Abella and Charlotte sat together in the living room, relaxing in each other’s company. But Abella couldn’t ignore the question in her mind.“Why was your date cancelled? Did Dad say anything about it?” she asked, looking at Charlotte curiously.Charlotte sighed, shaking her head. “No. He didn’t say anything.”Before their conversation could continue, Anne and Sabrina entered the room. Seeing both girls together, they walked over. Sabrina wasted no time. “Charlotte, did you speak to Cillian Facci?”Charlotte shook her head. “No, Mom. I didn’t. Our assistants were handling all the arrangements. We were supposed to meet tonight, but Dad suddenly told me not to go. I have no idea what’s going on.”Sabrina’s gaze remained sharp. “Were you actually serious about marrying him?”Charlotte met her mother’s eyes and spoke firmly. “Mom, I wouldn’t joke about something this important. I wasn’t playing with anyone’s feelings.”Before Sabrina could respond, the room’s atmosphere shifted. Nathanie
Nicholas looked at Anne, his voice firm. “What are you talking about? This is important.”Anne met his gaze, her expression serious. “Nicholas, marriage isn’t a joke. You can’t just get married, spend months together as husband and wife, and then, when things don’t work out, claim you were intoxicated and get an annulment. Life isn’t that simple. Marriage is a serious affair.”Nikolai, still unsure, added, “That man could be a fraud.”Anne turned to Charlotte. “Coco, is Sebastian a fraud?”Charlotte looked down, her voice quiet as she shook her head. “No. He is a very good person.”Anne’s eyes narrowed. “At any point, did you have feelings for him?”Charlotte fell silent, her gaze glued to the floor.Anne pressed on. “Did you, Coco, or didn’t you?”Charlotte’s voice was a soft whisper as she finally spoke. “But he…” she trailed off, unable to finish.Anne smiled softly, her understanding clear. She turned to Sabrina and said, “I won’t make any decisions about this without involving y
Charlotte arrived in Mexico late at night. She had gotten the information she needed from Carter King and was now standing in the grand lobby of the hotel where Sebastian was staying. Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and walked up to the reception desk.“Hello, I’m here to see Sebastian King,” she said, her voice trying to sound cool and collected.The receptionist glanced up and asked politely, “Is Mr. King expecting you?”Charlotte shook her head. “No, he isn’t.”The receptionist frowned. “I’m sorry, Ma’am, but we can’t allow you to see him. Mr. King has given strict instructions not to be disturbed.” She added apologetically, “He is a special guest.”Charlotte’s expression remained composed, but her voice turned sharp. “I am his wife. I don’t think the ‘no disturb’ clause applies to me.”The receptionist hesitated. “Ma’am—”The poor receptionist was stuck in a mess. The woman seemed ordinary but from her posture, style and air, she could tell that the woman was someone
Sebastian pinned her wrists above her head, allowing her no chance to retreat. He knew her well enough to know that if she didn’t want this, she would fight back. Hell, she would probably shoot him. But she didn’t.Instead, she melted into him, surrendering to his heat, and letting him take control.By the time they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless.Charlotte’s chest heaved, her lips swollen and red from the force of his kiss.Sebastian’s eyes darkened as he brushed his thumb over her bottom lip.“Do you have something to say to me?” he whispered, his voice husky.Charlotte, still dazed from the intensity of the moment, managed a small nod.“Yes.”Sebastian waited, his gaze unwavering.She took a shaky breath and whispered, “I love you.”And then, before she could face his reaction, she buried her face against his chest while clinging to him.Sebastian didn’t hesitate.In one swift move, he lifted her over his shoulder while ignoring her surprised gasp, and carried h
For some reason, Sebastian had to go and meet a client. It was a short meeting and he called the client in the hotel restaurants. While leaving the room, he left her a message that he would be back soon. When Sebastian returned, he found Charlotte dressed in his clothes—his white shirt and shorts fitting her perfectly, almost as if they were made for her. She sat on the couch to read something on her phone while sipping coffee. Her face looked tense, but the moment she noticed him, her features softened into a breathtaking smile.“Hi,” she greeted.His own lips curved into a smile as he walked toward her. “Hey there.” Without hesitation, he pulled her into a warm hug. “I’m sorry I had to leave you here alone.”As he held her, he caught the familiar scent of his body wash on her skin. His heart stuttered. “Someone took a bath,” he teased, pulling back just enough to meet her eyes. His deep steel-blue gaze locked onto her vibrant green ones.Charlotte smirked. “Are you really that happ
The scent of aged wood and candle wax filled the room. The dim light flickered across the long mahogany table where two mafia families faced each other and the other had yet to enter.Charlotte Hart entered the room with calculated confidence, wearing a tailored black suit. The cold click of her heels echoed through the space while commanding attention before she even spoke. Hardened men straightened in their seats.Cillian turned to look at Luca Moretti, the third mafia family who controlled the Mexican region. He said, “Nicholas Hart was supposed to come.”Luca laughed. “Facci, I told you Nicholas does not look after the business. The new boss does.”Cillian said, “Bullshit. A woman cannot control our business. He is using her as a bluff.” Across from him, Luca leaned back lazily, fingers wrapped around a glass of whiskey, his expression filled with amusement.“That’s the queen herself,” Luca said, loudly. “Miss Hart, thank you for gracing us with your presence.”There was amuseme
When Cillian arrived at his car, a woman reached out to hug him.He caught her hand before she could which made her hesitate."It was tiring," she said in a perfect British accent. She was a classic Italian beauty, her refined features framed by the elegance of her voice.Cillian responded in Italian. "Not now, Carina."She bit her lip, watching him with knowing eyes. Slowly, she reached for him again, her fingers trailing lightly over his sleeve while testing his resistance. After a moment, she whispered, "You know what? I will ask the driver to give us privacy, and I will make you forget about everything."The moment the car door shut behind them, Carina straddled him with her fingers slipping into his hair. Her lips ghosted over his tensed jaw."You are tense, Tesoro," she purred, her accent slipping between Italian and English, a seductive blend of the two. "Let me help."Cillian exhaled sharply when her lips met his, the taste of whiskey lingerd between them. He should have pushe
"Be careful," Anne said over the phone."Mom, I'll be fine," Abella reassured her. "Thank you for letting me go.""This is for Estelle. I want her to be happy," Anne said gently. "If you need anything, let me know."Abella and Estelle were going on a trip to Europe. Their first stop was London, where Estelle wanted to visit her cousin, who was studying at Oxford. They planned to stay in London for a few days before continuing their journey across Europe. It was a long plan and she was going to spend her semester break by travelling with her best friend. "Have a safe journey, girls!" Anne added. "Call me when you land in London."Although they could have traveled by private jet, Abella and Estelle wanted an independent adventure just like any other young women. However, Anne insisted on booking them first-class seats, ensuring their comfort and safety.Now settled on the flight, Estelle and Abella took their seats, with Abella sitting directly behind Estelle.Just as they were getting
EpilogueThree Years Later“Dr. Hart?”Abella turned around to see a nurse hurrying toward her.“The patient in the NICU is responding to the medication,” the nurse informed her. “Could you check on her?”Without hesitation, Abella rushed to the NICU, her heart throbbing fast. That morning, the baby girl’s condition had been critical, but now, as she looked into those tiny, bright eyes, she felt a wave of relief.“Hey there, sweetheart,” Abella cooed, smiling warmly. “You’re such a fighter. You fought so hard to be here with your mom and dad.”The baby stared up at her, and Abella’s heart melted.“Yes, you’re such a strong, big girl,” she whispered, gently touching the baby’s hand.Outside the NICU, the parents expressed their gratitude; their tearful smiles reminded Abella why she had chosen this path. In moments like these, she was reminded of how beautiful it was to help save these little angels. But there were also the heartbreaking days, the ones where some angels didn’t make it.
Meanwhile, Kate and Rhys were sitting with Anne.“Why is Aunt suddenly changing colors?” Rhys asked.“Because she knows she was wrong and wants back what she lost,” Kate said matter-of-factly.Anne chuckled. “Kate, as much as I love your straightforward attitude, I’d appreciate it if you toned it down in front of Emery. She is… well, very touchy and fussy.”Kate shrugged. “MIL, I have a complaint. Coco and Sia had a girls’ day without me! Can you imagine? I’m trying to be as cool as them, but they left me out!”Rhys suppressed a chuckle. “Yes, Mom, they left my dear Kate out.”Anne played along. “That’s terrible, I’ll scold them,”“Yes, scold them well,” Kate agreed, then added mischievously, “but don’t tell them I snitched. Just say it was Rhys.”Anne smiled. “Alright, dear.” Then, she glanced at Kate. “I saw you have been spending time with Abella. How’s that going? I know you two weren’t close.”Kate sighed. “Everyone coddles her too much. She is living in disillusionment. Coco and
It was a beautiful day that was filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Anne and Nicholas’s wedding anniversary had brought the entire family together, and the house was buzzing with warmth and joy.Nicholas turned to Anne as his eyes were soft with affection. “We have been together for forty years,” he said, a gentle smile on his lips.Anne smiled back, a touch of nostalgia in her gaze. “Yes, we made it this far.”Leaning in, Nicholas pressed a tender kiss to her lips. “Thank you for giving me the chance to be your husband.”Anne’s voice was barely above a whisper as she responded, “Thank you for fighting for us.”Just then, Leon and Coco appeared out of nowhere while wrapping their arms around their parents in a tight hug. “If anyone deserves the credit, it’s us!” Leon declared with a grin. “We made sure you two ended up together.”Nicholas and Anne exchanged amused glances before nodding. “Yes,” Nicholas agreed, “and we’re very thankful for your scheming. Turns out, it w
“Did you match into your preferred branch of residency?” Madam Facci asked, excitement filling her voice.Abella swallowed. “Ma, I’m still checking the results,” she admitted. “I’m scared.”“You have nothing to be scared of, my dear. Just look,” she heard. With a deep breath, Abella entered her credentials for the residency match. Her eyes darted across the screen as the words appeared before her.“I…” Her voice caught in her throat.“What is it?” Madam Facci asked eagerly.“Pediatrics…” Abella whispered in disbelief.A joyful gasp came from the other end. “Oh my god! I am so happy for you, dear!”Abella’s chest tightened as she read the rest. “With NYU…” she murmured. “If I accept it, I will have to stay in New York.”Was she ready for this?Madam Facci’s voice was warm and reassuring. “Whatever you choose, we are proud of you. You’ve worked hard for this. Don’t overthink it, just enjoy this moment. You did it, Abella. I’m so, so proud of you.”That evening, the entire family gather
Augustus Hart was born a healthy, chubby baby with a bald head, looking absolutely perfect in every way. His arrival was so sudden that only Callum and Estelle were present at the hospital when her water broke. They barely had time to inform anyone, but Abella rushed over as soon as she found out.The moment Callum stepped out of the delivery room and saw his sister waiting outside, a wave of emotions hit him all at once. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a tight hug.“Congratulations, brother. I’m so proud of you,” Abella whispered, pressing a kiss to his cheek.Callum let out a shaky breath, still overwhelmed. “When did you get here?”“Just now,” she said with a smile. “How’s Estelle?”“Tired,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “Still cursing me.”Abella chuckled. “And the baby?”“Just perfect,” Callum said, his eyes softening. “Come inside. She is going to be so happy to see you.”When Estelle saw Abella, she let out a small gasp before pulling her into a long, tight
After her divorce, Abella didn’t leave the country. Cillian had given her a staggering sum in alimony, even going as far as naming half of his assets to her, but she refused to take a single dime. She had her own inheritance. More money than she could ever need. But what could wealth do? It couldn’t buy her happiness. It couldn’t fill the void in her heart.Cillian knew her too well; he didn’t push her to accept anything. He let her go, even when it shattered him.When her mother lived in Italy with Coco and Leon, alongside her uncle Nate, she had bought a beautiful bungalow. It had never been sold, left untouched over the years. When Abella married Cillian, Leon had given her the key to that house as a quiet token of their family’s past. There were two bungalows beside each other, one where her mother had raised her two older siblings, and the other where her father had stayed, the place where her parents had met and reunited. One had been passed down to Charlotte, the other to Leon.
Cillian stared at her, his throat tightening as he heard the finality in her voice. He had imagined this conversation a thousand different ways, but none of them had prepared him for the calm and almost serene acceptance in her eyes.“Abella…” He whispered her name like a prayer, like a plea. “Can we please rethink this?”Abella smiled. It was a soft, bittersweet smile that made his chest ache.“Cillian, there is nothing to rethink,” she said gently. “Alessandro came to see me. He told me that he was leaving the country with his mother. He said he doesn’t want to come between us, that he would be happy if you called him once in a while and only if it was okay with me.” She let out a humorless chuckle. “That’s too big of a burden for me to carry. I mean, I don’t care how you navigate your relationship with your son. But I will give you one piece of advice: don’t be a jerk. Don’t hurt one more person. You have already hurt me, you have hurt him, and you have hurt his mother. Stop making
Cillian reached for her hand, his grip firm but trembling as well. “Abella, please listen to me. I’m sorry. I made a mistake by not telling you the truth. Can you please forgive me?” His voice cracked with desperation.She looked at him, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know,” she said softly.Cillian’s breath hitched, and he tried again. “Please, I’ll change. I’ll work on myself. Just give me a chance.” His hands clenched at his sides as if willing himself not to break apart. “I don’t want to see you like this, so shattered. You mean so fucking much to me. Please.”But to Abella, his words felt like echoes in an empty room. They were hollow and weightless. Once upon a time, she had longed to hear them, had dreamed of a moment where he would look at her like this, beg for her, choose her. But now? Now, they felt unimportant. They meant nothing.She exhaled, rubbing her temple. “I heard you. But my head is splitting apart, Cillian. Can you please just go back to your house? I just w
Madam Facci looked at her son, her expression undecipherable. She had seen Cillian walk through storms without flinching, but today, he stood before her looking utterly wrecked. His usually sharp eyes were bloodshot, his arm wound had reopened, staining his sleeve with fresh blood, yet none of that seemed to matter to him or anyone at this point.“What do you want, Cillian?” she asked, her voice firm but not unkind.“I’m here to see Abella,” he said. His voice was hoarse, almost desperate.Madam Facci crossed her arms. “I’m sure you have no idea what happened last night.”“I know,” he admitted, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. “I just want to explain things to her. She is overthinking this, and there is nothing much to overthink. I just—” He exhaled sharply. “I just want to make everything okay.”A wry smile tugged at Madam Facci’s lips, but there was no amusement in her eyes. “Son,” she said, “we can never tell someone what is worth overthinking or not. For you, th