Hannah’s POV:It had been almost two weeks since the fire outbreak. The smell of smoke had long faded from the walls of the office, but the memory of it clung to me like a shadow. Luckily, nothing of importance was lost in the flames—just a few files and furniture. The police were still investigating, dragging their feet, or maybe they just had too little to work with.But I hadn’t forgotten what I saw. That fleeting figure, the familiar outline. I was confident Maris had something to do with it. My gut never lied. Still, I kept quiet. For now.The past weeks hadn’t been entirely dark. Our company’s government contract had changed everything. It wasn’t just a project—it was recognition, validation. And today, the fruit of our hard work was about to be displayed for all to see. We were receiving the award for Most Innovative and Fastest Rising New Company.The irony wasn’t lost on me. With this award in hand, it was undeniable: I had won the bet with Maria.I stood before the mirror in
Hannah's POV:Crimson red blazed from the end of the hall. The perpetrator was long gone now. I had called the fire service, and now I was trying to save as much of our documents and property as I could.The fire was still in its early stage; it hadn't begun to spread too wide yet. I dashed down the hall again, grabbing another box of packed gadgets and throwing it down with the others down below.I ran back in again. But now the fire was catching faster, burning as high as the ceiling. Still, I couldn't leave anything behind. I dashed in and grabbed the last of the boxes and headed out.And that was when it happened. The flames burnt loose the weakened ceiling, and it came crashing down in chunks. Before I could realize what was happening, it was too late; a huge piece had landed on my head. I dropped to the floor with a loud yelp.Still, I managed to push the box out of the space with the last of my strength. Now I just lay on the floor, my head aching badly and my vision blurring.
Hannah's POV:What was that thing people say again? What is meant for you will always find you. It's very true.I was in my office, going through some work when I got the call. It was from the government office. “We want your company for the job.”What? It had been barely over a week since Maria was given the contract, and now…Quite frankly, I wasn't surprised. I knew Maria would blow it; I just didn't expect it to be this soon.She went through all that stress of planning her files in my room and painting me as a jealous competitor just to get the contract and lose it.I broke the good news to the team, and we went straight to work. It took us a few days to design and begin construction of the prosthetic legs. The huge budget provided by the government helped fast-track the whole process.Two weeks later, the government sent someone to inspect our progress. I was elated when I saw who it was. “Mrs. Joyce.” I gave her a light hug, and she embraced me fully.“It's been a while. You've
Hannah's POV: I couldn't show it. I couldn't allow him to see how affected I was by seeing him. Because then it meant all my restraints have been for nothing. And what would that make me? Nothing more than a hypocrite. I turned on my heels, set to leave, but something stopped me in my tracks. Not something physical; it was something stronger than that. His words. “Are you that scared of letting love in again?” His words cut through like a blade through skin, sharp and imposingly painful. My legs wobbled, but I held firm. I didn't turn back. I couldn't. “You claim our relationship stopped because of how I reacted to you bailing Lenora out of jail, but really, you stopped because you were scared.” He fired out without missing a bit. My hands rolled into a fist around my bag handle. I didn't want to hear it. “Adam, stop, I—” He didn't. Today he had decided to not back down like the last time. He had decided to get me to admit something that even I myself didn't want to fully beli
Hannah's POV:My father actually made a direct call to the board to personally recommend Maria for the contract. He had strings in the board, and this call automatically meant they would manipulate the result to make Maria emerge the winner of the contract.My father said it was only fair since all evidence pointed to the fact that I deliberately hid her proposal just to get ahead. He was always a man who led with the visible facts first instead of whatever gut feeling he had.“This will balance things up.” He had said before leaving my room with the others.Maria gave a smug smile before she left, one that said, ‘I always get my way.’I didn't fight it. I didn't argue or say another word about the government contract throughout our remaining days in Paris.Soon the family vacation was over, and we were back home. The vacation was meant to bring us closer, but all it did was make me realize how much of an outsider I was to these people.I returned to work the next day, face held up hi
Hannah's POV:I was sprawled on the soft bed, my body still recuperating from yesterday's ordeal. It was one of those mornings where you just felt like sleeping in and not doing anything all day.The windows were still closed, but freckles of light filtered in through the tiny open space as if fighting the curtain for dominance. I curled my body more, adjusting the duvet over my head. I was planning to sleep in for another hour or two before standing up, but that plan was soon interrupted.A loud banging sounded on the door. The force, not the type that room service would have the audacity to do.So who can it be?My hands stretched to the bedside table, and I grabbed my phone to check the time. ‘8:15AM’The banging came again, louder and more forceful this time. But it didn't come alone; it had an accompanying voice. “Hannah, open up!!” Maria bellowed from outside.Why is Maria outside my room door and banging on it like a mad person?I stood up from the bed and wore my flip-flops be