Valerie's PovI glanced at Mr. Ares and stood up immediately, my anger boiling over unexpectedly. "What if this is a trap?"He frowned at the obvious tone of my voice and patted the boy's back in assurance."Please call over one of your secretaries to watch over him, Mr. Ares. We need to talk!" My voice was firm, and the tone pushed him away.Mr. Ares? Since when did I call him that?He nodded all the same and called in the head secretary to come and take the boy. The boy threw a huge tantrum as he held on tightly to me, and Ares frowned.I managed to calm the boy down, and the instant the door was shut, I shot him a hard glare as I stood up."That was no way to behave in front of a child!" I scolded him because I didn't find it anywhere near amusing. Like, why was he asking me this? Couldn't he see the scared expression on the little boy's face?"He's the enemy's child!""But still a child, okay?! He doesn't deserve that!" I was angry, really very angry.He sighed as he stared at me,
Ares povThe sun was setting, casting long shadows across the deserted road. I parked the car just opposite the foster home, its worn facade bathed in the orange glow of the evening light.It had a homey feeling no doubt about it.The air was thick with the scent of pines. Valerie sat beside him, her face softened by the dimming light, her attention solely on the small boy in the backseat.I watched as Valerie adjusted Alex’s jacket, her hands moving with a gentleness that tugged at something deep within me.She'll make such a great mother no doubt about it. For a moment, the world outside seemed to blur, leaving only the tender scene before me. The past nineteen hours had been crazy yet somehow, Alex had found a safe harbour in Valerie. The little boy clung to her hand from the back seat, his eyes wide and trusting."We need to get him back," Ares murmured, his voice barely more than a whisper. Valerie nodded, her gaze lingering on Alex a moment longer before she turned to me.The fo
Valerie's POVAs I leaned my head into the soft leather of Ares' car, a wave of tranquility washed over me. I'd never felt more at peace. A smile crept across my face as I thought about Alex. That little boy had found his way into my heart faster than a freight train. Most people would think I'd resent him because he's my ex-husband's love child, but that wasn't the case at all. He's such a sweet child who didn't deserve to see any more of Daniel's wrath.I ran my hand unconsciously over my belly. The thought of my own baby filled me with joy. I couldn't wait to shower my child with so much love that they'd likely feel overwhelmed by it. I smiled and turned to Ares, who had been watching me intently."Lunch?" he asked, breaking the silence."Alright, dear, we'll go to a restaurant!" I nodded happily and turned to stare out the window, watching the landscape blur as we drove.When we arrived at the restaurant, I insisted on a more casual place. I didn't want too much attention, and I'v
Are's povSitting at my desk, I couldn’t help but smile. The office was quiet, a stark contrast to the usual bustling energy that surrounded the turnaround firm I owned. It was a sanctuary of sorts, where I could immerse myself in the relentless pursuit of saving struggling companies.Today, however was different as my thoughts were far from the chaos of balance sheets and rescue plans. I held a newly framed photo of Valerie, my heart swelling with an emotion I never thought I’d feel again: love.I'm really surprised I could actually still fall in love after what happened before. I don't even want to be reminded again.Valerie had entered my life unexpectedly, turning my world upside down in the best possible way.Firstly she was just a pawn in my game but now I got to say, she'd be my end. The photograph captured her essence perfectly — her radiant smile, the way her eyes seemed to hold a universe of warmth and compassion.I still couldn't believe how quickly I had fallen for her, bu
Valerie's povI sighed to myself as I unwrapped the blanket and reached out to the other side of the bed, only to find it empty.A small grunt escaped my lips as I sat up, running a hand through my hair. Once again, I had fallen asleep in Ares' room. The thought made me blush heavily as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up.His scent lingered in the room, a comforting reminder of the man I had come to love so deeply. I made my way to the bathroom, the cool tiles under my feet waking me up fully. A quick glance at the clock told me it was late morning."Ares must have gone to the office already," I murmured to myself as I stepped into the shower. The warm water cascaded over me, washing away the remnants of sleep. I let my thoughts drift to Ares, his smile, his touch, and the way he made me feel like the most important person in the world. He has proven himself to be everything.I took my time in the shower, letting the water soothe my muscles. When I finally stepped o
Valerie's povI sighed to myself as I unwrapped the blanket and reached out to the other side of the bed, only to find it empty.A small grunt escaped my lips as I sat up, running a hand through my hair. Once again, I had fallen asleep in Ares' room. The thought made me blush heavily as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up.His scent lingered in the room, a comforting reminder of the man I had come to love so deeply. I made my way to the bathroom, the cool tiles under my feet waking me up fully. A quick glance at the clock told me it was late morning."Ares must have gone to the office already," I murmured to myself as I stepped into the shower. The warm water cascaded over me, washing away the remnants of sleep. I let my thoughts drift to Ares, his smile, his touch, and the way he made me feel like the most important person in the world. He has proven himself to be everything.I took my time in the shower, letting the water soothe my muscles. When I finally stepped o
Valerie's povEach time I visited Alpha Allen's house, I couldn't help but notice how much nicer he seemed to get. It was as if he was making a concerted effort to win me over, and I had to admit, it was working. The kindness and warmth he showed were a stark contrast to the stories Ares had told me about their strained relationship.The next day, I found myself standing at the grand entrance of Alpha Allen's estate once again. The sun was shining, casting a golden hue over the lush gardens that surrounded the mansion. As I approached the door, a sense of anticipation and determination settled over me. Today we would be talking about how Ares might want to help him though it'll e extremely hard for him to even hear his father out for a second time.The servants greeted me with smiles and respectful bows, their demeanor as welcoming as ever. It was clear they had been instructed to treat me with the utmost care and consideration. I couldn't help but feel a bit flattered, though I knew
Ares povAs I left the room, a sense of urgency gnawed at me. I needed to find Valerie, to explain everything to her, to make sure she understood. I went to her room, my footsteps quickening with every step, but she wasn't there. The neatly made bed and untouched belongings only heightened my anxiety. I checked the kitchen next, hoping she might be preparing one of her favorite herbal teas, but again, she wasn't there. The air was filled with a stillness that seemed almost unnatural.I hurried to the drawing room, the place she often retreated to for a moment of peace, but it was empty too. The room, usually so filled with her presence, felt cold and uninviting. Panic began to claw at my insides. Where could she be? I was about to head upstairs to grab my phone, thinking maybe she had left a message or a clue about where she had gone, when a piercing scream echoed from the garden. The sound was followed by the frantic shuffling of feet on gravel.My heart pounded in my chest as I race
Valerie's povThe next day, the hospital room was flooded with a soft, early morning light. I sat up in bed, feeling the remnants of exhaustion from the previous day's emotional rollercoaster. Ares was by my side, as promised, his presence a steady anchor in the sea of uncertainty that had surrounded us.The doctor entered the room, a kind smile on her face. "Good morning, Valerie. How are you feeling today?""I'm feeling better," I replied, my voice stronger than before. "Still a bit tired, but much better.""That's good to hear," she said, pulling up a chair beside the bed. "Before we discharge you, there are some important things we need to discuss regarding your pregnancy. It's crucial that you follow these guidelines to ensure both your health and the baby's."Ares leaned forward, his expression serious and attentive. I felt a rush of warmth at his dedication, and he held my hand firmly, grounding me.The doctor began outlining the necessary precautions. "First and foremost, rest
Valerie's povPain shot through my head as if a sledgehammer was dislodging it. I gasped and sat up, my body drenched in sweat, my mind a fog of confusion and fear. The room was stark and sterile, the fluorescent lights above me harsh and unrelenting."Ares?" I croaked, my voice barely a whisper. Just as I spoke, the door creaked open, and Ares rushed in, his face etched with worry and relief."Valerie!" he exclaimed, hurrying to my side. His hands trembled as he reached out to touch me, but I flinched away instinctively. The hurt on his face was palpable, a mirror to the pain I felt inside.My mind raced to piece together what had happened. The last thing I remembered was going to the garden. I had slipped, and then everything went blank. My hands flew to my belly, a desperate need to feel the life growing inside me. Tears streamed down my face as I realized the implications of my fall."Valerie, please talk to me," Ares pleaded, his voice thick with emotion. But I couldn't form the
Ares povI waited in the sterile, cold waiting room, every minute stretching into an eternity. Each second that ticked by felt like a needle puncturing my heart. Valerie's lifeless body haunted my thoughts, and I couldn't shake the image of her pale face. My mind raced with a million thoughts, but one dominated them all: this was my fault."Damn it, if only I was ready to read with her. It's all my fault," I muttered under my breath, my voice choked with guilt and regret. Tears, hot and bitter, welled up in my eyes. For the first time in years, I cried because of someone. Valerie had found a way straight to my heart, and it was now, in this moment of crisis, that I realized just how deeply she had embedded herself there.The thought of losing her or our unborn child was unbearable. If anything happened to them, I would never be able to forgive myself. I felt helpless, sitting there, unable to do anything but wait. An hour went by, gurneys passed by, and doctors in masks hurried throug
Ares povAs I left the room, a sense of urgency gnawed at me. I needed to find Valerie, to explain everything to her, to make sure she understood. I went to her room, my footsteps quickening with every step, but she wasn't there. The neatly made bed and untouched belongings only heightened my anxiety. I checked the kitchen next, hoping she might be preparing one of her favorite herbal teas, but again, she wasn't there. The air was filled with a stillness that seemed almost unnatural.I hurried to the drawing room, the place she often retreated to for a moment of peace, but it was empty too. The room, usually so filled with her presence, felt cold and uninviting. Panic began to claw at my insides. Where could she be? I was about to head upstairs to grab my phone, thinking maybe she had left a message or a clue about where she had gone, when a piercing scream echoed from the garden. The sound was followed by the frantic shuffling of feet on gravel.My heart pounded in my chest as I race
Valerie's povEach time I visited Alpha Allen's house, I couldn't help but notice how much nicer he seemed to get. It was as if he was making a concerted effort to win me over, and I had to admit, it was working. The kindness and warmth he showed were a stark contrast to the stories Ares had told me about their strained relationship.The next day, I found myself standing at the grand entrance of Alpha Allen's estate once again. The sun was shining, casting a golden hue over the lush gardens that surrounded the mansion. As I approached the door, a sense of anticipation and determination settled over me. Today we would be talking about how Ares might want to help him though it'll e extremely hard for him to even hear his father out for a second time.The servants greeted me with smiles and respectful bows, their demeanor as welcoming as ever. It was clear they had been instructed to treat me with the utmost care and consideration. I couldn't help but feel a bit flattered, though I knew
Valerie's povI sighed to myself as I unwrapped the blanket and reached out to the other side of the bed, only to find it empty.A small grunt escaped my lips as I sat up, running a hand through my hair. Once again, I had fallen asleep in Ares' room. The thought made me blush heavily as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up.His scent lingered in the room, a comforting reminder of the man I had come to love so deeply. I made my way to the bathroom, the cool tiles under my feet waking me up fully. A quick glance at the clock told me it was late morning."Ares must have gone to the office already," I murmured to myself as I stepped into the shower. The warm water cascaded over me, washing away the remnants of sleep. I let my thoughts drift to Ares, his smile, his touch, and the way he made me feel like the most important person in the world. He has proven himself to be everything.I took my time in the shower, letting the water soothe my muscles. When I finally stepped o
Valerie's povI sighed to myself as I unwrapped the blanket and reached out to the other side of the bed, only to find it empty.A small grunt escaped my lips as I sat up, running a hand through my hair. Once again, I had fallen asleep in Ares' room. The thought made me blush heavily as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up.His scent lingered in the room, a comforting reminder of the man I had come to love so deeply. I made my way to the bathroom, the cool tiles under my feet waking me up fully. A quick glance at the clock told me it was late morning."Ares must have gone to the office already," I murmured to myself as I stepped into the shower. The warm water cascaded over me, washing away the remnants of sleep. I let my thoughts drift to Ares, his smile, his touch, and the way he made me feel like the most important person in the world. He has proven himself to be everything.I took my time in the shower, letting the water soothe my muscles. When I finally stepped o
Are's povSitting at my desk, I couldn’t help but smile. The office was quiet, a stark contrast to the usual bustling energy that surrounded the turnaround firm I owned. It was a sanctuary of sorts, where I could immerse myself in the relentless pursuit of saving struggling companies.Today, however was different as my thoughts were far from the chaos of balance sheets and rescue plans. I held a newly framed photo of Valerie, my heart swelling with an emotion I never thought I’d feel again: love.I'm really surprised I could actually still fall in love after what happened before. I don't even want to be reminded again.Valerie had entered my life unexpectedly, turning my world upside down in the best possible way.Firstly she was just a pawn in my game but now I got to say, she'd be my end. The photograph captured her essence perfectly — her radiant smile, the way her eyes seemed to hold a universe of warmth and compassion.I still couldn't believe how quickly I had fallen for her, bu
Valerie's POVAs I leaned my head into the soft leather of Ares' car, a wave of tranquility washed over me. I'd never felt more at peace. A smile crept across my face as I thought about Alex. That little boy had found his way into my heart faster than a freight train. Most people would think I'd resent him because he's my ex-husband's love child, but that wasn't the case at all. He's such a sweet child who didn't deserve to see any more of Daniel's wrath.I ran my hand unconsciously over my belly. The thought of my own baby filled me with joy. I couldn't wait to shower my child with so much love that they'd likely feel overwhelmed by it. I smiled and turned to Ares, who had been watching me intently."Lunch?" he asked, breaking the silence."Alright, dear, we'll go to a restaurant!" I nodded happily and turned to stare out the window, watching the landscape blur as we drove.When we arrived at the restaurant, I insisted on a more casual place. I didn't want too much attention, and I'v