Michelle sat frozen on her bed, her fingers tightening around the edges of the photograph as if holding it any looser would make it slip away. Her younger self. And Calvin Hawthorne. The boy in the picture was unmistakable. The same sharp features, the same calculating eyes—even at a young age, there was something unsettling about the way he looked at the camera. But why? Why was he in this picture with her? How did they know each other? A deep sense of unease settled in her stomach. She had no recollection of ever meeting Calvin when she was a child. Her memories of that time were fuzzy, but if she had met him—if she had known him—surely she would have remembered. Wouldn’t she? Her mind raced with possibilities. Was the photograph real? Or was this just another one of Calvin’s twisted games? Her first instinct was to believe the latter. He was always trying to get into her head, to make her question herself. This could be another one of his manipulations—a way to rattle her a
The night air was crisp as Michelle stepped out of the car, her fingers tightening around the small clutch in her hands. The corporate gala was in full swing, with flashing lights and murmured conversations filling the grand ballroom of the Hawthorne Hotel. She had barely recovered from the break-in at her office, but she had no choice—this was an event she couldn’t miss. Not when she needed to keep up appearances. Not when Eleanor was watching. And certainly not when Miranda was lurking in the shadows, waiting for another opportunity to strike. Michelle had barely taken a few steps into the venue when she spotted Raymond. He was deep in conversation with a few board members, his sharp black tuxedo emphasizing his tall, commanding presence. He looked dashing, and for a brief moment, her gaze softened. But before she could approach him, a familiar voice rang out. “Oh, Michelle, you made it.” She turned to find Eleanor smiling at her, though the glint in her eyes told Michelle tha
Michelle stood on the balcony long after Calvin had disappeared, her fingers curled around the railing. The weight of his words lingered in her mind like a shadow she couldn’t shake off. "I know more about you than you realize." What could that mean? She wondered. He had said it with so much confidence, such certainty, as if he was waiting for her to figure something out on her own. And that was what unsettled her the most. What did he expect her to figure out? What was it that she wasn’t seeing? Her thoughts raced back to the photograph. Calvin had been in it—smiling beside her younger self. A boy she had no recollection of. A connection she didn’t understand. The connection got her confused. And then there was Miranda. Tonight had only confirmed what she already suspected—Miranda wasn’t just after Raymond. She was playing a much bigger game, She wanted Raymond, she wanted power , and Michelle was standing in her way. And she would do anything to take Michelle out of the way. A
The walls were closing in. Michelle could feel it in the way Miranda’s fake smiles lingered too long, in the way Alex's warnings carried an edge of threat, and most of all, in the way Eleanor and Isabelle seemed unfazed despite knowing she was onto them. Probably because they believed she was powerless. Something was wrong. She glanced at Chloe, who sat across from her in her office, scanning through folders of financial reports seriously. Looking for a clue or anything that looked like evidence. "They’re good at covering their tracks, I give them that" Chloe muttered, flipping a page. "Too good." Michelle leaned back, frustrated. They had been so close. They had collected reports and evidence proving Eleanor and Isabelle had been involved in fraudulent deals, but before Michelle could present them to Raymond or the board, the files had disappeared from her office. And now that they know Michelle was on to them. They would be more careful and wouldn't leave any loose ends. The r
The air in the Hawthorne estate had become colder, especially at Raymond's penthouse . Not because of the temperature but because of Raymond’s continued distance from Michelle. She had noticed it for days now—the short conversations, the lack of eye contact, the way he no longer reached for her absentmindedly like he used to. At first, she thought it was work stress. But tonight, as she walked into the living room and saw him standing by the window, his hands in his pockets, staring into the night like something weighed on him, she knew better. "Raymond," she called softly. He didn’t turn. "It’s late. You should get some rest." Michelle frowned. "You should too." Finally, he turned, his gaze unreadable. "I have work to do." Michelle studied him, trying to bridge the gap that had widened between them. "Is something wrong?" Raymond let out a humorless chuckle. "You tell me, Michelle. Should I be worried?" The accusation in his tone stung, even though he didn’t say much. Michel
Michelle barely had time to process Mr. Grant’s warning before another problem landed right in front of her. As she stepped out of the boardroom, fuming, a strong hand gripped her arm and turned her to face him. "Not here," Alex muttered under his breath, his grip tightening. "Let’s talk somewhere else, he said.. looking around." Michelle yanked her arm free and shot him a glare. "We have nothing to talk about Alex." And don't you dare lay your filthy hands on me again. Alex smirked. "Oh, but we do. Unless you want me to remind you of what I know?" A sharp chill ran down her spine, but she kept her face straight, not showing any expression.. He was bluffing. He had to be. Still, she followed him down the hallway and into an empty conference room. The moment the door closed, she crossed her arms. "Get to the point, Alex. I have more important things to deal with than your games." Alex’s smirk deepened. "That’s exactly why we need to talk. You’re running out of time, Michelle."
Michelle gripped her phone tightly as Chloe’s urgent voice came through the line. "Michelle, we have a huge problem." Michelle’s stomach knotted. "Tell me everything." "I found proof, Michelle," Chloe said, her voice rapid and slightly breathless. "Alex has been making unauthorized transactions—money being funneled through offshore accounts, and your name is on one of the documents." Michelle’s breath hitched. "He’s setting me up for fraud?" "Exactly. And it’s worse than that," Chloe continued. "His connection to Eleanor? It’s not just business. I don’t know what it is yet, but there’s something deeper." Michelle closed her eyes briefly, anger bubbling beneath her composure. "I should have known they were up to something. Eleanor and Isabelle have been too smug lately. They think they’ve already won." "They haven’t," Chloe said firmly. "But you need to be very careful, Michelle. This isn’t just about your position anymore—it’s about your entire future." Your life. Before Michel
Michelle’s grip tightened around her phone as she reread Chloe’s message. "Miranda and Calvin? Meeting in secret?" Her mind raced with possibilities. Calvin had always been Raymond’s rival, lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike, he had always wanted to be above Raymond, be more powerful. If he was meeting with Miranda, it could only mean one thing—he had a stake in whatever scheme was unfolding. But why? What did he stand to gain this time? If Eleanor wanted to take over , what role would Calvin play? Before she could dwell on it further, a new message popped up. "Be careful. I think Calvin is involved in the fraud." Michelle exhaled sharply. Eleanor’s influence stretched further than she thought, and now Calvin was in the mix. This was getting more complicated by the second. She needed more information. And she needed it fast. Just as she was about to reply, another message from Chloe appeared. "Meet me tomorrow. I have something you need to see." Mic
The following morning, Michelle sat in a plain, white hospital room, holding tightly to Raymond's hand. The world outside felt distant and quiet. She focused on the small screen in front of her, where the doctor prepared to confirm something she sensed deep down. You're about seven weeks pregnant, the doctor said softly yet clearly. The ultrasound shows a healthy pregnancy, and everything looks good.Michelle's heart raced with mixed emotions: excitement, joy, and a touch of disbelief. She had suspected she was pregnant, but hearing it made everything real. She was going to have another child. Beside her, Raymond smiled gently at the screen, brushing his fingers against hers to show his support. She turned to him, her eyes sparkling with happiness despite some lingering nerves. We're having another baby, she whispered, her voice barely audible. Raymond's eyes softened, and he leaned in to kiss her forehead. I know. And I couldn't be happier.A small laugh escaped her, feeling the weig
Months passed by as Michelle and Raymond adapted to their new life, where they juggled their jobs, raised their twins, and nurtured their relationship. The hectic early years of their marriage had mellowed into a steady routine. However, each day was full of fresh surprises and happy moments. Their twins, Oliver and Olivia, were nearly two years old and filled their home with the fun chaos young children bring. There were spills, laughter, tantrums, and the constant patter of little feet. Amid the noise and mess, Michelle felt a deep sense of peace in her heart. They were a family, and she felt whole like never before.Raymond remained the calm anchor in their busy life. His steady strength balanced Michelle’s energetic nature. Whether it was a late-night feeding, a doctor’s visit, or simply holding her hand after a long day, Raymond was always by her side. They were true partners in every aspect of their lives, both personal and professional.One day, Michelle came home from a busy d
After Michelle's big career achievement, her life turned busy and exciting. Her firm started a major project, and she was deep into planning, meeting clients, and making design choices. Although it was demanding, it was a thrill, and she finally felt the joy of living her dream. The sense of accomplishment stayed with her as she and Raymond adapted to their busy routine. Every evening, when Michelle came home, Raymond’s presence was a comforting support. Their life together was like a dance—a mix of work, home life, laughter, and special moments. It wasn’t perfect, but in their quiet times, Michelle felt truly grateful. They stood on the brink of something amazing, both professionally and personally.One evening, after a tiring day of meetings, Michelle settled on the couch with Raymond. He was on his tablet, checking both work and news. When she joined him, he set the tablet aside and focused on her. How was your day? he asked, gently tucking her hair behind her ear. Michelle sighed,
In the weeks that followed, time seemed to fly by, each day feeling new and full of life. The sun hung longer in the sky, painting New York in its golden light and filling the air with possibilities. Michelle and Raymond found a comfortable routine: peaceful mornings with coffee on the balcony, evenings spent together, and weekends filled with laughter alongside friends and family. Days transformed from passing moments into cherished memories. After talking with her parents, Michelle experienced a significant change—she felt peaceful. The burden of their expectations and distant love was no longer on her shoulders. It felt like a heavy cloud had lifted, and the world appeared brighter and clearer. Every little success, every quiet moment with Raymond felt like a personal triumph. Raymond remained her constant support during this time. He understood her need for space to process her feelings but consistently showed he was there for her with a gentle touch or reassuring look. That eve
The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, gently waking Michelle. It cast a warm, golden glow over Raymond's arms, which were snugly wrapped around her. She lay still, cherishing the calm and rhythmic sound of his breathing. They had spent the previous night filled with laughter, dancing, and sharing dreams under the twinkling fairy lights. The events of last night felt almost surreal. Chloe had gotten engaged in a sparkling way, and the rooftop had been magical. Plus, Raymond had quietly shared his true feelings with her. A fresh chapter was waiting to begin for them. Turning softly, Michelle faced Raymond and noticed he was already awake, his blue eyes tender and full of love. "Morning," he said quietly, brushing her hair gently off her face. Morning, she replied with a sleepy voice. They shared a moment of silence, thinking about the serious conversation they had last night. Then, Raymond found her hand and entwined their fingers, his thumb softly moving over her knuckles
The weeks sped by, full of excitement, challenges, and important milestones. Michelle stood at the edge of a bustling construction site just outside central London. Her hard hat was under her arm as she took in the progress. The site buzzed with activity—cranes lifted steel beams, workers called out over the noise of machines, and scaffolding wrapped around the unfinished buildings like a growing web. Her heart filled with pride. This was not just any project—this was her firm’s first significant international endeavor. It was already catching eyes. A breeze played with her blazer as she walked along the site’s perimeter, with her British project manager, James, by her side. You’ve certainly made a splash, Mrs. Hawthorne James said, smiling and looking at his clipboard. There’s talk in the industry. Everyone's curious about the 'rising star from New York. Michelle chuckled, feeling both humble and energized. Well, let's give them something really exciting to talk about. James nodded
The morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Michelle's office, bathing the room in a warm glow. Michelle stood in the center of the open office space, feeling both nervous and excited, but her face showed calm confidence. Today was the start of something new—not only for the company, but for the team that would drive her growing business forward. Employees gathered one by one, their faces showing both eagerness and expectation Michelle had chosen individuals who were not only talented but also shared her passion and vision for the firm's future. She cleared her throat and smiled brightly. "First," she began, steadying her voice even as she felt nerves inside, I want to thank you all for believing in this dream. We're not just building structures; we're creating dreams, communities, and legacies. There was a murmur of agreement, and Michelle continued, gaining confidence with each word. She started assigning roles—project leads, creative directors, client liaisons, logis
The afternoon sun created long shadows in Michelle’s office. She sat at her desk, checking the last details of her company's new project. She thought about the busy days they'd just had, and as she looked out at the bustling city, she felt a surge of pride. It had been a long journey, but her company had finally reached the place she had always dreamed of. Raymond had just left after a brief but motivating meeting, and his words lingered in her mind. Michelle, he had said with real admiration, You’ve built something amazing. I am so proud of what you’ve achieved. But this is just the start. There’s a whole empire ahead of you. She was at a loss for words then. His praise was both humbling and thrilling. The way he looked at her made her feel like she was truly special. It wasn’t just about the company. It was about their partnership, shared dreams, and the life they were beginning to build together. From the start, Raymond had always been there for her, urging her to go beyond her ow
The morning sun shone brightly through the windows in Michelle's office, creating a gentle glow on the polished wooden floors. The city outside was busy and alive, but inside, it was calm, matching Michelle's peaceful energy. She was still thinking about the important decision she made yesterday. It felt heavy, but in a good way, as it brought her closer to the life she had always dreamt of. Raymond had just left after a quick meeting, and his words lingered in her mind. You’re amazing, Michelle, he said with genuine pride. I’m really proud of you. This partnership is only the beginning. You have the potential to create something incredible. His kind words provided comfort, like wrapping herself in a warm blanket. It had taken her a long time to arrive at this point, but now everything seemed to be falling into place. She no longer felt uncertain. Michelle had grown and changed, and she now moved forward with confidence. From the start, Raymond had always believed in her. He supporte