The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor filled the hospital room, a steady contrast to the quiet murmurs between Emma and Amy. Serena’s eyelids fluttered open, her vision blurry at first, but then clearing enough to see her daughter curled up in her arms.“Mommy?” Amy’s small voice was filled with relief as she tightened her hold around Serena. “You’re awake!”Serena exhaled slowly, a wave of exhaustion washing over her. “Amy…” Her voice was hoarse, dry, as if she had swallowed a desert. “Sweetheart, are you okay?”Amy nodded eagerly, her face lighting up. “I’m fine, but you scared me! You were sleeping for so long, and everyone was worried.”Serena managed a weak smile and kissed Amy’s forehead. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to worry you.”Emma sighed in relief, stepping closer to the bed. “Serena, how do you feel? You’ve been out for a while.”Serena blinked a few times, adjusting to the dim hospital lighting. “I feel… tired,” she admitted, shifting slightly. “But I’m okay
Kate stood on her balcony, a self-satisfied grin stretching across her lips as she scrolled through her phone. The city lights flickered around her, reflecting off her wine glass, but nothing was as entertaining as the news she was reading.Serena Winthrop, CEO of Rocky’s Design, involved in a drowning incident. Condition unknown.The headlines flooded every corner of social media, and Kate couldn’t contain her excitement.She scrolled through comments, enjoying the chaos.— She’s probably dead by now.— How does someone just drown like that?— Is this real or just some publicity stunt?Kate laughed, taking a slow sip of her wine. “Oh, if only they knew,” she murmured to herself.She had made sure the media exaggerated the situation.Earlier while she was resting on her bed, she had suddenly received a call from her private investigator, informing her of Serena’s tragic fate of drowning in a pool.Kate being who she was, felt that was a great news to leak out to the media while also
The hospital room was filled with warmth as Serena took her first sip of the hot soup Mrs. Winthrop had carefully prepared. The rich aroma filled the air, mixing with the sterile scent of the hospital.Mrs. Winthrop watched her daughter with soft eyes. “Drink slowly, Serena. It’s still hot.”Serena nodded, taking another careful sip. The warmth spread through her, soothing her throat. “It’s really good, Mom. Thank you for making it.”Mrs. Winthrop smiled, pleased. “You need something warm in your stomach after what happened. I don’t want you getting sick on top of everything else.”Amy, now freshly bathed and wearing a new pink dress, sat beside her mother on the hospital bed, her tiny hands fidgeting with Serena’s sleeve. “Mommy, do you feel all better now?”Serena turned to her daughter, her eyes softening. “I feel much better, baby.”Amy beamed, leaning against her mother’s arm.Mrs. Winthrop scooped another serving of soup into a smaller bowl and handed it to Bianca, who had
The morning sun shone brightly, casting a golden glow over the city as Serena stepped out of the hospital doors, her mother right beside her. But the moment they pushed through the entrance, they were met with a sea of reporters. Camera flashes went off relentlessly, voices shouting over one another, each reporter desperate to get an exclusive statement. “Miss Serena! How are you feeling after the accident?” “Is there any side effect from falling into the water?” “Can you tell us who was with you at the time of the incident?” Serena kept her head down, her face completely expressionless, as she pushed through the crowd with her mother by her side. “Move,” Mrs. Winthrop snapped, using her arm to block the reporters from getting too close. “Get out of the way!” A reporter, determined not to lose the chance, stepped forward, shoving a microphone toward Serena. “There are rumors that you actually didn’t make it out alive! What do you have to say about that?” Mrs. Winthrop sto
The drive home was quiet, but Serena felt a sense of relief being away from the hospital and the media’s prying eyes. The moment they pulled into the driveway, she spotted a familiar figure standing by the front door.Nathan.He was pacing, his hands in his pockets, his brows furrowed in concern. The moment Serena stepped out of the car, he rushed over, his eyes scanning her from head to toe, as if making sure she was truly okay.“Serena!” he called, stopping right in front of her.She blinked in surprise. “Nathan? What are you doing here?”Nathan let out a breath, shaking his head. “I saw the news. I—” He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was out of town for a business meeting, and that’s why I couldn’t be at the hospital last night. But the moment I heard you were discharged, I came straight here.”Serena smiled gently, touched by his concern. “You didn’t have to rush here, Nathan. I’m fine, really.”He didn’t seem convinced. “Are you sure?” His eyes searched hers, as
Emma sat behind her desk, her fingers moving quickly over the papers in front of her. She was trying to wrap up some last-minute work, but her mind kept drifting back to the message she had received earlier that morning.From him.Ethan.She had read and reread his message, trying to decode what exactly he meant. His words had been playful yet strangely serious. And now, here she was, sitting in her office, thinking about him instead of focusing on her tasks.With a sigh, she pushed the thoughts aside and picked up another document, determined to finish her work. But then—Ding!The elevator doors slid open.Emma barely looked up—she was used to people coming and going. But then, she heard footsteps.Slow. Purposeful.Something about the sound made her stomach twist.She finally lifted her eyes—And froze.Standing in the doorway was Ethan.He was dressed in a tailored navy blue suit, his dark hair neatly styled, his lips curved into a signature smirk. His presence filled the roo
Bianca sat alone in her dimly lit apartment, the floor cold against her bare legs as she tilted her head back and took another long sip of her drink.Her apartment was in complete disarray—empty bottles scattered around, a few half-eaten snacks sitting on the coffee table, and her phone lying face down beside her. But Bianca couldn’t care less.Because all she could think about was Serena.Serena.The woman who refused to just disappear.The woman who should have drowned in that accident.The woman who, despite everything, still had the attention of the men around her.Bianca let out a bitter laugh, gripping the glass in her hand so tightly her fingers turned white.The fact that Serena survived was already frustrating enough. But what made it even worse was the message she had received from her private investigator just that morning—Nathan.Nathan had been at Serena’s place.Not just visiting—but acting all caring.Bianca’s blood boiled at the thought.What was so special about Se
As Emma and Ethan stepped out of the restaurant, the cool night breeze brushed against her skin. Ethan’s hand held hers gently, his thumb absentmindedly tracing small circles on the back of her palm.The dinner had been… unexpected. She hadn’t imagined Ethan would be so open, telling her about his family, his past, and how he had never been lucky in relationships. There was something genuine about the way he spoke, something that made her feel warm inside.As they reached his car, Ethan turned to her, his dark eyes searching hers. “Emma…”She glanced up at him, waiting.He sighed softly, then smiled. “I meant what I said back there. I won’t rush you. I’ll wait for your answer, however long it takes.”Emma felt a strange flutter in her chest. She wasn’t sure what to say, so she only nodded.Ethan smiled at her response, then opened the passenger door for her. “Come on, let’s get you home.”The drive was mostly silent, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. The radio played softly in the ba
Ryan’s heart was pounding in his chest, but he forced his feet to move. He had stood frozen for too long. Serena still hadn’t seen him. She was focused on breathing through her contractions, her hand gripping the railing as she took slow steps forward. His throat was dry. His palms were sweaty. But he couldn’t waste another second. “Serena.” The moment he spoke, she froze. Her body tensed, her grip on the railing tightening. Slowly—so slowly—she turned her head toward him. Her eyes widened, her lips parting slightly. “Ryan?” Ryan exhaled sharply. God, she was beautiful. Even in a hospital gown, with exhaustion written all over her face, she looked like the most stunning thing he had ever seen. His chest tightened. She was about to give birth to his child. And she had tried to keep it from him. “Why?” His voice was hoarse, raw with emotion. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Serena immediately turned away. “Not now, Ryan,” she muttered, trying to keep walking. But Ryan wasn’t le
The cold air of the ice rink bit at Ryan’s skin as he skated across the smooth surface, his breath coming out in white puffs. The crowd was cheering, the sound of sticks hitting the puck echoed through the large arena, and his teammates were yelling for him to pass the puck. But none of it registered. His mind was somewhere else. Or rather, with someone else. Serena. The moment Amy’s innocent little voice had blurted out the truth over the phone, Ryan had felt the world shift beneath his feet. She had been carrying his child for nine months. Nine months. And she hadn’t told him. The thought kept slamming into him like a freight train, making his grip on his hockey stick tighten, his movements stiff and uncoordinated. “Ryan, focus!” Ethan’s voice rang from behind him. Ryan barely heard him. Ethan must have noticed, because the next thing he knew, his best friend skated up beside him and knocked him hard on the shoulder. “Dude, what’s wrong with you? You look like you jus
The Christmas lights twinkled softly in Serena’s living room, casting a warm glow over the space. Snow was falling gently outside, covering the city in a soft white blanket. The smell of cinnamon and vanilla filled the air, courtesy of the cookies Emma had baked earlier. It was supposed to be a peaceful evening. But Serena was anything but peaceful. She sat on the couch, one hand resting on her very pregnant belly, while the other rubbed her forehead. She was exhausted. Nine months. She had managed to keep her pregnancy a complete secret for nine whole months. It hadn’t been easy—working from home, avoiding public appearances, making sure no one suspected anything. Emma had done an amazing job shielding her from the world. Even now, as her due date crept closer, Serena still wasn’t ready for the world to know. And most importantly, she wasn’t ready for Ryan to know. She sighed, leaning back into the cushions. Amy was sitting on the floor in front of the Christmas tree, her li
Emma had just stepped out of the shower when her phone started buzzing on the nightstand. She wrapped a towel around herself, quickly reaching for the device. A small smile tugged at her lips when she saw the name flashing across the screen. Ethan. She answered immediately, pressing the phone to her ear. “Hey, babe.” Ethan’s deep, familiar voice came through the line, warm and teasing. “Hey, beautiful. Busy?” Emma chuckled, settling onto the bed. “Not really. Just got out of the shower. Why? You sound suspiciously sweet today.” Ethan laughed. “Can’t a man be sweet to his girlfriend without suspicion?” “Not when that man is you,” Emma teased, shaking her head. “So, what’s up?” “Clear your schedule tonight,” Ethan said smoothly. “I’m taking you out.” Emma raised an eyebrow. “Out? Like… dinner?” “Dinner, yes,” Ethan confirmed. “But before that, I’m taking you shopping. You need something special to wear for tonight.” Emma’s heart did a little flip. “Ethan, you know I can pick
Serena had been feeling off for weeks. It had started with the constant nausea, the exhaustion that no amount of rest could fix, and the strange sensitivity to smells that had her gagging at the most unexpected moments. At first, she dismissed it as stress. Her life has been a whirlwind of events lately—Philip being exposed, Ryan trying to win her back, the scandal that nearly destroyed her company, and the overwhelming relief of regaining her reputation. It wasn’t surprising that her body was reacting to all of it. But when she could barely keep food down for three days in a row, Emma had stepped in. “You need to go to the hospital, Serena,” Emma had said firmly, standing in her office with her hands on her hips. Serena, who was slumped over her desk, groaned. “It’s just stress.” Emma arched her brow. “Stress makes you tired, moody, and maybe gives you headaches. Stress doesn’t make you throw up every morning for two weeks straight.” Serena sighed, pinching the bridge of her n
Serena sat in her office, staring out the large window at the city skyline. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the buildings, but she hardly noticed. Her mind was elsewhere, tangled in the mess of emotions she had been avoiding for weeks. Everything had changed. The truth about Philip. The revelation that Steve—the man who had helped her rebuild her life—was actually Ryan’s father. The scandal that had almost cost her everything. But most of all, Ryan. His presence in her life had once been something she had accepted begrudgingly. Their nights together, their moments of passion—it had all been something she had allowed herself to indulge in, telling herself that it didn’t mean anything. She had convinced herself that it was just sex. That her heart wasn’t involved. But now, as she sat alone in her office, she realized that Ryan had always been a storm in her life. And she was tired of storms. She exhaled, leaning back in her chair. She had fought so hard to re
The news spread like wildfire, dominating every media outlet, news channel, and social platform. It was a scandal unlike anything the city had ever seen. The man the world had known as Thomas Winters was not Thomas at all. Every major newspaper, every television station, and every online gossip site ran with the same shocking headline: Philip Winters—Imposter Billionaire! Not the Real Thomas Winters! Billionaire Steve Jacob is Actually Thomas Winters! The revelation shook the entire business world. For years, the Winters family had been seen as one of the most powerful and influential families in the country. But now? Now, the truth had shattered their reputation in ways no one could have ever imagined. And Kate’s involvement? That only made it worse. Reports detailed her role in the conspiracy—how she had aligned herself with Philip, how she had worked against Serena Winthrop, how she had helped orchestrate attacks on Serena and her daughter. It was a complete disaster for
Kate sat on the floor of Rolly’s living room, her hair disheveled, eyes wild with frustration. The walls seemed to close in on her, suffocating her as her thoughts spiraled deeper into madness. The only sound in the dimly lit apartment was the low hum of the television, where a news report was still playing clips of the scandal that had ruined her life. The footage of her and Thomas—no, Philip—played over and over again, reminding the world of her shame. She clutched her phone tightly, her nails digging into the glass screen as she dialed Ryan’s number again. One ring. Two rings. Straight to voicemail. Kate let out a ragged breath, her pulse hammering in her ears. She had called him more than a hundred times. Had sent him texts, voice messages—begged him to at least talk to her. But there was nothing. He had cut her off. Completely. A scream of rage ripped from her throat as she threw the phone across the room. It hit the wall with a loud crack, pieces scattering onto the floo
The room was filled with a suffocating silence as Margaret Winters’ sharp gaze swept over her husband. She squared her shoulders, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know what you’re trying to imply,” she said coolly, her tone sharp and unwavering. “But I’m looking at my husband, Thomas Winters, right now. There’s nothing off about him.” Ryan’s breath hitched. His gaze flickered between his mother and Steve, waiting for some kind of reaction—a hesitation, a flicker of doubt. But Margaret remained completely convinced that nothing was wrong. Steve smirked, shaking his head slightly. “Well, Philip,” he said, his voice laced with amusement as he looked at Thomas. “Are you going to start confessing? Or should I spill the truth myself?” A brief shadow crossed Thomas’s face—a flicker of confusion. “What the hell are you talking about?” he snapped, his tone edged with irritation. But Ryan caught something beneath it. Fear. Steve sighed, slipping his hands into his pockets. “You’re r