"Lagatha," he said, his voice low, dangerous.
She let out a sharp, mocking laugh.
"You really think threatening me with my family will shake me?" He scoffed.
"Please. You can bathe in their blood for all I care."His grip tightened on the phone.
"You're bluffing. Don't forget, your life,your goddamn little life,is in my hands."
For a second,he paused. That line cut deeper than he expected.
"Listen,go ahead and kill them,I give no fûck about that, sending your stupid sons wasn't enough."He said.
"Go ahead ,Lagatha."
"Not just them,her as well"She whispered and the line went dead.
He stared at the screen and then he hurled the phone across the room
Gabriel Clenched his fist,he knows she wasn't bluffing, like she said it, she'll do it. He won't walk into her trap nor will he get scared.
If Jarnie and her daughter dies because him, he'll miss them.
He stared at the big frame of his wife and daughter with him standing in between them.
His eyes bidding them goodbye,the only thing that can lure him is money, anything else should fûck off please.
Another revenge for him again,he killed Laura for a reason,if she kills his family,then he's taking down his sons.
*********
(SMITH'S MANSION—KITCHEN)
Lorraina stood by the counter, the rhythmic sound of the coffee filled the air as she worked.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the kitchen, mingling with the bustling energy of the maids moving about.
"Mrs. Smith, let me do it," she offered, her voice sharp, as she took a step closer.
"I've been making coffee for years, for this family, leave it. No need for you to trouble yourself."
Lorraina paused for a moment, glancing over at the older maid, her fingers still on the handle of the coffee pot.
"Grench, we all know you've been doing this for years," Dova interjected, her tone low but firm.
"But Mrs. Smith specifically asked her to prepare the coffee. Can you let her do it in peace?"
The tension in the room was thick,the other maids exchanging quiet whispers, their eyes flickering between Grench and Lorraina.
Grench's eyes narrowed as she shot Dova a sharp look, but Dova stood her ground. There was something almost protective in the way she watched Lorraina.
"Madame, I just don't want any mistakes. Please, don't stress." Grench said forcing out a smile.
"I understand. I'll handle it". Lorraina nodded a little.
"Exactly," Dova added. "She's fine, Grench."
Grench forced another smile, her lips tight with barely concealed irritation.
"Fine. But don't say I didn't offer to help."
"I said I can handle this," Lorraina muttered softly, her gaze returning to the coffee, trying to stay focused despite the simmering tension around her.
Grench huffed but said no more.The other maids exchanging looks, their whispers growing louder as they continued their work.
"She's so pretty, that's all I know," one of the maids whispered to her friend, glancing at Lorraina as she prepared the coffee with graceful concentration.
"Perfect match for Mr Levander, don't you think?" the other whispered back, her voice tinged with envy.
Lorraina caught their words, her cheeks flushing slightly, but she said nothing.
Another maid, leaned in. "She's better than Fiona,that woman was a witch, honestly. I'm glad they broke up."
Lorraina's hands paused, but she quickly resumed her task, trying to block out the whispers and stay composed.
Just then, the door to the kitchen swung open with a sharp bang, and Zinnia strutted in. Her heels clicked sharply against the tiles, and her eyes locked onto Lorraina with a burning intensity.
"Hey, you," Zinnia snapped, her voice cold. "Why did you speak to Thorfinn like that?"
Lorraina paused, her grip tightening on the coffee pot. She wasn't sure how to respond,what to say to her?
Zinnia didn't wait for an answer.
"I asked you a darn question, Lorraina!"
Lorraina looked up slowly, meeting Zinnia's gaze with an unreadable expression.
"I didn't speak to him anyhow," she said quietly,her voice firm."He bumped into me, and he didn't apologize. Why should I?"She muttered with no fear behind her words.
Zinnia's eyes flared with anger.
"I guess I didn't know you had a sharp tongue," she said.
Lorraina didn't flinch. "I spoke politely to them as best as I could, Zinnia. Don't make an issue out of it."
Grench, who had been watching quietly, smirked slightly. She enjoyed seeing Zinnia create drama, knowing it would stir the pot further. Very soon, she'll add fuel to the fire.
Zinnia's patience snapped, and in an instant, she raised her hand to strike Lorraina. But before the slap could land, a voice thundered from the doorway.
"Zinnia!" Georgia's sharp tone froze the room. She moved quickly, stepping between Zinnia and Lorraina, her hand gripping Zinnia's wrist before she could land a blow.
Zinnia yanked her arm away, but the venom in her eyes stayed fixed on Lorraina. "Aunt, this bitch..."
"Stop it," Georgia cut her off, her voice hard and commanding.
"Enough."
Lorraina stood still, her pale face betraying no emotion, though her heart raced. She could feel the heat of Zinnia's anger but refused to back down.
"She was disrespectful to Thorfinn," Zinnia continued, her voice dripping with contempt. "When Grey tried to talk to her, she just walked off!"
So what if she walked off, Lorraina scoffed.
Georgia sighed deeply. "Let's talk about this outside of here, alright?"
Lorraina and Zinnia locked eyes for a moment, the challenge clear between them. There was no love lost in the exchange, only hatred.
Lorraina finally broke the stare, taking a deep breath. "Dova, please stay here and finish it," she said, her voice low but steady. "I'll be right back."
Dova nodded without a word, but her eyes were filled with something unspoken-her concern,for Lorraina, it's strange but seeing her like this hurt her.
With a quick glance at the other maids, Lorraina walked toward the door.
As Lorraina stepped out, the maids returned to their work, but the energy in the room had shifted. Grench was still watching her with a mix of suspicion and amusement.
"Hey, move aside," Grench called out, her tone sharp as she walked toward the counter to take over the coffee-making.
"I'll respect that, you're the housekeeper, after all."She didn't flinch.
Grench smiled with a hint of satisfaction as she moved in, taking over the task quickly.
"You all shouldn't stay idle," she said, her voice loud and commanding. "There's a reception tomorrow and we have a lot to do. Get to work."
"Yes, ma'am," the maids replied in unison, bowing their heads slightly. All except Dova, who watched Grench with a sharp gaze, suspicion dancing behind her eyes.
"Go, Dova," Grench haf yelled, impatiently.
Dova hesitated for a beat before turning to leave.
*****
(LORRAINA'S POV)
I stepped out of the kitchen quickly, my chest tight, eyes stinging. I didn't want to cry in front of them,not again.
What have I done to deserve this? Why do I always get such treatment?
But truthfully… I was used to it. Jarvier made sure of that. The way she used to treat me,like a rag, like a ghost,she trained me to swallow insults like pills. Yet somehow, even now, even here… it still hurts.
I slumped into the nearest chair, feeling my legs tremble underneath me. I reached for the glass of water on the table and took a small sip. I was too exhausted to even lift it properly. My hands shook from everything,fatigue, hunger, hurt.
I had been working nonstop today, doing everything without rest. And for what? For more shame?
This family… this house… I swear, it's going to be the death of me.
I sniffled quietly, trying to wipe my tears before they could fall, but they came anyway—salty trails down my cheeks. My head felt heavy, thoughts spiraling faster than I could breathe.
And then, out of nowhere, a memory tugged at my mind.
Thorfinn,and Grey.
Those two… there was something about them,something familiar, haunting. I'd been trying to place it since the moment I saw them.
"Thorfinn Vales… is it really him?" I whispered into the air like someone might answer.
Still sniffing, I reached for the phone Levi had bought me,two phones, two iPads, one expensive laptop. Everything brand new. I didn't even ask. He just dropped them on the table like it was nothing.
At least he did that.
I unlocked the phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I opened Chrome and typed his name.
Thorfinn Vales.
The screen loaded… and there he was. His face. His smile. His damn unforgettable eyes.
Just like I thought. It's him.
My heart dropped. For a second, I felt like I had left the present entirely.
(FLASHBACK — FIVE YEARS AGO)
"Thorfinn!" I called out, breathless,as I stopped in a corner.
He turned at the sound of his name, and when our eyes met, his entire face lit up. God… that smile. It always melted every ache inside me. For a moment, I forgot all the pain waiting for me at home.
"Mia Bella," he greeted, his voice soft, playful. My beautiful.
I ran straight into his arms, letting myself fall into his familiar warmth. His hand slid easily around my waist, pulling me closer into him.
"You said you wanted to tell me something," I reminded him, heart thudding nervously in my chest.
He didn't answer right away. Just held me there.
"I love you," he whispered against my ear.
I smiled, leaning back just enough to meet his eyes, but something about the way he said it felt… final. Like a goodbye dressed in sweetness.
"Wait… why do you sound like that?" I asked, blinking at him.
"Did something happen? Did anyone hurt you?" He replied ignoring my question.
He stepped back slightly, and I saw the hesitation in his eyes.
"No, I'm fine,"And I lied.
Because I wasn't fine. Not at all.
"If you're fine then," he began, voice slow, cautious, "there's something I need to tell you."
My stomach dropped. I knew that tone. I knew it too well.
"What is it?" I asked.
He looked away briefly, as if trying to find the right words on the horizon. Then he turned back to me and said it.
"I'm leaving the country."
The words hit like a punch straight to my ribs. I blinked. "What?"
"I have to go. My family needs me back home. I… I can't stay."
Tears welled up before I could even try to stop them.
"Thorfinn, no. You can't leave me," I said, my voice cracking as I gripped his shirt.
"You know what I'm going through at home. You know how hard things are for me. You can't just walk away like this. Please…"
"I'm sorry, Lorraina. I really am."
He leaned in, kissing me slowly. Tenderly. I clung onto him, desperate to freeze that moment, to anchor myself in it before it all slipped away.
By the time we pulled apart, our breathing was shaky and my eyes were soaked.
"I love you, Lorraina. But we can't be together."
I swallowed hard.
"No. Please. Don't say that. We both know this isn't the end… It doesn't have to be."
He wiped my tears with his thumb, shaking his head.
"You remember why I came here. I told you,this was never permanent."
I backed away slightly, my whole body trembling.
"So what? That's it? After everything, you're just going to disappear?"
"It's not what I want," he said softly. "But it's what has to happen."
"Thorfinn…"
"I'd rather break up with you now than watch you suffer every day missing someone who isn't coming back."
I sobbed, shaking my head in disbelief. "You promised…"
He held me close one last time.
(BACK TO PRESENT)
Thorfinn...my first love. Tears rolled down my cheeks.
He was my first love.