Rosalie I slowly opened my eyes, feeling disoriented and groggy. The harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital room made my head throb even more. As I winced in pain, someone rushed to my side. I could tell it was a male because of the rough hands, and his worried eyes searching mine."Rosalie, stay calm," he whispered soothingly, gently holding my hand. "You're in the hospital. There was an incident at your place." His words bring back memories but they're just flashesConfusion washed over me as my vision cleared, revealing the familiar faces of my grandmother, Anna, and Nicholas. But there were also two other men standing beside the door, their expressions filled with concern.These are Nicholas's brothers.What the hell is happening?"What happened?" I asked, my voice trembling. "And why is everyone here?""Hello, Rosalie. I'm Ares, and this is Maverick," he points to the third brother. "How are you feeling?" One of Nicholas's brothers asks."I...uh, like I've been hit in the
Rosalie The doctor finally cleared me for discharge after running another set of numerous tests. I made sure to call Grams and tell her about the latest update; I'm leaving the hospital. I finally asked Anna if my parents and brother had come back during the time I was sleeping."Rosalie, they didn't come at all," Anna said gently. I could see the pity and hurt she felt for me written all over her face.I sputtered, "That's not possible. Did anyone tell them what happened?" I knew that was a stupid question. But I refused to believe they would do this to me."I arrived a few minutes after Grams and I heard her telling Mr. Sinclair that she called and texted three of them numerous times, but didn't get any replies. She said she had no idea where they've been." My heart sinks at the news. If Grams has no idea where they are that means she was alone at home. I remember leaving her at home with my brother before I left. I know we all agreed that they wouldn't leave her on her own at home
Rosalie “You could have told me you let the nurses go.”“For what reason?”“So, I could have made sure you were living somewhere suitable.”“Like you cared!” I fumed and threw my body back into the seat.He didn’t say another word to me as I flung the door open as soon as the car came to a halt. I'm guessing we were in front of his house now. I heard him murmur to Caleb to leave for the day after parking the car. He could do all he wanted, but I wasn’t getting back in that car with him. Unless I'm taken to Anna's house.Instead, I stormed out of the car and through the road to the entrance of his penthouse, I could almost hear him laughing at my defiance. He had me right where he wanted me. If he wanted to talk about what I did, I'd have no choice. I have nowhere to go, and it's because of him. I give him a stern glare and he immediately moves to open the door. I storm inside the empty house, too angry to take in the beautiful decor."Where will I sleep for tonight, please?" I ask,
Nicholas I've been staring at the message Harper sent to me, along with the video that accompanied it. My anger rises as I replay the video again. Just as I'm about to play the video again my phone rings and I see it's a call from Natalia and I ignore it again like I've done the last five times. She's been sending me messages, asking when I'd be coming home. I keep telling her that I've been too caught up with work.I contacted my lawyer when Rosalie was still in the hospital, luckily there are no extreme losses if I terminate the contract with, Jacob Oslo, Natalia's father. So he's preparing the divorce papers and contract termination.Ares's words kept replaying in my head throughout. And I realized that he was right. The contract with Oslo does bring in a lot of money, but I've gotten more and will get more even after terminating our contract.Rosalie has sacrificed enough, and I was the stupid asshole that treated her badly in the past when all she deserves is the world. The
Rosalie The moment Nicholas showed me that recording and uttered those words, my world shattered into a million fragments. The revelation that my parents and brother, the very people who were supposed to love and protect me unconditionally, were the masterminds behind the cruel incident left me passed out and bleeding on my carpets. It felt like the ground beneath me gave way, and I was left free-falling into a chasm of hurt and betrayal.I couldn't recall how I left Nicholas's office; it was as if I was moving through a fog, disconnected from reality. The video of the betrayal played on a constant loop in my mind, it dawned on each frame a painful reminder of the treachery that had been concealed from me. I was so stunned that I couldn't even begin to process the whirlwind of emotions raging inside me. It was like my heart had been encased in ice, numbing me to the pain that threatened to consume me whole. Years of ignoring the abuse and disrespect because they are family, and
Rosalie "When would you like us to go to your parent's place?" Nicholas asks as we had breakfast together that morning. It's the first time since I saw that video I've eaten any food. All I had was liquids and a small amount of sleep. Every time I closed my eyes all I could see was what happened that night. But this time, the thieves didn't cover their faces. I could see my parents and brother laughing as they kicked me and stole from me.It continued like that for two days straight. As usual, I had been thinking of overlooking their manipulation and betrayal, but not anymore. And that was when the nightmares stopped.My family needs to pay for what they did to me."You don't have to come in with me," I mutter lowly. My eyes felt heavy from all the crying I'd been doing."Of course, I have to, I'm not letting you do this alone. What if they try to hurt you? Again!" He adds and I flinch at the memory."They're my family, Nick, I'll be fine."Nicholas shakes his head and mutters, "
Nicholas "Ugh! What the hell is that noise?" I groan loudly as the incessant vibration fills my ears and adds to my headache. Last night was a total blur. I'm awoken by the incessant buzzing sound of my phone going off like crazy, and my head pounding like a jackhammer. I couldn't even think straight, right now. I fumbled around, desperately trying to find my phone, and finally ma naged to silence the damn thing. I picked it up and squint, from how bright the light is. Still feeling quite sleepy I glance at the screen again, and I couldn't believe my eyes. It was already freaking noon! I groan loudly and let out a massive yawn, feeling the weight of an arm draped across my bare chest. And that's when I focused on Rosalie presence. I let my head fall back on the pillow with a loud thud. An action I soon regret when my head aches more.I try to recall my actions from yesterday but I can't seem to remember anything. I don't even remember getting into bed. All I can remember is drin
Rosalie Maxwell Life gets harder as I get older and I’m getting tired of it. My family’s dream is exhausting, and a long time ago it became mine too. I run myself ragged every day, sometimes I come back and I'm too exhausted to do anything other than work and sleep, but I can't because their dream is mine. My parents used to own a general store called Maxwell’s. It’s named after our family and, when they were young, the shop did really well; but now, people buy what they need online, and the business my parents poured blood, sweat, and tears into, is failing. I don’t see us making it another year.Their medical bills are behind, along with their rent that is one month past due and the only reason our landlord is not evicting us is because he has known my parents for thirty years. If it weren’t for that, and the fact I promised to pay him before the month ends, they’d be sleeping in this store. Even right now, the electricity in my parents’ apartment is off, and I need to provide anoth