LOGINThe night air was cold against Irene’s flushed cheeks as she staggered out of the bar, her bare foot slapping against the rough pavement.
She didn’t seem to notice that one of her shoes was missing, or maybe she didn’t care. Her vision blurred, and the world tilted precariously as she stumbled forward, her arms flailing to steady herself. “Where is he…?” she murmured, her voice hoarse and slurred, almost drowned by the distant hum of traffic. Her other shoe slipped slightly, making her trip. She cursed under her breath, frustration bubbling up, but she kept moving, her steps aimless. The sharp edge of the pavement jabbed her exposed foot, but she didn’t flinch. Her mind was far too preoccupied with the weight of her despair to care about something as trivial as pain. Ahead, the streetlights flickered, casting her shadow across the crosswalk. She stepped onto the road, not bothering to check for cars, her head hanging low. From the distance came the low growl of an engine—a sleek, black jeep speeding toward her. The car was a stark contrast to the dim surroundings, its polished surface gleaming under the faint light. Irene, however, stood frozen in the middle of the road, her arms hanging limply by her sides. “Just let it end,” she whispered to herself, closing her eyes as the roar of the approaching vehicle grew louder. The screech of tires shattered the silence, jolting her senses. The car skidded to a halt mere inches from her. The force of the stop caused a loud, ear-piercing sound, making her cringe. When Irene opened her eyes, she blinked at the black car, its headlights blinding her momentarily. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the ground, her body trembling. “Why?” she muttered, her voice cracking as tears spilled from her eyes. “Why couldn’t you just hit me? Why can’t anything ever go right for me?” She sobbed, her chest heaving as the pain inside her spilled out in raw, uncontrollable waves. The gravel beneath her scraped against her palms as she punched the ground in frustration. Inside the car, Daniel sat stiffly, his jaw clenched. His dark eyes narrowed as he stared out at the woman blocking his path. “What the hell is this nonsense?” he muttered, irritation lacing his tone. The driver, an older man with a calm demeanor, glanced at Daniel nervously. “I’ll check, sir.” “Hurry up,” Daniel snapped, loosening his tie in frustration. “I don’t have all night.” The driver stepped out, his polished shoes clicking against the asphalt as he approached Irene cautiously. He bent slightly, his voice calm yet firm. “Madam, are you okay? You’re sitting in the middle of the road.” Irene didn’t respond. Instead, her sobs grew louder, her shoulders shaking as she buried her face in her hands. “Madam,” the driver repeated, unsure of what to do. “Please, move aside. You’re blocking the car.” Irene lifted her head, her tear-streaked face twisted in anguish. “Why didn’t you just hit me? Why couldn’t you have just…?” Her voice broke, and she shook her head, curling into herself on the ground. The driver hesitated, scratching his head. He crouched lower, trying to help her up. “Come on, you can’t sit here. Let me help—” Before he could finish, Irene suddenly lay flat on the road, her arms stretched out dramatically. “No! I’m not moving. If you’re not going to hit me, then you’ll just have to drive over me!” The driver blinked, baffled. He turned back toward the car, his expression helpless. “Sir… she’s not cooperating.” Daniel groaned, his patience wearing thin. “What kind of nonsense is this?” He pushed the door open and stepped out, his sleek suit catching the light. His movements were sharp, precise, and radiated irritation. “What’s the hold-up?” he demanded, his voice cold as his gaze fell on Irene sprawled on the road. The driver straightened, nervously clearing his throat. “Sir, she’s… well, she’s refusing to move.” Daniel’s eyes narrowed as he strode toward Irene. He stopped a foot away from her, his polished shoes glinting under the streetlights. “You,” he said, his voice cutting through the night like a blade. “Get up.” Irene didn’t move. She only cried harder, her sobs echoing in the quiet street. Daniel sighed heavily, his frustration evident. He raised his foot and nudged her lightly with his shoe. “I said, get up. Now.” Irene ignored him, curling tighter into herself. Daniel’s patience snapped. “Ken,” he barked, turning to the older man. “If she won’t move, we’re leaving. She can lie there for all I care.” Ken hesitated, his gaze darting nervously between Irene and Daniel. “But sir—” “Enough,” Daniel cut him off. He turned back toward the car, brushing off his jacket as he prepared to leave. Before he could take another step, Irene suddenly scrambled to her feet and lunged at him. Her arms wrapped around his neck tightly, almost choking him. “Dave!” she cried, her voice filled with desperation. “You’re not leaving me! I won’t let you!” Daniel froze, his entire body stiffening as he registered the situation. “What the hell—?” “You want me, right?” Irene continued, her words tumbling out in a drunken frenzy. “I’m ready now! I looked it up—I know how to do it. I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t leave me, Dave!” Daniel’s shock quickly turned to anger. He grabbed her wrists, attempting to pry her off. “You’re insane,” he spat. “I’m not Dave, and I have no idea who the hell you are. Let go!” Irene clung tighter, her fingers digging into his skin. “No! You’re lying! You’re Dave! You’re mine!” She pressed sloppy kisses to his neck, her lips wet and messy as she muttered incoherent pleas. Daniel recoiled, his face contorting in disgust. “Stop that!” he growled, shoving her back slightly. “You’re drunk and completely out of your mind woman what the hell is wrong with you!” Inside the car, the driver watched in stunned silence, his mouth slightly agape. He’d never seen anyone dare to touch Daniel, let alone assault him in such a bizarre way. Daniel tried again to shake her off, his voice rising. “Get off me, you crazy woman!” But Irene refused to relent. Her arms remained locked around his neck, her tears soaking his shirt. “I won’t leave you, Dave. I love you. Please don’t go!” Daniel let out a frustrated growl and turned, dragging her toward the car. He opened the back door and shoved her inside unceremoniously. Irene sprawled across the seat, blinking up at him with glassy eyes. “Dave…” she whispered again, reaching for him. Daniel climbed in after her, slamming the door shut behind him. He sat on the opposite end of the seat, running a hand through his hair as he glared at her. “What the hell is wrong with you woman is it money you want, like who the hell sent you tell me how much were you paid I would double it?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. Irene didn’t answer. Instead, she crawled across the seat, straddling his lap before he could react. She cupped his face with both hands, her expression that of desperation. “Don’t leave me,” she whispered, leaning in to kiss him rigorously.Irene’s hands clenched into fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms as she stared at Daniel. “That’s not what I meant!” she snapped, voice rising slightly. “I wasn’t talking about you! She shouted as she lifted her eyes to Daniel, voice trembling with barely contained rage. “And what? Who told you I am some crazy drunk or whatever nonsense you think about me? And how could you even say that in front of my children?” Her words landed sharp, her chest heaving as her jaw tightened. Daniel leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his expression unreadable but his dark eyes glinting with amusement. “Ah… I can say whatever I want, Irene,” he said softly, each word deliberate. “This is my house and I can decide what is said and what isn’t. Now… shall we move on?” He continued with obvious arrogance. And immediately Irene froze, eyes narrowing in disbelief her fists clenched in her laps, nails biting into her palms. “Move on, you say?” she questioned, voice sharp and rising
“What do you mean,” Daniel’s voice cut through the vast golden-lit foyer, low but sharp, “by in a stranger’s house?” Irene froze. He took one step forward, the expensive marble beneath his shoes echoing the sound like a warning bell. “That’s what you choose to call me?” Daniel continued, his gaze searing into her. “A stranger? In the presence of my sons?” The twins, who had been staring at the chandelier moments ago—still dazzled by the breathtaking interior—whipped their heads toward their mother. Ethan’s jaw tightened; Elias’ eyes widened a little. Irene inhaled slowly, forcing calm into her voice. “Not here, Mr. Blackwood… not here.” Her eyes flicked briefly toward the boys. “This is not a conversation we have in front of them.” Daniel scoffed—quiet but dangerous. “No. I still insist.” He stepped closer, not touching her, but invading just enough space to make her breath hitch. “What did you mean by that word? Stranger. Enlighten me.” His voice echoed through the house—this
A week passed, but it didn’t feel like seven days to Irene. It felt like seven steps toward a cliff she wasn’t ready to fall from. The sun hung low that morning, soft and gold, when she found herself standing before a towering mansion inside the well-secured gated estate — a place so quiet, so polished, it felt like she had stepped into a world she had no business entering. Her fingers tightened around Ethan’s hand. Her other hand clutched Elias’s. The boys stood on either side of her, their small faces tilted upward, eyes wide as they stared at the massive building before them. Glass windows stretched across the front like a wall of judgment. The gate behind them had closed with a heavy metallic thunk, one that still echoed inside her chest. Ethan tugged lightly at her fingers. “Mom…” he whispered, voice small, “are we… lost?” Irene swallowed, her throat tight. “No, baby. We’re not lost.” Elias leaned forward, peeking ahead with a squint. “Then why is this place so big? Is i
Irene stood in front of the cafe, her palms pressed tightly against the strap of her bag. Her chest rose and fell as she forced herself to breathe in and out. The cool air did little to ease the heat of anxiety that churned inside her. “Oh my God,” she whispered to herself. “I just have to do this because there is no way I am going to allow anyone to take my sons from me.” Her jaw tightened as she thought of Daniel barging into her home with his threats. She already knew why Mr. Henry Blackwood had sent her the address. It was because of what his son had come to say and she was not ready to give up her children for anything. So she was going to make that clear to him. At least Henry Blackwood, she thought, should be more reasonable than his arrogant son. With that, she pushed the glass door open and stepped into the cafe. The warm scent of coffee beans mixed with fresh pastries surrounded her, but it did nothing to soften the tension in her chest. Her eyes swept the room un
Irene held his gaze, the pulse in her throat beating fast but her chin lifting anyway. Her hand slid back to Ethan’s, and when his fingers squeezed, hers answered. “What exactly are these two options, and what do you mean by the second being something I would not want to take?” she asked. Daniel inclined his head a fraction, as if acknowledging that at least the question was sensible. “Option one,” he said, “you accept what is already inevitable. You allow me to take the boys peacefully, into the life I can give them — stability, education, protection. And because you are their mother, I put into consideration that you come with them. As my wife and as their guardian under my roof. That way, no battle is needed, and the children remain whole.” Levi’s breath shivered out of her, and she took half a step closer to Irene without meaning to. “And option two, what is it, and why say it like a threat?” Levi asked. As Daniel’s eyes moved to Levi for a beat, then back to Irene as i
Irene’s gaze snapped to the man stepping into her living room with a slim briefcase in his hand, the door still shivering on its hinges from his uninvited entrance, and for a heartbeat she simply stared because the morning had already bled too much shock into her. Then her arm lifted and she pointed straight at him, her voice cutting through the heavy air like a blade as she said, “What is going on, and in fact, who is this man that just barges into someone's home without knocking?” she asked. But Daniel did not answer at once — instead he smiled, slow and composed, as if he were in his boardroom and not in a cramped home with tired curtains and children pressed close to their mother. And then he turned back to the couch with a faint wrinkle of distaste, drew a folded handkerchief from his inner pocket, dusted the cushion with meticulous strokes that made Levi’s throat tighten. Then lowered himself and crossed one leg over the other, ankle resting neatly on his knee while he sett







