The sun kissed Elowen’s skin as she sat by the pool, her laptop perched on her legs, the light breeze carrying the scent of blooming jasmine from Mrs. Cassiopeia’s meticulously tended garden. Her fingers danced across the keyboard, pausing now and then as her eyes flicked toward the shimmering water.“Good morning, dear,” Mrs. Cassiopeia’s warm voice broke through her concentration. Elowen glanced up to see the older woman approaching, her silver hair catching the sunlight.“Good morning, ma’am,” Elowen replied with a polite smile, closing her laptop slightly.“I’ll be having a visitor today,” Mrs. Cassiopeia said, easing herself onto the lounge chair beside Elowen. She wore her signature floral-print dress, the kind that made her look like she belonged in a painting. “My grandson is finally coming to visit.”Elowen raised a curious eyebrow. “Really? That’s exciting. I can’t wait to meet him.”Mrs. Cassiopeia chuckled, her eyes twinkling. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll like him. He’s friendly,
“Granny, can I speak to her alone?” Lysander asked, his voice low, almost cautious, as if he feared the answer.Mrs. Cassiopeia studied him briefly before nodding. Without another word, Lysander stepped away from her, his gaze fixed on Elowen as she strode toward the mansion.“Elowen,” he called out, quickening his steps to catch up.She stopped just before reaching the grand entrance, her back stiffening. Slowly, she turned, her eyes narrowing as they met his. “Why are you following me?” Her tone was sharp, defensive.Lysander opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, she crossed her arms and tilted her head with a mocking smile. “I never knew the great Lysander was such a creep,” she added, stepping closer until they were almost eye to eye. Her presence crackled with defiance, her words laced with venom.Lysander flinched inwardly but kept his expression calm. He watched her, the fiery determination in her eyes, the curve of her lips twisted in disdain. She was a far cry fro
Elowen pushed open the door to her room, the cool air greeting her flushed cheeks. She tossed her laptop onto the plush comforter, the device landing with a muted thud. Letting out a low groan, she dropped onto the bed, running her fingers through her blonde hair in frustration. Her thoughts raced, tangling like the strands slipping through her fingers. "What did that guy mean? Why is he so interested in the father of my son?" The question lingered, heavy and unwanted. It gnawed at her resolve, pulling her back to a night she had tried to bury. She pressed the heels of her palms into her temples as if she could block the memory from resurfacing. That night her guard down, alcohol clouding her judgment, and the fleeting heat of a stranger’s touch was a scar she couldn’t erase. The shame stung anew as her mind replayed the sequence of mistakes. How could I have been so careless? she thought bitterly. Her gaze flicked to the small jewelry box perched on her dresser. Inside was the o
Elowen gripped the steering wheel tighter, her mind racing as the mansion grew smaller in her rearview mirror. She thought she’d finally escaped Lysander’s piercing gaze, but as she turned onto the quiet, tree-lined road leading home, a sleek black car screeched to a stop in front of her.Her heart jumped, and she slammed on the brakes. Her Rolls-Royce shuddered to a halt. She peered through the windshield, her pulse pounding, as the car door opened.Lysander stepped out, his stride confident, almost leisurely, as if he hadn’t just risked causing an accident. The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow on his sculpted features, but Elowen wasn’t fooled by his charm. Her jaw clenched as she unbuckled her seatbelt and threw open her door.“What the hell is wrong with you?” she barked, stepping out and slamming the door behind her. “Are you trying to get us killed?”Lysander’s lips curved into a small, maddening smile as he approached her. “Relax, Elowen. I just needed to talk.”“Talk?” sh
Lysander paced the length of his study, hands buried deep in his pockets. His jaw tightened as he replayed his earlier conversation with Elowen. He had been reckless, blunt. The flash of hurt in her eyes when he declared himself the father of her children was seared into his memory.“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath. He couldn’t afford to drive her away again, not now when she was so close.His phone vibrated on the desk, the sharp buzz breaking through his thoughts. He picked it up and groaned. Grandma.He hesitated, knowing exactly why she was calling, but answered anyway. “Hello, Grandma.”“What did you do to Elowen?” Mrs. Cassiopeia’s voice was sharp, cutting through the line like a whip. “She’s been crying since she got here. I just finished comforting her.”“Grandma, I….”“Don’t you dare ‘Grandma’ me, Lysander. What did you say to her?”Lysander rubbed his temples, closing his eyes. “I told her the truth. That I’m the father of her kids.”There was a beat of silence before
Seraphina leaned back against the plush chair in her home office, exhaling slowly. Her grip on the phone tightened, not from anger, but from worry. She knew Elowen better than anyone else, and her friend’s laser focus on vengeance had always made her uneasy. The Elowen she knew before the stormy night she was cast out of her family home no longer existed. In her place stood a woman shaped by betrayal and fueled by the kind of determination that could topple empires or destroy herself trying.“Elowen,” she said carefully, weighing her words, “are you sure about this? About everything?”Elowen’s voice on the other end was sharp, impatient. “Andrew delivered the files, and I’ve already instructed him to convince the people we need. I don’t have time to second-guess my decisions, Seraphina.”“Alright,” Seraphina said, pushing back a sigh. “But do you think they’ll actually want to leave G Group? They’re tied down by contracts, aren’t they?”Elowen scoffed, the sound icy and dismissive. “T
Elowen adjusted the lapel of her blazer as she stepped out of her sleek black sedan, her heels clicking against the cobblestone pavement of the exclusive VIP bar. The faint hum of the city was muffled by the thick walls of the private venue. She had chosen this location for a reason discretion. No prying eyes, no nosy reporters.Her phone buzzed. A message from Andrew confirming his arrival. She smirked, typing out the room number before pushing open the door.The room was dimly lit, the amber glow from the chandelier above casting long shadows across the faces gathered inside. The air hummed with an uneasy silence, broken only by the soft hum of a ceiling fan.Elowen strode in, her movements deliberate, her presence commanding. She slid into the seat beside Andrew and rested her hands lightly on the polished table. Her lips curved into a small, welcoming smile.“Good evening,” she began, her voice smooth but edged with authority. “I’m Elowen, but you can call me Lowen.”The group sta
Daniel leaned forward, his eyes sharp with curiosity. “So, what’s the plan? How do we even begin?”Elowen’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. “In two weeks, there’s going to be a live broadcast. Mr. Douglas is the coordinator. Lucy and Vivian will be our opening act.”Lucy’s hands tightened around her coffee mug. Her gaze dropped to the table, her confidence visibly wavering. “Do you really think Mr. Douglas will let me on his show? He still thinks I’m a murderer. Back when I was popular, he begged me to join, and I always refused. Now, I’m not so sure he’d even consider it.”Elowen leaned back, exuding a quiet confidence that seemed to fill the room. “Leave that to me. Mr. Douglas will let you on the show.” Her calm assurance was like a lighthouse cutting through a storm, unwavering and certain.Vivian shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her scarf. “This is going to be my first time on live television. I’m not even a rising star anymore mor
The room was silent.Thick. Suffocating.But Elowen didn't flinch. Instead, she did something that made Calista pause.She smiled.Cold. Unyielding.And when she spoke, her voice was steel.“Then I hope you’re ready.”A flicker of hesitation flashed in Calista’s eyes.“Because I don’t plan on dying today.”Calista's laughter rang through the dimly lit room, sharp and full of venom. Her heels clicked against the concrete floor as she stepped out of the shadows, finally revealing herself.Elowen’s head throbbed, warm blood trickling down her face. The ropes bit into her wrists, cutting off circulation, but she refused to let the pain show.Calista crouched before her, tilting her head like a predator studying its prey.“You always were full of fight.” Her fingers clamped onto Elowen’s jaw, nails digging into her skin. She squeezed tight, unforgiving. “But let me make one thing clear.”She leaned in, her breath hot against Elowen’s ear.“You don’t get to win.”Elowen gritted her teeth, b
“I miss it already,” Seraphina sighed, her fingers trailing along the cold glass of the car window. The city lights blurred past, casting golden reflections over the darkened streets.“Me too,” Elowen murmured, her hands tightening on the wheel.The road stretched ahead, slick with rain, the faint hum of tires the only sound between them. The night felt calm, almost too calm—Then came the headlights.Blinding. Fast. Barreling straight toward them.A truck.No time. No space.BANG.The impact slammed into them with bone-shattering force. The seatbelt bit into Elowen’s chest as the car was sent skidding, tires screeching against asphalt. Metal groaned, twisting under the weight of the collision.Glass exploded.The world spun flipping, rolling, tumbling.CRASH.Then silence.Thick. Suffocating.A metallic scent filled Elowen’s nose blood. Gasoline. Smoke curled in the air.Somewhere, a phone buzzed.Seraphina.“Are you there? Elowen, answer me!” Seraphina’s voice was sharp, frantic.No
Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, warming Elowen’s skin as she shifted beneath the covers. A lazy yawn escaped her lips, her body protesting against the idea of leaving the comfort of sleep. Just five more minutes…A shadow fell over her.Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the light only to find Lysander perched at the edge of her bed, watching her.She jerked upright. “Lysander? What the hell—”“Good morning.” His voice was smooth, teasing, like he had been waiting for her reaction.Her gaze flickered around, confirming she was indeed in her own bedroom. The realization did nothing to soothe her racing heart. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t tell me you spent the night in my room?”Lysander leaned in slightly, his presence filling the space between them. “Is that how you greet someone in the morning?” His fingers ghosted through her tousled hair, making her stomach flip.Elowen swallowed. “Good morning.” The words came out breathy, uncertain.Lysander sat back, cro
Elowen’s pulse hammered in her ears as Mrs. Martha’s words echoed in the dimly lit room."I’m going to kill her right in front of you."The woman said it so casually, like she was discussing dinner plans.Elowen’s fingers curled into fists.Mrs. Martha leaned closer, smirking. "Then, I’ll erase Zephyr’s memory. And we’ll all pretend this never happened."A laugh slipped past Elowen’s lips low, cold, unnatural.Mrs. Martha’s smirk faltered. "Something funny?"Elowen tilted her head, her gaze locking onto the woman’s with unsettling calm. "You’re right about one thing, Martha."Martha’s brow arched in amusement."You’re good at eliminating problems."Elowen’s eyes turned to steel. "Too bad you never realized you’re mine."A flicker of confusion crossed Mrs. Martha’s face before Elowen moved.The gunshot shattered the silence.Martha’s smirk didn’t even have time to fade before the bullet slammed into her skull. Blood splattered across the cracked concrete walls as she crumpled, her body
Elowen’s grip tightened on the steering wheel as she stared at the blinking red dot on her phone screen. The tracker had stopped moving. An abandoned building deep in the forest. Her gut twisted. That’s where Seraphina is.She took a steady breath and killed the engine. The line of black SUVs behind her followed suit, their headlights cutting through the thick fog. The air smelled damp, the scent of pine mixing with something metallic something off.As Elowen stepped out of her Lamborghini Aventador, a dozen guards followed, moving with sharp precision. Their black suits blended with the night, silent shadows awaiting orders. Her pulse was steady, but beneath it, rage simmered."Surround the building," she commanded, her voice low but firm.The men split instantly, disappearing into the darkness, their training evident in the way they moved no wasted steps, no hesitation.Elowen adjusted the gun holster beneath her coat. She wouldn’t leave without Seraphina.With a flick of her wrist,
Elowen’s heels clicked against the marble floor as she paced in her office, her mind racing. Her hands trembled slightly as she clenched her phone, her heartbeat thrumming in her ears. Seraphina was in danger. And if there was one thing Elowen couldn’t stand, it was feeling helpless.She took a deep breath and dialed Lysander’s number.The call barely rang twice before he answered. "I was just about to call you," he said, his voice carrying its usual smoothness.Elowen forced a smirk. "Yeah? But I called first.""Touché, my love," he teased, but there was an edge to his voice, like he sensed something was wrong."I need your help," she said, dropping all pretenses.A pause. Then, "What do you need?"Elowen swallowed hard, gripping the edge of her desk. "The full force of your guards."Another pause. She could hear Lysander shifting, the rustling of papers being pushed aside. "Why?""My friend has been taken by her own mother."Lysander let out a low, frustrated sigh. "Seraphina?""Yes
Elowen stood slowly, the quiet scrape of her chair against the floor the only sound in the room. She smoothed her hands over her dress, then crossed the space between them with graceful precision. Settling into the chair across from Seraphina and Zephyr, she crossed her legs, her sharp gaze never leaving them.She had never asked Seraphina about her mother. It wasn’t out of disinterest far from it. She had respected her friend’s choice to never speak of the woman. But now, hearing Zephyr's words, a chill crept down her spine.She folded her hands in her lap. "Why would her mother want her dead?" Her voice was calm, but the steel underneath was unmistakable.Zephyr leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his fingers interlocked. He let out a slow breath, his jaw tightening as he spoke. "From what I’ve uncovered, Seraphina’s mother never wanted her in the first place. She only married her father for his wealth, and children weren’t part of the deal. She was a spy planted by the
The early morning sun filtered through the glass walls of Elowen’s office, casting soft golden streaks across the sleek mahogany desk. She adjusted her posture in her chair, fingers gliding over the keyboard as she lost herself in the work on her screen.A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. She glanced up, momentarily disoriented before shifting her focus toward the doorway.Andrew stepped in, bowing slightly. "Ma'am, you have a visitor."Elowen frowned. "A visitor?" She hadn't been expecting anyone."She says she’s your friend," Andrew replied.Curiosity flickered in her eyes. "Let her in."Andrew bowed again and exited. Moments later, the familiar figure of Seraphina stepped through the door. Dressed in a stylish yet casual ensemble, she radiated confidence as she took in the space around her.Elowen's lips curled into a smile as she shut her laptop. "You should be at the villa, not here," she said, a playful reprimand in her tone.Seraphina rolled her eyes as she san
Elowen reached across the small space between them, wrapping her fingers around Seraphina’s trembling hands. “You don’t have to figure everything out right now,” she murmured. “Just breathe. I’m here.”Seraphina inhaled shakily, her grip tightening as if Elowen’s touch was the only thing keeping her from crumbling. She hadn’t cried not really. The tears sat heavy behind her eyes, threatening, but she held them back with sheer force of will.And then, for the first time since she arrived, she whispered, “Thank you.”The words had barely left her lips when her phone vibrated against the wooden table. The name flashing on the screen sent an icy shiver down her spine. Zephyr.She stared at it, heart hammering. Confused. Scared. Unsure of what to say if she answered.Elowen caught her hesitation and offered an encouraging nod. “Pick it up.”Seraphina swallowed hard, then slid her thumb across the screen.“Thank God, babe. You answered.” Zephyr’s voice was breathless, like he had been waiti