The funeral service went smoothly even though they were a lot of hate, malice, and pretense between us, we put up a façade that we were on the same page concerning my father’s death. The real truth is that I was the one who felt shattered and broken by his death, Karen and Emma were the total opposite. When I watched my father being dropped six feet down, it struck me that all my dreams of reconciliation with him had been buried. How tragic can life be? I couldn’t even spend a moment of pure bliss with my dad before his unexpected demise. Same with Sherry, even though we were always happy, that ominous day was different. Sherry never heard me mutter a word of forgiveness till she died, I only heard myself screaming those words of forgiveness when the ashes had settled on the ground, when I never saw a glimpse of that smiling angel again. My dad never forgave me either, or did he? Did he forgive me on his deathbed, in my absence? When he knew he was going to take h

“Wait… wait… what?” Karen stuttered, her eyeballs bulged out. Emma gasped, swinging her head in my direction, her jaws were dropped in abashment. I stared at them, dazed. I couldn’t understand a single action displayed before me. The only thing on my mind was “Get away from here, Rosy!” What does he mean by me becoming the future heiress of the Connor’s fortune? I don’t even have the right to my dad’s company, talk more of becoming an heiress. Perhaps he was mistaken, I and Emma’s name must have put him in a confused state. “Do you mean Emma?” Karen asked, my eyes caught her shaking fingers and I realized that this wasn’t the joke at all. “He said Rosy,” Mr. Jones replied, narrowing his eyes at Karen. He never liked her right from the day my dad introduced her to him. I can still vividly remember that day because it was my fifth birthday anniversary. “I was just joking, I only said that due to the way you two treated her,” Mr. Hamilton apologized, chuckli

Am I dreaming? What is he doing here? My frozen body was too helpless to kick him away from me, I glanced down at the disgusting hands wrapped around my waist, wishing that my body would come out of this paralysis and snap out the hands. “Do you like your new place?” He muttered, unclasping his hands from my waist. I spun around filled with anger, hatred, and bitterness. The murderous glare on my face dwindled when I saw Evan blinking confusedly at me. “Don’t you like it?” He muttered, feeling disappointed with himself. “You called me little Red Rose,” I muttered in a cold whisper. “What?” he craned his neck closer. “How did you know that I was called Little Red Rose?” That was the only thing on my mind, the rest weren’t worth thinking about right now. “Oh… that,” he thrust his hands into his pocket and raised his head as if he was trying to remember the answer to my unintelligible question. “I heard it from a guy when we were still in high school,” he

I glanced out of the window, itching badly to say something to Veronica. She had been silent ever since our conversation at the dining table. “Hey, you don’t have to worry, I will certainly find a place for you when I settle down,” I said. Veronica finally glanced my way and nodded solemnly. “You don’t have to stress yourself concerning that, I understand,” she replied. “We will throw an inauguration party for you,” Veronica muttered, running her hands along my arm. “I want an inauguration ceremony, not a wild party,” I rolled my eyes and she chuckled. “This year will be your best year,” Veronica muttered. “I hope so,” I replied. Evan pulled up in front of the small hospital she worked in and she slung her bag across her shoulder. She leaned closer and pecked my cheeks fondly. “Bye, bestie, have a great day at work,” she bade, hopping down from the car. “You too,” I shouted out from the window. “You know there is nothing like a great day here,” she shouted back

CALEB I swallowed hard as all eyes were directed towards my father and I. He seethed in fury and took heavy steps towards me, his eyes burning in rage. I remained fixed on the spot, not bulging despite the horrified screams coming from my aunt. Dad got to where I stood and grabbed me by the collar. “What the hell do you think you are doing here, haven’t I told you never to set your feet in my house again?” His hot breath fanned my face. I remained mute and stared blankly at him. He had every right to be angry at me. “You wanted the company, right? You have it now, you wanted that company in exchange for your own family,” dad spat, tightening his grip around my collar. My throat tightened and the flow of oxygen around my body became distorted. “Oh my God!” my mom’s horrific scream sliced through the air as she sprinted towards us and grabbed my dad’s shoulder, shaking him with every ounce of strength in her. My dad was heavier and stronger than her, so, a