ログインAmber POVThe Sum president had finally made his move.And, as expected, he had chosen the biggest stage he could find.The rally was broadcast live across Sum, with thousands of people packed into the capital's central square and countless more watching from their homes. Flags waved above the crowd, enormous screens displayed the president's smiling face, and reporters had gathered in front of the stage, ready to capture every word.I watched the broadcast from the castle's private study, sitting beside Jason with a cup of tea growing cold in my hands.The president appeared on the screen wearing a dark suit, his expression unusually grave. He waited until the crowd quieted before stepping toward the microphone. When he finally spoke, his voice carried the sorrowful weight of a man preparing to deliver terrible news."My fellow citizens, it is with a heavy heart that I address you today."Jason glanced at me.I raised an eyebrow. "Here we go."The president paused for dramatic effect
Amber POVNoah and Daniel reached the neighborhood later that morning. By early afternoon, Jason received their first report."There are people inside the school," Noah said over the secure call. "A lot of them."Jason straightened. "How many?""Approximately forty adults. Men and women. They're spread throughout the grounds, and several appear to be watching the entrances."I moved closer to Jason's laptop."Forty people?" I asked. "At a school that's supposed to be empty for the summer?""Exactly," Daniel answered. "There are no children around, and they don't look like teachers preparing for the next term. Some of the men appear to be trained security personnel."Jason's expression hardened. "Do not get any closer. Photograph what you can from where you are, then leave the area.""Understood."The call ended, leaving us staring at the map.Forty adults in a supposedly empty school. A suspicious sighting of Adrian's father nearby. And a group of people behaving as though they were g
Amber POVJason had always been good at finding people who didn't want to be found. The contacts he had acquired through Cronos gave him access to information networks that most people didn't even know existed. With Mr. White and the Wyatts still at large, he had been using every connection available to track their movements.I was in the castle's private study when he finally found something worth our attention. Noah and Daniel were seated on the sofa, while Jasmine stood behind them, clearly annoyed that Jason had refused to let her join the investigation.Jason turned his laptop toward me. "We have a sighting of Adrian's father."I stared at him. "Where?""At a supermarket in a lower-income school district. He was seen there recently, and the location matches the last information we received about the Wyatts."For a moment, I simply looked at him."Adrian's father?" I repeated. "The same man who knows we're looking for him? The man who knows Mr. White is internationally wanted, and
Amber 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
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,







