Aiden's POV “ You know what I'm trying to say, Kane, so don't pretend like I'm speaking Spanish here,” I urge him angrily.Kane chuckled. “Oh, you mean Daymon and Artemis? They are... somewhere. Let's just say they're enjoying themselves and my hospitality.”My anger boiled over, and I took a step forward, staying very close to him; our nose was almost touching. “You're going to regret this, and I will make sure you pay for this, Kane!”Kane sneered. “I doubt it, Aiden,” he replied to me, smiling wickedly. “You see, I have something you want. And I'm not going to give it up easily, not until I see the end of you.”I gritted my teeth. “What do you want, Kane?”Kane continues smiling wickedly. "Oh, now you want to offer me what I want after all these years? But I think she is just your arranged mistress, why are you now sacrificing everything to get her back?” Daymon asked me a series of questions.“It is none of your business, Daymon just state what you want from me and let the innoce
Kane's povI watched Aiden and his men leave my mansion in anger. I smiled and stared at them from the window.We never knew Daymon and Artemis were still alive. Here, I think they had escaped for Aiden's place.The issue I have on the ground now is how to find them. They are the only bate to get what I want from Aiden. At first, I thought he didn't love Artemis, but with the look in his eyes and how he could go the extra mile just to come to look for her, my brother had fallen so in love with her.“We need to get them as soon as possible before they escape or before Aiden finds them,” I said to my bodyguard Matteo.Matteo nodded, his expression serious. I know the kind of person he is; a series of dangerous thoughts would have been going through his head: “I agree with you, the boss; we can't let them slip through our fingers. Not now that we know how much Aiden wants them back, we can use them as his weakness”I turned away from the window, my mind filled with different strategies
Aiden's POV A lot of things have been going on with me Lately. The business my father placed in my hands is suffering; my emotions are suffering, and my health is suffering. So many pressures are on me, and my father has been complaining lately.I was sitting in the living room, feeling so weak and tired when my father's call came.“Hey dad” I answered his call.“What have you been doing Aiden?” My dad yelled from across the phone. “You left your two eyes open, and you watched the company stock some down. Do you even have an idea of how much we have lost?”I don't know how to explain the situation of things to him, even if I explain my father is more of a business person who believes you should not mix business with your personal feelings “I know, Dad. I'm sorry. It's just that a lot has been going on lately,” I tried to explain to him, feeling a mix of frustration and anger.“Going on you say? What is going on? Even if something is going on with you, should it always affect your bus
Aiden's POV I lay down on the hospital bed, looking up at the ceiling. Life has not been fair. I remember the previous day when I was rushed to the hospital by two able-bodied men from the beach. The last thing I remembered was watching the Ocean water flow, and slowly, I started falling to the ground because my organs felt weak. I remembered collapsing on the ground, that was the last thing I remembered and by the time I woke up, I met myself in the hospital.As I lay there, I couldn't help but think about how my life had gone out of control just in the twinkle of an eye. But everything was going perfectly well the last time I checked but now I don't even understand anymore. It has gotten out of control. First, Artemis and Daymon went missing, and now I was stuck in a hospital bed, feeling weak and helpless, not even knowing the Main reason why I was in the hospital bed.The doctor came in accompanied by two other nurses, a kind smile on his face. “Good morning, Mr Aiden. How are
Aiden's POVI swallowed hard when my mom asked for Artemis who they both know as Hera. I have been praying since they entered that they would not ask of her, but my mother eventually did.Martin looked at me, and I gave him a sign not to say anything, and he understood immediately.“So how was your trip?” I asked to bury the question she asked.“The trip went well. As you can see, I'm looking okay and smiling,” my mother replied, smiling the more at the. “I even got some things for you and Hera.”“You have not answered your mother's questions_ my father intruded. “Where is Hera?” Why does this man have to always intervene in matters that don't concern him? What should I say? I can't think straight; I don't know what to answer them with.“Is something wrong?” My mother asked, she noticed the look on my face. “Did you guys have a fight?”“If we fought, it would have been better. At least she wouldn't be in the danger she is right now” I said in my mind.“No, Mom!” I answered. “So wher
Aiden's povMy father walked in with the doctor. The doctor was ready to discharge me and my father was ready to take me home. The doctor checked me one more time, and he concluded that he was going to continue the treatment for me at home.My mother began to pack my bags and everything that belonged to me, and in a few minutes, we were leaving the hospital through the back door.Before we got to the entrance, Martin had already gotten the car ready and was waiting for us to come out so as not to attract people.My father helped me into the car, and my mother got in beside me with my pieces of luggage.As we drove away from the hospital, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I knew my father was still suspicious about what had happened to me, and the vacation Artemis went for. He kept staring at me in the car and I kept staring at the window to avoid his eye contact.We were already on our way home when one of my informants alerted us that the press members were outside the hos
Aiden's POV Getting married was not the problem at the moment, finding Artemis was the problem. “I have heard father; I will talk to her over the phone,” I answered him. “What are you both discussing?” My mother went into the kitchen. “ I went to tell them in the kitchen to prepare some meal for us to eat” “What a father and his son are discussing is none of your business,” my father said to his wife. “My bad,” my mother said smiling. “ I won't intervene next time,” my mother said and had her sit beside her husband. “So what are they Preparing, I am famished,” my father asked my mom. “I requested some french fries, ketchup, and chicken,” my mom replied. “I'm sure she is almost done with it now”. “All right, please tell her to make it snappy,” my father said. “I will go get some rest inside now” I tried to excuse myself from their midst. “I think you should eat and use your drugs before going inside to rest.” My mother said, and I was forced to sit with them as they talked.
Aiden's POV Doctor Collins came over later that evening without my notice. I was surprised to see because the next appointment with him was supposed to be the following day. “But our next appointment is supposed to be tomorrow?”I demanded some explanation. “I invited him over,” my mother said. I don't seem to understand what is going on. What is my mother's plan with the doctor? “Yes she did,” The doctor confirmed. “Why?” I asked. “I noticed your mood the other time you were seated here, I saw you're so restless. That was why I called the doctor to come and check what's going” my Mother explained, and I was vexed. What does my being restless have to do with inviting the doctor over? What is she even thinking? “So what is the doctor here to do?” I asked my mother, giving her this cold look from those green eyes of mine. My mother already noticed my uncaring attitude. That was my normal way of behaving, so I don't know if I had changed or if I have become a softie that my mot
(Artemis’ POV) I knew something was wrong the moment I tried to stand. Pain. Sharp, deep, and all-consuming. For weeks, I had ignored the discomfort, brushing off Aiden’s concerns, assuring everyone that I was fine. I had always been strong—had survived things that should’ve killed me. But this? This was different. I braced myself against the vanity, sucking in a sharp breath. Aiden was already watching me from across the room, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable—but I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his hands flexed, ready to catch me if I fell. "You should rest today," he said, stepping toward me. I rolled my eyes. "I’ve rested enough." "Artemis." His voice was firm, a warning. I turned, meeting his gaze, ready to argue—when the pain struck again. It was like my bod
(Artemis’ POV)Pregnancy wasn’t supposed to feel like this.I had expected discomfort, sure. I had expected my body to change. But this… this was something else entirely.The exhaustion was unbearable.At first, I thought it was just the lingering effects of our honeymoon—late nights in Paris, stolen kisses in hidden alleyways, and mornings wrapped in silk sheets with Aiden refusing to let me leave the bed. But then the nausea started, and I knew something was wrong.I tried to push through it, keeping up with my work, but even Naomi noticed."Boss, you look like you’re about to pass out," she said, frowning as she set down a stack of files. "You should rest.""I'm fine," I muttered, waving her off, but the moment I stood, the room spun.I barely heard Naomi calling my name before strong arms caught me."Artemis."Aiden.His voice was tight, controlled—but his grip was anything but. He held me as if I’d shatter, his eyes scanning me for injuries."You’re not fine," he said. "We’re goi
I woke up sore.A deep, aching soreness that was both a reminder and a warning. Last night had been… intense. More than I expected. More than I could have imagined. My body felt like it had been claimed, worshipped, and thoroughly ruined, all at once.Aiden wasn’t in bed, but the warmth on his side hadn’t faded yet. I blinked up at the ceiling, barely able to move, and then I smelled it—coffee. The scent curled into the room, rich and inviting, followed by the quiet creak of the bedroom door."You're awake."I turned my head and found Aiden standing in the doorway, carrying a tray.My stomach flipped. He was shirtless, his sweatpants hanging dangerously low, his hair slightly tousled from sleep. But it was the look in his eyes—the satisfaction, the possessiveness—that made my breath catch.He set the tray down beside me. A glass of water. Coffee. Toast. Painkillers."I figured you'd need this."I huffed out a laugh. "You think?"Aiden smirked but didn’t argue. Instead, he sat on the e
Artemis' POVParis.The city of love, of whispered promises, of things that felt like forever. It wasn’t the first time we had been here. The last time had been chaos—high-stakes deals, power plays, and the weight of a contract binding us together. But this time? This time was different.The garden where we stood was secluded, hidden away from the noise of the world. White roses lined the aisle, their scent mixing with the crisp autumn air. The Eiffel Tower loomed in the distance, its lights just beginning to flicker against the darkening sky.Aiden stood at the altar, watching me.No guards. No enemies. No ulterior motives.Just him. Just me. Just us.My dress was simpler than the first one I had worn. No heavy jewels, no extravagant embellishments—just clean, elegant lines that moved with me as I walked. But Aiden? Aiden still wore black, sharp and commanding, his presence impossible to ignore.As I reached him, he took my hands in his, his grip steady, grounding.“We’ve done this b
Aiden’s POVI wasn’t used to an empty house.The penthouse was quiet, the kind of silence that made me restless. Artemis had left early, slipping out before dawn, her scent lingering in the sheets beside me. She had a fitting today—something about finalizing designs before her next trip. I hadn’t asked for details, but I knew she was busy.I ran a hand down my face, exhaling.She was everywhere, even when she wasn’t here.The coffee machine was still warm, the cup she’d set aside for me untouched. A plate covered with foil sat on the kitchen counter—breakfast she’d made before she left, knowing I probably wouldn’t eat if she didn’t.In the closet, one of my suits was laid out, ironed, with a note tucked into the sleeve: Wear this one. You look good in navy.She did things like that. Little things. Thoughtful things.For someone who had grown up fighting for every scrap of control, she gave so freely—to me, to the people she cared about.And I—I hadn’t given her nearly enough.I leane
Aiden’s POVFor the first time in my life, there were no contracts. No lies. Just her.But peace was an unfamiliar thing.I still woke up before dawn, instinctively reaching for the gun that wasn’t under my pillow anymore. My body was trained to react before my mind even processed that there was no longer a war to fight. My enemies were either dead, exiled, or too afraid to make a move.Yet, I found myself restless.The empire was still mine. The city still ran on quiet threats and well-placed alliances. But Artemis had planted a dangerous thought in my head—what if I ruled differently? What if I built something that wasn’t always on the verge of burning to the ground?She was asleep beside me, her breathing steady, her body curled toward me like she belonged there. And she did.I ran a hand down my face and exhaled.I couldn’t just sit still. That had never been my nature.So, I got up.---The sun had barely risen when I walked into the warehouse where my men were gathered. Conversa
Artemis' POVThe battle was over, but the aftermath lingered. Scars—some fresh, some old—marked more than just skin. The weight of the past did not simply lift because the fighting had stopped.I sat on the edge of the bed, watching Aiden pace near the window. His reflection in the glass was sharp, rigid, like a man still expecting a knife in the dark. The empire was his now, but peace was foreign to him. Stillness felt unnatural."You don’t have to stay," he said, his tone measured, unreadable. "You’ve done enough."It wasn’t a command. It wasn’t even a suggestion. It was a defense mechanism. Aiden didn’t push people away forcefully—he gave them an exit and waited for them to take it.I tilted my head, pretending to consider. "And if I don’t want to leave?"His gaze flickered toward me, just for a moment, then away again. "Then you’re a fool."I rolled my eyes, standing. "That makes two of us."I closed the distance between us and pressed my palm against his chest, feeling the steady
Aiden’s POVThe study smelled of aged whiskey, leather, and cigar smoke—just as I remembered it from my childhood. Nothing had changed. The same books lined the shelves, the same decanter of bourbon sat untouched on the desk, and the same man occupied the chair at its head.I stood in front of Don Carlo, the weight of everything that had led to this moment pressing down on my chest. Kane was gone. Hera was locked away where she belonged. The war was over. And yet, the victory tasted bitter. It felt like exhaustion.My father—Don Carlo—sat behind his massive desk, his expression unreadable. The same man who had doubted me. The same man who had once called me weak."You’ve proven yourself," he finally said, voice heavy with reluctant acceptance. "The empire is yours."I didn’t respond immediately. Instead, I studied him. The man who had shaped me, tested me, pushed me to the edge time and time again. And for what? To prove I was worthy of something I never truly wanted?"You thought I’d
Aiden’s POVHera screamed as the guards dragged her away, her shrieks cutting through the air like the wail of a banshee. She kicked and thrashed, her dark hair wild, her emerald-green eyes blazing with madness."You can’t do this to me!" she screeched, her voice raw. "Aiden, you think you’ve won?! You think locking me away will change the truth?! You’ll regret this—I swear it!"I stood motionless, watching as the woman I once knew was forced back into the nightmare she had clawed her way out of. My hands were clenched at my sides, my pulse steady, my face unreadable.The weight pressing against my chest wasn’t fear or anger. It was relief. A slow, settling kind of relief that came when a battle was finally over.There was no regret. No hesitation.She belonged there.The black van’s doors slammed shut, muffling the last of her wails. The driver exchanged a brief nod with the men guarding the facility before stepping into the driver’s seat. With a low, mechanical hum, the vehicle roll