Naomi stared at Alessia with tears welling up in her eyes.She sighed. ‘Miss Jansen, what you said is right. We are being too much. Ralph has really made things difficult for Logan. I hope you can forgive us.’Alessia shook her head. ‘It’s not my place to forgive you. You’ll have to talk to Logan.’Alessia took her leave after saying goodbye to the Barretts.She’d done all she could.If Ralph’s mood still didn’t improve, there was nothing else she could do.Alessia declined Elaine’s offer to walk her out.The moment she stepped outside and turned left, she was greeted by the sight of Logan leaning against the wall, staring at her with an almost scorching intensity.‘How long have you been standing here?’ She walked up to him.She noticed his wind-tousled hair and misbuttoned jacket.He must have gotten here in a hurry.‘Could you give me a lift?’ Alessia swung her purse over one shoulder. ‘I really have to go now. I’m running late for work.’Abruptly, Logan pulled her into his arms an
‘Professor Sawyer, it’s an honour to meet you.’ Alessia was thrilled.‘Well, if Vince introduced us to each other earlier, we would have met sooner,’ Yvonne said meaningfully. ‘Vince, bring us a pot of tea. Oh, young people like coffee.’She turned to Alessia. ‘Do you drink tea or coffee?’‘Either is fine for me, Professor Sawyer.’‘Tea it is, then,’ Vince said. ‘But we’ll have to drink it later.’‘Oh, that’s right. The salon.’ Yvonne stood up and stretched. ‘Let’s go then.’‘Wait.’ Alessia was confused. ‘I thought we were doing an interview.’Yvonne laughed. ‘Yes, but not here, and not with me. Vince has asked me to introduce you to a couple of artists at the salon. Painters, sculptors, illustrators, what have you. Then you can do a series, like what you did with Professor Hurley and his students.’‘Wow. That’s a wonderful idea. Thank you. Thank you so much.’ Alessia was both surprised and touched.This was a huge favour.Yvonne winked at her. ‘Don’t thank me. Vince made me do it.’‘
Alessia was a special woman, able to constantly surprise him.She was ceaselessly strong and independent.She had her principles, but at the same time, she was magnanimous.‘Is there anything you want to ask me?’ he said.Alessia pondered the question. ‘If Sirena were still alive, would you still want to be with me?’‘I’m destined to be with you,’ Logan said. ‘Sirena and I were doomed to go nowhere.’In fact, if not for her sudden and shocking demise, Sirena would be just another ex-girlfriend to him, consigned to a corner of his memory and eventually forgotten.‘You and I were destined to meet and be together,’ he said earnestly. ‘Alessia, you are different from everyone else.’Alessia nodded. ‘Okay, I believe you.’They enjoyed a quiet and rejuvenating swim together.When they got out of the pool, Logan put his arms around her waist.This time, she didn’t pull back.Taking that as an encouraging sign, he lowered his head and kissed her gently on the forehead.‘I’m starving,’ she sai
‘Because my boss would dock my pay, and I don’t see the need for it.’ Alessia glanced around. ‘If you’d like to talk, we can do it right here. There’s a diner on the adjacent street, Uncle Erasmo’s. He doesn’t serve lobster, but makes some pretty decent grilled fish.’‘A diner?’ Albert scrunched up his nose. ‘Too crowded. Too noisy. I bet they serve food on disposable plates.’Alessia shrugged, her attitude clear: take it or leave it.‘Fine.’ Albert yielded.Alessia led the way.Uncle Erasmo greeted her with his usual enthusiasm and showed them to the private booth.Alessia ordered for the two of them. ‘Isn’t your assistant joining us?’‘He’s on duty.’ Albert gestured for his assistant to leave.Alessia got straight to the point. ‘Mr Wilde, what brings you here?’‘You’re a straightforward person,’ Albert commented approvingly. ‘So I’ll be frank as well. It’s about Logan. You should know that he’s my only grandchild, and I have high hopes for him. In fact, I’ve spent the past year sear
Early in the morning, Alessia took Veronica to the hospital.Veronica had been running a slight fever all night, showing no signs of improvement even after Alessia gave her some over-the-counter antipyretics.At the hospital lobby, they heard someone calling, ‘Alessia!’Turning around, Alessia spotted Brayden Scott.He was dressed in a suit and leather shoes but looked thinner and a little gaunt.‘Brayden?’ Veronica was equally shocked and felt a pang of disgust at the sight of him.Alessia shook her head. ‘I don’t know.’Brayden strode towards the two sisters.Looking at Alessia, his deep eyes flashed with a trace of affection.They hadn’t seen each other for weeks, and Brayden felt Alessia had become even more beautiful.She was dressed in a simple white lace blouse with ruffles on her sleeves, giving her a cute appearance.Her hair was tied up in a ponytail, making her look neat and young, revealing her slender neck and fair skin.Red lips bright and plump, she stood out in the cro
Alessia shuddered at the sight of Connie’s sinister smile.An impossible thought suddenly occurred to her.She grasped Connie’s wrist. ‘D-did you hurt him?’Connie just kept smiling.Alessia grabbed her shoulders and shook them hard. ‘Tell me, did you have something to do with my baby’s death?’‘You’ll never know,’ Connie said.Then she threw her head back and laughed.The maniacal laughter made Alessia shiver.That was when she confirmed Connie had really gone insane.The next instant, Connie lunged forward, going for Alessia’s throat. ‘I’m going to kill you!’‘Connie!’ Brayden threw himself in front of Alessia and grunted in pain as Connie elbowed him in the stomach.Veronica yanked Alessia back, out of harm’s range. ‘Brayden, she belongs to a mental institution!’‘I know,’ Brayden wheezed out.The cameras were now trained on Connie as she screeched and clawed at Brayden.‘I’m sorry.’ Brayden subdued a struggling Connie. ‘I’ll get her out of here.’***Throughout the rest of the day
‘What baby?’ Brayden looked away.‘You know what baby I’m talking about.’ Alessia sat up straight. ‘Brayden, look at me.’He turned to face her.‘You were at the hospital the day I gave birth.’ Alessia ignored the ache in her heart and plunged into the dark memory. ‘Doctors gave me anaesthesia. When I woke up, I had Milo with me. Connie told me the other baby was stillborn and the body was taken away by the doctors.’Brayden swallowed. ‘That’s right.’‘Did you see it?’‘See what?’‘The…baby’s body.’Brayden pressed his knees together. ‘No. It was Connie who took care of everything. I wasn’t allowed inside the delivery room. I don’t know anything.’‘Really?’‘Really?’ Brayden nodded as if to emphasise his point. ‘All I know is what Connie told me, which must be the same as what she told you.’Alessia pressed, ‘What about the body? What did the doctors do with it?’Brayden shrugged a shoulder. ‘I don’t know. I suppose there are standard protocols for things like that.’‘Connie told me s
After getting over the shock that Arlie was Logan’s biological son, Heath suggested maybe Sirena was the mother.But Logan ruled it out, since Arlie was born several months after Sirena passed away and she’d left the country long before that, anyway.Heath asked if Logan ever used the services of a sperm bank.Logan said no.Heath asked if Logan had ever slept with someone without using condoms.Logan said no, except for that time with Alessia.And then they ran out of ideas.The most likely scenario remained that Logan had slept with someone, possibly someone he didn’t remember, and the woman later either abandoned the baby or sold it off.Heath promised to look into it.Logan cursed inwardly.Heath was painting him out to be a Lothario.How could he not remember sleeping with someone?The night with Alessia was an exception, as he was drugged.But apart from Heath’s theory of a one-night stand with a mystery woman, Logan couldn’t come up with a logical explanation for Arlie’s existe
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