Logan and Albert sat down at the long dining table.‘Where’s Arlie?’ Logan asked.‘Still at school.’ Albert tied the bib around his neck.His hands, which used to be able to hold a sniper rifle for hours without moving, weren’t as steady as they used to be.Logan frowned.He checked his watch. ‘It’s twenty minutes past seven. What school would keep a five-year-old at this hour?’Albert’s lips twitched, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. ‘Maybe if you’d been more involved, you’d know.’Logan’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing slightly. ‘I am involved, Grandpa.’Albert snorted softly. ‘Involved in your businesses, perhaps. But what about in Arlie’s life?’Logan’s fingers tapped rhythmically against his glass. ‘He’s my son, of course I care.’Albert’s gaze didn’t waver, his tone tinged with challenge. ‘Care enough to know that he’s been showing a real talent for math and science? Or that he’s taken up fencing, and music?’Logan’s eyebrows knitted together as he absorbed this information. ‘F
Dr Booker’s voice held a note of sympathy. ‘As you know, the average lifespan of a patient with a pacemaker is eight to twenty years. Albert is in his fifth year now, so, you know…’Logan knew the implication of the doctor’s unfinished sentence.‘But here’s the thing,’ Dr Booker continued, his tone measured, ‘if Albert’s spirits are up, if he’s got something to look forward to, that might extend his time with us.’Logan nodded, his voice sombre. ‘I see. Thank you, doctor.’The doctor’s tone softened. ‘Of course, Mr Wilde. If you have any more questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out.’Logan thanked the doctor again and then hung up.He walked to the window and gazed out.Albert was shuffling about the garden with the help of a walker.Sunny, perched on the old man’s shoulder, occasionally flew off to sample a petal or a worm, which would inevitably earn him a scolding from Albert. ‘You’ve already had your dinner!’‘Dinner! Dinner!’ Sunny bobbed his head as if agreeing with h
Alessia’s heart swelled with a mix of pride and apprehension as she watched her son prepare for the interview with the admissions committee.Ms Carter had mentioned that the process involved faculty members interacting with him and evaluating his skills through various assessments and auditions.‘Good luck, Milo,’ Alessia whispered, giving him an encouraging smile.Milo flashed a quick grin before sitting down, leaving Alessia to wait outside.She fidgeted with her hands, nerves creeping back in.Ms Carter noticed her restlessness and approached her. ‘Don’t worry, Miss Jansen. Milo’s a bright and charming boy. He’ll do just fine in there.’Alessia offered a grateful smile. ‘Thank you. I’m just... anxious, I suppose.’‘I completely understand,’ Ms Carter said, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. ‘Let me walk you through what happens during the interview. It’s a relaxed and friendly process to help us get to know Milo better.’As Ms Carter detailed the interview process, Alessia
Alessia wondered what Logan was up to, whether he was thinking of her as she thought of him.The silence between them felt heavy, a lingering void that she was unsure how to bridge.Then she quickly shook herself out of that thought.She was working.Now was not the time to get distracted.Alessia leaned forward. ‘So, is it true that you made your first pot of gold selling handcrafted jewellery when you were just fourteen?’Ramon’s laughter filled the room, warm and infectious. ‘Well, there’s certainly some truth to that. Selling jewellery might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I did dabble in creating and selling some trinkets online back in the day.’Their eyes locked for a moment, and Alessia couldn’t help but admire the charisma that radiated from Ramon.As the interview unfolded, Ramon’s rags-to-riches story emerged, painting a vivid picture of fortitude and resilience.He spoke of long nights coding in his basement, of making sacrifices to fund his dreams, and of the unwavering
Alessia stood at the entrance of Nova Heights Academy, her heart pounding louder than the traffic on the bustling Veridian street.Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag as she watched her son, Milo, his backpack slung over his shoulder, walk confidently towards the school gate.It was his first day, and he seemed unfazed, like he was born ready for this moment.But inside, Alessia’s nerves were in overdrive.She worried about him fitting in, making friends, and thriving in this new environment.Her gaze flickered to the imposing school building and then to the row of luxury cars that lined the street like they were on display in a high-end showroom.Alessia couldn’t help but feel out of place amidst the opulence.Just as she was about to steal a glance at her phone to distract herself, a warm hand slid into hers.She turned to find Milo running back and looking up at her with a reassuring smile.‘Don’t worry, Mom,’ he said in a tone that belied his young age. ‘I’ve got thi
In front of the school gate, laughter and excited chatter filled the air as children ran around, catching up with friends and sharing stories of their weekends.They might be some of the smartest children in the city, but they were still kids.Amidst the joyful chaos, a teacher’s voice rang out, strong and commanding. ‘All right, everyone! It’s time to head to your classrooms. Let’s start the day!’Instantly, the buzz of activity transformed into a sea of movement as children said goodbyes to their parents, their backpacks slung over their shoulders and faces flushed with excitement.Milo turned to Alessia with a bright smile. ‘Goodbye, Mom.’Alessia leaned down and kissed his cheek. ‘Have a great day, sweetheart. Either I or Aunt Veronica will be here to pick you up at five.’Milo nodded. ‘Okay.’‘It was nice meeting you, Arlie,’ Alessia said to the boy. ‘It’s Milo’s first day here. I hope maybe you can show him around.’Arlie nodded, his expression serious despite his young age. ‘Yo
The soft chime of a text message echoed through Logan’s car, drawing his attention away from the road.He glanced at his phone, seeing Sofie’s name on the screen.She was persistent, he had to give her that.Another reminder of her proposal, another inquiry about his thoughts.With a sigh, he tapped out a response. ‘I’ll think about it.’Tossing his phone onto the passenger seat, he took a deep breath and guided his car through the familiar streets towards Albert’s house.As he pulled up to the driveway, he noticed the house was quiet.Only Sunny, the vibrant cockatoo, greeted him with raucous squawks as he stepped into the living room.The bird was flying madly around the space like it was trying to evade a predator. ‘No! No!’Logan’s gaze shifted to the figure of Penshaw, the eccentric house manager, who was scolding the bird for its antics on the sofa cover.‘Ruining the sofa again, aren’t you?’ Penshaw muttered, shaking his head. ‘This is why you can’t have too many nuts. Humans g
Logan’s irritation flared at the implication. ‘You guessed wrong. Get that team back in place. I need to know what she’s doing.’‘Yes, sir.’ Terence nodded and excused himself to make the arrangements.As the door closed, Logan leaned back in his chair, his mind whirring with thoughts that refused to be suppressed.Alessia’s absence from his life for the past week gnawed at him, her sudden disappearance a puzzle he needed to solve.Why hadn’t she reached out?What was keeping her occupied?He ran his fingers through his hair, his mind churning with possibilities.The only justifiable excuse for her silence was if she was away on a business trip.Otherwise, why wouldn’t she call or at least text?A sense of restlessness settled over him, a nagging feeling that demanded his attention.He was used to being in control, to having answers to every question.But with Alessia, it was different.She had managed to slip through his carefully constructed defences, leaving behind a trail of intri
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