AlexisI had been avoiding my mom for a while now, and honestly, I didn’t have the energy to deal with her toxic behavior anymore. I had spent years putting up with her nonsense, being the selfless one, but something clicked inside me. I didn’t owe her or my dad anything. So, when she arrived at the party, I pretended not to notice. She tried to act all happy and extravagant, but the few times I bothered to respond, my words came out clipped while I gave her yes and no responses.She looked confused when I stayed on the other side of the room. "What’s going on, honey? Are you avoiding me?"I brushed past her without much care. "No, I’m busy," I said, making it clear I wasn’t in the mood to entertain her drama. Eventually, she got the message and backed off.My dad wasn’t as bad, but he had spent years enabling her, so they both earned a spot in the same category of people I had no more patience for. They could keep their drama to themselves. Speaking of drama, my mom was out here tr
Alexis"I swear I’m fine," I told Gianna, trying to calm her down. "Slow down before we crash." She didn’t ease up. Her knuckles gripped the steering wheel so tightly that they turned white. I felt sorry for her.Why would anyone be cursed to have Byron as their mate? He was the most violent man I had ever known. Unfortunately, we don’t get to choose our mates. And I had never been more thankful that Byron wasn’t mine. Still, just because someone was your mate didn’t mean you had to endure their cruelty.I kept sneaking glances at Gianna. She looked like she was wrestling with some deep anger that simmers just beneath the surface. I didn’t know what to say anymore, so I stared out the window. “Do you have your phone?” I asked after a moment. “I need to call someone.” Without a word, she handed it to me, and I dialed Valen’s nanny, grateful I had her number memorized."Hello?" she answered on the second ring."It’s me, Alexis," I said quickly, trying to keep the panic out of my voic
AlexAlexis looked stunned like she’d taken a punch that left her gasping, and even the world around us seemed to hold its breath in sync with her shock. The lake mirrored her stillness, with no ripple breaking the surface. A chill drifted in, sharp enough to sting, and I felt it run down my spine.What I had just told her had been a weight on my chest for weeks. I'd begun suspecting the moment I found out that Byron was impotent. Alexis' brows knitted together. As expected, she was shocked. Breaking this truth to her was crazy, but how could I keep quiet any longer? Byron was an arrogant bastard. He had been impotent through his whole marriage to her, and he hid it with pride. There was no way he could be Valen’s father. I’d questioned it myself at first, but the DNA test had thrown every doubt out the window.Valen wasn’t Byron’s son. He was mine.My words lingered in the thick silence as Alexis stepped back, eyes wide as egg whites. She shook her head, then spoke in a low, tre
Alexis I shut the glass door connecting the terrace and lit the fireplace, then settled into the lounge chair. This place was supposed to be my safe haven, with the soft outdoor rug underfoot, the silk blankets, and the vines of bright bougainvillea adding splashes of color. It was where I used to find peace. But tonight, nothing could settle me. My life had twisted into chaos. I couldn’t make sense of what Alex had just told me—he was the one who’d been with me that night. He was Valen’s father.How the fuck was I supposed to accept this?The thought hit like a storm, throwing my mind into a whirlwind. How had everything gone so wrong?I got up and paced. The terrace seemed smaller and more confining, like it was closing in on me. Valen’s father was Alex. My heart felt like it was sinking under the weight of confusion and anger. I kept circling the same questions in my head. Why had Alex stayed quiet? Why had he kept this secret for so long? He claimed he didn’t know Valen w
AlexisMy heart splintered with each mile I drove, hating every noise from the city streets and the flashing red lights that stopped me at every corner. I gripped the wheel tightly, trying to steady myself, and turned on Google Maps since I had never been to Alex's place before. The app directed me through this unfamiliar area, guiding me past quiet residential neighborhoods and into the bustling central district with tall skyscrapers and neon-lit streets. The lanes narrowed and merged, leaving me struggling to navigate the twisting roads that seemed to get busier by the second. I should’ve just taken a bus. I swerved to avoid a reckless car full of teenagers blasting music loud enough to shake the pavement, and I honked, yelling, "Get off the road, you damn idiots!" My road rage grew as I pushed on, passing Isla Rosa and further into an area that felt too chaotic and far from what I had expected.At last, I pulled up to a tall, high-rise apartment building just as Gianna had desc
AlexisSpending the night at Alex’s place left me feeling calmer, almost like I had stepped out of the storm, but I still didn’t know what he planned to do next. I trusted him, though, and decided not to push. I’d let him reveal whatever he was up to in his own time. Even without crossing any lines, being here with him gave me peace, something I’d almost forgotten existed.When I checked the clock and saw it was 5 a.m., I knew I had to leave. “I need to go,” I said, shifting off the bed. Alex looked at me, his face shadowed with reluctance, but he didn’t protest.“Unless you want our son to face danger, I can’t stay any longer,” I told him. The words “our son” slipped out naturally, surprising me. My heart fluttered at the realization. Deep inside, I accepted that Valen truly belonged to Alex, not Byron. That thought brought a strange satisfaction, almost like I’d won a game I didn’t even know I was playing. No longer was I tied to Byron’s chaos and cruelty. I had an escape, a way
Alex Gianna's voice grated on my nerves as she ranted about how Alexis had indirectly accused her of taking Valen. I wanted to tell her to shut the fuck up so I could focus on the surveillance feeds in front of me. Each screen showed a different angle of Byron’s house, captured by the secret cameras my men had installed. Gianna hovered beside me, seething like an angry cactus.“Why would I even want to take her son?” she huffed.I nodded absently, keeping my eyes on the monitors, my headset on as I listened to the surveillance audio and zoomed in with the joystick. “Can you stop? I’m trying to see how the boy got taken.” I shot her a sidelong glance. “And honestly, maybe you share some blame here. You were home last night, weren’t you?”Her face twisted in indignation. “Are you serious? Since when did I become his nanny? Or his mother, who just leaves him for her lover?”I ignored her barbed reply and scribbled timestamps on my notepad. She hissed under her breath, stormed off to m
AlexisI let out a cry of pure joy, flying down the stairs to pull Valen into my arms. My precious boy was safe and right here in front of me. The tight hug I gave him probably squeezed the breath out of him, but he didn’t complain. Instead, he clung to me, pressing his small body against mine as if he’d missed me just as much.“Mommy!” he squealed, burying his face against my neck. I lifted him up, showering his cheeks, forehead, and tiny nose with kisses, tears streaming down my face in a mixture of relief and guilt. “Oh, my baby, I am so sorry,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I held him even tighter. “Please, please forgive Mommy. I promise I’ll never leave you again, not for a single second.” Valen nodded, his little head bobbing up and down.“That woman took me,” he said, frowning as he remembered. “I didn’t like her. I don’t wanna go there again.”Hearing him say that made my heart ache, knowing he’d been scared and confused, dragged into this chaos just because of the adu
Gianna Peter and I sat across from each other in the quiet room. The only sound between us was the rustle of tissue in my hands. I sniffed, wiping my nose and feeling the remnants of my earlier breakdown.Peter crouched in front of me with a smirk creeping onto his face.“Look at you,” he said softly. “I never pictured you to be so emotional.”“Oh, shut up,” I muttered playfully, tossing the crumpled tissue into a nearby trash can.“Come on, big girl, hug it out,” Peter said, spreading his arms wide. Unable to resist, I chuckled and closed the gap between us. His arms wrapped around me, warm and secure, pulling me into a hug that felt like home.I let myself melt into him, breathing his scent and relishing the quiet strength of his embrace. His hands cradled my face, and his lips were on mine before I could say anything.The kiss was soft and unhurried, carrying a passion that made my knees weak. His eyes were filled with sincerity when he pulled back.“I’m falling in love with you,
GiannaMy chest caved, and I couldn't maintain eye contact with Alexis and Alex after Peter had dropped that bombshell about us being mates.The tent felt suffocating, and his words kept ringing in my ears: Gianna and I are fated mates.The silence in the room was so thick, like the awkward cousin at a family reunion—uncomfortable and making everyone wonder who would break the silence first.My eyes darted to everyone's reactions. Alexis stood still, her eyes dimmed with shock. Alex looked utterly perplexed, his gaze bouncing between Peter and me as if waiting for someone to yell, Gotcha!Lisa's shock was the loudest. Her face paled, and her lips parted as though she were going to scream, but instead, she let out a low gasp followed by a horrified look. Peter's mom stared at her son, her face slack with shock.And then there was Peter. His eyes burned with the fire of someone ready to fight for what he believed was his, and he held my hand, ready to shield me from whatever backlash mi
Peter My nostrils flared with anger, and my heartbeat pounded. Lisa screamed trouble ever since the moment she stormed toward us. It was one thing for her to feel the silent talk of abandonment ever since I met Gianna, but this was an explosion I hadn't seen coming.Her voice, like nails on a chalkboard, grated on my ears. I'd never seen her like this—loud, volatile, and uncouth. She was a far cry from the sweet girlfriend I knew her to be—or maybe I hadn't known her as well as I thought.My anger wasn't from the embarrassment, for I didn't give two flying fucks about these people here except for Alexis. My rage was because Lisa made Gianna appalled. She looked away and rubbed her hands against her clothing as if trying to rid them of something. She would have done that if she had the power to melt into the shadows and disappear. Anger bubbled under my skin at how mortified she looked."Why would a high-class lady like her want anything to do with you?" Lisa asked. "What could you po
Gianna The reception hall buzzed with life. Laughter, cheers, and the over-enthusiastic guests filled the space. The older ones munched on their food while the younger ones danced on the floor, gyrating to some recent hit from the live band.Leaning against one of the columns, I sipped on a glass of sparkling water. Alexis didn’t need me anymore, and my legs almost gave way from standing in my ridiculous heels for hours. I had since changed into flats and let my poor toes breathe.A smile crept onto my lips when my gaze landed on Alex and Valen dancing together. The sight of father and son tugged at my heart, and I was genuinely happy for Alex. The little one had been giving him such a hard time for months.Watching them now, with pure and cheerful laughter ringing out and the pride on his father’s face, made me smile. Alexis had found her happiness, and she so deserved this perfect moment.“What’s a beautiful woman like you doing standing by herself?”I turned my head to find Louis,
AlexisThe morning of day seven arrived like a whirlwind, filled with nerves that hung heavy in every cell of my body. My room was a chaos of curling irons, foundation brushes, and bridesmaids humming around me like bees.Despite my usual nonchalant attitude, I couldn't deny how anxious I was. It tightened around my chest and shocked me. For someone who had always claimed she wouldn't be bothered by society's expectations, today felt different, and I wanted everything to go right.Already feeling cranky because I had been awake since 4:00 AM, I was mentally ticking off every item on my checklist while the hairdressers and makeup artists were doing their thing. Gianna was helping some of the maids steam the bridal gown and the bridesmaids' dresses.“You look like a queen already,” Gianna said as she walked past me. She perched on the edge of the bed with a grin, trying to distract me. Then she leaned closer and whispered, “What’s the first thing you’re doing after this whole circus is
Lying in Peter's arms felt like I had just entered heaven. His heartbeat thumped steadily beneath my ear, and I rested my head on his chest. His fingers traced lazy circles on my back, lulling me into a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years. For once, my worries seemed like distant shadows, temporarily banished by his warmth.“Is this what you were trying to give up? This bliss?” Peter teased, breaking the comfortable silence.I sighed and tilted my head to look up at him. His eyes sparkled with mischief, but I could see the sincerity beneath. He pleaded with me, silently asking me to see the world as he did.“As much as I enjoyed our little…session,” I began with a teasing lilt, “things aren’t as straightforward as you think. There are stakes we need to overcome.”“Like what?” he challenged, raising an eyebrow. “Because right now, I can’t think of a single thing worth ruining this for.”“For starters, your girlfriend,” I said, sitting up and pulling the blanket closer around me.Pete
GiannaPeter kissed me and lifted me into his arms when we entered my room. It was a kiss to end all kisses, a soft press of lips to lips. I melted instantly, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing myself as close to him as possible. He held me tight against his body, and his lips moved gently against mine, tasting each dip and curve. A moan escaped my lips as his hands trailed down to rest at the waistband of my dress. His fingers slid under the hem and slipped along the smooth skin of my thigh, causing my knees to buckle."Fuck, Gianna. You're perfect. No wonder everyone wants to be in bed with you," he murmured, his breath hot as it brushed against my cheeks and neck before burying his head between my breasts.I ran my hands down his chest until I reached the buttons of his shirt and unbuttoned them before sliding the garment from his shoulders. The cool air hit my heated skin, causing goose bumps to rise. I wrapped my arms around Peter's waist and pressed my mouth eagerly
Gianna The party was in full swing, and I tried to blend into the background. The room was lively and filled with laughter, and I did my best to stay out of the spotlight. My eyes wandered to the far side of the room, where Oscar was talking animatedly to a girl. He was leaning far too close, flirting with her in his typical style. I rolled my eyes. The spoiled brat didn't deserve an ounce of my energy, and the only person I felt pity for was the girl who must be thinking she had hit the jackpot.Alex's boisterous voice cut through the crowd and pulled my attention. He was standing beside his bride and gesturing dramatically. "Seriously, look at her. She's the most beautiful woman in this room," he declared, earning a round of applause, chuckles, and whistles from his friends."Alex, you are super hyper and happy. Can't you see how Alexis is subtle because she knows your flattery is not a big deal to her?" one of the guys said, but Alex waved him off."You better not be fooled by tha
GiannaThe wildlife reserve stretched out in front of us. It was an endless expanse of greenery dotted with open fields and enclosures for animals. I loved the smell of fresh grass, but initially, when we got here, I was skeptical. Peter forced me to stay. I wasn’t much of a wildlife enthusiast, and the idea of spending my day surrounded by animals wasn’t exactly thrilling."Trust me, you will have fun," Peter had said, and I rolled my eyes.But as we ventured deeper into the reserve, his infectious excitement began to chip away at my reluctance. I gasped when I saw zebras lying lazily in the distance. A few giraffes towered over the bushes, stretching their necks gracefully to nibble on the leaves of acacia trees."Look at that one," Peter said, pointing at a particularly playful baby giraffe galloping awkwardly beside its mother. "Reminds me of how I was as a kid."I suppressed a small laugh. We moved to an enclosure where a family of meerkats stood upright, peering cautiously at us