Charlotte waited for Callum to leave before approaching Serafina. Just as she was about to step forward, Rhys appeared with Nico in his arms.“Can you hold him for a minute while I grab something?” Rhys asked. Nico was fussy at the moment as he had just woken up. He needed to bring his son’s milk bottle but if he brought Nico to the kitchen, it would be another chaos right now. He would turn to other eatables and would not look at milk. If the kid does not get milk in the morning, he will be upset all day. Charlotte, unable to resist her sleepy and adorable nephew and readily agreed. She took the little one in her arms and began smiling as Nico snuggled closer. He smelled like baby powder and milk. Her favourite smell in the world. She would never say no to spend an extra minute with the kid. Meanwhile, Serafina’s phone buzzed. Spotting the caller ID, she immediately answered.“Hey, what’s up?” she said, her tone cheerful.“Someone’s chirpy this morning,” Sebastian teased from the o
“Did she talk about me?” Sebastian asked eagerly.As soon as Serafina reached her car, she called her brother back. She was annoyed.“Can you stop blowing up my phone with texts?” Serafina said, exasperated. He was not going easy on her. While she was at the breakfast table, he texted her ten times in two minutes. “Come on, Fina, be easy on me,” Sebastian replied with a laugh. “Did she say anything about me?”“No, she didn’t even mention you,” Serafina answered flatly. “She just came to invite me to breakfast because her mom asked her to. When she was at our house, she was stiff and polite. But I noticed at home, that she is actually quite cool and funny.”“Is she?” he asked, his tone curious. “What’s she like at home?”Serafina shrugged, though Sebastian couldn’t see her. “She is Alessia Swift’s best friend, for starters. And she has two sets of parents—her biological ones and her uncle and his wife, who raised her. She is super attached to her family. Oh, and she has like five sibl
Inside the Hart Mansion“How is Estelle?” Nicholas asked Abella, who had just returned home after spending the night with Estelle.“She is doing a little better,” Abella replied. “But she would be even better if Aunt Emery would stop blowing up her phone all day. Ronan is using his mother to get in touch with her. Estelle asked him for some space to heal, but he just won’t leave her in peace.”After talking with Estelle, she had been in a pretty depressed state herself. Her friend was hurting herself by locking her in a single room and not letting anyone near her. She could not do much but at least she was around to let Estelle know that she was around. While Estelle was drawing in misery, Abella was helping out her family as well as they did not know how to navigate this weird situation of life that no one had anticipated. “Something’s wrong with that boy,” Nathaniel commented, shaking his head. “He is ruining his relationship. It’s like a curse that men in our family always mess u
“Hi,” Callum said softly, his voice filled with hesitance. “Thank you for meeting me.”In the quiet corner of a small café, Callum sat on one side of the table while Estelle sat on the other. She looked worn out, her hair uncombed and her figure covered in a shabby night suit. Her face carried the marks of exhaustion and despair, and Callum couldn’t help but notice she had put on a little weight since he had last seen her. He guessed it was likely from seeking comfort in comfort foods while trying to drown out her pain.He was aware of her eating disorder and also how during sadness, she could only eat sugar and nothing else. “What do you want?” she asked, her tone weary and edged with bitterness. Before he could respond, she added sharply, “If you are here to tell me how much you hate me, or what a terrible person I am, don’t bother. I already know.”If it was a normal time, she would have bore his hate for her. But now she was done with everyone hating her. Hell, even she hates her
Estelle added, “I never cheated on Ronan.”His breath hitched as he absorbed her words as guilt and confusion flickered across his face.She continued as if finally unburdening herself. “When you and I spent that night together… I mean, at that time… we weren’t together. Ronan and I were over. I had a genuine moment with you. I thought I could move on, that maybe I could find something new or something real.”She swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to her hands. “But the next day, Ronan came to my house. He proposed to me.” She gave a faint, bitter laugh. “I couldn’t say no. I didn’t say no because that’s what I thought I wanted—what I had been waiting for all my life. And when it finally happened, I didn’t know if it was right... or wrong.”Estelle sighed deeply as she continued. “We were on a break for a year. He saw other people during that time, and I was allowed to as well. But I was so damn crazy about him that I never did. After him, I was only with you… but when you started blam
Sia was on FaceTime with Charlotte, comfortably seated in Leon’s office while he attended a meeting in the next room. Through the glass wall, he would occasionally glance at her, as if checking to make sure she was doing okay.“How is Miss Taylor and Mr. Hart’s search for a potential groom going?” Sia asked, her tone light and amused.Charlotte let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh, they have taken it so seriously that it’s practically become a full-time project. Every day, they sit together and discuss potential candidates like it’s some kind of corporate merger. And now, even Grandma and Grandpa have joined the Nicholas-Sabrina alliance.”Sia burst out laughing. “I take it Uncle Nathaniel and Ma aren’t thrilled about it?”Charlotte shook her head. “Not at all. They are old-school romantics. They want me to fall in love first and then get married as if that’s something you can just plan. Like love is supposed to conveniently show up at my doorstep.”Sia leaned closer to the screen as her voic
Nicholas was in his office when his phone rang. The name on the screen made his eyes narrow. He picked up immediately. As he listened to the voice on the other end, his expression darkened. Without hesitation, he looked at his assistant and ordered, “We leave now.”Minutes later, Nicholas stepped into a high-rise building, his polished shoes echoing against the marble floors. The view of Manhattan stretched endlessly beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. A man stood with his back to him, hands casually tucked into his pockets, watching the city below.“Facci.”The man turned slowly, a wicked smirk playing on his lips. His ashy-blue eyes, dark hair, and the unmistakable air of chaos mingled with pride reminded Nicholas of his own younger self.“Mr. Nicholas Hart.” Cillian Facci took a step forward, his voice smooth but tinted with an edge. “What a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”Nicholas didn’t waste time on pleasantries. “Why did you call me here?”Cillian’s smirk widened slig
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
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