"Take care of yourself," Anastasia said, standing at the door. She turned to Caleb with a warm smile. "And if someone bothers you, call me or your brother. No fighting, alright?"Caleb nodded softly. "Okay, sister-in-law."Anastasia gave him a hug and said, "Enjoy the school trip! Have lots of fun. I made sure Mrs. Luna packed plenty of snacks for you."Caleb was going on a school trip and he only told them about it last night. Anastasia and Damien were unprepared. When the boy went to sleep, the two adults made all the prepearations to send him for the school trip. Anastasia heard about his aggressive nature that she had yet to see and was worried that he would get into fight with some kids. She did not want to give Carolyn a chance to call Anastasia careless. If Caleb even had a scratch on his body, the Callahan family would blame her. After all, the two old women were looking for a chance to find her guilty. Damien raised a brow, eyeing Caleb's large bag. "He is only going for tw
Anastasia knew this deal was about more than just securing a prestigious contract for the company; it was also a personal milestone for her as well. If she succeeded, she would finally earn a place in her father’s eyes and gain the respect that she needed to chase her ambitions.Only when her father trust her, she could execute her main plan. She could neither touch Claire nor her daughter until she had power in her hands. Damien could protect her from Harold but who would protect her ambitions from Harold if she exposed herself? Thus, she needed both the bigshots around her. This deal was going to give a push to her plans. From what she understood, the royal family of Noorstan was deeply attached to the palace which made it a complex acquisition. They seemed to be entertaining offers from both Spencer and Armani but Anastasia doubted the situation was as straightforward as it appeared.When they entered the hotel suite, Anastasia’s gaze fell on two central figures which were a man
“Miss Nasrin,” Anastasia countered, maintaining her composure, “The Moonlight Pavilion is the essence of the palace and crucial to the entire hotel project. If you take it away from us, aren’t you selling us empty utensils with no soup?”Nasrin’s eyes narrowed as she took in the young woman’s boldness. “You…”How dare she use such lowly language? Even the man beside Nasrin looked taken aback by Anastasia’s assertive tone, though perhaps not entirely surprised. He knew that Anastasia Spencer was a force of nature. Her tongue was poisonous. Paul shot a warning glance at Anastasia, hoping to control her behaviour, but she pressed on. “There can be no cooperation if the Moonlight Pavilion is not included.”Narsin asked, “DId uou invite us to insult us?” Anastasia answered, “Princess Nasrin, we are loyal from our side. We are straightforward too. When you agreed to sell the palace, the pavilion was a part of it. In business sentiments have no value. Everything can be bought and sold.”
As Anastasia exited, she spotted a man standing nearby, almost as if he hd been waiting for her. She tried to walk past, but he moved into her path. Clearly, he was there to talk to him. "Anna..." he called softly.She paused, narrowing her eyes. “Adam?” She offered a small and hesitant smile om recognizing him after a moment. They had known each other once a lifetime ago. She never expected to see him here. Especially with people of Noorstan. "Can we talk, please?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of vulnerability.She sighed, glancing at her watch. "I’m sorry, Adam. I’m in a hurry." Her tone was distant, clearly signaling her reluctance."Please," he pleaded, "For old times’ sake."She studied him for a moment. She asked, "I get that, but I can’t help being curious... when did you start working for the Noorstan royal family? Are you with them now?"Adam scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “Well… something like that.”Her eyebrow arched skeptically. Then he hesitated befo
Paul had already left, and the evening had grown late. Anastasia texted Damien her location, hoping he would arrive soon so they could leave for home together. She fidgeted with her phone while glancing around the hotel lobby and her mind racing with thoughts of the day’s events.Just as she settled into her anxious wait, her phone rang. The caller ID displayed her father's name, and a knot tightened in her stomach. She took a deep breath while steeling herself before answering.“Come home now,” he commanded, his tone laced with anger and cold authority. The message was clear that there was no room for negotiation. Anastasia's heart sank as she realized she would have to call off her plans with Damien. She quickly sent him another message, explaining that her father had summoned her home and that he shouldn’t come here to pick her up.Moments later, a sleek black car pulled up in front of the hotel. The door swung open, revealing her father’s assistant, who stood waiting there for he
Meanwhile, Anastasia stood in her father’s study with her head lowered as he unleashed his frustration upon her. “Do you think you have more experience and skill than Paul?” he barked, his voice echoing in the room. “How dare you ruin the deal?” His words were like daggers with each one piercing deeper than the last. “I gave you an opportunity and you squandered it!” He paused, his gaze icy as he continued, “You ask me why Regina is better than you? That’s why! She knows her limits! She never ruins things for me!” Anastasia remained silent while absorbing the onslaught of criticism. To be honest, she had seen it coming. He just did not expect that he would openly tell `her that Regina was better than him. He spat in anger, “You have ruined the deal and you will face the consequences. If you don’t, you know who will bear the punishment.”As she left the study, the hurt was still there and she caught sight of her stepmother, Claire, whose face had an unmistakable gloating expressio
As they were leaving, Damien’s arm protectively around Anastasia’s shoulders as they looked undeniably close and they were lost in their own world. Regina’s eyes reddened while her clenched fists trembled with the urge to lash out. Her nails dug into her palms and she fought the urge to contain the simmering jealousy at the sight of Anastasia. This woman was taking away the man she had always envisioned beside her.Claire leaned toward Harold as her voice was a sharp whisper. “Hubby, you have to do something. That girl’s behavior is insufferably spoiled. She needs to be disciplined.”Harold’s gaze lingered on the door where his daughter had stormed out in defiance. Claire’s words had a little impact but he stayed silent. How could he explain that punishment didn’t work with Anastasia? She was stubborn beyond reason and was devoid of the fear he expected her to have. Despite his attempts to control her in, she remained resolute and her spirit was unbroken. This girl was defiant for no
A maid appeared at the doorway and said, “Miss Spencer, the Master is calling for you.”As Claire and Regina made their way to Harold’s study and they found him seated at his desk, a file clasped in his hands. He looked up as they entered. Without a word, he handed the file to Regina.“What is this, Dad?” she asked, curiosity bubbling within her.“Open it,” Harold replied, his tone cool. Regina flipped open the file and her eyes widened in disbelief as she absorbed the contents. Inside were the documents indicating that her father was transferring all his shares in her jewelry company to her. These shares were worth millions and had been a significant part of his investments. She could hardly wrap her head around it. Why was he acting so generous? Claire gasped softly as her heart raced. She and Regina had never imagined that Harold would give such valuable assets, especially while he was still alive. Why was he so nice today? What changed? “I have instructed Paul,” Harold continue
It had been a week since Regina moved in with Damien. Today, she felt a bit confined inside the house, so she decided to step out for some fresh air. She had been very unwell. Ever since she was discharged from the hospital, she had been experiencing nonstop bleeding. When she asked the doctor, she was told that they had found a cyst in her uterus and had to operate on her. Because of this, she was facing several symptoms.But Regina felt as though her body had gone through too much. She was not the same person she had been a few months ago. She had gained a lot of weight, and her breasts were always achy and swollen. She didn't understand what was happening to her body, but the doctors assured her that it was all due to the medication.Stepping out of Damien’s house, she exited the main gate and began strolling through the neighborhood. It was a quiet and charming place with beautiful houses and families playing in the gardens. Suddenly, the sound of a baby’s laughter caught her atte
At Abel’s house, Ronan was patiently guiding him on how to handle the babies. The twins kept them both busy, and although Ronan’s parents were around to help, he wanted to learn everything himself. Abel, too, was determined to learn despite the exhaustion; he wanted to be there for his daughters in every way possible.“Yes, look, you rocked her to sleep,” Ronan praised, watching as Abel gently cradled one of the babies, soothing her into a peaceful slumber.Abel carefully placed the sleeping infant into the crib before turning to the other. He repeated the same motions, soft rocking, quiet hums and soon, the second baby was asleep as well.A breath of disbelief escaped him. “I can’t believe I did it,” he whispered, staring at his daughters in awe.Ronan smiled. “They know you, Abel. They recognize your scent, your touch. You make them feel safe.” He patted Abel on the back. “The more time you spend with them, the easier it’ll get.”Abel nodded, his heart swelling with both pride and s
The two of them lay tangled in the sheets as their bare skin pressed together. Damien held Anna close, his arms wrapped around her as he kissed her between moments of quiet peace. She lay there with a soft smile, feeling safe in his embrace.After a while, they shifted positions. This time, Anna curled around him, pressing gentle kisses along his shoulder and neck, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his skin. It was her turn to spoil him, to love him the way he always loved her.Later, they sat on the floor together as they began to share the meal Damien had brought. The warmth of the food and the comfort of their closeness made everything feel peaceful.Anna took a bite and sighed happily. “Mmm… I missed this,” she said, leaning in to kiss his cheek. Then, her voice softened with guilt. “Damien, who is taking care of your meals? I’m so sorry I haven’t been paying attention to you.”Damien chuckled. “Come on, baby. I’m fine. Just like you told me, no alcohol, no sugar, and no extra
Ashton sat on the couch in the living room, his small hands clenched into fists as he frowned. His frustration was clear. "Why is Aunt Regina living in our house while we have to stay here?" he asked Adeline, his voice filled with confusion and hurt.Adeline looked at the little boy, seeing the sadness in his eyes. But then, in a much softer voice, he whispered something that broke her heart. "I can’t sleep without Daddy… Is he sending us back to the orphanage?"Her chest tightened. Ashton and Asher had been through so much, and even now, after finding a family, his fear of being abandoned hadn’t gone away. The instability of his life had left deep scars, and now, with his mother missing and everything changing again, he was scared.Without a second thought, Adeline pulled him into a warm hug, holding him close. "No, sweetheart. No one is sending you back. You have Mom and Dad, and they love you so much. And Aunt Addy and Uncle Austin? We love you, too. You are never going to be witho
"What happened here?" Ronan and Adeline rushed in but looked tense as they saw the two other men with tensed expressions. "Regina woke up," Abel answered."Really?" Ronan's breath hitched as he stepped forward to enter her room and meet his bestfriend. The moment Ronan saw Regina sitting up in bed, his vision blurred with tears. She was awake. Alive. Looking around in confusion as if nothing had happened. The past few months had been a nightmare as she had suffered so much, more than anyone should endure. And still, here she was, sitting before him like it was just another day.Without thinking, he rushed to her side and pulled her into a tight hug."Ronan," Regina muttered, startled by his reaction.He felt her stiffen in his embrace, and when he pulled back, her brows furrowed as she asked, "Why are you acting like I died and came back?"Her words sent a chill down his spine. She truly had no idea."You gave us the scare of a lifetime," Ronan admitted, his voice filled with emoti
Just then, the doctor entered to check on Regina. Seizing the opportunity, Damien grabbed Abel by the arm and dragged him outside.The moment they were alone, he turned on him. "What the hell did you just say?! She is my fiancée? I am a married man, Abel! Anna is going to kill me!"His pulse pounded as he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "I have kids! I am not sending my children somewhere else so I can play house with your wife!"Abel looked at him with an exasperated expression. "Then what was I supposed to do? Tell her the truth? That she is actually married to me?"Damien gritted his teeth, trying to suppress the urge to throttle Abel. "You could have said literally anything other than ‘Damien is your fiancé!’"Abel sighed, rubbing his temples. "Look, we need to take this one step at a time. Her mind is fragile right now. If we push her too hard, we could make things worse."Damien exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin. "Fix this, Abel. Fast."Abel ran a hand through h
"Regina!"Abel’s voice cracked as he rushed to his wife, wrapping his arms around her the moment her eyes fluttered open. He had dreamed of this moment. Heck, even prayed for it, but now that she was finally awake, the reality felt almost too cruel to bear.For weeks, he had watched over her lifeless form, hoping against hope. And in those weeks, everything had fallen apart. Too many things had gone wrong. Too much had changed.But as he held her, Regina stiffened. Her hands pushed against his chest, her brows furrowing in confusion."What's wrong with you?" she demanded, looking at him like an outsider. Her voice carried no warmth, only suspicion. "Why are you hugging me like this?"Abel pulled back while searching her face, but all he found was cold detachment and the same distant, disdainful expression she had once reserved for him."Why are you looking at me like that?" he whispered, his heart pounding.Regina ignored his question, her gaze shifting around the hospital room, takin
Anna’s voice dropped to a whisper. "Something is missing. Something I don’t know yet. A piece that doesn’t fit. Regina worshipped her mother, and yet, suddenly, she named me as the guardian of her children in case of her and her husband’s death. Why? She hated me to me death." Her eyes narrowed. "There is something deeper at play, and I need you to find out what it is."Damien nodded. "I will get on it."Anna took a deep breath before revealing the most critical information. "And there is something even more important. The drug that Claire injected Regina with, I managed to steal a sample of her blood and sent it to a lab for testing."Damien’s grip tightened on her arms. "And?""The results came back. The drug has severe side effects. If Regina wakes up, there is a high chance she will suffer from amnesia. The extent of it is unpredictable, as she might lose all her memories or have selective amnesia. It depends on how her body reacts to it."Damien added. "Her pregnancy already weak
"What are you doing?" Lisa tried to ask without letting her voice tremble.Damien’s arm snaked around her waist while pulling her close with effortless ease. A smirk tugged at his lips as he whispered, "What do you think?"She stiffened, placing her hands on his chest to push him away. "You are a married man. Stay away from me."His grip didn’t loosen. Instead, he tilted his head as his eyes gleamed with mischief. "Am I?"Lisa’s breath hitched. "I know that you are.""Then tell me why I can’t seem to stay away from you," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.Her pulse quickened as she tried to hold her ground. "Your wife won’t appreciate this."A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Oh, I don’t think she will mind me having you."That was the last straw."Ouch!" Damien groaned as she elbowed him hard in the stomach. He staggered back, clutching his side."You jerk! You absolute asshole!" she fumed, eyes blazing. "I disappear for a few days, and you’re already out here seducing