I could hardly believe what Gianna had just told me. “So… she’s the one Stella warned us about? The woman Kyros was sleeping with?” My voice came out flatter than I intended, trying to process the revelation. “That’s right.” I was at a loss for words. A part of me felt awful for Stella—she was pregnant, and Kyros had a responsibility to step up, not fool around. I never imagined he was this kind of man. The man who had been with me for years and chased after me just weeks ago now felt like a stranger.“Are you okay?” Gianna’s voice pulled me from my spiraling thoughts.“More than alright.” I exhaled sharply. “Honestly, I feel like I just dodged a bullet. If things had turned out differently, I could have been trapped in a miserable marriage with Kyros.” I shook my head, frustration creeping in. “It’s not that I reg
Maximus“Sir, we received news that Ms. Mercer was sent to Dr. Sinclair’s hospital department,” Emma reported.I paused, considering whether this had anything to do with Gazelle. Stella had once been my secretary, but she settled into life as Kyros’ wife after marrying my brother. Not that I’d ever take her back—she was untrustworthy. Not even a little. She had once tried to seduce me, and I made it clear how unprofessional and repulsive I found her behavior.I suspected she might have been responsible for spreading rumors among my business partners, suggesting I had no interest in women.Was it my fault I found her unattractive? Was something wrong with me for never feeling drawn to anyone? Or was I simply... different? Most men in my social circles seemed to define stress relief through excess: expensive entertainment, sleeping with multiple women, maintaining mistress
GazelleI was stunned into silence. Maximus commanded my full attention, so much that I barely registered Kyros’s approach until he was almost upon us.Who could have predicted he would attack his own brother?And with Dr. Tessa Matthews standing right behind him? Especially with Dr. Tessa Matthews standing just behind him.Kyros’s lips pressed into a thin, taut line, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous intensity that sent a chill down my spine. The rage radiating from him was palpable, a living, breathing entity threatening to consume everyone around him.Emma held me back, keeping me from interfering in the brothers’ fight. It was her job to protect me. Fortunately, the driver was there to restrain Kyros. Maximus, however, didn’t seem fazed. Despite the redness blooming on his cheek from the blow, he looked almost... amused.Kyros’s entire p
Because Stella is my patient, I have been extra cautious—especially given the recent deliberate attempts to damage my professional reputation.Last night, Gianna and I uncovered something, which kept me at the hospital until two in the morning. I had asked her to watch over Kyros, and I was certain she would have noticed anything unusual.On our way to the hospital, she laid everything out for me.“You need to stay calm and composed, no matter what they accuse you of. They will pin this on you, especially because of your connection to Kyros Ferrero. Just as you suspected, this appears intentional.”She meticulously detailed her observations and discoveries from our trip. I could only listen, my jaw clenched, feeling a mounting sense of frustration and helplessness.By the time we arrived, the tension was suffocating.Inside the ward, Stella was sobbing. Her face was pale, grief-stricken, as she mourned the
[A quick flashback to the previous day...]“Dr. Smith, we need to obtain samples from the mother to evaluate potential risks to her fetus,” I suggested carefully.Beyond the fact that Stella and her unborn child are now family, it’s my duty as a doctor to ensure no complications. “Please consult with her husband about the procedure. Thank you for the recommendation,” she replied.In a situation like this, where Stella nearly miscarried, we must ensure there are no complications for her baby.Upon returning to the clinic, I realized Gianna was nowhere to be found. What concerned me more was realizing that I hadn’t noticed her presence for hours—even before I got called away for Stella’s emergency.While searching for my bodyguard, I noticed a message from Maximus, sent hours ago, inviting me
“Stella! I finally found you!” A man followed Gianna and stepped inside the hospital’s private ward.I had asked Gianna to call and tell him something terrible had happened to Stella—a calculated move designed to bring him exactly where he now stood. The moment she saw him, Stella turned deathly pale. Kyros clenched his jaw while his mother, Mrs. Ferrero, looked utterly confused. The others in the room exchanged questioning glances.The same unspoken question registered on the faces of everyone present: Who is this man? The man himself recoiled upon recognizing several of the people gathered.“Oh! I-I must have entered the wrong room!” he stammered. Gianna strategically positioned herself in the doorway as he attempted to retreat, blocking his escape. She fixed him with a penetrating glare that communicated: ‘Go ahead, try it.’ “You didn’t enter the wrong room,” I said, my voice calm yet firm. “You came here to see Stella, didn’t you? Don’t bother denying it. You were here last nig
Chief spoke again, the doubt clear on her face. “We just took the test yesterday. It will take a few more days before we get the results. How can you say this so soon? Are you certain about what you’re claiming?”The truth was, I had only used the mention of the test as a tactical maneuver to make Stella confess. I wanted her to understand that I possessed evidence, and that her deception would eventually be exposed. But as expected, the moment she realized the results weren’t out yet, she turned the blame back on me.“Gazelle, how could you do this to me?” she cried, her voice shaking with emotion. “This is revenge, isn’t it? Why are you being so cruel?”Her exaggerated sobs filled the room again, making others look at her with sympathy. I said firmly. “I’m not making baseless accusations. Ms. Mercer just stated earlier that the drug was inserted into her body, causing her to lose her child. How would she know that unless she had administered it herself?”I turned back to Stella, my
Kyros paused the video and turned to Stella, his expression hardening. “Tell the truth. Who is the real father of your child?”Pain flashed across Stella’s face, quickly replaced by indignation. “Kyros, I gave you my whole heart! How can you still love Gazelle after everything we’ve been through? Just admit it! You’ve been seeing each other again! You got back together!”Her voice rose with each accusation.“You’re just trying to pin the blame on me so you can divorce me guilt-free. You’ve been meeting in secret—I know it! I’m not something you can just cast aside! I am your wife, Kyros!”Kyros’ urges to physically hurt his wife was unmistakable. If not for the other man in the room, watching him closely and ready to intervene, he might have already acted on it.He pointed at the man. “Tell us the truth. Was he the father of your child,
The small hospital Gianna and I visited served expectant mothers. We guide them through their pregnancies, providing education on self-care and baby care to ensure their health. I was particularly aware of one woman who entered late, her large belly preceding her quiet presence. She sat silently, listening to the discussion, but her expression hinted at a mind preoccupied with other thoughts. Later, my colleagues and I distributed small tokens to the expectant mothers: booklets, checklists, and a few essentials for the upcoming labor. The first day ended uneventfully, and the second day went much the same. Seeking a break on the third day, I went to the garden. Gianna gave me some space, letting me sit alone on a bench. While there, I was surprised to find the usually quiet woman in a heated argument with another. “Let’s be clear. This baby is mine, always has been. Your inability to conceive is why you were chosen to carry my and Nico’s child! None of this was ever yours! After
I felt so free; my back arched as I moved gracefully on the bed, grinding beneath the steady rhythm of Maximus’ hard length, thrusting in and out of me. My backside met his thighs with every deep stroke as he took me from behind. I whimpered in pure bliss; my mind clouded, lost in the overwhelming pleasure that only Maximus could give. He’s playing with my body, igniting the places where pleasure flows. My hips swayed as my back leaned against Maximus, our eyes locking in the clear mirror. His mouth traced a path from my ear to my shoulder, tasting and teasing me with every brush of his lips. He knew every switch to flip, every spot to press—exactly where I ached for him to claim me… His hand curled around my neck as if claiming possession, and he whispered to me. A mysterious pleasure wrapped around me, rising from deep in my core. I could feel it—he wanted to conquer me. “Gazelle, you must always remember me no matter where you go. I will never forget the way you look rig
Mr. Laurent seemed to notice the judgmental stares some guests were casting their way. Miranda turned and pointed at Stella, who was walking toward us, ready to shift the blame onto the woman. “It was you!” she snapped. “You told me President Ferrero agreed to give me his sample! How did it end up like this? You tricked me!” Stella froze, visibly shocked. She even clutched her chest as if physically struck by the accusation. “Miranda, I didn’t do anything. We ran into each other at the hospital and made small talk. You were the one who told me why you were there. You asked for advice, that’s all.” Miranda faltered, visibly thrown off, her eyes darting back and forth as if searching for something solid to hold on to. For a moment, I genuinely believed Stella. But Miranda wasn’t done. “I asked for your help after that. You told me you’d help me.” “I didn’t!” Stella denied. “You helped me determine where Maximus’s samples were in the sperm bank! I’m not making this up!” Miran
Mr. Laurent asked for Miranda’s presence near us.The air was thick with anticipation, each second stretching uncomfortably. Mrs. Laurent’s face flushed with anger as I confronted her, but I didn’t waver. My gaze stayed fixed on Miranda. She shifted uneasily, the tension visibly crawling up her spine. Her polished façade was beginning to crack.
I stood still, speechless, as Mrs. Laurent’s words echoed in my head. I couldn’t give her the reaction she was looking for. “What does Mrs. Laurent mean that I don’t want complications in my life?” Whispers spread through the crowd like a breeze rustling autumn leaves. I caught Maximus’s eye and gave him a look that told him to stay back. He stopped, letting me handle the confrontation, though his fists clenched at his sides. “Madam, don’t you think you might be overstepping?” Royal’s voice carried a subtle warning as she positioned herself beside me. “Oh, come now, Ms. Roy. I’m only pointing out the obvious. Her family has already disowned Dr. Sinclair. I spoke to Chairman Sinclair myself; he told me he couldn’t control his daughter.” I didn’t know how close my father was to her, but what she revealed wasn’t exactly confidential. Since Mom’s death, my father has had a hard time controlling my decisions. People always assumed the Sinclair family cut me off, especially since I rar
The four men exhibited distinctly different reactions. Maximus maintained his nonchalant demeanor, Dante’s face registered confusion, while Ivan and Luca gaped in undisguised disbelief. After a moment of shared bewilderment, they all just shrugged and continued walking into the venue. Miranda approached them with a bright smile. “President Ferrero, you’ve finally arrived. Thank you so much for accepting my invitation.” Maximus gave a curt nod, clearly unaware of what she was talking about. Miranda scratched her head, visibly embarrassed. But before she could say more, Maximus and Dante walked right past her. “Wait!” she called after them, hurrying to catch up. “Geez,” Royal muttered beside me, shaking her head. “I thought she had more class than this. I know what this family’s capable of, Gazelle. They probably cooked something up just to corner Maximus.” ‘Hmmm... let’s see... Let’s watch the upcoming good show.’ Miranda quickly stepped before Maximus and Dante again, forcing t
Maximus and I visited the stylist’s villa to prepare for the upcoming gathering. Three gowns in different colors had been laid out for me. I was asked to try them all on in the fitting room, but apparently, Maximus had a weakness for me in stunning dresses. The moment I stepped out in the first gown, he didn’t waste a second—he tore it right off. He took me, pleased me, and pushed me to the very edge of my sanity. Remarkably, when I tried on the second gown, history repeated itself. “Ah, I don’t know what to do with you…” I muttered, shaking my head, my cheeks still warm with embarrassment from what had just happened. Perhaps I should’ve gone with The Pink Girls Code. Maximus and I were just... hopeless when left alone together. He swept me into his arms with effortless ease, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that was both tender and hungry. As he pulled back, he buried his face in the curve of my neck, breathing me in. “What am I supposed to do?” he whispered. “The moment I see
Perhaps Mr. Harrington had already anticipated how the board would react—that’s likely why he brought Maximus along when they met at the hospital. “Gentlemen,” I began, “My father entrusted me with the power to make decisions for this company. That’s why I’m here. He’s recovering, so I’d appreciate it if everyone remained seated. I’m not here to stir conflict—but judging by how this meeting’s been going, it’s clear who’s been disrupting the atmosphere.” I refused to let myself be underestimated—whether for being a doctor, a woman, or the only heir to my parents’ legacy. “Let's proceed," Mr. Harrington announced, attempting to establish order. "First on our agenda—" “I’d like to propose that we begin by discussing the replacement of Ms. Gazelle as acting chairman of this board,” one of the executives interjected coldly. “We don’t know her intentions or if she’s even capable of leading. We need to reconsider her role.” I steadied my breath, fighting the sting of their deliberate ch
Gazelle The way Maximus held me last night calmed all the chaos inside me. He was my darkness, but also my sweetest comfort. Earlier that day, Gianna accompanied me to the Sinclair company, where I also met Mr. Harrington. I reviewed the files and handled everything the chairman’s office needed for the day. I wasn’t perfect—I still had yet to learn so much. Fortunately, Mr. Harrington, the company’s lawyer and general manager, was always ready to guide me and explain what I didn’t understand. Before heading to the conference room, I quickly messaged Dante Castillo. ‘How’s my dad?’ I typed. His reply came shortly after. ‘The chairman is awake. His lungs are still weak, but he’s recovering.’ Relief flooded me as I thanked him, just as Mr. Harrington appeared to escort me to the meeting. Even from the hallway, I could hear voices filtering from the conference room. “Is the chairman here? We have documents that need his signature,” someone asked. As the door opened and I stepp