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.
Damien sat in a daze, the words “I’m pregnant your child” lingering in his mind. He couldn’t wait for the test results; the thought of becoming a father in the midst of his family’s deadly feud was overwhelming. despite it all, he couldn’t abandon his child.“What are you thinking?” Mason asked as he entered with Camila, breaking Damien’s silence.“Where’s your wife?” Camila added, prompting Damien to raise his head.“Where is she?” Mason repeated.“Why is your wife acting like a scared cat around you?” Camila pressed.“Mind your business,” Damien snapped, causing Camila to purse her lips in annoyance.“She asked a question; she’s your sister and deserves—”“If you both don’t mind your business, it’s time for you to leave. I’m fine,” he said coldly, his patience running thin. Despite their presence, Damien’s tension remained, and Mason and Camila sat quietly. Time seemed to drag until Simon finally returned with the doctor and Aurora.“Hey, baby girl!” Camila greeted, rushing to hug A
It was 9 a.m. when Damien Vladimir’s private jet landed at New York Airport. Several cars were waiting to pick them up. Mason had to leave home since he’d been away for a while. Damien asked Camila to head back home, leaving him alone with Aurora and Simon. The black SUV driving to Damien’s mansion was silent. Aurora watched the trees pass by one after another as they drove into the estate where Damien’s mansion was located. She couldn’t believe she was back in the reality she had planned so well to escape from. She sat at a distance from Damien, trying her best not to look at him and focusing instead on the scenery. “After you drop us, take the week off. I’ll handle the rest,” Damien said, causing Simon to frown. “But—” “No objections,” Damien’s voice was steady and cold as usual. Aurora still didn’t look at either Simon or Damien. The beautiful gates of the mansion opened as Simon drove in. He pulled into the garage and turned off the engine. Butler Thomas and the other staf
Camila knew Damien might cut her off for this, but something told her that he was going to ask Aurora to terminate the pregnancy, as he didn’t look pleased with the news.“What did you say?” Old man Vladimir asked, making Camila smile.“She’s pregnant, Grandpa. He’s going to be a father,” she said, which made Daniel chuckle.“Why so soon?” he laughed, and the old man smiled.“That’s a man who wants to live life on his own terms. That’s a man of principle,” he said proudly, while Daniel scoffed, wiping his lips as he stood up and left the dining table.“Father, every man has his own priorities,” Clara said, making old man Vladimir scoff.“You should be happy. You’ll be a grandmother soon,” he said, calling out to his butler.“I know where my excitement truly lies,” Clara said, catching John’s attention.“Damien is your son too,” John said as Clara scoffed and put down her cutlery.“I know how many children I gave birth to, John,” she said, standing up, while old man Vladimir shook his
Inside the wet, dark cell room, two men sat far from each other. They didn’t know how many hours they had been there, but it felt like an eternity.“I told you we should leave, but you relied on that bastard who can’t even outdo his brother. Now look where we are,” one of the men said, causing the other to sigh. At that moment, they heard the rumbling sound of chains, and the door opened.The light turned on, and they immediately shut their eyes, trying to adjust to the sudden brightness.They could hear footsteps—more than one person or even two.As they tried to open their eyes, they saw Damien in a wheelchair with three bodyguards.Damien’s cold gaze stared daggers at the two men, who immediately bowed their heads.“Tie them down,” he said quietly. Two guards stepped forward, raised the men, and sat them in iron chairs, binding them with chains.“Daniel asked you to kill me, but you didn’t do a good job. Why?” he asked. Both men frowned and then scoffed.“We don’t know what you—”O
Aurora struggled to free herself from the pressure of the pillow suffocating her, but she was too weak and fragile. The fear of losing her baby overwhelmed her fear of losing her own life.Meanwhile, Stella, who had been sleeping on the couch, woke to Aurora screaming and shaking in her sleep. Immediately, she rushed to Aurora’s side, trying to wake her.“Madam!” she called, but to no avail. Aurora continued to struggle.Panicked, Stella grabbed the jug of water on the bedside table and splashed it on Aurora’s face. Aurora gasped loudly.“Ahh! Ah!” Aurora gasped, looking around frantically.“Madam, it’s just a nightmare,” Stella said, hugging Aurora as she breathed heavily.“My baby… he tried to suffocate me! He was pressing the pillow on my face, trying to kill me. What did I do wrong?” Aurora cried, her voice trembling.“It’s all a dream, Madam. No one was here,” Stella reassured her, but Aurora shook her head vehemently.“No! Call Damien. I want to go home. I can’t stay here,” she
Aurora woke to the beeping of machines and the sterile scent of antiseptic. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she found herself in a hospital room. The soft hum of a heater filled the space, muffling the sounds of footsteps in the hallway.“Madam, thank God,” Stella said, rushing to her side. “You’re awake.”Aurora struggled to sit up, her hand instinctively moving to her abdomen. “My baby…”The maid hesitated, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.Before she could respond, the door opened, and Damien strode in. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed his worry. He dismissed Stella with a curt nod, and she scurried out.Damien sat beside Aurora, his piercing gaze meeting hers. “You’re safe,” he said, his voice softer than usual.Aurora’s eyes filled with tears. “What about the baby?”Damien hesitated, his jaw tightening. “The doctors managed to save the pregnancy, but they said you need to rest. Stress isn’t an option anymore.”Aurora covered her face,
Damien pinned Daniel to the floor as his younger brother writhed and struggled beneath him, attempting to free himself. Despite Daniel’s resistance, Damien’s strength held firm. Daniel continued his futile attempts to break free. “Damien! Let me go!” “Go upstairs now!” Damien’s voice, cold and commanding, cut through the air like a blade. Aurora, standing at the door, froze in her tracks, torn between staying and intervening. “Don’t chase her away!” Daniel spat, his voice filled with venom. “Let her see the kind of man she’s with—a murderer.” Aurora’s face paled as she looked at Damien, her concern evident. “I said leave!” Damien’s glare was enough to make her flinch. Without another word, she turned and left the study, the sound of the door clicking shut echoing in the tense room. As soon as Aurora was gone, Damien released Daniel, who staggered to his feet, his expression twisted with rage. “What nonsense is this?” Damien snapped, watching as Daniel brushed dust off his coat.
The weather was bitterly cold, and the two men huddled in opposite corners of the damp, dimly lit cell. Their breath rose in faint, visible puffs as they shivered uncontrollably. The air smelled of mildew and despair.“I told you it was a bad idea to accept Daniel’s offer,” one of the men muttered, his voice trembling. “He won’t lift a finger to save us. Look at where we are, trapped in this godforsaken hole. Thanksgiving has passed, and instead of being with my family, I’m stuck here. And I know—I know—this place is the last thing I’ll see before Damien gets rid of us.”The other man didn’t respond, his eyes darting nervously toward the heavy iron door. The faint sound of chains rattling grew louder until it stopped abruptly.The door creaked open, and a tall, commanding figure stepped inside. The dim light flickered as Damien entered, his sharp features casting dark shadows across the walls. His coat swayed slightly with his steps, and his cold, calculating eyes surveyed the room.T
The chill of the night air hit them the moment they arrived at Sara’s house. Aurora stepped out of the car, her white fluffy coat rustling with the motion. Her gown beneath shimmered softly in the dim light, adding an ethereal glow to her already radiant appearance. Her dark hair cascaded down her shoulders in sleek waves, and her peach-toned skin glowed softly even in the harsh streetlight. Her blue eyes, sharp and calculating, flickered briefly over the house before she turned toward the door. A knock echoed through the quiet house, sharp and assertive. From inside, Sara heard it and quickly wrapped herself in a blanket before rushing down the stairs. She paused before the door, peering through the peephole, and saw two men dressed in black. Her heart skipped. Could it be Audrey? Without a second thought, she flung open the door, only to have the two men push past her, forceful and unyielding. “Who are you? What do you want?” Sara demanded, confusion and panic rising in her
Aurora’s gasp echoed through the dimly lit room. Her breath caught as her gaze fell upon Audrey, slumped in the corner. The man who once radiated confidence and pride now appeared as a shadow of his former self. His clothes hung loosely on his gaunt frame, his skin pale and sickly. Trembling hands gripped the edge of a worn chair, and his hollow eyes flickered with a mixture of desperation and defeat. “Aurora…” Audrey rasped, his voice cracked and barely audible. He squinted under the harsh glare of the overhead light, his frail gaze locking onto her. “Why are you here?” Aurora stepped forward hesitantly, her heart constricting at the sight of him. Memories surged to the forefront of her mind—some tender, others stained with the bitterness of betrayal. “Audrey… what happened to you?” she whispered, her voice trembling under the weight of her pity and confusion. Behind her, Damien stood silently, his imposing presence casting a long shadow across the room. His piercing hazel eyes
The mansion was silent as Damien walked in carrying Aurora. Her head rested softly against his chest, her breaths steady as he carried her up the grand staircase. The dim light from the crystal chandeliers cast a golden hue on the pair, giving the scene an almost ethereal quality. As Damien entered their bedroom, he carefully lowered Aurora onto the plush bed. The silk sheets crinkled as he adjusted her position, ensuring her comfort. Gently, he pulled the blanket up to her chest, his movements deliberate yet tender. His hazel eyes met her tired blue ones, and for a moment, time seemed to pause. “What are you staring at?” he asked, his voice a low rumble as he tucked the blanket more securely around her. Aurora reached out, her hand finding his. “I’d love to visit the apartment I shared with Audrey,” she murmured. Damien’s brows knitted instantly, his expression hardening. “Why?” he asked, his tone clipped. “Do you miss your old life?” Aurora sighed, her fingers idly tracing cir
Sara’s hands trembled as she clutched her phone. The image of Damien Vladimir—his imposing stature, piercing gaze, and commanding aura—stared back at her from the screen. The headline accompanying the photo detailed his immense wealth, influence, and ruthlessness. Her breath hitched as the realization hit her like a tidal wave. “Aurora? Married to him?” Sara whispered in disbelief, her voice shaky. Her mind reeled, trying to reconcile the innocent orphan she once knew with the wife of one of New York’s most powerful men. She glanced back at Agatha, whose arms were crossed as she studied Sara with a mix of pity and disdain. “She’s not the orphan girl you remember, Sara,” Agatha said sharply, her tone laced with finality. “Aurora is Mrs. Aurora Damien Vladimir. And your boyfriend? He just signed his death warrant by messing with her.” “No… no!” Sara shook her head vehemently, tears brimming in her eyes. “Audrey didn’t know! He didn’t mean to upset anyone!” Agatha’s expression harden
The room was deathly quiet, and the tension was palpable. Damien stood before Audrey, his cold, calculating gaze boring into the man who dared to upset his world. Every muscle in his body screamed for him to act—to punish the man who had brought so much pain to Aurora. But Damien held himself back. Not for Audrey’s sake, but for Aurora. She deserved to have a say in his punishment.Audrey’s face was pale as sweat trickled down his temples. He had never felt fear like this before. The silent wrath of the man before him was suffocating, and he knew he was staring into the eyes of death itself.“I didn’t know she was married, I swear!” Audrey’s voice trembled, his words barely coherent. “I wouldn’t have approached her if I’d known—please, believe me!”Damien’s expression remained stone-cold. He stepped closer, his presence as oppressive as a storm cloud. “You’ll remain here until she wakes up,” he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. “If anything happens to her or ou