As they walked through the front door into the living room, Olivia couldn't help but admire the family pictures adorning the walls. Stopping at one that featured Jon's wife and their daughter, she couldn't resist the temptation to touch its frame. "I take it this is your daughter?" she inquired softly.Jon, leading the way, nodded affirmatively. "Yes.""What's her name?" Olivia asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.Jon's smile widened with pride. "Kourtney. Named after her grandmother.""What a beautiful name," Olivia remarked, her fingers lingering on the picture's glass. "She's pretty, just like her mom. And her eyes... she has her mother's eyes," she added, referring to Jon's wife's eyes.Jon nodded in agreement. "Yes, she does. She's a carbon copy of Hannah through and through."As they settled into the living room, Olivia took a seat on the couch. Jon, standing in front of her, asked, "Would you like to have anything?""I'm fine," Olivia replied.Jon went to the refrige
"What are you doing here?" the voice was tinged with disbelief, framing the doorway with cautious curiosity.Olivia, undeterred by the skepticism, flashed a warm smile. "Hey, Jon, how are you doing?" Her greeting hung in the air, met only by Jon's unwavering stare.Sensing the tension, Olivia tried to lighten the mood. "At least invite me in first. Are you not happy to see me?"Jon's face twisted into a scowl. "And why would I do that? You show up out of nowhere, and now you want to waltz in like nothing happened?"Olivia, knowing Jon had every right to be upset, continued, her voice tinged with desperation. "I'm sorry, but please, I need your help."Jon, surprised by her bold move despite their past differences, replied, "And why in the seven hells would I help you?"With a deep sigh, Olivia continued, knowing she had nowhere else to turn. "I know we've had our differences over the years, but please, you know I wouldn't even come to you if it's not a matter of..." She paused, the tho
SEVERAL HOURS AGO.OLIVIA'S POVThe sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the motel parking lot as Olivia stepped out of her room. She had a purpose in her step, a determination in her eyes as she made her way through the motel hallway to the receptionist's desk. The receptionist, a middle - aged woman with kind eyes and a friendly smile, looked up as Olivia approached."Hi," Olivia greeted her, returning the smile. "I was wondering if you could point me to the nearest pharmacy? I need to pick up a few things."The receptionist nodded, her smile widening. "Of course, ma'am. Once you're outside, follow the road to your left. Keep walking until you get to the first bus stop. It's not too far from here. Cross to the other side of the road, then continue down the street. You'll see a big store, can't miss it. That's ADANN's store. They should have what you're looking for.""Thank you so much," Olivia replied, gratitude evident in her voice. She appreciated the detailed d
Carlos's heart sank as Edgar's words washed over him, each syllable chilling him to the bone. The air in the room seemed to grow colder, and the comforting warmth from the blanket could no longer stave off the deep, creeping dread that filled his body. His fingers instinctively curled into his palms as he imagined the gruesome threat becoming reality."Please, Edgar, you don't have to do this," Carlos pleaded, his voice quivering. "There has to be another way. I can try to contact her, maybe she'll respond if she knows I'm in danger."Edgar regarded Carlos with a steady, unyielding gaze. "We've tried the easy ways, and time is a luxury we can no longer afford," he replied, his tone resolute yet tinged with a hint of regret. "This is not just about you or her — it's about a debt that must be paid. Unfortunately for you, you are caught in the middle."Carlos's mind raced for solutions, desperate to avoid the gruesome fate Edgar had laid out. "Let me try to reach out to her. Give me a ch
"Okay, sir," the response came promptly.With that, the distinct sound of Edgar's polished shoes resumed, this time moving away from Carlos. The masked men quickly approached Carlos, setting to work with efficiency. They cleaned him up using damp cloths and provided him with fresh clothes, removing the vestiges of his earlier distress.As the men worked, Carlos's mind raced with both fear and a flicker of hope. He was in a dire situation, but Edgar's insistence on cleanliness and order suggested a level of professionalism that might mean they weren’t intent on harming him. Once the task was complete, one of the men stepped away to inform Edgar that Carlos was now cleaned up. The lights remained intensely bright, but Carlos had adjusted slightly, allowing him to make out more of his surroundings. The warehouse was expansive, filled with stacked crates and industrial equipment, shadows looming in the corners.Soon, the distinctive sound of Edgar's footsteps approached once more. Edgar e
When Carlos regained consciousness, he was disoriented, trapped in a cramped, dark space barely large enough to fit his frame. With his hands tied behind his back and his legs bound, he struggled futilely to free himself. The gag in his mouth stifled his screams for help, which faded into exhausted whimpers over time. He could feel the motion of the vehicle, deducing he was likely in the trunk of a moving car. After what felt like an eternity, the motion ceased and the confined space was abruptly exposed to light as the trunk lid was flung open.Standing above him were the two masked men, looming large and intimidating. Before Carlos could take in his surroundings, one of them quickly covered his face with a sack, obscuring his vision and deepening his sense of vulnerability.The men hoisted him up efficiently, one gripping under his armpits and the other by his legs, and carried him into a building. The echo of their footsteps suggested a large, empty space — likely a warehouse. They
Olivia then leaned in closer once more, planting yet another soft kiss on Carlos's lips. This time, the kiss lingered, becoming longer and more passionate. As they exchanged the intimate moment, Carlos, aroused and carried away by the kiss, finally broke the silence, "What was that for?"With an innocent yet sexually appealing smile on her face, Olivia responded, gently caressing her fingers through Carlos's hair, "It's a token of my appreciation for everything you're doing for me."Carlos, his voice deep and alluring, couldn't help but express his desire, "What you did there with your tongue, while kissing, if you do it again, I can't promise not to bend you over."Olivia burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Hmm, you liked it? I could tell it took every ounce of willpower for you not to tear my clothes apart."Carlos, with a devilish grin on his face, replied, "It sure did." But then, a subtle sound of discomfort escaped him.Noticing the sound, Olivia became conc
PRESENT DAY.The sound of the analog clock ticking on the wall filled the room, its rhythm punctuating the silence of the night, as Carlos lay sprawled on the bed, his body contorted in an attempt to find a position that would alleviate the throbbing pain from his bullet wound. Each movement was met with a sharp gasp, a subtle sound of discomfort escaping his lips.As he shifted, trying to find a semblance of comfort, Carlos couldn't help but reflect on the events of the days before. The memory of the gunshot wound and the chaotic escape with Olivia still fresh in his mind. In agony, he whispered to himself, his voice filled with regret and self doubt."What have I gotten myself into?" he murmured, each word punctuated by a soft gasp of pain. "Did I really think I could play the hero?" Another gasp followed as he adjusted his position, trying to ease the discomfort.He glanced at Olivia, her form outlined in the dim light, her breathing steady and deep. The contrast between her peacef
FIVE YEARS AGO.On a sunny day and a tenseful evening, after long months of legal battles between BILCO Pharmaceuticals and the Elite Attorneys Partnership, the federal Supreme Court in Washington was about to pass its final judgment on the case.As the federal judge in charge of the case rose, the gavel in her hands poised to pass the judgment, the courtroom was filled with tension and anticipation."After due investigations and findings, the federal court finds you guilty of all charges brought against you, BILCO Pharmaceuticals, until proven otherwise. All your assets are hereby frozen, and you are to pay the total sum of 800 million dollars to the friends and family of the people affected by your illegal activities."The judge struck the gavel on the sounding block, finalizing the judgment.At the bar area where Carlos was seated, he couldn't believe what had just happened. It was as if he was in a movie scene, or everything was just a dream. He remained in a state of shock until