Finally, we arrived at the police station. It was a big, old building and looked scary. I kept my head up high and ignored the questions the reporters were shouting at me. Inside, they put handcuffs on me and walked me through long hallways. I was scared, but I tried not to show it. Was this all Nathan's fault? Did he try to get me in trouble too? I knew the police couldn't have real evidence against me.They put me in a small, bright room with a mirror on the ceiling. I tried to act relaxed, but I was actually very nervous. I kept hoping Lena would get there soon. Hours passed and different police officers kept asking me questions about things I didn't know anything about. I started to feel like I might cry, but I tried to be strong.Just when I was feeling really scared, the door opened. "Aggie! Thank goodness I found you!" It was Camille DuBois, my ex-husband Nathan's new girlfriend. She was holding a bunch of shopping bags and looked very pregnant. Camille dropped her shopping b
My eyes grew heavy as the fancy car drove through the big iron gates of my house. We drove under the shade of old trees lining the driveway. I felt exhausted after a day of crazy accusations and unexpected help.Next to me, Charles was typing quickly on his phone, probably trying to fix things so the newspapers wouldn't write bad stories about me and NexGen. We stopped in front of the big white entrance, and I sighed.I knew I had to deal with a lot of meetings in the next few days, and I didn't like it. My dad would also be very angry, even though I did nothing wrong. Maybe I should go to the beach for a while, until the lawyers clear my name.Charles got out of the car first and looked around carefully. Then, he opened the door for me and helped me out.I let him help me, even though I was tired and didn't care what the gossip magazines would say about him coming to my house.We started walking up the stairs to the house, and Charles said sorry. "I know I acted very protective today
Charles POV:The city was alive with its usual sounds as I sat in my office, high above the busy streets. Cars honked their horns, people chatted on the sidewalks, and the rain fell in a steady rhythm. I was lost in thought, my mind filled with images of her - Agatha De Rossi.I had known about Agatha's arrest even before she did. My spies at Richards Inc. had kept me informed, Nathan want her destroyed, and I had confirmed it with my sources at NexGen Tech. I had rushed to her side, playing the knight in shining armor. But it wasn't just about saving her; I had made sure the paparazzi and media cameras were there. I wanted the world to see me as Agatha De Rossi's new partner.But then, Camille showed up. She had looked at me with those accusing eyes, and I couldn't help but feel annoyed by her presence. She just wanted to be seen as a good friend, when she was just a mistress.As I sat in my office, I found myself reflecting on my first meeting with Agatha. It was at the gala, whe
Agatha POV:I woke up slowly, the ocean waves gently crashing outside, making me feel calm and peaceful. For a second, I didn't remember where I was. Then everything came back to me: the police at work, the embarrassment of being arrested, and the sudden help from Camille and Charles. It all seemed like a dream.I rubbed my eyes and looked around the cute cabin. Charles really went above and beyond. The ocean view was amazing, and the whole place felt cozy and welcoming.I felt a bit bad for thinking he had bad intentions. He showed up when I needed him most, just like a knight in shining armor. Now he brought me here, to this peaceful spot, so I could escape the craziness.As I walked downstairs, the yummy smell of breakfast filled the air. I found Charles in the kitchen, humming happily as he cooked. He looked up and smiled when he saw me. "Good morning, sleepyhead," Charles said with a playful smile. "I thought you were going to sleep forever."I chuckled. "Sorry, I guess I was
I nodded, my throat scratchy. His kindness and worry about me were both sweet and a bit much to handle. I almost wanted to hug him and feel safe, but then I remembered everything that happened and held back.We walked along the beach quietly for a while, just listening to the waves crashing. I was about to say something when Charles's phone rang."Sorry, gotta take this," he said with an apologetic look. He walked a few steps away and spoke softly into the phone.While he talked, I took a moment to think, looking out at the ocean. I wondered who was calling - maybe it was about work.After a few minutes, Charles came back looking worried and focused."Is everything okay?" I asked, worried about his frown.Charles tried to smile, but his shoulders were tight. "It's fine, Agatha. Just work calling. Nothing major, but I gotta do a video meeting now."I felt a bit bummed, but I get it. "No worries, go ahead. I'll be fine here for a bit."He squeezed my hand gently. "I'll be quick, prom
Nathan POV:I sat at my desk going over the financial reports, which were looking worse each day. We were hemorrhaging money and investors were jumping ship faster than rats from a sinking ship. My assistant Steve knocked on my office door. "You have a visitor, Mr. Richards," he said grimly.I sighed. "Who is it now? Another creditor demanding payment?" Things had gotten so bad I was half expecting the mob to show up next. "It's Ms. DuBois, sir. Shall I send her in?" Steve replied.Camille. The last person I wanted to deal with right now. Ever since our argument the other day, she had been extra clingy and dramatic. I just wanted some space to handle this mess without her constant hovering."Fine, send her in," I grumbled. Might as well get this over with.Camille bounced into my office, her ever-growing baby bump preceding her. She carried a tray laden with sandwiches and muffins from the café down the street, no doubt trying to butter me up. "I brought you some lunch, honey!" s
Agatha POV:Charles and I strolled along the beach like we always do in the afternoon. The ocean breeze felt awesome, and the waves crashed softly nearby."This vacation's amazing!" I said to Charles. "Thanks again for bringing me."Charles grinned. "No problem! Glad you're chilling out."We walked quietly for a bit, just enjoying each other and the pretty view. Then, Charles said something that stopped me cold."Too bad Nathan blew it with a fine woman like you," he said.I froze and turned to him. "What'd you say?"Charles blinked, surprised. "Uh, I was just saying Nathan messed up by treating you bad...""Don't even mention Nathan," I cut him off, holding up my hand. "I don't wanna think about him right now.""Of course," Charles said fast. "Sorry about that." We started walking again, but my stomach did flips. Why'd Charles have to mention Nathan? Ugh.Like he could read my mind, Charles spoke up. "Honestly, I never got why you liked Nathan. He totally wasn't good enough for som
Agatha POV:My stomach felt like it was doing flips as the car sped towards home. I watched the buildings pass by, changing from crowded shops and noisy restaurants to fancy houses hidden behind tall gates and trees. Each house was bigger and fancier than the last, like a competition for who could have the most impressive castle.We turned onto my street, and I felt a little calmer. Every house here was huge, with perfect lawns and sparkling fountains. It was like stepping into a movie about rich people, where everything was beautiful and safe. Even the air seemed different – cleaner, more peaceful.Even the comfy leather seats couldn't stop the weird mix of relief and emptiness inside me. I was home, in a place where nobody could hurt me. But something was missing, a piece of me that I'd left behind somewhere.Dad's company was safe. We had beaten Richards Inc., just like I planned. So why didn't it feel good?I kept replaying the scene at the airport. Nathan's eyes, filled with
Agatha POV:The air in the children’s hospital playroom was a chaotic mix of giggling, chattering, and the rhythmic thump of small feet against the linoleum floor. Colorful murals of cartoon animals adorned the walls, bright posters encouraged everyone to “Stay Strong” and “Never Give Up”, and a mishmash of toys lay scattered across the floor like fallen confetti. It was a world away from the sterile silence of the ICUs, but even here, the weight of illness, of childhood suffering, was a palpable presence, a shadow that couldn’t be completely erased by the bright decorations or the forced cheerfulness of the staff.I smiled, trying to project an air of carefree joy as I bent down to help a little girl with a sparkly tiara that kept slipping over her eyes. Her face, pale and delicate, was illuminated by the sheer glee of wearing a crown, her eyes sparkling with an innocence that tugged at my heart. This charity event, a fundraiser for the children’s hospital, was something I had pe
Agatha POV:“Jasmine,” I said, my voice a carefully controlled whisper, my gaze fixed on her, trying to decipher the emotions hidden beneath her usual calm demeanor. “What are you doing here? Is something wrong with Charles?”Her gaze flickered, a brief flash of something – anxiety? – before her face settled back into a mask of polite professionalism.“No, Ms. De Rossi,” she said, her voice measured, almost clinical. “Nothing has happened to Charles, not physically. It is… another kind of matter entirely.”I leaned back in my chair. The air in the office felt charged with unspoken tension, the silence a heavy weight that pressed down on me.“What do you mean, Jasmine?” I asked, my voice barely audible, my fingers tightening around my pen. “What’s going on?”She hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting to the window, the city lights a distant, indifferent backdrop to the drama unfolding within these sterile walls. When she looked back, her eyes, usually so cold and calculating, wer
Jasmine POV:I tapped my pen against my notepad, the rhythmic click a counterpoint to the frantic pulse of my thoughts. Charles was at it again. This time, it wasn't a hostile takeover or a complex financial scheme – it was Agatha De Rossi, and as always, things were spiraling, fast.My phone buzzed. I knew it would be him, no need to even look at the caller ID. "Jasmine, I need to know everything about Nathan Richards’s finances. Leave no stone unturned!" The words, practically a command, were just a little bit too intense to be just for work, which was usually the case with Charles.I sighed, a small sound that was swallowed by the vast emptiness of my office. I’d been with Charles long enough to recognize the signs – the obsessive focus, the restless pacing, the underlying tension that radiated off him like heat from a furnace. He was smitten, utterly consumed by this woman, and it was making him… reckless."Of course, Charles," I replied, my voice a carefully modulated blend
Agatha POV:The penthouse apartment shimmered, a testament to Charles's impeccable taste and extravagant wealth. Sunlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the sleek, modern furniture, the abstract art that adorned the walls, the breathtaking view of the city sprawling beneath us.It was a world away from the sterile white walls of the hospital, the hushed whispers, the constant fear that had clung to me like a second skin.But even in this luxurious sanctuary, a knot of unease tightened in my stomach, a constant reminder of the weight I carried, the decisions I had to make, the tangled mess of my heart that I couldn't seem to unravel.Charles poured me a glass of champagne, the bubbles rising like tiny, effervescent hopes in the crystal flute. He handed it to me, his touch lingering on mine, a possessive gesture that both thrilled and unsettled me."To new beginnings," he said, his voice a warm caress, his blue eyes sparkling with a mixture of admiration and…
Charles POV:The penthouse was silent, the only sound the gentle clinking of ice in my glass as I swirled the amber liquid, the city lights twinkling below like a scattered handful of diamonds. I should have been celebrating. NexGen was on the brink, Agatha, overwhelmed and vulnerable, was falling right into my carefully laid trap.Yet, a strange unease gnawed at me, a persistent hum beneath the surface of my carefully constructed composure.My father’s voice, sharp and disapproving, echoed in my mind. “NexGen? That’s a risky move, Charles. A De Rossi company? It’s not worth it.”He’d never understood my ambition, my drive to conquer, to possess. He’d always preferred the safe, predictable path, the steady accumulation of wealth and power. He’d never taken risks, never played the game with the same ruthless determination that pulsed through my veins.A soft chime announced the arrival of dinner. My stepmother, a woman whose name I barely remembered, glided into the room."Charles, d
Agatha POV:“Agatha, you’re being reckless! You can’t just discharge yourself. The doctor said you need to rest.” Charles’s voice was a mix of concern and… annoyance? I couldn’t quite tell.I ignored him, signing the discharge papers with a flourish, my hand surprisingly steady despite the lingering dizziness, the exhaustion that tugged at me.“I’m fine, Charles,” I said firmly, my gaze meeting his, unwavering. “Really. I need to be with my father. He needs me.”“But Agatha…”“No, Charles,” I interrupted, my voice sharper than I intended. “I appreciate your concern, but I can’t… I can’t stay here. Not when Dad is…”I couldn’t finish the sentence. The thought of him, lying in that hospital bed, hooked up to machines, his life hanging by a thread, was a physical ache in my chest.“Okay,” Charles said, his voice softening, his hand gently touching my arm, a possessive gesture that both comforted and irritated me. “I understand. I’ll… I’ll drive you.”“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I’l
Charles POV:The taste of Agatha’s lips, a bittersweet mix of tears and uncertainty, lingered, a phantom sensation against my own. The air in the hospital room crackled with tension, thick and heavy with unspoken words, unresolved emotions.Nathan’s presence, a ghost I thought I’d banished, hung over us, a shadow tainting the intimacy I craved. His eyes, those that mirrored my own hunger for Agatha, were a constant, irritating reminder of the past, of the bond they shared—a bond I was determined to sever, once and for all.I forced a smile, my hand lingering on Agatha's cheek, a possessive gesture meant to stake my claim, to ward off any lingering hopes Nathan might harbor.“Are you feeling better now?” I asked, my voice a carefully modulated murmur.Agatha’s gaze, usually so sharp, so focused, was clouded with confusion, her eyes darting between me and Nathan, a silent plea in their depths.“I’m… I’m not a critical patient, Charles,” she said, her voice a shaky whisper, her hand fl
Agatha POV:My head throbbed, a dull, insistent ache that pulsed in time with the rhythmic beeping of a machine I couldn't quite place. I blinked, my eyes fluttering open, the harsh fluorescent lights of… a hospital room? … stinging my vision. Disoriented, I tried to sit up, a wave of dizziness washing over me, forcing me back against the starched white pillows.“Whoa, easy there.” A gentle hand pressed against my shoulder. “Just take it easy, Ms. De Rossi. You’re safe now.”A doctor, a young woman with kind eyes and a warm smile, stood beside my bed, a stethoscope dangling from her neck.“What… what happened?” I asked, my voice a raspy whisper, my throat dry and scratchy. “Where… where am I?”“You’re in the hospital, Ms. De Rossi,” she explained patiently. “You fainted in the cafeteria. Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. Just exhaustion and… well, it seems you haven’t been taking very good care of yourself lately.”Fainted? The cafeteria… Nathan. Camille's baby…The memories of
Agatha POV:The smell of stale coffee and antiseptic hung in the air, a strange mix of comfort and despair. I sat across from Charles, the plastic table a flimsy barrier between us, a bouquet of lilies wilting beside my untouched grilled cheese sandwich. He’d insisted on bringing me here, to this dingy little café across the street from the hospital, after catching me crying in the cafeteria.The news of Camille's baby, of Nathan’s daughter being born with a heart defect, had hit me harder than I expected. It wasn't jealousy, not exactly. It was more like… a painful echo of my own losses, a reminder of the fragility of life, of the dreams that could be shattered in an instant.And then there was the guilt, a gnawing ache in my chest, the constant reminder that I was somehow responsible for this whole mess, for the tangled web of pain and betrayal that had ensnared us all."Agatha, you barely touched your food," Charles said, his voice laced with concern, his blue eyes searching mi