Romans & histoires Time To Shine

He just decided I was guilty. "Are you finished?" My voice was as calm as stagnant water. My reaction caught him off guard, and his anger deflated slightly. "Next Sunday is the children's one-month celebration. You have to attend. Em, stop throwing tantrums, okay?" "Fine." After hanging up, I stared at the stars outside my window and suddenly felt that everything had lost its meaning. … On the day of the celebration, I arrived without makeup. Among the glittering guests dripping in jewelry, I looked like a misplaced ghost. Everyone watched me with pitying, curious, and gleeful looks.

[The Zero Hour] The digital clock hit 00:00:00. The red glow bled out, replaced by the harsh, artificial dawn of the Spire’s overhead lights as the Council’s override finally kicked in. The "Blackout Protocol" dissolved, the obsidian windows turning back into transparent glass. New Macau was waking up, but inside our suite, the air was as still as a tomb.

Everyone was bustling about, and no one noticed that I had just awakened. I looked up and caught sight of the wall clock. Only one hour remained before I would have to return to the future. On the small hospital TV, they were replaying footage of last night's once-in-a-century meteor shower. The shooting stars were beautiful, but unfortunately, I had missed them again. Indeed, it seemed my wishes were destined to remain unfulfilled. I was lost in thought until footsteps approached, followed by Sophia's tired yet joyful voice. "You're awake. Ethan has regained consciousness too, thanks to your timely blood donation last night."

My phone chimed with a notification and I glanced at the screen and the message read: [ Shadow Pack at your service.] I stilled. It was two minutes before the one hour deadline – so, it was still well within the time frame. What the actual fuck?!

Hurry home, I'm waiting at the villa. Chloe had no tricks beyond seduction, manipulation, and self-glorification. She saw herself as a triumphant conqueror, but in reality, she had only ignited Ethan's final spark of rage. Her words cut deep. The words must have struck a nerve. Without hesitation, Ethan hurled his phone off the bridge. It plummeted into the water, vanishing without a trace. He stood there for a few seconds, breathing heavily. Then, as if suddenly enlightened, he turned to embrace me.

I had to know what was going on, and I had to help Max. Shane turned to leave, but I caught his arm. "Wait," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if I find out something? How do I get in touch with you?" Shane smiled, a small, reassuring smile. "I'll be in touch with you soon. Just be careful, and trust no one. I'll buy you time to sneak in, I'll work on the surveillance and shut it all down for at least 12 minutes by exactly 1 o'clock."

Author's POV The day was on them. The fellas had travel ahead into time and the jet lag was already pressing them...they had lost two whole hours and they already knew that Reece was going to be annoying as hell. When the plane landed on the private air strip not too far from the ranch and the new Shields' residence they all off boarded and took their luggage to the sleek army green pickup truck Reece left for them. He was a thoughtful asshole. He had painted the lift gate with "Bestest Men" and it caused them a lot of headaches with all the cars honking at them.

The entire building shakes like there’s an earthquake. The light fades and I look around. The pain that was tearing my insides up is gone. Actually, I feel like I got more energy than I’ve had in years. Clash sits up and shakes his spirit out. All the cries from the patients and nurses have stopped. Leni’s claws pull back so Clash can heal me.

Now wasn't the time for jokes. "I'm an hour and a half late for a meeting that I needed to attend. I have dozens of missed calls from the office, the clients as well as the bosses. I'm screwed and I know it. To top it all I can't seem to find my shoes so I could try and see if there is still something to go and try and save at the office."

Philip smiled at her and peck her on her forehead in a friendly way. "Nora, you should know that even in the darkest of nights, a light of a single candle can guide you, illuminating your path. Your darkest hour lasts for only 60 minutes, and when you step back into the light, you know that you are truly alive. You are that light Nora and I believe your 60 minutes of darkest will soon be over and your light shall shine again, and you will be you." Nora smiled.