BrandonYearning for a run, I arose early and left the house, seeking to clear my head by venturing out. Amidst various contemplations, my foremost concern was unraveling the path that led my life to its current state. Despite being the second son of the nation's wealthiest individual, my existence turned out differently from my brother's after our mother's demise.After her demise, she, the adhesive binding us men, was no longer present, and we drifted apart. I veered into the company of the wrong crowd in high school, engaging in drugs, promiscuity, and various activities that would not have made my mother proud.I didn't consider how she would feel about my actions, and I persisted in that lifestyle. While my father and brother remained indifferent, although Adrien attempted to guide me, I consistently dismissed his efforts until he eventually conceded, leaving me to my fate; at that point, I saw no reason to care either.Reflecting on the past, I had craved my father's attention,
Adrien Two weeks have passed since Yvette vowed to retaliate for her mother's death. While I didn't dismiss her empty threats, I also didn't ignore them. Concerned, I increased security at the hospital for Rosalie, unsure if Yvette would return to finally carry out her revenge or not, and unwilling to take any chances. Despite my efforts to persuade my dad to stay in Italy, he grew weary of the country and opted to return to Aldovia to be with his grandchildren. He maintained a strong belief that Brandon wouldn't harm him, even as I reminded him of the past threat involving a gun. Disregarding my concerns, he brushed them off, and I reluctantly let the matter go. The sound of a knock on my office door interrupted my thoughts, prompting me to turn away from the window and invite the person in, and the door swung open, revealing Emerson. "Ah, Emerson, any news?" I questioned. "Still the same, sir." He replied. "They're still in the country." "I see." I nodded. "I wonder what they
Brandon "It's regrettable that I had to resort to this," I confided in Renner, observing my brother's kids, who were visibly frightened. "I mean, they're innocent." "I have a soft spot for children, but sadly, I can't have any of my own," Renner remarked with feigned sadness. "Maybe I'll adopt them. What do you think?" He grinned. "I give you my blessing," I stated, chuckling. "Now that we have them, what's next?" He questioned. "Now... I call my brother," I said triumphantly, pulling out my phone and dialing his number. "Make sure you tell him to come alone," Renner cautioned, adding, "If he involves the police, his children will die." "Of course," I snorted. The call connected immediately, and I laughed. "Hey, bro. What's up?" I greeted him. "You bastard!" He bellowed, causing me to pull my phone from my ear. "Where are my children?" "No need to be so upset, brother," I retorted. "They're unharmed." "I want to hear their voices," He ordered. "I give the orders here, bro,"
Brandon "You're adopted, Brandon." His words hit me like a shockwave, and I stumbled back, staring at him as if he were crazy. Did I hear him correctly? I knew Adrien disliked me, but I hadn't realized it extended to the point of fabricating lies about my identity. "You're lying!" I exclaimed. "That's not true." "My father didn't tell me. I had a DNA test conducted to see if we were related because you didn't look like my dad or my mother, and I was right," Adrien said. "You're not my brother." "How... What the hell?" I stared at him in disbelief. "Are you messing with me right now? You better take it back if it's a joke." I ordered. "Your biological father, Brandon Ritchie, was a criminal whose favorite place in the world was the state penitentiary. He was arrested for drug dealing, rape, and murder but escaped from prison at twenty two, got a girlfriend named Hilary Kale, and got her pregnant." "I still don't believe you." I muttered, shaking my head. "Hilary wasn't a saint
Adrien Arriving at the hospital, I rushed to Rosalie's room, wearing a huge smile on my face and clutching a bouquet of roses in my hand. Aware that she might still harbor resentment from our last conversation before her accident, where I blamed her for ruining my company's image, I hoped the flowers and a sincere smile would mend things. I encountered Norman seated on the recliners outside her room in the hallway, engrossed in a conversation with Ariadne. Spotting me, he cut the conversation short and promptly ended the call. "Sir." Norman stood up, grinning. "I just sat there, watching her when her eyes suddenly opened. I was so shocked, frozen, thinking it was a dream. Then, she turned to look at me, she blinked and I almost cried. The doctor is checking on her now." He stated. "Thank you." I smiled, patting him on the back. "Finally." I breathed. "Your father is on his way." Norman informed me, smiling sheepishly. "And her friends." "You were that excited, weren't you?" I c
RosalieDespite Dr. Simmons asserting that I was married to someone like Adrien Vasanten, I couldn't accept it. How could I be married to him while he was dating my stepsister, Yvette? Although I once had feelings for him in high school, they faded when he humiliated me in front of everyone in the school cafeteria.Two years after our high school graduation, he began dating Yvette, and they have been together ever since. Adrien Vasanten, who was the bane of my existence, was not someone I could have agreed to marry under any circumstances.As the door to my hospital room swung open, the devil himself entered, closing it behind him. His suit jacket was discarded, and his white shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing impressive forearms. The coiffed hair from earlier was now tousled, adding to his charm, and I had to admit he looked like he belonged on the front cover of a GQ magazine."Hi," He greeted, pausing three feet from my bed, an evident nervousness in his demeano
Adrien "Daddy?" Mason called."Yes, son?" I replied, turning my head to look down at him. He was nestled in my side, while Maya was on my lap and Alessandra on my other side. We've been like this since we started their favorite animated film, which was right after dinner."Will Mama ever remember us?" He inquired."Yes, daddy, will she?" Maya chimed in. "I don't want to live without Mama.""Me too." Alessandra pouted."We won't live without Mama," I said. "It'll take time, but she'll definitely remember us one day.""You promise?" All three of them lifted their pinky fingers.I chuckled softly, shaking my head. Making promises with kids was tricky and it meant keeping them at all costs to avoid disappointment, but this was one promise I wasn't sure I could keep."I can't make that promise because it's up to Mama's brain to remember us." I explained. "If it doesn't want to remember us, then we can't force it.""But, it's not fair." They whined."It's not." I agreed. "But, look on the
Rosalie "What? No!" He exclaimed, indignation filling his voice. Rising to his feet, he began pacing, a habit that I've noticed surfaces whenever frustration overcomes him. Running his fingers through his hair was another quirk, almost enough to make me swoon. Almost. "Why not?" I arched my brow. "It's within my rights to ask for a divorce, right?" I asserted. "You're not allowed to refuse me." "It'll never happen." He firmly asserted, impressing me by saying "no" in thirty different languages. "I'm impressed," I remarked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "But that won't stop me from filing for a divorce. It'd be in your best interests to sign the papers when served." "I won't let you do this," He insisted. "You won't leave me." "I was never by your side to begin with," I snorted. "I don't want to be married to you." "Because you have this idea that I belong to Yvette?" He spat, his fists clenched by his side. "You're correct," I replied, smirking. "The two of you are cut from