"Good morning, Aunt Layla," Kaira greeted as she stepped out of her room and into the kitchen, where Layla was busy making breakfast."Morning, honey. Did you sleep well?" Layla asked, glancing up briefly as she flipped a pancake."Yeah, I did," Kaira lied, forcing a smile. The truth was far different—she’d been feeling nauseous and had been throwing up since she woke.Layla frowned, studying her niece. "You don’t look like it, Kaira.""I’m fine, Aunt Layla," Kaira insisted, brushing off the concern and stepping closer to help with the pancakes."No. You need rest, Kaira. I’ve got this," Layla said, gently but firmly steering her out of the kitchen."But—""No buts, Kaira. You need to visit the hospital," Layla said, guiding her to the couch and making her sit down."There’s no need for that, Aunt Layla. I must’ve eaten something bad—that’s why I’ve been throwing up," Kaira admitted, rubbing her temples as she spoke.Layla paused, her eyes narrowing. "Wait, did you say you’ve been thr
“Congratulations, ma’am. You’re two months pregnant,” Dr. Grace said with a warm smile, confirming what Aunt Layla had suspected.“Two months?” Kaira repeated, her eyes wide with disbelief. How could she have been so oblivious to the changes in her own body?“Yes, Mrs. Ashford,” Dr. Grace replied, still beaming.Kaira sat back in the chair, clutching the test results as a swirl of emotions washed over her—fear, joy, uncertainty. She wondered how Sebastian would react to the news, given everything that had been happening lately.Would he even want to raise a child with her? The thought lingered as she left the hospital.Her mind quickly returned to the puzzle she had been trying to solve about her grandmother’s death. Every clue led back to Sebastian. The police had shown her footage of one of his cars driving through her grandmother’s neighborhood. Minutes after it passed, the ambulance that carried her grandmother’s body appeared. The car had a visible dent on its front bumper, raisi
“How did he get out of this?!” Mathias shouted, slamming the remote onto the floor. The news of Sebastian’s release from police custody played on the screen, fueling his anger. “They closed the case due to lack of evidence,” Julian said, sitting across from his father. His irritation was clear as he stared at the TV. “I told you to do whatever it takes to make sure he ended up in prison!” Mathias snapped, as if blaming Julian for Sebastian’s freedom. “I did everything I could, Father,” Julian replied firmly. “But the Ashfords are powerful. They’ll do anything to protect him.” Mathias gritted his teeth, inhaling sharply. “So, that’s it? He just gets away with it?” His voice was bitter, but his real concern wasn’t justice—it was his vendetta against Sebastian and Kaira. “It looks that way,” Julian said with a smirk. “But don’t worry. He’ll be too busy dealing with the fallout to come after us.” “Good. That’s exactly what we need,” Mathias said, his tone sharpening. “Make sur
“You shouldn’t have seen that, princess,” Sebastian said in a low, measured tone, his eyes fixed on the photo.Kaira let out a bitter chuckle. “Then you should’ve done a better job hiding it,” she snapped, her annoyance clear.“Why do you even have this photo, Sebastian?” she asked cautiously, holding it up for him to see.Without hesitation, Sebastian snatched the photo from her hands. “It’s nothing of importance, princess,” he replied coldly, tearing the picture in half as if destroying it could erase the fact she’d seen it.Kaira’s voice rose sharply, laced with fury. “Not important? It’s important to me when I’m the one in the photo!” She stood abruptly, her glare piercing.Her tone turned ice-cold. “Tell me the truth, Sebastian. Did you make that fake photo to smear my name? To ruin my relationship with Julian?”Sebastian reached for her, but she yanked her hand away, her eyes blazing. “Don’t touch me! Answer me, Sebastian. Did you do it?”“Ruin your relationship?” Sebastian repe
Kaira had been avoiding Sebastian for days, retreating to the guest room and going out whenever possible. She spent her days with Nora, carefully timing her returns home to ensure the house was dark and quiet. She couldn't bear to face him—not yet.Did they question her behavior? Of course, they did. But she lied, as expected. She couldn't admit that she was avoiding her own husband.That night, the house was pitch dark when she crept inside, silently making her way to the guest room like a thief. She was just about to open the door when a voice stopped her cold."You can't keep pretending I don't exist, princess."Kaira spun around, startled as Sebastian flicked on the light behind her. Her heart leapt into her throat."You scared me," she whispered, clutching her chest."Maybe if you'd walked in like the owner of this house instead of sneaking around, you wouldn't be scared," he retorted, his tone calm but edged with frustration.Kaira said nothing, standing frozen as Sebastian step
"Promise me, no more lies," Kaira whispered, her arm gently wrapped around Sebastian's neck."I promise, princess," he replied calmly, his hand tightening possessively around her waist. He was already dressed for work.Kaira hesitated, a shadow of doubt crossing her face. "Is there anything else you're hiding from me?" Her voice wavered slightly, driven by the nagging unease that had settled deep within her.Sebastian smiled, but the curve of his lips seemed too perfect, too practiced. "What more could I possibly hide from you, princess?" he asked lightly, bending down to press a fleeting kiss on her lips."I’ve got nothing to hide from you, okay?" he assured her, his tone soft but steady.Kaira nodded with a small smile as she watched him leave. The door clicked shut behind him, but her unease lingered. For the first time, Sebastian's reassurances didn’t soothe her. The nerves behind his smile, faint but unmistakable, had betrayed him.She didn’t want to let one mistake he made overs
"Promise me, no more lies," Kaira whispered, her arm gently wrapped around Sebastian's neck. "I promise, princess," he replied calmly, his hand tightening possessively around her waist. He was already dressed for work. Kaira hesitated, a shadow of doubt crossing her face. "Is there anything else you're hiding from me?" Her voice wavered slightly, driven by the nagging unease that had settled deep within her. Sebastian smiled, but the curve of his lips seemed too perfect, too practiced. "What more could I possibly hide from you, princess?" he asked lightly, bending down to press a fleeting kiss on her lips. "I’ve got nothing to hide from you, okay?" he assured her, his tone soft but steady. Kaira nodded with a small smile as she watched him leave. The door clicked shut behind him, but her unease lingered. For the first time, Sebastian's reassurances didn’t soothe her. The nerves behind his smile, faint but unmistakable, had betrayed him. She didn’t want to let one mist
"Promise me, no more lies," Kaira whispered, her arm gently wrapped around Sebastian's neck. "I promise, princess," he replied calmly, his hand tightening possessively around her waist. He was already dressed for work. Kaira hesitated, a shadow of doubt crossing her face. "Is there anything else you're hiding from me?" Her voice wavered slightly, driven by the nagging unease that had settled deep within her. Sebastian smiled, but the curve of his lips seemed too perfect, too practiced. "What more could I possibly hide from you, princess?" he asked lightly, bending down to press a fleeting kiss on her lips. "I’ve got nothing to hide from you, okay?" he assured her, his tone soft but steady. Kaira nodded with a small smile as she watched him leave. The door clicked shut behind him, but her unease lingered. For the first time, Sebastian's reassurances didn’t soothe her. The nerves behind his smile, faint but unmistakable, had betrayed him. She didn’t want to let one mist
“Happy birthday, Nora.” Sebastian said with a smile with a banquet of flowers in his hands. “Thank you, Seb.” She responded accepting the flowers. “Happy birthday, bestie.” Kaira quipped, pecking her cheeks. Nora smiled pulling her into a hug. The dinner began once they were settled into their seats. “You’re getting old.” Elijah teased, twirling his fork in his hand. “We are same age, Elijah.” She shot back, ruffling his head like a child. “Now we’re same age, I thought you were always older than I am.” He said mockingly and she shot him an irritated glare. “Enough bickering already.” Caleb scolded, shaking his head in slight amusement. “He started it, Uncle.” Nora defended with a pout, adjusting her chair. They were having their usual family dinner which held each month and it had happened to fall on Nora’s birthday. “But he’s right, Nora. You’re getting old.” Sebastian teased. “I’m still younger than you are, mister.” She defended, puffing her chest high as thou
Kaira sat in front of the glass with Sebastian standing beside her. The security guard brought Mathias in from the prison doors. “What are you doing here?” He asked in irritation, crossing his arms as he sat on the chair. “You had the opportunity to reject the visit, yet you didn’t.” She retorted with a straight face. She had recovered from the injuries she sustained that was why she was able to visit her father. He was sentenced for murder after under going trial with the evidence they had provided the court with. However Claudia was released due to lack of evidence against her. “Did you ever regret it?” She questioned, studying his features. “Regret what?” He asked feigning ignorance. “Did you ever regret killing my parents?” Sebastian interrupted before Kaira respond. “Kill your parents? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Mathias brows furrowed in confusion. “Ohh, but you do, Mr Blackwood.” He responded blankly, “It wasn’t Kaira’s mother you killed that
Evelyn shuffled through the drawer, hissing in anger when she found nothing—She was out of cash. It has been ten days since she fled in panic after nearly killing Kaira. Ten days of searching for her endlessly. She was laying low in a small motel because she knew the cops were after her. Her parents had been arrested and she was declared wanted. Thankfully, the motel manager didn’t recognize her as the same person trending on news and she was extra careful not to be caught. Evelyn had resulted to pickpocketing to stay alive and yes she hated her current condition, but she couldn’t do much about it. She needed to stay alive. She reached for her phone, scrolling through her contact and pausing at Julian’s name. She bite her lips, contemplating if to call or not. He was the only one who could help her right now, after all they were in same side. Without much thinking, she dialed the line, tapping her feet as she waited patient for him to pick the call. “Evelyn?” Hi
“Can you hear me, Kaira?” Sebastian voice echoed in Kaira’s subconscious.“Sebastian?”She responded in a low tone, trying to open her heavy eyes. “Yes it’s me, princess. Can you see me?” He asked softly, and she felt a hand on her face. She could only see a blur vision of him because her eyes weren’t completely opened. She tried harder, slowly adjusting her eyes to the light in the hospital. She tried to arch her neck, but she couldn’t. It was broken. “Don’t try to hard, princess.” Sebastian said softly, his face coming to her vision. “Sebastian.” She cried out, with a smile on her face. A smile of relief. “Yes, princess. I’m here.” He assured, holding her hand and sitting at the edge of the bed. “My whole body hurts, Sebastian.” She confessed, her voice cracking. “You’ll be fine, princess.” He gave charming smile, kissing her forehead lightly. Her eyes widened as realization hit her. “Our baby.” She said in panic trying to feel her baby bump, but Sebastian held her hands tig
“So the buyer is coming today to see the house.” Mathias announced in a light tone. Evelyn and Claudia’s hummed in response, the sadness on their faces was clear. It still felt surreal that they had really crumbled to that level, and worst to the point of even selling their house to get extra cash.“You are both quiet.” He said, sitting on the couch. “What do you expect me to say, Mathias?” Claudia spat in a harsh tone, “Am I supposed to be happy with the way things are going with us now?” If Mathias were to hold grudges against them for how the treated him when he was in jail,then he would have thrown them out. But he considered them his family which is why he let it go.“We aren’t as broke as you make us out to be, Claudia.” Mathias tried to convince himself than her. “Really, Mathias? We had cars in this house, but what happened to them huh?” She questioned sarcastically. “We sold everything.” Evelyn responded in a gloomy tone. “Exactly, Mathias. We sold everything to clear u
“I want to buy the house.” Kaira declared, after Julian had informed her about Mathias putting up their house on sale. “What?” Sebastian and Julian said in unison, their voices loud from shock.“I said I want to buy the house from them, and the company of course.” She repeated, with a knowing look. “Why could you want to buy their house, princess?” Sebastian quipped, pursing his lips in confusion. “It’s my mother’s house.” She corrected, her eyes darkening, “It’s only fair I take back everything the owe me, right?” “I don’t know, but buying the building seems a little rash…” Julian trailed off when Sebastian shoot him a cold stare.“What are you still doing here, Mr Stone?” He asked in annoyance. Julian sealed his lips, instantly standing up to his feet. What he had understood with Sebastian after working with him for a short while was that he’s calm was only reserved for Kaira. “I’ll be leaving now.” He announced, and they both gave him a subtle nod. He forced a smile on his fac
“What are you doing here?” Claudia’s tone came off harsh, as she stared at Mathias in front of the door. They had laid off staffs because they couldn’t afford such luxury anymore. “This is my house, Claudia.” He snapped, pushing her out of the way, and walking into the house. He was released today, after his lawyer had managed to come up with the money. “When were you released?” She asked in near anger, shutting the doors and following him. “So you did know I was arrested, yet you didn’t bother to coming?” Mathias snarled. Originally he believed they weren’t aware, but it was almost impossible when the news of his arrest was everywhere, yet he forced himself to believe otherwise. “Of what use was it?” Claudia spat out, no longer hiding her emotions. “You’re back, father.” Evelyn beamed, walking into the living room. Mathias sent her a cold stare raising his hand up as she tried to embrace him. “Don’t you dare father me, Evelyn.” She swallowed, flinching away from him. She had n
“It’s been rather peaceful with Mathias in jail.” Kaira remarked with a soft chuckle. “Hasn’t it always been, princess?” Sebastian teased, glancing at her as he massaged her feet.“I feel happy seeing his face on every broadcasting channel I switchto.” She continued, ignoring his teasing. “He’s probably thinking of ways to bail himself out of jail.” Sebastian drawled with a smirk, “He doesn’t know it’s just the beginning.” He chuckled mockingly. “With his ‘precious family’ abandoning him, I doubt he would get himself out.” Kaira said thoughtfully.“Don’t underestimate Mathias, princess. He’ll do everything in his power to get out of there.” Sebastian countered with a dark expression.“Good thing we have other means of putting him in prison.” She quipped, and they both chuckled. “It wouldn’t be too early to celebrate right, Seb?” Kaira’s eyes glinted. “You’re not supposed to be drinking, princess.” Sebastian reprimanded, setting her legs down gently as he to sank on the space clo
The media sparked with news of the former CEO of Blackwood company arrest for embezzlement of funds, and allegations of fraud. It was the headline news on every broadcasting channel, and whispers of it were around the crowd with multiple opinions regarding the arrest.“How did your father allow himself to get arrested?” Claudia snapped with anger written on her face as watched the news.“Do you think that’s the most important at the moment, mother?” Evelyn shoot back, fumbling with her. “What is more important then, Evelyn? Your father should have known better than to walk around smugly without covering up his mess.” She argued bitterly.The family were equally finding out about Mathias arrest through the news. After informing them he was going to visit a business associate, they hadn’t expected him to show up on news hours later.Julian sat by the corner with a smug grin on his face. They were finally beginning to get what they deserve!“Mother, stop already.” Evelyn stated curtly,