Ethan was calm but insistent, his eyes meeting Rachel's in the soft light of early evening. "We have to meet with the Greenwood family-the Sophias. There is some business that we need to attend to." There was an undercurrent of tension in his gaze, a promise of resolution.Rachel frowned, her face traced with doubts. "Why their house, Ethan? This, I don't like at all," she returned, an echo of concern and incredulousness mingling within her tone as her fingers strayed absently to twirl the end of her sleeve and rummaging into his face for reassurance.Ethan leaned in closer, laying his hand gently over hers. "I'll be with you, every step of the way. I promise you, nothing's going to happen to you." A soft smile tugged at his lips, and in that moment, Rachel felt a flicker of trust. Leaning in impulsively, she pressed a light kiss to his cheek. "You're my Superman," she whispered, her eyes brightening with affection.Emboldened, Ethan pulled her closer. The swift, tenderness of the mov
Sophia sat amidst her spacious, dimly lit study—a sanctum of cold marble and polished chrome—with a glass of her strongest Bordeaux clutched in one perfectly manicured hand. Save the soft hum of her air conditioner and the far-off city sounds that managed their way through the tall windows, silence reigned supreme. Sharp, calculating eyes stared at the screen of her laptop. It contained the explosive draft of the exposé she had prepared over the last few days. Leaving nothing unsaid, it narrated the whole sordid history of Rachel Thompson, the manipulative gold-digger who had clawed her way into the life of Ethan Greenwood and hence into his world.A cold smile contorted Sophia's lips as she reread the headline: "From Rags to Ruin: The Scandalous Rise of Rachel Thompson-Manipulative, Power-Hungry and Deceptive". The article indeed painted a very damning portrait of Rachel, who, despite the humble beginnings of her marriage and its broken shards with Michael Greene, had let her despera
The morning light had hardly managed to find its way through the pulled curtains when wham! The news hit me like an express train. I was standing in the kitchen, mechanically making breakfast for the kids, and my cell phone was headlining: "Scandal Uncovered: The Dark Past of Rachel Thompson Brought to Light! " and "Manipulative Gold-Digger? The True Story Behind Rachel's Rise." My heart began to pound as bitter anger swirled along with despair within me.I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders, as if every betrayal, every whispered rumor was finally converging into one undeniable truth.Without thinking, I snatched up my phone and dialed Ethan. The line rang frantically before his measured voice answered. "Rachel, what's wrong?" he asked, but I barely heard him over the tumult in my mind.Ethan, you have to stop this news," I hissed, my voice shaking between rage and agony. "They say all kinds of things about me-the scandal, my past with Michael, the way I supposedly manipul
The morning light had just broken over the city as I pulled up to the secluded amusement park, well hidden from prying eyes and media vultures. Today was supposed to be a secret family outing-a short break from the relentless chaos that had engulfed our lives. I glanced sideways at Rachel and the triplets in the car; their tired expressions from endless days indoors slowly gave way to hints of anticipation."Come on, everybody," I called as I did, my voice firm yet soft. "Today, we leave all our troubles behind."Rachel tried a little, trembling smile. Her eyes rounded and softened when she gazed at the children. From the back seat, Daniella, Damian, Dante pressed their faces up against the window, an excited spark sparkling in their eyes. For that one instant, I felt a swoon of hope, an assurance that somehow we could attain some semblance of normality.Upon arrival, the park hummed with laughter and whirring rides. I watched as the kids sprinted off to the carousel, not containing t
The rumors were going around for days that there were some confidential design files floating online, which were critical to the upcoming fashion walkway. As it turned out, Sophia hired a hacker to break into our servers to find dirt on Ethan and me. The hack was not very successful, but enough to spark this scandal.But that was not all; the designs leaked were very much a part of Rachel's reputation, projecting her as manipulative and opportunist, less worthy of this powerful world into which she had so precariously stepped.Later that morning, my phone went into overdrive with concerned colleagues' messages and media alerts. Headlines flashed: "Mavericks Designs Compromised!" and "Is Rachel Thompson Sabotaging Her Own Future?At a quiet corner café near our headquarters, I was sitting as I read the content of the headline. Alex's face was etched with concern, while Mia's eyes were wide and sympathetic. I sank into the seat opposite them, rubbing my temples as I tried to steady my n
After the press conference, my mind was reeling from Ethan's public declaration of our relationship. The weight of the media's scrutiny pressed down on me, suffocating, relentless. Every second felt like another wave of judgment crashing against my already fragile walls. I needed to get home-to my children, my safe place.I need to see the kids," I said to Mia and Alex in the hallway at Maverick Enterprises. My voice shook a little, exhaustion seeping into every syllable. "You two stay here and help me clear this up. I trust you both." Alex, always so protective, gave me a searching look. "Are you sure you're going to be alright driving home alone?I forced a small smile. "I'll be fine." Mia squeezed my hand. "Text us when you get home."I nodded and then turned to leave the building. The evening air was cool, but it did little to alleviate my growing unease. I walked quickly toward my car, my heels clicking against the pavement in hurried, nervous beats. Just as I reached for the
The media started to pack their equipment to call it a night while Alex, Mia, Danny, Greg, and me stayed behind to get everything over with. I wanted to talk about some design with Alex, and since Rachel isn't around, she made Mia stand in for her. The happiness about the press still lingers around the room.I smile but not showing it, the storm is not yet over.Laughter filled the space as we scrolled through some of the social media comments about the press conference. Some were hailing Rachel and me as a power couple, while others spewed their distaste, claiming she had manipulated her way through it."She's got them pressed," Danny snickered, shaking his head. "They're so mad that Rachel's winning." Alex smirked. "They'll get over it. People always do."I leaned back in my chair, my lips twitching with amusement, but deep down, something felt. off. It was a nagging sensation, an unshakable feeling that something was wrong. I pushed the thought aside, focusing on the moment—until
The police station was a maze of bureaucracy and apathy. Greg and I had burst in, insisting on reporting Rachel's kidnapping, but the officers hardly lifted their heads from their desks. One of them, a man in his forties with a belly, lolled back in his chair, gnawing on a pen cap."You'll have to wait," he replied indolently, not even looking at us. "We have procedures—"I pounded my fists on his desk, and he sat up straight. My voice was low, threaded with suppressed rage. "Do you know who I am?"That took them by surprise. The officer gulped and glanced at his peers before coughing. "Mr. Grayson, we—uh, we didn't know""I don't have time for this," I snarled. "My fiancée's been kidnapped and you're telling me to wait? Assemble your team. Now."They jumped into action, voices calling out instructions into radios. Within minutes, a team was preparing to head out to Maverick to look into it further.Greg, who had been standing beside me with his arms folded, suddenly spun around to me
Back in the house had never been louder—not with three teenagers filling the halls with their banter, late-night music, and endless debates over whose turn it was to use the car. But amidst the usual chaos, Rachel found herself sitting in the quiet of the living room, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the small curve of her stomach.Ethan walked in, loosening his tie, his gaze immediately landing on her. “You look suspiciously peaceful,” he teased. “What’s going on?”Rachel bit her lip, her heart racing in anticipation. “Come sit,” she said, patting the space beside her.Ethan raised an eyebrow but obeyed, settling next to her. She took his hand and guided it to her stomach, watching as realization dawned in his eyes. His fingers tensed slightly before he exhaled, a slow smile forming.“Rachel…?”She nodded, her voice soft but filled with joy. “We’re having another baby.”For a moment, Ethan just stared at her, emotions flickering across his face—shock, awe, then unmistakable love. T
The ballroom of the Gray estate was alive with activity. Decorators rushed to arrange floral arches, caterers set up endless rows of champagne glasses, and the wedding planner barked last-minute instructions into her headset.Rachel sat at the head of a long table, flipping through final details, trying not to lose her mind. Across from her, Ethan sat back in his chair, arms crossed, watching her with an amused smirk."Tell me again why we need five different cake flavours?" Ethan asked.Rachel sighed, massaging her temples. "Because your mother wants something ‘refined,’ my mother refuses to have vanilla, and the triplets will start a rebellion if we don’t include chocolate."Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "Remind me again who’s actually getting married? Because it feels like we’re just extras in their grand event."Rachel shot him a look. "We’re getting married, Ethan. In front of at least five hundred people, in a wedding so perfect they’ll talk about it for years."Ethan leaned
Sophia's world was shattering In front of her.She found herself in a hospital room, the machines beeping in her ears. The smell of antiseptic mixed with the hint of fresh lily perfume from a vase sitting on the edge of the window. The lights pained her eyes, and as she tried to move, she felt pain all over her body from her neck to her shoulders.Her fingers twitched. Bandage wrapped tightly across her wound. A reminder of Michael's deception, her stupidity, and the fact that she had lost.No.She couldn't lose. She was Sophia Greenwood. The heiress. The queen.She Kept telling herself Her breathing was erratic, her chest rising and falling in rapid spasms of air. "No… No, this isn't happening," she whispered, her voice cracked from crying. Her fingers tightened on the sheets wildly, as if she could tear a gap in her nightmare and flee.A nurse rushed in, distressed. "Miss Greenwood, you must calm down."But Sophia wasn’t listening. She thrashed, her movements wild, her mind spinni
Three Months Later The steady beep of the heart monitor resonated through the silent hospital room. Sunlight streamed through the sheer drapes, bathing Rachel's pale face with a warm, golden glow. Her fingers twitched, her breathing slowed, and then—her eyelids fluttered open. Vague images into focus, her head struggling to get it together. The acrid scent of antiseptic, the touch of a warm palm cupping hers, and the soft hum of voices beyond. And then she saw him. Ethan. His head rested next to her hand, weariness in the dark circles under his eyes. His neatly styled hair was mussed, his shirt slightly wrinkled—signs that he had not departed from her bedside. Rachel's mouth opened, her throat dry. "E-Ethan…" His head snapped up instantly, his deep blue eyes widening in disbelief. For a second, he just stared, as if questioning whether he was imagining things. Then, in a breathless whisper, he said, “Rachel?” Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. “I… I’m here.” Etha
The gentle hum of machinery dominated the hospital room, interrupted only by the constant beeping of Rachel's heart monitor. The room was thick with unspoken words, emotions suffocating all who were there.Ethan sat next to Rachel's bed, his fists together, his jaw set. His usually piercing blue eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, his disheveled hair a testament to sleepless nights spent in the chair. He hadn't left Rachel's bedside since she'd been wheeled into surgery.She still hadn't woken.The triplets sat beside him, little hands grasping Rachel's like her touch would bring her to life. Mia sniffled, nose buried on her sleeve."Why won't Mommy wake up?" Daniella quivered.Ethan's heart tightened. He breathed in slowly before succeeding in producing a weak reassuring smile. "She will, baby. She's just healing.".Mia swallowed hard, her big brown eyes welling up with tears. "But what if she doesn't?"Ethan ground his teeth together, fighting down the lump in his throat. "She w
Michael fired a shot into the air, the sound echoing in the ears as it bounced off the warehouse walls. The crowd outside screamed, the media surging forward to capture every second of the unfolding chaos."Put down your gun!" one of the officers commanded, his own gun trained on Michael.But Michael barely heard him. His face twisted in anger, his knuckles white as he gripped the gun in his fist.Sophia, feeling herself losing control of the situation, slowly took a step back. "Michael, listen—" she tried, but her voice shook.Michael's head snapped around, his lip curling in disgust. "Where do you think you're going, Sophia?""I-I need to get out of here," she stammered. "We—this wasn't the plan!"Michael laughed, his head shaking. "You were ready to sacrifice me a moment ago, and now you want to run? No, darling, you're not going anywhere." Sophia's breath caught. "Michael, don't—" The sound of the gunshot rang out before she could finish.Sophia screamed, stumbling backward as b
Screeching tires echoed through the night as Ethan's vehicle skidded to a stop in front of the warehouse. The flashing red and blue lights of the police vehicles illuminated the scene in an eerie glow. The officers moved into position, guns drawn, but Ethan had one focus—Rachel.His heart clenched at the sight of her. She was statue-still, her body weak and unsteady, her eyes drugged from whatever Michael had thrown into her system. A gun was pressed to her temple, Michael's hand steady as he sneered at the approaching group. The three children trembled in the corner, silently crying as Sophia stood near them, her expression unreadable.Ethan stepped forward, his hands raised in a soothing gesture. His voice was rough, entreating. "Michael, don't do this. Let Rachel go. This doesn't have to go bad."Michael let out a cold, humorless laugh. "End badly?" His jaw clenched, and his fist around the gun tightened. "She deserves worse! After everything I did for her, she threw me away like g
Rachel's fingers trembled as she stepped into the dim warehouse, the air thick with the odor of decayed wood and gasoline. Her heart pounded in her chest, a fear beat that intensified even more when she caught sight of her children. Daniella, Damian, and Dante were sitting together in a corner, their small hands bound up with rough ropes. Sobs streamed down their faces, muffled cries that pierced straight through Rachel's heart.A slow clap echoed across the warehouse, and Rachel whirled to see Sophia slouching against an old metal beam, a cruel smile twisting on her lips. Michael stood beside her, his cold eyes flashing with cruelty.Rachel gulped hard, trying to remain calm. "Please, let them go," she pleaded, her voice shattering. "They're only children."Sophia walked over to her, high heels clicking against the concrete floor. She reached out and slapped Rachel sharply on the face. The burning slap crossed Rachel's cheek, and she gasped, stepping back. Sophia was laughing, blue e
The Maverick headquarters buzzed with activity, the air electric with anticipation. The live TV show was on, showing the company's latest creations to the world. Models glided along the runway, their movements smooth and confident, as the audience sat in complete attention.Rachel's heels clicked on the marble floor of the Maverick headquarters as she glanced at her phone. The live celebration was in progress, and she should have been at the center of it all, raising a glass to the company's latest success. But a sense of disquiet churned at her chest. Something was wrong.Her assistant, Donna, rushed toward her, breathless. "Rachel, there's a problem. The triplets. they're missing."Rachel's universe came to a standstill. "What?"Ethan and I were with our nanny at the event, but she turned around for a moment, and now they're missing."A sense of panic choked Rachel's throat. "Find them! Go through the security cameras. Now!"Donna couldn't respond in time before Rachel's phone buzze