Chapter: 233. Proposal...~Ruby's POV~I woke to silence.No breath against my neck. No warmth tucked behind me. No Roman.My hand instinctively reached for the other side of the bed, but the sheets were cold, untouched. I blinked, sitting up slowly and brushing strands of hair out of my face.That’s when I saw it—folded neatly and left in Roman’s unmistakable scrawl on the pillow beside me.“Wear something pretty. I’m stealing you away at 6.”I stared at it for a second too long before letting out a quiet scoff. “Roman,” I murmured with a small smile, clutching the note for a moment before setting it down on the nightstand.The evening was quiet; the cabin was quiet—too quiet. No hum from the bathroom, no clinking of cups from the kitchenette, not even the rustle of papers or faint footsteps. Just me, the distant ticking of the clock, and… my stomach rumbling like it had a score to settle.“Damn,” I mumbled, placing a hand on my belly. “Calm down.”I grabbed one of the leftover cookies I found in the fridge a
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-14
Chapter: 232. Our Own World II...The past three days have been wonderfully fun, and today, being the fourth, wasn't going to be any different. The moment we stepped into the cobblestone square of the old town market, I felt her energy shift.Ruby slowed down, taking in the quaint charm like it was something out of a fairytale. String lights crisscrossed overhead despite it being daytime, casting soft golden hues across the worn stones beneath our feet. Colorful stalls lined both sides of the street, selling everything from handwoven baskets to carved figurines and spices in little muslin pouches. The air smelled of roasted almonds, cinnamon, and woodsmoke.“Whoa… this is beautiful,” she murmured, eyes wide, voice soft with awe.I tried to hide the grin tugging at my lips, but failed. “Told you I had good taste.”She rolled her eyes, not even trying to fight the smile that followed. “Don’t be full of yourself, Roman. You just got lucky.”“Uh-huh. So yesterday’s waterfall was luck? And the valley before that?” I shot
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-14
Chapter: 231. Our Own World I...~Roman's POV~The second day of our little escape began with nothing but sun, wildflowers, and an open valley. The scent of spring was thick in the air—crisp grass, blooming petals, and that earthy sweetness that only comes when you’re far from city noise. For once, everything felt… quiet. Still. Like the world had decided to hold its breath and just let us exist.We rode out into the valley after breakfast, the horses crunching over gravel and dry brush. Ruby looked ahead with this gleam in her eyes like she was ten again, wild and unbothered. She had insisted she was a "natural" at horseback riding.I should’ve known better.We had barely ridden into the open stretch when her horse wandered off-course, heading toward the ridge with a mind of its own. Ruby’s posture tensed, both hands gripping the reins like they were her last lifeline.“Whoa—okay. Alright, not funny,” she muttered, trying to redirect the horse, but it kept veering left.I didn’t even laugh. Not yet. I kicked my
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-14
Chapter: 230. Beginning of Everything New...Ruby’s POVThe next morning came faster than expected.Roman had been up early—earlier than me, which was a rare occasion, but it shouldn’t have surprised me too—and had already packed both our bags by the time I made it downstairs. He was standing near the door, arms crossed, looking smug as hell.“You ready?” he asked, that crooked little grin playing at the corners of his lips.I narrowed my eyes at the sight of the duffle bag slung over his shoulder. “What exactly are we packing for?”He raised a brow. “A break.”I folded my arms. “Roman D’Angelo, you said peace—not mystery.”He chuckled. “It’s a peaceful mystery. You’ll like it.”“You’re terrible at surprises.”He leaned in and brushed a kiss to my cheek. “And yet, I keep trying. That has to count for something.”Despite myself, I smiled.We left just before noon—Helen waving us off with a mock salute and a muttered “Godspeed” as Rhett and Little Ruby shouted goodbye from the porch. Esperanza had already set up an emergency gro
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-13
Chapter: 229. A Taste of Peace...~Ruby's POV~“SURPRISE!!” We all shouted, popping up from every corner like confetti cannons.Helen froze, her mouth parting in surprise. Her eyes filled with something I hadn’t seen in days—real joy.Keely stepped out from behind the couch and shouted, “Welcome back, warrior!”Esperanza handed her a paper crown that read Queen of Comebacks, placing it gently on her head.Rhett and Little Ruby hugged her tightly around the waist, careful not to bump her leg.And I… I just smiled. For once, things felt light again. Not perfect. Not healed. But lighter.And that was a start.The house felt different—brighter somehow, warmer in a way that had nothing to do with the lighting. Voices echoing over each other, plates clinking in the kitchen, laughter spilling out of rooms like music. For the first time in a while, it felt like a real home again.Helen stood at the center of it all, beaming like she’d just stepped out of a miracle. Her cheeks were flushed, eyes still glassy with emotion eve
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-11
Chapter: 228. The Quiet After...~Ruby's POV~It had been over a week now.The night outside was cold, quiet—too quiet for a mind like mine that hadn’t rested in what felt like years. I was curled up on the couch, the throw blanket pulled to my chin, knees pressed close to my chest. The television was on but muted, the flicker of images dancing faintly on the wall. I wasn’t watching it anyway. My eyes were wide open, but my mind was somewhere far away, running backward like an old film reel.Everything had happened so fast.Aunt Jean’s death. Bronwyn’s murder. The ambush at the cabin. The WE Project revelations. The attack on Helen in this same house. Even now, when everything was starting to settle, it still felt like a dream. A bad one. The kind that followed you into the morning, clinging to the edges of your thoughts even after the sun rose.I tucked my feet deeper under the blanket.When we moved back with Roman, it hadn’t been by choice. It was about safety. Protection. We were all targets. Me. My kids. Every
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-11
The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle
Chloe Greyson’s life was shattered when she learnt she wasn’t the true heiress of the Greyson family, but rather a girl swapped at birth. Cast out, blinded by a brutal attack, and later saved by Dan Sawyer, Chloe believed she found salvation in marriage.
But Dan only wanted her for her blood—a perfect match to keep his comatose lover, Sofia, alive.
Now, after three years of enduring this loveless marriage, Chloe has had enough. Discovering she is pregnant, she seeks a divorce, only for Dan to shockingly agree—because Sofia has finally woken up.
As luck would have it, Chloe's real family—the affluent and powerful Westbrook family—found her and revealed that she was their long-lost daughter and the key to a hidden legacy.
Dan, realizing his mistakes, tries to get back to Chloe despite Sofia’s effort to keep him to herself. But things got complicated when Chloe accidentally met Leo King, a mysterious Mafia boss who happens to be her ex's uncle, in a less-than-ideal situation.
Gradually, sparks began to fly between them and soon, she realized he was her ex's uncle.
Meanwhile, Chloe’s newfound family harbours secrets that could either aid her in her quest for justice or destroy her all over again.
Torn between avenging her past and loving again, Chloe must choose between silence and secrets or opening her heart to a new love amidst a web of deceit and betrayal, all while navigating her newfound family's secrets and Dan's attempts to win her back.
Baca
Chapter: 107. Friendly conversation?...The days after her confrontation with Leo passed in a haze of confusion and regret for Chloe. She hadn’t meant to push him away with her words. All she wanted was honesty—a glimpse into the shadows he seemed to live in. Yet, she had managed to create a chasm between them.She shook her head as she sat in her office, braille documents under her fingers. It was foolish to keep thinking about him. She didn’t have the luxury to let herself get distracted—not now, not with everything else spiraling around her. Perhaps it was the universe’s way of telling her to focus on herself and the challenges ahead.Still, every so often, her mind would wander, and she would find herself wondering where Leo was. Was he angry? Hurt? Or worse—indifferent?Her frustration simmered as the hours wore on. By the time Marcus helped her into the car that evening, Chloe felt the exhaustion weighing on her, both physically and emotionally.“Rough day?” Marcus asked as he slid into the driver’s seat.“Rough wee
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-11-30
Chapter: 106. Business man or ex-military?Chloe's gentle breathing created a calm atmosphere in the still living room while Leo tucked the blanket around her shoulders. Her head lay gently on the soft pillow, her face calm in sleep. For the first time in what seemed like days, she appeared genuinely relaxed, causing him to pause before stepping away from her.As soon as he went outside, the calm appearance faded away. The cool evening air touched his skin, but it did not calm the restless energy flowing inside him. His thoughts raced, each one more intense than the previous, as he walked toward the side of the house where Anton was waiting.“Anton,” Leo said, his voice sharp.Anton moved out from the dark corner of the patio, his big body fitting well into the low light. “He’ll be here soon,” he said, his deep voice calm and steady.Leo nodded, his jaw clenched as he folded his arms. “Okay. I would like this completed promptly.”Their tension was clear as the minutes went by, broken only by the soft chirping of crickets. Le
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-11-30
Chapter: 105. Step up or fall apart...“And yet, you’re still here,” he teased gently, brushing a strand of hair from her face.Chloe’s lips curved into a genuine smile, the weight on her shoulders feeling just a little lighter. For the first time in weeks, she allowed herself to hope—not just for a resolution to her troubles, but for something more.Leo’s hand lingered on Chloe’s cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin. The intensity of the kiss they’d just shared hung in the air between them, thick and electric. Chloe’s breath was uneven as she tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a faint, self-conscious smile.“Leo,” she began, her voice soft but steady, “I—”Whatever words she had been about to say were cut off as Leo leaned in again, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was as deliberate as it was tender. This time, there was no hesitation, no unspoken tension—only the quiet reassurance of two people finding solace in each other. Chloe’s free hand slid up to rest on his chest, feeling the stead
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-11-30
Chapter: 104. Riddles and bad jokes...Leo King sat in his office, scrolling through his phone while sipping his usual black coffee. The sharp taste of the drink combined with the usual flow of emails created a clear difference from the surprising news alert that suddenly appeared on his screen.BREAKING NEWS: WESTBROOK ENTERPRISES INTERIM CEO ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLEMENT.Leo’s heart sank. Chloe. He set the coffee cup down with a soft clink, his jaw tightening as he read further. Every line painted her as a calculating executive funneling funds into offshore accounts. It was a clear attack, and yet the media presented it as gospel truth.Without hesitation, he dialed her number. Chloe picked up after a couple of rings, her tone steady but tired. “Leo.”“Chloe, I just saw the news. What’s going on?”“I don’t know who’s behind this,” she began, her voice measured but tinged with frustration. “Someone planted false evidence. Marcus and Adam are helping me—”“I don’t care what the media says,” Leo interrupted firmly. “I care ab
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-11-30
Chapter: 103. Jealous scandal...The mall buzzed with the usual hum of activity: children’s laughter echoing from the play area, the faint clinking of plates from the food court, and the soft strains of background music weaving through the air. Sofia Sawyer strolled through the upscale shopping district, her heels clicking against the polished floor. She carried an aura of determination, masking the simmering bitterness she’d harbored since her last encounter with Chloe.She turned into a designer store, her fingers brushing over racks of meticulously crafted garments. Sofia hardly noticed the clothes—her mind was too busy running through scenarios to regain control of her crumbling image. She needed leverage, an edge against Chloe.“...She thinks she’s untouchable,” a sharp voice cut through Sofia’s thoughts.Sofia turned slightly toward the sound, her curiosity piqued. Near the store’s expansive glass windows stood Nancy Greyson, phone pressed to her ear. Nancy’s body language was as cutting as her tone—shoulder
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-11-30
Chapter: 102. Gifts returned...The sound of tires crunching against gravel echoed through the Westbrook mansion driveway, drawing Chloe’s attention from her seat in the drawing room. The faint creak of the front door followed moments later, and Marcus’s measured footsteps approached.“Miss Chloe,” Marcus said from the doorway, his tone careful. “A delivery has arrived for you. It’s... several large boxes.”Chloe tilted her head slightly. “From whom?” she asked, her fingers instinctively tightening around her cane.Marcus hesitated. “Mr. Dan Sawyer.”The name made her chest tighten, her pulse quickening. She forced herself to remain calm, though her voice sharpened. “What’s in the boxes?”“Baby items,” Marcus replied evenly. “A crib, toys, clothes… a few other things. It looks like he was preparing for the child.”Chloe’s lips pressed into a thin line. Her heart sank, and her anger simmered just beneath the surface. “Return them,” she said coolly. “The truck left already, Miss.”“Then call another delivery service
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-11-30
Chapter: 010. Proposal Dinner...AVA’S POV“Ready to start the night?” he asked, flashing that too-easy smile of his.I gave him a slow blink and lifted my wine glass. “You’re late.”“Traffic,” he said smoothly. “You’d be amazed how many people think rush hour’s over by eight.”I hummed. “How tragic.”The waiter approached with a bottle of red. I nodded absently, barely listening to what he said after that. My arm throbbed beneath the sleeve of my dress, right where the bullet had grazed it. I shifted slightly, trying not to wince as I leaned forward. Alex didn’t seem to notice. Good.The wine helped. A little.The waiter returned to take our order. I went with something small—nothing too messy, nothing too heavy. I didn’t trust my hurried stitches to hold through a full course, not with the pulsing burn along my side.Still, I forced myself to sit straight, mask perfect.Dinner began with awkward silence, followed by the safe topics.“So,” he said as the first course arrived, “it’s kind of cooler than it usually is
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-10
Chapter: 009. Double Identity Disaster...NOTE: Please accept my quick apology, but this chapter will include a few POV changes to better show the different narratives, so please bear with me.—ALEX’S POVMy phone buzzed on the dashboard.Pearl: Are you back from work? You should be getting ready for your date with my mom.I smirked. “Date,” I muttered to no one. It had been an unexpected request, but Ava had reached out to me if we could have dinner, and well… I didn’t say no. My hands tightened on the steering wheel as I took the next turn. “God, if only she knew.”Another buzz.Pearl: Don’t make her wait. I like you and want you as my new dad, so… don’t ruin this.Alex: I will try my best…I didn’t add the rest: to crash this deal and return just in time for the dinner date.I tossed the phone into the passenger seat and pulled onto the overpass, slowing as my contact’s text came through.Rico: Warehouse 12, dockside. Twenty minutes. The La Rosa shipment is moving. Word is that the Godmother herself is coming in.I leane
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-09
Chapter: 008. Thinking Like a Reed...AVA’S POV“Confirm your engagement.”I blinked. “To who?”My mom’s lips curled up as she replied. “Detective Ramos.”I stared at her. “That’s— Are you serious?”“As cancer.”“You want me to fake a relationship. Publicly. And not to anyone, but to a detective.”“Why fake it?” she shrugged. “The man is attractive. And you’re clearly… interested.”“Interested in finding out if he’s a risk to my daughter, yes.”“Isn’t that what all relationships are?” she mused. “Risk assessments in pretty packaging?”I got to my feet. “This is insane.”“No, darling. They are. The board. The donors. The gossip hounds. They’re insane if they think they can back you into a corner. You’ve always been at your best when they underestimate you.”I paced, dragging a hand through my hair. “Even if I wanted to pull something like that—which I don’t—I barely know the man. We’ve spoken twice. This isn’t a game.”“And yet the world’s already playing it,” she said. “You’re trending. They’ve already written the love st
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-07
Chapter: 007. Boardroom Tension...AVA'S POVI stared at the screen in front of me, half-empty coffee cooling on the corner of my desk. The hospital had long since quieted for the night, but my mind was still wide awake.Alexander Ramos.His name sat at the top of the search bar. I’d already run it through everything I had access to—legal databases, police logs, credential checks. Commendations. Internal Affairs. Community awards. Every single report came back clean.Too clean.I typed in a few case numbers, the ones I remembered catching news coverage over the last few years: high-risk operations, missing persons, and a trafficking sting that fizzled out. I traced the details again, one after the other. Alex’s name was there—lead detective, sometimes attached as a negotiator. And every single time, the outcome was the same.No arrests. No reports. Just… silence.I sat back in my chair, arms crossed. No family listed. No next of kin. Even that felt suspicious.A few union reps were on record backing him. A couple of p
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-06
Chapter: 006. Old Flings?“Do you want me to get rid of him, boss?”Ava was lost in her thoughts when a deep, familiar voice broke through. She turned to see Rafael Torres standing there, his dark suit making him look even more imposing in the dim light of the dining room. He filled the doorway with his broad shoulders, and his expression was as neutral as always. The scar on his jaw reminded everyone of the trouble that came with crossing him.Ava sighed, pressing her fingers to her temple. "Rafael, no. I don’t need you ‘getting rid’ of anyone."Rafael stepped closer, his boots clicking softly against the wooden floor. He stopped just a few feet away, crossing his arms. "I don’t like him. He’s a cop. A detective.""You don’t like anyone," Ava replied dryly, moving to pour herself another glass of wine.Rafael didn’t smile. He never did. "This one’s different."Ava sipped her wine, turning to face him fully. "Alex Ramos isn’t a threat. He’s nosy, sure, but Pearl likes him, and he hasn’t crossed any lines. Yet
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-29
Chapter: 005. A Lovely Dinner?...Dinner began cordially.For all of ten minutes.The table was set with the finest china, the wine was aged to perfection, and the food was exquisite—Ava had to admit that, if nothing else, her mother knew how to host a dinner that screamed high society.But as soon as Eleanor Reed put her wine glass down and looked directly at Alex, the real conversation began.“So, Mr. Ramos,” Eleanor said calmly, placing her hands on the table. “What are your plans for my daughter?”Ava nearly choked on her wine. Oh, for the love of—Alex, on the other hand, merely smirked as if he’d been expecting the question. "Would it reflect badly on me if I said I don’t know and I’m still figuring that out?"Ava scoffed before her mother could respond. "He has no intentions.""He does.” Pearl beamed. “He just doesn’t know it yet."Ava shot her daughter a warning look. "Pearl."Pearl let out a dramatic sigh but then picked up her fork and took a bite of mashed potatoes—only to perk up a second later. "But Gran
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-22
Masuk
