Julian's POVI bent over and ripped the blindfold off the girl's face, my heart pounding. The dim light of the warehouse flickered over her tear-streaked cheeks, but as soon as I got a good look at her, my stomach twisted. It wasn’t Elena. Lily gasped beside me, her hand flying to her mouth. "Julian… this isn’t her."Monica, standing a few feet away, erupted into laughter. "You idiots," she scoffed, shaking her head. "You fools are always being deceived."My jaw clenched so tight I thought my teeth might crack. Rage surged through me like wildfire. I spun around and locked eyes with one of the men who had captured the girl. Without a second thought, I drove my fist into his face, feeling the satisfying crunch of bone against my knuckles. He staggered back, blood dripping from his nose. "You had one job," I snarled. "One fucking job! And you couldn’t even do that right."He groaned, holding his face, but I wasn’t done. I stepped forward, grabbing his shirt, yanking him close. "Go fin
Elena's POV Some Days Earlier***I trudged wearily back to my apartment, my arms laden with groceries from the market. It had been weeks since I'd last spoken to Gina, and I was starting to feel like a ghost, invisible and forgotten.After leaving Lily's house under Gina's instructions, I'd gone into hiding, always looking over my shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'd rented a small apartment a few months ago, and it had become my refuge, my sanctuary.But I couldn't stay there all the time. I had to keep moving, had to keep changing my routine, just in case someone was watching. So, some nights I'd lodge in a hotel, paying cash and using a fake name.It was a lonely, isolating existence, but I knew it was necessary. I'd seen what Gina was capable of, and I knew that if she wanted to find me, she would.As I approached my apartment building, I noticed something that made my heart skip a beat. Two men, dressed in black and wearing masks, were snooping around the entrance.I
Gina's POV I walked into my house, dropping my bag on the floor. I was exhausted from a long day at work. As I made my way to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, I remembered that I hadn't spoken to Elena in a while.I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed her number. She picked up on the second ring."Gina! Oh my god, it's so great to hear from you!" Elena exclaimed.I chuckled. "Hey, Elena. I'm sorry I haven't called you in a while. How have you been?""I've been good, Gina. But I've had some trouble," Elena said, her voice serious."What kind of trouble?" I asked, my instincts on high alert."Julian and his friends sent some men to capture me," Elena said, her voice shaking.I gritted my teeth. "Those bastards. I'm so sorry, Elena. Are you okay?""Yeah, I'm fine. I managed to escape," Elena said.I took a deep breath. "Elena, I think it's time for you to get out of the country. I want you to fly to Asia."There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Asia? But why, Gina?""Beca
Elena's POV I was packing my bags, my mind racing with thoughts of Asia and the new life that awaited me. But just as I was about to zip up my suitcase, my phone rang."Hello?" I answered, expecting it to be Gina."Hi, is this Elena?" a deep voice asked."Yes, it is. Who is this?""My name is Mark. I'm Gina's associate. She sent me to drive you to the airport."I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "Okay, thanks. What time should I be ready?""How about we meet at the coffee shop on 5th street at 2 pm?" Mark suggested.I agreed, and we hung up. But as I continued packing, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't right. I had an ulterior motive, one that I couldn't reveal to Gina or Mark just yet.I finished packing, but instead of taking my suitcase with me, I left it behind. I dressed up in a sun hat and glasses, concealing my face. I made my way to the coffee shop, my heart racing with anticipation.When I arrived, Mark was already there, sitting in a black sedan.
Gina's POVI sat at my desk, staring at my phone with a mixture of concern and frustration. It had been over a week since I last heard from Elena, and I was starting to get worried. I had asked her to go to Asia, to get her out of the country and away from Julian and Lily's reach. But now, for the past three days, I've been having a feeling that I might have made a mistake. I dialed Elena's number again, hoping that she would pick up this time. But as the phone rang and rang, I knew that something was wrong. I tried calling her again, but it went straight to voicemail.Just as I was about to give up, I decided to try one more time. I dialed the number, and this time, a man's voice answered."Hello?" he growled.My heart skipped a beat as I realized that this wasn't Elena's voice. "Who is this?" I demanded. "Where is Elena?"The man chuckled, a cold, menacing sound. "Oh, if it's not the famous Regina Saxton. I've been waiting for your call. Elena is...indisposed at the moment. And if
Gina's POVWhen the call ended, I sat back down at my desk, staring blankly at the papers in front of me. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by the distressing call I had received earlier. Elena's kidnapping weighed heavily on my mind, and I couldn't focus on anything else.As the day wore on, I found it increasingly difficult to concentrate. I made mistake after mistake, and eventually, I decided to close up early. I couldn't take it anymore.There was a knock on the door of my office. I knew it had to be Jenna of course.“Come in.” I said.“Ma'am, I wanted to remind you that your next meeting with the Board of Directors is scheduled for 3pm.” Jenna announced as soon as she stepped inside.“Today or tomorrow?” I asked, massaging my temples.“Today. Yeah, I also wish it could be moved to tomorrow. You couldn't have forgotten right? I mean, you have been preparing for this meeting all day.” She chirped.Having noticed the look of worry on my face and the fact that I didn't smile at her jo
Gina's POV The thought of Elena's safety rummaged my mind. It's funny how Julian and his minions thought they could get to me through capturing Elena. They couldn't even raise the stakes, just asked for common five hundred thousand dollars. Always making it obvious that they were low and penniless. Well, I'll give them what they're asking for. So that they can feed with it. Five hundred thousand dollars. A mere fraction of what I had in my accounts. Money was never the issue—decisions were. And I had just made one. I didn’t hesitate as I dialed the number. The call barely rang before a gruff voice answered. “Let me guess, you have it?” “Yes,” I replied, my voice steady. “Send me the details.” A second later, a text came through. I opened my banking app, entered the numbers, and authorized the transaction. Just like that, half a million dollars vanished from my account. Not that it mattered. Money flowed in and out of my life like water. But this wasn’t about money. This w
Gina's POVThe weight in my chest refused to lift. No matter how many times I told myself that what I was thinking about Elena wasn't true. Yet, the unease gnawed at me like a parasite, making it impossible to focus. It wasn’t like her to disappear. Not after everything I had done. Not without so much as a thank you. I sat in my dimly lit office, swirling the wine in my glass, my mind drifting through possibilities I didn’t want to consider. Was she hurt? Had someone else taken her? Was she lying low on purpose? Every scenario led to more questions, none of which had answers. Then, my phone rang. I snatched it off the desk so quickly the wine nearly spilled from my glass. I glanced at the caller ID—Victor Saxton. One of the board members under me. I let out a slow breath before answering. “Gina Saxton speaking,” I said, slipping effortlessly into my composed, businesslike tone. “Mrs. Gina,” Victor’s voice rang with excitement. “I had to call you personally. The charity pro
Five years later, the estate is no longer just a retreat. It’s a sanctuary—a living, breathing testament to the resilience of love, family, and legacy. As I stand by the grand oak tree in the heart of Seraphina’s Garden, I can hear the laughter of children echoing through the estate. My daughter is among them, her golden curls bouncing with every step as she runs around with her friends, her infectious giggle carrying on the breeze.Seraphina. The little girl who was born during a storm and who now, in the light of day, flourishes as a beacon of joy and hope. She’s everything I ever dreamed of and more. Every day, she reminds me of the strength I had when I thought I had none. And every day, she teaches me that the future is always worth fighting for.I watch as Alex kneels on the grass, helping her with the butterfly she’s carefully cupping in her hands, showing her how to let it go, how to trust the world outside. His love for her is something more than I ever imagined. A father’s l
Gina's POV There’s something sacred about peace—not just the absence of chaos, but the quiet fullness of a life hard-earned. I used to wonder if I would ever know such a feeling. Now, sitting in the sun-drenched solarium with my daughter giggling in my lap and Alex stretched beside us on the chaise, I know I’ve found it.I’ve found home.And it didn’t come wrapped in the perfect package or with a roadmap. It came in storms and secrets, in compromise and conflict, in tear-streaked nights and breathtaking mornings. It came in the arms of a man I never expected to love. And in the eyes of a child who showed me how to live without fear again.That’s why I decided to write it all down.My story.Our story.At first, it started as therapy. I needed a way to untangle the knots left behind by everything that had happened—the contract marriage, Victor’s threats, the courtroom battles, Evelyn’s truth, and the secrets buried deep within the Saxton legacy. But the more I wrote, the more I realiz
Gina's POV We named her Seraphina.The moment I held her in my arms, I knew there was no other name that could ever fit. She was born from fire and softness, from struggle and grace. And as she blinked up at me with those curious hazel eyes, so much like mine yet startlingly like Alex’s, I felt my heart permanently tether to hers.“Seraphina,” I whispered against her soft cheek, brushing a kiss there. “You’re going to change everything.”****Weeks passed in a blur of midnight feedings, lullabies hummed through tired lips, and soft coos that echoed down the estate’s halls. Alex and I were exhausted, but blissfully so. Our world had narrowed to a singular, perfect focus—her.The estate, once a symbol of looming uncertainty and painful inheritance, had become our sanctuary. But I didn’t want it to be just ours. My grandfather’s name had been dragged through courtrooms and sullied by lies. I wanted something different—a legacy rooted in healing, not conflict.That’s how the idea for the
Gina's POV The nursery smelled like fresh paint and baby powder, soft sunlight streaming through the white lace curtains that fluttered slightly in the breeze. I sat on the rocking chair near the window, my hand resting over my growing belly, which had become more prominent with each passing week. I was just seven months along, and though I felt constantly tired and achy, I also felt an overwhelming sense of love swelling inside me—more than I thought was humanly possible.Alex had just left for a quick meeting with our lawyer to finalize some estate documents. Evelyn was downstairs preparing her herbal tea mix that she claimed would "bring me peace of mind and smooth sleep," and Lana was folding tiny baby clothes in the corner of the room. It was a quiet morning. Too quiet.I shifted in my seat, rubbing my belly as a sharp ache shot up my spine. I winced but brushed it off. Pregnancy was full of strange sensations—this had to be just one of them. But a few minutes later, the ache r
Gina's POV The courtroom was colder than I remembered, its marble walls echoing the low murmurs of conversation, the clicking of heels, the scratching of pens. I wasn’t physically there—I was still confined to my bed—but through the live stream set up on my bedside table, I watched everything unfold.Alex sat at the front beside our lawyer, composed and confident in his tailored navy suit. Beside him, Evelyn, dignified in a modest beige dress, clutched a worn leather folder tightly in her lap. Her hands trembled slightly, but her eyes held the strength of someone ready to face the ghosts of her past.I pulled the blanket tighter around me, my heart pounding. This was it.“Court is now in session,” the bailiff announced.I gripped the edge of my blanket. This wasn’t just about reclaiming the estate anymore. It was about reclaiming the truth—our family’s truth. It was about protecting our baby’s future from a man who had threatened everything we held dear.Victor sat across the room, a
Gina's POV The room was silent except for the steady ticking of the antique grandfather clock that stood tall near the window. I lay in bed, propped up with an array of soft pillows, my hands gently resting on my growing belly. The sun had barely risen, but I hadn’t slept. My mind buzzed with anxiety, thoughts turning in endless circles.Alex had been pacing the hallway since dawn, talking to lawyers and strategists, his voice hushed but urgent. I could feel the weight of our reality pressing down harder with each passing day. The threat Victor posed wasn’t just legal anymore—it was dangerous, personal. And with each letter from Evelyn, each scrap of evidence we uncovered, the stakes only grew.I had never imagined a world where my family’s legacy could turn into a battlefield, or where protecting my unborn child would mean playing dangerous games of deception and strategy.When Alex finally stepped into the bedroom, his face was pale but determined. His suit was pressed, his tie per
Gina’s POV The morning sunlight filtered gently through the gauzy curtains, wrapping the living room in a soft golden glow. The sound of waves crashing against the distant shoreline was like a lullaby to my anxious heart, and for the first time in days, I allowed myself to relax. I stretched slightly on the couch, my swollen belly cradled by pillows, and let my eyes drift lazily across the pages of the book I was reading.Lana sat just behind me, carefully running a wide-tooth comb through my tangled hair. She was gentle—always had been. Her hands worked through the knots in slow, practiced strokes, humming quietly as she did so. It reminded me of childhood days, when my mother would brush my hair and talk softly about her dreams and regrets. It brought a strange sense of comfort, even amidst the chaos of recent events.“Lana,” I murmured, closing my book and glancing over my shoulder, “would you mind getting me a glass of water?”“Of course,” she replied warmly, setting the comb dow
Alex's POV The courthouse smelled of polished wood, nerves, and freshly brewed coffee. A place where truth was supposed to hold weight—but truth, I’ve learned, is fragile in the face of men like Victor Wells.The judge’s voice echoed in the courtroom as the proceedings began, stern and unwavering. I sat at the front bench beside our attorney, Mr. Langdon, a seasoned man with sharp eyes and a mind like steel. Beside Victor, his legal team looked smug—too smug for someone who hadn’t even seen the real documentation yet.Gina should’ve been here with me. She would’ve sat tall and poised, even in fear. But the doctor’s orders had been clear: strict bed rest. No exceptions. Not when her life and our baby’s were on the line.Just the thought of her curled up at home in bed while this circus played out made my jaw tighten. I was here not just as a husband—but as her voice, her shield, her sword.Victor looked every bit the conman he was, wrapped in a tailored gray suit and arrogance. He sat
Gina's POV “He claims to be Martin’s son,” Evelyn said. “My grandson. Your cousin, Gina.”The room tilted slightly.“Claims? You're not sure?” Alex asked, cutting in.“That’s why he’s claiming the estate,” I said slowly. “Because he believes it’s rightfully his.”“Yes. But he doesn’t know the full truth. He doesn’t know what Wilson planned. And he certainly doesn’t know that I kept every letter. Every piece of proof.”“And yes, I'm not sure”, Evelyn continued, throwing us into further confusion.My son, Martin, never told me about his son. I know he had a child some years back but I never met him. Surprisingly, this Victor Wells, has the resemblance of Martin. I suggest you carry out a DNA test to be sure if he's from our lineage. That will give you all the answers that you need, because if he isn't, a court case wouldn't be necessary.’She slid a box across the table toward me. “It’s all here. Letters, photographs, even legal documents Wilson sent me but never filed. They’ll be enou