Michael’s POV I sat hunched over the chipped kitchen table in Ashley’s apartment, staring at the cold cup of coffee in front of me. The night outside pressed against the frosted windows, a quiet darkness that made the silence between Ashley and me feel even heavier.Henry’s absence ached like a fresh wound. My chest felt hollow without his small footsteps padding around the apartment.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his tearful face the day Fernando and Archer came to take him. I had promised him I would always be there. But I had failed.I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to break something.Across from me, Ashley shifted in her chair. She reached for my hand, her fingers warm against mine. “Michael…” she began softly.I kept my eyes on the table. “They just… took him, Ash,” I whispered, my voice cracking on the words. “Like he was a thing they owned.”She exhaled, her grip tightening. “He is Fernando’s son. We always knew this day could come.”“That doesn’t make it right.
Fernando’s POV I could still smell Marlo’s cologne lingering in the room long after he left. The meeting had ended several moments ago, but my head felt heavier with every passing second. I stood by the tall windows of my study, the dying afternoon sun turning the marble floor of the mansion a dull orange. Beyond the gardens lay the warehouse district, where the nightmare began.My warehouse. My empire’s beating heart.And it was breached by unknown bastards who didn't fear me enough.I replayed every detail in my head like a broken record.It was last thing I had expected to hear, especially after I felt victorious for being able to get my son back into my life.Who were those bastards? Who had the audacity to steal from me—Fernando Ramirez? The rage inside me was molten, bubbling just beneath my skin.I slammed my palm against the window frame. The glass rattled, but didn’t break. I almost wished it did.“Dad?” came a cautious voice behind me.I didn’t need to turn around to rec
Fernando’s POV The iron gates of my mansion swung open with a low groan, the convoy of black SUVs and my car rumbling up the driveway like a funeral procession. I could still hear Henry’s muffled sobs through the closed door of my car. Each cry was a needle under my skin.When the car rolled to a stop in front of the main entrance, Marlo was already opening my door, his eyes sweeping the grounds with mechanical precision. Archer stepped out from his own car, smoothing down his suit, his eyes flicking anxiously between me and Henry.Henry’s cries grew louder when the engine died. His voice was hoarse, raw, each ragged plea for Michael a fresh dagger to my chest.Archer stepped forward, fists balled at his sides. “For Christ’s sake, he’s been bawling since we left the hospital,” he snapped. “Let me drag him out already.”I lifted a hand, my voice low and even. “No. He’s my son. I’ll handle this.”Archer hesitated, his lip curling in frustration, but he stepped back.I opened the d
Archer's POV The sun glared brightly in the sky, streaks of gold lighting the sky as I swallowed my silver. I clenched my keys until they bit into my palm.There they were—Michael and Fernando, facing off near a black SUV.“Archer?” Fernando’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell are you doing here?”But before I could answer, Fernando turned and his attention to Michael."Return my son this instant" Fernando thundered.I could see the storm brewing between them. Michael’s voice carried across the lot, strained and frantic, “I told you, Fernando! Henry doesn’t want to go with you. He’s terrified!”Fernando’s shoulders squared, his head tilted in that lethal way I knew all too well. “He is my son,” Fernando snarled, each word vibrating with cold fury. “He will come home with me.”Henry was holding Michael’s arms tightly, his small face red and wet from crying. The boy’s hands fisted Michael’s shirt, and his voice was a thin, desperate wail.“No! I don’t want to go with him! Please, Michae
Micheal’s POVThe antiseptic smell of the hospital was suffocating, seeping into every breath like a sterile poison. I sat in a stiff plastic chair in the waiting room, its edge biting into the back of my legs. Henry was curled into a trembling ball against my chest, his small hands clutching my shirt in desperate fists. Each hiccuping sob that wracked his body cut through me like a blade.“She’s gone,” he whispered again and again into my shirt, his voice so small, so heartbreakingly fragile. “She’s really gone…”I smoothed his hair, my palm shaking. Words felt useless—small, empty things that could never bridge the ocean of grief drowning this child. All I could do was hold him tighter, a fragile shield against a world that had just shattered around him.Across from us sat Fernando, as if grief and tragedy were beneath him. His dark eyes were unreadable, as cold and polished as a heartless monster. Next to him stood Marlo, his massive hands clasped in front of him, his face imp
Archer’s POV Last night had been one if the worse night's I had experienced in a while, and that was rare for me.Being a young billionaire CEO had it perks, in the sense that I had a rather amazing life.But last night had hurt so much.I stared out the window of my study, the early morning light painting streaks of silver across the floorboards. Outside, the garden lay hushed under a pale mist, every leaf glistening with dew. I should have found comfort in the tranquility of home—my sanctuary—but instead, every second felt like it was dragging me closer to a void I couldn’t escape. My mind kept replaying last night’s argument with Fernando, each harsh word echoing louder than the last.He had wanted information on Kafé Verse’s employees. Information I refused to give. His eyes had turned dark with rage I had never seen in him before. I could still see him standing close to me, his fists clenched, breathing hard, as he demanded answers. And me, standing my ground, knowing that s