Tyler paced the length of his office, his jaw squeezed tightly as he processed Owen's confession.His fists balled at his sides, extreme anger bubbling beneath the surface."You're telling me," he said through toughnessted teeth, "that you were behind the photo that destroyed my marriage?"Owen, positioned opposite him, appeared wan yet resolute. His hands lay on the table, his knuckles pale from clutching the edges. "I never intended for it to reach this point," he stated. "It was meant to be a fear tactic, a way to put space between you and Samantha." Julie had different intentions. Tyler struck the desk with his hand, the noise resonating in the room. "You didn't intend for it to reach that point?" he retorted. That 'scare strategy' ruined everything!""I know," Owen said, his voice shaking with fear and emotion but firm. "And I've lived with the guilt every single day. Julie wasn't supposed to take it further, but once she got a taste of power, she ran wild. She had advantage
On his way to the location Owen had sent, the sound of screeching tires tore through the air as Tyler's car changed direction sharply to avoid an oncoming truck.His hands gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white as he fought to take control again.The headlights of the truck blinded him for a split second, and before he could react, the world spun.The hit came hard and fast.. a violent crash that sent his car rushing in and out-of-control way into a metal pole, glass shattering around him like rough and sharp rain.For a moment, everything was silent.Smoke curled from the crumpled hood of the car as passersby rushed to the scene, their rushing and upset voices cutting through the haze.Tyler's head hanged against the seat, blood trickling from a cut on his temple.His phone lay on the passenger seat, the screen cracked but still lit with Owen's number."Someone call an emergency vehicle that takes people to hospitals,” a woman's voice shouted.A man pulled open the driver's d
The roar of tires over mix of little rocks signaled their arrival. Owen leaped from the car before it had fully stopped, his heart pounding as the police officers filed out behind him, their movements sharp and practiced.He motioned toward the warehouse, his voice low and extremely important."She's inside. Be careful.. they're dangerous."The lead officer nodded, signaling his team to fan out.The air was thick with tension, the moon casting pale light over the rusted exterior of the building.Owen's fists squeezed tightly at his sides as he stared at the entrance. Every second Samantha spent inside that place was a second too long.One officer approached the main door, a hand floating near to his leather case for carrying something.Owen could feel the energy-giving body chemical thrumming in his veins as the officer tested the handle and pushed the door open.A loud creak echoed, the sound cutting through the still night like a warning bell.**********Julie paced near the far co
I rushed through the emergency clinic main entrance, the cool air outside replaced by the clean, metallic fragrance of sterile that filled the passageways.My heart beat in my chest, each step quicker than the last as I advanced to Tyler's room.I expected to see him, expected to ensure he was alright, notwithstanding everything that Owen had said to me.At the point when I at long last arrived at the entryway, I delayed the slightest bit prior to pushing it open.There, lying in the medical clinic bed, was Tyler. His face was pale, his typical strength no place to be viewed as he gazed toward me, his eyes glinting with shock."Sam?" he croaked, his voice powerless. "You're here."I was unable to prevent the tears from gushing in my eyes as I raced to his side. "Obviously I'm here," I murmured, grasping his hand delicately in mine. "You scared me, Tyler."He gave a little, tormented grin, pressing my hand back. "Please accept my apologies. I didn't intend to concern you."I sat close
As dawn broke the next morning, the gentle beeping of the machines that kept a watchful eye on Tyler's vitals filled the room with a soft, persistent sound. I was planted firmly beside his bed, the rhythm of the beeps offering a thread of comfort amid the turmoil swirling around us.My gaze was locked onto my phone screen, scrolling through the flood of breaking news.One headline grabbed me, refusing to let go: "Caleb Jones: Wanted Fugitive Following Explosive Fraud and Embezzlement Revelations."Disbelief washed over me.Caleb, the man who had wronged me, Tyler, and so many others, was finally exposed for all the world to see.The media frenzy was relentless, parading Owen's damning findings for all to see.. undeniable evidence of Caleb's criminal dealings, his shady links to Julie, the web of deceit and manipulation he'd spun.The once untouchable Caleb was now on the run, his empire of lies crumbling as he fled from his own misdeeds.Part of me found solace in this chaos. It was f
Forty-eight hours had passed.I found myself meandering back and forth across my office, the pristine envelope quivering ever so slightly within my grasp.A cocktail of disbelief and pride constricted my chest as I gazed upon the distinguished emblem of a globally acclaimed firm emblazoned on the letterhead.It was set in stone... I had clinched the kind of deal that was the stuff of dreams for anyone in my profession.This was the milestone that would cement my reputation as a leader in the industry... a defining juncture in my career.Yet, instead of revelling in triumph, I was engulfed by a sense of emptiness.My mind incessantly wandered to the hospital, to Tyler, who lay there with his gallant smile and serene resolve, feigning normalcy even when it was far from the truth.His words echoed in my head, "We'll pull through this, Sam. Together."A gentle tap at the door snapped me out of my reverie, and there was Rachael, her expression alight with joy."Way to go, Sam! You've done
I watched the glass of water on the table, feeling the moisture forming on the bottom with my fingers. The quiet chatter in the restaurant around me faded away. I kept looking over at the entrance, and my stomach felt more and more knotted with each moment. This wasn't real. That’s not possible. The message stuck in my mind like a guest I didn't want: we needed to have a conversation. This is about your dad. I thought about avoiding it, deleting it, or acting like it wasn't there. Something brought me here—maybe it was curiosity, anger, or hope. The scene was neutral, public, and terribly ordinary. Just another downtown eatery, bustling with laughter and conversation, with no proof of the emotional storm rising within me. My glance moved to the clock. Five minutes past our agreed-upon time. 'Good. Perhaps he isn't coming. I was about to stand up and walk out when the door opened. At first, I didn't think much of it. Just another customer walking in, shrugging off the c
Fear and rage swirled in my stomach as I stood at the door of the private hospital room, my heart thumping in my chest. Everything felt oppressive, including the room's sterile air and the background beeps of the equipment. It was cold, aloof, and clinical, exactly as I remembered. However, things were different this time. I wasn't a kid waiting for answers this time. I was an adult who needed to let go of years' worth of hurt, questions, and anger.As I pushed it open, the springs hardly made a sound as the door creaked open. In the bed, my father appeared smaller than I had remembered. The once-dominant, powerful, and forceful presence had become weak, with pale complexion and sunken eyes. Even though he didn't look up right away, I could see his attention going to me. In an attempt to steady my breathing, I swallowed hard. I said, "Dad," in an emotionally charged voice that was almost audible above a whisper. "I'm present."His face stiffened as his eyes met mine as he slow
"I now pronounce you husband and wife."The words reverberated through the air as Samantha felt Tyler's warm hands cup her face. His blue eyes were so intense that her breath caught, and before she could blink, his lips were on hers. The kiss was slow and deep, sending goosebumps down her spine, and it sealed a commitment far bigger than any previous pledge. As guests stood clapping and whistling, cheers broke up all around them. White rose petals flew across the air, captured by the gentle evening breeze. Samantha let out a frantic giggle against Tyler's lips as he pulled her in closer. "We did it," she muttered. "We did," he said softly, leaning his forehead against hers. "And I'm never letting go." Samantha's heart felt fuller than ever as they went down the aisle together. Caleb was gone, the past was behind them, and a bright future awaited them. *** Six months later. Samantha sat in bed, fatigued but happy, her fingers tracing the newborn's small features cuddled again
Four days later. Samantha stood in front of the mirror, her heart racing against her ribs. The smooth ivory fabric of her bridal gown clung to her body like a second skin, with beautiful lace accents cascading down her arms. It should have been the best day of her life. But something seemed odd. She inhaled softly, attempting to push the anxiety away. Perhaps it was simply nerves. After everything they'd been through... Tyler's health issues, her father's death, the inheritance drama, Caleb's reappearance... it was understandable to be on edge. A gentle knock on the door made her jump. Bella looked inside, her eyes lit up. "Sam, you look…" She placed a hand on her chest. "Breathtaking." Samantha smiled, but Bella's countenance immediately changed, indicating that something was awry. "You okay?" Bella inquired, coming closer. Samantha hesitated before shaking her head. "I do not know. "I just have this feeling." Bella frowned. "The bad kind?" Samantha nodded. Befo
Samantha sat on the examination table and gripped the edge as the small, clean exam room was filled with the continuous beep of a monitor. With his leg hopping restlessly and his gaze darting between her and the closed door, Tyler sat next to her. "Blake, Samantha?" The physician came in, leafing through the file. She smiled politely and professionally and took the stool across from them. Samantha took a deep breath. "I am that." After looking over the chart, the doctor looked directly at Samantha. "Your bloodwork results have been returned." She hesitated. "You are expecting a child." There was a slight tilt to the room. Samantha blinked. "What?" The physician's grin grew softer. "You are roughly six weeks pregnant." From next to her came a sudden intake of breath. When Samantha looked back, she saw Tyler transfixed, his eyes wide, his lips slightly apart. He remained silent for a minute. Then his face changed, as though the realization had to come gradually. "You're..." He g
Despite the frantic energy pulsing through him, Tyler's hands remained calm as he adjusted the final candle on the table, filling the air with the aroma of fresh roses. As he had intended, the restaurant was deserted; he had rented out the whole place for the evening. The tastefully arranged table was bathed in a golden glow while soft instrumental music played in the background. He rolled his shoulders back and let out a breath. It has to be flawless tonight. He turned when he heard a familiar voice at the door. "Tyler?" Samantha stood in the doorway, looking both surprised and intrigued. With her hair falling over her shoulders, she looked stunning in a form-fitting emerald dress. Tyler took a deep breath. God, she's stunning. She glanced at the intimate scene and then back at him. "What's all this?" He moved forward and extended his hand. "Supper. Only us. After a moment of hesitation, she inserted her fingers inside his. Her tender touch stabilized and anchored hi
Tyler exhaled sharply as he pushed himself up from the therapy bench, sweat dampening his shirt. His muscles trembled from exertion, but he gritted his teeth and steadied himself. Samantha stood nearby, watching him with careful eyes, ready to step in if he faltered. “Easy,” she murmured. He shot her a look. “I’m fine.” She crossed her arms, one brow lifting. “You nearly collapsed last week. Forgive me if I don’t take your word for it.” Tyler sighed but didn’t argue. Truth be told, he still felt the weakness lingering in his limbs, the occasional dizziness that reminded him he wasn’t at full strength yet. But he was improving. And that mattered. The physical therapist, a middle-aged man named Greg, clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s enough for today. You don’t want to push too hard.” Tyler wiped a hand over his face and nodded. “Got it.” Samantha handed him a water bottle, and as he took a sip, her fingers brushed against his. It was a small, fleeting touch, but it g
Samantha paced the clean hallway, the only sound in the otherwise quiet room being the steady tapping of her heels on the shiny hospital floor. She detested medical facilities. I detested having to wait. She glanced at the clock, her arms folded tightly across her chest. Four hours. Tyler had spent four long, excruciating hours in surgery. She turned as she felt a hand on her shoulder and saw Owen standing next to her, holding a coffee cup in one hand and wearing a worried expression. He offered her the cup and added softly, "You must sit." Samantha gave a headshake. "I am unable to. Not until I'm certain he's alright. Owen leaned against the wall and moaned. "You have stood here the whole time. You're going to lose your mind. The lump in her throat was swallowed. "What happens if something goes right?" Her voice broke. "What if..." "Cease." Owen spoke in a friendly but stern tone. "Tyler is powerful. Additionally, he is being treated by one of the nation's top surgeons
Samantha's heels hitting the marble floor echoed down the long hallway. Her phone buzzed in her fingers, and another notice appeared on the screen. SCANDAL UNVEILS: CALEB WINTERS ENGAGED IN FRAUD, EMBEZZLEMENT, AND CORPORATE SABOTAGE. She barely had time to breathe before another one struck. JAMES BLAKE'S LEGACY RESTORED: NEW EVIDENCE CLEARS HIS NAME.Her father's name. She grabbed the phone tighter, exhaling gently as she pushed through the spinning doors of the company's offices. The lobby was a bustle of activity, with reporters stationed outside, employees chatting in tight clusters, and security on high alert. It had only been twelve hours since Owen revealed the incriminating proof, yet the corporate world had already imploded. "You did it," Owen said beside her, his voice low but forceful. Samantha caught his gaze. He appeared weary, his tie unbuttoned and his sleeves rolled up after the all-nighter they had pulled. But there was a quiet contentment in his eyes, the sa
The sound of my phone buzzing woke me up. I sat up abruptly, my heart thumping as the faint light of Tyler's hospital room formed frightening shadows on the walls. The sterile aroma of antiseptic entered my nose, grounding me in the moment, but my mind was already racing. I reached for my phone, shivering my fingers as I unlocked it. A slew of notifications illuminated the screen. News notifications. Social media tags. Emails. Bella's name appeared on the screen, and I immediately picked up. "Sam, have you seen it?" Her voice was sharp and urgent. I swallowed hard, already dreading the response. "Seen what?" "Caleb has just gone public. He revealed critical information regarding your father's business. He describes it as a 'legacy of corruption.' "The media is all over it." My face was emptied of blood. My hold on the phone intensified. "Sam, are you there?" I forced myself to breathe. "I'm here." But I was not. I was in a downward spiral. My father had only been gon
I didn't think twice. Tyler's sickness worsened, so I temporarily closed the Art display. There are no explanations, no room for negotiation. My career had been my anchor for years, but just now, nothing was more important than being there for him. Now, as I sat in the dim hospital room, the only sound being the beeping of machines, I watched Tyler fall asleep. His face looked paler than usual, and he breathed slower and more measured. My fingers wrapped around his, and my thumb brushed lightly against his skin. I wanted to relieve his misery. I wished I could go back in time and make other choices to avoid this occurring again. But all I could do was stay here. The door creaked open, and Bella slid inside, holding two cups of coffee. She handed me one without saying anything and sat down beside me. “How’s he doing?” she inquired quietly. I exhaled and stroked my temple. "For the time being, things are stable. The physicians are still watching him. They'll decide soon wh