The house was still, the only sound the steady tick-tock of the clock on the wall. Nadine paced back and forth in the living room, her footsteps quiet on the carpet. She glanced down the hallway at Liam's room, the door slightly ajar. The soft sound of his breathing was a comforting reminder that he was safe, and it helped calm her racing thoughts.Still, she couldn’t relax. Adrian’s face lingered in her mind—his intense eyes, the way he’d looked at her the previous night, his quiet insistence that they needed to talk. Why now, after all these years?Nadine shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away. She couldn’t afford to let her guard down, not when Liam’s safety was on the line.Just as she settled on the couch with a cup of tea, her phone buzzed on the coffee table. The sound made her jump, and hot tea splashed onto her hand. Hissing in pain, she set the cup down and reached for her phone.The notification on the screen made her blood run cold.Adrian: I’m sorry for how I ap
Adrian stirred awake as his phone buzzed on the nightstand, the sharp noise cutting through the quiet of his apartment. Groggily, he reached for it, barely glancing at the caller ID before answering. “Hello?” “This is Officer Daniels from the Seabrook Police Department,” a firm voice said on the other end. “Mr. Blake, we need you to come to the station regarding a complaint filed against you.” Adrian sat upright, suddenly wide awake. “A complaint? What complaint?” “Ms. Nadine Rivers has filed a formal harassment report,” the officer explained. “We need to speak with you in person. Please arrive within the next hour.” Adrian’s chest tightened. He’d expected Nadine to be upset, even angry, but this? His stomach churned as he quickly got dressed, his mind racing. At the police station, Adrian sat across from Officer Daniels in a small, sterile room. The officer flipped through a file, his tone professional yet neutral. “Mr. Blake, you’ve been named in a harassment complaint.
Adrian sat on the edge of the bed in his dimly lit hotel room, the curtains drawn tight against the morning sun. The hum of the air conditioner was the only sound in the room, matching the numb buzz in his head. His gaze was unfocused, fixed somewhere on the floor, as his thoughts churned endlessly.The knock on his door startled him. He frowned, dragging himself to his feet and opening the door to reveal Marcus.“Good, you’re awake,” Marcus said, pushing past him into the room. His tone was sharp, a clear sign that this wasn’t a social visit.Adrian shut the door, his shoulders slumping. “What do you want?”Marcus turned to face him, his expression cold and unrelenting. “What do I want? I want to know what the hell you think you’re doing.”Adrian scoffed, dragging a hand through his disheveled hair. “Not in the mood for a lecture, Marcus.”“Well, tough. You’re getting one.” Marcus crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. “Do you have any idea the mess you’re creating by barging back int
Adrian paced the length of his hotel room, Vanessa’s text glaring at him from his phone screen. Her words struck like daggers: “You have 48 hours. Don’t test me.”His jaw clenched as frustration coursed through him. She always knew how to push his buttons, threatening to unravel what little control he had left. Tossing the phone onto the bed, Adrian sat down, burying his face in his hands.It all felt like a cruel joke. The choices he made years ago to save his family’s company had destroyed the only real happiness he’d ever known. He thought he was doing the right thing, marrying Vanessa to secure the financial support they desperately needed. But in doing so, he had lost Nadine—and now he had learned he had also lost the chance to be there for Liam from the start.The guilt weighed heavily on him, but what choice had he had back then? His father’s legacy was crumbling, and Vanessa’s father had dangled a lifeline. Marry Vanessa, and their families would merge, saving Adrian’s family
Adrian leaned against the car window, watching the streetlights streak by as Marcus drove him to the airport. The weight of the situation sat heavy on his chest. Nadine’s face, filled with anger and betrayal, lingered in his mind.“You sure about this?” Marcus asked, breaking the silence.Adrian nodded, though his expression was grim. “I don’t have much of a choice. Vanessa’s ultimatum is hanging over me, and I can’t keep pushing Nadine like this. I need to figure things out back in the States.” Marcus glanced at him, skeptical. “And what happens when you get back? You think Nadine will just welcome you with open arms?” Adrian sighed. “I don’t expect that. But I need to fix things on my end before I can even try to be part of Liam’s life. She deserves to know I’m serious about this.”Marcus tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, his tone softening. “I’ll keep an eye on her and Liam while you’re gone. But Adrian… don’t make this harder for them than it already is. Nadine’s been
Nadine was in the middle of typing an email when her phone buzzed. At first, she ignored it, assuming it was a telemarketer or another unimportant notification. But when the buzzing persisted, followed by a voicemail alert, she frowned and grabbed her phone. The daycare’s number flashed on the screen.Her chest tightened as she answered. “Hello?”“Nadine! It’s Ms. Taylor from the daycare. Liam fainted during playtime, and he’s not waking up! You need to come now!”The words hit Nadine like a freight train. She barely registered her hurried response before she grabbed her bag and rushed out of the office.When Nadine arrived at the daycare, her worst fears were realized. Liam lay pale and limp on a small cot, surrounded by panicked caregivers.“He was just playing, and then he collapsed,” Ms. Taylor explained, her voice trembling.Nadine didn’t wait to hear more. Scooping Liam into her arms, she ran to the car with Clara, who had arrived moments earlier, following close behind. The dri
Adrian paced his office, his phone pressed tightly to his ear. Marcus’s voice on the other end was strained, carrying the weight of urgency.“Adrian, it’s Liam. He’s in the hospital,” Marcus said, his voice breaking slightly.Adrian’s heart stopped. “What happened? Is he okay?”“Not exactly,” Marcus replied. “He fainted at daycare, and now the doctors say he needs a blood transfusion. The problem is, his blood type is rare. Nadine’s isn’t a match, and she’s struggling to find a donor.”Adrian gripped the desk to steady himself. “I’ll be there before evening. Just… stay with them, Marcus. Don’t let them feel alone.”“I will,” Marcus assured him. “But Adrian… Nadine still doesn’t want to call you. She’s stubborn, you know that.”“I don’t care if she hates me,” Adrian said firmly. “Liam is my son. I’ll be there.”As Adrian hung up, he turned to find Vanessa standing in the doorway, her arms crossed and a skeptical look on her face.“Where are you going in such a hurry?” she asked, her to
The soft beeping of the monitors filled the hospital room as Nadine sat by Liam’s bedside, her hand resting gently on his small one. He looked so peaceful, his breathing steady, his pale face slowly regaining color. It was a relief after the harrowing hours they had just endured. But Nadine’s relief was fleeting, replaced by the storm brewing within her.Adrian stood at the other end of the room, watching them in silence. The sight of Liam lying there had shaken him to his core. Guilt clawed at him, but his heart swelled with a mix of awe and love. He had a son—a beautiful, resilient little boy.Nadine, sensing his gaze, stood abruptly and walked to the door. “We need to talk.”Adrian followed her into the hallway. The fluorescent lights overhead cast a harsh glow, but it couldn’t mask the tension between them.Nadine turned to face him, her expression cold. Without a word, she pulled an envelope from her bag and thrust it toward him.“What’s this?” Adrian asked, his brow furrowing.“
The next morning dawned quiet and cool. Sunlight streamed through the windows of Nadine’s home, painting soft patterns on the floor. After the excitement of last night’s ceremony, the house felt peaceful—almost too peaceful.In the kitchen, Nadine poured herself a cup of tea. She had barely slept, her mind replaying every moment of the mall opening. Adrian sat at the table, reading through his emails on a tablet. He looked up as Nadine entered.“Good morning,” he said, smiling.Nadine returned the smile, but her eyes were thoughtful. “Good morning,” she replied softly. “Did Alonso tell you about the car?”Adrian nodded. “He said it was back by the gate sometime before dawn. We haven’t been able to see who was inside.”Nadine’s hand tightened around her cup. “That car worries me. I feel like someone is watching us.”Adrian reached across and squeezed her hand. “I’ll handle it. Let me talk to Alonso again.” He tapped on his tablet, making a quick call. “We’ll find out what’s going on,”
Mr. and Mrs. Blake sat quietly in their spacious living room. The grand curtains were drawn back, revealing the evening stars, but their eyes were fixed on the television screen. On it played highlights of tonight’s big event: Nadine’s annual mall opening ceremony.Mrs. Blake’s fingers toyed with the edge of her silk shawl. She watched Nadine on the screen—smiling, confident, speaking with poise and grace. A soft smile tugged at her lips, but she covered it quickly, smoothing her expression before her husband could see.“Look at her,” Mrs. Blake whispered, though the volume was low. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”Mr. Blake took a slow sip of his wine, then set the glass down without looking away from the screen. His face was unreadable—calm, measured. He made no reply.Mrs. Blake’s heart fluttered. She had always liked Nadine: kind, determined, a woman of genuine warmth. Now, seeing her succeed so brilliantly felt like a validation of everything she believed. But her husband’s silence
The party was already in full swing. The grand hall of the shopping mall gleamed under golden lights. The decorations sparkled, the music filled the space with joy, and the guests mingled, sipping drinks and enjoying the celebration of something much bigger than just a business launch—it was Nadine’s official return to the world.Everywhere she looked, people were smiling, cameras were flashing, and reporters whispered to each other about her elegance and strength. Nadine stood by Adrian’s side, her deep blue dress flowing like silk water around her legs. She looked stunning, but beneath her graceful expression, her heart was racing.Adrian turned to her and gently placed a hand on her back. “It’s time,” he whispered.Nadine took a deep breath. She had practiced the speech several times, but standing before a real crowd was different. Still, she knew she had to do this—for herself, for Liam, and for the future she was building.As she stepped onto the stage, a spotlight followed her.
The sun rose slowly over the city, casting a golden glow across the tall buildings. It was a special day—the day of Nadine’s annual opening ceremony at the mall. Inside the large shopping center, there was already a lot of movement.Nadine’s personal assistant moved around with urgency. She gave instructions to the decorators and the cleaning crew, pointing to every corner of the mall.“Please make sure the flowers are fresh!” she said loudly. “The red carpet must be clean, and the lights need to be perfect! This is going to be all over the news.”The hall inside the mall was being decorated beautifully. It sparkled with gold ribbons and floral designs. A large banner hung across the top that read:“Annual Opening Ceremony of EverGlow Mall”Camera crews and reporters were already gathering outside, preparing for interviews and live coverage. They didn’t just come for the opening—they were curious to see who really owned this massive shopping mall.Back at home, Nadine stood in front o
Nadine sat on the soft couch in the living room, her eyes quietly watching Liam as he played with his toy truck. He was so full of life, laughing and making little car noises, completely unaware of the dark storm that was quietly building around them.Adrian stepped in from the kitchen holding a glass of water. He sat beside Nadine and gave her a soft smile.“You’ve been quiet all evening,” he said gently, handing her the glass.Nadine took it with a grateful nod. “I’ve just been thinking.”“About Vanessa?” he guessed, already knowing the answer.She sighed and looked down. “Yes. I can’t shake the feeling that she’s planning something again. The way she’s been so quiet lately… It doesn’t feel right.”Adrian reached out and held her hand. “I understand. But I won’t let her hurt you or Liam. That’s a promise.”Nadine looked into his eyes, seeing the seriousness in them. “I believe you. But we both know how far she can go. What if she finds something to twist? What if she tries to ruin e
Nadine came home from the mall, feeling a little tired but proud. The staff had been welcoming, and she was happy to be stepping into her new role. The house was quiet when she entered, but she smiled when she saw Adrian sitting in the living room with his laptop open.He looked up and smiled back. “You’re back,” he said softly.“Yes,” Nadine replied, taking off her heels. “It was a good day.”But something felt… off. His smile didn’t reach his eyes.“Are you okay?” she asked, walking toward him.Adrian hesitated for a second, then nodded. “I’m fine. Just thinking.”Nadine sat beside him. “About what?”Adrian shut his laptop. “My father. He hasn’t picked up my calls since the dinner.”Nadine frowned. “Maybe he’s still processing. It was a lot to take in.”“Maybe,” Adrian said. But deep down, he didn’t believe that. His father had never liked Nadine, and now that she was back in their lives, it felt like he was quietly planning something.Nadine reached out and held his hand. “We’ll ha
Vanessa stood in the middle of her penthouse living room, pacing like a wild cat. Her heels clicked loudly against the marble floor, and her long nails tapped impatiently against her phone screen.She had just received news that made her blood boil—Adrian had taken Nadine and that little boy to his family house. His father, Mr. Blake, had accepted the child… hugged him.“What the hell is going on?” she whispered to herself, unable to process how things had changed so fast. She clenched her jaw, her eyes burning with rage.Her assistant, Lydia stepped into the room holding a tablet. She looked nervous, as she always did around Vanessa—especially when she was like this.“Ma’am,” Lydia began carefully, “Sir Adrian’s lawyer sent a reminder for you to sign the divorce documents on time”Vanessa froze for a second. Then, without a word, she turned and threw the glass she had been holding. It hit the wall and shattered into pieces.Lydia flinched but didn’t move.“Do you think I’ll just sit
Adrian gripped the steering wheel tightly as he drove towards his family home. Nadine sat beside him, looking out the window, lost in thought. Liam, who was seated in the back, kept humming a song, excited about meeting his grandparents.“Are you sure about this?” Nadine asked softly, glancing at Adrian. “Your father doesn’t exactly like me.”Adrian reached out and held her hand for a moment, squeezing it reassuringly. “It doesn’t matter what he thinks, Nadine. You and Liam are my family. He has to accept that.”Nadine let out a small sigh. She knew Adrian meant what he said, but she also knew that his father, Mr. Blake, was a man of pride. He had always wanted Adrian to marry someone from a wealthy, powerful family someone like Vanessa.Liam suddenly leaned forward. “Mommy, do you think Grandpa will like my drawings?” he asked with excitement in his eyes.Nadine turned to her son and smiled. “Of course, sweetheart. Your drawings are beautiful. I’m sure he’ll love them.”Adrian nodded
Vanessa sat in her lavish mansion, her legs crossed as a makeup artist carefully applied the finishing touches to her flawless face. She stared at her reflection in the grand mirror before her, admiring her beauty. To the world, she was untouchable—powerful, elegant, and perfectly in control.But today, that illusion was about to shatter.Her assistant, Lydia rushed into the room, clutching a folder in her trembling hands. Vanessa raised an eyebrow at the interruption, irritation already building in her chest.“I told you never to barge in while I’m busy,” Vanessa said coldly.Lydia swallowed hard and stepped forward. “Ma’am, I—I have urgent news.”Vanessa sighed dramatically. “Spit it out, Lydia. I don’t have all day.”Rachel hesitated for a brief second before placing the folder on Vanessa’s vanity. “Sir Adrian want you to sign the paper with immediate effect” Lydia said and silence filled the room.For a moment, Vanessa didn’t move. She didn’t blink. She simply stared at the folder