**Emma's POV**The kitchen echoed with the clinking of dishes and the soft murmurs of the other women behind me. Their whispering had followed me from the moment I entered the room, and now, as I washed the last plate, the anger that had been simmering inside me started to boil.“Did you see what’s online? It’s insane. This whole thing is so unfair to Madam Mira,” one of them whispered, just loud enough for me to hear. “Teacher, you need to keep the water cleaner around here.”I couldn’t take it anymore. I slapped the washing gloves against the counter and wiped my hands dry. I turned around to face them, my anger barely contained.“Excuse me,” I said, my voice sharp. “What’s wrong with the water here? I like it.”The woman on the left raised an eyebrow, clearly confused by my sudden outburst.“All the ingredients we use here are top quality,” I continued, my right hand resting on my waist. I walked to the sink, grabbed a cup, and filled it with water from the tap. “Teacher even got a
**Emma's POV**It was early morning when Mr. Foden and I agreed to meet, ready to confront the ghost of my past—Auntie Isabella. The air felt heavy as we walked through the streets, my nerves tightening with each step. Mr. Foden filled the silence with the bits of information he had dug up. “She couldn’t go far because she had to watch the shop. Her life’s been full of ups and downs ever since she was fired,” Mr. Foden continued, though my mind was already spinning with thoughts of the woman who had been like family to me.As we rounded the corner, I saw her—Auntie Isabella. She was hunched over a small wash basin, scrubbing dishes with sweat glistening on her tired face. My heart lodged itself in my throat. She looked so frail, so worn down by life, and guilt crashed over me like a wave. What had she been through because of us?Mr. Foden took the lead, his voice calm yet firm as he approached her. “Excuse me.”She didn’t even look up. “I’m on my break. Come back in the evening,” she
Grandpa's words hung in the air, thick with tension. I could sense the weight of the moment, the gravity of what we were discussing. My chest tightened as I thought about everything—the poison, the betrayal, the company. "Then Hannah must’ve put the poison in your food," Grandpa repeated from his bed, his voice weary but certain.I sighed, trying to gather my thoughts. “She was especially cruel to me when I started middle school. She probably learned I was my father’s biological daughter. That would explain everything—her sudden hatred.”Grandpa frowned, confusion flickering in his eyes. “But how did she find that out? And why did she say those things to Isabella?”I leaned forward, my heart pounding as I prepared to ask the question that had been nagging at me. “How did Hannah come to marry my dad?” Grandpa's face hardened as he recalled the past. “She was an assistant in the secretary’s office. Polite, good at her job, and she got along well with Henry. After your mother and Henry
**Zayn's POV**It was early in the morning, and I found myself pacing back and forth, nervous and agitated. I had to see Elena. What CEO Amory had said about her kept echoing in my mind, and I needed answers. As soon as I reached her neighborhood, I saw her in the distance, hurriedly flagging down a taxi. Her steps were quick and urgent, and before I could catch up, she disappeared into the car, leaving me behind.Glancing around in frustration, I spotted a nearby taxi approaching. Without hesitation, I waved it down, quickly getting in with a sense of desperation. “Follow that white taxi ahead,” I instructed, my voice laced with anxiety. I could feel something big looming, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for it.The driver nodded, and we took off, trailing Elena’s taxi as it weaved through the morning traffic. My mind was racing. Why was she running? What was she hiding? After several minutes of pursuit, her taxi came to a stop in front of a restaurant. I watched her exit the vehicl
**Amory's POV** Today marked my first meeting with the executives of Emgrand Group, and I could feel the weight of the room as soon as I stepped in. After agreeing to my grandmother's terms, I was appointed as the Vice President, and it was time to make my presence known. I had no intention of being late for my first meeting, especially with my brother sitting opposite me across the table, next to the acting president. The tension between us was palpable, but I kept my focus. “Next on the agenda,” the acting president began, his voice steady, “ is for Emgrand group’s newly launched safety and sustainability department, we will be voting on bringing onboard Amory, current CEO of H-Terier, as Director and and Vice President. Would anyone like to speak on the matter?” The room grew still, but I could sense unease. The man beside me, whose name I had yet to catch, shook his head subtly before leaning forward to press the microphone button. “Director of a new department… and at such
**Emma's POV**At precisely 12:30 p.m., Madam Elizabeth and I entered my father's company. The air was thick with tension as we prepared to address the issue of Elena's blackmail attempt, targeting both Emgrand Group and me. The recent events had spiraled, thanks to Zayn’s desperate attempt to clean up his mess, which now entangled my sister and father in this web of lies.“You understand Emma is part of Emgrand Group, right?” Madam Elizabeth’s voice cut through the room, cold and sharp. My father sat at the head of the table, reading the latest article, while across from us were Elena and her mother, Hannah Smith.“The fact that Smith’s daughter slandered her like this,” Madam Elizabeth continued, glaring at Elena, “should we consider it a slander against Emgrand Group as a whole?”Elena's fake smile faltered, but she quickly composed herself, adopting a sickeningly sweet tone. “Mother, I would never do such a thing.”“Please don’t call me that. It’s unpleasant.” Madam Elizabeth snap
**Hannah's POV**"What is this?" Henry snapped, frustration etched on his face.I ignored his tone, opening the medicine bottle and taking out two doses of psychotropic drugs. I grabbed the glass of water from the table and moved closer to the bed where he sat, his eyes glued to the recorded video of his father."Proof of how much your father invested into Emma's marriage," I said, sitting down next to him. My voice was calm but calculated. "He begged Chairwoman Amara to accept Emma. He even returned all the interest he ever earned from her. That painting he donated to the foundation? It was already sold, and he paid to bring it back."Henry’s face twisted in confusion. "Why would my father do all that?"I avoided his gaze, placing the glass of water on the table and reaching for his hand. Opening his palm, I dropped the pills into it."That’s not even the whole story," I continued, locking eyes with him. "He even moved from nursing homes behind our backs—with Emma leading the way."H
**Emma's POV**“Hannah did that?” I snapped, barely able to process Grandpa's regretful expression.“I’m sorry. I was careless,” he said, his voice low and filled with pleading.“No, I was too,” I muttered, the weight of my own mistakes pressing on me, eyes averted from his as guilt gnawed at my chest.“But there’s something bothering me,” he added, his tone shifting, curiosity creeping in.I looked up at him, my heart racing. “What is it?”“What Hannah said… Isabella thought she was talking to her. But if that were the case, Hannah wouldn’t have let her go so easily. Which means… she was talking to you, Emma,” Grandpa said with an air of conviction, locking his gaze with mine.I blinked, the realization sinking in, making my stomach churn. “When she said, ‘How dare you grovel back to this house,’ that means she already knew her husband had another child,” I whispered, my voice almost inaudible.Grandpa nodded slowly, his face tense. “Exactly. And when she said, ‘Do you want to die by
**Emma’s POV** Now I understand that there’s no greater joy than marrying the person you love and knowing they love you back just as deeply. A smile tugged at my lips as both Amory and I signed our names, finalizing our marriage registration. “Now, we just have to…” he said, glancing at me with a playful grin as we both reached for the stamp. “One, two, three,” we counted together, pressing the stamp onto the marriage license. With the finality of that gesture, we submitted our paperwork, and Amory pulled me into a hug, wrapping his arm around my shoulders as we walked through the lobby. “Congratulations!” voices echoed around us, and I turned to see Catherine, Mia, and some of Amory’s colleagues gathered there, cheering in surprise and joy. “Congratulations, brother! Congratulations, Emma!” Catherine’s voice was bright and happy. Her husband chimed in, grinning, “Just like old times, huh?” I couldn’t help but beam back, the warmth of their celebration washing over me
**Emma’s POV** The sun was barely up, and the morning air held a slight chill, but there was a warmth blooming in my heart that no weather could touch. I reached across the breakfast table, picking up a slice of toast, and took a contented bite. “I think my morning sickness is finally gone,” I said with a sense of relief, smiling as I chewed. My mother’s expression softened as she watched me, her own breakfast momentarily forgotten. “Thank goodness,” she sighed, her hand resting briefly on mine. “I was starting to worry about you, you know, since you’d barely been eating.” She reached over to fill my glass with water, the sunlight catching the faint lines on her hands, a reminder of all the years of love and work she had put into raising me. “Do you have a busy day ahead?” she asked, glancing up at me with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. I nodded, swallowing a sip of water. “There’s a meeting with Dad and Grandpa about the foundation, and then I’m meeting Amory in the evening
Emma POV After leaving Amory's father and grandmother, we finally made it back home. The quiet felt almost surreal after everything we'd been through. I helped Amory settle down on the couch, his steps still unsteady, his recovery a slow process. I could see the weariness in his eyes, but I also saw something else—a lightness that had been missing for so long. We hadn’t been sitting long when a sudden chime from outside caught our attention. I quickly stood, realizing what it was. I hurried to the door, finding a delivery man waiting, a small package in his hands. As I took the package and shut the door, Amory looked over, puzzled. “What is this?” he asked as I placed the package on the table. I couldn’t help but smile. “It’s from my mom. She sent some of her special homemade dishes for you. She thought you’d need the extra strength.” “Your mom actually did that?” he asked, looking genuinely touched. I nodded, feeling warmth at the memory of her kindness. “She took such g
Amory POV It had been almost two and a half months since I’d been confined to a hospital bed, and now, finally, I was going home. My body still felt weak; each step was slow and careful, but I was free. Emma, my mom, and I decided to stop by and visit Grandma and Father before heading home. I knew they’d been waiting anxiously for this moment. As soon as we stepped inside, my mother’s voice rang out, “Mother! Honey!” The joy in her voice was unmistakable. Grandma’s eyes widened as she saw me, her expression shifting from shock to sheer happiness in an instant. She rushed forward, enveloping me in a tight embrace, her joy overflowing. “Amory! You’re home!” she exclaimed, beaming. “You did good. You did good,” she murmured, releasing me and turning to give Emma a hug as well. “You, too,” she added, smiling warmly at her. My gaze shifted to my father, who moved closer, his own smile breaking through the usually stoic expression. “You did good,” he said simply, before pulling me i
**Emma’s POV** Two long, agonizing months had passed since Amory been injured by Fielding leaving him lying motionless in that sterile hospital bed, a shadow of the vibrant man I loved. Every day, I had sat by his side, watching the faint rise and fall of his chest, searching his face for any sign of movement, any flicker of life. Even after his second surgery, he lay unresponsive, leaving me to grapple with an ache that felt impossible to mend. I sat quietly, watching him. He looked so peaceful, as if he were only asleep. I reached for his hand, feeling the gentle warmth of his skin beneath my fingertips, and clutched it close. "Amory," I whispered, my voice barely audible in the stillness, "I finally understand why I was given a second chance at life… why I came back." The quiet beeping of the machines filled the silence, steady and constant, a reminder of just how fragile he was. I took a shaky breath, pressing his hand against my cheek, my tears flowing freely as I whispered, “
Emma POV After Madam Elizabeth left, the room fell quiet, filled only with the hum of machines. I was still processing all that had happened when, to my surprise, Mr. Foden entered. It had been days since I’d last seen him—days since I learned the shocking truth that artist Edward Jones was his father.“You don’t look well, Ms. Emma,” he said, settling into a chair nearby. His gaze was steady, filled with a mixture of concern and curiosity.I sighed, sidestepping his observation. “How’s your father doing?” I asked, shifting the conversation away from myself.“He’s at the nursing home,” he replied, his voice carrying a hint of sadness. He studied me closely, then continued, “What I said at the police station was quite shocking, wasn’t it?”I took a deep breath, the weight of it all pressing down on me. “I thought you might be connected to Edward Jones in some way. I didn’t know you were father and son.”He gave a small, regretful shake of his head. “I was sent to an orphanage so young
madam Elizabeth POV I sat down heavily on the couch, the tension from the hospital clinging to me like a weight I couldn’t shake. Emma was with Amory, still in critical condition after his first surgery, and the doctors were already discussing the need for another procedure. My heart twisted just thinking about it. “So, is there no progress on Amory?” Grandma’s voice was soft, yet tinged with worry. She was sitting across from me, her hands tightly clasped in her lap. I let out a long sigh, meeting her gaze. “They need to operate again. I’m so worried, Mother. What if he…” I trailed off, unable to finish the thought. I couldn’t bear to voice my fears. “Don’t say that. We have to be strong, somehow,” my husband interjected as he stood from his chair. His voice was firm, but I could see the concern etched into his face. He left the room without another word, leaving Grandma and me in a heavy silence. Just then, the sharp sound of the doorbell shattered the quiet. One of the mai
Fielding POV The clanking of the cell door jolted me from my thoughts. A police officer swung it open, gesturing for me to step out. I was handcuffed, and as I stepped into the hall, I saw him: my father, sitting stiffly in the visitor center. His eyes fixed on me as I entered, an expression that was as cold as it was unforgiving.For a moment, I froze, unable to take another step. But I forced myself forward, one heavy step after the other, until I reached the chair across from him. We were separated only by a small table, yet the distance felt insurmountable. He remained silent, his face a tight mask of anger and disappointment.After a painfully long silence, he finally spoke, his voice a low growl. “How could you do such a thing?” he asked, his words dripping with disdain. “I thought, maybe, after all this time, you would change. I thought you’d learn something.” His voice broke, raw and filled with an intensity that made me look away, unable to hold his gaze.He continued, his t
We reached the hospital, and Amory was rushed inside while I was directed to the waiting area. I sank into one of the chairs, numb, with tears streaming down my cheeks as the reality of everything crashed over me.“Emma! Emma!” someone called, but I was lost in my turmoil, barely aware of my surroundings. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Amory’s mother, Madam Elizabeth, standing before me, her face etched with worry.“What happened?” she asked, her voice trembling with fear as she knelt beside me.I took a deep breath, trying to muster the strength to explain, but the words felt heavy, almost impossible to say. “Amory… he got hurt trying to protect me,” I finally managed, my voice barely a whisper as I avoided her gaze, feeling the weight of guilt settle deeper in my chest.Madam Elizabeth gasped, her hands trembling. For a moment, I couldn’t bear to look at her, but she surprised me by pulling me into a gentle embrace, her hand rubbing my back soothingly. “It’s okay,