CHAPTER 20The next morning, they packed up, ready to leave for the amusement park. “Snacks, sunscreen, bag packs and our sense of adventure. We're ready!" Olivia said beaming at Eunice.“You know, some of my classmates have been to amusement parks and they said it is fun there. I can’t wait, we're gonna have so much fun”, Eunice said, her excitement difficult to hide.Christian looked at the two girls in front of him and shook his head. “Alright, let’s get in the car. We don’t want to be late and stay in the queue there all day”.Olivia and Eunice rushed into the car as soon as they heard him. Olivia turned back and helped Eunice to her baby seat in the back.First up was the merry-go-round that Christian felt like he was too old to be on. “Why don’t you two continue while I take pictures of you? Just enjoy”, Christian said, taking out his phone.“Just take a ride with us. Please, Uncle Christian”, Eunice sounded, whining her way into Christian’s heart.Following Eunice’s whining, ca
CHAPTER 21Olivia stretched her hands as she pulled the blanket off her body. The soft sunlight filters through the curtains, casting a golden hue over the room. She heard several voices in the house and then a knock on the door. She went to open the door and Ruth and Eunice rushed inside.Today was her wedding day. She had forgotten all about it. Forgot the whirlwind of events that had led to this moment. But reality came crashing back as soon as she shifted in bed and caught sight of the ivory gown hanging in the corner—a delicate reminder of the life-changing day ahead.“Morning, bride-to-be,” Ruth chirped, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “You ready?”Olivia tried to muster a smile, but her stomach churned with nerves. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” she whispered, her voice betraying the inner turmoil she had worked so hard to hide. Then she took a look at Eunice who was on the side, playing with Ruth’s mobile phone. “Why is she not ready yet?”“She just finished having breakfast.
Chapter 22The wedding ended perfectly and by nightfall; the car brought the newlyweds and their Best man, Maid of honor and Flower girl into the Mason mansion. It seemed Eunice was very excited about the wedding happening. She showered Christian and Olivia with words and compliments on their way home.“When I get to kindergarten on Monday, I’m going to tell Archer, Jason, Emily and Loveleen all about the wedding and how I was the flower girl”, Eunice said, wiggling her body out of Olivia’s embrace.“Really?” Ruth asked, feigning curiosity.“Of course. They always tell me about the parties they attended, but now I can tell them about mine,” she said, beaming at the thought of the idea.They soon arrived at the mansion and everyone went to their various rooms to change their clothes. After changing her dress, Olivia slipped onto the balcony to get some fresh air, and Ruth followed her.In the middle of their discussion, they heard a small voice. “Olivia?” The two ladies whipped their h
Chapter 23The morning light crept in through the windows. It cast a golden glow on the bed where Olivia slept, nestled in Christian's arms. Her breath hitched as she saw Eunice sleeping behind her while she was in the middle. Her head rested on Christian’s chest while his arms wrapped firmly around her waist. Panic briefly surged through her. But, she froze. She didn't want to disturb him—or Eunice, still asleep next to them.Carefully, she tried to slip out of his grasp. Christian’s grip tightened. He stirred, opening his eyes and looking very shocked that Olivia was in his arms. The surprise in his eyes quickly turned neutral, looking neither warm nor cold.Olivia quickly turned over to try to get up, but Christian held her in place. Olivia swallowed, feeling the awkwardness settle in the room. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up," she whispered.Christian’s eyes flickered towards Eunice. “Don’t wake her," he said, his voice lacking the warmth it had just the day before. He th
Chapter 24“Trouble in Paradise: Christian Mason and Olivia Benjamin’s marriage on the rocks" was the headline she saw on the news.She picked up her phone to call Christian, and he answered on the second ring.“I already saw the news. "Good thing I suggested that you bring Eunice along with you when you come to the company," he said with a serious expression. “Also, wear your ring. And put on a nice dress. You should give the impression of a wealthy wife. "I'll transfer some money into your account. Use it to buy some nice dresses before going to Eunice's kindergarten." He hung up.Olivia stared at the blank screen of her phone, frustration bubbling inside her. “That was rude,” she muttered. “He didn’t even give me a chance to say anything. It’s like he thinks I’m a prop in his life."Despite her frustrations, Olivia did as instructed. She picked out a stylish dress from the boutique, using the money Christian had transferred to her. She tried to focus on the positives: she was dress
Chapter 25Olivia’s heartbeat increased when she heard Christian’s words and his tone of voice. Suddenly, her mind went back to their discussion about sleeping with each other, when they were discussing the contract. Is it finally time for her to exercise her wifely duties?Christian noticed her absent-mindedness during dinner, and subtly wondered what was wrong with her. As soon as he finished his dinner, he dashed upstairs, while Olivia cleared their plates and put them in the sink. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Maybe she was reading too much into his words. Maybe tonight wasn’t what she thought it would be. But the nerves wouldn’t go away.She finally made her way upstairs, hesitating at the door of their shared bedroom. She rubbed her palms together, trying to calm her nerves. It was time. She pushed the door open slowly, her gaze immediately finding Christian sitting on the bed, his posture relaxed but his expression unreadable.She swallowed the lump in her t
Olivia’s words lingered in the air after her little confession. The silence between her and Christian thickened with the passing second. She watched as Christian had an array of expressions on his face, from surprise to intense concern, his lips pressing into a thin line.“So, you mean to tell me that you saw the vehicle at the amusement park?”, he asked with an unreadable expression. Olivia just nodded in affirmation, unable to open her mouth.His expression quickly switched to disappointment and he switched. “And you didn’t think to tell me about it?" he shouted at her.Olivia shot up in surprise. “How are you blaming me for this? I wouldn’t know they were kidnappers. And please keep it down," Olivia said, unwilling to back down for the first time.“I just didn’t want to jump to conclusions. I mean… they could very well be another family enjoying their time at the park”, she said softly, trying to calm the situation.Christian stood up abruptly and took his phone. “We'll discuss thi
Chapter 27The early morning light filtered through the curtains as Olivia stirred, her body stiff from the restless night. She had barely slept, her mind plagued with thoughts of the argument she and Christian had the previous night. It felt like an insurmountable wall had risen between them, and Olivia wasn’t sure how to climb it, or if she even wanted to anymore.She looked over at Eunice who was breathing softly beside her. This little girl was the only connection between her and Christian as of now. And she’s thankfully oblivious to the trouble that surrounds them at this point. Christian remained in the armchair, his face hardened even in sleep. Olivia watched him for a moment, the ache in her chest growing stronger. He looked like a stranger now, the warmth that had once flickered between them replaced by a cold, unreadable distance.Olivia quietly slid out of bed, careful not to wake Eunice. She needed some space, some air to clear her head before facing the inevitable convers
Chapter 90The mansion felt emptier than ever, even with everyone inside. Olivia sat in the dimly lit living room, staring at the untouched cup of tea Ruth had placed before her hours ago. Christian hadn’t spoken to her since they returned from the failed rescue attempt at the warehouse. Not a single word, not even a glance in her direction. His silence was louder than any accusation could have been.From across the room, Ruth watched Olivia carefully. Her brows knit with concern. Josh entered, his laptop tucked under his arm. “Any updates?” Ruth asked softly.Josh shook his head, his expression grim. “No leads." The trail went cold after the warehouse. "I've got a few people digging into Elise’s connections, but...” He hesitated, glancing toward Christian, who stood by the window, his back to everyone.Olivia couldn’t take it anymore. She pushed herself up from the couch and crossed the room to meet him. “Christian,” she began, her voice small but steady. “We need to talk.”He didn’t
Chapter 89Olivia and Ruth were pacing around in the in the stifling atmosphere. Olivia sat on the edge of the couch, her hands twisting the scarf that had now become a cruel reminder of Eunice’s abduction. Ruth hovered nearby, her calming presence a balm Olivia desperately clung to. Meanwhile, Christian and Josh were locked in a flurry of activity, coordinating with law enforcement and private investigators. Every phone call, every lead, seemed to come up short.Olivia’s chest felt like it was being crushed under the weight of helplessness. Eunice is out there somewhere. Alone. Frightened. The thought nearly undid her. She forced herself to focus on Christian’s promise. He would move mountains to bring Eunice home. He had to.“We’ve got a lead,” Josh announced, though his tone lacked the confidence she had hoped for. “The car was spotted in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. A team is already on the way.”Olivia bolted to her feet. “I’m coming with you.”Christian’s
Chapter 88There was a long, tense pause before Christian responded, his voice cold and clipped. “I’m on my way. Stay there and don’t let anyone leave until I get there.” Olivia ended the call, her mind racing. Who had taken Eunice, and how had they known enough to impersonate Christian? As fear churned in her chest, she forced herself to stay calm, knowing she needed to keep her head clear.Olivia quickly dialled Josh’s number, her hands trembling. He picked up almost immediately. “Olivia? What’s wrong?” Josh’s normally laid-back tone was laced with alarm. “Eunice... she’s gone,” Olivia said, barely able to keep her voice steady. “The teacher said someone who looked like me picked her up. Christian’s on his way, but I need you and Ruth to check if she somehow made it home.”“What?!” Josh barked, his disbelief evident. In the background, Olivia heard Ruth asking what was happening. “We’re on it,” Josh said firmly. “Stay calm. We’ll call you back as soon as we check the house.” Olivia
Chapter 87The sun rose over the Mason mansion, bathing its grand façade in golden light. Christian stood in the kitchen, dressed in a sharp navy suit, scanning through his emails on his phone while sipping his morning coffee. The distant sound of Eunice’s giggles echoed upstairs, followed by Olivia’s cheerful voice coaxing her to finish her breakfast.The excitement of the day was palpable. It was Parents’ Sports Day at Eunice’s school, and the young girl could barely contain her enthusiasm.“Uncle Christian! Olivia!” Eunice’s voice rang out as she bounded into the kitchen. She wore a bright yellow T-shirt with the school logo and black athletic shorts, her hair tied back in a ponytail that swayed as she moved.Christian smiled, setting down his coffee. “Ready for your big day, champ?”“More than ready!” Eunice grinned, clutching a water bottle and a small towel. “Are you coming with us?”Christian crouched to her level and brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. “I’ll drive yo
Chapter 86It was September already. Two months since Carey’s arrest and the end of their misery. The air was cool and filled with the faint scent of fall, signalling the start of a new chapter. Sunlight poured through the grand windows of the Mason mansion, casting a golden glow across the marble floors as the household stirred awake.Eunice’s excitement was infectious. She bounced down the stairs dressed in a neatly pressed uniform, her hair tied into two perfect braids adorned with small blue ribbons that matched her school colours. Her backpack was almost as big as she was, but the confident grin on her face made it seem like nothing could weigh her down.“Olivia! Uncle Christian! Are you ready yet?” Eunice called out, her voice echoing through the halls.“Someone’s excited,” Christian said, emerging from the kitchen with a cup of coffee in hand, dressed impeccably in his tailored suit. He ruffled Eunice’s hair playfully, earning a giggle.Olivia appeared moments later, balancing
Chapter 85The Mason mansion is suddenly alive with an air of celebration and gratitude, a stark contrast to the tensions that filled its halls for months until the day before. The soft glow of chandeliers reflected off the polished floors as Christian stood in the centre of the living room, his expression relaxed for the first time in what felt like forever.Olivia entered the room carrying a tray of champagne glasses and juice boxes. Her simple dress highlighted her elegance. Eunice trailed behind her, holding a plate of cookies, her face beaming with excitement.“Is everyone here yet?” Olivia asked as she set the tray down on the table.“Almost,” Christian replied, his gaze softening as it landed on her. “Josh just called. He and Ruth are on their way.”“Good,” Olivia said with a smile, glancing down at Eunice. “Go wash your hands before they get here, sweetheart.”Eunice nodded and hurried off, her footsteps echoing faintly in the distance.Minutes later, the doorbell rang, and Ch
Chapter 84Olivia perked up on the bed. “What good news? Is it about the recent happenings?" she asked eagerly.“Yes and no”, Christian said vaguely.“What do you mean by yes and no? Just choose one. Yes or no," she said, glaring at him.Christian sighed. “Josh didn’t say everything. He says he doesn’t want to jinx it, but when he confirms, he will tell me about it in the morning. We just need to wait."Olivia nodded in response, while Christina got on the bed and turned off the lights.The next morning, the first rays of sunlight spilled through the curtains of the master bedroom. Christian stirred, his arm resting protectively over Olivia as he blinked himself awake.Olivia lay beside him, still fast asleep, her features peaceful despite the storm they had faced. He watched her for a moment, marvelling at her resilience, before carefully slipping out of bed. He couldn’t afford to waste time—not with the opportunity they now had to strike back.Downstairs, Christian poured himself a
Chapter 83Time quickly rolled by, and it was already evening. The sun had already set on the other side of the city. Inside the Mason mansion, Olivia had just finished making some spaghetti. She stood by the kitchen window, watching Eunice play with her dolls in the dining room. Her earlier resolve to tell Christian about the phone call lingered in her mind, but the worry had begun to twist in her chest like a persistent ache.The sound of the front door opening broke her thoughts. Christian’s familiar stride echoed through the hall. He appeared in the kitchen doorway moments later, his tie loosened and a tired yet relieved look on his face.“Hey,” he greeted, his voice softening as his gaze landed on her. “Hey,” Olivia replied, brushing a stray curl off her face.Christian’s eyes shifted toward the patio. “She looks happy,” he said, nodding toward Eunice, whose laughter floated through the air.Olivia smiled faintly. “She had a good day. Her scrapbook is coming along. Glitter everyw
Chapter 82The dawn of a new week painted the Massachusetts skyline in hues of gold and rose. Inside the Mason estate, a tranquil scene unfolded. Olivia, with a gentle hum, prepared Eunice’s breakfast. The little girl, her usual sparkle dimmed by the post-graduation blues, was greeted with a plate of whimsical star-shaped pancakes. The sweet aroma of maple syrup filled the air, a comforting reminder of simpler times.Eunice’s eyes lit up, her frown melting away. She took a bite of the fluffy pancake, a smile spreading across her face. Olivia watched her daughter with a fond smile, relieved to see the return of her cheerful spirit. As they sat together, the warmth of the morning sun and the joy of a shared meal filled the room. It was a simple start to a new week, but it was a start filled with love and hope. Of course, threats from Carey and other unknown sources lurk behind the shadows somewhere.Christian entered the kitchen, already dressed in a sharp charcoal suit. He stopped to p