“I won’t force you if you don’t want to work here, but I will do anything in my power to change your mind,” he said, then paused. “Not because I want you, but because my kids want you." I sighed, shaking away the unnecessary thoughts from my mind. I understood the weight of his words and realized that my decision would not only impact my future but also the lives of his children. Why the hell, Hollis' words kept repeating in my mind. The same scene kept repeating in my mind. The image of his pleading eyes and the sound of his desperate voice echoed in my thoughts, making it difficult to focus on anything else. I knew that I couldn't ignore the significance of this opportunity and the potential impact it could have on all of our lives. No, why should I care? It's none of my business. But deep down, I couldn't shake off the feeling of responsibility that weighed heavily on me. The thought of turning my back on Hollis and his children felt like abandoning them in their time of need.
"So help me build that bond with them," Hollis said with determination in his voice as he looked directly into my eyes. "Help me, please." I sighed, feeling the weight of his request. I don't know what I can do for this guy when I have so many problems of my own to deal with. Ben is after me; I don't have any money; I missed my flight and the job that was about to change my life; but here I am with billionaire Hollis, asking for my help. Great! What a drama is unfolding in my life. "Are you listening to me?" Hollis asked, his eyes searching mine for a response. "Ask me anything; I can give it to you, but help me connect with my children before it's too late," he pleaded. "Anything," I whispered, feeling the weight of his words. Connecting a billionaire with his estranged children seemed like an impossible task, but I knew I had to try. This could be my chance to make a real difference in someone's life and change my life in the process. "Just ask for cash, a house, cars, private
"I will when the time is right," I said, staring at Hollis, who nodded his head in response, understanding the weight of my words.An awkward silence surrounds us as we finish our conversation, both lost in our own thoughts. The tension in the air was palpable, making it clear that there was much left unsaid between us.A yawn escaped from my lips, breaking the heavy atmosphere as my eyes got heavy from exhaustion. Today was filled with odd surprises and unexpected emotions, leaving me drained and in need of rest."It's getting late; you should go to sleep," Hollis suggested, breaking the silence.I nodded my head but lingered a moment longer. "Where should I sleep tonight?" I asked, suddenly unsure of where I belonged in this unfamiliar place.Hollis smiled warmly. "You can take my bed. I will be sleeping in the living room ." I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me at his kindness, feeling a sense of comfort in this moment of vulnerability.But sleeping on a completely strange bed t
“Sorry… I just took a shower to wake myself up,” Hollis replied, grabbing a towel to dry off. “No problem, just be careful next time,” I said with a smile, trying to hide my embarrassment as I tried to walk away from the tempting sight in front of me, but to my worst luck, I slipped on the water covering the floor, with my body falling on top of Hollis and our lips accidentally meeting in a brief, unexpected kiss.The soft touch of Hollis’s lips sent a jolt of electricity through me, leaving me momentarily stunned by the unexpected sensation. His eyes stared at me as if he felt the same intense connection, making my heart race with a mix of excitement and confusion.I tried to separate myself from him but found myself unable to move as we both remained frozen at that moment, unsure of what to do next. The awkward silence that followed was deafening; our eyes locked in a silent exchange of emotions that neither of us could quite decipher. We might have only touched each other for a few
I punch the wall of my room in frustration, feeling the sting in my knuckles as I try to release my pent-up anger. The sound of impact echoes through the room, a physical manifestation of my inner turmoil.“How can I feel these kinds of emotions?” I wonder, “I can’t allow myself to feel anything; I don’t deserve to feel this way.” I mumbled to myself as the sting on my fist intensified, a painful reminder of the chaos brewing within me. The overwhelming sense of guilt and self-doubt threatened to consume me, leaving me feeling lost and alone in my own turmoil.Her scent still lingers in my mind—the touch of silky hair against my skin, the warmth of her embrace. I can’t shake the image of her face from my memory, no matter how hard I try.I want to suck on her pink lips until I make them swollen and bruised. Her chest was touching my bare skin, moving up and down with each breath, creating a rhythm that matched the pounding of my heart. The ache in my chest grew stronger, a physical ma
“You aren’t just a nanny,” he said, his eyes staring deep into hers.I stare at him, at his words, feeling a warmth in my chest, at the sincerity in his voice. But I don’t know what the words mean until he continues, “I mean, you are there, friend.” Hollis said, turning his face away and hiding his gaze from me.Why do I feel like that was not what he meant to say, and he changed his mind at the last minute? Was there something more he wanted to express but couldn’t find the right words?No… I shook my head, dismissing my thoughts. It was probably just a slip of the tongue. There’s no need to over-analyze it. I’m sure it’s nothing important.“He is asleep now,” Hollis added, gesturing towards Max sleeping with his head resting on my chest, as Hollis had him in his arms. “He looks so peaceful,” I remarked, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me as I watched him sleep so soundly.But then, when I noticed how close I was sitting beside Hollis, there seemed to be barely any space in
“Baby girl...” The similar voices echoed in my mind as a shiver ran through my spine. “You know that I love you.” I could feel the warmth of his breath on my neck as he whispered those words, his touch sending a wave of discomfort and unease through my body. It was a stark contrast to the tenderness I once associated with his voice, now tainted by fear and uncertainty.I tried to find my voice, but I could only manage a weak, shaky exhale. “Shhhh...” he hushed me, his grip tightening slightly on my arm. “How can you leave me like this?” His words sent a chill down my spine as I realized the depth of his possessiveness and control over me. My heart raced with a mixture of fear and determination to break free from his grasp.I can feel his grip tightening even more, suffocating me as I struggle to break free.NO…NO….NO. I shouted in my mind as my voice remained trapped in my throat, unable to escape.I touch my face as he cups my cheeks, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and despe
I walked towards the hallway kitchen with Max, who was not awake in my apartment, feeling the weight of responsibility as I prepared to start the day with a young child in my care. Max looked up at me with sleepy eyes, and I couldn’t help but smile at his innocence and trust in me to guide him through the day ahead.“Good morning, Hailey...” Summer ran up to hug my leg, a smile on her face.“Good morning, baby,” I replied, ruffling her hair affectionately before turning my attention back to Max.I turn my head to Hollis, who is sitting in the kitchen, his head buried in some paperwork, a look of concentration on his face. “Good morning, Hollis.” I greeted him with a warm smile, grateful for the support of my family as we faced the day together.“Good morning,” he said without even looking at me, his focus fully on the task at hand.I shook my head slightly, amused by his intense concentration, before turning back to Max and Summer.“So, what’s for breakfast?” I asked, staring at her ti
Hailey*****The cold night air bit into my skin as we stepped out of the crumbling building, the taste of dust and decay lingering in my mouth. Louise’s words—his mocking laughter—still hung in the air, a dark echo that clung to us like smoke, refusing to fade in the thickening silence. Hollis moved like a man possessed, his hand gripping mine with the kind of strength that warned me not to let go. His pace was relentless, his eyes blazing with fury, but there was something else in them—something darker, something I had never seen before."I won’t let him win," Hollis muttered, the words barely a whisper but filled with a chilling promise. "I won’t let him take them."I knew he wasn’t just talking about Summer and Max. This wasn’t just a fight for their safety—this was about his past, the ghosts that had been haunting him for years. And somewhere, deep down, I feared those ghosts might swallow him whole before we could save anyone. Louise had been playing a game with Hollis for years,
The hospital corridor was quiet, save for the faint hum of fluorescent lights. Louise Lacroix shuffled into the visitor’s lounge, the stillness of the room a rare comfort. The polished wood of the cane in his hand gleamed faintly in the dim light, its tap against the tile a sharp counterpoint to the silence. He settled into the worn leather chair, his weary body sinking into it with a sigh. His reflection in the glass was a ghost of a man—pale, gaunt, a shadow of the power he once wielded. But his mind remained sharp, still a force to be reckoned with.As he stared out the window at the bustling city below, his thoughts turned inward, a familiar game of strategy playing out in his mind. The Lacroix empire—his legacy—was his greatest triumph. And like any great strategist, he viewed those around him not as family, but as pieces on a chessboard. Every move, every sacrifice, had been for this—power, control, dominance.The echoes of past decisions reverberated in his mind, each one etche
Hailey****Louise’s bitter laughter echoed off the cracked walls like a cruel symphony. I clung to Hollis, still trembling from the attack, though my heart now raced for an entirely different reason—the impending truth, no matter how dark.Hollis stood rigid beside me, his fists clenched and his jaw tight. His gaze bore into Louise with unrelenting fury. "If you’ve got something to say, say it," he growled. "Stop playing games."Louise tilted his head, his bloody lips curling into a smirk. He seemed to revel in the tension, feeding off our anguish. "Very well," he hissed, his voice a venomous whisper. "You want the truth? It starts with Henry—your father, my son. The man who, in your eyes, was a failure. But did you ever ask yourself why I hate him? Why I’ve made it my mission to destroy not just him, but you too?"Hollis flinched, his breath hitching. "I don’t care about your grudges," he spat. "You’re a monster. That’s all I need to know."Louise’s laughter returned, quieter but no
Hailey****The darkness inched closer, creeping like a shadow over my vision. My lungs burned for air as Louise’s grip tightened, his fingers digging into my neck with terrifying precision. I gasped, struggling against the crushing hold, my head spinning, but his cold voice echoed in my mind like a hammer striking steel."Let Hollis see what happens when someone messes with me," Louise whispered, his breath foul and mocking in my ear.My fingers clawed at his wrist, desperate to break free, but my strength was fading. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. A distant part of me heard the faint buzz of my phone in my pocket—Hollis’s message. "I’m coming, Hailey. Just hold on." But could I hold on?Just as the edges of my vision blurred completely, a deafening crash broke through the suffocating silence. The door exploded open with such force that the hinges flew off the frame. A blur of motion followed—a dark figure charging toward me.Louise’s grip loosened for just a moment, and I drew i
Hailey***The weight of Louise's words pressed down on me like a physical force. The video of my children replayed in my mind, Summer’s protective embrace around Max, her tiny face drawn with fear and determination. The image of their frightened eyes made my heart break all over again. I had to act quickly, but I couldn't do this alone.I felt the cold sweat on the back of my neck as I stared at the phone, the taunting laughter still echoing in my mind. I had to tell Hollis. I had no choice. He had to know about Louise’s ultimatum. The thought of what I was about to do gnawed at me, the lies and the manipulation, but I was a mother—my children needed me.I dialed his number, but my fingers trembled too much for the call to go through smoothly. When I finally heard his voice, it cracked the tight, suffocating knot in my chest."Hailey, what’s wrong?" Hollis asked, his voice a sharp contrast to the calm I was trying to maintain."Louise," I whispered, swallowing hard. "He has them.""Ha
****Hailey****The hospital room was eerily silent after Hollis left, his absence creating a void that felt almost physical. I sat back down, every muscle in my body screaming in protest. My chest throbbed, a cruel reminder of the gunshot wound that had put me here in the first place. But my mind was far from the pain—it was on my children.Summer and Max were out there, scared, alone, and depending on us. Hollis was determined to bring them back, and I had no doubt he would stop at nothing. But I couldn’t just sit here, idle and helpless. I reached for the phone on the nightstand and dialed the one number I thought might help."Kevin?" I asked, my voice trembling as I tried to steady it."Hailey? What’s wrong? Are you okay?" Kevin’s familiar voice filled the silence, concern evident in every word."It’s the kids," I said, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. "Summer and Max. They’re gone. Derick took them to the safe house, but now they’ve disappeared."Kevin was silent for
Hailey****The tension in the air was thick, like the hospital room was closing in on me, each breath shallow and difficult. I watched as Hollis stormed out of the room, his footsteps echoing down the hall, distant and rapid. The door slammed shut behind him with a finality that left my chest tight.I should’ve stopped him, but I knew better. He had to process it, even if it hurt. Summer and Max—gone. I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting the suffocating panic. I had to stay strong. For them. For Hollis.I sat up in bed, pain coursing through my chest, but I pushed it aside. This wasn’t about me anymore. It was about getting my kids back. I couldn’t just lie here, helpless. I needed to act.I managed to pull myself out of the bed, the room spinning slightly, but I steadied myself against the wall. I was weak, but there was no time to waste. I needed to be there for Hollis, to hold on to whatever strength I had left. As I crossed to the doorway, I saw him. He was standing at the end of the
Hollis*****The sterile, whitewashed walls of the hospital loomed as I made my way through the dimly lit corridor. The muted beeping of machines and the soft murmurs of nurses felt suffocating, each sound dragging me closer to a place I wasn’t ready to face. My steps faltered as I reached the door to Hailey’s room. I stood there for a moment, my hand trembling on the handle. I didn’t know if I could go inside.The night’s events had carved deep gouges into my soul. My uncle’s words haunted me like a ghost, each syllable echoing: You’re already broken.But I wasn’t alone. Not really.I opened the door, and the sight of her hit me like a tidal wave. Hailey sat propped up on the hospital bed, her auburn hair spilling over her shoulders, her face pale but resolute. Bandages peeked from beneath her hospital gown—a stark reminder of the nightmare she had endured. Yet her eyes—those fierce, stormy eyes—locked onto mine with unshakable strength.“You look like hell,” she said softly, a faint
The cold night air slammed into me as the car door shut behind me. Kevin had left without a word, sensing my need to be alone. I didn’t blame him; I needed space to breathe, to think, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was suffocating. The weight of the confrontation with my uncle was a physical thing, an invisible pressure on my chest that made it hard to move, hard to think. I stood in front of the building for a moment, letting the silence settle around me. The city buzzed in the distance, oblivious to the storm inside me. My mind, though, was a battlefield. My uncle’s words replayed over and over again, each time sharper, more cutting. You’ll lose everything, and you’ll die alone. Just like your father. Alone. Broken. I felt his presence in my bones, his fury a shadow that loomed over every moment. There was no escaping him, no running from the storm he was brewing. And the worst part? I wasn’t sure I had the strength to face it. I walked aimlessly, needing the motion