Lillian emerged from the conference room, her heart heavy with disappointment and frustration. The tense atmosphere still lingered around her like a suffocating cloud as she spotted Katherine engaged in an intense conversation with one of the board members nearby. Determination surged within her, overshadowing the fatigue from the chaotic meeting.Approaching her sister, Lillian's steps were measured, her gaze unwavering. "Katherine," she called out, her voice carrying a mix of concern and accusation.Katherine turned sharply, her features hardened. "What now, Lillian?" she retorted, her tone laced with irritation.Lillian's heart pounded as she faced Katherine, her eyes blazing with anger. "How could you do this?" she demanded, her voice quivering with emotion. "You've jeopardized everything—our family's reputation, our livelihood."Katherine's expression hardened, her lips curling into a sneer. "Oh, spare me the lecture, Lillian," she shot back, her voice dripping with disdain. "You
Katherine's eyes filled with tears as she stormed out of the living room, her heart pounding with a mix of rage and humiliation. She barely registered the concerned looks from the Rojas family, or the horrified expressions on the faces of her own family. All she could think about was the sting of her father's slap and the overwhelming sense of betrayal.Mr. Alfred stood there, his face a mix of anger and regret. The tension in the room was palpable, and he felt the weight of embarrassment pressing down on him. He turned to the Rojas family, his voice heavy with regret. "I'm deeply sorry for what just happened. Please understand, this is not how we usually are."As he turned to leave, Mr. Rojas stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Mr. Alfred," he called out, stopping him in his tracks. "I understand family conflicts, but you must teach your daughters how to behave. This kind of chaos can't continue."Mr. Alfred nodded, his expression solemn. "I'll do my best," he replied, his voi
Katherine's eyes filled with tears as she stormed out of the living room, her heart pounding with a mix of rage and humiliation. She barely registered the concerned looks from the Rojas family, or the horrified expressions on the faces of her own family. All she could think about was the sting of her father's slap and the overwhelming sense of betrayal.Mr. Alfred stood there, his face a mix of anger and regret. The tension in the room was palpable, and he felt the weight of embarrassment pressing down on him. He turned to the Rojas family, his voice heavy with regret. "I'm deeply sorry for what just happened. Please understand, this is not how we usually are."As he turned to leave, Mr. Rojas stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Mr. Alfred," he called out, stopping him in his tracks. "I understand family conflicts, but you must teach your daughters how to behave. This kind of chaos can't continue."Mr. Alfred nodded, his expression solemn. "I'll do my best," he replied, his voi
Katherine stood outside the family house, her breath coming in short, angry bursts. Tonight, she would finally confront her father. She pushed open the door, her footsteps echoing through the quiet hallways. With each step she took, her anger built up inside her like a storm ready to unleash. As she reached her father's study, she stopped and took a deep breath. She pushed open the door and stepped inside, her eyes blazing with fury. Mr. Alfred was sitting at his desk, his face calm but his eyes filled with sadness. He looked up and met her gaze, a look of understanding passing between them. "Katherine," he said softly, "I knew you would come." Katherine clenched her fists, her voice trembling with rage. "You knew? Of course, you did. You think you're so clever, don't you? But you're going to pay for what you've done." Mr. Alfred stood up slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Katherine, please, let's talk about this." "Talk?" Katherine spat, taking a step closer. "You don't get
Lillian's thoughts churned as she replayed the confrontation between her father and Katherine in her mind. The tension, the anger, the heartbreak—it was all too much to process. She felt a deep, gnawing concern for her sister, despite everything. Katherine's pain was evident, but Lillian couldn't shake the feeling that something more sinister was at play. Determined to check on her sister, Lillian made her way down the long, dim hallway to Katherine's room. She paused in front of the door, hesitating. She knocked twice, her knuckles rapping softly against the wood. There was no response. She knocked again, louder this time. Still, silence. Lillian's heart quickened as she pushed the door slightly, peering inside. The room was neat, the bed made with military precision, the curtains drawn just enough to let in a sliver of light. She stepped inside, her eyes scanning for any sign of Katherine. There was none. She sighed deeply, her concern morphing into a mix of frustration and anxie
Katherine drove with trembling hands, her vision blurred by the tears she could no longer hold back. Each mile brought back memories, sharper and more painful than the last. Her mother’s face haunted her, the soft smile that used to bring her comfort now a ghost that gnawed at her sanity. She pulled up to the old bridge, the very spot where someone had tried to end her life. The engine's hum faded into silence as she stepped out, the crunch of gravel under her heels echoing in the stillness. The cold wind tugged at her hair, pulling it across her tear-streaked face as she approached the railing. She rested her hands on the cold metal, the chill biting into her skin, grounding her in the present while her mind drifted to the past.The memory was a haze, but certain fragments stood out with agonizing clarity. She remembered the shove, the sudden loss of balance, and the sheer terror as she plummeted towards the icy water below. The sensation of the water swallowing her, the suffocating
David's eyes lingered on Katherine’s face, searching for a sign, a glimmer of hope amidst the storm of her emotions. His fingers tightened gently around her hand, and before she could pull away, he lifted it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss on her knuckles.“Katherine,” he began, his voice tender, “there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a long time.”She looked at him, confusion and curiosity mingling in her tear-streaked eyes. “What is it, David?”He took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. “Ever since I found you that night, I’ve been thinking about you. I’ve been...falling for you.”Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to speak, but he gently squeezed her hand, urging her to let him finish.“I didn’t want to say anything before because I didn’t want you to think I was just trying to get close to you for...other reasons,” he said, his voice steady. “I know you’ve been through so much, and I didn’t want to add to your burden.”Katherine’s breath hitched, and she f
Lillian clutched the book tightly as she made her way to Sebastian's study. The house seemed eerily quiet, every creak of the floorboards echoing her tension. She knocked on his door, the sound sharp and urgent. “Come in,” Sebastian’s voice called out from within.She entered, finding Sebastian at his desk, papers strewn about. He looked up, his eyes tired but alert. “Lillian, what’s wrong?” he asked, noticing her pale face and the book in her hands.“Sebastian, I found this in Katherine’s room,” she said, her voice shaky. “You need to see this.”Sebastian took the book from her, his brow furrowing as he flipped through the pages. His face darkened with each turn, the lines around his mouth deepening.“I’ve seen this book before,” he said finally, his voice cold. “It belonged to my mother. I saw her with it not too long ago. But this is vicious, why is Katherine doing all this?”Lillian felt a chill run down her spine. “What does it mean, Sebastian? Katherine had been the one killi
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