Sarah Two of Chairman Benner's bodyguards—burly men in black suits—followed us closely, their eyes constantly scanning the air. The tension was thick, and the silence between us was oppressive. As we approached the Presidential Suite, memories flooded my mind. It had been years since we'd shared any meaningful interaction. The last time we truly spoke, I was pregnant with the twins, and his words had cut deeper than any knife. The pain and rejection still felt fresh, a wound that refused to heal. When we entered the suite, a crystal chandelier cast a warm glow over the spacious living area. My father then excused himself. "I'll just change my clothes," he said. Without waiting for a response, he disappeared into the primary bedroom, leaving me alone in the abundant space. Sitting on the soft couch in the suite's living area, I sent a message to Philip. Me: 'Babe, I'm with Chairman Benner in his suite. He intercepted the wine Margarette was about to pour on me. Out of courtesy, I
Sarah Eleven years ago... Darkness had settled over the tropical landscape, with the moon barely visible through the thick clouds. Waves crashed fiercely against the shore behind our villa, their rhythmic roar contrasting sharply with the chaos inside. Today was meant to be a joyous occasion—my 17th birthday. My family was at the Palm Beach resort to celebrate, but it didn't feel like a celebration. My parents had been in their room for a while. All I knew was that my father had been drinking heavily after receiving some documents from his assistant. Their argument echoed through the villa. The walls were thin, offering no soundproofing. "Please don't do this, Xavier!" my mother pleaded, her voice filled with despair. The sickening sound of shattering glass punctuated her words, followed by heart-wrenching sobs, and it made Amir and me uneasy. "Brother, I'm afraid…" I whispered to Amir, trembling as he held me. He didn't respond. I had forgotten that he had already started to
Philip "Daddy, I need to pee," Iris said, her gray eyes wide with urgency as she looked up at me, both hands pressing against her tummy. At home, Amanda or Pepper usually handled these situations, sometimes with Sarah's help. I caught sight of my son nearby. "Rowan, come! We need to help your sister," I called to him. I had no intention of taking Iris into the men's restroom, nor could I leave her alone in the women's restroom. "But I still wanted to play," Rowan protested, glancing at Iris. "Please, Brother…" Iris pleaded, shifting from foot to foot. Despite his stubbornness, I knew Rowan would relent. "Fine! But promise me you'll give me your Monday snack," he bargained. "Rowan…" I said warningly, not wanting him to take advantage of the situation. "I-I'm just kidding!" "You are so annoying!" Iris retorted, putting her hands on her hips. I could only shake my head at their usual bickering. "No fighting. Come here..." I picked up Iris. Trey followed us, holding Rowan's han
Sarah As I descended the stairs, the assistant who had come to fetch me from Chairman Benner's suite called out urgently, "Ms. Mitchell, wait!" Her voice conveyed desperation, making me pause despite my haste. "What?" I snapped, barely holding my composure. Didn't she see the anxiety on my face and my trembling hands? My heart was racing, and stress and fear were almost too much to handle. My family had abandoned me for years; my life revolved around Philip and the twins. "Damn it! Why can't I reach Philip?!" I muttered, already on edge, and her presence was only making me worse. Just then, my phone vibrated, the screen illuminating with hope. But it wasn't Philip. A message from Jakob appeared: Jakob: 'Doll, according to my investigation, Madam Olsen is still in custody. No changes reported.' I was taken aback. So, Chairman Benner had been telling the truth? Did he see my mother? "You must end Marcus," the assistant said urgently. So, it's true! I can't think of anyone else w
Philip I'm deeply grateful that Ethan, Dr. Ruth, and their daughter are safe. They left Chairman Benner's party early because Dr. Ruth was urgently needed at the hospital for a patient in premature labor. If my friend and his family had been caught in the accident, Sarah wouldn't have been saved; Ethan wouldn't have been her surgeon. Ethan and I have an unspoken understanding; we know the situation without needing words. I'll always be grateful to him for his quick action and unwavering support during this crisis. When I was wheeled out of my ward, I saw just how busy the Vanderbilt-owned hospital was for the first time. The corridors buzzed with activity—nurses rushing by with charts, doctors shouting orders into phones, and dazed victims being directed to different departments. "Many were injured or killed in the attack. Hotel staff, guests, security personnel... One of your personal bodyguards didn't make it, and another was injured," Ethan informed me as he walked beside my w
Philip I carefully examined the woman's appearance, noting her powerful and elegant presence, from her perfectly styled silver hair to her tailored charcoal suit. But it was her eyes that truly captivated me. Her eyes were unmistakably Sarah's; no, Sarah must have inherited them from her. "Clever boy," the woman remarked, her scarlet lips curled into a small smile. I didn't expect you to make the connection so quickly, linking me to the person who helped you attain your current position." The pieces of the puzzle started to fit together in an unexpected way. "Orlie introduced me to Mariano during my first marriage to Sarah," I said slowly, realizing the truth. "It was to keep an eye on me, wasn't it?" "You're overthinking it, Cornell," she chided, settling back onto the plush leather sofa. Her assistant, seemingly understanding this as a cue, quietly excused herself. "We'll wait outside." Without waiting for my reply, she walked directly to the door, followed by Josh in silenc
Philip A week passed, then two, then three… Ethan eventually had to ask me to leave, as some patients needed the hospital's facilities more. "I can visit you at Serenity Pines, or even drop by Luminary Productions if you need someone to clean your wounds," Ethan offered. I remained silent. I wanted to stay at the hospital because Sarah was here. Fear gnawed at my chest, making sleep impossible. I was paralyzed by the terror of receiving the devastating news that my wife had passed away, that her body had finally given out, or any other heart-wrenching update while she was out of my reach. As much as I wanted to stay by Sarah's side, I couldn't longer ignore our children's needs. Iris and Rowan needed stability and a bit of normalcy. The hospital, with its sick patients and germs, wasn't a good place for a four-year-old to stay. Rowan's small voice interrupted my thoughts while I changed into a clean t-shirt in my ward, trying to gather the energy to face another day. "Uncle Eth
Sarah It felt like drifting through an endless dream, each moment stretching into eternity. After my firstborn's death, grief enveloped me like a suffocating shroud. I retreated, closing my heart and mind to the outside world. Joy became a foreign concept, a distant memory I could no longer grasp. Nothing could penetrate the fog of my sorrow because deep down, I knew I was fundamentally broken—I was not okay. Just like then, my mind feels closed off, wrapped in a thick layer of ice. Driving aimlessly, stopping several times to watch the setting sun. I'm heading into darkness, but whenever I hear my children's voices... Philip... these beloved sounds tug at me, urging me to turn back towards the fading light. But why did I also hear my mother's voice? I resume my journey. The world around me has been leached of color as if a cosmic artist has erased all pigment from the canvas of reality. I'm traveling through an endless road surrounded by empty deserts. The monotony should be