—SAMANTHA— I swear my heart dropped to my stomach.“Trending?” I repeated slowly, like I didn’t understand the word.“Yes, online, everywhere!” she said, sounding like she was about to lose it. “It’s everywhere, Sam! Your name, Amore, everything! People are talking, you need to check it now!”My heart thudded in my chest.“Just check it!” she cried. “It’s bad, Sam — it’s really bad!”My fingers felt cold as I slowly pulled the phone away from my ear and unlocked it with shaking hands.My notifications were blowing up.Messages, missed calls, social media alerts, it was a mess.I pulled my phone away from my ear, my hands already shaking as I opened the browser and tapped on the first link she sent me.There it was, big, bold letters staring right at me.*COUNTRYSIDE GIRL EXPOSED —ZEKE FROST’S CHARITY CASE TURNS GREEDY, SLEEPS WITH A GIGOLO ON HER WEDDING NIGHT AND GOT PREGNANT!*I felt the world around me spin.My breathing grew tight.No… no, no, no…I scrolled down, my eyes wide, m
—DALTON— I sat in the back seat of my Maybach, leaning rear against the cool leather as my hawk-like eyes stayed fixed on the hospital entrance. People came and went, walking in and out, some with worried faces, others relieved. I wasn’t really looking at them though -my mind was elsewhere. I held my phone to my ear, speaking coldly, handling business like I always did. My assistant, Mia, sat next to me. The sharp, low hum of the engine was the only sound in the car. “Get it done before the end of today, no mistakes!” Once I ended the call, I let out a quiet breath and rested my palm on my thigh, fingers tapping once against the fabric of my trousers. I was momentarily lost in thoughts. After that intense encounter between my family and Samantha, my grandmother pulled me aside and gave me a harsh scolding. She ordered me to approach her more calmly next time, warning me not to upset her. Fuck. At first, I had no intention of letting Samantha off easy -not after
—DALTON— I blinked, stunned. My hand froze around the phone. No? She said no? I opened my mouth but nothing came out. It wasn’t what I expected. Wasn’t what anyone would expect from a country bumpkin like her. Especially not after everything they were putting her through. If it were any other woman, they’d be throwing themselves at a man like me, desperate for my protection. Acting pitiful, shedding fake tears, begging, clinging to me like I was their only lifeline. But her? She wasn't like any like those women. She turned me down. Even now, with the world against her, with her name dragged through the dirt, she still stood on her own. Still had enough pride to say no to me. I’m used to people depending on me, chasing after me, needing me to fix their problems. It’s a part of my life I’ve seen too many times to count. But Samantha was different. For the first time in my life, a woman rejected me! And to be honest, I don’t even know how feel. But in that moment, i
—SAMANTHA— After the call ended with Dalton, I was lost in pool of thoughts. To be honest, when I saw the unfamiliar number flashing on my screen and then hearing his deep voice reverberating from the other end, my heart skipped. How in the world did he get my number? Then again, he’s Dalton Montclair. A man like him can get whatever he wants, however he wants. That’s the kind of power he holds. But what shocked me the most wasn’t the call -it was what he said. He wanted to help me! Although I refused him right away. I didn’t need anyone’s help. I could handle my own problems, I’ve been doing it my whole life. Before I could a word, Dalton hung up. I sat quietly on the hospital bed beside Amore who was fast asleep, her small hand rested on mine, and I held it gently. The ward was quiet, only the low beep of the monitor in the corner. Feeling restless, I unlocked my phone again without thinking. My fingers moved on their own, and I opened the trending page. But my n
—SAMANTHA—The drive felt so long it almost seemed endless. Amore had dozed off in my arms again, her soft breaths brushing against my neck as I kept my eyes on the road ahead. I didn’t know where this driver or the assistant, Mia, was taking us. It But I remained quiet, too exhausted to ask questions. After what felt like forever, maybe twenty minutes or so, we finally arrived at a gigantic golden gate. The security guards, all dressed in black suits, moved forward and carefully checked the car. They were professional. Their faces were stern, not saying a word as they finally turned and signaled for the gate to open. The Bentley smoothly drove in, following a long, clean driveway. When it eventually stopped, I unlocked the door, stepping out, and my breath caught in my throat. In front of me stood a sprawling mansion, the most magnificent building I had ever seen. Everywhere looked like something out of a fairytale. The walls were white and elegant, the lights warm and welcom
—SAMANTHA— My hand barely grazed her arm, and my heart leapt into my throat as Mrs. Beatrice wobbled, her balance slipping dangerously.Time slowed. She nearly fell... but managed to catch herself just in time. One hand gripping the armrest of the couch while the other flew to her chest. Her face turned pale, and I could see her lips trembling in shock.I stumbled forward too, but my own footing betrayed me. My legs tangled, and I pitched forward only to collide with something solid. No, not something. Someone.Strong arms quickly wrapped around my waist, steadying both me and Amore halfway from toppling over. I blinked up, startled. “Mr–Mr. Montclair?!” Dalton’s eyes narrowed as he gazed down at me. His expression was hard to read, but I saw it. The flash of relief… followed by irritation.“Why are you still calling me Mr. Montclair? I don’t like it,” he hissed, his voice clipped. A shiver runs down my spine. What is wrong with this man?I pressed my lips together and pulled aw
—SAMANTHA— After Mia was dragged out of the mansion by the bodyguards, everything felt calm again. The noise and tension were gone, and the manse was quiet. It was like nothing had happened at all.But I was tired. My back ached, and my feet were sore. All I wanted was a warm bath and a soft bed to sleep in. It had been such a long, crazy day.“Hey… how are you feeling?” Dalton came to stand beside me. His voice was low, and when I looked up at him, I saw worry in his eyes. Real worry. For me.His amber eyes were glowing under the warm light, and for a second, I froze. I momentarily forgot how to speak.Snap out of it, Samantha!I quickly looked away and squeezed Amore tighter in my arms. “I ’m-I’m okay,” I shuttered, nodding a little. “I just want to rest, that’s all.”“Alright,” he said, nodding too. I thought he would leave us, but instead, two powerful hands stretched forward toward me. “Let me carry her.”My eyes widened. “No! It’s okay!” I said fast. “I’m good, really.”That w
—SAMANTHA— Amore was quiet and hesitant. Then she turned to look at me, her eyes full of uncertainty and fear swimming in her round big eyes. My heart ached at the sight, my brave little girl, who used to chatter endlessly, now second-guessing every word. I gave her a small nod, telling her it was okay. “Go ahead, baby,” my eyes urging her. “Dalton is your daddy now.”Her lips parted slightly. “Really, Mommy?” her voice shook, and I saw tears in her big eyes. My heart squeezed, and I almost cried too.She was just a child, but she had already seen too much. After what Zeke did—leaving her, ignoring her, hurting me… Amore switched. Waking up from Coma, she didn’t laugh like she used to. She didn’t talk much anymore. She became quiet… unsure of herself.Ever since Zeke walked out of her life, pretending like she didn’t matter, I saw how it changed her. She didn’t play as much. She didn’t talk to strangers like before. She kept things inside, scared that if she got too happy, it might
—SAMANTHA— Amore was quiet and hesitant. Then she turned to look at me, her eyes full of uncertainty and fear swimming in her round big eyes. My heart ached at the sight, my brave little girl, who used to chatter endlessly, now second-guessing every word. I gave her a small nod, telling her it was okay. “Go ahead, baby,” my eyes urging her. “Dalton is your daddy now.”Her lips parted slightly. “Really, Mommy?” her voice shook, and I saw tears in her big eyes. My heart squeezed, and I almost cried too.She was just a child, but she had already seen too much. After what Zeke did—leaving her, ignoring her, hurting me… Amore switched. Waking up from Coma, she didn’t laugh like she used to. She didn’t talk much anymore. She became quiet… unsure of herself.Ever since Zeke walked out of her life, pretending like she didn’t matter, I saw how it changed her. She didn’t play as much. She didn’t talk to strangers like before. She kept things inside, scared that if she got too happy, it might
—SAMANTHA— After Mia was dragged out of the mansion by the bodyguards, everything felt calm again. The noise and tension were gone, and the manse was quiet. It was like nothing had happened at all.But I was tired. My back ached, and my feet were sore. All I wanted was a warm bath and a soft bed to sleep in. It had been such a long, crazy day.“Hey… how are you feeling?” Dalton came to stand beside me. His voice was low, and when I looked up at him, I saw worry in his eyes. Real worry. For me.His amber eyes were glowing under the warm light, and for a second, I froze. I momentarily forgot how to speak.Snap out of it, Samantha!I quickly looked away and squeezed Amore tighter in my arms. “I ’m-I’m okay,” I shuttered, nodding a little. “I just want to rest, that’s all.”“Alright,” he said, nodding too. I thought he would leave us, but instead, two powerful hands stretched forward toward me. “Let me carry her.”My eyes widened. “No! It’s okay!” I said fast. “I’m good, really.”That w
—SAMANTHA— My hand barely grazed her arm, and my heart leapt into my throat as Mrs. Beatrice wobbled, her balance slipping dangerously.Time slowed. She nearly fell... but managed to catch herself just in time. One hand gripping the armrest of the couch while the other flew to her chest. Her face turned pale, and I could see her lips trembling in shock.I stumbled forward too, but my own footing betrayed me. My legs tangled, and I pitched forward only to collide with something solid. No, not something. Someone.Strong arms quickly wrapped around my waist, steadying both me and Amore halfway from toppling over. I blinked up, startled. “Mr–Mr. Montclair?!” Dalton’s eyes narrowed as he gazed down at me. His expression was hard to read, but I saw it. The flash of relief… followed by irritation.“Why are you still calling me Mr. Montclair? I don’t like it,” he hissed, his voice clipped. A shiver runs down my spine. What is wrong with this man?I pressed my lips together and pulled aw
—SAMANTHA—The drive felt so long it almost seemed endless. Amore had dozed off in my arms again, her soft breaths brushing against my neck as I kept my eyes on the road ahead. I didn’t know where this driver or the assistant, Mia, was taking us. It But I remained quiet, too exhausted to ask questions. After what felt like forever, maybe twenty minutes or so, we finally arrived at a gigantic golden gate. The security guards, all dressed in black suits, moved forward and carefully checked the car. They were professional. Their faces were stern, not saying a word as they finally turned and signaled for the gate to open. The Bentley smoothly drove in, following a long, clean driveway. When it eventually stopped, I unlocked the door, stepping out, and my breath caught in my throat. In front of me stood a sprawling mansion, the most magnificent building I had ever seen. Everywhere looked like something out of a fairytale. The walls were white and elegant, the lights warm and welcom
—SAMANTHA— After the call ended with Dalton, I was lost in pool of thoughts. To be honest, when I saw the unfamiliar number flashing on my screen and then hearing his deep voice reverberating from the other end, my heart skipped. How in the world did he get my number? Then again, he’s Dalton Montclair. A man like him can get whatever he wants, however he wants. That’s the kind of power he holds. But what shocked me the most wasn’t the call -it was what he said. He wanted to help me! Although I refused him right away. I didn’t need anyone’s help. I could handle my own problems, I’ve been doing it my whole life. Before I could a word, Dalton hung up. I sat quietly on the hospital bed beside Amore who was fast asleep, her small hand rested on mine, and I held it gently. The ward was quiet, only the low beep of the monitor in the corner. Feeling restless, I unlocked my phone again without thinking. My fingers moved on their own, and I opened the trending page. But my n
—DALTON— I blinked, stunned. My hand froze around the phone. No? She said no? I opened my mouth but nothing came out. It wasn’t what I expected. Wasn’t what anyone would expect from a country bumpkin like her. Especially not after everything they were putting her through. If it were any other woman, they’d be throwing themselves at a man like me, desperate for my protection. Acting pitiful, shedding fake tears, begging, clinging to me like I was their only lifeline. But her? She wasn't like any like those women. She turned me down. Even now, with the world against her, with her name dragged through the dirt, she still stood on her own. Still had enough pride to say no to me. I’m used to people depending on me, chasing after me, needing me to fix their problems. It’s a part of my life I’ve seen too many times to count. But Samantha was different. For the first time in my life, a woman rejected me! And to be honest, I don’t even know how feel. But in that moment, i
—DALTON— I sat in the back seat of my Maybach, leaning rear against the cool leather as my hawk-like eyes stayed fixed on the hospital entrance. People came and went, walking in and out, some with worried faces, others relieved. I wasn’t really looking at them though -my mind was elsewhere. I held my phone to my ear, speaking coldly, handling business like I always did. My assistant, Mia, sat next to me. The sharp, low hum of the engine was the only sound in the car. “Get it done before the end of today, no mistakes!” Once I ended the call, I let out a quiet breath and rested my palm on my thigh, fingers tapping once against the fabric of my trousers. I was momentarily lost in thoughts. After that intense encounter between my family and Samantha, my grandmother pulled me aside and gave me a harsh scolding. She ordered me to approach her more calmly next time, warning me not to upset her. Fuck. At first, I had no intention of letting Samantha off easy -not after
—SAMANTHA— I swear my heart dropped to my stomach.“Trending?” I repeated slowly, like I didn’t understand the word.“Yes, online, everywhere!” she said, sounding like she was about to lose it. “It’s everywhere, Sam! Your name, Amore, everything! People are talking, you need to check it now!”My heart thudded in my chest.“Just check it!” she cried. “It’s bad, Sam — it’s really bad!”My fingers felt cold as I slowly pulled the phone away from my ear and unlocked it with shaking hands.My notifications were blowing up.Messages, missed calls, social media alerts, it was a mess.I pulled my phone away from my ear, my hands already shaking as I opened the browser and tapped on the first link she sent me.There it was, big, bold letters staring right at me.*COUNTRYSIDE GIRL EXPOSED —ZEKE FROST’S CHARITY CASE TURNS GREEDY, SLEEPS WITH A GIGOLO ON HER WEDDING NIGHT AND GOT PREGNANT!*I felt the world around me spin.My breathing grew tight.No… no, no, no…I scrolled down, my eyes wide, m
—SAMANTHA—I turned around, and my eyes flew to the bed with shock. My heart jumped so fast in my chest. “Bunny?!” my voice was low, like I wasn’t sure if this was real.But there she was.Amore.My little girl.Her small hand moved a little on the bed, her eyes barely open, but she was awake! Tears rushed to my eyes as I hurried to her side. I grabbed her small hand and held it so tight to my chest, like I was scared she might slip away if I let go.“Oh my baby… my Bunny…” I choked, raining kisses on her forehead, her cheeks, her hand. “Mummy’s here. I’m here, baby.”I didn’t even know I was crying until her little fingers reached up and touched my wet face.“Mum… Mummy… don’t cry,” she whispered sadly in that small, soft voice of hers. God. It broke my heart.I let out a small, shaky laugh, my tears still falling but now because I was so happy. “I’m sorry, baby,” I sniffed, wiping my face with my sleeve. “Mummy’s just so, so happy you woke up.”When I looked up, I saw Dalton stand