Lucas’s POVThe letter still clutched in my hand, my heart raced as I paced the living room, the weight of the revelation pressing down on me. Mandy had written it. She had been pregnant, and I had no idea. All these years, I had blamed her for shutting me out, for keeping Emily from me. But now, I understand. I understood the fear, the hesitation, the uncertainty that had driven her decisions. And it hit me hard—too hard.I needed answers. There was no way I could keep going without knowing the full truth. I had to confront Grandma Claire. She was the one who had kept me from Emily, the one who had kept me in the dark for so long. She had to know something more. She had to.I grabbed my coat and stormed out of the apartment, my mind already racing through the possibilities. What had she known? Why hadn’t she told me about Emily? Why had she let me believe that everything was fine when it was anything but?Grandma Claire’s house was quiet when I arrived. The tall, ivy-covered house l
Emily’s POV I sat on the soft rug in our living room, my favorite stuffed bunny clutched tightly in my arms. Mommy was sitting on the couch, her eyes glued to the TV, but I wasn’t paying attention to the show. My mind was full of questions, and I had to ask her. I had been thinking about it for days, and now, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. "Mommy?" I said, my voice small but curious. She turned her head, giving me a soft smile. "Yes, sweetie?" I looked at her, trying to find the right words. "Who is Lucas?" Mommy’s smile faltered just for a second, and she shifted uncomfortably on the couch. I could tell she didn’t like it when I asked about him. But I didn’t understand why. I liked him. He was nice to me when we saw him, and I liked the way he talked to me, like I was important. But sometimes, when we were at his house, Mommy didn’t seem happy. She would look at him like she was mad, but also sad, like she wanted to cry. I didn’t understand why. "Lucas is... someone Mommy us
Writer’s POVHowever, the air in the room was thick with tension, each word that passed between Lucas and Mandy only adding to the weight. They stood on opposite sides of the living room, both frustrated, both unwilling to back down, yet neither truly understanding the other’s pain. The distance between them wasn’t just physical—it was emotional, and it seemed to grow with each passing day.Lucas’s jaw was clenched as he crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes, usually so calm and collected, now blazed with frustration. "You still don’t trust me, do you?" he asked, his voice low but sharp.Mandy stood near the kitchen counter, her hands gripping the edge as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded. She looked at him, her face a mixture of exhaustion and exasperation. "It’s not about trust, Lucas," she snapped. "It’s about reality. You think everything can be fixed with a smile and a nice gesture, but it’s not that simple. We’ve both made mistakes, and there’s no easy way to
Lucas’s POVThe tension in the air was palpable, the kind that settles in your chest and refuses to let go. It had been days since the argument with Mandy, and though the words had been said, the weight of them still lingered, heavy and unresolved. But there was something else now, something that gnawed at the back of my mind. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was at play, something that had been lurking in the shadows for far too long.I sat at my desk, the dim light of the office flickering in the late hours of the night. My fingers hovered over the keys of my laptop, but I couldn’t focus on the reports in front of me. My mind kept drifting back to Damian—my half-brother, the one person I could never fully trust. There had always been something about him, something off, but I’d never been able to put my finger on it. Until now.The phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts. I glanced at the caller ID, and my stomach dropped. It was an unknown number. My first instin
Lucas’s POVMeanwhile, on the next day, the weight of the files on my desk felt heavier than usual, and the air in my office seemed thicker as I sifted through the documents. Every page I turned revealed more lies, more betrayals. The deeper I dug into Damian’s involvement in my family’s business, the more it became clear: he had orchestrated so much of the chaos that had plagued my life.I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong—something bigger than just business deals or power struggles. Damian’s reach extended far beyond the boardrooms and into the very heart of my family. He had manipulated everyone, even me. I slammed the folder shut, frustration bubbling up inside me. I had to confront him. I couldn’t let this go any longer. I needed answers, and I needed them now. But I couldn’t do this alone. I had to be smart. Damian was dangerous, and if I was going to take him down, I had to be prepared.Picking up my phone, I dialed a number I had avoided for months. Grandma
Lucas’s POVNotwithstanding, the tension between Mandy and me was still palpable as we stood in the living room, both of us watching Emily play with her toys on the floor. The weight of the situation hung in the air, a silent understanding between us that things were escalating, and we had no choice but to put aside our differences for her sake. "Lucas, I don’t know what to do anymore," Mandy’s voice was strained, barely above a whisper, but I could hear the panic in it. I didn’t know what to say. There were no words that could make this easier. Emily’s safety was at risk, and that was all that mattered. "We’ll figure this out," I said, my voice steady, but inside, I was anything but calm. Damian’s presence loomed over us like a dark cloud, and every second felt like we were running out of time.Mandy’s eyes met mine, searching for some sign that I wasn’t as lost as I felt. "You don’t get it, do you? I’ve kept Emily safe from all of this for so long, and now… now I have to rely on
Lucas’s POVMy hands were shaking as I held the envelope, the weight of it pressing down on me like a heavy stone. The words on the paper still haunted me: "You can’t protect her forever. She’s mine now."But it wasn’t just the cryptic message that rattled me—it was what came next. As I unfolded the paper, a photograph fell out, slipping from between the folds. I bent down to pick it up, and the sight of it nearly made my heart stop.It was a picture of my elder brother, Thomas. His face was frozen in time, a younger version of him, full of life and promise. But there was something wrong about the picture. Behind him, barely visible in the background, was a figure I didn’t recognize. I stared at the image, my mind racing, as the pieces started to fall into place. My brother had died under mysterious circumstances, and I’d always suspected there was more to the story than what the police had told me. But this... this was something else entirely. I looked at the back of the photograph
Mandy's POVThe weight of the envelope Lucas had found still hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was unraveling faster than I could keep up with. The truth about Damian, the lies, the betrayal—it was all coming to light in a way I wasn’t prepared for.But what unsettled me the most was Lucas. He had always been a man of control, of precision, someone who could calculate every move. But now, as he stood there, holding that envelope with a look of determination in his eyes, I saw a different side of him. A side that was vulnerable, desperate even, to protect Emily and me.I had always known that Lucas cared about Emily—how could he not? But this? This was something deeper. He was willing to burn bridges, to confront the very people who had shaped his life, all for the sake of the little girl who wasn’t even his by blood. It was hard to ignore the emotion that swelled in my chest when I saw him like this, fighting for us.“Are you sure ab
Mandy’s POVI sat across from Lucas, the weight of everything pressing down on my chest. The tension between us was thick, more suffocating than I had anticipated. Ever since we learned that Horizon Enterprises was tied to my past, the air felt different. I could feel Lucas’s eyes on me, the same intensity I had seen when he was dealing with the threats to his business. But this time, it wasn’t just about the company. It was about me.“Are you sure about this?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to remain composed. “I mean, this... this whole thing, this connection to my past, it could be a lot more than you think.”Lucas didn’t respond immediately. He was always so calm under pressure, but I could tell he was wrestling with his own thoughts. His jaw tightened, and his eyes flickered with a mix of frustration and determination. I had seen that look before. And right now, I was the one standing in his way.“I’ve been digging into Horizon Enterprises,” he said, his v
Lucas’s POVThe morning after Mandy’s conversation with her distant sister, Rebecca, the air in our house felt different. It was heavier, charged with the weight of the past that had suddenly resurfaced, and the uncertainty of what was to come. Mandy had spent the night processing everything, and I could see the tension in her eyes. She was trying to keep it together, but I knew she was struggling. I, on the other hand, was trying to keep my mind off of everything that had happened. But life didn’t give me that luxury. I had been sitting in my office for hours, going through reports and emails, trying to focus on the numbers and figures that usually kept my mind occupied. But the more I tried to concentrate, the more my thoughts kept drifting back to Mandy, to her past, and to the mess that Rebecca had dropped into our lives. It was frustrating, but I couldn’t let it distract me for long. I had a business to run, and the company wasn’t going to wait for me to sort out my pers
Mandy’s POVJust when I thought life was finally beginning to settle down, when I could breathe without the constant weight of worry on my chest, the universe decided to throw me another curveball. The day had started like any other. Lucas and I had spent the morning talking about our plans for the future—our family, our life together, the dreams we had for Emily. We were in a good place, finally. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this at peace, like the storm had passed and the calm had settled in. But then, as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the living room, the doorbell rang. I was curled up on the couch, Emily playing at my feet, and Lucas was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. It was a rare, quiet evening, and I didn’t expect anyone. The doorbell rang again, more insistently this time. I looked up, my heart skipping a beat for no reason I could explain. I stood up slowly, walking toward the door with a feeling of unease settling in my stomach. When
Mandy’s POV It was morning and I woke up to the sound of soft footsteps, the kind that only Emily’s little feet could make. The sun had barely risen, but there was already a sense of excitement in the air. I could feel it, even before I opened my eyes. “Mama, wake up!” Emily’s voice was full of joy, and I couldn’t help but smile as I stretched under the covers. I opened my eyes to find her standing beside the bed, her hands clasped together as if she were holding onto something important. She was wearing the biggest grin, her little face glowing with excitement. “Good morning, sweetie,” I murmured, my voice still heavy with sleep. “Guess what? Daddy says we’re going somewhere special today!” She bounced on her toes, unable to contain her enthusiasm. I sat up, my curiosity piqued. “Oh, really? Where are we going?” “I don’t know, but it’s a surprise!” she said, giggling. I couldn’t help but laugh. It was rare that Emily kept a secret, especially when it involved somethin
Lucas’s POVThe soft hum of the city outside was a constant reminder of the world I’d been part of for so long. But lately, everything felt different. The meetings, the deals, the endless grind—it all felt distant, as if I were looking at it from the outside. I sat at my desk, staring at the stacks of paperwork that had once consumed me. But now, they felt like a weight I didn’t want to carry anymore. I’d spent so much of my life focused on building an empire, on ensuring my success, that I had neglected the most important things—my family, my values, and my integrity. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the papers aside. The lessons I’d learned over the past few months had been hard-earned, but they had changed me. Damian, Mary, the lies, the betrayals—it all had been a wake-up call. And now, I am determined to do better. I had already taken the first steps. I’d begun to clean up my business practices, ensuring that everything was above board. The company was now under the scruti
Mandy’s POVUpon our arrival back home from the terminal, the house felt quieter than usual. Not the eerie, tension-laden silence we’d been living in for months, but a peaceful calm that seemed almost foreign. Damian was in custody, Mary was gone, and for the first time, I felt like we could finally relax. With that, Lucas sat on the couch, his head rested in his hands. He looked exhausted but relieved, as if the weight of the world had finally been lifted from his shoulders. And as I stood in the doorway for a moment, just watching him, we had been through so much, and yet, here we were, still standing. “Hey,” I said softly, stepping into the room as he looked up, his eyes meeting mine. “Hey.” he replied, as a soft smile followed.Then, I sat down beside him as the space between us felt smaller than it had in a long time. And at that moment, neither of us spoke through the silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it was rather heavy with unspoken words. “Are you okay?” I finally
Mandy’s POVThe morning after Damian’s arrest, the air in our home felt lighter, as if an invisible weight had been lifted. Lucas was in the kitchen making pancakes for Emily, who giggled as he flipped them with exaggerated flair. Gosh, I finally allowed myself to breathe. But peace is a fragile thing. My phone buzzed on the counter, shattering the moment. The message was from an unknown number, but the content was unmistakable."You think you’ve won? Watch your back.”My stomach churned upon reading it and I knew there was only one person who could have sent this—Mary. So, I turned to Lucas, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. “She’s not done.” He frowned, setting the spatula down. “Who?” “Mary,” I said, holding up my phone. “She’s trying to make a run for it. And she’s still threatening us.” Lucas’s jaw tightened, his calm demeanor replaced with a fierce protectiveness. “She won’t get far. Not this time.” With that, we quickly made arrangements for a
Lucas’s POVThe night air was heavy, the kind that seemed to cling to your skin and make it hard to breathe. Mandy sat beside me in the car, her jaw tight and her hands clasped together in her lap. She hadn’t said much since we got the anonymous message, and I couldn’t blame her. I’d dragged her into this mess—into my mess. And now we were driving straight toward the man who’d been a shadow over my life for far too long. “We don’t have to do this,” I said quietly, my grip tightening on the steering wheel. She turned to me, her eyes sharp and unwavering. “Yes, we do. This ends tonight, Lucas. For Emily's sake.” Her determination was like a lifeline, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. I nodded, focusing on the road ahead. However, the address led us to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. It was the kind of place where secrets were born and lives unraveled. And as we pulled up, I spotted Ethan’s car parked nearby. He is my friend and he insisted on coming, h
Mandy’s POVThe house was quiet, save for the faint hum of the heater kicking in. Lucas sat on the couch, his phone gripped tightly in his hands, his face a mask of tension. My earlier question hung in the air like a storm cloud. “Who sent this?” I asked again, my voice firmer this time. He didn’t look up, but I saw the way his jaw tightened, the way his shoulders stiffened. Whatever he was holding back, it was big. My heart pounded as I crossed the room and sat beside him. “Lucas,” I pressed, my tone soft but unyielding. “Talk to me.” He exhaled sharply, finally setting his phone down on the coffee table. His hands raked through his hair, leaving it even messier than before. “It’s from....," He paused as a quick sigh escaped from him as he continued immediately. " It's from someone who knows Damian,” he said, his voice low. "Damian?" I quipped. "Is that why the message stated, “You can’t hide forever. The truth will come out.”"What are you hiding again, Lucas, what truth