QUINN'S POV--------------I arrived at Bryan's estate in no time. I assumed he would be home since it was the weekend. But little did I know, I was in for a surprise. The security men refused to let me in."I'm sorry, ma'am, but I need to confirm with the boss," one of them said, his words very blunt. I watched as he moved away to make a quick phone call.I didn't back down. "I don't care about your protocol," I snapped. They knew exactly who I was, so hindering me from entrance made me fuel up even more. "I need to see Bryan, now."The security men exchanged uneasy glances, clearly intimidated by my outburst, but after a few minutes of chattering on top of my voice, they finally let me in."Ma'am, you can proceed," one of them said, stepping aside.I drove through the gates, my heart racing with anticipation as I pulled up to the main house and stomped out of the car in annoyance.I marched into the house, my footsteps echoing behind me as I quickly made my way upstairs. I burst ope
I walked back into the hospital, my feet just moving on autopilot. I approached the nurse's station where a friendly face disclosed that the children were awake.My heart skipped as I followed her to the children's ward. As we entered the room, my eyes landed on two tiny bundles of joy, sitting up in their beds and looking around with curious eyes as Maya made descriptions in the air like she was telling them a story. My eyes welled up with tears just from watching them.Maya caught my gaze and said, "Okay, kids, I want you to meet someone special. This is your Aunt Quinn." The little boy, with his messy brown hair, looked up at me and grinned. "Hi, Aunt."Avery, with her big brown eyes and curly pigtails, looked up at me and said, "Aunt Quinn, Mama says you're a fighter."I chuckled, taking a seat between their beds. "Well, I try my best to help people feel better and you guys have to be strong, okay?."They nodded as I took Avery's hand in mine. "I'll do my best to make you feel bet
LUCAS POVI sat in the dining room, surrounded by papers and files. Vic had managed to get his hands on some documents, but not everything I had asked for. I was amazed as I read through the papers - every detail, every story I had been told, was true.But I knew I had to be careful. Vic had warned me that if I presented this evidence, I could be in trouble for trespassing. I didn't want to risk it, so something else had to be done. I sat there, lost in thought, as my dad walked into the room. "What's going on, Lucas?" he asked, when he noticed the look of concern on my face."I have been trying to get in touch with B. Bryan for weeks now, but I just can't seem to get an appointment," I said, expressing my frustration.My dad raised an eyebrow. "Oh well, I can't help you with that," he added, as he proceeded to pour himself a glass of water.I nodded, trying to appear cool. "Yeah, I was thinking, maybe you would know someone who could help me get an appointment?"He shook his head. "
MATT'S POVI quickly grabbed my phone and dialed Eva's number, my mind on edge with anticipation. When she answered, I could hear the faint sound of chattering and music in the background."Hello, Eva. I need to see you right away," I said, trying to convey that it was urgent without alarming her."I'm in the middle of an event, Matt. Can we reschedule for later?" She asked, almost screaming into the phone.I hesitated for a moment before responding. "I'm afraid it can't wait, Eva. Is Quinn with you?" I asked, in hopes that Quinn's presence might make her more willing to leave."No, she stepped out a while ago, saying she had somewhere to go. What's going on, Matt? You're beginning to get me worried," she asked, her tone laced with concern.I took a deep breath before responding. "There's someone I want you to meet, Eva. Someone who has information that might be...enlightening. Please, just trust me on this. I'll text you the address. Can you get here as soon as possible?"Eva hesitate
LUCAS'S POVWe were able to get the directions to Bryan's floor and office number. I turned to my dad, who was busy hovering anxiously beside me. "Dad, could you please wait outside for a minute? I'll just go and... uh... drop off these documents."My dad nodded, though his eyes betrayed him. He still looked scared. "Okay, son. Be careful."I watched as he stepped outside, then I turned my attention back to the receptionist. She looked up from her desk with a polite smile on her face. "Hi there, can I help you?""Hi," I replied, trying to sound confident. "I'm here to drop off urm... some documents from City Audit Services."The receptionist's eyes lit up with interest. "Oh, great. Let me just take those from you."I hesitated, realizing that I didn't actually have any documents to hand over. Due to my find-outs, I noticed his company had a thing with the city audit service, and didn't even know when I blurted it out. Luckily, it worked for me."Uh, actually... I think I might have le
BRYAN'S POVMy mind was traveling as I tried to process the information Lucas had just dropped on me. I thought back to my childhood, to the countless times I asked my mother about my father's death. She always told me the same story: Sutherland had betrayed my father, and his death was no accident. She would whisper it to me in hushed tones, her eyes always filled with tears, sadness and fear whenever she remembered. It became a really difficult topic that I dreaded ever mentioning to her.But now, Lucas is telling me that Sutherland wasn't responsible? It didn't add up. I felt this sudden feeling of anger and confusion. I was supposed to have a meeting with fucking Jasper, but anything could wait right now.I quickly picked up the phone and dialed my assistant's number. "I need you to come to my office right away."As I waited for him to arrive, I paced back and forth in my office, trying to make sense of everything. Lucas's words kept echoing in my mind. Shortly after, there was a
I tapped my foot impatiently on the dusty floor, my eyes fixed on the entrance of the abandoned warehouse. Lucas was running late, and I was starting to lose my patience. I glanced at my wristwatch for what felt like the hundredth time."Five more minutes, and I'm leaving," I muttered to myself, already mentally preparing to walk away from this whole ordeal. But as I looked at my watch again, I realized that those five minutes had flown by faster than I expected, and Lucas was still nowhere to be found.I let out a deep sigh of frustration. "This is ridiculous, what was I even thinking believing all that bullshit" I said aloud, shaking my head. I pulled out my cell phone, signaling to my assistant that it was time to leave.Just as I was about to turn away, my assistant spoke up, "He's here, Sir." I turned to see Lucas hurrying towards us with an older man behind him. The man looked weak, with an emaciated face and sunken eyes that seemed to hold a very deep sadness.Lucas apologized
QUINN'S POVI walked into the living room, carrying a tray with a fresh drink for Matt. He had stopped by unexpectedly, and we chatted for a bit till I got thirsty and disappeared to get water.When I returned, I noticed that Matt and Eva were engaged in a heated discussion. They were speaking in hushed tones, but their body language told me something was wrong. Eva's arms were crossed, and Matt's looked all tensed.I set the extra cup of water on the table, turning to them, "What's going on?" I asked.They paused, looking at each other uncertainly. Matt opened his mouth to speak, but Eva quickly covered it with her hand.Matt looked at Eva, then back at me. I could sense his frustration."Okay, Eva, enough. Let Matt speak." I said whilst folding my hands. Eva finally removed her hand, and Matt took a deep breath of relief.Eva and Matt exchanged another glance, and then Eva nodded. The room fell silent for a moment before she spoke up."We found your dad's former secretary," she anno
It hurts so much that I blame myself for being so hard on him all this while. The times he’d drop gifts and letters at my doorstep consistently every day. It might not have been a great ride, but Bryan loved me more than anyone else in this world would have. No words, no whimpering, just my eyes flowing with unending tears. “Quinn, you need to stop crying,” Eva advised, breaking the silence.“But I couldn't. "I will never get over this pain I’m feeling” I confessed. “He’s all that I have.”“Now I feel bad that you never acknowledged me. I’ve been with you through what, thick and thin and Bryan’s all you have?” Her words struck me and I could feel the hurt in her voice.“I’m sorry Eva, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that…." My tone was apologetic but she quickly hushed me.“Shhh_ I’m still here for you and I will never leave you, Quinn. I’m sure Bryan wouldn’t want you crying this way. You need to be strong.”I nodded in approval, as she drew closer to me, placing my head on her
The ride home was very quiet, the most reserved ride I’ve ever had. I couldn’t hear a dime. I might be present, but everything about my spirit, soul and body was absent.It hurts so much that I blame myself for being so hard on him all this while. The times he’d drop gifts and letters at my doorstep consistently every day. It might not have been a great ride, but Bryan loved me more than anyone else in this world would have. No words, no whimpering, just my eyes flowing with unending tears. “Quinn, you need to stop crying,” Eva advised, breaking the silence.“But I couldn't. "I will never get over this pain I’m feeling” I confessed. “He’s all that I have.”“Now I feel bad that you never acknowledged me. I’ve been with you through what, thick and thin and Bryan’s all you have?” Her words struck me and I could feel the hurt in her voice.“I’m sorry Eva, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that…." My tone was apologetic but she quickly hushed me.“Shhh_ I’m still here for you and I will
-----------------"Whose child?" Quinn pressed, her brow furrowed in confusion.Thornton hesitated before speaking. "Your father, Sutherland, had a romantic affair with his second cousin, which resulted in your birth."Quinn and I gasped in unison. "What?" we exclaimed, shock and disbelief laced on our faces.Thornton continued, his voice filled with sadness. "He did marry your mother, despite the families being against them. I suppose it's because he loved her. I found out about their relationship because my first wife was a friend of your mother's."Officer Maddie's eyes widened in surprise. "What in heaven's name is going on here?" she asked, her voice firm, but I could tell she was confused.Thornton's expression turned cold. "When I threatened to expose Sutherland's secret if he dared to speak a word about Braxton's murder, he was terrified. He feared for his reputation and kept quiet all these years."Quinn's face twisted in anger and hurt. "His reputation? That's all he cared a
BRYAN'S POVWe walked into the police station, hand in hand, with Eva following close behind. "Excuse me," I said to one of the officers, "we'd like to speak with the officer in charge of Jasper Brown's investigation."The officer looked at us, obviously recognizing me, and asked us to wait. He stepped away for a minute before returning to escort us to a private room.Eva opted to wait outside, so we left her in the lobby. Inside the room, we met a lady who looked barely above middle age. "Hi, I'm Bryan Braxton, and this is _"Quinn Sutherland." She continued."We have information about Jasper Brown and his accomplice, Mr. Thornton that we would love to share with you."The officer, whose name tag read "Officer Maddie," looked at us with interest. "What kind of information?" she asked.We stared at each other and I spoke up. "We would like to be recorded."Officer Maddie nodded. "I see. Well, we've had Mr. Brown in custody, and we could use any additional information you can provide.
QUINN'S POVEva and I were still reeling from the shock of Matt's betrayal, lost in our own thoughts, when the doorbell rang again. I let out a frustrated sigh and made my way to the front door angrily."I thought I asked you to leave, Matt!" I yelled, but my voice trailed off as I took in the figure standing before me. It was Bryan."Matt?" he repeated, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Matt was here?"I nodded silently, still trying to process the sudden change in events. As I gazed at Bryan, I couldn't help but notice how worn out he looked. His eyes seemed sunken, and his face was laced with deep lines. This wasn't the stern, looking Bryan I had grown accustomed to; this was the Bryan I remembered from my childhood.I gulped down the huge form of saliva in my mouth. It took everything in me to not jump on him right now and hug him so tightly. I missed him so much. Bryan's eyes scanned me from head to toe, taking in my almost invisible baby bump. I felt a flutter in my chest as our
I made my way through the crowded room, nodding to familiar faces and exchanging brief hello's. The smell of smoke and sweat filled the atmosphere and I breathed it in deeply. I felt alive.I spotted one of my girls, a stunning blonde, dancing on stage. She caught my eye, winked and smiled, and I giggled. She was mine, one of my best earners, Stella.I continued to make my way towards the VIP section, where my partners and I conducted our... business. We deal with more than just drinks and music here. We dealt in secrets, in desires, and in the forbidden.I made it all happen.The Devil's Kiss was my pride and joy, a massive facility with over 80 rooms, each one designed to cater to a specific desire or fantasy. We had room for every taste, from the ordinary to the extreme.My girls were the lifeblood of the club, and I had over 50 of them working for me. They were all stunning, each one handpicked for their unique looks and characters that they possessed. I had girls of every ethnici
BRYAN'S POVI lounged on my couch, crunching on a crispy snack, when my attention drifted to the TV screen that flickered with breaking news. The anchor's serious tone caught my eyes."Breaking news: A high-profile sting operation has led to the arrest of Jasper Brown, the newly appointed CEO of Aurora's conglomerate, on charges of sex trafficking and distribution of hard drugs. The investigation carried on by a journalist, spanning several months, has uncovered a complex web of illicit activities involving some of the city's most influential figures."The anchor's words hung in the air, as the screen behind her displayed a mugshot of Jasper, his usual smirk being replaced by a scowl followed by blurry footage and photos from the club, taken by the undercover photographer. "The evidence, obtained through a daring undercover operation, reveals shocking scenes of exploitation and abuse. Photos and videos, taken from within the club, show victims being coerced into sex work and patrons
JASPER'S POVI stepped into the dimly lit club, the pounding music and throbbing lights enveloping me like a warm embrace. This was my domain, my sanctuary. The place where I could let my guard down and be myself. Most especially, it maintained its aura of exclusivity.I made my way through the crowded room, nodding to familiar faces and exchanging brief hello's. The smell of smoke and sweat filled the atmosphere and I breathed it in deeply. I felt alive.I spotted one of my girls, a stunning blonde, dancing on stage. She caught my eye, winked and smiled, and I giggled. She was mine, one of my best earners, Stella.I continued to make my way towards the VIP section, where my partners and I conducted our... business. We deal with more than just drinks and music here. We dealt in secrets, in desires, and in the forbidden.I made it all happen.The Devil's Kiss was my pride and joy, a massive facility with over 80 rooms, each one designed to cater to a specific desire or fantasy. We had
MATT'S POVIt's been two months since everything changed. Two months since the turn of events and Bryan has been all over the news, his saga with Eva at the hospital, news about his health and his resignation as CEO of Aurora corporation. It's not been easy for anyone seeing his constant appearance on the television.I myself have been working tirelessly behind the scenes, gathering evidence and building a case to ease his feelings. I've had a few close calls. Like the last time I was snooping around the warehouse, I almost got caught. But I didn't give up. I couldn't give up. Not after everything I've seen and everything I've learned.Jasper's treatment of those around him has been horrifying. He manipulated, used, and hurt people without a second thought. And Quinn...I knocked on the door, and she opened it, looking more beautiful than ever in this pregn glow. This newfound peace definitely agrees with her, and it's amazing to see. "Hey Matt! It's good to see you," she snapped, ope