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LIX

Penulis: Maya East
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-01-29 21:48:21

The supermarket wasn't too crowded this early in the afternoon, just a few customers leisurely strolling the aisles with their trolleys. I pushed my trolley towards the fresh meat section, still remembering Max's dramatic request this morning—the chickens in his dream that ran away and left him hungry.

What I hadn't counted on was who was walking beside me now.

In a casual suit that still looks too expensive for a regular supermarket, Pascha walks casually beside me with an annoyingly casual expression. His hands were stuffed into his pants pockets while his eyes scanned the shelves as if this was his first time setting foot in a place like this.

Well, I didn't know that it still stuck with him. Five years ago, he was a prince who had everything in his luxury penthouse—a personal chef and maids—and I'm guessing that he's still a stranger to supermarkets until now.

I took a whole chicken from the cooling rack and put it in the trolley.

“Is this chicken enough to fulfill Max's dream?” P
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Lilys
Well one thing for sure.. Mikelea was still very much in his life and would always be the thorn between them
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  • His Son, Her Secret   LX

    The kitchen was filled with the aroma of roast chicken starting to cook in the oven. I stood in front of the stove, stirring the sauce.I’m pouring the sauce into the pot but my phone vibrated on the kitchen counter. The name on the screen makes me pause for a moment before I swipe the green icon to answer.“Ben?” My voice trembles slightly.“Hey, Bell.” Ben's voice sounded softer than the last time he spoke.I bit my lip, waiting for what he would say next.“I...” Ben breathed across the phone. “I want to apologize.”I closed my eyes for a moment. “Ben, you don't have to—”“I do,” he cut in quickly. “I know I was so rude that time. I panicked, I was angry... but that's no reason to blame you for something that wasn't entirely your fault.”I stirred the sauce again, trying to calm myself down. “You were just worried. I understand.”“And so do you,” he added, his voice softer. “I just don't want you to get hurt again, Bell.”I swallowed, feeling something stir in my chest. Ben was alwa

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-29
  • His Son, Her Secret   LXI

    The sound of the waves crashing outside the window blended with the sound of the television that had been left on, showing an animated movie that was now almost over. The hot afternoon air made me reluctant to move further from the house, and Max, who was sobbing over his dinosaur toy, finally lay down on the cozy fur rug and was already asleep beside me, his hands gripping the hem of my shirt tightly.I stroked his hair slowly, enjoying the warmth of his little body next to me. I sighed softly, letting my body relax under the cool air conditioning.The summer sun was too hot to go to the beach, and the only thing more tempting than a nap was a bucket full of chocolate ice cream, which was unfortunately not available in the fridge.“I'm going out for a while,” Pascha said after the man came out of the main bathroom near the kitchen. “But then Max will definitely be happy with what I brought.”I opened one eye, looking at him lazily. “Hmm?”He just smiled a little, giving no further an

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-30
  • His Son, Her Secret   LXII

    I frowned. “What?”Pascha shrugged. “Party at the Carlton Hotel. I'm invited.”I sat up slowly, looking at him more seriously. “And you're telling me this. why?”He gave me a slight grin, then leaned closer to me. “Because I want you to come with me.”I blinked, then gave a short laugh. “Sorry, what?”Pascha didn't change his expression. “Come with me. We can go together.”I stared at him for a moment, trying to figure out whether he was joking or not. But there was no sign of humor on his face, only a seriousness that made me even more confused.I lay back down. “I already have a partner, Pascha.”He raised one eyebrow. “Jullian?”I nodded.Pascha sighed, then shook his head. “Of course. The perfect man.”I gave him a sharp look. “And you should have come with your fiancé.”There was a pause. I didn't miss how his casual expression was slightly stiffer, though he quickly hid it.“I'm not necessarily going with her,” he said finally.I narrowed my eyes. “Why?”Pascha smiled wryly. “Yo

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-30
  • His Son, Her Secret   LXIII

    Kyara and I stood by the drinks table, taking a moment away from the business talk that Jullian and Oliver were now dominating. They were both seriously discussing stocks or investments or something that sounded too boring for us to care about.I sipped my red wine slowly, enjoying the warm sensation in my throat. Kyara, next to me, still looks annoyed, her expression stiff as her eyes scan the room.I knew what she was looking for.And I was right."I really can't believe she can still walk casually in the same room as me without feeling the slightest bit embarrassed," she muttered as she took a sip of her wine with a sharp movement.I sighed. "Kyara...""What?" she turned to me with a raised eyebrow. "I'm just stating a fact, Belva. Our former best friend is standing at the same party as us, still acting like she never betrayed anyone."I couldn't argue with that."Wow, I haven't even said anything yet, but I'm already getting a cold reception."That voice.I closed my eyes for a mo

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-31
  • His Son, Her Secret   LXIV : FLASHBACK

    Music echoes through the room, vibrating the floor beneath my feet. Searing Latin rhythms blared from the large speakers in the corner of the room, livening up the already festive atmosphere.The air is filled with the sounds of laughter, clapping, and clinking glasses.Kyara and I shouted along to the lyrics, jumping up and down in the crowd without a care in the world. The miniskirt I was wearing fluttered with my movements, and my long hair swayed wildly every time I raised my hands in the air."We have to teach Ara dan Mika how to enjoy music properly!" Kyara shouted in my ear, her laughter exploding as she pulled my hand to spin.I laughed loudly, throwing my head back before jumping back to the beat. "This is THE party!"One second, I'm still spinning with Kyara, and the next, I hit a hard wall that shouldn't be in the middle of the dance floor.Or... not a wall?"Ouch!" I grimaced, taking a step back, and I rubbed my forehead, which was slightly sore from the impact.The tall fi

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-31
  • His Son, Her Secret   LXV : FLASHBACK

    "You know, Jacob," Kyara piped up, "Belva talks about you quite often."I reflexively opened my eyes, straightening up so quickly that I almost dropped the glass on my desk.“¿Qué carajos dices?!” (What the hell are you saying?!) I almost screamed, looking at Kyara with a face of horror.Kyara just grinned widely, a look of complete satisfaction gracing her face. "I'm just stating a fact."From the corner of my eye, I could see Ronan and Calvin, who immediately turned their heads with renewed interest, while Pascha only raised his eyebrows.However, Jacob, who was now looking at me, made me want to sink into the ground the most. There was no expression of excessive surprise on his face. Only a small nod as if he was processing the information.Oh my god.Mother Earth, please swallow me right now.I turned to Mikaela and Aurora, looking for reinforcements, but their expressions only made me more desperate."Oh, we already know, Bell." Aurora sipped her drink calmly. "I mean, you're not

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-31
  • His Son, Her Secret   LXVI : FLASHBACK

    The campus corridor was still crowded, with students leaving their classes. I walked while reading the paper. My professor had just given me a small note about revising the assignment I had to do. I frowned, reading each point carefully, too focused to notice the road ahead of me.And, of course...I hit something hard.Or rather, a person.My body was pushed back slightly, the papers in my hand almost falling before I quickly balanced myself."Ouch," I muttered as I lifted my head.Pascha."Of course," I said in a frustrated tone. "Why did I hit you again?"Pascha looked at me with a calm expression, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans. "I also want to know why you have a habit of bumping into me every week."I gave him a sharp look. "Probably because you're always in my way."He chuckled, shrugging as if this wasn't all his fault. "Or maybe it's because you can't walk straight."I almost replied more sharply, but then I realized someone was beside Pascha—Jacob.Unlike Pa

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-31
  • His Son, Her Secret   LXVII : Flashback

    The light from the chandelier on the ceiling was still burning softly, creating faint shadows between the towering bookshelves. I blinked a few times, trying to make sense of the situation before realization hit me like a crushing blow to the stomach.I had fallen asleep.My whole body felt stiff after hours of sitting hunched over a desk, and to make matters worse, my stomach felt violently twisted. I squeezed the bottom of my stomach lightly, wincing as sharp pain spread throughout my body. My acid reflux had returned.I let out a long breath, trying to think clearly. I shifted in my chair and reached for my phone next to my laptop that was already wholly dead, and damn it, and my phone was dead too.I cursed under my breath, staring at the dark screen as if hoping the battery would charge itself. I didn't know what time it was, but the library was already too quiet, and there was no one around me.I fell asleep in the library. Again.My heart started beating frantically. If I calle

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-31

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  • His Son, Her Secret   CLXXXII : Bleed on Your Own Time

    I dragged Pascha’s body into the house as best as I could. His breathing was heavy in my ear, his footsteps shuffling behind me. When we reached the short two-step stairway into the living room, he collapsed a little, his knees buckling like all his strength had drained away."Shit, Pascha!" I cried out. "You can’t just sit here—"But he already had, dropping himself down onto the bottom step with a heavy breath, his shoulders slumping forward. Blood was still dripping slowly from the tear in his shirt, seeping down and staining the fabric.I panicked.I bolted into the kitchen, yanking open the big drawer where I always kept the first aid kit—because living with Max had taught me that surviving without antiseptics and bandages was basically suicide.I hurried back, dropping the kit onto the floor with a loud thud, my hands shaking as I pulled out medical gloves, a bottle of antiseptic, and some gauze."I need to call a doctor," I said frantically, cutting away the remains of his shir

  • His Son, Her Secret   CLXXXI : aching laughter, restless monsters

    "Why do humans even watch horror movies if they end up too scared to use the bathroom?" Max's voice rang out loud and clear, laced with heavy sarcasm."Because humans are stupid and sometimes like to create problems for themselves." Mischa added with an eerily calm tone, completely emotionless,I choked a little on my tea, trying not to laugh.At the dining table, Kyara and Aurora sat looking like zombies freshly risen from the grave. Kyara's hair was a mess, she was wearing my hoodie with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, while Aurora was still in my house dress, sleepily munching on breakfast. They were both sluggishly shoving pieces of toast into their mouths."Don’t tease Auntie Kyara and Auntie Aurora, Max," I warned him."But Mommy," Max protested, pointing at Kyara, "Auntie Kyara slept on the couch hugging my bike helmet! And she was mumbling in her sleep!""And she said 'don’t open that door, it’s a trap' three times," Mischa added flatly, staring at Kyara’s toast like it w

  • His Son, Her Secret   CLXXX : Karma Never Knocks, It Breaks In

    The dinner table was packed with small dishes. Lasagna, garlic bread, spinach salad, and a big bowl of mashed potatoes that Aurora had prepared with scientific precision. In the middle of it all, Max and Mischa sat side by side, both wearing plastic aprons with robots and unicorns on them.“So...,” Aurora muttered, “you have two kids now?”“It’s... an emergency situation.”Kyara, sitting beside Aurora, immediately jumped in. “Emergency? Emergency? From where I'm sitting, that mini-Russian has already claimed territory in your house.”Max, his mouth full of cheese, pointed at Mischa. "She's cool! She’s teaching me Russian! Now I can say ‘robot’ in a badass voice! Robot." Max said, with an accent that was... highly questionable.Mischa just kept chewing her bread, unfazed. Her gaze was blank yet sharp, like a tiny Wednesday Addams who had wandered into a happy family dinner."I don't need an invitation," Mischa said casually, shrugged. "I'm already here."Aurora raised an eyebrow. "You

  • His Son, Her Secret   CLXXIX : We Never Go Out of Style

    That morning, the sun hung low over the San Francisco skyline, casting a soft glow that danced across the glass walls of the headquarters. I stood in front of the final presentation slide for the Lantum Mining project, the hum of the air purifier quietly filling the room, and my heart beat in an unfamiliar rhythm: slow… but heavy.Around me, the tech team was assembling the final report and prepping the soft launch of our AI-based ground stability monitoring system, soon to be deployed at the last satellite mining site. On the screen, every indicator was green. All the data integration, tech synchronization, and final testing. Flawless.“This,” I said, clicking the last slide on the remote, “is our final milestone. We’re officially done.”There was a soft round of applause. Not wild. But enough. Because this wasn’t just about finishing a project, it was validation. Of our work, our choices, our resilience.And for a moment, I just stood there. Staring at the screen.Then the breath ca

  • His Son, Her Secret   CLXXVIII : you drew stars, but never stayed to see them fall.

    I was driving with one hand, the other resting under my chin. Kyara sat in the passenger seat, wearing oversized sunglasses that looked like they belonged to a celebrity fresh off a Vogue shoot.“I still can’t believe it,” she said. “She’s pregnant, Bell. And you… you just—” She twisted toward me and let out a strangled noise of pure frustration. “—offered yourself up like a sandwich he dropped five years ago!”I clenched my jaw. “Ky…”“No, seriously.” Her voice was low and sharp. “He slept with Mikaela when you were about to marry him, then you got pregnant, and now Mikaela is pregnant and you slept with him again. I’m sorry, but this isn’t a soap opera anymore. This is Shakespearean tragedy with WiFi.”I gripped the steering wheel tighter. “I know. I… know.”But knowing wasn’t enough. Not when the shame crawled from the back of my neck to my cheeks, hot like a slap from the reality I’d refused to face. I ran a hand over my face, fingers trembling slightly.“Shit,” I muttered. “I fee

  • His Son, Her Secret   CLXXVII : The Morning After Never Ends

    Glass shelves, matte-black drawers, and a line of clothing racks stretched from one end of the room to the other. Filled with suits, shirts, and, oddly, rows of women’s clothes.I pulled open the third drawer, just like he said.And there it was.A pale gray knit sweater, wide-necked and slightly stretched around the collar from too much wear. I took a quiet breath as my fingers brushed the fabric. I knew this sweater.It used to be my emergency jacket when New York suddenly turned cold in Pascha’s penthouse. Back when we were still living together after graduation, before everything turned to rubble. It was the sweater I wore while eating instant ramen at 2 a.m., waiting on the couch for him to get home late from Romanov HQ, watching criminal series he never quite understood.I shut the drawer slowly, my breath trembling in silence. Then I glanced at the clothing rack beside it.Dresses. Blouses. Sweaters. Trousers. Silk pajamas. All… in sizes that, in a way far too strange, fit me e

  • His Son, Her Secret   CLXXVI : I Know Better. I Just Don’t Do Better.

    Morning sunlight slipped through the gap in the thin linen curtains, fluttering gently in the sea breeze.Warm. Soft. Peaceful.Too damn peaceful.My eyes fluttered open, and the first thing my brain registered was the ceiling—too high... and way too unfamiliar.Pascha’s mansion.I froze.My body tensed as I realized the warmth wrapped around my waist from behind wasn’t a blanket. It was an arm.Long. Strong. Bare.Wrapped around me like a gate I couldn’t break through.“Fuck,” I breathed out, almost like a prayer caught in my throat.A long sigh escaped my lips as I tried to piece things together. Didn’t take long. My head throbbed faintly. My neck still felt kissed. My legs still tangled in the mess of last night.Damn it.“Fuck me,” I whispered again.“Already did, Pchelka. More than once.”I jolted and half turned. “Pascha!”His eyes were still closed, face half-buried in the pillow, but a smug smile tugged at his lips.One of his arms was still draped around my waist, pulling me

  • His Son, Her Secret   CLXXV : Lips Red, Knees Weak, Soul Gone [21+]

    The cold air brushed against my skin as Pascha pulled the fabric of my T-shirt, which was roughly uncovered until it pooled under my chin. My breath caught. I didn't have time to be embarrassed, let alone protest, because his eyes were already smouldering like a hungry animal spotting prey.“Shit.” His voice was hoarse, guttural like he was choking himself with desire.And then...Heat.His tongue swipes over my nipples in slow motion, too conscious, too deliberate, like he wants to memorize every earthquake he triggers in my body. I squirm, my back arching without realizing it, hands gripping his short hair. Whether to pull him away or to bring him closer, I don't even know."Pascha...” his name came out as a moan, broken by the vibrations he left behind every time his lips sucked, every time his teeth pressed with sweet menace.He growled, the vibrations flowing straight from his mouth to my chest, to my spine, to the rest of my body. His one hand gripped my hip, holding me immobile

  • His Son, Her Secret   CLXXIV : Out of My Hands

    Jullian hadn’t even made it fully to his feet when Pascha’s second punch slammed into his face. The sound was thick, flesh meeting bone, followed by Jullian’s groan as he crashed back down into the sand, his hand flying to his cheek, already red and starting to bruise.“Don’t you ever touch her again,” Pascha growled, his chest heaving, and I didn’t recognize this man at all.I threw myself between them, shoving at Pascha’s chest with both hands. But his body was like stone.“Stop! ARE YOU INSANE?!” I screamed, my voice caught somewhere between panic and rage.He didn’t answer. His eyes stayed locked on Jullian, who was now sitting up, propping himself on one arm, breathing hard.“He touched you,” Pascha shouted at me.“YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!” I snapped, standing in front of Jullian now. “You don’t get to decide when you’re my son’s father, and when you’re—whatever the hell you think you are!”Pascha finally turned to me.His eyes were burning.I swallowed hard. “You can’t just show up an

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