Julian’s POV The hum of the jet’s engines filled the cabin as I leaned back in the leather seat, the skyline disappearing behind me. My pilot, Rob, had already assured me we’d be in the city within the hour, but every minute felt like an eternity. I stared out the window, jaw clenched. My mother’s frail voice played on a loop in my mind. The strength she’d once exuded had faded into a shell of the woman I used to know, and I hated myself for being helpless to stop it. I wasn’t used to feeling powerless—it wasn’t who I was. The glass of whiskey in front of me sat untouched. For once, the burn of alcohol wouldn’t help. Nothing would. “Sir,” Carla, my assistant, approached quietly, breaking my thoughts. She was the only one I trusted to travel with me when things got messy. “We’ll land shortly. Do you need me to arrange a car at the hangar?” “No,” I said, shaking my head. “I’ll drive myself. And cancel everything on my schedule for the next two days.” Carla gave a slight nod but he
Lexi's Pov “Lexi, let them work!” Julian’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade. I turned to him, tears streaming down my face. “Julian, he can’t die! He just can’t!” Julian stepped forward, his hands gripping my shoulders as he forced me to meet his eyes. His gaze was steady, unyielding. “He’s not gone, Lexi. Let them do their job.” I froze, my chest heaving with sobs, and finally let the nurse guide me toward the corner of the room. “Clear!” The doctor’s voice rang out as the defibrillator paddles pressed against Dad’s chest. His body jolted, but the flatline remained on the monitor. “Again!” Another jolt. My hands were trembling, my legs threatening to give out beneath me. Kayla was sobbing into her hands, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably. “Come on,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Fight, Dad. Please, fight.” Julian stood behind me, silent but unmoving. His presence was like a wall, solid and unyielding, holding me up when I felt like I might collapse. “St
Lexis pov The hallway was eerily quiet now, except for the occasional shuffle of nurses and the soft hum of machines from other rooms. Julian stood frozen, his pale blue eyes fixed on me, as if my words had unlocked something he wasn’t ready to face. “Lexi,” he started, his voice rough. “You don’t understand.” “Then explain it to me,” I pressed, stepping closer. “You don’t have to keep everything bottled up. You don’t have to carry this weight alone.” For a moment, he looked like he might shut me out again. His jaw tightened, his lips pressed into a thin line, and he turned his head as though searching for an escape. But then his shoulders sagged, and something in him seemed to break. “I’ve always been the one who fixes things,” he said finally, his voice low but steady. “When my dad left, it was me who kept my mom together. When my family fell apart, I had to be the glue. I learned early on that people depend on me. If I can’t fix something, what good am I?” His words hit me l
**Lexi’s POV** I had never seen Julian like this before—unguarded and exposed. This wasn’t the Julian who strode into rooms as if he owned them, commanding attention with just a glance. No, this was someone different. Someone raw. For some reason, that scared me more than seeing my dad on the brink of death. He had barely said a word since I stepped back into the hallway. He didn’t need to. The weight he carried was evident in the way his shoulders hunched and the way his jaw clenched, as if he were trying to physically hold himself together. “Julian,” I said softly, stepping closer. He glanced at me, and his pale blue eyes were shadowed with an exhaustion that had nothing to do with lack of sleep. “You should stay with your dad,” he murmured. “He’s resting. And I think you need someone to stay with you,” I replied, refusing to let him dodge this moment. He exhaled sharply, the sound almost like a laugh. “I’m fine, Lexi. You don’t have to—” “Yes, I do,” I interrupted, cutti
Lexi’s POV The sound of Dad’s heart monitor was steady, but it felt fragile, like it might stop at any second. I sat beside his hospital bed, holding his hand as if my grip alone could tether him here. His hand was cold, the once firm grasps that had held mine through so many storms now limp and fragile. “Dad,” I whispered, leaning closer, “it’s okay. You’re safe now. We’re here.” His eyelids fluttered, his lips parting like he was trying to say something. “Don’t push yourself,” Kayla said softly, perched on the other side of the bed. Her voice was as delicate as the rest of her, but the cracks in it gave her away. “Hey,” Dad rasped, his voice barely audible, “you two… still fighting?” Kayla and I exchanged a look—surprise mixed with a sliver of humor. Leave it to him to be half-dead and still cracking jokes. “No,” I said, managing a small smile. “We called a truce for now.” Kayla chimed in, trying to match the lightness. “You’ll be glad to know I’ve refrained from throwing he
Lexi’s POV Dad was asleep now, his breathing slow but steady. The harsh hospital lights made the room feel cold, sterile—everything I hated about places like this. But I didn’t dare leave. I stayed planted in my chair, one hand gripping his as though he might slip away if I let go. Kayla had curled up in the chair on the other side of the bed, her head resting against the armrest. She looked peaceful for once, though I knew the moment she woke up, she’d be back to snapping at me or avoiding me entirely. Not that I blamed her. A creak at the door made me look up. Julian stepped inside, his tall frame filling the small space. The sharp lines of his suit made him look improper, like he belonged in some high-rise office rather than this cramped hospital room. “How is he?” he asked quietly, his voice softer than I’d expected. “Still stable,” I replied, keeping my voice low, so I wouldn’t wake Dad or Kayla. “They’re saying the next 24 hours are critical, but… he’s holding on.” Julian
Victor’s POV I stood in front of the large, polished oak desk, fingers drumming a steady rhythm on its surface. The details had to be perfect. If it wasn’t flawless, it would all fall apart. And I couldn’t afford that. Not now. Not when the time had finally come to take the final step. Lexi had been too much of an obstacle, and she had no idea how much danger she was in. But that was about to change. I pulled the map closer, the street names blurring as I tapped the area I’d marked in red. The route was perfect—isolated, with no traffic at all that time of night. It would look like a freak accident. No one would suspect a thing. My mind raced through every possible scenario. The timing, the positioning, and even the way the car would roll. I could see it all in my head, playing out like a well-rehearsed script. I took a deep breath, savoring the moment. “It has to be seamless,” I muttered to myself, turning toward the phone on the desk. It was time to call Etienne. The phone ran
Kayla’s POV The moment Dad was safely inside and seated, I felt the weight of everything shift. I tried to shake off the tension that had crept in when we’d pulled up to the house, but it clung to me like an uncomfortable sweater. I caught Lexi’s smile as she helped Dad settle into the couch, her hand on his shoulder, her voice soft and comforting. “We’re going to make sure you get some rest tonight, Mr. Thompson. You’ve been through a lot.” Of course, she was the one taking charge. She always was. I couldn’t help but feel a sharp pang in my chest. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate what she was doing for Dad; I did. But with every little thing she did, it was like she was trying to prove something. To prove that she was the better daughter. The better everything. I was still standing by the door, frozen in place as Lexi kept talking. She didn’t even glance my way, not once. But I could feel her eyes on me earlier, a pitying look that I’d seen too many times before. Like I
Carla’s POV The icy water dragged at me, but I pushed on, my muscles screaming with each stroke. The small motorboat was a dark silhouette ahead, waiting exactly where we’d planned. As I broke through the surface, gasping for air, Victor Hale’s figure came into view. “About time,” he muttered, his voice sharp with impatience as he leaned down to grab my hand. I ignored his tone, too drained to care. “You wanted the job done right, didn’t you?” I shot back as he pulled me into the boat. Etienne sat at the helm, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Is she gone?” I dropped onto the wet deck, wiping water from my face. “She’s dead. There’s no way she survived that.” Victor handed me a towel, his expression unreadable. “You’re sure?” “Yes,” I snapped. “I made sure she wouldn’t make it out alive.” Etienne chuckled darkly, revving the engine. “Then let’s get out of here. Catherine’s waiting.” As the boat sped away from the riverbank, I leaned back and let the cold night air whip against m
Catherine's POV The room was dimly lit, the faint glow of a single candle casting dancing shadows on the walls. Catherine paced back and forth, the phone pressed to her ear. Her red lips curved into a wicked smile as a familiar voice spoke on the other end. “Is it time for me to step into the game?” the voice asked. It was calm, smooth, and dripping with confidence. “Very soon, my dear,” Catherine purred. “Very soon. After the accident, you’ll have your moment.” There was a chuckle on the other end. “I’m ready whenever you are. Just give me the signal.” “Oh, you’ll know,” she said, her tone sharp now. “This will be a night Lexi won’t forget—if she survives.” The call ended with a soft click, and Catherine stared at the screen for a moment before whispering to herself, “It’s already in motion.” Lexi’s POV The car hummed along the road as Carla and I sat in silence. My thoughts were still tangled in Julian’s call earlier, his voice heavy with worry. I sighed, running my fingers
Kayla’s POV I stared at my phone, Catherine’s voice still echoing in my head: “Make your decision, Kayla. By morning, it’ll be too late. And if you can’t choose, I will.” My chest tightened as I glanced at the clock. It was almost dawn. I needed to think. No, I needed to act. But every time I tried to picture the next move, Lexi’s face would flash in my mind—her arms around me last night, her voice full of concern, the way she always had Dad’s back. How could I betray her? My phone vibrated in my hand. The screen lit up with Catherine’s name. I froze. The call disconnected then rang again. My stomach churned as I finally answered. “I—I told you I need time.” Catherine’s voice was sharp, her patience gone. “And I told you time is up. Make a choice, Kayla. Help me take her out of the picture, or you’ll wish you had. I don’t wait for indecisive little girls.” “I’ll give you my answer by morning,” I stammered, desperation slipping into my tone. A low chuckle. “By morning, huh? Fi
Kayla’s POV Catherine’s words swirled in my mind, intoxicating and undeniable. She didn’t speak like an ordinary person—her voice carried power, authority, and a promise of something I couldn’t resist. “All you have to do is follow my instructions,” she said, her piercing eyes never leaving mine. “You’ll have everything you’ve ever wanted, Kayla. And more.” “And what do you want in return?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to sound confident. Her smile deepened, and for a moment, I saw something darker behind her composed exterior. “Loyalty. Obedience. And a willingness to do what’s necessary.” I swallowed hard, unsure if she meant what I thought she did. But it didn’t matter. I’d already come this far—there was no going back. “I’ll do it,” I said firmly, my voice steadier now. “Whatever it takes.” Catherine stepped closer, her gaze almost predatory. “Good. Then let’s get started.” Lexi’s POV “Dad, she’s missing!” My voice cracked, the panic overwhelming m
Kayla’s POV The stranger’s words echoed in my mind, heavy with promise. He was offering me everything I’d ever wanted. And yet, every instinct told me this was a trap, a dangerous game, whether I liked it or not. “You want Julian. You want Lexi's life, her wealth—everything she has,” the man said, his voice like smooth velvet, masking something darker beneath. “I can help you get it all. But you’ll have to trust me.” The words hung in the air, so easy, so tempting. I stared at him, trying to piece together his intentions. But his gaze was unwavering, confident. It made my skin crawl and my heart race at the same time. “Why me?” I finally managed to ask, my voice tight, still reeling from his bluntness. “Because,” he said, taking a slow step toward me, his eyes glinting with something I couldn’t place, “I know what you want. More than that, I know how to get it.” I crossed my arms, fighting the impulse to back away. “What’s the catch?” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his e
Kayla’s POV The moment Dad was safely inside and seated, I felt the weight of everything shift. I tried to shake off the tension that had crept in when we’d pulled up to the house, but it clung to me like an uncomfortable sweater. I caught Lexi’s smile as she helped Dad settle into the couch, her hand on his shoulder, her voice soft and comforting. “We’re going to make sure you get some rest tonight, Mr. Thompson. You’ve been through a lot.” Of course, she was the one taking charge. She always was. I couldn’t help but feel a sharp pang in my chest. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate what she was doing for Dad; I did. But with every little thing she did, it was like she was trying to prove something. To prove that she was the better daughter. The better everything. I was still standing by the door, frozen in place as Lexi kept talking. She didn’t even glance my way, not once. But I could feel her eyes on me earlier, a pitying look that I’d seen too many times before. Like I
Victor’s POV I stood in front of the large, polished oak desk, fingers drumming a steady rhythm on its surface. The details had to be perfect. If it wasn’t flawless, it would all fall apart. And I couldn’t afford that. Not now. Not when the time had finally come to take the final step. Lexi had been too much of an obstacle, and she had no idea how much danger she was in. But that was about to change. I pulled the map closer, the street names blurring as I tapped the area I’d marked in red. The route was perfect—isolated, with no traffic at all that time of night. It would look like a freak accident. No one would suspect a thing. My mind raced through every possible scenario. The timing, the positioning, and even the way the car would roll. I could see it all in my head, playing out like a well-rehearsed script. I took a deep breath, savoring the moment. “It has to be seamless,” I muttered to myself, turning toward the phone on the desk. It was time to call Etienne. The phone ran
Lexi’s POV Dad was asleep now, his breathing slow but steady. The harsh hospital lights made the room feel cold, sterile—everything I hated about places like this. But I didn’t dare leave. I stayed planted in my chair, one hand gripping his as though he might slip away if I let go. Kayla had curled up in the chair on the other side of the bed, her head resting against the armrest. She looked peaceful for once, though I knew the moment she woke up, she’d be back to snapping at me or avoiding me entirely. Not that I blamed her. A creak at the door made me look up. Julian stepped inside, his tall frame filling the small space. The sharp lines of his suit made him look improper, like he belonged in some high-rise office rather than this cramped hospital room. “How is he?” he asked quietly, his voice softer than I’d expected. “Still stable,” I replied, keeping my voice low, so I wouldn’t wake Dad or Kayla. “They’re saying the next 24 hours are critical, but… he’s holding on.” Julian
Lexi’s POV The sound of Dad’s heart monitor was steady, but it felt fragile, like it might stop at any second. I sat beside his hospital bed, holding his hand as if my grip alone could tether him here. His hand was cold, the once firm grasps that had held mine through so many storms now limp and fragile. “Dad,” I whispered, leaning closer, “it’s okay. You’re safe now. We’re here.” His eyelids fluttered, his lips parting like he was trying to say something. “Don’t push yourself,” Kayla said softly, perched on the other side of the bed. Her voice was as delicate as the rest of her, but the cracks in it gave her away. “Hey,” Dad rasped, his voice barely audible, “you two… still fighting?” Kayla and I exchanged a look—surprise mixed with a sliver of humor. Leave it to him to be half-dead and still cracking jokes. “No,” I said, managing a small smile. “We called a truce for now.” Kayla chimed in, trying to match the lightness. “You’ll be glad to know I’ve refrained from throwing he