Chapter: Epilogue One Year Later The Barrett estate was filled with life, laughter, and warmth. It was the twins’ first birthday, and the garden had been transformed into a magical wonderland with twinkling lights, pastel-colored balloons, and flowers. The scent of freshly baked cakes and savory treats prepared for the celebration filled the air. Raven stood in front of a large mirror in her bedroom, adjusting the delicate lace dress she wore. The gown hugged her figure in all the right places, a testament to how well she'd recovered after giving birth. She had lost some of her confidence after having the babies – her body had gone through so many changes, and she had hated looking in the mirror for a long time until Mason wouldn't allow her to anymore. The thing she was most self-conscious of was the scar from the surgery she had had to have after the babies were delivered. Mason bought matching lingerie and sexy sleepwear and refused to let her question how stunning she was. Every time he saw her h
Last Updated: 2024-12-07
Chapter: One hundred and seven When they returned to the mansion that evening, the house was eerily quiet."What’s going on?" Raven asked. "Where'd everyone go?""What's that over there?" Blair pointed to a small bouquet on the table. Attached to it was a note that read, Come to the garden.Raven’s heart skipped a beat. She followed the note’s instructions, and when she stepped into the garden, her breath caught.The garden was transformed into a romantic paradise. Twinkling fairy lights adorned the trees, and a path of rose petals led to a small table surrounded by candles."Mason did this," Raven whispered, her heart swelling. Suddenly her aching feet had disappeared, the back pain that had hit her while they were in Victoria’s Secret and signalled the end of the trip. Her exhaustion was gone and she was smiling so much her cheeks hurt. She was already close to tears as she took it all in.Just as she took a step forward, looking for Mason, a sharp pain shot through her abdomen. She grabbed her stomach and cried
Last Updated: 2024-12-07
Chapter: One hundred and six Later that night, Raven was on a call with Blair, discussing the transformation of Lenora’s modeling agency."I was thinking we could add a design department," Raven suggested. "That way, we can focus on both modeling and fashion."Blair’s excitement knew no bounds. "That’s a great idea! I’ll handle the modeling side, and you can oversee the designs.""Deal," Raven said.After a brief pause, Blair asked, "You sound a bit down, not yourself. What’s wrong?"Raven hesitated. "Nothing, I’m worried about Mason.""Why? You two have been great lately, you’re perfect for each other. You’re even closer than before."Raven bit her lip. "I thought he’d ask me to marry him again by now. But he hasn’t mentioned it and I'm starting to get anxious. What if he doesn’t want me? What if the babies are scaring him off? What if he thinks I’ll be like Candice? What if-"“Raven, breathe. Have you talked to him about it?" Blair asked."No. That’s not something you can just bring up," Raven said.Blair chuck
Last Updated: 2024-12-07
Chapter: One hundred and five The dining table was filled with different breakfast dishes: fluffy pancakes topped with berries and syrup, scrambled eggs with herbs, smoked salmon on toast, and fresh fruit bowls. In front of Raven was a large bowl full of bacon, strawberry jam, and chocolate sauce – her strangest and most intense craving.Mason sipped his coffee, stealing glances at Raven as she hummed softly, her hand occasionally resting on her baby bump. He had become more attentive than before – which was already overboard according to Julie. He was more proud, more focused, and a lot more protective. Watching her scoff down her food now, still looking as sexy as ever, made his chest hurt a little. So much had happened; she had been through so much; he just wished the worst of it hadn’t been because of him.She sighed and looked up at him, offering him a genuine smile.“What are you looking at?” she asked, but all he could do was shake his head and smile back at her. “Well, you’re being very strange.”“Yeah, bu
Last Updated: 2024-12-07
Chapter: One hundred and fourJustin found Mason sitting quietly in Charles’s office. He didn’t sit at the desk, rather, he sat at the sofa to the side where they had argued so many times. He stared at his father's desk as if he could still see him sitting and working as they watched when they were children. It was the only thing he and Mason had ever been able to do together without fighting. Thinking back to those moments, Justin couldn't understand why he always felt like he had to one-up Mason, why they couldn't have been friends.He turned to leave him in peace when Mason spoke up.“Remember when we'd just sit here and watched Dad working?” he asked as if he had sensed his presence.“I was just thinking about that.”Mason looked up at him with tears in his eyes, shocking Justin with the vulnerability in the other man's eyes.“Did he suffer?” Mason asked softly, trying to hide the sob that threatened.“No,” Justin said, sitting in the seat across from him. “He just sort of… went.”Mason turned back to look at
Last Updated: 2024-12-04
Chapter: One hundred and threeMason pulled up to the Barrett mansion early that morning. He had deliberately left his penthouse early, avoiding Candice while she packed her belongings. The last thing he wanted was another confrontation. He wanted no part in her theatrics, they just made his headaches even worse than the blinding migraines he often suffered with.He exited the car and made his way inside.He had barely entered the living room when he spotted Justin coming down the stairs as if he owned the place. He looked… smug.Smug?Or something else?Mason couldn’t quite place it, but it rubbed him the wrong way to see him in his father's house. Justin had never been anything more than a snake in the grass, always waiting to take what Mason had."What the hell are you doing here?" Mason demanded, narrowing his eyes and letting the door close louder than necessary behind him. "Here to gloat about your little affair with Candice? Or measuring the curtains – you know you’re not inheriting the place, right? I’m sti
Last Updated: 2024-12-04
Chapter: Chapter 76Daisy felt a jolt of terror. Then she charged at her, desperate for answers. She grabbed Arianna’s shoulders, holding her, forcing her to look at her. “What are you talking about? Who put you up to this? Who is ‘she’?” Daisy demanded.Arianna’s lips twisted into a smirk. With her last strength, she pulled out another knife. Daisy hadn't even noticed it, hidden expertly in a strap around her thigh. Before Daisy could react, Arianna plunged the second knife into Daisy’s stomach. Daisy gasped, a sharp cry of pain tearing from her throat. Her eyes widened in shock. She stumbled back, clutching her bleeding stomach, groaning. The pain was immense, and her legs gave out, and she fell down, crashing to the floor, struggling for breath, the life slowly draining from her.Arianna stumbled towards the door. She fumbled with the handle, her movements jerky as the knife still protruded from her neck. She pulled the door open and staggered outside, leaving a trail of blood, her mission to kill Da
Last Updated: 2025-08-01
Chapter: Chapter 75Everyone in the Marino mansion had gone to bed, leaving the grand house quiet. But the night had other plans for Daisy, she’d been on edge throughout the evening. She was currently in her room, laid in her bed, sleeping. Suddenly, a faint sound, made her eyes snap open. Before she could even fully process what was happening, a dark shape loomed over her. A heavy, suffocating weight pressed down on her face.It was a pillow. And it was being forced down on her face, trying to cut off her breath.Daisy was not a deep sleeper. The years of abuse, the constant need to be aware, had made her a light sleeper. She immediately thrashed, fighting with every ounce of strength she had. Her arms flailed, pushing against the unseen assailant. She struggled, clawing, kicking, trying desperately to free herself from the suffocating weight. Her lungs burned desperately for air. She pulled at the pillow, pushing it away, twisting her body.With a surge of adrenaline, she managed to roll, tumbling off
Last Updated: 2025-08-01
Chapter: Chapter 74Vincenzo’s jaw tightened. “I know, amore. I know.” He took a deep breath. “Marco just gave me an update. One of our new surveillance cameras in the garden recorded her conversation with someone on the phone while she was out there yesterday evening. The audio isn’t perfectly clear, but it’s enough. She was confirming a meeting. And it seems she’s meeting up with someone tomorrow.”He paused, then continued. “So we need to watch her until tomorrow, and wait for her. Let her lead us straight to the person she’s working with. And then,” his eyes turned cold, “then I’ll make sure she pays for trying to hurt you. She will suffer for her actions, amore. I promise you.”“I think Arianna is getting suspicious,” she told him. “She looked so surprised to see me come out of my room this morning, after she thought I had drunk that juice. She looked like she had seen a ghost.”Vincenzo shrugged. “It doesn’t matter now, amore,” he said, his voice firm. “Her surprise means nothing. She tried. She fa
Last Updated: 2025-07-30
Chapter: Chapter 73Daisy sat beside Alessandro Ferrari, both of them were silent, waiting for the results. Finally, a nurse came out, holding a sealed envelope. She called their names, her voice was calm and professional, completely unaware of the life-altering news contained within the paper she held. Daisy’s heart hammered against her ribs. Alessandro took the envelope, his hands trembling slightly. He tore it open, pulling out the official document. His eyes scanned the words slowly, once, then twice. He looked up at Daisy, his eyes glistening. “Daisy,” he began, his voice barely a whisper. “It’s… it’s true. It says here. Alessandro Ferrari is indeed the biological father of Miss Daisy.” He repeated the words, as if trying to grasp their reality. “All these years,” he continued, his voice cracking, filled with regret, “all these years… I had a daughter. And I never knew anything about her. Not a single thing. You were right here, in this world, living a life I was completely unaware of. How could
Last Updated: 2025-07-30
Chapter: Chapter 72Moments later, in Maria’s room, Daisy was sitting by Maria’s bedside. Maria was resting, her breathing still a little shallow. The door opened softly, and Arianna entered, a fresh glass of orange juice in her hand. She walked over and handed it over to Daisy.“Here you are, miss Daisy,” Arianna said, her voice still sickly sweet. “Freshly squeezed, just as you asked.” She placed the glass firmly into Daisy’s hand, holding it a moment longer than necessary. Her eyes, for a split second, met Daisy’s. Then, without another word, she quickly turned and left the room, closing the door softly behind her, wanting to avoid any suspicion. Barely ten minutes later, the mansion’s private doctor arrived. He was led to Maria’s room. Daisy greeted him and quickly led him to inside the room.The doctor examined Maria thoroughly, taking her temperature, checking her pulse, asking her gentle questions. After a few minutes, he looked at Daisy. “She is suffering from a mild fever,” he explained, his vo
Last Updated: 2025-07-25
Chapter: Chapter 71Daisy had spent what felt like hours, pleading with Vincenzo to release Dante. She spoke of Dante's pain, his longing for justice. Vincenzo had listened, his face grim, his injured arm still bandaged, a constant reminder of Dante’s direct action. But in the end, her pleas had swayed him.“Alright, Daisy,” Vincenzo finally conceded, his voice firm but softer than it had been. “I will release him. But he will be watched. He will know that he is being watched. And if he makes one wrong move, there will be no second chances. Do you understand?”Daisy nodded, tears of relief welling in her eyes. “Yes, Vincenzo. I understand. Thank you. Thank you so much.” She had threw her arms around him.And so, Dante was brought in. He looked tired, his leg still bandaged from Daisy’s shot. Vincenzo looked at him, his gaze piercing. “Dante,” he said, “I’m releasing you. Not because I forgive your actions, but because Daisy cares for you. Do not mistake my mercy for weakness.”Dante looked directly at V
Last Updated: 2025-07-25
Chapter: Chapter 32Ariel stared at him, her mouth slightly agape, completely taken aback. “Are you serious?” she breathed, unable to fully process the magnitude of his sudden change of heart.“Yeah. Invite him over for dinner or something. I’ll play nice. I promise.” A faint smile touched his lips.“Wow. That’s… I don’t know what to say.”“Say you won’t cook.” Daniel teased. “Or at least try to help Susan in the kitchen so you don't burn everything.” He nudged her playfully with his elbow.She laughed, leaning against him. “Hey, I’m not that bad. You’re serious about this. Aren’t you?” she asked, a flicker of doubt still lingering, this was almost too good to be true.He nodded. “Completely.”When they got home after lectures, the aroma of Susan’s cooking was already wafting from the kitchen. Daniel went straight to the kitchen where Susan was busily preparing dinner.“Hey, Susan. Just a heads-up, Ethan’s coming over tonight. For dinner.” Daniel announced casually, reaching for an apple from the fruit b
Last Updated: 2025-06-14
Chapter: Chapter 31The men’s locker room buzzed with the familiar sounds of after-practice activity. The whoosh of running showers filled the air, mixing with the metallic clang of locker doors as athletes changed. Ethan stood near one of the long wooden benches, a towel slung over his shoulder, toweling off the sweat that still glistened on his skin after an intense basketball practice. His body was present, but his mind was miles away, lost in thoughts about Ariel. Specifically, the kiss. He hadn’t seen her since the party, and her sudden departure had left him in a state of debate. Should he bring up the kiss? Or should he pretend it never happened? The idea of pushing her away, of making her uncomfortable, was the last thing he wanted. He valued their friendship, and the thought of jeopardizing it with an ill-timed conversation about a kiss filled him with so much dread. He wanted to understand what it meant to her, but he was terrified of the answer, terrified of scaring her off.“Hey, Ethan. Got a
Last Updated: 2025-06-14
Chapter: Chapter 30Ariel’s POV Later that evening, during my shift at the bar, I was surprised to see Ethan and his teammates walk in. The place was already buzzing with energy, the air thick with anticipation for the night ahead. He approached me with a casual smile, leaning against the counter as I wiped down a glass.“Hey, I didn’t see you on campus today,” he said.I nodded, continuing to polish the glass. “Yeah, I had a bunch of classes back to back today, and then a mountain of assignments to get through. You know how it is, there's always something to do when you’re a student.”“So it’s not because you’re trying to avoid me?”“Of course not. I’ve just been busy.”“Great.” Ethan gestured towards his friends who were already staking out a corner. “One of my teammates is moving to another country, so we wanted to have a little fun before he leaves. We’re having a send-off party for him.”“Here?” I asked, a hint of surprise in my voice. It wasn't uncommon for small gatherings, but a full-blown party
Last Updated: 2025-06-01
Chapter: Chapter 29Ariel's POVStacy sat across from me in the noisy cafeteria, she had just returned from a long trip. I couldn’t contain my joy. Her presence was like watching the sun rise after a week of relentless rain.We sat across from each other, our lunch trays forgotten, laughing like we were the only two people in the room. I watched her as she animatedly recounted the mundane events of her trip. It hit me then how long it had been since I’d genuinely smiled, let alone laughed, like this. It felt good, the lightness of it, the easy camaraderie that only a best friend could bring.“So, tell me everything about the wedding!” I leaned forward, my elbows resting on the table, my eyes wide with anticipation. I was eager to hear every detail, every magical moment she’d witnessed.Stacy’s eyes lit up, reflecting the fairy lights she was about to describe. “It was magical, Ariel. Like, truly magical. The venue was this beautiful garden, filled with fairy lights everywhere. You should have seen it! My
Last Updated: 2025-06-01
Chapter: Chapter 28The gym vibrated with a powerful energy. The rhythmic thump of basketballs against the polished hardwood floor echoed loudly, creating a steady beat that was nearly drowned out by the enthusiastic, wild cheers erupting from the students packed into the bleachers. Ariel, standing among her cheer squad, felt the adrenaline surge through her veins. Her arms were raised high, the pom-poms flying as she shouted the familiar chant, her voice joining the collective roar:“Let’s go Panthers! Let’s go!”On the court, Ethan was absolutely in top form tonight. It was as if he was playing in a different league entirely. His movements were fast and precise, his shots incredibly accurate, leaving the opposing team bewildered and constantly scrambling to keep up. Every time he managed to get his hands on the ball, the entire audience leaned forward, holding their breath in eager anticipation. And when he scored, which he did with astonishing regularity, the whole gym erupted into a deafening roar. T
Last Updated: 2025-05-30
Chapter: Chapter 27Professor Luther sat in his office, the video playing again and again on the screen of his phone like a cursed loop that refused to break. Ariel’s soft moan echoed through the tiny speakers, a sound that had once been intimate and precious, now weaponized against them both. The way he had kissed her neck desperately, the raw, unguarded emotion that had flickered in her eyes as he fingered her… it all played repeatedly on his phone screen, each replay driving the knife of guilt and longing deeper into his chest. His jaw clenched so tightly that the muscles in his face began to ache.The message accompanying the video was brief but chilling: “Stay away from her, or things will get ugly.”He had read the words so many times they were etched in his mind. He placed the phone face-down on his desk, leaning back in his chair. He had cruelly rejected Ariel, using the most hurtful words he could think of. He pretended their intimate moments meant nothing, and he vividly remembered the disbeli
Last Updated: 2025-05-29
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