Sleep came easily that night, a deep and dreamless slumber that left Flora feeling refreshed when she woke the next morning.
As she stretched away the remnants of sleep, yawning as she did so, the suite was eerily quiet, and Eva was nowhere to be seen. Flora padded into the kitchenette, the polished granite floor cool against her bare feet, and began making herself a cup of coffee. As the bitter liquid invigorated her senses, she pulled out her phone. Her thoughts wandered to the looming paternity test results. In a few hours, her world could potentially crash down around her.She found it strange, almost disconcerting, how calm she felt now. The past few days had been a whirlwind of nervous anticipation, a constant knot of anxiety churning in her stomach. Yet, here she was, facing the precipice with a sense of… stillness.The events of the previous day played back in her mind like a disjointed film – the dazzling displays of the fair, the awkwardness with Olivia andThe chrome doors of the Equinox Centre hissed open silently as they approached, ushering them into a world of cool marble floors and gleaming silver accents. A hushed efficiency permeated the air, adding to the weight of anticipation settling upon Flora's shoulders.She and Eva navigated the confusing corridors until they reached a sleek, mahogany-paneled door marked "Conference Room A." A nervous tremor ran through Flora's hand as Eva gently nudged the door open, revealing the scene within.Inside the sleek, glass-walled conference room, Mr. Henderson and two other lawyers were already seated. Their faces were a mix of curiosity and veiled anticipation. Then there was Alice, perched precariously on a plush chair, her signature flamboyant attire on full display today. A matching set of emerald earrings and necklace glittered with an almost garish brilliance against her heavily painted face. Flora’s eyes were drawn to her stepmother’s ostentatious display, a stark contr
Eva reached out and squeezed her hand, her face a mask of shock and sympathy. "Flora," she began softly, "breath. I need you to breath."Alice's laughter grew louder, more vindictive. "I knew it! All this time, you were nothing but a fraud, a parasite leeching off my husband’s fortune!"Mr. Henderson shot Alice a warning look. "Mrs Wicks, that's enough."Ignoring him, Alice stood, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "Finally, justice is served. You have no right to anything in this family, Flora. You should know without me having to tell you that it's time you pack your things and leave."Cyprus, who had been silent until now, stood up, his expression unreadable. "Flora, I’m sorry."Flora couldn't bring herself to look at him. Instead, she turned to Eva, seeking some semblance of support. "What do we do now?"Eva, ever the calm and collected lawyer, took a deep breath. "We contest this. We demand a retest. This could be a mistake, a mix-up. There’s no way we’re g
The car ride back to the hotel was a silent journey, the only sound the hum of the engine and the occasional click of the windshield wipers against the rain-streaked glass. Flora sat in the backseat, her gaze fixed on the passing cityscape, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Her silence was strange, compared to the jubilation and relief she just moments earlier. Her mind buzzed with conflicting thoughts, worries gnawing at the edges of her consciousness. Eva, seated beside her, glanced over frequently, her concern growing with each passing mile. She had expected Flora to be excited, even overjoyed, now that it had definitely been proven that Edgar Wicks was her biological father. This revelation meant there was nothing stopping Flora from taking the reins of Defendwise Ventures while her father remained unconscious. Yet Flora's muted response left Eva unsettled."Are you okay, Flora?" Eva asked softly, hoping to coax some reaction out of her friend.Flora gave a small,
Damien's brow furrowed. "What kind of advances?" His voice was tinged with a hint of wariness.Flora's voice was barely above a whisper. "He’s been overly affectionate, and it makes me uncomfortable. I made it clear I’m not interested, but he doesn’t seem to be backing down."Damien's face darkened, a mix of concern and anger flickering in his eyes. "Flora, you shouldn't have to deal with that. Did he do anything inappropriate?"She thought back to Cyprus's words that evening he'd dropped her off at the hotel after the trade fair. "No, not exactly. Just made me uncomfortable," she replied, her voice steady. "I'm worried, Damien. I’m worried he’ll think I encouraged it, especially with us being apart. And then there's the fact that I'll be here, running the company. It’s going to be hard on us."Damien's expression softened. "Flora, listen to me. You haven't done anything wrong. You're not responsible for his actions. And as for us, we can handle the distance. We’ll m
Flora's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief.Eva nodded, her expression serious. "I know it sounds sudden, but it's important. From what we've learned about Alice, it's clear she's not going to let you settle into your rightful place without a fight."Flora's mind raced, trying to process the implications of Eva's words. "But Alice lives there," she protested, her face twisted in distaste. Eva nodded, her expression grim. "Exactly. And given the circumstances, she can claim ownership of the house. It's called squatter's rights. We can't let her get away with it."“And to stop her from claiming it, I have to live with her?"Eva nodded. "I know it's not ideal, but there are important reasons for it. From the results of the first DNA test, it's obvious Alice will do anything to make sure you don't get any of your father's assets. And now that she's living in your father's home, she can request ownership of the house
Flora spent the better part of her morning packing her luggage, methodically going through each drawer and closet in the hotel suite to ensure she hadn't forgotten anything. Her movements were steady, though her mind was filled with a mix of anxiety and resolve. The thought of staying with Alice in such close quarters made her uneasy - eating breakfast with her, seeing her everyday, running into her - but she had to stand her ground. If she didn’t, Alice would walk all over her, and she was determined not to let that happen.Eva flitted around the suite like a whirlwind, gathering up forgotten items from the kitchenette and the bathroom. Her presence was comforting, though the knowledge that she would be leaving soon cast a shadow over Flora's mood. Despite the fact that they would soon be separated, their plan was clear: Eva would accompany Flora to her father’s house, help her confront Alice, and then spend the night before leaving the next day.By late morning, the two
As the car slowed to a stop, the familiar iron gates loomed ahead, thick ivy curling around their bars like the living tendrils of a plant, just like in fairy tales. A female voice crackled through the intercom, sharp and unfamiliar, demanding to know who they were. Flora, miffed by the lack of recognition, provided her full name with a tone that brooked no argument. There was a brief, stunned silence before the gate clicked and began to roll open with a groan, the sound echoing along the graveled pathway ahead.Anna guided the car down the drive, the tires crunching softly against the gravel. The pathway was lined with towering oak trees whose leaves whispered secrets of the estate’s long history. The sun, filtering through the dense canopy, cast dappled shadows on the stone facade of the mansion, a grand, imposing structure that seemed to have grown even larger since Flora’s last unfortunate visit months ago.The mansion was a testament to the wealth of the Wicks family an
At Flora's declaration that she has come to claim her home, Alice’s lips thinned, a line of displeasure cutting across her otherwise carefully composed face. Her mask slipped ever so slightly. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she sneered, her voice cold as ice. “There’s nothing here that belongs to you.”The woman sitting opposite Alice, engrossed in their game of cards, looked up and adjusted her glasses to peer at Flora. Her eyes sparkled with interest, and a slight smile tugged at the corners of her lips as if the conflict entertained her. “Aren’t you going to introduce us, Alice?” she asked, her tone laced with a strange glee, as if she relished the drama unfolding before her.Alice snapped at her, clearly agitated. “The game is over, Janice. We’re done here.”Janice chuckled softly, unbothered by Alice’s irritation. “Are you chasing me away, Alice? How rude.”Alice’s eyes flashed with anger, and she snapped again, “Don’t vex me, Janice!” Her voice rang through the room, b
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 .