Aidan merely shook his head, his resolve unwavering as he stepped out into the unknown. As the door closed behind him, leaving Amira alone in the empty room, she couldn't suppress the wave of fear and uncertainty that washed over her, leaving her trembling on her knees in despair. Amira's frustration simmered as she paced the room, her mind swirling with anger and regret. "That Karina is a wretch!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing off the sterile walls. She clenched her fists, feeling a surge of resentment coursing through her veins. Meanwhile, Aidan sat in the taxi, his thoughts consumed by the events of the past hours. As the car navigated through the busy streets, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease gnawing at him. His gaze flickered to the hooded figure lingering at the hospital gate, but he quickly dismissed it, his focus fixed on his destination. Arriving at his destination, Aidan stepped out of the taxi, his heart pounding with anticipation. He made his way toward the
With his blood boiling, Lucas struggled to contain his rage, his fists clenched tightly at his sides as he glared at Aidan. Despite the overwhelming urge to retaliate, he forced himself to comply with Karina's request and refrain from resorting to violence. “Thank you," Karina muttered to Lucas with an appreciative gaze. Then she turned to face Aidan and instructed Aidan to leave. “You've caused enough havoc in just a short time. Now leave, Aidan." "Well, this chump here thinks he can make me leave and I won't leave,” Aidan stubbornly refused, his defiance only fueling Lucas's frustration. Taking a menacing step forward, Lucas issued a thinly veiled threat, warning Aidan to depart before he took matters into his own hands. “You surely don't want your blood spilling on this ground like they did last night so get out of here now.” Unfazed by Lucas's intimidation, Aidan stood his ground, his gaze locked in a heated confrontation with Lucas. “I dare you to do your worst, idiot.” Sen
Trying to act dauntless, Amira steadied herself and stated, “You shouldn't dare lay a finger on my Aidan." “Oh oh, yes, maami," Linda purred, rubbing a fist around her eyes dramatically before she cocked the gun. Amira tensed up, knowing her life could be snuffed out in an instant if Linda pulled the trigger. “Okay. Take it easy, Linda. You shouldn't do this here. You can't even kill me and go scot-free…” Amira's voice wavered as Linda burst into laughter before lowering her gun. "Really, why? Do you think Aidan will come chasing after me after I kill you? Come on, he's certainly not going to care about your dead body after he gets to know how much you want his beloved Karina dead.” Amira's brows knit together in frustration. "It's me over Karina…" “Oh shut up, if that was the case, then the fool wouldn't have jumped in to save Karina just when I was about to run her over.” Amira sighed, realizing the truth in Linda's words, and nodded in admittance. “Maybe he was a fool, but he
With trembling lips, Amira stated again, “I don't have the money, Linda. I can't give you a dime." Linda's lips curled into a wistful smile. “Really? Let's see if you wouldn't be able to raise money to save yourself from rotting in jail after I reveal to Karina that you attempted to end her life.” Amira's eyes narrowed as she listened to Linda's threat, her heart pounding with fear and anger. "You wouldn't dare," she shot back, her voice trembling slightly despite her attempt to sound confident. Linda smirked, a malicious glint in her eyes. "Oh, I would, and you know it," she retorted, her tone dripping with menace. "You think you can stop me, but you're just as trapped as I am. Maybe even more." Amira's jaw clenched as she fought to keep her composure. "You won't dare do such a thing because you'd go down too," she insisted, though doubt gnawed at her mind. “You're bluffing.” Linda's smirk widened, her grip on the gun tightening. "Am I?" she taunted cryptically before turning on
In the uncomfortable silence of the dining room, Karina attempted to maintain her composed smile, silently wishing to divert the conversation away from her and Aidan. Anita's question caught her off guard, and she hesitated before responding. "Um, I believe Lucas must have mentioned a few things about me," Karina replied evasively, hoping to avoid delving into personal details. Lucas shot Anita a subtle warning glance, silently urging her to change the subject. However, Anita seemed undeterred as she continued to inquire about Karina's relationship with Lucas. "He did mention a few things, especially about how you're an exceptional woman," Juliana interjected smoothly, coming to Karina's rescue with a warm smile. Anita's next comment about future babies caused Karina to nearly choke on her food, and Lucas quickly offered her water, giving his sister a pointed look. "I apologize for Anita's enthusiasm," Lucas said with a light chuckle, attempting to diffuse the tension. "She tends
Karina studied Anita's expression, detecting a hint of strain behind her facade of composure. "That's a relief," she replied, offering a warm smile. "I'm glad to hear she's doing well." Anita nodded, grateful for Karina's understanding. "Thank you for watching over her," she said sincerely. "We appreciate your support." Karina nodded in return, her heart heavy with concern for Lilly's well-being. As her phone buzzed, she glanced down to read the message, then looked up at Lucas with a regretful expression. "I should head home now," she announced, her tone apologetic. Anita's response was brisk. "Yes, you should," she agreed tersely. Despite the tension, Karina managed a polite smile. "Goodnight, Anita," she said, trying to soften the atmosphere. Amira nodded silently and retreated to the room, leaving the hallway quiet. Karina turned to bid Lucas goodnight, but he intercepted her. "Let me take you home," he offered, his concern evident. Karina shook her head, declining his offer
Grandma Lila and Kayla joined the rest of the Algernon family in the living room, their eyes fixed on Aidan who remained lost in thought."Okay, that's enough!" Cruzita yelled, breaking the tense silence. "I demand to know what's going on now!" She commanded, turning to Xander. "Xander?"Xander shook, feeling a bit panicked under the weight of her voice. He straightened up and took a few steps forward, saying, "I think we should start preparing to leave this place."Wally's brows furrowed and Cruzita's face formed a grimace before she hurled an angry question. "Are you crazy or something?" She spun to face Kayla. "What's wrong with your son, Kayla?" She fumed. "Can't he just keep quiet for once and let the poor boy speak? Could you please stop being so hot-headed, Cruzita? You're intolerable," Grandma Lila voiced her complaints before sitting down. "Let Xander speak.""What do you mean, mother-in-law?" Cruzita turned to glare at Xander. "He's saying we should start preparing to leave
Karina's smirk widened as she observed the shock still evident on Cruzita's face, as well as the others'. Aidan's disbelief turned to anger as he accused Karina of orchestrating the entire situation. "This is all a setup, isn't it? You're just trying to mess with my head!" Karina's smirk remained firmly in place as she responded calmly. "I anticipated you would say that, Aidan. That's why I came prepared." With a snap of her fingers, she signaled for someone to enter the room. Aidan's eyes widened in recognition as a bald man strode into the room. He remembered him as the individual who had given him the money. His heart sank as he realized the gravity of the situation. With a single look from Karina, the man didn't waste any time, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. "Ma'am here was the one who generously provided you with financial assistance, Aidan. But if you can't repay what you owe right now, it's best you and your family vacate this house immediately." Aidan's mi
A Few Months LaterLife had started to return to normal for Karina and Sophie. Sophie, with the help of therapy and the constant support from Aidan and Karina, had begun to heal from the trauma of her kidnapping. They spent their weekends visiting parks, and museums, and sometimes just enjoying quiet family picnics, which helped Sophie find joy again.Karina and Aidan, too, had found a new rhythm in their relationship. They decided to set aside their past differences and work together for Sophie’s happiness and welfare. Aidan's family, especially his mother, Cruzita, had also mended fences with Karina. The shared goal of giving Sophie a stable and loving environment brought them closer.Meanwhile, Lilly had undergone her transplant surgery, thanks to the Everhardt family's efforts in finding a suitable donor. Her recovery was a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.During these months, Anita and Amira faced their trials. Amira’s defense team, led by her best lawyers, had fought tirelessly t
The atmosphere was charged with a mixture of dread and desperate hope, a battle of wills playing out in the room.The men appeared, one of them carrying Sophie on his shoulder as she squirmed and cried. Karina called out desperately, "Sophie! Sophie!"Anita's expression turned concerned as she watched the scene unfold, her eyes flickering between Karina and Sophie. “I’m doing you the honors because I’m a mother too. Use this moment well and say goodbye properly to your daughter.” She signaled to the man, who dropped Sophie down and the other went and untied Karina. The little girl ran to Karina, her face tear-streaked and trembling.“Mommy, I missed you,” Sophie cried, trembling.Karina managed a smile through her tears, cuddling her daughter tightly.“Don’t worry, darling. I’m here. Nothing will happen to you.” She scanned Sophie’s face, then shot an angry look at Anita. “Why does my daughter look like this? What have you been doing to her?!”Anita shrugged nonchalantly. “Just keep
Karina watched with teary, weary eyes as Anita paced impatiently. Lucas stood nearby, his face a mask of frustration. Juliana returned, her face pale as she informed them that Lilly was ready.Lucas sneered at Anita. “Where are your men? They should’ve been here by now.”“They’re coming. They should be—” She was cut off by a knock on the door.Anita took a step forward, but Lucas stopped her with a raised hand. He went to open the door and returned with two burly men in tow.“What the heck kept you guys?” Anita snapped.“Sorry, ma’am. Traffic was a nightmare,” one of the men apologized.Anita hissed. “Fine. Lucas, they’ll go get Sophie now.”Lucas nodded, watching them head upstairs before turning his gaze back to Karina, who was sobbing and staring at him with a mix of sorrow and betrayal.“Lucas, I never thought you could do this to me,” she choked out, her voice trembling with a mix of desperation and heartbreak.He leaned forward, feigning remorse. “I’m sorry, love. You know I ha
Anita asked, tensed, “What are we going to do?”“Tie her up!” Lucas commanded. He dragged a chair and placed Karina on it, securing her tightly with ropes. “Where are your guys who are supposed to take Sophie to the facility?” he grumbled.“They are on their way,” Anita muttered, nervously glancing at Karina.Lilly appeared, her eyes widening in horror as she saw Karina, who was now bleeding from the head. “Mommy, what happened to Aunt Karina?”Lucas flicked his gaze at the girl, snarling, “Ugh, this girl. Take her to her room and get her ready, Mother!”Juliana quivered and walked to Lilly. “Let’s go, my dear,” she said softly, leading Lilly upstairs as Lucas continued tying Karina to the chair.In the Everhardt mansion, Aidan walked into the house. “Where’s Karina?” he asked Gina.“She went to the office about 30 minutes ago,” Gina replied.He nodded and turned to leave but stopped as Georgia walked in with some files in her hands. “Georgia, have you seen Karina?” he quickly asked.
Aidan and Karina arrived at the Everhardt mansion, the tension palpable between them. Aidan got out of his car and quickly walked up to her, his tone urgent. "Karina, I think we should inform Inspector Kai."Her eyes widened in surprise. "No. We shouldn't.""What? Why?" Aidan asked, bewildered."Lucas is no fool," Karina explained, her voice steady but tense. "He might have figured that I didn't just come to his family's house looking for him. I'm sure Anita told him already that she saw me at the hospital, and then he figured out that he messed up by lying to me twice."Aidan shook his head in frustration. "So, what are we going to do? Stay calm when Sophie's earring was lying in their house?"She sighed deeply, struggling to keep her composure. "Aidan, we shouldn't react impulsively. Lucas shouldn't think that I'm suspecting him."Aidan eyed her with concern. "Are you scared of him or what?""I'm just considering the odds and possibilities now. What if… my daughter is in that house
Karina answered it, faking her cheerful voice. "Hello, Lucas.""Hi, Karina. Uh, sorry but you can't see Anita or Lilly."Her brows creased. "What? Why?""They left the country. They went to Switzerland.""But you said we could have dinner with them, Lucas.""Yes, I had no idea they left. I just called my mom and she told me about it."She nodded. "So, when did they leave?""Last night, yeah."She nodded. "Okay. It's fine. Let's talk later." She ended the call and groaned. "He lied again."Aidan asked, "What happened?""I saw Anita and Lilly less than an hour ago, and he said they left last night," she concluded.Aidan's expression turned grim. "He's definitely hiding something, Karina.""I feel so too. I need to go over to his family's house.""I'm coming with you.""But you're going to stay outside and hide. Paraventure Lucas shows up, he shouldn't see you."He agreed, and they left. Aidan followed Karina's car as she drove to the Salvatore Mansion.When Karina arrived, she placed so
The air in the room shifted, charged with a new, tense energy.Lucas's face darkened, his jaw clenched tightly."Karina?" he muttered, half to himself, half to Amira. The intimacy between him and Amira shattered instantly, replaced by a complicated mix of fear, guilt, and anger.Amira pulled back slightly, her eyes wide with surprise and worry. “What do we do?" she whispered, her voice trembling.Lucas took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Stay quiet," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. He disentangled himself from Amira, his expression hardening as he prepared to face whatever was waiting for him on the other side of the door.Lucas started heading to the door and halted. He spun and gestured at Amira to go hide somewhere. She quickly grabbed her clothes and ran off, her footsteps light as she disappeared into another room. He exhaled deeply, trying to steady himself."Lucas, are you there…?" Karina's voice was tinged with impatience."Uh, I'm coming!" he ca
Anita held Lilly’s hand tightly as they walked into an examining room in an extinguished hospital owned by the Algernon family. She had brought Lilly for a discreet proper checkup. She had been meticulous in ensuring this visit would be confidential, preparing for the upcoming transplant surgery. After the doctor had thoroughly examined Lilly, they all returned to his office, a tense silence hanging in the air.The doctor sat behind his desk, looking over Lilly’s charts before raising his eyes to Anita."So, Mrs. Anita, when is Lilly scheduled for the transplant?"Anita forced a smile, her mind racing for a believable answer. "We’re taking her to England for the transplant. A hospital there has found a suitable donor."The doctor frowned, clearly puzzled. "England? Which hospital, if you don't mind me asking? We need to transfer her medical records and ensure they have all the necessary information."Anita’s responses became increasingly evasive. "It's a private facility. They’ve as
Soon, Amira matched Lucas’s vigor, her enthusiasm doubling his pleasure. He growled and moaned, “Good girl, keep going.” She finished, then licked him from his V-line up to his chest, biting his nipples. Lucas groaned, his body tensing with the mix of pleasure and pain.“You’re not scared of me?” he muttered hoarsely.Amira smiled naughtily. “Why would I be? I know you won’t kill me.”He nodded, kissing her forehead. “I won’t. You're just different.” They started kissing passionately, their lips moving in a synchronized dance of lust and dominance. She asked between breaths, “How?”He chuckled, pulling back to look at her. “Everyone considers me a monster.”They locked gazes, Amira’s eyes piercing into his as she smirked. “We’re alike. Raymond used to be someone special to me before. I loved and adored him.” Her tone turned flat and callous. “But I killed him.”Lucas grinned. “I’m not like you, darling. I don’t kill the ones I love. Only those who give me trouble.”She started care