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
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
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
Damien sat on Camila’s balcony, gazing at his wristwatch before he rose to his feet.Aurora sat in a daze, her thoughts consumed by regret. She wished she had insisted on telling Damien or Camila about the vial. Now, she felt foolish for accepting Beverly’s gift and remaining silent.The silence in the room grew oppressive, driving her to her feet. She walked over to Damien, her voice barely a whisper.“Can I get some ice cream? The baby feels like having one,” she said, her tone hesitant.Damien frowned, his sharp hazel eyes shifting to her. “Get your coat. We’re going home.”Aurora pouted. “Aren’t we waiting for the final toast? I thought—”“No,” Damien cut her off, his voice firm. “I’ve had enough of everyone tonight. We’ll grab your ice cream on the way home.”Aurora sighed, her lips forming a small pout. “I thought you said you weren’t upset with me, Damien?”“I’m not,” he replied, retrieving her fluffy white coat and draping it over her shoulders. He held her hand as they walked
Aurora turned quickly, startled by Damien’s sudden presence. He stood tall and imposing, his sharp hazel eyes flicking between her and Beverly. Beverly took a step back, momentarily startled, before her composure slid effortlessly into place. “Not at all,” she said smoothly, her tone deceptively casual. “Just catching up.” Damien’s sharp gaze didn’t waver as Beverly turned on her heel and walked away, her stiff posture betraying the calm facade she tried to maintain. Damien’s focus shifted back to Aurora. “Is there a problem?” Aurora hesitated, her heart pounding. “No,” she replied, forcing a casual tone. She discreetly slipped the vial into her pocket and met his penetrating gaze. “Nothing serious.” His hazel eyes narrowed, suspicion evident. He stepped closer, his commanding presence making her breath hitch. “Aurora, what did she say to you?” “Just… small talk,” she lied, plastering a weak smile on her face. “It’s fine, really.” He studied her, his expression unreadabl