My head was pounding when I woke up. My throat felt dry and my body felt heavy as I pushed myself up from the bed.

I managed to get up and walk to the kitchen to get a glass of water. My apartment was very spacious and beautiful, a delight I had worked hard to earn.

I passed by the grocery bag the visitor from last night had brought and memory came crashing back.

Nathan's response to me at his office, the heartache, the night visitor,... The drink.

I rubbed my temples and hurried to get water.

I returned to my room to get my phone, then back to the sitting room, trying to think of what had happened last night.

My phone vibrated on the table. I couldn't ignore it 'cos it kept buzzing and beeping repeatedly.

That was odd.

Frowning, I reached for it.

My heart skipped several beats.

Fifty-seven missed calls, dozens of text messages and hundreds of social media notifications.

“What the...”

My fingers trembled as I unlocked the screen. The first message was from my PA.

"Don't bother showing your face around today. It's a lot, but I'll see what I can do from my end."

Another was from a colleague from the current movie set I was working with.

"The heck, Nora Finnian. Did you have to blow up this movie production? You'll be in a lot of trouble, hope you can handle it. Call me when you see this."

I was literally shivering, feeling goosebumps all over. I struggled to breathe properly.

Confused, I opened my social media notifications and froze.

My name was trending. It was there at the top of the screen. But obviously, unlike other times when it was for a movie debut or advert or public recognition, this was for... Disaster.

Nathan had mentioned that word yesterday.

I tapped the first post. And my whole world shattered.

There was a picture of me sprawled across a couch. My dress was pulled up and a man was lying beside me, shirtless. His arm draped over my waist.

His face was hidden. But mine wasn’t.

The headlines and hashtags and comments got my head spinning. I could breathe anymore.

I scrolled, only to see more pictures, in different angles and scenes.

There was the one in my bedroom, and on the floor.

This was just so much. I clutched my shirt, struggling to breathe.

I didn’t remember any of this. But it was very recent, I could tell.

Then the memory hit me. Yes, that drink. There must have been something. I remembered blacking out after the drink.

And the visitor...

“Oh God...”

My phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor before I did.

I felt like the air had been sucked out of the room.

This wasn’t an accident. Someone had done this to me.

My phone started buzzing again. The scandal was spreading like wildfire.

My career, my reputation, my life...

With shaking hands, I grabbed my phone again and dialed the only person who could help me fix this.

It went to voicemail. I called again. And again. But still voicemail.

“Oh Nathan, please I beg you... please.”

There was no way I could go out there now.

Tears blurred my vision as I kept dialing. Up to fifteen times but he didn't pick.

Finally, a message appeared. My heart leapt with desperate hope as I opened it.

But the words that greeted me crushed that hope instantly.

“Are you trying to ruin me? Don’t ever call or text me again.”

That was it?

A broken laugh escaped my throat. Then I screamed and threw my phone across the room.

I broke down crying and tearing at my hair. It felt like my eyes were going to pop out of their sockets.

After a while, I paused and tried to think.

I had been set up. By who? Nathan?

No, that could not be possible. He had told me to take some time off and get rid of the baby.

Could he have...?

No, no. He loved me. I almost slapped myself at that thought. Love? After all these recent reactions.

Unfortunately, I didn't even know the name of the guy who had visited last night. Wasn't even sure if he who was who I thought he was anymore. How could I find him?

I rubbed my aching head and tried to remember his response when I had asked if Nathan sent him. But I couldn't remember. I was such a mess yesterday.

I stood up and went to the bathroom, not lingering at the mirror, I blew my nose and washed my face.

I shouldn't be such a weakling and fight this through, right?

"This kind of thing happens to celebrities sometimes," I told myself.

There was always one scandal or the other and sometimes they're able to survive it and come out better.

I took a deep shaky breath and poured myself a glass of juice in the kitchen. I needed to think clearly, though my head was banging like crazy.

The CCTV outside my apartment.

Yes, I should get a clip and show to the police, the guy who had set me up. But that didn't make sense. With the scandal, everyone would think it was just one of my many flings. There was no hard evidence. And then,... There was my baby.

The little determination and strength I had mustered up to survive this crumpled down immediately. I felt weaker than ever.

Of course, if I don't get rid of the baby, in a few months time, the scandal will turn out to be true.

No one would believe that Nathan was the father of the baby.

I closed my eyes as the tears spilled again and I cried my heart out.

What do I do now?

Get rid of the baby? Then what next? What if I died in the process or information leaked to the public?

What do I do?

Fight? Against who?

Run? To where?

Should I throw myself off the bridge, or ingest something poisonous, or...?

I looked up at the knife hanger, and selected the sharpest with a pointed edge.

I stared at the blade for a while and put my left hand to my chest. Would it even end everything quickly? I wasn't sure.

I placed my hand on my stomach. A new innocent life was forming in there. What if I ended up stabbing the child only and I survived?

I dropped down on the floor with the knife clattering aside and wept uncontrollably.

There was just one thing to do right now...

Six years later

Louis' POV

The moment I walked into the boardroom, I knew something was wrong. Actually I'd had a bad, uneasy feeling lately... of doom.

My uncle, Richard Everard, sat his heavy ass at the head of the table. His chunky palms clasped together, and his golden rings reflected the light from the room.

His younger brother, my late father, had been more athletic. He had kept fit with jogging, golf and a bit of sport once in a while. Unlike my uncle here, whose hobby was eating, splurging, eating and eating. It was a miracle the company hadn't gone down after dad died ten years ago.

His son, Nathan, lounged beside him, scrolling lazily through his phone as if the entire meeting bored him. It should though.

I noticed some board members avoided my eyes.

Interesting.

I pulled out a chair and sat down slowly.

“Well,” I said, leaning back slightly. “This looks ominous.”

Nathan snorted.

Richard didn’t smile.

“Louis,” he began in that calm diplomatic voice he used whenever he was about to stab someone in the back, or front, “we’ve been reviewing the company’s current structure."

Here we go.

I folded my arms.

“And?” I asked.

“We believe it would be beneficial for you to oversee one of our expanding regional branches.”

I almost laughed.

I could tell where he was heading.

“Which branch?” I asked.

Nathan finally looked up from his phone, the corner of his mouth lifting.

“The Riverdale branch.”

Ah. That was it.

Riverdale. A small city and new branch with low influence.

In other words, I've been exiled away from the very headquarters my own dad had sweated over.

I leaned forward slightly, resting my elbows on the table.

“And who exactly made this brilliant decision?”

My uncle didn’t hesitate.

“The board.”

Nathan chuckled under his breath.

Coward. He always liked letting other people deliver the blows.

I tapped my finger slowly against the table.

“Interesting,” I said. “Because the Riverdale branch is barely five months old.”

“Yes,” Richard replied, now rubbing his palms together. “Which makes it perfect for someone with your... er... capabilities.”

I smiled.

"If it is about capability, I thought you've always insinuated that Nathan was more capable than I am. Why confer this 'honour' to me then, and not him?"

Nathan couldn’t hold his laugh this time.

I looked at him.

My cousin had always been arrogant, but these last few years, the arrogance had brought out different ugly sides of him.

And lately, he had been acting like the company already belonged to him. Like my father’s name meant nothing. And like I didn’t exist.

“Congratulations, Nathan,” I said calmly. “You must be thrilled.”

He leaned back in his chair.

“Why would I be thrilled?”

“Because this smells a lot like promotion for you.”

He grinned, “Maybe the board just thinks I’m better suited for leadership.”

Richard cleared his throat.

“Gentlemen.”

I folded my arms. I had endured enough with them in this company. It was high time I took actions. I wouldn't let this slide this time around. No way was I going to go there.

“Fine,” I said. “When do I leave?” I'ld tread cautiously and take them unawares.

Nathan raised a brow. Clearly, he expected more of a fight.

“Next week,” Richard replied.

I nodded slowly.

“Sure.”

The meeting ended five minutes later.

An hour later, I was in my office staring at a folder spread across my desk.

Nathan Everard.

For the past three months, I had been quietly digging into everything my cousin had been doing inside the company, with the right kind of help. I always knew there was more to the fake smiles he presented to the public.

At first, it was just business irregularities, suspicious investments, unapproved spending, but then the pattern shifted.

And I started seeing something else.

Women.

Assistants who suddenly resigned, models who mysteriously vanished from contracts, actresses whose careers collapsed overnight.

It was just a slow, ugly trail of ruined reputations. Even after he left the entertainment group to take a position here at the headquarters.

But Nathan always walked away clean.

I tapped my fingers against the folder as I flipped through another document.

One case caught my attention again.

Nora Finnian. A fast rising actress and model who had fallen as fast as she had risen, six years ago.

There had been a scandal, drugs issue, and leaked photos which had ended her career in less than twenty four hours.

Unlike others who had back and forth with the media peddling the scandal, there had been nothing from this girl, Nora.

She had just disappeared overnight. There had been rumours of suicide and the usuals but nothing from her, nor her manager with whom she was rumoured to have also had an affair. No public appearance since after the scandal.

And Nathan, had been her manager at the time.

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling and thinking hard.

I pressed the intercom button on my desk and summoned my secretary.

A moment later, she knocked and stepped inside carrying her tablet.

She paused when she saw the file spread across my desk.

“What do you need?”

I slid the folder toward her.

“This information is incomplete. I want more on her current location.”

She glanced down at the folder.

“Ok. I'll do more digging.”

“I'll need it before the end of today."

She opened her mouth to protest, but read my face and shut her mouth. Everyone must have heard of my imminent transfer.

As soon as she left, I opened my laptop and typed Nora Finnian's name into the search bar.

Old headlines flooded the screen. I clicked through article after article. Every single one of them told tales that didn't even align at times. None of them actually proved anything, except the photos. And then, it wasn't impossible to edit and Photoshop some pictures.

It was obvious that the story had been written for the media, not discovered by it.

Two hours later my phone buzzed. I answered immediately.

“You found something?”

“Possibly,” my secretary replied.

I sat up straighter.

“Go on.”

“There’s no record of Nora Finnian after the scandal. But I found a woman who fits her profile.”

“Where?”

“Riverdale.”

My fingers went still on the desk.

"I just sent you an email," she added.

I opened the new email that had appeared on my screen. There was a photo attached.

“Are you certain it's her?” I asked

“Not yet,” she admitted. “But the facial recognition comparison shows a strong possibility.”

I stared at the screen, still studying and comparing the picture of the woman busy at a cafe. The former Nora was a blonde, this one had a different hair colour.

Riverdale. Of all places.

I leaned back slowly in my chair.

The very place the board had just decided to send me. Very interesting.

Nathan thought today’s meeting had been a victory. My uncle probably believed the same thing.

Send me away, keep me out of the real decisions, then slowly and quietly remove me from the company my father had built.

I chuckled as I closed the email and shut my laptop.

They thought Riverdale was punishment.

But if Nora Finnian had suffered from Nathan's maltreatment, then she might also be the one person capable of bringing him down.

And now I knew exactly where she was.

That made my transfer a lot more interesting.

I pushed back my chair and stood. For the first time since the board meeting, a wide grin played on my lips.

I grabbed my car keys as I put on my coat.

My uncle hadn’t exiled me after all. He had accidentally handed me the one piece I needed.

Funny how things worked out, because now I really had a reason to go.

Nathan thought he was winning.

He had no idea the real game had just started.

Nora's POV

The smell of coffee had long stopped being comforting.

After two years working at Cinnam Brew Café, it had simply become part of the air I breathed. The burnt espresso, fresh croissants, cinnamon rolls and the constant hum of the espresso machine.

“Two cappuccinos!” the manager called from the other end of the counter.

“I got it,” I replied automatically.

My hands moved on their own now in preparing them swiftly.

The routine was familiar enough that my mind often drifted elsewhere.

Far away from this quiet little café tucked between a laundromat and a bookstore. In fact, far away from Riverdale.

“Nora.”

I glanced up.

My coworker, Jenna, was staring at me with an amused expression.

“You’re daydreaming again.”

“I'm not.”

“You poured foam into an empty cup.”

I looked down. Right.

I sighed and dumped it into the sink.

“Long day,” I muttered.

She smirked.

“It’s always a long day with you.”

I handed her the two cappuccinos and moved on to other things.

The lunch rush had passed hours ago, but the café was still busy with the usual evening crowd.

Students with their laptops, office workers grabbing coffee before heading home.

I noticed a couple sharing a slice of cheesecake by the window.

Normal, safe life.

Exactly what I needed.

“Order up!” the kitchen called.

I grabbed a tray and delivered two sandwiches to a table beside the couple.

It was cloudy outside. Obviously, it was going to rain.

Great. I still had shopping to do.

When I returned behind the counter, Jenna nudged me with her elbow.

“You’re watching the clock again.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

I glanced at the wall clock. 6:43 PM.

Seven more minutes.

“Big plans tonight?” she teased.

“No.”

“Secret boyfriend?”

“No.”

“Hidden life as a spy?”

I snorted. "Jenna, could you please let me be. You seem to always have fun invading my space."

She leaned against the counter and studied me.

“You can leave early if you want. I’ll close the register tonight.”

“You sure?” I asked.

“Yeah.” She waved her hand dismissively. “You’ve covered for me enough times.”

I felt so relieved.

“Thanks, Jenna.”

She grinned.

“Just bring me cookies tomorrow.”

“Deal. Even though you already have varieties here.”

I hurried to do my shopping for supplies. It was beginning to drizzle.

By the time I left the grocery store, the rain had turned heavy.

The streetlights reflected on the wet pavement as cars splashed past.

I pulled my jacket tighter and hurried down the sidewalk.

My phone buzzed.

I answered quickly.

“I’m on my way,” I said before the person on the other end could speak.

A pause.

Then a tired voice replied, “You’re late. Again ”

“I know. I'm sorry. I got held up at work.”

Another pause.

“Alright,” the voice said quietly. “Just hurry. I'm running out of excuses to give.”

“I will.”

I hung up and slipped the phone back into my pocket.

By the time I reached my street, my jeans were damp and my hair clung to my neck.

My apartment building stood a little way down a narrow alley between two older brick structures.

The alley was dimly lit, with only one flickering streetlamp near the entrance.

I turned into it quickly, eager to get inside. Then I stopped.

Something lay on the ground ahead. Nay, it was someone.

My heart skipped beats

A man was sprawled on the wet pavement, barely moving.

He wore only a pair of dark shorts and a white singlet that clung to his body in the rain.

For a moment I simply stood there, frozen. My first instinct was fear. I looked around quickly but the alley was empty. There was no one in sight nor voices or noise asides the sound of rain pouring.

My hand slowly moved to my phone. I should call the cops, or an ambulance. That was the best thing to do. I shakily reached for my phone while looking around frantically.

Should I just go and leave him there? What if I get into trouble?

But I wasn't sure I would be able to sleep in peace of I did that.

Just then, I noticed the man’s fingers twitched.

Oh goodness! He was alive.

I went closer to him as he said something I barely heard.

Every warning alert beeped in my head. Don’t get involved, it could be a trap. Just call for help and leave.

But then the man lifted his hand slightly, weakly beckoning on me.

Help. That’s what he was asking for.

“Damn it,” I whispered.

I rushed closer and knelt beside him. Up close, he looked worse.

His skin was pale. Rainwater ran down his face as his body trembled violently.

“Hey,” I said urgently. “Can you hear me?”

His eyes were opened slightly and they focused on me with surprising intensity despite his condition.

“Help me...” he whispered.

I looked around desperately. The alley was still empty.

“Okay,” I said quickly. “Okay, I’ve got you.”

I slipped his arm over my shoulders and tried to lift him.

He was heavier than I expected.

“Come on,” I muttered, struggling. “Help me out a little here.”

He staggered but managed to stay on his feet with my support.

Together we stumbled toward my apartment building.

Rain soaked us both by the time we reached the entrance.

I shifted his weight against the wall and as I tried to press the bell beside the superintendent’s door, but the man suddenly collapsed again. His body slid from my grip and hit the ground as he shivered violently.

“Water...” he whispered.

Water? He had just been under the rain until a few seconds ago.

I panicked and pressed the bell. The man shivered the more and closed his eyes. Or had he fainted? It seemed like the superintendent wouldn't respond on time. And this was a matter of urgency.

“Alright,” I said breathlessly. “New plan.”

I dragged him toward the elevator.

By the time we reached my apartment door, my arms were shaking.

I fumbled with my keys and shoved the door open.

I almost had to carry him, dragging him inside before kicking the door shut behind me.

He collapsed onto the floor immediately. Rainwater pooled beneath him.

For a moment I just sat there on the floor, a few feet from him, breathing hard. What had I just done?

I didn’t even know this man. He could be anyone. He could be dangerous, or a criminal. Or even worse.

He groaned softly, barely conscious.

“Stay there,” I muttered.

Not that he had much choice.

I hurried to the kitchen and heated some drinking water. Then I grabbed a huge blanket from my room.

When I returned, he was still lying on the floor exactly where I left him. I knelt beside him and draped the blanket around him, then I held the mug near his lips as he drank slowly.

Then his gaze lifted to meet mine. For a moment, even the rain seemed to be quiet. I noticed he was quite hairy, with bushy eyebrows and thick, long lashes and fine sculpted face. I hadn't been this close to a man in... years?

The rain continued pounding against the windows. He took his mouth of the cup to signify that he was okay with the water.

Then I noticed his lips move. I shivered.

Was that a smile? Or a... smirk?