Dolores merely smiled, seemingly unbothered by the flames burning within Clara's eyes. "You heard me, princess. This time, you are stuck. No plotting, no fleeing. You are no different than the others.Words that stabbed like daggers and made Clara lose her control. Snarling, she attacked Dolores, her fingers scrabbling to grip the prison uniform collar. Chaos erupted in the cell as the two women wrangled, pushing and clawing at each other with ferocity that made echoes all around the block."You know nothing about me!" Clara shouted, her voice racketing off the concrete. "I am not like you am-I better than all of you!"Dolores laughed cruelly, though she was still wrestling to pull Clara away. "Better? You look where you are, you bloody genius! Just another inmate, just another number!"The crunch of fists striking flesh and the shrill scrape of feet across the floor brought guards running. Alarms blared, red lights flashing as the fight escalated. Dolores shoved Clara against a wall
Sabrina giggled and began tapping her pencil against the paper. "I'm a professional—at least in my mind," she said, teasing him. "Anyway, I want this dress to speak of everything that is us: our journey, our love, and my touch. It's not every day that I get to marry the man of my life."Benedict smirked and leaned in closer, his voice dropping into a soft murmur. "I'm honored to be your muse, Mrs. Thompson-to-be.".She blushed, her smile expanding. "You are more than a muse, Benedict. You are everything."Wendy entered the room, her sharp eyes immediately taking in the scene. "What is this? Wedding central?" she quipped, setting down a tray of tea and pastries.Sabrina grinned. She held up the sketch. "I'm designing my wedding dress, Grandma. What do you think?Wendy straightened her glasses and looked at the drawing. It was a stunning design of a beautiful lace-worked silhouette and train. The modest neckline is beautified with beaded ornaments. Timeless and modern, this one was perf
Meanwhile, Wendy Taylor-who had now begun to play the big matriarch, complete with pomp and bravado-thought that her granddaughter, Sabrina Auburn, needed more than just an ordinary engagement party but something to be told in the annals of time-a party elegant in every way, fabulous, and complete with all manner of bigwig invitees. For Wendy nothing less than perfection for Sabrina; she had won her right in happiness with Benedict to get everything.She sat in her grand drawing room, surrounded by event planners, florists, and caterers, all of whom wanted her nod of approval. Wendy, wearing her signature emerald-green silk blouse and diamond earrings, waved her hand decisively."The venue has to scream luxury," Wendy said. "Crystal chandeliers, gilded accents, and floral arrangements flown in from Paris. I want it to feel like a fairytale.".The head planner nodded, making extensive notes on a sheet of paper. "Okay, Mrs. Taylor, let's hold the Grand Imperial Ballroom?Wendy tapped he
He looked to Sabrina, gentleness in his eyes. "Sabrina, you have been my rock, inspiration, and everything for me. The very idea of family, strength, and happiness I've ever experienced—I learned it all with you. Tonight, I would like to promise you something—not just as your fiancé but as your partner in life. I promise you that I stand by your side in each challenge, cherish you each day, and love you for everything that you are.".Tears glistened in Sabrina's eyes as applause thundered out of the mouths of the guests. She walked forward, her voice firm, though she felt she was trembling on the inside. "Benedict, you once again made me believe in love once more, trust again, and believe again in the dream of tomorrow and in days of true happiness. I'll be always there for you at every step of the twist or turn that life gives us. You are my heart, home, and forever.".The orchestra swelled, and Benedict pulled her into a gentle dance. The room seemed to hold its breath as the couple
Sabrina burst out laughing, ducking down beside him. "Yes, sweetheart. It means we are going to be together forever."Saben's eyes just lit up, "So like, forever ever?"Benedict rose, joining them both, squatting beside Sabrina. "Forever ever, Buddy," he said playing with Saben's hair and smiling. "You, me and Mommy---always."They hugged very deep, and all Wendy could do was marvel at how deeply this bonding reflected the strength of her family. She watched from over a step, her heart swelling in pride and in joy.Wendy stood there, silent and still. That scene before her was the picture of happiness and oneness.Sabrina and Benedict stood holding Saben between them. She knew in this moment that she would always carry it in her heart. Sabrina's heart felt full, fuller than it had been in years."This is worthy," she whispered to herself, "is what life is all about."Leslie stepped forward and lightly touched her hand onto Wendy's arm. "You've done so much for them, Wendy. See what yo
The night eventually fell over the Thompson estate; the stars shone bright across a clear sky to cast a glowing light over a peaceful world beneath. In the private room stood Sabrina and Benedict, resting by the large window, looking outside at the nice garden with gentle, golden lights illuminated.Benedict put his arms around her from behind. She leaned forward into his grasp, placing her hands over it.“I still can’t believe how perfect tonight was,” Sabrina whispered, her voice filled with awe. “Everything felt like a dream.”Benedict rested his chin gently on her shoulder, his voice warm and steady. “It’s not a dream, Sabrina. It’s our reality. A life we’ve built together, full of love, family, and hope.”She turned in his arms, looking up into his eyes. “You make it sound so simple.”He smiled, reaching forward to brush the strand of hair from her face. "Because with you, it is. Every challenge, every obstacle-it's all worth it as long as I have you by my side."Sabrina's eyes g
It takes her a minute because she's still tense from her first orgasm and I'm even harder now that the edge is off. When she starts up though, fuck, I could come at that very moment—that is, this time I'd make Mount Vesuvius look like a fart in the wind.She's clutching the edge of the couch, thrashing about like I was her prize stallion and I have her breasts right in my face, so begging to be sucked, licked and grasped. Every time I lick her nipple, she enjoys a mini-orgasm, and the ache in my groin gets worse. I'm so hard, it hurts, and I want to come properly…. so bad. The tension inside my lower back begs me to throw her over onto all fours and ride the shit out of her, but…… she has to know I would give anything just to get her back. So, her pleasure comes first.So when it's all getting too much again, I get rid of my shirt and she's arrested a moment, taking in the new tattoos and the bigger shoulders and arms. I'm more mature. I've lived. She takes time to examine my body, an
The next morning, sunlight shining through the windows of their home woke Benedict and Sabrina to a busy day ahead. The freshly brewed coffee in the air accompanied Saben who was already sitting at the table, munching on pancakes while chattering about his plans for the day with his grandparents.Benedict adjusted his tie, a bit of excitement showing through his usual composure. "Ready, love?" he asked, looking at Sabrina, who was studying the checklist in her hand very carefully.Sabrina smiled and set the list on the counter. "Ready as I'll ever be. Let's get this done and make everything official."They kissed Saben goodbye, promising to be back by lunchtime, and headed out into a morning that seemed to carry with it an air of purpose.Benedict chuckled and grasped the car keys, holding out his arm to her. "Then let's not keep destiny waiting, Mrs. Thompson-to-be."Sabrina smiled softly, tucking her hand into his, and they went toward the door. "I like the sound of that.They walke
The stillness of the hospital corridor had seemed so alien from the tempest of thoughts racing through Eliana's head. She sat with her elbows on her knees and fists clenched firmly together along the edge of a waiting-room chair.All this happened too suddenly yesterday.Damian Wolfe rested in his bed at the hospital, injured but recovering. Nathaniel Harper had defied his father and stood by her. And William Harper—cruel, killing, harsh—still existed, patiently waiting.She gasped sharply, trying to calm down.And then, in the midst of familiar quiet that was habitual, a voice interrupted."So… who's it going to be?"Eliana turned her head to look up at Sabrina Auburn looming over her, arms crossed, the wicked glint in her icy eyes.Eliana frowned. "What am I saying?"Sabrina chuckled, tilting her head to one side. "Come on, Eliana. I'm not dim. Two handsome, seriously sexy males hovering around you like wolves, ready to tear each other apart into shreds? It's practically a bloody mov
William spat out a bitter laugh. "Luck had nothing to do with it."The doctor hesitated. "You need rest. Pushing yourself—"William's glare cut him off. "I don't have time for rest."The physician huffed but nodded and left the room.William beside him, he placed a call on his phone.A mechanical voice answered. "Yes?"Harper in steel tones. "I want them all killed."There was a man in a suit beside him, tension in his shoulders. His voice even, controlled. "Understood. But. Your son, sir, is Nathaniel."William's fists were fists. Searing pain lightninged across his side, but he didn't care. He'd been shot once. He'd bled before. That wasn't paining him.Betrayal was.His own blood betrayed him.His own son.William's lips twisted into a sneer-grimace. "Not anymore."The man staggered. "Sir—"William's tone was icy. "I do not care how much it costs. I want them dead. All of them."There was silence. Then finally, a gentle, "Understood."The door closed with a crash.William took a sh
Nathaniel Harper stood in the dark of the hospital room, his fists clenched.The doctor had closed them into this small space, forcing them to confront each other in the intimate light of the bedside lamp.Years of their past hanging between them like a gauntlet.Damian spoke the first word softly."Trust you?" His voice was harsh, from pain and anger. "After all your family's done?"Nathaniel didn't blink. "I did not choose my name."Damian snorted with a bitter laugh. "No, but you damn well profited for years on it."Nathaniel's breath came harshly. "And now I'm suffering for defying it."Damian's glacial stare cut through him, searching for deceit.He was seeking to uncover a coward.A traitor.But what he did uncover instead?A man who'd lost everything.Nathaniel's voice lowered, a rough tone edging in. "William won't quit. You know that."Damian's jaw was locked. "Yeah. I know."Nathaniel paused, then moved closer. "Then let me help."Damian laughed. "Help? The last time I trust
There was an awe stricken silence that swept over the room.Sabrina's breathing, too, had ceased. "What?"Eliana's mouth was dry. "He planted the bomb at the convention. And when that didn't work, he tried to kill me. If not for Nathaniel and Damian." she broke off her voice,".I would not be alive."Benedict's expression turned cold. "That abomination."Saben wasn't swallowing it, however. He was cold with anger. "And we're doing this on his word? He's a Harper. His father attempted to kill you. And now we're going to accept his word that he defected from his father?"Nathaniel's voice cut across him, hard but controlled. "I'm not my father."Saben snarled, advancing as if to hit him. "You carry his name, don't you?"Before this was allowed to go further, a third individual appeared in the room.Tap of cane on marble floors.Wendy Taylor.Leslie Auburn, Sabrina's mother, behind her. The two women who managed the families entered the room, their white faces contorted with horror and a
His own son—his own blood and flesh—had betrayed him.The treachery blazed hotter than the fires receding in the horizon."Shut up, Nathaniel," William snarled, striking his fist into the metal belly of the airplane.Seated across from him was one of his most dependable men, Marcus Steele, wiping blood from his mangled lip. "Sir, we should rethink. The Thompson family is not going away. They have money, they have connections—William's glare was toxic. "I don't care what they've got." Dead, deadly tone. "Eliana Thompson stole everything from us. And now my own son has the decency to be standing with her?"He spun on his pilot. "Faster. We have to get out of the city before the authorities surround it."Marcus hesitated before continuing. "Sir… Nathaniel can still be of some use. Maybe we could—"William pulled Marcus by the collar, dragging him towards him, inches from Marcus's face, his breath smelling of rage. "Nathaniel is dead to me. Hear me? DEAD."Marcus gulped hard, wide-eyed,
The centuries' weight—of blood and greed and war—hung heavily in the air.William chuckled, spinning the glass of whiskey in his hands. "You think you're superior to me? Different?"He approached closer, his voice as icy as cold water. "You bear my blood. You can fight it all you can, but you'll never be anything else but my son."Nathaniel's jaw snapped shut. "Then I'll spend the remainder of eternity denying you."William's eyes blazed with something—disappointment? No, anger.He slapped the whiskey glass on the table, and it broke. The sound echoed through the big room. "Then you leave me no choice."Nathaniel stood up. "What do you mean?His father's face hardened, his own face hard and unyielding. "You want to be allied with the Thompsons? You can. But listen to this, Nathaniel… from this moment on, you are not my son."The words cut deeper than a knife.Nathaniel's breath was trapped, but he strained himself up. "Then that makes two of us."For the first time in his life, he did
The drive back to the Thompson estate was tense. Eliana was in the backseat, her thoughts racing with Nathaniel's threat."There's another attack coming. Tonight."Damian was beside her, his face a mask as he checked his gun twice. The atmosphere was tense, heavy.Eliana addressed him. "Do you think he meant it?"Damian didn't look up. "Does it matter?"She frowned. "Of course, it matters."."No, Eliana." He finally met her gaze, his tone tough but soft. "The thing is, we have to assume he's lying. Because if he is, and we don't act, people die."She didn't appreciate that he was right.Eliana breathed in, smoothing out her hair. "If his father is involved, he won't stop until he gets what he is after."Damian leaned into the seat. "Then we don't let him have his way."His determination made her heart pound.For once, she wasn't alone in having to cope with this.Benedict Thompson stood in the security room, watching the live feed of the grounds of the estate. His jaw was clenched as
Nathaniel Harper did not look back when he left his father. Each step he made felt heavier, as though the burden of his family's transgressions was finally coming to catch up with him.He had spent his entire life attempting to validate himself before William Harper. Attempting to meet the standards of a man who regarded emotions as frailty, ethics as folly, and strength as the only concept worthy of consideration.Benedict Thompson stood before the fireplace, his fists gripping behind his back. The instant he discovered about the altercation at the commercial convention, he instructed for heightened security on the estate.He wouldn't let them have another attack.Sabrina sat facing him, her face set. "Are you certain about this, Benedict? Provoking them could create a greater problem."Benedict took a hard breath. "And doing nothing will leave us target practice. I won't sit idly by for that to happen."Wendy Taylor, Eliana's great-grandmother, struck her cane on the floor. "He's co
Damian took position beside her, his presence unbending. His hand was resting uncomfortably close to his gun, and Eliana knew that if she even moved her finger, he'd kill this man dead.But she was not going to let William have the pleasure of watching her lose control.She smirked. “That’s funny, Mr. Harper. Because from where I’m standing, you’ve already lost.”A muscle clenched in William's jaw. "You really believe that, don't you Eliana?""I don't believe. I know Mr.Harper." Eliana crossed her arms, her tone icy. "Your son is losing hold of his own conscience. Your empire is disintegrating. And soon enough, everyone will see you for what you actually are—a desperate old man holding on to whatever power he can still command."The room hung in silence. Everyone stared.Nathaniel sighed beside his father. He wasn't with William, definitely. He wasn't going to get himself caught up in things, though.William smiled, low and threatening. "Always had a quick mind, Miss Thompson. Too bad