Mag-log in(Rayner)“That’s what I was trying to talk to you about then.”Ruben’s voice echoes through the phone, each word hitting heavier than the last.“It was strange because for someone who was supposedly in Switzerland, I couldn't find her in person. So I wanted to tell you that when you asked for a picture of her. It was all a lie.” He pauses briefly. “The Switzerland story was fake. Amara Roosevelt was never actually here.”The last sentence lodges deep inside my chest.Amara Roosevelt was never in Switzerland.My breath catches sharply. My fingers slowly tighten around my phone as the words replay again and again inside my head, louder each time.Amara Roosevelt was never in Switzerland.“Rayner?” Ruben calls from the other side. “Rayner, are you there?”But I can’t answer.My throat locks completely.I lower the phone from my ear and end the call without another word.Silence crashes into the office.My jaw clenches hard as I stare blankly ahead, my thoughts spiraling faster than I can
(Amara)My hand drops to my side.Ignoring Maya’s stare, I grab my car keys and rush out of the office, Nathan’s voice replaying over and over in my head.“She came back looking sad and immediately collapsed to the floor.”My chest tightens painfully.I keep moving fast, my thoughts spinning wildly as I stab the elevator button repeatedly.Busy.“Shit.”The curse leaves under my breath as I rake a hand through my hair. My breathing grows uneven. Then my eyes snap toward the staircase door.I don’t hesitate.I shove it open and start running down the stairs.My footsteps echo loudly around me.It’s all my fault.The thought slams into me harder with every step.I spoke harshly to her.I pushed her away.And now she’s in the hospital.The glass doors slide open once I reach the ground floor, and I rush outside. Cool air brushes against my skin, but it does nothing to calm the panic clawing through me.I press the unlock button before I even reach the car.The moment I slide into the dri
(Amara)I scoff the moment her words land.“To your rightful place. As Amara Roosevelt.”My jaw tightens instantly. My fingers curl hard around the envelope until the edges crumple slightly beneath my grip.“So that’s why you tried to threaten me?” My voice comes out sharp, tight with anger.She frowns immediately. “Threaten you?”“Yes.” I lift the envelope between us coldly. “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. Didn’t you place this envelope on my desk this morning? That’s why you’re here today, isn’t it?”Her expression shifts.Confusion.Then something else.She takes the envelope carefully from my hand and opens it. Her eyes scan through the paper, and suddenly her entire face changes.Fear.Or maybe shock.I can’t even tell anymore.Her gaze snaps back to me sharply.“What’s this?” she asks quietly. “Who sent this?”A dry laugh escapes me.“You’re seriously asking me that?” I shake my head slowly. “Who else would pull a stunt like this? You think this is enough
(Amara)I step out of the office slowly, my feet heavier than before.Everything that just happened keeps replaying in my head.Stella’s accusations.The hatred in her eyes.The way she had raised her hand at me without hesitation.And Rayner…The way he had stopped her.I shut my eyes briefly and inhale deeply, trying to steady the mess building inside me. When I open them again, the long hallway stretches before me endlessly, cold and quiet.Then something presses against my palm.I pause.My fingers slowly uncurl and my gaze drops to the brown envelope still clutched tightly in my hand.The envelope.My mind flashes back immediately.The CCTV room.The operator’s voice.“Here’s the video, ma’am.”A slow breath leaves me.I should go back.I should at least find out who sent this to me.Without giving myself time to think twice, I turn around and begin walking back toward the CCTV department.My heartbeat grows heavier with every step.A few moments later, I push open the operating
(Helena)“So she’s still present at the company?” I ask, turning sharply to Lydia.“Yes, ma’am,” she replies carefully. “I heard sir Rayner ordered for her to do so.”My fingers curl tightly at my side.“Amara,” I mutter under my breath, the name tasting bitter in my mouth.That girl again.Like a stain that refuses to disappear no matter how hard I try to wipe her away.I narrow my eyes slowly. I need to get her out of my son’s life for good. One way or another.The sound of the door opening cuts through my thoughts.I turn immediately, and the irritation on my face melts at once.“Stella.”A smile spreads across my lips as I move toward her and pull her into a hug.“Helena,” she says softly, hugging me back before slowly pulling away.“How was your trip?” I ask warmly.“It was fine, Helena. Except…” She pauses.My brows lift slightly. “Except what?”A small smile touches her lips. “I missed you.”I laugh softly. “Oh, silly girl. I missed you too.”For a moment, the tension in the ro
(Amara)I slide into my seat, trying to settle, but the chaos from this morning with Maya keeps replaying in my head.I sigh and rest my head against the chair.I told her I would quit. I said it clearly this time. Her way. No more hesitation.But how do I quit now?Rayner refused to let me go. And Felix… Felix still needs me. The only way I can help him right now is by staying. At least until I find another way out.I push myself upright.One step at a time, Amara. Just get through today.That’s when I see it.A brown envelope sitting neatly on my desk.My brows knit together.An envelope?I glance around instinctively, scanning the office like the answer might be written on the walls. I don’t remember leaving anything here yesterday. I wasn’t expecting anything either.Slowly, I reach for it.My fingers brush against the surface. Smooth. Sealed.A faint frown forms on my lips.“What is this…” I murmur under my breath.I slide a finger under the flap and tear it open.A single white
(Amara)The moment feels suspended until his voice breaks through it.“Are you okay?”His words are low and close, brushed against the side of my neck. There is a thickness to his voice, something steady and concerned, as if the question leaves him instinctively before he can think better of it.Sl
(Amara)“What is it, Amara?”Maya’s voice tears through the apartment as I move from room to room. Bedroom. Living room. Balcony.Since yesterday, I’ve said nothing. I haven’t eaten. And now I’m dragging clothes from my box and tossing them into a wide steel container on the balcony, piling fabric
(Amara)My eyes widen as he approaches, stopping a few feet away from me.“Na… Nathan.” His name slips out before I can stop it.He exhales slowly, hands sliding into his pockets. “What are you doing here?”I stiffen. The question lands wrong. Cold. Almost disgusted.“I asked you something,” he say
(Amara)“Oh,” she says, running a hand through her hair. “That. I mean the drug you’re talking about.” She moves briskly toward me. “You can’t find it?” she asks, sounding almost unsure of what I mean.I stare at her, stunned.“Didn’t you get me? That’s what I’m looking for,” I say, drawing the wor







