Ina Carter stood at the floor-to-ceiling window of her high-rise Manhattan apartment, watching the city that never sleeps. Below, the streets buzzed with activity, a constant reminder of the ceaseless march of time and progress. It was an intoxicating view, one that had always filled her with a sense of accomplishment. Today, however, it filled her with an unnameable dread.Ina had built her life on precision and control. As the only daughter of a business magnate, she had grown up in boardrooms and learned to navigate corporate waters from an early age. Now, at twenty-five, she was poised to take the reins of her father's empire, Carter Enterprises. Her personal life seemed just as flawless; she was engaged to Martin Hayes, a charismatic entrepreneur who had swept her off her feet with his charm and vision.But today, as she stared out at the glittering city, Ina felt a tremor of uncertainty. She turned away from the window, trying to shake off the feeling. Her father's health
Billionaire Adam Caven sat in the dimly lit private lounge of his upscale bar, The Raven's Nest, a glass of bourbon in his hand. This was his sanctuary, a retreat from the ceaseless demands of his business empire. Known for his strict, stern demeanor and his lack of interest in women, Adam valued his solitude and guarded it fiercely, despite been known as the most eligible bachelor in the whole of new city he was not interested at al in all the publicity. The Raven's Nest was his creation, a place where he could observe the world from a distance, shielded by the walls of his private room. The bar was bustling with its usual weekend crowd, the sounds of laughter and music filtering through the heavy door. Adam preferred this sanctum, a refuge from the noise and chaos. Tonight, however, a nagging restlessness gnawed at him, a sense of unease he couldn’t quite place. He took a long sip of his bourbon, savoring the warmth as it slid down his throat. Deciding he needed to clear
Ina's eyes fluttered open to the unfamiliar surroundings of a dimly lit room. Her head pounded, a dull, persistent throb that matched the disorientation clouding her thoughts. She blinked, trying to clear her vision, and slowly, fragments of the previous night started to piece themselves together. The room was unfamiliar, a small hotel room with a single bed, and her body was tangled in the sheets. As she shifted, she felt a dull ache between her legs, a sensation both strange and uncomfortable. Panic started to set in, and she turned her head to see a man lying next to her, his back turned. He had dark hair, tousled from sleep, and his muscular shoulders rose and fell with each steady breath. A quick scan of the room showed clothes strewn carelessly around, a stark contrast to her usual neatness. It hit her like a tidal wave—she had just lost her virginity to a stranger. And she had no memory of the events that had led to this moment.The bar, the laughter, the drinks—all of th
Ina jolted awake to the harsh ringing of her phone, her heart pounding as she fumbled to answer it. "Hello?" she managed, her voice thick with sleep and lingering anxiety. "Ina Carter?" a calm, professional voice asked. "Yes, this is she," Ina replied, sitting up and trying to clear the fog from her mind. "This is Dr. Patel from St. Mary’s Hospital. I’m sorry to inform you that your father, Robert Carter, passed away early this morning. We were unable to reach your stepmother, Karen, and we need you to come in to sign the necessary documents to move his body to the mortuary." The words hit her like a physical blow. "No, no, this can't be happening," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I... I'll be there as soon as I can." As she ended the call, tears streamed down her face. The grief she had been holding at bay surged forward, consuming her. She buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. The last few days had been a nightmare, and now it felt like the final, cruel twis
Three months had passed since Ina's world began to unravel. Her life, once marked by routine and predictability, had become a series of relentless challenges. Today had added yet another burden to her already heavy load.Ina walked slowly through the dimly lit streets, her footsteps echoing softly against the pavement. The air was heavy with impending rain, the sky overcast and mirroring her somber mood. Earlier that day, a visit to the hospital had confirmed her worst fear: she was pregnant. The news had hit her like a punch to the gut, leaving her dazed and overwhelmed. The baby was the result of an unplanned one-night stand, a fleeting attempt to escape her troubles that had only compounded. Now, faced with the reality of her situation, she felt a mix of fear and deep sadness.As she neared her apartment building, the sight of its familiar, worn facade usually brought her a small measure of comfort. But today, something was different. A bright red notice was taped to the fron
Ina's heart sank as she read the job posting for a maid position. The pay was decent, and the prospect of a full-time job in one of the city's most affluent neighborhoods seemed like a dream come true. However, her hopes were dashed when she saw the requirement that the applicant must be without children.Ina sighed, feeling the weight of her situation pressing down on her. She was pregnant, a fact she hadn't fully come to terms with yet. Though her pregnancy made her hesitant, but the desperation for a job and a stable income pushed her to apply despite the odds.As she arrived at the entrance gate of the grand estate, the gatekeeper, a middle-aged man with a no-nonsense attitude, looked her up and down before speaking. "I'm not in charge of the applications. Wait here while I fetch Maria. She's the one you need to speak to."Ina nodded, trying to maintain her composure despite the nervousness gnawing at her. She stood to the side, her eyes scanning the impressive facade of the m
Ina didn't have much time to ponder her past or the circumstances that had led her to this grand estate. As soon as she settled into her modest room, Maria appeared at the door, her expression stern and professional."Follow me," Maria instructed, her tone leaving no room for questions.Ina quickly complied, following Maria through the winding hallways of the staff quarters until they arrived at a large room where three other women were waiting. The women looked up as Maria and Ina entered, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and disdain."Everyone, this is Ina," Maria announced, her voice firm. "She will be joining the staff as a maid. Make sure she understands her duties and the house rules."The women nodded, their eyes flicking over Ina with thinly veiled judgment. Maria then turned to Ina. "These are your colleagues. They'll help you get started. Work hard and follow their instructions."Without another word, Maria left the room, leaving Ina to face the three women who were
Ina's days at the grand estate were filled with a relentless barrage of challenges, both physical and emotional. Despite her unwavering determination to prove her worth, the constant bullying from the other maids made each day feel like an uphill battle. The mornings often began with a cruel reminder of her status among the staff. Ina would wake up early, eager to start her tasks and show her dedication but she would often find her door locked from the outside, a deliberate act by the other maids to delay her arrival and make her appear incompetent in front of Maria. This tactic of sabotage extended to her work duties as well. Whenever Ina carried something delicate, the other maids would conveniently place obstacles in her path, causing her to trip and often resulting in broken items. Despite her carefulness, accidents seemed to follow her like a shadow, adding to her sense of frustration and helplessness. Maria's constant warnings only added to the pressure. "Don't make any m