It was a week after the turmoil at the old Rogers mansion had settled, a week where tears brimmed down like a waterfall on the whole of the Roger’s family. Peace Churchill stood at the edge of her daughter’s grave, a heavy weight of sorrow pressing down on her chest. The fresh earth still looked raw, the flowers she’d laid wilting under the relentless sun, much like her spirit. Louis was gone, and with her, a light had dimmed in Peace’s world.“Imagine how much I’ll have to pay or how long I’ll have to work to settle the debt I owe Kendrick,” Peace muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. “You made us all feel like he was some kind of maid.” Tears pooled in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks, mingling with the dirt on her hands as she clutched the gravestone.Beside her, Katherine Rogers wiped her tears, regret twisting her face and rolling down her cheeks. “This wasn’t supposed to happen, Peace... If only I hadn’t pushed Kendrick away, he might have been able to help.” she lamented
The city of Texas awakened as sunrise splashed the metropolis with vibrant colours, transforming skyscrapers into golden giants. Morning's warmth enveloped busy streets, inviting another day of endless possibilities. There, Maverick stood on the balcony of his apartment, heart racing with uncertainty. The weight of his family’s desperation bore down on him, Peace and Katherine needed help, and the only person who could provide it was Kendrick. But reaching him was another matter entirely.Kendrick was no longer the boy who had once lived under their roof. He had not only transformed into the richest man in the world, a business mogul whose influence and power couldn't be measured. After how he had been treated by the Rogers family, Maverick knew that approaching him wouldn’t be easy. The walls Kendrick had built around himself were fortified by wealth and a fortress of heightened securities.After numerous failed attempts to connect through phone calls and emails, each met with Xav
Maverick drove home with a heavy heart, the weight of his futile attempts to reach Kendrick pressing down on him. He entered the Rogers household, greeted by the familiar sounds of family life, his mother, Katherine, leaning in the kitchen, and his sister, Peace, sitting at the dining table, lost in thought.“Hey, Mom,” Maverick called, trying to muster a cheerful tone.Katherine turned, her face brightening. “Maverick! How did it go?” Her eyes sparkled with hope, but Maverick’s silence told her everything she needed to know.He sighed, dropping into a chair. “I couldn’t get through to him, Mom. He’s changed too much. It’s like I’m trying to reach a ghost.”Katherine’s expression fell, worry creasing her forehead. “We need him, Maverick. Without his help, we’re lost. What if we lose the house?”“I know,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I tried everything. He’s surrounded by a fortress of guards. He’s not the same Kendrick we knew.”Peace, who had been listening quietly, lo
Kendrick stood at the entrance of the party, the hum of laughter and clinking glasses washing over him. He adjusted his cuffs, his instincts honed from years of going round his world of wealth and power. The grandeur of the venue contrasted sharply with the turmoil that brewed inside him, memories of his family resurfacing with every glance at the opulence surrounding him.As he moved through the crowd, a cadre of guards flanked him, unseen but ever-present shadows. Their eyes scanned the room, alert for any threats, both real and imagined. Kendrick felt their vigilance, a necessary burden that had become second nature. Yet beneath that armor of confidence, an unsettling thought lingered: what if tonight was different? What if the ghosts of his past had come to claim him?In the corner of the lavish hall, Peace paced nervously in her bedroom. The walls felt like they were locking in, her heart racing with each passing second. Christy’s call had left her on edge; she imagined her fr
Christy’s heart raced as she stood between Kendrick and Twain, the atmosphere crackling with tension. She had come to this party with a plan, a desperate hope to bridge a gap for Peace and Kendrick. But now, caught in a line of accusations, her intentions felt lost.“Twain, please, let me explain!” she pleaded, trying to maintain her composure despite the storm brewing inside her. She could see Kendrick’s eyes scanning the crowd, his guards ready for anything.“Explain what?” Twain shot back, his expression a mix of anger and hurt. “That you’re running back to your old flame? I thought you were better than this, Christy!”“No, you don’t understand,” she insisted, desperation creeping into her voice. “I came to help Peace! She’s worried about Kendrick, and I thought… I thought I could get through to him.”“Get through to him?” Twain echoed incredulously. “Or get through to him?” He thrust his chin in Kendrick’s direction, his voice rising with every word. “You think this is just about
Christy’s heart raced as she stood between Kendrick and Twain, the atmosphere crackling with tension. She had come to this party with a plan, a desperate hope to bridge a gap for Peace and Kendrick. But now, caught in a line of accusations, her intentions felt lost. “Twain, please, let me explain!” she pleaded, trying to maintain her composure despite the storm brewing inside her. She could see Kendrick’s eyes scanning the crowd, his guards ready for anything. “Explain what?” Twain shot back, his expression a mix of anger and hurt. “That you’re running back to your old flame? I thought you were better than this, Christy!” “No, you don’t understand,” she insisted, desperation creeping into her voice. “I came to help Peace! She’s worried about Kendrick, and I thought… I thought I could get through to him.” “Get through to him?” Twain echoed incredulously. “Or get through to him?” He thrust his chin in Kendrick’s direction, his voice rising with every word. “You think this is just
Kendrick pulled out his phone, glancing at the screen. Jordan’s name flashed in bold letters, a reminder of the responsibilities waiting for him outside this emotional turmoil. With a sigh, he swiped to answer.“Hey,Boss Kendrick. Are you still at the party?” Jordan’s voice was brisk, businesslike, cutting through the haze of his earlier thoughts.“Yeah, but I’m… well, things have taken a turn,” Kendrick admitted, trying to keep his voice steady.“What do you mean? Is there a problem with the event?” Jordan pressed.“Not the event itself, but…” Kendrick hesitated. “I’m dealing with some personal stuff. A lady called Christy is here, and I think she's ready to complicate everything.”Jordan paused, sensing the weight of Kendrick’s words. “You mean the ex? I thought you were over that.”“I thought I was too,” Kendrick replied, rubbing the back of his neck. “But seeing her again has opened old wounds. It’s not just about us; it’s about the politics and how it all intertwines.”“Look, Ken
Kendrick leaned against the bar, swirling his champagne flute as he surveyed the crowd. The party was meant to celebrate his rise in Texas politics, yet it felt more like a battlefield. As whispers of his success filled the room, he was acutely aware of the undercurrents of tension threatening to undermine everything he had worked for.In the chaos, one figure stood out: Christy. He barely knew her, just a friend of a friend who had surfaced in discussions about Peace. But now, here she was, embroiled in the mess that had erupted around him, and Kendrick couldn’t shake the feeling that her presence was more than coincidental.He watched her from a distance, her eyes darting around as if searching for someone. Their interactions had been minimal, yet now she seemed to carry a weight he didn’t fully understand. A flicker of something...concern, perhaps, crossed her face when she spotted him. Kendrick's focus sharpened, his instincts on high alert.Suddenly, she made her way toward him,