Lucas paced restlessly in his living room, the tension in his chest growing tighter with each passing second. The last few days had been nothing short of a nightmare—Amanda had left him, and her family had withdrawn their support, leaving him financially crippled and kicked out of tje company. Everything was falling apart, and the only person he could blame was Natasha.His fists clenched as he thought back to the last conversation with Alina. She had come to his house, and for a fleeting moment, hope had flickered in his chest. He had believed—no, prayed—that she might be giving him another chance. But instead, she had slapped him across the face, accusing him of something unforgivable. Alina had said Natasha gave her evidence of how he murdered her father.The rage had been boiling inside him ever since. How could Natasha do that? How could she betray him after everything they’d been through? He trusted her—he sacrificed everything for her. Now, she had gone behind his back and sold
The silence in the room was deafening as Lucas’s mind spiraled into chaos. He paced back and forth, his heart racing as he considered the unthinkable. Natasha was a ticking time bomb—conscious or unconscious. She posed a threat to everything he had built. If she woke up and revealed the truth, it would destroy him. He felt his breath quicken, the walls of the room closing in around him. In a fit of desperation, he made a decision that would seal their fates. Lucas marched to the drawer of the coffee table, his hands shaking as he opened it and retrieved the cold, metallic weight of the gun. The weapon felt heavy in his palm, a stark reminder of how far he had fallen from the man he once was.His mind raced as he returned to Natasha’s side, the gun aimed at her heart. 'This is the only way to ensure your safety', he told himself, his heart pounding against his ribcage. 'You can’t let her ruin everything you’ve worked for. You can’t let her expose you.'Lucas steadied his breath, his
Alina sat by the window of Anton’s penthouse, watching the raindrops dance down the glass as the city outside bustled with life. But her mind was far away, swirling in a storm of emotions she wasn’t sure how to process. Her phone buzzed on the table, cutting through the quiet that had settled in the room like a heavy blanket. With a hesitant sigh, she reached for it, expecting nothing but the usual business emails or updates.Instead, a single headline stared back at her: "Businessman Lucas Marshall and Natasha Hayes Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide."Alina’s heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. She blinked, trying to comprehend the words, but they blurred in front of her eyes. She read it again, slower this time, letting the weight of the news settle over her.They were gone.Lucas and Natasha—the two people who had betrayed her, shattered her trust, and destroyed her life in the other timeline—were dead. Her first instinct was disbelief. It felt surreal,
Alina stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection as she let the reality of everything sink in. The news of Lucas and Natasha’s deaths still lingered in the back of her mind, but today, she wasn’t going to let it consume her. Today, she was determined to move forward.A knock on her bedroom door pulled her out of her thoughts. “Alina? You ready?” came Natalie’s voice, cheerful as always.Alina smiled slightly as she turned to face the door. “Yeah, just a minute!”She took a deep breath, smoothing down her dress and grabbing her purse. Anton and Natalie had insisted on taking her out today—shopping, a movie, and whatever else they could come up with. They’d made it clear that she needed to let go of the guilt and sorrow that had been weighing her down since Lucas and Natasha’s deaths. As Alina opened the door, Natalie was waiting with a bright smile, her arms crossed. “There you are! You look amazing!”Alina laughed softly. “Thanks, Nat. I don’t feel amazing, but I’m worki
The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast soft, golden light across the room, reflecting off the dark wooden furniture. Alina sat by the window, her eyes tracing the city skyline, lost in the gentle hum of the night. She could still feel the weight of the past week, the intensity of Lucas and Natasha’s deaths, and the flood of emotions that followed. Though she knew they had received what they deserved, a part of her still felt a hollow ache, a bittersweet reminder of everything she had been through.Anton’s presence behind her was quiet, yet commanding. He approached slowly, his hands gently grazing her shoulders as he leaned down, brushing his lips against the nape of her neck. “Are you still thinking about them?” he whispered, his voice low and soothing.Alina closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. "It's hard not to," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I know I should let it go.""You should," Anton agreed, his hands sliding down her arms, pulling her closer. "They
In the theme park, sounds of laughter, rides whirring, and children’s squeals filled the air. Alina looked up at the towering Ferris wheel, a grin tugging at her lips as she squeezed Anton's hand. “I can’t believe you convinced me to come here,” Alina said, chuckling. Anton smirked, pulling her along toward the entrance. “It’s about time we had some real fun. No scheming, no drama, just us. Besides, I wanted to see that smile on your face.” Alina rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t suppress the grin that followed. “Well, I do love theme parks.” “Good,” Anton said, stopping in front of a booth. “Because I’m not letting you leave until we’ve been on every ride.” “Every ride?” Alina raised an eyebrow. “Including the ones that spin and make you nauseous?” “Especially those,” Anton teased, wrapping his arm around her waist as they joined the line for tickets. “I want to see if you can handle them.” “Oh, I can handle them,” Alina shot back, laughing. “The real question is, can you?
The vibrant colors of the artworks adorned the walls of the Golden Leaf Art Gallery, each piece telling its own story through strokes of paint and canvas. Alina stood in the center of the room, a wave of excitement and nerves swirling within her. It was the night of her exhibition, and everything had to be perfect.“Are you ready?” Natalie asked, adjusting the collar of her dress as she stepped beside Alina. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Alina replied, taking a deep breath. “I just hope people like my work.”“They’ll love it,” Natalie assured her. “You’ve put so much heart into these pieces. They’re incredible.”“Thanks, Nat.” Alina smiled, feeling a rush of gratitude for her friend’s support. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”“Just wait until you see Anton. He’s been bragging about you all week,” Natalie teased, nudging Alina playfully.“Anton’s just being nice,” Alina said, her cheeks warming at the thought of him.“Nice? No, he’s genuinely pro
The atmosphere inside Natalie’s apartment was electric, a vibrant celebration of Alina’s successful exhibition at the Golden Leaf Gallery. The living room was adorned with colorful balloons and streamers, remnants of the party decorations that had transformed the space into a festive haven. Alina, Anton, and Natalie had decided to keep the momentum going after the gallery, inviting a few close friends over to continue the festivities.“Cheers to Alina and her incredible exhibition!” Natalie exclaimed, raising her glass of sparkling wine high into the air. “Cheers!” Anton echoed, clinking his glass against Natalie’s and then Alina’s, who wore a radiant smile.“I still can’t believe how amazing tonight was,” Alina said, her cheeks flushed with happiness. “I feel like I’m on cloud nine!”“You deserve it all, Alina,” Natalie said, beaming at her friend. “You’ve worked so hard for this moment. It’s just the beginning!”“Thanks, Nat. I couldn’t have done it without your support,” Alina rep
The villa was a picture-perfect scene of Christmas cheer. Twinkling lights adorned the exterior, casting a warm glow over the snow-dusted garden, while a large Christmas tree stood proudly in the living room, its ornaments glinting in the soft light. The scent of fresh pine and cinnamon filled the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter of friends and family. Alina held her one-month-old daughter close, cradling the tiny bundle in her arms as guests arrived. She smiled, watching as Linton and Gabriel practically hovered around her, peering down at the baby with wide-eyed wonder. “Is she really my sister?Sometimes it feels like a dream mommy.” Linton asked for the tenth time, his voice filled with awe. Alina chuckled softly. “Yes, sweetheart. She’s really your sister. You got exactly what you asked Santa for last Christmas.” Linton beamed, reaching out a cautious hand to touch his sister’s tiny fingers. “Hi, baby sister,” he whispered. “ I’ll always protect you.” Gabriel,
The doorbell rang, and Alina smiled, knowing exactly who it was. A few moments later, Linton’s excited voice echoed through the hall as he raced toward the door to greet his best friend, Gabriel. “Gabriel!” Linton yelled, throwing the door open and giving his friend a high-five. Gabriel grinned as he stepped inside, holding a little gift bag in his hand. “Hey, Linton! Hi, Aunt Alina!” Gabriel greeted, his eyes wide with excitement as he approached her. “How’s the baby?” Alina chuckled, patting her belly. “Getting bigger every day, Gabriel. And she’s quite active today.” Linton immediately perched himself beside his mom, his eyes sparkling with interest. “Can I talk to her again, Mommy?” he asked with a shy smile. “Of course, sweetheart.” She smoothed down her shirt and leaned back so the boys could get closer. Gabriel scooted onto the couch beside Alina, looking both curious and excited. He handed her the little gift bag, inside of which was a small stuffed bunny with floppy ea
Alina rested on the couch, a blanket draped over her legs and her hand resting on her rounded belly. At seven months pregnant, her baby bump was unmistakable, and it was a joy to see how much it had become a part of the family’s daily life. From Anton’s frequent hand resting over her belly to Linton’s fascination with “talking” to his baby sibling, the whole house seemed to radiate warmth and anticipation. Linton, bursting with excitement, had clambered up onto the couch beside her, his small hands gingerly placed over her belly as if holding a fragile treasure. He leaned in close, his expression serious as he started whispering to the baby. “Hi, baby sis,” Linton said, his voice soft but filled with excitement. “It’s me, Linton, your big brother! I can’t wait to meet you, and I’m gonna teach you everything I know. We’re gonna play so many games, and I’ll teach you how to draw dinosaurs and superheroes. And… and I’ll share my toys, too!” Alina chuckled, resting her hand over his.
Alina gently ruffled Linton’s hair, nudging him awake. Anton was already up, sipping his coffee in the kitchen, as she whispered to their son, "Wake up, Linton. I have a surprise for you today." Linton’s eyes fluttered open, and he rubbed them with his small fists, his face brightening instantly at the word “surprise.” “A surprise? Where are we going, Mommy?” Alina smiled. “You’ll see soon enough. Go get dressed, and we’ll be on our way.” As Linton scrambled out of bed and rushed to get ready, Alina made her way to the kitchen. She kissed Anton on the cheek, feeling a surge of excitement about the secret she was about to share. She had been working on a special painting for weeks, pouring her heart into every brushstroke, and today, she would finally reveal it. “Where are we off to this morning?” Anton asked, raising an eyebrow with curiosity as he sipped his coffee. “Just a little outing to the gallery. I have something special to show you both,” Alina replied, her eyes twin
Alina and Anton pulled into the driveway of David and Isabella’s home. Their hearts were light, filled with the warmth of their recent trip to Paris and the excitement of reuniting with their little one. As they stepped out of the car, Linton’s energy was palpable; he bounced on his feet, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he saw his parents getting down the car. "Mom-dad I missed you so much." Linton hugged their legs. Anton picked him up in his arms. “Are we ready to see Gabriel?” Anton asked, ruffling Linton’s hair. “Yes! I want to show him the new toys you brought!” Linton exclaimed, practically dragging his parents toward the front door. Alina chuckled at her son’s enthusiasm. “Hold on, buddy. Let’s not rush too much. We’ve got to make sure we greet everyone first.” They rang the doorbell, and moments later, David swung the door open, a wide grin lighting up his face. “Welcome back, you guys! We missed you! Literally ever since Linton got to know you are coming he h
Steam filled the bathroom, the warm mist clinging to the glass walls of the shower as water falling softly. Alina leaned against the cool tiles, her body relaxing under the hot spray. She felt a gentle touch at her waist, and without opening her eyes, she knew it was Anton. "Mind if I join you?" his deep voice rumbled softly in her ear, a smile evident in his tone. Alina smiled and turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder. "Of course sweetheart. You never need permission." Anton chuckled, stepping closer, his hands slowly trailing up her arms, pulling her back against his chest. The heat of his body mixed with the warmth of the water, enveloping her in comfort and safety. "I thought I’d be polite today so I was asking for permission," he teased, his lips brushing against the side of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. Alina leaned her head back, resting it against his shoulder. "You? Polite?" she teased back, the warmth of his breath tickling her skin. "Hey, I c
David's house was alive with the sounds of giggles and shuffling papers as Linton and Gabriel sat side by side at the large wooden dining table, their books spread out before them. “Got it!” Gabriel declared triumphantly, holding up his math workbook. Linton, still scribbling away on his own page, glanced at him with a smirk. “You think you’re fast, huh? Let me check that.” He leaned over, playfully scrutinizing Gabriel’s work. “Hmm... looks right, but I bet I can finish mine faster.” “Oh, it’s on!” Gabriel grinned, and they both dove back into their homework with renewed energy. Isabella stood at the kitchen counter, watching the boys with a fond smile. She was whipping up pancake batter for their afternoon snack, the aroma of freshly made batter already filling the air. The kitchen was warm and inviting. She glanced over her shoulder at David, who was reading on the couch, occasionally glancing up to chuckle at the boys' competitive banter. “I love how determined they are,
The next day, Paris greeted us with a warm breeze and a clear blue sky.Anton was already up, sipping on his coffee by the window as he admired the view. I walked over to him, still in my pajamas, and leaned against his arm, taking in the sight of the Eiffel Tower standing tall in the distance. “We’re really doing this, huh?” I asked, smiling as I looked up at him. Anton grinned, setting his cup down on the table. “Absolutely. Are you ready for a day of cliches and tourist photos?” I laughed, nodding. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” An hour later, we were standing at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and despite the crowds around us, I couldn’t help but feel the excitement bubbling up inside. Anton had his camera ready, capturing moments before we even started climbing. Every few steps, he’d stop, turn to me with that teasing smile, and snap a picture—of me laughing, of us together, of the view. "Okay, one more,” Anton said, holding up his phone, getting us both into the fram
Anton’s hand brushed softly against the small of my back as we entered the suite, his touch lingering just a little longer than necessary. I looked around, taking in the breathtaking view from the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city of Paris. The Eiffel Tower sparkled in the distance. Everything about this place felt perfect—luxurious and romantic. The door clicked shut behind us, and the sound echoed in the quiet, intimate space. I placed my purse on the plush chair near the window and took a deep breath, letting the atmosphere of the city sink in. “We’re really here,” I said softly, more to myself than to Anton. Anton chuckled behind me, his arms sliding around my waist. “We are. No distractions. No meetings. Just you, me, and Paris.” I leaned back against him, closing my eyes and enjoying the warmth of his embrace. For the first time in what felt like forever, we had no obligations pulling us in different directions. Just us. I turned in his arms, looking up a