The woman looked a bit stunned by her question, her shock evident."Why are you staring at me like that?" Amanda asked, confused. "Did I ask anything absurd?"Amanda wanted to know the house owners because she didn't want to risk falling into another trap with Michael. She didn't understand what that man suddenly saw in her, but she didn't want to keep getting in contact with him again.Besides, the mysterious family that owned the house on the flier seemed to be rich."No, your question isn't ridiculous," the woman muttered, shaking her head. "It's just shocking that you are unaware of the owners. Are you new to the village?"Amanda didn't know if it would be the right decision to tell the truth. She didn't want more people to take advantage of her because of her naivety."It's okay if you don't want to answer that," the woman said with a smile. "To answer your question, the house is owned by the Shawn family."Amanda thought of Michael's last name and was quite relieved to know it w
The next day, Agnes could be seen pacing back and forth in her sitting room. She had been calling James' number but he wasn't answering."How long is he going to avoid me?" Agnes asked herself, frowning. "I'm his mother for goodness sake, can't he respect me anymore? Everything I'm doing is for his good, why can't he see that and appreciate me?"She lowered the phone from her ear and stared at it for a few moments."Has he blocked me or what?" she asked, dialing his number again.The number went to voicemail again, making her heart wrench in disappointment."Why do I feel like this isn't normal?" Agnes said, worriedly. "I knew he had told me to go to hell, but he should at least answer my calls or send a text message that he's fine.""Why is he being so selfish?" Agnes asked, her frown deepening. "Maybe I should call Betty, and ask her how he is."She called Betty, but her number didn't go through either."What the hell is wrong with both of them? Agnes said, feeling displeased by the
"I see," Micheal replied with a smirk on his lips."Boss, can I ask you something?" the man asked, his voice laced with caution.Micheal looked at him, his expression cold. "What is it?""Sir, why are you so interested in this woman?" he dared to ask. "I don't mean to be intrusive because your actions aren't my business, but it's a bit shocking that you would make such inquiries about her.""She means nothing to me," Micheal replied with a smirk. "There's just something special about her. I mean, a lot of women would throw themselves at me when I make an offer to them, but she resisted.""No one had ever resisted me," he muttered, his expression turning to one of displeasure.He felt a bit insulted when she first rejected his help, but then he got intrigued—or rather fascinated—with her constant rejection. He suddenly felt like he should have her for himself."So, you're obsessed with her?" the man said aloud but regretted his words instantly. "I'm sorry for saying that. I didn't—""N
"James, pick up the phone," Amanda muttered under her breath, pressing redial for what felt like the hundredth time. Her thumb hovered over the screen as the call failed again. A familiar automated voice declared, "The number you are trying to reach is not available." She sighed heavily, pacing the living room. The balloons and streamers swayed gently in the breeze from the open window. Kendall's birthday party was long over, or, more accurately, it had never truly begun. The cake sat untouched on the dining table, the candles burned out hours ago. Amanda glanced at the clock. It was past midnight, and James still hadn't shown up. "Mama, where's Daddy?" Kendall's sleepy voice broke through Amanda's thoughts. The little girl clung to her favorite stuffed bunny, her eyelids drooping from exhaustion. Amanda knelt beside her, brushing a strand of hair away from her daughter's forehead. "He'll be home soon, sweetheart. Daddy promised, remember?" she said softly, though her voice fa
Amanda stared at the old photograph with trembling hands as several thoughts filled her mind. Her eyes darted back to the stack of papers and the brown envelope scattered on the floor. The picture was unmistakable, her younger self, standing between her parents on the front porch of the home that burned down fifteen years ago. It was the only photograph she remembered them ever taking together, yet she had none after the fire. How could James have this when she herself had nothing? Her fingers shook as she reached for the faded documents in the envelope. The first letter was worn and smudged, the ink barely legible. She squinted, piecing together the words. “Take down his company. Ruin him before he gets too powerful.” Amanda’s chest tightened as she flipped through more letters, all addressed to an unknown recipient. They were instructions to sabotage her father’s business, details of bribes, blackmail, and calculated moves to destroy his reputation. She could hardly breath
“Amanda, what’s going on? You sound like you’ve seen a ghost,” Lizzy’s voice crackled over the phone. “I need to see you,” Amanda replied, her voice trembling. “Please. It’s urgent.” Lizzy hesitated but finally said, “Okay, meet me at the café on Seventh Street at six. We’ll grab breakfast.” Amanda hung up, walking around the living room in a frenzy. It was almost 5 a.m and she hadn’t slept a wink. The fear that someone was watching her, waiting to strike, kept her on edge. She glanced at Kendall, still sound asleep in her room, and clenched her fists. James still hadn’t returned, and she couldn’t bring herself to call him again. What was the point? She was certain now that her life, and her daughter’s, was in danger. When the clock struck six, Amanda left Kendall in the care of her babysitter. She threw on a hoodie and a cap, making sure her face was partially hidden, and drove to the café. Lizzy was already seated, sipping a latte. When she saw Amanda approach, her jaw
“I can't just forget about her, Mom!" James shouted, walking back and forth in the living room. His voice cracked with frustration and sympathy. "She took Kendall and disappeared without a word. How can you expect me to let that go? I wasn't expecting that from you, mum. Who knows? My daughter might be in danger. I wouldn't watch while Amanda takes her away from me and neither you would stop me from getting her back" His mother, sitting calmly on the couch with Betty by her side, sighed heavily. Looking at how pathetic he has become because of Amanda. “That good for nothing girl,” she whispered under her breath. "James, you’re wasting your time. Amanda doesn’t want to be found. She made her choice. You need to move on with your life. Stop chasing after her and focus on the future." James stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. “The future? What kind of future do I have without my daughter? How can I move on when my child is out there, growing up without me? If you can'
James swallowed the lump in his throat, trying to ignore the pain of seeing Kendall so close yet so far away. "Amanda, I—" "What are you doing here?" she interrupted, her shock quickly giving way to anger. "You have no right to be here." "I'm here for Kendall,"James managed to say, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I'm not leaving without her." “What? You ain't serious. You left us and never bothered to contact us and now you showed up here asking for Kendall. Did you ever act like you have a daughter?” Amanda questioned. “What do you mean, Amanda? Don’t act like I am the one in the wrong here. You left me, taking our daughter along with you,” James said. “Yeah I did and I don’t regret it,” Amanda replied trying so hard not to give in to the emotions messing her mind up on seeing James again. “Amanda, you!” “Let’s not keep this conversation any longer,” Amanda cut him off. “It is already over and be it known to you that I left for good,” Amanda dropped the bombshell, trying so muc
"I see," Micheal replied with a smirk on his lips."Boss, can I ask you something?" the man asked, his voice laced with caution.Micheal looked at him, his expression cold. "What is it?""Sir, why are you so interested in this woman?" he dared to ask. "I don't mean to be intrusive because your actions aren't my business, but it's a bit shocking that you would make such inquiries about her.""She means nothing to me," Micheal replied with a smirk. "There's just something special about her. I mean, a lot of women would throw themselves at me when I make an offer to them, but she resisted.""No one had ever resisted me," he muttered, his expression turning to one of displeasure.He felt a bit insulted when she first rejected his help, but then he got intrigued—or rather fascinated—with her constant rejection. He suddenly felt like he should have her for himself."So, you're obsessed with her?" the man said aloud but regretted his words instantly. "I'm sorry for saying that. I didn't—""N
The next day, Agnes could be seen pacing back and forth in her sitting room. She had been calling James' number but he wasn't answering."How long is he going to avoid me?" Agnes asked herself, frowning. "I'm his mother for goodness sake, can't he respect me anymore? Everything I'm doing is for his good, why can't he see that and appreciate me?"She lowered the phone from her ear and stared at it for a few moments."Has he blocked me or what?" she asked, dialing his number again.The number went to voicemail again, making her heart wrench in disappointment."Why do I feel like this isn't normal?" Agnes said, worriedly. "I knew he had told me to go to hell, but he should at least answer my calls or send a text message that he's fine.""Why is he being so selfish?" Agnes asked, her frown deepening. "Maybe I should call Betty, and ask her how he is."She called Betty, but her number didn't go through either."What the hell is wrong with both of them? Agnes said, feeling displeased by the
The woman looked a bit stunned by her question, her shock evident."Why are you staring at me like that?" Amanda asked, confused. "Did I ask anything absurd?"Amanda wanted to know the house owners because she didn't want to risk falling into another trap with Michael. She didn't understand what that man suddenly saw in her, but she didn't want to keep getting in contact with him again.Besides, the mysterious family that owned the house on the flier seemed to be rich."No, your question isn't ridiculous," the woman muttered, shaking her head. "It's just shocking that you are unaware of the owners. Are you new to the village?"Amanda didn't know if it would be the right decision to tell the truth. She didn't want more people to take advantage of her because of her naivety."It's okay if you don't want to answer that," the woman said with a smile. "To answer your question, the house is owned by the Shawn family."Amanda thought of Michael's last name and was quite relieved to know it w
Amanda quickly squeezed the note with her trembling hands. Why couldn't that bastard leave her alone? What was the meaning of all this? Couldn't she just have some peace?"Why is he after me? It's not like I'm the most beautiful woman in the village," Amanda muttered, her voice shaky. "Why am I always attracting garbage?"Gritting her teeth, she tossed the wrinkled note angrily into the trash can in a corner."This man seems more dangerous than I thought," she said, fear creeping into her voice. "What if he suddenly sees James as an obstacle and harms him?""James isn't in a state to defend himself or receive another attack," Amanda muttered, her voice dripping with worry. "I can't let any harm come to him, but I can't defend him if anyone tries to hurt him.""What am I going to do now?" she cried. "Is there a cop that I can make a report to? But Micheal ruled this place. If I were to report to the police, they wouldn't take me seriously.""Should I ask for a transfer?" she asked, her
Charles paced back and forth in his London hotel room, his anger simmering. He had been forced to stay longer than expected, and his frustration grew with each passing minute. He had thought he would be done by now so he could go after Amanda already because he didn't trust her. Seeing how desperate she is to find her daughter, she might go to the remote village which wasn't good at all.He knew how dangerous that place was and she might get robbed and stuck since she looked wealthy. He wished in his heart that she didn't go and listen to him but he knew he was just wishing because he knew how determined and adamant she could be.Having unsettling thoughts run thousands in his head, he knew he had to contact her to make sure she didn't go there. He grabbed his phone and dialed her contact but the call won't connect as he was told she wasn't available.He tried calling her, but it was worse because the call won't connect and immediately he grew apprehensive as he guessed she had gone t
“Please who are you? Why are you after me?” Amanda asked as fear gripped her.“Well don't be scared. I'm just a rich man who wants to help you. My father is the head of this village and I'm his heir and eldest son. So you definitely need my help,” Micheal replied as a mischievous grin appeared on his face.“But I don't need your help? You don't know me, why do you want to help me?” Amanda asked, still scared.“That's because you are beautiful and I want to sleep with you,” Micheal replied boldly.“I just need your body and whatever you want, I will give it to you,” He added and Amanda almost spat at him on how bold and courageous he was.“You must be out of your mind. Do you think I'm some whore?” Amanda almost yelled at him.“Whatever you are, I don't care. Give it some thought. I will be back,” he flashed her a smile before he left.Amanda’s legs weakened and she was almost falling when she grabbed something nearby to help herself. She couldn't deny she had been caught up in the fea
"Betty, this is making no sense," Her father retorted, his tone hesitant."How?" Betty shot back. "She's the one we intended to kill. Why should she continue living? Why don't you just end her and give me some joy?""I had initially agreed to do that because you deserve everything you desire, but I guess some things are unattainable,"he replied stiffly, rising to his feet. "I can't do what you're asking.""Why?" Betty cried out."I'll only make things more complicated," He retorted, his voice sharp. "Attempting to kill her has already brought enough tragedy. Just let her live. There's no point in her dying anymore!""The point of her death would be my relief," Betty insisted. "If I see her dead, I'll be happy that she doesn't get the chance to find any happiness while I wallow in sorrow for the rest of my life.""Can you stop exaggerating?" He snapped, glaring at her. "You're just obsessed with him. I'm sure that if you had ended up with him, you would soon get bored and go on a new c
"W-what are you saying?" Betty stammered, her heart racing wildly in her chest."James is dead," Her father repeated, his voice less emotionless."What James are you speaking of? Is it a business partner or one of our non-existent relatives?" Betty asked, her voice trembling. "I don't understand.""It's James. Agnes' son," Her father replied. "The men I sent to end Amanda, unfortunately, shot James instead.""What!" Betty screamed, her eyes pooling with tears. "No, this can't be true. Are you lying to me so I can forget about him, Or is this a prank or something? Are we in the month of April?"Her voice was laced with disbelief and confusion. She couldn't imagine the man she was obsessed with and had pursued for so long being dead."Daddy, please stop joking. Some jokes are expensive," Betty cried out."Betty, are you okay?" Zoe's voice chimed from behind."I'm not joking, Betty," He said, his voice firm. "James got shot. There's no way he could survive such a bullet, according to the
Charles had returned to the mansion and didn't meet Amanda. This made him worried, causing him to call Lizzy. "I went out shortly, and didn't meet my car or Amanda at home," Charles said, his voice laced with worry. "Is she with you?" "Yes," Lizzy replied, lying smoothly. "Why didn't she just answer my calls and tell me that she's with you?" Charles asked over the phone, his tone more suspicious. "Lizzy, are you lying to me?" "No, I'm not..."Lizzy replied, her voice almost faltering. "You don't want our relationship to be built on lies, do you?" Charles asked, trying to manipulate her. "Please tell me the truth, I'm worried about her." "She's with me. We are going around town today. I'm trying to take her mind off everything that has been happening. She's been having breakdowns and I just wanted to help her," Lizzy explained, her voice a bit strained. Charles still didn't believe her. He had stopped Amanda from going on a crazy adventure, but he shouldn't have believed her when