Morning greeted the Anderson mansion with soft sunlight filtering through the white curtains of the dining room. The air was filled with the comforting aroma of black coffee, warm toast, and melted butter. At the long, dark-wood table, three people sat quietly, enjoying a rare moment of peaceful breakfast.At the head of the table sat Hans Anderson, the family patriarch. Though age was evident in the deep lines of his face and the nearly all-white hair, his eyes still carried the sharpness of a man who had seen too much and forgotten too little. Beside him, Arabella spooned her oatmeal with strawberries, occasionally stealing glances at Harry, who was focused on the financial reports displayed on his tablet.“These moments… I’ve missed them,” Hans murmured between sips of coffee. “Simple family breakfasts. Underrated, yet priceless.”Harry offered a small nod. Arabella smiled politely and asked gently, “How’s your heart this morning, Grandpa? Feeling any better?”“Much better, now tha
Night fell slowly, blanketing the Anderson mansion in a hush of quiet stillness. Outside, the only sound was the clever whisper of the wind whistling through the trees.Inside the master bedroom, a soft amber glow from the night lamp warmed the space. Arabella had just stepped out of the bathroom, her hair still damp, her pastel pajama clinging lightly to her frame. Harry sat on the edge of the bed, dressed in a gray t-shirt and loose lounge pants, his eyes fixed on the tablet in his hand—but his mind was clearly elsewhere.“I didn’t vanish,” Arabella said suddenly, towel-drying her hair. “All parts accounted for, breath intact… and I even scored some discount strawberries.”Harry glanced at her, face unreadable as always. But something in the way he looked at his wife betrayed a weight that lingered on his mind.“It’s not about the market, Bella,” he murmured. “You were nearly in danger. And you had no idea how close that man was.”Arabella sat on the bed and reached for her hand cre
Adam ended the call with a single tap. He slipped his phone back into the pocket of his leather jacket, scanning his surroundings. The morning market was busy, but not crowded enough to make movement difficult.He walked slowly, trailing Arabella from a distance. Weaving through narrow aisles between flower stalls and vegetable carts, he made sure to keep a safe gap. His face remained hidden beneath a mask and a cap.Just a few meters ahead, Arabella chuckled as she haggled over a box of strawberries. Her face looked warm, innocent, and radiant—completely opposite to the dark intent burning in Adam’s chest.“She doesn’t even realize how close danger is,” he muttered coldly.Mrs. Mia glanced behind them, her gaze uneasy. But Adam quickly ducked, pretending to inspect a spice vendor’s cart.“We should go home after this, Mrs. Mia,” Arabella said softly, trying to ease her housekeeper’s nerves.Before they could return to the car, a loud commotion erupted from the market entrance.A moto
Inside a rented black sedan hidden behind an old building near the harbor district, Adam Anderson lit a cigarette with trembling fingers. His brown eyes stared blankly through the windshield, but his mind was in utter chaos.“Damn you, Harry…” he muttered under his breath, barely audible. “I should’ve taken you and Grandpa Hans down with me.”His phone vibrated suddenly. “Unknown” flashed on the screen. Adam picked it up immediately.“Is it done?” His voice was cold.“I’ve got your passport ready,” came the voice of a man on the other end. “But the cops are starting to post your face at the airport. You’ll need to escape by land.”“I can help you through a safer route, but you need to leave tonight.”Adam cursed under his breath. “I need time. I can’t leave the city yet... not until—”“Are you crazy? The police already spread your face everywhere. Anderson Corp has officially filed a report. If you stay, you’ll be in cuffs by morning,” the voice snapped. “You’ve been exposed—embezzlin
That night — Arabella and Harry’s BalconyThe night wind blew gently, carrying the subtle scent of Arabella’s perfume as she sat curled up on the balcony sofa with a mug of hot chocolate in her hand.“I didn’t expect you to show up earlier,” she murmured, sipping slowly.Harry leaned beside her, his eyes warm. “I figured you needed someone to protect you.”“I needed a partner. And turns out... you’re both.” Her smile was small, but genuine.Harry inched closer, letting his shoulder touch hers. “Do you ever regret getting involved in this world, Bella? A world full of poison and twisted business games?”Arabella shook her head. “I don’t regret it. Because in this world... I found you.”He let out a soft chuckle. “So, you love me for my job now? You’re getting good at this sweet talk thing.”“No.” Arabella playfully pinched his waist. “I love you... because you always know when to be a shield, and when to just stand beside me like a wall.”Harry turned to her, staring for a long moment,
Harry took a deep breath, as if gathering courage from the tightness in his chest. His eyes lingered on Arabella’s face, pausing there for a moment.“I want to terminate our marriage contract,” he said, his voice low and heavy.Arabella froze.Her pupils dilated, as if she'd just heard a sentence she never expected to receive that night.“What do you mean?” she whispered, her voice catching in her throat. Her chest began to warm—not from a hug or a touch—but from a creeping fear that slipped in uninvited.Harry lowered his gaze. His cold fingers gently brushed the back of her hand. “I don’t want there to be a contract between us anymore,” he continued. “I want... something real. A real marriage. No conditions. No boundaries.”Arabella still didn’t speak. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. She stared at Harry’s face, searching for signs of a lie or a cruel joke. But there were none. His face was sincere—more vulnerable than she'd ever seen it.“Harry…” Arabella’s voice wa