NickAs I stood in the hallway, watching Isabel busy herself in the kitchen, a sense of concern gnawed at me. It had been weeks since she started acting strangely, avoiding conversations about her health and brushing off my attempts to schedule a doctor's appointment."Isabel, can we talk for a moment?" I called out, my voice tinged with worry.She turned to face me, her expression strained. "Not now, Nick. I have things to do," she replied curtly, avoiding my gaze.My heart sank at her dismissive tone. "Isabel, please," I persisted, stepping closer to her. "Your health is important. We need to make sure everything is okay with the baby."She sighed, setting down the dish she was washing. "I told you, I'm fine," she insisted, her voice wavering slightly.Before I could respond, the doorbell rang, interrupting our conversation. I exchanged a puzzled glance with Isabel as I headed to answer it. Standing on our doorstep was Mrs. Mitchell, Isabel's mother."Mom? What are you doing here?"
IsabelAs I sat in the hospital room, my mind reeling from the doctor's words, shock and disbelief washed over me like a tidal wave. The truth was finally catching up with me, shattering the fragile web of lies I had woven around myself.The baby had not survived. The poison had done its damage, and my desperate plan to give birth prematurely had failed miserably. Everything I had hoped for—keeping up the facade, ensuring no one would question the paternity of the child—had crumbled before my eyes.Beside me, my mother, looked equally stunned. Her face mirrored the shock and dismay I felt inside. We had both been complicit in this deception, but now the consequences were too grave to ignore.When Nick arrived at the hospital and learned the truth, his absence spoke volumes. He didn't bother to come see me once he realised he couldn't be the father. The weight of his rejection hit me like a sledgehammer, compounding the agony of losing our child.I couldn't contain the torrent of emoti
The dim light of the night filtered through the dark curtains of Nicholas Sokolov’s office, casting weird shadows across the expensive and modern furniture. Despite the luxury and the beautiful view, there was an air of tension high in the air, suffocating in its intensity. Nick sat behind his desk, a glass of amber liquid between his hands as he stared blankly at the city lights and skyline beyond the window.Home.The world left a bitter taste in Nick’s mouth, harsher than the whiskey he was drinking. This place was supposed to be his sanctuary, a refuge from the demanding chaos that his life was. But instead, it felt like a gilded prison, offering no peace or solace, only the ghosts of demons that haunted him.The throbbing pain in his shoulder served as a constant reminder of the dangers that lurked beyond the safety of his office. He winced as he shifted in his chair, the movement sending a sharp jolt of pain shooting through his entire body. He had bruises everywhere. The wound
NickI sighed heavily as I dialed Dmitri's number, the weight of my decision pressing down on me like a leaden cloak. Each ring felt like an eternity, amplifying the doubts that churned in the pit of my stomach. But I knew I had to do this—I couldn't stay in this suffocating position.Finally, Dmitri picked up, his voice gruff and businesslike. "Nick, what's up?""Dmitri, I'm going home," I said, the words heavy on my tongue. "To the city where my father made his fortune."There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, as if Dmitri was trying to process my words. "Home?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "But Nick, what about Isabel? What about your business?”I closed my eyes, the guilt and shame washing over me like a tidal wave. "I can't do this anymore, Dmitri," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I can't keep pretending that everything is okay, that Isabel and I have a future together. I need to break free, at least for a bit."There was a heavi
Jane I stepped out of my small apartment and into the cold morning air, a sense of monotony settling over me like a dark cloak. Another day, another routine to follow. A life devoid of excitement or adventure, where each day bled into the next in an unending cycle of sameness. This was my reality, a quiet existence in the bustling town of Brookside, where nothing ever seemed to happen. The streets were alive with the hustle and bustle of early morning commuters, the sound of cars honking and people chattering filling the air. I watched them from the sidelines, a silent observer in a world that always moved too fast for me. There was a time when I longed to be a part of it all, to carve out my own place in the world, but now, I felt like I was destined to be forever left behind. I made my way to the college where I worked as an admin assistant. I couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness that hit me every time I approached my workplace. Everyone around me seemed to have their own live
NickThe tires of my taxi crunched over the gravel driveway as we pulled up to the imposing gates of the Sokolov Mansion, the place I once called home. Despite the passage of time, the old estate still exuded an air of power and authority, its grandeur a testament to the wealth and influence of my family.I stepped out of the car and approached the gates, memories flooding my mind—the memories of a childhood spent roaming the sprawling grounds, of late nights spent huddled around the fireplace with my family, listening to my father's tales of his rough childhood in the streets.But as I pushed the gates and made my way up the entrance of the house, those memories were tinged with a bit of resentment. My father may have built this empire, but he had also left behind a legacy of betrayal, a legacy that I was determined to uncover and confront as soon as possible.The door swung open before I could even knock, revealing the figure of my mother, Elena Sokolov, standing in the doorway. She
JaneThe sun rose slowly over Brookside, casting a soft golden light over the sleepy town as I made my way towards the quaint little church nestled at its heart. Sunday mornings had always been a time for quiet reflection, a chance to escape the chaos of the world and find solace in the comforting embrace of faith.As I entered the church, the familiar scent of incense and polished wood washed over me like a warm embrace, soothing my frazzled nerves and quieting the tumultuous thoughts that swirled inside my mind. It was a welcome respite from the relentless pace of life outside, a sanctuary where I could find peace in the midst of chaos.But today, as I took my seat in the wooden pew and bowed my head in prayer, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at the edges of my consciousness. Rumours had been circulating through town for days, just rumours of a certain Alpha who had returned to Brookside after years of absence, stirring up memories and emotions that I had long sin
Isabel The taste of rejection lingered bitterly on my tongue as I stormed out of Jane's apartment, consumed by fury and indignation. How dare my stepsister treat me like this, I seethed, kicking me out without even listening to my threats? I've always prided myself on my status and privilege, the designer clothes, the luxurious lifestyle, the adoring gazes of strangers as I walked down the street. But now, standing alone on the quiet sidewalk, I felt a sense of vulnerability creeping in, a fear that I was losing control of my own life. And then there was Nicholas, the man I once believed would be my salvation, my ticket out of the suffocating confines of my humble upbringing. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd be strutting down to the hometown I despised so much. The whole point of being Mrs. Sokolov was to forget about Brookside and its people. After all, it was the main thing that made us close, the decision to leave town as soon as possible. For him, it was the decisi