“Who do I need to bury now?” Bella asked her with a hint of sarcasm and boredom shining in her eyes. If somebody came to her for help, it was either to find something or hide it. She was excellent at this job, though she did not like to be known for this. She had far more skills that she didn't wish for the world to know. “Bella, please,” Sabrina begged her not to sprinkle salt on her wounds. Bella was the last person on earth that she would have come to help. However, nobody could help her in this aspect and thus, she had to go to her stepmother. “I do not have the urge to scratch your wounds. I was merely asking,” Bella said with a shrug. “Nicholas knows…”Sabrina said in desperation. “It won't be long until he will start digging into my past. What if he decides to dig into the time I left the USA? How will he react? I don't want him to find out anything. Please do something.” She never wanted anyone to know her secret. Especially Nicholas! If he knew about it, the consequence
Nicholas had recovered from fever, and he had started going to work. Of course, his family was not happy about this. They urged him to rest for one more day, but he graciously refused as he had more important work to do. “Mr Clarke…”Nicholas shook hands with the man he didn't think he would see after that day again. Mr Clarke delivered the news of Nathaniel's demise and shook the Hart family. “I didn't think I would see Mr Hart again.” The man said with a chuckle. Nicholas said, “Likewise.”He decided to meet Mr Clarke because of a considerable reason. If not, he would not have come to meet the man who considered the entire Hart family as his mortal enemy. Nicholas asked him a question, “Let me ask you a question, Mr Clarke.”Mr Clarke was sitting in a cafe. His coffee was untouched as he was looking at Nicholas and trying to read him. He could see that the young mafia head came with a job that he wanted from him. Nicholas questioned, “How important was Nathaniel to you?” Mr Cla
While Nicholas was unraveling the truth, Roseanne was at home, worrying about his health as he played with dangers. Of course, she knew he would be fine, but she couldn't help but worry about him. She made herself understand that he would be fine and tried to distract herself with random chores but her mind was still on him. She was picking up his clothes that he had scattered on the bed, sighing. His old habit of taking out tens of clothes from the closet and then deciding on one without putting the others back was still intact. How many times had she told him that she didn't like his habit? However, he didn't seem to understand it. Sometimes, she thinks that he does this intentionally to make her angry. Suddenly, Roseanne realized that she was muttering about Nicholas. And not just this, she was remembering their old times together without feeling bad about it. Instead of remembering the sad moments of their togetherness, she was recalling all the good moments, especially the on
"Why is this pretty lady with my Nicholas?" Coco inquired, pointing at the photo."That's his wife," Roseanne replied softly."Oh?" Coco's face fell, confusion clouding her features.“Nothing, mommy,”Coco said. “What's her name?”“Her name is Anne Rose Swift,” Roseanne answered. It felt weird for her to talk about herself to her daughter like she was a stranger. Anne Rose was not just anyone but her. A part of her that she killed a long time ago. “Like you mommy?” Coco asked after thinking. “She has a similar name like you.”“Yes, we do have a similar name, ”Roseanne whispered.Coco patted her mother's shoulder and said, “You are also pretty mommy.”Rosanne laughed. “What do you mean by ‘also’?Did her daughter think that she was feeling bad? It was not like that. It was just that she couldn't believe that an innocent child like Coco would find her old self pretty. She hated Anne Rose. Anne Rose was not beautiful and confident. She could be easily intimidated by people. She had a bad
Leon’s words had shattered Roseanne. As the kids left, leaving her the only one left in the room, tears began streaming down her cheeks. It was fueled by a deep frustration she could barely articulate. In this moment, she was utterly lost and was unsure of what she wanted or needed. There has been many moments in her life when she didn't know what she wanted but this particular moment made her helpless to the point that she never encountered before. “I don’t want to go back either,” she whispered, the words meant to be a scream but coming out as a barely audible plea. “What do I do?”Her eyes darted around the room, desperately searching for a trace of him. Even a shadow that might suggest he was still there. She wondered if his presence could have changed this, if he were here, would she still be crying alone?He had never been able to bear the sight of her tears. Each time a tear slipped down her cheek, he would gently kiss it away. That’s how he had been caring for her, with a ten
"Sir, the reports are here," Johnson said as he reached Nicholas’ office. His face was trying to uphold a mask of professionalism despite the urgency in his voice."What does it say?" Nicholas asked, barely able to conceal his anxiety. This moment consumed his mind, making it impossible to focus on anything else. The weight of the unknown had kept him restless, and the anticipation of the truth had been agonising him since yesterday. He had yearned to wait in the lab to know the results immediately, but other duties had forced him not to do so. "Please open it," Johnson urged, handing over the envelope with a gravity that matched the situation. He didn’t know whose DNA Nicholas had instructed him to match, but it was clear that the result was of utmost importance to his boss. Seeing his boss in urgency made him stressed too. Nicholas tore open the envelope with a sense of foreboding looming around him. As his eyes scanned the report's contents, his expression shifted dramatically. H
Flashback to pastVance said to his daughters before entering the threshold of the Hart family, “Girls, I want you to be on your best behavior.”He was establishing his image as a politician, and he wanted his family man image to be spot on. In this event, people from diverse fields were bound to come. He could not take any chances. He had not achieved the heights he did after becoming the president of the country. Right now, he was just a struggling politician. Beatrice pouted. ‘But daddy…”Vance softened his voice and said to his youngest daughter, “Bea, there will be a girl your age at the party. I will introduce you to her. Her name is Emery. You can be friends with her.”Usually, the kids stay home while he attends such parties with his wife, but for some reason, she was out of state, and he decided to bring his daughters as his companions. “Okay, Daddy!” Bea was young and sweet. Thus, she didn't make things difficult for her father. He turned to his oldest daughter and said,
“Where is Nate?” Ellora asked. Nicolas answered, “I do not know.” Ellora began muttering something about the boy named Nate. She looked at Sabrina and said with a smile, “Go take Sabrina out. Show her around.” When Ellora was talking about Nate, she had a troubled look on her face as she knew that the boy was up to no good, but when she turned to look at Sabrina, she appeared fine. Sabrina wondered if she had the magic to make people forget their worries or if Mrs Hart was just proficient at it. In her case, the latter appeared to be the case. Nicholas just agreed and began showing her around while they entered another part of the house. Suddenly, someone came, and Nicholas started to talking to the man. He told her, “Why don't you roam around? I will be here. If you need me, holler loudly.” She was not interested in touring his house. She just wanted to be with him. The feeling of Nicholas Hart showing his home to her was overwhelming, and a girl who had been crushing after him
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