Chapter: Chapter Fifty fourSerena came around during Sunday dinner the following week. They’d fallen into a comfortable routine of family dinners—Aurora’s parents hosting, Cody and Serena attending, Kieran and Aurora grateful for normalcy amidst chaos, sometimes Diego joining if they needed to discuss security matters in a less formal setting than conference rooms.“You have paint under your fingernails,” Serena said, smiling as she passed the salad bowl across the table. “Blue paint. You’ve been painting. New hobby?” Aurora looked down at her hands, embarrassed. She’d scrubbed them thoroughly before dinner, but blue paint lingered stubbornly in the cuticles, evidence of hours spent working. “Just messing around. Nothing serious. Stress relief more than anything artistic.”“Can I see?” There was genuine interest in Serena’s voice, not just politeness or curiosity. As a gallery owner and sculptor herself, she understood the vulnerability of showing work, especially early work, especially to someone whose
Last Updated: 2025-12-17
Chapter: Chapter Fifty threeAurora found the art supplies by accident three days later while looking for extra blankets. She’d been up late painting in her temporary studio—the small guest room she’d claimed for creative work—and the space got cold at night despite the estate’s excellent heating system. She needed another blanket, something warm to wrap around her shoulders while she worked, and remembered her mother mentioning storage in the west wing. The storage room was rarely used, filled with furniture covered in sheets, holiday decorations in labeled boxes, remnants of Aurora’s and Cody’s childhood that her mother couldn’t bear to throw away—old toys, school projects, framed artwork from elementary school. She was digging through a cedar chest marked “Winter Linens” in her mother’s neat handwriting when she spotted them in the corner, hidden behind a covered armchair—boxes stacked three high, covered in a layer of dust that suggested years of neglect. Cardboard boxes with more of her mother’s handw
Last Updated: 2025-12-17
Chapter: Chapter Fifty two “We’ll need to delay vendor payments,” Kieran said, reviewing a spreadsheet with practiced efficiency in his home office. His voice was matter-of-fact, businesslike, the tone he used when discussing difficult but necessary decisions. “Just temporarily, until insurance payouts come through. Thirty days minimum, possibly sixty depending on how quickly the insurance company processes everything.”“That’ll damage relationships with contractors we’ve worked hard to build,” Aurora said, feeling tension building in her shoulders. “They’re already nervous after two fires, asking questions about security, wondering if they want their names associated with this project. Some are small operations—they can’t absorb payment delays easily.” “They’ll understand. It’s business. Everyone deals with cash flow issues at some point. This is temporary, and they know we’re good for the money eventually.”“It’s their livelihoods, Kieran. These aren’t corporations with massive reserves and multiple reven
Last Updated: 2025-12-17
Chapter: Chapter Fifty oneThe mole hunt consumed three days and yielded nothing but frustration and dead ends.Diego brought in external investigators—people he’d worked with for twenty years, people he’d trust with his life. Former FBI agents who’d spent decades in counterintelligence. Retired military intelligence officers with experience in the most complex operations. Private security specialists with impeccable credentials and connections throughout law enforcement. They interviewed every team member individually, sometimes twice, occasionally three times when answers seemed inconsistent. Ran background checks that went back decades, deep enough to uncover childhood addresses, high school disciplinary records, college roommates, first jobs, and every employer since. Mapped personal connections, family trees, romantic relationships, even casual friendships that might provide leverage or motivation for betrayal.Nothing.Whoever was feeding information to Goran was a ghost. No suspicious bank deposits
Last Updated: 2025-12-16
Chapter: Chapter FiftyThe cabin was everything Kieran had promised—tucked into the mountains three hours from the city, surrounded by pine trees and silence. No cell service. No internet. Just a landline for absolute emergencies.Perfect.Aurora stood on the deck, breathing in cold mountain air, watching snow fall in lazy spirals. Behind her, fire crackled in the stone fireplace. Kieran moved around the kitchen, making hot chocolate.“This is exactly what I needed,” she called.“I know.” He appeared with two mugs, steam rising. “Marshmallows, because I’m not a monster.”They settled on the couch together, wrapped in blankets, watching snow accumulate on the deck railing. For the first time in months, Aurora’s mind was quiet. No construction timelines. No security concerns. No legal proceedings.Just peace.“What should we do for two weeks?” she asked.“Absolutely nothing. Sleep late. Read books. Make love. Cook elaborate meals. Hike when the weather’s good. More sleep. More making love.” Kieran kissed her
Last Updated: 2025-12-13
Chapter: Chapter Forty ninePiagel’s sentencing hearing arrived on a gray Wednesday morning. Aurora almost didn’t go—the fire investigation was consuming most of her time, and part of her wanted to just move on without witnessing this final chapter.But Kieran convinced her. “You need closure. You need to hear the judge say the words. Otherwise, it’ll always feel unfinished.”So they went to the courthouse one final time.The courtroom was less crowded than during the trial—just immediate family, some press, the necessary legal personnel. Piagel sat at the defense table in prison orange, thinner than ever, looking like a shadow of the man Aurora had married.Judge Morrison entered, and they all stood.“Mr. Blythe, you’ve been convicted on four counts—attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, stalking, and harassment. Before I impose a sentence, do you wish to make a statement?”Piagel stood slowly. For a moment, Aurora thought he might actually apologize. Might show genuine remorse.“Your Honor, I’m not th
Last Updated: 2025-12-13
Chapter: FOREVER AFTER. “Tell us the story about how you and Daddy met.” Devera’s request came as Ava tucked her into bed on a quiet Sunday evening, three months after her fifth birthday. Diego had already fallen asleep in the next room, exhausted from a day of soccer practice and playground adventures.“You have heard that story a hundred times, sweetheart.”“But I like it. It’s like a fairy tale, but real.”Ava smiled, settling into the chair beside Devera’s bed. The bedtime story ritual had evolved over the years, but their daughter’s fascination with her parents’ love story never seemed to fade.“Once upon a time, there was a nurse who worked very hard to help sick people get better.”“That’s you, Mama.”“That’s me. And one night, a very hurt man came to her hospital, and she had to work extra hard to save his life.”“That’s Daddy.”“That’s Daddy. And even though she didn’t know anything about him except that he needed help, she refused to give up on him.” Devera pulled her blanket up to her chin, her
Last Updated: 2025-09-18
Chapter: A NEW DAWN“Daddy, look what I made!” Devera’s voice echoed across the playground as she proudly displayed her sand creation to Dario, who was pushing Diego on the swing set while keeping one eye on his daughter’s architectural endeavors. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across Sunflare Park, where families had gathered for the weekend despite the crisp October air.“That’s beautiful, princess. What is it?” “It’s a castle for Mama when she comes back from work!” Dario smiled at his daughter’s thoughtfulness. Even at four years old, Devera understood that her mother worked hard at the hospital and deserved something special when she came home.“Mama will love it,” he assured her, lifting Diego out of the swing as the little boy demanded his turn at castle-building. “My turn, my turn!” Diego chanted, his dark hair catching the light as he ran toward the sandbox with the boundless energy of a four-year-old who had been sitting still for far too long.Two years of marriage had brought a peac
Last Updated: 2025-09-18
Chapter: FINALLY FOREVER “Stop moving your head or I will never get these pearls straight.” The hairstylist’s gentle scolding made Ava smile as she sat in front of the mirror in the bridal suite of St. Catherine’s Cathedral. Two years had passed since Devera and Diego’s dramatic entrance into the world, and today she was finally marrying their father in the ceremony they had dreamed of but never quite managed to have.“I can’t help it. I’m nervous and excited and completely overwhelmed,” Ava replied, watching her reflection transform under the skilled hands of the makeup artist and hairstylist Rosa had insisted on hiring.“You have nothing to be nervous about, mija,” Cara said from her position overseeing the entire process. “This time, no one’s going to interrupt your wedding with guns or kidnapping attempts. Just a man who loves you waiting at the altar.”“That’s what makes it perfect and terrifying at the same time.”The makeup artist stepped back to admire her work. “There. You look like a queen.” Ava
Last Updated: 2025-09-18
Chapter: SECOND CHANCES “I know you have no reason to open this door for me.” Leandro’s voice carried across the quiet morning street as he stood on Riley Martinez’s front porch, his hands thrust deep in his pockets to keep them from shaking. Six months on the southern coast had changed him in ways that went beyond the tan on his face and the calluses on his hands from working at the marina. He stood straighter now, with the posture of someone who had learned to carry his own weight instead of expecting others to bear it for him. Inside the house, Riley paused in washing her breakfast dishes, recognizing the voice even through the closed door. She dried her hands slowly on a kitchen towel, buying herself time to decide whether to answer or pretend she wasn’t home.“Riley, please. I know I don’t deserve five minutes of your time, but I’m asking for them anyway.” The sincerity in his tone made her decision for her. She walked to the front door and opened it, not bothering to hide her surprise at his appe
Last Updated: 2025-09-18
Chapter: TWO HEARTS, ONE FAMILY “It’s a boy!” Dr. Rachel’s voice filled the delivery room with joy as she lifted the second baby, his cries joining his sister’s in a symphony of new life. Ava collapsed back against the pillows, exhausted but radiant, while Dario stared in wonder at this second miracle they hadn’t expected.“Two babies,” Ava whispered, tears streaming down her face. “We have two babies, Dario.”He leaned down and kissed her softly, his own eyes wet with emotion. “You incredible woman. You gave us twins. I don’t know how I got so lucky.”“We got lucky,” she corrected, reaching up to touch his face. “Our family just doubled in size.” The delivery room doors burst open, and Cara rushed in with Owen close behind, both still wearing their wedding reception attire. Cara didn’t even glance at the babies being cleaned and weighed by the nurses. Her focus was entirely on her daughter.“Ava, sweetheart, are you alright?” Cara moved directly to the bedside, gathering her exhausted daughter into her arms.
Last Updated: 2025-09-18
Chapter: MIRACLES AND SURPRISES “Get her to delivery room three, now!” Dr. Rachel’s voice cut through the controlled chaos of Northshore General’s emergency department as Ava was wheeled in on a gurney, her face twisted with pain and her hands gripping the rails so tightly her knuckles had gone white. The contractions were coming fast and hard, leaving her barely any time to breathe between waves of agony.“How far apart are the contractions?” asked the nurse running alongside the gurney.“Two minutes, maybe less,” Dario answered, his hand briefly touching Ava’s shoulder before the medical team took over. “They started getting stronger in the car.”“Sir, you will need to wait outside while we get her situated,” Dr. Rachel said, though her tone was gentle rather than dismissive. “We will call you in as soon as we can.”“I’m not leaving her.” “Dario,” Ava gasped between contractions, “it’s okay. Let them do their job.” The delivery room doors swung shut, leaving him alone in the sterile hallway with nothing but t
Last Updated: 2025-09-18
LOGIN
