They got the punishment they deserved.
In the last two months, Rhys’ life had changed completely. With Sia absent, he was managing the company and learning how to be a father to his son. Things have smoothened out with his family. Now they were supporting him in his new journey while also being there for his son. “What do you mean?” Rhys asked sharply over the phone. Seated in his office, dressed in a crisp three-piece suit, his forehead was creased in frustration. “If they want to sign the deal, that’s their choice. Our company doesn’t make compromises.”He sounded authoritative as if he possessed all the power at the moment despite being troubled. “Mr. Hart, we don’t trust your company without your boss present,” the other party said.“My boss ensured this company runs smoothly even without her here,” Rhys countered. “Have you noticed any decline in our performance? We are stronger than ever. The decision is yours, take it or leave it.”“Mr. Hart, let’s be honest. We are your only option,” the voice on the other end rep
That evening, the dining table was crowded with siblings, save for Leon, who remained by Sia’s side as he was guarding her like a loyal knight.As soon as Rhys stepped into the house, Callum appeared out of nowhere and snatched Nico from his arms.“Hey, buddy!” Callum greeted cheerfully, earning a fit of giggles from the baby.“That’s cheating!” Abella protested, crossing her arms. “We agreed to take turns, youngest to oldest. It is my turn to hold him!”But before the two could argue further, Nico spotted Anne emerging from the kitchen with a fresh batch of cookies. His face lit up as if he had found the ultimate prize.“Mama!” the baby squealed with delight, abandoning Callum’s hold to toddle straight to her.Anne who was balancing the warm cookies, set the tray on the dining table just in time to scoop Nico into her arms. The little boy buried his face in the crook of her neck, his tiny arms wrapping tightly around her. Even at his age, Nico knew who truly ruled the house. He had wr
The dining table buzzed with laughter and conversation, creating a warm, perfect atmosphere at their home. Amid the cheerful clatter of cutlery and voices, Anne’s phone rang. Seeing Leon’s name on the screen, she quickly answered.“Hello, son. How are you?” Anne asked, her voice brightening.Leon’s tone was calm but it seemed as if he was trying to hold back his emotion. “Mom, Rowan came by a few minutes ago. He said Sia’s brain is showing activity. He said it’s a good sign, there is a chance she might wake up soon.”Anne froze for a moment, processing the news. Then her face lit up. “Oh, thank God!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with relief. “Finally, something good is happening. It has been three long months. We have missed her so much.”Everyone at the table stopped eating, their attention on Anne as she shared the news. Smiles and murmurs of relief spread around the room.“Thankfully, the Lord has listened to our prayers,” Anne added, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.
Leon crouched beside Sia’s bed, his eyes fixed on her delicate face. She looked beautiful, even in this fragile state, but there was something unnervingly fragile about her now. Her once-full cheeks had hollowed, her bones more pronounced than before. He could hardly bring himself to touch her, afraid of causing any harm."Can I sleep with you tonight, baby?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t feel like being far from you. My heart is so restless. Maybe it’s because Rowan said you could wake up any moment now. But I’m scared. I don’t want to let myself get too excited, only to be let down again. I can’t handle that kind of disappointment. For three months, I have been told that you might wake up soon. Every time, I let myself hope and every time, nothing changes."He fell silent for a moment, his hand hovering just above hers but not touching her. He continued, his voice filled with emotion, "Let’s talk about something else. I have been forced to go back to work. I
Song Recommendation: All My Love, ColdplayAs usual, Leon woke up and leaned in to kiss Sia’s face. She was still sleeping, peaceful and quiet as always. He whispered, “Last night, I had one of the best dreams in a long time. I saw you wake up and smile at me. It felt so real, Sia. I wish I could have that dream again. Baby, I can’t wait for you to wake up. Today, I feel happy, even though you are still asleep. It’s like I can feel you holding my hand, keeping me steady. You are my everything—my love, my happiness, my reason for living. I love you more than words can say.”He gave her one final kiss on the cheek before leaving the room.After stepping out, Leon made a few calls and then spoke to Emery, who was looking after Sia’s treatment. They discussed her condition for a while, and Leon made sure to note any updates.Later, he settled into his home office to work. These days, he hardly attended physical meetings, preferring to handle everything through online calls. If he absolutel
Sia’s POVI was floating in an endless expanse of darkness, weightless and suspended. I wasn’t awake, yet I wasn’t entirely asleep either. The void surrounded me, but then, faint flickers of light began to pierce through, breaking apart the shadows. Shards of memories started surfacing and all of them were sharp and vivid.I could hear laughter. A burst of warm, carefree joy echoed in my ears. I saw myself, Leon, and a grumpy dog trudging through the snow. The image shifted, and there we were, walking with a group of tribal people. I was ahead of him, curious and eager to keep up with the group, while Leon stayed close behind, his watchful gaze ensuring I didn’t stray too far. At that time I thought, he was keeping an eye on his hostage but now I see that he was worried for me. The scene flickered, and now we stood beneath a living tree in the middle of a harsh winter. Snow surrounded us but the tree blossomed against all odds. Flowers fell, landing on both of us as we silently stare
When Sia slowly opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a pair of sparkling blue eyes fixed on her. They were full of curiosity, with a hint of mischief that only a child could have. Standing at the edge of the bed was a little boy, his legs too short to carry out whatever plan was brewing in his mind.The boy’s mouth dropped open in surprise when he realized she was awake, as if he had been caught doing something wrong. “Oh…” he whispered, his eyes wide with the innocence of someone who didn’t quite understand what had just happened.Sia’s head felt clouded as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. The events of the past felt distant, and she struggled to focus. A child, of all things, was the last thing she had expected to see. She blinked at him, trying to make sense of the moment and yet, despite the confusion swirling around her, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. The sight of him, so small and innocent, somehow brought warmth to her heart which had been frozen
When Leon finally came home later that evening, he was met with an unexpected sight: Nico, who was crying loudly and causing a ruckus. It was his first time meeting his nephew, and he hadn’t imagined the introduction would be anything like this. He stopped in his tracks, concern immediately washing over him.“Mom, is he okay? You said he was sick,” Leon asked, his voice filled with worry.Anne sighed. “He is fine. He is just being stubborn. He wants me to let him go to your room. He has already checked out every other room in the house, and now he wants to go where he is not allowed.”Leon raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes as he watched Nico who was still sobbing. He reached out, trying to comfort the child, but Nico shot him a look that made it clear he wasn’t interested in anyone’s help. “He is too scary to be Rhys’s son,” Leon muttered with a grin. “Our Rhys was a ball of sunshine.”Anne leaned in, whispering softly, “He is a copy of your dad. So grumpy.”Leon chu
"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
“Mr. King, welcome,” Kate said with a professional smile. “My boss sent me over with the revised agreement. If everything looks good to you, we can proceed with signing the contract.”“Miss Swift certainly lives up to her name,” Sebastian remarked as he skimmed through the document.Kate chuckled softly. “Her last name is Swift for a reason,” she quipped.Sebastian let out a low, rich laugh, his grey eyes glinting with amusement.Kate felt her ears heat up as her heart started pounding unexpectedly. What’s happening to me? she wondered, trying to focus. She had a boyfriend—a perfectly nice one who might even propose soon. So why was she reacting like this to a man she had just met?“Miss Kate,” Sebastian said, pulling her attention back. “I have reviewed all the clauses. I’m ready to sign.”Kate blurted out in surprise, “So quick?”Sebastian leaned in slightly, his voice playful. “I’m quite swift even without the last name, Miss Kate.”Her cheeks flushed crimson as she realized he had