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
“Marcus,” Carter called, his tone firm but not unkind. “You’ve got two choices, come with us, or stay here and let Gerald deal with the fact that we found you first. We both know how that ends.”Marcus hesitated, his mind whirling.Carter’s words cut deep. If Gerald believed Marcus had talked, or worse, been captured, it wouldn’t matter what the truth was. Gerald’s paranoia would ensure Marcus’s death, no matter the cost.“Tick tock, Marcus,” Carter added, stepping closer. “You’ve got about ten seconds before my men stop being patient.”Marcus’s resolve wavered.He had been loyal to Gerald for years, but loyalty wouldn’t save him now. Slowly, he lowered his gun, his hands trembling as he placed it on the ground.“I’ll come,” he said hoarsely, his voice barely audible.Carter gave a curt nod, signaling his men to stand down. “Smart choice,” he said, stepping forward to retrieve the gun. “Let’s go. Alexander’s waiting.”Marcus was led out of the tunnel, his thoughts a tangled mess of fe
Earlier that day, Alexander’s mind was already abuzz with plans as he exited the underground base where Marcus was being held.His phone buzzed in his pocket just as he was sliding into the backseat of his car.Pulling it out, he noticed a message from his head of security.Security Alert: "Sir, we’ve identified something unusual about Mrs. Blake’s activity today. A fuller report is attached."Alexander frowned, quickly opening the attachment.The report detailed Sarah’s unusual behavior throughout the day, speeding through the city in his Sapphire blue McLaren, blowing past red lights, and the most surprising revelation of all: she had been at the underground racing scene years ago.The man had overheard Sarah and Seb's conversation.The next line of the report made his pulse quicken: "Based on her movements and the reactions of Seb, it appears that Mrs. Blake is none other than Sparrow, the underground street racer."For a moment, Alexander stared at his phone, utterly still.The wo
Meanwhile, Sarah, her adrenaline still pumping, smirked to herself as she sped through the city streets.She knew she’d made a statement, and the satisfaction of seeing them topple like dominoes was enough to lighten her mood, at least for the moment.“That’s for thinking you can mess with me,” she muttered under her breath, the wind whipping through her hair.As Sarah sped past yet another red light, she couldn’t help but feel a rebellious thrill coursing through her veins.The city blurred around her, the McLaren roaring like it owned the streets.By the time she reached the Blake residence, her heart was pounding, not from fear but from exhilaration.Pulling into the driveway, she stepped out, her heels clicking on the stone path as guards hurried to retrieve her bags from the car.But her confidence wavered the moment she stepped into the hall.Alexander was home. And not just home, he was seated on one of the couches, his sharp eyes focused on his phone, a stern faced traffic off
Darius tapped his fingers lightly against the leather steering wheel, his gaze momentarily drifting to the horizon before returning to the phone in his hand.The familiar voice on the other end of the line grounded him, carrying both the calm confidence and the gravity of their shared mission.“You’re sure about this approach?” Darius asked, his tone steady yet probing, a hint of concern underlying his words.“Gerald’s empire is a house of cards,” Alexander replied without hesitation. “All we need is Marcus to show us where the foundation lies. Once we hit that weak point, the whole thing will come crashing down. I need to be back in my position before that happens.”A heavy pause followed, one that seemed to speak volumes between them. It was the kind of silence born from years of working together, where words often felt unnecessary.“I trust your instincts, Blake,” Darius said finally, his voice carrying the weight of his faith in Alexander’s judgment. “Just make sure you watch your
He grabbed a nearby chair and sat down across from Marcus, leaning forward. "You're stalling. That's fine. Take your time, but know this, every second you waste, you're digging yourself a deeper grave. So start talking. What’s Gerald’s endgame? Why the sudden attack on me? What else is he planning? The Accident? Why?"Marcus hesitated, his eyes darting to Carter, who stood like a silent enforcer. Then back to Alexander, whose calm exterior only made him more intimidating.Finally, Marcus exhaled shakily. "Fine. You want the truth? Gerald has been running his own empire in the shadows, smuggling, blackmail, taking out anyone who gets in his way. You are the biggest person in his way."Alexander’s jaw clenched, fury simmering just beneath the surface. "And so he had to ambush me at the Millers?"Marcus nodded reluctantly. "He couldn’t risk it no more. And now... now he knows you’re coming after him. He’s already setting things in motion to take you down before you can touch him.""Like
Sarah’s grip on the steering wheel tightened as her thoughts spiraled.Her encounter with Seb had brought back memories she had locked away, memories of the life she lived before Alexander, before the Caldwells, before everything had changed.It was as if the sound of his voice had reignited a part of her she’d been desperately trying to forget.The McLaren roared through the city streets, its powerful engine echoing off the walls of skyscrapers.She was moving fast, too fast, zipping through intersections and leaving streaks of blue in her wake.Red lights flashed above her, but her mind was elsewhere, completely detached from the rules of the road.She hadn’t even realized she was running red lights until a jarring honk snapped her back to reality.Sarah glanced up just in time to see a taxi screeching to a halt inches from the McLaren’s rear bumper.Her heart raced, but she kept going, her thoughts louder than the warning blares of city traffic.The McLaren’s high tech dash flashed
As Seb watched the Sapphire Blue McLaren disappear down the bustling city street, the faint roar of its engine lingering in the air, a familiar mix of emotions surged within him.His jaw tightened, his hands slipping into his pockets as he leaned against a nearby lamppost.The memory of that night, the night Sarah, or rather, Sparrow, had humiliated him in front of the entire underground racing community, played in his mind like a relentless reel.He had been untouchable then, a trust fund heir with an ego as massive as his bank account.No one had dared to challenge him until she appeared, a dark horse with a car that seemed like an extension of her being.She hadn’t just won that race, she’d dismantled his pride, maneuvering through tight corners and dangerous straights with a precision that left him chasing shadows.Seb could still hear the taunts and cheers of the crowd, their disbelief at his defeat and their awe of the enigmatic Sparrow.That night had shaken his world, exposing
Sarah’s world shifted irreversibly when the truth emerged, she was not a Miller by blood but the biological daughter of Eleanor and Richard Caldwell, one of the wealthiest families in the region.Overnight, she went from the quiet comfort of life with the Millers to the suffocating expectations of high society.Eleanor made it clear that her new role as a Caldwell required grace, elegance, and obedience.For Sarah, stepping away from racing felt like giving up a piece of her soul. Under the alias “Sparrow,” she had found freedom and purpose in the underground world, where skill and daring defined her success. But with the Caldwells’ influence bearing down, she was forced to bury that part of herself.The Millers, devastated but understanding, promised to keep her secret. Their support gave Sarah some solace, but the loss of her connection to them and the racetrack weighed heavily on her.Though Sarah had to abandon Sparrow, she refused to let go of her creativity and ambition, Mountai
Sarah’s first race was a night she would never forget.She was sixteen, filled with a mixture of nerves and excitement that buzzed through her veins like the hum of a finely tuned engine.The streets on the outskirts of the small town came alive after dark, transforming into an arena where the boldest drivers tested their skills.Word had spread about an upcoming race, and though she had never participated before, Sarah knew she couldn’t resist the call of the asphalt.Mr. Miller had always told her to respect the road and her instincts, but he’d never forbidden her from racing.It was an unspoken understanding between them, he trusted her judgment. That trust emboldened her as she slipped into the driver’s seat of an old but reliable car she and Mr. Miller had worked on together, a vintage Camaro with a roaring engine that could still hold its own against modern speedsters.The crowd gathered along the makeshift race route was a mix of seasoned racers, adrenaline junkies, and curious
Sarah twirled the black card between her fingers as she slid out of bed, the plush carpet warm beneath her feet.The glint of the card caught the morning sunlight streaming in through the windows, and she couldn’t help but smile.Her mind raced with possibilities, a sudden surge of excitement bubbling to the surface.“Thousands of ways to enjoy the day, huh?” she murmured to herself, heading toward the closet.Sliding open the doors, Sarah stared at her wardrobe, filled with designer clothes and shoes that could rival a boutique. But today, she wanted something different, something new.Maybe she’d stroll through the high end boutiques downtown, find something completely out of the ordinary.Or perhaps she’d visit the luxury spa she’d been meaning to try, complete with hot stone massages and cucumber infused water.She flipped the card again in her hand, her grin widening. “I could buy an art piece, a rare one, or maybe surprise Alexander with something extravagant. He did say the wor