Ryan parked in front of Anna and Grace's modest home, his expression thoughtful as he took in his surroundings. The house was small and plain, with faded paint on the exterior and a simple porch that held a pair of worn chairs. There was no lavish garden, just a patch of grass and a few scattered plants. It was evident that the family lived humbly, with little material wealth.As Ryan opened the car door for them, Anna stepped out with a sheepish look, noticing his subtle observation."I'm sorry we brought you to this... this uncomfortable place," Anna said hesitantly, clutching her bag nervously.Ryan turned to her, his expression soft. "Don't apologize, Anna," he replied firmly. "This is your home, and there’s nothing wrong with it."He helped Grace carefully step out and assisted her inside. Despite its humble appearance on the outside, the inside of the house was surprisingly neat and well-kept. The furnishings were sparse but spotless, and the air carried the scent of freshly cle
Ellie was driving leisurely through the city when something caught her attention. Her eyes narrowed as she spotted a familiar figure standing outside the fancy Eternal Serenade restaurant. It was Adam, and for a moment, her heart skipped a beat. But then, her expression froze. Adam was smiling, a rare, genuine smile that she had never seen him give to her in all their years of friendship.Her heart sank as her gaze moved to the woman Adam was looking at. Ellie couldn’t see her clearly, only the side of her face, but it was enough to tell that she was beautiful and familiar.The woman’s car drove off first, followed by the Adam's Ellie gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles whitening. A storm of emotions surged through her, confusion, jealousy, and heartbreak all at once. Who was she? Ellie’s mind raced. Why would Adam smile at her like that? He’s never smiled at me like that.Unable to calm herself, Ellie pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot and got out of her car. She w
Mateo hesitated at Sofia's door, his hand hovering over the polished wood. He knew she was furious, her rage noticable even from the hallway. Taking a deep breath, he finally knocked twice and pushed the door open.The sight before him stung, Sofia stood by the window, her back to the door, arms crossed tightly as she stared out into the garden. Her tense posture spoke of her seething frustration.“Sofia,” Mateo began gently, stepping inside. “May I come in?”“You’re already in,” she replied, her tone clipped, without turning around.Mateo sighed, closing the door behind him and leaning against it. “Can we talk?”Sofia finally turned, her eyes blazing with unshed tears and frustration. “What’s there to talk about, Mateo? Didn’t you hear? Abuelo and Rodrigo have my future all planned out for me. I’m just a pawn, aren’t I?”Mateo walked closer . “That’s not true, Sofia. You know Abuelo loves you…..”“Loves me?” she interrupted, her voice rising. “If he loves me, then why is he trying to
Hearing her words, Adam’s eyes widened, a mix of shock and heartbreak flickering across his face.“Sofia…” he said softly, his voice faltering.“If this is the only memory I’ll have of you… I want it,” she pleaded, her voice cracking. “Please, Adam. Let me have this.”Adam closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he tried to calm the storm of emotions raging inside him. When he opened them, his gaze was firm but gentle as he cupped her face once more.“Sofia,” he said, his voice filled with conviction, “you don’t need to beg for my love or my attention. You already have it…..all of it. But this isn’t what you need right now. What you need is for someone to hold you and remind you that you’re not alone in this.”Tears continued to spill down her cheeks, but she stopped struggling as Adam pulled her into a tight embrace, cradling her against his chest.“I’m not going to leave you, Sofia,” he whispered into her hair. “Not now, not ever.”Her sobs gradually subsided as his words washed ov
It had been two days since Sofia had left Adam’s penthouse, and in that short span of time, the landscape of Montero Enterprises had shifted dramatically. A wave of hope swept through the company as Mr. Morelli, a highly influential investor, took a keen interest in their projects. His sudden enthusiasm not only revived dormant deals but also brought an influx of lucrative opportunities that promised to stabilize their crumbling empire.The change was so sudden and impactful that both Sofia and Mateo barely had a moment to breathe. Every waking hour was spent in meetings, poring over contracts, aligning departments, and trying to ensure this rare stroke of luck wasn’t wasted.For Sofia, the busyness was both a blessing and a curse. She appreciated the distraction from the turmoil within her family and her personal life, but she couldn’t deny the lingering thoughts of Adam that crept into her mind during rare moments of quiet. Their phone conversations had been short yet filled with wa
The scent of cigar smoke mixed with the cold air,in a dimly lit room. Rodrigo sat in the center, his fists clenched around a glass cup. His face was a storm of fury as he listened to the two men seated opposite him.With a sudden surge of anger, he crushed the glass cup in his hand, shards slicing into his palm. He didn’t even flinch. Blood dripped onto the table as his voice thundered.“How did they get back on their feet so quickly?” he snarled, his fiery eyes locking onto the man before him, Vasyl "The Viper", a notorious figure in the Khalidan underworld. “ Vasyl, you assured me you had everything under control. You promised me they’d crumble!”Vasyl exhaled a cloud of smoke, his lips curling into a smirk as if the accusation barely fazed him. “Rodrigo,” he said slowly, his voice dripping with danger, “this is Khalidan’s underworld. It’s not a playground. People pull strings, and alliances shift. Someone must have come in quietly and overturned my work.”“You’re the underworld kin
Adam was seated in his sleek office, going through a report on his computer. When his personal secretary called to say Ellie was outside, he asked his secretary to let her in and in the next five seconds, Ellie stormed in, her heels clicking furiously against the polished marble floor.“Adam!” she exclaimed, slamming a photograph onto his desk. “What is the meaning of this?”Adam’s jaw tightened as he glanced at the photograph. It was a candid shot of him and Sofia at his penthouse entrance, an incriminating image of their late-night meeting.He leaned back in his chair, his calm demeanor in sharp contrast to Ellie’s fury. “What do you want to know Ellie” he asked Ellie’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. “So, it’s true? You’re sneaking around with her? Sofia Montero, of all people!”Adam’s eyes hardened, his patience thinning. “My personal life is none of your concern, Ellie. What I do and who I see has nothing to do with you or anyone else.”Ellie let out a sharp, humorless l
Sofia paced in her office, her phone pressed tightly to her ear. The concern in her voice was unmistakable. Adam had just called and from the way he sounded she knew something was wrong"Adam? What's wrong? You don’t sound good."On the other end of the line, Adam's voice was weak, laced with a carefully orchestrated weariness. "Sofia... I think I’m really sick. I just... I couldn’t call anyone else. Could you come over?"Her heart skipped a beat. "Adam, are you alone? Have you seen a doctor?"He coughed faintly, adding to the illusion. "No, I haven’t. I’ve been trying to rest, but it’s getting worse. Please, Sofia. I could really use you here."Without hesitation, she grabbed her bag. "I’m on my way. Don’t move or try to do anything. I’ll be there soon."Sofia ended the call, her worry mounting as she rushed to his home. ************Fifteen minutes later, Sofia stood at Adam’s front door. Her heart raced as she knocked, but there was no response. She tried again, this time calling
As the morning light streamed through the curtains, Sofia stirred, The familiar scent of her brother’s home surrounded her it has been a long time she visited Mateo's home, they always stayed at the Montero mansion. Just as she was stretching, her phone buzzed loudly on the bedside table. She reached for it, a small smile tugging at her lips when she saw the caller ID ‘Mi Rey’She answered immediately, her voice still laced with sleep. “Adam…”“You sound sleepy,” Adam’s deep voice came through, smooth and warm, instantly wrapping around her like a blanket. “Did you rest well?”Sofia sighed, leaning back against the pillows. “I tried. But waking up in a different place… it still feels odd.”Adam chuckled softly. “That’s because you shouldn’t be there. You should be here, with me.”She bit her lip, warmth spreading through her chest. “Mateo insisted…”“I know.” His tone held a hint of frustration. “I let it slide because you needed rest, but today, Sofia… I’m coming to get you.”She lau
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