Nicholas had recovered from fever, and he had started going to work. Of course, his family was not happy about this. They urged him to rest for one more day, but he graciously refused as he had more important work to do. “Mr Clarke…”Nicholas shook hands with the man he didn't think he would see after that day again. Mr Clarke delivered the news of Nathaniel's demise and shook the Hart family. “I didn't think I would see Mr Hart again.” The man said with a chuckle. Nicholas said, “Likewise.”He decided to meet Mr Clarke because of a considerable reason. If not, he would not have come to meet the man who considered the entire Hart family as his mortal enemy. Nicholas asked him a question, “Let me ask you a question, Mr Clarke.”Mr Clarke was sitting in a cafe. His coffee was untouched as he was looking at Nicholas and trying to read him. He could see that the young mafia head came with a job that he wanted from him. Nicholas questioned, “How important was Nathaniel to you?” Mr Cla
While Nicholas was unraveling the truth, Roseanne was at home, worrying about his health as he played with dangers. Of course, she knew he would be fine, but she couldn't help but worry about him. She made herself understand that he would be fine and tried to distract herself with random chores but her mind was still on him. She was picking up his clothes that he had scattered on the bed, sighing. His old habit of taking out tens of clothes from the closet and then deciding on one without putting the others back was still intact. How many times had she told him that she didn't like his habit? However, he didn't seem to understand it. Sometimes, she thinks that he does this intentionally to make her angry. Suddenly, Roseanne realized that she was muttering about Nicholas. And not just this, she was remembering their old times together without feeling bad about it. Instead of remembering the sad moments of their togetherness, she was recalling all the good moments, especially the on
"Why is this pretty lady with my Nicholas?" Coco inquired, pointing at the photo."That's his wife," Roseanne replied softly."Oh?" Coco's face fell, confusion clouding her features.“Nothing, mommy,”Coco said. “What's her name?”“Her name is Anne Rose Swift,” Roseanne answered. It felt weird for her to talk about herself to her daughter like she was a stranger. Anne Rose was not just anyone but her. A part of her that she killed a long time ago. “Like you mommy?” Coco asked after thinking. “She has a similar name like you.”“Yes, we do have a similar name, ”Roseanne whispered.Coco patted her mother's shoulder and said, “You are also pretty mommy.”Rosanne laughed. “What do you mean by ‘also’?Did her daughter think that she was feeling bad? It was not like that. It was just that she couldn't believe that an innocent child like Coco would find her old self pretty. She hated Anne Rose. Anne Rose was not beautiful and confident. She could be easily intimidated by people. She had a bad
Leon’s words had shattered Roseanne. As the kids left, leaving her the only one left in the room, tears began streaming down her cheeks. It was fueled by a deep frustration she could barely articulate. In this moment, she was utterly lost and was unsure of what she wanted or needed. There has been many moments in her life when she didn't know what she wanted but this particular moment made her helpless to the point that she never encountered before. “I don’t want to go back either,” she whispered, the words meant to be a scream but coming out as a barely audible plea. “What do I do?”Her eyes darted around the room, desperately searching for a trace of him. Even a shadow that might suggest he was still there. She wondered if his presence could have changed this, if he were here, would she still be crying alone?He had never been able to bear the sight of her tears. Each time a tear slipped down her cheek, he would gently kiss it away. That’s how he had been caring for her, with a ten
"Sir, the reports are here," Johnson said as he reached Nicholas’ office. His face was trying to uphold a mask of professionalism despite the urgency in his voice."What does it say?" Nicholas asked, barely able to conceal his anxiety. This moment consumed his mind, making it impossible to focus on anything else. The weight of the unknown had kept him restless, and the anticipation of the truth had been agonising him since yesterday. He had yearned to wait in the lab to know the results immediately, but other duties had forced him not to do so. "Please open it," Johnson urged, handing over the envelope with a gravity that matched the situation. He didn’t know whose DNA Nicholas had instructed him to match, but it was clear that the result was of utmost importance to his boss. Seeing his boss in urgency made him stressed too. Nicholas tore open the envelope with a sense of foreboding looming around him. As his eyes scanned the report's contents, his expression shifted dramatically. H
Flashback to pastVance said to his daughters before entering the threshold of the Hart family, “Girls, I want you to be on your best behavior.”He was establishing his image as a politician, and he wanted his family man image to be spot on. In this event, people from diverse fields were bound to come. He could not take any chances. He had not achieved the heights he did after becoming the president of the country. Right now, he was just a struggling politician. Beatrice pouted. ‘But daddy…”Vance softened his voice and said to his youngest daughter, “Bea, there will be a girl your age at the party. I will introduce you to her. Her name is Emery. You can be friends with her.”Usually, the kids stay home while he attends such parties with his wife, but for some reason, she was out of state, and he decided to bring his daughters as his companions. “Okay, Daddy!” Bea was young and sweet. Thus, she didn't make things difficult for her father. He turned to his oldest daughter and said,
“Where is Nate?” Ellora asked. Nicolas answered, “I do not know.” Ellora began muttering something about the boy named Nate. She looked at Sabrina and said with a smile, “Go take Sabrina out. Show her around.” When Ellora was talking about Nate, she had a troubled look on her face as she knew that the boy was up to no good, but when she turned to look at Sabrina, she appeared fine. Sabrina wondered if she had the magic to make people forget their worries or if Mrs Hart was just proficient at it. In her case, the latter appeared to be the case. Nicholas just agreed and began showing her around while they entered another part of the house. Suddenly, someone came, and Nicholas started to talking to the man. He told her, “Why don't you roam around? I will be here. If you need me, holler loudly.” She was not interested in touring his house. She just wanted to be with him. The feeling of Nicholas Hart showing his home to her was overwhelming, and a girl who had been crushing after him
Sabrina said to him, “And you are giving me a headache.”“What?” he asked as if he didn't understand what she was saying. She innocently shook her head. How could she offend him? She was at his house. Even if he was weird, she couldn't say it on his face, right? “How will you call him?” He asked her. He was pretty sure that Nicholas wouldn't have brought her to this side. If she came here, she might have wandered here on her own. Nicholas knew that this place was absolutely off-limits to everyone that was not approved by him. Sabrina answered, “He asked me to holler if I wanted to find him.”Only Nicholas could treat a guest like this at their house. Not just guests but anyone! The man was always absorbed in himself. The young boy muttered, “Asshole!”He added after a while, “He is probably out putting himself in trouble.” He knew Nicholas too well to know that Then, they heard glass breaking, both of them ran to that direction to find Nicholas geting into a brawl. When Nic
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