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
As she tucked her phone away, she could feel Alice’s eyes on her, the intensity of the glare almost palpable. Flora refused to acknowledge it, focusing instead on the lighthearted banter with Damien that had lifted her spirits. She was relieved when Eva came back into the dining room, her phone and charger in hand. “All set,” Eva announced, her tone upbeat. She shot a glance at Alice, who was still glaring daggers at Flora, and then back to Flora, raising an eyebrow as if to say, *Is she always this pleasant in the morning?* Flora rolled her eyes in response and stood up, smoothing down the front of her blouse. “Let’s get going, then,” she said, grateful to have an excuse to leave the oppressive atmosphere of the dining room. She placed a hand on Eva’s arm, guiding her toward the door. As they walked out, Flora could feel the weight of Alice’s stare following them, a silent threat that hung in the air long after they had left the room. But Flora didn’t
As she moved through the exhibits, Flora’s worries began to fade. She paused at an exhibit showcasing classic horror films, intrigued by the original props on display. Standing inches away from the very objects that once terrified audiences felt surreal. But it was the interactive section of the museum that truly captivated her. Flora stumbled upon a room dedicated to famous movie scores. At a listening station, she put on headphones and immersed herself in the sounds of iconic film soundtracks. Closing her eyes, she was transported to another world—a world of fantasy, drama, and adventure. With every corner of the museum, Flora found something new to discover. Rare film clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and historical artifacts drew her in, each one deepening her appreciation for the art of filmmaking. Eventually, Flora realized it was time to head back. Reluctantly, she made her way to the exit, but not before stopping by the gift sh
Olivia’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of mild surprise. “Janice? What did she say?”“Nothing direct, just... strange. It was like she knew something I didn’t. And with everything that’s been happening, I just... I wanted to know what you could tell me about her.”Olivia sighed, setting the cookbook aside. “Janice has always been a weird old woman. She and my mother have this strange friendship that’s more like a rivalry. They’ve been in each other’s lives for years, but there are times when they won’t talk to each other for months. Honestly, I’ve never understood why my mother keeps her around.”Flora nodded, listening intently as Olivia continued. “Now that you mention it,” Olivia said thoughtfully, “I have noticed that ever since you started challenging Alice and undermining her authority, she’s kept Janice closer than ever. I’m not sure why, but it’s like she’s relying on her for something.”Flora’s mind raced, piecing together the fragments of in
Flora returned to the house with her mind still buzzing from her conversation with Janice. The older woman's cryptic words had left her on edge, and the car ride home had been spent in silent contemplation, trying to decipher their meaning. There was something unnerving about the way Janice had looked at her, like she knew more than she was letting on, and it left Flora with an uncomfortable sense of foreboding.As soon as they arrived at the house, Flora wasted no time heading straight for Alice's secret garden. Her curiosity had turned into an obsession, and she was determined to find out what Alice was hiding there. But when she reached the door, she found it securely locked. No matter how hard she pushed and shoved against it, the door wouldn't budge. It was as though Alice had anticipated her return and taken measures to keep her out.Flora's frustration grew with each passing second. The locked door felt like a slap in the face, a clear message from Alice that she wasn
She settled into the soft embrace of her bed and dialed Damien's number. The ringing on the other end was brief, and soon enough, his familiar face filled her phone screen. There he was, standing in his kitchen with a grin that immediately warmed her heart. They had done this countless times since she’d been away, yet each call seemed to bring them closer, heightening her longing for his touch. "Hey sunshine," Damien greeted her, his voice carrying a tenderness that made Flora smile. "Hi," she replied softly, her voice tinged with a mixture of happiness and longing. The nickname wasn't new, but it never failed to make her heart flutter. Over the past few weeks, she had noticed how Damien’s pet names for her had grown increasingly affectionate and playful, each one more saccharine than the last. From "sweetheart" to "honeybee," it seemed like he couldn’t get enough of reminding her how much she meant to him. It was in these small details that she realized just how much he m
Flora felt a mix of nerves and anticipation as Anna and Charles drove her to Defendwise Ventures for her first day at work. As the car passed through the grand iron gates of the company, Flora took her time to admire the company her father had worked so hard to bring to life. The Defendwise Ventures headquarters was an impressive blend of modern design and timeless elegance. The building was a towering structure of glass and steel, reflecting the bright morning sun, with clean lines that gave it a sleek, professional appearance. Large windows covered its entire surface, hinting at the expansive, open spaces within. A lush, manicured garden lined the walkway to the entrance, adding a touch of nature to the otherwise corporate setting.As the car pulled up to the entrance, Anna brought it to a smooth stop. Flora took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, her heels clicking against the polished stone walkway. She was dressed in a tailored navy-blue pantsuit that hugged her fram
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 .