All Chapters of Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

“Ranya...” Vivian’s voice was weak yet filled with happiness as he walked into the ward. His eyes bore into her, hiding contempt beneath their calm exterior. She pointed towards the crib beside her bed, where the baby lay. “Isn’t she beautiful?”“Congratulations, Vivian,” Damian greeted, stepping towards the crib and watching the baby. She was beautiful, resembling Vivian a lot.“How are you, Vivian?” Ranya’s calm voice echoed around the room. Her smile broadened at his demeanor. Before her water broke, she had been constantly nudging Ranya to marry her. Now, she believed he would do the needful as soon as she recovered.The past few months of being pregnant had been perfect with him. He made her feel loved and cared for, but he had never touched her.“The baby is lovely,” Damian said, gesturing for Ranya to come see his daughter. He nodded and walked towards the crib, taking in the sight of the baby. Ranya knew he would have been elated if the child were his. He had suspected the pre

“Not even a picture,” he groaned, scrolling through Calista’s deleted Instagram posts. Damian had mentioned months ago that he could contact her through social media.He’d been at it for months, checking daily to see if she might reconsider and reactivate her account. Ranya sighed, running his hands through his hair as he sat on the bed in his penthouse office.Here he was again, avoiding home, this time waiting for Vivian’s things to be moved out. Was he disappointed in her? Yes. But a part of him felt liberated. If only Calista would return, maybe he could set things right.A soft beep on his phone caught his attention—a message that slipped through his filters. He frowned at the message. “This is my number if you change your mind. Love, Signoral.”He chuckled at her persistence. He had completely forgotten she’d reached out. He’d been too preoccupied—overwhelmingly so—and it slipped his mind that she had contacted him. How dare she bring up his mother?Sniffing, he glanced at the t

“Signoral!” she corrected for the hundredth time since she entered his office. He had been calling her Miss Hamilton repeatedly, and it had become extremely unbearable.“I don’t think your name is what I need to know for this contract,” he said, his face devoid of emotion as he stared at the file on his desk.“Do you think my grandfather will have you marry me when you don’t even know your bride’s name?”“Officially, Miss Hamilton, we’re business partners, and formalities must be eradicated. I shouldn’t have to tell you this.”“Ranya...”“Mr. Windsor, that’s how you will address me here,” he said firmly, picking up the file before shoving it back to her. “For all I know, this might be a fake contract, and I can’t take the risk of being tied down in some shabby marriage.”The words hurt her, but she would never let it show. “Oh right, I forgot you’re quite skilled at drafting contracts in a short while.”“Excuse you?” Ranya started. Her words weren’t mere coincidences. It was deeper th

“Anthony!” Mrs. MacQuoid shouted as Calista walked down the staircase, ready for work. “My goodness, you look like someone who was up all night.”“Good morning, Mrs. MacQuoid,” Anthony greeted, walking towards her in the garden, where she was picking ripe tomatoes. “Your hands are blessed, ma’am. Look how delicious and red this is,” he flattered, smiling.“Thank you, my dear,” she beamed, picking another tomato while he helped with the basket. “You shouldn’t bother. I can handle this. Besides, you’ve just returned from work.”“I’m not too tired for this.”“Calista said you had lots of work to do,” she pressed, moving to another stem full of ripe tomatoes. “Go in and take your shower. I’ll make yummy pasta with these.”Anthony smiled, glancing at Calista as she walked down the steps to her car. “Good morning, Anthony.”“Calista.” He smiled before turning to face her mother.“You’re up, young lady?” her mother called, stopping her. “Did you eat breakfast at all?”“Mum, I’ll have somethi

“Are you giving up already?” Damian asked, seated across from Ranya, watching him type on his laptop.“Nope,” Ranya replied absentmindedly. “I’m finding her, and that’s final.”“It’s been months, Ranya,” Damian persisted. “We’ve checked everywhere we can think of. Besides, you’re getting married; maybe it’s time to stop.”“Why are you here?” Ranya asked, tearing his eyes away from the laptop.“What?” Damian looked baffled.“You have an election tomorrow, don’t you? Get your ass off my seat and go,” Ranya said, his tone serious yet distant.“You talk as if the election doesn’t concern you. You’ve been showing up at the campaign more often. I still can’t believe how versatile you can be.” Damian laughed, enjoying the banter.“Go, Damian. I’m too busy with your nonsense talk.”“I will,” Damian replied, raising his hands. “It’s late. I thought we could grab a whiskey or something.”“Hmm,” Ranya hummed, shutting his laptop.“Is that a yes? God, I really need a break from all this election