Laughter filled the luxurious bedroom as Suzanne lifted Charlie high above her head, his tiny giggles echoing through the room. His chubby hands reached for her face, his bright brown eyes filled with innocence and joy.“You like that, don’t you?” she teased, pressing a loud kiss against his soft cheek. Charlie squealed, clapping his hands, and Suzanne’s heart swelled with warmth.But then, the atmosphere shifted.The door creaked open, and the presence of Armstrong Smith sucked all the warmth from the room.Suzanne’s smile faltered as she lowered Charlie into her lap. Her father stood at the entrance, his sharp, calculating gaze locked onto her. Even in his old age, Armstrong carried an aura of absolute authority—one that demanded obedience without question.“Ms. Rose,” Suzanne murmured, giving the maid a quick nod.The maid, who had been standing quietly by the wall, immediately stepped forward and scooped Charlie into her arms. “Come on, sweetheart,” she cooed to the boy, who reach
Liam’s polished dress shoes clicked against the marble floor as he strode through the grand entrance of Carter Memorial Hospital—the largest and most prestigious medical facility in the state. The air smelled of antiseptic and wealth, the kind of place where the elite received treatment in private suites that looked more like hotel penthouses than hospital rooms.The staff moved with well-practiced efficiency, their voices hushed, their steps measured.A nurse at the entrance gave him a polite nod, not recognizing him. No one here did. That was the way his father wanted it."Mr. Carter is expecting you," a hospital administrator said, stepping forward.Liam adjusted his coat and nodded, following the man through the pristine hallways.Finally, they stopped before a set of doors guarded by two imposing men in suits. Without a word, one of them stepped aside and opened the door, motioning for Liam to enter.He squared his shoulders, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.---The hospit
Suzanne sat in the corner booth of the old, cozy restaurant, her fingers wrapped around a warm cup of tea. Outside the window, the streets of Vancouver stretched before her, unchanged in the years she had been away. The same bustling sidewalks, the same corner flower shop with its vibrant display, the same nostalgic scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting in from the café next door.Yet, something felt different.It wasn’t the city that had changed. It was her.Eight years had passed since she left, but stepping into this restaurant made it feel like she had never left at all. Like time had folded in on itself, dragging her back to a past she had carefully locked away. But today, it was seeping through the cracks, uninvited.The scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the rich aroma of simmering sauces, blending into the quiet hum of conversation and the soft clinking of silverware. The golden afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, casting warm shadows on the worn wooden t
Armstrong Smith leaned back in his chair, the faint creak of the leather filling the silence between him and Nina. His mind was working fast—too fast for comfort. His company, once a booming empire, was now on the brink of bankruptcy. And with the investors pulling out, things were getting worse by the hour. He rubbed his temple, trying to fight off the headache that threatened to pound its way in.Nina sat across from him, her fingers drumming lightly on the desk. "You heard the news, right?" she asked, her tone steady but laced with concern. "The investors are ready to pull out of the project. They're not happy with the direction the company's heading. They’re getting cold feet."Armstrong didn't need to hear it again. He was all too aware. "I know," he muttered, his voice clipped. "The damn thing’s falling apart faster than I can keep up with." He leaned forward, his hands resting on the desk, eyes narrowing. "What about that business proposal with the Carter family?"Nina hesitate
Mira stood outside the church, the heavy weight of anticipation pulling at her chest. Her mother, Eloise Dax, stood beside her, but Mira’s eyes were trained on the gates ahead, hoping for a sign, anything. The guests had already gathered inside, the music had started, and yet… her heart couldn’t settle. Not without Liam.Her mother’s hand rested on her shoulder, the grip both comforting and firm. "He won’t come, Mira," Eloise said quietly, her voice laden with the sharp edge of experience. "You should let Adam walk you down the aisle. It’s better this way."Mira's eyes flickered, a flash of frustration passing through her. She didn’t want Adam, her uncle, to be the one to walk her. It was supposed to be Liam—her brother. Her only brother to her. Her promise to him was everything. She knew alright, her father was supposed to walk her but Leo had never been the father she’d hoped for. "No, Mom. Liam said he would be here," Mira replied, her voice tight, but there was a quiet resolve in
The lavish wedding reception buzzed with chatter as elites from all corners of the city mingled, glasses of fine wine clinking softly with every toast. Mr. Leo Carter sat confidently at the head of the long, polished table, his sharp eyes scanning the room as conversations swirled around business deals and the occasional flirtation.A glass of deep red wine was offered to Leo by his new son-in-law, the young man’s expression respectful but eager. Leo took the glass with a firm grip, his gaze lingering on the man for a moment before he nodded.“Thank you,” Leo said, his voice smooth, but with an unmistakable power behind it.Before he could take a sip, Finn, Leo’s son, immediately reached out, his hand hovering over the glass, his face filled with concern. “Father, the doctor said—”Leo’s eyes hardened, and he pried Finn’s hand away with a sharp motion. “Allow me to live when I still breath, son,” he said coolly, his tone heavy with authority. “After all, it is my only daughter’s weddi
The doors swung open, and Suzanne Smith entered the room. Heads turned, conversations halted, and all eyes fell on her. Her emerald-green dress shimmered, hugging her curves in all the right places. She walked with the confidence of a woman who knew her power, her dark hair cascading down her back like silk. Her steps were purposeful, her gaze steady, though she could feel Liam Carter’s piercing eyes on her from across the room.“She’s my only daughter, Suzanne,” Armstrong Smith declared proudly, his voice cutting through the room.Leo Carter leaned back in his chair, a glint of admiration in his sharp eyes. “Really? She’s grown to be this beautiful? The last time I saw her, she was just a kid,” he said with an easy smile, his tone tinged with nostalgia.His remark drew a ripple of laughter from the other men.“Yes,” Armstrong responded, chuckling lightly. “Children grow, don’t they?”Polite nods followed as Suzanne approached the table. She bowed slightly in acknowledgment, her expre
Suzanne entered her office, the familiar scent of polished wood and paperwork filling the air. She had just finished her introduction to the company, an event that had left her both proud and burdened. Her son, still too young to understand the weight of the moment, clutched his children’s tablet, his innocent eyes glued to the screen as he sat quietly in the corner. After planting a gentle kiss on his cheek, Suzanne finally settled into her chair. Nina, her sharp-eyed cousin, was already there, going over the latest updates on the company’s financials with the team.Suzanne folded her hands, leaning back slightly, giving her full attention to the conversation. “So, Nina, what’s our daily expense tally looking like these days?”Nina glanced at the others in the room before answering. “It’s about 70% of the company’s finance. A significant chunk.”Suzy looked up, her brow furrowing as she processed the figure. “Seventy percent? Of what exactly? What are we spending it on?”Before Nina
As Suzanne approached the end of the aisle, the murmurs in the venue softened, all eyes fixed on her. Then, she saw him.Her father, Armstrong Smith, stood just ahead, his expression a mix of pride and regret. His hands clenched at his sides, and for a fleeting moment, he looked as if he might falter. But when their eyes met, he stepped forward, his voice thick with emotion."I'm sorry, my baby," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "If I could turn back time, I would have been a better father to you."Suzanne’s lips curved into a soft smile, her heart lighter than she ever thought possible. "I've forgiven you long ago," she said sincerely. "I just wanted you to understand what family truly means. Thank you for being here."His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. "Can you do me the honor?" He opened his arm in invitation.Without hesitation, Suzanne slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. As they began their walk down the aisle, the sound of violins and a grand piano fi
Suzanne stood before the mirror, her breath catching as she took in her reflection. The gown was exquisite—an elegant, off-the-shoulder masterpiece with intricate lace detailing that cascaded down the bodice and into a flowing train. The soft ivory fabric shimmered under the light, catching every delicate movement. Her hair was styled in a graceful updo, loose strands framing her face, while a cathedral-length veil trailed behind her, completing the look of a bride straight out of a dream.Her eyes sparkled, not just with excitement but with a deep, unwavering love. Today was the day she became Mrs. Carter."I can't believe I'm getting married to your son, Mrs. Carter," Suzanne said, turning toward Eloise, who stood watching her with warm, motherly pride.Eloise smiled, stepping closer. "I knew you both would always find your way back to each other. You two are meant to be, my beautiful bride."Suzanne swallowed the lump in her throat. This was the moment she had expected to miss her
Prison Visiting CenterLeo Carter stepped into the stark, dimly lit visiting area, the scent of disinfectant lingering in the air. The walls were gray, the chairs metal and bolted to the floor, and a thick pane of glass separated him from the person he had come to see—his son, Finn Carter.Finn sat on the other side, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit. His once confident and cunning eyes were now shadowed with exhaustion and regret. His knuckles were bruised, likely from a fight, and there was an emptiness about him that hadn’t been there before. He stared at Leo through the glass, eyes cautious, waiting for him to speak first.Leo picked up the phone attached to the divider. Slowly, Finn did the same."You actually came," Finn muttered, voice hoarse.Leo exhaled, his grip tightening around the receiver. "Of course, I did. You're my son, Finn."Finn scoffed, shaking his head. "Your son? If I was truly your son, I wouldn’t be sitting in here, would I?" His voice dripped with bitterness,
The tension in the boardroom was suffocating. The long, polished mahogany table gleamed under the overhead lights, but all eyes were locked on the man at the head of the table—Armstrong Smith.Suzanne sat opposite him, poised and unwavering. She was dressed for war, her black blazer crisp, her expression unreadable. Next to her, Nina leaned back lazily, one leg crossed over the other, exuding quiet confidence.Armstrong, however, looked anything but confident. His fingers tapped impatiently against the table, his jaw tight. He had built this company, shaped it, controlled it. And now, his own daughter was challenging him in front of the entire board.One of the directors, an older man with silver hair, cleared his throat. “Ms. Smith, you’ve called this emergency meeting with serious allegations against your father. We need to know exactly what you’re claiming.”Suzanne didn’t hesitate. She slid a folder onto the table and met every board member’s gaze before speaking. “I am claiming t
She turned her gaze to her lawyer."Thank you, Atty. Greg." She extended her hand, and he shook it firmly."It was a pleasure, Ms. Smith," he said with a proud nod.Before she could say more, warm hands touched her shoulders. Liam.He leaned down, kissing her forehead softly. “Considering I wasn’t around when you were fighting this, you still pulled it off. Congratulations to us, my love.”Suzanne nudged him playfully. “Oh, come on. You helped me—without William getting that recording, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.”Liam chuckled, pressing a small kiss to the top of her head. Their moment was interrupted by a quiet but deliberate clearing of a throat.They turned to see Anna standing before them, holding the child in her arms."Anna." Suzanne stepped forward, her expression softening as she greeted her.Meanwhile, Liam’s gaze flickered past them, landing on Judge Hansel. He straightened, excusing himself before walking toward the judge.Suzanne stepped forward with a small smile. "
Judge Hansel studied Attorney Barnes carefully, his fingers tapping against the bench. “How do you know that, when the first witness was lying when she stated she had no relationship with Charles Langford?”Barnes adjusted his glasses and stepped forward. “I have multiple pieces of evidence to prove she is lying. If I may, Your Honor.”The judge gave a firm nod. “Proceed.”Barnes walked over to his table and retrieved a small recording device. Turning to face the courtroom, he held it up.“This,” he announced, his voice strong and deliberate, “is an audio recording of Charles Langford and Sarah Thompson.”The room fell into an eerie silence.Charles’ smirk vanished instantly.Barnes pressed play. The courtroom filled with Charles’ voice—low, menacing, unmistakable.“You think you can defy me, Sarah?”A loud slap. A muffled cry."You whore," he spat, "Do you think I’m asking you?" "Have you forgotten all the times I covered for you? Your drunk driving—or should we talk about the time
Supreme Court of OntarioCase: Suzanne Smith vs. Charles LangfordProceedings – Divorce and Domestic Abuse AllegationsAs the courtroom settled into its tense quiet, Judge Hansel adjusted his glasses, eyes scanning the papers before him. He looked up, a sharp command in his voice.“Let us proceed,” he announced, his gaze flicking between the two parties. “Call your first witness, Attorney Barnes.”Gregory Barnes stood, nodding respectfully to the judge. He turned to Suzanne, who was seated beside him, her posture rigid, but her eyes determined. She’d come too far to let this fall apart now.Greg walked toward the witness stand, and everyone in the room shifted their attention. The door creaked open, and Sarah Thompson entered, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. She made her way toward the stand, looking calm but a little too composed for Suzanne’s liking. Sarah swore her oath, raising her right hand, her voice steady but with an edge that made Suzanne's blood run c
Three weeks ago.And then, just like before, he took what was his.His lips crashed against hers, claiming her, stealing the breath from her lungs. Suzanne melted into him, her fingers fisting into his shirt as she let herself forget—just for a moment—that there was still a war to fight."Let's take this to the bedroom."Before she could respond, Liam swept her off her feet. She gasped, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck, her legs tightening around his waist as he carried her effortlessly toward his bedroom.The door slammed open with a forceful kick of his boot, and in one swift motion, he dropped her onto the bed, his body hovering over hers as he began to peel off his shirt. Suzanne’s breath hitched, anticipation building, but just as things were about to escalate, his phone rang.“Wrong timing, Wil,” Liam muttered, glancing at the screen. He was about to end the call when the urgency in Will’s voice stopped him."Finn has made his move," Will said urgently.Liam’s fac
Eloise Carter stepped out of the car, tilting her head as she took in the stunning glass house before her. The morning sun reflected off its sleek exterior, making it shimmer like a diamond nestled in a sea of lush greenery."Is this place your new home?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.Liam smiled, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I bought this place a long time ago, Mom. It’s not just a house—it’s a retreat. A place to unwind, away from the chaos."A soft click interrupted them.They turned to see Mira, holding up her phone, snapping pictures at different angles."This place is insane," she muttered in awe.And it was.The house sat elegantly amidst a breathtaking landscape. Vibrant flowers—roses, jasmine, and lilies—lined the stone pathway leading to the entrance, their sweet fragrance filling the air. Towering oak and maple trees framed the estate, providing both shade and a touch of mystery. A pristine koi pond shimmered nearby, tiny ripples forming as golden and