Kc turned his head, not able to see them. "But I do. When I close my eyes, I think of her. I think of her on that hospital bed, her face so white. so cold. I let her down. I let her and our baby down."Vanessa's father took a deep breath, his face in folds of agony. "We all loved her. And we all miss her, Kc. But you can't let this guilt consume you. You can't let it gnaw at you. We're all together here. We're all hurting, but you're not alone here.We are always here for you."Kc flinched at the idea, his arms supporting with emotion. "How am I going to live now that I know this? Knowing someone else did this to me? Stole her from me?" His eyes flared, the words bitter on his tongue. "How am I going to forgive her for it?"There was quiet, the sound being only the wind rushing through the leaves. Vanessa's dad stepped forward, his tone rough but kind. "Because forgiving is the only thing that's going to make you whole, son. Clinging to that anger—clinging to the fury you harbor—isn't
Kc nodded slowly, the heaviness of their words seeping into him. It wouldn't be easy. It wouldn't be quick. But perhaps, and this was possibly the most terrible thing he might ever hope to do, if they were holding his hand alongside him, then he could start to heal. Perhaps he would learn to forgive himself—later. Because at this moment he knew he could not remain anchored in the deep well of hurt and guilt and pain forever. He couldn't allow that anger to engulf him. Not if he wanted to remember Vanessa.If he wanted to keep her alive in his head, not really. Kc replied in a whisper, sounding far less charged now, with tears still flowing down his face, only now they were a bit softer. "I don't know where to start... But I'll try. I will try for her. I will try for all of us."Vanessa's dad placed a hand on Kc's shoulder, his grip strong, unyielding. "That's all we can hope for, Kc. One day at a time.And in that moment, standing there as Kc was, among the two people who had loved Va
Valeria stumbled into her condo unit, her legs betraying her as she closed the door behind her. The sound of the lock clicking into position echoed through her lavish living room. But none of the extravagance, none of the class, none of the sparkling chandeliers was relevant. None of it was relevant when the weight of her guilt was closing in on her chest.Seated on the ground, her body shattered with sobbing, her cheeks glimmering with tears, the picture of Vanessa's parents, their faces wrought with sorrow, their very features wracked with suffering, was etched forever in her consciousness. Kc's rage, the rage in his eyes, haunted her. His rage had enveloped her like shrouds, pulling her toward a darkness that she could not escape."Your killed her. Your killed my wife. Your killed my child."His words rang out in her mind, persistent and vicious. She could still sense the lash of his words, the gaze he had given her as if she were a beast. And perhaps she was. Perhaps she had earne
Kim nodded, his voice firm. "Then we'll find out the truth. We'll find out who did this. And when we do… we'll make them pay."Valeria's heart beat fiercely, combined with fear and resolve coursing through her veins. The weight of the promise was smothering but then it was the only thing she could hold on to. Kim's words were a light in the hopelessness that had surrounded her life."But what if." Valeria's words quivered as she hesitated, her eyes cast downward,". what if it's too late? What if Kc already has the choice made regarding me? What if no matter what we do, I'll never escape this?"Kim stepped in closer, his expression kind but with a hardness she so desperately required. "Valeria, you can't think like this. You had no option. Nobody could have foreseen what occurred. But now, we must concentrate on the truth. We must ensure the correct man pays.Valeria's breath was stuck in her throat as she looked into Kim's eyes, his eyes unfaltering. For the first time in days, a gli
And then, as if on command, a memory flitted through his head—the memory of the manner in which Valeria had pleaded for his pardon. It was little enough. A fleeting second, actually. A few words, a spattering of tears. But for an instant, he had caught a glimpse in her eyes—guilt. Desperation. A glimmer of humanity. But it didn't matter. She had stolen his future, his love, and the child they would have had together. Nothing, not even her apologies, could erase that. He snatched his coat from the back of his chair, moving quickly and erratically. He needed to see her. He needed to confront her. To make her realize what hell she had put him through. Kc's head was a battlefield, and Valeria was the attacker. She would never be rid of the fruits of her labour—not if he had anything to say about it. He burst out of his office, his mind dark, clouded with the rage that seethed in his chest. His heart pounded against his ribs, the heaviness of the sorrow near to crushing. But it was not eno
Valeria's hands trembled as she fumbled for her phone, her chest convulsing as her heart pounded against her at top speed. She could still feel Kc's rage lingering above her, suffocating her, consuming whatever last vestige of strength was left in her. As soon as he had shoved out of her condo unit, she collapsed onto the floor, panting, convulsing her whole body.She pushed the phone to her ear, her fingers frozen. As soon as the call went through, she collapsed utterly."Manager Kim," she wept, her words barely intelligible. "K-Kc… h-he was at my condo… he visited me."There was a moment of silence on the other end before Manager Kim's voice cut through, taut with alarm. "What?! When? Are you injured?""N-no, but—" Valeria couldn't catch her breath, holding her chest as fear took hold. "He was angry, Kim. He wants me to pay. He… he won't let up." Her voice broke, Kc's rage overwhelming her.Kim cursed. "I told you to call me Valeria, if he ever showed up anywhere around you! You don
Valeria slid into a seat, her hands trembling in buckling the seatbelt. "Kim. wh-what if he finds me?" she whispered, her voice hardly audible.Briefly, Kim clenched his teeth as he got into the driver's seat and turned on the car. "Then we'll be set in motion."As they sped away into the night, Valeria stared outside, her heart heavy with dread about what lay ahead.Would she ever escape Kc’s wrath?Meanwhile…Kc sat in his office, holding a glass of whiskey so hard it almost broke in his hand. His head was a jumble of sorrow, anger, and a pain so hollow it refused to let go.His phone vibrated on the desk. He ignored it.Then it rang again.He took a harsh breath before answering. "What?"A low voice came back. "You let her go."Kc's face darkened. "What are you talking about?""Valeria. She's fleeing."Kc sat bolt upright, his whole body stiffening. "Where?" "She departed her condo a few minutes ago. She's not heading home, Kc. She's in hiding."His hand around the phone clenched.
Valeria's own breath caught as Kc's hold on her collar tightened and she was drawn closer until she could feel the hot breath of him on her skin. His eyes, once intelligent and kind, were now black holes of anger and despair.She was hardly able to draw breath, her body shaking in his hands."I should kill you," Kc growled, his voice low, menacing. "I should kill your miserable life right here and now. Do you have any idea what you've stolen from me?"Her eyes stung with tears, but she wouldn't let them fall. She wouldn't be weak."I didn't do this," she gasped. "I swear to you, Kc. I—"She couldn't get the words out before he pulled her forward, making her look into his piercing eyes."Shut. Up." His voice was a knife cutting through the air. "You don't get to talk. You don't get to plead. Do you have any idea what my wife and my unborn child experienced when you hit their car? Do you have any idea how much fear they had in their last moments?"His fingers sank deep into the material
Valeria was suffocating. The atmosphere around them was stifling, constricting—one heavy with unuttered words, feelings too tangled to untangle. She could not draw air into Kc's angry gaze, the dark vacuity of his eyes leaving her numb.Her fists were balled against the material of his shirt. "Why, Kc?" Valeria pleaded, her voice breaking with the urgency of it all. "Why are you doing this to me Kc? I've already shown I had nothing to do with the murder of Vanessa! I've endured enough! I lost everything—my career, my pride—due to your fanaticism!"Kc's teeth clenched together, his body rigid as if he held something malevolent, something deadly. "You think it's that easy?" His voice was a growl, the whisper gentle but it was the power of a storm about to unleash. "You think I can just release you? That I can just erase you?"Valeria's breasts trembled and dangled in her unbalanced respirations, the nails burying into his collar. "I don't want to be entombed inside this anymore, Kc! I d
Valeria's breath was stolen from her by Kc's words, held in suspended animation before her like an unacceptable burden. Blue eyes blazed into hers, recalcitrant and bold, as if challenging her to deny him."You don't get to do that," she spat, rage suppressed in shaking breath.He smiled, slowly and sensually, his lips curving into the shape. "Watch me I always reminded you."Valeria could feel the cold trickle down the base of her neck."This is not possible," Valeria struggled to say, trying to push him in the chest, but he was not moving. "You can't stand there and say you own me!""Can I?" he taunted, shifting to the side. "Who's going to stop me Valeria? You?"He laughed harshly, unamused, his hand running up her arm, searing as it traveled. "You have every opportunity to get away, Valeria. And you don't."Her own heart slamming against her chest walls. "Because you're always in my way!"Kc exhaled a rough breath, his own pleasure conquered by something nastier—something jealous.
He marched in uninvited, his mass overflowing the space."What in tarnation are you doin' here?" Valeria growled, stepping back instinctively.He shut the door, metal crashing loudly. He walked through the room with all the urgency of a sloth."Like a cat playing with a dead mouse.""You're supposed to be workin' on Sebastian, not bustin' into my bedroom.""I am workin' on him."His tone was flat, too flat. "But you and I have to have a word first."She folded her arms over her chest. "There's nothing to say.""Then why aren't you saying, 'get out'?"Her nails pressed into the palms of her hands. "Because I know you won't."Kc smiled, pleased with her answer. "Clever girl.""What do you want?""You."Her breath caught. "Excuse me?""You heard me."He moved closer, still staring at her. "You've been avoiding me since you found out the truth. You think I'm going to back down and let you pack your bags and leave? ""That's what I'm doing," she hissed. "Leave. Get away from you."He smile
Kc Page was no man of patience.Not where revenge was involved.Not when her name came into play.And certainly not when Sebastian Cruz's name did.The office was dark, the golden glow from the city skyline throwing long shadows on the floor. Kc leaned against the window frame, pockets in his hands, eyes narrowing as he observed the traffic below. The world continued moving, but his mind remained fixated in one spot—Sebastian.A name that felt like acid on his tongue.Behind him, Liam exhaled, shuffling through a thick file on the desk. "You wanted everything on Cruz? Here it is. Every transaction, every offshore account, every questionable business deal. The guy’s been untouchable for years, but if there’s a weakness, we’ll find it."Kc didn’t turn around. "And what about the night Vanessa was killed?" His voice was low, edged with barely restrained fury.Liam paused. "That's the issue. We know he staged it, but the son of a bitch cleaned up after himself. No straight connections. No
The promise, the warning, the absolute possession in his voice sent an icy shiver down her spine.This wasn’t a game.This wasn’t just revenge.Kc wasn’t letting go.And she hated how her body betrayed her, reacting to his nearness with something other than fear.She was furious at herself.Furious at him.Furious at how much control he still held over her without even touching her.Kim yanked her backward, his protective stance shielding her from Kc’s looming form. "Enough, Kc. This obsession of yours—it’s not justice anymore. It’s insanity."Kc chuckled darkly, shoving his hands into his pockets, but there was nothing casual about the way his piercing gaze burned into Valeria."Insanity?" he echoed, tilting his head. "Then why is she still here?"Kim exhaled sharply, his patience thinning. "Because you refuse to let her go."Kc’s smirk widened. "I already told her she could go." His voice was smooth, but there was a bite beneath it. "She won’t."Valeria forced herself to step forwar
Valeria gritted her jaw, bracing herself to stand upright even in the tempest within her. "You can't own me, Kc."Kc laughed, low and ominous, advancing, his presence crushing. "Funny. I don't recall asking your permission."Her fists were bunched. "Why are you still here? You already know the truth! I was not the one who killed Vanessa! I was not the one who destroyed your life!"His dagger-sharp eyes fixed on hers. "And yet, you're still in it."Valeria's heart tightened. He wasn't even in denial any longer—his possessiveness, his obsession. He had struggled so hard to ruin her, and despite the truth finally being out, he couldn't let up."You don't want justice," she breathed, realization falling. "You just want to continue to control me."Kc's lips curled, but his smile wasn't quite so content. "Control?" His voice grew into a growl. "If I was in control, you'd not be here, looking at me like you had a say in the matter."Her breath snagged.This was bad.She needed to back away f
The atmosphere was heavy with tension, oppressive.Valeria walked backstage after her exhausting, all-day photo shoot, her body tired, but her mind unsettled. She had tried to the point of frustration to keep him out of her mind throughout the shoot, but KC Page—was not to be forgotten.And now, turning a corner in the dark corridor of the fashion studio, he waited for her.His massive frame rested against the wall, arms folded, jaw set in irritation."You played all right out there," he said to her, deep voice but with no expression of love.Valeria's fingers tightened around the clutch in her hand. "What do you want, Kc?"He breathed slowly, slowly, then descended from the wall and traversed the gap between them. "Did you think I'd sit back and let you show off yourself before everyone?"She gaped at him in outrage. "Excuse me?""You heard me." His tone slices, with an undercurrent of darkness. "You think you're free now? That because I can see that you weren't the one to do it to V
The next day, blinding camera flashes and the sound of clicking heels on marble catwalk took over the studio.Valeria was in front of the mirror, breathing deeply as stylists and makeup artists buzzed around her. Her own face stared back at her—serene, lovely, but hidden under the surface, a tension emanated in her chest.She was home.Home where she was supposed to be.Home in charge of her life."Breathe, Valeria," she whispered in her ear. "We have a long day before us. First, the Luxe Fashion photo shoot, followed by the rehearsal for the gala runway. No distractions, no second-guessing. Ready?"Valeria nodded, fitting on a game face. "Ready."A flash of approval flashed in Kim's eyes. "Good. Because the world is watching."The background was opulent—floor-to-ceiling windows, soft golden glow, and escorts zipping everywhere with cameras and styling products. Valeria came out onto the stage, body covered in an exquisite satin robe that shimmered under the lighting."Alright, Valeri
Valeria strode away, her heart beating so hard she could feel it in her ears. Her hands shook at her sides, the argument with Kc making her tremble. But she wasn't going to let him see it.Not when he was still staring at her like an animal who did not want to let go of his prey. She took a deep breath as she reached the corridor where Manager Kim waited.Kim immediately stepped forward, sensing the tension radiating off her. “What happened?”“He’s not letting this go,” Valeria whispered, voice thick with emotion. “Even with the proof against Sebastian, Kc still thinks I’m guilty.”Kim cursed under his breath. “That bastard.”Valeria swallowed the bulge in her throat, her hands clenched into fists. "I thought… I thought that once he realized the truth, he'd stop Manager Kim."Kim shook his head. "Kc Page isn't a man who forgives, Valeria. He's the type of man who ravages. And at this point, he still thinks you're the one who destroyed his life."She clamped a hand over her temple. "I