Alessia’s desperation turned to fury.Without hesitation, she sank her teeth into Brayden’s hand, the sharp bite of pain causing him to release his hold.She shoved him away, her heart pounding, and sprinted past him into the building.Her mind raced as she bolted towards her apartment, thoughts swirling with a newfound determination.As she slammed her apartment door shut, Alessia leaned against it, her chest heaving.The encounter had left her shaken, her emotions a tumultuous whirlwind.‘D*mn it!’ she smacked her forehead with a palm. ‘I should’ve used the pepper spray on him!’She knew she couldn’t let Brayden’s intrusion affect her any longer.With a resolute exhale, she made a silent promise to herself—she would find a way to break free from the chains of her past.As she sank onto her sofa, waiting for the adrenaline rush to subside, Alessia’s gaze shifted to the window, the city lights painting an intricate tapestry against the night sky.A single thought echoed in her mind—a
Tickled by her own imagination, Alessia leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to Milo’s forehead.His sleep-ruffled hair tickled her lips.‘Morning,’ she said softly. ‘Breakfast’s on the table, honey. Aunt Veronica will take you to school later.’Milo’s eyes fluttered open, still groggy from sleep.His voice held a hint of protest as he murmured, ‘You’re leaving already? It’s only six thirty.’Alessia brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, her smile warm and reassuring. ‘Mommy has to go into work early today.’Her mind buzzed with the tasks that awaited her—she needed to organise her notes from the previous night, to produce a first draft of the cocktail party fluff piece, and to go over the order of upcoming interviews with Miss Hicks.She was happy to be busy; it meant her career was moving forward.Milo’s voice pulled her from her thoughts as he offered a sleepy goodbye.She pressed another kiss to his cheek, her heart swelling with maternal affection. ‘Goodbye, my love. Be go
Alessia’s gaze hardened. ‘We all have our struggles, Connie. I’m not responsible for yours. Excuse me, I have to get to work.’With that, Alessia turned and started walking away.‘Brayden never loved me!’ Connie shouted. ‘I know that. We’ve been married for six years, but I know he still loves you.’Alessia’s steps faltered.She let out a frustrated sigh, her patience wearing thin as she turned to face Connie. ‘What’s wrong with you and your husband? Can’t you take your family drama elsewhere and stop turning up like an unwanted penny? I’m busy with work.’Tears streaked down Connie’s cheeks, smudging her carefully applied makeup, and Alessia winced at the clownish sight.‘It’s been six years,’ Connie continued, her voice quivering with raw emotion. ‘But everything I’ve done is just a joke to him. He doesn’t love me. That night six years ago, you lost a boyfriend, and I lost my dignity.’Alessia’s frustration mounted, her voice laced with exasperation. ‘Must you dredge up the past at
Wilda shook her head. ‘Alessia, you know that won’t cut it. This article is the lead in our series, and I want it to be perfect. I want you to get Mr Wilde to sign off on it. If that means buttering him up or kissing ass, then so be it. It’s all part of the game, part of how things work in this industry.’Alessia let out a resigned sigh.As much as she wanted to avoid Logan, she knew that Wilda was right.This was her job, her career, and sometimes she had to make uncomfortable concessions to ensure success.She nodded reluctantly. ‘Fine, I’ll go.’Wilda’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. ‘That’s the spirit, Alessia. I know you can handle this. Just remember, charm him, and make sure he signs off on that article. It’s essential for our series.’***Alessia dragged her feet down the gleaming halls of Skye Tower, her steps deliberate as if she had a point to prove.Each click of her heeled boots echoed through the opulent expanse, a rhythm of defiance against the polished marble floo
‘I lied.’ Logan’s lips curled into a smirk. ‘No cameras here.’Before Alessia could protest further, his lips descended onto hers.Her resolve wavered as she felt his familiar taste, her mind hurtling back to the dream last night.The kiss was a tempestuous collision of conflicting desires – his relentless pursuit against her stubborn resistance.Her heart raced, a fierce battle between the longing she had suppressed and the fear that held her back.Logan’s fingers tangled in her hair as he deepened the kiss, his dominance asserting itself with each caress.He could taste the hesitation on her lips, the struggle within her.His hand travelled slowly down her back, leaving a trail of heat in its wake.Alessia’s breath hitched as his hand settled at the curve of her waist, his touch igniting a fire within her.She could feel his desire, his hunger, but her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.She pushed against his chest, breaking the kiss with a gasp.‘No, Logan,’ she breathed
Alessia leaned back against the mirrored walls, her fingers pressed against her still-racing heart.The memory of Logan’s gaze, his teasing words, and that last reminder lingered in her mind.Truth be told, he wasn’t the only one who couldn’t wait for the week to be over.The lift doors opened, and Alessia stepped out into the bustling lobby, the energy of the city enveloping her.***The weekend stretched ahead, uneventful in its calm.Alessia welcomed the peace that settled around her like a comforting embrace.She spent the days with Veronica and Milo, the laughter of her little family becoming the soundtrack of her world.The absence of Brayden and Connie felt like a sigh of relief, a temporary respite from their overbearing presence.As the days rolled on, a sense of quiet contentment settled over Alessia.She found solace in the simple pleasures of life – shared meals, bedtime stories, and endless giggles.Yet, beneath the surface, a restlessness lingered, a craving for somethin
Tuesday dawned with an air of anticipation that clung to Alessia like a second skin.Restless energy coursed through her veins from the moment she woke up, an undercurrent of anxiety that refused to be ignored.Each passing hour felt like an eternity, the hands of the clock mocking her impatience.Then, like a lifeline in the midst of her restlessness, the phone call came.She snatched up her phone, her heart pounding, and hit the answer button with trembling fingers.‘Miss Jansen, this is Dr Schmidt from the hospital,’ the voice on the other end began. ‘I’m calling to inform you that the DNA report you requested is now available for collection.’Alessia’s breath caught in her throat, her pulse quickening.The moment of truth had arrived.She had been waiting for this, hoping for it, dreading it – all in equal measure.She fought to steady her voice as she responded, ‘Thank you, Doctor. I’ll come to collect it today.’Miss Hicks granted her the leave she needed, and Alessia wasted no
The conference room was shrouded in tense silence.The meeting had been in progress for over half an hour, and everybody, except the boss, couldn’t wait to escape.Logan Wilde stood at the head of the table, his gaze piercing through each member of his cryptocurrency division like a laser.‘You call yourselves experts?’ Logan’s voice cut through the room, his words sharp and unforgiving. ‘You failed to see the shifting tides in the market, and now we’re facing a loss in profit that should never have happened.’He leaned forward, his hands planted firmly on the table, his eyes ablaze with a mix of anger and frustration. ‘In this business, you need to be sharp, you need to anticipate changes before they even happen. Our competitors are always one step ahead, and we need to be two steps ahead if we want to survive.’Marcus Laroche, the division head, shifted uncomfortably, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.Mr Wilde had been in a bad mood since Monday morning, and everyone did their
The city lights shimmered through the window, casting a soft glow over Alessia’s hotel room.She sank into the plush armchair, exhaling a weariness that settled deep into her bones.The day had been a whirlwind of interviews and deadlines, leaving her both physically and mentally drained.With a flick of her wrist, she loosened the tight bun that held her long hair, letting it cascade down her shoulders in unruly waves.The laptop on the polished mahogany table beckoned, a testament to the professional demands that consumed her day.Alessia leaned forward, fingers dancing across the keys as she organized her interview notes, a meticulous symphony of clicks and clacks.She paused, her gaze shifting to the phone by her side.Two missed calls from an unknown number flashed on the screen, and her heart skipped a beat.For a moment, hope surged through her—perhaps it was Logan.But as she listened to the voicemail, disappointment settled in.It was merely a wrong number, a mundane interrup
With the briefcase in hand, Logan left the office and got in his car.He did not involve Terence; the meeting could be dangerous.Besides, he had backup.Logan raced through the city streets, weaving through traffic with a desperate determination.The clock was ticking, and the warehouse loomed ahead like a dark, ominous secret.As he approached the entrance, the flickering neon lights buzzed overhead, casting eerie shadows on the crumbling walls.Logan stepped into the darkness, the echoes of his footsteps the only sound in the desolate space.A figure emerged from the shadows, wearing a hooded jacket to conceal their identity.Logan’s pulse quickened, his senses on high alert.‘I brought the money, now show me Sirena,’ he demanded, his voice steady but edged with a simmering rage.The figure chuckled, the sound echoing eerily through the cavernous space. ‘Impatient, aren’t we?’He pulled out a phone from his pocket.With a swift motion, he tapped the screen, and a small screen on th
The city lights glittered below as Alessia and Vince sat in a trendy rooftop bar in Hamborough, taking in the breathtaking view.The change of scenery had indeed granted Alessia a temporary escape from the complexities of her life back in Veridian.Alessia raised her glass, sipping a colourful cocktail. ‘Here’s to new beginnings and escaping the chaos,’ she said with a half-smile.Vince clinked his glass with hers. ‘To new beginnings,’ he echoed, a faint smile playing on his lips.As the evening unfolded, the atmosphere became more relaxed.The city buzzed around them, providing a backdrop for a momentary reprieve.Alessia found herself enjoying Vince’s company, appreciating the unspoken connection they had cultivated over the years.Amidst the clinking of glasses and the distant hum of the city, Alessia sensed an opportunity to share the intricacies of her life.She turned to Vince, her eyes reflecting a mixture of weariness and determination.‘You know, Vince, Logan’s first marriage
Logan’s office at Wilde Enterprises was a haven of order in contrast to the chaos unravelling in his personal life.The sterile hum of fluorescent lights bathed the room as he sifted through paperwork, attempting to find solace in the routine of his professional responsibilities.His phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with Heath’s name.Logan’s heart skipped a beat as he answered the call, the outside world fading away as he focused on the voice at the other end.‘Heath,’ Logan greeted, his tone carrying the weight of worry.‘We found her,’ Heath’s voice crackled through the phone. ‘She was at the BuzzBeat office. Got into a bit of a scuffle with Alessia.’Logan’s temples throbbed in response, the news striking him like a physical blow. ‘Alessia? Is she okay?’There was a pause on the line, and Logan could almost feel the hesitation in Heath’s response. ‘According to the colleague who filed the police report, she’s got a couple of scratches, but otherwise, she’s fine.’Relief washed
The room was cloaked in a muted glow from the bedside lamp, casting a warm light on the framed photographs that adorned the walls.Sirena moved silently, her eyes scanning each corner of her parents’ room as she began the meticulous search for anything of value.Ralph was still in intensive care, which meant Naomi wouldn’t leave his side, giving Sirena the time she needed for a thorough search.Her fingers brushed against the cool surface of a polished wooden dresser, adorned with small trinkets that echoed the laughter of her childhood.A porcelain figurine, a relic from a family vacation, stood alongside a faded picture of her parents and a much younger Sirena.The memories were bittersweet, a reminder of the life she had left behind.As Sirena opened drawers with deliberate care, the soft rustling of papers mixed with the creak of aged furniture.In one drawer, she found a stack of handwritten letters tied together with a ribbon.Memories of birthday wishes, expressions of love, an
The Veridian airport bustled with a kinetic energy that only a major transport hub could exude.Travellers weaved through the expansive terminal, navigating a sea of bustling crowds and rolling luggage.The air hummed with the constant murmur of announcements, the clatter of footsteps, and the intermittent symphony of departure gates chiming to life.Alessia, her eyes scanning the digital departure board, stood amidst the organized chaos.The Veridian airport, a sprawling architectural marvel, boasted high ceilings adorned with sleek modern designs.Concourse shops beckoned with an array of luxury goods, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air from the bustling cafes.It had been a long time since she flew—juggling a job and raising two kids hadn’t left a lot of time for the luxury of flying.‘Hey, I thought that was you.’ Someone tapped her on the shoulder.Alessia, startled, turned around to find Vince, a smile playing on his lips.‘Vince, what are you doing he
Naomi scoffed, bitterness lacing her tone. ‘Make things right? Can you bring back the peace we had before you barged in with your promises and complications?’Logan shook his head. ‘I can’t change the past, Naomi, but I can help with the present. Let me take care of Ralph’s medical bills. It’s the least I can do.’Her expression hardened, and she retorted, ‘Money won’t fix the damage you’ve caused. Sirena is missing, Ralph’s heart is failing, and our lives are in shambles. Don’t pretend you can fix it with a cheque.’Her words were still ringing in his head hours later.Logan stood on the roof, smoking, lost in thought, until his phone rang with an urgency that cut through the air like a serrated blade.He glanced at the caller ID, and a sinking feeling gripped his stomach as he answered.‘Logan, what the hell is going on?’ Albert’s voice, usually a bastion of calm, resonated with a furious edge. ‘Alessia called me, all cold and distant, calling me Mr Wilde instead of Grandpa. And she
‘Ralph! Naomi, call an ambulance!’ Logan’s urgency cut through the stunned silence, and Naomi, her face pale with shock, fumbled for her phone.Panic swirled in the room as Ralph clutched his chest, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.He toppled backwards.‘Ralph!’ Logan caught the old man in time.Within moments, the wail of an ambulance echoed through the quiet neighbourhood.Naomi and Logan hurriedly helped Ralph onto a stretcher, his face strained with agony.The ambulance doors slammed shut, trapping the trio in a suffocating bubble of uncertainty.The ambulance tore through the city’s arteries, its siren piercing.Inside, the confined space thrummed with urgency.Naomi clung to the edge of her seat, her eyes unblinking as she watched the paramedics work on her husband.Ralph lay supine on the stretcher—his heart just stopped.The heart monitor emitted a relentless warning beep.Naomi’s hands trembled as she tried to steady herself, the medical jargon exchanged by the paramed
Naomi stirred the simmering chicken soup, the aroma filling the kitchen with warmth.She glanced at Ralph, who was grabbing his keys.‘Ready to head to the hospital?’ he asked.‘Absolutely,’ Naomi replied, wiping her hands on her apron. ‘Hand me the thermos.’They were only allowed to visit Sirena once each day, the visit lasting no longer than half an hour.The doctor explained that the restricted visits were important to establish routine in Sirena’s life.As they prepared to leave, they heard a knock on the door.Surprised, they exchanged a puzzled glance before opening the door.Standing on their doorstep was Logan. ‘Can we talk?’Naomi and Ralph exchanged a wary look but nodded, allowing him inside.Logan took a deep breath, eyeing them both. ‘I’m sure you know why I’m here. I need Sirena to sign those divorce papers.’It had been almost three days since Sirena’s hospitalisation, and Logan had waited long enough.Naomi’s lips trembled. ‘Logan, we can’t believe you’ve moved on so