**Elena's POV**As I hung up the phone, I couldn't help but feel a bit lighter, a little happier. Jason's call always seemed to have that effect on me. But then, my mind drifted to the message I’d received earlier—a message from an unknown number claiming to be Aurora, asking for a meeting.I’d agreed, but I had no intention of meeting her in some secluded place where she could pull anything shady. That’s why I’d chosen one of Jason’s restaurants, a busy spot with enough people around. I had no reason to trust her, but I also had no reason to refuse. At least, not yet.When I arrived, I spotted Aurora seated at a table near the window. Two glasses of wine were already waiting on the table, which made me pause. She'd ordered for both of us? Odd, but maybe she was just trying to set a polite tone."Hi, Aurora. Make this quick; I have other things to do," I said, keeping my voice casual but distant.She looked up, her expression almost remorseful, but I wasn’t buying it. “Elena, I called
Aurora's POVA sharp, throbbing pain radiates through my head, like a hammer pounding against my skull. My eyes flutter open slowly, and I find myself in a nauseatingly filthy truck, bouncing and rattling over rough terrain. I take in the surroundings—the truck bed filled with grimy tarps and bits of hay, as if it’s been used to transport livestock. A disgusted groan escapes me.“Oh, great,” I mutter, forcing myself to sit up. I reach up to grab my purse, which has somehow stayed hooked on a corner of the truck bed. Digging through it, I fumble for my phone, dread pooling in my stomach as memories of the night before start filtering back. I’d tried to outwit Elena, slipping something into her drink to give her a taste of her own medicine. But now, somehow, it’s all turned against me.Finally, I hit call. When Desmond’s smug voice answers, I nearly shout, my patience frayed. “Desmond! What in the world did you do to me?!”There’s a pause, then his calm, indifferent reply. “Exactly what
Elena’s POVMy hands felt numb, trembling as I sank into the cold, hard chair outside the ICU. The sterile, white walls pressed in on me, and every sterile beep and whirr from the machines inside only added weight to my chest. If it hadn’t been for Lucas… I’d be the one in there, lying broken and battered. Someone had targeted me, but why? And who could be behind it?Tears blurred my vision, spilling over as I buried my face in Jason’s shoulder. I clutched him tightly, desperate to ground myself as I sobbed. He gently rubbed my back, murmuring, “It’s going to be okay, Elena. You’ll be okay. I’m here.”But nothing felt okay. Not when I was responsible for this. Lucas was fighting for his life in there because of me.The doors to the ICU burst open, and Mrs. Brown rushed in, her eyes red and frantic. Her gaze landed on me, and anger darkened her face as she stormed over, her voice trembling with fury. “You… you did this to him! My son is lying in there, broken, because of you!”I raised
Elena's POVAs I stepped into the ICU, the sterile air thick with the scent of antiseptic, my heart twisted at the sight of Lucas lying still, fragile against the white sheets. His once-vibrant features seemed drained, yet his eyes—pale but intensely focused—found mine the moment I entered.“Elena,” he murmured, his voice raspy but warm. The hint of a smile touched his lips, though it couldn’t mask the pain he was in.“Lucas…” I swallowed hard, fighting the lump forming in my throat. “How are you feeling?”He let out a slow breath. “Better, now that you’re here. Just seeing you…” His words trailed off as his gaze drifted over my face, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. “I’m glad you’re okay.”A wave of frustration and guilt surged through me. “Why, Lucas? Why would you risk your life for me?” I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper. “You didn’t have to do that. You don't have to save me again.”He held my gaze, his eyes hardening. “Save you again? Because…” He hesitat
Aurora’s POVAs soon as I entered Lucas’s hospital room, I could feel the tension between us. He looked pale, fragile even, but there was still a strength about him—an intensity in his eyes that lingered on me as I approached. I put on my best concerned face, though I wasn’t sure if I could even fool him.“Lucas, I brought you something.” I forced a smile, holding up a pizza box. He didn’t even look at it, his eyes drifting back to the window as though my presence was already boring him. My fingers twitched with irritation, but I kept my composure. I had to.“Thanks,” he muttered, barely glancing my way.I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat, squatting down beside him as I pretended to inspect his legs. I could feel the anger boiling beneath my calm expression. He should be thanking me for being here after all I’d done for him, yet his attention was still fixed on that…Elena.His voice broke the silence. “What happened to your face?”I hadn’t expected that. Startled, I quickl
Jason's POVAs I walked out of the restroom, I noticed a figure in the hallway—a tall, slim person in a black hoodie, her face partially hidden, but her stride gave her away. It was Aurora. Just moments ago, she'd mentioned needing to leave for a business meeting, yet here she was, sneaking around in the hospital, her movements tense, like she was concealing something. I quickly ducked behind a corner as she passed, barely breathing, watching her hurry down the corridor with suspicious urgency. Once she disappeared, I let out the breath I'd been holding, a strange unease building in my gut. What was she doing here? I shook my head, trying to dismiss the thought, but it lingered, persistent.I caught up with Elena, and we headed to Lucas's room, where he was sitting up in bed, slicing through a ripe apple. His casual demeanor faded the second he saw the look on my face. "What’s going on? Did something happen?" he asked, his brows knitting together in concern.Elena and I exchanged a gl
Aurora's POVI’m sure I need to limit how often I visit Lucas, but I can’t help it—I love him too much. The mere thought of not seeing him feels unbearable, even if I have to act like everything is fine. I know I should be cautious, especially after last night. I’m certain someone saw me there, but I can’t afford to let my guard down, not now.The morning light streams into my room, and I stare at my reflection, combing my fingers through my tangled hair. My heart’s racing; I feel the weight of everything piling up. I quickly brush my hair, slip into my floral mini-dress, add just a touch of makeup to hide the restlessness under my eyes, and throw on a pair of flip-flops. With one last look in the mirror, I head out.Since last night, Lucas has ignored my calls. Anxiety twists in my stomach, but I know I have to see him. If he knows anything—or worse, if someone told him—I need to be prepared, to act as though I have nothing to hide. As I drive to the hospital, memories flood my mind.
Aurora's POVHis promise hit me like a thunderbolt. *He will marry me.* It felt surreal, like a dream I’d clung to for so many years finally taking shape. My heart swelled, and I couldn’t help the smile that stretched across my face as I squatted down in front of him, clasping his hands as if to keep the moment from slipping away."You… you’ll marry me?" My voice trembled, excitement and uncertainty mingling in every word.Lucas’s gaze softened, yet there was a new hardness there I hadn’t seen before. "Yes, Aurora, I’ll marry you. But only if you’re honest with me. Completely honest." His words were firm, each syllable slicing through the air, and my heart fluttered at the weight behind them.A nervous laugh escaped me as I squeezed his hands, my smile wide. "Of course, Lucas! I want nothing more than to be with you," I whispered, my voice soft, almost pleading. His expression was still, unreadable, and it made me nervous."Are you sure?" he asked, his eyes scanning my face, as if he
Laila’s POV I continued to run through the dark, damp basement, my heart hammering in my chest as the man pursued me relentlessly. Each of my footsteps echoed in the vast, empty space, and I couldn’t believe I had come here alone. What was I thinking? What had possessed me to ignore Lance’s warnings? I should’ve listened to him. Now, here I was, running for my life, the walls closing in around me as I realized I had made a grave mistake. I stumbled, my foot catching on something hidden in the shadows, and fell to the ground. Pain shot through my knees, but I didn’t have the luxury to stop and nurse the wound. The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder, and my pulse quickened. “Hamilton,” I gasped, my voice trembling with fear, “Please… you don’t have to kill me.” I wasn’t sure if I was pleading for my life or bargaining for a way out, but I had to try something. “I’ll give you money! I’ll give you anything you want! I’ll give you back the company!
Laila’s POV Mr. Williams slowly looked at Hamilton, a bitter smile curling at the edges of his lips as he braced himself for what was coming. His eyes, once warm and inviting, now glinted with the realization that he had outlived his usefulness. The situation had shifted drastically, and the cold air seemed to settle heavier with each passing second. "You really thought you could just use me, didn’t you?" Mr. Williams’ voice was raspy but laced with a cold edge of sarcasm. He turned his gaze to Hamilton, his old ally, but now she was nothing more than an enemy. "I was your friend once, Hamilton. A loyal one. And this is how you repay me?" Hamilton stood motionless, her expression frozen in a mask of rage and contempt. "You were never a friend, Mr. Williams," she snapped, her voice sharp and filled with venom. "You were always a means to an end. Nothing more." He raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a grimace. "A means to an end...?” he repeated, his voice betraying a tr
Laila’s POV I couldn't believe it. Everything that had happened up until this point felt like it was straight out of a nightmare—only, this was my reality. I was standing in the middle of a dark, damp basement, the air thick with tension and the smell of mildew, and yet, it felt like I was suffocating from the weight of betrayal. Mr. Williams’ words echoed in my mind: "You have one task—get out of this basement alive, and you’ll get the proof." The audacity. I had come here trusting him, believing his promises. He seemed genuine, his voice calm and reassuring when he spoke to me on the phone. But now, standing here, staring at him with a twisted smile on his face, I realized how wrong I had been. How could I have been so naive? I had ignored Nolan’s warning. I should have listened to him. Nolan had always been there for me, offering his wisdom and caution when I needed it most. But instead, I had decided to trust Mr. Williams, thinking that he was the key to uncovering the tru
**Hamilton's POV** I was in my office when the call came in. It was a frantic voice on the other end, trembling with fear and urgency. “Mrs. Hamilton, it’s about your daughter... Mara.” My heart dropped before I even heard the rest of the sentence. “She was pushed... we don’t know who did it, but she was found lying in the kitchen of the Mountain’s Group of Companies... and she’s been... hurt.” My mind couldn’t make sense of the words, but the panic in the voice was clear. They told me Mara was still breathing, just barely. Without wasting a second, I ordered the ambulance to be sent immediately. My hands were shaking as I hung up, feeling like the world was collapsing around me. What happened? Who would do this to my little girl? The journey to the company felt like an eternity. Every second, every heartbeat, was filled with dread. I couldn’t imagine her in that condition. It felt like the air itself had thickened, and the suffocating fear clung to me. When we arrived, I saw her,
Hamilton’s POV We had just been celebrating our latest triumph. The business was thriving, and every new plan we executed was a success. We were stealing Lila’s clients, breaking down her network one piece at a time. The feeling of victory was sweet, and I couldn’t help but smile as Mr. Williams and I sat together, discussing how far we’d come. “I’ll take you out for coffee,” I told Mr. Williams. “Let’s celebrate. We’ve earned it.” He smiled, clearly as pleased with our success as I was. Just as we were settling into the idea of a relaxing break, a sudden, sharp realization hit me. The Redwood Furniture Company, one of our major suppliers, hadn’t responded to our latest inquiry about stock mandates. My stomach turned. We had been relying on them for a crucial shipment, and without it, everything could come crashing down. I glanced at Mr. Williams. “Did they respond to your call?” I asked. He picked up his phone again, dialing the number. But his expression shifted almost immed
**Laila’s POV** I was determined to get to the root of this. I couldn’t let Michael’s lies go unpunished, especially after everything he had done. The moment I heard they had apprehended the criminal, I knew I couldn’t waste time. Without hesitation, I decided to follow Nolan to meet him. As we arrived, I could see the fear in Michael's eyes. He refused to speak unless I gave him something in return. The arrogance in his voice grated on my nerves. "I'll only tell you the truth when you sleep with me," he said, his voice dripping with smugness. I clenched my fists, fighting the surge of anger coursing through me. My company, my reputation, everything I had worked for was hanging by a thread. I was not the type to trust easily, but I had no other choice but to take this step. My heart was pounding, but my face remained steely, betraying no emotion. The knife in my hand gleamed under the dim light, and I stepped closer to him, my eyes narrowing. "Tell me what happened. Why did you d
Laila’s POV I’m so thankful for Nolan. He’s been my anchor, the only person I can trust, especially when everything else around me felt like it was closing in. Every time I thought I couldn’t face the overwhelming pressure of these accusations, he would be there, showing up with that reassuring calm in his eyes. I had no idea what this woman and the man with her were planning. I didn’t understand why they had come to my hotel, why they were accusing my security team of something so vile. But Nolan always seemed to have a way of cutting through the noise. "I’m not making any payments until I’m sure,” I had said to them, trying to stand my ground despite the anger and frustration burning in my chest. “We need an investigation. It’s not right to just pay without proof.” But before I could say more, Nolan had pulled me aside, his voice low and urgent. “It’s a setup, Laila. They’re trying to ruin us, trying to tarnish the reputation of this hotel. Someone has been targeting us from
**Laila's POV:** Every single day, I walk into the office with the heavy weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. It’s as if the universe conspires to test me, one problem at a time, with no relief in sight. And yet, I have no choice but to face it. Someone, somewhere, is working against me. There’s no other explanation. I can feel their eyes on me, their whispers in the shadows. My rivals, my enemies—they are always lurking, waiting for an opening to devour me and, more importantly, my father’s company. I’ve spent my entire life building this empire, and now, with the way things are going, it feels like I’m standing on the edge, waiting to be pushed off. They don’t want me here. They don’t want me to have this second chance that fate has granted me, but I won’t let them take it away. This is my opportunity to prove myself, to show them all that I’m not just some helpless pawn. I’ll fight with everything I have. This morning, as I sat in my office, trying to focus on the endle
**Nolan’s POV:** I was famished—having skipped lunch before the board meeting had left me ravenous. My stomach growled in protest as I drove to the restaurant, hoping to grab something quick for a takeaway. The thought of eating at home, away from the suffocating pressure of work, was a comforting one. When I finally got to the restaurant and grabbed my food, the hunger pangs in my stomach intensified, urging me to hurry. As I walked out, my thoughts drifting back to the exhausting day, something—or rather, someone—made me freeze. A woman bumped into me. I steadied myself and looked up to meet her gaze, and for a moment, I felt a jolt in my chest. She looked exactly like Lila. But something wasn’t right. The woman’s eyes held a different glint—something that Lila’s soft, serene gaze would never possess. I knew in that instant. This wasn’t Lila, it was someone else. But she was wearing her face. As she looked up at me, the seductive smile that stretched across her lips was all wron