Chapter: CHAPTER SIXTY THREECHAPTER SIXTY THREENarrative POVDean Jacqueline Keith stepped into the large conference room. “Let's all try to be quick,” she spoke to her assistant. “Did you send the mail to all the lecturers?”“Yes, Dean Keith,” the young assistant answered. She has also made sure the room was clean and all the dean's papers were in order. It was the annual sports and athletics committee board meeting, and everything had to be exact, or she would get fired.“Dean Jacqueline,” the young assistant said. “Before the meeting starts, I just checked your mail and there is something that you need to see, and attend to yourself.”“Can it not wait?” Jacqueline asked, her forehead twisted into a frown.“No.”She sighed and took the tablet from the girl, sitting down at her spot in the head of the table.“Oh my God,” Jacqueline gasped. “Send a mail to Coach Agatha, quick. Tell her the meeting had been cancelled. Call her if you need to.”The assistant left the hall to do as she was instructed, while Jacque
Last Updated: 2025-12-22
Chapter: CHAPTER SIXTY-TWOSera’s POVI grinned heavily. My first stream with K/DA was going amazingly. “Guys, it's so awesome to have you here,” I squealed, racing against a volunteer. “We’ll soon be going on a break, where I will be accepting calls, okay?”I finished the race quickly, squealing when I saw the series of gifts my followers had given me. “Okay, first call.”Donations rolled in every minute, and in the three hours, I had managed to make more money than I had seen when tutoring people.My screen glitched, and a young girl's face was there. “Hi, Seraphiona,” she screamed.“Hello to you, angel. Do you have any questions for me?”“I am a girl, and I am interested in e-sports like you,” she said. “My school's coach refuses to let me play because it's a male sport.”I rolled my eyes. “Your coach is a liar, and he is just sexist. Can you tell me his name and the name of your school so that I can start a hashtag?” Her eyes twinkled. “Oh, would you? Thank you. My school's name is Graceton High, and his na
Last Updated: 2025-12-22
Chapter: CHAPTER SIXTY-ONECHAPTER SIXTY-ONE Marcus POVI hung the life jackets on the shelf, my eyes scanning the entrance to make sure no one was coming in while I was at the back.The phone began to ring. I ignored it at first, needing to complete my work, but it rang again, silencing the relative peace I had in the shop.I walked to the counter, sighing heavily. I loved this job so far, but I still preferred being a coach. “Hello?”“Hey, Marcus?”A grin stretched across my face. “Eric,“ I answered. I have been waiting for your call.”Eric was a journalism student I knew with a special interest in sports. He was the one who covered our games when we went on tours and competitions, and he became a good friend to me over time. I had always given him special privileges.“Whatever you are doing,” he answered, “it's working.”My lips twitched. “Really?”“I called her this morning, yeah? Shes ansty already. I am, hello Miss Agatha, could you spare some time to talk to me about something important? I promise not
Last Updated: 2025-12-22
Chapter: CHAPTER SIXTYCHAPTER SIXTYDylan's POVI walked into the training facility alone. Naomi had to go get someone important, and I decided not to wait for her. If I was going to win the next games, I had to practice.A few guys were playing already. “Annyeonghaseyo,” I greeted.“Annyeonghaseyo,” they replied. I settled down into the chair and started the game.“jeo salam-i migug-in-ingayo?” I heard one ask the other if I was the American in their language. I wondered if they knew I could understand, but I ignored them.“ne, maj-ayo. geuga ije silbeojeudo mos igindago deul-eoss-eoyo,” the second one replied, laughing. “migug-eneun dodaeche eotteon hyeongpyeon-eobsneun chaempieondeul-i issneun geoya?”My hands fisted into a ball. How dare they call me a trashy champion? Why would they even think that?“gyesoghaeseo geue daehae iyagihamyeon dangsin-eul bagsalnael geos gat-eun geuleon yuhyeong-ui chaempieon,” I hissed. Their faces twisted into similar shocked expressions.“Yeah, that's rig
Last Updated: 2025-12-18
Chapter: CHAPTER FIFTY-NINECHAPTER FIFTY-NINESERA’S POVI stepped down from the bus, the hit afternoon sun shining in my eyes. Boot camp was my favourite part of streaming, and I could not wait to start.Even though that bitch almost made me loose it.I dragged my small luggage behind me. “Hi,” I smiled at the receptionist. “I am with—”“She's with us,” I heard from behind me. Romeo and a group of my teammates were standing there, and it seemed they had already checked in.I had not seen or spoken to Romeo since that day I saw him at Agatha's house. “Thank you,” I said to the receptionist.“You're late,” Romeo said.“I had a test,” I replied, staring up at him. “How is everyone?”He bit his lips. “That's what it is?”“What are you talking about?” I asked, my Express blank.“Sera, it's not what you think,” he sighed, taking my bag from me. “Agatha is—”“I do not care, Romeo. I genuinely don't.”Something in my gaze must have gotten to him. “Great, well then I should tell you what's been
Last Updated: 2025-12-18
Chapter: CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHTCHAPTER FIFTY EIGHTAGATHA’S POVCause Tonight's gonna be a good night. Tonight's gonna be a good night…The music floated in my house as I dressed up, bobbing my head along to it. I applied my gloss, then straightened my suit. “Alexa,” I called, “turn music off.”“You look good,” I said, staring at my reflection in the mirror. Many might think I was shallow, but being a woman in esports and being a coach? I had to be cutthroat.I stepped out of my house. There was a small box in front of my door. “What is this?” I said, bending down to pick it up.“For Miss Agatha,” was all the note said.I glanced at my wrist watch. I was meant to talk to the new trainees, but I still had a full hour before I had to see them. I took the box inside, humming beneath my breath.I grabbed a small blade. Maybe this was a gift from Tylson, I thought. He was so sweet.I opened the box. “Huh?”There were no gifts. Just different stacks of envelopes, all properly labeled. I lifted the first
Last Updated: 2025-12-18
Chapter: Chapter 126. THE ENDThe morning of Angela's wedding dawned clear and bright, with the kind of golden September light that made everything look like it had been touched by magic. Bella stood at the kitchen window of the farmhouse, watching the catering crew set up tables and chairs in the backyard where Angela would marry David in just a few hours.Twenty-six years old now, Angela had grown into a confident, accomplished woman who worked as a journalist for the state newspaper and had met David, a fellow reporter, while covering a story about local education initiatives. Their love story had unfolded over two years of shared deadlines, late-night conversations, and a mutual passion for truth-telling that reminded Bella so much of her own journey with Killian."Mom, have you seen my earrings?" called twenty-one-year-old James from the hallway, his voice carrying the slight panic of someone running late. Home from art school for his sister's wedding, James had grown into a tall, thoughtful young man whose p
Last Updated: 2025-08-14
Chapter: Chapter 125The sound of sixteen-year-old Angela's bedroom door slamming echoed through the farmhouse, followed by the muffled sounds of tears and what Bella was pretty sure was furniture being moved in frustration. From the living room where she sat grading papers at the kitchen table that had become her makeshift office, Bella sighed and looked up at Killian, who was helping nine-year-old James with his science project."Should I go up?" Bella asked quietly, mindful of seven-year-old Emma doing homework nearby and five-year-old Liam building an elaborate tower with blocks on the floor."Give her a few minutes," Killian suggested, his voice equally low. "She's been wound pretty tight lately."Two-year-old Grace looked up from her coloring book, her dark curls bouncing as she turned toward the stairs. "Sissy sad?" she asked with the concerned expression that had become her trademark whenever any family member was upset."Sissy's okay, sweetheart," Bella assured her, though she wasn't entirely con
Last Updated: 2025-08-14
Chapter: Chapter 124The morning sun streamed through the kitchen windows of their renovated farmhouse, casting golden light across the breakfast table where controlled chaos reigned supreme. Five-year-old James sat in his booster seat, carefully arranging his pancakes into a tower while twelve-year-old Angela helped three-year-old Emma cut her fruit into tiny pieces. At the head of the table, Killian bounced one-year-old Liam on his knee while trying to drink his coffee and read work emails simultaneously."Daddy, James is playing with his food again," Emma announced with the serious tone of a child who took rule-following very seriously."I'm not playing, I'm building," James corrected with the patient air of someone who had explained this many times before. "This is the Leaning Tower of Pancakes.""It's going to fall," Angela warned, reaching over to steady the wobbling stack."That's the point," James said matter-of-factly. "Then I get to eat the ruins."Bella smiled as she flipped more pancakes at th
Last Updated: 2025-08-14
Chapter: Chapter 123The first contraction hit Bella at three in the morning on a snowy February night, jolting her awake with a sharp pain that radiated across her lower back and around her swollen belly. She lay still for a moment, breathing through it, wondering if this was finally it or just another false alarm like the ones she'd been having for the past week.When the pain subsided, she glanced over at Killian, who was sleeping peacefully beside her, one arm thrown across his eyes to block out the soft glow from the nightlight they'd started keeping on for late-night bathroom trips. She didn't want to wake him yet – not until she was sure this was real labor and not just more Braxton Hicks contractions.Twenty minutes later, when the second contraction gripped her with unmistakable intensity, she knew this was it. Their baby was coming."Killian," she whispered, gently shaking his shoulder. "Killian, wake up."He was alert immediately, the way he'd been sleeping for the past month – ready to spring
Last Updated: 2025-08-14
Chapter: Chapter 122The autumn leaves crunched beneath Bella's feet as she walked through the park, her hand resting protectively over the gentle curve of her growing belly. Six months had passed since the wedding, and life had settled into a rhythm she had never dared to dream possible. The morning sickness had finally subsided, leaving her with that radiant glow everyone talked about but she had never quite believed in until now.Killian walked beside her, his arm wrapped securely around her waist, occasionally glancing down at her with that same look of wonder and protectiveness that had become second nature to him. He still couldn't quite believe it sometimes – that they were married, that they were expecting their first child, that all the chaos and danger was truly behind them."I can't believe how much everything has changed," Bella said softly, watching Angela run ahead of them, chasing fallen leaves with unbridled joy. The little girl had grown so much in just these few months, both physically a
Last Updated: 2025-08-14
Chapter: Chapter 121The day of the wedding had finally arrived. The morning sun streamed through the windows as everyone prepared for the ceremony. After all the chaos and danger they had faced, this day felt like a gift - a chance to celebrate love and new beginnings.The guests filled the chairs that had been arranged in neat rows, all facing toward the altar where Killian stood waiting. He looked handsome in his dark suit, but there was nervousness in his eyes as he watched the aisle, waiting for his bride to appear.When the music began to play, everyone turned to watch Bella walk down the aisle. She looked absolutely radiant in her mother's wedding gown. The dress fit her perfectly, as if it had been waiting all these years just for her. The lace caught the light beautifully, and the train flowed behind her like a river of silk.Nora walked beside her sister, holding a beautiful bouquet of white roses and baby's breath. She had insisted on being the one to walk Bella down the aisle, since they were
Last Updated: 2025-08-14
Chapter: CHAPTER FORTY-THREECHAPTER CHAPTER FORTY-THREE: LAW SCHOOL BEGINSSophia’s POVI rushed into class, late for the third time this week. My lecturer frowned deeply, but he said nothing while I went to my seat, looking down.“Sorry,” I said, pushing through people to get to my seat. My friend Jessica was smiling, and she lifted her bag for me to sit down.“Long night?” She asked.I rolled my eyes. “Tiffany is going through a phase,” I said. Jessica was a single mother of a five-year-old. “Damien had to go out all night, and she was very agitated.”“Refused daycare, eh?” she asked.Yes, it had gotten to the stage where my daughter cried every time she had to go to school. We listened to the rest of the lecture, and then Jessica followed me home.“Would you like a cup of coffee?” I asked.“Yes, please,” Jessica replied, setting her bag on the table. “It's so nice, coming home to an empty house.”I laughed. “Yeah, I barely have time for myself again. Being a parent is amazing, but Christ.”
Last Updated: 2025-12-18
Chapter: CHAPTER FORTY-TWO:CHAPTER FORTY-TWO: NEW BEGINNINGS SOPHIA’S POVOne Year Later“Damien,” I shrieked. My husband came into the study, followed by my toddler. “Look at it,” I pushed the laptop screen towards him. “I'm so scared I can't look.”“You were amazing in school, baby, I am sure they would want you,” Damien replied, shooing me away. K got out of the seat and went behind him, picking up Tiffany.I graduated from school with my B.sc degree in criminal studies. Damien was so proud of me, and he was shocked when I told him I wanted to apply for law school now.“I want to help women like me,” I had said.He supported me, helped me get the forms, and write the entrance examinations. Now, the results were here. “What does it say?”Damien rolled his eyes. “I am trying to log into your portal.”He pressed a bit, and then turned to me with a huge grin.“I…got in?”He stood of and lifted me, spinning I am Tiffany in the air. “You got in,” he shouted. “My wife's going to be a defense At
Last Updated: 2025-12-18
Chapter: CHAPTER FORTY-ONECHAPTER FORTY-ONE: THE PAST RESURFACESSOPHIA’S POVI pushed the cart, looking for the bag of chips Damien liked. She was inside her stroller and pushing both things was quite difficult. Unfortunately, Damien had a meeting today, and we were running seriously low on groceries.“Here it is, baby,” I cooed. “Here's your Daddy's favorite chips.”I sighed. “Okay, next stop, cashier's counter,” I said with a smile. I grabbed both the cart and my baby stroller and turned, looking down at Tiffany.When I raised my head, a man was standing in the produce section. I smiled first, trying to be polite, but then he dropped what he was holding and started walking towards me.When he was closer, my blood went cold.I let go of my cart and grabbed just the stroller. “Let's go,” I hissed, spinning around. I could grocery shop somewhere else, not where that…bastard was.I sighted the exit, and just before I moved, the man blocked my path. “Sophia Kane,” he said.I looked up at Charlie
Last Updated: 2025-12-18
Chapter: CHAPTER FORTYCHAPTER FORTY: NEW IDENTITIESDAMIEN’S POV“Are you certain?” I whispered, looking back at my child and her mother. “Is it safe now?”“Yes, Mr. Kane,” Agent Chen said. “It was easy to do, along with the testimony of your wife. The entire Kane organization has been dismantled. Your father is in prison, and he'll be there for a long long time.”I nodded. “What about the rest?”“Multiple heads have been arrested too. You should have seen them, scrambling to escape and running into us at their private airstrips,” I heard someone shout in the background and the detective pulled her phone away from her ears. “You're free to resurface.”I sucked in a deep breath. “That is good news then,” I said.“It's the same offer. Free brand new identities, and you all can be in the witness program if you want to.”I didn't but I couldn't not make the decision alone. “I will get back to you. My wife and I, we need to discuss.”I hung up the call. “Who was that?” Sophia asked, bouncing Tiffany on her laps
Last Updated: 2025-12-18
Chapter: CHAPTER THIRTY-NINECHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: THE BIRTHSOPHIA’S POVIt has been three months of bliss. I was finally approaching my ninth month slowly, baby Tiffany got checked every week—because of her meddling father —and we finally settled into a life of no drama.The Kane case was still at court, and because of that, we were still very careful dealing with the outside world. Dr. Martinez managed to get a job at the hospital here in Florida, and I still suspected Damien had something to do with it.“Where are you going?” Damien asked half asleep.I had even barely moved. “I need to pee,” I replied, wincing. “Tiffany thinks my bladder is a ball.”“I'm sorry,” he mumbled. “Let me come with you.”I smiled. “No, it's fine. I can still waddle to the bathroom and pee,” I got up from the bed and walked slowly to the toilet. I had been having a little false contractions, and Dr. Martinez assured me it was nothing to worry about.“Okay,” I pushed the oversized sweatpants down my legs. “Time to pee.”A huge amount
Last Updated: 2025-12-18
Chapter: CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHTCHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT: RECOVERYDamien’s POV It has been a month since I finally got rid of my brother. The aftermath was messy, yet, I welcomed it.I could not escape the feds, so when they stormed the apartment, demanding to speak to me, I agreed. I protested when Sophia decided she wanted to talk too, but she ignored me.Adrian was arrested a few days later in the hospital, on the charges of breaking and entering, violation of home arrest, and attempted murder with assault. His lawyers tried to spin a narrative of a husband going to rescue his wife from a deranged kidnapper, but Sophia was the final nail in his coffin.She agreed to testify, but not in court. That day, the little Chinese agent I had been working with was the one in charge, along with a couple of heads watching from outside.“Let's begin,” Agent Chen started. “Please state your name loud enough, so it would be recorded.”Sophia nodded. I stood outside, watching her through the glass, but I had no choice. If I influe
Last Updated: 2025-12-07