MasukAmber POVAdrian, unfortunately, was still too unstable to be moved. Emory had explained that although he was responding to treatment, his condition remained fragile, and transferring him now would introduce risks they weren’t willing to take. Clara and Mr. Asher had arranged to stay in a private hospital suite nearby so they could remain close to him.Before we left, I went to say goodbye to Clara. She sat beside Adrian’s bed, holding his hand while the monitors continued their steady rhythm. The exhaustion on her face was unmistakable, but she managed a small smile when she saw me.“Go home, Amber,” she said before I could offer to stay. “You’ve been here long enough, and the boys deserve to be in their own home.”“I’ll call you as soon as we arrive.”“You’d better.” Her eyes moved toward the twins’ carriers. “And send me pictures. Lots of them.”“I’ll send so many you’ll regret asking.”“That’s impossible.”I hugged her carefully, promising we would keep checking on Adrian and that
Amber POVThe thought of finally leaving the hospital had me smiling before Jason even finished packing our bags. After a month surrounded by doctors, nurses, and machines, I was more than ready to return to the castle with our newborn sons. Lucas and Ethan had both been cleared to leave, and Jason was already checking that we had everything we needed for the journey home.“You know we’re not moving to another country, right?” I asked when he inspected the bags for the third time.Jason glanced at me. “We’re bringing home two newborns. I’m allowed to be thorough.”“You packed enough clothes for a week.”“Babies are unpredictable.”“So are their parents, apparently.”He gave me a look, but the small smile tugging at his mouth ruined any attempt at seriousness. I laughed and settled back against the pillows, enjoying the thought that, in a few hours, I would be home with my husband and all our children under one roof again.Then I picked up the discharge papers.My smile faded as I scan
Amber POVIt wasn't a surprise when the Sum president arrived at the hospital unannounced two days later.What did surprise me was how quickly the press managed to appear behind him.By the time the hospital's security team informed us of his arrival, several journalists were already gathering near the entrance, their cameras ready. The president had apparently decided that a visit to check on our recovery was important enough to bring the media along, ensuring that everyone could witness his concern for the couple who had helped expose the trafficking network.How thoughtful of him.I was sitting beside Jason when one of our security officers informed us that the president had requested permission to visit. Jason looked at me, and I looked back at him. Neither of us needed to say what we were thinking.The president hadn't come simply to see whether we were recovering.He wanted to be seen seeing whether we were recovering."Should we pretend to be surprised?" I asked.Jason smiled f
Amber POVBy the time Pamela finally left the room, I had decided that whatever role she had played in interrupting the Sum president's broadcast could wait. I had enough enemies, enough unanswered questions, and enough reasons to distrust powerful people without adding another mystery to the list simply because Pamela had smiled at me in that infuriating way of hers. If she wanted to keep her secrets, she could keep them for now. I had more important things to worry about, starting with the people I loved and making sure every single one of them remained alive.For once, I wanted to spend my energy protecting my family rather than trying to anticipate who would come after us next.Two weeks passed.It took almost that long before I could wake up in the morning, take a deep breath, and confidently say that it no longer hurt to breathe. My recovery was slow, frustrating, and occasionally humiliating, especially when Jason caught me attempting something my therapist had explicitly forbi
Amber POVThe Sum president was in the middle of his live question-and-answer session when the broadcast abruptly changed.A reporter had just asked whether the recent arrests would lead to further investigations into influential business families. The president adjusted his microphone and began answering, his expression composed as he explained that no one would be above the law under his administration.Then the picture stuttered.For less than a second, the screen displayed a frozen image of the president before cutting to the news station's familiar logo. A brief transition followed, accompanied by the anchor's voice.“We interrupt this live broadcast for an official statement received moments ago from the River City military command. The communication concerns the ongoing international investigation into human trafficking and has been designated for immediate public release.”The anchor appeared at the studio desk, holding a sheet of paper. Her expression was serious, but she spo
Amber POVThe president of Sum didn't take long to make his next move.Barely a day after Mr. Stait's warning, he appeared before the cameras in a carefully arranged press conference, looking every bit the respectable leader who had spent his career protecting his country. The backdrop displayed the national flag of Sum, while reporters filled the room, eager to hear his response to the recent developments involving the Vincent family and the trafficking organization that had finally begun to unravel.Jason and I watched the broadcast together while preparing for our daily physical therapy session. We were seated in the rehabilitation room, waiting for our therapist to finish adjusting the equipment, when the president appeared on the screen. I immediately stopped what I was doing."Well," Jason remarked, noticing my expression, "our favorite politician has decided to make an appearance.""How thoughtful of him."On the screen, the president stepped toward the podium and offered the c
I didn’t cry. I didn’t shake. I didn’t look back, or mourned the life and the years i will never get back, lost forever. I just went home, time to pack and say goodbye to my old life. The penthouse doors opened with biometric recognition the moment I stepped inside. Floor-to-ceiling glass. Marb
We moved quickly through the hallway. Adrian walked behind me, gun raised, covering the corridor while I forced Henry Watson forward. The mansion was quieter than expected. Too quiet. Which meant either the guards were regrouping… or Jason was already on his way. I glanced over my shoulder.
Jason POV Marcus nearly slammed the brakes. “She shot the camera!” I leaned back slowly. Marcus looked at me. “What the hell was that?” I ran a hand over my face. “She said hello husband before she shot it.” Marcus stared. “…Okay.” Silence filled the car. “…What does that mean exactly?”
Family drama. Honestly, I was getting tired of it. I shifted slightly in the chair, letting the ropes around my wrists rub just enough to make the guards think I was uncomfortable. In truth, they had tied them loosely—political kidnappers rarely knew how to do proper restraints. Across from me,







