Chapter 33 – Whispers and Warnings

Mannie’s POV

I stepped out of the elevator, leaving David behind with his smug face and nosey eyes. I didn’t care that his creepy gaze was still following me. Let him look.

I held my head high and walked straight, pretending I didn’t feel the heat of eyes on my back.

But people were staring.

And worse, they were whispering.

Their words rose like a wave behind me, crashing softly but sharply into my ears.

“Oh, is she now going for the president’s best friend?”

“Tsk… she’s so wild.”

“I pity the man who’s gonna marry her… well, that’s if anyone even wants a woman with eight kids.”

I bit down hard on my bottom lip, willing my legs to keep moving.

“I bet down there is so wide, it’s like a tire hole,” someone muttered with a sneer.

Laughter followed.

My eyes flickered with anger, but I didn’t react. I knew better. If I stopped and snapped at them, it would only give them more fuel.

“I wonder how the president likes someone like her.”

“Me too. I wonder what he sees in a used shoe,” a lady said as she reapplied her lipstick.

“What does she have that I don’t?” another whined, pushing out her chest in front of the mirror like she was advertising herself.

Their words stung.

Every single one.

But I kept my head up and walked. My pace never slowed.

“If not for that bastard that decided to follow me into the elevator,” I thought bitterly. “I should’ve stepped harder on his foot. Maybe broken a toe.”

The moment I reached my desk, I dropped my bag and began packing my things. There wasn’t much left to do, and the clock was close to closing time anyway.

I didn’t even want to be here a second longer.

As soon as it was time, I shut down my computer, grabbed my things, and left the office without saying a word.

Outside, the late evening breeze brushed against my face. I could’ve taken a cab, but no. I chose the bus.

It saved money, and every little coin mattered when you had eight mouths to feed.

I walked to the bus stop, legs tired, body heavy, mind buzzing with everything from school fees to dinner.

I bought a small vanilla ice cream cone from a stand near the stop. It was cold and sweet. A little comfort. Just enough to make the headache from today ease slightly.

I pulled out my phone, scrolling through my notes. Groceries. I needed onions. And more rice. Maybe noodles, if it was on sale. The kids had been asking for—

A car pulled up in front of me.

A smooth, shiny, expensive car.

A Rolls-Royce.

The kind of car you didn’t expect to see at a noisy bus stop.

I blinked, raising my head.

Seriously?

I moved away from the spot. I didn’t need another misunderstanding today.

But the car followed.

I moved again.

It followed.

I turned, already fuming. I was ready to explode when the back window rolled down.

And there he was.

Dominic Blackmoore.

Of course.

I scowled. “What do you want?”

He leaned a little to the side. His eyes calm, voice low. “Get in. I’ll take you home.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’ve already ruined my day. Stop trying to finish the job.”

He didn’t look bothered.

I turned to leave.

“Don’t you want to know what happened to Evan?” he said, just as I took a step.

I paused.

I turned slowly to face him.

I crossed my arms. “Why would I care what you know? I already know what I need to.”

He tilted his head. “Do you?”

Yes. I did.

My son was helping behind the scenes. He didn’t tell me who was leading the investigation, but he gave me updates. I knew they were close to catching whoever framed me.

I didn’t need Dominic.

He sighed. “Come. Let me take you home. I’ll tell you what I know on the way.”

I stared at the car. My lips twitched.

For a second, I thought about it.

Just a second.

But then I heard it.

Whispers.

“She’s really getting into a Rolls-Royce?”

“Is that her boyfriend?”

“Is she playing hard to get with such a rich man?”

“Tsk… she must’ve sold her body.”

Their words cut into me like small, sharp knives.

I stepped back, raising my guard.

No way.

I wasn’t giving them a reason to run their mouths more than they already did.

A young girl in a tight blouse walked up to the car and tried to peek inside.

The driver shot her a deadly glare. “Back off,” he said.

She yelped and backed away quickly.

I turned my eyes back to Dominic. He was now lowering his own window, staring at me from the back seat.

His face was unreadable.

The bus finally pulled up, honking once. It was rush hour. The line grew fast.

But the moment I stepped forward, the last seat was taken.

I clenched my jaw.

I didn’t have time for this.

I had kids to feed.

And I was tired.

Too tired.

Without another word, I turned away and started walking. I’d take the longer road. I needed the air anyway.

I moved fast, weaving between people and heading toward the shortcut through the alley near the corner shop.

I turned from the bus stop, choosing not to wait any longer. I couldn’t let him take me home. I didn’t trust his sudden kindness. Nothing about Dominic ever came without a catch.

And worse, I didn’t want him anywhere near my house.

Because my children were there.

If he followed me, even by accident… if he saw them… if he noticed their eyes, especially Nate’s sharp ones that mirrored his...

I couldn't let that happen.

I wouldn’t let that happen.

So, I walked away.

But I could still feel him watching me.

His eyes burned into my back like heat from the sun.

I didn’t look back.

I knew he was still in that car, probably sitting with that cold look on his face, trying to figure out why I was so stubborn.

But this wasn’t about pride.

It was about survival.

My heart beat faster with each step.

The streets ahead were noisy, with people chatting and cars honking, but I turned into the quieter path—a small alley near the corner shop. I had walked it a few times before. It wasn’t far. Just a shortcut that led to the next street, where I could catch another bus.

It was narrow, lined with old buildings and cracked pavement.

Trash cans stood against one wall. A flickering streetlamp buzzed overhead, barely working.

I walked quickly, holding my bag close, shoes clicking softly on the uneven ground.

The silence swallowed me.

No more whispers.

No more stares.

Just me… and the sound of my own footsteps.

I didn’t realize something was wrong until I heard a soft scrape.

Like a shoe against concrete.

I paused.

My breath hitched and I turned my head slowly.

Nothing.

I walked again. My legs taking me faster. But the hairs on my neck stood up.

Something wasn’t right.

Then I felt it—movement behind me.

Before I could turn fully, a hand shot out from the shadows.

Strong.

Rough.

It covered my mouth.

Another hand wrapped tight around my neck.

My ice cream dropped.

My phone hit the ground.

I tried to scream, but no sound came out.

Pain bloomed at the base of my head as something hard struck my neck.

The world spun.

My knees buckled.

The last thing I saw was a dark coat… and a glint of a ring.

Then everything turned black.