In the heart of an old, decaying mansion, unrest simmered. The walls, once filled with laughter, now echoed with cries of pain and despair. The mansion had become a prison of torment, showcasing the destructive power of unchecked anger and cruelty.Noah stormed through the dimly lit hallway, his heavy footsteps a drumbeat of doom. His face twisted with rage, his eyes burning with fury. The veins in his neck bulged as he screamed, “Ethan! Get over here now!”Young Ethan, trembling and wide-eyed, stumbled into the room. His small frame looked even more fragile in the oppressive atmosphere of the mansion. Clutching a broken toy in his hands, its once-bright colors now dull, he whispered, “I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to break it.”“You are worthless! Useless boy!” Noah’s voice thundered through the room. “How could you spoil your toy? Pick it up!” His hands shook with fury as he unfastened his belt, the leather hissing through the air like a snake.Ethan stood paralyzed with fear, unabl
Years later...Today was one of the days that frightened Ethan the most. He had been anticipating this moment for so long, eager to get it over with. It took two years, four months, two weeks, five days, three hours, fifteen minutes, and ten seconds to prepare for this outing. Yes, he kept count because of how important this occasion was. His father had retired from the company, stepping aside to monitor its activities, and instructed Ethan to take over his empire. However, he refused to allow the succession to pass down to his elder sister. Ethan had his own enterprise, which was doing well, and he was a powerful billionaire. Although not totally independent, his father still insisted on supervising his activities despite having no official linkage with them. But Ethan dare not oppose or refuse his father’s strategy. It would only end badly, so he let the sleeping dog lie.Gathering his courage, Ethan made up his mind to announce the termination of his connection with the company an
Ethan stood tall, his immaculate blue suit hugging his broad shoulders. His dark hair was finely shaped, and his heavy brows complemented his hawk-like gaze, making his presence rather unsettling. One could swear he was a model for some top agency—a sexy but intimidating model. Ethan was built like a Roman or Greek god. He might have been mixed-race or purely white, but his tanned skin suggested either too much sun or perhaps frequent spa visits. Either way, it achieved impressive results, making him appear anything but pale.The dimple on his chin was the only thing softening his appearance, but it served only to accentuate the hard, square line of his jaw and his straight nose.From the way he held himself, it was obvious he was someone important. He practically exuded power and money, but Brandon didn’t care and ignored all those attributes.To be honest, Ethan wasn’t well known as the owner of Wings. Wings was one of the biggest private companies in the country, and its internal s
He was brought to Ethan’s office. Or, to be exact, to the reception room outside his office. Then Brandon was told to wait. Which would have been fine if it hadn’t already been three hours.Brandon glared at the golden plaque on the door that seemed to mock him: "Ethan Asher, CEO." So, apparently, that dick was the CEO of Wings. That explained a lot. And now, Brandon was never going to get that job he had hoped for so much, the one that was supposed to help him take care of his pressing bills. If only he had known, he would have kept his mouth shut like the others. Look where being bold and vocal had gotten him. Nevertheless, he still couldn't stand being degraded. He has had his fair share of that experience and had sworn to his late mom that he would never be in such a position again, regardless of what or who.For Ethan to be the CEO and treat people like this, he must be a soulless leader with no remorse. People working under him must have seen heaven and hell while doing so.Wit
Brandon spluttered with indignation. Ethan had forgotten about him? But before he could say anything, the dickhead continued.“Considering your condition, you really needed this job. Sabotaging the only shot you had at getting it and antagonizing a major company is beyond stupid. I’m surprised by your lack of foresight.”Brandon’s chest tightened. He had known that instigating the protest was a little risky if he wanted to secure this job. But he never knew that the jerk he had been raw to was in charge of giving him that opportunity, or even an opportunity at all. He just messed it up.“Or was it supposed to be your strategy for getting my attention?” Ethan said, his voice dry and sarcastic. “Then I’ll have to say that you did a terrible job. I won't have street and untrained employees.”Brandon raged. He had prepared so hard in hopes of getting the job. Now that this douchebag was stating it clearly, Brandon realized the number of things the mouthwatering salary could have done for
Brandon left Ethan’s office, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Getting a job at Wings Group had really become a dream come true. He had never intended to stage a protest or force that jerk to acknowledge him, but the situation had turned in his favor. His simple goal was to go there, apply, interview, and maybe get rejected. But now, he was a personal assistant to the CEO of Wings Group, Ethan Asher—the exact opposite of what he’d wanted. Yet here he was, a PA to Ethan Asher, CEO of Wings Group.The trip to Human Resources turned out to be surprisingly welcoming. Brenda, a nice young woman with a lovely smile and curves, greeted him warmly. Somehow, in the short time between Brandon leaving Ethan’s office and finding the HR department, she already had the contract ready. In any other circumstances, Brandon would have flirted with her, but he was too frustrated now.“Wow, you got it done within a short time?” Brandon said, skimming over the contract.Brenda laughed a little. “When you w
Brenda grimaced a little. “He’s… a complicated one.” She smiled at him. “I see something different in you. This time around, this PA is going to get through and finish his contract. I believe in you. But a word of advice: make sure to stay almost invisible around him and don’t expect him to be different towards you or to tolerate mistakes just because you’re new. He doesn’t tolerate excuses.”“That’s very reassuring,” Brandon said with a chuckle. “But thanks for the warning. I appreciate it, really. You just saved me from getting fired. With all these heads up, I’m sure to do better.”Blushing, she smiled, looking slightly confused. “I’m not even sure why I told you all of that. I could lose my job.”Brandon grinned. “Who’s snitching among us? No one. He would never find out. Besides, I have a rare condition which doesn’t allow me to betray people who trust me.”“Really? And what’s the name?”“It doesn’t have a name yet.”“What a joker,” she chuckled.He really had never told on peop
Annoyed, Ethan said nothing, just laid a heavy hand on Brandon’s nape, and directed him towards the door unceremoniously, his touch like a burning iron.Suppressing the urge to snap that he was perfectly capable of walking by himself, Brandon took a deep breath, in and out. This wasn’t him. He wasn’t this easily annoyed guy. He had his cool.He was better than that. He should take the high ground and not let Ethan get to him. He could handle some attitude. He could handle being bossed around. He could even handle being treated like his opinion on his own clothes didn’t matter. He could suck it up and deal with it. After all, employees got this frequently. The difference was that he was a dick's employee. One who would make him cry wolf for humiliating him.As rough as this gets, he needed the money to take care of his needs, and it was a great employment opportunity that would change his life forever once he gets through it.Besides, it was not as if he had a lifelong stay here. He w
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