Vincent carried a small bag as he made his way to the sitting room, his men trailing behind him. He was heading back home for an important reason—his only sister’s college graduation. There was no way he could miss it; she meant more to him than his own life. “I won’t be gone for long. Make sure to keep me informed about everything that happens while I’m away. I’ll return once I’ve finished my business,” he said, and Kingsley responded with a nod. “Don’t worry, we’ll keep you in the loop,” Kingsley assured him. Vincent gave them both a reassuring tap on the shoulder before heading out. He had considered visiting Marianne but decided against it, knowing she was likely with Alexander, who was still recovering. With Alexander suffering from memory loss, Vincent knew that Marianne’s attention would be focused on him. He would have to wait his turn. His phone rang, and when he saw his sister’s name flash on the screen, he sighed. “I already told her I’m on my way. It’s not like the gra
Marianne approached them and snapped her fingers gently, pulling them back to reality. Michael instinctively stepped away from Dylan, his nervousness clear, which didn’t escape Marianne’s notice as she smiled."Your shirt is soaked. Come on, if you stay like this much longer, you'll catch a cold," Marianne said softly, guiding Dylan to a small apartment connected to her restaurant. Once there, she handed him a towel to dry his hair and then turned to Michael."Why don’t you stay with your guest? I’ll find something else for him to wear, alright?" she offered."My place is close, and I came on my motorcycle," Dylan replied, unaware that Marianne wasn’t one to take no for an answer.Marianne simply shook her head, smiled, and walked out, leaving Michael and Dylan alone in the room. Michael sat at a distance from Dylan, fidgeting slightly and clasping his hands together, his eyes wandering around the room as if he'd never been there before. Maybe being alone with Dylan made him feel nerv
Marianne bit her lip, trying to stifle her laughter at Michael’s wide-eyed expression. She enjoyed these moments with him; they distracted her from her own thoughts."Don’t worry," she teased, "I won’t tell anyone about your little kiss with your crush in the storage room." She smiled, but Michael’s expression darkened as he bit his lip nervously. The thought of others discovering his feelings for Dylan made him uneasy.Sensing his discomfort, Marianne's smile softened, and she gently stroked his hair. "It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, Michael. What really counts is how you feel about yourself. But I get it. You’re about to debut in a group, and the industry is tough. Keeping things private might be best for now, but the decision is entirely yours. If you want to keep it a secret, that’s fine. If you decide to tell Dylan, well, who knows what could happen? He might feel the same, and who knows, you two could be together when you're famous." She smiled reassuringly. "I’ll sup
Dylan lay on his bed, his fingers brushing absentmindedly against his lips. His thoughts kept circling back to the unexpected moment in the storage room earlier today. He knew he should be angry at Michael for kissing him out of the blue, but oddly enough, he wasn’t. Maybe it was because his own reaction had been so extreme, anyone would think he’d been asking for it."Will he start avoiding me now?" Dylan wondered, nibbling at his lower lip. The idea of Michael avoiding him didn't sit well. Pushing the thought aside, he sat up and fixed his gaze on his laptop. Practice was tomorrow, and he had a feeling something big was about to go down at the agency. Whatever happened, though, he was determined to make sure Michael didn’t get caught in Brian’s trap—he could already see Brian’s intentions."Is he okay?" he murmured, his mind drifting back to Michael once again.Sleep had long since left his eyes, and whenever that happened, Dylan usually found himself heading to the mini studio his
Marianne was rendered completely speechless by his sudden questions. She carefully released herself from his grip, preparing to speak when Alexander interrupted her again."Please don't lie to me. It's frustrating enough not remembering anything about myself," he muttered. She nodded slowly, stepping a few paces away from him."We... we attended the same high school and went to the same university. You could say we were sort of friends, but that’s all in the past now," she replied, carefully choosing her words to avoid letting her emotions seep through."Nothing more than that?" he pressed. She glanced up, noticing a fleeting glint in his eyes that vanished as quickly as it appeared."What do you want me to say?" she asked quietly. "That we were lovers when we weren’t?" She scoffed and rolled her eyes. Alexander smirked, and before she could react, he swiftly pulled her close with a teasing, seductive smile. Her heart raced, and she stared at him in shock, her eyes wide. His sudden mo
When Michael stepped out of the building, he gently wiped his tears away and paused to look back at the building. Was his dream really falling apart? Could he ever reach the level of fame and success he had always yearned for? His tears began to fall freely once again as he turned to leave, but someone grabbed him by the wrist, pulling him around.Michael found himself face-to-face with Dylan, who was gasping for breath. He couldn't help but wonder if Dylan had run all the way here just for him? There was a moment of silence as Michael waited for Dylan to catch his breath.When Dylan noticed the tears in Michael’s eyes, his heart broke even more. As Michael opened his mouth to speak, Dylan pulled him into a firm hug, holding him close. Unable to contain his emotions, Michael broke into loud sobs, clutching Dylan's shirt tightly. Maybe a shoulder to cry on was all he really needed. Everything he had ever dreamed of—his ambitions, his hopes—felt shattered. Although he wanted to appear
Marianne had been with Alexander ever since Vincent dropped her off. Emilio had just gotten back from school and was with her as well. Alexander couldn't take his eyes off her, which made her feel a bit uncomfortable. She figured it was due to his memory loss, so she refrained from scolding him for staring.As evening approached, Marianne realized she needed to prepare something for them to eat. She walked over to Alexander to ask what he’d like for dinner, but he remained silent, only continuing to gaze at her.“What? You’ve been staring for a long time…” she muttered, glancing at his face intermittently."How are you so pretty?" he asked, and she fought the urge to roll her eyes or glare at him.“I think I’ll just go with what’s already on my mind,” she mumbled, heading toward the kitchen. Alexander stood up and followed her. Emilio, meanwhile, was absorbed in his video game in the living room, paying little attention to what was happening around him. He felt relaxed here, sensing t
Alexander left a love bite on her neck while Marianne kept her fist tightly clenched, trying to steady herself. It was more than she could resist. He pulled back from her neck, his lips finding hers again with a fierce hunger, like a lion claiming its prey. This was the first time they had shared a kiss this deep, and it felt incredible. Marianne's hands instinctively slid up to the back of his neck, holding him close as their lips moved in a passionate exchange.The feeling was overwhelming, and Alexander had no desire to stop. With ease, he scooped her up and carried her toward the bed, laying her down carefully before moving on top of her. He gazed into her eyes, then leaned in for another kiss, while Marianne's heart raced as she waited in anticipation. His hands intertwined with hers as the kiss deepened, both knowing where this was leading.As Marianne felt Alexander's growing bulge against her thigh, she paused, turning her face to the side. Alexander noticed and lifted his hea
The next day, Marianne and the others were at the hospital, except for Dylan and Michael, who had prior commitments but promised to visit later that evening. Grandma Emma arrived at the hospital, her warm presence immediately filling the room. She gently picked up Emilio and held him in her arms before turning to Jake. “Once again, I’m so proud of you,” she said, reaching out to ruffle Jake’s hair affectionately. Jake swatted her hand away with a playful grin. “I’m not a baby, Grandma!” he whined, eliciting laughter from everyone in the room. Marianne smiled faintly at the heartwarming scene, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Her mind lingered on Alexander, still lying unconscious in his hospital bed. Suddenly, Romeo burst into the room, a bag of ice cream in hand and urgency written all over his face. “Something’s going on,” he announced, hurrying to grab the remote. The TV flickered on, and the image of a news anchor appeared. “This just in,” the reporter began. “A ship
An ambulance was called immediately. Marianne, Jake and Emilio were carefully placed inside as the sirens wailed into the night, and the vehicle sped toward the hospital. Meanwhile, Vincent and the other officers stayed behind to survey the area, but there was no sign of Jayson. He had escaped. "What now? If he gets out of here, gets another surgery… we’ll have a much bigger problem on our hands," one officer muttered, glancing nervously at Vincent, who ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Meaning Sophia and Elena would have died for nothing? No," Vincent growled, his eyes hardening. "We finish this. He doesn’t walk away." Determined, Vincent moved away from the group, scanning the area for any sign of the fugitive. Still, Jayson was nowhere to be found. "We should issue an announcement," another officer suggested. Without hesitation, the team dispersed to their vehicles to alert the public and organize a citywide manhunt. The head of the police approached Vinc
Vincent tore the small plastic seal open, revealing the flash drive hidden inside. He stared at it for a moment, his mind racing with curiosity. "Where can I plug this in?" he asked, his tone calm but urgent. The officer pointed him toward a desk with a computer. Vincent inserted the drive, his fingers steady, but his heart pounded as the files loaded onto the screen. Rows of folders appeared...documents, images, and most notably, a series of videos. One caught his attention immediately..."Confession by Sophia Latino."He clicked play. The screen flickered to life, showing a young woman with sharp eyes and a determined expression. Her voice was firm, but there was a trace of fear behind her words. "I, Sophia Latino, documented all of this because I don’t trust Desmond Howard..." Vincent froze as the name struck a chord deep within him. His brow furrowed as he whispered it aloud. "Desmond Howard? Why does the name sounds familiar?"The officer beside him, Sergeant Miller, narr
"Elena," Jayson whispered, his voice sharp with bitterness. His eyes darkened as he stared at the screen, the tension in his jaw tightening with every second. Rage blurred his vision, making it hard to focus on the task at hand. He wanted to smash the screen, but a sudden knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. With a sigh, he set the food aside and walked to the door. When he opened the door, one of his men stood waiting. "Boss," the man greeted him, bowing slightly. Jayson nodded in acknowledgment. His expression remained cold "I have a job for you," he said, pulling out his phone, tapped a few times, and handed it over. "This is her number. Track her down." His gaze hardened, his voice dropping to a chilling calm. "Silence her." The man gave a nod, his eyes glinting with understanding, before turning to leave. Jayson closed the door quietly behind him. His mind raced, but there was no time for hesitation. Instead of returning to Marianne, he moved swiftly to his bed
Across from her, Jayson found a seat and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his eyes a dark, endless abyss. "You deserve the truth," he began, his tone eerily soft, like a lover sharing a secret. "You always did."Marianne felt her heart thudding painfully in her chest. "What are you talking about?"He smiled, but it wasn’t warm. It was hollow, devoid of humanity. "Who I really am," he said slowly. "You’ve known pieces of me...the parts I’ve let you see. But that’s not the whole story. It never was."She sniffed but he sighed, a sound filled with false regret. "I grew up in a house where pain was currency, where love was a weapon. My parents… they weren’t just abusive. They were the kind of monsters that lived behind closed doors with smiling faces for the world. They crushed me until there was nothing left. But one night, I heard someone say, ‘If you can’t escape your suffering, end it.’ I took those words to heart. I went home, and I ended it." He met her gaze, unbli
The sirens of the police car blared in the distance, growing faint as Vincent watched it disappear down the street. He exhaled slowly, his eyes filled with determination. The officers had taken over the scene just as planned. Now, there was only one place left to be. The hospital "Let’s go," he muttered to the others before slipping into his car as they drove off.The minute he arrived, he rushed through the sterile corridors, searching. His eyes found Charlotte standing near the waiting area. She looked small and fragile, her arms wrapped around herself as if trying to hold herself together. "Where’s Jake? And what about Alexander? Is he not out yet?" Vincent asked as he strode toward her. Without answering, Charlotte threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly like a scared child. Her grip was so firm it surprised him. Vincent sighed heavily, patting her back with gentle impatience. "You’re an expectant mother. Cut the child act and start acting like a woman.?" Vincent c
“I’m sorry, Marianne,” Jayson muttered under his breath as he drove away.In a matter of minutes, Jayson reached his apartment, the tires of his car screeching to a halt. He stepped out swiftly, lifting Emilio from his mother's side. The child stirred lightly, leaning against Jayson’s chest as he carried him inside and settled him in a room.Without a moment's pause, he returned for Marianne’s unconscious form, and also carried her. Just as he turned toward the house, Elena appeared, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene before her. "Well, I’m not here for this," she said, drawing his attention. "Why the hell did you get Alexander involved in an accident?" Jayson said nothing. He kept his expression blank as he carried Marianne past her as if he wasn't the one being questioned.Elena chuckled softly, trailing after him. "Are you ignoring me now?" she asked. "Did you forget I have evidence that could destroy you? Ruin everything you’ve built? And maybe... Lead to your death?"
Elena stepped into the house, her eyes immediately landing on Hailey sitting at the dining table, chattering away with her nanny. The little girl was so absorbed in their conversation that she didn’t even notice her mother’s arrival. The nanny, amused, chuckled softly at whatever Hailey was saying. "Ma’am... you’re back," the nanny murmured, rising to her feet. Hailey turned her head just in time to see her mother fully enter the house. Her eyes lit up. "Mom!" she beamed, abandoning her food as she jumped off her chair and ran toward Elena. Elena knelt down, gently ruffling her daughter’s hair. "How have you been, my love?" she asked, cupping Hailey’s small face before kissing her forehead. "I’m fine, Mom. But I missed you so much last night," Hailey muttered, her lips forming a small pout. "Where did you go? You’ve never slept outside unless you were traveling." Elena smiled, brushing a stray curl away from Hailey’s face. "I had to look for a job yesterday. Since we moved
Charlotte left Jake’s place that morning, her mind already set on collecting her belongings. Not that she’d be moving in with Jake...no, Grandma Emma had graciously offered her one of her mansions to stay in until the case with her mother was resolved. Charlotte had been overwhelmed with gratitude, thanking Emma profusely for her kindness. Jake had offered to accompany her, but she declined. "You’re expecting Alexander, remember? It wouldn’t be nice if he came by and found the house empty," she reminded him. Still, Jake had made her promise to be careful. She assured him she would. Now, as she sat in the cab, her head rested against the window, lost in thought. The city blurred past, but her mind was miles away. She knew her family loved her dearly...there was no question of that...but her mother… Her mother would be a whole different story. To her, Charlotte was still a baby, and the idea of her own baby carrying another child would be a shock. "I hope Mom doesn’t scold me,"