Charles Sternly’s voice rang out, cutting through the tense silence like a blade. “Arisha doesn’t need your Suegra daughter, Ivan.” His tone was icy, laced with contempt. Arisha jolted, her eyes snapping to the doorway where Charles stood, his expression cold and unyielding. The atmosphere in the hallway shifted, tension coiling tighter as Ivan’s hand clenched into a fist.Charles’s eyes locked onto Arisha’s, sharp and accusing. “Didn’t I tell you to stay away from this family?” he demanded, his voice rising with frustration.Arisha’s breath caught, and she hesitated, looking between Charles and Ivan, caught in the crossfire. “I had to come, Charles,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Bjorn—”But Charles cut her off with a roar. “That is none of your concern, Doctor Arisha Holland!” His words echoed, and the title stung like a slap, reminding her of the role she had been forced into. Arisha flinched, feeling the force of his anger.Charles’s face hardened as he stepped forwa
Charles’s eyes bore into her, filled with challenge. “Why?” he demanded, his tone harsh. “Why should I stop? Give me a valid reason.”Arisha’s eyes flashed with determination, and she yanked her hand out of his grip. “Because he’s the father of my daughter!” she shouted, her voice echoing through the hallway. “Don’t disrespect him!”The room fell into silence, the tension thick and electric. Ivan’s eyes softened, and for a moment, the rage that had clouded them lifted. He looked at Arisha, and there was a flash of gratitude in his gaze. But behind it, there was also pain, knowing that even now, she was torn between two worlds.Charles’s expression darkened, his face hardening as he processed her words. “You’re defending him?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous. “After everything I’ve told you?”Arisha stood firm, her hands shaking but her voice steady. “Yes,” she said. “I may not remember everything, but I know he is Sisi’s father. And for that alone, I will not allow you to speak
Charles’s face tightened, his grip on Arisha’s wrist loosening as he felt the weight of Armin’s gaze. Damn it, he thought, the realization sinking in. He had underestimated Armin. In the heat of the moment, he had forgotten who he was dealing with. Armin Rodriguez wasn’t just anyone—he was the best criminal lawyer in the country, someone who knew how to peel back layers of lies with a single look.Armin’s eyes bore into Charles, his posture relaxed but his presence imposing. “Tell me, Charles,” he continued, his tone calm but threatening. “What exactly are you doing with her? Because from where I’m standing, this looks like kidnapping.”Charles’s mind raced, trying to find a way out. He forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Armin, you’ve got it all wrong—”“Do I?” Armin interrupted, his voice turning icy. “Because you seem to be dragging her out of here without her consent. And last I checked, that’s a crime.”Arisha felt the tension between the two men grow, and she dared to
Arisha, trying to diffuse the tension, said softly, “I will go check on Bjorn.”Seraphina’s eyes narrowed, her expression immediately turning sharp. “How can you call him Bjorn?” she snapped, her voice dripping with irritation.Arisha blinked, taken aback by the sudden change in tone. “I—I’m sorry, I didn’t think much of it. After all, he’s younger than me.”Seraphina’s eyes blazed. “So what?” she retorted, stepping closer, her posture rigid with anger. “Just because he’s younger doesn’t mean you can disrespect him. You stupid village farmer girl, you seriously don’t know any manners, do you?”Arisha’s heart pounded in her chest as she lowered her head, forcing herself to bow her head in submission. “I’m sorry, Seraphina.”Seraphina’s eyes widened in fury, the sound of her name coming from Arisha’s mouth like an insult. “What did you just call me?” she hissed, her face flushing with anger.Arisha felt her cheeks burn as she realized her mistake. She closed her eyes, bracing herself fo
Ivan turned on his heel, his arm still protectively wrapped around Arisha’s shoulder as he led her away. His grip was firm, his fingers entwined with hers as they walked through the hospital corridor. The air was thick with shock, and all eyes turned to them. Nurses paused mid-step, doctors glanced up from their rounds, and patients watched from their rooms, each of them frozen in disbelief. The Ivan Anderson Suegra, heir to one of the most powerful families in the country, was walking openly, holding hands with a woman who was supposedly just a doctor.Arisha felt the weight of every gaze, her pulse quickening as whispers echoed in the hallway. She kept her eyes down, trying to steady her breath, but she could feel the intensity of the moment—this wasn’t just about Ivan’s declaration. It was about the power of his family name, and what it meant for him to walk so openly with her. She felt exposed, like the entire world was judging her for daring to walk beside him.Ivan’s expression
Seraphina’s breath came quick and shallow, her mind a whirlwind of ruthless determination. Standing there, overshadowed by Alysha’s unexpected return, her desperation sharpened to an edge that would cut through anything—and anyone—standing in her way. She refused to be a mere spectator in her own life. No, Seraphina would not be overshadowed, nor would she let her plans fall to ruins now. She had come too far, done too much to let it all slip away over Alysha’s resurrection.Her gaze shifted back to Armin, who was still watching Alysha with that unfathomable look, his eyes brimming with something that twisted painfully in Seraphina's chest. Love. Longing. She recognized it all too well, and it felt like a slap across her face, every bit of her carefully crafted future slipping just beyond her reach.But she’d never let Alysha steal Armin away. Never.Her mind snapped to the next move, a wicked clarity settling in her bones. Alysha’s real identity—her supposed “death”—was Seraphina’s
Ivan and Arisha hurried back to the ICU, their expressions shifting to alarm as they spotted Andrine pacing anxiously outside the door. Her eyes were wide, and she rushed toward them the moment they arrived. "Doctor Arisha, where have you been?" she asked, her voice laced with panic. "The machine is showing something!"Arisha’s heart leaped into her throat, and she rushed past Andrine into the room. Her eyes locked onto the monitor, and her breath hitched—Bjorn’s vital signs were dipping dangerously low, the rhythmic beeping accelerating into a frantic, urgent pace.Ivan’s face paled, his eyes darting to the screen and then to Bjorn’s still, bandaged form. “What’s happening?” he demanded, fear creeping into his voice.Arisha’s hands trembled, but she forced herself to stay focused, snapping into action. “His blood pressure is dropping,” she said quickly, her eyes scanning the various monitors and charts. “And his oxygen levels are unstable.”Andrine stood at the foot of the bed, her h
Arisha moved swiftly, her eyes never leaving the monitors as she coordinated with the nurses and doctors around her. “We need to move him to the CT scan immediately,” she commanded, her voice crisp, as she double-checked the IV lines and stabilized Bjorn’s head. “Doctor Boleyn, prep the team for neurosurgery. We don’t have time to waste.”Doctor Erica nodded, snapping into action. She glanced at the medical staff nearby, issuing quick instructions. “Prepare the transport gurney, and get anesthesia on standby for the surgery.”The team sprang into motion, and the room filled with the organized chaos of medical professionals racing against time. Andrine stood at the edge of the room, her hands gripping the railing of the bed as she watched with wide, terrified eyes. “Will he make it through?” she whispered, her voice trembling.Arisha paused, looking at Andrine with a steady gaze. “We’re doing everything we can,” she said, her voice gentle but firm. “He’s in critical condition, but we’r