Damien's tall figure looked at the petite girl at his front, his slim long fingers raised her hot chin to look at him and her blue eyes stared at him with fear. He turned her purple cheeks and scoffed. “Are you a statue?” He asked Simon and the doctor to open their mouth shocked with his question. “Huh,” Aurora gasped with surprise at his question. “I asked a question,” he said releasing her face. “No” she whispered. “Then you must be dumb,” he said looking at her face. “No” She whispered bowing her head as she wondered what kind of emotionless person was in her front. “I don’t think so, because there no reason you will stand still and let a fellow woman slap you this hard, except you are a statue or you are dumb or both,” he said to Aurora whose tears were forming in her eyes but she tried hard not to let tears flow. “Make sure she’s alright,” he said to the doctor and as he was about to leave, her question stopped him. “She calls me a snatcher,” she said for Damien
The Vladimir family left Damien's mansion with a sour face, the big black Chevrolet SUV drove into the city why the clouds roaring, Camila was on her phone while the old man look at Clara and John, he pushed his head backward because he had been wondering what changed his grandson, the cold shoulder, heartless attitude and total no regards for his stepmother. The cloud kept roaring as the driver diverted into the Vladimir family villa, immediately the car stopped at the garage and the door was opened by the guards, the old man stepped out, He looked at his son. “ in my study, both of you,” he said and walked away for Clara to look at her husband. Both adults sigh while Camila shakes her head leaving her parents behind as she walks to her room. Inside the old man Vladimir study, she rubs his forehead waiting for his son.The two adults walked in sitting on the couch. “ justifying your statement John,” he said for John to sigh. “ nothing to justify dad, I have been with Clara
Aurora was heading from her room to check if Damien was back so she could thank him when she saw him rushing upstairs. The urgency in his movements made her worry, so she hurried after him. When she reached his door, it was ajar. Stepping inside, she looked around anxiously before entering the main bedroom, where she found Damien groaning on the floor.Immediately, she rushed to his side, kneeling beside him.“Are you alright?” she asked, her voice trembling with concern. But instead of answering, Damien suddenly pushed her down, capturing her lips with his in a fiery kiss. Aurora’s eyes widened in shock.She struggled to free herself, but Damien’s weight pinned her down as his heated mouth claimed hers, his lips and tongue rough and demanding. She could feel the intense heat radiating from his body, making her wonder what had happened to him.As she fought against him, the lack of escape left Aurora with no choice but to relent. She started to kiss him back, but her compliance was sh
The sun shone brightly as Aurora lay naked on the cold floor. Damien, also naked, was sprawled next to her, their torn clothes scattered around them. The intense sunlight directly hit Damien’s face, causing him to groan. His head felt heavy as he attempted to stand but quickly lay back down, rubbing his face. After a moment, he managed to sit up and frowned when he noticed Aurora still asleep beside him. He immediately covered her naked body with her torn gown. Damien tried to recall the events of the previous night, but his memory was a blank. “Shit,” he muttered. He knew something had happened, but he couldn’t remember what. He stood up and walked to the bathroom to freshen up. After a quick shower, the headache subsided. Damien wrapped a towel around himself and exited the bathroom. He sat on his cushion and called his butler. “Take two maids to come carry her out of my room,” he instructed before hanging up. He rubbed his forehead, still puzzled by his blank memory of the n
The evening was cold, the sky thick with dark clouds, lightning flickering across the horizon. Aurora wrapped herself tightly in a blanket as she sat on the balcony, the cold air biting at her skin. She hadn’t seen Damien since the previous day when that unexpected, intimate moment occurred between them. Now, she wondered if he was upset with her, disgusted, or avoiding her altogether. A deep sigh escaped her lips as her eyes wandered across the beautiful but desolate landscape. After sitting in the cold for what felt like an eternity, Aurora stood up and left the balcony. She grabbed her coat and made her way downstairs. As she walked through the hallway, she spotted a maid heading towards the kitchen. “Where’s Stella?” Aurora asked, stopping the maid in her tracks. The girl bowed slightly before answering, “The butler asked her to run some errands, Miss.” Aurora sighed, her heart heavy with an uneasy feeling. “Has the boss come back yet?” she inquired, her voice tinged with nerv
The director couldn’t believe his ears. What he had just heard from Beverly was shocking. He knew Mr. Vladimir to be a man of substance, but being petty? That was something he couldn’t imagine.“That’s too petty of Mr. Vladimir,” he scoffed. “He pulled out of a billion-dollar movie just because you haven’t given him an answer? It’s not like you rejected him.”Beverly wiped her tears, and Michael continued to hug her supportively, while the director discreetly turned off the recorder in his pocket.The team listening to the recording frowned. They thought Beverly had something serious to share, but instead, it seemed like a petty reason. Without hesitation, they sent the recording to an anonymous media outlet, attaching it to an article.The next morning, the internet was buzzing with the leaked voice recording of Beverly and her director discussing the Vladimir investment withdrawal. Some netizens supported Damien’s actions, while others doubted the story. Various people threw shades
The mansion was in a state of tension. All the maids and the butler were running helter-skelter, searching for Aurora. They scoured every possible location, from the grand halls to the servants’ quarters, but she was nowhere to be found. Stella, the maid in charge of her, was already in tears. Her body trembled with fear, dreading the consequences she would face if their boss returned and his wife was still missing. The butler, Thomas, hurried to the security quarters and announced that the madam was missing, causing an uproar among the staff. As they all frantically tried to locate her, Thomas instructed the security team to check the mansion’s surveillance footage. Perhaps the cameras had captured Aurora during the early hours of the day. He watched the day’s activities, fast-forwarding to noon when the mansion had been quiet due to the staff’s afternoon rest. On the screen, he saw Aurora walking out of the house, glancing around as if she was bored. He continued watching as sh
Aurora knelt on the wet stone floor of the maze, her body trembling as the rain battered her relentlessly. There was no shelter in this endless labyrinth of towering hedges and twisting pathways. Her clothes clung to her skin, soaked through, and her hair was plastered to her face. Every breath felt colder, harder to draw in, as the storm intensified around her. She had tried to run, to find a way out, but the deeper she ventured into the maze, the more disoriented she became. Now, completely spent, she collapsed to her knees, shivering as the cold seeped into her bones.She had never felt so alone.At the mansion, the worry had grown unbearable. The butler, Thomas, paced by the grand windows, staring out into the sheets of rain that obscured the maze. His face was lined with concern, his usually composed demeanor fraying at the edges. Stella, equally anxious, stood beside him, wringing her hands.“Sir, we need to call the boss. The storm has been raging for hours, and she’s still out
Simon paid the bills and also compensated the man who found Aurora. He arranged for her to be transferred to the family hospital, with guards stationed at her ward. He didn’t leave her side because, for the time being, he knew Damien didn’t need him.At Damien’s mansion, he sat in his study, sweat breaking out on his forehead. The urge to do what he wanted was so overwhelming now that he couldn’t control it. The urge—the dark, violent desire—was clawing at his chest, and this time, he had no intention of suppressing it. His breathing was slow, controlled, but his fingers twitched with barely restrained rage. The study door opened, and Mason walked in.“Man, calm down,” he whispered.Damien didn’t reply. His expression remained void of emotion as he stood, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door.“Don’t follow me.” he muttered before walking out.Mason bowed his head, sighing.“What’s wrong with these people?” he muttered, exhaling before leaving too.Moments after Damien drove out,
*Few Hours Before Damien’s Arrival*Just like every other night, Daniel was in his bar. The music was loud, he lit up his cigar while smooching the girls around him, laughing.His assistant walked towards him, then bowed and whispered something to him. Daniel sent him away, not ready to deal with their family problems.The assistant sighed frustratedly before leaving the cabin to respond to John, who had demanded to speak with Daniel.A few seconds after his assistant left, four men approached the cabin. Daniel’s guards immediately stopped them, but they were electrocuted, making both guards fall unconscious.The men entered the cabin and pulled out their guns, pointing them at the girls, who immediately covered their mouths in fear.“Who sent you?” Daniel asked, but the men didn’t respond. Instead, one of them walked toward Daniel, removed the cigar from his mouth, and crushed it beneath his foot.“How dare you?” Daniel said angrily as he tried to stand up, but before he could react,
The Vladimir family was restless. Hours had passed, and still no sign of Aurora. When Daniel finally drove in, he wasn’t alone. A medical team accompanied him, carrying Old Man Vladimir in his bed. John and Ciara rushed out as the team carefully transported the frail man inside. “Where’s Aurora?” John demanded, his voice sharp. Daniel exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t see her. When I arrived, it was just Grandpa.” John’s face darkened. “We need to find Aurora, Daniel. If Damien returns without her, none of us will be safe. You know that.” His voice wavered with anxiety. Daniel sighed, rubbing his temples. “My men are searching for her. We—” “Report to the police,” Camila interrupted coldly. Ciara spun to face her. “Who told you to come out?” she snapped, narrowing her eyes. Camila folded her arms defiantly. “I have my own key, and I’m not a child anymore. Report this to the cops, or I’ll tell Damien myself.” Without another word, she turned an
Mason could read the expression on his father face, that name wasn’t just a name. He thought. Gerald sighed too. “Mom is upset. Go tell her it was a mistake.” “I just blurted it out, son. I can’t explain that she looks like a woman I met on a business trip.” Mason chuckled. “If Aurora looks like her, she must be breathtaking.” Gerald nodded. “Indeed, she was.” “The girl—where is she from?” Gerald asked. “She’s an orphan. That’s what Damien said.” Gerald nodded, then sighed. “Let’s go in.” At the hospital, Aurora stood outside the ward with Agatha after greeting Ciara and John. “Grandpa wants only you to visit,” Camila said. Aurora looked confused. “Go. He must be lonely. But tell him I’m very upset with him.” Aurora nodded and entered the ward with Agatha. Ciara clenched her fists in anger, then turned and left. “Aurora, my dear.” The old man smiled as Aurora hugged him. “Meet my sister, Grandpa.” Agatha bowed slightly. “What’s her name?” “Agatha.”
Gerald scoffed. He couldn’t get Aurora’s face out of his head—the blue eyes, thick lips, finely shaped nose, and that smile. It was exactly like the college student he had met in Moscow during his business trip. Jane Petrov. He wouldn’t call it love, but it was one of his best nights in Russia. That cold evening, Gerald and his assistant had booked a cabin at one of the finest restaurants in Moscow. The air was freezing. After settling in, a young waitress walked in to take their order. His eyes couldn’t move away from her pretty face, especially the way she smiled as she set the table. He bit his lips and sighed. “Enjoy your meal,” her delicate voice said as she turned to leave. Gerald stopped her. “Excuse me.” The girl turned back. “What’s your name?” he asked. She bowed her head slightly. “Jane,” she said quietly. “I’m Gerald. Gerald Mason.” She nodded politely. “Sit.” Jane quickly shook her head. “It’s unprofessional, sir.” Gerald smiled, then glanced at hi
The morning was bright. Naomi arranged her luggage with a smile all over her face. It was Christmas, and they were traveling for their honeymoon. If she could, she would always travel—even without Mason. She loved him, but one thing was certain: she was here to spend money and fulfill her dreams. Humming happily while folding her clothes, she turned when Mason walked in. “Are you done?” he asked. “Yes, babe,” she replied, holding onto his hands. “You look beautiful,” he whispered, making Naomi blush. “I can’t wait for us to leave and be alone for a little while,” she said. Mason nodded with a smile. “Damien left already. Before we go, let’s check on Aurora.” Naomi rolled her eyes and released his hands. “Mmm,” she murmured, nodding before turning back to her clothes. Mason smiled and hugged her from behind. “You don’t like Aurora?” Naomi turned immediately. “Why would you ask that? Do I look like I hate her? It’s just that I don’t want anything to sabotage our plans. That’s
John entered shortly after, his expression unreadable. He stood near the foot of the bed, watching Damien carefully.“I’m your father, and that’s why I’m asking you to stay,” John said again, his tone softer than before.Damien scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. “You’re not worthy of that role. You missed your chance.”Aurora frowned at Damien’s harsh words, sensing the deep-seated resentment behind them.“John,” Old Man Vladimir called weakly, his voice barely above a whisper.John turned to face his father, stepping closer to the bed.Damien’s smirk returned as he glanced at John. “Think twice about what you say to me,” his father muttered, his tone low but firm.Damien shook his head, amused. “I’m not your competitor for an inheritance. Grandpa calling my name first when he woke up doesn’t make me special. Stop acting like a child, John Vladimir.”With that, he turned and walked out of the ward, leaving John standing there, fists clenched at his sides.Ciara, who had been
The doctor finally sighed and turned to face the family. “We need to admit him immediately.” “What was the cause of his sudden cardiac arrest?” John asked. The doctor hesitated for a moment before answering. “Heart valve disease.” Gasps filled the room. Just then, the heavy sound of a car pulling up outside echoed through the hall. Moments later, Damien strode into the room, his presence commanding attention. Aurora followed closely behind him, her face still damp from tears. The moment he stepped inside, John’s gaze landed on him. “Finally, you’re here.” Damien ignored the tension in the air and walked straight to the bed. His grandfather looked so frail, so… unlike himself. “Grandpa,” Damien murmured, reaching for his cold hand. There was no response. The doctor cleared his throat. “We have to move him now. The ambulance is already outside.” “I’ll ride with him,” Damien said without hesitation. Aurora stood beside him, gripping his arm. “I’ll come too.” Before anyone c
Aurora’s breath hitched. She had waited so long to hear those words, but now that they had come, a deep fear settled inside her. Could she trust them? She cupped his face, her blue eyes searching his for sincerity. “If you love me, Damien… don’t ever allow Beverly close,” she whispered, her voice trembling. Damien exhaled deeply, resting his forehead against hers. “I swear to you, Aurora.” She swallowed hard and nodded. As if sealing that promise, he lifted her leg around his waist, deepening their connection until she shuddered against him, her moans swallowed by his hungry kisses. Minutes later, they emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in towels. Aurora sat on the edge of the bed, running a comb through her damp hair while Damien watched her. He had never seen her like this—so vulnerable, so breathtaking. He had never been truly interested in her before, but tonight, everything felt different. She deserved his love and protection. “You’re staring,” she murmured, a small smile p