Lana pov. Jenkin has been missing for days, and he hasn't provided any updates on his search for my son. Caroline tried calling him from a different number, but there was still no response. I have no idea if he’s even alive. I sighed deeply, my heart pounding with anxiety. "What did you say the guy's name was again?" Caroline asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she tapped away on her screen, which was starting to act up. "I don't know which guy you're referring to, Caroline. You've asked about so many; which one do you mean?" She looked up at me, and I noticed her gaze. I feigned interest in some files on my shelf to avoid getting frustrated with her. "Lana, are you serious? I'm talking about the guy who's helping you find your missing child.” "Oh, Jenkin," I said, trying to keep my cool. "I’m starting to think he’s pulled a Houdini on me, Caroline. It’s like he just poofed into thin air." Caroline’s eyes went wide with worry. "That’s not great. We need to ge
Lana pov When we arrived at the cafe, we snagged the last available seat, but I felt frustrated that we always ended up in this position during our visits. I frowned as we settled in near my favorite flower verse, which was the only thing that managed to lift my spirits, even if it made me smile. I couldn't help but notice Caroline, who had been grinning at her phone since we walked in. I inquired, perplexed, "What is so amusing that you cannot take your eyes off your phone?" She did not respond, continuing to laugh at her amusement rather than at anything I had said. Her demeanor made me increasingly uncomfortable, prompting me to shift in my seat three times. A sense of jealousy washed over me as I realized she was engrossed in a conversation with someone else. "Caroline?" I called out in a calm tone. She merely shrugged and nodded slightly, avoiding eye contact. "What is it, Lana? You have been calling my name. Please place your order, and I will place mine, as it seems you no
Lana pov As I got closer to the woman, she had already purchased her package and was about to leave when I quickly called out to her. "Excuse me, miss. Good evening," I said in a calm tone, flashing a wide smile. She furrowed her brows and took a small step back. "Hello..." "It's me, Lana, the woman who brought her baby to Bianca's orphanage. Don't you remember? It's me!" I repeated, trying to help her recognize me, but she looked confused by my words. Why was she so taken aback by my description? "Ma'am, I don't understand you, and I can't recall you, Lana. I did work at the orphanage as a cleaner, but so many people come through that I can't remember them all." Tears began to flow down my face as I stood there in silence. "Madan, do you really not recognize her? This is Lana," Caroline said gently, giving my shoulder a reassuring pat. The woman shook her head. "No, I don't know her." "Then where is my child?" I shouted, my voice reverberating around us. The woman's f
Lana pov As I entered my office, I bumped into someone, and the impact sent a jolt of pain through my shoulder. I hunched over, rubbing the spot where the pain radiated. "Ah!" I groaned. Who could have hit me so hard? The force wasn't anything gentle. When I looked up, I saw it was Donovan. I took a step back, my anger flaring. What was that all about? I approached him and tapped his shoulder. "Did you have weights on your shoulders? That was just a simple bump, and I’m…," but he cut me off. "I'm sorry, Lana, it was an accident," he said, his voice sincere and his eyes downcast. I didn’t care about his apologies; I wasn’t going to let it slide. "You… ouch!" I winced again. "Sorry…" "If you touch me again, I swear I’ll use my pen to send you to your grave, you idiot! How could you be so careless?" I growled, but he kept his eyes on the floor. Memories flooded back of how I had pleaded for his forgiveness, only for him to throw divorce papers at me. What a disrespectf
Sarah pov I secretly tracked my husband Donovan's whereabouts after he left home early as if he had a business meeting with his employees. He had mentioned this during our late-night conversation. My heart sank when he brought up visiting the office the next day to discuss something with his team. It had been months since he had such a significant idea. The next morning, his cheerful demeanor raised my suspicions; something felt off, and I wasn't going to ignore it. As soon as he drove off in his red Camry TRD, I decided to follow him. Perhaps he needed an escort; who knows? I drove slowly to avoid drawing attention. I thought to myself that Princess always knew how to handle things as I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my eyes fixed on his car. Suddenly, I realized he was heading to Lana's office again. I parked a meter away, ensuring I had a clear view. I waited for him to step out of his car, not for any particular reason, but to understand why he was there. My jaw dropped
Lana pov It's been ages—like, weeks turning into months—since I last laid eyes on Bryan, but I absolutely must grab him some chocolate from the Mall. I've got this grand plan to swing by his school before they close up shop for the day. As the morning sun beamed into my room, it was like a spotlight saying, "Hey, sleepyhead, rise and shine!" I tried to block out the rays that were practically begging to invade my eyelids since I forgot to close the curtains. "Lana, wake up! It's morning! I made breakfast for us!" That voice? Totally Caroline. But wait a minute… I shot up, tossing the throw pillow I was clutching like a lifeline. Did Caroline seriously crash at my place without me even knowing? I whispered to myself, glancing at the clock—6:00 am. Way too early for breakfast, but honestly, that’s not even my main concern. What on earth is she doing here? I stormed over to my wardrobe, flinging it open with a bang that echoed like a dramatic entrance. I snatched my pajamas and thre
Lana pov I gasped, my hands flying to my cheeks in disbelief when Caroline suddenly leaped in front of Sarah and slapped her right across the face. “Are you out of your mind? How could you even think about slapping Mrs. Lana? Have you completely lost it?” She growled, fury radiating from her. Honestly, I was shocked—sure, I didn’t expect her to slap me, but I thought she’d at least drag Bryan away. My heart was racing, imagining the worst possible outcomes. Should I step in or let Caroline have her moment of glory? My face flushed as she prepared to swing at Caroline, but we both caught her hand mid-air. Caroline’s expression was priceless, her eyes wide with disbelief. “What… h-h-how could you?” she stammered, and I jumped in to finish her thought. “What’s the meaning of this? Sweetheart, you started this whole mess! How dare you raise your hand at me? Don’t you have any respect for someone with my level of dignity?” I shot back, releasing her hand and taking a step back.
Author pov The shadows wrapped around Lana like a bad date when nightmares of her child crashed into her mind, sending chills down her spine. She was so rattled, she couldn't even catch her breath. Panting like she just run a marathon, she jolted awake, her eyes racing around the room. And just when she thought it couldn't get worse, she realized Caroline had rolled off the bed during the night. "Caroline? Caroline?" she called out, her voice trembling like a leaf in the wind. "Caroline?" she shouted, and just then, the light flicked on, revealing Caroline's wide-eyed expression. "What's the drama, Lana?" she asked, striding over to the bed like she was on a mission. Lana was too breathless to respond, her hands gripping the mattress as her chest heaved. Caroline's face shifted from irritation to genuine worry as she noticed Lana's panicked demeanor. "Lana, what’s going on? You look like you just saw a horror movie!" She hurried over, plopping down next to her and giving her
The Truth Unfolds Lana’s POV I sat in the living room, the weight of everything pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. My mind spun with all the revelations from the past few days—Leo’s betrayal, Sarah’s twisted games, and the danger we were all in. It felt like the walls were closing in on me, and I had no idea who to trust anymore. Donovan stood by the window, his face unreadable as he stared out into the night. The silence between us was thick, and I knew there was more he hadn’t told me yet. I could feel it in the air, a tension that seemed to tighten with every passing second. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and strained. "Lana, there’s something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you a long time ago." I looked up at him, my heart pounding. "What is it, Donovan? I don’t think I can handle any more surprises." He turned to face me, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt and determination. "Remember when we thought I couldn’t have children? When we believed I w
Truth Lana’s POV My hands shook as I stood over the knife, my heart pounding. The air felt thick with tension, and I could hardly breathe. Leo was still wrestling with the stranger on the floor, and I knew I had to act fast. “Get off him!” I shouted, hoping to break through the chaos. Leo glanced up, his face smeared with sweat and determination. “Lana, I can handle this! Just—” But before he could finish, the stranger threw him to the side. Leo hit the wall with a loud thud, and I winced at the sound. “Now, where were we?” the man said, grinning menacingly. I tightened my grip on the knife, trying to steady my racing thoughts. Who was this guy? Why had he come here? “Get away from him!” I yelled, stepping forward, ready to protect Leo at all costs. The man turned his gaze toward me, his smile widening. “You think you can stop me? You don’t even know what’s happening here.” “What are you talking about?” I snapped. He straightened up, brushing off his clothes like he
The Storm Lana’s POV My heart raced as I looked from Donovan to Leo, who was blocking our only way out. The air was thick with tension, and the darkness felt like it was closing in on me. I had never been so terrified in my life. “Lana, listen to me!” Donovan said urgently, his eyes fixed on me. “We can’t let him get to you. We need to stick together.” “Together?” Leo sneered, stepping forward. “Do you think that will save you? You’re both just pawns in my game.” “What game?” I shot back, trying to keep my voice steady. “What do you want?” Leo grinned, but there was no warmth in it. “I want everything. You, Lana. Your trust. Your love. I want to destroy Donovan, and you’re the key to making that happen.” I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. How had I misjudged him so completely? I had thought Leo was my ally, someone I could trust, but now he was showing a dark side I had never seen before. “Lana, don’t listen to him!” Donovan shouted, stepping protectively in front of me. “
All Lies Lana’s POV The night was thick with tension, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being watched. Sarah and I sat in the dim light of the cabin, huddled together as we planned our next move against Donovan. I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting back to the shadow I had seen outside. “Lana, are you even listening?” Sarah’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Sorry, I just…” I hesitated, trying to find the right words. “I keep thinking about Donovan. What if he is coming for us?” Sarah rolled her eyes, irritation flashing across her face. “Donovan is a monster. He will do anything to get to you. We need to stay focused.” As she spoke, I felt a knot tightening in my stomach. Something didn’t feel right. The more I thought about it, the more I began to question Sarah’s intentions. Was she really on my side, or was she just trying to protect herself? Suddenly, the front door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside. My heart raced as I turned, ready to confront
Unexpected Lana’s POV The days following Donovan’s death—if it was even that—were a blur. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare, each moment dragging on as I tried to process everything that had happened. Leo was gone. The thought crushed me. I could still hear his voice, his laughter, and his promises echoing in my mind. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall, my heart heavy with grief. Leo had fought for me. He had given everything to protect me, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had failed him. I should have been there. I should have done something more. “Lana, are you okay?” Caroline’s voice broke through my thoughts. She stood in the doorway, concern etched on her face. I forced a smile, but it felt hollow. “Yeah, just thinking.” “Thinking about Leo?” she asked gently, stepping closer. I nodded, tears welling in my eyes. “I can’t believe he’s gone. He didn’t deserve this.” “I know,” Caroline said, sitting beside me. “He loved you, Lana. And you loved
The Truth UnveiledLana’s POVThe chaos in the cabin was overwhelming. I felt my heart racing as Donovan’s men stormed in, and I barely had time to process what was happening. The air was thick with tension, and I could hear the sound of fists hitting flesh, shouts of anger, and the shattering of furniture. I had to focus. I had to protect Sarah.“Sarah!” I yelled, scanning the room for her. She was pressed against the wall, eyes wide with fear. “Lana, get out!” she shouted, her voice trembling. “They’re going to hurt you!”I pushed through the crowd, trying to reach her. But just then, Leo stepped in front of me, brandishing an axe with fierce determination. “Stay back!” he warned, ready to defend us. Suddenly, I heard Donovan’s laugh cut through the chaos. “You think you can save her, Leo?” His voice dripped with mockery. “You’re out of your league!”Without warning, a loud crash reverberated through the cabin as the front door burst open. Donovan stood there, a twisted smile on
BetrayedLana’s POVRunning through the thick trees, I could hear the sounds of footsteps pounding behind us. Panic surged in my chest. We had to get away before they caught up. “Where do we go?” Caroline shouted, glancing over her shoulder. I didn’t have a plan. “Just keep moving!” I yelled back, adrenaline coursing through my veins. My mind raced as I tried to think of a way out. Leo and Jax were close behind, their faces set with determination. “We need to find shelter,” Jax suggested, his voice steady despite the chaos. “There’s a cabin nearby. If we can reach it, we might be safe.”“Let’s go!” I replied, pushing through the branches that scratched my arms. My breath came in quick gasps, but I focused on putting one foot in front of the other. As we ran, I felt a twinge of guilt for Sarah. I couldn’t deny the pain she had caused, but there was a part of me that wondered how she had ended up this way. Did she ever have a choice? “Here!” Jax pointed ahead, and I saw the outline
ReckoningLana’s POVThe sound of gunfire still echoed in my ears as I rushed toward Sarah, adrenaline pumping through my veins. I had never imagined my life would lead to this moment—facing the woman who had caused me so much pain. Jax was right beside me, his expression fierce and focused. “Watch out!” he yelled as Sarah fired again. I ducked just in time, feeling the heat of the bullet whiz past my shoulder. “We need to flank her!” I shouted, trying to think clearly in the chaos. I signaled to Leo and Caroline, who were hiding behind the trees. They nodded, understanding the plan. “On three!” Jax said, his voice steady despite the chaos. “One, two, three!”We all moved at once, rushing toward Sarah from different angles. She looked frantic, scanning for us, her gun shaking in her hands. “Get back!” she screamed, her voice breaking. But we didn’t back down. I felt a surge of courage. This was my moment to take control. I could see the fear in her eyes as she faced us, her brava
The Calm Before the Storm Lana’s POV I felt a wave of anxiety was right over me. A hidden island? What if it was a trap? But there was no other choice; we couldn’t go back to the city. As we approached the island, I noticed that the trees loomed like dark shadows against the night sky. “What’s on this island?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. “A safe spot. I used to come here for quiet when things got crazy,” Jax replied, his eyes focused on the shoreline. We pulled up to a small, rocky beach. Jax quickly shut off the engine, and a heavy silence settled around us. I felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down. We climbed out of the boat and onto the shore, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. The air was thick with the scent of salt and damp earth. “Let’s find some cover,” Jax said, leading us into the trees. “We can’t stay exposed here.” As we walked deeper into the island, I felt a chill run down my spine. The shadows felt alive, shifting with every