로그인Life slipped back into its familiar rhythm.Chris Jnr and Emm, along with their ever-present little tail, kept the entire household on its toes... decorating, re-decorating, and transforming their room into what they insisted was a “properly baby-friendly space.” Each new idea somehow demanded undoing the last, and the constant cycle drove everyone to the brink of madness.Until finally… Chris packed the trio off to Devil Island for training.“Finally… some peace. And my guilty pleasures.” Emile sighed contentedly, sinking into the couch as she unwrapped a bar of chocolate.Abbey arched a brow, glancing up from her tablet. She and Night Wing were knee-deep in wedding planning. Pulling everything together within a month was no easy feat… but at least neither of them had relatives hovering over their shoulders, offering opinions they didn’t ask for.A small mercy.“Those two have been driving me crazy,” Emile continued between bites, her tone light, her eyes bright. “Not allowed to eat
Every day was the same, monotonous and dull like the cold prison itself. But today was different.The door opened with a dull metallic click… in the morning, out of schedule.Daniel didn’t look up. He wasn’t interested. There was nothing left for him to look forward to.In the beginning, there had been Grandpa Holston’s visits to look forward to…Then, he clung to the hope that Emile and the kids would come, even if only to give the old man face…However, after waiting for a week, that hope died quietly. Because deep down he couldn’t blame them… he knew what he had done, even if he didn’t want to admit it.But someone had to take the blame…It had to be Chris…He must have stopped them.“Visitors...” The officer rattled his baton against the metal bars “Fifteen minutes. Move, unless you want to forfeit.”“For me??” Daniel shot to his feet, eyes widening in disbelief.The officer cocked his brow without answering, his answer evident in his expression.Daniel didn’t bother to tidy himself
“I understand.” Ron stood up; he felt disappointed even though he knew the outcome. He looked at Chris “I don’t blame you. I would do the same if I were in your shoes.”‘Would he? Would he even have the magnanimity to invite the person inside?’ The thought came uninvited. His face paled in shame.“Hymph!” Little treasure hmphed folding her arms across her chests; she looked like a puffer fish, her face puffed up and red in anger. However, Chris intervened before the little demon princess could throw a tantrum.He would have chosen silence; that was his norm. He never felt the need to explain himself to anyone other than his wife and family. But they never needed one.The only reason he intervened was his little firecracker. There were some battles that he didn’t want his kids to be tainted by, and this was one of them.Chris’s lips curled in mockery, as he said mildly, “I am not sure what you understand…”That was all. No raised voice. No edge.And yet, Ron felt it land harder than an
“Boss, there is a Mr Humphrey at the door, requesting a meeting.” Jeffrey announced curling his lips, despite trying to hide his annoyance.‘When would these flies stop buzzing around his boss’s head? How big an offense would it be if he squished them, himself without the boss’s knowledge?’Chris didn’t even look up, just waved his hand.That was enough.Jeffrey inclined his head, ‘he had expected this outcome.’He led Mr Humphrey to the formal lounge, the space reserved for entertaining guests, for conversations that were not business related. His face a mask of respectful indifference regardless of his personal feelings.Ron stepped in with a stiffness he couldn’t quite mask. He wasn’t comfortable being here, but he couldn’t refuse Grandpa Holston.He knew that none of them had the right to make any requests of Chris and Emile. Every step he took into this house only reinforced it. Still, a promise was a promise. So, he came anyway.Shamelessly.He was prepared to be kicked out the
Grandpa Holston entrusted Ron with the message for Chris and Emile. He no longer had the face, nor the courage, to stand before them and endure the weight of disappointment.He had failed his best friend… and in doing so, shattered the trust and honour both Chris and Emile had once offered him without hesitation, despite the stakes in their peace if he failed their trust and let the information slip to his grandson.He knew better than anyone how fragile trust was … how precious it was when they offered it to him despite being aware of the risks. Although he had lived up to their trust for many years, he still failed them miserably when it mattered.What face did he have?Still… he couldn’t quite leave.Before leaving, he lingered in the shadows of Rose Villa, drawn by a longing he did not deserve. From afar, he caught sight of his great-grandsons.He did not step forward. He did not call out.Even this small farewell was beyond him. That would require dignity and courage, both of whi
“Senior Mr Holston is indeed wise.” Mark scoffed lightly as they gathered. Lorenzo arched a brow, amused, while the others listened attentively.“He cut his losses in time, instead of choosing to perish”“That isn’t him.” Chris shook his head, “He’s old school- a fighter. He would have chosen to go down swinging, if left to his devices. That move has Daniel written all over it.”“He? That wise?” Darcy ridiculed openly.“Despite his flaws, he has a brilliant business mind.” Chris was never one to undermine someone’s worth; he gave credit where it was due.Everyone fell silent, not because they had nothing more to add, but out of respect for Chris Jnr and Emm…… though the little troublemakers themselves couldn’t care less.Grandpa Holston could no longer bear to remain in their ancestral home. People often came to offer their sympathies, some genuine, others merely curious, and a few who lingered just long enough to press at wounds that had never begun to heal.This had once been a plac
Chris hugged Emile close to him as he whispered coaxing in her ears “I am here”. Emile couldn’t stop trembling as she re-lived her worst nightmare with the perpetrator sitting right in front of her, adding stimulus to her already frail mental state. Neither Emile nor Chris predicted this. Chris rais
Eva couldn’t come up for a reason for why I12 would want to harm their baby; he didn’t seem like someone who hated children, nor did he seem to hate their child. She waited for a week hoping to ask I12 what the reason was, but he never came to visit after she saw him the day she came out of the thea
The Burkes and Walters didn’t come forward to join the fun even though one of their ears and half their soul was at the entrance with Chris where the hubbub was transpiring. The Burke brothers were keeping the other major customers entertained although all of them marked this debt in their hearts wh
Walters left as planned in a week; Chris and his family of four shifted their stay from the hotel to the Burke residence as they planned to stay back for a month to stabilize business operations of the store before heading back home. Night Wing and Abbey also followed them to the Burke residence. Li







