The morning sun cast a golden glow over the mansion's garden as Lillian stepped outside with a watering can in hand. She felt a sense of calm as she walked towards the flower beds, the vibrant colors and fresh scents providing a brief respite from the turmoil inside the house. But as she turned a corner, she came face to face with Katherine.Katherine stood there, her arms crossed and eyes blazing with anger. Lillian hesitated, then decided to ignore her sister’s glare. She continued towards the garden, hoping to avoid a confrontation."Lillian," Katherine’s voice cut through the air, sharp and cold. "What are you doing here, why did you come back?"Lillian stopped her back tense. She turned slowly to face Katherine, trying to maintain her composure. "I'm watering the garden, Katherine. I have every right to be here."Katherine stepped closer, her expression hostile. "You don't belong here. You should have stayed in Alaska and continued the miserable life you were living over there."
Mrs. Rojas was making her way to the garden, a favorite novel tucked under her arm, when she spotted something that made her heart skip a beat. Lillian was lying on the ground, a pool of blood forming next to her still body. The novel slipped from Mrs. Rojas' grasp as she rushed towards Lillian, her voice rising in a frantic shout."Help! Somebody help! Lillian!" she screamed, dropping to her knees beside Lillian and trying to find any sign of consciousness. Sebastian, who had been in the kitchen, heard the desperate cries and sprinted towards the garden. His heart pounded with fear as he saw Mrs. Rojas and the motionless form of Lillian. "Lillian!" he shouted, reaching her side in an instant. He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed emergency services. "We need an ambulance, now! My wife is unconscious and there's a lot of blood!" He rattled off the address, his hands trembling. Mrs. Rojas, her eyes wide with fear, tried to apply pressure to the wound. "Lillian, stay with us. St
Mr. Alfred arrived at the hospital, his heart pounding with anxiety. He spotted Sebastian sitting in the waiting area, his face a mask of worry. Rushing over, Mr. Alfred placed a hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. “Sebastian, is Lillian okay? What happened to her?” Mr. Alfred asked, his voice trembling with concern. Sebastian looked up, his eyes weary. “Someone within the mansion tried to kill her, Mr. Alfred. I don’t know how they got in without the security guards noticing. It’s like they knew exactly where to go and what to do.” Mr. Alfred’s face contorted with rage and fear. “How could this happen? Who would do such a thing?” Before Sebastian could respond, a doctor emerged from the emergency room, calling for their attention. Both men turned to him, their hearts in their throats. “Is she okay? Is Lillian going to be alright?” Mr. Alfred asked urgently. The doctor nodded, though his expression was grave. “She’s stable for now. However, due to her pregnant state, we had to take a
Mr. Alfred was shocked, his face paled as the words sank in. "Katherine? Your sister? How could she..." Lillian quickly interjected, not wanting to escalate the situation further. "Dad, it wasn't intentional. We were arguing, and she was angry. She pushed me, but I don't think she meant to hurt me so badly." Mr. Alfred's eyes narrowed, a mix of disbelief and anger washing over him. "She pushed you? In a fit of rage? Lillian, this isn't the first time something like this has happened. You need to be more careful around her." Before Lillian could respond, the door to her hospital room creaked open, and Katherine walked in, her face etched with guilt. "Lillian, Dad, I... I'm so sorry." Mr. Alfred turned on her, his eyes blazing. "Katherine, what are you doing here? Don't bother pretending you care. You've been nothing but trouble since you came back. You didn't even show up for your mother's burial. Why should we believe you now?" Katherine's face twisted with pain. "Dad, please. I
Lillian stepped out of the car, the fresh scent of the garden wafting over her as she took a deep breath. It was good to be home, even though the mansion felt like a nest of vipers. Katie came running up, her face lighting up with joy as she saw Lillian."Aunt Lillian!" Katie cried, wrapping her arms around Lillian's legs.Lillian bent down, hugging Katie tightly. "Hi, sweetie. I've missed you," she said, forcing a smile despite the lingering pain from her recent ordeal.Katherine stood nearby, her eyes narrowing as she watched the affectionate exchange. Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't say anything. The anger in her gaze was palpable, a silent storm brewing.Mr. Rojas approached, his face softening as he looked at Lillian. "Welcome back, Lillian. I'm so glad to see you up and about.""Thank you, Mr. Rojas," Lillian replied, standing up and smoothing Katie's hair. "I'm glad to be back. The hospital was... not a pleasant experience."Mr. Rojas nodded, his expression se
Mrs. Rojas softened her tone slightly, trying to console her. “You need to trust me, Katherine. We will handle this.” Katherine’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she sank to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. “You don’t understand,” she choked out. “Lillian is pregnant. I can never have him back now.” Mrs. Rojas was taken aback, her eyes widening in shock. “Pregnant? Are you sure?” Katherine nodded, tears streaming down her face. “Yes, and now Sebastian will never leave her. I’ve lost him forever.” A strange glint appeared in Mrs. Rojas’s eyes as she processed the information. Despite the initial shock, she felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. This turn of events made things even more interesting. “Listen to me, Katherine,” she said, her voice firm but oddly soothing. “This isn’t over. You haven’t lost the battle yet.” Katherine looked up, her eyes filled with hopelessness. “How can you say that? She’s carrying his child. He’ll never come back to me now.” Mrs. Rojas crouched down,
Lillian sat on the veranda, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow over her. She placed a hand on her growing belly, feeling the gentle movements within. It had been getting harder to hide her pregnancy, especially with her stomach beginning to bulge noticeably. The reality of her condition was becoming impossible to conceal. Mrs. Rojas had been acting unusually kind and attentive lately, a change that didn't go unnoticed by Lillian. The older woman would often bring her herbal teas and insist on her resting more. Today was no different. "Lillian, dear," Mrs. Rojas's voice floated through the air as she approached, a tray of steaming tea in her hands. "I've brought you some chamomile. It's good for the nerves." "Thank you," Lillian replied, accepting the cup with a polite smile. She took a sip, the warm liquid soothing her throat. But a nagging suspicion lingered in her mind. Why was Mrs. Rojas suddenly so caring? "How are you feeling today?" Mrs. Rojas asked, her eyes lingering
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Lillian, Sebastian, and Mrs. Rojas sat at one end of the long, polished table, facing the head chairwoman and chairman along with two other head coordinators. The stern expressions on their faces did little to quell the sense of impending doom. The head chairwoman, Ms. Delaney, leaned forward, her eyes sharp and unforgiving. "Today’s board meeting was nothing short of a disgrace. It’s clear that the Alfred family is treating this company as a playground for their personal dramas." Lillian’s heart sank, the weight of the accusation heavy. She glanced at Sebastian, who gave her a slight nod, his face resolute. Ms. Delaney stood up, her voice rising. "Because of the disturbance caused, we have no choice but to suspend the Alfred family from all board meetings until further notice." "No," Lillian whispered, her voice barely audible. She felt the world slipping from under her feet. "Please, you don’t understand." The head c
Katie sat at the cafeteria table, a tray of untouched food in front of her, as she excitedly recounted the details of her date with Andrew to Nora. "And then, at the end of the night, he asked me to be his girlfriend," Katie said, her cheeks flushing with happiness. Nora’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding me!” she exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief. “Andrew? The Andrew who’s been teasing you all this time?” Katie nodded, her eyes sparkling. “I know it sounds crazy, but he was really sweet. He told me he’s been thinking about me a lot.” Nora still looked skeptical. “I don’t know, Katie. Are you sure about this? He’s always been kind of a jerk.” Katie opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, Andrew appeared beside their table. He slid into the seat next to Katie, casually draping his arm around the back of her chair. “Hey, ladies,” he said, giving them a charming smile. Nora’s eyes widened, and she glanced between Katie and Andrew, still trying to process w
As the night wore on, Andrew and Katie drove back to her house in a serene, comfortable silence. The moonlight bathed the streets in a soft glow, and the only sounds were the gentle hum of the car and their intertwined thoughts about the evening.When they pulled up in front of Katie’s house, Andrew turned off the engine and looked at her with a seriousness that made her heart skip a beat.“Katie,” he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion, “I know what I want, and what I want is you. I don’t want to play any games or pretend anymore. Will you be my girlfriend?”Katie felt her heart swell with emotion. The words she had longed to hear were finally spoken. She looked into his eyes, seeing sincerity and vulnerability. “Yes, Andrew,” she said softly, a radiant smile spreading across her face. “I’d love to be your girlfriend.”Andrew’s face lit up with happiness, and he leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender, heartfelt kiss. It was a kiss full of promise and new beginnings, an
Katie stood in front of her mirror, smoothing out the creases in her red shoulder-length dress. The fabric shimmered slightly under the soft light of her bedroom, and she couldn’t help but smile at her reflection. Her hair straightened to perfection, cascaded down her back. She added a touch of mascara and lip gloss, then stepped back to admire her handiwork. Satisfied, she grabbed her small clutch and took a deep breath. As she descended the stairs, she saw Lillian in the kitchen, feeding Kat. Lillian glanced up and her eyes widened with surprise. “Wow, Katie, you look stunning! Where are you off to?” Katie paused, feeling a bit nervous. “I’m going out with Andrew. He asked me on a date.” Lillian’s surprise deepened. “Andrew? When did you start hanging out with him?” Katie shrugged, trying to play it cool. “We’ve been talking more lately. He’s not as bad as I thought.” Lillian raised an eyebrow but smiled. “Well, have fun. Just be careful, okay? Don't forget to come back on time
Mandy stormed down the hallway, her anger bubbling just beneath the surface. One of her loyal minions, Jessica, had just informed her that Andrew and Katie were seen together in the school café. Mandy bit her lower lip, the taste of betrayal sharp on her tongue as she hurried toward the café.In the school café, Katie and Andrew were deep in conversation, oblivious to the storm approaching. They laughed and shared stories, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment. Andrew reached out to tuck a stray lock of Katie's hair behind her ear, a tender gesture that did not go unnoticed by the few students lingering nearby.Mandy burst through the doors of the café, her eyes immediately locking onto the couple. "Andrew!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the room. The café fell silent as all eyes turned to her. "I can't believe you're hanging out with a girl like her."Andrew looked up, his expression hardening. "Mandy, so what's wrong with that?" he asked, trying to
As Andrew and Katie sat side by side on the front steps, the evening air cool and crisp, they found themselves talking more openly than they ever had before. The tension that had filled the dinner conversation began to dissipate, replaced by a tentative curiosity about each other.Andrew turned to Katie, his expression earnest. "You know, Katie, apart from the contract, I don’t see it as such a bad thing, getting married to someone like you. You’re cute, smart, and pretty amazing."Katie laughed, a light sound that eased the remaining tension between them. "You think I’m cute? Really? Coming from the guy who’s been mean to me since day one?"Andrew shrugged, a sheepish smile on his face. "I know I’ve been a jerk, and I’m sorry about that. The truth is, I liked you from the start, but I didn’t want to show it. You’re different from the other girls I’ve met, and I didn’t know how to handle it. So, I ended up acting like an idiot."Katie’s smile softened. "I thought you hated me. The fir
Sebastian and Lillian sat in the Turner’s opulent living room, the tension palpable as they broached the sensitive subject. Mr. Turner, a tall man with a stern face, leaned back in his chair, while Mrs. Turner, a refined woman with a composed demeanor, sat beside him, her hands folded neatly in her lap.Sebastian took a deep breath, glancing at Lillian for support. "We need to discuss the business contract between Katie and Andrew," he began. "Katie found out about it from Andrew, and she's not taking it well. She won't talk to us, and we need to figure out a way to handle this situation. Is there any possibility of terminating the contract?"Mr. Turner sighed deeply, his expression unyielding. "The contract is still fresh. Terminating it would mean losing twice the profit according to the agreement. Our companies would suffer significant losses. I understand your concern, but this contract is binding."Lillian's eyes were pleading as she leaned forward. "But Katie is against it, we t
Nora jogged to catch up with Katie, who was walking briskly down the hallway, her face flushed with frustration. "Katie, wait up!" Nora called, finally reaching her. "Hey, about Andrew standing up for you... I think it's kinda sweet."Katie's eyes flashed with annoyance. "What's the point, Nora? I just want to be left alone." She quickened her pace, trying to escape the conversation.As Katie continued down the hall, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. People were staring at her, more than usual. She had always managed to fly under the radar, blending into the background. But today, it felt like she was under a spotlight.She passed two girls standing by their lockers, who whispered something to each other and then shot her angry glares. Katie frowned, her heart beginning to pound with anxiety. When she finally reached her locker, the reason for the stares became painfully clear.A note was taped to her locker, written in bold, mocking letters: **"She's married to A
Sebastian walked through the front door, his mind preoccupied with the usual work stress, but his heart heavy with worry about Katie. The second he entered, Lillian met him in the hallway, her face etched with concern."Honey, we seriously need to talk," she began, her voice barely concealing the anxiety, "Katie found out about the contract. Andrew told her everything."Sebastian's face fell. "What? How did he find out?"Lillian shook her head. "I don't know, but Katie won't talk to me. She didn't eat breakfast, and she refused to let me take her to school this morning. I knew something like this would happen. This is exactly why I was against that business contract."Sebastian sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "I'll talk to her. We'll fix this."He walked upstairs, each step feeling heavier than the last. When he reached Katie's bedroom door, he knocked softly. "Katie, it's Dad. Can we talk?"There was no response. He knocked again, a little louder. Finally, the door opened a crack
Katie finished tucking Kat and Tristan into their beds, giving each a kiss on the forehead before softly closing their doors. She headed to her own room, looking forward to some peace and quiet. As she flicked on the light, she froze in shock. Andrew was sitting on her bed, casually flipping through one of her novels."What the hell are you doing here?" she hissed, quickly closing the door behind her to avoid waking her siblings or alerting her parents. "You need to leave before my parents see you."Andrew looked up, an amused smirk playing on his lips. "Nice to see you too, Katie," he said, leaning back against her pillows as if he belonged there.Katie stormed over, snatching the book from his hands. "Don't touch my stuff," she snapped.Andrew laughed, making himself more comfortable. "Relax, Katie. I came here to see you, I couldn't sleep. I keep thinking about you and the fact that you'll soon be my wife."Katie’s eyes widened in disbelief before she let out a sarcastic laugh. "Yo