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
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
Jay closed his mouth for a second before sighing.“I think it’s time. Boss is waiting downstairs for—”“Please, I want to know,” Aurora interrupted, making Jay sigh again.“It’s what normal couples do. He’s come to check how his princess looks and hopes she likes the service. If—”“It’s okay,” Aurora cut in, making Jay glance at Stella, who gave him a sad smile. Aurora took a deep breath, then left.Downstairs, Simon held an umbrella, waiting patiently. He turned when he heard Aurora coming down the stairs.“Madam,” he greeted, smiling at her.“Boss is waiting in the car,” he added as Aurora nodded.Simon wished he could compliment Aurora’s beauty—her captivating blue eyes, her luscious red lips, her radiant smile, and the elegance of her dress. He quickly opened the umbrella to shield her from the snow.When Simon opened the car door, Aurora stepped in, dusting off the snowflakes from the fur trim of her coat.Damien’s gaze moved to her, and his eyes lingered on her exposed thighs. A
The weather grew colder as the festive season approached. Naomi watched Mason type on his laptop, looking serious and focused. A bright smile spread across her face as she stood silently, admiring him.“You look handsome when you’re working,” she said, prompting Mason to raise his head.“Thanks, babe. What are you doing?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.“Watching you,” she replied, setting down the cup of hot coffee she had brought for him. “Staring at the man my sons will resemble someday—the man they’ll thank me for choosing as their father.”Mason smiled, raising her hand to his lips and placing a gentle kiss on it.“I love you,” he whispered, making Naomi blush before she sat on his lap.“I love you, Mason,” she whispered back, her hazel eyes locking with his. Her polished fingers started to unbutton his shirt slowly.Naomi leaned closer, her warm breath brushing against Mason’s face. Gently, his slim fingers slid into her shirt, touching her warm skin. She smiled at the sens
Naomi grabbed Mason’s hands, her gaze filled with unspoken emotions. Mason sighed and turned toward her. Gently, he cupped her face, his thumb brushing away the blood on her lips. “Are you hurt?” he asked softly. Naomi shook her head. “Just my cheeks,” she replied. Mason leaned in and kissed her cheek tenderly. Nearby, Becky sat frozen, her expression a mixture of disbelief and pain. Mason hadn’t touched her, not even as the other woman had demanded. As Butler James stepped forward to assist her, she pulled back abruptly. “Don’t touch me,” Becky snapped, her voice trembling as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her face was a burning red from Naomi’s slap. Wiping the blood from her mouth, she steadied herself and rose. “So, it’s true,” Becky spat, her voice laced with venom. “You married a woman who has no respect for your mother.” Mason turned to face her, his expression cold. “You know nothing about her, Becky. Don’t—” “What about you?” Becky interrupted, her voice breaki
The room was cold and quiet. Sara watched as Audrey tried to eat his meal before taking his pills, still recovering from Damien’s torture.“You went to her like a fool. It makes me doubt the fact that you said you love me. Didn’t you see how she acted like we were never best friends? And yet you—”“I wanted to apologize for betraying her, Sara. She didn’t deserve—”“And now look at you. What did you get in return?” Sara asked, causing Audrey to sigh.“Who knows how she used her orphan status to attract Mr. Vladimir? I’m very sure she’s not his type,” Sara said with disgust, and Audrey nodded in agreement.“Since she let him treat me this way, I know some of her secrets. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Audrey looked at Sara, who scoffed.“I’m sure her rich husband would want to save his reputation,” she said, and Audrey nodded.“Let’s make some money, Aurora Gibson,” he said with a scoff.At the Mason mansion, Mrs. Mason’s hands trembled with anger. The elegant and beautiful young
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