Samantha watched Crimson kneel on the floor; not an ounce of pity stirred within her.Elizabeth had suffered enough because of him.She gracefully rose from her swivel chair with a stone-cold expression and walked past Crimson. He could kneel on the floor until his knees bled, but she would never tell him where Elizabeth was going.She believed that Elizabeth deserved a life filled with happiness, free from the source of her suffering and surrounded by her family in the United States.In fact, she even wished that Elizabeth would never have to return to Flintstone City, as she saw nothing worth returning to anyway.“Please… I know how much you hate me… Just tell her where she is,” Crimson's soft, pleading voice snapped her attention back to him.Her lips curled with disdain. If he were some kind of male protagonist in a novel, she would gladly set that wretched book on fire.“Maybe… just maybe I'll tell you where she is if you can at least answer one of my questions.”“I’ll try my bes
Meanwhile, at Havenwood Street, Ford Family Estate.Celestine Ford stood in the middle of her plush princess room, her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths.The events of the previous day replayed in her mind like a cruel, never-ending loop.She had been left at the altar, abandoned by the man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with.And now, to add insult to injury, he hadn't even bothered to send her a text message or show up at her door to offer an explanation.How could he do this to her? Crimson needed her and the Ford family's influence to salvage his family’s business. Yet, he callously abandoned her without considering the potential consequences of his actions.Frustration bubbled inside her like a pot about to boil over. She snatched her phone from the table, scrolled through her contacts, and tapped on Crimson's name.Yesterday, she had attempted to contact him twenty times, but he chose not to respond to any
A gnawing sense of unease began to claw its way into the pit of Celestine's stomach.The baby's piercing green eyes and blonde hair were unmistakably unique. They were traits that couldn’t possibly come from her, and they would cause her trouble in the future.The possibility of others suspecting that this child might not truly be hers sent waves of panic surging through her veins.What if one day Elizabeth sees the child herself and feels that connection between them, recognizing the baby as hers?The very thought sent shivers down her spine, and she knew she had to come up with a plan – and fast.“Wah! Waah!”The shrill cries of the infant caused her eyebrows to knit together in irritation. "Stop her, please!" Celestine shrieked, turning away, thinking this was precisely why she detested having children. They were annoying.“Just give me a moment,” the nurse said, holding the baby close and gently rocking her back and forth in a futile attempt to bring comfort. However, rather than
Crimson's eyes shifted to Celestine, who quietly watched him with an unreadable expression. “The baby reminds me of someone,” he mumbled, trying to convince himself that he was indeed imagining things.Celestine's brow furrowed. “What are you talking about? She's just a baby. All babies look alike. Look at the shape of her nose and her eyes. She definitely inherited those features from you.”He couldn't help but observe his daughter's features closely, tracing the resemblance back to his own face.“Sir, we'll have to transfer the baby to the neonatal unit,” the nurse told him.He turned to the nurse and carefully passed the baby into her capable hands. Never before had he held something so delicate and precious, and it made him afraid that he would make a mistake and hurt the fragile child. Only after the nurse held the baby safely did he release the breath he had unknowingly been holding.The nurses and doctor left, leaving him and Celestine alone.“I understand that you may still ha
"Welcome back to the Kelly Show! I'm here with the fabulous Celestine Ford. Everyone, please give her a round of applause!" The studio erupted into cheers and applause. "Thank you so much for having me, Kelly," Celestine smiled at the camera. "Of course! It's a privilege to have you here. Now, I have to start off by saying you look absolutely stunning. I can't believe you just had a baby weeks ago; you're glowing!" Celestine's cheeks turned pink as she let out a subtle laugh. "Thank you, Kelly. I have to give credit to my amazing fitness team." "To be honest, I'm envious of your figure. I want to know how you managed to get back in shape so quickly after giving birth." "Well, I have always been into fitness and health, so I made sure to keep up with my workouts even during pregnancy. Of course, I had to modify them to fit the changes in my body, but staying active really helped me bounce back." "That's amazing dedication!" the host exclaimed, trying to make her voice sound cheer
I thought about heading back to my room but then changed my mind. I couldn't stand lazing out, and my fingers were eager for some activity. "Ms. Sabrina, I see that everyone is busy. Is there anything I can help with?"Alarm crossed the older woman's gentle face. "You are our guest. Mrs. Everheart would not be pleased if she found out I made you work.""But you don't have to worry about that. I'm here to work regardless. Consider it my training," I reasoned.She let out a resigned sigh. "Well, since the boss hasn't mentioned anything, I suppose it's alright for me to assist for now. I actually have some things to finish at the banquet hall, and I can't handle it on my own.""Come with me." We walked down the seemingly endless corridor, then used the staircase to reach the floor above since the elevators are off limits to employees.Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we arrived at our destination, both trying to catch our breath when we stopped at a door. Ms. Sabrina pushed ope
I did exactly as Sapphire Everheart told me.I unpacked her huge suitcase and neatly folded her everyday clothes in the cabinet, ensuring they were organized. I then hung her valued signature gowns and delicate fur coats separately to avoid them getting wrinkled. Each piece of clothing was handled with care, as if they were delicate treasures. A single damage to one of them would cost me a month’s salary.I heaved a sigh when I finished, thinking that this job should have been a dream come true, not a nightmare in progress.“Are you done?”My soul levitated for a mini second when she unceremoniously appeared in the doorway. “Y-yes, Ma'am,” I replied.Her midnight-black eyes surveyed my work, then turned to me with disappointment.“Is something wrong?” my voice stuttered.She looked over the items in the cabinet with a critical eye and shook her head in disapproval. “It's all wrong. You've placed everything in the wrong order. Can't you see that?"I surveyed my work and found nothing w
Being falsely accused of stealing was one thing, but being violently dragged through the hallway by my hair was a whole other level of humiliation and pain.I grappled to break free from her hold, but her grasp on my hair was unyielding.We reached the lobby and she shouted. "Listen everyone, I caught this woman trying to steal my emerald ring! Let this be a warning to all of you—do not follow in her footsteps.""What in the world is going on here?" Ms. Sabrina exclaimed as she pushed through the crowd to my side, assisting me in getting back up.Ms. Sabrina turned to Sapphire with anger in her eyes. "How dare you do this to her!”“I'm only punishing her for taking what's mine!” Sapphire bit back, matching Ms. Sabrina’s anger."Do you honestly expect me to believe you? This isn't the first time you've pulled something like this, Ms. Everheart, but you've gone too far this time, and I won't stand for it!”"You're just a lowly employee. What can you possibly do against me?" Sapphire sho
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