I rushed back to the hospital as soon as I got Eva's text saying Quinn was awake. My mind traveled back to when the doctor had shared the news about her pregnancy. The room went silent. I grew numb for a few seconds, my eyes fixed on her pale face. We all knew who the baby belonged to, and the thought of it pierced through my chest. I could feel Eva's eyes on me watching my every move, but I just couldn't bring myself to look up at her.I have no chance with Quinn now that I think of it.And maybe that's okay. I'm just glad she is awake and safe.I approached Eva, who was standing by the door with worry on her face. "Where's Quinn?" I asked while scanning the room."She's asleep," Eva managed to mutter.I nodded, feeling a bit relieved. "I had to finish up some work, but as soon as I was done, I rushed over here," I explained, though Eva didn't seem to be interested."It's fine, Matt," Eva cut in, her eyes fixed on Quinn's sleeping form. "It's been four hours, and she's been sleeping
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
I 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 hesitated for some
Chapter 01_DINNER WITH MEI strolled across the sidewalk, my feet barely touching the ground as my heart beamed with excitement. It's my nineteenth birthday today, and the world seems to be unfolding its arms, embracing me with open possibilities.The news I had just received still resonated in my mind, like a sweet melody_ a scholarship for my outstanding academic performance. All the late nights, early mornings, and endless cups of coffee finally paid off.For the first time in my life, I felt the weight of my academic struggles finally lifting. I envisioned a bright future ahead of me. My dreams were within reach now.My excitement grew with each step. I turned onto my street. I couldn’t wait to share the news with Eva, my best friend and confidant. She called me earlier, she's probably waiting for me at home.I met Eva first at Eclipse, one of the biggest secluded clubs in the city where I worked part-time. Our friendship blossomed from that fateful night, and we became inseparab
BRYAN’S POVI checked my watch for what felt like the hundredth time. The meetings dragged on, my schedule was usually chaotic, but somehow she still managed to occupy my mind.I leaned back sipping the scotch, letting my fingers rest on the armrest, lost.I had been watching her eagerly since I moved back to the country. Her vulnerability and strength intrigued me.Her refusal to give up, even when things seemed impossible, inspired me. Her innocence, too, was very captivating.She’s even prettier now than I remember. Time has transformed her into a stunning young lady. Her beauty wasn’t just skin-deep, it radiated from within.Our childhood memories flooded back into my head – the laughter, the backyard barbecues. Our families' close ties made us inseparable. I recalled the countless times we explored the neighborhood, sharing secrets and dreams. A small smile formed on my lips.She is breathtakingly beautiful, with a slender yet athletic build. Her long silky hair framed her oval fa
His eyes roamed over me, lingering on every curve, filled with a hunger that made my skin crawl. "Stunning," he whispered, his breath caressing my ears.His fingers began to trace the curve of my cheek. I shut my eyes in disgust, trying to shake him off, but he held tight onto me. His touch sent shivers down my spine as I panicked.Jasper’s grin broadened as he continued, his hands sliding down towards my chest. I felt my face flush with humiliation and I wished the ground would open and swallow me whole.Just then, Mr. Jenkins, intervened awkwardly, "Mr Jasper, please, she's just a waitress, she doesn’t engage...ah...sexually with clients"Jasper chuckled, his little laugh made my body vibrate.“Well, then I’d be her first. She doesn’t get to decide, I make the decisions.” He added.Eva rushed towards us, kneeling. Her eyes were pleading.“I’m so sorry Sir, for my negligence. It was all my fault. Take…take me instead. I’ll go with you, I’ll do anything. Just let Quinn go, please. She’
BRYAN’S POVAs I opened the door for Quinn, her bewildered expression amused me.Her nervousness was so obvious that I couldn’t help but smile at her awkwardness.Once she settled in, I started the car and pulled away.My mind flashed back to the incident that forced me to reveal myself.Her current reaction mirrored the frantic nervous feeling I felt that day, watching her go through that attack.That night, I had saved her from Jasper’s grip. Her eyes were terrified when I looked back, her breathing heaving. Tension stirred within me and I screamed.“Get her to the hospital this minute.”Asthma.I remembered. She was asthmatic.My heart swiftly raced as I swiftly moved closer, cradling her fragile form.“Hang in there, help is on the way”, I assured him.Suddenly, her eyes rolled back and she slumped forward, fainting.Her friend caught her. “Get an ambulance, now!” I had barked at whoever stood close.The minutes ticked by like hours as we waited for the paramedics. Soon the ambulan
Eva's infectious laughter filled the air, and Matt's presence was surprisingly polite and courteous as we settled into a cozy restaurant, the aroma of sizzling meat and spices enveloping us.As we placed our order, my gaze drifted to the TV above the bar, catching my attention.Breaking news flashed on the screen: "Billionaire, Braxton Bryan Purchases Priceless Diamond Necklace at Auction." My heart skipped a beat.The camera pans to the stunning necklace, its diamonds glinting under the lights.My fingers instinctively rose to touch the identical necklace around my neck. A nervous tremble ran through my hand.One of my coworkers, Rachel, gazed wistfully at the TV. "I'll never make enough money to afford something like that." She remarked, her eyes wandering to my neck, and her brows furrowed""Wow, Quinn, your knock-off looks amazingly real!""Where did you get it?"I force a casual smile, trying to sound nonchalant. "Oh, I picked it up from a street vendor for seven bucks." The lie
I 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 hesitated for some
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
I rushed back to the hospital as soon as I got Eva's text saying Quinn was awake. My mind traveled back to when the doctor had shared the news about her pregnancy. The room went silent. I grew numb for a few seconds, my eyes fixed on her pale face. We all knew who the baby belonged to, and the thought of it pierced through my chest. I could feel Eva's eyes on me watching my every move, but I just couldn't bring myself to look up at her.I have no chance with Quinn now that I think of it.And maybe that's okay. I'm just glad she is awake and safe.I approached Eva, who was standing by the door with worry on her face. "Where's Quinn?" I asked while scanning the room."She's asleep," Eva managed to mutter.I nodded, feeling a bit relieved. "I had to finish up some work, but as soon as I was done, I rushed over here," I explained, though Eva didn't seem to be interested."It's fine, Matt," Eva cut in, her eyes fixed on Quinn's sleeping form. "It's been four hours, and she's been sleeping
QUINN'S POVWe stepped into our apartment, the familiar scent relieving every bit of exhaustion that I felt. Eva followed closely behind me, helping me settle onto the couch. We had just gotten back from the hospital."Hey, how are you feeling?" She asked, handing me a glass of water.I took a sip, taking a deep breath as I stared blankly into space. "I really do not know, Eva. Maybe lost?"She wrapped her arms around me. "You're not alone, Quinn. You have me, and you have that little baby inside you to think about. You're going to take care of yourself and that baby, that's all. Remember what the doctor said? You need to rest, eat well, and avoid stress."I nodded, taking in all of her words. "Eva smiled, standing up. "I know you can. Now, I'm going to go grab some groceries. We need to stock up on healthy food for you and the baby."I smiled weakly. "Thanks, Eva."Watching as she headed out the door, I leaned back onto the couch, my hand instinctively resting on my stomach. I would
QUINN'S POVI lay in the hospital bed, my eyes fixed on the ceiling as the doctor's words echoed in my mind. Pregnant. I'm pregnant.The door creaked open, and Bryan walked in, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on me. He looked...different. He approached me, holding out a bouquet of flowers. "Hey," he called softly. "I brought you some flowers."I had no response. I was still trying to process the news, my mind reeling with questions and fears.Eva stood up, eyes fixed on Bryan like she was issuing out a warning to be gentle. "She's not said a word to me since she got up." She explained to Bryan."Quinn honey, are you okay?" she asked, in a soft voice, and I managed to nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. I still couldn't speak or express the emotions piling up inside of me. Bryan reached out to touch my hand, and suddenly my body sprang to life. It began shaking tremendously, my eyes wide with fright as the words tumbled out."Get away from me, you monster! You're a mon
BRYAN'S POVI walked out of the hospital room, bumping into Doctor Lee. He was a familiar face from my previous visit to his hospital when one of my workers had an emergency."Ah, Mr. Braxton! Good to see you again," he called in a friendly tone.I nodded curtly, my mind still reeling from the emotions that had overwhelmed me in Quinn's hospital room. "Doctor Lee.""What brings you here?," he asked."Oh, my girlfriend Ms Quinn. She was admitted here.""Oh really? I didn't know that." He remarked as he leaned in closely, giving me a brief update on her condition. "In that case, I have to share something with you, Mr. Braxton. Something that I think you should know."My gut tightened, seeing that he looked off. "What is it, Doctor?" I asked in a calm tone.Doctor Lee hesitated for a moment before dropping the bombshell. "Ms. Quinn is two months pregnant. Mr. Braxton."My world stopped.Pregnant? Quinn is pregnant?The doctor's words hung in the air, refusing to compute. I felt like I ha
MATT'S POVI rushed back to the hospital as soon as I got Eva's text saying Quinn was awake. My mind traveled back to when the doctor had shared the news about her pregnancy. The room went silent. I grew numb for a few seconds, my eyes fixed on her pale face. We all knew who the baby belonged to, and the thought of it pierced through my chest. I could feel Eva's eyes on me watching my every move, but I just couldn't bring myself to look up at her.I have no chance with Quinn now that I think of it.And maybe that's okay. I'm just glad she is awake and safe.I approached Eva, who was standing by the door with worry on her face. "Where's Quinn?" I asked while scanning the room."She's asleep," Eva managed to mutter.I nodded, feeling a bit relieved. "I had to finish up some work, but as soon as I was done, I rushed over here," I explained, though Eva didn't seem to be interested."It's fine, Matt," Eva cut in, her eyes fixed on Quinn's sleeping form. "It's been four hours, and she's bee
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
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