Selena The next day arrived, and as the sunlight streamed through my window, I woke up feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Channel, always the early riser during school days, hurriedly left for school, leaving me to get ready at my own pace.As I arrived at school, I met up with Ariel in our shared class. She greeted me with a worried expression on her face, and I could tell something was amiss. I leaned in closer, eager to hear what had transpired."Ariel, what's wrong? You look troubled," I asked, concern lacing my voice.Ariel sighed, her voice filled with frustration. "Selena, you won't believe what happened today. Our history teacher was in a foul mood and decided to give us a surprise test. He walked into the class and gave us only thirty minutes to prepare. It was chaos!"My heart skipped a beat at the thought of an unexpected test, but I took a deep breath, finding solace in my faith. "Don't worry, Ariel. Let's have faith and do our best. We've studied hard, and wi
Selena I couldn't believe that four years had passed since my arrival at the university. I had come a long way, and today was a momentous day—it was my graduation. As I looked at myself in the mirror, adjusting my graduation gown, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and excitement for what lay ahead. The journey hadn't always been easy, but I had persevered and earned my degree in business.Kai had been a constant source of support throughout these years. We had grown closer over time, and our relationship had flourished. He had graduated a while ago and had flown all the way from Russia to be by my side on this special day. It meant the world to me that he made the effort to be here.I nervously fidgeted with my graduation cap, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Channel and Ariel joined me in the dressing area, both looking radiant in their graduation dresses.Channel grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Selena, can you believe it? We're graduating today! I'm
SelenaThe moment we arrived in Russia, a sense of familiarity washed over me, as if I had finally returned to a place I belonged. However, the treacherous happenings of my past threatened to resurface, but I pushed them aside, determined to focus on the present and the future that lay ahead.Channel, wide-eyed and stunned, stood in awe as she took in the sight of my father's grand mansion. The opulence and grandeur of the estate seemed to overwhelm her. She couldn't contain her excitement, repeatedly exclaiming about the sheer size of the house and its luxurious details. I chuckled, finding joy in her animated reactions."You weren't kidding when you said your family was well-off, Selena," Channel said, her voice filled with disbelief. "This place is incredible! I feel like I'm in a movie."I smiled, appreciating her amazement. "I'm glad you like it, Channel. It may be grand, but what truly matters to me is having you here with me.“We were immediately greeted by my father's staff, w
SelenaThe sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow upon the room as Channel and I slowly awakened to the sounds of commotion echoing throughout the mansion. A knot tightened in my stomach, and a sense of unease washed over me as I listened to the hurried footsteps and muffled voices downstairs.Channel blinked, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "Selena, what's going on? Why is there so much noise?"I took a deep breath, my mind racing with worry. I knew that my father's line of work was entangled with the shadows, and the sudden disturbance stirred a deep sense of fear within me. I couldn't let Channel witness the dark underbelly of my family's connections to the mafia or discover the secrets I had tried so hard to shield her from."Channel, something's not right," I said, my voice filled with urgency. "I don't want you to come downstairs. Stay here, and I'll find out what's happening. It's best if you remain unaware of the situation."Channel's eyes widened with concern. "
"Selena!" I exclaimed, catching her off guard. She glared at me, a mix of surprise and disdain etched on her face. She made no attempt to hide her contempt as she looked at me with narrowed eyes."What the hell are you doing here?" she snapped, her voice dripping with annoyance.I maintained a composed demeanor, refusing to let her hostility affect me. "Selena, it seems your father hasn't bothered to inform you yet, but I now own fifty percent of this company," I retorted, my voice laced with cool detachment. "And whether you like it or not, I have every right to be here as your partner."She scoffed dismissively, her lips curling into a sneer. "Oh, joy. Another reason to despise my life," she spat out, her words laced with venom. "I can't stand you and your despicable presence."I simply smirked, refusing to let her insults get under my skin. "We'll see about that, Selena," I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I have a feeling our partnership will be a delightful experience fo
Selena As Angel left my office, I tried to gather my thoughts and focus on the task at hand. However, before I could regain my composure, Channel barged into the room with an excited expression on her face. "Oh my god, Selena! You won't believe what just happened!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing with enthusiasm.I sighed, my weariness evident in my voice. "What is it, Channel? I'm not in the mood for games or gossip right now."Her cheerfulness faltered for a moment as she noticed my frustration. Sensing something was wrong, she approached me cautiously. "What's the matter, Selena? You seem really off today."I debated whether to confide in her, but ultimately decided to keep the truth hidden. I couldn't bring myself to admit that my ex-husband, Angel, was now my business partner and that we had a tumultuous history. Instead, I fabricated a story to deflect her concern."It's nothing, Channel. Just a mistake on one of the files," I replied dismissively, hoping she would drop th
Selena The next day, Channel and I woke up early, eager to tackle the challenges of another workday. We quickly got ready and headed to the office, hoping for a productive and fulfilling day ahead.As I entered my office, my eyes fell upon Angel, already seated at his desk. Irritation bubbled up within me, and without thinking twice, I rudely questioned his presence."What are you doing here?" I snapped, my voice laced with hostility. "And why would we need to discuss a new business plan? I thought we were done with the meeting."Angel looked taken aback by my sudden outburst, but he maintained his composure. "Selena, calm down," he said, his voice calm and measured. "There's a potential opportunity I wanted to discuss with you. It could be a game-changer for our company."I raised an eyebrow, skeptical of his intentions. "Fine," I replied curtly. "But make it quick. I don't have time to waste on frivolous conversations."We both took a seat, and Angel began explaining his ideas for
Selena The next day, I arrived at the office early, determined to focus on work and push aside the emotional turmoil from the previous day. However, as soon as I stepped into my office, I was greeted by an unwelcome sight—Angel sitting at my desk."What are you doing here?" I snapped, my irritation evident in my voice. "I thought I made it clear that we're done discussing anything beyond business."Angel looked up, surprise evident in his eyes, but he quickly composed himself. "Selena, please, hear me out," he pleaded. "I wanted to discuss the plans for the new hotel construction. It's a big project, and I believe we can make it successful if we work together."I crossed my arms, skepticism written across my face. "Fine," I grumbled reluctantly. "But make it quick. I have other things to attend to."As we delved into the conversation about the hotel project, I couldn't help but notice Angel's gaze wandering. At one point, he interrupted himself and said, "You know, Selena, despite ev
Epilogue Selena Closing the bedroom door behind us, Angel and I prepared to settle into the comforting embrace of sleep. Our nightly ritual of winding down often turned into moments of reflection and shared thoughts."Selena," Angel began, a soft smile playing on his lips, "can we talk for a bit? About Heaven."I nodded, sensing the depth of his emotions. "Of course, Angel. What's on your mind?"He took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and emotion. "I just wanted to thank you, Selena. For everything you've done for Heaven. She's so happy, and it's all because of you."I reached for his hand, a reassuring gesture. "Angel, she's our daughter. I love her as much as you do."He chuckled, a hint of tears glistening in his eyes. "I know, but you've been more than a stepmother. You've been a guiding force, a source of love and stability in her life. I can't express how grateful I am."I pulled him into a gentle embrace. "It's been a joy raising Heaven with you. She's a
Heaven Back home, the news of our impending parenthood was met with overwhelming joy. Chase, bursting with excitement, took charge of sharing the news with our families and close friends.He called his dad first, the anticipation evident in his voice. "Dad, you won't believe it. Heaven and I are going to have a baby!"His dad's voice, a mix of surprise and delight, echoed through the phone. "Chase, that's incredible news! I can't wait to be a grandfather. When's the little one due?"Chase grinned, "A few months from now. We wanted to share the joy with you."After sharing the news with his dad, Chase turned to me, a glint of happiness in his eyes. "Heaven, this is amazing. Our families are going to be over the moon."As we informed my family, the reactions ranged from tears of joy to exclamations of excitement. My dad, already fond of Chase, couldn't hide his happiness. "Heaven, my dear, this is wonderful news. Chase, you're going to make a fantastic father."Chase, ever the doting p
Heaven The sun painted the sky in hues of pink and gold as I stood at the altar, the soft rustle of petals beneath my feet. Chase, looking dashing in his tailored suit, stood beside me. Today marked the culmination of our journey—the day we took our vows and embraced a future together.As the ceremony unfolded, the air buzzed with excitement. The vows we exchanged echoed through the venue, a declaration of love that resonated with every guest. The solemnity of the moment mingled with the joy that radiated from our smiles.Chase's eyes met mine, and in that shared gaze, I found reassurance and love. We sealed our promises with a kiss, a moment captured by the flurry of camera shutters and the cheers of our loved ones.The news reporters, eager to capture the essence of our unconventional love story, approached us. Microphones in hand, they bombarded us with questions. "Heaven, how does it feel to marry under such unique circumstances?"I chuckled, the surreal nature of our story evide
Chase The agony of losing Heaven, the fear that gripped my heart, was an indescribable torment. Every step I took in the desperate search for her felt like an eternity, my mind haunted by the possibility of a future without her. But against all odds, a lead emerged, a beacon of hope that guided me to an old, desolate warehouse near the seaside.With my gons by my side, we cautiously approached the abandoned structure. The air hung heavy with tension as I gripped the handle of my gun, determined to rescue Heaven from the clutches of the darkness that had consumed Eden.Entering the warehouse, my heart pounded in my chest as I navigated through the eerie silence. The creaking of the floor beneath my feet was a haunting melody, underscoring the urgency of the mission. And then, there she was – tied to a chair, her head bleeding. Rage surged through me, and I moved swiftly to untie her, my hands trembling with a mix of fear and determination."Heaven," I whispered, my voice choked with e
Heaven The darkness surrounding me felt suffocating, and the sound of distant waves became a disorienting reminder of the uncertainty that now enveloped my existence. Panic surged as I realized I was bound to a chair, my wrists secured tightly. The air was heavy with the salty scent of the sea, a cruel juxtaposition to the fear gnawing at my core.In the oppressive silence, the approach of a presence sent shivers down my spine. The footsteps drew nearer, and when the mask covering my eyes was suddenly ripped away, I squinted against the sudden onslaught of light. As my eyes adjusted, the familiar contours of Eden's face came into focus."Eden?" I stammered, confusion clouding my thoughts. "What's happening? Where am I?"Eden's gaze, once warm and familiar, now held an intensity that unsettled me. He spoke with a conviction that sent chills down my spine. "Heaven, I can't let you marry Chase. I love you, and I won't stand by and watch you make a mistake."The shock of his words hit me
ChaseOur days in the Bahamas had come to an end, and the reality of Heaven's decision to marry me for the sake of saving my life lingered in the air. As we sat together on the flight back to Italy, the hum of the engines providing a backdrop to our conversation, I couldn't help but feel a mix of gratitude and apprehension."Heaven," I began, breaking the silence that hung between us, "I still can't believe you're willing to go through with this. It means a lot to me."She looked at me with a reassuring smile, her eyes reflecting a blend of determination and compassion. "Chase, we're in this together. I want you to have a chance at a healthy life, and if this is what it takes, then I'm all in."I nodded, a sense of warmth filling me. "I appreciate that, Heaven. It's not an easy decision for either of us, but knowing you're by my side makes it a bit more bearable."Our conversation shifted to the practicalities of our impending marriage—how we would approach our families, explain the s
Heaven I rushed into the bathroom, my heart pounding as I found Chase on the floor, unconscious. "Chase! Wake up!" I shouted, my voice trembling with fear.Panicking, I grabbed my phone, hastily dialing Eden and Daven. "Guys, get over here now! Something's wrong with Chase!" I could hear the urgency in my own voice, a stark contrast to the carefree moments we had shared just the day before.Eden's voice crackled through the phone. "We're on our way, Heaven. Just hold on."I knelt beside Chase, gently tapping his cheek. "Come on, Chase. Wake up!" The seconds felt like an eternity as I waited for any sign of response.The door burst open as Eden and Daven rushed in. Eden's eyes widened in shock. "What happened?""I don't know," I stammered. "He was fine last night. I just found him like this."Daven, always composed, checked Chase's pulse. "We need to get him to the hospital. Now."As we hurriedly gathered our belongings, panic and worry hung heavy in the air. The vibrant energy of t
Heaven's POV:The anticipation for our Bahamas trip bubbled within me as we all got ready to embark on this unexpected adventure. Packing seemed like an endless task, yet I couldn't help but throw in a variety of outfits, just in case the tropical paradise demanded a change in wardrobe.As we boarded the flight, the atmosphere was surprisingly light. Eden's infectious energy, Daven's calm demeanor, and Chase's unexpected humor created an air of camaraderie I hadn't experienced before. Laughter echoed through the plane as we played games and shared stories, each moment weaving a tapestry of connection among us.I caught glimpses of a different side of Chase—his genuine laughter, the way he effortlessly joined in the banter, and the unexpected comfort of his arm around me when a particularly funny moment struck. It was as if the underworld chaos had momentarily given way to a more relaxed version of ourselves.Upon landing in the Bahamas, the warmth embraced us, a stark contrast to the
Chase's POV:I woke up to find Heaven in the kitchen, her expression a mix of exhaustion and something else. Something I couldn't quite put my finger on."Rough night?" I asked, trying to sound casual.She shrugged. "Just the usual chaos. Nothing I can't handle."I leaned against the kitchen counter. "You know, Heaven, you don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Sometimes it's okay to let someone else share the burden."She shot me a skeptical look. "And who would that someone be? You?"I smirked. "Hey, I'm not as bad as you make me out to be. Besides, you might be surprised at how good I am at lightening the mood."She raised an eyebrow. "Lightening the mood, or causing more chaos?"I chuckled. "A bit of both, perhaps. But seriously, Heaven, you don't have to be so guarded all the time. We're in this together, right?"She sighed. "In this together, until the next betrayal or twist of fate. That's how it goes, Chase."I decided to change the subject, opting for