Evelyn gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white as the city lights blurred past her. Her hands shook on the steering wheel. She hadn’t even grabbed her coat, her phone, anything. She had stormed out of the house in a blind rage, the cold air biting at her through the thin sweater she wore. She was on autopilot, her mind spinning as she drove aimlessly, heading toward the only place she thought might offer her a sliver of comfort—Victor’s mother’s house. Evelyn’s mind spiraled, replaying the scene over and over. His cruelty, his heartlessness. “You gave Rachael a son.* The words ripped through her again, and she gripped the wheel tighter, her breath coming in ragged gasps. How could he say that to her? As if their daughter meant nothing. As if she, Evelyn, meant nothing.Her foot slammed harder on the gas. The car sped faster, the night swallowing her whole. A cold sweat broke out on her skin as a thousand thoughts crashed into her at once.*What am I doing?* She didn
Victor strode into the house, loosening his tie with a sigh, his mind preoccupied with the usual haze of work.As he passed through the dimly lit hallway, he noticed one of the maids, Maria, sitting with Daisy at the kitchen table. Daisy’s small frame was hunched over a bowl of cereal, her eyes wide and innocent, completely absorbed in the simple task of eating her late snack.“Daddy!” Daisy’s face lit up when she saw him, a grin stretching across her lips. She dropped the spoon and hopped off the chair, running toward him. Victor scooped her up into his arms, a brief smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he held her close."Hey, princess," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead, but something gnawed at him. His eyes scanned the room, subtly searching for Evelyn. The house felt... off. There was a strange absence, a stillness. His brows furrowed as he shifted his attention back to Daisy.“Where’s your mom?” he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.Daisy’s little face sc
The creak of the door sent a chill down Victor’s spine, his hand freezing mid-motion as the sound echoed through the room. His heart, which had been hammering for one reason moments before, now pounded for another. Maria's breath hitched, her eyes wide with sudden realization as she pulled back, taking a step away from him.Victor’s pulse quickened, panic seeping into his bones as the soft footsteps grew louder, approaching the kitchen.Evelyn was home.His gaze darted to the door just as Evelyn stepped into view. She was soaked—rain dripping from her coat, her hair plastered against her pale skin. Her eyes, however, were sharp and unyielding, locking onto him with an intensity that made his blood run cold.“Victor,” she said, her voice low but laced with a quiet fury that spoke volumes. “What the hell is going on here?” But Victor was smart. He had a way of turning the tables. Victor's face hardened as he turned toward the sound of the front door creaking open. His eyes locked on E
Racheal stood in front of the mirror. The dress she had chosen—a sleek, form-fitting black gown—clung to her like a second skin, accentuating her curves with an understated elegance. She fastened a delicate necklace around her neck, its thin chain catching the light as she adjusted it in place, a perfect match to the glittering earrings that now dangled from her ears. Tonight, she was attending a prestigious jewelry auction, hosted by one of the most renowned stores in the country, and she had to look the part. Her fingers paused mid-adjustment as her phone buzzed insistently on the dresser. She glanced over and saw the familiar name “Uncle Clark” flash across the screen. With a smile, she picked up the phone and put it in her ears. "Hey, Uncle Clark," she greeted softly, her voice carrying a mix of weariness and warmth.“Racheal, sweetheart, how are you doing?” his deep, familiar voice came through, a comfort she could almost feel wrapping around her. "And Jamal? How’s the little
As Racheal stepped out of the sleek black town car, the cool evening air brushed against her bare shoulders, carrying the faint scent of expensive perfumes mingled with the night breeze."Racheal!" a familiar voice called from a few feet away. She turned to see Matthew approaching, his warm smile immediately putting her at ease."Matthew," she greeted, her tone light as she offered her hand. Matthew took it briefly before leaning in for the customary cheek kiss. His cologne was subtle yet sophisticated, perfectly matching the elegant aura of the evening.“You look absolutely stunning tonight,” he remarked, taking in the sight of her figure in the floor-length emerald gown that hugged her form in all the right places.“Thank you,” she replied, smiling graciously. “You’re looking quite dapper yourself. Is everything ready for tonight?”He nodded. "Yes, everything is set. It’s going to be a spectacular evening. And I have a feeling you’re going to make quite the impression."She smiled a
Victor had finally snapped out of his shock, his face now a mask of barely concealed rage.He leaned closer to Evelyn, his posture tense, whispering something hurriedly in her ear. Evelyn, who had been silent and wide-eyed since they entered, suddenly looked animated, her lips curling into a tight smirk as she whispered back, her hand gripping his arm firmly."They didn’t expect to see me here," Racheal mused inwardly, her lips curving into a small, satisfied smile. She could feel their panic from across the room, and that was all the reassurance she needed. They knew she was a threat, and that filled her with a quiet sense of triumph.As the auction proceeded, the stakes rose. More luxurious items were being presented—watches, rare sculptures, pieces of historical significance. But none of these interested Racheal. She knew what she was here for. And it was coming.At the back of the room, Victor and Evelyn sat down at one of the tables, far enough to keep their distance, but close
“Racheal! Babe, open up! I’ve got my hands full here!” An unmistakable sound with a child's laughter erupted from outside followed by the following screech of her best friend Chloe..She pulled herself off the bed and made her way to the door. The second it cracked open, Chloe barged in with all the subtlety of a freight train. Daniel darted past her, a blur of energy, his little legs pumping as he sprinted toward the living room like a kid on a sugar high.“Racheal!” Chloe practically yelled, pulling her into a tight hug. “Oh my God, babe, you would not believe the day I’ve had.”“Good to see you too,” Racheal mumbled, barely able to breathe in Chloe’s bear hug.As Chloe released her, she pulled off her sunglasses dramatically, her eyes wide with excitement. “Girl, you are everywhere today. It’s all over the news!”Racheal’s brow furrowed, a sinking feeling settling in her stomach. “What do you mean, ‘everywhere’? What happened?”“Oh, sweetie, you didn’t know? The auction! You! It’s
Racheal sat there, her heart pounding in her chest as the sound of the sirens grew louder, closer, yet it felt like time had slowed to an agonizing crawl.Her trembling hands were stained with blood, her son’s blood. The cold realization settled in her bones, twisting her stomach into knots.This can’t be happening. This can’t be real.Chloe hovered next to her, clutching her phone, the distress in her voice apparent as she barked instructions into the receiver. “They’re coming. They’re almost here. Just hold on, Racheal. Jamal’s going to be okay.”But Racheal wasn’t sure if she believed her. The blood, the stillness, the dread creeping up her spine—it all felt too overwhelming. She clung to her son’s small body, her breaths coming in shallow, desperate gasps. Her throat felt raw, as if screaming would burst forth at any moment, but instead, all she could manage were broken whispers. “Please, baby, please wake up.”Daniel’s sobs echoed through the room, a child too young to comprehen
“I can’t believe Victor would say such a thing to you! How!” Sarah’s voice broke the silence. Evelyn had told her what victor said concerning bringing Jamal in. She turned to face Evelyn fully, her expression hard, disbelieving. “He wants to bring Rachael’s son into your home? That’s wrong—so wrong!” Her hands clenched into fists, her knuckles white against her pale skin.Evelyn sighed, her gaze dropping to the ground where fallen leaves crunched underfoot. She drew her cardigan tighter around herself, as though it could shield her from the ugliness that had invaded her life. “He’s made up his mind, Sarah,” she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and exhaustion. “Victor said he’s bringing the boy into our lives, and I can’t do anything to stop him.”Evelyn glanced toward the playground, watching Daisy’s small figure dart between the swings, her bright pink dress fluttering in the breeze. She blinked back tears, her heart aching. “What choice do I have? If I try to fig
Daisy seemed to sense the change in her mother's face, her bright smile fading as she glanced at her mother in the mirror. Her little brows furrowed, and she bit her lip, hesitant. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice soft and unsure.“Mummy… are you and Daddy okay now?” Her question hung in the air like a fragile thread, delicate but weighted. “He’s not… he’s not hitting you anymore, right?”Evelyn’s heart stopped, her hands freezing mid-comb. She felt the blood drain from her face, a knot of emotions tightening in her throat. She hadn’t realized how much Daisy had noticed, how much her little girl had been affected by the things she’d tried so hard to shield her from.For a moment, she couldn’t find her voice. The reality of the situation—of everything Daisy had seen and heard—settled over her like a cold blanket. Her chest tightened, and she forced herself to swallow the rising lump of guilt. Daisy was just a child, too young to carry the burden of her parents' brokenn
"Please, Mummy! I want to go to Daddy's place!" Jamal's small voice pierced the quiet of Rachael's room as he bounced energetically beside her desk.His chubby hands gripped the edge of her chair, tugging at her sleeve with urgency. Meanwhile, Rachael's fingers flew over the keyboard, the relentless clicking of the keys filling the air as she focused on the screen, trying to meet a pressing deadline. She barely had time to breathe, let alone indulge her son's sudden request. Not today."Mummy, you're not even listening to me!" Jamal whines louder, frustration bubbling in his voice.Rachael's shoulders tensed, but she didn’t break her focus. The document in front of her was demanding, her thoughts juggling between work and the weight of her emotions. It was almost too much. After days in the hospital and finally having Jamal discharged, she'd hoped for some peace. But peace was elusive, much like her strained patience. Jamal had grown close to Victor—too close, she thought bitterly—
Mummy? Uncle Damian? Why are you all shouting?"The room fell silent, as if time itself had stopped. Racheal’s heart skipped a beat, her body freezing for a moment as she slowly turned toward the hospital bed. There, staring back at her with groggy but familiar brown eyes, was Jamal. Her son. Awake.Her hands flew to her mouth, and her breath came in short, sharp gasps. "Oh, Lord have mercy!" she cried out, rushing to his side as tears welled in her eyes. "My baby! You're finally awake!" Her voice cracked with emotion as she sank into the chair beside his bed, grasping his small hand in hers as though afraid to let go. "Oh my God, Jamal, where’s hurting you? Tell mummy, baby!"Her tears spilled freely now, streaking down her cheeks as she smoothed his hair back, overwhelmed by the miracle of him being awake after so many dark, uncertain days.Racheal’s hands trembled as she clutched Jamal’s, her voice still shaky with disbelief. She leaned closer, trying to keep her emotions in check.
The shock of the punch left him dizzy for a moment, but the anger rising inside him burned just as fiercely.“Damian!” Racheal’s voice cut through the room, sharp and filled with panic. She rushed between them, pushing against Damian’s chest with both hands, trying to stop him from going in for another punch. Her face was flushed, her eyes wide with shock and anger. “What the hell are you doing?!”“What am I doing?” Damian spat, his chest heaving as he glared over Racheal’s shoulder at Victor. His nostrils flared, fists still clenched tightly at his sides. “What the hell is *he* doing here?”His voice was laced with venom, his finger jabbing toward Victor like an accusation. “He left you. He abandoned Jamal! And now he just thinks he can waltz back in here? Like he deserves to be here?”Victor wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, his jaw throbbing from the punch, but he refused to back down. His eyes locked onto Damian’s, a dark fury simmering beneath the surface.
Racheal sped down the highway, her knuckles white as she gripped the steering wheel, her mind racing as fast as the car. Jamal. Her son. Her world.The thought of something happening to him was unbearable. She tried to steady her breath, but it came out shaky, the anxiety gnawing at her insides. Victor, in his own car a few lengths behind, could barely keep his composure. His mind was flooded with thoughts. he was never there for the young boy all his life, he couldn't afford to loose a son.He hated himself for what he did in the past, but now wasn't the time to dwell on his failures.As they neared the hospital, Racheal’s phone buzzed again. Her hands fumbled to grab it, and she quickly put it on speaker. “Dr. Collins?” she asked, her voice barely holding together.“Yes, it’s me,” the doctor responded, the seriousness in his tone making her stomach drop further. “We’ve had to move Jamal to the ICU. He’s stable for now, but it’s touch and go. You should prepare yourself.”Racheal’s
"By Thursday, I want everything finalized,” she stated coldly, her voice cutting through the low hum of the room. “We can't afford delays. The last quarter was barely acceptable, and I will not tolerate another slip-up. Am I understood?”“Yes, ma’am,” came the chorus of voices, though most of them avoided meeting her eyes. The tension was thick. Racheal’s reputation for ruthlessness preceded her, and no one wanted to be the one who disappointed her.“I need this wrapped up before Thursday,” she said abruptly, standing up from her seat. “I have personal matters to attend to, so everything must be prepared by then. No exceptions.”She dismissed the meeting with a swift gesture, her mind already racing ahead to the hospital visit she had to make. Her son had been on her mind all morning, and the growing knot of anxiety in her chest was impossible to ignore.As she strode out of the boardroom, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floors, Racheal’s pace quickened. She was halfway
**Warning Trigger: Explicit Content***“Whiskey. Double.”The burn of the liquor was a welcome distraction from the thoughts brewing in his chest and mind. But the alcohol wasn’t enough to calm him. He needed more. Something physical, primal. His fists tightened on the glass as he downed the last of his drink, the dark thoughts swirling in his head like a whirlpool pulling him deeper.Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted her. A woman in a tight black dress, her legs crossed, heels sharp enough to cut, her eyes smoldering under the low lights. She was watching him, her gaze raking over him with unmistakable hunger.Victor’s jaw clenched. His anger, his guilt, the gnawing ache of Daisy’s words—it all collided into something dangerous. He didn’t care anymore. He wanted to forget. And she was offering an escape.He walked over, towering over her as she looked up at him, her lips curling into a seductive smirk. “You look like you need a release,” she purred, her voice low and sultry, h
As Racheal was dealing with everything in the hospital, Victor’s house was figuratively on fire. Victor leaned against the window, staring out at the meticulously landscaped garden, his face set in a hardened expression. He had made up his mind. The house, with its three excessive living rooms and an enormous master bedroom, had become a burden.“We need to sell this house,” Victor said abruptly, breaking the strained silence that had settled between them. His voice was firm, but beneath it, there was a simmering anger, a frustration that had been building for months, maybe years. “It’s too much. We don’t need this space anymore.”Evelyn, perched on the edge of the velvet sofa painting her toenails, snapped her head toward him, her eyes blazing with an intensity that matched the fire brewing in his chest.“Sell the house? Are you insane, Victor?” Her voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade as she walked towards him like he had lost his mind. “This is our home! Our sta