[Arella]Every thought evaporates from my mind as I take his hand. Lincoln leads me to the dance floor, the smooth, soft music wrapping around us like a velvet ribbon. The scent of fresh flowers and expensive cologne lingers in the air.Chandeliers above cast a golden glow over everything, but it all fades into the background as he looks at me."You’ve been avoiding me, Arella," he says, his voice low and probing. The words send a shiver down my spine. I feel myself freeze, the warmth of his hand on mine holding me in place."N-no, it’s not like that," I stammer, my voice barely audible over the hum of the music. "I’ve just been… busy.""If that’s the case, then why aren’t you looking at me?"His words pierce through me. My eyes snap to his, and the way he looks at me—it’s just so… intense, so searching, like he’s seeing every secret I’ve tried to hide. My breath catches. The soft light gleams off his sharp jawline, and his presence feels like a cocoon, shutting out everything else
[Arella]The stain is horrendous—huge, red, and blotchy. Knowing how Vivian is, I wouldn’t be surprised if she’d mixed red paint together with the wine. It’s a ridiculous thought, I know, but it’s Vivian after all.I can’t go out in this anymore.Searching around for the sundress I wore before changing into this, I don’t find it. Frustration prickles at my skin as I grab my phone and dial Sasha, hoping she’ll come help.Before the call connects, the door swings open suddenly, and I’m startled.My blood freezes.It’s Frank."What are you doing here?" I demand, my voice trembling despite my attempt to sound firm.Frank smirks, his eyes hazy, and the stench of alcohol hits me like a wave. He’s drunk."I told you to watch your back," he slurs, stepping closer.My heart begins thumping loudly, a heavy drumbeat that drowns out everything else. I back away instinctively. "What are you trying to do? Don’t come closer, or I’ll scream!"He giggles—a high-pitched, unnerving sound, like a child
10 Minutes Earlier[Lincoln]I watch Arella walk away, her figure disappearing into the crowd. My jaw tightens as I turn my cold gaze back to Deric and Vivian, glaring particularly at her. She’d be stupid if she thinks we believed her excuse about the spill not being on purpose.Deric clears his throat, his expression carefully neutral, and gives me a smile. "Mr. Sawyer, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about the big oil merge coming up. You see, the last time we spoke abou—""Sir," Janet’s voice interrupts from beside me, cutting Deric off. Her tone is crisp, urgent. "Mr. Thompson is already here. I didn’t want to interrupt your dance, but he is getting crankier by the second."I stiffen, my frustration barely contained. The reminder of why I even attended this pointless gala claws at my mind. Business obligations always come first."Where is he now?""In one of the lounges, sir."I follow her lead, my steps brisk, past the clinking glasses and murmured conversations. We enter a q
[Arella]Lincoln lets me back down gently, and I can feel his anger bubbling as he stalks toward Deric, who's yelling at the top of his voice."Can someone tell me what's Omph!—"His words are cut short as Lincoln grips his collar tightly.""You! This is on you!" Lincoln's voice thunders, his fury palpable. "Is this how you organize a gala? Allowing any random degenerate to slip in unnoticed? Look at that drunkard over there!" He points sharply toward Frank, his tone seething with disdain. "He tried to assault Arella!"Gasps echo around us, and I realize they’re from Vivian, Kaitlin, and a few others from the party. Something feels off about they way they all piled in at once—very off—but I’m too stunned to speak, too scared to say anything. My hand instinctively goes to my stomach. Did I lose my baby? The thought creeps in, and my heart twists painfully. Surely that would be too much of a stretch… right?"That’s not a drunkard! He’s my friend!" Deric’s eyes turn to me, blazing with
[Arella] The steady beeping sound of a machine slowly lures me awake. My head feels heavy, like it’s stuffed with cotton. Where am I? My eyes flutter open to find walls that are sterile and white. The smell of antiseptic fills my nose as a lady in a white coat looms above me. “Good, you’re awake. How do you feel now, ma’am?” she asks, helping me sit up slowly. I blink, my mind clearing. Last night comes rushing back. I must have fainted. “I feel okay. Just a little groggy.” She nods and continues her checks. I wonder where Lincoln is, he probably left already. That thought makes me sad and I don't know why. “Do you know where the man—” “You mean your husband, right?” the doctor interrupts with a wide grin. “He just stepped out a few minutes ago. He watched you all night, you know. Such a loving man.” My ears perk up. My husband? Is she talking about Lincoln? He watched me all night? I feel my cheeks heat up, a pink flush spreading across my face. But thoughts of
[Arella]"Accept the papers, Kaitlin. I quit."The office feels suffocating, the sharp scent of stale coffee and papers only adding to the tension. Kaitlin’s eyes flash with fury as she snatches the papers from my hand with a sneer."Frank was right after all. You’re just a sleazy bitch that’s managed to cling to another big shot."Her words feel like sharp knives aimed at me, but I refuse to flinch. They bounce off me like air as my face remains impassive. I won't give her the satisfaction of a reaction."I will not be paying the fine, Kaitlin," I state firmly, my voice unwavering despite the storm building inside me.Seconds pass before she bursts into laughter. The sound like a fork scraping a chalkboard, against my ears."You think I’ll let you quit without the fine of a thousand dollars? Or do you think, because Lincoln Sawyer is backing you up, you’re a queen now? Look here, let me tell you—"Slamming my hand on her desk, the sharp thud echoes across the small room. She squea
[Arella] “You’re fucking pregnant with my child, you shameless woman!” The venom in Deric’s voice strikes me like a slap. My eyes widen, and my heart slams against my ribs. “What are you even saying? I’m not pregnant!” I yell, yanking at his iron grip on my wrist. My palms are clammy, and a cold sweat trickles down my back as panic claws at me. How did he find out? Was it because I threw up? Am I showing any other signs? “Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” I manage, my voice trembling despite my best efforts. “Liar!” he spits, his face contorted with anger. “Okay, fine! I’m pregnant! But it’s not yours, so back off!” I glare at him, hoping to pierce through his delusion. He’s always been infuriating since getting together with Vivian, but this... this is just madness. His grip tightens as his eyes blaze with an unhinged fury. His fingers latch onto my jaw, squeezing painfully, forcing me to face him. His breath is hot, stifling, and reeks of arrog
[Lincoln]"Open your eyes. C'mon, Ella, open your eyes!" I keep shaking her, desperation making my voice hoarse. Her face is pale, too pale, like all the life is draining out of her. There’s blood—so much blood—pooling under her legs, staining the pristine floor of the stairwell. My blood runs cold, and my hands tremble as I scoop her limp body into my arms. The metallic scent of blood fills my nostrils, mixing with the faint aroma of her vanilla perfume. My eyes dart to the top of the stairs. And there he is. Deric. His face is frozen in shock, his mouth slightly open. Fury slams through me, hot and unrelenting, like fire coursing through my veins. My fists clench, my knuckles aching with the need to hurt him. But Deric isn’t what matters right now. Arella is. Her head lolls against my chest as I move briskly toward the car, my heart pounding. Every second feels like a lifetime. My throat tightens, and I shout at my driver, my voice raw and unrecognizable. "To the hos
[Lincoln]My drive to the hospital is a blur of passing speed limits and tightly coiled tension. Zach has been texting me updates every five minutes—says she's fine, says she's getting first aid, says she didn’t suffer any major injuries, says she’s okay. But I’ll believe that when I see it. When I see her.A photo of the explosion was forwarded to me, and I grit my teeth so hard I can almost feel them cracking. When I find out who did this... Dread fills me at the thought of what could’ve happened if I hadn’t reinforced all my vehicles with impact-resistant designs. The thought of losing her gnaws at my mind, sharp and unrelenting. She could’ve been gone. Just like that. The universe seems to enjoy tossing curveballs at me—like it lives to stir up trouble, to see how much more I can take before I snap.“Where’s she?” I ask immediately, stepping out of the car and tossing my keys to Zach.“At the highest floor, sir. Getting her treatment,” he says.I nod gravely, my footsteps carryi
[Arella]Twenty minutes earlier.Pushing open the car door, the acrid smell of smoke fills my nostrils. My legs tremble beneath me, shaky and unsteady, as I step out into the chaos. A dull ache pulses in my head like a relentless drumbeat. The driver exits too, a small gash on his forehead oozing blood. Relief floods me as I see he’s otherwise unharmed.“Madam, are you okay?” His voice is frantic, his eyes wide with panic.“Yes, yes, I’m fine. The car?” I mutter, brushing off his worry as I briskly approach our vehicle.Our car seems almost untouched, only minor scrapes visible. But the other car... it’s a crumpled wreck, metal twisted and mangled as if it were paper. The stark contrast makes my stomach churn.A cough breaks through the heavy silence, dragging my attention to the smashed vehicle. Then it hits me—there are people in there.“There are people inside!” I yell, panic lacing my voice as I race toward the wreckage. My driver hurries behind me, and together we struggle to pry
The whole feel of Sawyer estate changes as soon as my car pulls up to the curb. The air feels thicker here, a stale, heavy weight pressing down like it's been waiting for me. My long, heavy steps echo through the quiet, each one carrying me closer to what feels like an inevitable confrontation. I barely nod at the staff's greetings, too focused, too restless, as I make my way upstairs. My mind races, an angry storm brewing inside me.I turn quickly at the top of the stairs, pushing open the door with little care. The heavy wood groans in protest."S-sir," the Albert stutters, his voice high-pitched with anxiety. He’s startled, practically jumping out of his skin, when I push open the inner tea room. The sound of the tray he’s holding crashing to the floor."Where's she?" I growl at him and he looks back up at me, stunned."Don't act fucking dumb today, Albert. Open that door."My voice comes out cold, too calm for the anger that roils under the surface. I want to choke the life out o
[Arella]"What's wrong?" Lincoln pulls me closer, his strong arms encircling me like a fortress. My head finds solace against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat grounding me."She's getting better, Linc. She's actually getting better." My voice cracks with emotion, and my fingers clutch at his shirt as if holding onto this moment will make it last forever.I feel his smile, warm and reassuring, as his jaw rests gently on my forehead."Is that why you're crying?" he asks softly, his deep voice laced with curiosity and a hint of amusement.A small laugh escapes my lips, shaky and tear-streaked, as I lift my head. "It's the damn pregnancy hormones. I'm actually very happy. Too happy." I sniffle, swiping at my cheeks, embarrassed but too overcome to care."You're adorable," he says, his eyes glimmering with an emotion so intense it steals my breath.Heat floods my cheeks, and I look away, suddenly self-conscious under his gaze. Why does he always manage to look at me like I’m t
[Arella] "Ouch!" My yelp is instant as the burning sensation spreads through my finger, sharp and biting. The sting blooms, leaving a fiery trail across my skin. My thumb immediately finds my lips, and I nibble on it, desperate to soothe the hot pain. Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes, but I blink them back, annoyed at my clumsiness. "Ella, what's wrong?" Lincoln’s voice calls out. He’s by my side in an instant, his large hands gripping my shoulders and cradling my face. His sharp, honey brown eyes dart over me, searching worriedly. "Are you okay? Are you fine?" His concern is so raw, so palpable, that it cracks my heart a little. The kitchen, with its warm lighting and faint aroma of bacon, feels suddenly stifling under his intense worry. I turn off the stove with and face him, cupping his cheeks. A chuckle escapes me, soft but genuine. "I'm fine, Linc. Just a little scalding here and there." "Are you sure?" he presses, his brows knitting tightly. He takes my ha
"Yes, you did all that!" Vivian yells, her voice cracking, then clenches my shirt tightly, her knuckles turning white. There’s a slightly crazed look in her eyes, a mix of desperation and something darker that makes my stomach twist. "Remember what you t-told me. Remember what you promised, Deric! You can only be with me, okay? Please… please don't go back to her. I can't live without you. I won't!" Her chest heaves, rising and falling so fast it looks like she might collapse any second."It's okay, Vivi. Come here."I pull her against me, her trembling body fitting awkwardly against mine. My mind flashes back to the crazed look in her eyes, and a shiver skates down my spine. That look… it clings to me, like an unwanted ghost in the back of my head."Nothing of that sort will happen," I say, forcing my voice to stay even. "I'm all yours, okay? Just yours."She sniffles, her tears soaking into my chest like raindrops on parched earth. For the first time, irritation sparks somewhere
[Deric]“What do you mean by he’s having flashbacks?”“Yes, ma’am, that can be the only reason behind his violent behavior.”“What can I do to...you know, stop them?”Their words blur together, echoing like a distant hum in my ears. The pounding in my head grows unbearable, each throb feeling like a hammer against my skull. My chest feels heavy, like someone is sitting on it, as I fight to pull myself back to consciousness.A sliver of light seeps through my eyelids. I force them open, but the brightness sends sharp pain shooting through my temples.“Ow, fuck.” My voice comes out hoarse, barely above a whisper.“Deric!”Vivian’s voice rings out, sharp and frantic, cutting through the haze. I hear the rustle of hurried footsteps before her hands grip my arms, warm and trembling. She pulls me up gently, her scent, vanilla and cherries, wafting into my nose.“What happened to me?” I manage to rasp, blinking at her blurry figure. Her face freezes, the usual softness in her features replac
[Lincoln]“C'mon, Ella, open your eyes,” I plead, shaking her slightly. My voice cracks, betraying the panic clawing at my chest. Her face is so pale, so unnervingly still, I almost feel like I’m holding a lifeless doll.“Drive faster!” My voice thunders, raw with urgency, urging the driver on. The air in the car feels suffocating, thick with tension and the metallic scent of blood. My hands tremble as I cradle her closer.She’s bleeding. She’s fucking bleeding! What had they done to her?My mind is a whirlwind, flashing back to the vision of her in Deric’s arms. My blood boils in my veins, rage simmering just below the surface. What had they planned? What the hell kind of sick game were they playing?Gritting my teeth, I whisper more to myself than to her, “C'mon, Ella, stay with me.”Her head lolls against my chest, her warmth slipping away by the second. A small part of me is screaming that I’m losing her, and that terrifies me more than I’ll ever admit.“You’ll be fine, Ella. You’
[Arella]My blurry gaze shifts to the man storming toward us, his sharp footsteps echoing in the tense atmosphere. His expression is thunderous, a storm of rage written on his face. Not just any man, but… Deric Smith? You've got to be kidding me.For a second, I’m too stunned to move. The scent of spilled soup mingles with the faint aroma of soy sauce from nearby tables. My wet hair clings to my face, soup trickling down my neck, adding to my humiliation.His eyes don’t meet mine; they’re laser-focused on Lincoln’s grandmother, burning with fury."Why the fuck would you do that to her?" he yells, his voice slicing through the air like a blade. Heads turn at the commotion. I feel the weight of their stares, making the heat on my cheeks even worse.Lincoln’s grandmother freezes, her lips parting in surprise before she recovers with a smirk. She turns her sharp gaze back to me, her smile venomous."Is this one of your lackeys?" she sneers.I want to retort, but my throat tightens. Before