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
Olivia’s eyes were filled with regret. “I’m sorry, Flora. I wanted to reach out sooner, but... I didn’t know how. There’s more. My mom is planning to take over the company while he’s unconscious. She... she says he signed over temporary control to her before the accident”Flora felt a wave of anger and betrayal wash over her. “How could she do that? She has no right!” Her head spun. A hostile takeover by Alice, her stepmother, while her father lay unconscious in a hospital bed? It was a scenario ripped straight out of a cutthroat business drama.“Are you sure about this, Olivia?" She pressed, her voice tight with disbelief. "Does anyone else know?"Olivia shook her head vehemently. "No, just me. Mom keeps everything so close to the vest. But I saw some documents on her desk, legal stuff about taking over control of Sungate. I looked into it a bit, and apparently, Dad did put her in charge of things if something happened to him, but you're his heir, Flora. To the estate,
The aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans hung heavy in the air as Flora entered the quaint little cafe she'd agreed to meet Eva in for a quick brunch. The interior was adorned with vintage decor, warm wooden tables, and soft lighting that created a welcoming ambiance. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of baked goods, wrapping around her like a comforting embrace.She spotted Eva nestled in a corner booth where the natural light spilled in, casting a gentle glow over her. A well-worn copy of a legal journal was propped against a mug of steaming latte.Flora, dressed in a pair of comfortable jeans and a loose-fitting linen blouse, slid into the booth opposite Eva. Eva, clad in a simple sundress and a denim jacket, looked up, her smile faltering slightly at the sight of Flora's drawn expression. "Flora, love, what's wrong?" she asked, concern lacing her voice. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, and she wore minimal makeup, highlighting h
Eva nodded thoughtfully. "I get it, Flora. But be careful. You might think you're protecting him—or yourself—by keeping him at a distance, but to Damien, it might feel like you're pushing him away."Flora's eyes clouded with concern. She looked down at her hands, a pang of guilt twisting in her gut. Damien had been nothing but supportive throughout this ordeal, yet she'd been hesitant to confide in him about the latest developments."You think so? I don't want him to feel that way. I just... I don’t want him to see how badly Alice disregards me, how I'm treated at home."She sighed. "It's just... I'm so ashamed, Eva. Ashamed of how things are with my family, how Alice treats me. I don't want him to see this side of things."Eva leaned back, considering her words carefully. "It's natural to want to shield him from the ugliness, but Damien loves you. He wants to be there for you, through the good and the bad. You need to let him in, or it could create a rift between you two
The trip back to Flora's hometown loomed large, casting a long shadow over her otherwise peaceful life with Damien. Packing wasn't just about clothes and toiletries this time. It was about gathering courage, strategizing with Eva, and bracing herself for an emotional whirlwind.She busied herself with preparations for her trip, her mind racing through a checklist of tasks. First, she packed her suitcase, ensuring she had enough clothes for a potentially extended stay. She selected a mix of professional attire for any confrontations with Alice and the lawyers, as well as casual clothes for more comfortable moments. Flora packed her toiletries, a few personal items, and, of course, her copy of the power of attorney documents that Eva had insisted she take along. Next, she reviewed her travel itinerary. She murmured to herself as she scrolled through the airport site, considering an early morning departure to give herself plenty of time to get settled before the meeting. She
The irony of the situation wasn't lost on Flora. A derisive snort escaped her lips. "Of course it is. This just keeps getting weirder."She forwarded the details to Eva, feeling a sense of urgency settle over her. “I better book my flight now,” she murmured.Damien watched her with a mixture of pride and worry. “Remember, Flora, call me if you need anything. Even if it’s just to talk.”Flora smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s not like I’m going to war, Damien.” She finished with a lighthearted chuckle, attempting to dispel the tension that clung to the air like a second skin.He didn’t smile back, his face remaining grim. “The last time you were involved in a power struggle, you ended up in the hospital. Just...please be careful.”The memory of Flora's hospitalization was etched in his mind, a stark reminder of the lengths people could go to in a corporate power struggle. Damien reached across the table, his hand engulfing hers."This isn't some harmle
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 .