The flickering television screen was the only source of faintly lit illumination in the room.The news story had just finished, and there was a great silence following it. Amelia, staring wide with wonder, sat on the sofa's edge. She grabbed for the remote, turning off the TV, and her fingers shook.The silence felt oppressive, the space suddenly too small, too silent. "Mom!" Amelia's voice was a whisper at first, then louder. "Mom!" Her words boomed through the house, urgency tinged with a mounting terror. She arose, her legs wobbly, as she made her way toward the stairs. The words of the news anchor kept returning in her mind- *Elena Williams discovered dead, under mysterious circumstances.* Amelia’s heart pounded in her chest, a pounding of panic and perplexity. She grasped the banister, her knuckles white, as she yelled out again, "Mom!" Her voice broke, showing the despair she felt. A second later, her mother came at the top of the steps, her face a mask of serenity."What
Jace's office windows were brightened by a golden light from the sun rays shining through. Normally a comforting sight, the view of the city skyline from the window he stood beside was not there today. He was unable to ignore the unsettling ideas circling about in his head despite the beauty of the sunset. He strode back and forth, trying to make sense of Elena's death, a restless energy running through him.He scowled and whispered, "Who would have wanted her dead? "She was under arrest, but she had betrayed me." It is not cumulative. His mind was a knotted maze of doubt and bewilderment. He came to a stop at the window and stared out over the vast city, attempting to put the disparate pieces of knowledge together.His thoughts reverted to what he had discussed with Avalynn earlier in the day. She had said, "Maybe someone got to her in prison." "Someone seeking retribution." He felt his stomach turn at the thought. It was disconcerting, to say the least, to consider that Elena
The hospital room glowed with the soft light of early evening, casting a warm glow over Charles Malvis’s pale, lined face. Silently, Jace and Avalynn walked in, the spotless floor muffled their footfall. As they got closer, Charles's eyes opened, and he smiled a little, the creases around his mouth softening with relief.Avalynn gently placed the bouquet of flowers on the bedside table and remarked, "Look who's here." The blossoms' vibrant colors gave the room a pop of color as they contrasted with the white sheets.Charles glanced at his granddaughter, and his eyes became softer. He croaked, his voice a shadow of its previous strength, "Good to see you, dear." Jace carefully placed the chocolate box next to the flowers so as not to disturb the fragile arrangement. He sat down next to Charles's bed and extended his hand to shake the elderly man's."Grandfather, how are you feeling today?" With a steady voice and eyes that betrayed his concern, Jace asked.Charles's fingers curved
With a nod, Harris faced her computer and caressed the keys with her fingertips. As she worked, the only sound audible was a soft tapping, and the minutes appeared to stretch into hours.Everyone in the room was aware of the gravity of the situation, and the fear was evident. The police station's clinical lighting flickered here and there, casting long shadows that swayed menacingly along the walls.The policeman scowled, his mouth's corners curved downward in worry. "Amelia? What is your last name?"Otto," Avalynn stepped forward to intervene. "She's Amelia Otto."With a nod, the officer continued to tap on his keyboard. The room was filled with the rhythmic clacking, which was quite different from the quiet that had been before it. Uncomfortably, Jace moved, picturing the worst that could happen.The officer stated, his voice composed and professional in spite of the seriousness of the news, "Otto has been spotted with an older woman at a small airfield outside of the city." It ha
Avalynn and Jace were both very conscious of the situation as they spoke about what to do next. It was tense to have Amelia apprehended before she could evade punishment. They needed to move quickly, but there were many obstacles to overcome due to the intricacy of international law and logistics.Jace's determination intensified with every ring as he phoned the number for the Brazilian authorities.Avalynn stated, "We need to make sure every avenue is covered," in a strong yet encouraging tone. "We can't let Amelia slip away."With a tightened jaw, Jace nodded. "I concur. The goal here is to stop any more harm in addition to providing Elena with justice."Jace used the Malvis moniker to accelerate their request as he explained the scenario as the line connected.He was given the assurance by the officer on the other phone that they would make every effort to find the jet and capture Amelia and her mother when they got there. But despite this comfort, Jace couldn't shake a nagging d
The sun's rays danced through the French windows of Jace's bedroom, its warmth and the gentle breeze creating an almost ethereal atmosphere. Seated on the balcony, Avalynn was cozy on a wicker chair with a book cradled in her lap.The quiet thump of the waves hitting the coast was accompanied by the sounds of chirping and leaf rustling. Avalynn turned the page, her thoughts straying, returning to the trial and the unknowable futures of her stepmother and Amelia. Turning the page, Avalynn felt a symphony of relief as sunshine danced across the words. It was completed. She exhaled sharply, trembling. The agony of the past was now only a faint recollection that vanished into the mists of time.This was the culmination of years of uncertainty, restless nights, and a persistent worry of what might be around the corner.And now, the route to recovery and a future free from the grip of suffering and deceit was illuminated by the brilliant light of justice.Lost in a reverie, Avalynn imag
Grasping his phone, he noticed Elizabeth's name flickering on the screen. The timing of his secretary's call felt suspicious because she didn't often call him after work.His chest tightened with unexpected dread, but he answered, his voice firm. "Elizabeth, what’s going on?"Elizabeth said, "Mr. Malvis," in a tone that was both composed and urgent. I apologize for bothering you at home, but you should know this. It has to do with the Ryder Group.Jace furrowed his brow. Although Ryder Group was a rival, their presence was never more than a slight annoyance. It didn't seem possible that they might be a significant threat to his business. Elizabeth would still never call without a solid reason."What about them?" With a little shift away from Avalynn, who was observing him with worry, Jace questioned.After pausing momentarily, Elizabeth said, "We have some concerning information. It seems that Ryder Group is adopting a more assertive approach to business. They're moving aggressively
Before leaving for the day, Jace stood in his office reading over the final few emails. The thought of getting back into Avalynn's reassuring hug drove his final few letters.He pushed his chair back and closed his laptop with a decisive sigh.With his palm reflexively going to his pocket, Jace felt the comforting weight of his car keys as he made his way through the jumble of files and documents on his desk.With a purpose, he walked out of his office and through the busy hallways of his building, his footsteps resonating on the polished marble floor.He heard the elevator's recognizable ding just as he was ready to push the open button. As soon as the doors opened, Jace froze.The pleasant smile of someone who was too familiar was there.With his fingers lingering on the open button, his heart skipped a beat. As the ghost of his past came to life in front of him, he stood frozen like a deer in headlights."Well, well, well, Jace.. look at you!" The unexpected visitor shone with a
EPILOGUE: The air in the Malvis estate was filled with the soft hum of life.. the distant chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.Avalynn stood on the terrace, her eyes drifting over the landscape as the day slowly gave way to night. The previous few months had been a blur as she adjusted to her new position in the family business, planned the wedding, and experienced the pleasures of married life. She had, however, had a profound sense of joy and happiness throughout it all that she had never experienced before. With a little smile on her lips, she carelessly stroked her expanding tummy. Even though everything had changed so rapidly, life yet seemed quite right. The days had been full with love, laughter, and a wonderful sense of what was ahead.Silently, Jace walked into the room behind her, his light hardwood floorsteps. With his chin resting on her shoulder, he encircled her with his arms from behind and followed her look out the window. With a low g
Avalynn stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection with breathless eyes. Her body fit the ivory gown, which seemed a second skin with brilliant veil cascading down her back and delicate lace flowing down her arms. Grateful for the pearls' coolness, she ran her fingers over the beaded bodice.Lisa was behind her, adjusting the finishing touches, tucking the dress's train and setting the veil.With a note of wonder in her voice, she said, "Ava, you look amazing."Avalynn shifted slightly and looked into Lisa's mirror. With tears still welling up in her eyes, she said, "I can't believe this is happening. I never thought this would happen."With a kind grin, Lisa squeezed Avalynn's shoulders. "You are deserving of everything." You will make the most stunning bride when you tie the knot with the love of your life."Avalynn inhaled deeply and then looked at her mirror again.The girl who was gazing back at her appeared to be a dream - graceful, dazzling, and brimming with joy
With the sun rays coming in through the transparent curtains and lightning the room in a warm, golden glow, Avalynn stirred in her deep sleep.The blankets hugged her body tightly, leaving the remains of last night's excitement still visible on her skin.Jace stirred at her touch, his eyes slowly opening. When he saw her, a slow, lazy smile spread across his face, and he tightened his hold on her, pulling her closer. “Morning, beautiful,” he whispered, his voice husky with sleep.His features, softened by the dawn light, were relaxed in sleep, a far cry from his usually controlled and powerful look.Her heart became big with love and happiness as she reached out and gently brushed a lock of hair off his face. Peace, love, and the man who had become her whole world were all she had ever wanted.At her touch, Jace moved and slowly opened his eyes. A slow, lazy smile crossed his lips as he spotted her, and he tightened his grip, drawing her in. He whispered, "Morning, beautiful," his vo
The dim light of the bedside lamp cast a soft glow over the room, creating a cozy atmosphere that enveloped Jace and Avalynn as they lay side by side on the large bed. The events of the past weeks had been intense, but now, everything seemed to have settled into place. The room, decorated in muted tones of gray and blue, felt like a sanctuary from the outside world.. a place where they could finally breathe and enjoy the calm after the storm.Avalynn laid her head on Jace's chest and made gentle circles over his skin while she listened to his heartbeat.They had a comfortable stillness that was laced with the warmth of unsaid understanding and shared experiences. Thinking about how far they'd come and how a one-night encounter had brought them to this point, she grinned to herself."Remember the night we first met?" Avalynn has a hushed, almost dreamy voice.With a chuckle, Jace ran a hand through her hair. "How could I overlook that? You were the most stunning woman in the club, an
Two weeks had passed since the whirlwind of revelations that had shaken the foundation of Avalynn’s world. But now, the dust had settled, and with it, a newfound clarity and peace had emerged. Avalynn had come to terms with her heritage, her place in the Malvis family, and most importantly, with Jace. The man she loved, who had been her anchor in the storm, was no longer just the man she thought she knew; he was so much more.The Malvis house was a hive of joy tonight. The huge hall gleamed with wealth and grace, decorated with crystal chandeliers and high ceilings. The walls, which were covered with pictures of the Malvis ancestors, appeared to witness to the importance of the evening.. the official recognition of Avalynn as a real Malvis and the celebration of the family's victory over the Rinders, longtime enemies.Guests started to pour into the hall as the evening sun started to set, soaking the estate in a warm, golden glow. With the quiet hum of string instruments playing
With a deep breath, Jace's grandfather looked at him and Avalynn who were seated across from him. There was a tight, stifling silence as the weight of the information he was about to impart seemed to drain the room's very oxygen. As Jace's jaw tightened and his eyes locked on the elderly guy, Avalynn shifted in her seat, her heart pounding rapidly in her chest.The grandfather said, "Jace, Avalynn," in a tone that was serene but full of a gravity that made Avalynn's skin crawl. "The results of the DNA test are in."The words, thick with anticipation and terror, hung in the air like a fog. Avalynn braced herself for what was about to happen, her fists clenched in her lap and her claws digging into her hands. Jace leaned forward a little, his eyebrows furrowing in a startled yet nervous way.The grandfather stated, "The test proves that Avalynn is in fact my late son's biological daughter."A painful gasp from Avalynn's lips as her breath caught in her throat. The words echoed in her
Apart from the soft buzz of the equipment deciding their fate in a moment, the room was quiet. Avalynn sat on the brink of her seat her fists clenched in her lap and her knuckles white from the pressure. Jace walked back and forth, his body stiff from all the questions flying about in his thoughts.As they awaited the start of the DNA test, a distinct sense of apprehension filled the air.Grandfather Jace was standing close to the door, his face expressionless. Unwilling to allow the doubt to linger any longer, he had insisted on the test being conducted right away. Avalynn was so preoccupied with the idea that her whole life had been a lie that she had hardly noticed the trip to the private clinic. The idea of having Jace as her brother and becoming a Malvis by blood was too much for her to fathom. However, they were now facing the moment of truth.A nurse arrived with the required supplies in the room. "Miss Avalynn and Mr. Malvis Senior will need to provide samples," she stated
Avalynn gazed at the picture, her eyesight going blurry. Her mother’s image, frozen in time, looked back at her with a familiar smile that now felt hauntingly distant. She swayed on her feet as the room appeared to tilt and a sensation of vertigo overcame her. Her palm trembled as she attempted to settle herself, her fingertips grazing the edge of the desk, a sign of her mounting panic.In an instant, Jace was by her side, his arm encircling her waist and supporting her before she could pass out. He pleaded, "Ava, breathe," in a worried-sounding voice. Though his hold was tight, the panic that overcame them both was reflected in the shaking in his voice.From behind the desk, his grandfather observed them with a normally calm expression that broke into a look of uncertainty that Avalynn had never seen before. The man who had always been a tower of strength appeared lost, as though the world was collapsing around him."I'm not sure I get it. How is this even feasible?" Avalynn's li
As the tension in the room increased, Jace's eyes darted between Avalynn and his grandfather, making it obvious that he was confused.“You didn’t mention she would be here,” Jace finally said, his voice tight, barely concealing his frustration. His brow furrowed in a way that made Avalynn’s heart ache. His grandfather remained seated, his hands folded calmly on his desk. “You’re right, Jace. I didn’t. But I didn’t think I could sit back and watch you continue like this. You’ve been shutting yourself away, wallowing in self-pity and loneliness. You need someone by your side.. someone you trust. And there’s no better woman for you than Avalynn.”A beat skipped by Avalynn's heart. She had rarely seen Jace's face of vulnerability, and it completely shocked her. With words stuck in his throat, he remained motionless, and the ensuing stillness was replete with unspoken realities.With black eyes filled with emotions he couldn't seem to control, Jace turned to face her. His regret-filled