The next morning, I could feel the tension hanging in the air as I walked into the office. Even though I'd kept my composure up until now, the weight of what was happening finally started to sink in. This wasn’t just any corporate power struggle—this was my family, my father’s life’s work. And Derek had not only betrayed us, he’d almost led the company into ruin with his reckless decisions. I couldn’t let it slide. Taking a deep breath, I strode into the boardroom, flanked by my father’s trusted secretary, who had become a steady support since my dad was hospitalized. As we approached the meeting table, I saw Derek lounging back in his seat, flipping through his phone, looking as if he hadn’t a care in the world. His casual, unbothered demeanor infuriated me.“Derek,” I said, my voice carrying more authority than I’d ever heard in myself. He glanced up, arching an eyebrow as if he had no idea why I was there. “You’re finally here. Do you mind telling me what’s so important that you
As the days passed, I threw myself into work, determined to dig out every trace of betrayal and expose those who had dared to cross my family. I spent long hours in the office, reviewing documents, making calls, piecing together every lead that would give us the upper hand. There was a fire in me now, burning with a fierce intensity that I’d never felt before. I wasn’t just defending my family’s legacy—I was claiming it.Logan had been by my side, watching me transform into someone different—someone who didn’t hesitate to be ruthless when necessary. I could feel his presence, his silent admiration, as I made strategic calls and bold decisions, every step calculated to dismantle the enemy’s plans. He stayed close, never imposing, yet his gaze seemed to linger a bit longer, his respect for me growing with every decisive move I made.One evening, as I closed another deal that would cut off a significant revenue source for our adversaries, Logan watched from across my desk, his eyes refle
The following morning, the headlines exploded."Prominent Figures in Whitmore Rival Family Face Sudden Downfall.""Whitmore Enterprises’ Longtime Rival Exposed in Shocking Scandal."As the headlines spread like wildfire, I felt the enormity of our victory sink in. The rival family, who had once seemed untouchable, had fallen overnight, and the world was left to piece together what could have possibly caused their sudden downfall. The reporters were relentless, speculating over details, digging for scraps of information. But every rumor only led to dead ends. We had ensured that.I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction as I read the latest article. It recounted the rival family’s loss of power, their assets frozen, and their leaders scrambling to defend themselves against a slew of accusations. For years, they’d been a looming threat to my family’s company, always lurking in the background, trying to undermine us with underhanded tactics and whispers of deceit. Now, th
The next morning, I woke up with a sense of calm that felt almost foreign. Logan’s place was still dim in the early light filtering through the windows, and he was beside me, peacefully asleep, looking more relaxed than I’d ever seen him. For a moment, I just watched him, taking in the stillness of the moment and trying to memorize the feeling.Eventually, though, the demands of reality called. Logan stirred, and as he opened his eyes, he gave me a sleepy smile that melted away any lingering remnants of yesterday’s tension.“Good morning,” he said, his voice still thick with sleep.“Morning,” I replied softly, leaning down to give him a quick kiss. I could feel my face heating up just slightly; I was still getting used to the softness between us, and it surprised me how easily I could grow attached to it.After a lazy breakfast together, it was time to face the real world again. I gathered my things, straightened my hair, and made sure I looked like the composed Aliyah that everyone e
I woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, feeling the warmth of Logan's arm draped across my waist. The reality of waking up beside him sent a quiet thrill through me. Careful not to wake him, I slipped out of bed, glancing back to see him still peacefully asleep. I spotted one of his shirts hanging off the chair and pulled it over my head, the fabric oversized and comfortable, smelling faintly like him.In the kitchen, I started making breakfast, gathering ingredients as quietly as I could. The sound of eggs cracking and the gentle sizzle of the pan filled the silence, calming me as I moved. Just as I was flipping the eggs, I felt the warmth of his body behind me, his arms sliding around my waist, pulling me close. I stilled, feeling his chin rest on my shoulder."Good morning," he murmured, his voice still heavy with sleep. His breath tickled my neck, and I felt a shiver run through me."Morning," I replied, trying to sound casual, though my heart was beati
As I sat at our table, sipping the last bit of my coffee, I glanced at my watch. Logan had excused himself to the restroom nearly five minutes ago, but something just didn’t feel right. He wasn’t the type to linger, especially on a day like this. Concern creeping in, I stood up and made my way toward the back of the cafe. As I turned the corner, I found a small crowd gathering near the restrooms. In the center of it all stood Logan, his face a mixture of frustration and disbelief, and a woman I didn't recognize who was loudly accusing him of harassment. “He grabbed my arm and wouldn’t let go!” she cried out, her voice laced with anger and something suspiciously close to dramatics. A few people in the crowd gasped, casting judgmental glances at Logan. My blood boiled instantly. There was no way I’d let someone try to ruin his name. I strode forward, pushing through the small crowd until I stood between Logan and this woman. “Excuse me,” I said, my voice cold and cutting. The woman
The atmosphere in the hospital room was calm, but the weight of the conversation that was about to unfold hung heavy in the air. Logan and I had just entered my father’s room, the steady beeping of machines offering a sense of normalcy in an otherwise uncertain situation. My father, looking far healthier than he had a few days ago, flashed a smile when he saw us.“Ah, my two favorite people,” he teased, his voice still slightly raspy from his time in the hospital. He glanced between Logan and me, his eyes narrowing with a knowing glint. “I can see something different today. You two are acting a bit… different than usual.”I shot him a pointed look, my cheeks flushing slightly under the intensity of his gaze. “What are you talking about, Dad?” I tried to keep my tone light, but my father had a way of getting under my skin when it came to certain topics, especially when it came to my personal life.Logan, ever the composed man, raised an eyebrow at my father, a knowing smirk tugging at
As Aliyah stepped out of the room, leaving Logan and her father alone, a comfortable silence lingered for a few moments. The beeping of the machines in the hospital room filled the space between them, but the tension that had been there earlier now dissipated, replaced by something more solemn.Her father, Mr. Whitmore, shifted in his hospital bed, his gaze resting on Logan. The man before him had always seemed composed, confident, and sure of himself, but now there was a sense of weight in the air, a silent understanding between them. After a long, drawn-out breath, Mr. Whitmore spoke, his voice low and deliberate."Logan, I know you care about my daughter," he began, his eyes steady as he watched Logan. "And I’m glad she has someone like you in her life. But you need to understand something—Aliyah... she’s been through a lot. She's had her own share of heartbreak, of betrayal, that’s made her cautious, especially when it comes to matters of the heart."Logan remained silent for a mo
The kitchen was quiet now, save for the soft clink of plates being stacked and the occasional hum of the refrigerator. We had just finished breakfast, the warm aroma of pancakes and coffee still lingering in the air. I glanced at Logan, who had pushed his empty plate away, his eyes already shifting toward the clock. It was time for him to get ready for work. I felt a dull ache in my body, a reminder of the night before. But it didn’t stop me from feeling a warmth in my chest as I cleared the table. Logan and I shared a soft smile, the kind of smile that said everything without needing words. There was something so simple and comforting about mornings like this—just the two of us, taking things slow, enjoying each other’s presence before the world outside pulled us in different directions. Logan stood up, stretching his arms above his head with a yawn. “I’m gonna get ready,” he said, his voice still thick with sleep. “Don’t overdo it, okay?” I smiled at him, shaking my head. “I’l
I woke to the soft light of the morning creeping through the edges of the curtains. For a moment, everything felt hazy—the kind of foggy morning when you know you’ve had a good night but still feel the remnants of it in your body. The soreness hit me first. It wasn’t painful, more like a gentle ache, a reminder of last night. My skin was warm with the lingering sensation of Logan's touch, and as my hand brushed against the sheets, I could feel the marks he left behind—his hands, his lips, his warmth. It was funny, in a way. I should’ve been groaning and rolling back over to go to sleep, but instead, I felt a sense of contentment that I hadn’t realized I needed until now. The room was quiet, save for the gentle hum of the fridge in the kitchen. Logan’s soft breathing filled the space beside me, and I glanced over at him, still sound asleep, his tousled hair falling over his forehead, the covers tangled around his body. He looked peaceful—completely at ease, and it made my heart swell.
The dinner had been a tense affair, with Aliyah's father dominating the conversation, his deep voice filling the cozy dining room. Logan, sitting across from his girlfriend, Aliyah, felt a simmering impatience as he politely engaged in small talk with her father. He longed for the moment they would be alone, away from the scrutinizing eyes of her parent. Aliyah, with her dark, sultry eyes and full lips, seemed to sense his restlessness, a mischievous smile playing on her face throughout the meal. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Aliyah's father stood, his tall frame towering over the table. "Well, I should be heading off. You two enjoy the rest of your evening." He gave a warm smile, seemingly oblivious to the electric tension crackling between the young couple. As soon as the front door clicked shut, Logan was in motion. He rounded the table in a swift stride, his eyes locked on Aliyah. Her heart raced as she watched him approach, knowing what was to come. With a swift,
The sun filtered through the hospital blinds, painting the walls with soft streaks of gold. It was my discharge day, and I couldn’t be happier. After days of recovering in the sterile environment of the hospital, I was ready to feel the fresh air on my face and return to normal life. Logan had been by my side throughout, his steady presence a source of comfort, and my father had dropped by regularly, bringing a mix of concern and teasing to keep me grounded. I was halfway through packing my belongings when the door opened, and in strolled my father, Oliver Whitmore, with his usual air of authority. His sharp suit, as always, was impeccable, but the warmth in his eyes softened his otherwise commanding demeanor. He stopped near the bed and gave me a once-over. “Well, look at you, Miss Whitmore,” he began with a mock-serious tone. “Out of bed, moving around, looking like you’re ready to conquer the world again.” I smirked as I folded the last of my things. “It’s about time, don’t y
It had been a few days since I’d gotten out of the hospital, and I was slowly regaining my energy. The fog in my head was clearing, and for the first time in a while, I felt like myself again. The tension that had been hanging in the air between me and Logan had faded, and I could sense a familiar comfort returning between us. Logan had barely left my side since the incident. He was always there—whether it was bringing me food, keeping me company, or making sure I had everything I needed. I could tell he was worried, but he never said a word. His presence alone was enough to make me feel safe. That evening, a few of my friends stopped by to check on me. Perlas, Iris, and even Ben made an appearance, bringing laughter and warmth to the room. We spent hours talking, reminiscing about old memories, and catching up. But through it all, I couldn’t help but notice Logan sitting quietly beside me, his eyes always on me, making sure I was okay. At one point, I caught him staring at me for
The soft rustling of the hospital room faded as I sat up in bed, slowly peeling back the covers. I hadn’t realized how much the weight of everything had been hanging on me until now—how long it had been since I felt like I could finally breathe easy. As I was idly stirring my breakfast, lost in thought, the door creaked open. My head snapped up, expecting to see one of the nurses, but instead, I was met with the familiar sight of my father. I blinked, not sure if I was imagining things. My heart leapt in my chest at the sight of him. It was a rare thing to see him drop the composed act, and yet, there he was, standing in the doorway, his face a strange mix of concern and relief. “Dad?” I said, my voice catching in my throat. For a moment, neither of us spoke. He just stood there, looking at me with those tired eyes of his, his lips parted like he was trying to find the right words. It hit me then—how much he must’ve been worrying, how much he must’ve felt helpless, and the realizat
I slowly opened my eyes, the soft glow of the night light casting a warm hue over the room. For a moment, everything was blurry, and the steady beeping of the monitor was the only sound that reminded me I was still in the hospital. My body felt heavy, but I could tell I was no longer in pain. As my eyes focused, I saw Logan sitting in the chair by the window, his back to me. He was leaning forward, watching the TV intently, though the tension in his posture was impossible to miss. His shoulders were slightly hunched, his fingers tapping absentmindedly on his leg. I wondered how long he’d been there. I glanced at the screen and froze. The headline flashing across the news caught my attention: *"Controversial Family Drama Involving Aliyah Whitmore, Liliana Whitmore, and Her Uncle."* My heart dropped into my stomach, and a shiver ran through me. The last thing I wanted to see was my name splashed across the news, especially tied to Liliana and my uncle. I quickly looked away from the
The next time my eyes fluttered open, the world around me was clearer. The blur of shapes and colors had sharpened into something familiar. The ceiling above me, the soft hum of machinery, the scent of antiseptic—I was in a hospital. It took a moment for the weight of reality to settle in. I wasn’t dreaming. I was awake. My body felt weak, heavy like lead, but my mind was finally lucid enough to process the world around me. “Aliyah!” The sound of my name came from a voice I recognized instantly. I turned my head, though even that simple motion felt like climbing a mountain. My gaze met my father’s. His face was a mixture of panic and overwhelming relief. His usually calm demeanor was gone; his hands trembled as he reached out but hesitated, as if afraid I might break. “Aliyah, sweetheart, you’re awake,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I can’t believe it. You… you’re really here.” Behind him, Logan stood frozen, his expression unreadable. But his eyes—those deep,
The courtroom was tense, a battlefield of arguments and counterarguments. Logan sat beside Oliver, their presence commanding the room. Both men wore stoic expressions, though their minds were anything but calm. Logan’s focus remained outwardly sharp, but inside, his thoughts kept drifting to Aliyah. She had been his anchor amidst the chaos, and the image of her lying unconscious haunted him. Oliver, too, felt the weight of it all. His daughter’s strength had always been his pride, but seeing her so vulnerable had shaken him in ways he couldn’t express. He masked his worry with determination, knowing that showing any weakness now would only give their enemies ammunition. Together, they were a united front, an impenetrable wall of resolve, but underneath, they were just two men desperately worried about someone they loved. Back at the hospital, Diane sat in Aliyah’s quiet ward, her tablet propped up as she watched the live courtroom feed. The trial had captivated her attention, bu