Brayden stood outside Darla’s hospital room, his arms crossed over his chest, deep in thought. The air in the corridor was thick with tension, a heavy silence stretching between him and Ryder as they waited for Inez. The minutes felt longer than they should have, and every second that passed without answers only fueled Brayden’s impatience. He had dealt with betrayals and deceptions before, but something about this situation unsettled him. It wasn’t just about Darla being poisoned—it was about the fact that someone had been bold enough to attempt it under his watch.The soft sound of approaching footsteps broke through the stillness. Inez walked toward them, her expression serious as she held a thick folder in her hands. Without a word, she handed it to Brayden, her sharp eyes scanning his face as he took it.“This is everything,” she said quietly. “Her medical records, the toxicology report, and a few additional notes from Dr. Lee.”Brayden flip
Brayden strode out of the hospital, his mind weighed down with thoughts as he headed straight for his car. The night air was crisp, but it did little to cool the simmering frustration in his chest. The situation with Darla was a mess, and until she woke up, they were left grasping at straws. Every second that passed without answers only made his irritation grow.Sliding into the driver’s seat, he exhaled sharply, gripping the steering wheel before starting the car. As much as he wanted to stay and keep watch over Darla, he had other responsibilities that couldn’t be ignored. The embassy had called, needing his signature on some documents related to Anya’s travel arrangements. That was something he couldn’t delay.His phone buzzed again just as he was pulling onto the road. He glanced at the screen and saw the embassy’s number flashing once more. With a sigh, he hit the Bluetooth button on his steering wheel, answering the call as he maneuvered through tra
Brayden leaned back against the plush leather couch in his expansive living room, a glass of whiskey in his hand as he swirled the amber liquid absentmindedly. Across from him, Ryder sat with one ankle resting over his knee, his expression thoughtful as they discussed their next course of action. The room was dimly lit, the low glow from the fireplace casting flickering shadows against the dark walls. A heavy silence lingered between them, filled only by the occasional clink of ice in their glasses and the soft hum of the city beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.Brayden exhaled, his mind occupied with the loose ends they still needed to tie up. “We need to figure out exactly how deep this mess runs. I don’t like the fact that we still don’t have a full picture of who’s pulling the strings,” he muttered, his tone low and sharp.Ryder nodded in agreement, his fingers tapping against his thigh as he considered their options. “We’ve been eliminating thr
The moment they stepped into the mall, Anya’s excitement was impossible to contain. Her small hands clutched Penelope’s as her eyes sparkled, taking in the brightly lit storefronts, the mannequins dressed in fashionable outfits, and the endless possibilities that stretched before them.“Miss Penelope! Look at that dress!” Anya exclaimed, pointing at a vibrant pink dress displayed on a mannequin in one of the store windows. “It looks like a real princess dress! Can we go inside and try it on?”Penelope chuckled, already anticipating that they wouldn’t make it through the mall without stepping into nearly every store. “Of course, sweetheart. Let’s go in and see if they have your size.”As soon as they entered the boutique, Anya let go of Penelope’s hand and ran toward the clothing racks, her little fingers grazing the soft fabrics as she admired each piece. She gasped in excitement every few seconds, picking up dresses, skirts, and even a few glittery shoes.
Penelope woke up to the soft golden light filtering through the curtains of her small apartment. The room was quiet except for the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall, and for a moment, she just lay there, soaking in the peacefulness of the morning. But then she remembered Anya, still asleep in the other room, and a smile curled on her lips. She had promised to make breakfast before the little girl woke up, and she intended to keep that promise.Pushing off the covers, Penelope swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched, rolling her shoulders to ease the slight stiffness in her muscles. She had fallen asleep late the night before, caught up in thoughts about Brayden’s promise to call her back. Even though she had no expectations, a small part of her had anticipated hearing from him sooner. But she shook those thoughts away. Right now, her priority was Anya.Stepping into the small kitchen, she tied her hair into a loose bun and rolle
Penelope stepped into her apartment, balancing Anya in her arms as she shut the door behind her with a gentle nudge of her foot. The little girl giggled, her tiny hands resting on Penelope’s shoulders as she kicked her legs playfully.“You’re so strong, Miss Penelope! You carried me all the way inside!” Anya chirped, her voice full of admiration.Penelope chuckled, setting her down carefully. “Well, you’re as light as a feather, sweetheart. Now, how about we make some dinner? I’m sure you must be starving after such a long day.”Anya nodded eagerly, already bouncing on her feet. “Yes! Can we make something fun? Maybe something with lots of cheese?”Penelope smiled as she walked toward the kitchen, rolling up the sleeves of her blouse. “I think I have just the thing. Why don’t you take a look around while I get everything ready? This is your home too now, so you should get comfortable.”Anya’s eyes sparkled at the invitation. She immediately began wandering a