Clara's POV"Wishing you all the best, Grandpa," James said curtly. He offered a cold smile, while Zoe made every effort to appear warm and likable to the old gentleman"Happy birthday Mr. George, It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. James told me how thoughtful and compassionate you are, and it truly feels like an honor for me to attend your birthday celebration." Zoe said with a sweet smile plastered on her face.But Mr. George didn't spare her any attention, he didn't even thank her. He looks confused and displeased as he looks at his grandson. "Who is this lady, James? Why did you bring her to my birthday party?"I think since they started dating, James has yet to introduce Zoe to his family, which explains why his grandfather appeared not to recognize her. Well, given how Mr. George is very strict when it comes to accepting new people into his circle, James must be waiting for the right timing."Grandpa, let me introduce you to Zoe Sinclair, my wife. We will hold our w
Clara's POV"I swear I had it on tonight; I never really take it off, you know. I take it along with me no matter where I am." James' mother's voice wavered.Behind her panic, I could see a guilt stemming from the fact that the necklace had been a gift from James's father to her.So losing it, a cherished gift from her late husband, must have been so heartbreaking for her.In that instant, our previous conversation faded away as everyone in the room quickly focused on what Mrs. Iris Morgan said."I have to find it. I can't live without it.""You must have dropped it somewhere without realizing it, Iris." Said Mr. George. "You've been busy welcoming our guests since evening."But Mrs. Iris only shook her head, and I could see tears beginning to well in her eyes."No father, I'm sure I'm not that careless."Zoe, who was standing beside James, moved to take her place beside Mrs. Iris and offered a sympathetic smile. She rested her hand on the elder woman's shoulder and said reassuringly.
Clara's POV"No..." the words slipped out before I could stop them.I wasn't denied that the necklace didn't belong to Iris' Morgan, but the fact that it slipped from my clutch felt like an unseen force had struck me. How come?Mrs. Iris's words, along with my own, drew everyone's attention directly to me."Yes, it is! This is the necklace my husband gifted me." She exclaimed hysterically.Zoe immediately handed it to her carefully. "You thief! You steal it from Mrs. Iris, didn't you?" Zoe's face once filled with sympathy, instantly shifted to disgust and anger as she point her finger at my face."Oh for God's sake, but how is this possible? How did Mrs. Morgan's necklace end up in Clara's bag if she didn't steal it? Clara, how do you explain this to all of us?"Her question, which I had no idea how to answer, hung in the air as everyone waited, their impatience palpable, making the weight of the moment feel almost unbearable. Everyone anticipates a response from me, whether it's a d
5 years later.Clara’s POV"Mommy, can we head to the park and grab some ice cream this afternoon?" My daughter asked as I arranged her hair and the tiny red ribbon on her uniform collar.It was a sunny morning and she was about to start her first day at kindergarten.Her radiant smile complements the clear blue sky. My daughter Layla has soft auburn hair that mirrors my own and striking deep blue eyes reminiscent of a man who was once the love of my life.She brings warmth and brightness to my life, dispelling the shadows and storms that have surrounded me for the last five years."Sure sweetie, we can get ice cream as much as you'd like," I said with a smile."Yeay. Can we invite Uncle Keith to join us too?""Yes, but Mommy isn't sure he can join us since he's typically busy on Mondays like this." Though Keith would drop everything at the mere suggestion of Layla asking him out, even if it was just to hang out in the park. His habits made me somewhat hesitant; I didn't want to inco
Clara's POVThat means reporters are likely to show up since they’re interested in interviewing the owner of this restaurant. Which is me.The crowd would be overwhelming, and just the idea of it feels suffocating."Hey, what's wrong? Do you not like it? If you don't want to be interviewed I'll arrange so there would be no coverage at all." Keith said, he must have seen the shift in my expression.I shook my head.I hoped to meet their expectations. I would present my best self; however, the idea of being the center of people's attention stirred an uneasy sensation within me.But I convinced myself that I didn't need to be afraid. They were not present to pass judgment or lay blame on me. I had no concerns at all."No need, I can handle it."Keith smiled at my answer "Good. This is Clara I know."Once Keith left, I returned to the kitchen to assist my staff in preparing the orders as today’s customers began to show up. I had just finished washing my hands at the sink and was reaching
Clara's POV"Ma'am, are you alright?" Diana asked, touching my shoulder.I was snapped back into reality. I shook my head, dismissing all the questions swirling in my mind. "Yeah, I was just daydreaming.""Are you afraid that what happened yesterday will happen again? That Mr. Morgan going to be angry again?" She asked.After that incident, I had to warn Keith that if he did anything like that again, I wouldn't let him see me or Layla anymore. I think it's effective cause he grew more and more composed."I've talked to him. Keith promised it won't happen again.""Confusing isn't it? Sometimes men are more complicated than us women." Diana murmured, and I realized I was completely engaged in hearing her next words. "Sometimes rather than acknowledging their jealousy, they create a dramatic situation that will only prolong the problems."I turned to her and said. "But there's no way Keith is jealous, Diana. He's just worried that Lucas is not a good person and could potentially hurt me
James' POV"James I’ll probably be home late today. I’d like to spend some time with Linda since it’s been a while since we last caught up, I hope you're okay with that. See you for dinner later my love." Said my wife, Zoe, through the phone."See you later," I responded before ending the call.She reunited with her old friend after more than five years apart. I was done meeting with a client and was on my way back to my apartment when the vibrant scenery outside drew me in. I was here in New York for business matters and some vacation. It's been quite a while since my last visit, and I might swing by the Morgan Corp office, the one managed by my brother Keith."The weather is quite nice today, sir. Are you sure you want to head back to the flat so soon?" Dain asked.I gazed at the azure sky. I typically don't have the time to notice if the weather is nice or not daily, as most of my activities are confined within the walls of my office. Five-year marriage with Zoe Sinclair and she a
Clara's POV"Mommy do I look like a princess?" my daughter Layla asked, she wore a short light blue dress that matched my dress.We wore matching colors tonight and I'm relieved that she likes it. "Do I look pretty?""Yes, you are, sweetie. But remember that true beauty comes from here," I said, crouching down to meet your gaze, my hand resting over the place where the heart is. "Can you give Mommy a smile tonight?"She grinned widely instantly warming my heart. I led Layla out of the room where Keith was waiting.He smiled upon seeing us, and Layla instantly released my hand to throw herself into his hug. "Uncle!""Hi, sweetie." Keith lifted her with ease. My daughter eagerly displayed her hair, styled in a way I had arranged. "Woah. Did your mum do your hair?"Layla acknowledged with a nod. "Isn't she amazing? Her hands have the magic to transform anything into something extraordinary. I sometimes wonder is there something she can't do?" He enquired, casting a look that ignited a fee
Keith's POVHave you ever felt that moment when you finally get what you want, yet it leaves you with an emptiness? The satisfaction, happiness, and sense of victory that should have accompanied it, seem to just vanish into thin air.I feel completely empty, lacking any sense of fulfillment even after finally being able to breathe the fresh air outside the damned cell. This should be the moment for me to go ahead and carry out my plan. Without Clara by my side, the spark of life within me has... faded away.What did I do wrong?What did I do to deserve her hatred?Maybe, I have gone too far. But believe me, I did this solely because I wanted her to return to me, as she was meant to. Clara belongs to me.Back in those times when my brother treated her more like a disgrace than a wife, I was always there by her side. I knew that her life had been never easy, so I ensured that in our fake and cold social sphere, she had at least one person she could truly call a friend.This feeling th
Clara's POVI finally met up with Lily on the same day. But not at the penthouse where her friend took her; instead, it was at one of the cafes. Lily said that her friend is somewhat shy and doesn't like to meet new people. I don't mind about the meeting location, as long as I can finally see her and make sure she's okay."Clara," Lily got to her feet as soon as I got to her table. I was silent, completely at a loss for words. What left me utterly speechless wasn't her, but rather her 'friend.' So this is the man she has been calling friend all along? I needed to raise my gaze when he finally got up. I'm not sure of his exact height, but it's pretty obvious that he's around 6,7 feet tall. He's so handsome, but not in the typical way that most looks. I have no idea where Lily even met him. "Hey, you must be Clara. Great to meet you." He said, reaching out his hand. I accepted his handshake even though the way he was looking at me made me feel a shiver down my spine. It feels like
Clara's POV"We’ve located the address. It's still in New York." James said. I quickly got up and made my way over to him and his subordinates who assisted us in locating Lily. Since I didn't have much information about her actual location, we just tracked her using the number she called me. I have no idea whose number it was. James shared with me the outcome of Lily's whereabouts. And sure enough, it's still in New York City. I narrowed my eyes, spotting the spot where the phone number was located. The area felt somewhat familiar.I realized it's due to its spot in the city center; the location is pretty upscale. But Lily mentioned that she was kidnapped. I never even thought about this place before. The person who kidnapped her definitely wasn't poor; they could afford to live in that neighborhood. "Do you happen to know anyone who lives there, Miss? Could it be her friend?"I just shook my head. Unfortunately, I don't know who Lily's friends are around here. I don't have their
Lily's POVAshley snatched the phone from my hand just as I was about to wrap up my conversation with Clara. Shit! “You said you were only going to order food? Who did you just ring up?" She asked, her voice raised. "I-" For a moment, I found myself hesitant, too anxious to answer after just being caught red-handed. But suddenly, it dawned on me that I really shouldn't have. Cause there's no chance I'm sticking around here forever, right? Iits my right if I tried to find a way to escape this place.I don’t need to be scared. Especially since Dominic's actions went against my wishes. I can't just accept this and remain quiet. I have to stand my ground. "Answer me." "Yes!. I just called the cops!" I responded with just as much intensity. Ashley was mistaken if she thought I would feel intimidated simply due to my status as a captive. She just confronted Lily Russel. She had no idea how headstrong I could be. “Cops?”"Yes! Soon they'll come and arrest your master. Does he believ
Clara's POVWhen I woke up, my body was aching. I spent a few minutes stretching before getting up to check on Layla. She was still asleep, so I went to the kitchen to get a drink and then headed to the living room. I settled into the couch, my gaze locked on the door.I was kind of hoping it would open and that Lily would appear. She really should have come back to let me know that she was okay. Instead of just vanishing without any trace.Lily already mentioned she wouldn't be staying in my apartment forever, but she hasn't said when she's planning to move out. I didn't expect that she would move out this quickly, especially without giving me a heads-up. Opening my phone, I tried to dial her number. "Can you please answer it, Lily?" I began to feel that anxiety creeping back in.Once more, an automated voice picked up the call. I didn't have the number for her friend to reach out to and I had no idea where to find her. She really shouldn't have just vanished like this.Her careles
Lily's POVMy head hurt, I blinked a few times, trying to lift myself. I reached out for anything nearby to steady myself."Ouch, what just happened to me?" I rubbed my temples. It feels just like that moment when I dozed off at three in the afternoon and woke up all confused. I can't even tell if it's day or night. I can't even tell where I am right now.I shifted my gaze to the unfamiliar room around me. This isn't Clara's place. I didn't even like the apartment I checked out to live in. This feels like it’s straight out of a penthouse, something I could never dream of affording. How did I end up here in the first place?I tried to remember what was happening before I lost consciousness and the memory slowly came back into my mind. Oh, god....Keith Morgan came to Clara's apartment. He claimed that he wanted to see me. And then...That dick! He drugged me! He applied something to that cloth that caused me to pass out. Before he did, I recall him mentioning that someone wanted to m
Lily's POVA week later.I got back to Clara's apartment in NYC three days ago. Clara, James, Layla, and I are heading back to New York today. I had to leave before them because of some things I needed to take care of. I just finished my shower and answered a call from my mother, she asked how everything was going. Before I left LA, I told them that besides meeting Clara, I was going to look for a job here. It wasn't a lie, I want the opportunity to work in this city.My phone buzzed with another incoming call. “What’s up, Josh?” I nervously bit my tongue, waiting for his response. Why did he call me? Is it related to that man again? "Are you still in Italy?" "No. I'm back here again. What is it?" “Sounds good, let’s meet up. I have so much I want to share with you."“Yeah, of course.”I'll head to the airport to pick up Clara in the evening and I don't have anything planned for today beside it. It's still early, and rather than sitting here feeling bored, why not take Josh up on
Selena's POVAs soon as I received a call from Mrs. Iris Morgan, I grabbed my purse and headed downstairs right away. I hopped in a taxi to her penthouse and told the driver to speed like the wind. Keith is free.Can you even believe that? At last, he's out of prison. I'm not sure what finally clicked for James Morgan and made him see things differently. I'm glad he finally understood that his actions towards Keith were unacceptable. How could he possibly lock up his brother just for that woman?As soon as I got there, I settled up with the driver and made my way to Iris's floor. As I reached the door, I pushed it open just like she instructed and stepped into the main room. Seeing Keith there made my heart burst with joy. I held back the impulse to shout with happiness and strolled over to him."Keith!" I exclaimed, "Oh thank God! You are finally free! You finally made it out of that awful place! At last, James had a change of heart and let you go!" I couldn't hold back my joy, s
Clara's POVThe dinner was great. I have no regrets about accepting James' invitation. He's sticking to his word about just wanting to have dinner together and nothing more. And now, we’re strolling through the vast green fields that stretch out on either side of us. Pine trees standing tall, white cobblestone path under our feet."What does Layla think of this trip so far? Is she feeling happy?" James asked. As I glanced over at him, I noticed a worry etched on his face. “She is.” He probably noticed it on his own. Layla hasn't stopped smiling since we got here. I'm thankful that I agreed with James when he decided to invite her on this trip. Took a break from my hectic daily routine and flew to this gorgeous place made me feel like I didn't want to go back. Why can't I just stay here forever? I took out my phone to snap some pictures of the stunning scenery when I heard James ask. "How about you?""Sorry, what did you just say?" I wasn't quite catching what he was asking abou