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
Veronica slowed and turned around as the stranger approached her.He was a sharp-dressed man, and there was something vaguely familiar about him.With a frown, she pointed at herself and asked, ‘Are you talking to me, sir?’‘Yeah,’ Terence replied as he drew closer. ‘I saw you with Miss Alessia Jansen earlier today. May I ask who she is to you?’Veronica recalled that this was the man who had been walking with Logan moments ago. ‘Who are you to Logan?’‘I’m Mr Wilde’s assistant,’ Terence calmly responded. ‘Are you Miss Jansen’s friend?’Veronica’s irritation flared upon realising that the man before her was associated with Logan.Annoyed, she retorted, ‘Why is it any of your concern?’Terence was surprised by her attitude. ‘Miss, why are you speaking so rudely?’‘I say what I want,’ Veronica shot back. ‘Who are you to care about who I am?’Terence suspected she might be Alessia’s younger sibling, given the resemblance.However, he hadn’t expected her to share her sister’s intimidating