"Emma, please don't let us do this now," Mrs. Kathy pleaded softly as she approached her daughter. Emma instinctively shifted away, her body tense as if her mother's touch would burn."Who is my father, mother?" Emma's voice cracked with raw emotion. Mrs. Kathy sank onto the nearest couch, tears streaming down her face. She wiped them away hastily, but Emma remained unmoved, her eyes locked on her mother."Did he ever know you cheated on him?" Emma's words were slow and deliberate, dripping with bitterness. Hatred swelled within her, washing away the warmth she once felt for her mother. Mrs Kathy shook her head."I never cheated on your dad," Mrs. Kathy's voice trembled as she spoke, her gaze fixed on Emma. "I mean... I don't even know what to call him now to you. But I never cheated, Emma."Emma's brow furrowed in confusion. "Then what happened?""I was raped, Emma," Mrs. Kathy began, her voice wavering with pain. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to compose herself. "I was kidnapp
Mrs. Kathy shook her head, her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and pain. "He's your father, Emma. He's the monster who did it to me. You can check about him, but I doubt you would find much." Her voice trembled slightly, but her gaze remained steady. Emma's body went rigid, and she stood up abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor."I know exactly who he is, Mother." Emma's voice was cold, She grabbed her phone from the table with a swift motion and stormed towards the door, her footsteps echoing through the house. Her mother scrambled to follow her, her voice rising in panic."Emma, what are you doing? Where are you going? We're not done here!" Mrs. Kathy's voice was tinged with desperation, but Emma was already outside, the cool evening air hitting her face as she approached her car. She fumbled with her keys for a moment before unlocking the door and sliding into the driver's seat.Her mother's pleas grew more frantic. "Emma, please, listen to me!" But Emma had alread
"Is everything okay?" A waitress rushed towards Emma's table, her voice a mixture of concern and apprehension. Emma turned to her with a sharp glare, her eyes flashing."Stay out of this. I'm having a little chit chat with my father," Emma snapped, the word "father" dripping with venom. She turned back to Mr. Mario, who was now standing, his eyes blazing with a mixture of fury and disbelief at Emma's actions."What did you just do, Emma?" he asked slowly, his voice a low growl as he began to round the table. His movements were deliberate, each step echoing in the tense silence of the restaurant. Emma held her ground, her heart pounding in her chest."You're a fucking bastard who raped my mother!" Emma's voice was filled with raw anger and pain. The words had barely left her lips when a fist connected with her cheek, the impact resounding through the room like a gunshot. She staggered backward, her vision swimming, and crashed into a nearby table, collapsing to the ground.The world se
Emma's eyes flew open, taking in her surroundings in a panic. She was in a dimly lit room, the walls bare and unwelcoming. The voices were coming from a partially open door to her left. She strained to hear more, her heart racing."After that, where are we going to dispose off her body?" The voice cut through again. Emma slowly sat up, her breath catching in her throat. She strained to listen, her heart pounding as if it wanted to leap out of her chest. It was now clear they were talking about her, and she shuddered in fear."We have to hold on," the first voice continued, calm but firm. "We don't know if any of the witnesses at the restaurant might say something to the police. We need to let this die down first."A second voice, sharper and more insistent, replied, "Mr. Mario said immediately."The voices faded, their footsteps echoing down the corridor. Emma's muscles tensed, and she felt a wave of cold sweat break out on her forehead. She tried to lift her hand to wipe it away, but
Emma held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she strained to hear any sound in the silence. She couldn't decide whether to bolt or stay hidden, hoping to find out who had been shot.A whisper cut through the silence. "Emma!" Davina’s voice, urgent and hushed, brought a rush of relief. Emma exhaled softly, standing up from behind the flower-covered grass where she had crouched, and waved towards the window.Davina, sighting her, leaped gracefully out of the window, landing softly beside her. Her eyes were wide with urgency."We don’t have much time," Davina whispered, her voice tight with fear. "That gunshot was loud enough to alert anyone nearby. They’ll come to check out what happened soon and figure out what happened."Emma’s pulse quickened. She nodded, feeling the weight of the moment press down on her."Run, Emma. Don’t stop until you find the well. I’ve left a trail—you’ll see it. Follow it to the well and wait for me there. I have to get something inside," Davina in
Lucas shifted in his seat, his eyes flicking nervously between Emma and the police officer driving. "Are you serious about that?" he murmured, leaning closer to Emma in the back seat. His voice was barely audible over the hum of the car's engine. Emma nodded subtly, her gaze fixed on the passing city lights, her brow furrowed in concentration.Lucas pressed on, his tone urgent yet controlled. "Where is he hiding?"Emma's lips twitched, a brief moment of hesitation before she whispered back, "I'll let you know tomorrow." Her voice carried a hint of something he couldn't quite place, tinged with weariness from the ordeal they were caught in.The police car eased into the hospital's emergency entrance, lights flashing against the night sky. Paramedics were already waiting, their faces masked with professional concern as they guided Emma out of the car and into the bustling ER.Lucas paced the corners of the waiting area, his mind a whirlwind of unanswered questions as he waited for the d
Emma blinked. Once, twice, then a third time, each blink slower than the last as she tried to process what she had just heard. The woman in front of her, who had exuded an air of mystery earlier, now seemed impossibly chatty. Her words blurred together, a relentless stream of information that Emma struggled to follow. But one phrase cut through the noise, ringing in her ears like an alarm: "I'm his betrothed."The room seemed to tilt, and Emma grasped the edge of the hospital bed to steady herself. Lucas had never mentioned having a betrothed. The idea of another woman, waltzing in and branding herself with that title, made Emma's heart pound in her chest. She felt a rising tide of nausea and confusion.The woman, noticing Emma's vacant stare, reached out and tapped her gently on the shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice softer now, tinged with concern.Emma's eyes flicked to the tubes connected to her arms. She took a deep breath and, with a swift motion, pulled them out. Th
Lucas shoved Morgan away, and she stumbled backwards, nearly falling before she regained her stance. Her eyes widened in hurt, but it quickly morphed into anger, her cheeks flushing a deep red."You pushed me away?" Her voice trembled, a raw edge of desperation seeping through despite her efforts to mask it.Lucas’s eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. "This is the last time you’ll try something like that," he warned, each word dripping with malice. "Next time, you'll see a side of me you won't like. Believe me, Morgan, I've changed."Morgan’s fists clenched at her sides, her knuckles turning white. "If you take another step, Lucas, you'll be starting a war. And trust me, you won't win."Lucas paused mid-step, his back to her. He didn't turn around as he spoke, his voice cold and crisp. "Go ahead, Morgan. Do what you want." He took a deep breath, then broke into a run.He burst out of the hospital doors, his eyes scanning frantically for any sign of Emma. The parking lot stretched
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