The moment she saw the Cherub, Flora wondered what she had been so scared about. It was a beautiful place, and the very sight of it soothed her nerves.
The actual building resembled a magnificent mansion that was lit up with electrical lights that were designed like medieval lamps. In front of the entrance was a huge water fountain that was lit up from underneath with blue and yellow lights that gave it the illusion of an intricate water show.All around the building were fully grown palm trees that nearly towered over the building, lending sophistication to the entire location. Flora could barely contain her gasp as she got down from the car.“I told you,” Eva said with a huge grin. “It’s a swanky place.”Her friend was wearing the cobalt tube gown she had tried and failed to convince Flora to wear. It hugged her body like a lover, emphasizing her slim hips and tiny waist. The gown was strapless, and Eva’s midnight black hair fell over her shou“At my service?” She rose her eyebrows at him. “Are you going to show me all the secrets of the Cherub?”He did not reply to her for a second, letting his gaze trail all over her and Flora fought the shivers that went down her spine at his obvious attraction to her.Really, he was the epitome of sophistication, his tailored tuxedo accentuating his chiseled features and piercing eyes. His commanding presence drew attention yet he seemed unfazed by the admiring glances, devoting his attention to her and her only.It was a heady drug, his attention, one that was intoxicating yet very unsettling. When she had left behind the clothes that were made for her body type and begun wearing maternal clothes that suited a woman several sizes bigger, it was as if she had become invisible. Due to Henry’s insistence, she had started staying at home so much more which limited her human contact. Often, the only people she would speak to in a week were the servants, Eva and Henry’s mother when she call
Flora lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. Despite drinking some chamomile tea before retiring for the night, she had not been able to sleep until very late into the night, and even when she had managed to fall asleep, she would always wake up after an hour or two before getting so tired she would succumb to sleep once more. Her rest had proven restless and Flora knew exactly why. It was the guilt of leaving Damien the way she had, with so little explanation for her strange behavior. What must he be thinking of her now?His concerned face flashed in her mind and she cringed, embarrassment flooding through her. She had not meant to leave him so abruptly, but she had felt like she was suffocating, the weight of her doubts and fears crushing her. Flora had enjoyed the kiss but the panic that followed was overwhelming. She’d thought she was ready to move on but the kiss had brought all her insecurities flooding back, filling her with a feeling of inadeq
As the plane descended, Flora’s heart quickened with each passing minute. She peered out of the window, her eyes scanning the landscape below. The sprawling city was bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun, casting long shadows over the horizon.The familiar sights brought a sense of unease, a feeling that had been gnawing at her since she had booked her ticket. As the aircraft taxied to a stop, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. She gathered her belongings and made her way down the narrow aisle, the hum of the engines fading into the background as she stepped onto the tarmac. The crisp evening air greeted her and the warm sunshine enveloped her, a stark contrast to the chill that had settled in her bones. She had been dreading this trip for weeks, but she knew it was necessary. She had to face her father and stepmother, to tell them the truth about her marriage and the impending divorce. She couldn’t do it over the
“Here we are,” the driver said of the taxi. “The Equinox Hilton.”Flora peered out the window at the hotel he’d brought her to. It was a towering masterpiece of elegance and sophistication, its sleek glass and steel façade gleaming in the city lights. From what she could see, the lobby was lavish, adorned with marble and crystal, every detail crafted to be nothing short of unforgettable.“It’s one of the most luxurious hotels in this city ma’am,” the driver continued. “Very refined. You’ll enjoy your stay here.”From the looks of it, Flora was not even sure she could afford it, but all the same she nodded and flashed him a grateful smile. She alighted from the vehicle, and paid his fee before getting her box out of the trunk. The hotel exuded an air of opulence and extravagance from the moment Flora stepped through its grand entrance, hinting at the world she was entering. Marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers and tower
Their conversation flowed easily as evening turned to night, moving through dreams, fears and aspirations. The storm outside eased up, replaced by a light shower. Flora found herself growing more and more tipsy, the champagne flowing like water as she laughed and joked with Damien. He was witty, and she couldn’t help but feel drawn to him, her inhibitions slowly disappearing with each passing minute and with each sip of champagne, replaced by a sense of recklessness fueled by the bitterness of her recent argument with her parents. She laughed at his anecdotes, her laughter mingling with the soft strains of music playing in the background. The more she drank, the easier it became to confide in him, to share her deepest fears and frustrations. And then, in a moment of drunken candor, she made a mistake. As they sat together on the couch, their legs touching, she leaned in close, her voice low. “I have a confession to make, she said, her eyes locked on his. He raised an eyebrow, his
Sunlight speared through the gaps in the curtains, dragging Flora from a restless sleep. It casted a warm glow over the interior of the penthouse suite. She stirred from her slumber, her mind still hazy with the remnants of dream and desire. As she blinked away the last of her sleep, the events of the previous night played on repeat in her mind – the raw vulnerability she’d shared with Damien, the intoxicating of alcohol and attraction and the stolen moment of connection before reality intruded. Disappointment gnawed at her. A part of her had been hoping to wake up to Damien by the window, the city skyline a backdrop to their newfound alliance. But the plush armchair was empty, the only evidence of his presence a single white orchid lying on the bedside table, its delicate petals mirroring the fragile hope blooming in Flora’s chest.Beside the orchid lay a folded piece of paper. With trembling hands, she reached for it. Flora’s heart hammered against her
As Flora walked into the lawyer’s office – Henry’s lawyer’s office – she felt a sense of assurance wash over her. This was it, the final step in ending her marriage. She was ready for this to happen, prepared. The lawyer, a kind-faced woman named Sarah, greeted her warmly and led her to a conference room. She’d met Sarah several times during office holiday parties and when the woman had come to drop off some urgent paper work for Henry. She was comforted by the sympathy in the woman’s eyes.“Are you ready to do this?” Sarah asked gently.Flora nodded, taking a deep breath. “Yes, let's get this over with.”Just then, the door opened, and her husband, Henry, walked in, followed by Olivia. Flora felt a surge of anger and betrayal, but tried to keep her emotions in check.Olivia smiled sweetly at her, but there was a hint of hostility in her eyes. She had inherited her mother’s beady thin eyes and mean disposition. It was a no surprise. “Hel
Nerves fluttering in her stomach, she made her way towards him, each step bringing her closer to the mysterious man who had become an unexpected ally in her quest for revenge.“Damien,” she greeted him, her voice tinged with excitement and something else she could not quite place.“Flora,” he replied, his smile widening as he enveloped her in a welcoming embrace. “You look divine.”He led her to the elevator, punching in the number that would take them to the penthouse suite.“Do you always keep a suite available in each of your hotels?” she teased, grinning at him. Now that she was in his presence, her heart felt lighter than it had earlier this morning.Damien winked at her as the doors opened, leading her towards the stunning room. “Now why would I reveal all my secrets?”Flora stared out the oval window, appreciating the beauty of the room. Her mind raced with possibilities. She had come here with a purpose – to devise a plan
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 .