“I thought you two had discussed it, Helen. That’s why you’ve been holed up in your room, right? You seemed so upset.” Edna said. “What do you mean ‘discussed it' Edna? You think I would be okay with her moving in if I knew about it?” Helen retorted.As if on cue, Andrei wheeled himself into the living room, his voice level as he replied, “I did mention it in passing, Helen. I didn’t think it would be such a big deal.”Somehow, I was angry at him. I mean, here he was putting his doctor before his ‘pretend wife’. Didn’t matter we were in a contract marriage; I deserved to know. ‘Moving in’ meant Dr. Bossypants was coming to stay.Whoa, hold on a sec. Maybe this whole thing's about Eva and Andrei not trusting me.They both might be looking at me and thinking I'm the crazy one. Seriously, are they really out here believing I'm unstable?I let out a big, exasperated huff, flabbergasted by the whole mess.The back-and-forth between Andrei and Helen only got heated, “No, no Andrei. You to
I could feel Andrei's body restless, fidgeting and turning. His sleep was fitful, and his mumbles were filled with confusion. Among the garbled words, one name stood out clearly — Anna. I turned towards him. I gently placed my hand on his arm, attempting to soothe him in his slumber, but the intensity of his body heat startled me and I pulled my hand back. He seemed to be displaying symptoms of fever. I dropped off the mattress, a silent battle raging within me. Should I call his doctor? But was she even helping him? I just wasn't sure. Once again, I softly called his name. His brown eyes, fluttered open, darker and heavier than normal. His breathing was rapid and shallow. My heart was going a mile a minute, and Before I could catch my breath, the door swung and then, in comes Eva, “I'm here to give Andrei his medication,” she stated matter-of-factly. “In the future, have the decency to knock before barging into someone's bedroom.” I snapped. The nerve of her acting li
“Jamie's been spotted, huh?” Eva scoffed, her eyes dancing with a mocking light. “You guys are starting to sound like a bunch of ghost hunters, honestly.”Edna glared at her, her lips thinning into a defiant line. “Don't you dare brush this off like I'm seeing things.”Paul stood stoically beside Andrei as he directed the course of action. ”I need the CCTV footage ensure that's on my desk within 24 hours. And while you're at it, ramp up security around the property. We can't have any more surprises." Paul nods silently, then exited the living room where we all gathered. “I'm telling you, I saw her.” Edna's certainty was almost… tangible, “It was Jamie. That champagne blonde hair and those piercing gray eyes—I'd know her anywhere.”The image of that blonde, gray-eyed woman from the hospital flashed through my mind. Could she be Jamie?“I believe you, Edna,” Helen stated, “Andrei needs to get a handle on this Jamie situation. One maniac is more than enough to deal with; we don't need
“You're the one bright spot in this whole mess, Brielle. The only good thing Eva has done is bringing you into our lives. That's the one thing she's managed to get right, and I've got to give her props for that, even if everything else she does is a straight-up train wreck.” Edna’s dropping some serious cliffhangers, and I’m dying to know more. But that woman's's busier than a squirrel in October, so I haven’t had a chance to pick her brain about Eva," I think to myself. How did Eva even manage to bring me into the picture? *** “Talk about a vibe shift,” I mutter, watching Liam’s return instantly change the atmosphere. The Carter brothers are acting like there's an invisible wall between them, no jokes or nothing, Andrei's all serious, looking at Liam like he's a last-minute tax bill. I’m in Andrei’s room, but I feel like I’m at the wrong family reunion. It’s like a wrestling match of nerves in here, and I’m just trying to dodge the flying elbows and make it out alive. I’d rat
The sight of Edna, with tears streaming down her face and a paper towel held to her eyes, was truly heartbreaking. Clearly, Helen's departure affected her the most out of everyone present. “Why worry now? Brielle's got it all under control,” Helen coolly proclaimed, “Andrei's in good hands. No reason for anyone to fret. No need at all. My girl's got the situation handled.” “I thought you weren't leaving until Jane has her baby.” “Now, Edna, don’t get yourself worked up. My daughter is about to deliver, you know that. She needs me by her side." “I thought we still had about three more months until Jane's due date.” "A pregnancy lasts nine months, Edna, not twelve." Edna gave a small, embarrassed laugh, “I know that, of course.” Helen smiles sweetly at me; “You’re a godsend, Brielle. Who would’ve thought Eva’s selfishness would bring someone like you into our lives? I would’ve laughed in their face. But here you are. It’s amazing how life can throw you a curveball and still l
My mind's working overtime, replaying Eva’s words on a loop. Baby? Hurt the baby?Is this woman seriously pregnant?***After tossing and turning for the tenth time in the last half-hour. I spotted a silhouette of Andrei seated in his wheelchair.“Nightmares again?” I asked him, concerned. “Not sure having your ex-girlfriend as your doctor’s gonna do much to calm those down.”Sliding off the bed, I reached for my slippers. “You get comfy in bed, and I’ll whip up some tea. Edna swears it’ll do the trick. And who knows? Maybe it’ll calm you down. You could use it."“Have you dug through those company files yet?” Andrei asks.“It’s a lot to process. I haven’t cracked the code yet.” With his nightmares keeping him up, the least he could do was take a break from that business brain of his.I headed out to make the tea, the night’s darkness enveloping me. And despite the lack of evidence, I felt eyes on me, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. I remembered the last time I’d had
Andrei's face softens, and he cracks open his mouth, like he's on the verge of jumping on my offer. It's clear as day that he's tempted.And just like that, the door bursts open. In strolls Eva, tray of meds in hand, looking at her watch “It’s time, Andrei. Time for your meds.” “Andrei will not be taking any of those.” Andrei looks at me like he can’t believe I’m standing up to his doctor like this. But I keep my eyes locked on Eva, letting her know I'm dead serious.She lets out a haughty scoff, like I'm some kind of clown trying to pull a fast one on her. “You? Really? Who the hell are you to tell me what to do with my patient?”“It don't matter what you're trying to sell me. Drey isn't swallowing those pills, period.”“He needs his medications.”“You can all 'em 'meds', 'medications', or even 'candy' for all I care, Eva. So save yourself the trouble and walk away.”Eva gives me a cold, assessing glance before turning her attention to Andrei. “Drey, kindly dispatch this contract
“Are you seriously going to stand here and spew lies in my face, Eva?”“Lies? How can we be certain that you didn't simply neglect the meat, wandering away from the stove and causing this disaster yourself, Brielle? Your lack of proper attire, the absence of an apron, certainly supports this theory."I grit my teeth.“Just admit it already. Admit that you're the one to blame for this mess, 'cause You likely abandoned the stove to engage in mindless gossip with Ivy about some pathetic suitor she's trying to foist upon you, and that's when the fire erupted. And Sanjay?”Eva lets out a barking laugh, the sound harsh and mocking. “Seriously, Brielle? That's the best you can come up with? Pathetic.”My hands clenched into fists at my sides. I'm white-knuckling it, trying to stop myself from reaching out and grabbing that bitch's hair right here and now. “I never said a word about Sanjay. That just proves you're making shit up, Eva.”“Did you leave the kitchen to answer a phone call, Briel
Brielle's POV Edna pads softly over to Andrei, her hands extended in a soothing gesture, ready to relieve him of Alexis's sleepy weight. With the little boy snug in her arms, she glides up the stairs, softly whispering promises of bedtime stories and cozy blankets. It's a nightly ritual, but one that never gets old. Andrei’s head snaps up, his eyes locking onto mine. The jolt that shoots through me is unexpected, like an electric current passing between us. But his gaze holds no warmth, no recognition. His lips part, the beginnings of a smile starting to play at the corners of his mouth. But then, his expression falters, as if he’s wrestling with something within himself. He glances at the clock, then back at me. “A little late for bed, isn't it?” “I was waiting,” I whisper, the words a promise, a vow. “Waiting for you, forever if I had to.” He frowns, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You're not even changed yet. You should get to bed.” I glance at him, the irony of the situa
Brielle's POV Why so bright? I squint, shielding my eyes from the golden glare spilling through the curtains. It's not just the light that catches my attention – I feel Andrei's strong arms wrapped snugly around me, holding me close. I turn to face him, and oh man, he's so peaceful. His mouth’s slightly open, and he’s making these adorable little snuffly noises. His dark eyelashes fan out against his cheeks, and his hair is mussed. A tiny crease furrows his brow, as if he's concentrating on something even in his sleep.I've got a goofy grin plastered on my face, and I just can't seem to shake it. But then, I hear him mutter the name 'Odessa' in his sleep.Suddenly my grin doesn't feel goofy anymore... I watch, transfixed, as Andrei's face contorts in distress. His eyebrows furrow, his lips curl downward, and his eyes twitch beneath his eyelids. I gently nudge him. His eyes flutter open.He's awake, but he's not really here. His eyes are distant, like he's staring into a void. The
Brielle's POV Trapped between a rock and a hard place, with “rock” being Andrei’s iron jaw and “hard place” being Jeremy’s furrowed brow, I’m contemplating if there’s an ejector seat in this room that I can launch myself through. “Andrei's still in the picture? I thought you'd moved on, Brielle." Jeremy asks. “She’s here because I brought her here,” Andrei answers. “And whatever we have going on is none of your business. Brielle. Here. Now." He doesn’t raise his voice, but there’s something about the way he says it that makes me feel like I have no choice but to comply. “That ring doesn't belong on you. Take it off." “You’re serious?” I ask, my voice barely whisper. Andrei’s expression is as serious as a funeral march. “Dead serious.” His words are clipped, razor sharp. “Take it off, Brielle.” His hand is outstretched, waiting. I hesitate for a moment before sliding the ring off my finger and placing it in his palm. Andrei grabs the ring and forces it onto Jeremy's h
Andrei's POV Paul's 'I tried my best' crap doesn't cut it. Best? Best isn't good enough. He should've done whatever it took to keep Ivy from leaving the country.I don’t bother hiding the annoyance in my voice as I bark orders at him. “You’re going to New York. You’re going to keep an eye on Ivy. Make sure she stays out of trouble." For now, it's time to shut down this operation. I won't risk Brielle's life. The danger I've already put her in makes me sick. My focus is solely on the monitors as I watch her every move. I'm holding my breath, waiting to see what happens next. But in a split second, everything goes dark. The screens flicker and die, and the equipment falls silent. No way. No freaking way. What just happened? I'm out of there in a flash, grabbing my coat and making a beeline for the door. It's when I see Odessa. She's just standing in the hallway, looking all calm and collected. She looks like she's waiting for someone, but her eyes lock onto mine, and I know she's
Ivy's POV “I'm telling you, I'm not some kind of international cat-napper,” I insist, my voice tight with frustration. “I'm just trying to get to New York.” “I'm afraid that's not my call to make, ma'am,” he replies, the coldness in his voice making the hairs on my arms stand on end. “You'll need to come with me to the security office for further questioning.” Further questioning? This is getting out of hand. Just shy of hysteria, I’m stopped dead in my tracks by a smooth, authoritative voice: “No more delays. She’s with me." My head whips around, my eyes wild with confusion and desperation, only to meet the steely gaze of a man who commands the air around him with nothing more than a well-tailored suit and the tone of his voice, “She's under my protection. That's all you need to know." The security officer looks dubious, the skepticism palpable in his furrowed brow. “Sir, I'm going to need a little more information than that.” But the man's expression doesn't so much as flick
Ivy's POVOh, man, where to start? The airport is like the land of stressed out zombies, everyone just aimlessly shuffling along, trying not to look like they want to rip someone's head off. The fluorescent lights are burning my retinas, and the noise is just…ugh. It's like being inside a blender filled with car horns and crying babies.I've been waiting forever, it feels like an eternity since I arrived at the gate. I've been checking and double-checking my carry-on luggage, making sure it's perfect — like it's about to go on stage for a Broadway show or something. I glance down at my phone, which is blowing up with notifications. There are work emails, of course — a never-ending stream of messages. I silence them, one by one, trying to tune out the stress and anxiety that comes with them.Next, I tackle the spam texts — annoying messages from unknown numbers, trying to sell me everything from weight loss supplements to discount vacations.Finally, I make my way to Instagram, where
Andrei's POV. Striding through the marble-lined corridors of my headquarters, I navigate my way toward the Control Room, a high-tech nerve center situated on the upper floor of the Carter Estate. I'm on the phone with Helen, trying to talk some sense into her. She's being stubborn, as usual, and I'm having to work overtime to keep my cool. “No, you can't come over to the estate. Not yet,” I tell Helen firmly, trying to stall her. "Just… just give me a little more time We're on the precipice of something crucial here. I need more time to ensure everything is in place before your arrival. I'm handling things, just as I've always done. “Think of your son, Andrei. He needs you right now.” It's a painful truth I often overlook: being a father. My son needs me, but life's demands have taken over. The thought of not being there for him fills me with regret, anger, and a deep sadness that's suffocating me. “Alexis stays out of this, Helen,” I assert. “The situation is far too volatile
Brielle's POV. “Sweet mother of chaos, Ivy. You’re like a moth drawn to the flame, begging to get scorched. And I’m here, trying to wave you away like a lunatic waving a fan at a forest fire.” What the hell do I have to do? Sing a lullaby about how dangerous Valtor is? This is ridiculous. I shouldn't have to babysit Ivy like this. But I can’t just let her walk into this mess with Valtor. She’s gonna get herself killed. I'm stuck pacing my room, trying to make sense of Ivy's latest crisis. But then, I glance out the window- Andrei's car is parked in the driveway. Without thinking, I'm hurtling downstairs, my feet pounding out a staccato rhythm on the steps. The wooden banister glides beneath my hand as I round the landing. Fingers crossed Mom's snoring peacefully, completely clueless about Andrei's midnight rendezvous. And Jeremy? Let's just say I'm counting on his exceptional talent for being clueless. Or we’re pretty much screwed, aren’t we? One slip-up, one misstep, and it’s
Brielle's POV Andrei's taillights fade into the night, leaving me wondering what just happened. I take a deep breath, pushing open the front door to find Mom on the phone, gushing to Ivy about my homecoming. The music is playing, the champagne is flowing, and I'm stuck here, pretending to be happy about my engagement. Andrei's 'support' only adds to the farce. Jeremy's eyes burn with an inner fire as he asks for my hand. But instead of romance, I'm hit with a wave of dread. Those gray eyes are freakishly familiar — they're reminding me of the psycho who held me captive. For a second, I could swear it's my captor's eyes staring back at me. *** The party's over, and I'm left alone with my thoughts. Ivy's arrival is a welcome distraction, but my mind remains fixated on the ring and the unsettling sense of déjà vu that's been plaguing me since Jeremy proposed. “The prodigal daughter returns! I was starting to think you'd forgotten about everyone else, what with your busy s