"Are you certain nobody followed you?" Olivia's voice cut through the thick murky air of the abandoned warehouse as her heels clicked ominously in her approach to a group of men waiting under the dim light of a flickering light bulb.The tallest of them was a man with a scar running down his cheek-forwarded. "We're professionals, lady. Nobody knows we're here."Olivia's mouth shuddered into an upward curve; her eyes were quivering with terror. "Good. I want this done quietly, spotless of any errors. If you mess this up, it won't be my plans that are ruined-it'll be your lives that end.""Calm down," another said gruffly, leaning idly against a steel pillar. "Just tell me what you want."Olivia took a deep breath, steadying herself. She pulled a photograph from her purse and handed it to Scarface. “This is your target: Luca Francisco. Bernice’s son.”The man studied the photo, his eyes narrowing. “The kid’s what—two, three years old? This is the kind of job you’re hiring us for?”"None
"Mummy will be back soon, right, Clara?" Mia's soft voice pierced the warm afternoon air as she pulled on Clara's skirt while they took a walk through the vivacious park."Yes, sweetie," Clara said with an encouraging smile. "Your mummy is just working on some stuff. She'll come back soon."In another second, Luca ran ahead, a squeal of laughter echoing through as he chased after a butterfly. "Can I show mummy the butterfly when she comes back?" he called back.Clara's heart pinched. "Of course, Luca. She'll love that."Noisy was the park: chatter of families, loud laughs of kids, and from time to time, the barking of a dog. Clara watched the twins run from the swings to the slides, trying to cap off the gnawing unease in her chest-a feeling she could hardly explain."Stay close, both of you!" she called, a little alarm creeping into her voice.The twins continued to play as if they hadn't a clue of her anxiety. Clara dug out her phone and checked once again for messages from either B
"I should never have left them," Bernice whispered, shuddering.Alexander turned to her from his chair on the private jet. She was white, with two red eyes from crying, and her fists were clenched tightly in her lap."Bernice, this is not your fault," Alexander said severely."How can you say that?" she returned, her voice shaking. "I left my babies behind, Alexander. I trusted-" Her voice broke, and she turned away from him, her gaze fixed on the endless black sky outside of the window.Alexander sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "We both trusted they'd be safe. Since we had eyes on Ethan and Olivia in Rome. No one could've predicted this."She turned to him, the wetness from her tears trickling down her face. "I should have known this! Something was feeling off, and I felt it! My instinct told me, and still, I didn't listen!"He leaned toward her, speaking low but insistently. "And now we're going to put things right. I promise you, Bernice, we'll find Luca and Mia will be saf
"Where are they?" Rafael's voice thundered across the large hall of his mansion as he paced up and down irritation mounting with each ticking second. Dark eyes blazed and his fists clenched hard at their sides.Ethan was standing casually, leaning against the doorframe, his arms across his chest; a smug smirk played on his lips. "Calm down, Uncle; it's not the end of the world. Yet."Rafael shot him a sharp glare. "Calm down? Bernice left without a word, and you want me to calm down? She's always running, Ethan! Always slipping through my fingers!”Ethan pushed off the wall and approached him with a calculated expression on his face. "Maybe she's not worth chasing after, Rafael. Maybe she's not who you think she is."Rafael stopped pacing and turned fully toward Ethan. "What are you trying to say?”Ethan shrugged with a feigned burden of nonchalance. "I'm just saying, maybe Bernice isn't worth your time. She left you once, right? Now she's doing it again. Why bother?”Rafael's jaw cla
"Who sent this?" Alexander's voice sliced through thick tension hanging in the air at Bernice's apartment. He was holding up his phone, its screen displaying a cryptic message: *Stop your investigation, or Luca will pay the price.*Bernice sat ghostly white on the couch, shaking hands. "I don't know," she whispered. "But they're watching us."Detective Marcus was leaning over the small dining table, his notepad opened. "Has either of you received anything like this in a while?” "No," Alexander returned firmly, his jaw clenching. "This is a first-the first direct threat.""And it's a clear one," Marcus returned calmly, seriously, "Whoever sent this knows your moves or else has inside information or at least is close enough to keep tabs on you.”Bernice's face fell onto her palms. "Luca… they have my son. And Mia is out there, alone. What if…"She was sobbing.In the next instant, Alexander was beside her, his soothing touch upon her shoulder. "We will find them," he said firmly. "We'l
Rafael sat with his back to the window, staring into the glow of his laptop screen. The seriousness of the email in front of him-something to do with a comprehensive report about another act of sabotage against one of the key projects of the company made him sad. His eyes fogged, and the words disappeared into a blaze of mental pictures of Bernice: her laughs, her fiery arguments, how she used to challenge him.“Sir,” his assistant, interrupted gently from the doorway, “the board is waiting for your response on the proposed measures to counteract the sabotage.”Rafael waved her off impatiently. “Tell them I’ll review it later.”Laura hesitated. “They’ve been waiting for three days, sir. The situation is escalating—”“I said later!” Rafael barked, his voice sharp enough to make her flinch.She scampered off, and with a groan, Rafael leaned back in his chair to pinch the bridge of his nose. Just couldn't put himself through this anymore: not with Bernice out there, not with Alexander o
The silent office turned upside down when Rafael's fist cracked the glass surface of his desk and papers flew in every direction as his desk, already messy, became a battleground within the blink of an eye."Everything's falling apart," Rafael growled, his fists clenched. "And yet.all I can think about is Bernice."His door creaked open, and Gabriel stepped inside, his features an etching of concern and professional reserve."What?”"Rafael," Gabriel began, his voice smooth, almost, to keep himself in the present. "We need to talk about the company. The attempts at sabotage, the financial losses-they are still on the rise."Rafael raised his eyes; his gaze was sharp and icy. "I don't have the time for this now."Gabriel further closed in on him, firm in his voice: "Rafael, you have been doing this for days on end now, and the whole company is walking on their toes. If you yourself do not handle the crisis, we are going to lose so much more than business.""Then let it burn," Rafael ye
"Where could she be?" Bernice demanded tersely in the hush of Alexander's office tension and frustration edging her voice. She paced restlessly round the room, having her arms tightly crossed against her chest, as if holding herself together. Deep lines of worry engraved her face, making her look more fragile, even while her fierce determination showed no sign of faltering.Alexander leaned back in the chair beside the desk and regarded her silently. His features reflected his concern and weariness. "Bernice," he said quietly, "we're doing all that we can. Marcus has every possible lead covered and the reward will draw more information soon.""It's not enough!" she snapped, stopping abruptly and glaring at him. Glassy from the sleepless nights, angst over having her children missing was deeply ingrained in her tone. "My daughter has been missing for days, Alexander! My son. God knows what they're doing to Luca right now." The crack of her voice betrayed her, and she turned away, ref
The chandeliers of the mansion were bright and starlike, splashing golden light upon varnished floors, Bunches of flowers scented the atmosphere as one heard the sound of reverberating laughter and music across the halls and jingling sounds that waiters made around the crowds with flutes of fine champagnes and hors d'oeuvres on their trays."Is everything ready for the toast?" Rafael demanded from one of the serving people. Authority was in his voice while his eyes played around the room."Yes, sir. Champagne is ready and so are the musicians," he said with a slight bow and scurried away.Rafael turned his eyes on Bernice, standing near the middle of the room in her glittering emerald gown. She covers it quite well, yet he manages to see right through it, to the scared smile below. Rafael moved to her, threaded an arm reassuringly around the nape of her lower back."You look lovely tonight," he whispered softly, clear into her ear."Thanks," she whispered, looking into the hall. "I ju
Sheets of rain lashed outside a small café across Liam's apartment complex as Alexander sat nursing coffee that was already cold, which he had not touched. His gaze turned out the door expecting Liam to walk in. Hoping he got his text. The anchoring weight on this day further depressed his body. The sound of defeat played out in his head until the door finally swung open, and Liam came in with drips coming off his umbrella."Alexander," he said, shock mingling with the sudden sobering of his tone. "Never thought I'd be coming in here to find you of all people waiting. What's up?"Alexander motioned to the empty chair opposite him. "Sit down. I need someone to talk to, and you're the perfect person at the moment.”Liam raised one eyebrow but did as instructed, tugging his coat off and hooking it over the back of the chair. "This does sound serious. Let me take a guess, it's about Bernice."Alexander exhaled with a heavy sigh, and the strain in his voice betrayed him. "It is always ab
"Two daddies?" Luca echoed, his voice full of wonder. "Does that mean we get two birthday parties too?"In the naivety of the question, a small, bitter laugh was dragged from Bernice. "Oh, sweetheart…", she started, but her words caught in her throat as tension pulled thick in the air.Rafael hunched down beside him, his features soft but strained. "It means you'll always have more people who love you. But I'm your father, Luca. You and Mia…you're my everything.”Luca looked up at him and furrowed his little brow as the meaning of Rafael's words digested. "But Uncle Alex takes care of us. Is he not our daddy too?"Mia stared at them, clutching her stuffed animal tightly. "Uncle Alex is fun…is he still our daddy?"Alexander had been leaning quietly against the wall until now; he stepped forward, his face composed, an edge laced in his voice. "I'll always be here for you, just like I always have been. But…," he paused, his eyes flicking to Bernice before he finished, "…your real father
The shrill ringtone of Rafael’s phone broke through the tense silence. Bernice flinched, startled from her thoughts as Rafael answered. His expression, initially sharp, softened slightly as he listened.“She’s awake?” His voice carried a mix of relief and urgency. “We’re on our way.”Bernice’s heart leaped at his words. “Mia?”Rafael nodded, snapping his phone shut. “The hospital called. She’s asking for you.”Without waiting for another word, Rafael pulled Bernice to his car, started the engine and pressed the gas pedal, speeding toward the hospital. Alexander’s car followed close behind, his headlights glaring in the rearview mirror like unspoken accusations.“I’ll need to explain things to her and Luca” Bernice murmured, her voice trembling as she twisted her hands in her lap."You will get the chance," Rafael replied tightly, his eyes fixed on the road. "But it is no longer just about you. It's time the kids knew the truth."Bernice's chest tightened; she wanted to argue but knew
"Gate 27B. Last call for flight 489 to São Paulo," the calm, automated voice echoed over the airport intercom.Detective Marcus was concealed behind a pillar, his striking eyes scouring the busy terminal. So excited, he could hardly contain his accelerating heartbeat. He then glanced at his watch-just at this time, Olivia's got to pop up. Every single lead, each and every crumb-into which he had looked-intimidated him before it all boiled down into this. Marcus reached for his radio."All units, Gate 27B. This one's not going to make it," ordered Marcus.Across the terminal, Olivia sashayed confidently through the crowd, arm linked with a man whose face bore a cruel smirk—Sebastian Reyes, the man who had framed Bernice three years ago. They looked relaxed, like a couple off on a romantic getaway. Olivia's sunglasses shielded her eyes, but her smile was bold, too bold. She believed she had won.“They really thought they could stop us?" Sebastian whispered, his hand tightly squeezing
"Run the footage again," Rafael ordered sharply, voice as keen as a razor. Fingers clasping the edge of his desk, white-knuckled. His assistant Gabriel blinked and then replayed the security footage on Rafael's big office screen.Rafael's eyes narrowed as the figure coming into view was one he could never mistake: his nephew, Ethan. Wearing a sharp suit, Ethan navigated the restricted areas within the company with confidence. It wasn't just access to the right places that remained an outstanding thing but what he was doing with it."There," Rafael pointed. "Pause it.Gabriel froze the footage; Ethan slipped a small USB drive into the server room. "We thought it was a cyber-attack," Rafael whispered, his quiet tone boiling with anger beneath. "It was him all along."Gabriel nodded grimly. "It matches perfectly with the timeline of events. Every major breach happened after he had entered the server room.Rafael leaned back, running a hand over his face. His heart pounded with a mixture
"Is everyone in position?" Rafael's voice sliced the tense air like a knife as his eyes scrutinised the dimly lit industrial warehouse ahead.Detective Marcus adjusted his earpiece. "Yes. My team has got the perimeter covered. When they hand over Luca, we move in."Rafael's jaw clamped down as he turned to Alexander and Liam. Both of them stood close, their faces taut and resolute. For once, they had the same purpose in mind.Alexander shifted weight. "This better work. If anything happens to Luca-""It won't," Rafael cut in. His tone was final. "We will get my son back tonight.""Your son?" Alexander sneered. "Don't forget Bernice's stake in this thing. She is the only one here holding things together while you play the hero."Rafael's eyes darkened. "This isn't the time for petty arguments. Luca's life is at stake."Liam's voice cut in them, raising a hand. "Enough. We focus on the rescue. Settle your issues later."There was no sound for a moment, but for the distant thrum of the c
"Pass the salt, mi amor," Rafael said in a low voice, never once taking his gaze off Bernice's face.It was this note that made Bernice blink. They sat opposite to each other at the wide, dining table-the candle flame leaping, squirming across its brilliant facets between them. But she said nothing, merely pushed the salt toward him with extended fingers, which touched his with glancing fingers, and, for an instant, all bitterness over, his eyes melted almost down; moved her so that she"Thanks, dear," he stammered, his curled lip twisting into a small warm smile.Madam, the head housekeeper, watched them across the room in silent pleasure. She had worked for the Fernandez family for years and had practically witnessed their rollercoaster love affair up and down. And for the first time in years, she saw them finally together again."I'm so happy to see you both like this," Madam whispered softly.Before Bernice could get a word out, one of the younger maids entered with a tray of win
"Are you sure you'll be fine by yourself?" Rafael asked as his hand rested on Bernice's waist, standing by the car outside the hospital. His touch was warm, familiar, and far too comforting for Bernice's liking."I'm fine, Rafael," Bernice said finally, though conviction eluded her tone. She stepped back, releasing his hold.Rafael laughed low, a knowing kind of sound. "You did that very same thing last night, remember? Right before you-""Stop." Bernice's eyes went wide as she scanned the car park, her cheeks ablaze with color. She did not need to be reminded how she let her guard down.His teasing grin deepened. "What, before you told me you loved me?""I didn't mean it," she muttered without looking his way.“Are you sure about that?" Rafael leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. "Because it sounded pretty real when you said it in my arms."Her breath hitched, and she shoved him lightly. "Go to work, Rafael."He laughed, stepping back but not before giving her one last, long look. "