AUTHOR'S POVMorning sunlight poured gently through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow across the bedroom. Madison stirred beneath the soft duvet, her body still heavy from the exhaustion of the past day. The faint scent of freshly brewed tea drifted in from somewhere, mingling with the quiet hum of the world outside. She was home after being discharged last night.She blinked, adjusting to the light… and saw him.Richard sat in the armchair beside her bed, elbows resting on his knees, his gaze fixed on the floor as if lost in some deep, unending thought. His shirt was wrinkled, his hair slightly disheveled, as though he hadn’t slept at all.“…Richard?” Her voice cracked from sleep.He looked up quickly, the tension in his features softening at the sight of her awake. “You’re up,” he said quietly, standing to move closer.She pushed herself up slowly against the headboard, watching him. “Have you been sitting there all night?”He didn’t answer that … not directly. Instead, he low
Author's pov Madison’s hands shook so hard she almost dropped her phone before she could even press the call button. The image of the bearded man, the one from the yellowed newspaper…burned in her mind like a brand.The line rang once. Twice.Finally, Mrs. Susan’s warm but slightly puzzled voice came through. “Madison? Is everything alright?”Madison swallowed, her throat tight, her voice breaking. “Mrs. Susan… the picture I sent you… do you… do you know that man?”There was a pause. “I don’t think so, dear. I can’t recall…”“Please,” Madison cut in, desperation in every syllable. “His name is Charles Lee. He’d be in his late fifties now. Think, Mrs. Susan… please.”On the other end, there was a long silence. Madison could hear faint breathing, as if the older woman was digging through decades of memories. Then…“Oh!” Mrs. Susan’s voice suddenly sharpened with recognition. “Yes… yes, I remember now! I always used to hear the maid say to Eleanor, ‘Mr. Charles is here and looking for
Author's pov VIP Hospital SuiteThe steady beep of the heart monitor was the only sound in the pristine white room until the door opened. Eleanor walked briskly in, her heels barely making a sound against the polished floor. In her hand was a small, unmarked bottle of medicine.Her eyes glinted strangely as she poured the pills into her palm and handed them to the man lying in the hospital bed.“Here,” she said softly. “This will help.”Mr. Harper swallowed them without question, though his brow furrowed at the calculating expression that lingered on his wife’s face.She sat on the edge of his bed, leaning forward. “Your company… might be in danger of being taken by Madison.”He blinked, startled. “What do you mean?”“I went to see Grandpa’s lawyer some time ago,” she explained, her voice low but sharp. “I even offered him money to tell me what he did with his shares. He refused. But while I was… persuading him, he slipped. Said something like, ‘It has already been taken.’ He wou
MADISON'S POV My Father’s office was silent except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. He sat behind his desk, his brows furrowed, the weight of the printed article in his hands dragging his shoulders down. With a long, weary sigh, he let it fall onto the desk.Across from him, I sat beside Madam Jane, my mother-in-law, while Eleanor and Sophia occupied the chairs on the opposite side. The air between us was thick, a storm waiting for the first thunderclap.Madam Jane broke the silence first, her voice firm and precise. “Sophia’s actions didn’t just harm a member of the Benjamin family,” she said, gesturing toward me, “they also damaged the company’s reputation. That means legal action should be taken.”Sophia’s composure shattered instantly. She bolted up from her chair, turning toward mother. “Mom, I…”“Sit down.” Madam Jane’s tone cut through her words like glass. “And don’t call me that. A title like that coming from you is… disgusting.”The color drained from Sophia
Author's pov Outside the Police StationWilliam’s lips trembled as he took a hesitant step toward Madison.“I… I’m sorry,” he began, voice low. “I regret everything I did. I shouldn’t have…”Madison just stood there, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. Her silence pressed against him heavier than any accusation.“I’m telling you the truth, Madison. I regret it,” William said again, desperation rising in his voice.“what are you sorry for?”“what?”“Don't just apologize to escape the moment. Before you apologize,think about what you did wrong. If you want to get a chance to be forgiven,that is” He suddenly dropped to his knees on the cold pavement,his voice breaking. “Please… forgive me.I shouldn't have hurt you like that. You were right about everything. I tried to marry you even though Sophia was the one I loved,just so that I could stay by her side.I deceived you to fulfill my selfish desires. I'm so sorry Madison.I’ll do anything you want me to just to earn your forgiven
Author's pov The Street and the RestaurantThe air was cool, carrying the faint hum of traffic and the aroma of roasted peanuts from a street vendor nearby. William walked aimlessly, his hands in his pockets, his mind replaying Richard’s words over and over."After knowing that she’s seeing someone else?"He shook his head, trying to dismiss it. No,Sophia wasn’t that kind of woman. She couldn’t be.His steps slowed when, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar figure stepping out of a boutique. Sophia.“...Sophia?” he muttered, straightening.She walked briskly toward the curb, her hair swaying, heels clicking sharply against the pavement. A yellow cab pulled up, and she slid inside without hesitation.“Wait…Sophia!” William called, breaking into a run. But the cab was already merging into traffic.Heart pounding, he waved frantically for a taxi. “Follow that car!” he ordered the driver, pointing ahead.Inside a softly lit, upscale restaurant, Sophia sat at a corner ta