Max found the conversation among his father's guests trivial and uninteresting. He had no interest in talking about business or anything else. His gaze shifted to Irina's nearly empty glass of water, something he had never seen during a family dinner with her. He couldn't recall a single moment when there had been a glass of water next to her plate, not even when they were just friends."What's wrong?" Irina whispered to Max, nudging his arm slightly. He subtly averted his gaze from her glass to look at the other guests."Max?" she called, this time with a small touch on his arm. He looked at Irina."Yes?" Max replied, pretending he hadn't heard her first call."Why are you staring at my glass of water?" Max knew why she was asking."You know why," Max replied, looking at her. "Right?" She tensed up and averted her gaze."I must have a stomach virus, and I don't feel like having wine. But there's no need to worry," Irina said, her eyes fixed on him. "How have you been these past few d
Emma was left speechless when Elaine showed her what she would give to the man she was meeting in an hour. With the tips of her fingers, she gently caressed the surface. The diamond was truly beautiful, and when she looked up at her mother, Elaine smiled."How does it look?" she asked."How is it that you have a necklace with such a stunning and extravagant diamond? Are you sure the old lady gave it to you years ago?" Emma nodded."It was a gift she gave me," her expression changed. "Well, now I'll give it back to her, but she should remember that no one gives and then takes back, especially if it was a gift from..." Elaine stopped her sentence and pressed her lips together. "Well," she let out a scoff. "She'll give me the money, and I'll give you a million dollars for yourself.""I don't want money, Elaine," Emma said confidently. "I want you, if you manage to get the money, to start a new life far away, where you can find peace and stop getting yourself into trouble. That includes n
Emma was waiting in that expensive and famous restaurant on Fifth Avenue. It was located inside one of the most elegant buildings in the area and, of course, offered the best view of the city at night."Would you like something to drink, miss?" asked the waiter assigned to her table. Emma shook her head with a half-smile. "I'm fine, thank you," she replied. The waiter nodded politely and left, while Emma returned her gaze to the city, occasionally catching her reflection in the mirror. Classical music played softly in the background as the voices of other diners gradually faded away, unaware that the place had become completely empty."Good evening," a deep and somewhat familiar voice said. Emma furrowed her brow and turned her face towards the person who had just spoken, her eyebrows raised in surprise. Immediately, almost clumsily, she stood up and extended her hand to greet him."Good evening, Mr. Bradford. Have you come for dinner?" she asked, then realized that beyond him, the ta
The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the bedroom as Jack picked up the newspaper and began his routine—reading about the dollar and the euro, then the social section, before ending with the obituaries. Many of his friends had passed away in the last five years, and it was through this medium that he learned who had departed."Mr. Bradford," announced one of his trusted men, Mr. Min, his personal secretary. Jack looked up from the newspaper and met his gaze."Give me some good news, Min," Jack said. Mr. Min bowed out of courtesy."The DNA results have arrived," Mr. Min said. Jack's heart raced, but he tried not to get too excited."Good. Let's officially confirm what I already know..." Jack handed him a white envelope with the logo of his hospital, and Mr. Min opened it, reading the contents carefully until he reached the percentage: "99.97% highly probable paternity." Jack closed his eyes and smiled. "Of course she's my daughter." When he opened his eyes, he saw the excitement in
Moments before...Max had gone for a jog to calm the anxiety that had been triggered by the news of Irina's pregnancy. He had been tempted to go and confront Horacio, to give him a piece of his mind, but now everything had changed. The temporary pain of their betrayal still lingered, and he knew he could never forgive the breach of trust. The only thing that kept him sane was the memories of his recent experiences with Emma. Every detail of her was etched into his mind, and there was something about her that had completely enchanted him. Even Irina, his first and only serious relationship, hadn't made him feel this way."It's not just physical desire, it's something more, Max," he thought to himself. How could that be possible after such a short time of knowing each other? He continued jogging for several kilometers, completely distancing himself from his apartment and the usual jogging route he took in the mornings. He crossed traffic lights, passed through a couple of parks, and alm
Moments before...Max had gone out for a run to calm the anxiety that had been triggered by learning that Irina was pregnant. He had been on the verge of going to find Horacio and confront him, but now everything had changed. The temporary pain of what they had done, the trust they had both betrayed, would never be forgiven. The only thing keeping him sane were the memories of his recent experiences with Emma. Every detail of her was etched into his skin; there was something about her that had completely enchanted him. Not even Irina, who had been his first and only serious relationship, made him feel this way."It's not just carnal desire, it's something more, Max," he thought. How could it be possible to feel something so deep in such a short time of knowing each other? He kept running, distancing himself several kilometers from his apartment and the area where he usually jogged in the mornings. He crossed traffic lights, went through a couple of parks, and almost an hour passed bef
Adler glanced at the doctor's face once he had finished examining his heart. He sighed and pressed his lips together, sensing that this could be bad news. He settled into the vintage wooden chair beside the large bed."Do you know you need to go for regular check-ups, Adler?" the elderly man asked. Adler nodded and looked away. Since Friday, he hadn't been feeling well, and discovering that his beloved daughter-in-law, whom he had cherished as his own, had betrayed not only Max but him as well. "Why didn't you call earlier? You know, I could have treated you here at your home if you didn't want to stay in the hospital." Adler returned his gaze to the doctor, his longtime friend."I hate hospitals," he paused, "Is my blood pressure stable now?" The man nodded, got up to pack his things into his briefcase by the bed, and then looked at Adler."You need to be very careful. You can't get upset or angry; it would raise your blood pressure.""Alright. Just give me the medication, and I'll b
Monday morning, and Emma was in such a good mood that she couldn't believe it herself. She thought, "When was the last time I felt this way?" She couldn't recall a day like this. Seated, her gaze fixed on her computer screen, she efficiently tackled all the work she wanted to get ahead of, ensuring the rest of the afternoon was free of pending tasks. She sorted through all the memories of what had happened on Saturday with Max—the way he kissed every inch of her body and how he pinned her against the bathroom tiles to reclaim her. This morning, she noticed a love bite near one of her breasts and briefly smiled. However, it didn't end there. She grabbed her phone, snapped a photo, and sent it to Max with the caption: "First and last, Mr. Müller" accompanied by a smiling emoji. She received an immediate response, as if Max had been eagerly awaiting a message from her, "So it shall be, Miss Spencer," along with a military-style salute emoji (hand to the forehead). Throughout Sunday, Emma
Max had reached the floor where Emma was working, intending to investigate about the client, Jack Bradford, and find out his decision. He also planned to seize the opportunity to talk to Mrs. Byrne about the upcoming meeting. As he stepped out of the elevator, he noticed a gathering of employees near Emma's office. Upon arriving, he witnessed a heated argument between Emma and Jamie, the HR representative. His eyes widened when Emma delivered a punch to Jamie's face, causing him to fall. Emma walked towards him, sat on her heels, and exchanged some words. Everyone around was attentive, and to Max's surprise, he saw Mrs. Byrne with a discreetly concealed smile."What is going on here?" Max asked, and everyone turned to look at him before dispersing. Mrs. Byrne cleared her throat and approached Emma's office. Emma stood up and waited beside Jamie for him to enter."I saw everything," Mrs. Byrne said. "Mr. insulted Miss Spencer, and she defended herself." Max was in the doorway, with Emm
Monday morning, and Emma was in such a good mood that she couldn't believe it herself. She thought, "When was the last time I felt this way?" She couldn't recall a day like this. Seated, her gaze fixed on her computer screen, she efficiently tackled all the work she wanted to get ahead of, ensuring the rest of the afternoon was free of pending tasks. She sorted through all the memories of what had happened on Saturday with Max—the way he kissed every inch of her body and how he pinned her against the bathroom tiles to reclaim her. This morning, she noticed a love bite near one of her breasts and briefly smiled. However, it didn't end there. She grabbed her phone, snapped a photo, and sent it to Max with the caption: "First and last, Mr. Müller" accompanied by a smiling emoji. She received an immediate response, as if Max had been eagerly awaiting a message from her, "So it shall be, Miss Spencer," along with a military-style salute emoji (hand to the forehead). Throughout Sunday, Emma
Adler glanced at the doctor's face once he had finished examining his heart. He sighed and pressed his lips together, sensing that this could be bad news. He settled into the vintage wooden chair beside the large bed."Do you know you need to go for regular check-ups, Adler?" the elderly man asked. Adler nodded and looked away. Since Friday, he hadn't been feeling well, and discovering that his beloved daughter-in-law, whom he had cherished as his own, had betrayed not only Max but him as well. "Why didn't you call earlier? You know, I could have treated you here at your home if you didn't want to stay in the hospital." Adler returned his gaze to the doctor, his longtime friend."I hate hospitals," he paused, "Is my blood pressure stable now?" The man nodded, got up to pack his things into his briefcase by the bed, and then looked at Adler."You need to be very careful. You can't get upset or angry; it would raise your blood pressure.""Alright. Just give me the medication, and I'll b
Moments before...Max had gone out for a run to calm the anxiety that had been triggered by learning that Irina was pregnant. He had been on the verge of going to find Horacio and confront him, but now everything had changed. The temporary pain of what they had done, the trust they had both betrayed, would never be forgiven. The only thing keeping him sane were the memories of his recent experiences with Emma. Every detail of her was etched into his skin; there was something about her that had completely enchanted him. Not even Irina, who had been his first and only serious relationship, made him feel this way."It's not just carnal desire, it's something more, Max," he thought. How could it be possible to feel something so deep in such a short time of knowing each other? He kept running, distancing himself several kilometers from his apartment and the area where he usually jogged in the mornings. He crossed traffic lights, went through a couple of parks, and almost an hour passed bef
Moments before...Max had gone for a jog to calm the anxiety that had been triggered by the news of Irina's pregnancy. He had been tempted to go and confront Horacio, to give him a piece of his mind, but now everything had changed. The temporary pain of their betrayal still lingered, and he knew he could never forgive the breach of trust. The only thing that kept him sane was the memories of his recent experiences with Emma. Every detail of her was etched into his mind, and there was something about her that had completely enchanted him. Even Irina, his first and only serious relationship, hadn't made him feel this way."It's not just physical desire, it's something more, Max," he thought to himself. How could that be possible after such a short time of knowing each other? He continued jogging for several kilometers, completely distancing himself from his apartment and the usual jogging route he took in the mornings. He crossed traffic lights, passed through a couple of parks, and alm
The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the bedroom as Jack picked up the newspaper and began his routine—reading about the dollar and the euro, then the social section, before ending with the obituaries. Many of his friends had passed away in the last five years, and it was through this medium that he learned who had departed."Mr. Bradford," announced one of his trusted men, Mr. Min, his personal secretary. Jack looked up from the newspaper and met his gaze."Give me some good news, Min," Jack said. Mr. Min bowed out of courtesy."The DNA results have arrived," Mr. Min said. Jack's heart raced, but he tried not to get too excited."Good. Let's officially confirm what I already know..." Jack handed him a white envelope with the logo of his hospital, and Mr. Min opened it, reading the contents carefully until he reached the percentage: "99.97% highly probable paternity." Jack closed his eyes and smiled. "Of course she's my daughter." When he opened his eyes, he saw the excitement in
Emma was waiting in that expensive and famous restaurant on Fifth Avenue. It was located inside one of the most elegant buildings in the area and, of course, offered the best view of the city at night."Would you like something to drink, miss?" asked the waiter assigned to her table. Emma shook her head with a half-smile. "I'm fine, thank you," she replied. The waiter nodded politely and left, while Emma returned her gaze to the city, occasionally catching her reflection in the mirror. Classical music played softly in the background as the voices of other diners gradually faded away, unaware that the place had become completely empty."Good evening," a deep and somewhat familiar voice said. Emma furrowed her brow and turned her face towards the person who had just spoken, her eyebrows raised in surprise. Immediately, almost clumsily, she stood up and extended her hand to greet him."Good evening, Mr. Bradford. Have you come for dinner?" she asked, then realized that beyond him, the ta
Emma was left speechless when Elaine showed her what she would give to the man she was meeting in an hour. With the tips of her fingers, she gently caressed the surface. The diamond was truly beautiful, and when she looked up at her mother, Elaine smiled."How does it look?" she asked."How is it that you have a necklace with such a stunning and extravagant diamond? Are you sure the old lady gave it to you years ago?" Emma nodded."It was a gift she gave me," her expression changed. "Well, now I'll give it back to her, but she should remember that no one gives and then takes back, especially if it was a gift from..." Elaine stopped her sentence and pressed her lips together. "Well," she let out a scoff. "She'll give me the money, and I'll give you a million dollars for yourself.""I don't want money, Elaine," Emma said confidently. "I want you, if you manage to get the money, to start a new life far away, where you can find peace and stop getting yourself into trouble. That includes n
Max found the conversation among his father's guests trivial and uninteresting. He had no interest in talking about business or anything else. His gaze shifted to Irina's nearly empty glass of water, something he had never seen during a family dinner with her. He couldn't recall a single moment when there had been a glass of water next to her plate, not even when they were just friends."What's wrong?" Irina whispered to Max, nudging his arm slightly. He subtly averted his gaze from her glass to look at the other guests."Max?" she called, this time with a small touch on his arm. He looked at Irina."Yes?" Max replied, pretending he hadn't heard her first call."Why are you staring at my glass of water?" Max knew why she was asking."You know why," Max replied, looking at her. "Right?" She tensed up and averted her gaze."I must have a stomach virus, and I don't feel like having wine. But there's no need to worry," Irina said, her eyes fixed on him. "How have you been these past few d