[Arella]Lincoln doesn’t answer immediately.Instead, there’s a moment—a brief, almost imperceptible hesitation—where his entire body stiffens, like he’s bracing for something. It’s subtle, but I catch it. And then, just as quickly, he recovers, sliding on that small, tired smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.“Everything’s fine, Ella. Why do you ask all of a sudden?”I narrow my eyes, unimpressed. Liar.“You look like shit,” I deadpan.Silence. A single beat of it. And then—Laughter.A deep, rumbling sound that vibrates straight through his chest, warm and infuriatingly infectious. It fills the car, making the space seem smaller, more intimate. Across from us, Ava briefly lifts her head from her phone, shooting us the kind of look people reserve for things they don’t understand—like watching a documentary about alien life forms or trying to solve advanced calculus. Then, just as quickly, she returns to whatever she was watching, completely unbothered.Lincoln, however, is still
[Lincoln]Dinner is served after the usual pleasantries, and for once, the atmosphere carries a quiet, almost deceptive warmth.For a fleeting moment, everything seems normal.But I should’ve known better.This isn’t the kind of family where warmth lasts. It’s more of a… brief flicker, a trick of the light, something you can almost believe in—until the inevitable cold slips back in, curling around your bones like an old, familiar ghost.It’s the kind of calm that always comes right before the storm.And I can feel it brewing.The tension simmers beneath the surface, thick and cloying, stretching itself thin across the air. It coils tighter and tighter, a silent undercurrent pulling us toward something ugly. My frown deepens when I catch the way Dad and Grandma have been exchanging silent glances all evening. Subtle—too subtle for most to notice.But I do notice.And so does Arella.Her brows pinch slightly, the movement barely perceptible, but then her fingers tighten—just briefly—aro
[Arella]My breath involuntarily hitches the moment my eyes land on him.It’s him.Mr. Clement Thompson.The same man who, if memory serves me correctly, has a bad habit of showing up uninvited to Sawyer family gatherings. Though, given the air of familiarity hanging around him this time, I’m not sure if he’s actually a guest or if he’s just pulling another one of his unwelcome stunts. Either way, I don’t know which would be worse.But before I can even begin to process what the hell he’s doing here, my gaze shifts—and the floor beneath me might as well give out.Because standing beside him, looking just as out of place yet disturbingly comfortable, is someone I never expected to see again.Her.The woman Lincoln pulled from the ocean in Costa Rica.Her eyes sweep cautiously over the room, flickering across unfamiliar faces, her expression unreadable until—Our eyes meet.We inch closer, hesitation crackling between us.And then—Shock.Mutual. Immediate. Overwhelming.A wave of disbe
[Lincoln]“Excuse me?”The words barely make it out of my throat—more of a stunned croak than an actual question. It’s like all the air has been sucked out of this space, leaving behind an eerie void where logic ceases to exist. My brain struggles to process the absurdity of what I just heard, like someone yanked the floor out from under me, and now I’m free-falling into a pit of absolute insanity.A sharp ringing buzzes in my ears, drowning out everything else. But my father’s words? Oh, they don’t go anywhere. They replay in my mind, over and over, like a scratched record of a sick joke that isn’t even remotely funny.What the hell did he just say?I seethe, my chest tightening, my pulse hammering so hard against my skull it’s a miracle my head hasn’t split open. My fingers dig into the arms of my chair, tension coiling in my muscles like a loaded spring.“What the hell do you mean by she is my betrothed?”The words come out low and lethal, coated in barely restrained rage. A storm
Hey, my loves! I hope you’ve all been enjoying the story so far! Lately, I’ve been uploading from my phone, which has made it a little tricky to add chapter titles—and sometimes, my copy-and-paste decides to double up on content (so sorry about that!). If you come across any chapters with repeated sections, don’t worry! I’ll fix them as soon as I get my PC up and running again. Thank you so much for your patience and endless support. It truly means the world to me! Sending you all the biggest hugs! (っ˘з(˘⌣˘ ) —Tarina 💕
[Arella]This tense silence in the dining room was suffocating, thick like a storm cloud ready to burst. The glint of the chandelier reflected off the polished mahogany table, casting sharp golden hues that did little to soften the tension crackling in the air. The scent of roasted lamb and spiced wine, once mouthwatering, now felt nauseating amidst the hostility that polluted the room."How dare you speak to the matriarch of this family like that?!" Aunt Trixy begins, her voice already high-pitched, ready to stir up even more trouble. "Do you even realiz—"Her words are silenced by the sharp, cutting glare from my mother-in-law."Look, Arella-" my father-in-law begins, his voice gruff, attempting to maintain some sense of control over the situation. But something in my gaze stops him dead in his tracks.The table falls eerily quiet.My eyes drift from Lincoln's grandmother to Clement Thompson, then to my father-in-law, taking my time, watching their expressions carefully. There’s
[Arella]The heavy silence that follows is deafening.The chessboard they so carefully arranged just lost its most valuable piece.Lisa.“Goddamn it!” Thompson barks, his voice slicing through the tension like a whip. The sound of his chair scraping against the polished floors is harsh, grating, a violent punctuation to his fury. He surges to his feet, his face a livid shade of red, veins bulging at his temple as he whirls toward my father-in-law.Something silent passes between them—something dark. A look, a shift in the air, an understanding that makes my father-in-law visibly pale. His throat bobs in a nervous swallow, his knuckles tightening on the armrests of his chair.Thompson’s voice drops into a deadly rasp. “This isn’t over.”And then he storms out, his shoes striking the ground with force, the echoing stomp of a man unwilling to accept defeat. His furious command ricochets off the high ceilings, filling the grand dining hall with his rage.“Lisa! Get back here right this in
[Arella]Weeks have passed. It’s almost laughable how life just moves on, sweeping away the chaos like it never happened. The whole ordeal with the Thompsons feels like a distant nightmare—something surreal and vague.And yet… the unease remains.Clement has gone quiet, too quiet. Too clean, too perfect. And if life has taught me anything, it’s that silence like this isn’t peace. It’s the eerie calm before the storm, the kind that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.But the real cherry on top? Lincoln.My husband—the ever-capable, ever-in-control Lincoln—has been on edge. Stressed. Distracted. His eyes are shadowed, his movements tense, his hands constantly rubbing at his temples like he's battling some unseen war. And despite my best efforts, despite the poking, the prodding, the strategic wife-level interrogation, he won’t tell me a damn thing.Trust me, I’ve tried.Repeatedly.It’s like prying open a steel vault with a butter knife.“Are you even listening to me,
[Arella] "Clement came back seven years later," Father in law continues, his voice calm, but there’s an edge to it—something bitter, something restrained. "By then, I had married Gladys. I had everything I wanted—a wife, my son, a growing empire, a future laid out exactly as it should be. And Clement already had a wife of his own. Lisa’s mother." He scoffs, shaking his head. "He claimed he wanted to make amends. That the past was behind us. That friendship meant more than old grudges. I should have known better. I did know better. But I let him in anyway, like a fool." A slow exhale, his fingers tightening around his glass. "He didn’t ask for money. Didn’t come with some grand business proposal wrapped in false generosity. No, he played it smarter this time. Said he only wanted to invest in my company, that he believed in my latest vision. And like a fool, I let him buy in. Gave him a seat at my table. Trusted that maybe, just maybe, he had changed." He shakes his head, his jaw
[Arella]Have you ever longed for something so deeply, only to be denied it over and over again? And then, when you finally get it, you feel... nothing?Because tell me why I’m sitting across from my father-in-law and grandmother-in-law in the dimly lit study of the Sawyer estate, their faces grim and pale, like they’re afraid to speak in my presence. The heavy scent of old books and polished wood lingers in the air, wrapping around us like a suffocating blanket. My father-in-law clears his throat, his Adam’s apple bobbing with unease."How have you been, Arella?" he asks, his voice measured, like he's trying to sound casual.I raise an eyebrow. "How have I been?" I repeat, the bitterness curling around my words before I can stop it.Seven months. Seven months of silence. Not a word from either of them. Every single family gathering between our families—declined. No messages, no explanations, nothing. And now, my father-in-law suddenly shows up at work, requesting my presence, expect
[Arella]"N-not yet, President," one of them stammers, shoulders hunched in defeat. "But we can assure you, with our budget handed over to us, we can—"I tsk, shaking my head. "Greedy, greedy, greedy—just like Deric. You won’t see a single cent from me. And if you dare make another move to disrupt my peace like this, I won’t just cut you off—I’ll reduce Ames Finances to nothing more than scraps in a flea market bargain bin."A stunned silence settles over the room. The weight of my words crushes any lingering defiance."If accountability is truly what you seek, then start by holding yourselves responsible for your own failures. I have no time for empty demands or misplaced outrage. So do us all a favor—take your so-called accountability and escort yourselves out of my conference room immediately before I make that decision for you."The man in the brown suit reddens with anger, jabbing an accusing finger in my direction. "You… you—"But no words come. I watch as they all file out, dej
[Arella]I don't think we can afford to waste any more time. "Sister-in-law, give us permission. Benson and I will go in your stead." Jordan states worriedly.Pacing my office, overlooking the bright San Diego skyline, I press my fingers to my temple, exhaling sharply. Why now, of all times? Why does everything seem to be unraveling all at once?"You know what? Yes. Let's do that," I say decisively, straightening my posture. "I'll send the location and details to you. Please do a thorough search—anything, no matter how small, might help us. Don’t leave any stone unturned."I meet both their gazes, ensuring they understand the weight of my words. They nod in unison, standing up, their expressions determined."Zach will be with you also," I add.Benson shakes his head. "I'd feel better if he could stick by your side for now, Arella. We don’t know what troubles might arise in today’s meeting."I nod, conceding the point. I should be en route to Florida by now, chasing Grandfather’s lates
PRESENT DAY[Lincoln]"Lincoln, could you please help me with my towel, honey?" Chloe calls from the bathroom, her voice carrying a sweet lilt."Okay," I say simply, standing from the bed and grabbing the towel before walking to the bathroom door. As soon as she opens it, her eyes gleam with something sultry, a slow, teasing smile curling her lips. She reaches out, wrapping her fingers around my wrist, attempting to pull me inside with her. Her bare skin glistens with moisture, steam curling around her in a thick haze, the scent of shampoo and body wash clinging to the air inside.I stand firm, my grip tightening slightly on the towel as I push it toward her instead. "I need to, uh... take my meds," I say awkwardly, retracting my hand swiftly and shutting the door before she can say anything else.My heart pounds slightly as I retreat to the bed, rubbing my temple before grabbing the small pill bottle on the nightstand. The little capsules spill into my palm, and with a resigned sigh,
[Lincoln]"Lincoln, stop! Please don't go!"The words echo like a haunting melody, looping endlessly in the depths of my mind. A voice—soft, desperate—pleading with me. I try to latch onto it, but it's slippery, dissolving before I can grasp its meaning. My head feels submerged, like I’m trapped underwater. The weightlessness is suffocating, yet everything around me is unbearably heavy. Distantly, I’m aware of movement, of muffled voices cutting through the thick fog clouding my thoughts. Floating and drowning. Light and heavy. Here and not."It’s been two days already! I thought you said the injection only required twenty-four hours, you quack doctor! I told my father you were incompetent. Listen to me, if he doesn’t wake up soon—"I try to focus, to make sense of the words, but they twist and blur before I can piece them together. My thoughts feel sluggish, stuck in the mud of my own mind. The voice from before lingers, like a whisper against my ear. Don’t go."I did my job diligen
ONE MONTH AGO[Lisa]Polishing the last bits of dust off the pictures, my grin stretches wider, satisfaction curling in my chest as I admire my collection. Normally, I wouldn't lower myself to something as trivial as housework, but times aren’t exactly in our favor. With that old dog, Harold Walcott, tracking us like bloodhounds at every turn, we can’t exactly hire help now, can we? It's still baffling to think we're on the wanted list! Me? The famous lady L? Unacceptable!My thoughts drift, dark and sharp, to the moment that nearly cost me everything three months ago. All because of a single phone call. Just one slip, and Arella’s goons were on my trail like rabid dogs. They're all so relentless, so blind. How long before Arella finally accepts that Lincoln is “dead” and stops chasing ghosts?The musty stench of mold clings to the walls of our pathetic rented hideout, making my nose scrunch in disgust. I deserve better than this filth. But as my gaze lands back on the pictures I’ve b
[Arella]Dinner with my family was warm, filled with laughter and soft murmurs of love. Everyone gushed over Theodore, passing him from one set of eager arms to another until, eventually, his tiny body gave in to exhaustion. He fell asleep, his soft, steady breaths a comforting presence against my chest. The familiar warmth of having people who truly look out for me wrapped around my heart like a long-lost embrace.Later that night, as I tuck Bambam into her bed, I find myself marveling at her resilience. Spinal cord issues after the attack at Grandfather’s birthday party should have left her bedridden, but not her. Not Bambam. She’s made of something unbreakable, a true spine of steel, pun intended.“Stop looking at me like I’m made of glass, child.” She rolls her eyes, swatting my hands playfully away.I scoff, shaking my head. “Never. You’re probably made of hardwood if anything.”She chuckles, a soft, knowing sound, and I can’t help but smile along with her. But then it comes—that
[Arella]“I knew I’d find you here.”The sound of hurried footsteps echoes through the open-air space, and I don’t need to turn around to know who it is. Bridget’s voice carries with its usual warmth, laced with the slight breathlessness of someone who should not be rushing anywhere—especially not in her condition.I finally glance over my shoulder, and sure enough, she’s striding toward me, her baby bump leading the way, a radiant contrast to the sharp concern flickering across her face. Behind her, Jordan follows, looking both exasperated and helpless, like a man who has long given up trying to slow her down.“Congratulations, Ella!” Bridget beams as she reaches me, wasting no time in pulling Theodore from my arms.A delighted squeal erupts from my son as he claps his tiny hands, his chubby legs kicking excitedly. “There’s my favorite godson!” Bridget coos, spinning him in her arms.Jordan’s face drains of color. “Bridget! Don’t twirl like that—you’ll affect the baby! And Theo!” He