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 anAt 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
Eva patted her shoulder in support before waltzing out. Quietly, Olivia shuffled out behind her, not meeting her mother's eyes.Alice’s eyes burned with hatred, but she held her tongue, waiting for Flora to continue. Flora leaned back, her voice steady and controlled as the door closed behind Olivia and Eva. “First, let’s address the obvious. You’ve been living here as if this house belongs to you. It doesn’t. You’re a guest here, Alice. And while my father’s in the hospital, I’ll be taking control of everything he owns, including this house.”Alice’s nostrils flared, but she remained silent, her eyes flickering with barely contained rage.“Second,” Flora continued, “there will be no more tampering with legal documents or tests. The court is already aware of the first incident, and any further attempts to undermine my position will be met with legal action.”Her stepmother's lips twitched, but she said nothing, her gaze fixed on Flora.Flora paused, letting
After Eva left the room, Flora stood alone, taking in the sight of her childhood bedroom. Now that they had cleared away the boxes and clutter Alice had used to fill up the space, it felt as though she had stepped back in time. The room was vastly unchanged since the day she had left it, as though the years had not dared to touch it. It was both comforting and unsettling—a reminder of a time when life had seemed simpler, though in hindsight, it had been anything but. The walls were still painted in the soft lavender hue she had chosen as a teenager, a color she now found overly sweet, bordering on saccharine. In the corner, the small writing desk she had used for homework remained, its surface worn from years of use. The familiar grooves she had traced absentmindedly with her fingers during long study sessions were still there, as were the faint ink stains from spilled pens and markers. As she walked around the room, her fingers lightly brushed against the walls,
“I’m not sure yet,” Flora admitted, her voice more open than she had intended. She looked at Olivia, searching her face for any sign of deceit, but found none. There was a tiredness in Olivia’s eyes, one that mirrored Flora’s own. Flora glanced at the door and then back to Olivia. “Is it okay for you to be in here?” she asked cautiously. “Won’t Alice see this as you taking my side? I can only imagine how livid she’d be.” Olivia shrugged, a nonchalant expression crossing her face. “I’m in my thirties, Flora. I can make my own choices. The worst she can do at this point is throw me out of the house.” Flora felt a flicker of admiration for Olivia’s defiance, this new, cooler side of her that Flora hadn’t seen before. She had always known Olivia to be under Alice’s thumb, but now she seemed different—stronger, more independent. It was a revelation that made Flora rethink their relationship. As she looked at Olivia, Flora’s mind drifted back to wh
After her conversation with Olivia, Flora felt a strange mixture of emotions—relief, hope, but also a lingering sense of unease. The years of animosity between her and Olivia couldn’t simply be swept away in one conversation, but perhaps there was a chance for something better.It still felt surreal to be back in this house, engaging in civil conversation with Olivia—someone who had once been her adversary but now seemed almost like an ally. The tension between them had lessened, but it left behind a different sort of heaviness, one born of shared history and unspoken regrets.Needing to clear her head, Flora stood up and decided to explore the house. It had been years since she had last wandered these hallways freely. As she stepped out of her childhood room, the wooden floor creaked beneath her feet, just as it had when she was a teenager sneaking out of her room after curfew. The house, despite its grandeur, had an old-world charm, with dark wood paneling and tall, n
As she came closer, she noticed a groove in the wall that hadn’t been there before—or at least, she didn’t remember it.Curious, she traced the groove with her fingers, feeling the cool, uneven surface. It seemed to lead to a small, almost hidden door, its frame blending into the wall so seamlessly that it could easily be overlooked. Flora hesitated for a moment, but her curiosity got the better of her, and she pushed the door open wide open.The space beyond was small, barely the size of a pantry, but what she found inside took her breath away. It was an indoor garden, unlike anything she had ever seen before. The air was thick with the scent of earth and greenery, a sharp contrast to the musty air of the rest of the house. Flora stepped inside, the door creaking shut behind her. The walls were lined with shelves filled with pots of blooming plants, their leaves vibrant and glossy. But these were no ordinary plants. Flora couldn’t recognize any of them, their shapes and col
“You… you hated him?” Flora finally managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. “You hated my father?”Alice’s eyes blazed with fury. “Hate him? I despised him! He was a pathetic excuse for a man! But I stayed because I had to. Because there was no other way to secure my future, to secure Olivia’s future. And now you think you can just walk in here and take everything that I’ve sacrificed for? I don’t think so, Flora. I won’t let you.”Flora stared at Alice, her mind reeling. This was a side of her stepmother she had never seen before—bitter, angry, and consumed by a resentment that had clearly festered for years. The image of the cold, calculating woman she had always known was now replaced by someone who was almost frightening in her intensity.“You stayed… for the money?” Flora asked, her voice shaking only slightly as she tried to make sense of the revelations.“For the money, for the security, for everything I was owed!” Alice spat, her voice rising with
The morning sunlight streamed through the large bay windows of the dining room, casting a warm glow across the polished wooden table. Flora, dressed in a flowy, sleeveless cream blouse paired with light olive-green linen trousers, insisted on having breakfast with Eva before driving her to the airport. Her hair, which had grown to brush the tops of her shoulders, was loosely tied back, allowing a few strands to frame her face. Eva, on the other hand, wore a breezy, sky-blue sundress that cinched at the waist and flowed just below her knees. Her dark hair was pulled into a neat ponytail, and a pair of square sunglasses sat perched on her head, ready for the bright day ahead.The resident cook of the Wicks estate had prepared a simple but visually pleasing breakfast, which was now laid out before them. A basket of freshly baked croissants, a bowl of assorted berries, and a platter of soft cheeses and jams occupied the center of the table. Both Flora and Eva had chosen eggs as their mai
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 .