"I already know your marriage is only for seven days, Tatiana Richardson." Tatiana froze mid-step, fighting to keep her breathing steady. She had thought he was finished with her when he allowed her to leave—only for his words to strike her like poison. Seven days... he knows? Slowly, Tatiana turned, meeting Jacob's gaze. Her lips trembled, but her voice came out calm, clipped. “I... I don’t know what... you’re talking about.” Jacob rose from his chair. His eyes, sharp and calculating, locked onto hers as he came around the desk, each step deliberate. “You can’t fool me, girl,” his voice cut like ice. “Nothing in this house hides from me. Not your husband’s lies. Not your pathetic little secrets.” Tatiana swallowed hard. Her nails pressed deep into her palm. “Grandfather, Xander and I love each other...” “You dare lie to my face?...I brought you into this family for a reason. But you turned your back on our deal and made an arrangement with my grandson that I had no
When Tatiana woke again, the sky outside had shifted, spilling with a dusky orange glow. Her body still felt heavy, though lighter than earlier, her head resting against the softness of the pillow. But the couch was empty. “Awake at last,” Brenda said cheerfully, her young face brightening as she noticed Tatiana’s eyes flutter open. She noticed Tatiana's lingering gaze on the couch. “Were you expecting someone else? Disappointed it’s just me?” She tilted her head playfully. Tatiana blinked, her lips parting, confusion flickering across her pale features. “Where is Mr Michelle?I... I meant to ask, where Xander is?” Brenda’s smile widened knowingly, almost mischievously. “Master Xander asked me to take care of you.”"Huh?" Tatiana froze, the words sinking in like stones dropped in water. Her brows knitted, her voice faint but filled with disbelief. “He… asked you to take care of me?” “Yes,” Brenda answered lightly, smoothing the linen with delicate fingers. “Do you think
“I deserve a pat, right?” “Karl, you are insane!” David’s voice cracked with disbelief. His cousin’s audacity both impressed and terrified him. “What if he had lashed out at you?” “Can he? He treated me like a kid for years, and now I’m just giving it back to him. Frustrating him is nothing.” His eyes glimmered with mischief, but underneath, there was a storm that only David could glimpse. “Karl Hart, you’re pushing it too much,” David warned, shaking his head. “I almost thought—” “That I hated her?” Karl cut him off, his tone sharp. Then his expression softened, but only slightly. “Bro, I’m twenty. Forgotten? I’m no longer sixteen.” He let out a heavy, theatrical sigh and threw his hands up again as though the whole world was blind to his growth. “You two still treat me like I’ve never grown up. Especially Alex.” He let out another sigh, this one deeper, almost wounded. “I’m just giving him a taste of the frustration I felt for three years. And now what? He treats me like s
“Master Karl, Master David—this way, please.” Brenda opened the door as usual without being asked to enter. Karl followed her suit while David trailed behind. Karl strode in first, his energy like an uninvited storm. Without hesitation, he crossed the room, arms outstretched. “Brother!” he shouted, throwing himself against Xander in an exuberant embrace. Xander didn’t move. His body was stiff beneath the weight, his eyes narrowing in mild annoyance. He didn’t return the hug—he never does. Karl always noticed, but pretended not to, grinning as though nothing was amiss. As if he didn't notice Tatiana, he didn't bother to look at her direction. David shook his head at his cousin. He brought h there because he had insisted they came to see Tatiana but he realised too late it was just an excuse. He wanted to see his big brother. “Miss Tatiana,” David said gently,“how are you feeling?" A smile that warms the soul perched on his lips. "We heard you were not feeling well, so we
The bathroom door opened. Xander slid the phone back onto the nightstand immediately. He rose, shoving his hands into his pockets, his face blank as if nothing had happened. Tatiana entered the room, her hair damp, a clean dress draped around her figure. She walked to the bed quietly, and the first thing she picked up was her phone. It was off. Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Strange…" she murmured, pressing the button. "How did this go off suddenly?" "Why bother with a phone, if you can’t even remember to charge it?" Xander's voice was calm. Tatiana glanced at him, startled by his sudden words. His face betrayed nothing; his posture was relaxed but commanding. He must be right, she thought, until she plugged the charger into the phone. Her eyes instantly widened with both shock and confusion. "64 percent battery." She whispered, her finger lingering around the power button. "How, did it…?" Before Tatiana could turn it on, Xander’s voice cut through the silence
Xander advanced, carefully placing the tray beside the bed. Without a word, he lifted the bowl, scooped a spoonful of porridge, and turned toward her. Tatiana’s eyes widened in surprise as she saw the spoon near her mouth and the hand offering it. She couldn’t bring herself to meet Xander’s gaze; the embarrassment still clung tightly to her. “Eat,” he commanded firmly, leaving no room for refusal. She blinked quickly, caught off guard. Was he going to fed her? “I don’t want to owe anyone,” he said abruptly, cutting off any protest. His voice was steady and cold before his tone softened slightly, “For last night... Eat.” Tatiana’s chest tightened. Last night. She wanted to ask but words tangled in her throat as she swallowed the spoonful he gave her. He lifted the spoon again, offering it to her without relent. “I… I can eat,” she stammered. Her hand shook as it raised halfway toward the spoon, but his calm, piercing gaze stopped her. After a moment’s hesitation, sh