로그인[Griffin]After dropping Elara off at Cora’s school, I get into my car and drive straight to the private airport.The moment I step out, Liam follows me onto the plane.“Sir, the conference with the international clients has been pushed to midnight, just like you wanted. The land acquisition for the new research center has been greenlit, and the final papers will be signed by the end of the day. The media team is already prepared to release the announcement. Also, your father called.” He takes a rightful pause before searching for my face as I take my seat. “He wants you home in three days. He said that if you didn’t show up for your grandfather’s birthday party, he might as well disown you.”I almost laugh at the audacity to even think he’s capable of something so drastic.I wave him off. “Tell my father I’ll see him in Hell before I ever step foot in that house again.”“He also said he’ll cut your inheritance.”“He’s welcome to try.”Liam knows better than to push further. He nods a
[Elara]“You did great today,” he whispers into my ear, his calm yet husky voice sending a gentle shiver down my spine.I bite my lip, smiling lightly. “It was alright, I guess.”He pulls back a little, placing his hands on my shoulders. He turns me around, lowering himself so we are at the same eye level. “Didn’t we talk about this? No more hiding.”I swallow again, looking away briefly. “I’m not. I just don’t think I did it alone.”“Of course you didn’t do it alone,” he says gently. “No one ever does. But you were the one who carried the vision when the rest of them could only see obstacles. You gave them something steady to hold on to, something to believe in. That kind of quiet leadership—the kind that steadies people, that keeps them moving forward even when they doubt themselves—is rare. And in my view, it deserves to be acknowledged.”His words fill me with a warm, tender sense of pride. I look back at him, my lips once again stretching into a small grin. “Fine. I’ll take it th
18 Months Later:[Elara]“This demonstrates our approach to developing a lab-grown artificial heart that can integrate effectively with a patient’s body, offering an alternative for those who are unable to find a suitable donor. Thank you."I end my speech and walk back to my seat, feeling slightly less nervous, now that the worst has passed. The applause followed right after, exploding the entire auditorium with awe and appreciation.I hold back the urge to bite my lip, well aware it would look terrible in front of the grand audience in front of us.“Now, I would like to invite Professor Grant onto the stage and say a few words,” The announcer says as one of the lab technicians helps him get out of his chair and walk to the podium.A few months ago, on the way to his apartment, Professor Grant got hit by a car. It was a terrible accident, one that not only took his ability to walk without support but also delayed the conclusion of our research by a few more weeks.But that's not what
[Damon]I watch as mom’s expression changes from confusion to plain, unadulterated anger.“You—” She slaps Hannah really hard. “I told you. No more lies. I warned you.”Another slap. “But you. You tried to fool me again.” Another slap, and this one throws Hannah right onto the floor of the old Blackwood residence. “Again. And again.”Hannah sobs, holding her face. “I didn’t, Madam Blackwood. I didn’t. Please. You have to believe me.”“Still lying. Aren’t you?” Mom snaps, looking mad enough to pull her own hair out. “Guards!”Four guards standing at the door come running.“Take this bitch out of my sight and teach her a lesson on my behalf. And make sure. She never steps into any of the Blackwood properties. Ever. I swear to God, if I ever see her again, you would be the one losing your head.”The guards do as they are told. They grab Hannah and drag her away, despite her pleas and tears; no one even blinks.Once she’s out, Mom sinks into the couch, head in her hands.“This is all my f
[Hannah]“I can’t believe this,” Beatrice says as she reads the DNA report.I bite the inside of my cheek, my nerves screaming.Did Cyrus manage to switch the samples? Did he make sure the report shows that the child in my belly belongs to Damon? If not, this might be the end of me. Beatrice would never let me live another day to tell the story. She might even treat me far worse than Damon ever would.She turns to me, and for the first time, I really see the expression on her face.She laughs. “Turns out you weren’t lying at all. The child inside you is actually a Blackwood. I can’t believe it.” She shakes her head. “You’re carrying my grandchild.”Relief washes over me in a dizzying wave, but I have to play it cool.“I told you, Madam Blackwood,” I say, forcing a humble, happy smile. “I wasn’t lying.”She’s about to say something when Damon walks in, looking impeccable in a tailored suit. But there’s something about him today—something in his eyes I can’t quite read.His gaze lands o
[Damon]I’m in the middle of tying the knot of my tie when I hear a familiar voice coming from downstairs.I don’t rush, however. I take my time. I make sure I look like the CEO I’m supposed to be before leaving the room.Harry is waiting for me in the dining room, already chomping down on the sandwiches placed on the table.“Sorry. I just landed and was craving homemade food,” he says while chewing, his voice barely coming out as he swallows in a rush.I pull out the chair across from him. “So, what do I owe this pleasure?”He slows down, dropping the half-eaten sandwich before looking up at me. “I heard about Elara and Cora. Man, I’m really sorry for your loss.”I nod, tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. “Is that all?”“Of course it is,” he entwines his fingers and looks at me as if I said something that hurt him gravely. “I know you’re grieving, Damon, but you don’t have to be an asshole about it.”I barely hold myself back from rolling my eyes. “I’m asking because







