The morning light spilled gently through the half-drawn blinds, cutting golden stripes across the edge of the mahogany wardrobe where Chance stood adjusting his tie. All through the night had been a battle in his mind. On one side was Priya’s beautiful face, and on the other side was the wonderful kiss he had shared with Chloe, and he just couldn’t understand what was happening to him.Not once had he imagined that someone he just met for the first time would have so much hold on him, and that was exactly what was happening with Priya.Just when his thoughts were still fast spinning, his phone buzzed.At first, he ignored it, expecting it to be another meaningless call from the office or a persistent journalist hoping to stir old dust. But the buzzing continued, vibrating insistently on the dresser. With a tired sigh, he reached for it.“Yara Grey,” the screen displayed.Chance hesitated, thumb hovering over the accept button. Yara wasn’t one to call unless it mattered. The last time

Brenda was in her suit listening to soft jazz, sipping from a glass of lemonade, and scrolling through her phone when she saw the news that there had been a new development with the Acharlands case, and just before she could open the headline to read the content of the story, the phone in her hand buzzed with an incoming call from one of the Stannins’ legal advisers.“Ma’am Brenda,” The voice at the other end began, “I believe you’ve seen the news regarding the latest developments with the Acherlands.”“I just saw it now, but I don’t know what the full extent of the development of the case is. Can you please help me with the briefing?”“Well, I believe it might interest you to know that the clause by H. Fenner had been discovered and the O’Connors are hiring none other than Clifford Hills to be their attorney for the case.”At those words, Brenda felt it as a physical jolt, like ice touching an old burn. Her veins stood raw beneath her skin; for an instant she thought she might actual

It wasn’t long after that the Chief Security Officer came rushing in, asking Julia and the others not to panic that they’ve got everything under control. But that wasn’t enough for Julia, who was hosting the first citizen of a country and his daughter, knowing fully well that if anything should happen to Prime Minister Rajan and his daughter Priya, it could lead to something else entirely.“So, tell me, what was that?” She eventually asked, though her breath had become steadier.“It was an attack. But we’ve apprehended the culprits and have called the police.” The CSO replied.“Attack? Culprits?” Chance asked, his brow furrowing.At that point, Prime Minister Rajan and his daughter were already visibly shaken, fearing that whoever the culprits were who had perpetrated the attack might have probably come for him and his daughter Priya.As for Julia, her fear of what the media would put out there should something have happened that night was what constantly tugged at the back of mind.

Philip froze where he stood as every word Julia hurled at him landed like a blow he knew he deserved. He had withdrawn far more than he had realized and the distance had carved wounds in her she had masked with steel, politics, and ruthlessness.But what could he do when he didn't even know how to fix his messed-up life any longer, as it felt as though the ghost of Susan had returned from the dead to hunt him?He had made mistakes in the past, but he regretted everything and had hoped to have a fresh start after he got married to Julia. But it was already appearing as though life had other plans for him.But before he could speak again, Julia’s voice cracked once more, her composure finally starting to fracture.“And I—” her voice wavered, “I pulled the trigger, Philip. I shot him dead. And somehow… somehow I thought I’d feel safe afterwards. But I don’t.” Her fingers trembled. “I don’t feel anything except…”She choked, the word strangled in her throat. “…empty.”Outside the half-clo

Julia woke up with a violent gasp, her hand flying to her chest as though she had been yanked from beneath deep water. Her entire body trembled, and for several seconds she didn’t recognize her own bedroom. Her breath came in uneven bursts, cold sweat dampening her forehead.The dream or whatever it was clung to her like a second skin, and for a brief moment, all she could hear was Steven’s last sentence echoing like a ghost in her skull:“You still haven’t fulfilled the last promise you made to me.”Julia pressed her palms to her temples, trying desperately to cling to the memory. What promise? What promise? She had made many promises to Steven in their final years together, but nothing came to mind that matched the weight in his voice.Her breath shuddered again.“Philip…” she whispered hoarsely as she reached over and shook him gently, then harder when he didn’t stir. Philip groaned softly before his eyes blinked open, confusion clouding them. “Julia? What… what’s wrong?” He aske