SARAH'S POV:As I made my way towards Barr Lawn's office, my mind was in turmoil, torn between a fierce determination and a lingering apprehension. The recent confrontation with Jennie had left me unsettled, but I knew I couldn't allow it to sidetrack me from my purpose. The tragic loss of my parents had created a gaping void that could only be filled with a sense of justice and closure. Their once thriving company, now in disarray, stood as a poignant reminder of the life and legacy I was committed to safeguarding and rebuilding.The journey to Barr Lawn's office felt like an eternity, every step echoing with purpose. Finally arriving at the grand and imposing structure that housed Barr Lawn's office, I took a brief pause, mentally preparing myself for the significant encounter that lay ahead.As I made my way towards the reception desk, the receptionist looked up and met my gaze with a polite but inquisitive expression. Her eyes held a hint of curiosity as I approached. "I have an
SARAH'S POV:As I approached the door where Mark was waiting, I paused for a moment, preparing myself for the difficult conversation ahead. I needed to find the right words to warn him about Jennie's devious scheme and urge him to be careful.Earlier, Paul had phoned me to update me on his progress recovering from unconsciousness. Despite his call, I declined his invitation to visit him so I could rush over to see Mark instead.I opened the door, and in that moment, my heart skipped a beat. There he waa, gazing at me with a familiar look in his eyes. "Sarah," he called out softly. He appeared just as I remembered, yet there was a newfound strength in his demeanor. Our eyes locked, and in that silent exchange, it felt as if a myriad of unspoken emotions lingered in the air between us.My heart jumped into my throat, as I greeted him, "Hi, Mark," I said with a soft voice that felt like a soothing balm to my aching heart."Hi, Sarah," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank
SARAH'S POV:*Paul: How did it go with Mark? Are you okay?*I stared at the screen for a moment before typing back.*Me: *It was hard. I don't know what to do.*As I hastily stashed my phone in my pocket, I lifted my gaze toward the vast expanse of the sky, hoping to find solace and quiet my restless mind. Mark had always held a prominent place in my life, and witnessing his distress had profoundly unsettled me. However, I couldn't shake off the memory of his decision to choose Jennie over me and how that choice had endangered me.Lost in my own thoughts, the sound of someone's approaching footsteps barely registered until a familiar voice called out my name."Sarah?"Startled, I looked up to see Joe standing before me, his concerned expression catching me off guard. How did he find me? I wondered if he had been following me. I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts before responding."Joe, what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice trembling as I nervously shifted in my seat."I
JOE'S POV:The atmosphere was thick with tension as Brenda and Paul's animosity permeated the air like a pervasive, palpable force. The crackling energy between them was almost tangible, casting a heavy, oppressive weight on everyone present. The heat of their anger seemed to radiate from their very beings, creating an atmosphere fraught with anticipation and discomfort."Stop it! Both of you, just stop it!" Sarah's voice echoed through the room as she rushed in between Paul and Brenda, placing herself strategically to keep them apart. Her eyes were filled with frustration and determination as she continued, "You can't decide for me. Neither of you has the right to dictate my actions or control my relationships. I am in charge of my own life and I will make my own choices.”Paul's face softened momentarily, revealing a subtle vulnerability as a flicker of hurt passed through his eyes before the facade of anger returned. Brenda, although outwardly defiant, couldn't entirely conceal the
JOE'S POV:The following morning, I woke up with the events of the previous day still fresh in my mind. After much deliberation, I made the decision to seek out Paul alone. It was important to me that he fully grasped my perspective and realised that I wouldn't be influenced by his arguments or his protective feelings towards Sarah.I arrived at Paul's workplace and opted to wait for him to come outside instead of approaching him in his office. After a while, he finally emerged, and I strolled up to him, waving a warm hello. As I approached him, he suddenly halted in his tracks and glanced up at me, his face displaying a cautious and guarded expression."We need to talk," I said firmly, crossing my arms as I looked at Paul.Paul sighed wearily and rubbed his temples. "I figured you'd come by.""Paul, I know you have good intentions, but you can't keep trying to control Sarah's life. She's old enough to make her own decisions, and you need to trust her to do so.”Paul gazed at me, his
SARAH'S POV:After I ended the call with Joe, I quickly got dressed and as I finished dressing, I looked at myself in the mirror, my reflection staring back at me with a mix of determination and anxiety. The upcoming board meeting looms large in my mind. It's not just any meeting; it's the culmination of years of planning and sacrifice.As I took a deep breath, I could feel my heart racing with anticipation. I carefully smoothed down my hair, making sure every strand was in place, and adjusted my tie, hoping to exude the confidence I only partially felt. With each step towards the dining room, I could sense the juxtaposition of comforting aromas - the freshly brewed coffee and toast served as a soothing contrast to the inner tension I was experiencing.Upon entering the dining room, I was greeted by the familiar sight and scent of a delicious breakfast prepared by my grandmother, the unwavering pillar of support for our small family. Her daily gesture of preparing breakfast was a tes
MARK'S POV:I felt an urgent need to check on her and make sure she was alright.As I made my way through the quiet neighborhood, the morning sun painted everything with a warm, golden glow. I could feel a knot tightening in my stomach as I approached Sarah's grandmother's house. It had been a while since she had visited me, and the last time I saw her, she had tears in her eyes. Since then, there had been complete silence, and I hadn't heard from her at all. Memories of our last meeting raced through my mind as I parked my car a few houses down, intentionally staying out of sight. The silence around me felt heavy and suffocating.As I gazed out of the window, I was filled with astonishment at the sight before me. Through the glass, I caught a glimpse of Sarah emerging from the front door of the house. The sunlight seemed to dance around her, illuminating the vibrant colors of her dress and casting a radiant glow around her. In that moment, she appeared absolutely breathtaking, and
MARK'S POV:As I drove straight to Paul's office, my hands clenched the steering wheel with such force that my knuckles turned white. The cityscape blurred past me. My heart thudded against my chest with a mix of urgency and dread, each beat driving me forward with an unstoppable force. Upon pulling up to the building, I caught sight of Paul stepping out. Without a moment's hesitation, I skidded to a dramatic halt, jumped out of the car, and called out his name, the urgency in my voice echoing in the air.Paul turned around, his eyes growing wide with surprise as he steadying looking in my direction. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern, the lines of worry etched across his face. "You're supposed to be at home. You're not too strong now to ever leave the house.""I need to talk to you," I said, my voice trembling with the weight of what I was about to reveal.Paul's eyes widened with concern as he glanced around nervously, scanning the dimly lit parking