I apologize for the shortness of this chapter. I’m a bit under the weather so I couldn’t write much but then I didn’t want to leave y’all hanging. I hope you like this chapter and I’d appreciate your reviews on the book so far. Author Jay!
Tyler anxiously awaited his mother’s response after engaging in a reciprocative conversation with her. However, instead of a reply, all that followed was an eerie silence, accompanied by the subtle sound of her fingers tapping on the armrest of the nearby armchair.“Mom,” Tyler called out once again, his voice tinged with a hopeful anticipation that was mirrored in his eyes.Meanwhile, Jane, positioned on the periphery, observed the unfolding scene in a silent and contemplative manner. She seemed to be a silent spectator to the emotional dynamics playing out before her.As Tyler stood there, the lump in his throat growing with every passing second, he nervously swallowed, trying to dislodge the tension that had settled there. The pregnant pause hung heavily in the air as he remained suspended between his expectation of a response and the void of his mother’s silence.Yet, that response he so eagerly anticipated didn’t materialize. Instead, the only discernible action was the abrupt te
“What’s the matter?” Tyler’s voice carried a deliberate slowness, his curiosity piqued. Uncertainty shrouded him, unsure of what to expect from Jane. His brows furrowed, his gaze steady as it settled upon Jane, who appeared somewhat intimidated by the gravity of Tyler’s tone and his very presence. She glanced up at him, her fingers nervously bringing her right hand to her ear before extending it out toward Tyler, a note clutched within her trembling palm.“This,” her voice wavered slightly as she uttered the word, her hand quivering as she opened her palm to reveal its contents. Within it lay a small piece of paper. Tyler’s hand moved slowly and deliberately, gently settling on the paper that rested atop Jane’s hand, before he lifted it, cradling the note between his fingers.As his eyes captured the contents of the note, a realization dawned upon Tyler – it was an image of his mother. The image he carried with him always, a cherished memento. His forehead furrowed instantly, his expr
Tyler abruptly brought the car to a halt, his eyes flickering closed and then open again. He drew in a deep breath, releasing the tension that had built up. A sense of unease washed over him as he battled with his own mind, a common occurrence throughout the day. He twisted around to look behind him, expecting to see another vehicle trailing him, but there was nothing there, just an empty stretch of road."Oh, for heaven's sake! Not again!” Tyler muttered under his breath, frustration bubbling to the surface. He pounded his hand against the steering wheel, his anger palpable. Resting his forehead on the wheel, he closed his eyes momentarily, collecting his thoughts. Eventually, he parked the car and climbed out, slamming the door shut with an exasperated sigh. Leaning against the vehicle, he placed his hands on the roof and pressed his forehead against it, attempting to steady himself.Amidst his confusion, Tyler pondered the bizarre series of hallucinations that had plagued him all d
Tyler's voice cut through the hushed atmosphere, the weight of the day evident in his tone. As he stood before the mirror, his gaze locked onto his reflection, he felt the remnants of the day's chaos echoing within him. The events of the day had left a tempest of thoughts swirling through his mind.Seeking solace, he sank into the soothing embrace of the bathtub, letting the warm water envelop him. He could feel the tension in his muscles gradually yielding to the calming touch of the liquid cocoon. His thoughts, like ripples on the water's surface, radiated outwards as he contemplated the tumultuous sequence of events.The specter of his mother's predicament loomed large in his mind. A sense of helplessness gnawed at him, exacerbated by the ominous threat Andrea had posed. The confrontation with unknown gunmen had been a jarring intrusion into his reality, a stark reminder of the vulnerability that encroached upon his life. The weight of these concerns was overwhelming, like a storm c
Lady Guila turned gracefully, her gaze locking onto Tyler's figure amidst the dimly lit surroundings. The obscurity of the night failed to obscure her ability to discern his presence."Please, come closer," Lady Guila's voice resonated tenderly as she shifted her attention back towards the vast expanse of the sky. Her body pivoted, presenting her back to Tyler while maintaining a serene countenance.A soft utterance escaped Tyler's lips, carrying the weight of familiarity and affection. "Grandma," he addressed her, bridging the distance between them. His form positioned itself beside hers, and his hand found solace on the balustrade, mirroring her posture. Inhaling deeply, his lungs filled with the night air, and he exhaled, releasing a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.The ambient hush of the night was broken by Tyler's inquisitive tone. "What brings you out at this hour?" he inquired, his body inclining slightly towards Lady Guila. Despite his proximity, her gaze remained un
Lady Guila turned gracefully, her gaze locking onto Tyler's figure amidst the dimly lit surroundings. The obscurity of the night failed to obscure her ability to discern his presence."Please, come closer," Lady Guila's voice resonated tenderly as she shifted her attention back towards the vast expanse of the sky. Her body pivoted, presenting her back to Tyler while maintaining a serene countenance.A soft utterance escaped Tyler's lips, carrying the weight of familiarity and affection. "Grandma," he addressed her, bridging the distance between them. His form positioned itself beside hers, and his hand found solace on the balustrade, mirroring her posture. Inhaling deeply, his lungs filled with the night air, and he exhaled, releasing a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.The ambient hush of the night was broken by Tyler's inquisitive tone. "What brings you out at this hour?" he inquired, his body inclining slightly towards Lady Guila. Despite his proximity, her gaze remained un
"What's the matter, Ciccio?" inquired Lady Guila, her voice laced with concern, as she gently tapped Tyler on the shoulder. Tyler's expression betrayed his inner turmoil; beads of sweat collected on his forehead, a testament to his intense unease. His gaze was fixed upon the entrance, his apprehension palpable, yet the space remained vacant, devoid of any presence. In that fleeting moment, he had been convinced that he spotted Andrea there, just as he had been on the verge of revealing the ominous threat Andrea had issued against the life of his beloved lotus."Uh, yeah, I'm alright," Tyler responded, his breath slightly labored as he spoke. He attempted to downplay his distress, rolling his eyes and employing the back of his hand to gently blot away the sweat that had pooled on his face."But you don't appear well," Lady Guila remarked with a gentle, reassuring tone. Her perceptive eyes carefully studied Tyler's countenance, as though seeking to extract some hidden truth. Her gaze wa
Tyler’s anxiety grew with each unsuccessful attempt to call his mother’s number. After their heartfelt kiss, he was eager to hear her voice, but the call simply wouldn’t connect. Frustration welled up within him, yet despite the setbacks, he couldn’t resist the urge to dial her number again, desperately hoping for a different outcome.“Jesus fucking Christ!” Tyler’s exclamation reverberated through the room, punctuated by his anger-fueled action of flinging his phone onto the bed. His frustration was palpable, like a storm brewing beneath his surface.Standing before the bed, he seemed almost overwhelmed, his emotions tangling like a web. He ran his fingers through his hair, agitated, and then began pacing the room, his steps a mix of restlessness and anxiety. His hands trembled slightly, a visible manifestation of the turmoil inside him. His once vibrant eyes now burned with an intense shade of red, reflecting the mixture of worry and anger that churned within.Each stride across the
The sound of the gunshot shattered the tense silence, the explosive discharge filling the air with a sharp crack that seemed to tear through the fabric of the room. It was Tyler’s own firearm, the 5.54 caliber entrusted to him by Andrea, the weapon now acting on his impromptu decision, aimed not at an enemy but in defense of Lady Guila. In the chaos, Andrea staggered backward, a splatter of crimson bursting forth from the wound on the right side of his chest, his body collapsing in a slow, anguished descent.Tyler’s heart raced, adrenaline surging through his veins as he witnessed the sudden turn of events. His eyes widened in a mixture of disbelief and realization. While his actions were impulsive, the consequences now lay before him, a pang of remorse piercing his chest. Not for the act of firing the shot, but for the unexpected twist fate had taken, allowing Andrea, despite his wrongdoings, a swift departure instead of facing the due consequences.“You… you bastard,” Andrea’s voice
“Did you just ask me what I have ever done for you?” Lady Guila’s voice, softened by a trace of hurt, quivered as she struggled to comprehend Rosie’s and Andrea’s conversation in the dimly lit room.“Oh, indeed, that’s precisely what I questioned. What contributions have you made? I’ve poured my soul into your company and family. From the tenderest years, I’ve toiled ceaselessly for this establishment and your kin, yet what recompense have I received? Nothing. Instead, you’ve ushered in this outsider, claiming he’s your heir to inherit the family legacy. Do you fathom the profound devastation I felt when that decision was made?” Andrea’s words, laden with bitterness, reverberated off the walls of the enclosed space.Lady Guila’s widened eyes reflected her astonishment and a hint of dismay as she absorbed Andrea’s impassioned words. Despite Tyler’s persistent warnings about Andrea’s deceitful nature, she’d vehemently dismissed them, holding steadfast faith in him. Never could she have f
Tyler’s eyes flew wide open at the unexpected sound, snapping him out of a dreamlike state. It was as if a shotgun had gone off in his mind, the clarity jolting him awake, his senses racing to determine who had uttered those four crucial words. As his eyes snapped open, Jen glanced toward the source of the voice, her gaze locking onto the same spot. Tyler’s breath hitched as his eyes widened in shock, his jaw dropping slightly in disbelief.“Grandma?” Tyler faltered, the word catching in his throat as shock rippled through him. The sudden appearance of his grandmother stood like an unexpected apparition in the room, rendering a peculiar stillness among them all. Today, Grandma stood so far away from Tyler, an impossible distance that seemed to widen as he remained glued to his seat, unable to bridge the gap. Fiorenzo hovered protectively behind her, flanked by two other men whose presence added an air of solemnity to the unexpected reunion.The tension in the room was palpable, a char
Tyler’s eyes flew wide open at the unexpected sound, snapping him out of a dreamlike state. It was as if a shotgun had gone off in his mind, the clarity jolting him awake, his senses racing to determine who had uttered those four crucial words. As his eyes snapped open, Jen glanced toward the source of the voice, her gaze locking onto the same spot. Tyler’s breath hitched as his eyes widened in shock, his jaw dropping slightly in disbelief.“Grandma?” Tyler faltered, the word catching in his throat as shock rippled through him. The sudden appearance of his grandmother stood like an unexpected apparition in the room, rendering a peculiar stillness among them all. Today, Grandma stood so far away from Tyler, an impossible distance that seemed to widen as he remained glued to his seat, unable to bridge the gap. Fiorenzo hovered protectively behind her, flanked by two other men whose presence added an air of solemnity to the unexpected reunion.The tension in the room was palpable, a char
“Can I please talk to my mother one last time because you can do with me what you want to do,” Tyekr whispered, his voice trembling as he perched on the edge of the chair, his body taut with tension, each moment ticking away like a fragile heartbeat.“Awnnn, you want to cry to Mama and tell her how much you love her and will miss her?” Andrea’s words dripped with derision, her tone mocking and cruel.Tyler felt the sting of Mareas’ cutting words, each syllable like a lash upon his already burdened soul. His silence masked the turmoil within as he pleaded silently for Nadtead’s intervention regarding his plea. Andrea’s scornful gaze bore into Tyekr, a frigid stare that seemed to pierce beyond the surface, locking their eyes in an uncomfortable standoff, an unspoken tension hanging in the air, thickening the atmosphere with a palpable weight of unresolved emotions.Their gaze held, each refusing to yield, a silent battle raging between them that spoke volumes in the charged silence, hin
“Voilà!” Andrea exclaimed, as though he had been eagerly awaiting Tyler’s consent to an unthinkable act.A radiant smile illuminated Andrea’s eyes and face, as if he had just stumbled upon the most marvelous news. Despite Tyler’s intense urge to lash out, he maintained a fixed gaze, determined not to succumb to his temper. He longed to deliver a punch straight to Andrea’s face.“You’ve made the right choice. Finally opting for the drugs that will put an end to the disease,” Andrea taunted sarcastically, applauding Tyler with a mocking fervor, his hands clapping together.There was an eerie sense of tension hanging in the air, crackling with the palpable bitterness that had brewed between the two. Tyler wrestled with conflicting emotions, a cocktail of anger, frustration, and the sting of Andrea’s derision. Andrea’s words cut deeper than any physical blow, striking a chord that resonated with Tyler’s inner turmoil.The room seemed to shrink as the intensity of their confrontation grew.
Tyler’s world crumbled as he reeled from the impact of Ray’s betrayal. The weight of the circumstances pressed heavily upon him, an indescribable amalgamation of anguish and disbelief. His heart, once steady, now raced uncontrollably, each beat echoing the tumult within. Guilt clawed at him, a remorseful storm, for feeling powerless to alter the unfolding tragedy, his mother’s plight a haunting specter in his mind.Tears, unbidden, swelled in his eyes, blurring the harsh reality of the text from Andrea. With clenched teeth, he stifled a cry, his fingers trembling as they traced the letters on the screen, each word a cruel lash against his already fractured resolve. He yearned to break free from the constraints that bound him, his thoughts a tempest of rage and desperation, seeking any semblance of a solution, yet finding none.Visions of his mother, subjected to unspeakable torment by Ray, played on an endless loop in his mind, a relentless barrage of anguish that threatened to consum
“Grandma! Talk to Me!” Tyler turned abruptly, a fleeting hope dashed as he realized his grandma, Lady Guila’s grip had not tightened on his hand; it was merely his mind’s cruel illusion. The room lay ensconced in a dim, almost somber, light, casting elongated shadows that seemed to echo Tyler’s growing frustration. Kneeling before Lady Guila, his pleas reverberated off the walls, desperate for her to awaken, yearning for release from the nightmarish grip that had ensnared his reality. Never before had he envisioned facing such a harrowing ordeal; his life had been uncomplicated, a mere intersection with Lady Guila followed by the revelation of his heritage and roots.Tyler’s frustration surged uncontrollably; he folded his legs beneath him, sinking to the floor’s cool surface. His eyes, brimming with unshed tears, held a rawness he dared not release. He longed to unleash a primal scream, to shatter the oppressive silence, yet the constriction in his throat stifled any attempt. A suffo
Tyler’s heart pounded in his chest, a wild gallop matching the frenetic pace of his thoughts. Each second dragged on like an eternity as he waited for Ethan’s response. His fingers drummed nervously on the edge of the table, a subconscious attempt to alleviate the rising tension.“Did you see my mom?” The urgency in Tyler’s voice betrayed the fear gnawing at his insides. “Is she alright?” His voice cracked with emotion, the weight of the unknown pressing down on him like a leaden sky.Ethan’s gaze softened momentarily before clouding over with a mix of apprehension and sorrow. “I couldn’t find your mom,” he confessed, his tone heavy with regret. “But, Tyler, something wasn’t right. The moment I stepped into the house, it was like a tempest had ravaged through its very core. Furniture overturned, shards of glass glinting amidst scattered belongings. It felt violated, as if the sanctity of your home had been desecrated.”A whirlwind of emotions engulfed Tyler. His chest tightened, suffo