The doctor sighed, his expression grave as he wiped his brow. “He made it through the surgery,” he began, his voice steady but heavy with caution. “However, he’s in a critical condition. The head trauma is severe, and there’s internal bleeding we had to control. We’ve done everything we can for now, but the next 48 hours are crucial.” Mason’s heart sank. “Will he wake up?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper. The doctor glanced between the two men, hesitating before answering. “We can’t say for sure. The extent of the head injury is significant, and he’s in a medically induced coma to reduce the swelling. We’ll have to wait and monitor his brain activity.” Simon, feeling a knot in his stomach, clutched his hands tightly together, his knuckles white. “But he’s strong, right?” he asked, almost pleading. “My boss is a fighter. He’s made it through worse, hasn’t he?” The doctor nodded sympathetically but remained realistic. “He is strong, yes. But this is a delicate situation. We
The room was silent, with only the sound of Beverly’s sobbing as everyone watched John comforting her.“It’s okay, Bev. He will survive,” John said, rubbing Beverly’s back.Camila walked over to her stepbrother, who was still unconscious. She held his hand, trying not to cry as tears formed in her eyes.“Who wants him dead? Is it something related to business, Simon?” she asked, looking at Simon, who sighed.“We’ll find out, young madam. The cops are on it. Our priority is to make sure he’s stable first,” he replied, and Camila sighed.“Please, Damien. I know we don’t talk much, but I love you, and seeing you every day makes me proud. You gave me a unique identity among my peers. Just being known as Damien Vladimir’s baby sister makes even the rich in the same caliber respect me. Please come back, Damien, please,” she said, hugging him and starting to cry.John sighed after releasing Beverly from the hug.“Go and change into something comfortable, okay? Have you all eaten?” John asked
After what felt like an eternity, the doctor returned, holding the test results in his hand. He looked at her with a serious expression. “Congratulations, Miss Aurora,” he said softly. “You’re almost two weeks pregnant.” Aurora gasped, her breath catching in her throat. She felt the world spinning around her, and before the doctor could say another word, everything went black as she lost consciousness. When Aurora woke up, she was lying on a small clinic bed, a nurse hovering over her, checking her pulse. “Miss, are you alright?” the nurse asked, her voice soft but concerned. Aurora blinked, trying to adjust to the light. Her head was throbbing, and the weight of the news she’d just received came crashing down on her. “I… I’m pregnant?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Yes, ma’am,” the nurse confirmed gently. “You fainted after the doctor told you the news. We’ll give you some time to rest and recover before you leave.” Aurora lay there, staring at the ceiling. She couldn’
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
The sound of rumbling chains stirred Daniel awake. His head felt heavy, and he groaned, rubbing his neck before finally opening his eyes.This place looked familiar. He had been here before.The image of Damien beating him flashed through his mind, making him sit up immediately.“Looks like you remember where you are,” Simon’s voice sounded, prompting Daniel to raise his head.“Why am I here?” he asked, making Simon chuckle.“Isn’t it obvious?” Simon replied, then sighed. “You’ll be staying here for a while until my boss recovers. You’ve been causing a nuisance.”Daniel scoffed. “Do you think he can do anything? He can’t kill me.”Simon burst out laughing. “Before you forget—the only person the boss ever listened to, the only person who could make him reconsider, is dead. Your mother killed him. Now he has no conscience to hold him back. The beating was a warning, but you didn’t listen. Don’t worry, I’ll either arrange your funeral or visit once you’re disabled. I hope you choose wise
The maid stood as she watched her madam bite her fingers nervously. Beverly gently relaxed her palm on her stomach before sighing.“When you approached Kayla, what did she say?” Beverly asked, prompting her maid to sigh.“She asked me why I was looking for you. She said you disappeared, and though she looked for you, there was no clue as to where you might be. So she gave up. Instead of continuing the search, she decided to focus her energy on caring for your sick mother and handling her company,” the maid replied, making Beverly sigh in relief.“That means my mother is alright,” she said, visibly relieved.She had also not seen Damien or Aurora at the funeral. She wondered where those two had gone while they were burying the old man.Beverly released a breath of relief and relaxed her back, gently rubbing her slightly protruding stomach. A smile spread across her face as she imagined how hurt and surprised that bitch would be to see she was the first woman to bear Damien a child.⸻T
Aurora’s eyes remained wide open, her mouth slightly parted as she slowly raised her head to look at Damien. His weak eyes stared back at her, and his lips were dry and cracked.Tears began to flow from her eyes as she stared at him.“Will you stop…” Damien tried to speak.Aurora cut him off with an intended kiss — a kiss of gratitude, pain and love, filled with joy for surviving.His lips were dry, and she could feel it. He was too weak to energetically kiss her back.Aurora broke the kiss and hugged him tightly.“Awch,” Damien hissed in pain as her hands touched his bandaged hand.“Oh… sorry, baby,” she said, wiping her tears.“Baby,” Damien called, looking at her, causing Aurora to sigh.“No time for jokes, Damien,” she said, making Damien chuckle.“Come here, you love crying too much,” he said, patting her hair slowly.“When did you wake up?” she asked, and Damien smiled.“You’ve been on the phone with Camila — how would you notice your husband has been awake since morning?” he te
Inside the presidential suite, the steady beep of the life-support machine filled the room. Aurora clung tightly to Damien’s unconscious hand, her tears refusing to stop. She thought he was dead. After waiting endlessly for the surgery to end, her heart had pounded without rest, desperate in prayer for her husband’s life.She had forgotten she was bleeding and her clothes were stained until a nurse approached, gently handing her clean clothes and sanitary supplies.Raising her head to gaze at Damien’s sleeping face, Aurora closed her eyes and continued sobbing. Simon, standing nearby, could feel the heaviness of her grief. He sighed, then approached quietly.“Madam,” he whispered, leaning close.“Ma—”Just then, the door burst open. Camila and Agatha rushed in.“What happened?” Camila cried, her eyes already filled with tears as she hurried to Damien’s side.Aurora sat up, allowing Agatha to pull her into a comforting hug.“I thought he was dead,” Aurora whispered brokenly into Agatha
John cleared his throat, then smiled at Aurora. “Aurora,” he called, smiling. “Father,” Aurora responded with a smile. “Sir Damien,” the manager who was with John now greeted. “I’ve told you to stay away from anything that has to do with my mother,” Damien said, making John sigh. “Thank you for your help, Manager Christ. I’ll take my leave,” John said and left. “You’re fired,” Damien said as he entered the elevator with Aurora. “Boss, I’m sorry, he—” The manager tried to plead, but the elevator doors closed. “You can’t just fire—” “It’s my company, my rules. I warned him. My father’s presence here—I should be informed. He disobeyed me. I would have sent him to the hospital before firing him, but you’re here. I don’t want to traumatize you,” Damien said. Aurora gently held his hand. “At least… aren’t you curious to know why your father came?” “Same reason as always. It’s his dead wife’s property. He came to visit,” Damien replied, making Aurora sigh. “Well, I don’t see an
Aurora walked into the wardrobe where Damien was, after she was done eating. Her eyes widened, and she couldn’t help but chuckle.“What’s funny?” Damien turned around, wearing white pants and a beach shirt.“What’s in all these boxes?” she asked, opening one.“Ahh…” she looked at Damien, who smiled.“Go and bathe. I’ll fix your sanitary items for you,” he said, causing Aurora to bow her head, then chuckle again.“Do you want to start a company for manufacturing sanitary pads?” she asked.“Do you want me to?” he responded, making Aurora smile, then sigh.“You already have too much on your plate. That’s very unnecessary,” she said as she opened another box.“Oh, Damien…” she muttered upon seeing it was filled with tampons.“Go and bathe. I’ll select clothes for you to wear. I didn’t order other clothes along—I was in a haste while ordering all of them,” he said, and Aurora nodded.“Actually, I don’t like tampons. They make me uncomfortable,” she said, then left the wardrobe.In less tha
John drank his life away. The fact that his father’s death didn’t hurt him as much as seeing his wife having an affair did. He wanted to press her neck and choke her, but he loved her so much that doing so would feel like hurting himself.“Where’s my mother?” Daniel walked in.“I told you to leave,” John said, standing up from the couch.“I’ve called you father my whole life, not knowing you killed my real father. Still, I don’t care. The only person I don’t want to see in this family is Damien, because he is the reason I’m seen as a man with no use. So—”“Shut up and leave, Daniel. You have no right to say who you want to see and who you don’t,” John said, then turned to leave.“I will burn the Vladimirs to the ground,” Daniel said, causing John to smirk.“I’ll watch you try. A little reminder—Damien is not a man to play with. He’s been easy with you because of his grandpa, but now he’s gone. And your mother killed him. He’ll put a bullet through your heart without thinking. That’s t
Everywhere became silent. Mason’s eyes stared at Naomi. Agatha and Camila smiled at her curiously.Naomi knew Camila was trying to stir something up, so she immediately cleared her throat.“Erhhhem… I think you heard wrong,” she said, drinking from her wine glass.“I’ve heard that name before,” Mason said, removing the steaks from the grill.“Where, baby?” she asked, gesturing for Mason to cut the steaks into small pieces.“You. On call with some Sara,” he said, making Naomi frown.“You all have been hearing wrong, and even if you heard right, I don’t want to talk about my ex,” she said, prompting Camila to chuckle.“It doesn’t bite though,” Camila said, collecting steaks from Mason.“It should be my business,” Naomi added. Agatha chuckled at the drama before smiling at Mason, who handed her the steak.Naomi didn’t like that, but she couldn’t react, so she just sat still, holding in her anger.“What about you, Agatha? I see you’ve been staying with Aurora recently. Don’t you have a bo
The ride was silent. Damien looked at Aurora through the rearview mirror as she folded herself in the back seat and cried.He didn’t understand why she was crying. He hated himself for not punishing them—just giving them an easy death. His knuckles tightened as he picked up his phone and dialed a number.“Search for their family. Everyone should pay,” he said coldly, then hung up.Instead of heading to the mansion, Damien diverted to an isolated highway. He kept watching Aurora until she eventually fell asleep.He stopped at a small white beach. A beautiful vacation house stood at the center. He stepped out and carried the sleeping Aurora in his arms.“Open the door, Alexa,” he commanded, and the gate opened. Damien walked in while carrying Aurora. Her purple cheeks made him feel he hadn’t served justice yet. He entered the mansion and took her to the only bedroom in the house. Gently, he laid her down and went downstairs to make a call.“Frank, whatever you’re doing, stop it. I need