In the dead of night, Ruth sat alone in the living room, staring at the wall with worry etched across her face. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of her son, Greg, and the gnawing fear that something terrible had happened to him. Suddenly, a loud knock on the door jolted her from her thoughts. “Who could it be at this hour?” she wondered aloud, her voice trembling with anxiety. For a moment, she considered calling out to Leo, who was upstairs and probably still awake like her, but another heavy knock broke her train of thought. With her heart pounding in her chest, Ruth walked cautiously to the door. As she opened it, her jaw dropped in shock.“Good evening, ma’am,” a man greeted, standing in the doorway with Greg slumped against him, looking battered and barely conscious. Ruth let out a blood-curdling scream as the man dragged Greg inside, laying him down on the couch. The sound of her scream brought Leo rushing down the stairs. He stopped dead in his tracks, horrified by the si
Master Russell’s face hardened, his jaw clenched in fury. “Failed? What do you mean, failed? Explain yourself, now.”Greg took a shaky breath, his eyes filled with fear and regret. “I had them, Grandfather. I was so close to finishing Oliver. But Gabriel… he intervened. I tried everything—darts, tear gas—but it wasn’t enough. He fought back, and I barely escaped with my life.”Russell’s expression turned even more severe, his eyes blazing with anger. “You were careless, Greg. Incompetence runs deep in you.”Ruth, unable to stay silent any longer, gently touched Greg’s arm, her voice trembling. “Please, let him rest. He’s been through enough.”Russell didn’t even glance at her, his focus entirely on Greg. “Rest? He doesn’t deserve rest until this mess is cleaned up. You’ve brought shame to this family, Greg.”"Shame? Seriously, father-in-law? My son didn’t kill the people you wanted him to kill, and you label that as shameful? What about you who is…” Ruth’s voice trembled, her courage
Camella hurried into the hospital, her heart heavy with worry as she rushed down the hallway. She had just returned from dropping Jessie off at her parents' house for a sleepover, but her thoughts were entirely with Gabriel and his father. As she turned the corner, she paused, her steps slowing as she spotted Gabriel asleep on a bench. Anna was beside him, also asleep, her head resting on his shoulder, and her arm draped around his. Camella’s heart clenched at the sight. She didn’t know what to say or do. She didn’t want to wake them, but seeing them so close like this made her feel uneasy. Before she could decide, Zoe walked up to her, her expression mirroring Camella’s unease. They exchanged a glance, and Zoe immediately noticed Anna. Without hesitation, she approached the sleeping pair and gently nudged Anna awake.Gabriel stirred as well, blinking his eyes open. He saw Camella standing there and asked groggily, “Cam, when did you get back?”“Just now,” Camella replied, her voice
As Zoe drove through the quiet streets, she glanced at Camella, who seemed lost in thought, her brow furrowed slightly. Zoe decided to break the silence.“Are you okay?” Zoe asked gently, keeping her eyes on the road but casting a concerned glance at her. Camella sighed softly. “Yes, I’m just a bit unsettled about everything that’s happened in the last couple of weeks.”“I understand.” Zoe paused briefly, considering her next words carefully. “I know this might not be the right time, but I feel like I need to make a confession.”“A confession?” Camella turned to face Zoe, her curiosity piqued.Zoe smiled, a hint of nervousness in her expression. “Mm-hmm.”“Okay. I’m all ears,” Camella said, giving her full attention to Zoe, her face showing both interest and concern.Zoe took a deep breath. “Uh, I had romantic feelings for your husband, Gabriel.”“What?” Camella’s eyes widened in shock.Zoe chuckled shyly, trying to focus on the road as her cheeks flushed. “It all started on the day
Dan woke up the next morning with the sunlight streaming through the curtains. He turned his head to see Zoe still soundly asleep, her chest rising and falling gently, the duvet wrapped around her perfect milky body. Smiling softly, he leaned over and pecked her forehead, careful not to wake her. He then slipped out of bed, picking up his pants from the couch and pulling them on quietly. He headed to the kitchen, deciding to make breakfast. As he fried eggs and prepared toast, his mind replayed the events of the previous night. It had been unexpected, but he couldn’t deny the feelings that had surged between them. He wanted to see where this could go.A few moments later, Zoe stirred in bed, her hand instinctively reaching to the other side. When she didn't feel Dan next to her, her eyes fluttered open. She sat up, brushed her hair back, and called out softly, “Dan?”He appeared in the doorway, holding a tray with breakfast. “Good morning, beautiful.”She smiled, her voice playful. “
At the dining table in the Walclaw house, the atmosphere was tense. The only sound was the clinking of silverware against porcelain as they quietly ate their meal. Master Russell, the head of the family, eyed everyone at the table with a cold, calculating gaze. "Are you ready?" Master Russell asked, his voice sharp, breaking the silence.“Yes, grandfather,” Greg answered immediately, his tone obedient but with an underlying eagerness.“Good,” Russell nodded approvingly. “Meet me in my study.” He cast a pointed look at Leo and Ruth before rising from the table. His gaze lingered on them, a silent warning in his eyes before he turned and left the room.As soon as Russell was out of earshot, Ruth couldn’t hold back any longer. “Greg,” she began, her voice trembling slightly, “do you really have to follow through with this? Whatever your grandfather is planning, it can’t be good.”Greg’s eyes narrowed as he turned to face his mother. “Stay out of it, Mother. This is none of your business
Natalie was beaming with happiness as she talked to her mother over the phone while driving. Her hands rested comfortably on the steering wheel as she listened to her mother’s cheerful voice on the other end. "Mom, I'm so glad that Aunt Marie is alive and with Uncle Oliver, safe in Springfield City. It's such a relief," Natalie said, her voice filled with warmth.Her mother’s laughter was contagious. "Oh, Natalie, you have no idea how happy this makes me! Our family is finally coming together again.""Maybe we should go visit them soon," Natalie suggested, the excitement evident in her tone."Yes, absolutely!" her mother replied enthusiastically. "I can’t wait to see my sister, Marie. It’s been far too long."Natalie’s smile faltered slightly as she noticed a van in her rearview mirror, seemingly tailing her. Her instincts kicked in, and she tried to maintain her composure. "Mom, let’s talk more about this when I get home, okay?""Sure, dear. Take care and drive safely," her mother r
Gabriel’s face tightened with anger, his knuckles white as he gripped the phone. He knew this was just the beginning of whatever sick game Greg was planning.“What the hell are you doing with her?" Gabriel groaned, his voice barely controlled, trying his best not to be loud and draw the attention of others in the dining room.“Good question,” Greg cackled, a sickening, gleeful sound that made Gabriel's skin crawl. The laughter abruptly stopped, and his tone turned icy. “I want you to come over to the capital now. Or else…”"Don't you dare do anything to her, or I'm going to butcher you," Gabriel threatened, his voice low and fierce.Greg’s chuckle was mocking. “Wow, that's a big threat. Anyway, the clock is ticking. The decision is yours to make now. Come over, and I let her go. Or I boil her in this cauldron and feed her carcass to the dogs in my possession.”Gabriel’s breath caught in his throat. "Greg, don't hurt her. I'm going to—" But the line went dead. Greg had hung up.Gabriel’