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
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
Damien stood quietly, his jaw clenched as he watched her cry, standing just steps away from him. Her words replayed in his head. “I want a divorce.” It echoed again. He was sure if she had said it yesterday or earlier today, he might not have flinched. However, after learning that Beverly had shown her the video, a feeling of guilt and fear—something he had never experienced before—began to take root inside him, and he couldn’t shake it off.“Damien, thank you for everything—the times you made me feel like I meant something and even the times you treated me like I was nothing but trash in your space. Thank you.I wish I truly meant something to you, but tonight, it became clear that I don’t. I can never be compared to her. Who am I? A poor orphan. Why would I even think of competing with an A-list actress—the woman my supposed husband is clearly in love with?”Aurora scoffed and sighed.Damien remained silent. He knew he might not care whether she saw it or not, but for the first ti
Aurora’s body froze. Why was it so easy for him to locate her? Why was it so easy for him, yet so hard for her to run away?Agatha, who stood by the door, sighed and looked toward Aurora.“She’s not in a good state right now. Let her sleep…”“I’m sorry. Our boss demands we bring her with us,” Simon interrupted.“I’m not going,” Aurora firmly said as Simon walked in, followed by the men behind him.“Madam, please, we can’t—”“I said I’m not going,” Aurora interrupted.“Please, you have to forgive me,” Simon bowed his head, then looked at the men, who immediately approached Aurora and forcefully carried her.“How dare you touch me?! Let me go! Agatha, do something! Simon, you will pay for this!” Aurora struggled as the men carried her away, while Agatha stood aside.“Please tell your boss that her sister would like to visit once in a while to keep her company,” Agatha said, looking at Simon with pleading eyes.“Sure, I will. Thank you for not interfering,” he said and left.The limousin
Aurora’s throat tightened. She instinctively wrapped her hands around her stomach, holding herself together. “Before you go around getting pregnant for another woman’s man,” Beverly continued coldly, “know this—he will never forget the taste of the woman you’re trying to make him forget. This is just the beginning. I’ll fight for what’s mine. And trust me—if I open my legs for him, he’ll lick me clean.” She chuckled as Aurora fought back tears. At that moment, footsteps echoed through the restroom. “Aurora, aren’t you done yet?” Camila’s voice rang out as she and Naomi reentered. Beverly scoffed and turned to leave, but Camila stepped in her way. Aurora’s shoulders slumped as she silently walked past them. Camila turned to Beverly with a glare. “What did you do to her?” Beverly smirked. “Nothing. Just the usual—stay away from my man.” “You showed her something,” Naomi stated, her sharp eyes narrowing. “Your moans were all over the restroom.” Beverly scoffed. “And who are yo