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
Naomi swallowed hard and immediately hung up. She cleared her throat, trying hard not to look at Damien’s expressionless face. “It’s uncultured to listen to someone’s phone call,” she said. Damien simply nodded. “I can identify a fake the very first day I see one. If Mason believes you are the one, so be it. But take note—if you mess with his naivety, the earth will be a place you will wish you never existed.” His voice was quiet, but every word sounded like a warning. Without waiting for Naomi’s response, he walked away. Naomi frowned. Her palms were sweaty, and her body was shaking. She swallowed hard and tried to sit down to calm herself. As Damien walked back upstairs, he saw Mason coming out of their room. “Did you see Naomi?” Mason asked. Damien shook his head. Mason sighed and left to go look for his wife. Inside the master bedroom, Aurora was in her nightwear, focused on her phone when Damien walked in. “You should be sleeping,” his voice said, making Aurora raise he
The room was silent. Everyone watched as the nurse removed Aurora’s IV drip and prepared her for discharge. After a few minutes, she smiled at Aurora.“All done,” she said, prompting Damien to bend down and carry Aurora in a bridal style.After they left the hospital, Damien drove her to get ice cream. Everyone chose their flavors, with the happiest person among them being Naomi, who stuck close to her husband. The smile on her face was so obvious that Mason had to ask.“Did you win a lottery?” he asked as they all sat down.Damien didn’t take sweets, so he just focused on his phone. Aurora and Agatha looked at Naomi, who chuckled.“Something like that, my love,” she said, then pecked Mason’s cheek.“Do you mind sharing?” he asked, but Naomi shook her head, laughing. The DNA result worked as she planned.“Damien,” Aurora turned to her husband, who immediately dropped his phone.“Yes, honey?” He sat up straight and looked at her.Aurora chuckled. She had noticed he had been calling her
Daniel smirked, watching Kayla adjust her handbag with a determined look in her eyes. “You really think his assistant will be your way in?” he asked, amusement lacing his voice. Kayla turned to him, her eyes cold. “Simon is more loyal to Damien than a dog to its owner, but even the most loyal men have weaknesses. I just need to find his.” Daniel chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Kayla. Seems like you’re tired of governing your cosmetic company.” “I have to do this. Beverly loved him, and this is all she gets?” she shot back. “I can make a difference before he even realizes what’s happening.” Daniel leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “And what exactly do you plan to do? Seduce him? Bribe him? Because Simon is not stupid.” Kayla smirked. “I don’t need to seduce or bribe him. I just need to make him desperate enough to come to me.” Daniel arched a brow. “And how do you plan on doing that?” Kayla took a deep breath. “I have some di
The room was silent. Aurora’s skin was clear of the rash but still pale. Damien sat on the couch, watching her. Everyone had left the room to give him space. He bit his inner cheeks, watching her closely, trying to catch any slight movement she might make. While he kept staring, his phone began to ring. “Boss,” Simon’s worried voice sounded. “Our ship transporting goods to Australia was attacked. We lost a lot of goods and the team. I’m trying to—” “They fell for it,” Damien scoffed. “What? Boss?” Simon tried to understand what he meant. “Find out if Daniel is awake,” Damien ordered and hung up. Mason walked into the room. “Work?” he asked. Damien didn’t respond. He just sat there, his gaze fixed on Aurora. “I just came from the doctor. The DNA result will be out by evening,” Mason said. Damien only nodded. Naomi, who had been about to enter, stopped in her tracks when she heard Mason mention a DNA result. She frowned and leaned in to eavesdrop. “The last time I remember, i
Damien chuckled. “I never said that. But Mason is different. He doesn’t have the same coldness. Naomi keeps pushing him to be something he’s not.” Aurora stared at him for a moment before sighing. “I don’t know if you’re protecting him or just manipulating the situation.” Damien smirked, turning his eyes back to the road. “Maybe both.” Aurora scoffed. “You’re impossible.” Damien reached over and took her hand. “And yet, you’re still here.” Aurora bit her lip, looking away. She couldn’t deny the warmth that spread through her when he held her like that. The car slowed down as they approached a grand, glass-fronted restaurant with golden lighting reflecting off its entrance. The valet rushed forward as Damien pulled into the driveway. “We’re here,” he said, letting go of her hand. Aurora inhaled deeply before stepping out of the car, already sensing that the night wasn’t over yet. The moment Aurora stepped inside Restaurant de Sea, the aroma of grilled seafood and ocea
It was already 1 a.m. Agatha refused to let Aurora sleep in her room. Instead, she held Aurora’s hand and took her to their bedroom.“I don’t want—”“He’s your husband. If you don’t want to, you tell him you don’t want to,” Agatha whispered. Aurora sighed and bit her lip.She slowly opened the door and gently walked into the room. The light was off, so she carefully stepped inside, moving quietly toward their bed.Just as she tried to lay down, a cold, commanding voice stopped her.“Where are you coming from?”The voice made Aurora freeze in place.She couldn’t move until she felt Damien’s breath on her.“Where are you coming from?” he asked again, grabbing her waist and turning her around. Aurora’s eyes widened, but she still couldn’t see his face in the darkness of the room.“I asked you a question.”Aurora swallowed hard. “A-Agatha,” she pointed toward the door.Damien dragged her closer. “Is it fair, hmm?” he asked, his voice unreadable.Aurora looked up at him like a shocked bunn
The words Damien said earlier still ran through Aurora’s mind. She frowned, looking at Damien, but still tried not to glance at the lower part of his body. “My head?” she asked nervously, pointing at her head. “Mmm,” Damien nodded. “Help me out with your head,” he said again, making Aurora take a step back. She was confused as hell. She swallowed hard, then turned around. The closer Damien got, the more she couldn’t imagine what she was feeling or what she was supposed to do. “I… I…” “I will teach you,” he whispered. Aurora felt his breath on her neck. She swallowed hard, and in the next moment, Damien watched as she bolted out of the room. Damien chuckled, then looked down at his bulging member. “Tsk,” he clicked his tongue before shaking his head. “I’m sure she doesn’t even know what that means,” he muttered, walking back to the bathroom. After running out of the bathroom, Aurora stopped beside a pillar, taking a deep breath. Her flushed face was still red, and her hands t
Aurora was excited that she wouldn’t be stuck with Damien—at least Agatha was here to keep her company.“Good evening, Mr. Vladimir,” Agatha greeted.Damien only nodded before turning and heading to his study. Naomi, who had been standing nearby, immediately turned and left before Agatha could catch a glimpse of her.“Thank you for coming. This place would have been suffocating,” Aurora said with a smile.“Don’t say that,” Agatha whispered.“Ma’am, your room is ready. Please come with me,” the butler said, but Agatha held onto Aurora’s hand.“This place is beautiful, Aurora,” Agatha said, smiling.“Mmm… it is,” Aurora murmured.“Damien is here, and he’s obviously trying to make you forgive him for what happened. So don’t say it will be suffocating. This is the time you should make him fall in love with you so deeply that he can’t spend a second without you. Okay?” Agatha said.Aurora smiled but shook her head. “Mmm… His heart is strong. He might have a soft spot for me now, but I can’
Damien’s grip tightened on his phone, his knuckles turning white as he listened to the silence on the other end. Simon held his breath, waiting, watching the doctor shift uncomfortably under his stare.“B…” Simon started, but Damien’s voice cut through like a blade.“Abort it, and take her back to the bunker”Then, the line went dead.Simon’s eyes widened as he slowly turned to the doctor. He swallowed hard before asking, “How is she?”The doctor gave a small nod. “She’s still unconscious but stable. She’ll recuperate soon.”Simon exhaled in relief, but the weight of Damien’s decision pressed heavily on him. “And the baby?”The doctor hesitated before responding, “The procedure will proceed as instructed.”Simon clenched his jaw, nodding once before turning on his heels and leaving the dimly lit room. Back at the Bahamas, As Damien drove out of the secluded area, he sat still in his car, staring ahead at nothing.She was the reason Aurora lost their baby.He would never accept this p