Meanwhile, Enlyan made her way toward Blackwood Corporation.Eight years ago, she had married Daimon.Five years ago, she had been forced to leave.As the eldest daughter-in-law of the Blackwood Family, as Daimon's wife, she had never once stepped into this company.Now, she was returning—as a stranger.Would Daimon be able to sleep at night when he saw her real name in his company?Enlyan’s lips curved slightly.A flicker of hatred flashed in her eyes.But she quickly calmed herself, keeping her expression neutral as she stepped through the grand front gates of the company.The moment she entered, a receptionist approached her with a professional smile."Ma’am, how can I help you?"Enlyan took a quick glance around the welcoming hall, its modern elegance exuding wealth and power."Magnificent," she thought to herself.Blackwood Corporation was indeed one of the city’s top enterprises.But would it stay that way now that she was back?She turned to the receptionist, her smile composed
Daimon stood frozen, his mind racing as he processed what was happening.It’s her?He thought, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. Iris? The woman who shares not only the same name but also looks like Enlyan?However, the shock didn’t last long. He quickly composed himself, his professionalism taking over."Yes, I'm Daimon Blackwood," he said, his voice steady but apologetic. "I owe you an apology for her behavior just now. It was a misunderstanding. Katrina isn’t part of our company—she's just... my family.".The word "family" cut through Enlyan like a knife, reopening old wounds she had worked hard to heal. Her heart tightened, the fresh pain flooding back."Family?" she scoffed, her voice laced with bitterness. "Even your family doesn’t welcome me. Mr. Blackwood, how do you expect me to believe your company is sincere in this collaboration?"She paused, locking eyes with him. "Blackwood isn’t the only option for our company. I think we both need to reconsider."Without another
To outsiders, Daimon was a generous partner, providing for Katrina in every material way, yet the emotional void between them remained unbearable. What Katrina longed for was simple—to be more than just a caregiver for his son. She wanted to be his wife, to be the one he loved, the one he needed.But Daimon kept his distance. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how many subtle advances she made, she was always left in the shadows, locked out of his heart and his life. She wasn’t allowed in his bedroom, and her place in his world was cold and distant. He never acknowledged her beyond what was necessary for Oasis's sake.Now, the thought of leaving the Blackwood family, the family she had fought so hard to be a part of, filled Katrina with dread. Without Oasis, without the title of "mother of his son," what would she have left? Daimon’s indifference had chipped away at her sense of self, and the thought of facing the world without him by her side was a nightmare she wasn’t sure she
Enlyan leaned against the sink and pressed the cold ice pack to her face, not because of the physical pain but because of the turmoil in her mind. As the cold numbed her skin, her thoughts spun in a circle. Katrina had given birth to Daimon’s son, yet she wasn’t his wife.Why?Katrina should have been a guaranteed step toward cementing her place in the Blackwood family, yet she wasn’t. Enlyan couldn’t understand it. Daimon had feelings for Katrina, after all. He’d even gone so far as to contemplate murdering his wife for her. So, what was stopping him from marrying her? Why hadn’t Daimon made Katrina Mrs. Blackwood yet?Enlyan needed more information before making any decisions, but before anything else, she had some unfinished business with Katrina to take care of. She wasn’t in the mood to think about Daimon’s possible plans; his temptation to destroy her could wait.What mattered now was getting back at Katrina. Enlyan knew Daimon was serious about working with her company, and he
Enlyan appeared, her fluffy hair unkempt, wearing loose pajamas and barefoot. Yet, despite her casual appearance, she looked as stunning as ever."Come on, stop jerking around," she said nonchalantly, her voice smooth and playful.Daimon froze. The laziness in her tone, the casualness of her demeanor—it all reminded him so much of Enlyan."Enlyan..." he whispered, his voice thick with disbelief.Enlyan stood frozen, utterly shocked to see him standing at her doorstep. How could it be him?She had known that staying at Mini’s house might raise Daimon’s suspicions, but she never expected him to track her down so quickly. Panic surged through her, but she forced herself to remain composed. Straightening her posture, she tugged at the collar of her loose pajama top and cleared her throat before speaking."Mr. Blackwood? Why are you here? How did you find my address?"The formal tone of “Mr. Blackwood” seemed to snap Daimon back to reality. His narrowed gaze locked onto her, scrutinizing h
Enlyan didn’t hesitate. She took a step back, adjusting her wrinkled blouse while forcing her breath to steady. She needed to remain in control.Daimon took a slow step forward, and despite herself, Enlyan felt her breath hitch. His presence was overwhelming, his gaze burning into her like he was stripping away every layer of her disguise.Daimon glared at her, his eyes sharp and filled with warning."Play whatever tricks you want, but I’m not falling for them. Now tell me—who are you? What do you really want?"Despite the pain coursing through him, his dominant presence didn’t waver.Enlyan’s heart pounded in her chest, her head throbbing.How could he still be this intimidating after that?Daimon Blackwood was truly ruthless.Quickly, she adjusted her pajama top and took a step back, putting distance between them. Her expression turned cold and guarded."Mr. Blackwood, you really love making demands, don’t you?" she scoffed. "You barge into my home, manhandle me, and then question m
Daimon’s eyes narrowed.Without hesitation, he scanned the area—and sure enough, in the distance, a shadowy figure hurriedly ducked into a corner.Not surprising.Katrina was predictable.His face darkened as he turned to her. "Go home. You’re making a fool of yourself.""No! It’s not like that! I don’t know what she’s talking about!" Katrina protested, but the more she spoke, the worse it sounded.She had counted on Daimon not questioning her, on him dismissing Enlyan’s accusations as nonsense.But now, things weren’t going according to plan.Still, she wasn’t going to let Enlyan win.The paparazzi wouldn’t admit they were hired.And as long as she kept denying it, there was no proof against her.She just needed to hold her ground.Enlyan had no patience for Katrina’s act.“Save the tricks for someone who cares. If you have an issue with me, just say it directly. As for you, Mr. Blackwood, I expect compensation for what happened today. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m tired.”Without wa
Elayna slid down against the door, her body trembling as she struggled to gather herself. The weight of everything that had just happened pressed down on her, leaving her momentarily lost in thought.Then, her phone rang.The name on the screen made her finally smile."Austin," she answered in a softer voice, warmth slipping into her tone.Austin White—the man who had saved her five years ago. The man who had given her a new identity, a new life.He had been her anchor when she had nothing, training her until she became a well-known designer, helping her stand on her own feet and build a life for herself and her child.She owed him everything.On the other end of the call, Austin’s voice was steady, yet laced with concern. "How are things? Are you settling in? He didn’t make things difficult for you, did he?"Austin had never wanted her to return. He knew how deep her hatred for Daimon ran, but he also knew that without closure, she would never be at peace. And beyond her revenge, the
She leaned lazily against the pillows, her posture effortless yet undeniably sensual."A woman who gives birth to your child must love you deeply. And yet, you let her stay in the Blackwood house as an unmarried mother? That’s not exactly honorable, is it?"Her voice was smooth, casual—too casual.Daimon didn’t even glance at her body.His eyes were locked onto hers.Because something about them bothered him.Those eyes—they were different.Where was the jealousy? The heartbreak? The desperate longing?This wasn’t the Enlyan he knew.He had expected anger. Resentment. Pain.But instead, her gaze was empty. Unshaken. Unmoved.It shouldn't be like this.She loved him.She had always loved him.Then why did she look at him like he was nothing but a distant memory?Enlyan met his stare without hesitation.Let him look.Let him search for the woman who used to love him.Because she was gone.The old Enlyan—the foolish, infatuated girl who once worshipped him—had drowned.What stood before
Joxan, however, only smiled."My mom said that every child is an angel sent by God to the world," he explained gently. "So their origins don’t matter. She also asked me to help orphans as much as I can, which is accumulating virtue for myself."Those words.That exact belief.Daimon felt something stir in his chest.It was as if a ghost from his past had just whispered in his ear.A woman... a silly woman... had once told him something like this before.The thought came instinctively, and before he could stop himself, he asked—"What’s your mother’s name?"The moment the words left his mouth, Daimon realized his mistake.Why did he even ask?Joxan paused for a fraction of a second.Then, just as smoothly, he smiled and replied, "Sir, that’s personal information. Besides, are you dropping me at the orphanage or not? I'm going to be late."Daimon blinked.Did a four-year-old just call him out for being intrusive?Him?It was rare for anyone to speak to him like that—let alone a child.Y
When?When would she finally become the true matriarch of this family?How had things spiraled so far out of her control?She watched Daimon with silent resentment as he turned his full attention to Oasis. That brat.Oasis had all of Daimon’s affection.His gentle gaze, his patience, his time. Things Katrina had been fighting for years to get, yet never received.Oasis, oblivious to Katrina’s growing resentment, happily grabbed Daimon’s hand.“Daddy, let’s go! My classmate must be waiting. He’ll think I was lying if we don’t hurry!”Daimon’s expression softened as he effortlessly lifted the little boy onto his shoulders."Alright, let's go!"Laughter filled the air as father and son walked out the door, leaving Katrina behind.She stood there, still gripping the rag in her hands, watching them go.This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.When they arrived at the kindergarten, Oasis practically jumped out of the car before it even fully stopped.Joxan was already waiting.Oasis threw ope
Daimon couldn’t sit still any longer. The pieces were coming together too perfectly, the coincidences stacking up in a way that defied logic. His gut screamed at him, urging him forward.He jumped to his feet, throwing on a casual outfit that, despite its effortless appearance, cost thousands. But he barely noticed. His mind was elsewhere—on her.If Iris was truly Enlyan, she wouldn’t admit it easily. But he had to see her.Just once. Even if she denied it, even if she looked him in the eye and called herself a stranger, Daimon needed to know.Even the smallest flicker of familiarity in her gaze would be enough.Daimon strode out of his room, heading straight for the door when a familiar voice interrupted him.“Dad, are you going out?”He turned to see Oasis, his little boy, bright-eyed and smiling as he hopped down from his chair, abandoning his dinner without hesitation.“Oasis, be careful! Don’t touch your dad’s clothes with your hands covered in rice,” Katrina warned, her voice ca
Daimon wasn’t impressed. His patience, already thin, wavered."Is there any period where her records go silent?" His voice was sharp. "Did she disappear for a while? Any accidents? Travel logs?"Ertha hesitated, tapping a few keys. "Uh… that, my lord, I’m not completely sure about—""You have thirty minutes." Daimon's voice left no room for argument. "I want everything on her. No gaps. No missing details. And Ertha—don’t make me call again."Before the assistant could protest, the line went dead.Ertha stared at his phone in horror. Thirty minutes? He needed a miracle. Or five extra hands.Daimon sat in his dimly lit study, fingers drumming on the polished surface of his desk. The room was silent, except for the soft hum of the city outside. His gaze fell upon a drawer—one he hadn’t opened in years. Slowly, he pulled it open, revealing two things: a divorce agreement and a wedding ring.The only thing he had ever bought for Enlyan.Three years of marriage, yet this ring was merely for
As she finished her meal and took her medicine, she casually turned on the television. Just as the screen flickered to life, a news anchor’s voice filled the room.“In an unexpected turn of events, socialite Katrina Walton has issued a public apology to Miss Iris…”Enlyan's eyes narrowed as Katrina’s carefully crafted image appeared on the screen. The woman, draped in an elegant white dress, had the perfect mix of remorse and vulnerability on her face as she spoke."Miss Iris, I deeply regret my actions… Everything was my fault. My reckless behavior embarrassed you, and I take full responsibility. If you’re watching this, please—I beg you to forgive me. If you wish, you can scold me or even hit me, but please don’t let my mistake affect the company. The Blackwood Corporation is vital to North City’s economy, and Mr. Daimon Blackwood—my soulmate and life partner—has worked tirelessly for its success. I only hope this misunderstanding doesn’t harm the company or the city’s future. If yo
Enlyan grabbed her arm and shook it playfully, trying to soften the mood. “Come on, tell me. Where are they?”Mini let out an exasperated sigh, poking her forehead.“We’re in a hospital, Ely. With your condition, do you really think I’d let the kids stay here? They’re at home. But if you’re feeling well enough, I’ll handle your discharge papers. I’m a little worried about them too”Without another word, she grabbed the discharge papers and rushed through the formalities.Within minutes, they were out of the hospital and heading home.The moment they stepped inside, the comforting aroma of food filled the air. A hint of warm toast, eggs, and something sweet lingered.Joxan was already up, neatly dressed, standing in the kitchen with a spatula in hand. He looked like he had been preparing breakfast, though now his small face scrunched up in surprise."Mom!"Without hesitation, he abandoned the pan, rushing towards her and wrapping his arms around her waist.Enlyan staggered slightly but
The cold, suffocating grip of the ocean wrapped around Enlyan once more.Darkness.Water.Despair.She was drowning.She thrashed desperately, her voice hoarse from screaming. “No! Help! Somebody—please!” But no one came. No one saved her.Suddenly, a sharp gasp ripped from her throat. She was awake, but trapped in the nightmare.Her entire body was drenched in sweat, yet she felt as cold as ice. Her trembling hands reached out blindly, searching for something—anything—to hold on to.Mini caught her flailing hands and held them tightly. "Ely, it's okay. It’s me. You’re safe now. I'm here," she whispered, her voice filled with distress.But Enlyan wasn’t listening. She was still trapped in the past.Her breath hitched, and her fingers dug into Mini’s skin with desperate force. “It hurts! Help me! I can’t breathe—it’s suffocating!” Her nails pressed in so deep that Mini winced, feeling the sharp sting.But compared to the pain in her heart, the scratches were nothing.Mini had never ful
Once they arrived, Mini stayed for a while to check everything before leaving in a hurry.As soon as she was gone, Joxan turned on the computer. He knew there was a surveillance camera at home. If he wanted to find out what had happened to their mother that day, the answer would be in the video footage."Brother, what are you doing? I'm sleepy," Jessica mumbled, rubbing her eyes. She watched as Joxan’s small fingers moved rapidly over the laptop keyboard."Brother, what is this? Who is that man?" she asked, full of curiosity."Can you just shut up and go to bed? I have work to do. Go, I’ll come later," Joxan snapped, frustrated by her questions.But as the footage played, showing Daimon bullying their mother, Joxan's hands clenched into tight fists. His eyes burned with anger.This so-called father—he abandoned them five years ago, and now he dared to hurt their mother again?Joxan couldn’t stand it.He had to do something.But what?He was just a kid.His little fists clenched again.