“GO….. Get yourself ready now,” I ordered as I watched Hailey flinch, holding on to Max tight. She nodded, her eyes burning as if, at any moment now, the tears would start flowing down her cheeks. “We need to leave before it’s too late,” I added, urgency in my voice as I motioned for Hailey to hurry up. But before Hailey could move, Max started crying uncontrollably, his small body shaking with fear. “Max, shhhh… don’t cry,” Hailey soothed, trying to calm him down as she wiped away his tears. As I stared at Hailey soothing Max, I felt a pang of guilt for shouting at her, but I didn’t. Whenever she was close to me, my body started to act on its own, my heart started pounding in my chest, and her tears, her gentle touch on Max’s back—all of it made me feel something that I didn’t want to accept. Hailey’s presence always seemed to have that effect on me, even when I tried to resist it. It was as if she had a way of breaking down my walls without even trying. “Give him to me and go ge
“How do I look?” I stood in front of the mirror, staring at reflections that didn’t seem to be mine. As I stood in front of the mirror, I saw that my eyes were shining brightly, with my eyelids painted in a shimmering shadow. My lips were painted a deep shade of red, giving me a bold and confident look that I had never seen before. A natural rosy hue flushes my cheeks, adding a touch of innocence to my overall look.And the dress I’m wearing hugs my curves in all the right places, accentuating my figure in a way that makes me feel beautiful and empowered. The whole ensemble comes together to create a stunning and unforgettable image that I can’t help but admire.“You look absolutely stunning, ma’am,” the stylist said with a smile as she stepped back to admire her work. “You’re definitely going to turn heads tonight.”“Thank you so much,” I replied, feeling a surge of confidence and excitement for the evening ahead. With a final glance in the mirror, I stepped out of the bathroom and i
Hollis walked towards my side of the car and opened the door with a smile. “The moment you step inside the villa, don’t forget to act like a perfect girlfriend,” he said, snaking his arm around my waist. “Show them how happy we are together,” he whispered in my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. As we approached the entrance, “Remember your one mistake that will ruin everything,” he warned, tightening his grip on my waist. “And if you slip up, I’ll make sure you regret it,” he threatened, his eyes darkening with a hint of danger.I gulped nervously, realizing the seriousness of the situation as we entered the villa.“Smile.” Hollis smiled at me, but his eyes held a warning. I knew I had to play my part perfectly to avoid any consequences.I took a deep breath and tried to push down my rising panic. And she plastered a smile on my face, determined to make it through the evening unscathed.And as we entered the grand villa, the pressure of Hollis’s warning weighed heavi
“Let’s go….” Hollis pulled my arm and led me away from the crowd to a seductive balcony overlooking the big garden below. As we stood there, the moonlight casting shadows on his face, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that Sara’s words had planted in my mind.I stared at his face, which was shining with an eerie glow, as if he were hiding a lot of secrets. His gaze fixed on the garden below with a mixture of longing and intensity, leaving me curious about what lay hidden behind his cold facade. As he turned to me with a mysterious smile, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of mystery was hiding beneath his cold exterior. It was as if he held a world of secrets within him, waiting to be discovered. But why do I feel drawn to unraveling those secrets, despite the sense of danger that emanated from him? Why do I care about the darkness that lurks within him when I should be running in the opposite direction? Perhaps it is the thrill of the unknown, or maybe it is simply human curio
“The people inside are like hyenas; they’ll smell fear a mile away. Just keep your cool and follow my lead,” he whispered, giving me a reassuring smile before knocking on the door. “Or they’ll tear you apart,” he warned, his eyes narrowing with determination. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever was to come, as the door creaked open. Inside, a group of angry strangers glared at us. The room was a luxurious one, with velvet curtains and golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Sofas with elaborate designs lined the walls, and a grand piano sat in the corner, waiting to be played. Along with that, intricate paintings and luxurious tapestries adorn the walls, creating an atmosphere of opulence and grandeur. God, if I thought the living room where the party took place was impressive, then this room was downright extravagant. “Look who’s here...” A woman wearing a floor-length gown spoke, motioning towards us with a smile that seemed hidden beneath the layers of makeup
“You can’t get the company from me,” Hollis finally says, his voice filled with defiance. “My father built this company from the ground up, and he was a 45 percent stakeholder,” Hollis said firmly, his eyes blazing with determination. The room falls silent, the air heavy with anticipation, as Hollis stands his ground against those who seek to challenge his ownership.“So what you father is death, and I am the one who holds the majority stake now,” the old man retorts, his tone cold and calculating.“Old man, it’s your birthday, right?” Hollis interrupts, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Let’s not forget my father’s last will and testament,” Hollis said, leaving me standing and walking towards the old man who was sitting in the corner, his face turning pale. “Do you need me to remind you of what is stated in the will or the conditions that must be met before any transfer of ownership can happen?” Hollis asks, his voice dripping with authority. The old man’s eyes widen in realization a
Fuck…Fuck…. Fuck, what have I done? I shouldn’t have kissed Hailey. I knew it was a mistake as soon as our lips touched. This is going to complicate things even more. But I have seen how Justin is looking at us suspiciously, and I can’t shake the feeling that he knows that we are not really dating. I wanted to avoid any drama or conflict, but now it seems inevitable.The touch of her lips as they met mine felt electric; the warmth of her body pressed against mine sent shivers down my spine. Despite the guilt and uncertainty, there was a part of me that couldn’t deny the undeniable chemistry between us. This kiss may have been a mistake, but it also awakened something inside me that I can’t ignore. As if oil had been poured on a smoldering fire, our fake relationship was now at risk of becoming something much more complicated and real.I shook my head, trying to keep my eyes on the road ahead, knowing that this forbidden attraction could lead to consequences neither of us was prepared
Is it normal to feel something for someone for a week? I don’t know, but then why do I feel this way after only knowing Hollis for a week?Why does it hurt me to think that I am not anything but a nanny to him? Maybe it’s because he’s shown me more kindness and understanding this past week than anyone else has in a long time.No one had ever taken care of me like this before; no one had ever asked if I was okay or needed anything. Hollis was the first person to make me feel seen and valued for a long time. And the more he cares, the more I need to understand why I am feeling this way.Am I so desperate for attention and affection that I am mistaking his kindness for something more? I shook my head. It was wrong for me to think that way. Hollis is just being a good boss and a caring person. “You are an employee, and I am your boss. Your health and your well-being are important to me.” I remember the words he said, reminding me that his concern for me was genuine but professional. Then
Hailey***The night sky stretched out above us like a blanket of stars, the villa bathed in golden light, as though the universe itself was celebrating this moment with us. It was a night of endings and beginnings—a night where we would seal our future with the promise of love, joy, and family.We all returned to the old house, the villa where we had shared so many memories. It was filled with a sense of nostalgia, yet excitement for what was to come, as if everything we’d fought for was now within our reach.I stood in front of the grand fireplace, the flames casting a warm, flickering glow across the room. The villa, with its rustic charm and luxurious touches, felt like home—not just a house, but the foundation of the life we were building together.Summer and Max were tucked into bed, their soft breaths filling the quiet house. The stillness was peaceful, broken only by the occasional hum of the night air and the distant call of crickets. The world outside was calm, but inside, my
Hailey***The evening air was cool yet soothing, wrapping the farmhouse in a stillness that only the countryside could offer. As the first stars began to sprinkle the deepening indigo sky, the farmhouse seemed to glow with a warmth that hadn’t been there before. It wasn’t just a hiding place anymore—it was a sanctuary, a space where love and healing had begun to take root.I stood at the edge of the garden, watching Hollis and Summer as they worked side by side. Their laughter blended with the soft rustle of leaves, a melody of simple joy. Little Max toddled after them, his chubby hands grasping at flowers with an earnestness that only a one-year-old could muster. My hand instinctively rested on the curve of my belly, a habit that had become second nature. The new life growing inside me was a quiet reminder of hope and resilience.The sight before me filled my heart with peace, fragile yet overwhelming. After everything we’d endured, it was hard to believe we were here—together. The w
Hailey***The farmhouse had always been both a haven and a cage—a place far removed from the chaos that had consumed our lives. It was where I could pretend, even for a moment, that the world beyond its weathered walls didn’t exist. The isolation was a strange kind of comfort, one that held both solace and loneliness. The days passed quietly, the rhythm of the countryside punctuated only by the laughter of my children or the occasional rustle of wind through the trees.Summer, who had always been shy and reserved, had shown a bright curiosity these past few days. The seven-year-old had taken to exploring the nearby fields, dragging her little brother Max behind her like a loyal shadow. At just over a year old, Max was the perfect mimic, his chubby hands reaching for flowers or clapping at birds that flitted overhead. Watching them filled my heart with a fragile kind of peace. Here, they were safe. Here, they were untouched by the dangers that lurked outside.That morning, I busied mys
Hollis***The world I had once known—the world that had held me captive for so long—had finally crumbled. It wasn't just what my grandfather had done to me. It was everything he had done to the people who couldn’t protect themselves. The families he destroyed in his pursuit of power, the lives he crushed beneath his heel. I had suffered, but the worst part was always what he did to them, to those who trusted him. Now, finally, the time had come to make him pay. Slowly, methodically, piece by piece, I would tear him apart. Years of planning and waiting had led to this moment, and I was ready to exact my revenge with a cold determination that matched his own cruelty. He would regret ever crossing me.But even now, sitting in his seat, there’s a moment of hesitation. A part of me wonders—what if this isn’t enough? What if revenge won’t fix what was broken? I’d spent months walking a tightrope, pretending, smiling, nodding, showing the world I was the weak, compliant heir he wanted me to
Hailey***A few months have passed. I can still feel the ache in my chest, like a constant companion. It’s become a part of me now, something I carry with every breath. The farmhouse is quiet. Too quiet. Every creak of the floorboards, every gust of wind that rattles the windows, feels like a reminder of what’s missing. Him.In this foreign country, with only the sprawling fields and endless sky for company, silence is suffocating. The outside world feels like it’s moving—always in motion—while I’m trapped in this stillness. I long for the noise, the chaos, the comfort of someone else’s voice. But here, with only my own thoughts echoing in the empty rooms, I’ve become too aware of every passing second.I walk into the kitchen, my bare feet silent against the cool floor, my movements automatic. Max is sitting on the floor with his blocks, his laughter a bright, shining contrast to the dark cloud hanging over me. His joy is innocent, pure—but it only deepens the hollow inside me. It rem
Hailey***I never imagined this would be how it ends—this final moment between us, the last time I hold her, touch her, feel her warmth. But here we are. Time has been slipping through my fingers like sand, and I can’t stop it. The reality of what I’m doing weighs on me. I know what it means for Hailey, for me, and for all of us. But this is the only way to protect her. To protect them.I watch her in the soft light, the way her eyes search mine as though trying to find an answer, some reassurance. But I don’t have one to give her. Not anymore. There’s nothing left except this moment, and I want to give it to her fully. To make it count.Her hands tremble slightly as she reaches for me, her touch tentative but longing. I step into her embrace, feeling the heat of her body against mine, and the moment she wraps her arms around me, pulling me close, I feel my heart crack a little more. I don’t want to let go either. Not now. Not ever.Her lips find mine, soft but urgent, as though they’
Hailey***A month has passed, but it feels like years. Hollis's wounds have finally healed, but the ache in my heart still remains. The memories of that day haunt me, replaying in my mind, a constant reminder of the pain and loss I endured. I fear that the scars will never fully fade, no matter how much time passes. But now there’s a new pain, different from the physical and emotional wounds I’ve known before. It’s the pain of separation, the feeling of being lost without someone who once meant everything to me. The emptiness inside grows deeper with each passing day, leaving me longing for a sense of wholeness that may never return.The house is so quiet now—too quiet. Without Summer’s laughter echoing through the halls or Max’s tiny giggles filling the air, it feels hollow. Every room reminds me of them. Every corner holds the weight of what’s been lost.I sit on the couch, cradling a photo frame in my trembling hands. The smiles staring back at me feel like a lifetime ago. A fragme
Hailey***The silence between us was suffocating, a heavy weight pressing down on my chest as I tried to steady my breath. My fingers gripped Hollis tightly, as though by holding him in my arms, I could shield him from the pain that clung to him like a shadow. His past, the betrayal of his father, the haunting loss of his mother—each memory swirled around us, invisible but all-encompassing. I could feel the rawness of it in his every breath, and it broke my heart to know how deep the wounds ran.For a moment, I closed my eyes, allowing the rhythmic thrum of his heartbeat to ground me. I let the sound wash over me, offering a moment of peace amid the storm that raged inside him. But as I exhaled, a harsh truth settled in my chest. He didn’t want history to repeat itself. He didn’t want to become like his father—the man who had been torn apart by forces beyond his control, the man who had lost everything in his desperate attempts to hold onto something that could never be his.It was a
Hailey***"If you want to see me alive again, you have to leave now," Hollis said firmly. "Or do you want to see my dead body lying in front of you?"The words hung in the air, suffocating, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. My heart raced, each beat louder than the last, my body trembling as I struggled to grasp what he was asking. I stared at him, searching his face for any sign of doubt, some indication that this was just another cruel game, another way to push me away. But there was nothing. His expression was cold, almost empty, and yet in his eyes, I could see the pain—the broken pieces of the man I once knew.I took a shaky breath, feeling as though the world were closing in on me. How could he ask me to leave him? How could he force me to leave him with the children?But deep down, I knew—he wasn’t asking; he was pleading. This wasn’t a choice anymore; it was a sacrifice, one I had to make to keep us all safe. The weight of it crushed me, but I knew there was no other wa