The drive was smooth, and Flora found herself appreciating the gesture more than she had initially thought she would. Charles drove with practiced ease, while Anne occasionally glanced back to check on Flora.
Charles pointed out landmarks and navigated the city's bustling traffic with the experience of a man used to doing such, while Anne remained a stoic presence in the front passenger seat.The hotel itself was a part of Damien's vast Equinox empire, a five-star establishment. Its opulent lobby was a far cry from the modest apartment Flora had envisioned for her stay."Mr. Damien has arranged for you to stay at the Grand Equinox Hotel," Charles informed her. "It's one of the finest in the city, and we have ensured your suite is ready."Flora nodded, looking out the window at the passing cityscape. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia mixed with the anxiety of what lay ahead.They arrived at the hotel, and Flora was immediately impressed by the elegaStanding in the middle of her father's grand estate home, twelve year old Flora stood in the living room, clutching a report card. Her heart pounded as she waited for Alice to finish her tirade. She'd had worked so hard to get straight A’s, but Alice always found something to criticize.“You think you're so perfect, don’t you?” Alice sneered, her voice dripping with venom. “Just because you get good grades doesn’t mean you’re better than anyone else in this house. You’re nothing but a spoiled little brat.” The air was thick with the cloying scent of Alice’s rosewater perfume.Flora’s hands trembled. “I-I just wanted to show you my grades,” she stammered, hoping for some semblance of approval. But she knew it was a futile hope. Alice had never loved her, but Flora had held a vain hope that she would at least like her.Alice’s eyes blazed with anger. “Don’t you dare talk back to me!” she yelled. “You’re a disgrace, just like your mother. No wonder she left you. You’re wort
No doubt, that nasty dream from a dark period in her life had been brought on by the very real fact that she was back in the city it had all taken place in.Eva didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure? You were really upset.”Flora forced a smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Really, I’m okay. How was your flight? What would you like to eat? I can call for room service.”Eva shook her head. “I’m not hungry. I’m more worried about you. Are you truly alright?”Flora hesitated, then sighed, the weight of the past and the present pressing down on her. Eva’s gaze held a knowing skepticism. She wasn’t convinced, but she also knew better than to push. Before Flora could say anything more, Eva leaned in and embraced her tightly. Flora buried her face in Eva’s shoulder, the tears she had been holding back flowing freely now.She melted into the comforting hug, the familiar scent of Eva’s lavender shampoo grounding her, nothing like Alice's signature rosewater.“I ha
A bitter taste settled on Flora's tongue. Henry, the catalyst for their ultimate falling out. She took a second before speaking again. “So, is this some kind of penance for you? Because if you hadn’t called me to tell me about the accident, you’d have everything you’ve always wanted.”Olivia shook her head vigorously, her eyes filling with tears. “No, Flora, it’s not like that. When I saw the news about your kidnapping, I realized how much I’ve contributed to your misery. I’ve been jealous of you from the moment we met. You had a father who loved you and could provide for you—a comfort I never had.”Flora took a deep breath, trying to process Olivia’s words. “And was it those same insecurities that made you cheat with Henry?” she asked, her voice hard. Her tone was deliberately neutral.Olivia flinched. "Maybe," she admitted after a moment's hesitation. "Seeing you happy with him… it just fueled my anger. And then, when Henry started… well, you know…"Flora did know.
A curt knock on the door interrupted the hum soap opera playing on the television in the background as Flora drank her tea. Charles, his ever-present courtesy intact, ushered in a flustered Olivia. Anne, as stoic as ever, followed close behind, casting a brief, assessing glance around the opulent suite before discreetly lingering by the doorway.Olivia looked different—healthier, with a fuller face and hips. The change threw Flora off for a moment. Both Charles and Anne lingered, eyeing Olivia suspiciously."Thank you, Charles, Anne," she said, her voice laced with a hint of forced cheer. "You can both leave us. Olivia isn't here to cause any trouble,“ she glanced at her step-sister. “Are you?"Olivia, uncharacteristically subdued, offered a weak smile. "Goodness, no, Flora. How could you even think that?"Anne's lips remained compressed in a thin line, but Charles inclined his head in a shallow bow. "As you wish, Miss Flora. However, please do not hesitate to call u
Taking a deep breath, Flora made a decision. "Alright, Olivia," she said, her voice firm yet gentle. "Let's give this a try.” She reached out, placing a steady hand over Olivia's trembling fingers. ”But know this – if you betray my trust, if this is all some elaborate game, there will be no coming back from it. I won’t be so forgiving after a second betrayal."Olivia nodded, tears streaming down her face. “Thank you, Flora. I promise, I just want to help. You won't regret this.”A hesitant smile touched Flora's lips. Would she regret this? Maybe. There was a very good chance that Olivia was playing her for a fool again. But she wouldn't let the fear of that stop her from doing what she believed was the right thing.The tension in the room eased as Flora felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She had chosen to forgive, and while the wounds Olivia had inflicted would always be there, maybe this was a step towards healing. Whether their newfound understanding would blossom i
Flora's alarm woke her from a restless slumber as dawn painted the city in a hopeful glow, the morning sky bleeding a vibrant orange. Inside the lavish penthouse, a different kind of fire burned within Flora. Today was the day. Today she would finally face Alice, the woman who'd poisoned her childhood with constant criticism and indifference. She would confront her stepmother, and try to stop her from taking over her father’s company. She took a deep breath and tried to steady her nerves. She needed to be strong. She dressed carefully, choosing a sleek navy blue pencil skirt and a white silk blouse with delicate ruffles at the collar. Her black heels added a few inches to her height, giving her an air of authority. She added a pair of pearl earrings and a simple silver bracelet, her hair pulled back in a neat chignon. She looked at herself in the mirror, hoping to see a confident woman ready for battle. The fabric rested beautifully against her skin, it
The car glided smoothly through the city streets, the morning traffic a symphony of honking horns and impatient drivers. Flora, however, barely registered the chaos outside. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions – anger at Alice, apprehension about the meeting, and a sliver of nervous excitement about toppling Alice's plans. The drive to the Equinox Centre was smooth and uneventful, the luxurious car gliding effortlessly through the city streets. Flora stared out the window, her mind racing with thoughts of what awaited her. She had faced many challenges in her life, but this one felt particularly daunting. She was about to confront her stepmother, the woman who had made her life a living hell for so many years. But she was determined to fight for her father’s company and his legacy. As they approached the Equinox Centre, Flora’s heart rate quickened. The office building where the lawyer's meeting would take place was a towering behemoth of glass and steel, its im
Flora felt the air leave her lungs in a whoosh. A paternity test? What in the world did that have to do with her inheritance? She exchanged a bewildered glance with Eva, who carefully hid her own confusion under a mask of neutrality. Flora’s eyes widened in disbelief. “A paternity test? This is outrageous! My father has never questioned my paternity. Why now?” Alice finally spoke up, her tone dripping with feigned concern. “It’s a necessary legal formality, dear. We must ensure everything is in order.” “Why would there be a clause like that?" Eva finally chimed in, her voice sharp with suspicion. "Did Mr. Wicks have any doubts about Flora's parentage?" Alice shot Eva a withering glare, but before she could retort, Mr. Henderson intervened. "Unfortunately, Mrs. Wilson, the specifics surrounding the clause are not explicitly stated in the will. However, it does stipulate that if Miss Flora refuses the paternity test, she will forfeit not only t
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 .