By evening, the hospital was a storm of flashing cameras and shouting reporters, all waiting outside with one goal, to get a statement from Ryan Kavanaugh. The parking lot swarmed with press cars, microphones, and eager journalists desperate for a scoop.Inside, Ryan paced the corridor near Grace's ward, his jaw clenched in frustration. He hadn't anticipated the extent of the media frenzy and now realized his mistake in coming alone without his usual security team. The hospital staff had done their best to keep the reporters outside, but even they were struggling to contain the chaos.Anna sat nervously in one of the chairs, clutching her phone tightly. She felt out of place amidst the turmoil surrounding Ryan. "I didn’t expect this. What are you going to do?" she asked, glancing up at him with worry.Ryan stopped pacing and sighed deeply. "I didn’t think it would blow up this much. They’ll twist anything I say right now to make it worse."Anna hesitated, then stood."Can’t you call s
Ryan stretched as he woke, his neck stiff from sleeping upright in the uncomfortable hospital chair. Across the room, Anna stirred from the blanket she used on the second bed. The quiet shuffle of feet and the subtle creak of the door opening caused them both to turn.The doctor entered, clipboard in hand, a soft smile lighting his weary face. “Good morning,” he greeted, moving to check Grace’s vitals. After a thorough examination, he turned to Anna. “She’s stable, and I expect she’ll wake up before evening. She’s a fighter.” then he leftRelief washed over Anna as she sighed deeply, her shoulders relaxing. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice hoarse from the previous day's emotional toll.Anna quickly moved to Grace’s bedside, carefully adjusting the little girl's blanket and cleaning her face with a damp cloth. Her movements were tender and precise, every touch filled with love.Ryan walked to them and leaned against the wall, his gaze locked on Anna. There was something about he
Sofia tossed and turned in her bedroom, her mind a whirlwind of scattered thoughts and forbidden emotions. Adam's face lingered behind her closed eyes, his teasing smirk, his commanding voice, and, most tormenting of all, the memory of his lips on hers.She groaned, burying her face in her pillow, but it offered no escape. Every moment she’d spent with him replayed vividly, his intense gaze, his cryptic remarks, and that maddening charm that seemed to unravel her carefully built defenses.The soft creak of the door drew her attention. Rosa, her ever-watchful maid, stepped inside carrying a tray. She chuckled lightly as she took in Sofia sprawled upside down on the bed like a restless child.“Señorita,” Rosa said with a knowing smile, placing a steaming cup of tea on the bedside table. “You’re not getting any sleep tonight with all that spinning. I made your favorite tea; it’ll help calm your mind.”Sofia flipped herself upright, propping her chin on her knees. “Rosa, does your tea cu
Minutes later…..Sofia finished speaking, her voice trembling with emotion as she recounted everything, the stolen moments with Adam, his words, his kiss, and the turmoil in her heart. She looked at Diana with tearful eyes, waiting for judgment or criticism, her heart pounding as if awaiting a final verdict.Diana sat frozen, her mouth slightly open, her shock apparent. Her wide-eyed gaze seemed to pierce Sofia as she tried to process the whirlwind of revelations. For a moment, the room was so silent that Sofia could hear the ticking of the clock on the wall.Then Diana exhaled deeply, shook her head, and blinked rapidly. “Sofia,” she finally said, her voice low but steady.Sofia braced herself, her heart sinking further. “I know,” she murmured, her tone apologetic. “You don’t have to say it…..how reckless I’m being, how selfish…”“Selfish?” Diana interrupted, cutting her off with a wave of her hand. “No, Sofia. What’s selfish is pretending that you don’t deserve happiness just becaus
The room was dimly lit, a haze of smoke curling in the air as the man leaned back in his ornate chair, a cigar balanced between his fingers. The soft leather creaked as he shifted slightly, exhaling a cloud of smoke that veiled his sharp, chiseled features. His piercing gray eyes glinted in the faint light, a mixture of amusement and menace dancing within them.The heavy oak door creaked open, and a tall figure dressed in all black stepped inside. His presence was silent, almost predatory, as he moved across the room and placed an envelope on the polished mahogany desk. Without waiting for an invitation, the man in black stepped back, his hands clasped behind him.The seated man crushed the cigar into the ashtray, reaching for the envelope with deliberate slowness. Pulling out the contents, his expression darkened with intrigue. It was a series of photos. His finger traced along one in particular, a woman with familiar eyes, a fierce confidence in her posture despite her small frame.
In a dimly lit private room that reeked of smoke and metal, Rodrigo sat at the head of a long wooden table. Opposite him were two men dressed in dark clothing, their rugged appearances and cold demeanors radiating danger. The flickering light from a single bulb above cast shadows that danced ominously across their faces. Rodrigo leaned back in his chair, a sinister smile playing on his lips as he laid out his plans. "We have to make sure the Montero company suffers irreversible losses," Rodrigo began, his voice a low growl. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest of his chair. "Target their partnerships first, their allies are their backbone. Create scandals, manipulate contracts, and ruin their reputation. When their foundation crumbles, the rest will fall apart." One of the men, with a scar running down his cheek, nodded. "We've already started spreading rumors in the right circles. It'll be subtle, but effective. In a few weeks, investors will start pulling out." "Go
The hospital corridors buzzed with activity, though muted enough to suit the somber atmosphere of the place. Adam walked into his grandfather’s room, his sharp suit crisp as if he hadn’t spent the night restlessly awake.Inside, his grandmother, Valerie, sat beside his aunt Melda. They were leaning close, whispering softly. When they saw Adam, they straightened, relief flashing across their faces.“Adam, you're here,” Valerie said with a faint smile, though her tired eyes betrayed her fatigue.“How’s he doing?” Adam asked, his voice calm yet laced with concern.Valerie sighed deeply. “He’s stable, thank God. But he hasn’t woken up yet. The doctors said it’s a matter of time. We’re just praying.”Adam nodded, glancing at his grandfather. The elder Kavanaugh, once a towering figure of authority in the family, looked fragile now, surrounded by machines keeping him tethered to life.Valerie’s gaze softened, and she reached for Adam’s hand. “Adam, my dear, life is fragile. Look at us. Your
Three agonizing days passed, but the storm engulfing the Montero name refused to subside. With every passing hour, new evidence surfaced like fuel to an already raging fire, leaving Sofia and Mateo scrambling to douse flames that seemed impossible to contain.More incriminating documents were leaked to the press, emails allegedly exposing bribes to government officials, secret offshore accounts under the Montero name, and contracts painted as unfair, unethical deals with suppliers. Headlines continued to churn out damning accusations that painted the Montero Corporation as a tainted empire. Social media turned into a battlefield, with influencers and activists dissecting every scandalous detail.Sofia barely left the office during those three days, each sunrise marking another failure to contain the crisis. Meetings with board members ended in defeat as more investors jumped ship, unwilling to ride the sinking wave. Calls to reassure international partners went unanswered, leaving un
Anna jolted awake, her heart pounding so violently it felt like it might burst from her chest. Cold sweat clung to her skin, and her breath came in ragged gasps. The nightmare had returned.It had been years, but that night still haunted her, the night that shattered her.Her hands trembled as she hugged her knees to her chest, rocking slightly. The images burned in her mind, her clothes being ripped, his weight crushing her, the pain so unbearable that she had blacked out. No matter how much time passed, the memories refused to fade.She turned her head and saw Grace sleeping peacefully beside her, completely unaware of the storm raging within her. That sight alone made her chest tighten. She covered her mouth to suppress a sob, but the pain inside her refused to be silenced. She slid off the bed, squatting on the cold floor as silent tears poured down her face.Why is it coming back now?She had almost convinced herself she was healing. The nightmares had stopped for a while. But to
The third day at the hospital had arrived, and Sofia was finally discharged. She sat on the edge of the hospital bed, dressed in fresh clothes that Diana had brought for her, feeling lighter but still weak. The idea of leaving the suffocating hospital walls brought her relief.Mateo stood beside her, arms crossed, his expression firm. “You’re coming home with me, Sofia. End of discussion.”Adam, standing just a few feet away, had his hands in his pockets, but his entire posture radiated defiance. “No. She’s coming with me.”Diana and Ryan,stood to the side, watching the two men glare at each other like stubborn teenagers refusing to back down.Sofia sighed, pressing her fingers to her temple. “I can hear you both perfectly fine, you know.”Neither man acknowledged her.Mateo exhaled sharply. “She’s my sister. It’s my responsibility to take care of her.”Adam scoffed. “And she’s my woman. My responsibility.”Mateo’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, now she’s your woman? Before she became your woman
Adam stormed out of the dining hall, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. The conversation with his grandfather had gone exactly as he expected, but that didn’t mean it stung any less. Years of loyalty, of molding himself into the perfect heir, and in the end, none of it mattered, because, to Cyril Kavanaugh, his love for Sofia was a weakness, a liability.Ryan caught up to him as he reached the front door. “Adam, wait.”Adam paused, his hands clenched into fists. He was angry, not just at his grandfather but at the entire situation.Ryan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know you expected that reaction from him, but I have to say, watching you throw the Kavanaugh legacy in his face was oddly satisfying.”Adam exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. “I never cared about the legacy, Ryan. I just wanted to prove myself. But if proving myself means abandoning Sofia and my children, then to hell with it.”Ryan smirked. “Damn right.” He patted Adam’s shoulder. “Let’s get out of here. Y
Diana rushed into the hospital, her heart pounding in her chest. She had been in complete shock when she heard what had happened to Sofia. Kidnapped. Tortured. Starved. It was unthinkable. And now, on top of all that, she was pregnant with twins.The moment she reached Sofia’s hospital room, she saw Adam sitting beside her bed, his hands wrapped around Sofia’s fragile fingers. His face was unreadable, but Diana could see the exhaustion in his eyes. He hadn’t left her side.Diana’s heels clicked softly against the floor as she approached. “Adam…”He looked up, his gaze sharp for just a second before softening when he realized it was her. “Diana.”She swallowed hard, glancing at Sofia, who was still unconscious. The sight of her, so pale, so fragile, made Diana’s chest ache. She sat on the chair beside Adam, her eyes never leaving Sofia’s face.“How is she?”Adam exhaled, rubbing his temple. “Stable, but weak. The doctor said her body was rejecting everything they gave her. The babies….
The tension in the hospital waiting room was suffocating. The air was thick with unspoken words and resentment as Emilio Montero paced furiously, his sharp gaze locked on Adam and Ryan."What the hell are you two doing here?" Emilio spat, his voice echoing through the quiet corridor. "Have you not done enough?"Rodrigo, standing beside him, scoffed. "This is a family matter. Outsiders should leave."Adam, unfazed, stepped forward. His towering presence and steely gaze made the air feel even heavier. "Outsiders?" he repeated mockingly. "I don’t know what fantasy you’re living in, old man, but I’m not going anywhere."Ryan leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching the unfolding drama with a bored expression. “ must you make a scene in a hospital? This isn't the time or place."Before Emilio could retort, the hospital door swung open, and the doctor walked in. His expression was serious, but there was something else beneath it, hesitation, as if he had news that would shake them al
Adam sat in his car, gripping the steering wheel tightly. His mind raced through possibilities. Ellie knew something. Maybe she was even involved.And if that was true…He would make her talk.The door creaked open, and Ellie stepped in, a wicked smirk on her face.She took one look at Sofia, haggard, weak, covered in bruises, and sitting in her own misery, and let out a laugh.“You look terrible,” Ellie mocked, her arms crossed. “Didn’t I tell you, Sofia? Don’t test me. Look at you, you’re dying. Slowly. Very, very slowly.”Sofia’s stomach twisted as she fought back the nausea. She had just vomited again, the disgusting dog food they forced her to eat, the filthy water they made her drink.Every time her body rejected it, she was beaten.Her skin ached from bruises, her lips were cracked from dehydration, and her spirit was hanging by a thread. But she still refused to break.She wouldn’t give Ellie that satisfaction.Ellie walked closer, a cruel glint in her eyes.“You were so sure A
Sofia jolted awake as cold water splashed onto her face. A sharp gasp escaped her lips, but the gag muffled her voice. She blinked rapidly, her vision adjusting to the dimly lit room. Her head throbbed, her wrists burned from the tight ropes binding her to the chair, and a chilling sense of dread settled in her chest.A soft, mocking laugh echoed from the corner.Sofia's gaze darted toward the source of the sound, and her heart pounded harder. A woman stepped forward, her silhouette illuminated by the weak overhead light.Recognition struck Sofia immediately. She had seen this woman before, at the gala. She had been clinging to Adam, her hands possessive, her smile full of unspoken intent.Ellie.Why was she here?.Fear swirled in Sofia’s chest, but she forced herself to stay calm. Her mind raced for answers, for any possible escape.Ellie crouched before her, tilting her head with a sickeningly sweet smile. "You look confused, darling," she purred, running a manicured nail along Sofi
Adam paced the length of his living room, his jaw clenched as he checked his phone for the hundredth time. His fingers hovered over Sofia’s name, the call log filled with unanswered attempts.“Come on, Sofia… pick up”.He had been waiting for hours. She should have been here by now.Something was wrong.The last time they spoke, she had sounded frustrated but determined. He knew she had left her family’s house, he had been on the phone with her when she got into her car.So where the hell was she?His heart pounded harder as another call went straight to voicemail."The number you have dialed is currently unavailable""Damn it!" Adam growled, throwing his phone onto the couch.His gut twisted painfully. This wasn’t like Sofia. She wouldn’t just disappear, not without telling him. His mind raced through possibilities. Did her grandfather stop her? Did they lock her up? Did something happen on the way?Then a darker thought crept in. What if someone took her?. The very idea sent a chill
As the door closed behind his father, Adam sank onto the couch, running a hand through his hair. His father's words replayed in his mind, each one weighed down by a pain he had never fully understood before. Gregory Kavanaugh was a man molded by duty, but beneath that hardened exterior lay a wound that had never truly healed.Adam exhaled heavily, his mind drifting into the past. Into the memories of the woman who had given birth to him and Ryan, the woman his father could never truly love.Years Ago……..A grand chandelier cast golden light across the luxurious Kavanaugh estate, reflecting off the pristine marble floors. Adam was only eight years old when he first began to notice it, the emptiness in his mother’s eyes, the way her laughter never quite reached her heart. Candice Vergara-Kavanaugh was an elegant woman, graceful in the way only the well-bred knew how to be, but there was always a sense of loneliness about her.He remembered how she would sit on the garden bench, staring