MasukThe hallway was silent when I stepped out of the elevator.
Almost too silent. Everyone else had already left for the day. A soft glow from the recessed ceiling lights lit the corridor leading to the executive lounge. I’d returned to grab the documents for tomorrow’s press conference… the last batch of press kits had just arrived, and I needed to review them personally. But when I turned the corner, I saw her. Stacy. LeThe lawyer’s office felt smaller than I remembered. I hated court cases. I avoided them but now, one has come to me. I have to fight this out. I sighed as I sat across from Mr. Harlan, the same man who had read my father’s will, my hands clasped tightly in my lap. The papers in front of me looked official, heavy with legal language I barely understood. Richard sat beside me, his hand resting on my knee, offering silent support. For that, I am forever grateful.Mr. Harlan cleared his throat. “To locate your sister as per the terms of the will, there’s a necessary first step. You must legally change your name back to Tessa. They will specifically reference you by that name. Until you do, the search cannot officially begin, and the estate remains frozen.”I stared at him. “Change my name back? Do you know what it will take?”“It’s a long protocol I know,” he continued. “Court filings, public notices, background checks, updating all legal documents, bank accounts, IDs, business records
Camilla’s POV The burial was quick. The priest said a few words and he was lowered. We stood under a black sky as my father’s casket was lowered into the ground. The weather looked like it was about to rain and I made up my mind to stay when it started. For my father. Though our relationship was tumultuous at the end. I heard he mourned me as Tessa. Heard he didn’t believe I was dead. So what did I do after becoming Camilla Jones? I ignored him wholly. I let my father suffer under my stepfather. He had little money now. Though I throw money at him like a bone to a dog, through Caleb but that was not enough. And now I have even owned the name Tessa as mine, but our relationship didn’t get any better. It was like we grew distant. A tear slipped down my face. He….he didn’t deserve this. He spent everything to buy me eyes and what did I do? Cast him aside. I let out a cry and Richard wrapped his arms around me. Rubbing my shoulder. I was a bad daughter. I deserve all that is happeni
Camilla’s POVONE WEEK LATER The hospital room smelled of antiseptic and fresh flowers. But this time was different. Madam Clarisse was getting better. I could see it with my eyes but that did not take away the fact that her recovery was going to be a long one. Madam Clarisse sat on the edge of the bed, looking frailer than I had ever seen her, but her eyes still held that familiar steel. The doctors had finally cleared her for discharge after days of monitoring. The bullet had missed vital organs by a miracle, but the recovery had been slow and painful because she was older. Richard helped her into a wheelchair, his face tight with worry and relief. I stood nearby, holding Zane’s hand. My son looked up at his grandmother with wide eyes, still processing everything that had happened. He had been asking me questions, and I was running crazy, finding ways not only to evade them but also to give vague answers. The minds of children always wowed me.Just before we left the room, Richa
Stacy’s POV For a weird reason, I felt uncomfortable. What if that fool fesses up? No! I have to be prepared. I went into the bedroom and took out my bag. I was shoving clothes into it while staring at my phone. No phone call. My heart was pounding. And just like I expected, the phone rang while I was packing the last of my things into a small black duffel bag. I grabbed it and glanced at the screen. My police ally. One of the few I still trusted in this crumbling network. Mr. Crook. A perfect name for a bad man. I answered, keeping my voice steady even though my heart was racing. “What?” “The shooter talked,” he said, voice low and urgent. “He gave you up. Full confession. Names, payments, everything. They’re coming for you. Get out now.” I hung up without another word. Immediately I am jolted back to when the issue with Camilla happened before. The way Caleb helped me run. But this time is different. I can handle myself now. The hunger from before stirred inside m
Camilla’s POVI sat in the cold hospital waiting room, staring at the sterile white walls until they blurred. Until I couldn’t tell what I was looking at.Madam Clarisse was still in surgery. The doctors said the bullet had missed vital organs by centimeters, but she had lost a lot of blood. She was stable for now, but I was scared of losing her, even after all that had transpired between us. She was now scored on my heart after what had happened last. But that wasn’t what kept replaying in my mind.It was Harley—my best friend.The woman who had stood by me through every storm. The one who held me when I thought Richard had betrayed me. She was the one who had laughed with me, cried with me, fought for me.Why would she want me dead?The police said the shooter had mistaken Madam Clarisse for me because we were wearing the same basketball jersey—the one Harley had given me as a gift after our time at the beach. Madam Clarisse had seen it and said she liked it. I never knew she went
I shook my head quickly. “ No I’m okay. You may leave.” My voice came out differently than I expected. She nodded and walked away. No way was I going to be scared of her. My heart was still beating fast because I drove home like a woman possessed.My hands had gripped the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. The image of Rachel meeting Stacy in that parking lot burned behind my eyes. I was racing to tell Richard and this is what I met? I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath. I stared at my hands and they were shaking. I will never be scared of her! I jogged upstairs. “Richard!” I yelled. He didn’t answer. Oh gosh, I hope he hasn’t left again. There will be no better time to tell him than today. He needed to know. He had to listen this time. Rachel wasn’t just strange, she was dangerous. She was connected to the woman who had tried to destroy us. If I tell him that, I hope he won’t say I was lying.
The corridors of Anderson Global always had this sterile quiet around noon. Most of the staff were either at lunch or hidden behind frosted glass panels. I preferred it that way… it meant less chit-chat, less curious eyes. I clutched the thin manila fold
Richard’s POV I didn’t need to shout. I didn’t even need to raise my voice. The silence in my office was already loud enough… the kind that settles just before a storm levels a city. The air was stiff, the weight of bet
The hallway was silent when I stepped out of the elevator. Almost too silent. Everyone else had already left for the day. A soft glow from the recessed ceiling lights lit the corridor leading to the executive lounge. I’d returned to grab the documents for
The hallway was silent when I stepped out of the elevator. Almost too silent. Everyone else had already left for the day. A soft glow from the recessed ceiling lights lit the corridor leading to the executive lounge. I’d returned to grab the documents for tomorrow’s press conference… the last b







