All Chapters of Ripples And Hills: Chapter 111 - Chapter 120

Helia.Monday, October 27th. Days later…Morning.Knock. Knock. Knock.My fist pounds against the door, urgently. The hallway around me drips with orange and black. Halloween decorations strung across walls, paper bats fluttering above. I don’t care. I’m not in the mood for jack o’ lantern smiles or fake cobwebs. My younger brother is fighting for his life, and in his unconscious state, he keeps muttering one name, Prudence.I’ve come here every day since, and still, no Alexa. No one has seen her. Not me, not even her grandmother. The poor woman cornered me yesterday, saying she had something urgent to tell her granddaughter, only Alexa won’t pick up calls or open her door. Only Martha is allowed near her, and Martha keeps repeating the same thing: she doesn’t want to see anyone.But I’m done waiting.The door cracks open, as always and Martha fills the frame like a guard dog.“She doesn’t want to see…”I shove past her before she finishes.Alexa sits on the couch. Her eyes snap to m

Helia.Wednesday, 29th October. Two days later…Evening.“Give me a shot of one of your burning vodkas.” I tell the bartender, then pause. “On second thought, just give me the whole bottle.”The glass clinks down in front of me, the burn already promising to burn the chaos in my head. Because the last few days have been madness. No, worse. They’ve been torment. And tonight, this spectacle? This farce of a wedding? It’s the knife driven deeper into my already injured gut.Hulio and Alexa. Husband and wife.Well, not Alexa. Not really. He thinks he’s married Prudence.I perch on the stool, noise pressing in from all sides, music, laughter, clinking glasses, decorations shining too bright. Everything meticulously done to Hulio’s taste, as if indulging him would somehow bring him back to life, as if living could be forced.Two days ago, I walked in on Alexa accepting his ridiculous proposal. I remember the look in her eyes, the hesitation, when I dragged her aside.‘You aren’t even certa

Hulio. When I saw her with Pier, rage burned through me like wildfire. They didn’t notice me in the alcove. I saw the kiss, the way his mouth claimed hers, the way she didn’t push him away fast enough. And in that instant, I knew. I couldn’t wait. I had to stake my claim. Mark her. I had thought about delaying our consummation. Be patient. But patience is for men who aren’t hunted. Pier circled her like a vulture, just as others once circled Ashley. I won’t allow it. Prudence must know who wears the crown here, who holds the reins. Me. Not her. Me. I’m the man, and she will learn that now. My anger quiets as I watch her, tears slipping silently down her face, her hand pressed to the cheek I struck. She understands. She sees the line I’ve drawn. And though guilt whispers faintly, another part of me, the darker part, savors her flinch, the tension in her body when I reach for her. It reminds me of the pleasure houses in Monaco, the broken gasps, the trembling fear laced with desire t

Helia. Friday, 31st October. Next day… Halloween Evening. Tac sits across from me in my office, his voice steady, his words poisonous. “The guy’s a ticking time bomb, Boss. He got married to Mrs. Hills in Cancun, and now my sources confirm he’s a signatory to her assets and shares. He’s already secured ten percent of Hills Corps. God knows what else.” My grip tightens on the stack of photographs Tac slides across the desk. Court documents. Evidence. Erwin’s evidence. His new power spelled out in black and white. A signature granting him ownership of everything Scarlet ever built with Richmond. My chest burns. “He married his girlfriend’s mother? He’s in a relationship with Ashley, for crying out loud.” Fury scorches my throat, the words seething through clenched teeth. Disgust seeping through me. Tac doesn’t flinch. “Not only that. He’s a pimp. The exclusive kind. Supplies women to his high-profile friends.” The blood drains from me. My vision blurs as I look up from

Elviira Hills. Friday, November 7th. A week later… Noon. I sit at a new restaurant, waiting for Alexa. I love patronizing young, promising entrepreneurs. It always reminds me of when I was that young woman, a wife and mother with a flair for fashion. Richmond had believed in me, supported me, and together we built an empire. When he died, I swore to make our businesses as large as his heart. I did it. For him. And now Erwin Whittaker slithers into it all like a serpent. I recall a few days ago, when he walked into the boardroom, smug. ‘What is the meaning of this, Erwin?’ I asked, tight with irritation. He slid a file across the table. Court papers. Scarlet’s signature granting him her shares. Richie’s too. A doctor’s report claiming she lacked the mental strength to continue as board member. My blood turned to ice. ‘It’s all there, Elviira,’ he said smoothly. ‘I’ve more rights here than any of these board members who only own a percent each.” The room spun as I glanced around