Maximilian’s car pulled up to the towering gates of the Rodriguez Manor, and the moment he rolled down his window, every guard and servant within sight stiffened, their eyes widening. The sheer size of the estate was daunting—a 200-year-old masterpiece that sprawled across 25 kilometers of manicured gardens, towering stone walls, and imposing architecture. It screamed of money, power, and legacy in a way that was undeniable.As soon as they recognized him—though he had never set foot here before—they immediately granted him access. The gates parted, and he drove into the heart of the Rodriguez empire, his eyes scanning the grandeur and opulence that unfolded before him. The fountains, the sprawling lawns, the intricate statues—all were carefully crafted symbols of a legacy built on generations of wealth and influence.Alora, sitting quietly beside him, still gripped his hand. She was calmer now, perhaps comforted by the familiar sight of her home. But Maximilian could sense the power
The sudden roar from the doorway cut through the room like a knife. “You brainless puppet!” Bjorn’s voice thundered, causing heads to turn and the air to tense. Alora’s body went rigid, her eyes widening in fear as she clung tightly to Ivan, who instinctively pulled her closer.Bjorn stormed in, his face twisted in anger as he strode toward her, his eyes ablaze. “You almost gave me a heart attack!” he shouted, his tone sharp and accusing.Ivan remained calm, but his eyes darkened as he released Alora and faced his nephew. “This is your fault, Bjorn,” he said sternly. “Why did you leave her alone? You know you must always keep an eye on her. If she hides, she doesn’t make a sound.” His voice was measured but heavy with disappointment.Bjorn’s lips curled into a scowl. “Do I look like her bodyguard?” he snapped, throwing his hands up. “She’s not my responsibility!”Ivan’s gaze didn’t waver. “You know she’s too beautiful to be trusted with just anyone. We can’t afford the risk—only famil
Maximilian met Bjorn’s gaze with a cool, steady look. “Bjorn, you cannot treat your little sister this way,” he said firmly, his voice carrying a note of disapproval. “Family isn’t about power; it’s about protection.”Bjorn’s eyes narrowed, and his lips curled into a mocking smile as he crossed his arms. “As if you know better how to treat a sister, Max,” he sneered, his tone full of sarcasm. “You’re such an expert on family dynamics, huh?”Maximilian felt a flash of anger and confusion. “What are you talking about?”Bjorn’s grin widened, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Your sister, Seraphina Holland, okay!” he taunted, his words landing like a blow. “Why don’t you start there?”Maximilian’s body tensed as the mention of Seraphina hung in the air, a challenge he wasn’t prepared for. He felt his composure slip momentarily, but he forced himself to remain calm, knowing that reacting would only play into Bjorn’s hands. “This isn’t about Seraphina,” he said, his voice measured. “This is
Ivan’s voice was calm but edged with determination as he watched Maximilian disappear down the hall with Alora. “Tomorrow, I will take Alora to Holland Hospital for treatment,” he declared, his eyes narrowing as he folded his arms. “And while I’m there, I’ll check what’s really going on.” Bjorn, still confused and scratching his head, finally turned his attention to his uncle. “You really think something’s up?” he asked, though his tone carried more curiosity than genuine concern.Ivan’s gaze was steely as he glanced back at Bjorn. “I have a feeling we’re not being told everything,” he replied. “Maximilian’s reaction, Seraphina’s involvement, Alora’s condition—it’s all too suspicious. And I intend to get to the bottom of it.” Bjorn’s eyes brightened with a hint of excitement, the idea of more drama unfolding clearly appealing to him. “Oh, this is gonna be good,” he muttered, grinning. “I knew Seraphina was up to something, but if Max is getting twitchy about it... well, I want a fro
Suddenly, Doctor Arisha Holland stepped into the room without knocking.Ivan’s breath caught in his throat the moment the doctor entered the room. His heart pounded, and for a second, it felt like time had stopped. The woman standing in front of him was strikingly familiar, her presence pulling him into a whirlpool of memories long buried. He couldn’t place her face exactly, but something about her—her eyes, her hair—struck him with a force that left him reeling. She looked almost identical to the mysterious woman who had vanished from his life after a single, unforgettable night."Hello," the woman greeted, her smile calm and professional.Alora, sitting beside Ivan, was frozen. Her wide blue eyes filled with terror, her body trembling violently as she stared at the doctor. It was as if she had seen a ghost.Then it hit her."Ghost! Ghost! Ghost!" Alora screamed, her voice rising in raw panic, each cry more frantic than the last. She pointed at the doctor, her whole body shaking u
Ivan’s hand slid up from Arisha's jaw, cupping her face, his thumb brushing lightly across her trembling lips. The intensity in his eyes was unbearable, a fire that had been smoldering for years. He couldn’t wait anymore. The dam of frustration, longing, and unanswered questions finally broke.Without another word, he crushed his lips against hers in a heated, desperate kiss.The moment their lips met, every ounce of doubt vanished. It was her. The taste, the softness, the electricity that surged between them—everything screamed of that night. That one night that had haunted him for three long years. His fingers tightened on her face, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss as though he needed to convince himself it was real, as though this connection had been the missing piece gnawing at his soul.Arisha gasped against his lips, her body stiffening in shock for a brief moment before something inside her cracked. She had tried to pretend, to distance herself, to make herself forget. B
The tension between them was pierced by a small voice that kept Ivan's grip tight. “Mommy...” came the soft, innocent call. It was like a chime, so pure and out of place in the midst of the storm of emotions.Ivan’s body went rigid, his eyes snapping to the source of the voice. Standing just a few steps away was a tiny girl, no more than two years old. She had one finger tucked in her mouth, her wide, curious eyes—his eyes—fixed on them with confusion. Her orange hair, a perfect match to Arisha’s, caught the light, and her tiny lips formed a hesitant pout. She was like a miniature, innocent reflection of Arisha, but with his piercing blue eyes staring back at him.Ivan’s breath caught, his mind unable to process what he was seeing. Mommy. The word echoed in his mind like a gunshot.Arisha, too, went still, her eyes darting between Ivan and the child. “Sisi...” she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of fear, shock, and love. The world around them seemed to freeze, the sterile w
Ivan’s world tilted off its axis as the reality of the situation crashed into him. Alysha Jarl. The woman standing in front of him, the one holding the little girl with his eyes, was Armin’s long-lost wife.The same woman he had shared that one unforgettable night with, the one he couldn’t forget no matter how hard he tried. And the child—their child—there was no denying the truth. One look at her, and he knew. She was his daughter.The shock of it left him breathless, his mind struggling to process the chaos unraveling before him. His gaze flicked between Arisha—Alysha—and the child she clutched protectively. The truth was a sharp, cutting blade, and he felt its sting.Meanwhile, Bjorn seemed lost in his own obsession, his eyes blazing as he confronted her. “I am talking about your little sister, Andrine!” he barked, crossing his arms with a look of pure determination. “Where the hell is she? Where is your family hiding her?”Arisha’s face twisted in confusion and panic. Her eyes dar