Author’s POVAs Anne and Lucian passionately kissed, cementing their vows of love and devotion, the cheers and acclaim of their friends and family filled the room. The delight on their faces was contagious, making everyone in the room happy at the amazing time they were in.Following the ceremony, Anne and Lucian made their official entrance down the aisle while holding hands. The garden estate served as a gorgeous setting for their first moments as husband and wife, while the sun bathed them in a warm, golden glow.As they made their way to the reception area, their excitement didn’t stop brimming over. The guests came after, ready to join the newlyweds in celebrating this grand occasion. The aroma of delectable cuisine filled the room, and tables were tastefully decorated with flowers and candles.A flurry of applause and cheers from their loved ones welcomed Anne and Lucian as they walked into the reception. The live band played a tender song, and the newlyweds performed their firs
Author’s POV“She has stage 4 stomach cancer, and it seems she has been battling with it for years now, the doctor said.Anne’s eyes shot wide open. Cancer? How is this possible? Her mother seemed fine the past years except recently when she started using weight.“Cancer, doctor? Are you sure you're not mistaken? My mother does it have cancer, does she?” Anne asked, unbelieving.“You didn't know? I'm guessing she didn't want you to be worried, that's why she didn’t tell you,” the doctor said.Anne looked up at Lucian and broke into tears on his chest. Lucian tried to calm her down, but he just couldn't no matter how hard he tried. This news they just heard was too devastating, and he was also holding himself back from crying too just so he could comfort Anne. After crying into his chest for what seemed like 30 minutes, Anne to the doctor again and asked,“Is she going to die?”“Unfortunately, Mrs. Hawthorne, your mother doesn't have much time to live anymore. She's even lucky that she
Author's POVThe scene that Lucian entered the room to find left him heartbroken and worried. The back of Anne’s head was buried between her knees as she knelt on the floor, snuggled against the wall. She was crying out inconsolably and trembling.“Anne?” He called but there was no response.He hastily walked over to her side, softly cradled her, and carefully placed her on the bed. Her small stature and pale skin gave her a ghostly appearance. She had been imprisoned in this space for days without food, and she had seriously dehydrated.He said sternly, “Ladies, kindly see that the children do not enter this room. I don’t want them seeing their mother like this,” Lucian shouted out to Gemma, Kiama and Daisy who were still outside the door with Marie and Madeline.“Okay Lucian,” the ladies responded.“Tell everyone the funeral has been postponed. I can’t leave Anne this way. She needs me too much now,” Lucian said.“We will,” Kiama responded.As he observed Anne on the bed, frail and
Author’s POVAnne and Lucian were drawn again to the door where they saw the nanny, bent with both palms on her knees. She was breathing heavily and couldn’t speak for a while as she was trying to catch her breath.“What’s happening here, Rosaline? How come you and the kids are here”? Lucian asked with an air of irritation.“I thought I gave you orders to feed the kids and put them to bed.”The nanny seemed confused as she hastily straightened herself after finally noticing the kids standing next to Anne.“Mr. Lucian, I apologize. They wouldn’t listen to me. They were adamant about meeting their mother and when I told them that they could see her tomorrow and not tonight, they ran out of the room and started running around the mansion and I chased them up until we got here,” she said.Anne exhaled in relief as she grinned at her kids. “Don’t worry, Rosaline. Babe, it’s fine. I’ve missed the kids anyways,” She replied.Despite their lack of awareness of the seriousness of the situati
Author’s POV“What’s up babe? Is there any problem?” Lucian asked, dropping his cutlery as he turned to Anne to pay more attention to her as she spoke.“Not everything is fine; it’s just I have something I have been meaning to tell you about the kids. I have been thinking about it for a while,” Anne replied.“I’m all ears babe, tell me,” Lucian said.“Since the kids turned five, we’ve been homeschooling them. Now they’re six, I think we should take them to a real school,” Anne said.“Why? I thought you wanted them to be homeschooled because you loved seeing them around. Why the sudden change?” Lucian asked.“Well, like I said I’ve been thinking about it. Our daughters have no friends besides themselves and once they get into a fight, they both end up getting emotional. I’m not saying they shouldn’t be friends; all I’m saying is they need to get more friends,” Anne suggested.Lucian nodded seriously as he gave Anne’s advice some thought. “Babe, I get your point. They must interact wit
Author’s POVDays passed and Anne began to get used to the girls going to school. Marie and Madeline made lots of friends and they were very happy. To Anne, that was all that mattered. One day, while they were in bed, getting ready to go to sleep, Anne told Lucian that she had something important to say to him. “What is it, babe?” Lucian asked, paying attention to his beautiful wife.“I’ve been thinking of something for a while and I want to share my thoughts with you,” Anne started.“Go on, babe. I’m all ears,” Lucian replied.“I have been thinking about getting a job,” Anne said.“Why? Am I not providing enough for you?” Lucian asked, a concerned look on his face.“C’mon babe. You know that’s not what I mean,” Anne said.“Then what is it?” Lucian said.“Its just that whenever the kids leave for school and you leave for work, I’m always left alone at home and I get bored. All my friends go to work while I don’t. Please babe, just let me work,” Anne said.Lucian became more perceptiv
Author’s POV“What’s wrong?” Lucian asked, fear dripping from his voice.He was having a meeting in the boardroom and had excused himself to take the call because he was worried about the kids.“Marie and Madeline were playing during break with other kids on the playground under my supervision. All of a sudden Marie fell to the ground unconsciously. We had rushed her to the hospital and now I’m calling from the hospital,” Miss Mary said.“Which hospital is that?” Lucian asked.As Lucian heard Miss Mary’s unnerving remarks, his heart raced. He waited impatiently for her answer, and the minutes seemed like hours. Miss Mary gave the name and address of the hospital. Lucian abruptly concluded his board meeting without further ado, explaining the situation to his colleagues, who were understanding and helpful. His mind raced over the potential reasons behind Marie’s abrupt fall as he hurried to the hospital.As he made his way out of the company and towards his car, he pulled out his phone
Author’s POVMadeline looked at the youngster, her attitude changing from one of interest to one of rage. She moved up closer, studying him intently. The youngster was about her age, with messy brown hair and hazel eyes that reflected a range of emotions similar to her own.“What did you just say?” “This is my hideout,” the boy repeated.She reasoned that it couldn’t be. This treehouse was her discovery years before, before the boy could have claimed it. “I think there’s been some kind of confusion. This very treehouse has been my hiding spot for a long time,” Madeline retorted. “I have no idea where you’re coming from, but I’ve grown up using this spot since I was a young child,” she added.The boy appeared astonished as his demeanor relaxed. “Have you been going here for some time now? I didn’t intend to bother you. I’ve only lately begun to come here.”“Good; now that you know this is my hiding space, scram,” Madeline said rudely.“Whoa, whoa, you don’t have to be rude,” the b
Madeline manages to break Free of Daniel's grasp and runs to stand in front of the guards that is about to shoot her friends. She yells at Daniel "if you want to kill them, you have to kill me too." Daniel scoffs walking towards her " don't be foolish, you can't possibly want to die for their sake, you've hardly know them." Madeline screams at him " what is wrong with you,I love Jake and nothing is going to ever change it even if I go with you my heart will never belong to you, you will never have my heart so why not just kill me instead." Daniel stunned at her revelation looks at her surprise that she was willing to go the extent of dying for her friends, for Jake. Daniel walks to where she's kneeling and grabs her hand " if you won't love me willingly then you'll love me by Force." he grabbed her hand and drags her to the car. He pushes her in and shut the door. He turns around once more he tells Tony to handle her friends. Daniel is about to get into the car and drive away w
The tension in the room is palpable as Tony stands in disagrees with Daniels plans. Tony shakes his head, "You're gambling with everything we built. The gang is not just a means to an end; it's family. Don't forget that."Tony's frustration deepens . "You think leaving the gang is the solution? Daniel, this gang is more than just a way out for us. It's a brotherhood, a family. Remember when you first walked through those doors? Henry doubted you, but I saw potential. I stood up for you, vouched for you, because I believed in the leader I saw in you. We swore an oath to the gang, Daniel, to prioritize the gang before anything else." Daniel clenches his jaw, the weight of Tony's words sinking in. "Tony, Madeline is the key to a life beyond all this. We won't need the gang if we have her and the wealth she brings. Can't you see the bigger picture?" Tony's eyes reflect hurt and disappointment. "You're willing to sacrifice everything we stand for just for your personal desires. This gang is
Madeline, despite the escalating horror, keeps her gaze steady, refusing to break. Daniel's eyes narrow, his frustration growing. He leans in, his voice a dangerous whisper, "I'll keep going until you decide to talk. What happened?" Madeline grits her teeth but doesn't relent. Sarah, in pain and fear, pleads with Madeline to tell Daniel whatever he wants to know. Madeline finally breaks her silence ."Fine, stop!, I'll talk." Madeline pleads with Daniel to stop the cruelty towards Sarah. "Please, Daniel, she's hurt enough. I'll tell you everything," she implores as tears start streaming down her face. Daniel, relentless, insists, "Talk, and maybe I'll consider stopping." her voice shaky but defiant. "We were trying to escape. We had a plan to contact someone who could help us get out of here." Daniel smirks, pulling the knife away from Sarah's throat. "See, that wasn't so hard, was it?" he says, almost amused. Sarah, relieved that the pressure on her neck has eased, is gasping for br
In Daniel's office, a tense atmosphere filled the room as he mulled over the mysterious turn of events. "Sarah's sudden illness is too coincidental. Madeline never mentioned anything about her having a condition," he pondered aloud, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. Determined to unravel the potential deception, he summoned both the guard and the doctor into his office. The guard entered, standing at attention. "What did you observe when Sarah fell ill?" Daniel questioned. The guard, visibly uneasy, stammered, "I, uh, didn't really pay much attention, sir. I was focused on getting help for her." Daniel's sharp gaze scrutinized the guard's response, but he dismissed him and turned to the doctor. The doctor, who seemed less perturbed by the situation, remarked, "Honestly, it seemed quite routine down there. As if they were accustomed to such occurrences." Daniel's brows furrowed in suspicion. "Accustomed? That doesn't make sense. Something's not adding up," he muttered to hi
Daniel sat back in his chair, a sigh escaping his lips, he found himself in a moment of contemplation. Tony, his trusted friend, had always been a loyal companion in the gang, never questioning Daniel's authority or plans. The sudden resistance from Tony left Daniel questioning his decisions. Staring at the dimly lit room, Daniel wondered if he had truly thought through the entirety of his plan or if his actions were driven more by emotion than rationale. He ran a hand through his hair, wrestling with the internal conflict of doubt. "Am I doing the right thing?" Daniel murmured to himself, the weight of uncertainty hanging in the air. He shook his head as if trying to dispel the doubt. The plan had already been set in motion, and there was no turning back now. He had invested too much to back down. As he contemplated the decisions ahead, Daniel recognized the necessity of finishing what he started. The consequences of what would happen if he failed, and he couldn't afford to let doubt
In the dimly lit prison, Stephanie, her curiosity piqued, asked, "So, what's Plan B, Jake?" Jake, explained, "Plan B is contacting Justin. He'll come with friends and get us out of here." Relief washed over the group. "But there's one problem." Jake adds and Madeline sighed, " what is the problem then?" Jake, revealed, "The problem is we need a way to contact Justin." Marie, voicing the collective frustration, groaned, "They took our phones when we came into the prison." So, how do we contact Justin without our phones?" Jake, thinking on his feet, replied, "We just need to get a phone without anyone realizing." Madeline, questioned, "How do you propose we do that? They're watching us closely." Jake, undeterred, stated, "We wait for a guard to come down here. Surely, one of them will have a phone on them. We can try to get the phone, send the message to Justin, and get it back to the guard " Marie, frustrated, sighed, "And how do we get a guard down here? Everything is getting more co
Madeline stares at Daniel still not able to grasp the fact that he betrayed her. She listens as he continues talking. Seated back in his chair, Daniel continued his revelation, a twisted pride in his words. "I got one of my guys to suggest selling drugs to Ashton. Predictably, he bought the idea. Little did he know, my guys were watching him. When he sold the drugs, they waited for the right moment, stole the money, leaving Ashton in a bind." Madeline, disbelief etched on her face, asked, "You set up Ashton to get him involved in drugs, knowing he'd do anything to protect Marie?" Daniel nodded, "I Ashton to owe a debt because I knew he'd want to protect Marie so he'd definitely send her out of the country and if their romance was as strong as everyone said it was she'd definitely want to help him and who better than her own twin sister to help her." Madeline, shaking her head in disbelief, muttered, "What happened to the sweet Daniel I used to know? How did you become this person?" D
The guards led to others out the door forcefully. Daniel gestures to Madeline telling her "take a seat." Madeline, standing defiantly, refused Daniel's command to take a seat. He sighed and decided to continue his story, as if seeking understanding from the person who once meant the world to him. "It was asking for help that brought me into this world," Daniel confessed, a somber tone in his voice. Madeline, though visibly hurt and confused, remained silent, urging him to continue. Daniel delved into his past, revealing a stark contrast to the life Madeline knew. "My mother and I weren't always rich. Her parents were so poor that they had to give her to her uncle, who was living alone, hoping he could provide a better life for her." Madeline, her eyes widening with a mix of surprise and sympathy, finally spoke, "I had no idea, Daniel. Why didn't you tell me all this before?" Daniel, with a bitter smile, replied, "Because I knew you wouldn't understand. Your perfect world and my strugg
The tension in the room escalated, the group grappling with betrayal and shattered trust. Madeline, her voice trembling, demanded answers from Daniel. "What is Marie talking about, Daniel? Why are you doing this?" Daniel, grinning with a sinister satisfaction, confessed, "Marie is telling the truth, Madeline. I never came back to Colombia seeking forgiveness. I came back for wealth, and you were my ticket." Madeline, bewildered, asked, "What do you mean, I'm your ticket to wealth?" Daniel, enjoying the power shift, explained, "The treatment for my mother's cancer drained our resources. I realized marrying into your family, taking over your father's business, was the only way to secure our future." Madeline, hurt and betrayed, demanded, "So, everything between us was a lie? You never loved me?" Daniel, unapologetic, admitted, "I needed you for my own gain. When I saw you with Jake, I became enraged. I was supposed to be the son-in-law, taking over the business. But you moved on, and I