Louis parked the Chevrolet in the parking space, opened the door for Camilla, and they both proceeded to Queen's Courtyard’s entrance.Camilla and Louis effortlessly drew glances the moment they walked in. Accustomed to being in the limelight, they strode across the lobby like it was nothing.At the front desk, a stunning woman in her late twenties, dressed in a fashionable blue uniform, greeted them with a friendly smile.Camilla booked two VIP rooms in the penthouse for their overnight stay. The receptionist entered the details into her computer, and once the transaction was completed, she handed them the keycards to the rooms, saying, "Please enjoy your stay.”With their accommodations arranged, she and Louis ventured toward the restaurant, both starving. They found a table and took their seats.Camilla couldn't help but feel a tightening in her throat. According to George's letter, Elizabeth had devoted her final years to working at this place. She thought about what those years
Crimson clutched the medical document tightly, disbelief etched across his face. Elizabeth hadn't lied to him—her grandfather, George, was dying, and the proof was right before his eyes.Despite reading the medical report numerous times, every glance at it still failed to make him truly comprehend the reality before him.He recalled Dr. Alexander's exact words before he left the clinic: “George Stone has only six months to live, Mr. Phoenix. There is no cure for his illness, and the only thing that can be done is to make his life as comfortable as possible.”At that moment, he fully understood the depth of Elizabeth's desperation to save her grandfather. He couldn't deny the bitter truth that he had ultimately let her down when she needed him the most.A profound sense of anger and frustration welled up inside him—all directed toward himself for not being able to help Elizabeth in the way he had wished.Despite the strained relationship between Elizabeth's grandfather and himself, Cri
Ashford Penitentiary. I winced at the sharp pain in the corners of my lips as I cowered in the corner of the cramped cell. The lingering metallic taste on my tongue served as a painful reminder of the spot where my lips had split and bled. Yesterday, during a brawl in the cafeteria, my cellmate had taken the opportunity of the commotion to hit me in the face. She got away unscathed because I had no proof she did it. My only witness had shut her mouth in fear for her life. I couldn’t blame her for it. Footsteps echoed down the hall. The clinking of keys drew nearer until it abruptly halted outside my metal cell door. "Ms. Stone." The guard's voice boomed through the narrow cracks, jolting me out of my deep thoughts. "You have a visitor," he announced. A visitor? Who would come to see me? It couldn't be Samantha; she had just visited me yesterday. It couldn't be Grandpa either; I had made it clear in the letter I left him that he should never visit me here. My heart pounding,
Three Months Later.Days passed quickly, and I can't believe it's almost been three months since I came to Ashford Penitentiary.Time has moved at an odd pace in these lonely four corners. The monotonous routine within these prison walls blurs the line between days and nights, making it difficult to keep track of the passing time.Crimson has been visiting me every chance he gets.Each time he comes, I refuse to see him. But he's an idiot who keeps coming back anyway.Why can't he just stop and pretend I don't exist? He's good at doing that. I wish he would just disappear from my life. I've been trying my best to get him out of my mind, and his visits to the prison aren’t helping me move on.Perhaps he still feels burdened by guilt for not helping me when I needed him in the past. That's why he keeps coming back to ease his burden.My bump has grown bigger, a visible reminder of the life growing inside me. It's impossible to keep my pregnancy a secret from Crimson. That was precisely
The private plane descended onto the runway, its engines roaring as it came to a stop. A few moments later, the door opened, and Camilla Everheart emerged, her long blonde hair playing with the wind as she walked down the stairs.She shielded her eyes from the bright sun, taking in the exquisite morning sky of Flintstone City as she looked up.After three long months away, she finally returned to take charge of her new hotel and restaurant.She planned to stay in the City longer this time to oversee the hotel transformation. In fact, she had bought a massive three-story mansion with beautifully landscaped gardens where she and her family could live for a while."Finally, we arrive. The whole flight made me sick," she complained to her husband, who only smiled at her. Camilla glanced over at him, a soft smile spreading across her face. She couldn't help but feel grateful for his recovery after his heart operation three months prior. It was a difficult time, watching him fight for his l
Louis looked at her and spoke. “The last update from the investigator was that he couldn't find a woman named Elizabeth Stone buried in any of the cemeteries in Flintstone City. There were no records of her death in any of the hospitals either.”Camilla heaved a weary sigh. She had been holding out hope that Louis would bring her some good news, but it seemed that she was no closer to finding the truth than she had been before.It was still unclear if Elizabeth had indeed died or if George had lied to her.Louis had assured her that the private investigator had been working tirelessly to find any information, but each passing day made her more and more anxious.Waiting was only making her feel helpless. She wanted to take matters into her own hands, but her hands were already full, and if she burdened herself with another big job, she might break emotionally.Camilla was aware of her strength. She was the type of person who never backed down from anyone. However, when it came to her d
My consciousness was drifting back and forth like a boat caught in a raging storm. I couldn't see anything except darkness, making me wonder if I was dead… or perhaps dying.I was stabbed. Blood—there was so much blood. The red liquid flowing out of my flesh turned the white tile into a river of crimson. It was all I could remember.I could hear voices. One of them sent shivers down my spine. It was delicate, filled with a deep warmth that I recognized instantly. “Please come back to us…” said the voice, and it reminded me of my mother.I hadn't heard her voice for a very long time, but I knew in my heart it was her. How could I ever forget the voice of the woman who gave birth to me? The woman who used to sing me lullabies?The other voices that sounded distant at first began to permeate my consciousness.“You’re going to be okay…”“We’re here for you…”“Keep fighting.”The voices reminded me of Louis, Henry, and David—the brothers I had lost in a tragic plane crash.Beep... Beep...
Hatred shone in my eyes when I met his gaze. All I wanted was for him to leave me alone, to let me move on with my life, but why was he forcing himself back into my life?"We can still make things right, Liz. We can forgive each other."Forgive each other? After everything I've been through because of him, I think it won't be possible."Can you bring back my son?" I asked in a barely audible voice. "Can you? Maybe I will forgive you if you can do that.""That's not something I could do..." He whispered agonizingly."Then leave.... I can't bear to see your face...."Crimson let out a sigh and surrendered. He lifted his hands in the air. "I'm leaving... But don't mistake it for your victory; I'm simply giving you time to rest."He retracted his steps toward the door without a backward glance and closed it behind him, engulfing the room in a disconcerting silence.—A gentle knock sounded on the door.I opened my eyes, expecting Crimson to be back, but instead, it was a nurse carrying a
Crimson gently wrapped his arms around my waist as I rested my head on his chest and closed my eyes. It had been an hour since we left Isabela's room, but her confession still lingered in my mind.Part of me wished I had never learned the truth, but another part of me was grateful for the closure it brought."I wish I had been with my grandmother in her final moments so she could have shared the truth with me instead of my cousin. I wish I could have told her that I don't blame her; that despite her mistake, she remains the kindest person I know. I believe she wouldn't have done anything unless she was pushed to her limit.”I raised my head to look at him. Witnessing the frown on his forehead, I smoothed it away with my fingers until it vanished."I have my own regrets too," I whispered, feeling a tightness in my throat from the flood of emotions. "I wish I had discovered the truth sooner, so I didn't chase after it blindly. And I wish I could have reunited Grandpa with the woman he l
It was supposed to be a happy day for my family to enjoy. Unfortunately, some things are beyond one's control. After we returned home from the picnic, Crimson received a call.I watched as his handsome face twisted with worry, the color draining from his features as he met my gaze.“Is everything alright? Who called you just now? What happened?” The words spilled from my lips one after another.I tried to restrain my thoughts so they wouldn't wander to terrifying conclusions, but they did anyway. It was hard not to think that something bad had happened while watching his reaction.“There's an emergency at home… Isabela was rushed to the hospital.” Worry rang painfully in his tone.Crimson cared deeply for his cousin, and the news of her being rushed to the hospital was a blow he had never expected.Fear and worry gripped me as well, knowing how important Isabela was to him.We immediately rushed back to the hotel and dropped Cleo in Sapphire's care since we couldn't bring her to the h
I stared at the ring on my finger, feeling overwhelmed with emotions. I had dreamed of this moment a thousand times before, but it was far more beautiful and magical than I could have ever imagined.“Do you like it? I could have given you a much more beautiful ring. However, I got too excited and bought this one instead because I was at a loss as to which design you would like.”“You're kidding, right? This ring is so gorgeous! Why wouldn’t I like it?”Crimson's face lit up at my words. At that moment, he looked so damn cute that I couldn't resist pinching his cheeks.“I’m glad you like it. I was a bit hesitant to give it at first because the design is simple and not as extravagant as some of the other rings out there.”“It’s perfect.”He pulled me into a tight hug, his arms wrapped around me protectively. “I love you so much, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I'll wait for you until you're ready to marry me.”I hugged him back, knowing that this moment would for
My eyes swept the room, but it seemed the one I was looking for wasn't present among them.Sighing, I turned to look at my brother, David. He was saying something, but I wasn't paying attention, so I missed most of his words.“Liz, are you with me?”Color rose to my cheeks. “I beg your pardon?”He cleared his throat. “I'm asking if you're looking for someone. You've been spaced out for a while now. Are you waiting for a secret admirer or something?” He teased me.I rolled my eyes heavenward. "Oh, stop it. I'm just enjoying the party.”When the dance ended, David walked to the side, leaving me alone in the middle of the room, confused.The orchestra stopped, and the room was engulfed in total silence.Suddenly, the man who had been occupying my thoughts emerged from the crowd. He walked with the elegance of a king and seemed to own the crowd as he passed by.My breath hitched in my throat. Am I imagining things? I asked myself, watching him close the distance between us.He stopped rig
I sat by Crimson's bedside in the hospital, holding his hand tightly as he lay unconscious after his operation. I knew he was strong, but the thought of losing him was too much to bear. My phone rang, breaking the silence of the room. It was Sapphire, my stepsister. “I need you to come to the police station. The officers want to talk to you to get your statement." "I'll be right there," I sighed. My eyes went to Crimson, and I fought back the tears. “I have to go,” I told him, pressing my lips to his forehead. When I arrived at the police station, Sapphire was sitting in a small room, surrounded by police officers. She looked pale, perhaps because she had lost too much blood. But she seemed okay, and that was all that mattered. Chief Dallas spotted me. He stood up and gestured for me to follow. In a separate room, he interrogated me about what happened in the warehouse. I provided him with a detailed account. The interrogation lasted an hour, and when it finally ended, I coul
Please leave. I wanted to say those words to him, but I couldn't speak.The door opened, and Crimson entered the room.“Let her go, Mark!”The man Crimson called Mark grabbed the gun from his hip holster and pointed it at me. “Give me your gun.”When Crimson didn’t even budge, Mark pressed the muzzle of the gun against my head. The cold, hard metal dug into my skin. I was terrified he would accidentally pull the trigger."I said give me your gun or her brains will splatter on the floor," he threatened.I gently shook my head, signaling Crimson never to let go of his gun. We both knew that once he relinquished his only weapon, it would be our end."I'm sorry, Liz. I need to do this to protect you," he told me. Slowly, he lowered the gun to the floor."Kick the gun away."Crimson ground his teeth together and did what Mark ordered. He kicked the gun, and it slid near Sapphire's still body.Indescribable fear seized me as I watched Mark raise the gun and point it toward Crimson's head.
When I returned to Queen's Courtyard, Samantha was already waiting in my office, seated on the plush couch. The moment I entered the room, she looked at me and asked, “How are your medical results? I hope everything's fine.” Feeling like my legs would collapse, I slumped onto the single couch opposite her and sighed. “I’m pregnant.” The words emerged from my lips.She blinked rapidly, slowly digesting my words. “Come again?”“You heard it right, Sam.”She finally stopped eating her buttered toast and set the half-finished treat down on the table."You've got to be kidding me.”I shook my head. “I wish I was, but it’s true. I just found out this afternoon from my medical results. I really am pregnant.”Her palms cradled her forehead as though she suddenly had a headache. “You're not in a relationship, Elizabeth. You don't even have a boyfriend, nor have you been dating anyone so how can you be pregnant?” “Does your brother know? Is Sapphire aware of your pregnancy?” she asked frantic
Opening my eyes, I tried to piece together what happened last night. The events of the night came rushing back to me in fragments, like a puzzle being assembled. The memory of his touch, his kisses, and his passion flooded back, sending a flush of heat to my cheeks.I turned my head to look at Crimson, still asleep beside me. His face was relaxed, peaceful in sleep.What have I done?I instinctively freed myself from his arms, feeling a twinge of soreness between my thighs from the night before as I got up from the bed.“Elizabeth?” Crimson sleepily opened his eyes and looked at me. I could see confusion clouding his gazeHe looked at my nakedness. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, his cheeks turning tomato red, perhaps recalling what happened last night..“About last night—”“Please forget about it.” I cut him off before he could finish his words.Silence filled the room, the tension in the air swelling like a balloon.“I can't do that!” The harshness in his voice surprised me.
Finally, Samantha's wedding day arrived.It was held in a luxurious resort with a breathtaking view of the ocean. The sun was shining mildly, the sky was clear, and a gentle breeze was blowing through the air.There were a hundred guests in attendance, including the bride and groom’s close friends and family members.Samantha was glowing as she walked down the aisle, her white dress shimmering in the sunlight. Her groom was waiting for her at the altar, with a look of pure love in his eyes.I wasn't the type to easily feel envious. However, at that moment, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy while watching the beautiful ceremony unfold.The ceremony was intimate and heartfelt, with Samantha and her groom exchanging vows that brought tears to the eyes of the guests.After the wedding, the reception was a lavish affair, complete with delicious food, dancing, and toasts to the happy couple.I was having fun until I spotted Crimson in the crowd, accompanied by a stunning woman. They