In humid weather with small ray of sunshine casting golden hue over the cemetery. The air smelled of damp earth and freshly cut grass. Sophia clutched the bouquet of crimson roses, their petals vibrant against the gray tombstones. Angela and Fernando stood nearby, their eyes heavy with grief. Together, they walked toward Jackson’s grave, the earth now solidified from months of his burial.Sophia knelt, her fingers brushing against the cool marble headstone. She placed the red flowers gently on the mound of soil, replacing the withered ones that had adorned the grave for months. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying memories of laughter, shared beds, and stolen kisses. As Angela and Fernando stood back, giving Sophia a moment of privacy, she knelt beside the grave.“It’s almost time,” Sophia murmured, her voice barely audible. She rubbed her swollen belly, feeling the flutter of life within. “Our child will soon come into this world.” Tears welled up in her eyes as she c
Sophia, Fernando, and Angela returned from the cemetery, the weight of their encounter with the mysterious black SUV still heavy on their minds. As they approached Sophia's office, her assistant called out to her."Ma'am, ma'am!" the assistant exclaimed, waving a piece of paper in the air. "Some group of people came to drop this for you."Sophia furrowed her brow in confusion as she approached, her curiosity piqued. "Yes, what is it?" she asked, reaching out to take the card from her assistant's hand.The card was adorned with cryptic seals and intricate symbols, its surface covered in strange writings that seemed to pulse with an eerie feeling. Angela's eyes widened in recognition as she caught sight of the symbols."It's the symbol of the Conclave for the blade in shadows," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.Sophia's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the ConclaveSophia's heart raced with panic as she clutched the edge of her desk, her mind swirling with a thousand f
The morning sun filtered through the opulent curtains, casting a warm glow on the marble floors of the mansion. Abigail stepped out of the steamy shower, her skin tingling from the hot water. She moved to the vanity, the soft towel in her hand gliding effortlessly over her damp hair as she dried it with practiced motions. She wrapped a plush white robe around her, the fabric clinging to her curves. The towel in her hand absorbed the droplets from her long, olive-red hair as she briskly dried it. Her closet was a treasure trove of designer outfits, each piece meticulously chosen. Abigail’s fingers glided over the hangers, seeking the perfect attire for the day. Today, she craved something bold, something that would command attention. Her eyes settled on a striking green and black jumpsuit. The fabric clung to her like a second skin, accentuating her lithe figure. She slipped into it, the zipper closing with a satisfying sound. Next came the accessories. Abigail selected a pa
Abigail approached the director's office, the staff member knocked on the door with urgency. The sound echoed through the hallway, a sharp rap that cut through the silence like a blade."Come in," a voice called from within the office.The staff member pushed open the door, ushering Abigail into the room before stepping aside respectfully. Abigail took a deep breath, steeling herself for the encounter that lay ahead."Sir, we have Abigail Palms wanting to see you," the staff member announced, her voice ringing with a note of deference.The director looked up from his desk, his expression one of mild surprise at the unexpected visitor. "The Abigail Palms?" he repeated, a hint of incredulity creeping into his tone.The staff member nodded eagerly. "Yes, sir," she confirmed.Abigail met the director's gaze head-on, her eyes steady and unwavering."Thank you, Emily. You can leave us," the director said, gesturing for the staff member to depart.Emily nodded obediently, casting a curious
The kitchen was a battleground, the air thick with tension. Abigail and Ella, once inseparable friends, now faced each other like sworn enemies. The room crackled with their animosity, and the utensils bore witness to their rage.Abigail lunged at Ella, her fingers like talons as she grabbed a fistful of Ella’s hair, yanking her head back, and slamming it into the fridge with a resounding thud. Ella winced, her hands flying up to protect her head as she stumbled backward her eyes narrowing in fury. She retaliated with a swift kick to Abigail’s stomach, the blow knocked the wind out of Abigail, causing her to double over in pain and the force of it knocked Abigail back against the electric stove. The metallic clang reverberated through the room.Their guards rushed forward, eager to separate the two women and put an end to the altercation but Abigail and Ella both shouted, “No!” Their voices overlapped, warning them not to interfere, a symphony of defiance. “This bitch is mine,” E
Fernando's heart raced as he pulled up to Sophia's grand mansion, the weight of his impending conversation with her bearing down on him like a heavy burden. He knew what he had to say would be difficult to hear, but it was the only way to save her life. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of his car and approached the imposing front door. The door swung open, revealing one of Sophia's guards, who regarded Fernando with a nod. "Hey, what happened? Did you talk to them?" Angela's voice was filled with urgency as she caught sight of Fernando's troubled expression. Fernando hesitated, the weight of his words pressing down on him like a lead weight. "No, I..." he began, but his words trailed off as Sophia herself emerged from the kitchen, her presence commanding the room. "What? What happened?" Sophia's voice was tinged with anxiety as she approached, her eyes searching Fernando's face for any sign of news. "They didn't agree to postpone the conclave after you gave birth," Fernan
The midday sun cast a warm glow over the sprawling mansion, its elegant facade standing proud amidst manicured lawns and towering trees. Realtor Charlotte stood beside Abigail, her well-manicured hand gesturing towards the grand entrance as she recited the impressive features of the property."Ma'am, this mansion boasts two indoor pools, eight spacious bedrooms, and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside," Charlotte began, her voice filled with practiced enthusiasm.But before she could continue, Abigail cut her off with a wave of her hand. "I'll take it," she declared, her tone firm and decisive.Charlotte blinked in surprise, taken aback by Abigail's abruptness. "But ma'am, you haven't even seen the bedrooms or the backyard," she protested, a note of uncertainty creeping into her voice.Abigail shook her head dismissively, her eyes fixed on the imposing mansion before her. "I don't care. I want it," she insisted, her voice leaving no room for argument.Charlotte hesitate
As Abigail worked, the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the room. But Abigail paid it no mind, then,Abigail's stomach grumbled insistently as she pored over the documents, her mind consumed with thoughts of her birth parents and the mysteries of her past. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until now, and the idea of venturing out to a restaurant seemed daunting in her current state of mind. But then she remembered the safe in the master bedroom, and a glimmer of hope sparked within her.Gathering up the papers, Abigail made her way to the master bedroom, her footsteps echoing in the silence of the grand hallway. As she entered the room, her eyes scanned the walls, searching for any sign of the hidden safe. It didn't take long for her to spot it—a small, inconspicuous box nestled between two paintings.With a sense of anticipation, Abigail approached the safe and carefully removed the paintings, revealing a piece of paper tucked behind them. It