Chapter: Bonus ChapterHazel's POV The lobby of Weller Tower hummed with activity as I pushed through the revolving doors, nodding to the security guard. I bypassed the crowded main elevators, swiping my keycard at the executive lift. Some perks of being Cassian Romano's daughter never got old, even if I'd fought like hell to make my own name in this business. "Morning, Ms. Roman," the receptionist called as I stepped onto the top floor. "Mr. Weller is expecting you." "Thanks, Diane," I said, already mentally reviewing the island sale documentation. I caught my reflection in the glass wall of my office. At twenty-four, I'd mastered the art of power dressing, though I still fought the urge to fidget with my sleeves when nervous. James waved me into his office as soon as he spotted me. "Hazel! There she is, my star closer." His silver hair complemented the classic, old-world aesthetic he maintained despite the office's modern design. James was old-school in the best ways….he still preferred handshake
Huling Na-update: 2025-05-29
Chapter: Epilogue Two Decades Later Cassian's hands gently worked at the blindfold covering my eyes. His fingers brushed against my temple, sending familiar shivers down my spine….twenty years together and he still had that effect on me. "Open your eyes, darling," he murmured, his deep voice vibrating through me as the blindfold fell away. I blinked against the sudden brightness, my vision adjusting to reveal a stunning sight...a magnificent island stretching before us. A sprawling modern mansion with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked pristine white beaches and turquoise waters. Lush tropical gardens surrounded the property, dotted with elegant pavilions and infinity pools that seemed to melt into the horizon. "Oh my God," I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. "Cassian... you bought an island?" His arm slid around my waist, pulling me against his solid warmth. When he grinned, that same boyish smile that had captured my heart decades ago now framed by distinguished salt-and-pepper stubble, m
Huling Na-update: 2025-05-29
Chapter: Chapter 122: Red LedgerCassian's POVI stared at my phone, the message from Viktor burning into my retinas. Twenty million on my daughter's head. Twenty fucking million."Cassian?" Aria's voice floated up from downstairs. "Your pancakes are getting cold!""Coming!" I called back, forcing my voice to sound normal as I quickly typed a response to Viktor: Call me in 30. We need to handle this. Now.I locked my phone and headed downstairs, working to keep my expression neutral. Grace was perched on her booster seat, chocolate smeared across her face as she devoured her pancakes. Aria stood at the counter, pouring coffee into my favorite mug."There you are," Aria said, sliding the mug toward me. Her smile faltered as she caught my expression. "What's wrong?"I shook my head slightly, my eyes flicking meaningfully toward Grace, who was happily stabbing another piece of pancake with her fork."Nothing," I lied, forcing a smile. "Just something with Viktor."Aria's eyes narrowed. She knew me too well. "Something?
Huling Na-update: 2025-05-26
Chapter: Chapter 121: MonstersCassian's POVSomething warm nudged my arm, pulling me from the haze of sleep. I blinked against the early morning darkness only to find a pair of wide, innocent eyes staring back at me. Hazel Grace’s curls wild from sleep, was standing beside our bed, clutching her favorite stuffed rabbit."Daddy," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "There's monsters in my room."I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, a smile tugging at my lips. "Monsters, huh?" I asked, keeping my voice low. Aria was still asleep beside me.She nodded, her small face deadly serious. "Big ones. With teeth. You have to come and kill them.""Alright, lead the way," I said, sliding out of bed as quietly as possible. I threw a glance at Aria, making sure she was still asleep before taking Grace's small hand in mine.Her fingers wrapped tightly around mine as she led me down the hallway, her small feet padding softly on the floor. The house was quiet except for the distant hum of the heater. Her room was dim, lit only
Huling Na-update: 2025-05-26
Chapter: Chapter 120: Line He CrossedThe private room was tucked away in a building that looked like it hadn't seen the light of day in years. Perfect for these kinds of meetings…far from prying eyes, with soundproof walls and thick, tinted windows. Viktor and Xander had already swept the area. Everything was clear.I stepped inside, greeted by Viktor's silent nod and Xander's usual stoic demeanor. They were as loyal as they came, and I trusted them with my life. Which, in this line of work, was no small thing."Bernard's waiting inside," Xander said, leaning against the wall. "Been pacing for a while now. Got a real smug look on his face."I nodded, my jaw tight. "Let's change that, then."Xander opened the door, and I stepped inside the dimly lit room. Bernard was sitting at the far end of the table, his arms casually draped over the back of his chair like he had all the time in the world. Looking far too comfortable for a man who should've known better.Middle-aged, with a gut that spoke of too many years spent behin
Huling Na-update: 2025-05-24
Chapter: Chapter 119: The Line You Don’t Cross Cassian's POV The plane touched down with a dull thud, jerking me forward as the wheels screeched against the runway. It felt like years since I'd left the States, even though it had only been a few months. Switzerlandwas supposed to be a fresh start for us—for Aria, for Grace, and for me. But no matter how far you run, the past has a way of creeping back in. Switzerland seemed a million miles away. Peace seemed a million miles away. I checked my phone the moment I stepped off the plane. It had been off for the entire flight, but as soon as I turned it on, Viktor's name flashed on the screen. I answered on the second ring. "Where'd you park?" I asked the moment I answered, skipping the small talk. "Third row, black SUV," Viktor replied in his usual curt tone. "Xander's waiting by the meeting point. I'll be out front." "Got it," I said, hanging up without another word. The moment I stepped outside, the familiar humidity of home hit me like a slap to the face. The air fe
Huling Na-update: 2025-05-21
Chapter: Chapter 117I woke up to Jessica practically pounding on my door, which was not how I wanted to start my Saturday morning after crying myself to sleep and waking up with the kind of headache that felt like someone was using my skull as a drum set.“Lily, there’s someone at the door for you,” Jessica called through the door.I buried my face deeper into my pillow because whoever it was could come back later when I felt like being a functional human being instead of a disaster wrapped in yesterday’s clothes.“Lily, seriously, you need to get out here,” Jessica said again, this time with more urgency in her voice. “He says it’s important.”He. That narrowed down the possibilities to people I definitely didn’t want to see right now, considering the only guys who knew where I lived were either my friends or people I was actively trying to avoid.I dragged myself out of bed and shuffled to the door, opening it just enough to peer out at Jessica with what I was sure were spectacular bedhead and probably
Huling Na-update: 2025-09-23
Chapter: Chapter 116“Let me see,” he said again, taking a step toward me.I backed away instinctively until I hit the edge of his desk. “Don’t.”But he kept moving closer anyway, “The only reason I came here tonight,” I started, my voice shaking despite every effort to sound calm and professional, “was to tell you to stop.”He paused, tilting his head slightly.“Stop making things difficult for me in front of the team. Stop questioning everything I do. Stop treating me like I’m some incompetent child who doesn’t deserve to be there.” The words were coming out faster now. “Aren’t you too old for this kind of petty revenge and childhood nonsense? We’re not kids anymore, Luca. We’re supposed to be adults.”“Lily—”“I get that you hate me,” I continued, cutting him off because I’m not interested in hearing whatever excuse he was about to offer. “I get that seeing me again brought up all these negative feelings you have about me. But I don’t deserve to suffer for it.”My throat was getting tight, the words s
Huling Na-update: 2025-09-22
Chapter: Chapter 115The random security who showed up looking nervous and taking one look at the scene in front of him. Maya was advancing me like she was ready to tear me apart, me backed up against the desk with what I was pretty sure was going to be a spectacular bruise across my cheek,“Everything okay in here?” he asked, taking in the mess we’d made.Maya switched mode instantly. “Nothing serious.”The guard looked uncertain, but Maya gave him one of those smiles that said “I can get you fired” and he basically melted.“Oh, okay then. Just keep it down, yeah?”“There goes your rescue,” she said sweetly at the door. “Looks like it’s just you and me now.“She was momentarily distracted so I realized this might be my only chance to do something other than stand there and cower under the desk like a helpless victim waiting for whatever she was planning to do to me next.The rage that had been building all week, all the humiliation and frustration and hurt suddenly transformed into one cl
Huling Na-update: 2025-09-21
Chapter: Chapter 114By six PM, the building was basically a ghost town. Most of the undergraduate students had cleared out hours ago, and even the graduate students who usually stayed until the building locked up had left.Which was perfect for what I needed to do, because this conversation was going to be awkward enough without an audience of my classmates.I spent about ten minutes pacing around the empty hallway outside the temporary office suite that Blackthorne Pharmaceuticals had set up on the fifth floor, trying to build up enough courage to actually knock on the door.The plan was simple: walk in there, tell Luca that whatever issues he had with me needed to stay in the past, and that his behavior was completely out of line. Keep it short, keep it professional, and then get out.I knocked on the door with what I hoped sounded like confident authority.“Come in,” came a voice from inside, except it definitely wasn’t Luca’s voice.The door opened to reveal Maya sitting behind a mahogany desk. She w
Huling Na-update: 2025-09-20
Chapter: Chapter 113I didn’t go to lab on Thursday.I know it was probably the most immature thing I could have done under the circumstances, but after Wednesday I needed at least twenty-four hours where I didn’t have to pretend that being humiliated was something I could handle with grace.Instead, I spent the entire day in my dorm room, alternating between stress-eating Jessica’s emergency stash of chocolate catching up on coursework for my other classes and trying to convince myself that maybe if I ignored the collaboration for twenty-four hours, it would somehow resolve itself or disappear entirely.Every time my phone buzzed with what was probably a message from Dr. Dooley asking where I was, I shoved it under my pillow and pretended it didn’t exist.Jessica kept asking if I was sick, and I kept telling her I was just tired and I need a mental health day, which wasn’t entirely a lie. My mental health was definitely suffering. I was tired of being treated like an incompetent child by someone who used
Huling Na-update: 2025-09-19
Chapter: Chapter 112The rest of that first day felt like being slowly dissected by someone who knew exactly where to make each cut for maximum damage. After my spectacular public failure with the blood samples, Luca spent another 10 minutes before leaving.At least when we were kids and he thought I was being stupid, he’d actually tell me I was being stupid.By the time the they finally left, I felt like I’d been put through a blender set on “psychological torture.” Maya had spent the entire afternoon making little comments about my so called incompetency level.“Well, that was intense,” Madison said once their fancy cars disappeared from the parking lot. “Mr. Blackthorne seems really… serious about this collaboration.”That was one way to put it. Another way would be to say he was a sadistic asshole who apparently had nothing better to do than ruin my life, but Madison didn’t need my personal commentary.I made some noncommittal sound and started cleaning up my work station“Are you alright, Lily?” Dr.
Huling Na-update: 2025-09-18
Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak
"Sign the papers, Estella."
Marco slid the divorce papers across the mahogany table, his eyes fixed on Claudia, who hovered by his side with a victorious smile. "Did you really think a nobody like you could keep me?"
Estella's throat tightened as she forced herself to meet his gaze. The diamond on Claudia's finger caught the light—his best friend now wearing what should have been hers forever.
"You should be grateful," Claudia murmured, resting a hand on her belly. "Letting you go is the kindest thing we've done for you."
When Estella married into the powerful Valdez family, she believed in love conquering all. Instead, she found herself cast out, Helena Valdez herself showing her the door when Claudia announced her pregnancy.
Then Alejandro De Luca appeared—Marco's sworn enemy offering an unexpected proposition. "A contract marriage," he said simply. "You get protection. I get revenge."
Together, they plotted to dismantle the very family that had humiliated her. With each calculated move, Estella reclaimed pieces of herself she thought lost forever.
But revenge is a dangerous game. As their plan unfolded and tragedy struck, Estella discovered that survival meant more than settling scores—it meant learning to wield her pain as power.
The quietest heart, after all, often hides the most dangerous storm.
Basahin
Chapter: Epilogue: The Secrets We KeepFive Years LaterEstella had insisted on having the windows open despite the doctors' protests—she needed to breathe something other than antiseptic and fear."Almost there," The matron encouraged from between her legs. "One more big push, Estella."Alejandro's hand was nearly crushed in her grip as another contraction seized her. The twins had decided to arrive three weeks early, sending them rushing to the hospital in the middle of the night."You're doing amazingly," Alejandro murmured against her temple. The entire pregnancy had been classified high-risk from the beginning.Estella bore down with a primal scream, feeling the first baby slide from her body."It's a boy!" The matron announced, lifting the wailing infant for them to see before placing him on Estella's chest.She touched her son's dark, wet hair. "Hello, little one,"The moment of joy was short-lived. The monitors beside her bed began beeping erratically."Blood pressure dropping," a nurse called out.The doctor in ch
Huling Na-update: 2025-04-11
Chapter: 216: Almost HomeThe following weeks were filled with medical tests, therapy sessions, and small but significant milestones.Three weeks after waking, he took his first unassisted steps, gripping the parallel bars with so much intensity as he forced his atrophied muscles to cooperate. I watched from the sidelines, heart in my throat, as he pushed through pain that would have stopped a lesser man."Fuck," he growled through gritted teeth when his legs threatened to give out halfway through. "I'm not stopping."His physical therapist—a no-nonsense woman who'd quickly learned to match his intensity—nodded approvingly. "Two more steps. You can do two more."He did three before collapsing into the wheelchair afterward with sweat pouring down his face."Next time I'll do ten," he promised, breath coming in harsh pants.I handed him a towel, leaning in to whisper, "Watching you fight like this is incredibly sexy, you know."His exhausted laugh was all the reward I needed.By the six-week mark, he was walking
Huling Na-update: 2025-04-10
Chapter: 215: Two Months Later, Still YoursWhen we broke apart, I rested my head on his shoulder, breathing in his scent beneath the antiseptic hospital smell. "Don't ever scare me like that again," I whispered."I'll try not to make a habit of getting stabbed in the heart," he replied dryly."This isn't funny, Alejandro." I lifted my head to meet his gaze. "I thought I'd lost you. I thought our daughter would grow up without her father."His expression sobered. "I know. I'm sorry." He squeezed my hand weakly. "How bad was it?""Bad," I admitted. "The knife nicked your heart. You lost so much blood... They weren't sure you'd make it through the first surgery." My voice caught. "And then you didn't wake up. Days turned into weeks, and you just... stayed asleep.""I'm sorry," he repeated. "For putting you through that. For not being there for you and Arielle.""You're here now," I said. The door opened quietly, and we both looked up to see Dr. Matthews returning, accompanied by a neurologist I recognized from previous consultat
Huling Na-update: 2025-04-10
Chapter: 214: The Sixty-Second DayTwo months laterThe hospital room had become my second home. The nurses knew my schedule better than I did—when I'd arrive each morning with fresh clothes for both of us, when I'd step out for coffee, which chair I preferred to sit in while reading aloud to Alejandro's unresponsive form.Sixty-one days of talking to someone who couldn't answer. Sixty-one days of watching for the slightest movement of an eyelid or the smallest twitch of a finger. Sixty-one days of hope slowly eroding into something that felt dangerously close to despair."The medical journal says coma patients show increased brain activity when family members speak to them," I said, turning the page of the medical text I'd been studying obsessively. "So I'm going to keep talking, even if I'm starting to repeat myself."Alejandro remained motionless. They'd removed his breathing tube last week when he started breathing on his own—a positive sign, Dr. Matthews had assured me. But his consciousness remained locked away,
Huling Na-update: 2025-04-10
Chapter: 213: One-Sided Conversations"Aunt Eleanor," I gasped, shocked to see her. In the chaos, I'd almost forgotten she'd been injured in the initial car crash where Arielle was taken."You look worse than me," she said weakly, attempting a smile that turned into a wince.For some reason, it was the sight of her—battered but alive, just like the rest of us—that finally broke through the numbness I'd been hiding behind. The tears came suddenly and violently, sobs wrenching themselves from my chest as she wheeled herself closer, reaching out with her good arm to pull me against her."I was so scared," I admitted between sobs. "I thought we were all going to die. I was scared history was going to repeat itself self. And this time Arielle, Alejandro—""But you didn't," she reminded me. "You saved them both."I shook my head, glancing at Alejandro's still form. "I didn't save him. He's still—""Fighting," Eleanor cut in. "Just like he always has. Just like you have."I cried until I had no tears left, letting go of the fear
Huling Na-update: 2025-04-10
Chapter: 212: The Silence That Hurts MostI must have dozed off despite my determination to stay awake, because the next thing I knew, someone was gently shaking my shoulder."Estella? Can you hear me?"I forced my heavy eyelids open to find Raul standing over me, his face lined with worry. Clara hovered behind him, her eyes red-rimmed."Raul," I croaked, my throat dry. "Alejandro?""He's out of surgery," Raul said. "It was touch and go for a while, but he made it through."Relief made me dizzy. "He's okay?"Raul and Clara exchanged glances."What aren't you telling me?" I demanded, suddenly fully awake.Raul sighed. "The damage was extensive. They repaired what they could, but... he's in a coma, Estella.""A coma? For how long?""They don't know," Clara said gently, stepping forward to take my hand. "All they said was the next 48 hours are critical."I struggled to sit up, ignoring the pain that shot through my body. "I need to see him.""You need to rest," Clara countered. "You're no good to him or Arielle if you collapse."
Huling Na-update: 2025-04-09
Chapter: Chapter 31: The First Strike BackI wrapped my arms around myself, Adrian's shirt soft against my bruised wrists.Damien lingered in the doorway, eyes crawling over me in his father's clothes. "You can choose to end this now, Elle. Come back to me while I am still forgiving."My skin crawled but I forced a brave face. "The only place you'll see me is court. When I tell them exactly what you did."His smile turned cruel. "Your word against mine, baby. And we both know who they'll believe.""Get out."He blew me a kiss before following his mother.Beth hurried to my side the moment they left. "Mrs. Blackwell, are you alright?""Fine." My voice sounded hollow even to my own ears.Marla stepped closer, concern painted on her face. "Perhaps you should rest. You've had a shock."I looked at her—really looked at her. She is now playing the concerned servant."Get out of my face Marla." I stepped closer. "Before I slap the living daylights out of your face."Her eyes widened filling up with unshed tears. "I'm sure I don't kno
Huling Na-update: 2025-04-05
Chapter: Chapter 30: ConsequencesElleAdrian's arms were steel bands around me as sobs wracked my body. I couldn't stop shaking, the memory of Damien's hands still burning on my skin."Let me see." Adrian's voice was lethal as he gently pulled back, examining my wrists. Dark bruises were already forming where Damien had pinned me.His jaw clenched. "I should have killed him.""I'm fine—""You're not fucking fine." His fingers traced the torn edge of my shirt. "He touched you."I shivered, but not from cold this time."And why the hell are you soaked?" His eyes narrowed, taking in my drenched clothes."Marla." I tried for a smile but it wobbled. "Apparently I needed a shower."His expression darkened. "What did she do?""Nothing I can't handle." "Elle.""Really, I—" My voice cracked and fresh tears spilled."Come here." He scooped me up like I weighed nothing, heading for the stairs. Tom quickly looked away as we passed, but I caught the concern in his eyes."Adrian—""Shut up and let me take care of you."I pressed
Huling Na-update: 2025-03-21
Chapter: Chapter 29: ShatteredElle"What do you want?" I wrapped my arms around myself, too aware of how the wet shirt clung to my skin. "Why are you here this early morning?"He crouched in front of me, close enough that I caught the familiar scent of his cologne. The same one he'd worn when we—Stop."You know why. I know you would be up by this time and I want to talk to you before everyone wakes up." His voice was soft. Almost gentle. The way it used to be, before he turned to Vanessa."Don't." I shifted away but the tree blocked my escape."Elle." He reached out, fingers hovering near my cheek but not touching. Not yet. "You're shivering.""I'm fine." "Here." He shrugged off his jacket. "Let me—""I said I'm fine." But my teeth chattered, betraying me.He draped the jacket over my shoulders anyway. "I miss you." The words ghosted across my skin. "Every day, I miss you."I moved to stand but he caught my wrist. "Damien—""I made a mistake." His thumb stroked over my pulse point. An achingly familiar gesture.
Huling Na-update: 2025-02-25
Chapter: Chapter 28: ThornsElle The morning air bit at my cheeks as I jogged through the private gardens, my feet pounding against the gravel path in a steady rhythm with my racing thoughts. Last night replayed in my head - his hands, his mouth, the way he'd pulled away just when I wanted more.Asshole.Two could play at that game. If he thought he could just walk away after a kiss like that...My plan to work up a satisfying amount of righteous anger derailed when I spotted Marla watering roses by the fountain. Great. Just what I needed - Adrian's oh-so-devoted housekeeper with her perfect makeup at 7 AM.I slipped past her ,completed another lap turned to begin a new one. I just rounded the corner and collided with a wall of ice-cold water. "Oh!" Marla's shocked gasp would have won her an Oscar. "Mrs. Blackwell, I'm so sorry! I was just watering the roses and absolutely didn't see you..."I wiped water from my eyes, my thin running top now completely soaked through. "Really? Because the roses are behind you
Huling Na-update: 2025-02-24
Chapter: Chapter 27: RestraintAdrianI was half-listening to Harrison's merger proposal my mind kept drifting to Elle, wondering what she was doing now. Then my phone buzzed. It was Tom telling me she ditched him for a club."We'll continue this another time," I cut Harrison off, already standing."The stakeholders are expecting—""They can keep expecting." Mirage. Of all the places she could have gone. I knew the club well – too well. The kind of place where inhibitions disappeared under pulsing lights and overpriced champagne.The moment I walked in, I saw her. The dress she wore was pure sin, the fabric clinging to curves I'd been forcing myself not to think about. But it wasn't the dress that made my blood boil – it was the man leaning into her space at the bar, watching her laugh at whatever bullshit line he'd just fed her.Something primitive roared to life inside me. The careful control I'd maintained. Since that night in the library when I'd promised myself I wouldn't touch her again. Wouldn't complicate
Huling Na-update: 2025-02-22
Chapter: Chapter 26: Dangerous Games IIElleWe walked in tense silence through the club, the crowd parting instinctively before Adrian's imposing presence. Outside, the cool night air hit my flushed skin, making me suddenly aware of how revealing Sophia's dress was. Adrian's eyes darkened as he took in my appearance fully under the street lights, his gaze lingering on the expanse of thigh the hem barely covered.His jaw clenched. "Get in the car."Tom was waiting with the Bentley, his expression carefully neutral as he opened the door. I slid in without argument, suddenly exhausted by the whole night.Adrian joined me a moment later, the door closing with a soft thud that somehow sounded final.Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. "Are you going to lecture me all the way home, or are you saving it for when we have more privacy?"Adrian's eyes met mine in the dimness of the backseat, his expression darkening. "Oh, we'll have plenty to discuss when we get home. Starting with why my wife was at a nightclub dressed like that,
Huling Na-update: 2025-02-22
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