Damien's response was unforeseen. He abruptly stood up, scraping the chair against the floor as he gathered his belongings. "I believe you are being paranoid, Emma," he stated sharply, his words cutting through the air. "You seek silly revenge, don't you? His son breaks up with you, broke your heart, so you go after both the father and son? I refuse to work solely on hatred towards another individual; there must be a tangible reason."As Damien made his way towards the exit, Emma felt panic surge through her. He already knew too much. She had to make him understand. She hurried after him, desperation etched on her face. She needed his help.As they walked towards where Damien had secretly parked his car, Emma's voice reverberated through the desolate parking lot, laced with frustration and pain. "My father is dead, and his company has been transferred to a stranger I barely know who unfortunately ended up being my Ex's father . And now I discover a CCTV camera in the same house where t
Placing her bag on the counter, Emma's fingers quivered as she retrieved her phone, her heart thumping wildly. She hesitated for a moment, then typed out a message to Damien, her thoughts racing. It was no longer just about uncovering secrets; now, her safety was at stake.After a quick shower, Emma slipped into her pajamas, her mind still consumed by worry.Languishing restlessly atop her bed, Emma struggled to lull herself into a deep slumber, battling against a gnawing sense of unease. Time seemed to blur as she lay awake, her mind consumed by trepidation. Just as the first rays of sunlight crept through her open blinds, Emma succumbed to exhaustion, drifting into a fitful sleep.Abruptly woken by the sun's rays, Emma groaned in annoyance and sat up, her hand reaching for the knife that she had cautiously placed on the bedside table the night before. Letting out a sigh of relief that she hadn't accidentally injured herself, she slipped on her fluffy pink slippers and headed to the
A loud squeal from Tina almost made Emma cringe as Tina ran towards invaka who had seen Emma "Hello, Ivanka. It has been quite some time," Tina exclaimed, eagerly rushing to hug her longtime friend.Emma forced a smile on her face as Tina proceeded to introduce her, though she knew it was completely unnecessary."Ivanka, this is Emma, my friend and Mr. Ethan's secretary. And Emma, meet Ivanka, who is my closest friend," Tina gushed, unaware of the tension between them as the two women gaze locked in a silent standoff, each daring the other to speak first.With an evil smirk playing on the corner of her lips, Ivanka casually extended her hand to Emma. But Emma couldn't suppress the urge to scoff, briefly eyeing the outstretched hand before reluctantly touching her thumb. She wasn't in a hurry to explain her reservations to Tina just yet."Oh, that's perfect. We're heading to the club later tonight. You should come along," Tina offered to Ivanka, oblivious to the tension between Emma an
As Tina dragged Emma onto the dance floor, the pulsating lights and thumping music and seeing others having so much fun engulfed them. Emma lost herself in the rhythm, letting go of her worries with each sway of her hips.One shot. Two shots. Three shots. Emma lost count as the alcohol dulled her senses, blending reality with a haze of euphoria. Tina, equally intoxicated, danced beside her, their laughter mingling with the music.Emma's thoughts drifted to Ivanka, but she pushed them away, yearning for just one night without worry about anyone.Two more shots blurring her vision, and the club swirled around her like a kaleidoscope. Did those flashes of light resemble camera bulbs, or were they just illusions created by her intoxication?As time slipped away, Emma surrendered to the music, but a sudden urge to vomit clawed at her insides. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to leave, not with her favorite slow song playing at the moment.“Enough fun for one night, Emma.” A hand rested on h
Lucas retrieved his ID from his wallet and handed it over, his jaw clenched with tension. The guard examined it closely, his eyes flicking between Lucas and the ID before reluctantly nodding.As the guard stepped back to allow him through the gate, Lucas exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His relief was palpable, the knot of anxiety in his stomach gradually unraveling.Arriving at the parking lot of the building, Lucas glanced worriedly at Emma, her peaceful slumber a stark to the chaos of the night. Gently opening the back door, he lifted her into a sitting position, her weight sagging against him as he maneuvered her out of the car.The vigilant gaze of the guard followed them as they made their way towards the lobby. Midway, Lucas paused, turning to the guard with a polite yet strained expression."Can you direct me to her apartment?" he asked, his voice hinting at urgency."Through the lobby," the guard replied.Lucas nodded in gratitude before continuing on his p
The remnants of the previous night's events lingered in Emma's mind, casting a gloomy shadow over the new day ahead. However, she pushed aside those thoughts, focusing on the task at hand: getting through the day, one step at a time.Emma poured another cup of coffee, the scalding liquid burning her throat as she downed it all in one gulp. Grimacing at its bitter taste, she quickly rushed to the bathroom, splashing water to wash away any remnants of caffeine staining her teeth.Hastily returning to her bedroom, she grabbed her work essentials, her mind consumed with the realization that she would be late for work if she didn't hurry. As she hastily headed out the door, the absence of her car in its usual spot jolted her into realization. Lucas had only dropped her off at home from the club last night; her car was still parked there.Panic rising, she frantically searched for her phone, the digital clock taunting her with its display of the time past nine. With her heart racing, she ru
Emma nodded in tacit agreement, her heart heavy with the gravity of what had transpired. They exchanged seats, and Emma assumed control of the car, her fingers tightening around the wheel with unresolved tension as she ignited the engine and merged onto the road.At Tina's urging, they made a detour to a nearby café. The cozy ambiance did little to dissolve the tension between them as they placed their orders – a simple coffee for Tina and a cappuccino for Emma.Tina's voice quivered as she spoke of wanting to give Trevor a chance to explain. Emma listened, her doubts gnawing at her insides, but she remained silent, understanding that Tina needed to make her own decision. She only hoped it wouldn't take too much time or effort before she realized that Trevor was no good for her, someone she needed to steer clear of in order to avoid becoming a victim of his downfall.After purchasing their drinks, they continued their journey to the office. Emma glanced at her watch as they disembarke
Damien's firm tone began as he reminded her, "Before heading to work, feedback on the outing with Tina was needed from you, but you neglected to provide it. As for now, I will let it slide.""But as soon as you're done, meet me at the outskirts of the city," Damien continued, his sense of urgency palpable. "At Elmwood Park, next to the broken-down ice cream truck. No delays, it's critical. I've found something significant.""Of course, dear, I'll grab the vegetables on my way back," Emma's calm facade mirrored Damien's instructions to the letter, her tone composed as a worker walked by past her."Come alone, without any..." Damien's words were interrupted by a sharp familiar voice."Emma?" The interruption caused Emma to startle, fluidly lowering the burner phone she was using for their conversation and disconnecting the call, tucking it away inside her shirt. Her heart thudded in her chest as she pivoted towards the source of the voice.There stood Trevor Maddox standing proudly, his
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