SARAH'S POV:As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the room, I remained close to my grandmother, unwilling to leave her side. The memories of the past few days flooded my mind, each moment playing out in vivid detail like a never-ending, tormenting movie. The absence of Mabel, my beloved daughter, hung in the air like a heavy shroud, weighing down on my heart with an unrelenting force.As my grandmother lay in the hospital bed, I could see the frailty in her appearance, but her eyes were open and alert, which brought an overwhelming sense of relief.I rushed to her side, holding her hand with an intensity that I couldn't hide. "Grandma," I whispered, tears rolling down my cheeks.She mustered a weak smile, her eyes filled with warmth and kindness despite her obvious struggle. "I'm okay, Sarah," she whispered, her voice quivering but filled with a reassuring tone."I was so worried.” I spoke, my voice trembled with emotion, I tightened my grasp around her ha
SARAH'S POV:Barr Lawn enveloped me in a strong and comforting embrace, his steady arms providing a sense of security as I struggled to regain my composure. In that moment, his unwavering support was the only thing anchoring me as I grappled with the overwhelming reality of the situation.As I began to regain my composure, I retrieved my phone from Barr Lawn and made another attempt to dial the number. Despite my efforts, the line remained unresponsive, intensifying my feelings of frustration and fear. "What should we do next?" I inquired, barely audible, as I struggled to control my emotions."We must contact the police as soon as possible. It's crucial that we provide them with a thorough explanation of the situation so they are fully aware of what's going on," Barr Lawn stated firmly."Can we count on the tracker?" I inquired eagerly, a glimmer of hope shining in my eyes."I will immediately instruct our tracker to pinpoint the location," Barr Lawn reassured me. "Rest assured, he w
MARK'S POV: The sound of the heavy, steel cell door reverberated throughout the dimly lit hallway, sending a shiver down my spine. As the guard stepped to the side, granting me passage into the corridor, I couldn't help but take a deep, steadying breath. My heart raced with a tumultuous mix of emotions—relief at finally being released, and anxiety about the uncertain road ahead. I owed it all to Paul. Against all odds, he had managed to find a dedicated attorney who was willing to take on my case. And now, as I stepped out into the unfamiliar freedom beyond those prison walls, a sense of gratitude and disbelief washed over me. I was finally free. My mind was already racing ahead to the task at hand—finding Jennie and Joe and uncovering their connection to my daughter Mabel's disappearance. It felt like freedom was a relative term, and I was determined to follow every lead to bring Mabel back home. As I stepped out of the police station, I could feel the cold wind cutting through
MARK'S POV: As the moon cast its faint glow over the landscape, I carefully made my way toward the imposing mansion, taking care to stay concealed and unnoticed. With each step, I could feel the chill of the night air seeping into my bones. Upon reaching the perimeter wall, I gingerly hoisted myself over, feeling the rough texture of the stone against my palm as I lowered myself into the silent courtyard. The mansion stood before me, a silent sentinel steeped in mystery and menace. I swiftly navigated through the darkness, sticking to the shelter of the shadows as I approached a side entrance. Though the door was firmly secured, I managed to overcome the obstacle with unsteady hands, the subtle sound of the lock giving way adding to the tension of the moment. Inside, the mansion was eerily quiet. I navigated the labyrinthine hallways, my senses on high alert. Every creak of the floorboards, every distant murmur set my nerves on edge. I made my way to the basement, where I hop
SARAH'S POV:My thoughts were consumed by a whirlwind of suspicions regarding Joe and the frightening notion that he might have been the mastermind behind the harrowing ordeal that had unfolded before my daughter and me. As I delved deeper into my contemplations, the fragments of the puzzle appeared to disperse, intensifying the overwhelming confusion that enveloped my mind."Sarah," Mark's voice cut through my reverie like a sharp knife. I jolted, my heart pounding in my chest, feeling the sudden contrast between the tranquility of my thoughts and the urgency in his tone. His concerned gaze locked with mine, momentarily pulling me away from the solace of my daydreams and back into the harsh reality of our current situation. "Yes?" I replied, my voice barely a whisper, betraying the unease that had settled within me."Are you okay?" he asked softly, his brow furrowed with genuine concern as he reached out to gently touch my arm.I nodded, forcing a weak smile to try and reassure him
SARAH'S POV:The car ride was enveloped in an eerie silence, broken only by the gentle hum of the engine reverberating through the vehicle, creating an atmosphere thick with tension. As we cruised through the labyrinth of city streets, I found solace in the rhythmic undulation of the colorful city lights as they streaked past the window, casting a mesmerizing blur.My mind was a whirlwind of intertwining thoughts and fears, but the steady, lulling cadence of Mabel's asleep breath, nestled on Mark's lap, served as an anchor, grounding me in the present moment.Paul expertly maneuvered through the intricate web of streets with an effortless grace that belied the chaos outside. I stole a furtive glance at him, his countenance a steadfast mask of concentration, and marveled at his unyielding composure amidst the swirling turmoil. Finally, the car decelerated as we approached the sight of Paul's residence.The car slowly rolled to a stop in front of Paul's charming and modest country house
SARAH'S POV:As Paul made his way through the front door, his heavy footsteps seemed to create no sound at all, as if his shoes were not even touching the floor.His hand clenched the doorknob tightly, the metal biting into his palm. He faltered for a brief moment, his whole body tense as if preparing himself for what lay on the other side. Taking a deep breath, he slowly pushed the door open, the muted creak of its hinges breaking the silence. As the door widened, it revealed a police officer standing on the porch, the stern set of his jaw immediately sending a surge of adrenaline through my veins."We have news," the officer began, his voice heavy with urgency. My mind leaped into overdrive, conjuring up a thousand worst-case scenarios. What could have happened? Who could be in trouble? Each possibility is more terrifying than the last.The police officer's voice cut through the tense atmosphere, finally providing some resolution. "Sarah's grandmother is requesting to see her,"
MARK'S POV:As I walked out of the hospital, I felt a rush of emotions as I settled into the driver's seat, my hands tightening around the steering wheel as if it were the only thing keeping me grounded. A surge of hope filled me, but it was accompanied by the daunting realization of the uncertain and challenging road ahead. Surprisingly, Sarah was no longer a point of contention. Her presence now felt like a bridge connecting my turbulent past to an ambiguous future.As I strolled through the well-worn streets, a whirlwind of emotions enveloped me. My heart ached with a poignant blend of nostalgia and apprehension. After months of absence, I finally found myself on the path back to my abode. It had been far too long since I had laid eyes upon the place I once called home, all because of Jennie. She, once a trusted confidant, had turned into a formidable foe who sought to extinguish my existence in a calculated attempt to lay claim to my rightful inheritance. The memory of her perf
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