As Emily's tears subsided, she noticed a figure standing beside her.Leo's gentle but firm voice broke the silence. "Mrs. Cole?"Emily looked up, surprised."How did you...?" she began."I've been trying to reach the CEO," Leo explained. "Your mother's condition is critical. We will need to do something."Emily’s eyes became watery all over again.“I don’t know what to do, Leo, I can’t afford another surgery, and what if she doesn’t make it? Dr. Maxwell says he can’t guarantee the surgery’s success.”“So what do I do?” Emily sobbed bitterly, she couldn’t hold back her tears, her body shook violently and Leo was at a loss for what to do.Leo took several steps away from Emily and made a phone call, his expression resolute.“Hello?” Kayla’s voice came through from the other side.“Miss Kayla?” Leo confirmed.“Yes, this is Kayla. Who’s this?” She replied.“I’m Leo, Mr Lucas’s personal assistant,” Leo began.On the other side, Kayla’s lips paused in confusion. “Leo?”“Mrs. Cole is in the
A few minutes after the discussion, Dr. Maxwell nodded and left to finalize the preparations. Lucas returned back to Emily, kneeling before her."Emily, I'm going to make sure your mother gets the best care possible. She's going to be okay."Emily's tears flowed freely again, but this time, they were tears of relief. For the first time, she felt like she wasn't facing this battle alone.After the tense and emotional night at the hospital, Lucas ensured everything was in place for Emily’s mother’s transfer to the hospital in India.He had stayed by Emily’s side until her mother was safely on the private jet. When it was finally time to leave the hospital, Emily was emotionally and physically drained, her eyes red and puffy from crying, and her body slumped against Lucas for support.“Let’s get you home,” Lucas said softly, his arm securely around her waist. His usual coldness had melted away in the face of Emily’s pain, and he found himself wanting to comfort her more than ever.Emi
The dinner party was in full swing, with laughter and chatter filling the air.As Lucas interacted with the other businessmen who came up to him, Emily stood by his side silent, her smile fixed, her eyes scanned the room, taking in the sea of unfamiliar faces.She excused herself, her voice barely audible.“Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”Lucas nodded casually, returning his attention to the conversation he was having.Emily approached the table with drinks and picked up a glass of wine, taking a small sip. She started to crave her solitude, but that seemed like a distant dream in the midst of this crowd. Emily took a seat beside the table, her eyes fixed on Lucas. She hadn’t paid so much attention before, but she had to admit he was so good-looking in that tailored black tuxedo that properly accentuated his chiseled features.She had noticed several women casting admiring glances at him, for a moment she felt a surge of pride as his wife.Minutes passed, Emily began to feel like so
Emily collapsed onto her bed, her body and mind completely drained from the events of the night. The confrontation with her family, Lucas’s unexpected protectiveness, and the lingering whispers from the dinner party all swirled in her thoughts. She tried to process it all, but exhaustion claimed her, pulling her into a deep, dreamless sleep.While Emily rested, Lucas stood outside on his balcony, staring into the night sky, a wine glass loosely gripped in his hand. Sleep, as usual, was far from him. His mind wouldn’t let him rest, especially not tonight.Thoughts of Emily kept surfacing, no matter how hard he tried to push them away. The way she had handled her father and stepmother, the cold confidence she had shown, and the vulnerability she only allowed him to see. He was beginning to realize there was so much more to her than he initially thought. But that realization came with a dangerous thought which was the clause in their contract. ‘No emotional attachment.’He had written t
The morning chaos of the media frenzy still lingered in Emily's mind as she sat alone in the living room, the quiet unsettling after the storm of the headlines. The newspapers lay scattered across the coffee table, their relentless questions and theories swirling around her. ‘The stray daughter becomes a billionaire’s wife.’That line had been burned into her thoughts ever since she read it. The media had pieced together her connection to Joel Vincent. Every painful detail of her past, from the fallout with her father to now being tied to Lucas, was out there for the world to scrutinize. Her phone buzzed incessantly with messages and calls, some from people she had not heard from in years, others from strangers. Everyone suddenly wanted to know her side of the story, but she couldn’t bring herself to answer any of them.She had tried to focus on anything but the media circus, but her mind kept circling back to one thought and that was her mother. The one person who had always been h
Meanwhile, at Lucas’s office, he was occupied with work activities and also working on the media uproar.A few minutes later, Lucas stared at his phone, his chest tightening as Dr. Maxwell’s words echoed in his mind. Emily’s mother was gone. The news had hit him like a blow, one he hadn’t been prepared for. He had been expecting an update about the surgery, some hopeful progress, but instead, he was left with the weight of the devastating truth. "She passed away this afternoon, Mr. Cole," Dr. Maxwell had said, his tone solemn. "I tried reaching out to Emily, but I thought you should know first, given the situation."“She couldn't fight further… The surgery had a very slight chance of survival given her condition.”Lucas rubbed a hand over his face, standing by the large windows in his office. His mind raced, thoughts of Emily consuming him. How was he going to tell her? She had already been through so much, and now this?He didn't know how to break it to her, or worse, how to comfort
She breathed deeply, trying to clear her mind. Her mother’s death had taken a huge toll on her. Emily's mind reeled as she thought about the contract. What would happen now? Would Lucas still want to marry her? Did she still want to marry him?As she stared back at Lucas, memories flooded her mind. Her mother's laughter, her smile, their countless conversations. Emily's eyes welled up with tears.Suddenly, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. Lucas stood in front of her, his eyes filled with compassion."It’s okay to cry, Emily. Let it all out.” He coaxedEmily nodded, her voice caught in her throat. Lucas wrapped his arms around her, holding her close."You don't have to be strong all the time, Emily," he whispered. “I’ll be here for you."In that moment, Emily felt a sense of surrender. She allowed herself to lean into Lucas, to let go of her grief, even if it was only for a moment.Her entire body shook with uncontrollable sobs, losing her mother felt like losing a part of hers
Emily breathed deeply, trying to clear her mind. The shock of believing her mother was dead had taken an immense toll on her, but now the revelation that it had all been a mistake was almost too much to process. Lily was alive and recovering in India after a mix-up with her medical records. It felt like a surreal dream, like she was on an emotional rollercoaster that wouldn’t stop.She had been preparing for the worst, mourning her mother’s death in her heart, only to have the ground shift beneath her with the news that Lily was still fighting, still holding on. Relief and disbelief washed over her in alternating waves, but beneath that, a creeping dread lingered.Lucas had been there for her through it all. His presence had been steady, his support unwavering, and now, as the weight of the news settled, she found herself relying on him more than she ever expected. She felt closer to him than ever, but her mind was a whirlwind of emotions.Sitting down in front of the dressing mirror,
As Zoe approached Emily's room, she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She had to be careful, had to make sure she didn't arouse any suspicion.She pushed open the door to Emily's room, her eyes quickly scanning the corridors before stepping in. "Hi Emily, how are you feeling?" she asked, deliberately changing her voice.Emily looked up from the book she was reading, a hint of wariness in her eyes. A nurse wearing a mask with no name tag on her uniform seemed pretty suspicious. "I'm fine, thanks," she replied, her voice cautious.Zoe's eyes flicked around the room, taking in the various machines beeping and whirring around Emily. She spotted the IV pole standing next to Emily's bed, the clear plastic bag hanging from it with an almost empty content.“I’m here to change your IV drip,” Zoe explained her voice calm and steady as she walked towards the bed.With a practiced hand, Zoe reached out and adjusted the IV drip, her fing
As Emily's recovery progressed, Lucas found himself spending more and more time by her side. He'd sit with her for hours, watching her sleep, holding her hand, and talking to her even when she wasn't awake.But despite the progress she was making, Emily couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She had fragmented memories of the accident, but whenever she tried to piece them together, her mind drew a blank.Lucas noticed her unease and tried to reassure her. "You're safe now, Emily. I won't let anything happen to you." He held Emily’s arms, both of them sitting in comfortable silence each immersed in their own thoughts.Lucas's phone buzzed, breaking the silence. He answered, and Leo's voice came on, saying they'd caught the truck driver, but he was adamantly refusing to talk. Lucas's face darkened, and a hint of danger flashed in his eyes.He looked at Emily, his gaze and voice becoming unusually soft. "I'll be right back, Emily. Call me if you need anything." He leaned down
Lucas sat by Emily’s hospital bed, his hands clasped tightly together as if in prayer. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound in the room, each beep a reminder of her fragility. His jaw clenched as he stared at her pale face, a stark contrast to the fiery, determined woman he had come to know. A dark strand of her hair had fallen across her forehead, and he reached out to brush it back gently, his fingers lingering for a moment. "Emily," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You can't leave me. Not now, not ever." The door creaked open, and Lucas turned sharply to see Leo stepping in, a grim expression on his face. “We’ve got the footage, sir,” Leo began, keeping his voice low out of respect for Emily's condition. “The truck’s license plate was fake. It wasn’t an accident.” Lucas’s eyes darkened, his expression cold and unreadable. “Who’s behind it?” “We’re working on it,” Leo replied. “But based on the pattern, it looks like someone wanted to se
Emily sat at her study desk, lost in thought. Despite having her life under control, a nagging feeling persisted. She couldn't quite put her finger on what was missing. Frustrated and exhausted, she dropped onto her bed, sighing deeply.Just as sleep beckoned, her phone beeped with an incoming message. "Hey, Em! I hope you're doing okay." Emily's gaze drifted to the screen, not so interested until she saw the sender's name: Kayla.She shot up from the bed, screaming, "OH MY GOD, KAYLA!!!" Grabbing her phone, she dialed Kayla's number. After several rings, the call connected.Emily felt a surge of guilt. She had neglected her best friend for far too long. Her voice softened as she whispered, "Hey, Kayla...""How are you, Emily?" Kayla's voice carried a hint of hurt, despite her attempts to hide it.Emily's words caught in her throat. She had no idea where to begin. "I'm so sorry, Kayla. Really, I am." The line hung with uncomfortable silence.Kayla's response came slowly, "It's been su
The campus of Lumina Arts and Fashion was a hive of creativity, filled with students rushing around with fabric swatches, sketchbooks, and mannequins. Emily adjusted her bag strap as she stepped into the main building, marveling at the energy in the air. It was worlds apart from the chaos of her past life. Here, she felt a spark of hope, an opportunity to redefine herself. She entered her fashion illustration class, choosing a seat near the back. A girl with dark curls and warm brown eyes slid into the seat beside her, offering a friendly smile. “Hi, I’m Kathrine,” she said, extending her hand. Emily smiled back and shook it. “Hi, I’m Emily. Nice to meet you.” The two quickly fell into an easy rhythm. Katherine's bubbly nature helped ease Emily’s nerves, and by the end of class, they were chatting about their shared interest in sustainable fashion. During a break, Katherine leaned closer, her voice dropping. “So, Emily, you’re new here, right? What’s your story?” Emily he
Joel's eyes lingered on the door, his mind swirling with doubts. Could she be right? Was someone close to him betraying him? He shook his head, refocusing on the task at hand.The next morning, Lucas received an update on Vincent Media's financial status. The embezzlement allegations had sparked a frenzy among investors, and Joel's company was on the brink of collapse."Sir, it's getting ugly," his assistant, Leo reported. "Vincent Media's stock has plummeted, and there are rumors of a takeover."Lucas's expression turned thoughtful. This could be the opportunity he had been waiting for. He had watched how Emily was treated in that family and had vowed to return the favor, without Emily’s knowledge of course."Prepare a team to review Vincent Media's financials," Lucas instructed. "I want to know exactly what's going on and who is responsible.”Meanwhile, Emily's mother was making steady progress in her recovery. That evening, Emily finally got the call she had been waiting for. Emil
Emily couldn’t sleep after hearing the news. Her mother was awake. It was a miracle she had barely dared to hope for, and now, it was her reality. Every few minutes, she found herself looking at her phone, as if the call had been a dream. She would wait for that video call, but she already felt lighter, as if a weight she’d carried for years was finally lifting.Lucas noticed her restless energy as he came home that night. He set down his briefcase, watching her pace by the window, her eyes distant.“Emily?” he called softly, and she turned to him, her face alight with emotion.“Lucas… my mom’s awake,” she whispered, her voice trembling with joy.A smile spread across his face as he walked over, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Emily, that’s incredible news. She’s really okay?”“She’s recovering. Dr. Maxwell said she’s still weak, but… she’s awake.” Tears brimmed in her eyes, and Lucas gently brushed them away.“Then we’ll go see her as soon as she’s ready. I’ll arrange everything,”
At Vincent’s media company Vincent sat in his office his eyes scanning documents, he was rarely at the office and had a lot to approve, especially after signing a new business deal.Ryan, Joel’s trusted assistant and the company’s finance officer knocked on the office door, his expression grim."Sir, there’s something you must know about"Joel looked up from his computer, his eyes searching Ryan’s worried face."What's wrong, Ryan?"Ryan hesitated. "I've noticed some unexplained financial activities. Transactions that don't add up, payments to unknown vendors... I think we might be having a serious problem."Joel's expression turned serious. “How’s that possible? And why am I only hearing about this now?” He bellowed, his tone laced with undeniable anger."Get the board together. We’re having a meeting. Now!”The conference room filled with worried faces. Joel Vincent, stood at the head of the table, pacing to and fro every now and then."Gentlemen, ladies, It has been brought to my
Emily couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this nervous. Standing in the middle of campus, surrounded by students hurrying between buildings, she clutched her new books against her chest, inhaling deeply. The familiar scent of paper and ink filled the air, mingling with the crisp autumn breeze. She’d dreamed about this moment for so long, but now that she was finally here, it felt surreal.Her phone buzzed in her bag, and she fished it out to find a message from Lucas:“How’s it going, college girl?” She smiled, feeling her nerves ease a bit as she typed a reply. “Overwhelming, but good. Thanks to you, Mr. Cole.”“I’m proud of you, and I’ll see you later. You’ve got this.” He messaged back.Slipping her phone back into her bag, Emily took a steadying breath. She knew she still had a lot to learn, not just academically but about how to fit into this new world. But she reminded herself she had fought for this opportunity, and now it was hers.Back at Colecrest, Lucas prepared h