Chapter: Chapter 31: The HoneymoonThalia opened her eyes slowly as the morning sun filled the large bedroom. The silk sheets were still messy from the wild night they had just shared. She looked around the room, feeling a deep ache in her body. Even though she had her own private bedroom she had chosen to sleep in Nikolai’s room last night. After all the heat, the touch, and the way he had held her in the dark, she had really thought things would be okay between them now. She thought the ice had finally melted. But as she looked up, her heart sank. Nikolai was already out of bed. He was standing by the mirror, buttoning up a clean shirt. His face was completely calm, normal, and cold. He did not look like the man who had been so breathless and sweet to her a few hours ago. He looked like a stranger again. Thalia pulled the sheet tight against her chest. "Are you really just going to act like last night didn't happen?" Nikolai paused, fixing his cuffs. He did not look back at her. "Last night was just a momen
Last Updated: 2026-07-14
Chapter: Chapter 30: You're mine Thalia"Careful, corporate king," Adrian murmured, stepping up beside Nikolai and taking a slow sip of his bourbon. "Your knuckles are turning white, and the press is watching your every move." "She’s out of control, Adrian," Nikolai growled, his voice a low, gravelly whisper as he turned his back to the crowd. "She wore that dress specifically to defy Alistair . She’s playing a dangerous game, and I told her I won't protect her when the old man snaps her neck." Adrian let out a quiet, humorless laugh, turning his gaze toward the balcony where Alistair Ravenhart sat like a dark god overlooking his kingdom. "Protect her? Nikolai, look at yourself. You’re not mad because she defied Alistair. You’re mad because she’s finally defying you." "Don't start with the armchair psychology," Nikolai snapped coldly. "You know what's at stake. You drew up the final terms of the merger You know what my grandfather will do if we don't present a unified front tonight." "Yeah, I know exactly wh
Last Updated: 2026-07-10
Chapter: Chapter 29: The Vanguard Gala The glass and steel facade of the Vanguard Center gleamed like a polished diamond under the flashbulbs of a hundred press cameras. Security barricades kept the roaring crowd of spectators at bay, while a sleek caravan of black luxury sedans crawled toward the red carpet. Tonight was the public baptism of the Ravenhart-Logistics merger—and everyone who was anyone had come to witness the spectacle. Inside the staging tent just off the main entrance, the air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume, hairspray, and raw nerves. Nikolai stood near the heavy velvet curtain, adjusting his diamond-encrusted cufflinks with sharp, agitated jerks. He wore a traditional midnight-blue tuxedo, his white shirt stiffly pressed, his dark hair immaculate. On the outside, he was the perfect heir. On the inside, his father Sebastian’s warning from two days ago was still scraping against his ribcage like a rusty blade: A woman who has stopped caring? That's a completely different kind of
Last Updated: 2026-07-10
Chapter: Chapter 28: A Cold, Burning PurposeThe transition from the wild, unbridled heat of the night to the rigid freeze of the morning was a whiplash Thalia felt in her very bones. She stood by the window of her dressing room, staring out at the mist lingering over the grounds, her mind reeling from everything that had just occurred in the dining room.The heavy oak door creaked open. Nikolai stepped inside his private quarters, his movements sharp, tight, and furious. He was already ripping at his tie, his chest heaving as if the air in his own home was poisonous."Are you just going to stand there?" Nikolai snapped, his voice rough and gravelly. "Or are you going to tell me exactly what game you're playing, Thalia?"Thalia turned around slowly. Her high-collared, slate-gray dress made her look impeccably composed, a stark contrast to the emotional wreck she felt inside."I'm not playing a game, Nikolai," she said softly, though her voice didn't waver. "Your grandfather came here, made his demands, and left. I am simply tr
Last Updated: 2026-07-10
Chapter: Chapter 27: The Morning AfterThe soft, gray light of dawn did little to warm the heavy silence of the master bedroom.When Nikolai opened his eyes, the feral intensity of the previous night had completely vanished, replaced by the cold, sobering reality of daylight. The smell of cedar, smoke, and her sweet scent still lingered in the sheets, but the heat that had consumed him was gone.Beside him, Thalia was still asleep.Without the dark shadows of the firelight to hide behind, she looked painfully small. Her hair was tangled across his chest, and one of her hands was still loosely clutching the fabric of his discarded shirt. Nikolai looked down at her, his jaw tightening as a wave of conflicting emotions crashed over him.The memories of the night flooded back with agonizing clarity—the desperate edge in her voice, the way she had completely surrendered to him, and worse, the way he had completely lost himself to a raw, unbridled hunger the moment she mentioned Adrian. He had wanted to punish her, to assert
Last Updated: 2026-07-10
Chapter: Chapter 26: "Give Me an Heir""I'm trying to be brave."He stared at her for several long seconds, unable to find the words."I don't know how marriages work," Thalia admitted with a weak laugh that quickly faded. "I've never been someone's wife before."She lowered her eyes."But I know that a wife shouldn't be standing in the bedroom across the hall while her husband sleeps alone."Nikolai drew a slow breath."You don't have to do this.""I know.""You can go back to your room.""I could."She finally looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears."But if I do... tomorrow we'll wake up exactly the way we are tonight."Her voice grew quieter."Two strangers wearing wedding rings."The words settled heavily between them.Thalia took another hesitant step toward him, closing the distance that had existed between them since they left the chapel."I've loved you for years, Nikolai," Thalia confessed softly. "Not because you're the Ravenhart heir. Not because of your family's name."A bittersweet smile touched
Last Updated: 2026-07-09
Chapter: chapter 45:The Shared ShadowDarius paused in the doorway, his silhouette imposing against the hall light. "While I’m gone, I want you to feel free. This isn't a hotel or a prison—it’s your home." He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "Rearrange the furniture, explore the gardens, order the chef to feed you at midnight. Do not ask for permission. You are the mistress of this house.""And if I get lost?" she teased, a small smile touching her lips."Mona will find you," he replied, a ghost of a smirk appearing. "I’ll be late. Don’t wait up. Sleep."With one final, lingering look, he vanished down the hallway.The silence that followed was absolute. For the first time, Hezekiah wasn't being escorted or shadowed by security. She wandered the labyrinthine estate, her bare feet sinking into plush carpets, until she found the double glass doors of the east wing.She pushed them open to reveal a two-story library. Books lined the walls, stretching toward the ceiling, and a gentle fire crackled in the center hearth. Tucke
Last Updated: 2026-07-14
Chapter: Chapter 43:The Architecture of TrustInstead of the formal dining room, Darius led Hezekiah through a hidden door in the sunroom that opened into a massive, climate-controlled glass conservatory. Inside, it was a lush, green paradise filled with the scent of blooming jasmine and the sound of a trickling waterfall.In the center, a small table was set for two, surrounded by rare white orchids that looked like sleeping moths."I thought the air in the house was too sterile for you," Darius said, pulling out her chair. "This is a private microclimate. The oxygen levels are optimized, and the plants are all non-allergenic.""You have a literal forest in your house?" Hezekiah asked, a breathless laugh escaping her as she looked at the towering ferns. "It’s beautiful, Darius.""I remembered you mentioning during a meeting months ago that you missed the greenery of the province," he replied casually, though the intensity in his eyes suggested it was anything but a casual memory.The "excitement" of the afternoon didn't come fro
Last Updated: 2026-07-14
Chapter: Chapter 42: Moving InAs the last of the boxes were taped shut, Darius stepped into the small hallway, his hand already reaching for his phone. He looked back at Hezekiah, who was sitting on her bed, clutching the family album as if it were the only anchor she had left."I need to check on the security detail for the move," he lied smoothly. "Stay there. Rest."He stepped out onto the landing, the door clicking shut behind him. His expression transformed instantly—the softening guilt replaced by the cold, calculating mask of the Hedalgo heir. He hit a speed-dial contact that had no name."Marcus," Darius said, his voice a low, dangerous vibration. "I have a new priority. I need the full file on a case from five years ago. A murder conviction—Hogan Peterson. I want the original police reports, witness statements, and the name of the 'best friend' who walked free. I also want a list of every syndicate member operating in the North District at that time.""Darius, that’s a closed case," the voice on the other
Last Updated: 2026-02-17
Chapter: Chapter 41:You are carrying a HedalgoDarius didn't answer. He stared at the man’s face in the photo—a man who had no right to be in the same memory as the mother of a Hedalgo. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the frame into the kitchen trash can. The sound of glass shattering against the plastic bin echoed like a gunshot in the quiet apartment."That wasn't yours to touch!" Hezekiah shouted, her voice trembling with indignation."Everything in this room is mine if it involves you," Darius growled, turning to face her. "I told you on the terrace: I am the father. I don't want to see another man’s face in the place where my child sleeps. That part of your life is dead, Hezekiah. Erase it.""You are a tyrant!" she cried, clutching her stomach. "You can't just throw away my things!""I'm doing more than throwing away trash," Darius countered, his voice rising. He gestured vaguely at the cramped walls. "Look at this place. You fainted because you’re exhausted and under-nourished. I can't protect you here. There’s no space
Last Updated: 2026-02-17
Chapter: Chapter 40:Tonight, I’m staying right here.The guards closed in, their presence a silent, wall-like reminder of the Hedalgo power. Hezekiah began to follow them, her spine rigid, but with every step away from the office, the air seemed to thin.The adrenaline that had fueled her defiance was draining away, leaving behind a cold, hollow exhaustion. Her vision began to fray at the edges, the ornate gold-leaf frames on the hallway walls blurring into long, jagged streaks of light."Ms. Peterson?" one of the guards asked, noticing her stagger.She didn't answer. She couldn't. Her heart was a frantic bird hitting the cage of her ribs, and a sudden, sharp pressure spiked behind her eyes. The floor, once solid marble, now felt like the deck of a ship in a storm."Darius..." she gasped, her voice barely a thread.In the office, Darius heard it—the ghost of his name. He was at the door in a second, pushing past the guards just as Hezekiah’s knees gave out. This time, there was no fight in her. She collapsed like a broken doll, her head
Last Updated: 2026-02-16
Chapter: Chapter 39: My Child. Not Yours.He hung up and tossed the phone onto the desk. It slid across the mahogany surface, stopping inches from Hezekiah’s trembling hand."He’ll be here in fifteen minutes," Darius said, his voice terrifyingly calm. "Sit down, Hezekiah.""I’m leaving," she whispered, backing toward the heavy double doors."Try it," Darius challenged. "The security team answers to me. The gates are sealed. You are staying until we have that blood."Hezekiah spun around and grabbed the door handle. Locked. She rattled it, panic rising in her throat like bile. She turned back to the room, her back pressed against the wood. They looked like a tribunal. Valen, the judge. Pearl, the executioner. And Darius... Darius looked like a man who would burn the world down to get what he wanted."Please," she begged, her voice cracking. She looked at Anya. "Anya, please."Anya stepped forward, her eyes wet. "Darius, stop. Look at her. She’s hyperventilating. This isn't good for the baby.""Lying isn't good for the baby eit
Last Updated: 2026-02-13
Chapter: Chapter 34Ang sinag ng araw ay pumasok sa mga kurtina, naglalabas ng mainit na liwanag sa buong kwarto. Nagising si Armea sa malumanay na tunog ng lungsod mula sa labas, ang banayad na tunog ng mga sasakyan na dumadaan, at ang tahimik na paghinga ni Van, na nakaupo na sa mesa at abala sa paggawa ng isang bagay. Pinatong niya ang kanyang mga kamay sa mata, ramdam pa ang epekto ng alak kagabi, ngunit determinado siyang harapin ang araw nang may malinaw na pag-iisip.Dahan-dahan siyang tumayo, iniiwasang magkalog, at inayos ang bathrobe na iniiwan niya noong nakaraang gabi. Nagsimula nang mag-ikot ang mga saloobin sa kanyang isipan habang tinitingnan ang kanyang repleksyon sa salamin. Hindi simple ang buhay niya, ngunit kakaiba ang pakiramdam sa bagong kabanatang ito. Ang mga nakaraang araw ay nagbigay sa kanya ng pagkakataong magmuni-muni sa mga bagay na hindi niya akalain na iisipin niya. Tumingin siya kay Van na abala sa mesa, ang presensya niya ay kalmado ngunit may tiwala. Hindi niya alam kun
Last Updated: 2025-01-03
Chapter: Chapter 33I never thought ganito ka busy ang ikasal,"sabi ko habang hinuhubad ang aking gown. Masyadong mainit at naka-inom na rin ako.Nakarinig ako ng pagkatok kaya agad ko naman kinuha ang bathrobe at sinuot iyon.Pumasok si Van na halatang pagod rin."Hey, pretty. wanna drink with me?" Tanong sa akin ni Van. Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa laylayan ng bathrobe ng lumapit siya sa akin at nilagay sa lamesa ang dala niyabg wine may isa rin na wine kaya naging dalawang wine ang nasa mesa."Sure, mag-shower muna ako." Sabi ko at agad na nag-shower."Oh, God! What should I do?" sabi ko habang nagsasabon. Hindi naman talaga kami totoong nagmamahalan ngunit gusto ng papa niya na magkaroon ulit ng apo.Wala ang anak ko dito ngayon nasa hotel kami habang siya si Madeline muna ang nag-aalaga.Hindi ko namalayan na napatagal ako sa CR. Kumatok si Van kaya mas lalo akong kinabahan."Langga! Matagal ka pa ba diyan? I'll gonna have a shower." Agad nmn akong napa-suot ng bathrobe at lumabas."Ikaw na," hindi a
Last Updated: 2024-11-08
Chapter: Chapter 32Nag- instruct ang photographer sa magiging picturuals "Ang newly Wed muna ang kukunan. Okay Groom humawak ka sa bewang ng Asawa mo." Pinicturan niya kami. Magkatabi kami tapos nakahawak si Van sa Bewang ko. "Good. Next naman. Holding Hands." Ginawa naman namin ang sinabi.Iillang possing pa ang pinagawa sa amin."Last pose, Sa likod ang groom tapos sa harapan ang bride. Parang yakapin mo patalikod Ang bride." Nakakailang naman pero sinabi lang ni Van na go with the flow. " Perfect! ngayon naman ay kukunan ng litrato ay ang bride at ang groom then kasama nila ang anak nila." Saad ng organizer nakapwesto na ang photographer sa harapan namin kasama naman ng anak ko ang tita madeline niya.Sinabihan si Van ng organizer na pumunta sa likod ko at hawakan ang aking bewang habang hawak ko naman ang bulaklak sa kamay ko."Okay yan , mag smile kayo sa camera"Ginawa naman namin ang sinabi ng organizer.Nag thumbs up naman ang photographer na okay ang pagkakuha nito."Hephep wait mas maganda
Last Updated: 2023-08-27
Chapter: Chapter 31(Wedding Day)"Ang lamig ng kamay mo girl ha" saad ni madeline sa akin nandito kasi kami sa kotse ngayon nag-aantay lang kami na makapasok lahat ng tao sa simbahan bago kami pumasok.Lumingon ako sa mga puno sa tapat ng simbahan may nakita ako na nagpalaki ng mata ko kaya nilingon ko si mads at kinalabit "Mads tingnan mo si brent ,"Tinuro ko ang kinaroroonan. Niya ngunit wala na siya doon"Wala naman ah guni-guni mo lang ata yun nuh" pagtataray niyang saad sa akin "Sure ako si brent iyon " Tiningnan niya ulit yung puno na tinuro ko"Wala namang tao doon armea ah , nako hindi si brent yun" umiiling niyang saad "Si brent talaga kasi iyon ""Mea , calm down hindi iyon si brent guni-guni mo lang iyon dahil for sure na guilty ka sa gagawin mo , pero mea huwag muna siya ang isipin mo, isipin mo ang anak mo ha guni-guni mo lang iyo" guni-guni ko lang ata talaga iyon pero may nakita talaga akong tao malapit sa puno kanina eh."Ma'am pwde na po kayong bumaba" saad ng babae.Inalalayan ako
Last Updated: 2023-08-26
Chapter: Chapter 30"Manang teresa tulungan na kita diyan," "Nako maam huwag na po, pupunta naman ang ibang katulong dito" nandito kami sa dinning room kakatapos lang namin na kumain, ang anak ko ayun dinala ni van sa taas nag volunteer na siya na daw magbihis sa kay andro at magpatulog inaantok na kasi iyon."Nasaan po ang ibang katulong?""May pinaasikaso si sir van sa kanila para po sa engagement party niyo maam,""Ah ganun po ba"kumusta po ang pag-aasikaso sa kasal?" Tinulungan ko siya sa pagdala ng mga ginamit na pinggan patunggo sa lababo."Ok naman manang ang yaman nila nuh ang daming koneksyon ang dali lang para sa kanila""Sinabi mo pa, may sariling pera na ang mga anak ni maam vanessa" sinimulan niyang hugasan ang mga pinggan."Nasan na po ang mga anak tita?""Yung panganay niyang anak na si Vion Andrillo may sarili ng companya dito lang sa manila.Ang pangalawa ay si sir Van tapos ang pangatlo si Vin Arnold business man ,yung nasa ibang bansa na pinuntahan nila maam yung naaksidente tas yung
Last Updated: 2023-08-26
Chapter: Chapter 29Ibinigay nila sa akin ang brochure, binuklat ko iyon may isang gown na bumihag sa mata ko."Ito po" tinuro ko sa kanila ang napili ko isang Floral Petite wedding dress with Removable sleeves."I also like that iha pinili ko yan kanina," saad ng mommy ni van "That's our top selling wedding gown kaya marami kaming stock niyan at sa halagang five hundred thousands may wedding gown ka na." Nagulat ako sa persyo na Five hundred thousand sa gown na yan mas mabuti pa na mag renta na lang ng gown kaysa bumili eh ang mahal talaga eh half million sayang ang pera."Tsskk ano ba naman yan off-shoulder tapos may slit hanggang Hita. Ayaw ko niyan masyadong reviling" "Wag kang oa anak hindi naman ikaw ang susuot.""Ehh. Tita masyadong mahal" Hindi pa rin ako sanay na tawagin siyang tita gusto nga niya tawagin ko siyang mommy pero saka na lang pagkatapos ng totoong kasal namin ni van."No iha , don't mind the price, also we can buy that gown ako naman ang gagastos.""Bahala kayo" saad ni van.May
Last Updated: 2023-08-26
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