Chapter 28: Colder than Ice“We have to understand that he suffered the loss of two loved ones.” Jeff pondered.” I blame myself daily for all three, after all, I dragged you all into this mess. Matheus will never forgive me, but you can still join forces with him and form an alliance that no one can break.“His interest in Molly has already done that.” Braston observed.“But he can still understand that you're with her now and that you can marry.” Jeff argued.” You can patch things up with Matheus.“I know I can, but I'm not in a hurry.” Braston replied.” Now I have a family to worry about. I don't want to play cat and mouse with Matheus anymore.“Alright, take all the time you need here.” he agreed.” Mustafa is taking care of everything for now. I hope you don't object.“What else could I expect from the man who is my father's right-hand, above even me, his own son?” Braston questioned, resentment in his voice.“Don't be rebellious. You don't listen to anyone and because of that ende
**Chapter 29: By Your Side Seems Better**"Isn't Fabrizio coming for lunch?" Lizi asked as soon as Molly entered the kitchen with the baby."I don't know, he left the room, and I don't know where he could be.""Uh-huh... did you two fight again?""No, I was just honest with him, I only told him the truth.""I see. I hope you can give him a chance, miss," she commented apprehensively as she began setting the table with the prepared dishes."I can't give a chance to someone I don't love, Mama Lizi. I really don't see anything good in him.""But there is something good in him that only you bring out. It wouldn't be a crime to love him, especially since he feels the same way.""That man can't love anything, Lizi, isn't it obvious? He has something similar to Matheus. I'm sure all they see in a woman is sex. I won't be an object for any man. I saw how my brother was with women; he only treated them as objects.""Braston is obsessive about cleanliness, and he has issues with smells.""Why?
**Chapter 30 - Repressed Desire**Braston woke up lying on his stomach, burying his face in the soft padding, wishing he could go back to sleep. But he quickly realized that getting up was impossible. Half of Molly's body rested on his back; he could feel her body pressing against his skin while her arms were also curled up over him, with one warm palm on his waist, transmitting a comforting heat. Beside him, Levy slept peacefully, his little head resting on Braston's shoulder. The child's legs, close to Braston's face, brought a smile to his lips as he realized the child was lying in the opposite direction.Molly was using him as a human pillow, or perhaps a giant teddy bear. One of her legs trapped Braston's, immobilizing him completely, and he wondered how that was even possible. He didn’t mind; in fact, he preferred that she didn’t wake up so soon. Molly’s steady breathing on his back made him reflective, his senses sharpening as he recalled her boldness in coming to his office in
"Whether it is or not, it’s none of your business," she muttered, curling up in the bathtub."You went to my private office, dressed like that, and now you're embarrassed to see me without clothes? You weren’t even wearing a bra. Do you know how disturbing it was to have you like that in my hands and not be able to do anything? And now you think I’m going to take advantage of you? If I wanted to, I would have done it a long time ago," he asserted, showing slight frustration as he let the water cascade over his face. She watched him again, from head to toe, as he stood with his back turned.“Okay, if he can... I can at least get up to grab the towel,” she thought, breathing heavily. She stood up, stepping out of the bathtub subtly, with a wave of indignation filling her chest at how he had ignored her.“You just had to grab the damn towel!” she snapped, irritated, causing him to turn around suddenly, admiring her from top to bottom.“Don’t look!” she quickly grumbled, grabbing the towe
**Chapter 31: The Present I Stole for You**After the midday rest, Lizi had meticulously arranged everything as she had planned with Braston. Molly, despite her reluctance, just changed into one of the light, airy outfits she had there—a comfortable overall—and carefully selected cool clothes for Brady. Meanwhile, Braston patiently waited in the living room, already dressed in a light, airy white linen shirt with rolled-up sleeves that revealed strong forearms. His khaki shorts, made of breathable cotton, were perfect for the warm weather. He was the embodiment of strength and elegance, perfectly suited for a relaxing walk in the countryside.As soon as Molly came down the stairs, Braston handed the baby to Lizi and took the basket from her hand. Molly kept her gaze away from Braston as they walked together. As soon as they passed the mansion’s grounds, Molly occasionally glanced at Lizi, who was following them, until Braston took her hand.“That’s not necessary, I can walk on my own,
Everything changed when Braston took Molly to the stable to witness the birth of the little horse. She was captivated by the pale little horse that was born; she wanted that horse so much, and even though it had already been sold, Braston stole the horse and had hidden it until today."This is..." Molly murmured, remembering as she looked at the horse."Yes, I stole it for you.""You did that? I never forgot that horse. I spent days crying when I found out I could no longer see it.""But I told you I would give it to you, so you felt better.""Yes! It was our secret, but over time, I didn't see it anymore." Suddenly, she looked at Braston, analyzing him. She could barely remember him in her memories. "You were so young... I was nine years old... You're very different from back then.""Yeah, my father punished me and made me pay 20,000 for it. I worked an entire year being exploited by the old man because of the horse," he said, laughing."You were crazy, really different from other peo
Chapter 32: "Your Touch Isn't So Bad.""I’m sorry, as I said, I was terrified, I didn’t mean to provoke you.""Ah..." he sighed, raising his eyebrows. "So, you know you're provoking me?"Molly held her breath as she felt her back pressed against the slippery rock, experiencing the sensation of his body pressed against hers. She hesitated, looking into his eyes, and Braston then gave her a carefree smile, his brown eyes lighting up. It was the kind of smile that didn’t need words. It said everything, as one of his hands touched her face, and his thumb gently caressed her flushed cheek."Can’t you feel anything for me, even knowing we were once friends in the past?" he asked, hopeful."I don’t know what I feel now," she replied timidly, lowering her head, feeling his curious gaze studying her face thoughtfully."Hmm..." he smiled, satisfied. "If you didn’t say you don’t love me and that you’ll never like me, it means something has changed, right?" he asked, still hopeful. She just raise
Molly, still recovering from the shock, felt embarrassed to face Braston after what she had done. But instead of the anger she expected, she heard his deliberate and joyful laugh."What are you laughing at?" she asked, embarrassed."I’ll never take you swimming again!" he said, laughing."How the hell is this man so handsome? Smiling like that?" she thought, staring at him, lost in his body and his cheerful smile as his dark hair fell like a cascade over his forehead, giving him a sensual look."What’s so funny? I almost died; you did that without warning!""You could’ve just asked me to stop instead of trying to kill yourself. I said we were just going to explore, but if you had really…," he compressed his lips, a bit frustrated, then showed tranquility as he approached her, shivering with cold. "What’s wrong?" he asked, seeing her hugging her knees, looking disheartened."I was wrong..." she whispered, embarrassed."What?" he asked again, even though he had heard her."I... I was wr
Chapter 93: Closing.Molly and Braston continued their journey to New Orleans. They had their moments of peace, and during their stay, Braston showed her his favorite place, where he creates perfumes, with the master perfumer who taught him how to craft fragrances."So, he’s the one who taught you how to create fragrances?" Molly asked, surprised, as they walked through the luxurious boutique, a truly charming place."Yes, when I arrived here, I couldn’t handle people, not even those I liked, except you. When I met you, I think it was because you were the most innocent and pure thing my hands had ever touched," Braston said nostalgically. "But Chief Pierre taught me how to look at people and imagine what scent would be perfect for them, and then refine it. You were my peach, but it’s been a while since you entered my life, and everything has taken on a different scent. You changed everything. I’m happy to be by your side," he confessed, looking around. Molly, on the other hand, felt u
Chapter 92: Cave‘No…’ he muttered with a grunt, wanting to curse loudly but holding himself back. ‘What the hell do you want? Weren’t you sleeping?’ he asked, clearly annoyed. ‘I was, but I saw you leaving… Everyone left with their partners and it’s just the two of us. Let’s go out together?’ she asked, as he unceremoniously removed her from his back. ‘Go back home!’ he stated, not even looking her in the eyes. ‘And what about what happened at the hotel?’ she insisted, quickening her pace to stay by his side. ‘Nothing happened! I was drunk, woke up the same way I fell asleep, except without my shirt and with my car vomited in. That’s because this little thing, who doesn’t know how to drink, ruined everything.’ He spoke with irritation, but without raising his tone. ‘When are you going to stop treating me like a child? Are you blind?’ Laysa asked indignantly. ‘I treat women like women. I treat children like children. And you need to stop thinking you’re a woman,’ he grumbled, ir
Cap.91: What Happened to Matheus"Matheus had moved in with Mariana, returning to his old house in Russia. He didn’t understand why she chose this destination, the same city where his mother had lived."Why are we here?" he asked, confused."My family lives here, and this is our country. Besides, it's been a long time since you visited your mother's grave, right?" she replied, her tone apprehensive.Matheus had only visited that place once after becoming an adult. His last memory of being there was when he was nine. Now, being back made his heart tighten. Life seemed so unfair, and all of this because of the greed of a cruel man."To think my mother was his woman... And that, in the end, he traded her, reduced her to a mistress. I always judged her, thought she was greedy for wanting a rich man. I remember well... One time, I even yelled at her, just days before she was murdered," he said, his voice choking, as his knees touched the snow-covered ground in front of his mother’s grave.
Cap.90: Beware of him, not me.Cassius hadn't realized that he had held Laysa in his arms the entire night. She had completely passed out, and both of them were drunk. In the morning, no one remembered anything. Cassius was the first to wake up and, to his surprise, found Laysa’s arms wrapped around him, resting peacefully on his chest. For a moment, a faint smile appeared on his face as he gazed at her serene, smiling expression.However, as his eyes traveled down her body, he noticed her shirt was lifted, revealing part of her backside. His conscience weighed heavily on him, and his expression shifted to concern. Discreetly, he pulled her shirt down to cover her better. He sighed in relief when he saw that she was still wearing her underwear. "Thank God nothing happened," he thought. Then, he checked his own clothes and felt even more relieved to see he still had his pants on."Supposedly, she doesn't remember sleeping on top of me. If I move her slowly, she won't notice. Damn it...
“To think that I love you,” she muttered, crying.“Cut the crap! I already told you, stop saying that bullshit,” he snapped, annoyed.“Look!” Laysa said, pointing at where they were.“I see it, a hotel. So what?” he replied with disdain.Laysa stared at him in disbelief while he laughed incredulously.“No way. The last time I went into a hotel with you, and mind you, it was an apartment, I got arrested. You’re trouble.”“But I’m a woman now, there’s no problem with that. Look at me! I need a shower; this smell is making me sick.”“The mix of booze and vomit is hell, baby girl. That’s your punishment. And I don’t know who put it in your head that you’re a woman.”“What the hell? What do you think I am, then?” she asked, unable to believe what she had just heard.“Look, I’ll take you there, you’ll clean yourself up, and we’ll leave before the cops show up,” he said seriously.Laysa almost jumped with joy, but Cassius kept his distance from her, clearly uncomfortable.He rented a room an
Chap. 89: Your View of MeCassius stayed on the party floor, not far from the stage where the dancers performed. Francine and the girls were going wild, while he, with a stern expression, kept disapproving of the situation. He was close to his limit, thinking about ending the party with gunfire, but he suppressed the urge with alcohol even though he was responsible for taking the group home.Laysa remained near Francine but didn’t blend in. The poor thing only watched Cassius from afar. After three failed attempts to approach him, she drowned her shame in mixed drinks, even after so many rejections.“Lay, stop staring at that brute! Look at how many hot, handsome guys are around!” Francine shouted, trying to compete with the loud music as she pulled her friend to dance.But Laysa had no enthusiasm for anything.“You don’t understand… I love him… I’m crazy about him!” she confessed, her voice thick with alcohol and emotion.“Look, girl, I’ll be honest,” Francine said, already slurring.
"He pushed me?" Laysa murmured to herself, confused. "But there's only one man who would do that..." she said, while Molly fought Braston and Layane practically assaulted Frederick's chest.Laysa didn't waste time."I knew it! Cassius!" she exclaimed, ripping off his mask and throwing herself at him in a hug.Annoyed, Cassius pushed her away and left the stage without saying a word."What?!" Layane reacted, her heart racing. When she took off Frederick’s mask, he stood up furiously and dragged her off the stage without giving her a chance to react."Layla... what is going on?" Molly asked, her face pale and eyes brimming with tears.Layla just stared at her, full of remorse."Oh, Molly... You were advised not to come." That was all she said before turning her back and jumping off the stage straight into Caio’s arms.Molly looked at Braston, hesitant. Summoning her courage, she removed his mask, and as soon as she saw her husband's face, she nearly fainted."Is this a party?" Braston g
88: The Sisters’ Punishment"Oh, so Layane went to see naked men?" Frederick asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm and anger."But there's still time for you to catch them before the party starts!" Layla assured, anxious about her friends' fate."What do you mean?" Frederick frowned, intrigued."It's only seven o'clock; the dancers don't arrive until eight. You can go now and catch them by surprise!" Layla suggested, clearly uncomfortable."Right now!" Frederick declared, already preparing to leave, but Braston grabbed his arm, thoughtful."Wait, I have a much better idea," Braston said, a malicious smile sparking everyone's curiosity."My wife will have to explain this nonsense to me. A married woman, really? Does she think I'll forgive this? What’s your idea, Braston? Because time is running out." Frederick crossed his arms, impatient."Layla, you're going to take us there. From what I understand, there will only be three men on stage at this party. We'll catch them off guard.""Ge
87: The Final Judgment"Everything is ready. All the suitcases are already downstairs," Cassius announced, carrying his own luggage. The living room was already packed with the belongings of the four men. That night would be the trial, and in the morning, they would leave for Europe.Braston was on the brink of emotional exhaustion, his anxiety eating away at his patience. As a result, he spent most of his time with a closed expression and a distant gaze, almost oblivious to his brothers' conversations."Married life. Ugh!" Cassius spat the words out, noticing Braston’s distracted state and immediately understanding the reason.Braston’s mind seemed dark and turbulent, but he wasn’t the only one in a bad mood."Today is going to be a tense day for the youngest. Let’s get everything organized since he’s convinced that tomorrow he’ll reunite with his beloved. But, honestly, I don’t even want to go. Damn it! Not even with the best investigators can I find my damn wife. If she’s cheating