The door creaked open, and Markus stepped into the cosy room, the scent of home immediately enveloping him. Valeria was perched on her bed, a book in one hand and a plate of fruits in the other. Bella had provided her with the items she needed. Her hair cascaded in waves around her shoulders, and a soft smile graced her lips as she looked up at him. Valeria knew that she had to act the same loving way to not make Markus suspect her. "Hey there," she greeted, setting the book aside and gesturing for him to join her. "Come, have a seat." Markus's tired muscles relaxed as he padded over to the bed, sinking down beside her. He let out a tired sigh as he stretched out, his gaze meeting hers. "Had a good day, love?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. Valeria nodded, taking a bite of a juicy apple before responding. "Yeah, it was pretty good but boring," she admitted, leaning back against the headboard. "But seeing you walk through that door makes it all worth the wait." A
Valeria's heart clenched at Markus's promise, a mixture of relief and doubt swirling within her. She shifted slightly, her eyes searching his face for any hint of deception. Even though somewhere deep down she could feel the sincerity in his words. But Bella had sowed so much doubt in her that she could not think otherwise. "Markus," she began, her voice soft yet tinged with uncertainty, "How true are your words? Have you been honest with me all this time? Or are there any lies you've been keeping from me? I mean I don’t know what you have done in this time period. And I have no idea what changed your mind and heart towards me." Markus's expression remained steady, his gaze unwavering as he reached out to gently cup her cheek. "Valeria," he murmured, hisvoice filled with sincerity, "I swear to you, I've never lied to you. None till now. Everything I've said, every promise I've made, has come from the depths of my heart. You don’t have to mistrust me, please.” Valeria's doubts bega
On the weekend, Bella gently pushed open the door to Valeria's room, her expression warm and sympathetic. Valeria was standing by the window, gazing out at the village with a wistful smile. Her hand rested protectively over her swelling belly, a gentle reminder of the new life growing within her. "Miss Valeria," Bella called softly, stepping into the room. "I brought your new gown. Would you like some help putting it on?" Valeria turned to face her, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Oh, Bella, that would be wonderful. My tummy has been making it a bit difficult to reach some places lately." Bella nodded understandingly, crossing the room to where the gown lay draped over the bed. It was a beautiful creation, made of soft silk and adorned with delicate embroidery. She carefully picked it up, holding it out for Valeria to slip into. "Here, let me assist you," Bella said, her voice gentle as she helped Valeria ease into the gown. As the gown settled into place, Valeria let out a content
The gentle sway of the cruise ship beneath them matched the rhythm of their intertwined fingers. “I have been waiting to do this with you.” Markus stood by Valeria's side, his touch offering both support and reassurance as they stood on the deck together. Valeria settled onto a plush sofa, a contented sigh escaping her lips as she relaxed into the cushions. Markus remained by her side, ever attentive to her needs. “You shouldn’t stand for so long.” With a tender smile, he returned moments later, a tray balanced carefully in his hands. Upon it rested a glass of freshly squeezed juice, vibrant and inviting."Here you go, my love," Markus murmured, offering her the glass. Valeria's eyes sparkled with gratitude as she accepted it, her fingers brushing against his in a fleeting caress. She could not help but notice his small actions."Thank you, Markus," she whispered, her voice soft with emotion. As she sipped the refreshing juice, she couldn't help but marvel at the depth of their conne
Valeria blinked sleepily, her eyes fluttering open as she stretched languidly. As she rose from the sofa, Markus offered her his hand, the warmth of his touch sending a shiver of anticipation coursing through her veins.Together, they made their way off the ship, their steps light and purposeful as they headed towards the waiting car. The sun bathed the harbour in a soft, golden light, casting a warm glow over everything it touched. Markus held the door open for Valeria, a gesture of chivalry that never failed to make her heart skip a beat.As they settled into the plush interior of the car, Valeria couldn't contain her excitement. "Where are we going?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Markus flashed her a mischievous grin. "It's a surprise," he replied, his voice tinged with anticipation. "But I promise you'll love it."With that, he started the engine, the purr of the car filling the air as they set off towards their destination. As they drove through the bustling stree
“Bring some more pairs. Prettiest one!” Markus ordered. As the attendant returned with the pair of exquisite heels, Valeria couldn't tear her eyes away from their dazzling beauty. Each delicate detail seemed to shimmer and sparkle under the boutique's soft lighting, making her feel like she owned the world that day.Markus's eyes lit up with a mixture of anticipation and delight as he watched Valeria's reaction. With a tender smile, he crouched down beside her, his hands reaching out to gently take one of the heels from the attendant."Allow me, my dear," Markus murmured softly, his voice laced with affection as he carefully slipped the heel onto Valeria's foot. His touch was gentle yet confident, his fingers lingering against her skin in a silent caress.Valeria's heart fluttered at the intimacy of the moment, a rush of warmth flooding her veins as she met Markus's gaze. ‘What is he doing? This….is he really doing this from his heart?’ There was a tenderness in his eyes that spoke vo
“My goddess! These are beautiful. I…I don’t know which one to buy and which to leave. haha.”As the attendant returned with a selection of elegant gowns, Valeria's eyes widened with delight at the sight of the beautiful garments. Each one seemed more exquisite than the last, adorned with intricate lace, flowing silks, and delicate embellishments.“Buy them all if you like them all. Why think so much?” Markus's gaze softened as he watched Valeria's face light up with excitement. "Would you like to try them on, my dear?" he asked, his voice filled with encouragement. Markus was well aware that Valeria was fond of dresses. And he never took her out for shopping even once when they were married. Valeria nodded eagerly, her heart racing with anticipation as she stepped towards the array of dresses. “Would love to!” With a grateful smile, she accepted the first gown from the attendant, the fabric silky and soft against her fingertips.As Valeria disappeared into the dressing room to try on
As the bustling noise of the mall surrounded them, Markus gently intertwined his fingers with Valeria's. “Now where?” She glanced up at him, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of excitement. “Where’s now?” With a soft smile, he squeezed her hand reassuringly, wordlessly communicating his affection and support.They both walked through the mall, Markus leading the way with a confident stride. Valeria walked beside him, her steps light and graceful, her heart fluttering with excitement. They reached the exit, where sunlight flooded in, casting warm hues across the whole building.Outside, the cool air greeted them and Valeria closed her eyes to savour the air, carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers. Markus guided Valeria towards the parking lot, his touch making her feel great and warm.The car stood waiting, its sleek black exterior gleaming under the afternoon sun. “Be careful!” Markus opened the door for Valeria with a gallant flourish. A gesture that never faile
As Gabriel stepped out of the car at the airport, a sense of unease pricked at the edges of his consciousness. He glanced around, taking in the bustling activity of the terminal, but everything seemed ordinary at first glance.As he walked towards the entrance, two men suddenly appeared from his periphery, one on each side. Their movements were swift
As Liam reached Valeria and his hands come up to gently grasp Valeria’s shoulders, causing her to turn towards him. Her eyes, wide and questioning, lock onto his. Soon after Valeria felt his grip becoming rough around her shoulder.Liam spoke to her coldly, his voice a low whisper. “Valeria, you need to come with me. Now. You are misunderstanding things.”Valeria spoke, confused and anxious. “Dad? What’s—what’s happening?” Without another word, Liam presses a discreet button on his watch. Within seconds, two guards appear at his side, their faces stern. Valeria’s confusion deepens, and a flicker of fear passes through her eyes.Liam spoke to the guards, without breaking eye contact with Valeria. Take Ms. Valeria up
As Valeria closed the door behind Gabriel, a sense of unease settled over her. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their father's decision than met the eye. Pacing the room, her thoughts swirled with questions, her brow furrowed in frustration."Why isn't Dad doing anything to settle the matter with Bella?" Valeria muttered to herself, her voice tinged with concern. "Sending Gabriel away won't solve anything. If anything, it'll only make things worse."As she pondered the situation, a sense of determination welled up inside her. She couldn't sit idly by while their family was torn apart by conflict. Taking a deep breath, she made a silent vow to herself to uncover the truth and set things right.With resolv
Gabriel felt a wave of gratitude wash over him at his sister's words. Taking a seat beside her, he reached out and gently took her hand in his own. "Thank you, Valeria," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I appreciate your understanding. I'll do better, I promise."After his conversation with his father, Gabriel felt a weight lifting from his shoulders as he embraced the idea of a break. Determined to clear his mind before his trip to Europe, he decided to take the first step towards making amends for his recent behavior.With a resolute stride, Gabriel made his way to his sister Valeria's room. He paused outside her door, steeling himself for the conversation ahead. Raising his hand, he hesitated for a moment before gently rapping his knuckles against the polished wood.
His father regarded him with a measured gaze, his expression unreadable. "And what exactly did she do to provoke such animosity from you, Gabriel?"Gabriel hesitated, the weight of his father's scrutiny bearing down on him. He knew he couldn't reveal the true extent of his feelings, the jealousy and resentment that simmered beneath the surface. Instead, he chose his words carefully, masking his true emotions behind a facade of righteous indignation."It's nothing specific, Father," Gabriel replied, his tone clipped. "Just...small disagreements that have escalated over time. I assure you, I have no personal vendetta against Bella. Not anymore.”But his father's piercing gaze seemed to see through his facade, a silent challenge in his eyes.
But even as she clung to the hope of Markos's return, doubts crept into her heart, fueled by the events of the evening. She couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal that lingered in the air, the sense that everything she believed in was slowly crumbling around her.As she lay on her bed, lost in her thoughts, Valeria made a silent vow to herself. She would hold onto her love for Markos with all her strength, trusting in their bond to see them through even the darkest of times. And until the day he returned to her arms, she would wait, her heart filled with unwavering faith and love.With a heavy heart and tears streaming down her cheeks, Valeria closed the door of her room with a resounding slam. The sound echoed in the empty space, a tangible manifestation of her inner turmoil. Leaning against the door, she felt
Eros tightened his grip on her hand, his gaze filled with urgency. "Please, Bella," he implored, "you need to calm down. We'll talk about it later, but right now, I need to get you out of here."Reluctantly, Bella nodded, allowing Eros to lead her towards the grand entrance of the house. The cool air greeted them as they stepped outside, the soft whisper of the breeze a soothing contrast to the turmoil raging within Bella's heart.As they walked through the garden, Eros kept a steady pace, his presence a reassuring anchor for Bella amidst the chaos of her emotions. He listened as she poured out her frustrations, her words tumbling out in a rush of pent-up feelings."I just don't understand, Eros," Bella confessed, her voice trembling with emoti
In the family kitchen, where Valeria, Liam, and Gabriel were seated around the table, savouring their breakfast together. Liam asked while glancing over his newspaper. “Lily, have you made any plans about when you're going to venture out to explore the cities?”Valeria spoke while sipping her tea. “I've been thinking about it, Dad. Maybe next month. I want to finalise a few things before I set off. Moreover, Lucas is still little.”Gabriel was forking a piece of pancake. “You sure you don't want some company? I can take some time off work. Martha is with Lucas and dad is with him too.”Valeria answered while smiling. “Thanks, Gabe, but I think I need to do this on my own. It's kind of a personal journey
[Chapter 95]—---------------------------------------------------------------------------- —------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Chapter 99]—---------------------------------------------------------------------------Valeria quietly entered her room, the soft click of the door closing behind her echoing in the stillness of the night. The events of the evening weighed heavily on her mind, the weight of the world seeming to press down on her shoulders. But as she glanced towards the crib where her son, Lucas, slept soundly, a gentle smile tugged at the corners of her lips.There, by Lucas's side, Martha, the elderly nanny, lay fast asleep in a nearby armch