The drive to the villa was intense and fast. Daniel kept tapping his fingers on his legs, unable to believe what his grandfather had just done to him. He bit his lower lip, anxious. Was this because he refused to go to California? No, the old man couldn’t be this cruel to him. No way, he was part of the family and deserved to be treated as one.At the villa, Ciara smiled at the Masons, who had come to visit after hearing from their son what had happened to Damien. While Mr. Wilfred Mason left to visit old man Vladimir’s study, his wife stayed with Ciara as they conversed.“After Junior told me about the incident, I was surprised it wasn’t on the news. I can’t doubt what my son says is true, so my husband and I decided to pay a visit,” Matilda said as Ciara sighed and nodded.“Yes, after his assistant called, Grandpa made sure the news wasn’t aired so he could heal in peace. You know how these reporters are with their gossip,” Ciara replied, and Matilda sighed.“Gladys was a good frien
Back at Aurora’s the motel, she sat by the window, staring out at the empty street. The reality of her pregnancy weighed heavily on her, and the flickering lights outside did nothing to offer comfort. The small town had nothing to give, no support system, no real opportunities for someone in her situation. Her thoughts were clouded by uncertainty, and the more she tried to figure things out, the more trapped she felt.Aurora sighed. She needed to get a phone, but she wasn’t even sure how much money she had left. She was on her own for now, and had to figure things out. The first step was finding a job. She’d take anything that could give her some stability. A plan began to form in her mind, though it felt fragile, like a house of cards that could collapse with the slightest touch.Meanwhile, at the hospital in California, Damien began to stir. His head throbbed, and everything around him felt hazy. He tried to move, but a sharp pain shot through his body, forcing him to remain still.
Aurora sat on the edge of the worn motel bed, staring at her reflection in the cracked mirror. The dull, yellowed walls around her seemed to press in closer with each passing day, suffocating her with the weight of her situation. The motel, with its flickering lights and musty carpets, had become a place she both loathed and relied on. It had sheltered her when she had nowhere else to go. But now, the reality of her pregnancy weighed heavier than ever. The old neon sign outside the window buzzed intermittently, casting a sickly green glow into the room. She ran a hand over her stomach, not yet showing, but every day she could feel the small life growing inside of her. She didn’t have the luxury of time anymore. Her child needed a stable home, and she needed to start saving money fast because she’s not ready to go back to Damien and be treated like she doesn’t matter. Staying here, on the outskirts of the city, wasn’t an option any longer. She needed to go where opportunity lay, wher
Aurora sat quietly in the back of the taxi, staring out at the passing fields as they gave way to the outskirts of the nearest town. She tried to focus on the road ahead, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Damien. The news of his attack had stirred something inside her, a mixture of disbelief and unease. She knew Damien wasn’t a man anyone could easily love; his cold demeanor and ruthless tactics made him feared by many. But even so, who would go so far as to want him dead?She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thoughts. “It doesn’t concern me,” she muttered under her breath, her fingers nervously tracing the edges of her coat. After all, Damien was no longer a part of her life. She had her own struggles now. With her limited funds, she had booked the cheapest room at a rundown motel, a far cry from the more comfortable place she’d stayed in before. The small, dimly lit room offered her little more than a bed and a rusty bathroom, but it would have to suffice for now.After a
Mason took a deep breath, trying to process Damien’s words. “I understand your anger, but going down that road can lead to more chaos. You need to think this through.”Damien sat up in bed as if he hadn’t been unconscious hours ago, his eyes blazing with intensity. “Thinking hasn’t gotten me anywhere, Mason. I’ve played the game by the rules for too long. It’s time to change the game. I won’t allow anyone to take what I’ve built. My mother worked hard for this family. I was just a kid, but I saw everything. I won’t allow the child that was used to push my mother to her death to claim it.”Mason leaned forward, concern etched on his face. “But what about Aurora? She’s in the middle of this now, whether you want her to be or not. If you go after Daniel, it could put her in danger. I haven’t seen or know what she looks like, but I’m sure she won’t be—”“What?” Damien glared at Mason, who chuckled.“It’s only been two days and I’m missing you already,” he said and chuckled.“But why would
Aurora’s face tightened immediately upon hearing the word “boss” from the men around her.“Put me down!” she demanded, struggling against the guards. But they didn’t listen; instead, one held her tightly yet delicately as the other opened the car door. Gently, they placed her inside and adjusted her seat belt.“I’m sorry, ma’am. We have orders to bring you to the boss,” one of them said before closing the door.“Please, don’t take me back to Damien,” Aurora pleaded, her heart racing. She couldn’t imagine the coldness that awaited her if she returned after running away. As the car started moving, Aurora bit her lower lip, frantically thinking of a way to prevent them from taking her back to the mansion.“I’m hungry… I haven’t eaten,” she tried, but got no response.“Please, I’m thirsty,” she added, still met with silence as the guard drove straight to the airport.Aurora nervously rubbed her sweaty hands on her gown. Moments later, she heard the guard speak.“Yes, sir. We conducted a t
The hall was silent as all the department heads of Vladimir Headquarters gathered, looking at the seat of the CEO.Daniel sat at the head of the table, tapping his fingers on the desk while surveying the room. His gaze finally settled on Mr. Ken, the vice president of the company.“You are no longer an employee of the Vladimir empire, so you have no right sitting here, Mr. Ken,” Daniel said coldly, making everyone frown.“See Mr. Kennedy out, and if he refuses, force him out of this company,” he continued, his tone ice-cold.“What’s going on here?” the assistant vice president immediately stood up, only for Daniel to scoff.“Sit down or follow him,” Daniel snapped before turning his attention back to the rest of the staff.“I think it’s not clear to you all that Damien is in a coma and won’t be waking up soon. I’m not just a sit-in CEO, I’m the—”“Boss is…”Mr. Ken tried to interrupt, but the guards dragged him out, silencing the room as they turned their focus back to Daniel.“I’m th
It was 3 a.m. when Simon arrived at the hospital. He parked in the garage, carried Aurora in a bridal style, and made his way to the elevator that would take them up to the presidential suite. The guard on duty bowed as he opened the door. Inside, the room was quiet except for the soft hum of Damien’s life support machine. Damien was asleep, Camila was lying on one couch, and Mason on the other. Simon sighed, noticing the room was full, and decided to lay Aurora beside his boss, knowing the large bed could accommodate them both.After gently placing Aurora on the bed, Simon quietly left the room and went back to sleep in the car, as he hadn’t had proper rest since his boss’s accident.At 5:45 a.m., Simon yawned, opened the car door, and returned to check on his boss. Entering the room, he saw everyone gathered, staring at the still sleeping Aurora.Damien was awake, sitting up and staring at her as well.“When did she arrive?” Camila whispered.“I brought her in at three this morning.
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