Alessia shook her head, her expression tender. ‘There’s no need for that. I’m feeling much better now. What happened earlier was just a minor scare.’‘You fell asleep, and no one could wake you up,’ Logan’s voice was tinged with the fear he felt, a fear he couldn’t express in words.Alessia offered reassurance. ‘No, it’s just that I was too sleepy. The doctor said I’m fine now. Don’t worry. I truly feel much better.’Logan’s gaze held gratitude, but he remained cautious. ‘You do look better, but that doesn’t mean you’re fully recovered and safe.’Alessia countered, ‘But I think the best way to conserve energy now is to sleep.’Still, Logan hesitated, his protective nature refusing to wane.Alessia patted the space beside her, her smile warm. ‘Come on, if you’re still concerned, let’s lie down and sleep together.’Logan’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. ‘You’re right.’He removed his shoes and settled beside Alessia.She grinned, feeling the warmth of their closeness. ‘That’s better.’A
Heath, impeccably dressed, offered her a ride.Veronica accepted without hesitation, and they made their way to the hospital.Tension hung in the air as they entered the hospital ward.Veronica led, Heath followed, and they reached the ward’s entrance.The bodyguards were unfamiliar with Veronica.Now it was Alex guarding the door.He halted Veronica, addressing Heath, ‘Mr Carpenter, what brings you here?’Heath asked, ‘Where’s your boss?’‘He’s inside.’Veronica, in a stern voice, declared, ‘I want to go in.’With politeness, Alex asked, ‘May I ask who you are?’Heath explained, ‘This is Miss Jansen’s sister. Can we go in?’Alex maintained professionalism. ‘I’ll check with the boss. Please wait.’A knock on the door elicited a response from inside, ‘Come in.’Logan, sitting at the edge of Alessia’s bed, frowned as Veronica rushed in.She didn’t hesitate to voice her irritation, giving him a pointed look before turning to Alessia. ‘Sis!’Veronica’s gaze landed on Alessia in the hospit
Deep down, Veronica knew Alessia had done all this just because Logan was Milo’s biological father.She wouldn’t stand by and watch Logan lose his life before Milo had a chance to get to know him.Of course, there was always the possibility that Alessia had already fallen in love with Logan.Alessia straightened her shoulders.‘This was my choice,’ she said firmly.Veronica could not say anything more at this moment.She could only hold Alessia in her arms and burst into tears.This situation surprised Logan and Heath.Something was amiss, and it seemed like there were deeper meanings to what they’d just heard.Alessia wiped her sister’s tears away, looked at her watch, and said, ‘Veronica, it’s past four o’clock now. I’m fine, but I can’t go back today. You’ll have to go home.’Veronica understood what Alessia didn’t say—go home and take care of Milo.She nodded.***‘Aunt Veronica, you don’t look very well. What happened?’ Milo asked as they walked out of the kindergarten, holding h
The little fellow had a sharp mind and wasn’t one to give away information easily.He regarded Heath with suspicion and questioned, ‘Why are you asking me this? You’re wearing a fake uniform, aren’t you? Are you a real policeman, or are you a fraud?’Heath found himself amused by the child’s inquisitiveness and replied, ‘Kid, you should answer my question first.’Milo remained cautious and said, ‘My mommy is with my father. I’m here with my aunt. Does that answer your question?’Heath chuckled. ‘Alright.’Milo, not one to let him off the hook, urged, ‘It’s your turn, then. I asked you a question, but you haven’t answered.’Heath relented, ‘I’m a real policeman. This police uniform is real. I’m not a fraud, okay?’Milo, with a mischievous glint in his eye, probed further, ‘Why are you wearing your police uniform? Are you on duty?’Heath explained patiently, ‘Off duty. I didn’t have time to change out of it. I had a meeting today.’But Milo wasn’t easily convinced and brought up a recen
Alessia pouted and said, ‘I mean, who knows? You might really have a child out there and have no idea about it.’‘What’s wrong with you?’ Logan chuckled and asked. ‘Don’t take it seriously; I was just fooling around. Heath spotted a child who looked like me, and I just thought of asking you the question. That’s it.’‘Heath saw a child who looked like you?’ Alessia’s heart raced again.Could it be Milo?‘Where?’ She pressed for more information.‘I don’t know. He’s always cruising around town in that car of his,’ Logan replied. ‘Well, this has nothing to do with me. It has nothing to do with you either. Okay?’Alessia bit her lip, her thoughts whirling with possibilities.If Milo had been seen by Heath, it could mean that their secret was at risk.Glancing at Alessia’s perplexed look, Logan frowned and asked, ‘What are you thinking about?’She snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head, ‘Nothing. I was just thinking what if...’‘What if what?’‘What if you really have a child?’‘Th
Logan watched Alessia, a storm of emotions brewing beneath his composed exterior.He remembered a night from years ago, vividly, and a part of him wanted to confess it all.But he knew it was too late, and some truths were better left unspoken.However, Alessia felt conflicted.She believed she had asked clearly enough, but he was not owning up to it.Continuing to press the issue would be humiliating for both of them.In her heart, Alessia felt an unspeakable bitterness, and her mind was a tangle of emotions.She stayed silent, wrestling with her thoughts.Frustration ultimately got the better of Logan, and he left the bed, walking out of the room without a word.Alessia sat up, contemplated for a moment, and then picked up her phone to call her sister, Veronica.The phone connected quickly. ‘Alessia?’‘Hey, Veronica,’ Alessia whispered, ‘Are you home now?’‘Yeah, we’re home. Don’t worry. I won’t go anywhere. I’ll just stay with Milo.’‘I’m not worried one bit.’ Alessia knew her sist
Brayden, in a low voice, implored, ‘Alessia, please stop. Make him stop.’But Alessia hadn’t provoked the situation.It was Connie who continued to taunt her.So she looked at Brayden with confusion, leaning gently against the wheelchair, and stated, ‘Why should I stop? I haven’t said a word. I don’t understand why you’re confronting me over this. It’s ridiculous.’Brayden stood rigid, unable to look away from Alessia’s piercing gaze.He finally spoke without hesitation, ‘Connie is already very upset about losing her child. Even if she vents her frustration on you, as her sister, you should understand.’Alessia saw through his excuse.She countered, ‘I didn’t say a word. Brayden, it’s not my fault that your wife can’t control her tongue. Don’t blame me for it.’Her eyes bore into him, and Brayden was momentarily speechless.Alessia reiterated, ‘Let me warn you once more. Stay away from me, or face the consequences.’Connie, angered by the unexpected shove screamed, ‘You’re a mistress
Brayden interrupted Connie, his voice unyielding, ‘You caused your own miscarriage and blamed it on Alessia. That’s why you’re so nervous. You’re afraid of being cursed.’‘Brayden, I didn’t—’ Connie continued to deny.Brayden’s voice remained cold and resolute. ‘It doesn’t matter whether you admit it or not. You’re the one who got hurt, and you’re the one who’d feel it the most. That was your own child. And you used it as a tool to hurt others.’Connie paused again, feeling cornered.Brayden continued pushing her into the examination room, his steps heavy.‘Brayden,’ Connie tried once more.‘Stop talking,’ Brayden said coldly. ‘I don’t want to talk to you right now.’Feeling abashed and desperate, Connie fell silent.While the doctor examined her, Brayden waited outside, his mind filled with a tumultuous mix of emotions.He overheard the doctor’s words to Connie. ‘Mrs Scott, your bleeding has stopped, and we can remove the gauze. However, the bleeding has caused thinning of your uteru
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