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Chapter 160
Last Updated:
2024-07-05 10:49:40
VictoryAnne ViceAnd now you know some of the back story. But is it the complete story...? If you were Cordelia, would you tell them the complete truth?
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Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele Chapter 161
Looking out at the sea of reporters, photographers, videographers, bloggers, and content creators, I felt like I was in the center of a cage hanging above a pool of angry sharks.Angry sharks that each wanted a pound of flesh.I freeze. I've done small publicity events for Greyson Mills, and I've stood by Atlas' side at big events, but I have never had so many hostile eyes focused on me.Eyes that are convinced that I have committed evil against another person. They all think I killed my sister's baby and that her accident wasn't an accident at all, but attempted murder to steal Atlas' love for myself. I take a deep breath. Whoever came up with this story is a sick, twisted individual. Thank god my parents never thought of that or I'd have been in prison instead of marched down the aisle.I take another deep breath. "Like I said," I surprise myself with my steady voice although my hands, tightly gripping the podium, are shaking. "Atlas has always been the man of my dreams. Look at h
Last Updated : 2024-07-05Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele Chapter 162
[Cordelia] I'm in the hospital. Again. "You know, Cordelia, we need to stop meeting like this," Dr. Bennet chuckles as she checks my vitals. Since I woke up in this bed she's had someone come and check my levels every hour. "You're staying overnight this time." She grumbles telling me that I need someone to force me to relax because when left to my own devices I schedule news conferences and reality TV shows. By now everyone in LA knows that I collapsed at the press release earlier today. What had started as positive publicity ended up becoming an inquisition. I'm sure the internet is abuzz with gossip. I wouldn't know, since I’ve been banned from looking at any social media. Frowning, I listen while Atlas just outside my door. He's been on the phone all day. Occasionally I'll hear him say something like "You need to get to the bottom of this right away!" or "Find out who leaked this information to the media and press charges." But none of those earlier conversations bother
Last Updated : 2024-07-05Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele Chapter 163
[Cordelia]When I woke up the next morning, Atlas was gone. I could still smell his fresh scent in the air after he was gone, so I know he stayed all night. "I'll be back to take you home around lunchtime," a small note on the table next to me read. The word home was underlined three times, so I knew he meant our real home. Shortly after I awakened, a nurse came in and took my blood again for the kidney replacement for Angelica. "Now that she is awake, we wanted to make a move on getting her that new kidney." "Why do you need my blood," I asked. Curious. "I already gave blood."The nurse explained that the results had been "inconclusive" and "unusual" and that they needed to run them again "Just to make sure." She did have good news, however--the results will be available later today, just in time for me to leave. The nurse said I can take a little walk as long as I take my IV with me, so with some help I'm moving around very slowly. Now that Angelica is awake I want to peek in an
Last Updated : 2024-07-06Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele Chapter 164
[Angelica] My parents came by earlier today, not to see how I'm doing, but to tell me about Cordelia's little "incident" at the press conference. It seems that she is so delicate and frail that she can't even speak with a group of reporters without fainting. Personally, I think she's being a little melodramatic. She's probably not as frail as she seems. She's a Greyson, after all, and we're all very tough, hardy people. Birthing one baby shouldn't be so difficult, and she still has almost three months to go. They were happy, of course, that I was awake, but I almost wondered if they'd have preferred it if I stayed asleep. The longer I was asleep, the better sympathy they garnered, or at least that was the message I received from them, albeit indirectly, during their visit. On the plus side, however, it looks like our story has gained so much attention that potential kidney donors from all over California have come forward to donate. The doctors want to try local first, but it is
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[Cordelia] When Atlas came to pick me up this afternoon, a small green velvet box sat on the seat of my wheelchair, waiting for me to discover it. I raised a single eyebrow and he laughed, giving me the excuse that I needed "something to cheer me up," because I "had not been feeling well." "Atlas, you can't buy me jewelry every time I'm sick," I laugh as I open the box and find a beautiful diamond-encrusted charm bracelet worth more than some people's cars. A single green gemstone hangs from a loop with my initial, C, emblazoned on the surface in white gold. "I don't see why not," he smirks as he wheels me out of the room towards the main part of the hospital. We had to take an indirect route to Angelica’s floor. Atlas' security detail was able to secure a way for us to all gather in her room, but it took some tricky methods to make sure that the press was nowhere near when we heard the news about Angelica's kidney donor. "We tested everyone's blood," the doctor starts. "As we
Last Updated : 2024-07-06Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele Chapter 166
[Cordelia]Nobody said anything in response. We all just watched the blonde nightmare waltz into the room expectantly, as if waiting for applause. "Sydney?" Atlas is confused, not quite seeing what is obvious to everyone else in the room. "Why are you here? This is a private family matter.""I was invited," her eyes go wide, innocent, a look that has always suited her in the past. "Unless you don't need me anymore, Doctor Jones?"We all look to the doctor, who looks at all of us. "Do you all know one another?"I can't help it, I start laughing. "Cordelia," My mother scolds me. "This is not at all humorous. Why are you laughing?""You're right, Mother." I continue to laugh, my chest heaving."This is the opposite of funny. This is a freaking nightmare. Don't you recognize her? That's Sydney Bryant!"My father goes very very still. "Bryant? As in the daughter of David and Chrissy Bryant."My mother goes very still next to him. "What are the odds," she says under her breath as she looks
Last Updated : 2024-07-07Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele Chapter 167
[Cordelia]Atlas left me alone like I asked and I was grateful, for once, that he listened to my words. I am also sad. It feels like he gave up too quickly. I know I pushed him away, but why didn't he push back?I miss him. Especially now, waking up alone in my bed when I have grown used to the smell of his skin and the way his hair curls in his sleep. Why did I let myself fall in love with Atlas Steele? Will loving him ever feel easy?While I was resting, my mother left three messages on my phone, but none of them were about me or my well-being. It's almost as if she has forgotten I am her daughter too.All she talked about was Sydney. Phrases like "Aren't we lucky?" and "You should be nicer to her," were sprinkled here and there as she went on for several minutes about "Sydney this" and "Sydney that."It was bad enough when I had to hear all about "Angelica this" and "Angelica that", now I have to listen about her double as well. Offering her kidney has somehow granted her saintho
Last Updated : 2024-07-07Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele Chapter 168
[Cordelia]Without saying anything to Tilly and Clark, I grabbed my coat and headed downstairs. I'll text them from the restaurant or wherever we end up going once we get there and I've had enough time to clear my thoughts. I feel a little guilty not saying anything, but they were so focused I didn't want to interrupt them.But I don't want to worry them unnecessarily, just needed some fresh air. Magnus is a friend. He'll keep me safe from the prying eyes of reporters. He protected me once before. When I make it out onto the street, waiting downstairs is a sleek black car with tinted windows. I wonder who ordered the Towncar?Sitting on the stoop, I wait for Magnus to arrive. He should be here soon. Looking down at my phone, I wonder if he's walking this time or if he brought some kind of vehicle. The electric sound of a window rolling down draws my attention. Looking up, Magnus' gentle smile greets me from the backseat of the Towncar. "Cordelia," he waves me over as his driver c
Last Updated : 2024-07-07
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[Cordelia] Today is our 20th second anniversary. We've lost count of the first one, forgetting it entirely as a moment of sadness. Instead, we honor the day when we took our vows and meant them, 7 years later in Napa. Usually, we leave Los Angeles and take the week for just the two of us. Even after two decades, we haven't lost our hunger for one another and I look forward to our time away where we can just be two people together and in love. But this year, my husband is feeling a bit nostalgic. This is why I'm in the lobby of the Steele Hotel and Resort, recreating a memory I wish I could forget. When he sent me the cryptic text this afternoon, I confess I was more than a little bit confused. Why, of all places, would he want me to meet him there? At least this time I'm not wearing a hoodie with a dress tucked into a pair of loose sweats. And while my face is covered with large sunglasses, it's more to protect my identity and not draw too much attention. I am far too recogniza
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[Clark] "Come on. Dad!" My daughters pull me along by my arms. I've never been able to deny them anything they wanted but tonight they are asking too much. "It's only a blind date!" "Girls," I admonish, "What have I said, I'm not ready to let someone new into my heart. Your mother was more than enough for me." Cassie stares up at me with her starlight eyes, as deep and black as her mother's, and doesn't relent. "You promised you'd let us have anything we want for our birthday. Grandma helped us pick her out. You have to try, Dad. For us!" "Grandma Suzanna or Grandma Jenny?" I grump, "Who do I need to send a thank you note." "Both!" the girls giggle. "You owe us, Dad," Cassie counters. Her red curls bounce as she stomps her foot. "Do you know how weird it is to look on a DATING AP for potential girlfriends for our father? It's so gross. You should be grateful" "Yeah," Maddie chimes in, swinging her hair over her shoulder as she twists her lips just like Tilly used to, her hand
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[Jude]If the universe were fair, I wouldn't have lived to see today. If karma took her toll, I wouldn't be friends with Clark and Atlas Steele, our children growing up side by side. Once the shadow of Magnus was lifted from our shoulders, and Angelica and I were finally able to go about our lives the way we always should have been able to do, It became easier to make good with my life. Angelica and I were married shortly after Mathilda's funeral. It was a small ceremony on the family medical boat, just before the two of us set sail with our daughters, Melanie and Veronica. When the DNA showed that they were indeed my children, and NOT Magnus', that his experiment had never stuck, it was easy to adopt them. In their mind, Angelica is their mother. When they are old enough, we'll tell them the truth about Aunt Sydney, but for now, we are sparing them the burden of her insanity.And we give them love, all the love of a couple who has always wanted children of their own.Angelica, it tu
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[Cordelia]15 hours later I place my feet back in LA for the first time in 6 months. We have been gone for so long that I had forgotten how loud it is, or how oppressively hot it can be in summer. Clark met us at the runway alone, the girls with their grandparents. "I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to drive you home. We could have sent a driver but," he explains, "I wanted to be the one to welcome you home." He does his best to smile, but as his melancholy grin drifts to how I hold on to my husband's hand, I can see how much this is costing him. "I'm glad it was you," I reach forward to give him a hug. "Thank you." Atlas, who has been receiving a slew of messages from Theo as soon as we landed, asks to be dropped off at the new Steele Industries building. "Looks like they need me," he apologizes, kissing my hand. "I'll make it up to you tonight," he whispers in my ear and I shiver in anticipation. "I'm going to hold you to that," I whisper discretely in his ear, trying to be mi
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[Cordelia]The rest of that day went by in a blur. I insisted we rush back to the compound even though everyone had received the news that Tilly was gone. I couldn't believe it. My mind couldn't process the possibility of a world without Mathilda Madison. She wasn't just my best friend, she was my sister. So I couldn't let her go. Clark was distraught. He and Tilly took a while to find one another, and when they did finally make the right connection, they fell for one another hard. It was beautiful watching my two best friends fall in love--they were perfect for one another. But not all stories end with a happily ever after. That was a hard lesson for me to learn as well. I wanted nothing more than to watch Tilly raise her daughters. When we made it back an hour later, her body had already been collected. I had wanted to see her, to give it a chance to see if I could have brought her back: just one touch, one spark. I was convinced that I could have been the one to save her. The
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[Sydney]Why can't they just let me die? It would be so easy, I'm already cut and bleeding. Why bother with the IVs and the monitors? It doesn't matter anymore. Did it ever matter?My entire existence has been a fraud. If my hands were free I'd count the ways on my fingertips all the ways I've been lied to and used.A madman altered my DNA and injected me into the wrong mother. I was raised believing I was special only to discover I was the offspring of my enemy. The man of my dreams was married to the daughter my mother was supposed to have, and I was just a cheap copy of the woman he once loved, my genetic twin, Angelica. Was this life ever really mine to begin with? Even now they aren't honoring my desire to die. "She needs more blood," the doctor announces over my head, her clear voice cutting through the din of the operating room chatter. "Her blood pressure has dropped to dangerous levels. We can't use the anesthesia. She'll need to be awake for the procedure."Procedure?"I d
Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele Chapter 401
[Clark]The dissection of Magnus' brain was one of the most intensely fascinating and uniquely horrifying things I have ever experienced. Using my computer to guide the charge, we attached wires to his brain, fed through a divide that my mother had retrieved from her vault. "This will disrupt his signal. It will keep him from making a full memory transfer. Hopefully whomever he's jumped into will have a fighting chance." Everything my mother has said since I volunteered for this task has sounded like something from a science fiction movie. The duplicates we had seen in Delilah's footage of her father's secret lab were all designed to hold Magnus's memories in an artificial extension of his life. Not all of them looked like his current body, as often it was useful for him to become someone entirely different for spying purposes. "Is this how he always seemed to know everything?" I ask aloud. We had wondered how he managed to get around all of our codes, to find ways to learn about wh
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[Cordelia]"Wally?" Holding my hand above his head, I pause, hesitating. Just a moment before I was about to take this man's life without even the smallest shred of remorse. It was necessary to protect my family. My children and my husband. "Cordelia," He blinks, his eyes roving my face and the surroundings like a caged animal. Licking his dry, salty lips, his body is otherwise completely still. "I don't have much time. He's fighting me...I..."Wally's muscles spasm, shaking Atlas as well as he holds him in place. Closing his eyes, his body stills, as if the effort of keeping still is so great that he cannot do anything else at the same time. He whispers something that I can't quite make out, so I lean in, trying to capture his words.As my hair brushes his cheek, he repeats himself. "You need to end this, Cordelia. Don't let him escape to harm another. His other mind is gone, Suzanna saw to it, but he can still jump to someone else.""Wally, what are you saying," I shake my head. "No
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[Cordelia]Atlas and I raced down the hall to the exit, soldiers moving out of our way as we passed, nobody bothering to stop us as my husband's icy glare and dominant aura kept them pinned in place. Magnus is dead and I have never been more terrified in my life. The door to the outside pushes open and we are instantly blinded by the overhead sunshine that covers the beach with an oddly bright gray that stings the eyes. It is warmer than it had been earlier, the wind having died down, trapping the moisture of impending rain, held in place by the gathering storm. "Jasper," I call out gently, scanning the beach. "Wally?""Atlas do you see Jasper?" I grab my husband's arm. His pulse is rapid beneath my fingertips as we move forward as one and find the abandoned picnic blanket and Jasper's little galoshes next to a much larger pair. "Wally!" I scream out towards the waves and find him standing in the water, at the far edge of the beach. There is no sign of my son. None. It's as if the
