MasukAlexander looked smugly content, the faintest trace of a smile curving his lips. But when he turned toward her, he noticed Serena’s face had fallen — her gaze drifted away, her lips pressed tightly together. Something in her expression was fragile, almost wounded.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his tone softening.
“My legs hurt,” Serena replied quietly.
Her voice was hoarse, almost embarrassed. The aftermath of their intimacy lingered on her body — her legs ached, trembling slightly, the strength in them nearly gone.
Alexander frowned, then wordlessly lifted her and set her gently on the wide windowsill. The night air pressed cool against the glass behind her, the moonlight washing over her bare shoulders like silver mist. He crouched in front of her, the fabric of his shirt pulling taut across his back.
“Where does it hurt?” he asked, his voice low.
Before she could answer, his hands were already on her — his fingers tracing the length of her ca
After dinner, Ava brought little Marcello up to her office.The boy, his cheeks still slightly flushed from the meal, set up his drawing board on the coffee table and began sketching in quiet concentration. Meanwhile, Ava made her usual evening rounds across the 56th floor—checking each section of the workspace with her characteristic thoroughness. The soft hum of office lights and the faint scent of paper and ink trailed behind her as she inspected every detail. Once she confirmed everything was in order, she returned to her office.Marcello had just finished his drawing—a bright splash of color, a world entirely his own. Smiling, Ava crouched beside him and gently tapped his shoulder. “Let’s go, little man. Time to exercise!”From the cabinet, she took out his small swimsuit and her own neatly folded sportswear.Since Marcello was still growing, Ava made his health her top priority. The little boy was strong for his age—tall, lean, and full of energy. He almost never fell sick. Swim
Mother and son hurried back to the hotel, the soft hum of the lobby music greeting them as they entered the elevator. They rode up to the twelfth floor, where the faint aroma of roasted herbs and truffle butter drifted through the air.The maître d’, recognizing them at once, offered a warm smile. “Welcome back, Ms. Alvarez, Master Cello.” He guided them to a table by the window, where the city skyline glittered beneath the early evening haze—buildings catching the last gold of the setting sun.As Ava began perusing the menu, Cello slipped down from his chair.“Mommy, I’ll wash my hands,” he said softly.“Alright, sweetheart. Don’t take too long,” she reminded, half-focused on the waiter standing by with a notepad.The boy nodded and trotted off. Having been to the hotel countless times before, he knew the way to the restroom perfectly. The corridor leading there was lined with framed watercolors—calm seaside scenes that shimmered faintly under the amber lights.At the sink, Cello tur
The elevator was crowded as people filed in one after another. Ava slipped in last, quietly taking her place in the corner.Her posture was poised—chin lifted slightly, a faint professional smile on her lips. Yet, despite her composed appearance, her eyes betrayed her restraint, stealing a discreet glance toward the man standing at the center.Seven years had passed. Seven long years.And he was still the same.It was as if time itself had conspired in his favor. Not a single line marred that sculpted face; not even the faintest trace of fatigue dulled the sharpness of his gaze. If anything, he’d grown more refined—more quietly commanding, with that aura of authority that made the air around him heavier, harder to breathe.He didn’t glance her way. Not even once. His gaze stayed fixed on the elevator doors, cool and distant.Oddly enough, that gave her a sense of relief.It seemed he hadn’t recognized her—and that was for the best. Seven years could change a person beyond recognition,
The world outside Hawthorne Court London was in chaos.Ava could already see it from her car window—the flashing of camera phones, the shrill excitement of voices rising and falling like a wave. The hotel entrance was packed with fans, signs waving in the air like flags of battle. Her brows knitted instinctively.These people were everywhere.How did they always find out?Today was supposed to be routine—well, as routine as things could be when a world-famous model was checking in. Vanesza, the temperamental fashion icon, was staying at the hotel, and her arrival had thrown the staff into frenzy. The General Manager, Kenneth Whitby, had been forced to cut short Ava’s annual leave, summoning her back from the countryside to handle the situation personally.And Ava—newly promoted as Head of Housekeeping—knew she couldn’t afford a single mistake. This assignment was her chance to prove herself worthy of her title and her salary.But as she watched the mob outside, she could already tell:
Alexander Vanderbilt had always considered women synonymous with trouble and boredom—until he met her and discovered that exceptions existed. She, for instance, had the uncanny ability to make him unwilling to let go of her from dawn until long past nightfall.*********“Mommy!”Her shoulder was shaken insistently, and Ava felt as though she had been shoved off a cliff, her body jerking violently as she snapped awake from a dream.Her lashes fluttered open to a somewhat yellowed ceiling, faint cracks tracing across it like old memories. For several seconds, she lay there dazed, her mind suspended between reality and the remnants of sleep.She had dreamed of him again.The dream dragged her back to that night seven years ago with cruel precision, as if time itself had folded inward. Darkness pressed close around them, heavy and intimate, broken only by the steady rhythm of their breaths. His presence was overwhelming—heat, strength, and a quiet dominance that left no room for escape.H
Dear Gemtle Readers , After thinking this through multiple times now, this author decided to continue this book with the 1st branch of the story. The continuation of the 2nd branch will be in the BVEW II (there is no change on that note). The author will try to update daily starting 01 January 2026 however considering that he only gets paid for 1 book at a time, he might have to switch which book to focus/update every month. With the above being said, this author hopes you can enjoy both stories and perhaps even try the book TTWC which the author is most proud of. Thank you & have a wonderful end of 2025 and beginning of 2026 celebration. Grazie a mille. Yours, Ethan********* below are the last chapters of 1st branch in case you have forgotten *********Alexander let out a sigh, leaning back in the chair as his grandfather rifled through a worn leather photo album placed neatly beside the chessboard. The old man flipped through its pages, mumbling to himself. The room felt heav







