The hospital smelled of antiseptic and despair. The walls were painted a dull shade of white, but to Richard, they might as well have been closing in on him, suffocating him. The air was cold, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare on everything they touched.He sat in the consultation room, his fingers drumming against the wooden desk, his heartbeat loud in his ears. He hated hospitals. Hated the smell, hated the pitying glances from nurses as they walked past, and most of all, hated waiting.The door opened widely , and Dr. Martins stepped inside. His white coat was neatly pressed, his stethoscope hanging around his neck. He had been Richard’s doctor for years, a man known for his strictness and blunt honesty. But today, his face was unreadable, his usual stern expression replaced with something far worse—pity.Richard's stomach turned him angrily . Something was wrong."Mr. Lawson," the doctor began, flipping through the results in his hands.Richard swallowed, his mouth s
The first sign of trouble came like a whisper in the wind—subtle, almost dismissible. Alexander had always been a man of confidence, a businessman who prided himself on his ability to outthink and destroy his competitors. He had built an empire from nothing, acquiring multiple properties, successful businesses, and a reputation that commanded respect.But when the first crack appeared, he ignored it.At first, it was a minor dip in his revenue, nothing alarming. A few deals that should have gone through were delayed. Payments that should have been made on time were postponed. Investors who had always trusted him suddenly started asking more questions, expressing concerns he had never heard before.He reassured himself that it was just a phase, a minor setback.But then, it got worse.It started with his most valuable property—an extravagant hotel in the city center, the crown jewel of his investments. One morning, he received a call from his manager, his voice shaky with panic."Sir
Alexander had always believed that his wealth was unshakable, that his name alone was enough to command power. But after the devastating collapse of Dane's Grand Hotel, the cracks in his empire widened. The media labeled him reckless, corrupt, and greedy. Investors abandoned him, and worse, clients boycotted his businesses.But Alexander wasn’t ready to surrender. Not yet.Sitting in his now-quiet office, he shifted his focus to another key property in his empire—The Dane Elite Mall.The mall had been a symbol of wealth, an upscale shopping center that housed luxury brands and top-tier businesses. If he could keep it running, he could still salvage his reputation and rebuild.But fate wasn’t done with him.Alexander’s assistant, Melissa, hesitated before stepping into his office. She had been with him for ten years, witnessing his rise to the top. But now, she could see it—the fall.“Sir,” she said cautiously, placing a stack of documents on his desk. “You need to look at this.”Alex
Alexander sat alone in his dimly lit study, the weight of his downfall pressing on his shoulders like a heavy stone. His hands trembled slightly as he poured himself a glass of whiskey, though the burn of the alcohol no longer brought him any comfort. The once-mighty businessman who had controlled millions, who had walked into any room with power and confidence, was now a man on the edge of ruin.His business empire had crumbled, his wealth had vanished, and now, he was left with only the house he lived in—his last piece of dignity. The world that once bowed before him had turned its back. He had been betrayed by fate, by circumstances, and perhaps… by something more.He leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling. His thoughts were a storm, chaotic and unforgiving."Who did I offend?" The question filled in his mind pouring like the whiskey in his glass. He replayed the moments that had led to his fall, trying to piece together where it all went wrong.At first, he had
Richard sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his phone with shaking hands. His body felt weak, drained of the little energy he had left. The doctor’s words echoed in his mind, each syllable hitting him like a hammer to the chest."You have six days left, Richard. Six."Six days.Just six more days before everything went dark. Before his sins caught up with him. Before the life he had once controlled slipped through his fingers, leaving nothing behind but the wreckage of his choices.Regret hit him at his throat. He began to think about all the evil life he had lived in the past.In all his years of wealth, power, and influence, he had never once considered that his end would come like this alone, helpless, counting down the days to his inevitable death.His hand trembled as he scrolled through his contacts, stopping at one name.Daniela.His heart pounded.Would she even answer? Would she listen?He had done so much to her. Hurt her in ways that could never be undone. And yet, h
Richard barely slept that night.His body was weak, his skin pale, and his breaths felt heavier than before. The walls of his once-luxurious mansion felt like a prison closing in on him, suffocating him with regret and fear.Six days.The doctor’s words kept replaying in her head.Each passing second was a countdown to his end, a reminder that he had run out of time. His power, his wealth, his influence—none of it could buy him another day.But there was one thing he could still do.One truth he could reveal before death silenced him forever.And there was only one person who deserved to hear it.Daniela.She hadn't answered his calls yesterday, ignoring them as if he was nothing. He couldn't blame her. He had destroyed her life in ways even he couldn't fully comprehend.But today, she would have no choice but to listen.With trembling fingers, he typed out a message.Richard:Daniela, I have a secret to tell you. There’s something I did to you that I need to confess. Please, come
A deafening silence filled the room.Daniela stood frozen, her mind struggling to process Richard’s words."I killed your son."The sentence echoed in her ears, each word cutting deeper than the last.Her breath hitched.Her chest tightened.Her vision blurred as tears welled in her eyes.And then, like a sudden storm, rage overtook her."You did WHAT?" she screamed.Before Gabriel could react, Daniela lunged at Richard.Her hands wrapped around his frail neck, fingers pressing into his paper-thin skin as she shook him violently."You bastard! You MONSTER!" she shrieked, her entire body trembling with fury.Richard gasped, struggling against her grip, but his illness had drained him of all strength.His bony hands weakly clutched at hers, but she was relentless."You killed my baby?!" Daniela’s voice cracked as sobs racked her body. "You took my child away from me?!"Gabriel quickly moved, grabbing Daniela by the shoulders and pulling her back."Let go, Daniela!" he urged, his voice f
The wailing of motors echoed through the neighborhood, breaking the heavy silence that had settled over the house. Bright red and blue lights flashed against the walls as multiple officers walked inside, their boots marching against the tiled floor.Two officers immediately approached Gabriel and Daniela, while the others turned to Richard, who was still buried on the ground, his face bruised from Gabriel’s punch."Who is the suspect?" one of the officers asked.Gabriel pointed at Richard without hesitation. "Him."Two officers moved forward, their expressions grim as they dragged Richard up from the floor. He groaned in pain but didn’t resist. He was too weak, too defeated."Richard Dane, you are under arrest for murder, child endangerment, and multiple crimes yet to be determined," one officer said, pulling out a pair of handcuffs. "You should remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."Richard let out a weak, bitter laughter. "It d
The palace was quiet—too quiet. Even the birds that usually fluttered outside the grand windows of the king’s chamber were absent, as if nature itself mourned the weariness of the man within.Alexander sat on the edge of his bed, the heavy robe of royalty pooling around him like a shroud. The golden crown, once proudly perched upon his head, now lay abandoned on the floor, its polished surface reflecting nothing but a broken legacy.He had sent the servants away hours ago, requesting solitude. But truth be told, he had been alone for far longer than that—ever since Daniela left, ever since the boy vanished. Ever since he traded his humanity for power.The voices from the past echoed relentlessly in his mind."You want her to be queen? There is a way…""Put this powder in her drink. It will cloud her mind and draw her to you.""Rub this oil on your palms before you touch her—she will not resist.""You must act fast. The elders are watching. You need an heir."At the time, it all seemed
The palace was quieter these days—too quiet for a man who once ruled with noise, power, and pride. Alexander sat by his window, fingers toying with a half-filled goblet of wine. Outside, the moonlight brushed the edges of the thatched palace roof, casting ghostly shadows on the walls. Chisom had long drifted to sleep, her breathing soft, steady. But Alexander was wide awake—again.It had been six moons since she was brought to him, her skin soft as silk, her smile gentle, her body yielding. Each night, she came to his bed, and each night, he held hope in his loins and in his heart. But morning always came with the same bitter emptiness. No signs. No whispers of cravings. No swelling belly. No child.He had tried everything—spiced roots, fertility herbs from the palace medicine woman, and even late-night rituals performed by the native priest. Still… nothing.Alexander rose from the bed, pacing the cold marble floor with heavy feet. A fire burned in the hearth, but it did little to tha
The morning sun filtered through the bright white curtains of their new apartment, casting golden rays across the hardwood floor. Lydia stirred beneath the duvet, her hand instinctively reaching out to the other side of the bed.Empty.She blinked, sat up, and glanced around. The soft scent of brewed coffee and toasted bread teased her nose. A smile curled on her lips.He’s in the kitchen again.Throwing on a light robe, she padded down the hallway and into the warm, open space where Gabriel stood shirtless, wearing joggers and flipping pancakes with an exaggerated chef’s flair.“You’re going to burn them,” Lydia teased, leaning against the doorframe.Gabriel turned, spatula in hand, and grinned. “And good morning to my beautiful wife.”She walked up to him, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind. “Good morning, chef husband.”He kissed the top of her head, then plated a stack of fluffy pancakes. “I thought we could eat on the balcony today. The sun’s not too harsh yet.”They
The early morning sun filtered through the intricate lattice windows of the palace, casting golden shapes across the polished floors. Drums beat faintly in the distance, signaling the dawn of a new day—and a new queen.Chisom sat quietly on the edge of a carved mahogany bed, her feet barely touching the polished ground. Around her, the royal maids fluttered like bees, tying her hair into delicate loops, rubbing her arms with perfumed oil, and whispering instructions she barely absorbed.“Your new robe, my queen,” one of the maids said, presenting a cloth woven with silver threads and royal blue patterns. “You must wear it before you greet the king.”Chisom nodded faintly, still unsure how to wear the title of "queen" in her heart. The palace air was thick—not just with incense, but with the weight of expectation. She could feel it in the walls, in the eyes of the elders who measured her with unspoken judgment, and in the stiff bow of the guards who had served another before her.As sh
The palace air brimmed with anticipation, thick like a brewing storm. Inside the grand hall, the scent of burning incense drifted from gold-plated bowls, curling in the air like whispers from the ancestors. Soft drums echoed in the background, played by two palace boys, steady and ceremonial. The marble floors had been scrubbed to glass-like shine, reflecting the rows of candles burning along the corridor.Alexander sat on the throne, robed in deep crimson, his royal crown resting heavy on his head. His face was unreadable—a mask of calm, yet behind his eyes, something stirred. Pain. Memory. Resignation. This was not how he envisioned choosing a queen.Beside him, a guard stood silently, holding a scroll with the names of the maidens. The chamberlain motioned, and the doors opened.One by one, the virgins began to enter.The first maiden, Awele, stepped forward with her head lowered, her feet bare, anklets chiming with each timid step. She was beautiful—smooth dark skin, full lips, an
The sky above the palace bled into a melancholic gray, the sun hiding behind thick clouds as though mourning with the king. The royal garden, once Daniela’s favorite place, stood untended. Wildflowers grew in stubborn defiance through cracks in the once manicured paths. The scent of blooming hibiscus clashed with the scent of time—that old, dusty silence that lingered in places where laughter had died.King Alexander stood still on the palace balcony, arms crossed behind his back, cloaked in heavy velvet. He wasn't the same man he was two years ago. The weight of loss had carved lines into his once-youthful face. His shoulders drooped beneath invisible burdens. Power still clothed him, yes, but it no longer fitted him like pride—it clung to him like grief.His eyes scanned the horizon—the same trail Daniela had once fled down with the child. The same trail the guards had failed to watch. His jaw clenched at the memory.Every now and then, he imagined seeing her figure walking back, ch
The evening of the engagement party felt like a dream to Lydia. The grand ballroom was bathed in warm, golden light. Crystal chandeliers hung high above, their glimmering reflections dancing across the polished marble floor. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, depicting stories of love, fortune, and legacy. Every corner of the room was carefully designed to evoke luxury, but it was the people who made it truly come alive.Guests murmured and laughed in soft clusters, champagne glasses clinking as they raised their toasts to Gabriel and Lydia. They had all come from different walks of life—wealthy socialites, business moguls, close friends of the family. But tonight, there was one thing that united them all: the promise of the future, the joining of two lives. Gabriel stood at the center of it all, a striking figure in a tailored suit, his posture confident but warm as he greeted guests. He was the picture of a man who had everything under control. But as his eyes scanned
The soft light of the morning sun was seen through the blinds, spilling its warmth over the living room of Gabriel’s apartment. Lydia sat on the sofa, her bare feet tucked under her as she scrolled through a wedding magazine, lost in thought. The room was filled with the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee, and the faint hum of the city outside only added to the quiet peace of the moment.Gabriel had just stepped out of the shower, a towel draped low on his hips, his hair still damp. He smiled as he saw her lost in the magazine, the occasional flutter of the page drawing her attention. It was one of those simple, perfect moments that made him feel like everything he’d ever wanted was right here.“You look like you’re plotting world domination,” Gabriel teased, stepping into the kitchen, his voice a warm caress.Lydia glanced up from the pages, offering him a playful scowl. “I’m plotting the perfect wedding, thank you very much. There’s a difference.”“Ah, my mistake,” he grinned, lean
Dark clouds thickened above the palace like a warning, casting long shadows that crept along the courtyard stones. A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the occasional rustle of dry wind against the banana trees that lined the palace fence.Alexander stood stiffly near the throne room window, eyes fixed on the sky. When the priest finally arrived, the guards ushered him in with reverence. The old man’s steps were slow, but his presence demanded respect. His hair, thick and snowy white, spilled down to his shoulders like ancestral feathers. His robe, dyed deep maroon with sacred herbs, carried the scent of ancient incense.He bowed slightly, then looked up. His eyes—milky but sharp—settled on Alexander’s face. “You sent for me, Your Highness?”Alexander gestured toward a mat. “Sit. There is trouble in the land.”The priest slowly lowered himself, folding his legs under him. “I know,” he said softly, voice like wind brushing through dried leaves. “The spirits whispered last ni