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
AUDREYI blinked. The words had left Michell’s lips so effortlessly, like he hadn’t just shattered an entire perception I’d unknowingly built. Amelia is not my daughter.Silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating. I should say something. Anything. But my mind was stuck in place, still catching up with the weight of that confession. Michell didn’t look at me. He simply sat there, fingers tapping against the table, his expression unreadable. Maybe he regretted saying it. Maybe he didn’t. I cleared my throat, forcing my voice into something steady. “You must really love her then.” That made him pause. His fingers stilled. His gaze finally lifted to mine, and for a brief second, something flickered in his eyes—something guarded, but deep. “I do.” No hesitation. No second-guessing. Just quiet certainty. I exhaled, my shoulders loosening. “That’s what matters.” Michell studied me, like he was expecting something else—a different reaction, maybe. But what else wa
MICHELL POVI leaned back in my chair, rubbing a hand over my face. The meeting had dragged longer than necessary, and I was already exhausted. But I still had work to do. Shaking off the fatigue, I opened my laptop and video-called Ethan. He answered after two rings. “Gracia,” he greeted lazily. The screen showed him stretched out on what looked like a hotel bed, his blond hair messier than usual. I smirked. “Europe looks good on you.” He grinned. “Of course, it does. How’s my goddaughter?” “She’s good. Probably giving her teachers a headache.” Ethan laughed. “That’s my girl. And Audrey?” “She’s fine.” “Just fine?” he teased. I rolled my eyes. “I hired a dance instructor for her.” Ethan’s smirk widened. “Lover boy.” “Shut up.” “What’s next? Buying her a ballet studio?” I sighed. “She has an upcoming competition. I wanted to surprise her.” Ethan chuckled but then fell silent. The teasing light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by something softer, sadder. He s
MICHELL POVEvery night, it was the same. A quiet knock. A careful glance over my shoulder before slipping inside. And then, the door locking behind me. Audrey was already in bed, curled up beneath the covers, but she always waited for me. Some nights, she’d pretend to be asleep, and I’d lie beside her, letting my fingers trace mindless patterns along her arm until she melted into me. Other nights, she’d be wide awake, her hair spread across the pillow, her eyes holding that quiet amusement like she knew I had no business being there but was too stubborn to stop myself. I wasn’t. Not when this had become something I needed. She shifted as I slid under the covers, her body instinctively molding against mine. “You’re late,” she murmured, her voice heavy with sleep. “Had a call.” Her fingers traced the fabric of my shirt, a slow, absentminded movement. “Work?” “Ethan.” She hummed in acknowledgment, waiting for me to say more. But I didn’t. Not tonight. Tonight, I ju
MICHELL POVThe tension in the room thickened as my father swirled the amber liquid in his glass, his sharp gaze shifting between me and Victor. “I didn’t come here for pleasantries,” he said smoothly again, his voice carrying the weight of a man who was used to being obeyed. Victor leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs casually, though I could see the amusement in his eyes. He was waiting. Waiting for whatever storm our father was about to unleash. “I hear Montiel and De Luca have been causing trouble,” my father continued, placing his glass down with a controlled motion. “Affecting the companies. Our numbers are slipping. I should be asking you, Michell, what the hell is going on?” I clenched my jaw, forcing my posture to remain relaxed. “I’m handling it.” His brows lifted slightly. “Handling it?” “Yes.” My voice was even, but beneath the surface, my frustration simmered. “I already have people looking into it. Montiel and De Luca won’t be a problem for much longer
AUDREY POVThe sun had barely risen, but I was already moving. My feet skimmed the floor, my body slicing through the air in perfect rhythm. Every stretch, every turn, every leap burned away the restless thoughts circling my mind. I needed this. The competition was approaching fast, and despite securing my spot, an anxious knot sat heavy in my chest. This wasn’t just about winning. It was about proving something—to myself. That I could still be her. The girl who once danced without fear, without hesitation. The girl who had a future before it was ripped away. I pushed harder, sweat beading at my temples, muscles straining with the force of my movements. I refused to let exhaustion slow me. My breathing grew ragged, but I didn’t stop—until a shadow appeared at the edge of my vision. Victor. I exhaled sharply, slowing to a stop as he approached, his usual smooth confidence in every step. In his hand was a cold bottle of water. “You should drink.”I hesitated for a second
MICHELL POVThe next morning, I sat at the edge of my bed, elbows resting on my knees, staring blankly at the floor. I had barely slept. Audrey’s question from last night still echoed in my head. Would you ever introduce me to your father as your girlfriend?I hadn’t given her a straight answer. I couldn’t. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to—I did. But it wasn’t that simple. My father… he would see it as an insult. Not just because Audrey was Amelia’s nanny, but because she was a divorcee. To him, that meant she had already been claimed by another man, already been used. He wouldn’t care about the circumstances, wouldn’t care about the kind of woman she was. In his eyes, she wouldn’t be worthy of anything more than a temporary distraction. He had drilled that mindset into us since we were young. Take any woman you want, enjoy them, but never give them your heart. Love makes you weak. Attachment makes you vulnerable.I used to think my father was invincible—until my brother p
MICHELL POVI didn’t bother knocking. The moment I reached Victor’s room, I slammed the door open so hard it banged against the wall. He barely had time to react before I grabbed him by the collar and yanked him to his feet. “What the—?” His words were cut off as I dragged him out, my grip like iron, my blood boiling. We moved through the dimly lit hallways, down the staircase, past the silent rooms where everyone slept peacefully—everyone except me. Victor barely struggled, though I could feel the tension in his body. He knew exactly why I was doing this. We reached the garden. The cold night air bit at my skin, but I barely felt it. Without hesitation, I turned and slammed my fist straight into his face. A sickening crack echoed in the garden. Victor staggered back, spitting blood onto the grass. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and let out a breathless, humorless laugh. “Fuck, Michell.” He tilted his head, smirking despite the split lip. “Is that the best y
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