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
Markus's gaze softened, his eyes filled with a mixture of regret and sincerity. He took a deep breath, his grip on Valeria's hand tightening slightly as if seeking comfort. "Yes, it is," he admitted quietly. "I'm sorry, Valeria. I should have chosen a different place for us tonight. I didn't mean to bring back any painful memories."Valeria reached out and placed her free hand on top of Markus's, offering him a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay, Markus," she said softly, her voice filled with understanding. "That was in the past. What matters is that we're here together now. What is important is that we have moved on."Markus met her gaze, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thank you, Valeria," he murmured, his voice tinged with emotion. "You always know how to make everything better. And I promise to make everything
Markus offered her a faint smile, gratitude shining in his eyes. "It's not your fault, Valeria," he reassured her, his voice warm with affection. "If anything, it made me realise just how much you mean to me, how much I never want to hurt you again."Valeria's question hung in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions. “Lily…I…” Markus's expression shifted, his features contorting with a mixture of guilt and anguish. He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry, as he struggled to find the right words to explain his actions. "Valeria," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "I... I don't have an excuse for what I did that night. It was inexcusable, and I regret it more than words can express. I still do regret doing everything which hurt you and made you cry.”V
As much as she did not want to believe in him, something told Valeria that he was telling the truth this time. She reached out to gently caress his cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips. "Markus," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion, "I never realized...I…"Markus silenced her with a tender smile, his eyes shining with love and affection. "I've never been good with words, Valeria," he confessed, his voice soft yet resolute. "But know that every moment I spent without you, after you were gone, away from me and all I had was those memory we created together, were the only things which made me see the depth of my love for you. Seeing you becoming someone else’s made me realise my true emotions for you. I know I am very late to confess all this but still I want to say this.”
‘Ironic. Isn’t it? I want you now but it is too late.’ As she disappeared inside, Markus watched her go, a sense of peace settling over him knowing that he had been able to make her happy.With a smile of his own, Markus turned his gaze back towards the port, his heart filled with love and gratitude for the woman who had captured his heart. ‘Only if you had loved me this way truly, Lily.’ He saw her going inside when the elderly maid came to fetch her. Valeria’s responsibility was given to her fully and she fulfilled it effectively.As Markus stepped out of the car and onto the soft sand of the beach, he felt a sense of tranquillity wash over him. The gentle sound of the waves lapping against the shore soothed
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