In a villa owned by the Elijah Consortium’s subsidiary real estate, inside a glamorous room, a pale lade was humming as she applied pink lipstick on her chapped lips. Before, she would lose her temper and blamed that mother and son whenever she saw her pale face, but this, it was different. She was oozing with vibrant aura that only a woman in love would possess. This woman was no other than Talia.After the failed attempt to secure a heart transplant, she was back to the bottom of the list despite her backer, the huge Elijah Consortium. After all, she was not the only ‘rich’ lady who was in urgent need of a healthy heart. Because of this, Talia decided to discharge from the hospital even when her doctor told her patiently that it was best for her to rest in the hospital so she could be monitored by this group of experts hired by Jaxon Elijah.She decided that instead of dawdling in the hospital, giving Ashley a chance to use her son to steal her man, Talia was determined to secure he
Before the Old Man’s birthday party, Ashley was done with her scenes. With the staggering record of all one take per scene, Director Morgan generously gave her a vacation. Ashley would only meet the crew up in the next location which would be in X City where her character Lily would die pitifully—that would also be her last scene in this movie. After that, Ashley was relatively free in her career but she would use this time to consolidate and stabilize her businesses while spending time with her son.Now, Ashley was on the way to G Village under H County. Allen was here with her nanny van. Dylan, on the other hand, was now bidding farewell to her.“The contract with the company will expire three days from now, they are asking me if you are willing to sign a new contract. The details will be discussed after Unmasked’s results,” said Dylan who just answered a call from the second-tier entertainment company.Ashley smiled. She knew that the kind of contract that they would give to her wo
Held at one of Elijah Consortium’s hotel in the capital city, before the party even started, many dignitaries, politicians, businessmen, and even families from military families started to arrive. Vehicles arrived at the entrance of the hotel; one car was more expensive than the other.Ladies showed off their luxury bags, couture clothes were constantly being compared, and jewelries were being adored. For men, business and women became their topic. For middle-aged men, business and wealth were the topic while the younger males talked about women.But most of all, everyone was talking about the birthday host—Vulcan Elijah. He was the helmsman of the Elijah Consortium. For three generations, he supported the Elijah Family, making the Elijah Family the top family among the higher echelons of the country—the elite among the elites.The side branches of the Elijah Family already arrived one by one, now, they were only waiting for the main family.Two minutes before the said time, a Rolls R
The party was in full swing the entire night. Ashley noticed that there was no shadow of Talia. Remembering her clarification post, she reckoned that Talia might be feeling aggrieved right now; hence, she did not attend the party. Ashley felt that it was a pity. Though she did not really like the announcement of the Old Man to her son’s inheritance right, she also wanted to see Talia’s reaction.Ashley was curious how Talia, who dreamed to be the future Madam Elijah and bear the heir of the Elijah Consortium, would react if her dream about carrying-the-future-heir was shattered by this formal announcement.Ashley only felt a trace of pity for a good minute before she shoved Talia’s matter at the back of her mind along with Jaxon. Now, what she was concern about was the Old Man’s motive. This did not happen in her past life. Thinking that it might be because of the butterfly effect of what she had done in this life, Ashley sensed a crisis coming.She did not like this feeling. But what
Ashley was absentminded as she stared at the figure of her son who was talking and giggling with her workers in the store. What her son said yesterday echoed in her mind. And she hated this feeling more than anyone else.Years of feelings…the accumulation of simple admiration which gave birth to hope and expectations only to be shattered after decades of patience and love…She thought she could shove it easily at the back of her head like she usually did whenever it was related to him.But now, no matter how she hypnotized herself while she reminded that tragic day in her previous life, Ashley could not lie to herself that she did not care. It may not be the same as before, but that tinge of pain…it was there.It was not as intense as before, but she could not deny that it was not there. Ashley still cared about him, but her desire to live happily with her son was bigger.“Boss?” The manager of the processing plant interrupted her train of thoughts.Ashley shook her head and smiled pro
Five minutes before the amusement park opened for the customers, two silhouettes mixed among the crowd. One was slender and tall while the other barely reached the waist of the former. Amid the dazzling sun and bustling crowd, the two did not utter a single sound of negativity, especially the small one.The unsuspecting duo was no other than Ashley and Scottie. They wore simple tee shirts paired with jeans and comfortable shoes. They had something in common—they both wore pink. Ashley was sporting a baseball cap and sunglasses while Scottie was wearing a hat and a face mask.From time to time, the two would glance at their watches. Ashley was not that obvious compared to Scottie who almost glued his face against his robot watch.“Mommy, is my watch defective?” Scottie asked his mother for the nth time.Ashley never got tired of answering. She showed her watch to her son with a smile. “It’s not late, little treasure. Look! We have the same time, see?”Cute pouty lips answered Ashley, m
The person walked towards the mother and son. Every step was decisive but the air of nobility never wavered even when the haggard face became clearer as the distance between them became smaller.Ashley remained standing on her spot. She was frozen on the spot. A part of her wanted to turn back while another part of her wanted to rush to him and slap him hard. In the end, Ashley could only hug the child in her arms who was yet to know the presence of the person before them.He stopped a meter in front of Ashley. At the same time, Scottie noticed that they suddenly stopped so he twisted his body around and asked his mother.“Mommy, why did we—Daddy?!” Scottie’s eyes widened. His small body stiffened upon seeing the familiar man who was blocking their way. Doubts flashed in his mind, but he was still a child after all. In an instant, his mind was filled with grievances because his father was later and with happiness because his father did not break the appointment, although late. What ma
The sound of the door closing made Ashley looked back. She met his eyes that once mesmerized her so. She walked to the couch and made herself comfortable as she crossed her legs and said: “Where’s the divorce papers? You brought it, right?”After what happened today, Ashley was more resolute in divorcing him as soon as possible. She saw the deep schemes in Talia’s eyes and the snake-like gleam that flashed across her eyes when she glanced at Scottie. For Ashley, Talia was a ticking time bomb.Bombs should be eliminated as soon as possible.Sitting upright like always, his sharp eyes scrutinized Ashley openly as if he really wanted to see if this divorce farce was only to get his attention or she was really serious. Immediately, Jaxon got his answer.He coughed slightly, his fist covering his mouth as he averted his gaze to hide the emotions that quickly flashed across his eyes for a split second. He did not like this new side of him—the indecisive side that seemed to hesitate divorcin
Five months had passed since Ashley and Jaxon decided to give their family a true second chance.Now, seated in the plush back seat of their luxury SUV, Ashley’s fingers traced over the financial reports on her tablet screen. The elegant logo of Rosemary Jewelry and Rosemary Real Estate gleamed in the corner, a reminder of the empire she had built with her own hands. At the time, these companies were meant to be her insurance, a safeguard in case she had to walk away from Jaxon and start anew. But now, things had changed. She had chosen to stay. To build not just a business empire, but a family.The numbers on the reports reflected her hard work.Rosemary Jewelry, a brand that had once been a small passion project, was now a name whispered among high society. Celebrities, heiresses, and tycoons adorned themselves with her pieces, and international boutiques clamored for exclusive contracts. On the other hand, Rosemary Real Estate was a rising force, acquiring prime properties and maki
The steam clung to Ashley’s skin as she stepped out of the bathroom, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders. A plush towel was wrapped securely around her body, but she hardly paid attention to the fabric covering her as she reached for the hairdryer on the vanity. The sound of movement near the closet made her pause.She turned her head—and then froze.Jaxon stood with his back to her, his broad shoulders flexing as he ran a towel through his damp hair. The dim lighting of their bedroom accentuated every ridge and valley of his toned muscles, the chiseled perfection of his body honed through years of discipline and training. But it wasn’t just the raw masculinity of his physique that stole Ashley’s breath—it was the dark, intricate ink stretching across his back.Her name was there.Ashley Elijah.Just beneath it, an elegant script detailed a date—one that sent an icy shiver down her spine. The date of her death in her past life.Her breath hitched in her throat, her pulse thrumm
Jaxon Elijah sat in his office, his fingers pressed against his temples as he listened to Harold recount the details of Henry Deneuve’s confrontation with Ashley. The more Harold spoke, the more Jaxon’s fury burned like an unrelenting inferno. His jaw clenched, his breathing steady yet deep—a dangerous calm before the inevitable storm.Henry Deneuve had dared to threaten his wife? To speak to Ashley as if she were some scheming outsider rather than the woman who had suffered and endured to reclaim her rightful place? Jaxon would not tolerate it. Not now. Not ever."Prepare the package," Jaxon finally spoke, his voice devoid of emotion but carrying an unshakable weight. "Everything we've collected on Henry over the years. I want him to see every dark secret, every skeleton buried in his past."Harold nodded without hesitation. He knew his boss well enough to recognize that this was not a moment for questioning. This was a moment of execution. The Elijah Consortium did not deal in empty
Ashley stood before the towering glass doors of an exclusive luxury boutique, her heart thudding in her chest. It was a strange sensation—one part excitement, one part apprehension. She had never done this before, never had the chance to bond with a mother over something as trivial yet meaningful as shopping. The mother she had known, the one who had raised her until she passed away, was a distant memory, blurred and bittersweet. And Camilla Connor, the woman who played the role of stepmother, had only ever used the idea of motherhood as a tool to manipulate and belittle her. But now, standing beside Uriel Deneuve, her real mother, Ashley was finally about to experience something she never had before.Uriel, graceful and poised, exuded the quiet confidence of someone who had spent her life in wealth and power yet carried an air of warmth that Ashley hadn’t expected. She reached out, gently squeezing Ashley’s hand. “Are you ready, ma chérie?” she asked in a soft voice, her foreign acce
Ashley stood in front of the grand estate, her heart pounding against her ribcage. The Deneuve estate was nothing short of magnificent, with its towering gates, sprawling gardens, and a mansion that exuded centuries of prestige and power. She had been through countless battles in life—both emotional and physical—but standing here, waiting to meet the people who had given her life, felt like the hardest thing she had ever faced.Jaxon stood beside her, his presence a solid wall of support. He hadn't said much on the way here, knowing that no words could ease the storm brewing inside her. Instead, he simply held her hand, giving her strength in his silence. Ashley squeezed his hand briefly, grateful that despite everything, he was here.The gates opened slowly, revealing a long driveway lined with aged oak trees. A butler approached them with practiced grace, bowing slightly. "Madam Ashley, Master Jaxon, welcome. Mr. and Mrs. Deneuve are waiting for you inside."Ashley took a deep breat
Ashley stood before the grand gates of the Connor estate, her heart pounding in her chest. The towering iron gates, adorned with intricate gold embellishments, loomed before her like a silent guardian of the past she was determined to unearth. She took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the leather straps of her handbag. She had spent years believing in lies, believing that Fred Connor was her father, believing that she was a part of this family despite never truly belonging. But today, she was here to uncover the truth.The guards hesitated for a moment before opening the gates, recognizing her instantly. Despite the years of neglect and mistreatment, Ashley was still considered a Connor by name, a title she never truly wanted but was forced to bear. As she stepped onto the estate grounds, memories flooded her mind—the cold stares, the whispered insults, the forced smiles at extravagant galas where she was paraded as the ‘honored’ daughter of the Connor family.She was led
Ashley sat on the edge of their massive bed, her fingers gently tracing the embroidery on the soft duvet. The silence in the room was thick, heavy with unspoken words and lingering ghosts of the past.Jaxon stood a few feet away, his broad shoulders tense, his hands buried in his pockets as he gazed out the window at the night sky. The soft glow of the city lights cast shadows on his face, making him look almost unreachable, almost like the man he used to be—the man who had once broken her heart over and over again.She took a deep breath, summoning the courage she needed. "Jaxon, we need to talk."He turned immediately, his dark eyes locking onto hers with a mix of worry and determination. He had been waiting for this conversation just as much as she had."I know," he said, taking a step toward her. "I’ve been waiting for you to be ready."Ashley nodded. "I need to know, Jaxon. I need to know what’s next for us. For Scottie. For this family."Jaxon exhaled sharply and walked toward h
The sun cast long golden streaks through the hospital window, bathing the pristine white room in a warm glow. Ashley sat at the edge of the bed, absently running her fingers over the sleeve of her hospital gown. She was ready to leave. The doctors had confirmed it that morning—she was strong enough to be discharged. But even as she prepared to return to her life, an unsettling weight pressed down on her chest.Scottie sat on the couch near the window, staring out at the world beyond the glass. He hadn’t spoken much that morning. He hadn’t smiled either.Jaxon stood near the door, his arms crossed as he watched them both carefully. His sharp eyes missed nothing, least of all the way Ashley clenched her hands together as if trying to steady herself, or how Scottie’s small shoulders seemed to shrink under an invisible burden.They were leaving this place, but the horrors of that night still clung to them, unwilling to release their hold.Ashley inhaled deeply and released a slow, shaky b
The air surrounding the Elijah Consortium’s headquarters was heavy with tension. What was once the most dominant empire in the business world was now teetering under pressure from an equally formidable opponent—the Rostishire Family. The emblem of crows, their unmistakable mark, was beginning to loom over the Elijah Family’s empire, signaling the coming of a war that was as much about power as it was about revenge.It had been three weeks since Izana Rostishire had disappeared without a trace. No ransom note, no communication, no evidence—just an eerie silence that enraged the Rostishires to no end. The head of the family, Reginald Rostishire, was a man of calculated ruthlessness, and the disappearance of his only son had turned him into a force of nature, an entity that would stop at nothing until his heir was returned.While Reginald was known for his composure, the movements he had been making in the corporate world were anything but subtle. The Rostishires had begun to sink their