Angela carefully set the last shard of the broken vase onto the coffee table, brushing off her hands as she settled back onto the couch. The hum of the city filtered in through the open windows, bringing an air of calm into the penthouse that neither woman seemed to feel. “Th-thanks for helping,” Aurora whispered, her voice unsteady. Angela gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. It’s just a vase.” Aurora’s eyes flickered nervously toward the closed door of Xavier’s office, her fingers toying with the hem of her shirt. “Um, should I l-let your b-brother know y-you’re h-here?” Angela nodded. “yeah, pl-.” Before Angela could complete her sentence, Alex’s voice rang out from the hallway, full of energy. “Xavier! Hey, Bro! Come out, come out, wherever you are!” Aurora flinched at the sound, her body stiffening immediately. Angela caught the subtle shift and shot her a glance but stayed quiet, knowing Alex’s boisterous personality often unnerved Aurora. "Xavier!
In the dark abyss of her nightmare, Aurora's body convulsed, trapped in the grip of a nightmare. Her head thrashed violently side to side, caught in a struggle between heavy eyelids and the merciless brightness beyond. The fog of unconsciousness clung stubbornly, as if reluctant to release her into the waking world.In the clutches of the frightening nightmare, Aurora fought desperately to break free. Gasping for air, she felt a chilling awareness that her breath had abandoned her. Panic surged with each painful throb, a harsh reminder of the nightmare's suffocating grip.A haunting flashback plunged her into the vortex of her past. A young Aurora, Teddy clutched tightly, sought solace as the nightmare reenacted the stormy chaos of the car ride. Rain relentlessly pounded the vehicle, as it pirouetted in a chaotic dance, swaying precariously from side to side. In the confined space, Aurora's ears caught fragments of her mother's worried whispers, a desperate plea intertwining with the
THREE DAYS LATERWilliam Knight sat behind his expansive mahogany desk, surrounded by an air of authority that matched the luxuriousness of his office. His piercing blue eyes scanned through the files before him, his mind engrossed in the intricate details of his business empire. The weight of responsibility pressed upon his shoulders, but he reveled in the power and control it afforded him.Just as he was about to delve deeper into the papers, his assistant's voice broke the silence, filtering through the intercom on his desk. "Mr. Knight, Dr. Ross is here to see you. Shall I send him in?"William paused for a moment, his mind racing to recall the name. Dr. Ross... Dr. Ross... Then, like a flicker of recognition, a memory surfaced. Marcus, his dear friend and mentor, had spoken of a young man whom he had taken under his wing, paying for his education and paving the way for his success. This must be the same person."Of course," William replied, his voice laced with curiosity. "Send h
As the evening sun dipped below the skyline, Xavier Knight strolled out of his opulent office, leaving behind the realm of high-powered meetings and multimillion-dollar deals. The grandeur of the building seemed to shrink in comparison to his larger-than-life presence. Dressed impeccably in a tailored suit that exuded authority, he moved with a confident stride, commanding the attention of everyone who crossed his path.Awaiting him at the curb was the valet, a deferential figure in a crisply pressed uniform. With precision, the valet handed Xavier the glistening keys to his Ferrari, a masterpiece of Italian engineering, its crimson finish reflecting the fading daylight.The night air was a symphony of sensations as Xavier slipped into the sleek sports car. The city buzzed with energy, and the warm, humid breeze carried a hint of intrigue. As he revved the engine, the thrum of power surged through the car, and the intoxicating scent of possibility enveloped him, promising an evening fi
"Where the hell are my work clothes? They should have been washed, ironed, and hanging in my wardrobe by now. You know that," Thomas bellowed at Aurora, his anger palpable as he closed in on her personal space. Before she could explain that she had already completed the task he demanded, he lashed out and delivered a stinging slap across her face. Aurora crumpled to the floor from the force of the blow, cradling her burning left cheek with her hand. She could already feel the telltale signs of the heat and tingling, warning her of the bruise that would inevitably follow."I d-did, Uncle T-Thomas. It is o-on the c-couch in y-your room," she stuttered out, trying to hold back tears."Are you calling me a liar?" he hissed, leaning down and invading her personal space. His breath reeked of strong coffee, making her flinch. Aurora looked up from the floor, her hand still pressed to her throbbing cheek, and saw his face twisted with anger. One raised eyebrow and crossed arms conveyed his di
Xavier was rudely awakened by the intrusive beep of his alarm, a cruel reminder of how little sleep he had received. With a groan, he reached out to silence the persistent noise.Xavier's eyes fluttered open, squinting against the invading rays of morning sunlight that pierced through the bedroom curtains. As consciousness slowly seeped in, his gaze darted around the room, landing on the sight before him that sent a jolt of confusion through his hazy mind. Two women lay entangled beside him, their forms partially covered by the tangled sheets.A whirlwind of fragmented memories tugged at the edges of Xavier's recollection, teasing him with glimpses of laughter and swirling drinks. There was a tantalizing sense of freedom lingering within the hazy recesses of his mind, yet the details remained frustratingly elusive, lost in the thick fog of intoxication. He groaned, a headache pounding in his temples, as he desperately attempted to piece together the puzzle of his blurred evening.His
JOHNSON'S HOMEIn the modest living room of the Johnson household, the air was heavy with an oppressive silence. Aurora cleaned the dining table, her heart racing with unknown anticipation and fear. The creaking of the front door signaled the arrival of her uncle, Thomas Johnson, a man driven by greed and a relentless hunger for wealth.With a sinister smile, Thomas glanced down at the documents in his hands. Finally, William had delivered on his promise, sealing the deal that Thomas had been relentlessly pursuing for the past six months. It was a win-win situation for him. He knew all too well that Aurora's marriage would be short-lived, as accidents could easily be arranged. Once she was out of the picture, her inheritance would fall into his grasp, along with the added bonus of a lucrative multimillion-dollar deal he had just secured with William Knight. Life couldn't have been any better for Thomas, as his devious plans fell perfectly into place.Thomas entered the room, his gaze
Xavier slammed his fist into the steering wheel, his knuckles white, and a barrage of profanities escaping his lips. His frustration was palpable, and his father was the epicenter of it all."Fuck!" he roared, raining blows upon the unyielding wheel, the remnants of his heated exchange with his father coursing through his veins. Finally, he halted, his labored breathing syncing with the rhythm of his racing thoughts. Through the windshield, the oncoming traffic appeared as a blurry tableau.His head shook, desperate to find an escape from this mess. "Relax, buddy, just breathe," Alex, offered with a concerned look."Relax! Seriously, Alex, you want me to relax? My life is spinning out of control. My dad has lost his mind. I can't believe he's forcing me into this," Xavier hissed, his frustration palpable as he struck the steering wheel again."I tried to forget everything for a couple of hours at the club, but it's not helping. This Aurora girl is driving me insane."Xavier's face dis