The response that followed was a taunting one. "Let's just say, someone with a mutual interest," it said, causing Emma to furrow her brow in confusion. Her gaze remained fixed on the screen, displaying a private number with no clue to the caller's identity.Emma's voice trembled as she spoke with unease. "Why should I trust you?"The voice remained assertive, "You're desperate, at a dead end. You can lend me a hand with something I need, or you can choose not to and remain in the dark about your father." The voice said and emma's throat suddenly felt dry, what does she have to give the strange caller by the way?"What exactly do you need my help with?" Emma's voice wavered, her breath catching in her throat as the voice emitted a satisfied chuckle.The voice continued, "I need you to uncover some secrets about your boyfriend." A hint of amusement colored its tone, leaving Emma even more confused.Holding onto the phone tightly, Emma listened to the voice on the other end. "My boyfrien
Emma's fingers gripped the bedsheet tightly, her back arching with every thrusts from Lucas, her lips emitting a pleasured gasp. She quivered at the touch of his skin against hers, his grip both firm and tender as he directed their movements."Please don't stop," she pleaded, her voice barely audible as Lucas's hand found her hip, urging her on, urging her to take his entire length deep inside her.He leaned in close, his lips brushing against her ear. " God! it feels so good being inside you. You are driving me crazy with the way you tighten around me" he murmured, his words sending a shiver of anticipation through her body as she tighten around him again, earning a groan from Lucas.She responded with a throaty moan, surrendering herself completely to him. "God you feel so big. Faster!," she whispered, her hips meeting his as the sound of their bodies meeting eachother echoed all over the room.Lucas felt the tension building within him, his body moving in perfect sync with hers as
The ache in Emma's legs caused her to groan as she shifted on the bed's soft sheets. The pain was a reminder of their passionate lovemaking, a memory she welcomed, even as she winced and adjusted her position.Lucas's voice broke through her thoughts, soft and comforting. "Come, let me ease your discomfort," he whispered, drawing her closer with his gentle touch on her waist. Shivers ran down her spine at his proximity, momentarily distracting her from the dull ache.Grinning playfully, Emma swatted his hand away as he moved to caress her back. "Let go of me, you jerk," she chided, though the darkness concealed her scowl. A hint of laughter escaped her lips, betraying her attempt at seriousness."I can feel the intensity of your death glare, you know," Lucas chuckled, his fingers tracing patterns on her back as she settled against him. She smiled, comforted by his warmth and familiar touch."I love you," Emma whispered, her lips brushing against his skin as she chuckled softly. Her fi
"Emma, you have to understand this, Ethan Maddox is dangerous, i have known him way before you and i can tell he's just putting a mask on infront of you, very soon, the mask will be off and you will see the real devil that he is. If he found out what you're doing, he could kill you without a second thought," Lucas held onto her hand, his eyes pleading with her to comprehend the seriousness of the situation. " I can't afford to lose you Emma" "If that is what must be, then let it be," she declared with determination, turning away to settle into the comfort of her bed, drawing the covers up to her chest. "I chose not to confide in you because I did not want to burden you, Lucas. I did not wish to keep you in the dark.""What was the caller's demand?" Lucas asked, his voice strained as he dismissed her earlier statement."He insisted that he could assist me, but only after I provided incriminating information about you," she responded, hearing Lucas take a sharp breath."And what was yo
Emma's stomach twisted uneasily as she received the papers from Tina, her heart aching for her friend as she slipped the envelope into her bag.Tina's hand squeezed Emma's shoulder, her voice faltering. "There are also audio files inside," she revealed, her hold on Emma tightening. "Just hold onto them until we can review them tonight, and if we never see each other again, look through them."Emma furrowed her brows at Tina's restless demeanor. "What's going on, Tina? This isn't like you. Something has really rattled you.I'm sorry," Emma whispered, her breath catching. "If it's about your sister and the baby..."Tina's tears welled up as she shook her head. "I have a lot to confess, Emma. I didn't go through with the abortion. I'm leaving next week, disappearing completely. I couldn't go through with it, and I don't want Trevor to find out I'm keeping it."Emma enveloped her in a tight embrace, gently swaying back and forth. "It's the right decision. It's best if you get away from all
The sight of the firearm clutched in the man's hand sent shivers down Emma's spine."I had no idea you were bringing your friend," the man's words were laced with a threatening undertone as he stretched out the gun."Marco? What the hell, man?" Lucas's confusion quickly morphed into fear as the barrel of Marco's gun was aimed at him. Everything they had shared for the past six years, every memory of their friendship, was now clouded by this dangerous stranger.Emma's voice trembled as she pointed at Tina, who looked just as shocked as Lucas. "He's the one who called last night. He called her too."Lucas shook his head, trying to make sense of the chaos unfolding before him. "No, that can't be true. I know Marco."Emma's frustration boiled over. "It's the same Italian accent, Lucas! And he's not even denying it!"Marco's sly smile sent chills down Lucas' spine. "Your girlfriend is telling the truth, Lucas. You never mentioned she would be here today. That's not how friends treat each o
Lucas's head shook in disbelief as he and Emma were consumed with Tina's piercing cry of agony, oblivious to the quick exit made by Marco. "No, no, he's disappeared," he uttered, his voice barely audible."Can you put pressure on the wound? Or is someone already tending to it? Tap her cheeks gently to keep her conscious until the ambulance arrives."Tina was Lucas's top priority as his hands trembled while moving towards her. His thoughts raced with fear for her as well as her unborn child. "Emma, we have to apply pressure," he urged, both of them straining to hear the incoming ambulance sirens.Lucas's palms shook as he pressed them against Tina's wound, feeling the warmth of her blood oozing through his fingers, a stark reminder of the peril she was in. He tried to be tender, following the operator's instructions, but his mind was flooded with the events that had just transpired, still trying to wrap his head around so many things that just doesn't make sense.The operator's voice c
"We have spoken to Mr. Damien's wife," the officer continued, her tone unwavering but not accusatory. "She mentioned that Mr. Damien had discussed a situation with you, specifically the death of Sheryl Jones."Emma almost let out a sigh of relief, grateful that the real truth had not been revealed yet. But a question lingered in her mind. Why did Mr. Damien's wife lie to the authorities? Or was it Mr. Damien who had lied to his wife? She needed to find out. But first, she had to leave without getting herself into any trouble."That was not a situation," Emma blurted out, her voice shaking slightly. "Just two classmates reminiscing about what happened to Sheryl. The police never found the culprit. You never cared."The officer's expression softened, sensing Emma's frustration and bitterness. "We did our utmost, Emma. But now, we require your assistance. The passing of Sheryl, followed by your old time friend and classmate's, and now her own sister being shot – it all seemed to be conne
Emma clenched her hands in her lap, her knuckles white. She glanced at Lucas, who gave her a reassuring nod. "You can do this," he mouthed.After what felt like an eternity, it was time for the verdict. The judge's voice was firm, unyielding. "Mario Rodriguez, you are sentenced to a total of fifty years in prison for the rape of Kathy Callum, for human trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, and aiding murders. You will be eligible for parole after twenty five years."The courtroom buzzed with murmurs, but Emma barely heard them. She was focused on the look of shock and fury on Mr. Mario's face as he was led away in handcuffs. It was over. Truly over.Tears welled in her eyes, but this time they were tears of relief. Lucas squeezed her hand, and she turned to him, a tentative smile breaking through. "It's finally over," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.He nodded, pulling her into a hug. "You were amazing," he said softly. "So strong."Emma leaned into him, feeling
Emma felt the warm trickle of blood running down the side of her face where the gun had struck her. The metallic scent filled her nostrils as she looked up at Mr. Mario. His grip on her face was ironclad, his face mere inches from hers. His breath was hot and reeked of cigarettes as he hissed, “Don’t make me kill you, Emma. Don’t tempt me.”His voice was low and menacing, and Emma could feel the vibration of his words against her skin. She knew she was probably making the worst decision of her life, but it was the only thing she could think of. With a sudden, desperate resolve, she lunged forward and sank her teeth into his nose. She bit down hard, the taste of blood flooding her mouth, and pulled with all her might until she felt the flesh tear awayMr. Mario’s scream pierced the air, raw and filled with agony. Emma could see the shock and pain in his eyes as he clutched his nose, blood streaming through his fingers. Seizing the moment, Emma summoned every ounce of strength and let o
Emma slowly sat back down in a chair. She took a deep breath and opened the file. Inside, she found a set of documents. As she scanned the pages, her eyes landed on the title: "Dissolution of Betrothal Contract." Her heart pounded as she saw Morgan’s signature at the bottom.Her mind reeled. Why had Morgan changed her mind? What had prompted this sudden shift? Emma leaned back, staring at the papers, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and curiosity. But her relief was unmistakable."What had changed her mind?" Emma whispered to herself, the question lingering as she stepped out of the courtroom.**One month later**Emma stepped out of the hospital with Tina, who had just finished her antenatal check-up. The setting evening sun glinted off the hospital’s glass facade, casting long shadows on the pavement.Emma got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. “Feeling okay?” she asked as she navigated the car through the parking lot.Tina chuckled, resting a hand on her baby bump.
His lips curled into a sneer. "I'm going to win my case tomorrow. And when I get out, Emma, I'll make sure you pay. I'll kill you, and before that, I'll have my way with you. Brutally. You'll regret everything. You should have stopped when you had the chance."Emma's smile didn't waver, but inside, a shiver ran down her spine. She steadied herself, refusing to let him see any weakness. She knew the case was too good for him to win it. "We'll see about that, Ethan Maddox. How pitiful it is, the once powerful Maddox, stuck in a jail cell." She stood up, adjusting her coat with deliberate grace.As the guards moved to take him away, Ethan's expression shifted, a malicious glint in his eye. "Watch your back, Emma. Mario is still out there, and he's planning something big."Emma paused, her heart skipping a beat, but she didn't turn around. She walked out of the room, the echo of Ethan's words trailing after her.With Mario still roaming out there, she knew everything was truly far from ov
"Cookies or a sandwich?" Emma asked.Tina picked cookies without hesitation. Emma retrieved a pack from the pantry and placed a few on a plate, setting it on the counter next to where they would soon sit with their hot drinks.The kettle began to whistle, steam escaping from its spout as Emma poured the hot water into two waiting mugs filled with cocoa mix. The rich aroma of chocolate filled the air.They sat down at the kitchen table, the silence heavy between them as they sipped their drinks. The warmth of the hot chocolate seeped through Emma's fingers, temporarily soothing her senses.After they finished their drinks and Tina left, Emma returned to the living room. The fatigue of the day washed over her, and she settled onto the couch, her thoughts wandering to Lucas.Hours later, the sound of the front door opening roused Emma from her doze. She blinked sleepily, glancing at the clock—it was a little past seven. Lucas entered the room.He settled beside her on the couch, leaning o
The lady sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping as she collapsed onto the edge of the bed. "Maybe you weren't convincing enough," she suggested. "You should have worn the other more revealing red dress. And maybe you sounded pushy..."Her words faded into the background as Morgan's anger reached a boiling point. With a sudden, ferocious movement, she stood up and crossed the room in two quick strides. Grabbing the lady by the front of her shirt, she lifted her off the bed and slammed her against the nearby wall. The impact sent a dull thud through the room."If you want to pass blame on me for your stupid plans not working," Morgan hissed through gritted teeth, her face inches from the lady's, "you're not going to like how it ends for you."The lady's eyes widened in shock and fear. Her breath came in shallow, rapid bursts. As Morgan's grip tightened momentarily before letting go, the lady slid down the wall, her legs weak beneath her. She straightened herself slowly, smoothing out her
Upstairs, Lucas leaned back in his leather chair, the phone pressed to his ear. Morgan's voice echoed through the line, breaking the silence."We need to see Lucas. It's urgent," Morgan's tone was urgent.Lucas frowned, his brow furrowing. "See me for what?" he asked, his voice guarded.There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Morgan replied, "About Ethan Maddox. There's been a breakthrough, and I thought you should know."Lucas's grip tightened on the phone. Ethan Maddox. He inhaled sharply."Why are you trying to help me?" Lucas's voice was low, contemplative. "It feels like there's more to this than just the case."A soft chuckle came through the line, warm and unexpectedly genuine. "Yes, Lucas," Morgan admitted, her tone unguarded. "I have my reasons. I want you to warm up to me, and if helping with this case will achieve that, then I'm willing to take the risk. I'm really sorry about yesterday, I shouldn't have done that. It's been years, and I should have allo
"This is one of the disk file you gave to us, we would like to watch it with you," the police officer stated and Mrs Veronica nodded.The screen showed a dimly lit kitchen. Mrs. Maria was gagged and tied on the floor, her eyes wide with fear. Ethan Maddox was pacing around, his face twisted in anger, his mouth moving rapidly as he shouted. Although there was no sound, the rage in his body language was unmistakable. Mrs. Maria seemed to be pleading, shaking her head in desperation.The scene escalated quickly. Ethan Maddox grabbed a knife from the counter and, with a swift, brutal motion, slashed at Mrs. Maria's neck. Blood spurted out in gruesome bursts, staining the floor and walls. Mrs. Veronica's breath caught in her throat, her eyes glued to the screen.The officer quickly shut the laptop, her hands shaking slightly. She took a deep breath, her face pale. "This... this is more than enough evidence," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Emma and Lucas sat in the car, parked
Emma inhaled sharply, not expecting what she had just heard. "Does the phone contain information that could help?" She asked and the woman nodded.Emma glanced at Lucas, whose eyes were distant and unfocused, lost in thought.Lucas suddenly stood up from the worn-out couch, his expression resolute. "This is what we're going to do," he said, his voice steady. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, a sign of the stress they were under.Emma watched as he began to pace. "I'm going to call the police, and you're going to speak to them," he continued, "They'll come here and find everything exactly as it is. But this time, we'll take pictures and leak them to the public. That way, they can't cover anything up, especially with the FBI involved." He glanced at the woman, whose eyes widened slightly, a mix of fear in her gaze."We need to make sure they can't hide this," Lucas explained. "You're going to tell them you've been attacked and that you have information they need. When they're clos