"Wow!" Aleah exclaimed in awe as she walked toward the open space near the large indoor pool, gazing at the beautiful view outside the suite. From there, she could see the lush green mountains and the azure ocean.
"Did you like it?" Hunter asked the young woman.
"Very much," Aleah replied cheerfully, turning to the man with a sweet smile. Hunter suddenly froze, captivated by what seemed to be her radiant smile. It was as though he was looking at a goddess when he saw her innocent, smiling face.
"What did you do?" Aleah asked, startled, blinking rapidly as she heard the faint sound of a camera. It was only then that she noticed Hunter standing with a camera in his hands, looking straight at her.
"What else would it be?" Hunter responded as he lowered the camera and walked over to where Aleah stood.
"You took my picture without even telling me?" Aleah asked in surprise, following him as he walked ahead. She stopped beside him, and together they looke
"Mama?!" exclaimed Aleah in surprise upon seeing her mother with Atty. Brambilla, waiting for them in the airport's arrival area. She looked at Hunter in confusion, and it was only then that she realized what country they had traveled to. She noticed Hunter nodding at her, as if to say it was okay to approach her mother.Aleah immediately ran toward her mom and hugged her tightly, as if it had been ages since their last meeting. Hunter silently followed them, pushing the trolley with their luggage."Hunter, thank you for bringing my daughter here," Elara said upon seeing Hunter approach them, then stepped back from her daughter."What do you mean by that?" Aleah asked, still confused, and looked at Hunter."Hunter called me the other day and told me you were coming to visit," Elara explained. "He said you’ve been crying every night and calling out for me. You’re very thoughtful—thank you so much," she added, turning her attention to the
Son, have you been waiting long?" Don Antonio asked as he approached Hunter, who was seated inside an elegant restaurant with dim lighting and soft instrumental music playing in the background. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread filled the air, setting a calm yet tense atmosphere. Upon seeing the elder, Hunter immediately rose from his chair to greet him, his posture formal and composed."Please, have a seat. My apologies for keeping you waiting," Don Antonio said as he lowered himself into the empty chair across from Hunter, his movements deliberate and marked with authority."You could have simply visited the mansion. Why did we need to meet in a public place like this?" the elder remarked, his voice carrying a subtle tone of curiosity and unease.Hunter leaned forward slightly, his expression grave. "I’ll get straight to the point. I didn’t ask to meet you as the husband of your granddaughter, but as an officer of the law," he decla
"Aleah," Hunter called softly as he arrived at the hospital. His voice, though steady, carried a weight of concern as he approached with Rafael and other members of the Astral Guardians trailing behind him. The corridor outside the operating room was dimly lit, the sterile scent of antiseptics lingering in the air. The faint hum of medical machines and the occasional muffled voices of nurses passing by only amplified the tension hanging in the atmosphere.Standing just outside the operating room, Aleah was anxiously waiting for news about her mother. She had been holding herself together with all her might, but the moment her eyes landed on Hunter, her resolve cracked. Silent tears began streaming down her face, betraying the overwhelming emotions she had fought so hard to contain."Ale—" Hunter began, stepping closer to her, but his words were abruptly silenced when Aleah closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms tightly around him. A sob escaped her a
Hunter entered the room where Aleah was staying at the hotel. He noticed his wife asleep on the bed, her features illuminated by the dim, warm glow of the bedside lamp. As his eyes lingered on her peaceful face, he caught sight of her puffy, reddened eyelids—evidence of the tears she'd shed. His chest tightened at the thought of her pain.“This brat,” Hunter muttered under his breath, shaking his head with a mix of affection and frustration. He quietly approached her, each step deliberate to avoid waking her. Sitting gently on the edge of the bed, he carefully adjusted the blanket to ensure she was comfortably covered. Afterward, his gaze softened as he studied her features, brushing away strands of hair that had fallen over her face.“You’ve been through so much,” he whispered, his voice barely audible, laden with regret. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about your grandfather and the truth about who he really was. I j
When Aleah and Hunter returned to the country, they were immediately welcomed by a call from the elderly patriarch, Don Sebastian. He had insisted that they stay at the expansive Bryant mansion for a week before moving to Hunter's house in the Astral Guardians' Compound. The mansion stood as a symbol of grandeur and tradition, a place that carried both history and the weight of family expectations.“Are you alright with coming back here to the mansion?” Hunter asked as he stepped out of the car and held the door open for Aleah. His gaze caught hers as she lingered, her eyes momentarily fixated on the grand structure before them. It wasn’t her first time seeing it, but its imposing size and the memories it held still had the power to unsettle her. This was the place she had called home for a while during their engagement—an arrangement born not of romance but of a pact between Sebastian and Damian.“Daniela also stayed here while waiting fo
"Sorry, I can't join you here. I had an urgent call," Hunter said to Aleah as she walked him to the grand iron gates outside the mansion. The crisp morning air carried the faint scent of blooming flowers from the garden. Hunter had suddenly received a call from an officer of the Astral Guardians, summoning him to the camp. The Alpha King had learned of his return and insisted on his presence, emphasizing the urgency of the matter."I can't do anything about it. You're heading to work, after all. Even if I tried to stop you, you wouldn't listen," Aleah replied, her voice tinged with a mix of acceptance and sadness. She wrapped her arms around herself, shielding against the morning chill."Good thing you understand. Will you be okay?" Hunter asked, his intense gaze fixed on her face, as if trying to gauge her emotions."Of course," Aleah said with a forced smile, her eyes betraying a hint of unease."Don't act so tough, clumsy girl," Hunter teased, breaking
Aleah walked into the kitchen and found Daniella, Michelle, and Aurora busily preparing breakfast. It was a surprising sight for her—back when she lived in the mansion, she was used to seeing the household staff take care of such tasks. The family members rarely, if ever, lifted a finger in the kitchen. But here, for the first time, she saw these women actively cooking, moving with practiced ease as they chopped, stirred, and arranged ingredients. What caught her attention even more was how effortlessly they worked together, their laughter and light banter filling the air. It was evident that Daniella had already won their affection.“G-good morning. Can I help with anything?” Aleah’s voice was hesitant but hopeful. She had woken up early, thinking it would be a good idea to lend a hand. Helping in the kitchen seemed like a way to make herself useful and to prove that she wasn’t just a burden on Don Sebastian’s family. It also seemed like an
Dalia! Tommy! Ramil!" exclaimed Aleah in surprise as she stepped out of the car, her expression shifting from confusion to delight upon seeing the three eagerly waiting by the door of Hunter’s house in the Astral Guardians compound. She had barely taken a step when the sound of the gate opening drew her attention—it was Rafael. Not surprising, she thought. Rafael was always around Hunter, and it wouldn’t be shocking to learn his house was also within the compound. His presence there only added to her growing curiosity."Big Sis Aleah!" shouted Dalia and Tommy, their faces lighting up as they ran toward her. The twins practically launched themselves into her arms, hugging her tightly. Overwhelmed but smiling, Aleah gently hugged them back. Her eyes shifted to Hunter, who stood nearby with his usual calm demeanor. She noticed Ramil approaching him, and in that moment, Hunter handed over their bag to the younger man."How are you?" Ramil greeted her with an
As Aleah wandered aimlessly along the street, she had no idea where she was going. Lost in thought, she didn’t realize her feet had carried her back to a place from her past—their old flower shop. When she saw it, she froze. The shop she and her mom once called their own was no longer there; in its place stood a sleek coffee shop. She stood outside the door, staring, memories flooding back. Her chest tightened as she thought, If I hadn’t met Hunter, if I hadn’t married him...would Mom and I still be here, running this place together?“Aleah?” A familiar voice broke through her thoughts, startling her. She turned and saw Director Kim, her mom’s boyfriend, walking toward her with a curious look.“What are you doing here?” he asked gently. His eyes shifted to the coffee shop. “Did you miss your old flower shop? It looks like the new owner turned it into a café,” he added with a soft smile, trying to read
"Ican't let you in," Kimberly said firmly as she stepped out of Hunter's hospital room, blocking Aleah's way."Doctor, I think you're crossing the line," Aleah shot back, her hands balling into fists."Clearly, you don't get it. And no, I'm not crossing any lines. Between the two of us, I'm the one who has the real connection to Hunter. I know him better than you. You're just his wife on paper. But me? I'm his soulmate. The real deal. I won't let someone like you mess things up for him. You've done enough damage," Kimberly replied, her tone sharp. Aleah bit her lip and clenched her fists harder, feeling Kimberly's words hit a nerve. Her mind was too clouded with worry for Hunter to fully process what was being said. But one thing was painfully clear—Kimberly had a point. Trouble seemed to follow Hunter because of her, and it stung to hear it out loud."You don’t have to come here. I can take care of him," Kimberly added with conviction. "While I&rsqu
"Let’s get out of here," Hunter said to Mikha, extending his hand. The little girl, still wrapped in the blanket, stood up and approached him. Despite the pain in his back from the falling ceiling earlier, Hunter crouched down and let Mikha climb onto his back."Hang on tight," he told her as she clung to him. He adjusted his grip on Aleah, who was still unconscious, and carried her outside. By the time they got out, firefighters had arrived and were working to control the flames."Mikha!" the officer and his wife called out as they ran over. The woman quickly took Mikha from Hunter’s back, hugging her tightly as the child cried. They pulled off the blanket wrapped around her, checking for injuries. Luckily, she didn’t have a scratch—just tears and fear after everything she had been through."Hunter, what about Aleah?" Rafael asked as he approached, his concern obvious. Several Astral Guardians joined them, Kimberly included. Hunter gently laid
IIt was the birthday of the wife of an Astral Guardian official, who lived in the compound. Everyone was invited to a small celebration, held outdoors near the cooking school in the compound. The gathering was attended by the wives of the officers and members of Hunter's Astral Guardians. Kimberly also came along to avoid being bored at home, since it was her day off from the hospital.The officer's wives quickly warmed up to Kimberly, especially impressed by her cooking skills. She even brought Russian cuisine to the celebration, which earned her extra praise from the ladies. They didn't recognize the dishes she brought, but the fancy sound of them left the women enchanted. Kimberly also won them over with her conversation skills, showing confidence despite having lived abroad for quite a while."I hope you can teach that girl how to cook," said the major's wife, glancing toward Aleah, who sat at a table sulking and nibbling on her food. Aleah overheard the comment
"No way?!” Aleah exclaimed, bolting upright from her chair as she spotted her mom and the director sitting together. They had brought her to a restaurant, saying they had something important to tell her. But what they revealed had her so shocked, she shot to her feet, drawing everyone’s attention in the room.“Sit down. People are staring,” Elara whispered, gently pulling Aleah back into her seat. The girl obeyed but couldn’t tear her gaze away from the young director.“Hey, stop looking at him like that,” Elara muttered, visibly embarrassed by her daughter’s piercing stare.“Hold on, I’m so dizzy from everything you’ve said. I can’t make sense of it.” Aleah grabbed her glass of water, took a sip, sighed, and slammed it back down on the table. Her eyes darted right back to the director.“Leah, seriously, stop looking at him like that,” Elara warned, this time grabbing her da
Alpha Hunter!” Kimberly called out excitedly as soon as she spotted the young man stepping out of Alejandro’s room. The familiar voice made Hunter glance her way, where he saw Kimberly in a crisp white coat. It clicked—of course, she worked here at the hospital.This hospital wasn’t just any facility, either. It housed government-funded research labs where Kimberly was continuing her work on a drug to restore lost memories. Hunter remembered the briefing he’d received—it explained that Kimberly had been a researcher in Russia, leading a team that was developing medication to reverse memory loss. Their focus had been on treating Alzheimer’s patients. But everything changed when their facility was attacked. She was the only survivor, and she’d fled to her godfather for safety.“Kim—Dr. Stuart,” Hunter said, nodding in acknowledgment.“You don’t have to be so stiff. Don’t forget, I told y
"I'm really sorry about what happened," Dennis said to Alfredo, his voice steady but sincere. He stood by the hospital bed, his hands awkwardly clasped in front of him. "I came here to clear things up—to explain that what you saw in those pictures isn’t true. Yeah, I have feelings for Aleah. I won’t lie about that. But she doesn’t feel the same way about me. And I know she’s married. I’m not the type to mess up someone else’s life. Aleah’s a good person, and I would never wreck her life or her marriage with Hunter.""Why are you telling us this?" Melissa asked, her tone sharp and suspicious."Because I don’t want you to think badly of Aleah," Dennis replied, looking her in the eye. "I also heard about Don Damian’s heart attack. I can’t stand the thought of you blaming Aleah for that. She didn’t do anything wrong—she’s just caught up in a misunderstanding.""But you just said you have f
What’s that guy doing outside our house?” Hunter asked, his voice sharp as he leaned against the railing of the terrace. His eyes locked onto Dennis, who was standing just outside the gate, unmoving like he had all the time in the world. It was just him and Aleah at home, with Kimberly and the others still stuck at the hospital. The silence of the house amplified his unease.Hunter’s gaze flicked to Aleah, who stood by the terrace door, her face troubled as she watched Dennis. She wasn’t saying anything, but Hunter could read the emotions in her expression like an open book.“I’m going to talk to him,” Hunter announced, pushing himself off the railing and heading for the door with purposeful strides. He barely made it three steps before Aleah reached out and grabbed his hand, her grip firm and desperate. The gesture was so out of character it stopped him cold.Hunter glanced down at her hand and then at her face. Her eyes were
Dennis was stunned when he walked into the restaurant and saw Clarisse sitting at the table. Her call had been urgent, and now he knew why. Clarisse wasted no time and revealed that Aleah and Natasha's elderly grandfather was in the hospital after suffering a sudden heart attack.“You heard me,” Clarisse began sharply, her tone cutting through the air like a blade. “And you’re partly to blame for this mess. If you hadn’t been flirting with a married woman, none of this would’ve happened.”Dennis sat down slowly, his face filled with a mixture of shock and disbelief. Clarisse reached into her bag, pulled out a folder, and placed several photographs on the table. The pictures showed Dennis and Aleah at the baseball field, their body language undeniable. Dennis’s eyes widened as he grabbed the photos.“Whoever took these is impressive!” Dennis remarked, though there was no humor in his voice. He held one of the