Alex had always been a dependable partner, but now, as Klarisse carried their child, he had stepped into an even more protective and attentive role. He ensured that she never missed a doctor’s appointment, that she ate nutritious meals, and that she didn’t overwork herself, especially when she was at her cafe. Alex's actions were tender but firm, leaving Klarisse with little room to argue when he deemed something necessary for her well-being.Bronson and Angela, Alex’s parents, had taken this opportunity to heighten their protective measures. They insisted on assigning bodyguards to Klarisse, not just at the mansion but even when she was at her cafe. Klarisse, fiercely independent and used to handling things on her own, immediately protested against the idea."Bodyguards? At the cafe? That's ridiculous!" Klarisse exclaimed during breakfast, setting her fork down a little harder than intended. "It’s not like I’m going to be running into danger while serving coffee and pastries."Angela
Klarisse stood in front of the closed doors of her cafe, confused. It wasn’t like Allie to shut down operations without informing her. She tried calling Allie, but her phone kept going to voicemail. Klarisse furrowed her brows, shifting uncomfortably in her maternity dress as Alex stood beside her, looking far too casual for someone who had been dragged into this mystery. "Are you sure you don’t know what’s going on?" Klarisse asked Alex, her suspicion growing. Alex raised his hands in mock innocence. "I’m just as clueless as you are, love. But why don’t we go inside and figure it out together?" Skeptical, Klarisse reached for the door, pushing it open. The moment she stepped inside, a loud, unified cheer erupted. "Surprise!" The room was filled with friends, family, and even some of her regular customers, all beaming at her. Balloons in soft pastel colors floated around the cafe, and banners that read *“Welcome, Baby Robinson!”* were strung up across the walls. A table near the
The evening at the cafe had settled into a comfortable quiet, the aftermath of laughter and celebration still lingering in the air. Klarisse and Alex sat side by side in one of the cozy booths, their hands intertwined as they sipped on decaffeinated tea. The soft glow of the string lights gave the room a warm, intimate atmosphere. "So," Alex began, his fingers intertwined with Klarisse's on the table, "do you have any favorite names in mind yet? You’ve probably been secretly thinking about this for months, haven’t you?" Klarisse laughed softly. "I might have a list or two on my phone," she admitted, biting her lip. "But I want us to decide together. It should be something meaningful for both of us." Alex leaned back in his chair, a playful smile on his lips. "Alright then, let’s hear some of your ideas first. Ladies’ choice." "Okay," Klarisse said, sitting up straighter. "For a girl, I was thinking something elegant but not overly complicated, like *Elise* or *Clara*. Clara’s kind
The following day, Klarisse had decided to stay home to rest after the tiresome baby shower. Alex wanted to stay home as well, but Klarisse reminded him that he had to attend another meeting with the Marconi's deal. Alex agreed but reminded Klarisse to call him anytime, if she needed anything.As Klarisse sat by the window of their spacious bedroom, a soft breeze from the garden below swept through the curtains. The sunlight played against the walls, but Klarisse’s heart was weighed down by thoughts that refused to leave her alone. She gently rubbed her growing belly, trying to focus on the excitement of their little one’s arrival. But her mind kept drifting back to Maxine. She leaned back in the armchair, staring at her phone resting on the table nearby. She hadn’t tried calling Maxine again since her previous attempts were ignored. A part of her was thankful for the silence—it spared her from any confrontation—but another part of her wondered what Maxine was thinking, or if she was
Klarisse sat in the passenger seat of Alex’s car, staring out the window as the city passed by in a blur. Today felt different. There was an inexplicable restlessness inside her, a feeling she couldn’t quite place. Perhaps it was the pregnancy hormones, or maybe it was something deeper, something she wasn’t ready to face yet.Alex, ever the doting husband, shot her quick glances as he drove. He had been more protective than ever, which she appreciated, but today, she needed space. She needed to breathe.“Are you sure you want the café closed today?” Alex asked cautiously, his voice laced with concern. “You’ve never closed it before, not even when you were sick.”Klarisse exhaled, already expecting this reaction. “Yes, Alex. Just for today. I just… need a break.”He tightened his grip on the steering wheel but didn’t argue. “And the bodyguards?”She turned to him, her gaze pleading. “Can’t I have one day without them hovering around me?”Alex hesitated. His natural instinct was to keep
The sun had long dipped beyond the horizon when Alex finally pulled up near Klarisse’s café. The warm glow from the windows illuminated the otherwise quiet street, and he could see shadows moving inside—likely Klarisse and Allie finishing up for the night. He glanced at the bouquet of fresh lilies and roses in the passenger seat and exhaled softly. He hoped this would lift her mood, though he wasn’t entirely sure why she had insisted on staying longer at the café today. Alex had deliberately given her space, trusting Allie’s message that Klarisse just needed some time. Still, a gnawing concern had been lingering at the back of his mind all evening. Ever since she woke up that morning, she had been acting different—more withdrawn, more restless. It wasn’t the first time her pregnancy had affected her moods, but this felt like something else. Something deeper. Pushing the thought aside, Alex stepped out of the car, straightened his suit, and walked toward the café door. The small bell
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. The seasons shifted, but one thing remained constant—Alexander’s unwavering devotion to Klarisse. Their once carefully measured and arranged marriage had transformed into something real, something deep, something neither of them had expected.Klarisse had always imagined love as something soft and gradual, something that crept up unnoticed until it was undeniably there. But with Alex, love was different. It was steady yet passionate, unexpected yet certain. Every day, he found new ways to show her how much she meant to him, whether through grand gestures or simple, quiet moments that spoke volumes. Klarisse often found herself waking up in the mornings to Alexander’s warm embrace. He had a habit of pulling her close even in his sleep, his protective nature manifesting even in unconscious moments. She would lay there for a while, tracing light patterns on his skin, marveling at how much things had changed. There was a time when she quest
The day had finally come—the moment Alexander and Klarisse had been anticipating for months. The birth of their child, the next chapter of their love story. But little did they know, fate had yet another surprise in store for them. It started with mild discomfort in the early hours of the morning. Klarisse shifted in bed, rubbing her swollen belly as she tried to find a comfortable position. Alex, ever the light sleeper these days, immediately stirred at her movements. “Are you okay?” he murmured groggily, his arm instinctively wrapping around her. Klarisse took a deep breath. “I think… I think it’s starting.” That woke Alex up instantly. “Starting?” He sat up, his sleepy haze gone. “You mean—the baby?” She nodded, wincing as another contraction hit. “Yes.” For a moment, Alex simply stared at her, frozen in a mix of excitement and panic. And then, he was in full-on action mode. He grabbed the hospital bags, called their doctor, and made sure everything was in place before helpin
Alexander leaned against his car, arms crossed, as he waited outside the café for Klarisse. It was a quiet evening, the warm glow of the streetlights casting soft shadows on the pavement. The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted from inside, mingling with the crisp night air. It had been weeks since Artemis left on his mission, and despite the occasional intel updates from their European allies, there had been no direct contact from him. The silence was both expected and frustrating. Alexander knew his brother had to move carefully, but still—he had hoped for at least some sin that Artemis was making progress. His phone vibrated in his pocket, breaking him from his thoughts. When he pulled it out and saw the caller ID, his heart stopped for just a second. **Artemis.** Without hesitation, he answered. “Artemis?” “Yeah, it’s me.” The voice on the other end was sharp, clipped with frustration. Alexander immediately straightened, the tension in his body increasing. Klarisse, who w
The Robinson estate felt different without Artemis. Though Alexander had always been the leader, his brother had been his shadow, his right hand—the one who understood him best. Now, Artemis was out there, hunting Luca Marconi, and Alexander had to take control without hesitation. He didn’t have time to dwell on it. With the fall of the Marconi empire, the other families had turned their eyes to him and the Fowls, expecting them to keep their word. Promises had been made—fair shares in business, balanced power, and no unnecessary bloodshed. Alexander sat at the head of a long, polished table in the Bronson Industries boardroom, flanked by Bronson and Alan. Several powerful family heads had gathered, some with lingering doubt, others waiting for direction. “The Marconis are no longer in control,” Alexander said, his voice steady. “But that doesn’t mean chaos should follow. Our families agreed to maintain order, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.” One of the family heads, Gi
The sun had barely risen over the Robinson estate, yet the household was already stirring. The air was thick with unspoken words, the weight of what was about to happen pressing on everyone’s chest. Today, Artemis was leaving. He had made up his mind. Luca Marconi had escaped, and he couldn’t sit still knowing the man who had threatened their family was still out there, free. He needed to hunt him down himself. This wasn’t just business—it was personal. Artemis stood in his room, fastening the last button on his dark navy shirt. His suitcases were packed, his plane ticket ready, and his weapons secured in a private transport arranged through his European allies. He was leaving in less than two hours. A knock came at his door. “Come in.” Alexander stepped inside, his expression unreadable. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Alexander sighed and crossed his arms. “So, you’re really doing this.” Artemis nodded. “I have to.” “I know.” Alexander exhaled, running a hand throu
The Robinson and Fowl families had been waiting for this moment—the opportunity to dismantle the Marconi empire once and for all. The alliance they had built over the years, strengthened by Artemis’ connections in Europe, had finally borne fruit. The European authorities had executed a series of coordinated raids on the Marconi business empire, seizing assets, freezing accounts, and crippling their operations across multiple countries. But despite the victory, Alexander, Artemis, and their families knew better than to celebrate just yet. Because Valentin and Luca Marconi were still out there. Inside the Robinson estate’s private war room, the atmosphere was tense. A massive digital screen displayed real-time updates from their contacts across the globe—news reports of the European raids, intelligence from their allies, and surveillance footage of Marconi properties being seized. Alan Fowl, his expression unreadable, sat with Bronson Robinson at the head of the table. Both patriarc
The park was peaceful, filled with the laughter of children, the gentle rustling of leaves, and the occasional chirping of birds. The sun cast a golden glow over the scenery, making it the perfect place for a family outing. Alexander and Klarisse had decided to take Lucas and Liana out for the day, determined to enjoy a moment of normalcy despite the tensions surrounding them. Their twins were giggling as they ran across the playground, closely watched by their nannies. Alexander and Klarisse sat on a nearby bench, their hands intertwined as they watched their children play. It was one of those rare moments when they could pretend that their world was just like any other family’s—simple, safe, and free from the burdens of power struggles and enemies lurking in the shadows. But they knew better. Alexander had been trained to sense when he was being watched. Years of handling business, both legitimate and underground, had sharpened his instincts. He felt it the moment they arrived at
The morning sun was warm but not overbearing as Artemis and Allie stepped out of the black SUV, blending into the crowd of a busy shopping district. The streets bustled with life—couples on dates, families with children, and groups of friends chattering as they moved from shop to shop. The lively atmosphere was a stark contrast to the intensity of the past few days. Despite their attempt at normalcy, security was still tight. Unseen but ever-present, bodyguards trailed at a respectful distance, stationed strategically around the area. To the untrained eye, Artemis and Allie looked like any other couple enjoying a casual day out, but those in the know understood—*this was a calculated outing*. As they walked side by side, Allie glanced up at Artemis, noting how relaxed he seemed, hands tucked into his pockets, an easy smirk on his face. It was different from the composed and calculating man she had seen at meetings or when discussing business with Alexander. “Are you actually having
As Artemis and Alexander Robinson stepped out of the Marconi estate, a crisp night breeze greeted them, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of expensive cigars and aged whiskey from inside. The other mafia family heads followed, their murmurs a mixture of satisfaction and newfound respect for the Robinsons. The shift in power had been subtle yet undeniable, and despite the Marconis’ attempts to keep control, the tide had turned. The once grand and intimidating estate now felt more like a fragile house of cards, teetering on the brink of collapse. However, there was one thing that remained consistent—*the way the Marconi security watched them leave*. Luca Marconi’s fury had been evident, and while his father, Valentin, had masked his emotions well, it was clear that the Marconis would not accept this loss lightly. The security personnel standing around the estate’s perimeter had their eyes locked on the departing guests, their stances rigid, their fingers hovering dangerously cl
The grand dining hall of the Marconi estate was a spectacle of luxury, with towering chandeliers, gold-accented walls, and a long table set with the finest silverware. However, despite the opulence, there was an underlying tension in the air—one that even the rich aroma of wine and roasted meats couldn’t mask. Artemis and Alexander Robinson sat side by side, their posture relaxed but their minds alert. Across from them sat the Marconi patriarch, *Valentin Marconi*, his son *Luca*, and their closest ally, *Enrico D’Angelo*. A few other heads of the mafia families were present, but notably, their numbers were fewer than expected. Luca smirked, lifting his glass of wine in a mock toast. “To our esteemed guests, the Robinson brothers. You’ve certainly been keeping yourselves busy these past few months.” Alexander returned the gesture with a cool smile, though he didn’t drink. “Busy is a relative term, Luca. But we’re honored to be here tonight.” Artemis remained silent, his sharp eyes
The Robinsons and Fowls arrived back home a week after their supposed vacation, their return strategically planned to maintain the illusion that they had simply taken time away for leisure. The family’s private jets landed under the cover of night, ensuring minimal attention from prying eyes. Inside the Robinson mansion, Klarisse settled into the grand living room, watching the twins, Lucas and Liana, as they played with their toys. Allie sat beside her, casually sipping tea, though her eyes were alert. Neither of them could ignore the tension in the air. Alexander and Artemis had already left for a private meeting in the study, finalizing their strategy for the upcoming dinner with Luca Marconi. The next few days would be critical, and they all knew it. Angela and Kareen, the matriarchs of the Robinson and Fowl families, were also present, ensuring that everything ran smoothly in their absence. Though both women appeared calm, they were far from oblivious to the dangers ahead. An