A fresh and sweet scent tickled my nose as I woke up. I can still feel one of my hands placed on my wife's belly as she lay her head on my arm. I pulled her closer, snuggling her bare skin under the thick blanket as I indulged myself in the scent of her hair.
The steady rise and fall of her chest and her calm heartbeat, sends calmness amidst the chaos in my mind.
"Can we be like this always?" I whispered in a low voice.
Laia suddenly groaned as she turned to face me, pressing her head against my bare chest. "I'm not sure what you're talking about. But... You're well aware that Nina already said we should only do this in moderation," she murmured as she tucked her leg between mine while resting her arm on my side as if she's hugging a pillow.
I chuckled though I felt quite aroused by her movement and her words. "I know. I'm talking about mornings like this, where we just snuggle up in bed, cuddling one another as we share warmth during this cold season."
Our friends had already made their way out of our home, Laia and I stood by the door, feeling a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction with how the party had turned out. My parents approached us, their faces filled with happiness. My mother handed us a hefty envelope, saying "We're so overjoyed for you both. Use this for your baby." My father gave me a pat on the back and added, "We can't wait to be grandparents."Suddenly, Sienna called out to my parents, "Mom! Dad! The cab is here. Let's go." She rushed back after hailing a cab, then hugged Laia and said, "Take care of yourself, Sis. I won't be able to come back for a few months, but I'll make sure to visit before the baby arrives." Turning to me, she added, "Keep me updated, Az."I jokingly responded, "Wow, are you officially my wife's sister now? You couldn't even call me brother. Tsk!" Sienna giggled and then made her way to the cab with my parents.Meanwhile, as Laia's father approached us, I could see the resolve in his eyes. He sto
A tense silence filled the room as everyone turned their attention to me. I felt my confusion deepen as I tried to understand what was happening.Laia's frustrated look softened as her gaze landed on me. "Az, don't mind the result in your hands, there's a clear case of medical malpractice here," she stated with a firm tone.I was taken aback by the revelation, struggling to wrap my mind around what was happening."What do you mean? I don't understand what's going on," I asked, my voice filled with confusion and uncertainty as I stepped in between Laia and Jim, wrapping my arm protectively around her waist.Jim's gaze shifted to me, his eyes flashing with anger and disapproval at my sudden interference."Do you not know who I am?" he asked Dr. Ford in a firm and authoritative tone, his voice ringing with authority.But despite Jim's imposing demeanor, Dr. Ford seemed unfazed, looking at Jim from head to toe with a look of disdain."I d
Laia’s POVThe next day, Aziel and I made the journey to his parents' home, eager to clear up any confusion and finally shed light on the current situation. Nervous anticipation filled us as we approached the door and rang the bell. As usual, his mother greeted us with open arms and a warm smile—a warmth I never received in my family ever since my mother died."Hello you two! It's so good to see you," she said, pulling us into a loving embrace."Hi Mom, Hi Dad," Aziel greeted his father, who was standing behind his mother, with a nod.As we took our seats in their living room, his parents' gaze was fixed on us, full of curiosity and expectation. Az took a deep breath and began to unravel the complex web of events that had led us to this moment."Mom, Dad, Tiffany and I had no contact after she disappeared two years ago. I swear I had no knowledge of her pregnancy and was taken aback when she reached out to me," he explained, doing his best to control his trembling hands.I held his sh
I was at my wit's end after Tiffany's call, and now another interruption. I had no choice but to excuse myself from Laia's side as she took the call. I sought solace in the bathroom, opting to take a quick shower in an attempt to calm my body and soothe my frazzled nerves.The sound of the running water and the feel of the cool droplets against my skin were exactly what I needed to calm my body and my mind. I let out a deep sigh as I allowed the stress of the situation to wash away and worked to clear my head.As I emerged from the shower, I noticed that Laia's demeanor had shifted dramatically. Her eyes were filled with sadness and tears were streaming down her cheeks. Despite her attempts to keep her voice low, I could tell that she was deeply distressed about something. I couldn't help but wonder what could be causing her so much pain."What's wrong, my wife? Why are you shedding tears?" I asked, sitting beside her, and tenderly wiping away the tears from her cheeks with my thumb.
As I stood by the door of the Intensive Care Unit, observing my wife and her father through the glass window, my mind continued to race with thoughts and suspicions. Despite talking to Mr. Adler, I still felt like something was amiss. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the accident than what I was being told.As I tried to piece together Mr. Adler's account of the events leading up to the crash, I couldn't help but feel like I was missing something crucial. The more I thought about it, the more certain I became that there was something deeper at play.I was eager to examine the site of the accident in more detail, but who could I turn to for assistance? I searched through my contacts on my phone, looking for anyone who could help me with this situation. The only person who came to mind was John, who I wasn't particularly close to.As I scrolled through my phonebook, I let out a sigh. It seemed like all the people in my inner circle had some sort
As I lay in bed, the events of the day continued to weigh heavily on my mind. Despite my attempts to find peace in the stillness of the night, my thoughts raced and refused to quiet. Every time I closed my eyes, I was brought back to the conversation I had with Mr. Adler, trying to make sense of everything that had been said.The night seemed to stretch on endlessly as I struggled to find any respite from my tumultuous thoughts. I turned and shifted, trying to find a comfortable position, but it was to no avail. The more I tried to find clarity, the more confused I became, until finally, I threw in the towel and resigned myself to a sleepless night. With a heavy heart, I gazed up at the ceiling, waiting for the light of dawn to chase away the darkness and bring a fresh start to the day.As Laia groggily stirred beside me, I quickly wrapped my arms around her in a tight embrace, trying to conceal my inner turmoil. "Hmm?" she groaned, rubbing her eyes gently as she started to wake up.“
As we walked towards the ICU, the atmosphere was chaotic. The hospital staff, including nurses and doctors, were moving about in a frenzy, and the waiting area was filled with my father-in-law's men. Despite their presence, I noticed that Mr. Adler was not among them, which piqued my curiosity.I approached the group of men and instructed them to disperse and wait until I had a further update on my father-in-law's condition. I realized that it was imperative to realign their tasks and responsibilities, as they couldn't continue loitering around the ICU indefinitely.The situation was already stressful enough, and it was important to maintain order and ensure that everyone was focused on providing the best possible care for my father-in-law.As we waited outside the ICU, the tension was palpable. Laia was still in a state of shock and disbelief, her body shaking as she clung onto my arm. I could feel her heart racing as she tried to hold back her sobs. Her hands
As I sat nervously in the conference room, I summoned all the chief officers for an emergency meeting to promptly tackle the dire situation. The weight of the responsibility on my shoulders felt heavy, but I knew I had to remain composed and come up with a plan. I quickly assigned tasks to each department, hoping to minimize the damage caused by the breach.Just then, one of the IT specialists entered the room, his face a mask of worry."What's the update?" I asked, trying to hide my growing anxiety."We've traced the source of the breach to an employee's laptop," he reported, his voice somber."We need to act fast," I said, my tone becoming firm and determined. "We must isolate and contain the breach to prevent any further harm. We can't afford to let this escalate."As the IT specialists swiftly moved to contain the breach, I took charge and organized a team to evaluate the extent of the damage. After a grueling few hours, it became apparent that
After Carlo and Sienna's exquisite wedding, Laia and I discovered ourselves in a serene corner of the resort's garden. The waning sun cast a gentle, warm glow over the surroundings as we distanced ourselves from the jubilant celebrations. The air carried the delightful scent of flowers, and in the distance, we could hear the soothing waves caressing the coast.We trekked together, our fingers entwined, and contentment surged through us. The brisk ocean breeze and the subtle saline sea aroma, nearly eclipsed by the flower's fragrance, stirred up cherished memories. With a grin, I inquired, "Recall our first New Year together?" as we settled on a nearby bench."That day was full of joy, shared with our friends and families," she chuckled. "I believe it's also the very same day when their relationship took off.""Who? Carlo and Sienna? How did you find out?" I asked, perplexed since I hadn't told her yet how I discovered Sienna's pregnancy two years ago, during her
Shortly after waking up, Daniel Adler quickly started sharing the truth with a detailed account of events. He came forward with additional evidence, determined to bring justice to the circumstances surrounding Mr. Dominique's death, my son's tragic fate, and the traumatic suffering my wife endured throughout the kidnapping ordeal.He revealed that after my father-in-law's hospitalization, he investigated Mr. Stone's company as part of his mission. Unfortunately, his independent efforts led to his discovery and capture by the Black Panthers. In a twist of fate, the day he first saw Laia in the same room where he was held captive was the beginning of his ruse. He feigned allegiance to their cause, providing them with intricate details about Mr. Dominique's assets and the contractual agreements we had in place.Mr. Stone, recognizing Daniel's potential, offered him a lifeline, allowing him to work within their organization. The day he and Laia disappeared was part of a scripted act, with
The twilight deepened as I paced back and forth in a silent and dimly lit corridor in front of the operating room. Daniel Adler's operation took hours due to the tricky position of the bullet inside his body, while Mr. Stone was already in the recovery room, surrounded by law enforcers who took turns keeping an eye on him."I have to go home now and check on my wife and Anika," Carlo said as he walked near me. "You should relax yourself a bit.""Carlo is right," Eric interjected, his voice a comforting anchor amid my turmoil. He urged me gently with a supportive tap on my back. "You should take a well-deserved break and entrust the rest to me. Go and be with your wife," he suggested understandingly.I muttered, glimpsing at the operating door, "But—""I'll stay here and keep you updated. Here's your phone, so go ahead and check your wife now," Eric insisted.Carlo then pulled my arm and said, "Let's go! The exit is also that way."Despite my excitement, I felt conflicted about seeing
We carefully scheduled our corporate celebration to occur precisely one week after the highly successful launch of Harmony Assist. The timing was deliberate, as we wanted to ensure that the project gained ample attention and coverage from the media all across the globe. The response to Harmony Assist had exceeded our expectations, and it had become the focal point of many news outlets and tech publications.The project had captured attention, not just for its innovative features but also for the rapid pace at which we had developed it. Our exceptional team of engineers and designers had worked tirelessly, sometimes through the night, to make Harmony Assist a reality. The result was a revolutionary product, transforming not just technology but also the quality of life.The media frenzy around Harmony Assist was so intense that it momentarily eclipsed other news stories, including the ongoing litigation against Mr. Stone, the former CEO of Stonewell Construction Enterprise. This legal b
I found myself in profound silence, staring at the room's ceiling. The pristine white expanse seemed to reflect my inner turmoil, a cruel reminder of the revelation about Olivia Harrington that had shaken me to my core. I sat at my desk, feeling overwhelmed. I forced deep breaths to steady my racing heart. Each beat resonated in my ears, echoing the emotions welling up inside. At the same time, my head throbbed with anguish, and tears blurred my vision. Each fleeting moment stretched endlessly, and the surroundings dissolved into obscurity as I grappled with the surge of intense emotions. It was as if the weight of the entire universe rested on my shoulders, and all I could do was hold my breath, adrift in the chaos of my thoughts and feelings. After I regained some composure, taking a deep, shuddering breath, I reached for the company phone. I summoned Carlo and Eric to my office, maintaining a steady tone despite my inner restlessness. They promptly arrived to discuss further enha
Following the downfall of my father-in-law's prominent business and my wife's kidnapping, the Black Panthers maintained a low profile. A confidential investigation revealed Mr. Stone's abstention from further actions, emphasizing their exclusive objective of eradicating the AD corporation from the corporate landscape. To steer clear of direct rivalry with his enterprise, I channeled my newly established venture into pioneering technological advancements, ensuring their covert development beyond the scope of Mr. Stone's scrutiny.During the initial weeks of rekindling my friendship with Tiffany, Mr. Stone grew suspicious to the extent that he had me surveilled by Black Panthers personnel. Unbeknownst to him, these individuals were spies working for Red Phyton under John's direct and discreet supervision.Mr. Moretti had surreptitiously penetrated the rival faction, skillfully breaching their sanctuary without alerting their senior leadership. Shortly after I managed to assuage Mr. Ston
I froze, my heart pounding as though it might burst from my chest. My hands trembled as I grasped my champagne glass, my fingers slick with moisture. It couldn't be her, I reasoned. My mind is scrambling to rationalize the absurdity of the situation. Laia had been missing for a year despite our best attempts, and the agony of not knowing her fate had been a continuous weight on my shoulders.However, the deeper hole kept opening up inside me as she moved nearer, and the facial features became apparent clearly. It was her. The same hazel eyes that once sparkled with frivolity and comfort are scanning the space in a vain attempt to locate someone. The edges of her lips curled up in a gentle smile that carried the power to dispel all anxiety.I put my champagne glass back on the table and started walking in the crowd, looking at them with mixed feelings of hope and anxiety inside me. Time seemed to have stopped, and I felt neither the piercing eyes nor the whispers behind my back. It was
As the night wore on, Sienna and Carlo prepared a makeshift bed in their living room for me. They insisted I stay the night since it was already late, and they couldn't let me go alone in my current state of mind. However, the events of the day had taken a toll on them. Anika, who had been relatively calm during dinner, began to cry, and Sienna had to tend to her. Carlo reluctantly left my side to help her soothe the baby.The frantic cries of Anika filled the apartment, echoing through the living room where I lay. But then, as Carlo and Sienna's efforts to calm her continued, a deafening silence enveloped the room. It was in this silence that my mood turned for the worst. I was overwhelmed with misery, despair, desire, wrath, and self-blame.I tossed and turned on the improvised bed, thoughts consumed by the day's events, the hunt for Laia, and the inquiry into the accidents. The heaviness of the universe seemed to settle on my shoulders, and I couldn't escape the feeling that I was
After more than half a year of attempts to find the perpetrator who caused both my father-in-law's and my wife's car accidents, the investigators finally caught him. The bittersweet relief clashed with my agony and rage, followed by self-blame as I lowered the phone, placing it slowly on the bed. "Was that the investigators?" Carlo inquired as soon as I hung up the call. "Yeah, they finally caught him," I replied. "It took them a while," he grumbled in disappointment. I clamped my jaws as I felt increasingly frustrated, then flopped onto the bed with desperation. A deep sigh escaped from my mouth as I yearned for a moment of relief. I tried to seek comfort in my mind, but my inner turmoil prevented it. Restlessness surged through me. I couldn't resist the urge to shift and turn on the mattress. It felt like a storm of thoughts and emotions was swirling within me, making any chance for rest seem like a fantasy. "Man, I know how anxious you are right now, but we need to sleep so we