As the warmth of their laughter faded into the soft rustle of the garden breeze, Sarah leaned back on the bench, a wistful smile playing on her lips.She looked down at her hands, which rested in her lap, her fingers idly tracing invisible patterns on the fabric of her dress.“You’ve shared so much about your childhood,” she began, her voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and sadness. “It only feels fair that I tell you about mine.”Alexander turned to her, his expression gentle but curious. “I’d like that,” he said simply, giving her the space to continue at her own pace.Sarah let out a soft breath, her gaze drifting toward the flowers swaying in the breeze. “Life with the Millers was... simple, but it was everything to me. They weren’t wealthy or influential, but they had so much love to give. I remember how warm the house always felt, how there was always laughter, even on the hardest days.”She smiled faintly, her eyes growing distant. “Mrs. Miller had this way of making even the
The bitterness in her voice gave way to a deep sadness as she continued. “It’s like... it’s like they didn’t matter to her. Like they were just a footnote in my life instead of the reason I even survived long enough to know who the Caldwells were.”Alexander’s grip on her hand tightened slightly, his frustration on her behalf evident. “The Millers mattered, Sarah. More than the Caldwells will ever understand. And you matter. Don’t let their indifference make you doubt that.”Sarah looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and pain. “I just don’t understand how someone like Victoria can live so comfortably, so happily, while pretending all of this doesn’t exist. It’s not fair.”“It’s not,” Alexander agreed, his voice firm. “But that’s who she is, who they all are. They take the easy way out, ignoring anything that doesn’t fit their narrative. But you’re different, Sarah. You don’t run from the hard truths.”Sarah leaned into him again, “It’s just so exhausting, Alexander
As Beatrice Blake stormed out of the garden, her heels clicking with the sharp precision of her mood, she pulled her phone from her handbag.She scrolled through her contacts with an air of determination, pausing when the name “Cecilia” appeared on the screen.Her finger hovered for a moment, hesitation flickering in her eyes, but only briefly.Pressing the call button, she brought the phone to her ear.The line rang twice before a soft, melodic voice answered, tentative but warm. “Mrs. Blake? Is everything alright?”Beatrice’s expression softened slightly at the familiar voice, a wave of nostalgia washing over her. “Cecilia, dear, I hope I’m not disturbing you.”“Not at all,” Cecilia replied quickly. There was a pause before she added, her tone careful, “Is it Alexander? I’ve been trying to reach him since I heard about the accident. I... I couldn’t get through.”Beatrice exhaled, her grip tightening on the phone. “Yes, it’s Alexander. He’s fine, more than fine, really, considering e
Cecilia raised her glass again, this time silently toasting Alexander.She didn’t regret leaving him after his accident, it had been a hard decision, but she’d been young and scared. Now, though, she saw it as a mistake she could correct.She thought of Sarah and frowned.Alexander deserved stability, someone who understood his world and wouldn’t drag him into danger. Someone who, with the right timing, could remind him of the life they’d once dreamed of sharing.“I’ll make it right,” she murmured to herself as she sipped her martini, her eyes scanning the crowd.Tonight was a celebration, but tomorrow would be the start of her next move.Cecilia swirled the olive in her martini glass, her mind wandering back to Alexander.As the music pounded around her, her thoughts grew darker, a flicker of irritation crossing her otherwise composed face.Alexander in a wheelchair, she mused bitterly, the image of him confined to it gnawing at her pride.She had left because she couldn’t face it, c
Victoria Caldwell had always been a source of contention in the family.Beautiful, headstrong, and accustomed to getting her way, she had grown up in privilege but lacked the discipline and decorum others had, particularly Sarah, had displayed.She was the baby of the family, indulged and adored until her reckless behavior began to overshadow her charm.Recently, her lifestyle had taken a sharp turn. Nights out with questionable men in their affluent social circle, whispered rumors of scandalous behavior at private parties, Victoria seemed to be pushing every boundary, testing the limits of her parents’ patience and their ability to cover for her.As if on cue, the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor echoed through the house.Victoria appeared in the doorway, her outfit more suited to a nightclub than her family’s estate.Her makeup was flawless, her expression unapologetically defiant as she sauntered into the room.“You called?” she said casually, her tone dripping with
Victoria's tears flowed harder as the jealousy and regret she had been suppressing surged to the surface.She hated herself for the bitterness she felt toward Sarah. It wasn’t Sarah’s fault that she was their biological child. Sarah hadn’t asked to be thrust into their lives, just as Victoria hadn’t asked to be replaced.And yet, the resentment burned in her chest.Victoria rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling as her sobs subsided into quiet sniffles.She felt like an impostor in her own family. No matter how much she tried to reclaim her place, it always felt like she was competing with Sarah, a competition she was losing.Downstairs, Eleanor's fingers massaged her temples.“What are we going to do Richard?” she asked quietly, her voice tinged with sadness. “She’s completely lost.”Richard leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His expression was grim. “It’s time we stop shielding her from the consequences of her actions.”Eleanor looked at him, her eyes glistening
Victoria wiped a stray tear from her cheek, her chest tightening with regret.She thought back to the day she had learned about the Millers’ deaths.She had been scrolling through her phone when the headlines appeared, the words “Tragic Shooting Claims Beloved Community Figures” glaring back at her.Her heart had stopped.She had known, instinctively, who the article was about before she even clicked on it.As she read the details, a hollow feeling spread through her.It was too late.The chance to meet them, to understand them, to maybe even find a connection with them, it was gone.Victoria sniffled, her hands gripping the hem of her skirt as guilt crept in.She hadn’t even attended their funeral.She couldn’t bear the thought of facing Sarah there, of seeing the pain in her sister’s eyes and knowing she had done nothing to comfort her.And now, Sarah had every right to hate her.She buried her face in her hands, fresh tears spilling onto her lap. Despite everything, she had wanted
Gerald paced the floor of his lavishly furnished study, his frustration evident in the sharp clicks of his polished shoes against the marble tiles. His usually calm demeanor had cracked, replaced by an anxious edge that unsettled even his most seasoned guards."Where the hell is he?" Gerald muttered under his breath, his tone biting.Seated across from him, a grim looking man in a tailored suit, a member of Gerald's inner circle, shifted uncomfortably. "We’ve sent teams to his usual haunts, boss. Checked every safe house and contact he’s ever had, but there’s no sign of him."Gerald slammed his fist onto the desk, sending a pen rolling onto the floor. "I don’t need excuses, Darren! I need results. It’s been two days. Two damn days, and no one knows where he is?!"The man leaned forward, his expression tense but composed. "We’re doing everything we can, sir. He could’ve been picked up, or worse...""Don’t even say it," Gerald snapped, cutting him off. His most trusted confidant, Marcus
Raven chased after Sarah, her motorcycle weaving through the street like a shadow, moving with a precision only a skilled rider could manage.Sarah had barely settled back into the rhythm of driving when she caught sight of Raven through her side mirror, closing in on her car at a ridiculous speed.With a smirk, Sarah rolled down her window just as Raven pulled up beside her, her leather clad figure leaning slightly as she gestured toward Sarah to get her attention.“Race you back to the Blake Residence,” Raven called out, her voice carrying over the hum of her engine.Sarah's grin widened. Oh, this was exactly what she needed.“Fun,” she said, her fingers gripping the wheel in anticipation. “You’re on.”The moment the words left her mouth, Raven twisted the throttle, and her bike shot forward like a bullet, disappearing down the road.Sarah cursed under her breath, shifting gears instantly as she slammed her foot on the accelerator.She knew there was no way she was going to beat a m
His fingers dug into the seat. “Sarah...”“You sound scared.” She grinned, completely unbothered. “You look scared too.”Seb exhaled sharply, forcing himself to let go of the dashboard, though his pulse was still racing. “I just don’t have a death wish.”Sarah hummed as if considering his words, then suddenly, with an exhilarating rush of power, she shifted gears and pushed the car even faster.Seb nearly choked.“Sarah!”Another laugh. “Alright, alright. I’ll slow down, for now.”True to her word, she eased off the accelerator slightly, though her version of “slowing down” was still leagues beyond what any normal driver would consider safe.Seb let out a breath, relaxing marginally. His heart was still hammering against his ribs, but at least now he felt slightly less like he was about to die.Sarah glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, her smirk widening. “Admit it, Seb. You had fun.”He shot her a flat look. “I was about ten seconds away from writing my will.”She chuckled,
Seb took a deep breath as he stepped out of his hospital ward, the cool air of the hallway a stark contrast to the stuffy room he had been confined to for weeks.His body had healed significantly, but there was still an ache in his ribs, a reminder of the reckless choice he had made that day.Yet, despite everything, she had visited him. Just once.At first, he had convinced himself she was just busy, dealing with her own injuries, maybe even shaken up by what had happened. But as the days turned into weeks, he realized the truth, she had chosen not to come.And maybe she was right to.After all, he had nearly cost her life once before. Saving her now didn’t erase that fact.His steps were slow as he made his way down the long corridor toward the exit, each one feeling heavier than the last.The nurses at the front desk gave him small nods, offering polite smiles as he passed, but he barely registered them.His thoughts were elsewhere, tangled between regret and reluctant acceptance.
Cecilia sat stiffly in the waiting area, her nails tapping impatiently against the armrest of the chair.The minutes stretched into an hour, and yet there was no sign of Alexander.She had thought he would at least grant her a short meeting, even if only to scold her. But the silence, the deliberate, deafening silence, was worse than any confrontation.The whispers around her grew louder. Employees who once feared her were now openly staring, some even chuckling as they walked past.The great Cecilia, reduced to waiting like some nobody.Her jaw clenched, and she checked her phone again, nothing. Not a call. Not a message.This is humiliating.Swallowing the lump of pride stuck in her throat, she stood up, straightening her blazer. There was no use waiting any longer. Alexander had made it clear, he had no intentions of seeing her.Lifting her chin, she walked toward the exit, ignoring the murmurs and stares. But deep inside, fury simmered beneath her poised exterior.Fine, Alexander.
Sarah strode toward Alexander’s office with confidence, her heels clicking against the sleek marble floors.The lingering presence of Cecilia downstairs didn’t bother her in the slightest, if anything, it amused her. The once untouchable Cecilia had been reduced to waiting in the lobby, ignored and humiliated.Raven, however, had no interest in whatever was about to unfold between Sarah and Alexander. The moment they reached the executive floor, she casually veered off in the opposite direction. “Yeah, I think I’ll go… anywhere else,” she muttered under her breath, making herself scarce before Sarah could rope her into anything.Sarah smirked, watching her slip away.Typical Raven. She had an uncanny ability to sense incoming drama and dodge it like a seasoned pro.With a soft chuckle, Sarah pushed open the double doors to Alexander’s office without knocking. She never knocked.Inside, Alexander sat behind his massive desk, flipping through documents. He didn’t even look up as he spok
It didn’t take long for whispers to spread through the Blake Group like wildfire.Cecilia, the once untouchable ice queen, was sitting in the waiting area like a rejected employee.The same Cecilia who used to treat people like they were beneath her.The same Cecilia who had once strutted through these halls, turning up her nose at anyone she deemed unworthy of her attention.Employees who had once feared her exchanged amused glances.Some dared to sneak a peek as they passed by, trying to confirm the unbelievable sight with their own eyes.“She’s really just sitting there?”“She hasn’t moved for over an hour.”“What does she think is going to happen? Mr. Blake doesn’t want to see her.”Laughter and hushed conversations buzzed in the air, and soon, the news made its way to Sarah.Sarah raised an eyebrow when Raven relayed the information to her, the corner of her lips twitching in amusement. “Cecilia? Sitting in the lobby? Like an abandoned puppy?”Raven smirked. “She looks pitiful, I
She answered but remained silent, letting Cecilia break first.“You little snake,” Cecilia hissed. “You recorded me?”“What can I say? I like to be prepared,” Victoria replied, feigning innocence. “You were so quick to abandon me, I had to make sure I had a safety net.”“Delete it. Now.”Victoria chuckled, savoring the desperation in Cecilia’s usually controlled voice. “Why would I do that? You’re the one who tried to pin everything on me. Do you think Alexander won’t find out what you did?”“Victoria,” Cecilia's voice dropped into a dangerous whisper. “If you send that to anyone...”“What? You’ll come after me?” Victoria interrupted, her voice hardening. “Like you tried with Sarah? Or will you run, just like you did with Alexander?”Silence stretched between them.“I want a deal,” Victoria continued. “If you want this recording to stay buried, you better make sure Alexander’s focus stays away. I need to clean this up, and you’re going to help me do it.”Cecilia exhaled sharply. “What
Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell sat in their grand living room, confusion etched on their faces as they reread the message from Alexander Blake."You crossed a line. This is the end for you."Mr. Caldwell frowned, his fingers tightening around the phone. "What the hell is this supposed to mean?" he muttered, passing the phone to his wife.Mrs. Caldwell’s brows furrowed as she read the message, her eyes narrowing. "I don’t understand. We haven’t done anything to provoke Alexander."From the corner of the room, Victoria stiffened, her heart pounding violently in her chest.She swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay composed. He knows. He had to.She had been careful, or so she thought. But if Alexander had sent this message, it meant one thing, he had figured it out.Her palms grew clammy as her mother looked up and asked, "Victoria, do you have any idea what this is about?"Victoria forced a confused expression, shaking her head. "Me? Why would I?"Mr. Caldwell exhaled sharply. "This is ridicul
Sarah stepped into her office, the scent of fresh lavender lingering in the air.The space was just as she had left it, elegant, minimalist, and filled with sketches and gemstone samples neatly arranged on the shelves.It felt both familiar and foreign after the chaos she had been through.Taking a deep breath, she walked around her desk and settled into her chair. Without missing a beat, she picked up the office phone and pressed the intercom button."Get me all the documents that need my attention. I want everything on my desk within the next five minutes," she said, her voice steady and authoritative.The response came immediately. "Right away, ma'am."As she set the receiver down, Raven plopped onto the couch, stretching her legs over the armrest. She looked around, then raised a brow at Sarah. "So… what exactly am I supposed to do here?"Sarah glanced at her with amusement. "Nothing."Raven blinked. "Nothing?"Sarah shrugged. "Just chill, have fun. Maybe go through my snack drawe