger simmering beneath the surface. The coldness in her eyes stung more than he cared to admit. He had come here to save her from Moses’ suffocating control, but instead of being grateful, she treated him like an annoyance.“He’s grown tired of you, hasn’t he?” Marcus asked, his voice low and laced with disdain. “Now he’s sending you to seduce men just to get contracts signed for him?” A bitter smile twisted his lips.“What?” Lilian’s voice rose in disbelief, her confusion evident as her eyes widened. Where is this nonsense even coming from?Marcus stepped closer, his gaze intent. “Come with me,” he said, his tone softening just enough to be persuasive. “I can save you from him.”Lilian couldn’t
“What’s going on?” Lilian asked as she stepped beside Moses, her eyes darting between him and Emily.“The receptionist isn’t here,” Moses replied in his usual calm tone, his expression unreadable. He turned to Emily. “Emily mentioned you told her not to come in today. Is that true?”“Oh,” Lilian said, her face lighting up in sudden recollection. “She called me early this morning. Her mother fell sick, so I gave her the day off.” She paused, realizing she might have overlooked something. “I forgot to tell you.”Emily’s lips curled into a slight smirk, sensing an opportunity. Crossing her arms, she tilted her head and asked pointedly, “Why didn’t you get permission from the CEO before giving her time off?”Lilian turned to Emily, meeting her gaze directly, her tone measured but laced with authority. “And exactly how is that your concern? Is this part of your job description?”Emily’s smirk faltered, but she quickly composed herself. Her tone turned sharp as she spoke again. “It seems Se
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