Alexander turned the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The soft hum of the engine did little to drown out the whirlwind of thoughts in his head. He was on his way to find Daniela—but an unsettling realization made him slow down, pulling over on the quiet roadside.He didn’t even know where she lived.His breath came in ragged spurts as he leaned his head against the steering wheel. How long had it been since they last spoke? Months, maybe even a year. The last time he’d seen her was during Richard’s final confession—the moment his brother admitted to murdering their son. Alexander had stood frozen, unable to muster a single word, as Daniela’s world fell apart before his eyes.And now, after everything he had done, he expected her to hear him out?He slammed a fist against the wheel. "Idiot," he muttered to himself.How could he find her?Her friends.The thought lit a spark of hope in his chest. There was one friend of hers he knew fairly well—Sarah. She had b
Daniela stood frozen, her heart beating against her ribs as she stared at the man standing in front of her door.Alexander DaneIt had been years since she last saw him—years since that fateful day when Richard’s confession shattered the last pieces of her broken world. The weight of his betrayal, the pain of his silence, and the suffering she endured because of him all came rushing back like a storm.And yet, here he was.She clenched her fists, steadying herself. What was he doing here?Her first instinct was to slam the door in his face, but a sick sense of curiosity held her in place. Had he finally come to apologize? To explain? Or had he come to rip open old wounds that had barely begun to heal?Alexander, on the other hand, was quiet, his sharp gaze drinking in the sight of her. She looked different—stronger. The pain she once carried so openly in her eyes was now buried beneath layers of confidence. But he knew better. He knew the past had left scars.For a long moment, neith
Gabriel had been planning this moment for months. Every detail had to be flawless. The location, the timing, even the way he would get Daniela there without raising her suspicion—it all had to be perfect.That morning, he woke up before her, unable to sleep from the excitement buzzing in his veins. He turned to his side, watching Daniela as she slept. The golden morning light framed her face beautifully, her long lashes resting gently against her cheeks.His heart clenched. Soon, she would be his forever.Not wanting to wake her just yet, he carefully slid out of bed and stepped onto the balcony. The crisp morning air did little to cool the warmth spreading through his chest. He pulled out his phone and dialed the event planner, Amelia."Everything is set?" he asked in a low voice."Yes," Amelia confirmed. "The rooftop looks magical. The flowers, the candles, the music—it’s all in place. How’s the bride-to-be?"Gabriel smirked. "Still asleep. Completely unaware."Amelia chuckled. "Goo
The morning sun filtered through the tall glass windows of Daniela’s office, casting a golden hue across her desk. She sipped her coffee, her mind still lingering on last night’s dinner with Gabriel. Her fingers absentmindedly brushed over the diamond ring on her finger, and a smile curled on her lips. It was still unbelievable. She was engaged to a man who loved her, cherished her, and treated her like she was the most precious thing in the world.. It was another busy day, filled with meetings, emails, and endless paperwork. But today, there was an unusual feeling gnawing at her a strange weight pressing on her chest, though she couldn’t quite place it.Shaking off the thought, she powered on her computer, ready to dive into her workload. The soft chime of her phone vibrating on the desk caught her attention. She reached for it absentmindedly, expecting it to be a message from Gabriel or a work-related notification.But the moment she saw the sender’s name, her breath caught in her
Daniela sat on the couch in her cozy living room, her legs curled up beneath her. The soft glow of the table lamp cast shadows on the wall as she scrolled through her phone, her mind replaying the events of the day.Alexander had come to see her. Again.And now, as if that wasn’t enough, he had sent a long message to her office, pleading, apologizing, saying all the words she once wished to hear—but it was too late.She sighed, locking her phone screen just as Gabriel stepped into the living room, his sleeves rolled up, his hands slightly damp from washing up. His sharp eyes softened the moment he saw her expression.“Dani?” he said, moving closer. “You look… lost in thought. Is something wrong?”Daniela let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “It’s Alexander.”Gabriel’s expression darkened slightly, but he kept his voice calm. “What did he do this time?”“He came to see me,” she admitted, rubbing her temple. “He was begging. He said he still loves me, that he’s sorry fo
The night was heavy with silence, broken only by the rhythmic ticking of the antique clock in Alexander’s dimly lit bedroom. He sat at the edge of his king-sized bed, gripping his phone tightly in his hand. The soft glow of the screen illuminated his face, revealing the storm brewing in his dark eyes. His mind was restless, tormented by the memories of Daniela—her smile, her laughter, the way she used to look at him with trust in her eyes.But now, all of that was gone.She had moved on. With another man.His jaw clenched as he thought about Gabriel. The name alone sent a wave of anger through him. How dare he? How dare Gabriel take what was his? Daniela belonged to him. It had always been him and Daniela—until she walked away.He let out a slow, ragged breath, scrolling through his messages. The last one he had sent her had gone unanswered. His previous calls had been ignored. And earlier that day, when he had gone to see her, she had shut the door in his face without a second though
The morning sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows of Alexander’s penthouse, casting long shadows across the floor. He had barely slept, his thoughts consumed by the memory of Daniela—her laughter, her sharp tongue, the way her eyes once softened when she looked at him. But that was in the past. Now, she was engaged to another man, willingly giving herself to someone who wasn’t him.That knowledge burned through his veins.No matter what, she would be his.A sharp knock on the door jolted him from his thoughts. He straightened, already knowing who it was. He strode toward the door, his heart pounding with anticipation, and pulled it open.Chief Priest Okanga stood before him, draped in a flowing red robe embroidered with ancient symbols. His presence was as commanding as ever, his dark eyes holding the wisdom of generations past. Around his neck, cowries and beads rattled softly as he stepped inside.“You summoned me, my prince,” Okanga said in his deep, measured voice.Alex
Alexander sat in his lavishly furnished bedroom, the golden chandelier above casting a dim glow over the space. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and faint traces of burning incense—remnants of the chief priest’s visit from the previous day.On the polished mahogany table in front of him lay a small, dark vial.He picked it up, rolling it between his fingers. The chief priest had promised him that this would change everything. One drop of the sacred potion, and Daniela would no longer resist him. She would no longer see Gabriel. She would no longer refuse his love."Daniela, you will be mine again. You don’t have a choice."The thought sent a wicked thrill through him.He leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. He had spent the entire night thinking about how things had spiraled out of his control.When he and Daniela were together, he had never once thought she would leave him. He had been confident—too confident—tha
The palace was quiet—too quiet. Even the birds that usually fluttered outside the grand windows of the king’s chamber were absent, as if nature itself mourned the weariness of the man within.Alexander sat on the edge of his bed, the heavy robe of royalty pooling around him like a shroud. The golden crown, once proudly perched upon his head, now lay abandoned on the floor, its polished surface reflecting nothing but a broken legacy.He had sent the servants away hours ago, requesting solitude. But truth be told, he had been alone for far longer than that—ever since Daniela left, ever since the boy vanished. Ever since he traded his humanity for power.The voices from the past echoed relentlessly in his mind."You want her to be queen? There is a way…""Put this powder in her drink. It will cloud her mind and draw her to you.""Rub this oil on your palms before you touch her—she will not resist.""You must act fast. The elders are watching. You need an heir."At the time, it all seemed
The palace was quieter these days—too quiet for a man who once ruled with noise, power, and pride. Alexander sat by his window, fingers toying with a half-filled goblet of wine. Outside, the moonlight brushed the edges of the thatched palace roof, casting ghostly shadows on the walls. Chisom had long drifted to sleep, her breathing soft, steady. But Alexander was wide awake—again.It had been six moons since she was brought to him, her skin soft as silk, her smile gentle, her body yielding. Each night, she came to his bed, and each night, he held hope in his loins and in his heart. But morning always came with the same bitter emptiness. No signs. No whispers of cravings. No swelling belly. No child.He had tried everything—spiced roots, fertility herbs from the palace medicine woman, and even late-night rituals performed by the native priest. Still… nothing.Alexander rose from the bed, pacing the cold marble floor with heavy feet. A fire burned in the hearth, but it did little to tha
The morning sun filtered through the bright white curtains of their new apartment, casting golden rays across the hardwood floor. Lydia stirred beneath the duvet, her hand instinctively reaching out to the other side of the bed.Empty.She blinked, sat up, and glanced around. The soft scent of brewed coffee and toasted bread teased her nose. A smile curled on her lips.He’s in the kitchen again.Throwing on a light robe, she padded down the hallway and into the warm, open space where Gabriel stood shirtless, wearing joggers and flipping pancakes with an exaggerated chef’s flair.“You’re going to burn them,” Lydia teased, leaning against the doorframe.Gabriel turned, spatula in hand, and grinned. “And good morning to my beautiful wife.”She walked up to him, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind. “Good morning, chef husband.”He kissed the top of her head, then plated a stack of fluffy pancakes. “I thought we could eat on the balcony today. The sun’s not too harsh yet.”They
The early morning sun filtered through the intricate lattice windows of the palace, casting golden shapes across the polished floors. Drums beat faintly in the distance, signaling the dawn of a new day—and a new queen.Chisom sat quietly on the edge of a carved mahogany bed, her feet barely touching the polished ground. Around her, the royal maids fluttered like bees, tying her hair into delicate loops, rubbing her arms with perfumed oil, and whispering instructions she barely absorbed.“Your new robe, my queen,” one of the maids said, presenting a cloth woven with silver threads and royal blue patterns. “You must wear it before you greet the king.”Chisom nodded faintly, still unsure how to wear the title of "queen" in her heart. The palace air was thick—not just with incense, but with the weight of expectation. She could feel it in the walls, in the eyes of the elders who measured her with unspoken judgment, and in the stiff bow of the guards who had served another before her.As sh
The palace air brimmed with anticipation, thick like a brewing storm. Inside the grand hall, the scent of burning incense drifted from gold-plated bowls, curling in the air like whispers from the ancestors. Soft drums echoed in the background, played by two palace boys, steady and ceremonial. The marble floors had been scrubbed to glass-like shine, reflecting the rows of candles burning along the corridor.Alexander sat on the throne, robed in deep crimson, his royal crown resting heavy on his head. His face was unreadable—a mask of calm, yet behind his eyes, something stirred. Pain. Memory. Resignation. This was not how he envisioned choosing a queen.Beside him, a guard stood silently, holding a scroll with the names of the maidens. The chamberlain motioned, and the doors opened.One by one, the virgins began to enter.The first maiden, Awele, stepped forward with her head lowered, her feet bare, anklets chiming with each timid step. She was beautiful—smooth dark skin, full lips, an
The sky above the palace bled into a melancholic gray, the sun hiding behind thick clouds as though mourning with the king. The royal garden, once Daniela’s favorite place, stood untended. Wildflowers grew in stubborn defiance through cracks in the once manicured paths. The scent of blooming hibiscus clashed with the scent of time—that old, dusty silence that lingered in places where laughter had died.King Alexander stood still on the palace balcony, arms crossed behind his back, cloaked in heavy velvet. He wasn't the same man he was two years ago. The weight of loss had carved lines into his once-youthful face. His shoulders drooped beneath invisible burdens. Power still clothed him, yes, but it no longer fitted him like pride—it clung to him like grief.His eyes scanned the horizon—the same trail Daniela had once fled down with the child. The same trail the guards had failed to watch. His jaw clenched at the memory.Every now and then, he imagined seeing her figure walking back, ch
The evening of the engagement party felt like a dream to Lydia. The grand ballroom was bathed in warm, golden light. Crystal chandeliers hung high above, their glimmering reflections dancing across the polished marble floor. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, depicting stories of love, fortune, and legacy. Every corner of the room was carefully designed to evoke luxury, but it was the people who made it truly come alive.Guests murmured and laughed in soft clusters, champagne glasses clinking as they raised their toasts to Gabriel and Lydia. They had all come from different walks of life—wealthy socialites, business moguls, close friends of the family. But tonight, there was one thing that united them all: the promise of the future, the joining of two lives. Gabriel stood at the center of it all, a striking figure in a tailored suit, his posture confident but warm as he greeted guests. He was the picture of a man who had everything under control. But as his eyes scanned
The soft light of the morning sun was seen through the blinds, spilling its warmth over the living room of Gabriel’s apartment. Lydia sat on the sofa, her bare feet tucked under her as she scrolled through a wedding magazine, lost in thought. The room was filled with the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee, and the faint hum of the city outside only added to the quiet peace of the moment.Gabriel had just stepped out of the shower, a towel draped low on his hips, his hair still damp. He smiled as he saw her lost in the magazine, the occasional flutter of the page drawing her attention. It was one of those simple, perfect moments that made him feel like everything he’d ever wanted was right here.“You look like you’re plotting world domination,” Gabriel teased, stepping into the kitchen, his voice a warm caress.Lydia glanced up from the pages, offering him a playful scowl. “I’m plotting the perfect wedding, thank you very much. There’s a difference.”“Ah, my mistake,” he grinned, lean
Dark clouds thickened above the palace like a warning, casting long shadows that crept along the courtyard stones. A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the occasional rustle of dry wind against the banana trees that lined the palace fence.Alexander stood stiffly near the throne room window, eyes fixed on the sky. When the priest finally arrived, the guards ushered him in with reverence. The old man’s steps were slow, but his presence demanded respect. His hair, thick and snowy white, spilled down to his shoulders like ancestral feathers. His robe, dyed deep maroon with sacred herbs, carried the scent of ancient incense.He bowed slightly, then looked up. His eyes—milky but sharp—settled on Alexander’s face. “You sent for me, Your Highness?”Alexander gestured toward a mat. “Sit. There is trouble in the land.”The priest slowly lowered himself, folding his legs under him. “I know,” he said softly, voice like wind brushing through dried leaves. “The spirits whispered last ni