You're a monster, Henry," she spat.
"Perhaps," he conceded with a nonchalant shrug. "But a monster who's about to win."He tapped the pen on the table impatiently. "So, Flora, are we going to do this the easy way or the hard way?"Flora's gaze darted around the room, searching for an escape, a weapon, anything. But there was nothing. She was trapped, a prisoner in Henry's twisted game.Stalling for time, she picked up a document, pretending to read it closely. Her mind buzzed with frantic activity. She thought of Damien, praying he'd received her message and was working on their rescue. But what if he hadn't? What if they were on their own?A desperate plan began to take shape in her mind. It was risky, reckless even, but it was the only chance she saw."Alright, Henry," she said finally, her voice laced with a false sense of defeat. "I'll sign the documents. But first, I need a lawyer to review them."Henry's eyes widened in surprise. "A lawyer? That wasFlora's knees buckled with relief as Damien charged into the room, his presence a beacon of hope in the darkness. But even with her savior here, the situation remained precarious. Henry, caught off guard and his face contorted in a mixture of rage and fear, fumbled for a reaction."Flora, step away!" Damien repeated, his voice leaving no room for argument. His gun, aimed steadily at Henry, underscored the urgency of his command.Slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements, Flora backed away from Henry, keeping the pen trained on his throat. Her heart pounded a frantic rhythm against her ribs, but a glimmer of defiance sparked in her eyes."Put the gun down, Henry," Damien ordered, his voice firm. "This is over."Henry's eyes darted between Flora and Damien, his mind racing for a way out. The smug assurance that had only moments ago colored his demeanor had evaporated completely, replaced by a raw desperation."This isn't how this was supposed to go," he stam
His words hit her like a physical blow. The raw protectiveness in his eyes mirrored the fear she knew must have been etched on her own face during their abduction.A surge of emotion welled up within her. She reached out, her hand trembling slightly, and clasped his arm. The warmth of his touch grounded her, a silent reassurance in the face of her newfound vulnerability."Thank you," she whispered, the words thick with gratitude and unspoken emotions.Damien's lips curved into a small smile. He pulled her closer, his embrace encasing her in a sense of security she'd craved for what felt like an eternity."Sleep, Flora," he murmured against her hair. "We'll talk in the morning."Sleep beckoned her once more, this time deeper, more peaceful. The nightmare was over, and she wasn't alone.When she awoke again, sunlight streamed through the window, painting golden stripes across the bed. Damien was no longer beside her, but the scent of freshly brewed coffee linge
”Is that you?" she asked, picking up the picture.Damien strode towards her, his presence filling the space between them. "Yep," he said, a touch of nostalgia in his voice. "College days. We were on a crazy backpacking trip across the Himalayas."Flora studied the picture, then met his gaze. "You look… different.""Younger, probably more reckless," he said, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "Before life… got complicated."Their eyes locked for a moment, a silent conversation passing between them. The weight of the ordeal hung heavy in the air, mingled with a new, unspoken awareness. Flora quickly averted her gaze, placing the picture back on the table."So, movie?" she said, her voice a tad too loud.Damien nodded, moving towards a bookshelf and pulling out two menus. "Takeout first?"The arrival of steaming boxes filled with the aroma of Thai green curry provided a welcome distraction. They settled on the couch, a comfortable distance separating them a
A shaft of sunlight speared through the window, landing directly on Flora's face. She blinked it away, the remnants of a dream swirling in the back of her mind – a dream filled with strong arms, warm lips, and whispered promises. Reality came flooding back, and a blush crept up her neck as she remembered the events of the previous night.The sheets felt tangled around her, a testament to the passionate encounter they'd shared. Tentatively, she reached for her shoulder, wincing slightly at the pleasant ache that spread through her muscles. A satisfied smile curved her lips. Every sore spot was a delicious reminder of the night she'd spend in Damien's embrace.A soft chuckle rippled beside her. "Good morning, sleeping beauty."Damien lay propped up on one elbow, a playful glint in his eyes. Flora peeked at him, her cheeks burning. There was a new intimacy in his gaze, a possessiveness that sent a thrill down her spine."Morning," she mumbled, ducking under the covers a
Flora's cheeks flushed crimson, the memory of their stolen moments replaying in her mind like a forbidden film. "Everything?" she stammered, trying to sound casual as she nuzzled Whiskerton's head against her cheek."Everything, everything!" Eva persisted, her voice rising in pitch. "Did you two… you know?"Flora's blush deepened to the shade of a ripe tomato. "Eva, come on!" she protested, swatting playfully at her friend's arm.Eva, however, was undeterred. "Well? Did you or didn't you?"Flora sighed, the playful banter masking a surge of vulnerability. "Yes," she admitted, her voice barely audible.A shriek of delight erupted from Eva, nearly causing Whiskerton to leap out of Flora's arms. "Oh my god! Flora, you finally did it!"Flora winced at the volume, shushing Eva with a playful glare. "Keep it down, will you? Damien might hear you."Eva, still buzzing with excitement, barely contained her voice. "So, tell me! How was it?"Flora hesitated, tor
”In a stunning turn of events," he stated, his voice grave, "...police have managed to foil a potential escape attempt by Henry Grey and Esther Davies, the couple suspected of orchestrating the kidnapping of Flora Wicks, a prominent businesswoman and known philanthropist. According to reports, the pair were discovered attempting to bribe prison guards with a substantial sum of money, presumably in an effort to secure their freedom. Thankfully, prison officials apprehended them before any harm could be done." The news report continued, detailing the charges against Henry and Esther, highlighting the incriminating evidence gathered by the police, and outlining the prosecution's intention to pursue the harshest possible penalties. Flora watched, a mixture of relief and anger washing over her. Relief that their escape attempt had been thwarted, anger that it had been attempted at all. Eva, sensing the shift in Flora's mood, reached out and rubbed her back. "There you
The dull thud of the knife hitting the wooden cutting board echoed through the kitchen as Flora began the preparations for a quick lunch. Being in the house these past few days was mind numbing with little to do, even more so that Damien was making quick stops at the office.In truth, making lunch was just an excuse to see, to steal a quick moment together and have a change in what was a very boring day. Not for the first time, Flora wondered if it was time to get a job after all these years. She needed something to occupy her time.The shrill ring of her phone sliced through her pondering. Quickly, Flora cleaned her hands and reached for the noisy device, recognizing the number on the caller ID. It was Andrew Whitaker, and his voice on the other end confirmed her suspicion.She hesitated for a moment, knowing that any call from Andrew usually meant pressing business matters despite his relaxed and friendly demeanor. Taking a deep breath, she answered.“Hello, Andr
The press conference had been a gamble, Flora thought, one she wasn't sure would pay off. She was in her study, preparing to check in with Maybelline Sears and Andrew Whitaker about the current state of Sungate Manufacturing. She had released her statement just a few days ago, and the response had been overwhelmingly positive. She dialed Maybelline’s number first. “Good morning, Maybelline,” Flora greeted warmly as the call connected. “Same to you, Flora. It’s good to hear from you,” Maybelline replied, her voice filled with genuine warmth. “How are you holding up?” “I’m getting better day by day,” Flora assured her. “I wanted to check in and see how things are going at Sungate since the press release.” “You did a good thing, Flora,” Maybelline’s voice took on a more professional tone. “The spotlight on Sungate has been more favorable since you showed where you stood. Investors are starting to regain confidence, and we’ve seen a slight uptick
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 .