Looking for a topic to distract her from the pain, Deanne said, ‘By the way, Heath said you have a girlfriend now.’Logan arched an eyebrow. ‘Gossip travels fast, doesn’t it? That man has no filter.’Deanne burst into laughter, the sudden movement causing her to wince in pain.She took a sharp breath. ‘I have no idea giving birth would hurt so much.’‘You should rest.’ Logan’s voice took on a serious tone. ‘Your recovery is what matters most.’Deanne nodded, her features relaxing. ‘So, who’s the mystery woman who captured your heart?’‘That, my dear sister, is a secret.’‘You’re keeping secrets even from me?’Logan’s smile was somewhat strained.If he hadn’t had that argument with Alessia, he would gladly introduce her to his family.But now…Logan rose to his feet. ‘Terence will stay here till the wet nurse arrives.’‘All right. Thanks.’Exiting the ward, Logan reached for his phone and saw the missed calls from Alessia.The clock on the wall read five o’clock in the morning when he
Alessia nodded, her own eyes misting with unshed tears. ‘She gave us the love and warmth we craved. Mum was always so distant, but Grandma was always there for us.’As they reached the old, rusty swing set, Alessia reached out to touch it, her fingers brushing against the corroded metal. ‘This swing set, V, it’s like a relic from another time. I can almost hear our laughter as we swung higher and higher.’Veronica placed a comforting hand on her sister’s shoulder. ‘I know, Alessia. It’s hard to see it like this, but we have our memories. Grandma lives on in our hearts.’A gentle breeze rustled through the overgrown garden, carrying with it the faint scent of long-forgotten blossoms.Alessia and Veronica stood there, sisters bound by both their shared past and the enduring love of the grandmother they both missed terribly.The flower field stretched across a vast 20,000 square meters, bursting with a variety of flowers in every direction.Soon, the tranquillity was shattered by a loud
‘Nothing,’ Alessia said firmly. ‘It’ll be a shame to see Peony Haven disappear, but it’s not within my power to stop it.’Veronica pondered this. ‘You are right. In fact, Connie’s the one who inherited the land use rights. She’s the one to blame if she fails to hold on to the land.’‘I only came here today to visit Grandma. Whatever Connie’s planning, I won’t give her the satisfaction.’But Connie and Brayden Scott caught up to them.Veronica turned around and asked bluntly, ‘Where is Grandma buried?’Connie began to speak, but Brayden stopped her, grabbing her sleeve and signalling her to remain silent.Connie reluctantly complied, biting her lip.Brayden then explained, ‘Veronica, Grandma Noreen’s ashes were scattered over the centre of the field, at her request. She didn’t want a tombstone.’Alessia’s heart ached.The notion of having Grandma’s ashes scattered over her beloved peony garden would have been rather romantic, if not for the impending demolition.Could she stand idly by
Brayden’s words cut through the tension. ‘As a mother, how dare you curse your own child in such a way? Even if you’re innocent, you could have sworn on your own life, but never your baby’s. Connie, you’ve truly disappointed me.’Connie remained in a daze, her face bearing the fiery imprint of Brayden’s palm.The slap had sent her thoughts into chaos, making it difficult for her to regain her composure.‘Brayden, I—’ Connie began to speak, but Brayden interrupted her with cold finality. ‘I don’t want to talk to you anymore. God only knows what you did that night. It changed everything, turned my life upside down. I couldn’t face Alessia again after I woke up, so I chose to stay with you. But I never expected you to have plotted the whole thing.’A self-deprecating chuckle escaped Brayden’s lips as he turned to Alessia.His eyes held deep regret, realising how their fates had taken such a twisted turn.But Alessia didn’t even spare him a glance.Facing Connie, Alessia’s disappointment
Alessia chuckled mirthlessly, her laughter tinged with bitterness.Veronica’s fury boiled over as she shouted, ‘Brayden, have you lost your mind? How could you possibly think we’re to blame?’Connie clutched her abdomen. ‘It hurts! Brayden, our baby!’Brayden helped her up. ‘Come on. Let’s get you to a hospital.’He glared at Alessia, suspicion flickering in his eyes.‘Alessia didn’t do it!’ Veronica spoke up. ‘Connie did this to herself. She’s trying to play the victim, as always. She’s trying to play you.’Alessia patted Veronica’s hand. ‘Don’t waste your breath. He’s not going to listen.’Connie cried out, ‘Brayden! It hurts!’‘Come on!’ Veronica rolled her eyes. ‘She’s faking it!’Alessia thought so, too, but she changed her mind when she saw a pool of blood forming around Connie’s feet. ‘D*mn it, she’s bleeding!’Connie looked down and screamed.Alessia fumbled for her phone and called for an ambulance.She gave the address of Peony Haven, but the operator told her the nearest am
‘I don’t want to talk to you. Please let go of me,’ Alessia stated firmly. ‘There’s no need for further contact.’Logan persisted, ‘Alessia, why are you doing this? If you think I’m wrong, can you at least tell me what I did wrong?’Alessia frowned and forcefully withdrew her hand.Logan noticed the red palm print on her cheek as she tilted her head.Concern laced his voice. ‘What happened to your face?’He reached out a hand towards her face, but Alessia backed away, not allowing him to touch her.‘Who hit you?’ Logan stepped closer, this time firmly gripping her shoulder.‘Let me go!’ Alessia demanded.Logan’s tone softened. ‘Alessia, tell me what happened.’‘I said, let me go!’ Alessia’s voice rose as she glared at Logan.Logan remained silent, his gaze unwavering.‘Logan Wilde!’ Alessia’s frustration boiled over. ‘Whatever happened to me is none of your business. We’ve broken up, and I have no more connection to you. Please respect that.’Logan frowned. ‘You don’t mean that.’‘Yes
Logan refused to rise to the bait. ‘You hesitated earlier when Connie asked about children, didn’t you? You don’t want children with her, do you?’Brayden clenched his jaw, his face reddening with anger. ‘Don’t you dare sow discord between Connie and me.’Logan’s voice remained cold and cutting. ‘Does your relationship even need further provocation? Look at you two now. It’s hanging by a thread, and perhaps, it was never built on love to begin with.’Brayden’s complexion paled, drained of all colour.Connie, lying on the bed, wore a desolate expression.Logan wasn’t finished.He turned to Connie and demanded, ‘Who said Alessia caused your miscarriage?’Connie bit her lip, glaring at Logan with intense hatred.Logan pressed on, his voice frigid. ‘Was it you, Connie Scott?’Connie said nothing.Logan arched an eyebrow, his patience wearing thin. ‘You claimed earlier that Alessia caused your miscarriage. Why the silence now?’Connie clenched her teeth. ‘It was her! She pushed me.’‘Reall
Alessia squirmed in her seat. ‘We did date, but very briefly. We are broken up now. Things are… complicated.’‘Ah, I see.’ Wilda nodded understandingly. ‘I’ve been down that road myself. I understand.’Sensing her discomfort, Wilda changed the topic. ‘Now that you are back to work, I’d like you to continue the interview series…’Half an hour later, Alessia left the chief editor’s office with a thick file and the promise of promotion if she did a good job with her next article.Thrilled, she returned to her cubicle and got down to work.But as soon as she sat down, her phone rang.It was an unfamiliar number.She answered it. ‘Hello, BuzzBeat newsdesk. How may I help you?’‘It’s me,’ a low, husky male voice responded, sounding oddly familiar.‘Oh.’ Alessia’s face fell when she recognised the voice.‘Your boyfriend,’ the voice added.Alessia rolled her eyes.How could he be so presumptuous?‘Sorry, I’ve had quite a few boyfriends in my life. It’s hard to keep track. Can you remind me wh
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