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Chapter 039: The Fall
Last Updated:
2025-01-08 19:31:07
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Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 040: The Confrontation
The following morning felt different. The air was thick with anticipation, a mixture of fear and resolve hanging in the office. Kim, Riele, Jane, and Jay gathered in their war room, all eyes fixed on the pile of documents, photos, and notes that littered the table. Their team had always been tight-knit, but now, it felt like they were fighting an enemy they couldn’t see—someone who had been within their ranks all along.Kim’s phone buzzed again, this time with a message from a source he didn’t recognize.“I have something that can prove Utter’s involvement. Meet me at the warehouse. 3 PM sharp. Don’t bring anyone.”The message was short, cryptic, but the words stood out. This was their chance to expose Utter once and for all. Kim’s mind raced as he read it, a part of him feeling the weight of the decision. He couldn’t trust anyone right now—not even the people who claimed to have information. But this was too important to pass up.“We’ve got a lead,” Kim said, his voice steady despite
Last Updated : 2025-01-08Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 41: The Truth She Can't Hide
Charlotte had kept the secret for almost three months, hiding it behind layers of excuses, long nights, and evasion. But the reality was undeniable now—she could no longer keep her pregnancy from Utter. The baby was his. It was time to tell him, even if it felt like the weight of the world was about to come crashing down on her.She stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. Her body was changing, the evidence of the life growing inside her was becoming harder to ignore. Her fingers brushed over her stomach, the small bump now visible beneath the fabric of her loose top. She had kept it hidden for as long as possible, but every day it became more difficult to conceal.She thought about Utter—his cold demeanor, his calculated moves, and the way he had always treated her with a mix of indifference and possessiveness. She had never imagined that a child, his child, would ever be a part of the equation. But now it was here, and she had no choice but to face him.The decision
Last Updated : 2025-01-08Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 42: The Good News
Charlotte sat in her living room, the silence weighing heavily on her. After the confrontation with Utter, she felt drained, as though every ounce of energy had been drained from her. She had known, deep down, that he wouldn’t embrace the news, but the reality of his harsh rejection hit her harder than she could have imagined. His words echoed in her mind: “I don’t want anything to do with you or this child.” The coldness in his voice still stung.She picked up her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed Riele’s number. After a few rings, Riele picked up.“Hey, Charlotte,” Riele’s voice was warm, yet there was a hint of concern. “How did it go with Utter?”Charlotte closed her eyes for a moment before responding. “Can you meet me at my place? I need to talk.”“Of course,” Riele replied, without hesitation. “I’ll be there in twenty.”Charlotte hung up and sank into the couch, her thoughts a jumble of disappointment and hurt. She had always hoped that Utter would change, that he woul
Last Updated : 2025-01-08Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 043: Lingering Feelings
The office was dimly lit, the only sounds coming from the rhythmic tapping of keys and the occasional rustle of paper. Kim and Jane were sitting side by side, sifting through Madison's files. But despite the serious nature of their work, an undercurrent of tension was thick in the air. It was undeniable—the atmosphere between them had shifted.Kim had noticed it earlier but had chosen to focus on the task at hand. He couldn’t afford to be distracted, not now. But as the hours wore on, he couldn’t ignore it any longer. Every time he glanced at Jane, there was a heaviness in the air, a lingering uncertainty.Finally, Jane set down the file she was holding and looked at Kim, her gaze more intense than usual. Her fingers drummed lightly on the desk as she took a deep breath.“You know,” she began, her voice low, almost as if she was testing the waters, “I’ve been thinking about us. About everything.”Kim froze for a moment, his chest tightening. He didn’t want to go down this path again.
Last Updated : 2025-01-08Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 044: A New Hope
The car ride to the hospital was filled with a palpable tension. Riele’s mind raced, both with hope and fear. After months of uncertainty, the news of her mother’s recovery was like a breath of fresh air, but she couldn’t bring herself to fully believe it until she saw it with her own eyes.As they pulled into the parking lot, Riele’s heart pounded. She glanced back at Harry, who sat silently beside her, his face a mixture of hope and caution. Charlotte, sitting in the front seat, was quiet but equally affected by the weight of the moment.When they arrived at the hospital, Riele wasted no time in rushing inside. The sterile scent of the hospital air hit her immediately, but it wasn’t enough to dull the anticipation in her chest. She barely even noticed Charlotte and Harry following her; her focus was solely on the room ahead.She arrived at her mother’s door and stopped for a brief moment to steady herself. Her fingers brushed against the handle, and she pushed it open slowly. Inside
Last Updated : 2025-01-08Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 45: A Family Resolve
The hours that followed were filled with a quiet sense of relief. Riele and Harry sat by their mother’s side, taking turns talking to her, letting her know they were there and that they wouldn’t leave. Riele couldn’t help but notice the subtle improvements—her mother’s eyes followed their movements, and though her speech was still soft and fragmented, it felt like a sign of progress.As the evening wore on, Riele felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. She looked over at Harry, who was sitting quietly beside their mother, his hand resting gently in hers. He looked as though he was holding on to something far more precious than just his mother’s hand. For all the time they had spent apart, for all the uncertainty they had faced, in this moment, it was as if nothing else mattered. It was just the three of them again.A soft knock at the door interrupted the peaceful silence. Riele looked up to see Charlotte standing in the doorway, her face a picture of concern and warmth.“How is she?”
Last Updated : 2025-01-08Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 046: Madison's Deception
Utter sat alone in his office, his fingers drumming against the polished surface of his desk. The rhythmic tapping was the only sound in the room, the silence almost deafening. His mind raced with thoughts of the competition, of Kim and Riele—his rivals who always seemed to be a step ahead. It felt like no matter what he did, they had an advantage. They were always one move ahead, calculating their next step before he had even finished his current one.And now, Utter had been chasing after the drive—the one that contained the key to winning everything. It was supposed to be his ticket to success. It was supposed to give him the edge he desperately needed to come out on top. But when he searched through his office once more, he realized it was gone.Frustration gripped him. He had trusted Madison. She had promised to keep it safe. She had told him everything was under control. But now, the drive was nowhere to be found. Every inch of the office had been searched, and yet, nothing.His
Last Updated : 2025-01-08Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 047: The Therapy Session
The morning sunlight filtered through the hospital windows, casting a soft glow over the room where Riele sat beside her mother. It had been a long road to get here, with weeks of uncertainty and doubt, but today felt different. Riele could feel a shift in the air, as though the moment they had all been waiting for was finally within reach.Harry stood by the door, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a quiet concern. He hadn’t said much since arriving, his thoughts clearly elsewhere as he observed their mother from a distance. Riele could feel the tension in his silence, but she also knew he was here for the same reason as her—hoping that today’s therapy session would bring another step in their mother’s recovery.Dr. Lowell, the neurologist in charge of their mother’s treatment, entered the room with a gentle knock, his face marked with a hopeful expression. He was a man of few words, preferring his actions to speak for him, but Riel
Last Updated : 2025-01-08
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Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 73: Visit to Esmeralda's Grave
The breeze was gentle that afternoon, rustling the bare branches as though whispering secrets only the trees could understand. Riele stepped carefully between the headstones, her fingers interlocked with Harry's as they made their way toward the familiar spot. It had been three months—three quiet, aching months since they last stood here together. Time had softened the sharpness of their grief, but the ache still lived somewhere inside them, persistent and tender.Their mother’s grave was just as they remembered. A simple marble headstone with her name etched in gold: Esmeralda Grants, Beloved Mother, Eternal Light. Harry bent to brush away the leaves that had gathered at its base while Riele knelt, her hand smoothing over the cold stone."Hey, Mom," Riele whispered. Her voice was steady, but her chest quivered with the familiar ache. "We came to visit you. It's been a while, I know."Harry crouched beside her, setting down the small bouquet of wildflowers he’d picked up on the way. H
Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 72: Rieie Shares the Good News
Charlotte was pacing the length of her living room, her newborn daughter nestled against her chest in a soft carrier. Utter was lounging on the sofa, half-watching her, half-focused on the bottle he was warming for Hope. Harry sat on the floor, his back against the couch, absentmindedly shaking a rattle and making faces at his niece who, despite her tiny size, already had a gaze sharp enough to quiet a room.The door creaked open and Riele stepped inside, cheeks pink from the cold outside and something else—something warmer.“I have news,” she said, pulling off her scarf and hanging it carefully by the door. “Big news.”Charlotte turned immediately. “What kind of news? Don’t tell me you’re leaving town again.”“Not that kind of news,” Riele said with a soft laugh, her voice unsteady with anticipation. She moved toward them slowly, like someone holding a secret she’d been dying to share but afraid to say out loud.Harry raised an eyebrow. “You’re not pregnant, are you?”“No,” she said
Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 71: Her Name is Hope
The sun had barely risen when Charlotte felt the first real pang. It wasn't like the false alarms she'd had over the last few days. This was different—heavier, deeper, a pressure that curled from her back to the pit of her stomach with the force of something ancient and inevitable. She’d always imagined that when this moment came, she’d be frantic or afraid. But she wasn’t. She was just... ready.Utter drove them to the hospital, one hand on the wheel, the other gripping Charlotte’s with all the quiet reassurance of a man who had grown into his role more than he ever expected. Riele sat beside Charlotte, holding her other hand, whispering encouragement and trying not to cry.“You’ve got this,” Riele kept saying, her voice soft, steady. “You’re stronger than you think.”Hours passed. The waiting room filled and emptied, nurses moved like angels in scrubs, and finally, when Charlotte thought she couldn’t take one more breath, one more push.A cry filled the room.And just like that, she
Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 70: Charlotte Welcomes a Baby Girl
The hospital was bathed in soft white light, the air tinged with antiseptic and quiet murmurs. Riele shifted on the waiting bench just outside the maternity ward, her hands gripping the edge of her coat tightly. Harry sat beside her, fidgeting with his phone but not really looking at it. It was past noon, and Charlotte had been inside for over an hour now."She’s strong," Harry murmured, breaking the silence. "She’ll be okay."Riele nodded slowly. "I know. She’s been preparing for this day for months. I’m just... nervous."Harry reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "She’s lucky to have you here."Before Riele could respond, the elevator doors chimed, and a familiar figure stepped out, arms filled with baby bags, blankets, and a soft-looking teddy bear. Utter.His eyes found Riele first, then Harry. He gave a small nod and approached, his steps hesitant but determined."I heard... she went into labor," he said, his voice slightly breathless. "I wanted to bring a few things.
Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 69: The Gift
Jay hadn't traveled this far in months. The jet hummed beneath him, a steady sound that failed to drown out the noise in his thoughts. He sat by the window, staring out at the endless sky, a tablet balanced on his lap. Every few seconds, he'd glance at the screen showing his destination time—still hours ahead. His mother had summoned him. No one summoned Jay unless it was urgent.He had a rough idea why. The last time they spoke, she hinted at her desire for grandchildren, her voice laced with nostalgia and a touch of disappointment. “You're not getting younger,” she had said. “And neither am I.”Jay had brushed it off then, more concerned about Riele, about the tension growing between her and Kim. But now, with Riele emotionally distant and Kim hovering uncertainly between guilt and silence, Jay had found no excuse to delay this meeting.When the jet touched down, the staff ushered him into a sleek car that took him straight to the estate. His mother’s home was a sprawling villa tuck
Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 68: Illusion
Kim stepped into his apartment and leaned against the door as it clicked shut behind him. The silence was a relief. No condolences, no murmured apologies, no lingering eyes studying his every reaction at the burial. Just silence. But it didn't soothe him. If anything, the emptiness felt heavier.He dropped his coat on the couch and sat down, resting his head in his hands. Esmeralda’s burial had drained something in him. Riele’s tear-streaked face haunted his thoughts. There were still unspoken words between them, too many, and the distance that had crept in after the incident with Jane was still there, even though they’d tried to move past it.A soft knock interrupted the stillness. Kim stood slowly, frowning, not expecting anyone.When he opened the door, Jane stood there with a sad smile and a bottle of wine in hand."Hey," she said gently. "I just wanted to check on you. Is this a bad time?"Kim hesitated. "You shouldn't be here, Jane." Everything about her felt wrong. But exhaust
Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 67:
The sun filtered softly through the half-closed curtains, casting muted light across the quiet living room. The house was still, save for the occasional sound of footsteps or the clinking of tea cups. The burial was over, but the silence it left behind felt heavier than before.Riele sat on the couch beside Harry, their bodies leaning slightly toward each other, connected by grief and the exhaustion that always came after loss. A few relatives and friends still moved about quietly, offering small comforts, squeezes on the hand, hushed condolences. But most people had already left.Among the few who remained were Kim and Jay.Jay was speaking with Harry near the hallway, his arm lightly around his friend’s shoulders. They were murmuring something that only the two of them could hear. Whatever it was, it made Harry chuckle faintly, a rare sound in the past few days.Riele glanced at them and then turned her eyes to Kim. He was standing quietly near the window, hands in his pockets, gaze
Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 66: A Chance at Redemption
The afternoon sun filtered weakly through the trees, casting long shadows over the small cemetery nestled behind the old church. The scent of fresh soil lingered in the air, mingling with the faint fragrance of flowers laid gently over Esmeralda’s resting place. The ceremony had been quiet, intimate—just a handful of close friends and family gathered around in solemn reflection.Riele stood beside Harry, both dressed in black. The wind tugged gently at the hem of her long coat, but she barely noticed. Her fingers gripped a white rose, now resting on the mound of earth that covered her mother. Esmeralda's photo sat framed on a stand nearby, her eyes forever watching with a kind, steady gaze that made Riele's heart ache all over again.People lingered a while after the burial—friends, neighbors, and even some of Esmeralda’s old colleagues—offering warm embraces and quiet condolences. Riele appreciated the gestures, but none of them could dull the hollow ache inside her chest.Harry excu
Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants Chapter 65: The Pain of Losing A Mother
The wheels of the plane screeched against the runway as it landed, jostling the passengers slightly in their seats. Riele sat silently by the window, her hands folded in her lap, her gaze fixed on the landscape blurring past. The city felt colder now, duller, as if it knew that she was returning not to celebration, but to grief.Beside her, Jay reached over and gently rested his hand over hers. She didn't look at him, but she didn’t pull away either. Kim, sitting on the other side of the aisle, glanced at them briefly, his jaw clenched. He hadn’t spoken much during the entire flight. There were too many things left unsaid—too much heaviness in the air to be broken by small talk.Jane sat a few rows ahead, her head resting against the seatback, sunglasses covering her eyes. As the plane rolled to a stop, the crew stood and began preparing for disembarkation. Kim reached up to grab their luggage from the overhead bin, passing Riele’s to Jay, who held it for her without a word.The four
