ALMOST YOURS

Flashback

The Laurent family had always been admired for their elegance and grace. Soleil Laurent, the chairwoman of K&V Group, was a woman of strength and warmth. Her husband, Mr. Laurent, was deeply in love with her, and together they built a life filled with love and prosperity. Their daughter, Chloe, was the embodiment of their love, a sweet and innocent girl who brought joy to their lives.

However, lurking in the shadows of this seemingly perfect family was Adeline—a woman consumed by jealousy and resentment. She had loved Mr. Laurent since childhood, but he had chosen Soleil over her, leaving her heart filled with envy. Adeline had masked her emotions with a smile, watching from afar as Soleil thrived in her marriage and business. But the bitterness never faded; instead, it grew into a dangerous obsession. She wanted to be in Soleil’s place, and as the years passed, her desire turned into a sinister plot.

Adeline’s opportunity came when she was invited to the Laurent family’s business gala. She had gained Mr. Laurent’s trust over the years, portraying herself as a long-lost friend. On the night of the event, she mingled with high-profile guests while secretly scheming against Soleil. She had spent years studying Soleil’s routine, her habits, and most importantly, her vulnerabilities.

One evening, Adeline arranged a secret meeting with a man known for his expertise in making accidents look natural—Dmitri Volkov, a mercenary with a reputation for orchestrating untraceable assassinations. Adeline met him in a dimly lit café in Paris, a place where whispered conversations were easily drowned out by the clinking of glasses and murmurs of unsuspecting patrons.

“I want it done flawlessly,” Adeline said, her voice steady but her fingers betraying a slight tremor as they curled around her wine glass.

Dmitri leaned back, analyzing her. “A simple accident. Car failure? Brake malfunction?” he asked, his Russian accent thick but his tone indifferent.

“Something quick and efficient. I want no mistakes,” she confirmed.

Dmitri smirked. “It will be done. Payment upfront.”

Adeline slid a small envelope across the table. “Half now, half when the job is done.”

Dmitri opened the envelope slightly, nodding in approval at the thick stack of bills inside. “Consider it done.”

A week later, Soleil was scheduled to attend an important board meeting at K&V Group’s headquarters. Adeline knew that Soleil always preferred driving herself instead of relying on chauffeurs—it was one of her quirks. Dmitri’s men infiltrated the Laurent family’s private garage and tampered with Soleil’s car, ensuring that the brakes would fail when she reached high speed.

The following morning, Soleil kissed Chloe goodbye and assured Mr. Laurent she would return for dinner. She entered her luxurious black sedan and drove off, unaware of the danger that awaited her. As she made her way through the winding roads that led to the company, she felt something strange—her brakes were unresponsive.

Panic surged through her as she pressed the brake pedal repeatedly, but the car only accelerated. Her hands tightened on the wheel as she swerved to avoid incoming traffic. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead as she desperately tried to control the vehicle. Her phone lay beside her, vibrating with a call from Mr. Laurent—he had a habit of checking in on her during her drives.

She tried to answer, but just as she reached for the phone, the car skidded violently. The vehicle careened towards the bridge at the outskirts of the city. The impact was devastating. The car crashed through the railing and plunged into the river below. The icy water engulfed the vehicle, and as it sank deeper, Soleil’s last thoughts were of Chloe and Mr. Laurent. Darkness consumed her as the world faded away.

News of Soleil Laurent’s tragic accident spread like wildfire. Mr. Laurent was devastated, his world crumbling before his eyes. Chloe, too young to comprehend the full extent of the loss, clung to her father, seeking comfort in his embrace.

Meanwhile, Adeline played her role flawlessly. She appeared grief-stricken, shedding false tears at Soleil’s funeral, whispering words of comfort to Mr. Laurent. No one suspected her involvement; after all, she had been a close friend of the family. As time passed, she subtly ingratiated herself into their lives, waiting for the right moment to claim the place she had long coveted.

But one person remained suspicious—Louise Dubois, Mr. Laurent’s most trusted employee. He had always been keenly observant, and certain details about the accident didn’t sit right with him. He began investigating quietly, but Adeline was cunning. Any trace of evidence had been erased, and Dmitri had ensured there were no loose ends.

Mr. Laurent, overwhelmed with grief and responsibilities, failed to notice the deception unfolding right before his eyes. He was vulnerable, and Adeline knew how to exploit that weakness. When she proposed marriage, he hesitated, but her promises of caring for Chloe convinced him.

With Soleil gone and Adeline now Mrs. Laurent, the household dynamics shifted. Chloe, in her innocence, accepted her stepmother with open arms, unaware of the darkness lurking behind Adeline’s gentle facade.

But fate had a way of uncovering secrets. The truth about Soleil’s death wouldn’t remain buried forever, and when the time came, justice would find its way to those responsible. For now, though, Adeline basked in her victory, unaware that Louise was still watching, waiting for the day when the past would unravel her carefully woven lies.

Months passed, and Louise’s unease only deepened. One evening, he confronted Adeline under the pretense of casual conversation.

“You were very close to Mrs. Laurent, weren’t you?” Louise asked, his voice calm but his eyes piercing.

Adeline offered a rehearsed sigh, feigning sorrow. “Soleil was like a sister to me. I still can’t believe she’s gone.”

Louise studied her. “Strange, isn’t it? The brakes failing like that. She was always meticulous about car maintenance.”

Adeline’s fingers clenched subtly. “Accidents happen, Louise. It’s tragic, but it was just that—an accident.”

Louise nodded, pretending to accept her words. But inside, his resolve strengthened. He would find the truth, no matter the cost.

As the days passed, Adeline continued her charade, believing she had fooled everyone. But in the shadows, Louise worked tirelessly, determined to uncover the darkness that had stolen Soleil’s life.

And when he did, Adeline’s perfect world would come crumbling down.