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
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
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
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 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
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
Aurora POV The dark room was thick with sultry tension; the faint glow from the bedside lamp cast long shadows. I lay sprawled on the bed, defenseless in the heady mix of alcohol and forbidden emotions.The man standing by the edge of the bed unbuttoned his shirt, piercing eyes fixed on me. My vision blurred, but I knew him—my brother-in-law. The very thought should have stopped me, but it didn't.He leaned down, his lips warm and gentle against mine. My breath caught as his kisses became more passionate, his hands leaving trails of fire up and down my arms. Instinctively, my fingers made their way around his back, skimming along skin as I drew him near. His weight leaned against mine, a low sigh escaping from me at his nearness.Six Hours Earlier"I miss you, Dad," I whispered to the void, my hands clamped on the edge of the vanity as silent sobs fell down my cheeks. My hollow, defeated reflection stared back. Before I could wipe them away, clear footsteps sounded from the hall, fol
"Dominic?"I clung to him as he carried me out of the inferno, his strength unwavering. The fresh air hit my face as we exited the house, but he didn't stop. He kept walking, his jaw clenched and his eyes dark."Where are we going?" I murmured, my voice slurred.He didn't reply, his eyes razor sharp as he pulled me through the estate grounds to some hidden corner of it. We came into an old guest cottage, moonlight providing dim illumination inside the space.And that was when I saw it.Through the half-open door of the master bedroom, Patrick and Eva were entwined on the bed.My breath hitched on the scene that greeted me: Eva's arms wreathed around Patrick's neck, her lips pressed to his in a fevered kiss. Patrick's hands roamed over her body; there was no misunderstanding their intimacy.Dominic tensed beside me. His fists clenched at his sides. "So that's how it is," he growled low, an edge of disdain in his voice.I pulled him back before they could notice us, my heart hammering in
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