I hugged my knees to my chest, staring at the still water of the pool, but all I could see were the ripples of my past crashing into my present. Matthew is alive. My mind kept repeating those three words, over and over, like a cruel reminder that everything I built in the past ten years might not be mine to keep. I closed my eyes, feeling the night breeze kiss my skin, but it didn’t calm me. Instead, my thoughts dragged me back—to that night. Ten years ago. The explosion. The fire. The screams. I remembered running, my lungs burning, my heart pounding so hard I thought it would burst. I remembered the smell of smoke, the way the world seemed to blur as I searched for Matthew—only to be told he was gone. But was he really? I clutched my arms, my breath shaky. If Matthew survived… then where had he been all these years? Why didn’t he come back? Why now? “Eloise.” I jolted, snapping out of my daze. Elijah stood near the glass doors, his expression unreadable. He walk
I sat on the couch, watching as Eloah pouted beside me, his small fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. “Daddy, why can’t we go home yet?” he asked, his voice laced with frustration. “I miss our home. I miss my room. Is Mommy still busy?” My throat tightened. How could I even begin to explain this? That we were staying here not because Mommy was busy but because someone from the past had come back—a man who could shake the foundation of our family? Before I could answer, Eliana let out a giggle from across the room, completely unaware of the weight in her brother’s words. She was playing with her stuffed toys, completely lost in her little world. I forced a smile and ruffled Eloah’s hair. “We’ll go home soon, buddy. Mommy’s just handling some things, and we need to give her a little more time, okay?” Eloah frowned, crossing his arms. “But I don’t like it here anymore. I want to sleep in my own bed.” I exhaled, glancing at Uncle Sandro, who was silently watching from
I wiped the silent tears that slipped down my cheeks, forcing myself to take another bite. The food tasted like nothing. Just emptiness. Life was hard these days. Elijah wasn’t home. The kids weren’t here. And Matthew… Matthew had just fallen asleep after another agonizing episode, his shouts of pain still echoing in my ears. I swallowed the lump in my throat, staring at the empty chair in front of me. Eliana usually sat there, babbling about her toys. Eloah would sit beside her, acting like a responsible older brother. Elijah—he’d be right next to me, stealing food from my plate with a smug grin. But now, I was alone. I missed them. So damn much. I placed my fork down, burying my face in my hands. What was I supposed to do? My family was slipping away from me, and I felt like I was the one pushing them. But what choice did I have? Matthew needed me. He was in pain, lost, and confused. But Elijah… Eloah, Eliana… They needed me too. And I was breaking under the weight
I paced back and forth in the hospital hallway, my heart hammering in my chest. My hands wouldn't stop shaking, my mind replaying the sound of Eloise’s body hitting the floor over and over again.Damn it.One second, she was running after me, desperate to explain herself. The next, she was falling—crashing down like everything between us.I clenched my fists. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.I just wanted her to choose us. To choose me.I ran a frustrated hand down my face, forcing myself to stay calm. The doctor had yet to come out, and the waiting was eating me alive. My stomach twisted painfully as the image of her limp body flashed in my mind again. I should’ve caught her. I should’ve—The door finally opened, and the doctor stepped out. I straightened immediately, my pulse quickening."Doctor," I breathed out, my voice tight. "How is she? Is she okay?"The doctor gave me a reassuring nod. "She’s stable. She hit her head, but it’s just a minor injury. No signs of a conc
A dull throbbing pulsed through my skull as I slowly blinked my eyes open. The hospital room's fluorescent lights were dimmed, but even then, the brightness made me wince. I shifted slightly, my body feeling sluggish and heavy. Then I saw him. Matthew. Sitting by my bedside in his wheelchair, watching me with quiet concern. I swallowed the lump in my throat, disappointment creeping into my chest before I could stop it. I didn’t even know why. Maybe I had expected—hoped—to see someone else when I woke up. Like Elijah. But it was Matthew. And as much as I knew I should be relieved to see him safe but all I felt was exhaustion. “You’re awake,” he said softly, a small, almost relieved smile on his lips. I nodded weakly. “Yeah.” His eyes scanned my face, his brows drawing together in worry. “How are you feeling?” I hesitated, debating whether to tell him the truth. That I felt like my world was crumbling. That I was stretched so thin I could barely breathe. But instea
I cursed under my breath the moment I saw the look on Eloise’s face. She was furious. Hurt. And I knew exactly what she was thinking. “It’s not what you think,” I said quickly, stepping toward her. But she backed away like I was a disease. Her eyes burned with betrayal, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “Not what I think?” she spat, voice trembling. “Are you seriously going to say that while she’s right there—while she’s literally pregnant, Elijah?” I exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Eloise, just listen—” “Oh, I am listening. And you know what I hear? Lies. Bullshit. The same excuses cheaters always make.” Cheater. The word hit me like a slap. My jaw tightened. “Don’t do this. Don’t twist it into something it’s not.” She let out a bitter laugh, crossing her arms. “Oh? Then why don’t you tell me what the hell it is, Elijah? Because from where I’m standing, it looks pretty damn clear.” I glanced at the woman beside me, who shifted unco
“Elijah.” I didn’t look up. I kept my gaze fixed on the papers in front of me, my fingers tapping restlessly against the desk. Rafael sighed. “Are you seriously okay with this?” Silence. “You’re just going to let Eloise go like that?” he pressed, his voice laced with frustration. I flipped a page, ignoring the tightness in my chest. “Did you get the report I asked for?” Rafael exhaled sharply, clearly annoyed at my deflection, but he didn’t push. Instead, he placed a thick folder on my desk. “Yeah. I did.” Finally, I looked up. My jaw tightened as I reached for the folder, my grip firm. “Good,” I muttered. “Let’s get this over with.”Because after all of this, I will make sure to get my family back and live the life we had before this messed-up situation happened.I leaned back against my chair, rubbing my temples as I scanned the report Rafael handed me. Every detail lined up with what Ellise had told me.“She’s telling the truth,” I muttered, tossing the papers onto
The moment I stepped inside Uncle Sandro’s house, I felt the weight of everything crash down on me. My chest was tight, my hands were still shaking, and my head wouldn’t stop replaying what I had just seen. Elijah. That woman. The baby bump. I swallowed hard and set my bag down by the door, forcing myself to take deep breaths. Farah peeked from the living room, her brows furrowing the second she saw my face. “El?” “I don’t want to talk about it,” I muttered, walking past her. She didn’t push. She never did. I made my way to the guest room, closing the door behind me before I finally let the tears fall. I pressed a hand against my mouth, muffling the sobs as my knees gave out. I should have been used to this by now—the disappointment, the heartbreak, the constant cycle of expecting too much. But damn it, it still hurts.What the fuck? I want to give him the benefit of the doubt—I really do. But the look on his face says something. Like it says everything. Guilt. Hes
Every night, my children and Elijah haunted me. I can't sleep well thinking about them.I can't sleep thinking about how Eloah’s asthma is. Does he still keep his inhaler beside him like I taught him? Is someone checking on him when the air gets too cold?I can't sleep thinking if Eliana can sleep without me by her side. She used to curl up beside me, her tiny fingers always reaching for mine in the dark.I can't sleep thinking if Elijah… is finding me. If he's trying. If he’s losing sleep too. If he's blaming himself.I feel like I’m going insane here, and all I want now is to go home. As hard as it is to admit, I don’t think I’ll succeed with my plan. There are too many guards outside—armed, built like tanks... I know they won’t hurt me because I’m sure Matthew told them not to. But I’m also certain he instructed them to keep an eye on me every minute, every hour. Damn it.Maren was gently brushing my hair, her touch light and careful. She offered to do it earlier, saying it would h
The cold air of Denmark greeted me the moment I stepped out of the car. The house in front of me wasn’t anything extravagant—it was small, modern, and tucked away in a quiet, remote area. But what caught my eye wasn’t the house.It was the men.They were everywhere. Standing guard, pacing silently, some eyeing me with suspicion. I held onto the strap of my bag tightly and followed Matthew inside. Every step felt heavier than the last.The house looked normal, cozy even. But I knew better—this wasn’t home. This was a cage dressed in warmth.Matthew placed his hand on my shoulder, gently but firmly, like he was trying to remind me of something—of who he was to me before.“Angel,” he said, using the old call sign he used back then. I flinched, but said nothing.“This will be our safe haven,” he added, gesturing around the place.He walked me through the house, showing me each room—the kitchen, the living area, a small library, and a guest room that looked more like a surveillance space t
I've thought about this one. Clearly. Logically. Heartly...And it still hurts.What kind of wife and mother am I? I keep telling myself that I can handle everything—that I'm doing this for them, for their sake, because I love them. But who am I really fooling? This isn’t what love is. Love doesn’t leave quietly in the middle of the night without them knowing. I closed my eyes, gripping the suitcase tighter. I hated myself for doing this—for even thinking this was the right thing. I closed my eyes, gripping the suitcase tighter. I hated myself for doing this—for even thinking this was the right thing.Then my phone rang.I froze, heart pounding as I looked down at the screen.Matthew.I stared at his name for a moment, my thumb hovering. But I couldn’t answer—not now. Not when everything felt this fragile. Not when I wasn’t even sure who I was anymore.So I let it ring.And when it stopped, I slipped the phone back into my pocket and stepped out into the night.Just as I opened the
I stood on the terrace, phone in hand, staring out at the quiet view outside. Rafael was calling. I answered immediately."Any updates?" I asked, straight to the point."I don't know how to describe it. Elisse is still grieving. Matthew—your brother—he's moving fast," Rafael said cautiously."What now?" I asked, already sensing where this was going."He's hired a lawyer. One of those quiet but deadly types. He’s pushing to revisit the inheritance division—yours, Veronica’s, and his."I let out a quiet sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "Let him. I don’t care about the inheritance.""I know," Rafael replied. "But he’s spinning it like you’ve disappeared, like you walked away from everything. He wants full control.""Then let him think that." My voice was calm, firm. "I didn’t walk away from everything. Just from the parts that never mattered to me."There was silence for a moment on his end."Alright," he finally said. "Just thought you should know.""Thanks," I murmured, glancing back
I kissed her—Eloise—like I needed her to breathe. Her lips were soft, trembling beneath mine, but she didn’t push me away. She kissed me back.God, she tasted like longing and sadness all at once. But then— “Fuck…” A sharp pain shot through my lower lip. I pulled away, blinking, and reached up to touch the sting. Blood. She bit me.“Oh my God! I'm so sorry… I didn't mean it,” she panicked, dropping onto the edge of the bed like her world just caved in. I stared at her. She wasn’t looking at me—her eyes were somewhere far away. There was something… off. But my body was still buzzing, still aching from the way her mouth moved with mine. Her scent lingered on my skin, and pleasure drowned the alarm bells in my head. I should ask her. I should stop. But God—her lips were just on mine. And I didn’t want it to end. Not yet. “Hey, Eloise, I’m okay,” I said, trying to calm her down as I wiped the blood off my lip. I gave her a small smile. “It’s just a bite.” She didn’t
The night before we left the country, I stood in my study, eyes scanning the documents I was about to hand over.Rafael leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his usual sharp gaze softer tonight. He didn’t say anything at first—he didn’t have to. We’d known each other too long. He knew what I was thinking, and I knew he was waiting for the moment I’d say it out loud.“I’m trusting all of this to you,” I finally said, holding out the envelope. “Business operations, legal matters, security around Elisse… even the situation with Noel. You handle everything while I’m gone.”Rafael stepped forward and took the envelope. “You really going off the grid?”“For a while,” I nodded. “Just a week or two. I need this time with my family, Raf. No calls unless it’s life or death. I want to give Eloise and the kids what they deserve. Peace.”He glanced down at the envelope before tucking it inside his coat. “You know I got you,” he said firmly. “Go be a husband and a father. I’ll take care of ev
Elisse was kneeling beside the stretcher, her fingers trembling as they brushed over her father’s hand. Her eyes were swollen, red, distant.“They found him by the shore,” she said, her voice barely holding itself together. “His body drifted for hours… They said he fell from a cliff.”“Fell?” I asked, stepping closer. “Or was pushed?”She laughed bitterly, shaking her head. “You think my father would just trip and fall off a damn cliff, Elijah? You know him. He wouldn’t even get near the edge. Someone did this.”“Who was the last person with him?”She swallowed hard, eyes drifting back to her father’s lifeless form. “He’s a fisherman, Elijah. The sea was his home. He knew the cliffs like the back of his hand. He wouldn’t just slip. No way.”I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Do you have someone in mind, Elisse? Anyone who might’ve wanted him gone?”“My father is a good man, he doesn't have any beef with anyone,” she said, voice cracking as tears welled again. “Everyone in the villa
I sat across from Matthew in the private room of the restaurant, my fingers curled around the warm cup of tea the waiter had just placed in front of me. The man sitting across from me—my first husband—felt like a stranger. His aura was different now. Darker. He wasn’t the Matthew I used to know—the one who made me laugh, the one who always had a teasing smirk on his face. This Matthew was cold, unreadable. But still, I remained patient. I owed him that much. He leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping against the table. “You’re different,” he muttered, eyes scanning my face. “You’re calmer than I expected.” I offered him a small, tight-lipped smile. “I didn’t come here to fight, Matthew.” He chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “Then why did you come?” "To talk to you—”“About what?” Matthew cut me off, leaning forward with a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “About how happy you are with him? About how you moved on so easily while I spent years in hell?” I exhaled s
I grew up with Matthew. Deep inside, I always had a feeling about his true identity, but I pushed it away. Because no matter what, he was still my brother.Maybe I was too focused on Eloise back then that I failed to notice even the slightest thing between Matthew and Noel.When Matthew came out of the closet to Dad, he was furious—disappointed. I couldn't even name all the emotions he showed that day. But one thing was clear: from that moment on, Dad's treatment of Matthew started to change.He put more effort into me, teaching me how to handle business, how to be the perfect heir—the son he could proudly present to the world. But with Matthew… it was different. Dad distanced himself, his disappointment manifesting in subtle ways at first—longer business trips, missed birthdays, colder stares.Matthew was always the type to seek approval, to crave validation—especially from our father. So when Dad started pulling away, treating him like a mere afterthought, Matthew did what he though