Nina led me down the quiet corridor towards Laia’s room, while my parents were processing the papers needed to be processed. As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the small, white bundle she held in her arms. The sight of it made my heart sink—it could only be one thing. My hands shook with anticipation as Nina gently handed me the bundle, the soft white blanket warm against my skin. I knew what was inside, but I couldn't bring myself to open it just yet.Tears welled up in my eyes as I clutched the bundle to my chest, my whole body was trembling. The weight of it seemed so small, so insignificant compared to the immense grief I felt. I couldn't believe that our baby was gone forever, that we would never get to hold him or watch him grow. The sense of loss was almost unbearable.Nina gave me a sad smile before gesturing for the nurse to leave the room. “We'll leave you alone for a moment,” Nina said softly.I sank into a nearby chair,
Laia and I sat alone in the empty nursery, surrounded by the remnants of what was supposed to be our child's life. The walls were painted a soft blue, the crib neatly made with a plush teddy bear sitting atop it. But the room remained silent, empty, and devoid of the cries and laughter that should have filled it. It hadn’t been that long since Laia and my parents started to set up this room. My heart ached with the pain of loss, as I thought back to the moment when we had to say goodbye to our beloved son.After the death of our baby, the hospital room felt suffocatingly silent without the sound of our child's cries. Laia lay in bed, recovering from the trauma of her untimely childbirth, the loss of our son and the injuries she acquired from the car accident, while I sat beside her, feeling helpless and lost.Our families and friends had come to offer their condolences and support, but their presence did little to ease the heaviness in my heart. The emptiness of
My parents had to go because Laia requested some alone time after Lucas’ death. I didn't push to have anyone else around us because I respected her wishes. Yet hearing her sob in silence crushes my heart to bits. I gave my all to make her feel better, but it never seemed to be enough. Both of us were suffering from the loss of our child, and I was unsure of how to make her eyes sparkle once again. I regretted not being present for her more. I tried to ignore the anguish and sorrow I felt within by spending most of my days at the office. When Laia finally broke the silence once more, her remarks threw me off guard. When she retreated from my embrace, she muttered, "Az... let's dissolve our marriage." Dread and despair mixed as I quavered, dropping to my knees while trying to reach for her hand. "I apologize for not spending more time with you at times like this; please do not abandon me," I begged. It felt like a massive rock was crushing me, and I had no idea how to convince her to
The next morning, I woke up early, still weighed down by grief and exhaustion from the previous days. Because I needed to be with my wife during this difficult time, I decided to work from home.I carefully stood up and went to the kitchen to brew a cup of coffee and went back to the room. I placed my coffee on the nightstand as I set up the table beside the bed, then set up my laptop and the papers that I needed to review on it.Laia remained sound asleep on the bed, her breathing steady and slow. For a brief moment, I sat on the edge of the bed, sipping my coffee and feeling a wave of peace as I watched her chest rise and fall. My wife's presence kept me from being productive and focused on the task at hand. I want to roll over again and cuddle with her.I shook my head, trying to concentrate on the task at hand as I went through my emails, responding to urgent messages and making a list of tasks that needed to be completed. But my thoughts kept going back to Lucas and the investiga
I felt as though I was falling in love with Laia all over again, but this time it was deeper and more intense than anything I had ever felt before. a depth that I knew I couldn't get away from—and I don't want to get away from either. It was a love that would confine me and support me through the darkest times of my life. Our breaths were heavy as our lips parted. I looked at every inch of her face, still in disbelief. My hand was still cradling her face as my thumb unconsciously traced her lips. My heart was still pounding as I craved her more. It felt like we were the only people in the world at the time. Nothing else mattered except our feelings for one another. I realized then that I would go to any lengths for her. I would fight for her, protect her, and cherish her with all my might. "Are you just going to stare at me all day?" she asked, breaking the silence as she looked at me in the eyes. "Let's get this through together," I said as I shook my head and drew her closer, wra
It was not so easy to clear up the issue if it wasn't for my friends' and my wife's help; I did prepare all the proof that Tiffany and I never had an affair, at least during Laia and my marriage, and that the child was not mine, but to my surprise, my friends' and my wife's help helped me clear up my name. "My wife and I were overly saddened because of the allegations that had been circulating over the past few days, especially during this period when we were still mourning the loss of our own child, Luas," I sighed, trembling despite trying my best to calm myself in front of everyone. Laia stroked my back as she added, "We will not tolerate such actions; therefore, we are announcing that we will press charges against those who release news spreading lies over the media." "Ma'am, do you have any proof that the news regarding your husband is just a hoax?" a male reporter asked eagerly. "We do, and we will show it at court," Laia replied. "Would
Laia's POVIt hasn't been all that long since Az and I began running a new firm with the aid of his pals, but I was relieved to find that his business acumen is far above what I had anticipated.I turned to my secretary as we were both watching the livestream of the debut of our project and asked, "Can you recommend a decent gift for a man?"She grinned and asked, "Is it for Mr. Elrod?"Seeing her smile made me realize that our employees had never seen me act affectionately toward my husband, despite how sweet he is to me. I just don't feel comfortable showing off our relationship to others.I nodded and said, "What do you typically get your boyfriend?" As I felt my cheeks sting with embarrassment, I turned away."I'm not sure what the boss loves, but I normally get my boyfriend a pricey collection of anime figures as a gift because he enjoys watching anime," she retorted.I paused to consider my husband'
It's been a day since my wife disappeared, and we received reports that the kidnappers took her while she was shopping alone. I had no idea why she went out alone, and I felt so frustrated and helpless that I lost my appetite as we kept on searching for her whereabouts. According to the witnesses, the kidnappers took my wife in a white van that left immediately after capturing her. "Az, you need to take a break; you haven't eaten even just a bit," Carlo suggested with a tone of worry. "I can't stop until I can find my wife," I replied as I looked through the reports that the investigators sent to me. "It would be better to take a break for a bit; this is not good for your health," Eric added as he took some papers from my desk. "Don't worry too much; I already begged my father to help us find your wife—I'm sure we'll hear some good news soon," John reassured as he walked back and forth while looking through his phone, exhausting all his resources to help out. "How can I rest while
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