"Congratulations, ma'am." I forced a smile as another camera flash went off in my eyes. My cheeks ached from holding the expression, but I stayed silent, knowing better than to let my true feelings show."Happy one-year anniversary again, babe." My husband, Jeff, murmured beside me. His arm was wrapped around my waist in a gesture that might have looked affectionate to onlookers but felt more like a shackle to me."Thank you, love," I responded with another hollow smile, leaning into a brief and forced kiss.Everyone thought my life was perfect. I was married to the most powerful man in New York, many women envied my so-called fairytale existence. But if only they knew the truth. If only they knew how every day felt like walking on broken glass, waiting for the next cut.“Let’s go and sit down. I know your feet must be hurting from standing so long.” Jeff's voice was smooth, almost gentle, but I knew better than to trust the softness. I nodded in response, and we descended from the po
Four Years Later Emma's POV "I'm late."I exclaimed loudly when I looked at the time. I hurriedly got up from bed, fumbling around the room, trying to wear my skirt and blouse at the same time.I knew what I was trying to do was impossible and the only way I could get something done was to wear each of them one at a time but because time wasn't on my side again, I had to hurry.Contrary to what I thought, I successfully managed to wear both the skirt and the blouse and once that was done with, I was out the door almost immediately, making sure to lock the door before finally leaving.I had decided to take a nap after taking Jason and Anna to preschool, it was their first day and they were very excited. I made sure I woke up as early as possible so I could get everything ready and thankfully, we were quite on time.I decided to take a short nap after dropping them off as I still had some time to spare, my short nap turned into a full deep sleep which made me wake up twenty minutes la
Emma's POV"Emma?”He called my name and although the way my name rolled off his tongue shouldn't affect me, I couldn't deny that it did, it affected me more than it should have.I closed my eyes and composed myself before opening them again to look at my children, "Jason, Anna, come here my darlings. I told you wandering off is not good, you make mummy worry when you do that." I cautioned them.They ran into my outstretched arms immediately, "We're sorry mummy, we didn't run away, we only missed you and that was why we came to look for you.""I'm not mad. Let's go." I answered, tugging their hands and pulling them with me."Emma wait!" I heard his voice again and my heart clenched in my chest once more.I never thought I'd be seeing him again so soon, it was all too much for me, all I just wanted was to crawl into a hole and disappear."Mummy, is this daddy?" Anna's little voice asked me and it took all of my willpower not to break down and cry but I stayed strong."No baby, this isn
EMMA’S POV“How is that possible? Jeff, I don’t want to have anything to do with you not to talk staying in same apartment as you,” I retorted, blaring fury obvious in my face.“Emma, you don’t have a say here, I own you and everything that is in you,” Jeff replied with a proud expression, his two hands elegantly pocketed in his trouser.“ Are you kidding me? Seems like you forgot something. We are fucking divorced and you have no control over me and let me tell you something, I have no intention of being together with you, not now or later,” I retorted sharply.This statement from me angered him and pissed him off, “ can you listen to yourself speak? It's an order from me, if you think it's too much for you to agree to, get yourself out of my property,” His response was like a knife driven to my heart so I didn't bother to reply him, I swallowed hard to hold back the tears that threatened to drop from my eye. This is the man that I have loved and respected a lot.I wiped my eyes an
Emma’s Pov"Emma felt her heart pounding in her chest, each beat like a drum echoing her terror. Her mind raced in disarray, struggling to find a way out as panic set in.”What is going on here? “ Liam burst into laughter.” Who do you think you are? You should appreciate a man of caliber trying to roll with low-life like you.Emma’s face brightened up and pretended to be fine, is this what have been brought here to tackle? My heart still pounding slowly in my chest, but was something in me force a smile out of my face.I don’t mean to be rude but i just do not appreciate strangers touching me inappropriately. Hello, Emma, meet Mr Liam the CEO Liams Consult, you will be working directly with him here, said Mrs Williams as she rushed into my office. I don't think i can work or award this company any contract, said Liam and banged his feet angrily on the tiles. "She let out a long sigh, the excitement draining from her face, replaced by a look of deep disappointment.""Please, I’m be
Emma’s Pov“ I am suppose to meet a potential new client who had expressed interest in partnering with our company. I am used to these meetings, but what is Sam doing here?” However, i was not prepared for the shock that awaited me when the door opened, and my secretary ushered in a figure from the past that have searched everywhere for to no avail.“My breath caught in my throat as Sam stare round the office.” He is looking really different now, his hair streaked with hints of gold but the only difference is the status. The Sam i know was not rich, he was just a common driver.Years ago, Sam had been my secret lover. He was the P.A and also Jeff’s driver, he was there for me anytime Jeff is maltreating and bullying me. We had been seeing each other secretly and promised each other the world.We planned to elope with Sam, but Jeff has eye everywhere and he knew about all our plan. Sam was picked and since then we lost contact and eventually Jeff served me a divorce papers.
Sam’s Pov Sam's revelation left me speechless. I knew Jeff had a hand in Sam’s disappearance, but hearing it from Sam made the whole scenario more clearer. “My fingers trembled as i held the glass of wine, staring at Sam’s earnest face.”“Kidnap?” I repeated in disbelief, my voice barely above a whisper. “Jeff... he paid you off?”Sam nodded, the weight of the years reflected in his tired eyes. “It wasn’t just the money, Emma. He had power, influence. My life, my family’s life... they were at risk. I didn’t want to leave you, but I had no choice.”The anger simmered beneath Emma’s calm exterior. Jeff’s cruelty had no bounds, and she had lived for years in the shadow of that manipulative man, thinking I had abandoned her. She turned away, trying to process the flood of emotions, hurt, betrayal, anger, but also a lingering affection she didn’t want to admit.“So, you just left?” i said quietly, though my voice was edged with bitterness. “No goodbye, no explanation? You let me believe
I ended the call, and my heart keep racing. I placed the phone gently on the table, my fingers trembling slightly. The decision was made, but the weight of it still hung over me. Why does he want to see me?How do i find the right words to explain everything i had been through the past years without reopening old wounds? The past had always been complicated, layered with mistakes, misunderstandings, and moments that i have never fully healed from.The evening fell into a quiet dusk, I was standing outside the café where we agreed to meet. It was a small place on the edge of town, one that held a certain charm with its dim lighting and vintage decor. I deliberately chose the cafe , a neutral ground, somewhere neither of us had history.I pulled my coat tighter around me as the cool breeze brushed against my skin. My eyes wandered to the door every time it opened, and with every second that passed, my nervousness grew.Finally, Sam arrived. His tall figure, familiar yet somehow diffe
***At the Cabin***The peaceful isolation of the mountain retreat was an illusion, and Emma knew it wouldn’t last. Mrs. Williams had become increasingly uneasy after spotting movement in the woods days earlier. She hadn’t mentioned it to Emma, not wanting to add more stress, but her vigilance had doubled.That evening, as the twins dozed by the fire, Mrs. Williams heard a faint rustling outside. She froze, her eyes narrowing as she reached for the rifle by the door. Steeling her nerves, she peeked through the window and saw the glint of something metallic—likely a scope or a camera lens.Her heart pounding, she backed away from the window and whispered urgently to the twins. “Upstairs, now. Be quiet, and don’t come out until I say.”The twins obeyed, their eyes wide with fear, sensing her seriousness. Once they were safely out of sight, Mrs. Williams crept toward the back door, positioning herself in the shadows. If someone was out there, they wouldn’t get in without a fight.***Emma’
The first step in taking down The Collective was understanding its structure. They all spent sleepless nights pondering over the gathered data, connecting dots, and building a map of the organization. The names, locations, and activities formed an impenetrable web of deceit and corruption.Alex tapped his laptop, which displayed a cluster of names on the screen. "We need an insider," he said, a weak link in their chain, someone who can get us more information without raising suspicion."Emma nodded, her gaze fixed on the screen. "What about this one?" She pointed to a name: Dr. Eliza Morgan. "She’s listed as a biotech consultant for The Collective. If we can get to her, we might have a chance."Mrs. Williams furrowed her brow. "You’re assuming she’s not fully loyal to them. What if she’s just as dangerous?""We won’t know until we try," Emma said firmly. "If she’s complicit, we’ll handle it. But if there’s even a chance she’s in over her head, she could be our way in."Alex sighed. "I
As Emma and her twins stepped outside, the dawn's light breaking over the horizon, she felt a deep sense of relief—a fresh start finally within reach. But then, one of the FBI agents approached her, his expression solemn.“Emma,” he said quietly, pulling her aside. “We’ve just decrypted an additional file from the evidence you provided. There's something you need to see.”Emma glanced over at her twins, ensuring they were safe with Mrs. Williams, and followed the agent to his car. He pulled up the file on a tablet, his voice laced with urgency. “The documents mention a secondary account—a network of assets and operatives scattered in hidden locations. Jeff’s operation goes much deeper than we realized.”Fear gripped Emma and her heart sank as she scanned the file. In plain text, there were references to influential names—politicians, corporate executives, and even a high-ranking law enforcement official. They were all part of Jeff’s network, benefiting from his illegal dealings.The a
With the determination in Emma's eyes, the team wasted no time in preparing their next steps. They reached the safe house and immediately began to sort through Derek’s evidence, cataloging each document and preparing a digital file to send directly to the authorities. Every paper, every transaction was another nail in Jeff’s coffin, but Emma knew they had to move fast.As Alex worked to encrypt the files, Mrs. Williams approached Emma. “We have an hour, maybe less if Jeff decides to change the terms. Are you sure about this?”Emma nodded. “I can’t let him have this hold over us anymore. My kids deserve to be free of his influence.”A short time later, Alex announced, “It’s ready. This information is going directly to my contact at the FBI. They’ll know everything about Jeff’s network, his finances, and his crimes. He won’t be able to escape this.”Emma clenched her fists, taking a deep breath. “Good. Now we just need to keep him distracted long enough for the authorities to act.”Just
As they speed through the dark streets, Emma’s mind drifted to her twins. Jeff had barely acknowledged them in their early years, more interested in his schemes than in being a father. But now, that Jeff was aware of our location and our intentions, she feared he might try to use the twins to manipulate her.Suddenly, the car stopped as a thumping noise grew louder. “We’re losing a tire!” Mrs. Williams shouted, gripping the wheel tightly. They pulled over on a scary and deserted road, and the man scanned their surroundings anxiously. “We’re too exposed here,” he said.Just then, Emma’s phone buzzed. It was an unknown number—again. Fear gripped her heart, her hand trembling as she picked up the call. “Hello?”“Emma,” Jeff’s cold voice crackled through the line. Her blood ran cold. “You’ve taken something from me, you left with my PA and also worked with my rival to pull me down, now it’s my turn. I have the twins.”Emma’s heart dropped. “No… Jeff, you wouldn’t dare!”“Oh, but I would.
As Emma and Mrs. Williams prepared to leave, a sense of urgency filled the air. They quickly gathered essentials, a flashlight, pepper spray, and Mrs. Williams's trusted burner phone. “We have to stay focused, no matter what happens,” Mrs. Williams reminded her as she handed Emma the phone.“Are you sure about this?” Emma asked, anxiety creeping back in. “What if it is a trap?”Mrs. Williams looked her in the eye. “We can’t let fear set us back. We need Knowledge; if this person knows where you are, we must find out how.”With their hearts pounding, they stepped outside into the cool night. The neighborhood was quiet, the stars hidden behind clouds. Mrs. Williams led the way to the car, her senses alert for any signs of danger.Once inside, Mrs. Williams glanced at Emma. “Are you ready?” Emma took a deep breath, nodding. “I'm in, let's do this.”They drove to the warehouse in a quiet and sober mood, and the car at a very high speed. Emma’s mind raced, and lots of questions running thr
As the car speed off from the office, Emma’s mind raced and her heart pounding continuously with possibilities and fears. She couldn’t stop thinking and the image of Jeff lurking in the shadow, a threat she had underestimated for too long.“Where are we heading to?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. “To a safe house owned by a friend. It’s discreet and secure. We’ll lay low until we figure out our next move.” Your kids are in safe hands too, you need not to worry, Mrs Williams said. Emma nodded, her heart still pounding. The thought of hiding felt terrifying and but necessary. She glanced out the window, watching familiar streets blur past, feeling a mix of sadness and relief. Everything was changing so fast. When they arrived, the safe house was unassuming a small, well-kept bungalow nestled in a quiet neighborhood. Mrs. Williams led Emma inside, and the warm atmosphere calm her nerves.“I’ll be here with you,” Mrs. Williams assured her. Emma pulled out her laptop, eager to
It was late in the evening, Emma sat in her living room thinking about the threat message earlier. I tried to focus on my kids, but the threat keep ringing in my head. my phone buzzed, and hurriedly pick to check if it’s another threat. It was a news app notification, flashing a headline: “CEO Jeff Anderson Accused of Fraud.”Her heart raced. It was the same man she had been warned about. What had he done this time? Was he really capable of more than just intimidation? She opened the article with trembling fingers. Suddenly, a thought came to her mind. What if i turn the tables? What if i gathered evidence against Jeff instead of waiting for the next threat? But then the fear crept back in, was that not too risky?Getting evidence against the man i had kids with.Emma was lost in thought when her phone rang. It was Mrs. Williams. Emma answered, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination.“Emma, I just wanted to check on you. How are you holding up?” Mrs. Williams asked, her tone wa
Just as Mrs. Williams closed the drawer, she heard a soft knock on her door. Emma walked in without waiting for any response. Her face was pale, her hands clutching her phone tightly.We need to talk," Emma said, her voice barely steady.Mrs. Williams gestured for her to sit, amazed at the sight of Emma’s shaken expression. She wasn't expecting her to come forward so soon.“What is the matter, Emma?”“I got a message,” Emma said, trembling slightly as she handed the phone over. She read the message with Emma sitting across her table. "You're in over your head. Walk away, or you'll regret it."Mrs. Williams's face was neutral, but inside, her mind was racing and her heart was pounding. She had expected Jeff to make a move, but not this quickly. Emma wasn’t ready for this—not yet. Still, there was no turning back now.“Emma, I need you to stay calm,” she said in her most reassuring tone. “This message is meant to scare you. It’s exactly what Jeff does—he tries to intimidate anyone who g