Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 21 - Chapitre 30

Two hours after the locked in incident, Rosa, Hugo and Alexander, sat in the waiting room. One anxious, one calm and the other in slight panic. It was close to 5 hours now….and no one had come to inform them of any progress. Rosa slouched on the chair, worriedly.“What's the time now, Hugo?”Hugo gave her a sad look. “It's still 1: 23. You checked five minutes ago.”Rosa sighed, standing up and she began pacing.“Why are they taking too much time?” She looked at Alexander and he could see tears brimming her eyes.He immediately stood up, walking closer to her.“It's okay, Rosa. Let's be patient.” He held her shoulders but she shoved his hands away.“No,” she shook her head, as the tears began to fall. “If it's taking this long, then something is wrong.”“Nothing is wrong. Surgeries do take time.”“But, not this long!” She yelled, looking away. Her feet tapped repeatedly on the floor.“Hermano, brother,” Alexander felt Hugo's palm on his shoulder. “Let her be. In times like this, she t

Ethan settled into one of the armchairs, still wearing that bright, easy smile of his. Rosa took the seat beside him, while Alexander remained standing for a moment before lowering himself onto the couch opposite them.He hadn't expected Rosa to sit beside his brother.Ethan clapped his hands together lightly. “So, Rosa, have you heard? There’s another event coming up after tomorrow’s gala.”Rosa blinked. “Another one?”Oh God!Alexander nodded, folding his arms. “The charity gala. It’s scheduled for next week.”“Oh…” She straightened a little, curiosity stirring. “What sort of charity event is it?”“Father’s annual project,” Ethan replied. “He organizes it every year to raise funds for the rural health program. He’ll be back in time to host it himself.”Rosa’s brows lifted. “Oh yeah. Alexander told me his father would be returning next week.”Alexander gave a short nod. “Yes. He will arrive two days before the event.”Ethan leaned forward with excitement. “It’s usually a grand gather

They had gotten ready for the gala and had arrived at the place.The lights of the hall glowed like constellations; soft and opulent, casting a warm shimmer over every polished surface. The evening was saturated with wealth, legacy, and too many silent rivalries.Rosa stepped into the ballroom beside Alexander, and hushed whispers paused as all eyes fell on them. Gazes of suspicion, awe, intrigue, all at once.Rosa's gown, a waterfall of red silk, clung and flowed in perfect harmony with her body. Luckily Mrs. Dill had yielded to her plea to get a dress without a corset. She already was a walking duckling. Adding a corset would make her look like ginger bread.She wore a black mask that outlined the delicateness of her eyes. Crystal jewels adorned her neckline catching the light whenever she moved. She looked ethereal, yet grounded, like the first leaf of spring after a long winter.Alexander, in his signature classic black tux that fit him flawlessly and a black mask, scanned the ro

Time suddenly felt paused, slow and molten. Alexander didn’t look away, and the softness in his gaze tugged at Rosa’s chest.His hand reached out to hers again, his thumb brushing hers, once, yet it felt like something that had etched in their hearts for a long time.Rosa swallowed, her lips parting slightly. “A…Alexander…”He drew a quiet breath, steady but strained as if his resolve was breaking. “You’re exhausted,” he murmured, as if reminding himself rather than her. “You should rest.”Rosa blinked.She wasn’t sure whether she should laugh, nod, or keep staring at him. But she didn’t move. Something inside her leaned toward him, drawn like a kite by the wind.His gaze dipped to her lips. Again.Just for a flicker.Her heart flipped.The car slowed as they approached the mansion, but neither of them acknowledged it. The world outside might as well have been wrapped in a veil.“Alexander,” she whispered again, softer this time, the sound almost fragile. He inhaled sharply, as if

After Alexander left for work, Rosa slouched on the couch, her ears picking up the steady rhythm of the buzzing monitor and feeling a slight cool from the air conditioner. Rosa sat, her eyes gazing upwards blankly. Her fingers kept knotting and unknotting in her lap. Every so often, she would blink too hard, as if she could draw the tears back to her eyes. She sat there for a long time and almost fell asleep.Her aunt suddenly stirred and her eyes squintingly opened.“Rosa?” Her voice was faint and soft. Rosa jerked upright and hurriedly wiped her cheeks. “Auntie! You’re awake.”Nardine's eyes fluttered open, unfocused for a moment before settling on Rosa’s damp lashes and trembling smile.“What are you crying about?” She asked.Rosa sighed. Her aunt literally knew her like the back of her hand, so she wondered if it would be wise to lie to her. She could tell when she was lying.“It’s nothing,” Rosa said quickly, adjusting her smile . “Just… stress. You scared us during the surge