entangled bond

New encounter

"Today I heard rumors that your mom Rachel gave birth to you from another man."

"That's a lie. Melinda and her family are trying to use this lie to make the public think that all my father's properties belong to them," Stephanie spoke, her face hardening with anger.

"They are evil. I will help you get those stolen properties," Valerie replied.

"Thank you."

"Let me prepare rice for you to eat because I know you will be tired by now," Valerie spoke.

"Alright."

At 9:45 p.m., after dinner, Stephanie woke after sleeping to ward off depression. She put on a red top and a black skirt. She drove her car to a restaurant close to the house.

When she got to the restaurant, she went to a corner that was isolated from other people. A waitress approached her, and she ordered a bottle of champagne. When it was served, she poured some into a glass cup, and her hand wrapped tightly around it.

She began to think about James and his wife's family. She thought about the death of her son. Tears slowly began to run down her cheeks. She tightened her hands on the table in pain.

She wished she was squeezing the life out of those who had betrayed her.

"Why are you crying?"

A voice came from behind her. Something was about to change. She was about to encounter somebody she had never known before.

It was Brendan. He looked tall, handsome, and well-dressed. Stephanie turned and looked at him. She saw sincerity in his eyes, while Brendan saw pain in hers.

"Nothing. It's none of your business," she said, closing her eyes.

The pain of betrayal had made her believe everyone was evil. Brendan walked in front of her and said,

"Don't hide your sad feelings. I am here to help you."

Stephanie looked at him again and saw sincere concern on his face. She finally opened up.

"I... I was betrayed by James, who was having an affair with my stepsister," she said, rubbing her hands over her head in pain.

She continued, "My stepsister stole my home and my boyfriend."

"Sometimes the people we trust can betray us," Brendan spoke.

"My stepsister killed my son and took my James away after I had changed his bad behavior."

"I am here for you. He is not meant for you. Don't cry. You have to be strong," Brendan spoke.

Stephanie continued, "If he was not meant for me, then why did he not leave me long ago? Why did he leave after I had sacrificed for him? James was almost at the point of death. I stood by him for three years, but he betrayed me."

"You are a strong woman. I am sorry for what happened," Brendan said, his face full of compassion. He continued, "I was once in a relationship with a woman named Laurent Sharon."

Stephanie's eyes widened in shock. "What? You mean you dated Sharon, my stepsister?"

"Yes, I loved her so much. But her mom, Juliet, was a thief." Brendan spoke, his chest tightening in pain as he remembered his past.

Stephanie gazed at him. "And what happened?"

"Sharon and Juliet were stealing from me after I employed Sharon," Brendan spoke.

"That's very bad of Sharon."

"Sharon stole some of my original estate documents worth 300 million dollars and sold them," he continued, his eyes becoming heavy with pain.

Stephanie saw the pain in his eyes and said, "I am so sorry for what she has done to you."

"She broke my heart because she used the money to take care of another man named Alex," Brendan replied.

"Did you know that Sharon is a sister to Melinda and they are both my stepsisters?" Stephanie asked, her eyes fixed on him.

"I can't believe this. So you mean I dated the sister of the person who betrayed you?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

"Yes, that family is evil," Stephanie spoke, her eyes carrying revenge.

"Then I will make sure that family pays for everything they have done," Brendan said, his cheek tightening.

"I will also take back the house that is originally mine," Stephanie spoke, a flicker of relief spreading across her face.

"Since we have the same mission, then I will help you with yours too," Brendan spoke.

As time went on, they began to know each other. Brendan always called her to check up on her. They became close friends. Brendan's honest behavior healed Stephanie from her wounds. It made her believe that men could be faithful. They began to know each other for two years and a month.

They met at the beach, bar, and restaurant in the evenings.

One day, they planned a special outing to go to a restaurant. Brendan was already waiting for her. He was wearing a white T-shirt and black jeans. Suddenly, he spotted her.

She walked majestically to where he was sitting. Brendan then ordered a bottle of wine.

"I have been thinking of you," he said, his eyes smiling.

"You are interesting to be with," she replied, her cheeks stretching into a smile.

"How is work?" he asked.

"It was nice. Although I have not resumed office yet because I don't want to see people like James or his family, who remind me of my past."

"I understand how you feel, Stephanie."

"Yeah, I am trying to recover from my past. I told someone to represent me for now. But the company is full of people with bad attitudes, and they are verbally abusive. I wish I could sack those people."

"Why can't you start working in my company so that you can recover from your past while you earn a good income?" Brendan asked, gazing at her.

She took a deep breath as sensations of love spread through her body.

"I will think about it."

"You don't need to think about anything. I will pay you 10 thousand dollars monthly."

She froze because she knew she earned that amount in two years.

"Okay, I will accept."

"You are welcome, Stephanie."

Immediately, she received a message that her friend Anita was in the hospital receiving treatment.

Stephanie gazed at him and said, "Thanks. I will be going now because my friend is sick. She is dying in the hospital," her smile carrying charm.

As she was about to leave, Brendan said, "

Stephanie, come. I want to say something," his face carrying purpose.

Stephanie turned and asked, "What is it?"