ISABELLA'S POVHe let out a humorless chuckle. "No. I’ve been watching."I stiffened. "Watching?"He nodded. "I knew Joanna was up to something. She was too desperate to leave the city, and she kept making secret phone calls. I followed her."My stomach dropped."And?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Patrick’s eyes darkened. "She’s planning to disappear for good. With the baby."A cold shiver ran down my spine."Where is she taking her?" I asked, fear gripping me.Patrick hesitated, then pulled out his phone. He tapped the screen a few times before turning it toward me."Look at this," he said.I leaned forward, my heart hammering as I saw a screenshot of a flight booking. Joanna’s name was on the ticket. The destination…Somewhere far.Somewhere we wouldn’t be able to find her."She’s leaving the country," I whispered in shock.Patrick nodded grimly. "And if we don’t stop her, she’ll be gone by tomorrow."I swallowed hard, my mind racing.Joanna had always been careful, alw
Dominic's POVAurora’s hands curled into fists. "I hate him! He’s playing with your life, Dominic. With my life! How do we know he won’t betray us after he gets what he wants?"She was right.Patrick wasn’t the kind of man who played fair. Once he got the ring, he could easily sell the evidence to the highest bidder or…worse, destroy it just to watch us burn.I couldn’t take that risk.I needed a backup plan.Just then, the doctor walked into the waiting room. "Mr. Hayes, Miss Aurora, you can come in now."I took Aurora’s hand, and we followed the doctor into the private hospital room.Inside, a small crib stood in the center of the room.Aurora gasped, her grip on my hand tightening.I stepped closer, my heart pounding in my chest.The baby lay there, her tiny hands curled into fists, her little chest rising and falling with each br
Patrick’s POVI leaned back in my chair, a smug grin on my face as I poured myself another drink. The rich amber liquid swirled in my glass, and I took a slow sip, savoring the taste of victory."Finally," I muttered, letting out a deep sigh of satisfaction. "I have the upper hand."For so long, I had been a pawn in this dangerous game, used by Joanna, underestimated by Dominic, and overlooked by everyone else. But now? Now, I held the one thing that could change everything—the evidence that Dominic desperately needed to save Aurora.With that evidence in my possession, I was in control. Dominic would have to meet my demands. If he truly wanted to clear Aurora’s name, he had no choice but to give me the Hayes family ring. That ring was my key to power, my ticket to stepping into a world I had only dreamed of."Imagine that," I chuckled to myself, raising my glass in a mock toast. "Patrick Hayes, the new h
ISABELLA'S POV"Let's just say, I have what I need," he said vaguely.I gritted my teeth internally. He was being careful.I needed to push harder.Leaning in, I traced a finger along his chest, letting my voice drop to a whisper. "Come on, Patrick. You can tell me. You know you can trust me."He chuckled, shaking his head. "Nice try, Isabella. But some secrets are too valuable to share."I faked a pout. "Not even with me?"Patrick only grinned and took another sip of his drink.I wanted to strangle him.But I forced myself to smile sweetly, hiding my frustration. He was drunk, but he wasn’t stupid. He was playing along, acting as if he didn’t know what I was after.No matter how much I tried to steer the conversation towards the evidence, Patrick never mentioned it.Not even once.Every time I hinted at it, he would dodge the question, shifting the topic b
ISABELLA'S POVThe moment he said it, my stomach tightened.Safe from what? From who?could it be that Patrick is not with the evidence?He leaned back against the seat, exhaling deeply. “If you want to go home, suit yourself. But as for me? I’ll be spending my time at a hotel until Dominic and Aurora are gone for good.”I bit my lip, pretending to hesitate.If Patrick was choosing to stay in a hotel, then something was definitely off. But more importantly, whatever he was hiding wasn’t at the house.That meant I had to rethink my approach.Maybe… just maybe… the answers I was looking for weren’t where I had expected them to be.Patrick’s POVThe next morning, I sat in my hotel room, staring at the ceiling while my mind raced. Something was off.I could feel it.Isabella.
Aurora’s POVI sat in the hospital room, staring at the empty walls, my heart filled with rage and pain. The memories of my father and siblings flashed before my eyes, their laughter, their warmth, and then… their deaths. All because of Joanna. She shattered my family, tore them away from me like they meant nothing. And as if that wasn’t enough, she hid my mother for a good 15 year's.For years, I believed my mother was dead. I mourned her, cried myself to sleep every night, thinking I was alone in this world. But all this time, Joanna had hidden her from me. She adopted me, not out of love, not because she cared, but to use me. To make money. To control me. she was pretending to hide me from Leo Levine but the truth is that she's the real cooperate.I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I can’t sit here and watch Dominic lose everything. Joanna was like a disease, destroying everything and everyone in her path. First, she took my family. I took a deep breath, my mind
Aurora’s POVI couldn’t stay inside that room any longer.The walls felt like they were closing in on me, trapping me with my own thoughts. Something was wrong. I didn’t know what, but my instincts screamed at me to stay alert.I unlocked the door and stepped out into the hallway, glancing around. Still empty. Still too quiet.I sat down on the chair right outside my door, pulling my legs up and wrapping my arms around them. My eyes darted from one end of the hallway to the other, searching for any sign of movement. Nothing.But that feeling, that uneasy, crawling sensation on my skin, it was still there.I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Dominic would be here soon. His men would secure the hospital, and my mother would be by my side.Everything would be fine.At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.Minutes passed, but they felt like hours. The air felt thick, pressing against my chest. Every small noise made me flinch, the distant beep of a heart monitor, the
Aurora’s POVI could see the worry in my mother’s eyes before she even spoke.“Aurora,” she said, stepping closer. “What are you planning?”I took a deep breath, my hands clenching at my sides. I had already made up my mind. There was no turning back now.“Mom,” I said firmly, looking her straight in the eyes. “I need to get that evidence that Patrick is holding.”Her brows furrowed in confusion. “But Dominic already—”“I know,” I cut her off. “Dominic made a deal with him, but Patrick will never keep his word. Even if Dominic gives him everything he’s demanding, he will still betray him.”I shook my head, frustration building up inside me. “I can’t just sit here and do nothing. This is my only chance to stop him. To stop Joanna. To make them pay for everything they’ve done to our family.”Mom’s face paled. She grabbed my arm tightly. “Aurora, you’re putting yourself in danger out there. What if Joanna or Isabella get to you first? Or worse—what if Patrick finds out what you’re up to?
Chapter : Final Fight Aurora’s POV“Hold on, Dominic. Please.” My voice trembled, fear clawing at my chest.Leo stood in front of us, his expression unreadable. He exhaled sharply, then turned to his men. “Take him to the hospital. Now.”Two of his men moved forward, carefully lifting Dominic. He groaned in pain but didn’t fight them. I could see how much it took for him to stay conscious.Leo’s cold eyes flickered toward me. “You, stay here.”Panic surged through me. “No! I’m going with him!”He raised a hand, silencing me. “He’ll be taken care of. But we’re not done yet.”I swallowed hard, my heart hammering in my chest.Leo turned to the rest of his men, his voice low but sharp as a knife.“Find Joanna. Bring her to me. I don’t care what it takes.”The air in the room felt suffocating. I could barely breathe.The drive to the hospital felt like a blur. My hands were covered in Dominic’s blood, my heart pounding so hard I could barely think. The moment we arrived, the doors burst o
Dominic’s POVWe moved in quietly, our steps light against the wooden floor. The house smelled of dampness and old cigarette smoke.As soon as we stepped inside, I saw her.She was sitting in a chair, her hands tied, her face pale but alert. The moment our eyes met, she froze.I could see the relief in her eyes, but also the fear. If she reacted, Patrick would notice. I quickly lifted a finger to my lips, signaling her to stay calm.Aurora’s lips pressed together, and she barely nodded. She understood.Patrick was standing a few feet away, his back turned as he spoke to Isabella."This is taking too long," Isabella snapped. "Joanna should be here by now!"Patrick sighed. "She’ll come. She has no choice."I glanced at my men. One wrong move, and Aurora could get hurt.I didn’t waste time.With one swift motion, I pulled out my gun and aimed it directly at Isabella and Patrick."Don’t. Move." My voice was cold, steady.They froze. Shock flashed across their faces. Isabella’s mouth opene
Aurora’s POV“Hold on, Dominic. Please.” My voice trembled, fear clawing at my chest.Leo stood in front of us, his expression unreadable. He exhaled sharply, then turned to his men. “Take him to the hospital. Now.”Two of his men moved forward, carefully lifting Dominic. He groaned in pain but didn’t fight them. I could see how much it took for him to stay conscious.Leo’s cold eyes flickered toward me. “You, stay here.”Panic surged through me. “No! I’m going with him!”He raised a hand, silencing me. “He’ll be taken care of. But we’re not done yet.”I swallowed hard, my heart hammering in my chest.Leo turned to the rest of his men, his voice low but sharp as a knife.“Find Joanna. Bring her to me. I don’t care what it takes.”The air in the room felt suffocating. I could barely breathe.The drive to the hospital felt like a blur. My hands were covered in Dominic’s blood, my heart pounding so hard I could barely think. The moment we arrived, the doors burst open, and doctors and nu
Dominic’s POVI stared at the flash drive in my hand, my grip tightening. How could I be sure this was the real evidence? Patrick was a snake, I wouldn’t put it past him to hand me something useless just to trap me."How do I know this is real?" I asked, my voice low and dangerous.Patrick smirked, his confidence irritating me. "You don’t. But do you really have a choice, Dominic?"Before I could say another word, a weak but urgent voice cut through the tension."Dominic, don’t trust him!"My entire body froze. My eyes snapped to Aurora, who was still tied to the chair. Her lips were dry, and her eyes were filled with desperation.Patrick cursed under his breath, moving toward her, but I lifted my gun, stopping him in his tracks."What did you just say?" I asked Aurora.Patrick clenched his jaw and glared at her, but the moment he released the cloth gagging her mouth, Aurora gasped for air and spoke again, this time stronger."Dominic, that’s not the real flash drive! He’s trying to t
Chapter : The final Fight Isabella’s POVPatrick leaned against the table, his eyes dark with satisfaction as he lit a cigar, taking a slow drag before exhaling the smoke. His gaze shifted to Aurora. "Joanna is on her way here," Patrick said, a wicked smirk curling on his lips. "And she’s bringing Dominic’s baby with her."I froze, my breath catching for a moment. Dominic’s baby? I hadn’t expected that.Patrick chuckled, clearly enjoying my shock. "The moment she arrives with the child, Dominic will have no choice but to give up everything for me. His power, his wealth, his loyalty, everything."I narrowed my eyes, stepping closer. "Are you saying you plan to trade his own child for his empire?"Patrick shrugged. "Why not? Dominic isn’t stupid. He’ll do anything to protect what’s his. And if it means bending to my will, he’ll do it."I crossed my arms, watching him carefully. "And what if he refuses? What if he fights back?"Patrick exhaled another puff of smoke, his smirk never fal
Isabella’s POVPatrick leaned against the table, his eyes dark with satisfaction as he lit a cigar, taking a slow drag before exhaling the smoke. His gaze shifted to Aurora. "Joanna is on her way here," Patrick said, a wicked smirk curling on his lips. "And she’s bringing Dominic’s baby with her."I froze, my breath catching for a moment. Dominic’s baby? I hadn’t expected that.Patrick chuckled, clearly enjoying my shock. "The moment she arrives with the child, Dominic will have no choice but to give up everything for me. His power, his wealth, his loyalty, everything."I narrowed my eyes, stepping closer. "Are you saying you plan to trade his own child for his empire?"Patrick shrugged. "Why not? Dominic isn’t stupid. He’ll do anything to protect what’s his. And if it means bending to my will, he’ll do it."I crossed my arms, watching him carefully. "And what if he refuses? What if he fights back?"Patrick exhaled another puff of smoke, his smirk never faltering. "Then he loses ever
Julie’s POVI struggled to breathe, my body aching from the relentless fight, but I refused to give up. Joanna and I clashed again, our hands grabbing, pushing, and striking at each other like wild animals.She lunged at me, her nails clawing at my face, but I ducked just in time. My fist connected with her stomach, making her stumble back with a sharp gasp."You witch!" she spat, her eyes filled with pure hatred.I didn’t waste a second. I spun around and grabbed the baby from the bed, holding the child close to my chest. My heart was racing.I needed to get out. Now.Joanna must have realized what I was trying to do because she let out a furious scream and charged at me again. I turned my back, shielding the baby, and felt her nails scrape against my arm, trying to pull me back."You're not leaving with that baby!" she shrieked.I kicked backward blindly, my foot slamming into her leg. She yelped, losing her balance for a moment. It was all the time I needed.I rushed toward the doo
Joanna’s POVJulie clutched the baby tightly, her eyes filled with fear and determination. “I will never let you go with this baby,” she hissed.I let out a slow chuckle, stepping closer. “Oh, Julie, don’t be so dramatic.”Tears welled in her eyes, but her grip on the baby only tightened. “You’ve already taken everything from me! You stole my inheritance, destroyed our family, and left me with nothing! You kept me away from Aurora, my own daughter, for years! And now you want to take her child too?” She shook her head furiously. “I will never let you have my grandchild!”I sighed, tilting my head. “You always did have a way of making yourself the victim, didn’t you?”Julie’s face twisted with anger. “You are the reason for everything! You lied, manipulated, and ruined my life. You wanted me gone, and you got what you wanted. But I won’t let you win this time. Not with Aurora’s baby.”I smirked, taking another step forward. “And how exactly do you plan to stop me, dear sister? You’re w
Dominic’s POVMy hands tightened around the steering wheel as I drove through the dark streets, the city lights flickering past like ghosts. My mind was racing, my chest tight with fear.Aurora’s signal had led me here, to Patrick’s old office building, not to the address he had given me.I knew Patrick. He was a snake. A master of deception. He wanted me to go to the wrong place while he did whatever sick thing he had planned.The tracking device on Aurora’s phone had been steady for the past few minutes, but then…“Sir, the tracking has stopped.”My heart slammed against my ribs.“What?” I barked, gripping the wheel tighter.“The signal just cut off. It’s gone.”Damn it.I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. This wasn’t a coincidence. Patrick was covering his tracks. He must have found out Aurora had a tracker.I inhaled sharply, pushing down the wave of panic rising inside me.I couldn't afford to lose focus now."We’re still going to that building." My voice was firm, le