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
Ares 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, but
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 i
Ares povI stormed out of the room, anger boiling in my veins. The audacity of Valerie, thinking she could plead on behalf of my family! As I walked away, her voice echoed behind me, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. I didn't want to hear her reason."Just think about what I'm saying, Ares!" she shouted, desperation creeping into her tone. But I ignored her, my feet moving faster until I reached my room.Anger surged through me as Valerie's words echoed in my mind. Begging on behalf of my family? The thought made my blood boil. I stormed out of the room, ignoring her desperate pleas. She didn't understand. She couldn't."Just listen to me, Ares!" she screamed as I walked away, but I didn't turn back. I couldn't deal with this right now.Once inside my room, I slammed the door shut and locked it. The rage bubbling inside needed an outlet, and before I could stop myself, I swiped everything off my dressing table. Bottles, books, and trinkets crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces.Alm
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
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
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
ValerieAs I turned over, I was greeted by the sight of Ares lying beside me, still asleep. His face was peaceful, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips, as if he were reliving the same cherished memories in his dreams. I reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, my heart swelling with love for this incredible man who had brought so much joy into my life.Watching him sleep, I marveled at how serene he looked, so different from the powerful, driven man he was when awake. His vulnerability in these quiet moments made me love him even more. I leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead, my lips lingering for a moment as I whispered, "I love you, Ares."The warmth of his skin, the rhythm of his steady breathing, and the tranquility of the moment wrapped around me like a comforting embrace. I nestled closer, feeling his presence soothe every part of me. In this cocoon of love, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. Fo
Ares povAfter the meeting, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. The discussions had gone well, and the merger seemed to be on solid ground. As I made my way back to the car, I decided to take a detour. There was a little candy floss shop on the way home that Valerie had mentioned once, her eyes lighting up with childlike excitement. I knew she had a sweet tooth, and I wanted to surprise her.The shop was quaint, tucked away on a quiet street, its bright neon sign flickering against the encroaching dusk. I parked and walked up to the counter where a middle-aged man, probably the owner, was busy spinning the sugary treat.“Evening,” he greeted, his voice warm and welcoming. “What can I get for you?”“Evening,” I replied, smiling. “I’ll take a couple of those candy flosses.”“Got a sweet tooth, huh?” he chuckled, expertly twirling the pink cotton candy onto a stick.I laughed, shaking my head. “Not exactly. These are for my wife.”The man’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Ah, a treat f
Ares povI settled into the plush chair at the long, polished mahogany table, set on the terrace of one of the city’s most exclusive hotels. The setting was exquisite, with manicured gardens stretching out before me, vibrant flowers in full bloom, and the gentle sound of a nearby fountain creating a soothing backdrop. The open-air venue was perfect for a high-stakes business meeting, combining luxury and serenity. Heads of state and influential business leaders sat around the table, the air buzzing with animated discussions about mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships.Dressed in a finely tailored suit that spoke of understated elegance, I leaned forward, listening intently as a CEO detailed a proposal for a new merger. My input was valuable, and I commanded attention and respect as I shared my insights. The conversation was rich with technical jargon and financial projections, but I was in my element.The terrace buzzed with activity as I settled into my seat, the aroma of
ValerieBut the day wasn’t over yet. “We’re not heading home,” I informed the driver and bodyguards, noticing their looks of amusement. “We’re going to an orphanage.”The driver raised an eyebrow but said nothing, simply adjusting our route. The bodyguards exchanged curious glances but kept their questions to themselves. As we drove, I watched the cityscape change from bustling streets to quieter, more residential areas. Eventually, we arrived at a large, well-maintained building surrounded by greenery.The orphanage was nestled in a serene neighborhood, the kind of place that exuded a sense of calm and care. The grounds were clean, with a neatly trimmed lawn and colorful flowers lining the walkway to the entrance. The building itself was painted a soft, welcoming yellow, with large windows that let in plenty of light.I stepped out of the car, taking a moment to appreciate the peaceful surroundings. The driver and bodyguards followed, their expressions a mix of curiosity and respect.
Valerie's povAs the morning sun began to filter through the curtains, I felt the warmth of Ares beside me. His kiss stirred me awake, a gentle promise of all the things to come. Opening my eyes, I found him gazing at me, his eyes soft and full of affection. With a playful smile, I grabbed his arm and pulled him back into bed, kissing him softly and teasing him with light, fleeting touches of my lips."Ares," I whispered against his mouth, "I wanna go out today. Please?"His lips curved into a smile, and he kissed me back, deeper this time, a silent conversation passing between us. For a moment, I thought I had won. But then he pulled back, shaking his head slightly, a firm but gentle refusal in his eyes."No, Valerie," he said, his voice steady.I pouted, giving him my best pleading look. "Please, Ares? I'm going stir-crazy in here. I need to get out."He sighed, his resolve wavering. "Valerie, it's not safe. You know that."I could see the concern in his eyes, but I was determined.
Ares"Ares, it's Dr. Whitman," came the calm voice on the other end. "I wanted to let you know that Valerie and the baby are doing great. Her latest tests came back normal, and there's no need for concern."I exhaled a sigh of relief, gratitude washing over me. "Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate you keeping us updated."After ending the call, I leaned back in my chair, a smile spreading across my face. "Valerie and the baby are fine," I announced to Steve, who had been watching me with concern."That's great news," he said, grinning. "You deserve some good news."I nodded, feeling a sense of peace. "Yeah, we do."The rest of the day seemed to fly by. The news from the doctor had lifted a weight off my shoulders, and I tackled my work with renewed energy and focus. By the time the evening rolled around, I felt a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.As I drove home, I thought about the journey Valerie and I had been on. We had faced so many challenges, but we had come out stronger on
Ares pov The morning light streamed through the windows of my office, casting a warm glow over the room. I was sitting behind my desk, reviewing the latest sales reports with my beta, Steve. The numbers were impressive, and despite everything that had been happening, the company's performance had been stellar."These figures are fantastic," I said, glancing up at Steve, who was leaning against the edge of my desk. "Our new marketing strategy is really paying off."Steve nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. "Yeah, the team did a great job. The social media campaign alone brought in a 20% increase in customer engagement."I flipped through a few more pages, noting the uptick in sales across various regions. "And our expansion into the European market is finally showing returns. This is better than we projected.""Definitely," Steve agreed. "The partnership with those local influencers really gave us a boost. It's all about getting the right people to promote the brand."I leaned back
Ares povWhen she woke again, the room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the evening sun. I had stayed by her side the entire time, my thoughts a constant whirlwind of plans and promises. As Valerie stirred, I gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, my heart swelling with love and determination."How are you feeling?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper.She blinked, her eyes slowly focusing on me. "Better," she replied, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thank you for staying with me.""There's nowhere else I'd rather be," I said, squeezing her hand. "Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat."She shook her head, her expression softening. "Just having you here is enough. But maybe some tea would be nice."I nodded and rose from my seat, carefully making my way to the kitchen. As I prepared the tea, my mind wandered back to the doctor’s instructions. I was determined to follow them to the letter, ensuring Valerie and our baby stayed safe and healthy.R
AresShe smiled, her eyes softening. “He was such a sweet child. I hope he’s found happiness.”“We’ll make sure our child knows nothing but love and happiness,” I said firmly. “They’ll grow up in a home filled with love and security.”She looked at me, tears brimming in her eyes. “I love you so much, Ares,” she whispered.“I love you too,” I replied, my voice thick with emotion. “More than anything in this world.”We sat in silence for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms. The future was uncertain, but I knew we would face it together, hand in hand. Our journey had been tumultuous, but it had brought us closer than ever. Valerie was my true love, my soulmate, and I was ready to face whatever came our way with her by my side.As the evening shadows lengthened, we talked about our plans, our dreams, and our hopes for the future. We were madly in love, and nothing could change that. Our love had been forged in the fires of adversity, and it was unbreakable.The memory of Daniel and his