Heart Of A Destitute

TER

LI

eeling?" Micha

said, offering a small sm

handing it to me. "It's a good idea.

ling as I dialed the number. It rang

as Mrs. Jane,

aid, my voice bare

er tone icy. "Your father had a panic attack beca

ds laced with venom. "You're a disgrace, Julian. Running away like that,

g back tears. "I'm so

n't think for a second that anyone h

t had settled in my chest. Michael w

kay?" he a

. "No, but I ne

to face this alone. I thanked him again, hugging hi

father, the event, and the fallout from my disappearance. W

said, her voice trembling. "The business associates waite

see my father. As I walked towards his room, Mrs

. "Look at what you've done to your fath

er words cut deep. "I'm sorry,"

e shouted. "You're a curse, J

face as I entered my father's room. He lay there, looking frail and h

s closed. I couldn't bear it. The weight of Mrs. Jane's curses and my own gui

meet?" I asked, m

ed immediately. "Wher

ust need to ge

, Michael was already there, waiting for me. He gree

use a break," he said gen

ing up with tears. "Th

d, his gaze stea

boisterous environment of the restaurant was a stark contrast to th

d, Julian?" h

me to marry someone to secure my place as his heir. But I couldn't do it. Last night, I ran away b

es filled with sympathy. "I'm so

ything. Michael moved closer, wrapping his arms around me in

"I hate how they treated my mom. My father... he was cruel to her, and she died

y eyes. "You don't have to do anything you d

ision still felt crushing. "It's ju

"One step at a time. We'l

the moment. He glanced at the screen and

hone. I sipped my drink, trying to calm my racing thoug

hing okay?

. "It's fine. Jus

xhausted to press the issue. "Thank you for everything, Mic

ain. "You'll never

en us. Michael drove me home, the car ride filled with a comfortable silenc

gain, hugging him tig

e replied, h

I walked back into the house, I couldn't shake the feeling that

CH

termination, and a hint of excitement swirled within me. As I watched her

de. There was no room for s

engine roared to life with a purr that spoke of its power. My Maserati

erior to the gleaming exterior, was a

lished surface. The streets were quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos of my mind.

y, and the modern décor screamed luxury. This was my sanctua

I poured myself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid catching the light as I swirled it

ent. "James, it's me. Yes, everything went according to plan. Jul

und me, the only sound the distant hum of the city. "I'll kee

James not to interfere with my plans. Everything needed to go p

t at the city that lay beneath me. This was my kingdom, a

at. There was something about her that tugged at my conscience, a vulnerability that made me

lights symbolized hope, dreams, and possibilities. For me, they were a reminder of the ruthle

t me completely if our plan was to succeed. Every interaction, every conversation was a cal

r furniture, the state-of-the-art technology-all of it was a testament to the life I had built. But beneath the surface, there was

His approval-or disapproval-could make or break careers. Julian's reluctance to follow his wishes was a complication I hadn't anticipated,

t just a game. Lives were at stake, and the consequences of failure were sev

impatience palpable even through text. I couldn't blame him. We were all

my eyes for a moment. Julian's face flashed before me, her eyes filled with pain and confusion.

she trusted me, as long as she believed I was on her side, we had a cha

there was much to do. I had meetings to arrange, strategies to refine, and allies

newed sense of purpose. Julian was a key part of my plan, but she was also a r