로그인Kiara’s povI changed outfits three times which was ridiculous. Because technically, this wasn’t even a date.At least that’s what I kept telling myself while staring at my reflection for the fifth time.“You’re overthinking,” I muttered under my breath.A soft knock landed on the bedroom door before it opened slightly.My nanny peeked her head inside with a knowing smile.“He said I should inform you that he's ready.”My stomach tightened instantly. I grabbed my purse quickly before stopping halfway to the door.“Wait.” I turned back toward the mirror again.My nanny laughed softly behind me.“What? Why are you laughing?”“You are acting like a teenager In love”I chuckled. “Oh stop it Sandra. I'm just trying to look good.”She smiled.“So how do I look?” I asked.“You look stunning.”That made me blush but I composed myself.She was totally right with what she said. Deep down, I still love Leo. And that was the problem.Because somewhere between the hospital nights, the panic attack
Kiara’s POVThe sound of tiny footsteps rushing into my room pulled me out of sleep.“Mommy!”Before I could even open my eyes properly, Sophia launched herself onto the bed. A soft groan escaped me as her little body landed directly on my stomach.“Sophia,” I laughed weakly, finally blinking awake. “Why are you jumping on people this early?”“Because Daddy said if I wake you up, we can make waffles.”I frowned immediately and pushed myself up slightly. “He said what?”A deep voice answered from the doorway.“I said maybe.”I looked up.Leo stood there holding two mugs of coffee, wearing grey sweatpants and a black T-shirt like he hadn’t casually ruined my ability to think straight this morning.His hair was still messy from sleep.And annoyingly, he looked good. Too good.Sophia pointed at him dramatically.“See? He’s changing the story now.”Leo walked into the room slowly, one brow lifting.“That’s because you left out the part where it’s barely eight in the morning.”“It’s not my
Miriam’s POV“You keep staring at me like you know me.”I looked up slowly from the disgusting excuse for food sitting untouched on my tray.Susan.Even in prison, she still carried herself like she belonged somewhere expensive. Legs crossed. Calm face. Eyes sharp enough to cut through people.I leaned back slightly in my chair.“I do know you,” I replied.One brow lifted. “Should I be worried?”A humorless laugh escaped me.“You dated Alex.”Recognition flashed across her face immediately. Then she smiled.Not warmly. It was more like two dangerous people accidentally finding common ground.“And you’re the famous Miriam,” she said casually. “The one everybody won’t shut up about.”I hated the way people in this place gossip about me and look at me with all curiosity.Like I was some headline instead of a person.I folded my arms tightly.“They talk too much here.”Susan smirked slightly. “That’s prison for you.”The noise around us echoed loudly. Trays clanging. Women yelling across
Leo’s povI stood outside Sophia’s bedroom for a few seconds before pushing the door open slowly. Dim light from the bedside lamp spilled softly across the room.My two beautiful humans were asleep together.Sophia was curled tightly against Kiara’s chest, one tiny hand fisted into her shirt like she was afraid she’d disappear if she let go.Kiara’s arm stayed wrapped protectively around her even in sleep. Like her body refused to stop guarding her daughter.For a moment, I just stood there staring at them.The last forty-eight hours replayed in my head all over again.Sophia tied to a chair. Kiara crying in my arms. Gunshots. The bloods. The fear I stepped further into the room quietly.The floor creaked slightly beneath my weight, but neither of them woke up.Sophia’s breathing was uneven even in sleep. Every now and then her brows pulled together faintly, like the nightmares were still chasing her.God, I hated that.A child shouldn’t look afraid while sleeping.My jaw tightened.
Kiara’s povI woke up to screaming.“Mummy!”My eyes flew open instantly.Sophia sat upright beside me, shaking violently as terrified sobs ripped from her tiny body. Her hands clawed desperately at the blanket like she was trying to escape something only she could see.“No! No! Don’t touch me!”My heart shattered immediately.“Sophia.” I grabbed her carefully. “Baby, it’s okay—” She flinched away from me.The movement hit me so hard I stopped breathing for a second. Then recognition slowly returned to her tear-filled eyes.“M-Mommy?”“Oh God.” I pulled her into my arms immediately. “I’m here. I’m here, baby.”She burst into louder sobs against my chest.“I don’t wanna go back there.”“You won’t,” I whispered quickly, holding her tighter. “Nobody is taking you anywhere again.”Her body trembled uncontrollably against mine.The room was dark except for the small bedside lamp I’d left on after refusing to sleep properly all night.I hadn’t left her side once since we got home. Not once
Miriam’s povThe prison smelled disgusting. Everything about this place irritated me instantly.The gates slammed shut behind me with a loud metallic bang that echoed through the hallway, and something about that sound made anger crawl violently up my spine.“Move,” the officer behind me snapped.I rolled my eyes and kept walking.The handcuffs around my wrists were starting to hurt, but honestly, it wasn’t even the worst part.The worst part was replaying that scene outside the warehouse over and over in my head.Kiara holding Sophia. Leo looking at them like they were his entire world.My jaw tightened instantly. Gosh! I hated her.I hated the way people always chose her always.“You deaf?” the officer barked behind me.I realized I’d slowed down.“I’m walking, aren’t I?” I snapped back but it was a bad idea.The woman shoved me harder than necessary between my shoulders.“Watch your mouth.”I glared at her but stayed quiet this time. Not because I was scared, but beuI was furious.
Kiara’s POVIt was finally the day of the launch.I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my dressing room, staring at my reflection longer than necessary. My heart was pounding loudly against my chest, betraying the calm expression I was forcing on my face.Breathe, Kiara. You’ve got this.I
Miriam’s Pov“Susan, look,” I said, stretching my hand toward her, my phone glowing brightly in my palm.She leaned closer, squinting at the screen. "It's all over the news already that my so-called step sister's accomplice and sender is arrested." I smiled.Susan frowned immediately. “Why are you
Kiara’s PovWhen I thought I could finally give him a chance, at least for his efforts so far, for standing his ground and making sure justice didn’t slip through my fingers, he had to remind me of one painful truth.He would always choose my bloody stepsister.Or was I overthinking?I clenched my
Kiara’s PovI'm happy that after everything Sandra put me through, after the sleepless nights, the fear, and pain justice had finally been served. She was behind bars, exactly where she belonged. I sat at my desk, staring blankly at my computer screen, as I tried to focus on the new project I was







