SARAH’S POV:"Friend, are you going to continue being like this?" she asked with a gentle tone. Brenda's eyes were filled with concern as she looked at me. Her voice was soft and her facial expression was pitiful, as she sympathized with me. Her words conveyed a sense of worry and care, and I could tell that she was genuinely interested in understanding my situation and offering her support.“If my daughter is found safe and sound, I am going to sign the divorce papers and leave my husband Mark for good. I can't continue to live with a person who has been abusive towards me and our child. It's time to move on and start a new life with my daughter.” I said as I confided in my friend Brenda about my situation. Brenda tried to comfort me by saying, "Please don't beat yourself up. I know how much Mabel means to you, but let's stay positive. I'm confident that Mabel will be found safe and sound. We'll do everything we can to make sure she's healthy and happy when she's returned to you.”
SARAH’S POV:As Brenda and I arrived at the hospital and as soon as we pulled up in the car, I quickly got out and rushed towards the entrance. I didn't wait for Brenda to catch up and instead, sprinted towards the hospital building. Once inside, I made a beeline towards the customer service nurse desk at the hospital to find out and explained my situation to the attendant. "Excuse me, could you please tell me where my daughter's room is?" I inquired. My voice was trembling with anxiety and concern, hoping to receive a prompt response and find my way to my daughter's room as quickly as possible."What's your daughter's name?" The nurse, in turn, asked me, to which I responded promptly with, "Mabel Adrian." Having obtained the necessary information, the nurse then proceeded to inform me that my daughter's room was located in the emergency room area, specifically in room 123. However, I was so worried about my daughter's well-being and was so anxious to see her that I didn't allow
JOE’S POV:While I was following Sarah from a distance to ensure that she reached home safely, I noticed a car passing by me in a way that made me feel that something was off. The car's movement seemed hasty and erratic, and it didn't seem to be following the usual traffic pattern. This made me uneasy and concerned that there might be an issue with the car or its driver.After much contemplation, I made the decision to track down the car. I trailed the car closely, making sure not to arouse any suspicion. The vehicle eventually came to a halt in a dense, bushy area, prompting me to conceal myself at a safe distance to observe. As I peered from my hiding spot, my eyes widened in horror at the sight that befell me. Four men, whom I had never seen before, emerged from the car, carrying a child. The child seemed unresponsive and lifeless, and I couldn't fathom what was happening. My heart raced as I struggled to comprehend the situation before me.I stayed in the vicinity to investigate
SARAH'S POV:"Mum is here!” I shouted as I was still holding Mabel. Immediately the doctor came in and rushed over to check on her. I was terrified, and I could feel my heart racing. The doctor quickly examined her, and thank goodness, Mabel started to stir. She began to move around, and her eyes opened. I was so relieved to see her regain consciousness. It was a scary moment, but I was grateful that the doctor was able to help her.As Mabel slowly regained consciousness, she began to point at a figure standing beside her bed. Her finger trembled as she tried to focus on the man's face. "Dad," she croaked, her voice weak and hoarse. Her eyes struggled to stay open, but she persisted in pointing at the figure, hoping that he would understand the urgency of her message. It was clear that she had something important to say, and she was willing to fight through her pain and confusion to make herself heard.Then Mark tried to come and hold her, she instinctively pulled away and refused
MARK'S POV:After my departure from the hospital, I made my way directly to the office. I was aware that Jennie was still working at that hour, and I wanted to speak with her about some urgent matters that had arisen. Therefore, I didn't waste any time and headed straight to the office to meet with her.As I arrived at the office and approached her door, as she is my assistant, her door was located just before mine, and I knew I would have to pass by it before getting to my own. I noticed that Jennie was sitting on her desk, typing away on her computer. I walked up to her and made my request."Excuse me, Jennie," I said, "I need to speak with you. Can you come to my office right now?"Jennie looked up from her screen and gave me a nod. I could sense that she was a bit surprised by my urgency, but I knew that what I had to discuss with her was important.Then I quickly made my way to my office. I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as I waited for her to arrive. Only a co
MARK'S POV:As Paul walked towards me, he extended his hand for a friendly handshake. However, Jennie, who was already seated inside the car and had already closed the car door, was waiting for me. Paul was unable to make physical contact with Jennie and had to settle for a polite wave instead. "Mark, I would like to have a word with you, maybe we should talk it out at lunch." I was taken aback by his offer, so I hesitated for a moment before responding."But I just finished lunch now," I told him, hoping he wouldn't take offence. I wasn't sure what he wanted to talk about, but the timing seemed a bit odd to me."Then let's just talk." He said. Although I wasn't certain about the topic of discussion, then I agreed to meet with him. I decided to ask Paul to wait for me inside the Cafe while I join him later. Paul walked briskly towards the cafe, and I quickly made my way to the car. As I got into the car, I took a deep breath and mentally rehearsed what I was going to say to Jennie.
MARK'S POV:As I made my way down the long, dimly-lit corridor, my footsteps echoing against the concrete walls, I suddenly noticed Sarah walking towards me, a piece of paper clutched tightly in her hand. As we drew closer, she stopped abruptly right in front of me, causing me to halt in my tracks. I couldn't help but wonder what was on that piece of paper.With a hint of reluctance in her voice, she announced, "There. I signed it too." She held the paper up, making sure that I could see it. She seemed pleased with herself, but there was a hint of defiance in her voice as she added, "But it's up to me when I'll submit it and how." There was a sense of control in her tone, indicating that she was not willing to be rushed or pressured into making any hasty decisions. It was clear that she wanted complete control over the process and was not going to be swayed by anyone else's timeline or expectations. "I need you to hold on for me until I am able to contact my lawyer."Her tone sugg
SARAH'S POV:"Sarah, that was quick," Brenda remarked with a concerned look on her face as she saw me emerging from my lawyer's office, holding a folder of documents.I let out a sigh and replied, "Of course it was."Earlier that day, I had reached out to Brenda to ask her to accompany me to the lawyer's office to support me through the divorce process. As I gazed steadily at her, I noticed a flicker of fear in her eyes, which prompted me to inquire, "What is it?" "It's nothing," she replied with a smile on her face. "I just don't want to exacerbate the situation.""No, I'd like to hear what you have to say. What's on your mind?”"Did you know that Paul and I have become quite close? We just spoke on the phone," she said with a hint of excitement in her voice. Then she pauses for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts, and continues talking."How are they doing? Do you think Sarah and Mark have reconciled? Don't let them cross paths."As she spoke, I stood there staring at her in d
MARK'S POVI could feel my pulse pounding in my ears, a low roar of rage building inside me. How could she? After everything, how could she do this now, knowing I still love her? Knowing what she meant to me? My fists clenched at my sides, my mind racing with a thousand questions, a thousand thoughts crashing in.Then I heard it — a low murmur from the crowd, a ripple of excitement spreading like wildfire. And then, as if on cue, voices began to chant, louder and louder, "Marry him! Marry him!"The words hit me like a punch to the gut. The room was closing in, the noise growing deafening, and I could feel the heat rising up my neck, my vision narrowing as the reality of what was happening sank in. Joe was down on one knee, a ring in his hand, and the crowd was cheering them on. “No… no, no, no,” I muttered, shaking my head as if trying to wake from a bad dream. My chest felt tight, and I could barely breathe. Paul reached out, grabbing my arm, trying to pull me back to my seat, but I
MARK'S POV:The restaurant was crowded, filled with the low hum of conversations and the clinking of cutlery against plates. Paul and I were seated by the window, where the sunlight poured in. I pushed my food around, barely tasting it, my thoughts elsewhere.Suddenly, Sarah walked in, her smile as radiant as ever, but my chest tightened when I saw who was with her — Joe. My jaw clenched instinctively. That man. I knew he had something planned, something dark. I’d seen enough of his schemes to know he was trouble, and now he was here with her. My Sarah. A burning anger rose inside me, spreading like wildfire. "They just sat down," I muttered, my eyes glued to them. I didn't even realize Paul was speaking until he snapped his fingers in front of my face."Hey! Earth to you," Paul called, his voice cutting through my thoughts.I blinked and turned to him. "What?"Paul’s gaze shifted towards Sarah and Joe, and then back to me. He sighed, exasperation etched on his face. "How long are yo
JENNIE'S POV:My father’s study, usually a place of calm, had turned into a storm of anger and tension. I stood near the doorway, my fists clenched, my heart pounding in my chest. I could hardly breathe. "Daddy, are you really going to sit there and let that bitch, Sarah, take everything we’ve worked for?" I spat out, my voice trembling with frustration. My words felt like acid on my tongue. The room seemed to shrink as I waited for his response, my breath quickening.My father, his face shadowed in the gloom, whipped his head towards me, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. "I’ve told you to shut your mouth! I’m doing something about it!" He shouted, his voice slicing through the air. His fury hung in the air, thick and suffocating.I felt my cheeks flush with heat, my anger flaring even hotter. I couldn’t stay still. I paced back and forth, my heels clicking sharply against the hardwood floor, frustration boiling inside me like a storm ready to break. My mind raced, thoughts tu
SARAH'S POVI smiled, glad to hear a proactive suggestion. “Absolutely. Explore those options. Bring me a list of potential partners and what they bring to the table. We’re not just here to compete; we’re here to lead, and sometimes that means joining forces.”Angela grinned and nodded, already thinking of ideas."And you, Daniel? What do you think needs to change?" I asked.He hesitated, then said, "We need stability. People are worried. They don’t know what to expect from you."I leaned back, considering his words. "Then make it clear: change is coming. But it’s a change for the better. We’re not just surviving; we’re going to thrive. And anyone who can’t keep up with that pace has no place here."I could feel the tension in the room. The executives exchanged uneasy glances. Some of them were on board, others were resistant. But they all knew one thing: this was not my uncle’s company anymore.No one moved. It was clear they had no more questions—for now, at least. I could see the g
SARAH'S POV:I could see the mix of expressions—some were still processing, some were skeptical, and a few were cautiously optimistic. I wanted to make sure there were no doubts and no misunderstandings about what was coming next.James, the CFO, raised his hand slightly, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses, he cleared his throat, adjusted his glasses, and stood. “What happens if these new strategies don’t work? What if we lose money and our position in the market worsens?" he asked, his voice steady but carrying a hint of challenge. I nodded, expecting this kind of resistance from James. "We adapt and pivot. We don’t cling to what doesn’t work. This company has been too afraid to take risks. But if we’re afraid to fail, we’ll never succeed. We’ll monitor every move closely, but doing nothing isn’t an option anymore.""We’ve been running a tight ship, focusing on profitability. I think we should maintain our current trajectory.” James continued.I nodded, my face expressionless. "P
SARAH'S POV:As I stood in my father's company, looking out over the city that had been the backdrop to this epic battle—a battle for survival, for control, for legacy. I felt a profound sense of accomplishment. The skyscrapers rose high above the clouds, their glass windows reflecting the dying light of the sun. I could see it all now—every corner, every street, every building that had witnessed the storm I’d fought through. This city had been a battlefield, and I had emerged victorious, my resolve unbroken. But the war wasn’t over yet. The real work was just beginning.Now, standing in this high-rise office, it was time to reset everything. I turned away from the window and looked around the office. Now, my office. Everything in here screamed of the old regime: the heavy oak desk, the leather-bound books lining the walls, the dimly lit. The office smelled of leather and old wood, a heavy scent of authority. I could feel the weight of my uncle's legacy pressing down on my shoulders
SARAH'S POV:The rawness of it cut through the air, making everyone in the room freeze. Andrew's words, high-pitched and frantic, shattered the heavy silence that had settled over the courtroom like a thick fog. Every head turned to him, eyes wide with shock. Even the judge, who had maintained a stoic expression throughout the trial, looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly. The tension in the room grew unbearable, like the air had been sucked out, leaving only the charged atmosphere behind.The bailiffs, trained to handle situations like this, tightened their grip on Andrew. But he continued to thrash, his movements wild and erratic, like a trapped animal. His eyes, once sharp and calculating, now darted around the room in sheer desperation. “I had no choice!” he shouted again, louder this time, his voice thick with fear. He scanned the faces in the courtroom, searching for someone—anyone—who might offer him a lifeline, a way out of the fate that awaited him.Then, his eyes landed on
SARAH'S POVThe courtroom was a cold, unforgiving place, filled with an almost palpable tension. The ceiling-high windows let in a harsh, gray light that settled over everything like a shroud. I stood at the defendant's table, gripping the edge so tightly that my knuckles turned white. The wood felt rough under my fingers, grounding me in the moment. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears like the ticking of a clock. Every breath I took seemed louder than the whispers that had filled the room moments before. Now, it was silent. Unbearably silent.Barr Lawn stood beside me, tall and steady, his presence a rock in the storm of my emotions. He wasn’t just my lawyer—he was my friend, my guide through this harrowing journey. His eyes, usually so stern and focused, were softer now as they flicked toward me, giving a small nod of reassurance. I tried to find strength in his calm, but the fear was too strong. It coiled in my stomach, tightening with each second that passe
SARAH'S POV: The day before had been a blur of calls, documents, and the ceaseless hum. I didn’t feel like the same person anymore. The timidness that once gripped me had been burned away by the fire of righteous fury.My uncle’s legal team, once arrogant and dismissive, had fired the first volley—a desperate plea for a settlement. I had read their letter once, twice, maybe a dozen times. Each word was a thinly veiled threat wrapped in a mask of concern for “family unity.” But I wasn’t the same person who had bowed to their will in the past. That morning, as I held the letter in my hands, something inside me snapped into place, a final, unyielding decision.“No,” I had whispered, my voice echoing in the silence. “No more.”The battle lines were drawn in earnest. My reply to the settlement offer was curt, clinical—a refusal that left no room for doubt. Barr Lawn understood the stakes. He moved with precision, crafting each counter-response like a scalpel, cutting through the bluster