“Who is this little angel?” Mrs Taylor cooed the little girl when she met Nicholas and his children. “Isn't she cute, husband?”Mr Taylor, who was trying to stare at the little girl, nodded. “She is.”Coco hid behind her mother as she saw two unknown people interested in her. She was shy and uncomfortable in their presence. “Hello,” Mr Taylor extended his hand to the little girl. Coco looked at Nicholas, who nodded with a smile, giving her some reassurance. When she saw his gesture, she felt a little courageous and shook the older man's hand. Holding the soft and tiny hand, Nr Taylor couldn't help but feel emotional. “I'm Vance. What's your name?” Mr Taylor asked the little girl. “I'm Charlotte,” Coco whispered. Mr Taylor scrunched up his nose. It was a typical Hart family name. He didn't show his feelings about the matter though. He tried to talk more with her but it didn't seem she was interested in answering him more. Nicholas and Roseanne greeted the couple who were throwin
She heard Mrs Taylor say, “This is my baby. I don't let anyone touch it.``She added, “Although I never get to drive it. I kept it in pristine condition. I haven't changed it a bit since the time I got it almost two decades ago.” Roseanne's palm didn't stop caressing the car's exterior until her skin touched the familiar scratches. “It's beautiful,” Roseanne whispered. “Where did you buy it from?”Mrs Taylor said, “No clue. My husband gifted me this on our wedding anniversary that year.”“It is one of a kind,” Roseanne whispered. “There is no piece like this in the world. And my dad happened to modify it with his hands.”Mrs Taylor stared at Roseanne. Roseanne looked into her eyes and asked, “Mrs Taylor, why do you own the only car my father spent decades modifying? It was his beloved project. He loved it like his child. I still remember when he finished his dream project and gave me the first ride in the car. However, after some days, a capitalist forced him to sell it. So, it was
As Nicholas consoled Roseanne, a sudden message interrupted their moment, causing his expression to shift from comfort to conflict. Sensing his inner unrest, Roseanne asked with concern, “What’s going on?”“I need to leave,” Nicholas revealed, his voice laden with urgency.“Is everything okay?” Roseanne inquired, her worry visible. “I’m not sure,” Nicholas confessed. “I’ve been searching for someone, and now, I’ve received a message saying I need to meet them immediately for crucial information. It’s not far from here. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”Roseanne nodded, though anxiety crept into her features. “Please, be careful.”Nicholas offered her a reassuring smile, appreciating her concern. He embraced her tightly and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I’ll return before you know it,” he promised before reluctantly leaving Roseanne behind with children. Roseanne watched him leave, a knot of worry tightening in her stomach, fearful of the dangers that awaited him and the lurk
“He is messing up with you again, isn't he?” Sabrina laughed. “I could see from your helplessness that he had you where he wanted you to be. Under his thumb!”She burst into a fit of angry and manic laughter once again. Her laugh made him feel inferior. It made him think that he was never good enough. He had to constantly live under the shadow of Nathaniel because no matter what happens, the latter was the protagonist of the story while he was just a suffering side character. Even if something were not about Nathaniel, it would end up becoming. All the incidents that hit his self-esteem came to surface one by one. The anger that he was trying to surprise cracked and began to overpower him. With angry and dark eyes, he said, “Cut the bullshit, Sabrina.”Sabrina still didn't stop and went on to probe hik further. She knew that under no condition he would hurt her. She pointed out, “You hate him. Don't you? He outsmarts you all the time.”“What the hell do you want?!” Nicholas asked he
Nicholas took the whiskey bottle and sat on the corner of the terrace. He silently drank from the bottle. He didn't know how many bottles he finished. His mind has been stuck in the past and present. He recalled the time when he and Sabrina were together. It was the golden time of his life. He used to be a happy and cheery man who had the woman of his dreams. Then, one day, she left him. So much time passed with him being alone. One day, his mother brought a woman into his life, Anne Rose. She was quiet and beautiful. He would enjoy watching her. She was like a mute old black black-and-white. Wherever she would go, she would leave her allure behind. He didn't realise when he fell in love with her. Falling in love with her simplicity and beauty was effortless. Cursed by love once, he didn't dare to acknowledge the feelings. Then, she was taken away from him again. It was his fear that took the most beautiful gift of his life away from him. Lastly, Roseanne comes into his life with h
"What happened?" Emery asked as she glanced at Roseanne, who was pacing back and forth in anxiety. Although she was trying to suppress it, anyone could see that she was facing some serious issue.Roseanne stopped in front of Emery and answered, "He's not picking up my calls. He's been gone since last night. I'm getting frustrated."When he told her last night that he would come in no time, he did not. She had been waiting for him since last night, and he was nowhere to be found. Lord knows how many times she had called him, but there was not even a single answer. This made her angry. However, more than anger, she was feeling fear—the fear of the unknown.Emery reassured her casually, "Don't worry, he'll be back soon. Sometimes he doesn't carry his phone if it's urgent.""Did he tell you where he went?" Emery inquired after a short pause.Shaking her head, Roseanne replied, "He just said it's urgent.""Don't worry, he'll be fine and back soon," Emery consoled her.Emery, who had lived
The next morning, when Roseanne woke up, Nicholas was gone, much to her surprise. She had fallen asleep the previous night with the expectation of seeing him in the morning. However, upon waking, she found herself alone. She asked Ellora, “Where is Nicholas?”Upon searching his study, she found it empty. Having overslept, she skipped breakfast and sought Ellora's help in locating him.Ellora informed her, “He went to work.”“Oh?” The possibility had crossed her mind, but she hadn't dwelled on it. What would she do now? “When?” she inquired. She felt a little sad about it. “Almost an hour ago,” Ellora replied.Roseanne regretted her tardiness, as she had slept late and missed the chance to meet him. Now, she would have to wait for him all day, a prospect that made time feel painfully slow.Ellora informed her, “He mentioned that he might not be back tonight. He has something important to address.”“Okay,” Roseanne replied, her heart sinking with the realization that she wouldn't see
"God, Nathaniel. With what monster were you possessed?" Roseanne's voice trembled as she scanned the room, her unease palpable. Deciding to focus on her task, she sifted through the books she planned to take for Coco and Leon, convinced that books were their best gift.One book caught her eye, resting on the study table as though untouched for years. Retrieving it, a yellowed note fluttered to the ground.‘You must come with me, loving me, to death; or else hate me, and still come with me.’The words sent a chill down Roseanne's spine, prompting her to return the book to its place with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "What on earth were you possessed with, Nathan?"She knew that she should not judge him too soon. However, she could not control the urge to. She turned to Wuthering Heights, a book placed on the book shelve over his desk. She flipped through its pages while spotting several highlighted quotes. Each quote held a clue to Nathaniel's inner mind. It was a world she sou
Charlotte walked into the room and noticed only a grand piano, nothing else. She looked around, confused. Did not he say that he wanted to show her the birthday gift for his father? Or was he saying it just to spend time with her? Then again. Why would he even want to spend time with her? "Where's the gift you wanted to show me?" she asked Sebastian after a while when she could not control her thoughts.He pointed at the piano with a soft smile. "There."Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "You want to give your dad a piano?"She could not think of another explanation of why would he want to bring her to a room that only had a piano in it. Sebastian chuckled and shook his head. "No," he said, walking toward the piano. He sat down on the stool and placed his fingers on the keys.The music started, and Charlotte stood frozen. The sound was so beautiful and emotional like the piano was telling a story all on its own. She couldn’t describe how it made her feel, but it was like a deep sadness m
"Sebastian King. Pleased to meet you," Sebastian introduced himself, his voice smooth as he extended his hand to the Hart brothers."Likewise.”Sebastian smiled an enigmatic expression with no hint of malice or curiosity but still carrying an unmistakable poise that made it hard to look away.The introductions concluded just as more guests began to trickle in. Alessia, Leon, and Callum made their way to their designated table, while Charlotte excused herself to take a call. “So?” Leon asked, glancing at his brother. “What do you think?”Callum leaned back slightly, his sharp eyes flickering with thought. Unlike Rhys and Leon, Callum had an uncanny ability to read people. He was the observer, blending into the background while Rhys commanded attention and Leon’s charisma drew people in. It gave him the advantage of seeing what others often missed.“He’s... something,” Callum admitted, his tone measured. “Even I’m a little starstruck, to be honest. The guy isn’t just handsome, he is be
Today was the day of Carter King’s birthday party. Along with Charlotte, Sia was invited too, and since she decided to attend, Leon was her plus one. It was not a big event but a very intimate birthday party. Still the guests surpased a few hundred. Charlotte was nervous the whole way. Thankfully, she was attending with her brother and best friend. She dragged Callum as her plus one since she didn’t want to appear alone.Sia and Leon entered first.All the while, Sebastian’s gaze was on the door as if he was waiting for someone to enter. When that person arrived, his eyes lit up, but it soon diminished as he saw her holding a man’s arm. The man looked younger, but he couldn’t tell much.When Charlotte appeared to greet Carter, she intentionally didn’t look at Sebastian, but she could feel his gaze bore a hole into her head. As Carter saw Charlotte, he forgot all the guests.He didn’t bother with formalities and hugged Charlotte. “My girl. How are you? It has been months since I last
From across the room, someone was watching the entire scene unfold with an amused glint in his stormy grey eyes.Sebastian leaned back as his lips curled into a half-smile, clearly enjoying the drama, but there was something else in his gaze. Something deeper and darker.“Mr. King, what are you watching?” one of his business partners asked, noting Sebastian’s lingering attention.Sebastian’s eyes never wavered from the group. “Mr. Jones, I hope you don’t mind, but I just spotted an old friend. Would you mind if I went over and said hello?”“Not at all, we are done here,” Mr. Jones replied, excusing himself as he walked away.Meanwhile, Charlotte, having just made her point to Ronan, turned to rejoin her girls. But as she did, she froze. Her gaze met a pair of stormy grey eyes. Eyes that seemed to burn with a quiet intensity.For a moment, Charlotte thought it was just another mirage, a trick her mind was playing on her. She moved as her steps were hesitant, but those eyes followed her.
Tonight, the Hart girls had planned a much-needed night out. Charlotte and Abella took the lead, guiding Sia, Kate, and Estelle to one of their favourite clubs. Over the past few days, Estelle had been spending time with Abella, and despite their age difference, the two had become fast friends. So, when Abella invited her to join the group, Estelle didn’t hesitate.Estelle had a naturally chill personality. Even though she was a bit more reserved, she knew how to let loose when the moment called for it.“Boss, I missed you!” Kate exclaimed as she threw her arms around Sia, hugging her tightly and refusing to let go.“Come on, Kate, I’m not your boss here,” Sia said, laughing as she tried to pry Kate off, but Kate clung to her like glue.“I know that! But calling you by your name still gives me the shivers,” Kate grinned mischievously. “You are scary.”Charlotte raised a brow and teased, “How can Sia baby possibly be scary?”The girls burst into laughter as Sia shot them a glare. Normal
“Where are you taking me, Leon?” Sia asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and amusement. He had covered her eyes with his hands and was carefully guiding her along the path. From the moment they met that morning, she could see the anticipation in his eyes. There was excitement, almost boyish, but beneath it there was a hint of nervousness, as if he wasn’t entirely sure how his secret plan would unfold.“Just a minute,” Leon replied his voice brimming with eagerness. “Once we are there, you will see.”They walked along the winding and uneven path, Sia grumbling at every step. Finally, after what felt like an eternity to her and just a blink to him, he stopped.“We are here,” he announced softly. Then, his voice took on a deeper and more heartfelt tone. “Before you open your eyes, I want to tell you—I love you so much, and I can’t wait to start this new chapter of our life together.”Sia felt her heart skip a beat at his words. Slowly, Leon removed his hands, and she opened her eyes.
“What do you want to know about her?” Carter asked, his tone measured as he observed his son’s restless demeanour. He wondered if his son recalled anything about her? As much as he knew that stubborn yet kind woman, she would not come to him again. “Who is Charlotte?” Sebastian asked directly, his voice tinged with both curiosity and apprehension.Carter leaned back in his chair, folding his hands together. “She is your wife. Or rather, she was your wife.”Sebastian frowned. “Our divorce isn’t finalized yet,” he corrected.“Great,” Carter said with a small satisfied smile.Sebastian raised an eyebrow, surprised by his father’s reaction. “Are you happy that we are still married?”“You bet I am,” Carter replied with a nonchalant shrug.Sebastian leaned forward, his confusion evident. “As much as I know you, you are an overprotective man. How on earth did you approve of a woman who married me after what was, by all accounts, a drunken mistake?”Carter chuckled, his expression softening.
“What’s up?” Sia asked, leaning casually against the doorframe. Charlotte was sitting quietly in her room, staring at nothing in particular.“I met Sebastian,” Charlotte said flatly, her voice devoid of any emotion.“Oh?” Sia raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. “How did that go?”It was as if she was not sitting with Anne and scheming about Charlotte. Charlotte gave her a look. “Knock it off. I know you already know everything. Whatever you are thinking, it’s not going to happen. He asked me to sign the divorce papers, not to be his wife.”Sia stepped into the room, sitting across from her. “The real question is, do you want to be his wife?”Charlotte’s gaze faltered. “He doesn’t even remember me, Sia. And don’t forget—he loves Emily. Always has, always will.”“Did you ask him if Emily is still in his life?” Sia pressed, tilting her head.Charlotte shrugged. “How does it even matter?”“Coco,” Sia said, “How does it not matter? Why are you being such a coward? We both know you still
“So, Saturday night at Apollo’s? It’s a date,” Andrew said, taking a chance with the woman of his dreams. They were standing on the porch of the café. With Charlotte’s high-heeled boots, she stood an inch taller than him.Before she could respond, a smiling hunk with his arms crossed over his chest approached and said, “No, it’s not.”Charlotte froze at the sound of the deep, husky voice that had haunted her dreams. She didn’t dare turn around. What if it was him? What would she do? And if it wasn’t him, how would she handle the crushing disappointment?Andrew frowned at the interruption and asked, “Who are you, man?”“Why don’t you ask the lady?” the stranger replied, cocking an eyebrow.Andrew turned to Charlotte. “Do you know him?”Without even glancing at the man, Charlotte said firmly, “No.”Andrew wasn’t convinced. There was an undeniable tension between them with her avoidance and his unwavering stare. It was as if an unspoken history filled the space between them.“Well,” And