‘Yeah, that’s exactly the way I reacted to the news,’ Veronica said. ‘I don’t know how she got my phone number, but she did. She called me about an hour ago, said she’s back in Veridian. She went to the old Jansen family residence but the house was empty.’Of course it was.Alessia and Veronica had moved out a long time ago, whereas Brayden and Connie, its current occupants, had taken up residence in the city’s detention centre.‘What does she want?’ Alessia asked.‘She’s been asking about you and wants to meet.’Alessia’s mind whirred with conflicting thoughts.Miranda, their elusive mother, had reappeared after all these years.Memories surfaced, echoing the unsettling details Connie had shared about their mother’s past.‘Dad divorced my mother and married yours,’ Connie had said. ‘Miranda only stayed with him long enough to give birth to you and Veronica, then eloped with another man the moment Dad fell sick.’And then she said something even more astonishing.The revelation that A
‘Why do I find that hard to believe?’ Alessia snorted.‘Why would I lie?’ Miranda sounded wounded.‘Because it’s your habit.’‘Do you have that little trust in me?’‘I barely know you.’Miranda threw up both hands, frustrated. ‘What can I do to make you believe me?’‘Nothing. And I think it’s best if you leave now.’‘You are chasing me out?’‘I’ve had a long day, and I’ve got work early in the morning.’‘Can’t I stay here?’ Saying that, Miranda couldn’t help scrunching up her nose as if smelling something foul.‘I’m afraid there’s no space here. And the place is obviously not up to your high standard.’Reluctantly, Miranda rose, her cup of coffee untouched. ‘I’ll be in touch.’‘I’d prefer if you won’t do that.’‘Oh, but Alessia, you are my daughter.’ Miranda batted her eyelashes. ‘How could I miss your wedding?’The way she said it left Alessia in no doubt—it was a promise, and a threat.The next day, Alessia picked up Milo and Arlie from Nova Heights Academy.The kids, always thrille
The hospital bustled with activity, nurses and doctors scurrying about, their footsteps echoing in the sterile halls.Visitors shuffled in and out, their hushed conversations a constant reminder of the life she desperately wanted to return to.As Sirena plotted her escape, she noticed a loose vent grille near the ceiling.She flung aside the quilt and stood on the bed, trying to reach the grille.Before she could examine her potential escape route, however, she heard the door lock beep.Quickly, she jumped down and laid back in bed, feigning sleep.The door slid open, and a doctor entered with a calm and composed demeanour.‘Hi, Sirena, how are you doing? I’m Dr Reynolds. I’m here to talk to you, to help you figure out your problems and provide the support you need.’‘I don’t need a shrink,’ Sirena said defiantly.‘Your Aunt Elaine is a friend of mine. She asked me to come. She’s worried about you.’ Dr Reynolds’ presence, though professional, carried an underlying warmth that aimed to
The security guards glanced up briefly but didn’t seem to pay her much attention.Now standing just outside the hospital, Sirena breathed in a lungful of air, tasting freedom.She glanced around for a means of transport.She had to act fast, before the hospital discovered she was gone and alerted her parents.***Alessia’s eyes fluttered open to the soft glow of morning light filtering through her curtains.She groggily reached for her phone, blinking away sleep, and checked the time.BuzzBeat awaited.A quick shower, a sleek power suit, and she was ready to face the day.Arriving at the office, she was greeted by a chorus of cheers.Colleagues surrounded her, their eyes dancing with excitement.Apparently, Albert’s announcement was still in the news.‘Congrats on the wedding, Alessia! We can’t wait!’They exchanged sly grins, fishing for an invitation.Alessia’s smile faltered.How could she tell them the wedding was off?Luckily, Lee’s arrival rescued her.The photographer handed Al
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
‘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 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
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