After meeting Eliot, Ethan became disoriented and edgy. His temper, once manageable, worsened significantly. He buried himself deeper in work, seeking distraction from thoughts of Eliot and Brandon. Respecting Ethan’s wishes, Brandon kept his distance, though his heart ached from the separation.The following weeks were a blur. Eliot began his tour, and Ethan meticulously organized everything: security, transportation, accommodation, and even medical teams on standby. Despite these efforts, he stayed away from Eliot and completely avoided Brandon. His world became a robotic routine of work and isolation, ensuring he had no contact with Brandon.Eliot, however, didn’t stop trying to get Ethan's attention. He sent texts, letters, and gifts from his tour. Ethan often tossed them into the trash, the pain from the past weighing heavily on him. During this period, he decided to sweep WARD out of the deal with Navida, opting instead for the expansion with Aldo. This decision displeased both
Brandon couldn't ignore the emptiness that settled in after Ethan's abrupt withdrawal. The once vibrant connection between them had faded, leaving a void he didn’t know how to fill. To distract himself, Brandon threw himself into a new project: redecorating the apartment he shared with his sister, Britney. This was a habit of his—to find something extracurricular whenever he was going through matters of the heart.The apartment was a modest two-bedroom located in a lively neighborhood, full of energy and color. The streets were lined with small shops, cafes, and bustling markets. Neighbors chatted on street corners, children played until dusk, and the scent of fresh coffee and baked goods mingled in the air. The apartment itself was on the third floor, with large windows that allowed the sunlight to pour in, highlighting every corner of the space.Each day after work, Brandon would head straight home, his mind set on transforming their living environment. The apartment had a comfortab
The next morning, the soft light of dawn filtered through the vibrant new curtains in the apartment. Britney moved through the kitchen with ease, making herself a quick breakfast. She glanced at the clock; it was almost time to leave for school. Usually, by now, Brandon would be up, preparing his own breakfast or already dressed for work. But today, there was no sign of him.Britney felt a twinge of concern as she finished her meal. She decided to check on Brandon before leaving, as she always did. She approached his bedroom door, about to knock, when she heard it—a soft, muffled sound. Her heart sank. She knew that sound all too well. It was the sound of someone crying, someone in deep pain. She had seen Brandon this way before, shattered and hurt.The memory of his previous heartbreaks flashed through her mind. Brandon had always been sensitive, yearning for genuine love and connection. He had been through so much already, and it angered her that he was once again reduced to this sta
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled Brandon and Britney's nose as they settled into a cozy corner of the café. Britney, having already eaten breakfast, opted for a light snack and juice, packing extra for later at school. She watched her brother's face, noticing the dark circles under his eyes and the slight downturn of his mouth. Determined to lift his spirits, she launched into a playful monologue."You know, Bran," Britney began, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "I think that barista might have a crush on you. She's been stealing glances this way since we walked in."Brandon looked up from his plate, confusion and amusement crossing his face. "What? No, she hasn't.""Oh, but she has," Britney insisted, wiggling her eyebrows. "Maybe I should go over there and put in a good word for you. 'Excuse me, miss, but have you met my devastatingly handsome, incredibly single brother?'"A chuckle escaped Brandon's lips, the first genuine laugh Britney had heard from hi
The sleek Uber glided to a stop in front of Wings Corporation, its glass-and-steel facade stretching towards the sky like a modern-day fortress. Britney Daniel sat frozen in the backseat, her heart hammering against her ribs. The driver cleared his throat, jolting her back to reality."We're here, miss," he said, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.Britney nodded, fumbling with her phone to complete the payment. Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the door handle. The moment her feet hit the sidewalk, a wave of doubt washed over her. What was she doing here? This wasn't some small-time manager she was about to confront – this was Ethan Asher, CEO of Wings Corporation and the man who had shattered her brother's heart.But then Brandon's face flashed in her mind – his usual vibrant smile replaced by hollow eyes and a brittle laugh that didn't reach them. That image steeled her ambition. Taking a deep breath, Britney straightened her shoulders and marched towards the rev
The sleek Uber glided to a stop in front of Wings Corporation, its glass-and-steel facade stretching towards the sky like a modern-day fortress. Britney Daniel sat frozen in the backseat, her heart hammering against her ribs. The driver cleared his throat, jolting her back to reality."We're here, miss," he said, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.Britney nodded, fumbling with her phone to complete the payment. Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the door handle. The moment her feet hit the sidewalk, a wave of doubt washed over her. What was she doing here? This wasn't some small-time manager she was about to confront – this was Ethan Asher, CEO of Wings Corporation and the man who had shattered her brother's heart.But then Brandon's face flashed in her mind – his usual vibrant smile replaced by hollow eyes and a brittle laugh that didn't reach them. That image steeled her ambition. Taking a deep breath, Britney straightened her shoulders and marched towards the rev
Mintues of crying Britney was exhausted. She recollected herself and slumped against the leather seat, her mind reeling from the confrontation with Ethan. The cityscape blurred past the window as they drove."He refused to help," she whispered to herself, the words tasting bitter on her tongue. "How could he just... give up on Brandon?"The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "You okay back there, miss?"Britney managed a weak smile. "I'm fine, thanks. Just... processing some stuff."As the car wove through traffic, Britney's thoughts drifted to Brandon. How could she face him now, knowing she'd failed to change Ethan's mind? She hated this pain her brother had to endure and wished she could take it away for him.By the time the Uber pulled up to Westwood University's gates, Britney had steeled herself for the rest of the day ahead. She thanked the driver and stepped out, immediately feeling the shift in atmosphere.Westwood University sprawled before her, wealth and privile
The setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and purple as Britney trudged along the cracked sidewalk. The day wasn't the best, invisible burdens threatened to crush her spirit. Her cheek still stung from Jasmine's slap.She knew Brandon wouldn't be home by now, which was a relief. She could use some hours to pull herself together and not be overwhelmed. She definitely didn't want him to see her in such a state so he wouldn't get worried, having a lot already to handle.As she approached her house, the familiar sight of home offered little comfort. Something was off, a discordant note in her normal routine.A figure stood by the door, silhouetted against the fading light. Britney's heart leaped into her throat as recognition dawned. Penelope. The last person she ever expected—or wanted—to see again.Time seemed to slow as Britney closed the distance between them, memories flashing through her mind like a cruel slideshow. Penelope and Britney, inseparable since childhood, sharing
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