AUDREY POV “This is ridiculous.” Lisa ignored me, shoving me onto a chair. “Stay still.” I huffed, crossing my arms. “I already agreed to the dress. That should be enough.” Lisa snorted. “Oh, sweetheart, no. We’re not just dressing you up, we’re transforming you.” I rolled my eyes but stayed put as she yanked my hair out of its usual ponytail and ran her fingers through it. “You have such nice hair,” she mused, grabbing a brush. “Why do you always tie it up like you're about to do someone’s taxes?” “Because it's convenient,” I muttered. Lisa tsked. “Convenient is another word for *boring.* Now hush.” She worked fast, her fingers moving with practiced ease as she styled my hair. Meanwhile, I sat there like a hostage, occasionally flinching when she tugged too hard. “This is so unnecessary,” I groaned. Lisa scoffed. “You agreed to my plan, so stop whining.” “Did I agree, though?” I shot her a look. “Yes. And it's too late to back out.” I sighed, letting her do whatev
MICHELL POV I watched the footage again. And again. Audrey had left home, and she didn't deem it fit to put a call through to me. I tried her phone again. Voicemail. I had come home, expecting things to be as they should be—Audrey with Amelia, going over her lessons or making her laugh over some bedtime story. Instead, I had found Gabriella with Amelia in the sitting room, braiding her hair as the little girl hummed under her breath. Gabriella tending to Amelia wasn’t out of the ordinary. Audrey being gone without a word? That was. “Where is she?” My voice had been steady. Controlled. Gabriella had looked up, blinking in mild confusion. “Miss Audrey? She left hours ago, sir.” My fingers curled. “Left?” “Yes,” she said, straightening. “I assumed she told you.” She hadn’t. I clenched my jaw, shoving my phone into my pocket as I turned back to the screen, staring at the frozen image of her car leaving the estate gates. Where the hell did she go? And why hadn’t she told
AUDREY POVI led Amelia upstairs, my mind buzzing with questions. Who was that man? He had called Michell ‘brother,’ but there was no warmth between them—only cold, tense energy. Michell had looked furious at his arrival, and the way his jaw clenched when Victor spoke…it was as if he had been dreading this moment. Was he really Michell’s brother? The one he had been preparing for his visit months ago?If so, why did Michell seem to hate him? I reached Amelia’s room and set her cartoons up, smoothing her hair as she settled on the bed. “You stay here, okay? I’ll be back in a bit.” She pouted but nodded, already engrossed in the colorful characters on the screen. I stepped out quietly, shutting the door behind me, and made my way back downstairs. But as I neared the dining room, I heard voices. “…And the little girl, she calls you Dad?” A pause. Then, Victor’s tone sharpened. “Does she know?” I stopped in my tracks. Then, Michell’s voice, low and edged with fury. “Keep
MICHELLVictor was getting too comfortable.It wasn’t just the way he walked around the estate like he belonged there. It was the way he talked—his casual, amused tone, always pushing, always testing. And Audrey… she didn’t seem to mind.I noticed it every time I walked into a room.The way she’d laugh at something he said, the way he leaned just a little too close when speaking to her. The way she never looked as guarded around him as she did with me.I should have ignored it. I had bigger things to deal with—Montiel and De Luca.Samuel and Hector had come up with a temporary solution, something to stall their next move while I figured out how to gut their operation properly. It wasn’t enough. I needed something permanent, something that would send a clear message.Yet here I was, gripping the edge of my desk, my jaw tight with irritation, because Victor had just made Audrey laugh in the next room.I exhaled slowly, forcing my thoughts back to business.I clenched my jaw, shoving th
AUDREY POV.I slammed the door shut behind him, my breath coming fast and uneven. My hands were clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms. How dare he?I stalked across the room, trying to shake the fury crawling under my skin. Michell had always been this way—one moment, he was close, watching me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered. The next, he was cold, distant, acting like I didn’t exist. And now, now he had the audacity to storm into my room, accusing me of seducing Victor? I let out a harsh, bitter laugh, pacing in frustration. What the hell was his problem?It wasn’t like he had any claim over me. He made sure of that.Months ago, we had sex. It wasn't a kiss or a hug. Sex.And what did he do after? Nothing. Not a single word. Not even a hint that it meant anything to him. He pretended like it never happened. Like it was something to be erased. And yet, tonight—tonight he had the nerve to act possessive? To look at me with that dark, jealous
MICHELL POVI clenched my jaw as I walked through the hallways of the estate, my fingers still curled into fists at my sides.Victor.I should’ve known. I did know. That bastard had a reason for being here, and now I was certain it had nothing to do with some harmless visit.It wasn’t just business. It was personal.I saw the way he looked at Audrey. The way he lingered too long, the way he smirked like he was playing some private game I wasn’t invited to. And tonight? Tonight was the last fucking straw.My phone buzzed. Hector.I answered without looking away from my screen. “Tell me.”“I started digging into Victor,” Hector said without preamble. His voice was clipped, all business. “So far, nothing directly incriminating, but his movements don’t add up. His trip here wasn’t planned last minute—he was preparing before you even had trouble with Montiel.”That made me pause. “Before?”“Yes. Almost like he knew something was coming.” A pause. “Or like he’s part of it.”I exhaled throug
ANYA POVThe day went by in a blur. Taking care of Amelia, keeping myself busy, anything to stop my mind from drifting to him.Michell. I hated that I thought about him at all. Hated that my chest still tightened when I remembered the way he looked at me this morning. I shoved those thoughts aside as I sat with Victor. He was different today. More curious. Asking questions that felt a little too personal. “What do you like to do in your free time?” I frowned. “I don’t get much free time.” He chuckled. “Fair. But if you did?” I hesitated. “I used to dance.” Victor’s brows lifted. “Ballet?” I nodded. “But that was a long time ago.” His gaze flickered with something unreadable. “Why’d you stop?” I shrugged. “Life.” That was all I was willing to give. Victor studied me, then leaned back. “You intrigue me, bella.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m not trying to.” “That’s what makes it interesting,” he mused. I shook my head, deciding to turn the tables. “Why aren’t you an
MICHELL POVI sat in my study, the dim glow of my desk lamp casting long shadows across the room. The estate was still quiet. I had left Audrey’s bed before dawn, careful not to wake her. Not because I regretted a damn thing, but because I needed a moment to process the weight of it all. I had told her we were a thing now. And I meant it. My fingers hovered over my keyboard as I scrolled through emails, a rare smile tugging at my lips. It felt strange—this feeling of contentment settling in my chest. It had been years since I had woken up feeling lighter. Even Hector would have raised a brow at me if he saw the way I was grinning at my screen like some idiot. I leaned back in my chair, rubbing a hand over my jaw. I wasn’t a man who did relationships. I had never stayed in one long enough to even call it that. My world wasn’t built for love—it was built on business, loyalty, and wariness. But Audrey? She was something else entirely. Something I wasn’t ready to let go of
AUDREY POV.I couldn’t stop smiling as I touched my belly, feeling a sense of warmth and connection that seemed to grow with every passing day. It was strange, but in the best way possible. This baby—our baby—had already become such a huge part of my world, even before I had a chance to meet them. I couldn’t wait for the day when they’d be in my arms, but for now, I was content with the gentle movements, the little kicks, and the love that already filled me up inside.Michell was beside me every step of the way, and the love I saw in his eyes each time he looked at me was enough to make me feel like I could do anything. The planning for the wedding had been a whirlwind, but it was a beautiful chaos. Everyone was on board—Ethan, Lisa, Amelia—each of them supporting me, making me feel like I wasn’t alone in any of this. I chuckled softly to myself as I remembered the weird cravings. Sometimes they were so odd, even I couldn’t believe what I was asking for. The other day, I had sent
MICHELL POV.The days after Audrey told me about the pregnancy felt like they were moving at a dizzying speed, but with each passing moment, I found myself growing more and more excited. It was a strange combination of fear and joy—a blend of emotions I hadn’t expected. But one thing I knew for sure: this was happening. And I couldn’t be more ready.Ethan was the first person I wanted to tell. He had always been my sounding board, the one I went to for advice. And now, with everything changing, I knew I needed his support more than ever. So, I called him up one evening after dinner, my voice steady but a little too eager. I could hardly contain the news anymore.“Hey, Ethan,” I said, trying to sound casual, but the excitement was practically bubbling over. “I need to tell you something. Can you meet up?”There was a brief pause on the other end, followed by Ethan’s usual laid-back tone. “Of course, man. What’s up?”“I—uh—well, Audrey and I…” I let the words trail off, feeling a mix
AUDREY POV.I held onto Michell as if I could somehow wrap my arms around the whole world in that one moment. There was something so surreal about it, like time had stopped just for us. The air felt thicker, full of everything I had ever wanted, yet never truly believed I deserved.Michell and I had been through so much, had lived through the ups and downs that tested the very foundation of who we were. We’d fought our way back from uncertainty, built something that felt more real than anything I had ever known before. Yet here we were, standing in the middle of a dream—one that I wasn’t sure I could have even imagined until this moment.As I looked at him, his eyes were still shining with that quiet joy, and I saw something else in them, something deeper than I had ever seen before. He wasn’t just happy because of the proposal. No, this was a sense of peace, of certainty. A quiet understanding that he knew exactly what he wanted in this life—and that was me.And I knew, in that
MICHELL POV.The sound of laughter filled the room as Ethan and I clinked our glasses together, the amber liquid catching the light of the late afternoon sun. It had been a good day—nothing special, just two guys sitting in the living room, talking about life. It felt like the first time in ages that things had slowed down to a pace I could enjoy.“Man, I’m telling you, life is different when you’re not always running from something,” Ethan said, leaning back on the couch, his hand cradling his drink as he looked over at me with that familiar half-smile of his.I chuckled. “I hear you. I spent half my life running—sometimes, it feels like I’m just starting to figure out how to stand still.”Ethan nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “Yeah, it’s strange, isn’t it? Everything’s changed so fast.”After a few moments, I cleared my throat, breaking the silence.“Hey, Ethan,” I started, my voice a little more serious than usual. “I’ve been thinking.”Ethan looked up from his beer, raising an eyebr
AUDREY POV.The court proceedings felt like a distant memory now, the courtroom and the judgment barely leaving a mark on me anymore. Evelyn had been sentenced to thirty years, but even that didn't bring the closure I thought it would. Somehow, what she'd done to me still hung in the air. But in the quiet moments that followed, I could feel something shifting inside me, as if the fog was slowly lifting, bit by bit.I’d spent the next few days with Ethan, moving through the motions, trying to piece myself together. There was a sense of calm, but also something delicate—like I could break at any moment if I wasn't careful.Ethan was always there, steady and patient. And somehow, in his presence, I started to feel like I wasn't alone anymore. The pieces of me that felt lost began to click into place.It wasn’t just him, though. Michell, Amelia and Lisa too. They had been so supportive. One morning, as we were all seated in the living area, Lisa spoke. Amelia had gone to school, but n
AUDREY POV.The days after Evelyn’s arrest felt like they belonged to someone else. A strange, dizzying blur of noise and silence, filled with questions I couldn't answer, and memories that still stung like fresh wounds. But somehow, I had to breathe through it all.Ethan had been there—steady and unwavering, like the one constant in the chaos. We had spent hours together, just the two of us. His words were like soft blankets wrapping around the rawness inside me. Ethan and I sat in the garden that morning, the sun barely rising but casting soft golden light over everything. It felt like it was just the two of us, the world far away, as he spoke.“You know,” he said, his voice soft but sure, “no wonder I liked you the moment we met.”I frowned, looking up at him. “What do you mean?”Ethan’s lips twisted into a small, self-deprecating smile. “I couldn't put it together back then. It was like I knew you… but from somewhere else. I should have realized.”I took a deep breath, trying to
AUDREY POV.Ethan’s voice was barely a whisper, but it sliced through the air like a blade. “You’re telling me… it was my uncle?”Evelyn’s body sagged as if the truth was physically tearing her apart. Her lips trembled. “Matt… Matt wanted both you and Sophia gone. He was afraid they’d ruin everything.”“What the hell are you talking about?” Ethan’s voice cracked, a mix of confusion and horror. “Why would he—?”“Because he wanted your father’s properties!” Evelyn cried. “So, he wanted to get rid of both of you.”The room was spinning. My breath came in shallow bursts. My knees nearly buckled under me, and I clung to the wall like it was the only thing holding me upright. “What are you saying?” I whispered. “Who was she?”Evelyn looked at me then—really looked at me. And what I saw there made my blood run cold. It wasn’t the cold stare of the woman I’d called Mother all my life. It was something different. Something broken. She stepped forward, trembling, her voice hoarse.“You were So
AUDREY POV.“Evelyn?” Ethan's voice sliced through the tense air. It wasn’t a question—it was an accusation.“Evelyn?” I echoed, my voice barely a whisper as I tried to process the flood of emotions rushing through me. My gaze darted between Ethan and my mother, whose body had frozen.She turned slowly, her eyes locking with Ethan’s for the briefest moment. In that fleeting instant, I saw it—a flash of something that wasn’t just anger, but something much darker. Fear. But as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, leaving behind only the mask of defiance she always wore.Before anyone could react, she made a desperate move—jerking violently against the grip of the security guards holding her. Her eyes widened in sheer panic, and for a split second, I saw the wild, primal look of someone on the edge of losing control.“Hold her!” one of the guards barked, his grip tightening around her arm as he fought to keep her still.She was cornered now, her frantic eyes scanning the surroundings
AUDREY POV.That night, after everything, as I finally lay down to sleep, my mind couldn't seem to settle.The day’s events replayed over and over, but it wasn't long before exhaustion took over, pulling me into a deep slumber.The dream came again. The one I’d had so many times before. It was always the same—gentle, comforting. A man’s voice, low and warm, calling me beautiful names, followed by a woman’s melodic tone, soft but so loving, calling me something sweet, something precious. Their words were a lullaby, one I never wanted to wake from.Then there was the boy, the same boy from every dream. A little, golden-haired boy, swinging me in the air. His laughter would echo, sweet and innocent, as the swing creaked with each push. The breeze would tangle my hair, and I’d feel weightless, carefree. For a moment, everything was calm, perfect even. But then something shifted. For the first time, I wasn’t just watching. I was part of the dream. I was the one dancing. My body moved i