Arya had decided to return to Ayden's house to take care of her son. Dr. Swan had allowed her to take a few days off for the funeral, which gave her the opportunity to investigate what was happening with her apartment."George, hi," she greets as she calls the young man who installed her security system."Miss Harley, I heard about Mr. Emory. My deepest condolences," he offers respectfully. "I'm very sorry for your losses.""Thank you, George," Arya responds. "I'm actually calling about another matter, but I want your complete discretion on this, and please don't let Ayden know. He has so much to deal with right now."George becomes concerned but doesn't say anything. He's not a fan of keeping things from his boss."Alright, what's going on?" he inquires, understanding the situation."Somebody tried to break into the apartment again yesterday. Neither Robin nor I were there, but he received an alert," Arya explains.George worries because he didn't receive any alerts. "Something must
A week had passed after the attack on Ayden and the death of his father, Gerard Emory. Arya had spent every day at the hospital. Sometimes she brought Aryehn, other times not. She wanted to protect him, and the less he ventured out of the house, the better.In the end, she heeded the advice of her friend Robin and decided to homeschool Aryehn, at least for the time being.Ayden would be discharged just in time for his father's funeral. It had been decided that Gerard would be cremated, one of his final wishes. The will had not yet been read, but some of the clauses he had modified at the end were well known, including the inclusion of his grandson.Daniel and Sebas had been tasked with transporting Ayden along with a retinue of escorts. Security had been doubled since the attack, and even Sebas couldn't escape going shopping alone anymore.Bob Moore had been charged with the crimes of collusion, embezzlement of income, and tax evasion. Cameron had been transported to Charlotte for her
Mark was hurt and disappointed because his father had ignored him his entire life. He always knew that the favorite in the Emory family was the eldest son, Ayden. And why wouldn't he be? He was the son of the woman his father truly loved. Everyone knew that Gerard Emory had married Mark's mother only because she got pregnant; he didn't want to bring shame to his family and create a public scandal.Just as Gerard had once pressured Ayden for a child, Gerard's parents had pressured him to marry again. That's how he ended up marrying Mark's mother. She had been a woman of the night, that's how Gerard met her, in a nightclub, so to speak.While Gerard loved his children, his disdain for Mark had grown in recent years as he realized who his son really was and what he did behind closed doors. He couldn't say anything because exposing him would be a matter of public scandal, so he chose to remain silent. After all, the only one who had always seen the truth about Mark Emory had been Ayden hi
The day of their vacation had arrived. It was exactly one week before Christmas. Arya had booked a trip to the Fiji Islands, a place neither she nor Ayden had ever been to, making it an experience they both looked forward to, especially with their son Aryehn. They would depart early on the first flight of the morning, accompanied by Sebas and Bea, along with Daniel, Cathy, and of course, Robin.News of the vacation had spread, and everyone needed a break after everything that had happened recently. It was well-known that they all needed rest and a change of scenery. When Arya mentioned the vacation, they all decided to join in.Arya had no problem with this; on the contrary, she enjoyed the company of Sebas and Bea, although Cathy wasn't her favorite person. She didn't have anything against her, but there was something about her that didn't sit right with Arya; she seemed fake in some way.John would stay behind to oversee their security abroad, taking their guards with him while leav
Chapter 64 ProposalBefore leaving the hotel, and once they are alone, they draw closer. Ayden had risen to buy her some flowers."It might sound redundant, but you look beautiful," Ayden remarks as he takes Arya's hand. "I hope you don't mind that I brought you flowers. I just wanted...""I love them," she says as she takes them and inhales their scent. "Their fragrance is intoxicating."Arya releases his hand for a moment to place the flowers on the dresser and fill a vase with water to put them in."There you go," Arya points out, leaving them in plain view for everyone in the room. "Thank you so much, they look lovely.""Don't thank me, it's just a gesture," Ayden offers his arm, and she takes it. "Let's go; everyone is waiting for us."Then, everyone leaves the hotel for a tour of the Mamanuca Islands, which can only be reached by boat, thus relieving the stress of transportation planning as everything is organized for them. After being picked up from the hotel on Denarau Island,
Everyone gathered around the table where they would celebrate Christmas dinner. Ayden couldn't help but glance at Robin. Arya had asked him what the detective had told him, but he didn't say anything, choosing not to spoil the moment. "For a new chapter and for new adventures together," Daniel toasted, standing up out of nowhere. "Cheers!" everyone chimed in. The night before, they had dinner together. When they woke up, they had gathered to spend some time together, but that day each couple had planned to spend it alone. Ayden had taken Arya and their son horseback riding. It was a beautiful experience they shared as a family. It was something new for them, and they were enjoying it to the fullest. She noticed he was lost in thought, but she didn't say anything. She waited for him to have the opportunity to tell her. When they arrived at the dinner, her suspicions were confirmed that the detective had told him something about Robin, judging by the way he was behaving around his f
Sebas and Bea had been calling, asking what had happened and why they had suddenly left. Ayden had told them not to worry, that it was related to the investigation. Arya had been feeling isolated since the 24th when the detective called her. It was December 27th, and Ayden seemed evasive. Since they had arrived, he hadn't paid much attention to how she was feeling. The young doctor had reached an arrangement with her new boss, who would allow her to start working at the hospital next year. This allowed Arya to stay at home with her son and get to know him better while enjoying time with him. They had breakfast and lunch together. Sebas, Bea, Robin, and Daniel with his girlfriend would arrive in a few days, so Arya was determined to go home with Robin as soon as he arrived. Putting some distance between her and Ayden seemed like the best option for now, as Ayden was overwhelmed by the investigation. In the meantime, the handsome millionaire had sent for George. "Did you call me, Mr
The kids arrived the next day, the young doctor accompanied by John, would pick them up at the airport along with their luggage and the bodyguards they had brought to Fiji.Aryehn also accompanied them, he was very excited. The little one was happy to see his uncles again, as he called them. Everyone, except for Robin, knew that the child affectionately called them uncles. However, as soon as they landed, Robin activated his phone's data, and notifications began to pour in one after another.Unconcerned, he let them ring, thinking they might be work messages or messages from his friends, or from Arya, who had become something of a Fairy Godmother. So, when they met the young doctor at the airport entrance, he hadn't checked his phone yet.Arya greeted one by one, and then the others. They all bombarded her with the same questions."Why on earth did you leave?" Daniel questioned with a hint of annoyance. "I thought these vacations were for spending time together and relaxing, but Ayden
"Mom, I'm ready!" Aryehn shouts from somewhere in the house."Get in the car, Henry is already waiting for us," Arya replies.Aryehn grabs his phone and heads out of the mansion to the front entrance. Before leaving, he checks his notifications and reads a message from his father saying that he's already waiting for them at the main venue."Mom, Dad is already waiting for us!" Aryehn exclaims, making sure his suit is properly adjusted.Arya comes down in her burgundy dress, fitted at the bust and loose at the waist down to the knees."Mom, you look gorgeous!" Aryehn says, approaching her to kiss her on the cheek. "Are we ready to go?""Yes, everyone is waiting for us there," she affirms, taking the arm her son offers.Aryehn has grown into a handsome seventeen-year-old, chivalrous and formal, just like his father. Arya watches him with pride, happy to see him so content.Henry opens the limousine's door, and they get in. The escorts follow them in another car behind, but they ignore t
"He escaped last night, but we didn't realize it until this morning," the detective says. "We were following him, and he left clues, as if he knew this was going to happen."Arya remembers her brother telling her that he would take care of it, and seeing him lifeless is something she never wanted to happen."Jeff, no!" Arya screams, throwing herself onto his lifeless body. The officers try to pull her away, but it's impossible; she holds onto her brother tightly.Jeff groans, and she hears him clearly."He's alive!" she shouts to no one in particular. Paramedics arrive and approach him to provide assistance.Mark takes advantage of the distraction and elbows the police officer who is about to handcuff him. He grabs the gun lying at his feet and aims it at Arya. Ayden watches in a blur as Mark raises the gun.The police officer, wiping his nose, Mark with the gun aimed at Arya, and Ayden firing at him in the chest, right in the heart, his half-brother.Mark falls to the ground like a d
Five days earlier"What's on your mind?" Daniel asks when he sees his friend lost in thought."Mark's mother had a necklace with a ruby. I have no idea what happened to it," Ayden says, frowning, and as soon as the words leave the millionaire's mouth, Daniel feels a chill run down his spine. "Now, more than ever, I suppose Mark has something to do with this.""You're giving him too much credit; he's an idiot," the lawyer says disdainfully, not trying to imagine what he thinks he's imagining. "You know, he can hardly run that hospital. If it weren't for his assistant, it would collapse."Daniel can't pay attention to what's happening; he urgently needs to leave and check if the necklace his wife has is the same one his friend is talking about."Gabriel, it's Daniel, something urgent has come up, can you go for Arya and let her know what's going on? Ayden doesn't want her to find out through the media or let their son know what's happening," he informs while using the hands”free functio
Ayden and John take refuge in George's apartment, unable to maintain communication with the outside world."Sir, it's on all the news channels," John comments while continuously flipping through channels."I know, now it will be almost impossible for me to go out. No one can see us," Ayden affirms with an idea forming in his mind. "Besides, the fact that Daniel is missing. We should go look for him.""Not right now, sir, we need to hide," John explains, standing up. "It's best if we don't go back to your house, at least not until it gets dark.""You can stay here as long as you like," George says, taking out a couple of waters and snacks from the fridge. "I live alone, so no one will know you're here."Both John and Ayden exchange glances and accept. After all, they need some rest before venturing out again."Alright, after all, we've hardly slept. A little sleep will do us good," Ayden says, sinking into the sofa."At the end of the hallway, the door on the right is the guest bedroom
Mark's voice echoed loudly in Arya's ear, and she felt disgusted just hearing it."Is something wrong? You don't seem to want to answer," he inquired, feigning concern."Hello, Mark, it's not that. You caught me at a busy time," she lied, hoping he would hang up."I'm sorry; I just wanted to talk and see how you're doing. I heard about the attack and the blame on Ayden; it's all over the news now," he explained in a tone that almost convinced her. "Turn on the TV; it's on every news channel."Arya felt her heart start pounding in her chest. She felt anxious for Ayden, rushed to the living room, and turned on the television, desperately searching for a news channel. The anchor had a photo of her husband on the screen."I told you; it's all over the news," Mark repeated. "Please, tell my brother to be careful. I'll try to keep track of you, but you know I'm short-staffed and can't be in two places at once. Nevertheless... we have a pending conversation, remember?"Arya was taken by surp
Arya woke up with her son on her mind, an unhealthy concern gripping her as she rushed to Aryehn's room to check on her little one. She opened the door to find him curled up in the middle of his bed. Cautiously, she approached and settled beside him to give him a hug.Aryehn, sensing her presence, turned and nestled against her side."Mommy, I love you," the half-asleep boy murmured, hugging his mother."I love you too, my beautiful boy," Arya replied, holding him close. Over the years, the fear of not seeing him again had been overwhelming. But now that they were together, the fear of losing him paled in comparison to what she had felt before.While Arya contemplated what her husband might be doing at that moment, she allowed herself to enjoy this precious moment with her son. It wasn't until an hour later that Aryehn woke up fully, and they headed downstairs for breakfast."Good morning, Miss Harley," Tim greeted, emerging from his hiding spot and catching Arya off guard."You start
After such a shocking confession, Arya, with her heart equally heavy for her husband, hugged and comforted him until he fell asleep in her arms. Feeling him so vulnerable only fueled her irritation towards Mark.She thought about all the times she had been alone with Mark and regretted every moment of it. Deep within her soul, she lamented her stubbornness. Lost in thought, she fell into a deep sleep, unaware when Ayden woke up in the early morning to leave.He watched her in amazement, observing how she clung to the pillow, burying her nose to catch his scent on the fabric. Ayden couldn't quantify the love he felt for her, but he knew he would do anything for their son and Arya.Silently, he left the room, making his way downstairs to his office before exiting through the secret door into the hallway that led to the bunker."Hello, John," he greeted his bodyguard when he saw him leaning against the wall, finishing a cigarette. "Do you know anything about our escape?"John took out on
Ayden Emory was concerned about Arya's safety. He had provided a lot of security for her, yet the feeling of unease wouldn't leave his body. He feared for her and their son."Sir, everything is ready for us to leave whenever you order," John reported over the phone."We'll leave before four in the morning; we need to be in her building before she wakes up and have everything set up," Ayden declared, following the plan."Understood. I'll make some final arrangements for our fake flight tonight," John said before saying goodbye and hanging up.Ayden Emory was worried about the safety of his now wife and son. He knew Arya didn't adhere to the recommended security measures because she didn't care much about her own safety."Sir, everything is ready for tonight," John informed over the phone. "The van is loaded with everything we need to install the cameras in Mark's building.""Great, we'll leave in the early morning. We need to enter the building before my brother leaves so we can verify
The morning was very cold. Aryehn was still asleep, so they brought the baby monitor to the living room to hear in case he woke up.Gabriel was at the front door early in the morning, waiting for someone to open it. Henry, in charge of house security, now had to report the arrival of visitors to Arya first, to see if she authorized them or not."Miss Arya, Mr. Specter is already at the entrance. Should I let him in?" he asked with great formality as she descended the stairs."Yes, please, have him come to the kitchen, Henry," she replied, walking directly to the coffee maker to prepare coffee. Ayden joined her a few minutes later, just as Gabriel arrived."Good morning, sir, Mrs. Emory," the lawyer greeted with formality, shaking hands with the millionaire."Good morning, Gabriel, come in," Ayden indicated the chair in front of him in the dining room."Would you like coffee?" Arya asked, pouring a cup for herself and another for Ayden."Yes, please," he said, taking a few folders from