Chapter: Chapter 79I slept more than I stayed awake.The doctors explained that my body was still recovering from the prolonged effects of the sedatives, the dehydration, and the physical exhaustion I had endured during those endless days of captivity.Every time I woke up, Bradley was there.Sometimes he sat beside my bed, quietly reading through documents while one of his hands remained wrapped around mine.Sometimes he was standing near the window, speaking softly on the phone before immediately ending the conversation the moment he noticed I had opened my eyes.Other times, he simply watched me sleep.I never asked how long he had stayed because I already knew the answer, long enough to make the nurses whisper every time they entered the room and long enough that they no longer looked surprised whenever they found him sitting exactly where he had been hours before.But, he never complained or looked tired in front of me, even though the faint shadows beneath his eyes told me a different story.Three
Last Updated: 2026-07-14
Chapter: Chapter 78**(go to Dwyne's Point of View)**Darkness slowly gave way to light.The first thing I became aware of was not the sound of machines or the faint scent of antiseptic lingering in the air, but it was the warmth. A gentle warmth wrapped around my hand.My fingers twitched instinctively, and I immediately felt another hand tighten around mine with incredible care, as though afraid I might disappear if he let go.My eyelids felt impossibly heavy, but I forced them open little by little.Everything around me was blurry at first; I just noticed a white ceiling, soft lighting and the quiet rhythm of medical equipment somewhere beside me.Then my vision slowly cleared and
Last Updated: 2026-07-12
Chapter: Chapter 77The steel door slowly swung open.The underground chamber fell completely silent the moment I stepped inside.Benjamin Harrington sat restrained in the center of the room, his expensive suit now wrinkled and stained from the struggle during his capture. The confidence that had always defined him was gone, replaced by a face that had finally begun to understand the consequences of his decisions.Around the room, more than a dozen of my most trusted men stood without speaking.Richard. Marco. Gray and several captains who had fought beside me for years. None of them interrupted because none of them dared. The only sound came from the steady rhythm of a heart monitor beside the room, not because Benjamin deserved comfort but because I wanted him alive.A physician stood quietly nearby, his medical bag already open. He had been given only one instruction."Keep him alive."Nothing more and nothing less.Benjamin slowly lifted his head when he heard my footsteps approaching."So..." His vo
Last Updated: 2026-07-12
Chapter: Chapter 76**(Bradley's Point of View)** The elevator doors slid open in complete silence.Richard followed one step behind me while Marco and Gray walked beside us despite the bandages still covering their wounds. Neither of them had fully recovered, but I knew better than to order them to stay behind.This was no longer just my battle.Benjamin Harrington had declared war against every person who stood beside me the moment he kidnapped Dwyne.Tonight, that war would end.As we crossed the underground parking garage, several black SUVs were already waiting with their engines running.More than fifty of my trusted men stood in disciplined formation.The moment they saw me, every conversation stopped, no one greeted me or spoke anything. They simply lowered their heads in silent respect because they knew where we were g
Last Updated: 2026-07-09
Chapter: Chapter 75**(Bradley's Point of View)**The helicopter landed on the rooftop of the hospital just after midnight. Before the rotors had completely stopped spinning, the medical team was already waiting; Doctors, trauma surgeons and nurses. Every one of them had been called before we arrived, no delays, no paperwork and no questions.Only one priority, to save her.The cabin door opened, and I stepped out first, still carrying Dwyne carefully in my arms. She had not opened her eyes since the helicopter left the estate. Her breathing had become steadier because of the oxygen, but the unnatural paleness of her face made my chest tighten with every passing second.One of the doctors approached carefully."Mr. Castelano, we need to transfer her to the stretcher."I looked down at the woman sleeping against my chest. For a brief moment, I did not move. Then finally I nodded.As gently as if she were made of glass, I laid her on the waiting stretcher and the medical staff immediately surrounded her."
Last Updated: 2026-07-07
Chapter: Chapter 74**(Bradley's Point of View)**The west wing of the estate had already fallen.One report after another came through my earpiece as my men continued clearing every corridor, every room, and every hidden passage Benjamin Harrington had prepared long before tonight."The underground garage is secure.""The second floor has been cleared.""Three suspects have been captured alive.""The tunnel has been sealed."None of it mattered for me now, only one report did."Miss Dwyne."That was all I wanted to hea
Last Updated: 2026-07-07
Chapter: Chapter 24The old woman gently placed a bundle of folded linen into my hands. She smiled warmly before pointing toward the small room where I had rested earlier."Aya..." She touched her chest.I blinked before smiling in understanding. She’s telling me her name."Aya." I said and watched her nodded happily.Then she pointed toward me and I understood immediately."Maritza." I told her my name as I pressed a hand against my chest. "My name is Maritza."She repeated it slowly."...Ma...ri...tza."A wide smile spread across my face. "Yes!"She laughed softly, pleased that she had pronounced it correctly. Although we couldn't understand each other's language… Some things didn't need words.Inside the small room, I unfolded the clothing Aya had prepared for me.It was unlike anything I had ever worn; a flowing white linen dress reached my ankles, the fabric was light and cool despite the desert heat with a golden sash accompanying it, along with simple leather sandals.I stared at my jeans. "...The
Last Updated: 2026-07-14
Chapter: Chapter 23Meanwhile in another palace."My Queen..."The messenger dropped to one knee, his forehead pressed against the polished stone floor."Thorac failed."Silence.Then—Crash!A golden goblet shattered against the chamber wall."WHAT?"Queen Neferaset rose from her throne, fury blazing in her dark eyes. Her silk robes swept across the floor as she descended the steps."How could he fail? He has never failed me before!"The trembling messenger lowered his head even further. "The villagers intervened, Your Majesty. They gathered before Thorac could capture the woman."Neferaset's jaw clenched. "Useless."She turned sharply toward the woman standing quietly beside the balcony.Unlike the palace priests dressed in pure white, this woman wore flowing black robes embroidered with silver symbols long forbidden by the temples.Madam Elena.Officially, she was the royal court seer.Unofficially… She was the only person in Egypt who still practiced the forbidden arts hidden from the gods' temples.H
Last Updated: 2026-07-14
Chapter: Chapter 22My lungs burned… Every breath felt like fire as I ran across the uneven fields.Behind me, the men's laughter slowly turned into angry shouts, I didn't understand a single word they were saying but I didn't need to. They were hunting me.The city walls still stood far away, too far and my legs were growing weaker with every desperate step."Help!" I screamed instinctively. "Please! Help me!"The only answer was the pounding of footsteps behind me. One of the men shouted while another laughed when they were getting closer."No..." I whispered through ragged breaths. "I can't stop..."I refused to become their prisoner, not after surviving everything that had already happened
Last Updated: 2026-07-14
Chapter: Chapter 21The Kingdom of Khepri had known peace for five years.Not because its enemies had become weaker but because no king dared challenge the man who now ruled Egypt.His name alone silenced rebellions, his victories ended wars before they began.To his people, he was the protector chosen by the gods. But to foreign kingdoms… He was the Black Sun King.Pharaoh Kharef of the House of Khepri.At only Thirty-nine years old, he had inherited the throne after the death of his father, Pharaoh Amenkhepri, whose reign had united Upper and Lower Egypt beneath a single banner.Many believed the young prince would struggle to fill such enormous footsteps but they were wrong.
Last Updated: 2026-07-13
Chapter: Chapter 20“AAAAHHHHH….”Falling...That was all I could feel; there was no ground beneath my feet and no sky above my head. Only endless golden light swirling around me like an ocean without end.Voices echoed in the distance, hundreds of them. No.. It was thousands. Some whispered prayers and some wept while others called names I couldn't understand. Their voices rose and fell like waves, surrounding me from every direction.The scarab pendant against my chest burned brighter than the sun, its warmth spreading through my entire body.Then… Everything stopped.Silence… A terrifying, endless silence.For one impossible moment… I thought I had die
Last Updated: 2026-07-13
Chapter: Chapter 19The voice faded and silence swallowed the chamber once more but no one dared move.Professor Hassan slowly lowered his notebook, his hands trembling so violently that several pages slipped onto the stone floor."...Did everyone hear that?"Leo answered first. "I thought it was inside my head.""It was," Ayesha whispered. "But I heard it too."The four of them looked at one another.No one could explain what had just happened.I slowly lowered her hand."I don't think..." Her voice barely rose above a whisper. "...it wants me to touch it."Professor Hassan frowned. "What do you mean?""It feels..." She searched for the right words. "...like it's waiting."Waiting…The word echoed through the chamber.Again… The same word that had followed her from the day she arrived in Egypt. Waiting: The archaeologist. The old mystic. The ancient scroll. And professor Hassan's grandfather's journal.Everything had led her here. Before anyone could speak again— The pendant around Maritza's neck burst
Last Updated: 2026-07-12
Chapter: Chapter 94The café Bernard chose was only a few minutes away from the company.It was a quiet little place tucked into the corner of a busy street, its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the morning traffic while soft jazz music played in the background.Thankfully, it wasn't crowded.I glanced at the time on my watch. "I only have about an hour before my first meeting."Bernard smiled as he pulled out a chair for me. "Then I won't steal too much of your time."We ordered breakfast and coffee, and for the first few minutes, our conversation remained exactly what I had hoped it would be; business, the charity gala, investment opportunities and the future expansion of Smith Corporation.Bernard was an intelligent businessman, and I genuinely enjoyed exchanging ideas with him.Still… I was careful, very careful. Every sentence I spoke remained polite and professional. Every smile had its limits and every compliment was redirected back toward business.I wasn't trying to be rude but I was simply
Last Updated: 2026-07-14
Chapter: Chapter 93I was still smiling, even after the long drive to the office and after replaying Dominic's shameless goodbye kiss in my head for what had to be the hundredth time.This pretending thing isn't going to work, I thought, fighting another smile.How was I supposed to act like nothing had happened when that man kissed me in front of Serge as if the entire world didn't exist?I let out a quiet sigh and stepped out of the SUV."Have a good day, Miss Smith," Serge said with his usual respectful nod.I smile. "You too, Serge."I adjusted my blazer before walking toward the entrance of the Smith Corporation building.Employees were already arriving for work, filling the spacious marble lobby with the sounds of conversations, footsteps, and elevators opening and closing.It felt like an ordinary morning.Until I saw him, near the revolving doors stood Bernard Ortega.He was dressed impeccably in a charcoal-gray suit that fit him perfectly, his dark hair neatly styled as always.But that wasn't w
Last Updated: 2026-07-14
Chapter: Chapter 92Dominic's penthouse was nothing like I expected.The elevator doors opened directly into the apartment, revealing an expansive living space surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. The city glittered beneath us, thousands of lights stretching endlessly into the distance.Everything inside reflected Dominic perfectly, modern, elegant and minimalistic.Black marble floors contrasted beautifully with warm walnut wood panels, while the furniture was simple yet undeniably expensive. There were no unnecessary decorations, only carefully chosen pieces that gave the entire place a quiet sense of luxury.It felt... peaceful.I slowly walked farther inside, taking in every corner."So..." I said with a small smile. "You've been hiding this place from me?"Dominic closed the apartment door behind us."It wasn't exactly a secret." He said calmly.I glanced over my shoulder. "Oh?""And you never asked."What?!I laughed softly. "That's your defense?"He shrugs his shoulders. "It works.""It absolut
Last Updated: 2026-07-10
Chapter: Chapter 91The kiss left both of us breathless.For several long seconds, neither of us spoke. The world around us seemed to disappear, leaving only the quiet sound of our uneven breathing inside the parked car.Dominic rested his forehead against mine, his eyes still closed. His fingers remained intertwined with mine as if he was afraid I might disappear again.I smiled softly. "I missed you."His lips curved into a faint smile. "I know.""No." I gently shook my head. "I don't think you do."His eyes slowly opened. "I missed Dominic who always argued with me. The Dominic who always acted like he owned every room he walked into. The Dominic who never let me face anything alone."My voice grew quieter."And the Dominic who looked at me like I was his entire world."For the first time that night, guilt flickered across his face. "I… I’m sorry, Sierra. I should've been there."I squeezed his hand. "You couldn't.""I still should've been." He sighed and he hugged me tight.I didn't argue because I k
Last Updated: 2026-07-07
Chapter: Chapter 90The dinner finally came to an end nearly two hours later.Fortunately, most of the conversation revolved around business. Bernard discussed the upcoming charity gala, several investment opportunities between Ortega Group and Smith Corporation, and a few projects he believed could benefit both companies.I answered professionally, occasionally adding my opinions while Sasha quietly listened beside me.Still… No matter how hard I tried to focus, my thoughts kept wandering somewhere else. To a certain Russian man. To the way he looked at me before leaving my office and the distance he deliberately placed between us.By the time dessert arrived, my appetite had completely disappeared.Bernard seemed to notice. "You look ti
Last Updated: 2026-07-05
Chapter: Chapter 89By the time we left the office, I still couldn’t stop thinking about Dominic. Or more specifically… About the sudden distance he created between us.The change had been so abrupt it left me emotionally unbalanced.Last night, he held my hand while walking beside the river as if he never wanted to let me go again.This morning, he kissed my forehead in front of everyone without hesitation.But a few hours later? “Miss Smith.” Cold, professional and distant.Ugh… I didn’t understand him anymore.And honestly, hearing him calling me that like he didn’t know me, that hurt more than I wanted to admit.
Last Updated: 2026-07-04
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