Alle Kapitel von Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love: Kapitel 121 – Kapitel 130

Ranya placed the portrait on his desk, a soft smile tugging at his lips as his eyes lingered on the image. The photograph was of a little girl, no older than twelve, her dark curls framing a face filled with innocence and curiosity. A pink dress with lace trim and a pair of shiny shoes completed the picture of childhood simplicity.“She’s so cute,” he murmured, tracing a finger along the glass frame.Calista’s mum had handed it to him when they were in California, while Calista had gone on a walk with Willia.Restless in her absence, he had wandered into the spare room in the house.He marveled at the memories the room held, ranging from trophies and awards Calista and Willia had earned to family portraits and pictures.But one photograph caught his attention: Calista at no more than twelve years old. She looked exceptionally cute, and he couldn’t help but smile at it.He had picked it up, only to be caught off guard by Mrs. MacQuoid’s voice.“That used to be everyone’s favorite pictu

Calista stepped into her shop, her chest heaving with the weight of her emotions. The ride back had been unbearable, tears streaking her cheeks like a silent storm. Her father’s words echoed in her mind, each syllable like a dagger twisting in her chest.“Leave Ranya. Let Signoral have him.”She scoffed bitterly, the thought alone igniting a fresh wave of anger. How could her father, the man who had always been her rock, suggest something so ludicrous? For a fleeting moment, she had thought Signoral might have coerced him into saying such a thing, perhaps through threats or manipulation.But no.The look in his eyes had told her otherwise. It wasn’t fear or desperation she had seen—it was resolve. He truly believed that giving up Ranya was the best course of action. That realization had hurt more than anything.How could he suggest such a thing? He had always known she loved Ranya. He knew every single detail about their relationship and had even approved. Why would her father suddenl

"Until this matter with my license is resolved, no one here will take on new cases," Ranya's commanding voice echoed in the meeting room, drawing the attention of every staff member seated before him. His sharp gaze swept across the room, emphasizing the seriousness of his words. A hand shot up from the back. "Mr. Windsor," one of the junior associates began hesitantly, "what will happen to the cases we are currently handling?" Ranya's eyes softened just a fraction, though his tone remained firm. "They will be reviewed and reassigned to external counsel where necessary. Valerie will oversee the transition and ensure our clients are taken care of. However, any ongoing negotiations or minor tasks that don’t require direct legal representation can proceed. Focus on minimizing disruptions." Ranya Windsor had never taken this much time to explain in the past. His staff could attest—this was not the boss they used to know. Another associate spoke up, concern evident in her voice. "S

Seventeen Years Ago (Continuation)Lily ran, her legs trembling beneath her as she pushed forward, her vision blurring with every step. Whatever her Uncle Austin had injected her with coursed through her veins, making her small frame feel impossibly heavy. Her breathing came in ragged gasps as her mind spun, replaying the horrifying scene she had just witnessed.“Remember, Lily,” she whispered to herself, forcing her legs to move. “Remember what they did to Grandpa. Remember what Uncle Austin had those bad guys do to Grandpa?”The images burned into her mind. Grandpa struggling as two men held him down, his body going limp as the syringe pierced his skin. Her uncle, his wife Marianne, and her cousin Signoral had stood watching. They hadn’t just stood by, they had orchestrated it. They had done something terrible, and Lily knew she had to tell her parents.But as she struggled, her memory began to blur with every step she took toward her parents. Her body tensed, her damp clothes cling

The taxi stopped in front of the luxurious hotel Anthony had sent the address to, its gigantic presence looming over Calista and sending waves of unease through her. She stepped out, her chest heavy with a mixture of frustration and apprehension.She felt frustrated because she couldn’t think straight after her brief encounter with her father, and apprehensive because she feared she might yield to her father’s reasoning for their separation if she stayed long enough to hear him out.Then she remembered—she hadn’t talked to Ranya about Anthony’s invitation.Reaching into her bag for her phone, she intended to try Ranya again, only to be met with the black screen of a dead battery. A frustrated sigh escaped her lips.“If I had known my phone was this low, I’d have charged it in the cab,” she muttered, slinging her bag over her shoulder. But it was too late to dwell on it now. She needed to deal with Anthony and return to her café as quickly as possible. There was no point in prolonging