Mag-log inMason's POV For no good reason, Serena shifts in her seat, fanning herself like she is suffocating already but I pretend like I don't notice it. My mind is trying to make sense of what is going on.“Can you now talk to me, my son?” mother whispers, rising halfway from the couch. “That slut thinks she can hide my grandson from me…”“Enough, mother!” I snap, my voice echoing through the open space and she freezes.“Mason…calm down and talk to me.” she now says cautiously, confusion flickering across her face.“He’s missing. Isn’t that what you all wanted?” I tug a hair behind my ears.She gasps, holding a hand to her chest, eyes already becoming glassy with fake tears. “How can you say such nonsense?” “You were part of the reason she left! You told her she would never give me a child, now you see where it has gotten us into? My child is gone.” I say in a cracking voice, despite my effort to pull myself to calm.“That is not true and you know it!” she cries defending herself. “I only s
Travis“Are you telling me that none of the security, not even the footage, could note this vehicle?” I thunder, holding firmly around my phone like I can squeeze answers out of it.“I’m sorry, sir,” the voice on the other end echoes, weak and useless.“Apologies aren’t what I want right now. I want my son. Where is Liam?”No response comes again, I can only feel his trembling whimpers. I hiss, dropping the call.“Claudy,” I snap at my chief guard and he comes up instantly. “Deploy more men and search everywhere, both inside and outside the neighboring streets and cities.“Yes, sir.” He bows quickly and motions to the others. Their urgency ripples through as their boots shuffles and they scatter.I puff out air, pacing around the garden, already thinking of other possible solutions. “This can’t be happening now, custody proceedings are just in two days.” I mutter.Rushing back upstairs, I meet Elodie, sitting on the marble floor, her dress damp with tears, fingers trembling, but the m
Serena Voices from the television cut through open space like a blade, striking at my aching chest.“The report this morning shows an altercation between the wife of the Ecoplus Company and the manager of Nebulus-XR…”My stomach churn, slowly pushing down its content out of my body.“The two women have been believed to have…”And that is it, the screen suddenly goes black.Lifting my head and turning immediately, I see it is my mother who turned it off as the remote is still in her hand. He lips pressing into a thin line and she exhales.“You shouldn’t be seeing that nonsense.” She tosses the remote onto the table. “Look at how that pig embarrassed you out there, feeding all those hungry bloggers with fresh headlines.”I just draw my eyes, head tilting backwards as I shake off the fatigue hanging in me, I’m staring at my reflection in the dark TV screen—my hair slightly out of place, my lipstick worn off at the edges.“I feel so pathetic right now.” I cradle my face in my hands My m
ElodieDressed in my purple fitted gown, my hands glide down the yellow jacket hanging on my shoulder as I stretch it before stepping into my heels.Then I reach for a matching handbag to compliment it, stopping in front of my dressing mirror to catch a quick glance at myself. “A touch of gloss.” I mumble as I reapply it, then smack. After that I reach for my Boadicea The Victorious Hanuman perfume, spraying lightly at my neck and another at my wrist.“No way I look anything like someone who was just discharged from the hospital yesterday." I smile, hand gliding softly over the top rail of the glass balustrade.Liam giggles waves past me before I get to the major exit door. “Daddy, it’s too tight on my neck…”“It’s not tight,” Travis mutters, crouching in front of him, adjusting the collar. “You just like complaining.”“And where are you going?” he asks without looking up as I approach.“Work, of course.” He pauses, scanning me from my toes up to my head. “You’re not meant to do any
ElodieWithout thinking, my eyelids collide, hands flying to my mouth as I stagger back. “No, this can't be. You're lying.” My head shakes on its own in disagreement like if I deny it hard enough it will dissolve.“I’m not,” his voice comes quietly. “But I wish I am.” He steps forward, hand hovering in the space between us but I quickly hold up my index finger and cut in.“So you’re telling me now that my ex-husband is your brother? And you also found out recently, what happened at that hotel too?”“Yes.” He nods.A loud chuckle just escapes from my lips. “This is insane.” I can't believe I'm still spinning around Harlow's family circle.” How did the man I thought was my saviour turn out to be related to those monsters? And the worst part is, he even tried to hide it from me.In a split second, sweat starts to surge up through my pores. I feel suffocated despite the air-conditioning, actively cooling the atmosphere.I press my palm against my forehead and fan myself weakly, feeling
Elodie When I told my body earlier that I’d give it a treat after we flew back home, I thought I meant it.But it turns out, that was just another petty lie I sold to myself at a convincing rate. The warm air pats my tender skin as I walk across the dusty terrain, boots crunching over gravel. I sweep my eyes at the sprawling fifty floors complex that'll soon be the city's newest luxury hotel. “How many of our new products are ready now?” I say into the phone pressed to my ear, jotting the numbers on a small note.“Just about one ton for now,” the project manager replies. “There were delays with the custom fixtures…”“One ton? That’s nowhere near enough,” I cut in too quickly, slowing my pace, brows pulling together. “I know about the delays but what's the solution now?” I inquire, pressing down the exhaustion clinging in. Then I pause, lifting my gaze to the busy workers installing glass windows in the surrounding air filled with the scents of concrete and raw smells.Suddenly, a
Elodie Relief washes me as we get into the sitting room. It is entirely a peaceful environment, not like the chaos outside. “That's enough now.” I complain, pulling my head off. I quickly yank his hand off my back, not caring about his protective intention for doing it in the first place. He bli
Elodie“Did you just call that knowing me?” I gawk. “Didn't I tell you already?”“There’s more to it, Elodie. I want every detail,” she pulls a smile, repositioning herself to listen more clearly. “So please don't miss any part.” I roll my eyes and shake my head sideways. “It's because all this is
MasonEvening dawn's on me, I lean my back on the sofa leather chair in my office to get a little rest after a long day.But just then, my mind drifts to an unfinished business. “I have to get it done before going home.” I yawn.I look at my wrist watch and see it's only 6pm so I pick up my phone a
Elodie My face brightens up as my eyes fall on her. Vivian. She’s standing not too far from me, blinking like she is unsure if It's really me. I gasp, as a warm relief wraps around me. At least… It's her. Of all people, it's her. “Vivian,” I breathe out, forcing a tired smile. "Oh my G







