Chapter: Chapter 168: EPILOGUEDEMETRIAFive Years Later…I still remember the time Marion promised to build our home on this land. A home for the kids and us, close to his parents. A place where we grow together. A real family.Now, out of ten acres, two acres of rolling green stretch around me, our home sitting right at the center like something out of a magazine. Tall windows, warm stone, soft wooden finishes… a mansion, yes, but somehow still ours. Still full of fingerprints and crayons and little shoes abandoned in hallways. From the balcony, I can see the golf path that leads straight to his parents’ house — a five-minute ride on the little family-sized cart the kids love to drive too fast. On the other side, the stables shimmer in the morning sun, horses grazing lazily. And behind the house, my favorite part: the garden. Wild, bright, and stubbornly thriving… just like us.Some days it hits me all at once. How far we’ve come.When Marion handed me the deed to the building in Beverly Grove, I cried like a ch
Last Updated: 2025-12-12
Chapter: Chapter 167: My Wildfire, My WifeMARION“You couldn’t wait for us to say our goodbyes, husband?” Demetria teased, her arms circled my neck as I carried her up the jet’s stairs.I smirked, staring at her pretty face. “Marcel will inform them when they notice our absence. Right now, I need you all to myself.”We left the wedding venue in a whirlwind, eager to escape the world and have these first stolen moments alone. Now, as we boarded the jet on our way to our honeymoon in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, I couldn’t help the grin spreading across my face. Finally, my wife, entirely mine, and the thought of exploring every inch of her body set my mind alert.The air hostess stepped in gracefully. “Welcome aboard, Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield. Everything is ready for your flight.”“Thank you,” I said, giving her a nod. “We can take off now.”She smiled and turned, and I added, “Please inform the team not to disturb us unless it’s time to land.”Demetria’s lips curved into that mischievous smile I adored. “Wow, bossy even in the
Last Updated: 2025-12-12
Chapter: Chapter 166: Becoming Mrs. WhitfieldDEMETRIAWedding Day…It was finally here. My wedding day, in the last week of January. It felt like a dream someone dipped in gold. The morning had been a swirl of makeup brushes, hairpins, perfume, and nonstop giddy squealing from my bridesmaids. At some point, Anastasia had shown me the breaking news alert about Paula’s death splashed across every media outlet.I’d only blinked, nodded, and whispered, “I already knew.” And I was at peace. Nothing—absolutely nothing—was going to cast a shadow over my good day.Now, I was finally seated in the back of the long white limousine, my dress flowing around me like clouds, Anastasia beside me in her silk gown, with Amanda and my bakery girls in shades of blush filling the rest of the seats. They were all chattering, buzzing, glowing with joy for me.Anastasia nudged me with her elbow, wiggling her brows dramatically.“So, Mrs. Almost-Whitfield… how are you feeling?” she teased.I laughed, pressing a hand over my racing heart.“Like I’m flo
Last Updated: 2025-12-12
Chapter: Chapter 165: A Future Built In LoveDEMETRIAThe energy buzzed with excitement as everyone congratulated us. Desserts were passed around, something I didn’t know my bakery team had planned, adding to today’s big surprise. Across the room, I noticed my father approaching, his arm linked with his new lady, both smiling warmly in our direction.I stepped forward as my father reached me, his face lighting up. “Mija, I’m so happy for you,” he said warmly, pulling me into a firm hug. “You’ve grown into a strong, wonderful woman. And Marion… take care of her. Always.”I smiled, feeling the pride and love in his voice, and nodded. My father then introduced his lady beside him. “And this is someone special I want you to meet,” he said. I hugged her briefly. “It’s lovely to meet you,” I murmured, and we laughed softly.Curiosity bubbled up. “Dad… when did you arrive? How did you know about today?” I asked, glancing between him and Marion.He tilted his head toward Marion, a small smile playing on his lips. My brows furrowed, and
Last Updated: 2025-12-11
Chapter: Chapter 164: The Surprise Behind The DoorMARION“Marion… what’s going on here?” Demetria laughed nervously, turning in a slow circle as she took in every familiar face. Her eyes widened even more when they landed on one person in particular. “Papa… you’re… what? How—?”Demetria blinked hard, like she was making sure she wasn’t hallucinating. Everyone chuckled—my parents, Marcel, Stephen, and his wife, Cyprian, Mikhail, Amanda with her whole bakery crew, and Anastasia’s husband. The room buzzed with warmth and excitement.Her dad lifted a hand in a soft wave, the woman beside him smiling politely. “Hi, mi princesa.”“Okay… what’s going on?” she demanded, hugging the bouquet tighter to her chest, her voice a blend of confusion, wonder, and the beginning of happy tears. She turned to glance at Anastasia, and I used that opportunity to kneel in front of her. She gasped when she saw me in that posture.“Mar—”“Wildfire,” I said, feeling every heartbeat echo in my chest as I knelt there. Demetria’s breath caught, her eyes wide a
Last Updated: 2025-12-11
Chapter: Chapter 163: The Night Her World ShiftedDEMETRIA“Okay… girl, I see you. It’s superb, better than mine. I love it for you,” Anastasia said when I showed her my new car in Marion’s underground garage, the one he gifted me after the accident.Now we’re on our way to God-knows-where, since she and Marion both told me to relax and enjoy the day.“Yeah, that’s Marion, always fulfilling his promises. Today’s gifts were straight off my Pinterest board,” I said with a smile, recalling each one.“That’s a billionaire showering his woman,” she teased, giving me a side-eye before pulling out of Marion’s building. “And because I’m your best friend, I get to tag along while he spoils you today.”“So, you still won’t tell me where we’re going?” I asked, leaning back in the passenger seat.“Deme!” She laughed, shaking her head. “I know you hate surprises like this. We’re almost there, you’ll see.”We pulled into West Hollywood, and Anastasia parked with a smug little smile that told me she’d been dying for this moment.I blinked up at the
Last Updated: 2025-12-10
Chapter: CHAPTER 121: A Clean BreakYULIAI called my dad during a slow moment at work. He answered on the second ring.“Hello, sweetheart.”“Hi, Dad.”“You sound happy.”I smiled as I leaned back in my chair. “I have something to tell you.”“Go ahead.”“Belov wants to send me to London.”His voice was filled with excitement. “London?”I giggled. “Yes.”“Yulia, that's wonderful!”“You haven't even heard everything yet,” I joked.“I don't need to. If they're sending you there, it means you've done something right.”My smile widened.He had always been proud of me, but hearing the excitement in his voice still warmed my heart.“They have a major international criminal case,” I explained. “Their London partner needs lawyers who understand Russian law and can work on the Russian side of the case. Belov says I'm one of the people they're considering.”“And you're considering it?”“I want to.”“So?”“I haven't officially accepted yet, but I think this is too good an opportunity to turn down.”“You're right. And I'm happy for
Last Updated: 2026-09-19
Chapter: CHAPTER 120: What Money Couldn't Give MeKENDRICKI was dressed for work, my suit perfectly fitted, my watch secured around my wrist, and my phone already filled with notifications. I picked up my jacket from the back of the chair, about to leave my bedroom when I heard hurried footsteps coming down the hallway.“Daddy!”I turned just as a small figure came rushing through the open door.A grin immediately spread across my face. “Nalani.”She ran straight toward me, and I caught her in my arms before she could crash into my legs.“There’s my girl.”I lifted her off the floor and held her against me, covering her cheeks with kisses.She giggled, squirming in my arms. “Daddy, stop!”Her little voice made me laugh even harder.I kissed her forehead. “Daddy missed you.”Finally, I lowered her slightly but kept my arms around her. “How are you, Daddy's princess?”She placed both little hands on my cheeks and smiled. “I'm fine, Daddy.”“You're fine?”She nodded enthusiastically. “Vewyyy fine!”I chuckled. “Good. That's what I lik
Last Updated: 2026-09-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 119: The Past AwaitsYULIATHREE YEARS LATER. . .“Okay, baby, we'll talk later. I'm leaving for work now. Bye!”“Have a good day,” Alexei replied.“You too.” I ended the call and grabbed my keys before heading out of my apartment.Yeah, I moved from my mother’s mansion.I locked the door behind me and walked toward the elevator, pressing the button. A few moments later, the doors opened, and I stepped inside.As the elevator descended, I caught my reflection in the mirrored wall.Twenty-six now. A qualified lawyer and independent.I smiled to myself.There had been a time when I couldn't imagine my life without the people and places I'd grown up around. Now I had built something completely different. I started at Belov & Associates as a young lawyer trying to prove I deserved a place among people with far more experience than me. I had worked late, studied case files until my eyes hurt, spent countless hours in court, and learned from every mistake I made. Sergei had never made things easy for me, but
Last Updated: 2026-09-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 118: Something Was MissingYULIAThree weeks had passed, and without me realizing it, Alexei had become a comfortable part of my life.We talked almost every day. Sometimes it was a good-morning message before work. Other times we spent hours talking about absolutely nothing. He was easy to be around, patient, funny, and thoughtful in ways I hadn't expected. I really enjoyed his company.Now, I sat on my bed with my laptop open beside me, talking to Adeline over a video call. She had been asking questions about Alexei for the past ten minutes, and I couldn't help smiling at how invested she seemed in my relationship.“Sooo. . .” she said, narrowing her eyes at me through the screen, “give me the latest update. How is Mr. Alexei doing?”I laughed softly. “Why do you sound like you're conducting an interview?”“Because I need details,” she said, completely serious. “You disappeared to Russia, broke my heart by leaving me here, and now you're out there living your best life with a mysterious man. I deserve upda
Last Updated: 2026-09-17
Chapter: CHAPTER 117: The Thought I Couldn't IgnoreKENDRICKI stayed in my office long after most of the employees had gone home, reviewing a series of reports for Project Atlas. I stared at the same set of figures for several minutes when my phone rang.Glancing at the screen, I saw Victor's name.I answered the call and sank back in my chair. “What?”“It's Friday night,” Victor said.I frowned slightly. “And?”“And you are coming out for drinks with us.”I chuckled. “Last time I went out for drinks, someone ended up pregnant.”Victor burst out laughing. “That was one time, Kendrick.”“One time was enough.”“Don't be dramatic. Damon and I are already making plans, and we're expecting you to show up.”I glanced at the documents scattered across my desk. Lots of work waiting for me, but for once, I didn't feel like spending another Friday night alone in my office.“I have work to do anyway.”Victor groaned dramatically. “You always have work to do. You're becoming unbearable.”“I run a company.”“You also own a house, have a wife, an
Last Updated: 2026-09-16
Chapter: CHAPTER 116: Learning to Love AgainYULIAI was halfway through reviewing a case file when someone knocked lightly on my office door.“Come in, please.”The door opened. I looked up from the documents in front of me.One of my colleagues stepped inside carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers.My eyebrows lifted.“These are for you,” she said, smiling.I stared at the bouquet.The flowers were arranged beautifully, a mixture of soft pink roses, white lilies, and small clusters of delicate baby's breath. The arrangement was elegant without being too extravagant, wrapped in simple cream paper and tied with a dark green ribbon.“For me?”She laughed. “Yes, Yulia. Unless you know another Yulia around here.”I smiled and accepted the flowers. “Who brought them?”She shrugged. “Check it out. There's a card.”I checked. Sure enough, a small cream envelope was tucked between the flowers.“Thank you.”She nodded and walked out.I retrieved the card from the bouquet and opened it.Yulia,I hope these brighten your day as much as
Last Updated: 2026-09-15
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