India felt the blood drain from her face, her hands trembling as she gripped the phone. "Alexander?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Suddenly, the effect of the call hit her like a physical blow, and she gasped, unable to contain her shock. No one had an idea what was going on on the other end, they only noticed India's expression changing. As India went down on her knee, Maria rushed to her side, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "What is going on? India, what is it? What's wrong?" India shook her head mutely, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and disbelief. The line had gone silent, the call disconnected, but the name that had been uttered still reverberated in her mind, shattering the carefully constructed facade she had maintained for so long. Xavier, who had been watching the exchange with growing concern, stepped forward and gently pried the phone from India's trembling hands. "Calm down India, I just heard you mention Alexander. What is go
The tension in the hospital reception was patent as India, Nimah, Robin, and Xavier huddled together, all of them staring into the space, seeing how they rushed in and rushed out patients. Families crying at every corner, while some are laughing in excitement. Mixed emotions everywhere. India gripped the arm of her chair, her knuckles turning white. She had never felt so helpless, so powerless to change the course of events unfolding before her. Yeah, she and Alexander was never in good terms because of his cunning ways but never had she wanted him dead. He happened to be a very strong pillar that held one side of the family that mustn't collapse. India's gaze wandered to her father, whose face was etched with worry, the lines on his forehead deepening with each passing minute. Nimah, seated beside her husband fidgeted nervously, her fingers drumming against the arm of her chair. Her mind raced, wondering what the doctor would say, whether the news would be good or dev
"What secret?" the voice on the other end demanded, the curiosity evident in her tone. Nimah glanced around once more, ensuring that no one was within earshot. "Okay... Listen. I messaged when India was going to tell the family that I'm pregnant - I was very scared and I wasn't thinking straight. I just needed an advice from you, maybe to stop it. To be for real, I don't know what I was doing then," she confessed, her words barely audible. The gasp that followed was almost deafening. "Oh no! She did it? I am so sorry I wasn't there for you," the voice asked, the shock palpable. Nimah chuckled, a wry smile playing on her lips. "Well, you don't have to be sorry, because she didn't," she replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Fortunately for me, she got a call that distracted her. Well l, that doesn't mean she won't do it again but at least, it buys me enough time to make another plan." A sigh of relief echoed through the phone. "That's good news," the voi
The cool morning air wafted through the grand lobby of the hospital as India, Nimah, Xavier, and Robin gathered at the reception desk, anxiously awaiting news of Alexander's condition. Nimah fidgeted nervously, her gaze darting between India and the others. She could sense the tension radiating from India, who was uncharacteristically quiet, her eyes cast downward. She didn't even want to look at Nimah at all, but Nimah could tell that she hadn't told anyone about the secret already. Nimah's heart raced as she worried that India might reveal the secret this morning. She just didn't want to see that betrayal in their eyes, if India was going to, she just didn't want to be present. Robin could notice Nimah's unease and restlessness, he looked at her and asked, "Is there a problem Nimah?" Nimah looked up at him, trying to force a smile and shook her head. "No, I am fine." Robin wasn't convinced by the curt response, he wrapped his hand around his wife, pull
"You don't have to speak," Xavier said to Alex, his tone reassuring. "Just nod if you're in pain. Can you remember who did this to you" Alexander's gaze shifted to Xavier, and after a moment's hesitation, he gave a slow, deliberate nod. India, who had been standing at Alexander's side, reached out and grasped his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Father, isn't that enough questions for now? Don't you think those questions are a bit too much?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of reproach. "He needs to rest." Xavier chuckled softly, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. "I'm just concerned for my nephew, that's all, if he does remember, that could help us get to the bottom of this asap," he said, his lips curving into a small smile. He turned his attention back to Alexander. "Is there anything you need from me?" Alexander shook his head, his eyes conveying a silent message of gratitude. Satisfied, Xavier made his way to the small sofa in the co
Nicholas stood right in front of his mirror, fully dressed up in his crisp, charcoal-gray suit and polished leather shoes. He stared intently at his reflection, his eyes narrowed in concentration as he carefully adjusted the knot of his deep burgundy tie. His usually unruly dark hair had been neatly trimmed and styled, not a single strand out of place. He had to look perfect. It had been weeks since he'd last seen his own face in the mirror, trapped in the sterile confines of the hospital room as his body fought to recover from the gunshot wound that had nearly claimed his life. But now, as he scrutinized his appearance, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. He was finally him again, not some pathetic helpless man who had been laying on a bed, unable to move his body for weeks. "Nicholas Loughty is back," The pallor that had once graced his features had been replaced by a healthy glow, the dark circles under his eyes had faded, and the
Nicholas took the tablet, his brow furrowed in concentration as he watched the video that played on the screen. A female news anchor, her expression grave, was the one speaking; "There has been rumours that has been flying around lately about the CEO of the Royal group - According to what we heard, allegedly, some say that he's down with a terrible sickness, some claimed that he is afraid that some of his competitors might want to kill him and he's been hiding. So many theories if you asked me," the lady chuckled as she continued. "Some people say he was involved in an accident and lost his leg, while the most persistent rumor was that he had been shot by his own employees and had fled the country to seek medical treatment so no one would find out. We shall wait for the Royal group authorities to release a statement on why no one has seen their chairman lately...." Nicholas couldn't bring himself to finish watching the video. With a sharp intake of breath, he handed t
Ryan carefully brought out the tablet from his bag, per Nicholas's order, and handed it to the three maids standing before them. The trio exchanged puzzled glances as Ryan pressed play on the video. A hush fell over the room, save for the low murmur of the broadcaster's voice, relaying what sounded like a salacious rumor. The maids' brows knitted together, their eyes darting back and forth as they absorbed the information. What was going on in their mind at the moment was what could be the reason Nicholas was showing them the video. It was a quite odd, but they had no choice. As the video flickered to black, Nicholas's expression twisted into a sly, enigmatic smile. His eyes narrowed, glinting with a dark, mirthless amusement that sent a shiver through the air. "Are you done?" he asked, his voice low and dripping with malice. The maids' gazes darted upward, their faces etched with uncertainty. They nodded in unison, their eyes locked on Nicholas's, awaiting hi