Chapter 23: A peaceful dinner As Charles and his man left, Liam remained frozen, clutching the paper in his hand. His thoughts were chaotic, oscillating between disbelief and a strange, gnawing fear. Aria was the past—this was something he had convinced himself of long ago. But now, with her possible pregnancy looming over him, the lines between past and present blurred.The paper in his hand felt heavy, like it held all his unresolved regrets and mistakes. A part of him wanted to tear it apart, to deny this new reality, but he knew that he couldn't ignore it.Returning to the company, Liam felt the weight of the news pressing on him. The usual rhythm of the day seemed muted. His mind wandered back to Chelsea, and the way she had looked at him earlier, so full of life and hope. He felt an ache, wondering if he could ever have something genuine without his past clawing its way back.When he entered his office, Reese was already there, going over a stack of documents. She looked up and
Chapter 24:The meet upThe next morning dawned with a crispness in the air that mirrored the tight coil of anxiety in Liam’s stomach. Today, he would face Aria—a confrontation that had been long overdue. He hadn’t slept well, the mix of Charles’s warning and his dinner with Chelsea weighing on his mind. Last night had been a rare respite, a few hours of ease and laughter, but it only made today’s impending tension feel heavier.As he arrived at the café where he and Aria had agreed to meet, he felt a familiar sense of control slide into place. He was Liam, a man who handled challenges head-on. Yet, a part of him wondered if even he was fully prepared for what Aria might throw at him.He spotted her instantly; Aria had a presence that drew eyes. Dressed impeccably in a sharp burgundy blouse and tailored pants, she looked every bit the part of a woman who knew how to wield power. She glanced up as he approached, an enigmatic smile curving her lips as she leaned back in her chair.“Liam,
Chapter 25: Suspecting Charles The next morning, Liam was still shaken from the previous day’s conversation with Aria. Her words lingered, especially the insinuation that her father, Charles, was hiding secrets of his own. Charles had been like a second father to Liam, his mentor and guide through the complexities of his life. But now, doubt gnawed at him. Could there be a side of Charles he didn’t know?He arrived at the café where he’d agreed to meet Charles that morning, determined to get answers. Charles was already seated, his posture relaxed, sipping on a coffee. Despite his usual calm, there was a sharpness in his gaze, as if he was studying Liam’s every move.“Liam,” Charles greeted with a warm smile, gesturing for him to sit. “I wasn’t expecting you so early.”Liam took a seat, his expression steeled. “We need to talk.”Charles raised an eyebrow, but his smile didn’t falter. “I thought that’s why we’re here.”There was a pause, tension thickening the air between them. “I met
Chapter 26: Seeing through his facade.The following afternoon, Liam parked outside his mother’s house, the grand facade as familiar as his childhood memories. He took a deep breath, glancing in the rearview mirror as if to steady himself. Visiting his mother often left him feeling exposed—she could see through every façade he put up, every wall he tried to build. But he was here for his grandmother, who had been unwell lately, and he needed to make sure she was alright.Entering the house, he was greeted by the scent of fresh flowers and the quiet hum of the housekeepers bustling around. His mother, elegant and composed as always, was waiting in the living room. Her eyes softened when she saw him.“Liam, dear,” she greeted, embracing him warmly. “It’s good to see you. Grandma is resting upstairs; the nurse says she’s been stable.”He nodded, feeling a wave of relief. "That’s good. I was worried."His mother gave him a knowing look, the kind that made him feel like he was twelve again
Chapter 27: Standing up for herself Marie was busy in the kitchen, her hands deftly moving as she sliced vegetables and prepared ingredients for the day. Chelsea was by her side, organizing trays and making sure everything was in order. It had been a typical morning so far, filled with chatter and the hum of clinking dishes. But suddenly, Marie glanced up at her with an expectant look.“Chelsea, why don’t you make something quick for Mr. Hensley and take it to him in his office? He hasn’t had breakfast yet, and he’s got a long day ahead,” she said, her tone warm but firm, the way a mother would be when nudging her child toward an opportunity.Chelsea blinked, caught a little off guard. She usually didn’t take food to Liam directly; Valerie or one of the other staff usually handled that. But she saw the small glint in Marie’s eyes and realized the older woman was subtly pushing her into it.“Sure, Marie,” she replied, trying to keep her voice casual as she gathered ingredients to make
Chapter 28: Their ruthless plan.Aria arrived at her father’s mansion, a sprawling estate with lush gardens and towering pillars that signified wealth and power. She walked up the stone path, her mind spinning with thoughts about how to push Liam into making a commitment. She was carrying Liam’s child, and she wanted to secure her position in his life — and in his fortune.When she entered the study, she found Charles sitting behind his ornate mahogany desk, reviewing a stack of documents with an intense expression. He looked up as she walked in, his piercing gaze softening momentarily as he took in the sight of his daughter. Charles was a man of calculated moves, and his presence always held an air of authority that made even Aria feel small at times."Ah, Aria, come in," he said, setting his papers aside and giving her his full attention. "To what do I owe this visit?"Aria closed the door behind her and sat across from him, her hands folded in her lap. "Father, I need your help wit
Chapter 29:The couples arrival Adams and Sandra stepped into the grand foyer of Adams’ family home, hand in hand, their faces glowing with the joy of their honeymoon. They had just returned from a blissful two-week escape in the Maldives, where the worries of the world had melted away in the soft sunsets and gentle waves. As they entered, Adams’ mother, a warm, elegant woman in her mid-fifties with a ready smile and welcoming eyes, came forward to greet them."Welcome back, you two! How was the honeymoon?" She embraced them both, holding Sandra a little longer, as if she could sense the newlywed happiness radiating from them."It was perfect, Mom," Adams replied, his arm protectively around Sandra’s waist. "Exactly what we needed. Just us, the ocean, and nothing else."Sandra nodded, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "We couldn’t have asked for a better place to unwind and enjoy ourselves."Adams' mother smiled knowingly. "I’m glad to hear that. Now, you two go rest. You must be ti
Chapter 30: Dawn of a new day.The next morning, the sunlight poured through the large windows of Charles’ mansion. Aria sat on a velvet armchair in the drawing room, waiting for her father. She tapped her manicured nails against the armrest, her mind racing with thoughts of her plan.Charles entered, his commanding presence filling the room. His neatly pressed suit and confident stride gave him the air of a man who knew how to get what he wanted. He smiled at Aria, but there was a calculating gleam in his eyes."Good morning, sweetheart," he said, settling into the armchair across from her. "You sounded urgent on the phone last night. What’s on your mind?"Aria crossed her legs, leaning forward with determination. "Father, I need your help. Liam isn’t taking responsibility for this baby, and I need to ensure he does."Charles raised an eyebrow. "Go on."Aria’s tone sharpened. "He’s been distant ever since I told him about the pregnancy. I know he’s hiding behind work, but he can’t av
Chapter 75: Unraveling SecretsAdams sat in his office, his fingers drumming impatiently against the wooden desk. His mind was already occupied with the ongoing company projects when the door swung open. His mother, Olivia Hudson, walked in, her expression unreadable.He leaned back in his chair, watching her as she gracefully took a seat across from him. "To what do I owe this surprise visit, Mother?"Marina folded her arms, her gaze sharp. "I wanted to talk to you about your father’s health."Adams’ fingers stopped moving. He straightened slightly. "His health?"She nodded. "I traced his calls—every single one of them. Ever since you found out he was dying, I became curious."His eyes narrowed. "How long have you known?""A few years," Marina admitted, her voice calm but firm. "Two years before your marriage, to be precise."Adams clenched his jaw, his mind working through the implications. "And who did you trace the calls to?"His mother took a deep breath before speaking. "Liam’s
Chapter 74: Unfamiliar Faces and Unspoken TensionsChelsea sighed as she unlocked the front door to her apartment, exhaustion weighing down her shoulders. It had been a long day at work, and while she had expected to see Liam at the office, he hadn’t shown up. She knew why,he needed time to process what his mother had told him about his father.Dropping her bag onto the couch, she kicked off her heels and stretched, rolling the tension from her shoulders. The silence in the apartment felt strange. Usually, Reese was home by now, but the place was eerily empty.Where could she be?Shrugging, Chelsea made her way to the bedroom to freshen up. She changed into comfortable lounge wear, tying her hair up in a messy bun before heading to the kitchen. As she started gathering ingredients for dinner, the distant hum of an approaching car caught her attention.She hesitated, then walked toward the window, peeking through the curtains. A sleek black car had pulled up outside, and stepping out o
Chapter 73: The Truth Behind the MaskKim stood behind Reese, fastening the last button on her dress as she scrutinized her reflection in the mirror."Are you sure about this?" Kim asked, her voice laced with concern. "Going to meet him alone might not be the best idea. What if he’s dangerous?"Reese let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "Kim, I need to do this. I need to know what happened to Jeremy how he survived all these years and why he never reached out."Kim sighed, crossing her arms. "And what if his family doesn’t even know he’s alive?""Then I’ll find out the truth," Reese said firmly. She turned to face Kim. "I totally understand your concern, but I have to give this a shot. If there's even the slightest chance that I can get answers, I have to take it."Kim studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright, but be careful. If anything feels off, call me immediately."Reese smiled. "I promise."A few minutes later, she was stepping into her car, gripping the steering w
Chapter 72: A Shocking RevelationLiam arrived at his mother’s estate, the familiar grand mansion standing tall against the morning sky. He hadn’t been here in months, avoiding unnecessary family drama as much as possible. However, after last night’s call, he knew he couldn’t ignore his mother forever.As he stepped inside, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants filled the air. His mother, Eleanor, sat at the dining table, gracefully sipping her tea, while his grandmother, Beatrice, flipped through a newspaper.Eleanor looked up and smiled. “Liam, you came.”He sighed, taking a seat. “You asked me to.”“Join us for breakfast,” she said, pushing a plate of food toward him.Liam hesitated for a moment but eventually picked up his fork. He wasn’t particularly hungry, but if this was a way to get the conversation going, so be it.His grandmother eyed him over her glasses. “You look tired.”“I’m fine,” he muttered.Eleanor set her cup down, looking at him intently. “Liam, I
Chapter 71: A Taste of HurtThe next morning, Reese stretched as she got out of bed, reaching for her phone. She scrolled through her notifications and saw a text from Chelsea that had been sent late last night.Chelsea: Hey, Reese. Just wanted to let you know I’ll be spending the night at Liam’s place. Don’t wait up for me.Reese sighed, placing her phone on the nightstand. She wasn’t surprised things had been heating up between Chelsea and Liam, but something about the entire situation felt… off. Shaking the thought away, she decided to focus on something else.She picked up her phone again and dialed Kim. As soon as she answered, Reese said, “Come over. We’re going to find out who Gerald Hudson really is.”Kim hesitated for a second. “Are you sure about this? What if it’s dangerous?”Reese smirked. “That’s why you’re coming with me.”After hanging up, she moved to the kitchen, brewing herself a strong cup of coffee. She made herself a light breakfast but barely ate, her mind occupi
Chapter 70: A promise of love Charles arrived within minutes, his face dark with anger as he stepped into the penthouse. Aria, who had been standing frozen after Liam’s harsh words, turned toward her father in shock.“Dad?” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.Charles gave her a once-over before turning his gaze to Liam. “What the hell is going on here?”Liam stood his ground, arms crossed over his chest. “You’re here to take your daughter home.”Aria’s shock morphed into rage as she turned back to Liam. “You’re really throwing me out like this? After everything? I should be here, well taken care of, but instead, you’re treating me like I mean nothing to you?”Liam’s expression didn’t waver. “That’s because you don’t mean anything to me, Aria.”She gasped, her eyes filling with tears. “You don’t mean that…”“I do,” Liam replied coldly. “And you shouldn’t bother coming back here because I’ll make sure the guards know you’re no longer welcome.”Aria clenched her fists. “You
Chapter 69: A Distasteful SurpriseKim walked into Reese’s office with a stack of printed papers and placed them on the table. Reese, who had been staring at her computer screen in deep thought, glanced up and reached for the documents.“I did a deep search for the name Gerald Hudson,” Kim began. “But I found nothing. No records, no background, nothing that could link him to any existing family. The only thing that came close was a Hudson family that used to live in France.”Reese frowned as she skimmed through the documents. “Hudson family?”Kim nodded. “Yeah, but their only son supposedly died in a car accident twenty years ago.”Reese’s heart skipped a beat. She immediately dropped the papers and looked at Kim with a sharp intensity. “The Hudsons… I know that family. They were friends with my parents.”Kim blinked in surprise. “You do?”“Yes,” Reese said firmly. “I even knew their son—the one who supposedly died. His name was Jeremy. Except… if this Gerald Hudson is linked to them,
Chapter 68: Getting Fed UpAria lay in her hospital bed, her fingers clutching the blanket in frustration. The walls of the hospital room felt suffocating, and she was sick of lying here, feeling weak and helpless. Her father, Charles, sat beside her, his face full of concern.“Aria,” he said gently, “you just lost a child. You shouldn’t be stressing yourself over anything right now. You need to rest.”Aria’s eyes burned with anger. “I don’t have time to rest, Dad. If I don’t act fast, Chelsea will take Liam away from me, and I can’t let that happen.”Charles sighed. “Liam is still around, isn’t he? He’s been checking up on you.”She scoffed. “That means nothing. He’s only here out of obligation, not love. I need to make sure I have him in my hold. I need to remind him why he belongs with me.”Charles frowned. “Aria, listen to me. You need to recover first. Rushing into anything will only make things worse.”“I don’t care,” she snapped. “I won’t sit back and let that girl take what’s
Chapter 67: The best presentation The next morning, Chelsea dressed up quickly, adjusting her dress before stepping out of her bedroom. Today was another busy day at culinary school, and she was determined to make the most of it.As she walked toward the kitchen, she was surprised to find Reese already there, setting the table. The delicious aroma of eggs and toast filled the air.“Morning,” Chelsea greeted, raising an eyebrow. “You’re up early.”Reese flashed her a small smile. “I thought I’d make breakfast before we both head out. Figured we could use a good meal before the day starts.”Chelsea chuckled and took a seat at the counter. “That’s sweet. I could get used to this.”Reese poured her a glass of juice before sitting down across from her. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about something… and I’d love to talk to you about it.”Chelsea raised an eyebrow. “I’m all ears. What’s up?”Reese hesitated for a moment, tapping her fingers on the table. “So, last night, I was scrolling thr