"They're fighting! Someone's fighting outside!" a panicked voice yelled from the hallway.I ran out just in time to see Cole swing his fist at Jace."Stop it! Cole, stop!" I shouted, rushing over to pull him back.Cole shoved me aside. My back hit the wall hard, my head cracking against it. Everything blurred for a second—my vision, my thoughts, everything.Jace, who hadn't fought back until now, called out to me, his voice filled with concern. "Rea..."But the second he looked away, his fist shot up, landing a clean hit on Cole. And just like that, they were going at it—a full-on, no-holds-barred brawl.I pressed my hand against the side of my head, trying to steady myself, but the fight was spiraling out of control. There was no stopping them. Desperate, I flagged someone down and told them to call security.By the time they were finally pulled apart, both looked like they'd gone ten rounds in a boxing ring. Jace was bleeding heavily from his nose, pressing tissues against it
The crowd just stood there, staring. No one was brave enough to step in.Even so, Cole snarled at the onlookers, "I dare any of you losers to try saving her! Come on, show me who's got guts!"He was madman on a rampage.Then came the voice: sharp, clear, and ice-cold. "Cole!"He froze. From my upside-down view—thanks to being slung over his shoulder like a duffel bag—I spotted a pint-sized savior with space buns. Nina.Before I could even beg, Cole sneered, "Where'd you come from, brat? Scram!"Most kids would've bawled on the spot. Not Nina. She folded her arms and deadpanned, "Why are you carrying someone like that? You look like a kidnapper."Oof. Bold of her.Cole's lip curled. "Scram~ Or did your mom never teach you English?"Nina rolled her eyes. "Why are you so grumpy all the time? Did you, like, swallow a stick of dynamite?"Cole opened his mouth to yell, but Nina steamrolled right over him. "Cole, I need to talk to you."Okay, I gotta say it—this kid was iconic. If
"I'm not getting dragged into this drama," Sasha said. "You're smart—figure it out yourself."Then, she turned to Nina and tugged at her hand. "Come on, let's go. Can't you see Cole's busy? He doesn't have time to play with you."Nina, with all the sass in the world, shot back, "If he's too busy to play with me, he can put Keira down! She can play with me instead."Sasha shrugged, letting go of Nina's hand like she couldn't care less. "Fine, stay if you want. I've got better things to do." She threw a smirk at Cole on her way out. "She's your problem now. Try not to lose her."And just like that, she sashayed away.I couldn't believe it. She ditched her own kid like it was no big deal. Then again, this was Sasha—the woman who once kidnapped her own kid. This was light work for her.Not that I was complaining. With Nina now clinging to Cole, it wasn't like he could just haul me off.Enter Jace, looking worse for wear. His nose had stopped bleeding, but he was pale as a ghost. "Co
"Threatened miscarriage."Wait, what? Did I hear that right? Miscarriage?!"Doctor, I'm pregnant?" I blurted, grabbing her coat like it was my last lifeline. My voice was a weird mix of shock, panic, and—okay, a tiny spark of joy.The doctor blinked at me. "You didn't know?" Then she gave me the most judgmental mom glare ever. "Young people these days—so reckless, no sense of responsibility."She glanced between Jace and me like she'd already decided we were just another careless couple. I didn't even bother correcting her. My brain was too busy short-circuiting."Doctor, am I really pregnant?" I asked again, desperate for confirmation."Yes," she said. "But it's not good news yet. The pregnancy's at risk. Whether the baby makes it... it's uncertain."Her bluntness hit like a slap. "Please, doctor," I begged, my voice wobble. "Help me save the baby."I'd been secretly hoping for this—like, without even realizing it. And now? My baby was here, and I'd been too clueless to notice
I trusted Lena completely."Don't worry. I've seen your ultrasound—the baby's fine," Lena said, her lips curving into the faintest smile. Even that small reassurance made me feel a little more grounded."You have to help me keep this baby," I said, my voice cracking."I know," she replied, her tone teasing as she added, "This is your love child with Hayden, after all."Jace turned away at that, but not fast enough to hide the flicker of loneliness on his face.Our tangled history had unraveled a long time ago—at least for me. Jace claimed he'd moved on, but moments like this made it clear he hadn't completely.Thanks to Lena, I got admitted to a hospital room—not her office, but a proper VIP suite.The pain in my abdomen eased up, and the bleeding wasn't getting worse. With my nerves settling, I finally had space to think about something else. "What's the deal with Dr. Cahn? How'd she score a job here?"Lena hesitated for a second before answering. "She's Retta's aunt."Ah. Th
"It's nothing!" Lena said, shoving her phone away.Which, of course, meant it was definitely something. But if she wasn't ready to talk, I wasn't going to push. Probably something to do with Nate.That lingering connection—the one where things are over but not really over—was something I understood too well.Like me and Jace. Even after all this time and starting over, there were still threads that tied us together. It wasn't love anymore, but the history, the complications... those don't just disappear.***When Lindey found out I was pregnant, she showed up with a basket of supplements."This is wonderful! You're going to be a mom!" she gushed, her joy practically lighting up the room."Rea, the hospital's no place to stay. You're not eating right here. Come home and let me take care of you," she added.Her excitement wasn't about me being the daughter-in-law she'd once wanted. It was because she still saw me as the daughter she'd raised, even though this child had nothing to
Lindey froze, her eyes filling with tears before she nodded. "Okay... fine. Deal."The first I heard of it was online—pics and videos everywhere. Cole had gotten his butt handed to him, and the comments? Straight-up applause. Rumors were flying that he was tied to organized crime.But I knew better. Jace sent those guys after him.And honestly, anyone paying attention could connect the dots. That's why Wayne wasn't about to let it slide.***"You went after Cole? What's your problem?" Wayne's voice was razor-sharp. "You think you're invincible or just bored with life?"Jace just smirked. "Maybe. I mean, that fire didn't kill me."Wayne stiffened at that but didn't bite. "I've got a place for you to lay low. Thorsten's not going to let this go."Jace stretched out lazily on the couch, shirt half-unbuttoned, legs up on the coffee table like he owned the world. "Let him come."Wayne snorted. "You're delusional if you think Dad can protect you like before. Thorsten's done giving h
Jace's hand fell to his side, his phone slipping onto the floor. His whole body seemed to collapse under invisible weight. His voice cracked. "Mom said... Dad... he's gone."Wayne didn't react, like he'd already seen this coming.They stood there in tense silence before Wayne muttered, "Let's go."***Jace called while I was half-asleep. My dreams had been all over the place, and the phone's ringing yanked me out of that foggy mess. I groaned, fumbling for it. "Hello?""Rea..." Jace's voice wavered, then broke."What is it?" I mumbled, still groggy."My dad... He's gone."His voice was barely a whisper, yet it snapped me awake. My heart thudded as his words sank in.Matthew Johnston. The man who took my parents from me—but also the man who treated me like his own daughter. I hated him, but I couldn't hate him completely.It's why I'd been dodging my promise to Lindey to visit the Johnston house. And now?He was gone. Forever.I stayed quiet, throat tight. On the other end,
Peter's expression darkened at Hayden's playful jab, but Hayden merely smiled lightly, as if relishing the discomfort. "From what you’ve said, Mr. Mitchell, you must be quite the romantic," he teased. The tea began to boil, releasing a rich fragrance into the air. Hayden had done his homework on Peter. Despite his dignified reputation, Mr. Mitchell had married three times, fathered no children with his wives, and even had an illegitimate child with a mistress. This mistress had borne him a son and then tried to leverage the child to gain the title of "Madam Mitchell." Peter, stubborn and prideful, refused her demands and even sent people to take the child by force. But the mistress, knowing Peter’s methods, preemptively entrusted the child to someone else. When Mitchell’s men came to seize the boy, an explosive argument broke out. In a fit of rage, Mitchell struck her, and in defiance, the mistress stabbed herself in the chest, intending only to scare him. Unfortunately, the blad
When Hayden arrived at the teahouse, Ron glanced at his watch and tapped it meaningfully before saying in a low voice, "The man’s been waiting for half an hour." "Getting impatient?" Hayden asked casually, his tone devoid of concern. His attire was simple and understated, nothing to draw attention. If not for his sharply defined features and the naturally aloof aura he carried, his outfit would have rendered him almost invisible in a crowd. "No, not at all. I’m quite patient," Ron replied with an exaggerated expression of innocence, as though pleading not to be falsely accused. Hayden gave him a glance that seemed to say, Then why bother pointing it out? "But arriving this late does come across as impolite, doesn’t it?" Ron added, his tone that of a model citizen, someone who might have been a class leader or an exemplary student back in the day. "I did it on purpose," Hayden replied, cutting him off with five simple words that silenced Ron. Hayden pushed open the door an
"Because this love didn’t give me the happiness I imagined," Lena explained with a faint smile. "It’s like going to the supermarket, picking out a snack you’re excited about, and then finding out it doesn’t suit your taste. After that, you just don’t like it anymore and won’t bother with it again." Her metaphor was strikingly apt. "And what does the happiness you imagine look like?" Aaron asked, as though playing the role of a persistent interviewer. Lena, softened by the alcohol, answered obediently, "I don’t know. But whatever it is, Nate didn’t give it to me." Aaron observed the peaceful resignation in her expression and pressed further. "Do you still believe in love? Do you still want to start a new relationship?" "Of course," Lena said, finally lifting her gaze to meet his. Her eyebrows arched into a cheerful expression. "I’m not the kind of person who gets scared off by a bad experience. If I meet someone who makes my heart race again, I’ll love them boldly and passiona
He was waiting for her? What for? "Uncle, you didn’t skip dinner, did you?" Lena’s first thought was his meal. In truth, he hadn’t eaten. After receiving her message, he had been uneasy all evening, unable to focus on food. "You didn’t eat? I’ll make something for you," Lena assumed his silence was confirmation. "There’s no need," Aaron refused. "Then why were you waiting for me? Is something wrong?" In Lena’s view, Aaron would never wait for her without a reason. He gazed at her, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "You’ve been drinking?" She nodded, flashing him a sweet, soft smile. She even gestured with her hand, "Just a little." Aaron stepped closer, his tall frame looming over her with an intensity that made her feel small. Though the light above bathed his eyes, they remained dark and inscrutable, filled with a depth that was hard to read. Lena sensed something was off. "Uncle, what’s wrong?" She looked into his deep, clear eyes, untouched by any impurity.
"Should we drink a little today?" Lena asked. Nate nodded. "Let’s have a drink." They warmed a bottle of wine and ordered a few small dishes. Neither of them spoke, simply sitting quietly, gazing out at the river and the occasional boats passing by. "Lena," Nate called her softly. Lena turned to look at him. The warm yellow light above cast a gentle glow on his nose, brows, and lips. His gold-rimmed glasses exuded elegance, and the texture of his shirt spoke of refined taste. Even after their breakup, Lena had to admit that Nate was precisely her type. In all her life, among all the men she had met, only Aaron and Nate could truly be called attractive in her eyes. Even Hayden and Jace were merely "not bad." It wasn’t that her standards were excessively high—it was simply that if someone didn’t resonate with her, no matter how perfect they were, she wouldn’t care for them. "Thank you," Nate said softly. Lena was momentarily stunned, assuming he was referring to their wor
Recently, Lena had been in a constant state of distraction. Aaron's decision to sever ties with the Aces weighed heavily on her mind. He hadn't told her the reason, only saying that she would find out in due time. She could live without knowing why, but she feared the fallout. When the truth came to light, she worried her grandparents and her mother would crumble under the weight of the news, collectively breaking down. Aaron had assured her he would handle everything, but she didn’t trust that he could shield the family from such devastation. Most importantly, she couldn’t understand why he would choose to leave the Aces. Could it really be, as the old saying went, that someone else’s child was like an ungrateful wolf? If it were anyone else, she might believe it, but this was Aaron. She couldn’t bring herself to believe he would be so heartless, so ungrateful. And yet, he had said it to her himself. It felt so unreal that Lena wondered if she had imagined it all. This tur
Mrs. Lane finally pieced together all the questions Lena had asked her and understood everything. Gabriel furrowed his brow and looked at Lena. "Is this really what you think?" Lena stayed silent. She did have those suspicions, but seeing how her mother had reacted so strongly, she began to wonder if she had been overthinking it. Aaron, who had already figured out the situation, looked at Lena and spoke up. "She must have misunderstood something." And he knew it was his fault. "She’s just an ungrateful brat! She doesn’t appreciate the kindness she’s been given and can’t stand seeing me be good to someone else," Mrs. Lane fumed again. Gabriel wiped away her tears gently. "Alright, maybe she was just joking with you." "Ask her if she was joking! Look at the things she’s been asking me—let her tell you herself!" Mrs. Lane pointed an accusing finger at Lena. "Big Sis," Aaron called out softly, "I’ll take Lil' Lena out for some fresh air." Without waiting for a reply, he r
"You’ll find out soon enough," Aaron’s answer echoed in Lena’s ears, leaving her restless and unable to sleep. The next day, Mrs. Lane arrived with chicken soup for Aaron and a bag full of fresh produce. "These vegetables are from a village I visited. They’re all organic, no chemical fertilizers," she gushed proudly. Lena's gaze followed her mother’s every move, scrutinizing her intently. Wherever she went, Lena's eyes followed, making her incredibly uncomfortable. "What are you staring at me for? It’s creepy," Mrs. Lane said. "Mom, why are you so good to my uncle?" Lena finally asked. "He’s my brother. Isn’t it normal for me to care for him? You think everyone’s as heartless as you?" Mrs. Lane scolded her, throwing in an insult for good measure. Lena didn’t retaliate to the insult. Instead, she pressed further, "It’s normal, sure, but the way you care for him doesn’t feel like how you’d treat a brother. It feels more like..." She paused before continuing, "Like how you’d
Keira chuckled softly. "Well, a DNA test isn’t a bad idea. At least then you won’t have to worry about being related to Mr. Ace if you two get together." Lena's eyebrows shot up instantly. "What nonsense are you spouting? Do you want me to hit you?" "Go ahead. If you break anything, you’ll have to compensate me," Keira said smugly, knowing full well she had a trump card—her precious little one growing inside her. Their playful banter caught the attention of the people in the room. They exchanged amused glances. "The things girls find joy in are beyond us," one of them said with a smile. "Let’s hope they stay happy forever," Aaron added, just as his phone began to ring. Glancing at the caller ID, he nodded at Hayden. "I’ll take this call." Aaron walked toward his study. Hayden also pulled out his phone, while Lena and Keira moved to the sofa. Keira recounted Lena’s gossip to him. "Hayden, do you think I could be the person the Mitchell family owes a debt to?" "It’s not