Britney’s morning had started with a burst of energy, her excitement amplified by the breathtaking view she’d just discovered. The soft, golden light of the early dawn had gently pulled her from sleep, and after stretching luxuriously, she made her way to the window.Wrapping her silk robe tighter around herself, she pressed her face against the nearly invisible glass. Her eyes widened, and her breath caught at the sight below."Oh, my world! Goodness. Gracious!" she gasped, her voice full of awe. The view was irresistible—muscles rippling in the morning light, every movement of the men below drawing her gaze like a magnet. Without thinking twice, she spun on her heel, already planning to dive into that scene, convinced that she needed to get closer.After a quick shower and a change into a pink bikini that left little to the imagination, Britney dashed downstairs, her thoughts only on the cool water and the hotter view.But her rush was abruptly halted by a loud voice from the couch
Ethan sat heavily on the edge of the bed, his frustration boiling over as he ran his hands through his hair, tugging at it in anger. The tension from the argument with Brandon still lingered in the air, and he could feel the sting of Brandon’s harsh words echoing in his mind. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioner, but inside Ethan, a storm was raging.His phone buzzed, pulling him out of his thoughts. A text from Lornado, asking for an audience with him, flashed on the screen. Ethan sighed, lacking the energy to leave the room but knowing he couldn’t ignore his duties. He texted back, instructing Lornado to come to the bedroom instead.When Lornado entered, Ethan straightened up, pushing his emotions aside to maintain his usual composed demeanor. But even as he tried to mask his turmoil, a part of him couldn’t let go of the thoughts tormenting him."Sir, you still haven't given the go-ahead on what we should do. You're yet to revise the second set of inform
They headed back to the bedroom to get dressed for Britney's much-needed shopping trip. After a quick shower, Brandon turned to Ethan with an unexpected request."Where’s the first aid kit?" Brandon asked, his voice calm but firm.Ethan raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback. Still, without much thought, he retrieved the kit from the bathroom cabinet and handed it over."Let me take care of this before it gets worse," Brandon said, gently guiding Ethan to sit on the edge of the bed.Ethan shook his head. "I already took care of it," he muttered, trying to downplay the situation.Brandon shot him a pointed look. "You did a half-hearted job. I’m not about to let this get infected on my watch," he insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument.As Brandon began to clean the bruised knuckles, Ethan watched in silence. Each careful movement was filled with an unspoken tenderness that made Ethan’s chest tighten. He could feel the depth of Brandon’s care in the way he handled his hand, the
Ethan sat in the waiting area of the men’s dressing room, his eyes scanning the racks of clothing as Brandon continued to try on different outfits. Suits, casual wear—nothing seemed to impress him. He was picky, maybe too picky, and it was starting to show in the furrow of his brows and the way he sighed at each rejected outfit.Brandon came out out of the dressing room once again, this time wearing a fitted black shirt that looked great with dark jeans which complemented his lean build. He studied Ethan’s expression, noticing the stress inhis eyes. After a moment, Brandon’s lips curled into a playful smirk as an idea took shape in his mind."Maybe I need to take off something," Brandon teased, his voice low and smooth, as he approached Ethan. "You’ve been on edge, and I think I know why."Ethan narrowed his eyes, feigning ignorance, though an obviousness of something more heated flashed in his eyes. "I don’t know what you’re talking about," he replied, his voice not as steady as he’d
As all good things must, their beautiful vacation was sadly drawing to an end. They had made sure to savor every moment. From a spirited volleyball game, where Britney somehow convinced Ethan and all the staff and security to join in, to a massive pizza-eating contest that saw the winner walk away with a two-thousand-dollar voucher—courtesy of Ethan, of course—every second was filled with laughter and joy. Their Sunday was spent in bliss, and yet, when Brandon reminded Ethan and Britney that it was time to go, Britney adamantly refused. She clung to the weekend like a child to her favorite toy, and Brandon practically had to drag her towards the car, much to her protests.This warmed Ethan's heart. He didn’t want to see them go either. Their presence had brought so much light and happiness into his world, a world that had been lonely and monotonous for far too long. The fun, the laughter, the sense of purpose they’d brought him—he hadn’t felt anything like it in ages. He couldn’t let
Ethan strolled into the conference room, the greasy remains of a half-eaten cheeseburger clutched loosely in his hand. He took another lazy bite, letting the cheese stretch and snap, his jaw moving methodically as if he had all the time in the world.The flash of cameras created a blinding strobe, capturing every step he took, but Ethan hardly noticed. His eyes were fixed on the long, oval table where the board members and shareholders sat, their stares filled with curiosity, discomfort, and thinly veiled anticipation.The room was vast, cavernous even, with ceilings that soared high, making the air feel thin. The walls were lined with portraits and framed milestones—a show off to Wings’ legacy of success, now looming over the room like silent judges. A massive window framed the city skyline, the towering buildings outside a display of the empire Ethan had built—and the precarious line he was walking.At the head of the table, Gerald sat smugly, his posture too relaxed for the gravity
Arden Thane stood at the head of the room, commanding the attention of every single person present. Even at nearly eighty, his presence was magnetic. His full head of gray hair, though thinning at the temples, remained neatly combed, a testament to the sharpness he maintained.His posture was bent slightly with age, but his wrinkled face held a dignity that commanded respect. His deep-set eyes, though tired, flickered with a knowing wisdom. There was a quiet strength to him, like a lion in winter—still powerful, still formidable.Gerald couldn't suppress the smug smile that crept across his face. Arden had been his ally for years, a close confidant, and Gerald was confident that their shared history would sway the vote in his favor. After all, Arden had never hidden his disdain for Ethan's reckless behavior. In fact, Arden’s public criticism of Ethan had been sharp and relentless over the years, leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind where his loyalty lay. Gerald adjusted his tie, straight
Ethan leaned back in his chair, the weight of authority pressing down on the room as he claimed the head seat. His gaze cut across the table, dissecting each person with calm, predatory ease. His lips curled into a slight smile, sharp and unforgiving."Now that we’ve finished with the child's play," Ethan began, his voice like steel wrapped in silk, "and it’s clear that what I’ve built from the ground up can’t be so easily taken away, I have a gift for all of you."The once-confident board members who had plotted against him now sat rigid, their faces betraying traces of unease. They exchanged furtive glances, sensing something dark looming just beyond the horizon.Ethan gave a subtle nod toward the door. At his signal, Carter and Lornado entered, their steps measured, each carrying a stack of brown folders. One by one, they distributed the folders around the table, dropping them in front of each person except Arden, who watched the scene with quiet satisfaction.The rustle of papers
Christmas...The warmth of the fireplace filled the room, the crackling of the flames blending with the soft hum of Christmas carols playing in the background. The Christmas tree stood proudly in the corner, its branches covered in twinkling lights and delicate ornaments that shimmered in the soft glow. Outside, snow fell gently, blanketing the world in a peaceful white. Inside, the laughter of family could be heard through the house, filling every corner with love and joy.Around the large dining table, everyone was gathered. Nana, looking radiant and content, cradled one of her twin boys in her arms while the other rested peacefully in a bassinet nearby. She'd given birth two weeks ago and everyone has been supportive.Her recovery over the past few months had been nothing short of miraculous, and the glow on her face was proof of the happiness she had found. She and Brandon had grown close, their bond deepening as they shared stories and leaned on each other through the ups and dow
A WEEK LATER...The sky was painted in shades of soft blues and blush pinks, with the occasional puff of cloud dotting the horizon. Birds soared high, their wings glinting in the sunlight, as if celebrating alongside the hundreds of guests below. There was something in the air—something gentle and full of love, as though the universe itself was smiling down on this day. The slow ringing of bells hummed throughout the city, the sound weaving its way through the streets and gardens where the wedding was about to take place.The garden itself was like something out of a fairytale. A vast space covered in greenery, with towering trees draped in delicate white flowers. Tiny twinkling lights were strung between the branches, looking magical. The path leading to the altar was lined with blooming roses in every color imaginable, reds and whites swirling together like a painter’s masterpiece. Chandeliers hung from the arches, their crystals catching the sun, reflecting rainbows onto the guests
They made it through every storm, and now, they would live to love and cherish.*****With Aldo's help and Ethan’s connections, it didn’t take long to find Nana. Ethan and Brandon were stepping out of the car, breathing in the damp, cold air of Ireland as they looked at the modest house ahead. Ethan already disliked the neighbourhood. He hadn’t seen his sister in years, and he wasn’t sure how he’d react. He squeezed Brandon’s hand, a nervous energy running through him.Brandon, ever the optimist, linked arms with him and smiled. “We’ll handle this together,” he whispered.The porch creaked beneath their feet as they walked up to the door. Ethan raised his hand, knocking with a hesitation he wasn’t used to feeling. A few moments passed, and finally, the door creaked open.“Na—” The name caught in Ethan’s throat. The woman standing before him, her body hunched as if she'd age five times more. She barely resembled the sister he once knew. But her eyes—those distinct, beautiful blue eyes
Collins stood in front of Brandon, his smile warm, though his eyes held scars and sadness of years lost. His suit, while simple, fit him perfectly, and despite everything he had been through, he looked healthier, more at ease than Brandon had seen in years. There was something peaceful about him now—a quietness that only comes with closure.“He’s just trying to be nice,” Collins said, grinning at Brandon. “But I’ll tell you, your man really went all out to find me. Ethan had me tracked down, got me out of that mess I was in. Then he hired one of the best lawyers in the country. We’re still working on clearing my record entirely, but it’s in motion.”Brandon looked at Ethan, his heart filled with gratitude. He had known Ethan was working behind the scenes to find his father, but he hadn’t realized the lengths Ethan had gone to. It was overwhelming, this outpouring of love, this commitment to not just him but his family.“I... I don’t know what to say,” Brandon whispered, his voice catc
One moth later...A month had passed, and the world outside felt a little less dangerous. The sun hung high in the sky, its warmth spilling over the quiet garden outside Ethan's home. The smell of fresh herbs filling the air, and the birds sang in the trees, oblivious to the trials that had brought Brandon and Ethan to this moment. Inside the house, you could perceive the scent of warm bread and sizzling bacon, the morning routine continuing as usual.Brandon stood in the kitchen, setting out breakfast with careful hands, his mind only half-focused on the task. His heart, though, had never been more full. He glanced toward the living room where Ethan sat, propped up on the couch, still pale but improving with every day. There was color in his cheeks now, though he was often feverish, and his wound—a constant source of worry—had gotten infected twice in the past few weeks. But with a team of specialists and round-the-clock care, Ethan was healing.In the beginning, it had been terrifyi
In the midst of the chaos, a strong hand suddenly grabbed Elizabeth’s arm, yanking her away from the crane’s remote. The container stopped just inches above the crumpled car, leaving Brandon shaken but still alive. His breaths were ragged, his body trembling with fear. He would never forget surviving this near-death experienceEthan’s knees buckled beneath him, the adrenaline fading as the blood loss caught up. He exhaled sharply, fighting to stay conscious, but the world was spinning. Strong arms caught him before he collapsed completely, and through his fading vision, he saw Carter’s worried face hovering above him."We got here just in time," Carter said, his voice calm but his eyes filled with concern. "Hang on, Ethan."Ethan’s voice was faint. "Brandon… is he okay?"Carter nodded, glancing toward the car where medics were pulling Brandon out. "He’s fine. You saved him."Ethan closed his eyes for a moment, the exhaustion too much for him to handle. He had fought with everything he
Noah’s expression darkened. "She found out about my real business—human trafficking, organ harvesting. She was going to expose me. And yes, I killed her with my own hands. She wasn’t afraid of me. She loved you more than she ever loved me." His voice took on a cold edge. "So I made her pay for it."Grief and anger choked Ethan. "She was five months pregnant, Noah. Pregnant with your son. She was everything I ever wanted in a mother, and you took her from me.""I can have as many children as I want, Ethan. But if I were caught, my business, my reputation—everything I built would be gone. I won’t be taken down because of some woman."Brandon, from the crushed remains of his hope, couldn’t stay silent. "It’s always been about you, hasn’t it, Noah? Your ego. Your reputation. You destroyed my family and yours because all you care about is power.""Shut your mouth, bitch," Elizabeth snapped, slapping him hard across the face. "You know nothing about power."Ethan, his voice hoarse from the
Ethan’s fist landed with brutal precision, sinking into Ethan’s stomach. Ethan doubled over in pain, gasping as he felt the burn spread through his abdomen. His hand instinctively flew to the spot, feeling the sting of fresh blood where the wound was."You son of a bitch," Ethan spat between ragged breaths, his eyes burning with defiance.Noah, towering over him with a twisted smirk, gripped Ethan’s jaw, forcing him to look up. "How dare you call me mad, you son of a whore? A mere slave," Noah growled, tightening his hold.Ethan laughed bitterly, the sound more of a wince than amusement. "I see you’ve gone mentally unstable too, father," he mocked. "How am I the son of a slave? Last I checked, you were just a sperm donor. And as for being a slave, well, maybe to your greed, your adultery, and your lies."Noah’s eyes flared, and his grip on Ethan’s jaw tightened, making it difficult for him to speak. "I made you," Noah hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "And I’ll break you.""You’v
Ethan staggered forward, his hand pressed against his stomach, trying to stanch the bleeding. Outside, it began to rain.His breath came in ragged bursts as he pushed through the sheets of rain that poured down on him. Brandon was just ahead, darkness in the storm, sprinting as though he could outrun everything crushing him from behind."Brandon, wait!" Ethan’s voice was hoarse, almost swallowed by the roaring wind and rolling thunder. Each step sent a fresh jolt of pain through his body, but he kept moving, forcing himself onward. He had to catch him.Brandon didn’t stop. He didn’t even slow down. His feet pounded against the pavement, faster and faster, as if the rain pouring over his face was washing away the memories—the lies, the betrayal, all of it. His chest burned, and his heart screamed louder than the storm, but he couldn’t stop now. He wouldn’t.Ethan’s words cut through the rain. "I didn’t kill anyone, Brandon!" His voice broke, desperate.Brandon spun around, his face twis