Around me, the scene was chaotic—voices overlapping, footsteps rushing—but it all seemed like background noise. My world narrowed down to the girl in my arms, the one who had unknowingly consumed my thoughts for months."Sir, the ambulance is on its way," a staff member informed me, but I didn’t look up. Instead, I carefully adjusted Kirsten’s position, making sure her head rested securely against my chest.As I stared down at her peaceful yet pale face, a mix of emotions churned within me—concern, guilt, and an unfamiliar ache I couldn’t quite place.“Just hold on, Kirsten,” I murmured softly. “You’ll be okay. I promise.”The ambulance's sirens wailed faintly in the distance, growing louder with each passing second. Time seemed to drag, every moment stretching into eternity as I willed her to wake up, to open her eyes and tell me she was fine.But she remained still, her fragile state a stark reminder of just how much she had been carrying on her own. And in that moment, I made a sile
I sat there, staring at the door after Robert left, my thoughts swirling in a chaotic mess. The idea of letting Vincent step in as the public face of my company left a sour taste in my mouth, but what choice did I have? The threats were real, and Kirsten’s unexpected presence in my life had made me vulnerable in ways I hadn’t been before.How I wish I could live as a commoner—a life where I could do as I pleased, where freedom wasn’t just a concept but a reality. No watchful eyes, no threats lurking in the shadows, waiting for one wrong move to strike. But what can I do? This is the life I was born into—a gilded cage. One wrong step, and I’m dead. Charming, isn’t it?My thoughts wandered to the one solution I kept avoiding. Should I really assign Vincent as my decoy? The idea churned in my stomach. He’s been circling the company like a vulture, always eager to take what isn’t his. Maybe this would make him happy—his long-awaited chance to step into my shoes. But of course, his happine
Would she understand why I had to keep my distance? Could I even stay away?One thing was certain—this game I was playing was far from over, and the stakes were higher than ever.The next morning, I summoned Vincent again to discuss an important matter. The night had been restless, my mind unable to let go of a single thought—Kirsten. I couldn’t bear the idea of her struggling alone. I wanted to help her, to support her, but I knew I couldn’t do it openly. The risks were too high.Vincent would have to be my proxy.He walked into my office with his usual swagger, a smirk already plastered on his face. "Brother! What’s on your mind today? Another thrilling task for your favorite sibling?"I slid an envelope across the desk toward him, my face unreadable. "This contains everything you need to know about a woman named Kirsten Zaldua and her late mother."Vincent raised an eyebrow as he opened the envelope, scanning its contents. "And who, pray tell, are these people to you?""I’m support
I stood, walking to the window, my reflection staring back at me—a man torn between duty and something he couldn’t quite name.Whatever this was, it wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about her. "Brother, I did what you told me. But you conveniently forgot to mention something about her," Vincent said as he strode into my office, his usual cocky smirk plastered across his face.I glanced up from my paperwork, instantly suspicious. "What are you talking about?"He leaned casually against my desk, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "She’s stunning. I mean, really stunning. You never told me she had a face like that."My grip on the pen tightened. The words hit me like a warning bell. Alarm coursed through me, darkening my expression."What did you just say?" I asked, my tone sharp.He chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "I said, she’s got the face. The kind that makes a man wonder. You know, charming, graceful...""Stop right there." My voice was icy, cutting through his teasing like a
When we reached the van, my eyes lingered on my mother’s still form. She looked so peaceful, almost as if she were merely sleeping.As the van doors closed and we began the drive to the funeral home, I felt a hollow ache in my chest. The world outside the window seemed distant and blurry, like I was watching a scene unfold in someone else’s life.But this was my reality. My mother was gone, and I was left to face the emptiness she left behind.Sansa’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “Kirsten, we’ll get through this together,” she said, squeezing my hand.I nodded weakly, leaning my head against the window as tears silently streamed down my face.The van rolled to a stop in front of the funeral home, and Sansa gently nudged me, pulling me from my daze. I hadn’t realized we’d arrived. The air felt heavy as I stepped out, my feet hesitant to touch the ground as if doing so would confirm the painful reality I was living.Sansa handed me a handkerchief, her eyes filled with silent suppor
It was as if I couldn’t tear myself away, but I also knew that I needed to step outside, to get some air. For just a moment, I needed to disconnect from the weight of the room.“Okay,” I whispered, standing up with her help.We stepped out into the cool air of the early afternoon, the bustling outside world a stark contrast to the stillness inside. I felt the weight of the grief in my chest, but for now, I focused on the gentle rhythm of our footsteps, the calming presence of Sansa beside me, and the knowledge that, in this moment, I didn’t have to carry everything alone.As we walked in silence, I tried to collect my thoughts, but the overwhelming weight of the loss made it hard to focus. Sansa’s quiet presence beside me was a comfort, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was just drifting, going through the motions.After a while, Sansa broke the silence. “Kirsten,” she said softly, “have you thought about what’s next? What you want to do after... everything settles?”I stopped w
I nodded, the lump in my throat making it difficult to speak further. The quiet support from Mr. Reyes, Lilith, Jacob, and the others was overwhelming, but it was exactly what I needed in that moment. For the first time since my mother’s passing, I felt a small sense of comfort, even if just for a fleeting second.When I finally found the opportunity to speak to Mr. Reyes alone, my thoughts seemed to rush all at once, making my words feel like they were tumbling out faster than I could control. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I met his gaze."Mr. Reyes, I... I need to tell you something important," I began, my voice laced with hesitation. "I've been offered a job at Rockwell. They've agreed to cover all my expenses in exchange, and they want to offer me their support during this difficult time. I... I’m sorry, sir. I think I need to take this opportunity."The weight of the words hung in the air between us. It was hard to say, harder still to admit it aloud.Mr. Reyes
I could hear her breathing softly beside me, her presence a constant reminder that I had people who cared, even in my darkest moments.“I’m here, Kirsten,” she said softly, breaking the silence. “You don’t have to go through this alone. We’ll get through it together.”I turned to her, my eyes filled with tears that had long been held back. “Thank you, Sansa. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”She smiled gently, her eyes filled with understanding. “You don’t have to worry about that. You have me, and you have everyone here who cares about you. We’ll help you through this, step by step.”And in that moment, as I sat there surrounded by those who cared, I realized something important. The grief was still there, but it didn’t feel as heavy. With the support of those around me, I could start healing. It wouldn’t be easy, but I would face it, one day at a time.I took a deep breath, feeling the quiet strength that had slowly been building up inside me. My mother had always be
Anton reached for my hand, his fingers curling around mine in that reassuring way that always made me feel safe. “I’m right here with you.” Together, we made our way to the venue—a small, private room in a government building. It wasn’t extravagant, but it felt right. The judge greeted us warmly, and after a few moments of formalities, we stood facing each other, the weight of the moment settling around us. Anton’s eyes never left mine as the judge began to speak. I could feel the anticipation building in my chest, my emotions swirling. This was it. This was the beginning of everything. When it was time to exchange vows, Anton went first. “I promise to love you, cherish you, and stand by your side in every moment, no matter what comes our way. You are my heart, and I am yours.” Tears welled up in my eyes as he spoke, his words so genuine, so full of meaning. I could feel the sincerity in his voice, and my heart swelled with love for him. When it was my turn, I took a deep breath,
As we stepped through the door, our hands still intertwined, the world outside seemed distant. The comfort of our home wrapped around us like a warm blanket. Anton pulled me close, his arms slipping around my waist as he held me from behind. I could feel his breath against my neck, soft and warm, as he kissed me slowly, tenderly."Mrs. Rockwell," he whispered, his voice teasing, sending a shiver down my spine. His words were full of promise, of a future that, no matter how uncertain, felt like it was finally within reach.I let out a soft laugh, the sound light and carefree. "Not yet," I replied, glancing back at him, my eyes meeting his with a playful glint.His lips curled into a mischievous grin, the kind that made my heart race. "Oh, you will soon," he said, his voice low and intimate, as he tightened his hold on me just enough to make my heart flutter. "And I want you to practice a new signature with my surname in it soon."His words hung in the air, heavy with significance. It w
I smiled, a warm glow spreading through me. "I'm glad we took the chance. I can't imagine my life without you now."As we shared a tender kiss, the fire crackled once more, as if celebrating our newfound love. The sofa, witness to our passionate encounter, seemed to sigh contentedly, its cushions inviting them to stay a while longer. And so they did, wrapped in each other's arms, lost in a world where only they existed, a world filled with love, passion, and the promise of a future together."When did you fall in love with me, Anton?" I asked, my voice soft as I looked up at him.He smirked, his fingers lightly tracing patterns on my arm. "I fell for you when you were just a delivery girl," he admitted with a chuckle.I giggled, remembering those days. "I was so naive back then. I only wanted to get your attention so you would hire me. That’s why I started sending those special meals to your office. I thought if I impressed you enough, you’d give me a job."Anton smiled as if recallin
I stopped, turning my head slightly, but I didn’t let go of Anton’s hand. “Yes?”He hesitated, his lips parting and closing as though he couldn’t quite find the words. Finally, he spoke, his voice quieter now. “Do you think I even deserve peace? After everything I’ve done to you… to both of you?”I sighed, glancing at Anton, who gave my hand a small squeeze. He didn’t intervene, allowing me to face Vincent on my own terms. “It’s not about deserving it, Vincent,” I said gently. “It’s about whether or not you want it. Whether or not you’re willing to change and work toward it.”He leaned back in his chair, his cuffed hands resting heavily on the armrests. His gaze fell to the floor as if searching for answers in the patterns of the tiles. “I don’t know if I can live with the guilt. Every time I think about what I’ve done… it’s like it’s eating me alive.”“Then stop running from it,” I said firmly. “Face it. Own your mistakes and make amends where you can. That’s the only way you’ll ever
He looked down at his cuffed hands, his voice lowering to a whisper. "So, I took advantage of it. Out of jealousy, out of spite. I wanted to take away something he cared about, something he might love, just to prove I could. I wanted to hurt him the way I thought he had hurt me... and you became the collateral damage."His words hit me like a tidal wave, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. All this time, I had thought Vincent’s actions were about me, about control, about possession. But now I realized—it was never about me. It was about his insecurities, his bitterness toward Anton, and his need to win a game only he was playing."You used me..." I whispered, the hurt evident in my voice.Vincent’s eyes met mine, and for the first time, they weren’t filled with arrogance or anger. They were filled with regret. "I did," he confessed. "And I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.""I can’t believe you..." I whispered, my voice trembling with disbelief and pain.Vincent nodded slowly, h
"Anton..." I hesitated, my fingers twisting nervously in my lap as I searched for the courage to voice what had been weighing on my mind. "Can I meet him?"The room fell silent, the air suddenly thick with tension. Anton’s jaw tightened, his usually soft eyes hardening as they locked onto mine. "Why do you want to meet him, Kirsten?" His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "Because I feel like I need to," I said softly. "To free myself from him completely—for real this time. I need closure, Anton. I need to look him in the eyes and tell him that we’re done. And... I want him to ask for forgiveness."Anton’s gaze didn’t waver, but I could see the conflict brewing behind his eyes. For a moment, I thought he’d argue, tell me it was unnecessary, that I didn’t need to reopen that chapter of my life.But then, to my surprise, he nodded. "If that’s what you need," he said quietly, his voice firm but filled with understanding, "I’l
The days passed like a dream—soft, fleeting, and almost unreal. I hadn’t been counting them because, for the first time in years, I was truly happy. But that happiness was laced with an edge of unease, especially when Anton told me what had happened.Vincent had been captured. By Anton’s men.The news left a strange weight in my chest, and though I tried to push it aside, it lingered."What are you going to do to your brother, Anton?" I asked, my voice quiet but firm as I sat across from him in the spacious living room.Anton leaned back in his chair, his sharp features illuminated by the soft glow of the chandelier. His brow arched slightly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You sound like you’re worried about him."I hesitated, unsure how to answer that. Was I?Despite the cruel way Vincent had treated me, a part of me couldn’t deny that he had once been a significant part of my life. But worry? Love? Those feelings had long since faded."I’m not worried about him," I said, shaking my h
I learned from him that Vincent had resorted to sending death threats, demanding Anton leave the country. My stomach turned at the revelation. It was a side of Vincent I hadn’t fully understood until now. Anton, however, seemed unfazed, stating firmly, “He’ll pay for that. I’ll make sure he does. Threatening me gives me the leverage I need to put him behind bars.”The thought of Vincent—once the man I thought I loved—going to prison left me torn. A part of me felt justice was inevitable, but another part still struggled to reconcile this side of him with the man I had once known.And then there was Anton. The man who had been a stranger not so long ago but now felt like a lifeline. It was surreal to think back to the days when I would deliver lunches to his company, never once imagining that the CEO himself was aware of me. And now, here I was, living under the same roof with him."Can you believe this?" I murmured to myself one evening as I stood by the window, looking out at the exp
His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out. But instead, he turned away, laughing bitterly. "We’ll see about that," he muttered, disappearing into his bedroom and slamming the door behind him. I exhaled shakily, my entire body trembling. This wasn’t living. This was survival. I picked up my phone and opened Anton’s message again. Without overthinking, I typed: Me: I need your help. I hit send and waited, my heart pounding in my chest. Within seconds, his reply came. Anton: I’ll be there in the morning. I stared at the message, a mix of relief and fear washing over me. Tomorrow, things would change. Whether for better or worse, I didn’t know. But one thing was certain—I couldn’t keep living like this. The morning light filtered through the curtains, and I sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the floor. My heart felt heavy, weighed down by everything that had happened the night before. Vincent’s words still echoed in my mind—his possessiveness, hi