LOGINAfter the final bell rang, the school slowly emptied into its usual afternoon chaos—students spilling into the compound, laughter, complaints about assignments, and the low hum of conversations blending into one.Layla and Chloe walked side by side toward the gate.Chloe nudged her lightly. “So… are we going to pretend like this morning didn’t happen or—”Layla exhaled, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. “Can we not start again?”Chloe smirked. “Oh, we’re starting again. I haven’t even finished processing the fact that your father invited me over for questioning like I’m a criminal.”Layla groaned. “Stop saying it like that.”“How else am I supposed to say it?” Chloe shot back. “Your dad literally summoned me. He issued my stayover.”Layla tried not to laugh—but failed. “Just… behave, okay?”Chloe gasped dramatically. “I always behave.”Layla gave her a look. Which made Chloe pause. “…okay, sometimes.” Chloe said.They reached the roadside and flagged down a taxi. After a brief negot
The bell rang, sharp and final, slicing through the low hum of the classroom and it was break time. Chairs scraped while voices of students rose excitedly.Energy shifted instantly.Layla barely had time to pack her books before Chloe grabbed her wrist.“Come on,” she said, already pulling her up. “We are not wasting this break. I need details. Full details. No summaries.”Layla laughed softly, letting herself be dragged along.“You’re so dramatic.”“I don't think so. I just want the story,” Chloe shot back without missing a beat.They slipped out of the classroom and into the corridor, weaving through clusters of students until they reached a quieter corner near the back staircase—one of their usual spots.It was secluded and safe enough.Chloe turned immediately, folding her arms.“Start talking.”Layla exhaled, leaning against the wall.For a second, she didn’t speak because now that she had to say everything out loud—It felt real again.Chloe narrowed her eyes.“Don’t tell me y
Morning came softly. Not loud or chaotic but gentle—like the house itself was trying to recover from everything it had held the night before.Layla was still wrapped in sleep when two firm taps of knock came.Then—“Layla.” Her father’s voice came clear.“Get ready for school.”Layla's eyes snapped open. For a second, she didn’t move or breathe because something about that—about his tone—felt… normal.Too normal.Her heart skipped as she pushed herself up quickly, rushing to the door and pulling it open.“Dad—”But the hallway was already empty. He was gone.She stood there for a moment, blinking and confused, even processing the situation.Then something warm spread slowly in her chest.Not fear,not tension but hope.Layla didn’t waste time. She moved quickly—freshening up, brushing her teeth, splashing cold water on her face.Her reflection stared back at her,still a little tired from carrying everything from yesterday but just a little lighter now.After freshening up,she dressed i
The silence between Layla and her mother hadn’t fully settled when the front door opened.A familiar sound of heels against the floor and a tired exhale.“Mom?” Nadia’s voice floated in from the hallway.Layla’s shoulders stiffened slightly.Her mother turned her head just as Nadia stepped into the dining area, shrugging off her bag, her expression softening the moment she saw them both seated.“Oh… you’re both here,” Nadia said, a small smile forming. “Good evening.”“Evening,” her mother replied.Layla forced a faint smile. “Hi.”Nadia walked closer, her gaze flicking between them—sharp, observant. She immediately picked up on the tension and quietness. Something had already been discussed.“What did I miss?” she asked lightly, pulling out a chair and sitting beside Layla.Their mother didn’t answer immediately.Instead, she studied Nadia for a moment.Then she spoke.“You knew.”Nadia froze slightly.Her fingers paused mid-motion as she reached for a slice of fruit.“…Mom,” she st
Layla froze completely. Her eyes widened as her heart slammed against her chest.Then came another knock.“Layla?” Her mother called.Layla’s breath hitched. Her grip tightened around the phone.She looked at the screen—At Elias while panic flooding her expression.“I—” she whispered.“Layla, are you inside?”Layla swallowed. Her pulse raced as her mother knocked again. Harder this time.“Layla.”And this time—Her mother’s voice had changed to less patient. There was no softness in her voice.Panic surged through her.“I have to go,” she whispered quickly, eyes darting toward the bathroom door as if it could somehow betray her.On the screen, Elias’s expression hardened instantly.“You…”“Goodnight,” she cut in hurriedly, her voice trembling just slightly. “Please eat, okay? I mean it.”“Layla—”But she ended the call before he could finish.For a split second, she just stood there, staring at her reflection. Her breathing was now uneven. Then instinct kicked in.She moved quickly—
Dawn had already begun to bleed into the sky by the time Elias stepped out of Ross Holdings.The city was quiet in that strange, suspended way—where the night hadn’t fully let go, but the day was already claiming its space. Cool air,empty streets,a faint glow stretching across the horizon.Elias adjusted his cufflinks as he walked toward the waiting car, Marcus already by the door, holding it open.He got into the backseat, his expression unreadable, his mind still somewhere inside that boardroom.Inside that war.Marcus closed the door and slid into the driver’s seat, starting the engine.The car pulled away smoothly.For a few seconds, silence filled the space.Then—Elias leaned back, exhaling slowly.Not tired or relieved,just… momentarily still.His hand moved almost instinctively toward his phone.He paused for a second because for the first time since everything began—since the shares, the takeover, the confrontation—His thoughts weren’t on Ross. They weren’t in the company. T







