Flora’s eyes snapped open, her interest piqued. She sat up straighter, ignoring the way her head protested the sudden movement. "What is it?" she asked, her voice sharper now, more alert. She could feel a renewed sense of focus cutting through the fog of her hangover.Olivia shifted on the bed, her expression serious. "It’s about how close Janice was with my mom," she explained. "But also with Edgar… your father."Flora’s brows furrowed in confusion. "With my dad?" she repeated, disbelief coloring her tone. He'd never mentioned a Janice to Flora. "What do you mean?"Olivia nodded. "Yeah, you wouldn’t have known because you were in boarding school most of the time, trying to get away from Alice," she said softly. "But Janice used to come around the house a lot when I was younger. Her visits were always unplanned, but for some reason, neither Alice nor Edgar would turn her away, even though they seemed visibly displeased whenever she showed up."Flora leaned in, listen
Flora’s head throbbed with a dull, insistent pain as she entered the sleek, glass-fronted building of Defendwise Ventures. The morning was bright, too bright, and even through her sunglasses, the sunlight felt like tiny daggers piercing her skull. Olivia’s hangover soup had helped, but only just enough to get her on her feet. Her temples throbbed with every step she took, and she cursed herself for drinking so early in the day, for letting her emotions and the chaos of her family life drive her to such impulsiveness. She cursed herself for drinking at all, really. What had she been thinking? That a few shots would erase the mess of emotions and tangled memories that had surfaced after seeing Damien? That she could drink away the pressure of stepping into her father’s shoes? It was a foolish thought, and one she regretted dearly now. As she approached the entrance of the building, she straightened her posture, taking a deep breath, determined not to let her discomfort show
Flora’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly masked her surprise, her posture straightening as her guard went up. “What are you doing in my office, Cyprus?” she asked coolly. Cyprus smiled slightly, though there was a hint of something bitter in it. “I could ask you the same thing about yesterday, Flora. That little display in front of everyone… you certainly know how to make an entrance.” Flora’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not in the mood for your games today, Cyprus. I have a lot of work to do.” He raised his hands in a mock gesture of surrender. “Easy, Flora. I’m not here to play games. I just… well, after yesterday, it’s clear to me that I’ve lost whatever chance I might have had with you.” Flora crossed her arms, her expression hardening. “I told you from the beginning, Cyprus. You never had a chance. I made that very clear the night you dropped me off at my hotel.” Cyprus chuckled, but it was a hollow sound, lacking any real amusemen
When Flora arrived home that day, the echoes of her conversation with Cyprus still lingered in her mind. Her headache had subsided, reduced to a dull throb at the back of her skull, but she still felt the weight of exhaustion pressing down on her. The day had been long and draining, and she craved the sanctuary of her bed, the comfort of soft sheets, and the oblivion of a nap.As the butler opened the door to let her in, Flora's steps were sluggish, her feet dragging slightly as she crossed the threshold. A maid greeted her, taking her work case from her hands with a polite smile. "Where’s Alice?" Flora asked, not bothering to hide the tired edge in her voice. She wanted to steer clear of any part of the house where Alice might be lurking. The mere thought of a run-in with her stepmother made Flora feel even more drained.The maid replied, “Mrs. Wicks stepped out with a friend, Miss Flora.”Flora's heart skipped a beat. Her interest piqued immediately, her exhaustion momentarily forg
She searched the shelves, even reaching up to feel along the top, but found nothing. She crouched down to peer under the bed, her breath catching in her throat at the thought of Alice walking in on her in such a compromising position. But again, there was nothing. Finally, she moved to Alice’s vanity, rifling through drawers filled with neatly organized makeup and skincare products. Still, there was nothing out of the ordinary, no sign of a hidden deed or any clue that might point her in the right direction. She even opened the wardrobe’s storage compartments, rummaging through boxes of old clothes and shoes.Just as she was standing by the bed, her frustration boiling over, she heard voices in the hallway. Her heart skipped a beat, and panic flared in her chest. She froze, her ears straining to hear, her mind racing. The voices were getting closer. She had to get out. Now.She moved swiftly, heading for the door as quietly as she could. Her hands trembled slightly as she turned the
Flora settled behind her desk at Defendwise Ventures, sipping her coffee as she reviewed the latest reports. The sunlight streamed through the tall windows of her office, casting long, gentle shadows across the polished floor. Despite the raging headache she had endured the day before, she felt a sense of accomplishment. Slowly but surely, she was starting to get the hang of her duties at the company. The once-daunting stack of paperwork on her desk had begun to shrink, and she found herself catching up on the many files and projects she needed to oversee.But her moment of satisfaction was interrupted by a knock on her door. Sophie, her ever-bubbly assistant, poked her head in with an enthusiastic smile. "Ms. Wicks, it's almost time for your meeting with the directors," she announced, her voice as cheerful as always.Flora sighed, already feeling a pit of dread forming in her stomach. The meeting with the directors was something she had been anticipating with equal parts an
The man seemed taken aback, stammering as he tried to find his words. "No, not… not step down, exactly. Just… perhaps let Mr. Blackwell continue his work for a bit longer, until you’ve had more time to… familiarize yourself."Flora’s eyes narrowed. "Familiarize myself?" she repeated. "I appreciate your concern, but I am quite capable of learning quickly. I understand my father’s accident has caused uncertainty, but I assure you, I am committed to leading Defendwise Ventures. This company was my father’s pride and joy, and I intend to honor that."Another director, a stern-looking woman with her hair pulled back into a tight bun, interjected. "With all due respect, Ms. Wicks, it’s not just about learning quickly. It’s about experience and understanding the complexities of running a business of this size. We need to be sure that you’re up to the task."Flora’s frustration grew with each word. "And how do you propose I gain this experience if not by actually doing the job?"
Flora nodded, managing a thin smile in return. She thanked the nurse and took a seat in the waiting area, her mind racing with questions. Why had the doctors requested this meeting? Was there a change in her father's condition? She felt her anxiety build with each passing second, her fingers drumming nervously on the armrest of the chair.After what felt like an eternity, a middle-aged man in a white coat approached her. His expression was calm but serious, his eyes kind but professional. "Ms. Wicks, I’m Dr. Stephens," he introduced himself, extending a hand.Flora stood, shaking his hand firmly. "Dr. Stephens," she acknowledged. "Thank you for meeting with me. Is there any change in my father’s condition?"Dr. Stephens gestured for her to follow him. "Let’s talk in my office," he suggested. "There’s something we need to discuss."Flora’s heart pounded in her chest as she followed the doctor down a series of sterile, brightly lit hallways. The hum of medical equipmen
Hello everyone, Ena here! Phew, this has been quite a journey. I can hardly believe that we've reached the end of this story together. What started as a simple idea has grown into something so much more, and that’s all thanks to you readers and your support. Thank you for sticking with me and I'm grateful to every single one of you. Though we’re closing this chapter, I hope this isn’t goodbye. I have more stories to tell, and I’d love to share them with you. I'll be back soon with an even better book. Until next time 💛 All my love, Ena Starr.
Two Weeks Later The evening had settled into a comfortable warmth as Flora parked her car in the driveway of Damien’s estate. The sky was a gentle gradient of fading sunset hues, a perfect close to what had been a long but fulfilling day with Eva. They had been going over the offers from several publishing houses and TV studios, that wanted to monetize Flora's experience with Alice and Janice. It had been exhausting, but there was a sense of peace that came with knowing everything with Alice was truly over. Justice had been served, and Flora was finally free. With a content sigh, she gathered her things, pushing open the front door. The house was unusually quiet, save for the faint rustle of the breeze outside and the distant clinking of glass from the kitchen. A cozy warmth greeted her, the familiar scent of home wrapping her in comfort as she stepped inside. "Hello?" she called out softly, slipping off her shoes and setting
Flora’s breath caught in her throat, but she held her composure, her hands clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. She cast a glance across the courtroom and met Alice’s eyes. There was no fire in them, no anger or hatred. Only resignation. This was her fate, sealed and unchangeable. Alice would spend the rest of her life in jail. There would be no escape, no return to the life she once knew. She would die there, alone. The judge then turned her attention to Janice, who sat trembling in her seat. “As for Janice Holden,” the judge said, her tone unwavering, “for the charge of conspiracy to commit murder, and for the misuse of her professional authority as a nurse, resulting in the death of Vera Wicks, this court finds the defendant guilty.” Janice sobbed openly as the judge delivered her sentence: twenty-five years to life, with the possibility of parole only after serving the minimum term. But even with parole, Janice would never fully escape her crimes.
The next few days blurred together, filled with a whirlwind of action and emotion as Flora set the final stage for justice. Filing the formal report against Alice was both cathartic and devastating, but it was something Flora knew she had to do. This was the final step in a journey that had begun when her life was torn apart by betrayal, and now, she was finally fighting back. Alice was arrested almost immediately after Flora's report, and to everyone's surprise, she didn’t resist. For the first time in their long and painful history, she didn’t fight back. There were no screaming matches, no attempts to manipulate or twist the situation in her favor, no venomous remarks hurled in Flora’s direction. Instead, Alice turned herself over with an unsettling calm, submitting a written confession detailing her involvement in both the death of Flora’s mother and the accident that had left her father a prisoner in his own mind. Flora knew Alice’s cooperation wasn’t born
A chill ran down her spine, and she stammered out the first question that came to mind. “Olivia…are you—”Before she could finish, Olivia let out a bitter laugh, the sound filled with a weight of sorrow and exhaustion. It wasn’t a happy laugh, but one of disbelief at her own situation.“Yes, I’m pregnant,” Olivia confirmed softly, cutting off Flora’s stumbling attempt to find the right words. She rubbed her palm lightly over her stomach as if to comfort herself more than anything else. “And before you ask, it’s Cyprus’s.”Flora’s breath caught in her throat. Cyprus. Of course it was his. Her mind flew to that one disastrous night that Olivia had had with the arrogant vice president of Defendwise Ventures.“Olivia…” Flora whispered, her voice thick with disbelief. “What are you going to do?”The question hung in the air like a fragile thread, and for a moment, Olivia seemed lost, her gaze fixed on some distant point beyond the supermarket, beyond the immediate rea
Olivia’s face was puffy, her eyes rimmed red and swollen from crying. She looked utterly devastated, her usual composed demeanor shattered. Her bottom lip quivered as she attempted a smile, but it was weak, trembling at the edges. "Flora," Olivia whispered, her voice cracking. Flora stepped forward, unsure whether to close the distance between them or keep some space. She could see the exhaustion written across Olivia’s features, the turmoil swirling behind her eyes. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of what had brought them here pressing down on both of them. Olivia broke the silence first, her voice barely above a whisper. “I—I didn’t know.” She choked on the words, shaking her head as fresh tears welled in her eyes. “I didn’t know what my mother was capable of. I swear to you, Flora, I didn’t know any of it.” Flora stood still, absorbing Olivia’s words. She wanted to believe her. Desperately. But the betrayal of the past day,
The buzzing of Flora’s phone startled her out of her thoughts. It was Olivia. The message read:“Can you meet me in thirty minutes? There's a small 24-hour supermarket called "Pinegrove Market" not far from the estate. I’ll be there. Please, Flora, I really need to talk.”Flora’s pulse quickened as she read the message. Thirty minutes? She glanced at the clock. It was late, and while her body still ached with exhaustion, the urgency in Olivia’s words cut through any hesitation. Something in her gut told her this couldn’t wait. Without overthinking it, she typed a quick reply:“I’ll be there.”She stood up from the couch, assessing her loose pants and short-sleeved top. They would have to do for such an impromptu meeting. She padded quietly upstairs, not wanting to disturb the peaceful quiet of Damien’s home. He was fast asleep, one arm draped over his eyes, his breathing steady and calm. Flora felt a pang of guilt for slipping out, but she had to do this. Bending dow
Just as the words left Eva’s mouth, the kitchen door opened, and Damien stepped inside. He looked at Flora, his gaze soft and warm, and without a word, he crossed the room and kissed her gently on the temple. “Eva’s already started drafting the court papers,” he said, finishing Eva’s sentence. His voice was calm, matter-of-fact, as though they were discussing something far less monumental.Flora blinked, still processing everything. “Has Alice made a move since we left the estate?” she asked, her voice quiet but steady.Damien shook his head. “No,” he replied. “I think she knows this is the end for her.”The weight of his words settled over the room, and for a moment, there was nothing but the soft sound of the stew bubbling on the stove and Whiskerton’s contented purring. Flora exhaled slowly, a mixture of relief and exhaustion washing over her.That night, after dinner had been cleared away and Catarina and Eva had gone off to bed, Flora sat alone on the couch in t
Flora blinked, her eyes stinging with fresh tears. She knew who had orchestrated this—who had called Catarina and Eva, who had made sure that when Flora woke up, she wouldn’t be alone. It had to be Damien. He had seen how close she was to breaking, how much she needed the people around her now. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Flora looked between Catarina and Eva, her lips trembling with a bittersweet smile. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you for coming.” Catarina patted her cheek affectionately. “You’re stuck with us now,” she said with a soft almost motherly smile, before turning back to the stove to finish serving the stew. “Now, sit down and eat before you collapse. I made your favorite.” Flora’s stomach growled again in response, and she let out a soft laugh. Their presence, combined with the savory aroma of the stew, filled the room with a sense of comfort that Flora hadn’t realised she'd been craving .