MasukMichael’s POVThe restaurant was beautiful. Crystal chandeliers glowed warmly overhead while soft music drifted through the air like silk. The scent of expensive wine and rich food lingered around the room, blending with low conversations and occasional laughter from other guests.Theo walked beside me calmly as one of the restaurant staff guided us through the dining area.“Mr. Park, your table is ready” the hostess said warmly, clearly recognizing him. We were led toward a quieter section near the large glass windows overlooking the city lights.The table itself was secluded enough for privacy without being completely hidden. Candles flickered softly between polished silverware and expensive wine glasses.I stared at the setup suspiciously.“Theo.”He looked pleased with himself.“What?”“You planned this way too carefully" I said.“I have no idea what you mean" he replied with a smirk.“You absolutely do" I said.He pulled out my chair for me with exaggerated politeness. I narrow
Michael’s POVI changed my shirt three times which was ridiculous.I stood in front of the mirror in my bedroom staring at myself with growing irritation while holding two different black button-ups in my hands.“This is stupid,” I muttered.From the doorway, Henry looked deeply unimpressed.“You’ve said that like eight times already" he said.“Because it is stupid.”“Then why are you nervous?”“I’m not nervous.”Henry raised an eyebrow immediately.“You changed clothes three times" he pointed out.I sighed and tossed one of the shirts onto the bed before rubbing my forehead tiredly.The house felt strangely quiet tonight. Ashley and Nick were still in the hospital recovering. Ramon had gone home earlier after practically forcing me to eat.And now I was somehow preparing for a date with Theo Park after everything that had happened between us.My life had officially become insane.Henry walked fully into the room and leaned casually against the wall.“I'll soon head for the hospital"
Fernando’s POVThe school parking lot was crowded with parents waiting inside expensive cars, students laughing too loudly and teachers standing near the gates pretending they had control over the chaos.I sat quietly inside my black car with one arm resting against the door while the engine hummed softly beneath me.Dark sunglasses hid my eyes even though the afternoon sun wasn’t particularly bright.My attention remained fixed on the school entrance while my phone buzzed against the console beside me.I glanced at the screen to see it was Carlos and a small amused breath escaped me before I answered.“You’re persistent" I said.His warm voice immediately filled the car.“And you’re avoiding me” he replied. “I’m busy.”“You’ve been ‘busy’ for days.”I smirked faintly.“Has it really been that long?”“Yes, and I’m starting to think you don’t miss me” Carlos complained dramatically. I leaned back against the leather seat comfortably.“That’s a dangerous assumption.”Carlos laughed so
Michael’s POVThe elevator doors slid open quietly, and I stepped out onto the private floor carrying two paper bags of food in one hand and a neatly folded change of clothes draped over my arm.The hospital hallway was quieter than usual today or maybe I was just finally exhausted enough to notice it.I exhaled slowly and adjusted my grip on the bags before walking toward their room.The private hospital section was heavily guarded. Director Hale had made sure of that.Two security men stood outside Ashley and Nick’s room, both of them giving me small respectful nods as I approached.“Morning, Michael.”“Morning.”One of them opened the door for me and the moment I stepped inside, warmth replaced the cold sterility of the hallway.Ramon looked up immediately and relief crossed his face.“There you are" he said.I managed a tired smile.“You sound like I disappeared for three days.”“You disappeared for forty minutes, which is enough to worry me considering your history lately” he cor
Fernando’s POVMarlo finally leaned back in his chair slowly, trying to regain control of himself.“I never betrayed you, Fernando" he said.I almost laughed. Instead, I leaned back comfortably in my chair, crossing one leg over the other with deliberate arrogance.“You died and the family needed leadership" he repeated. “And you appointed yourself savior” I said mockingly. He kept quiet.“I left instructions" I continued and his expression flickered slightly.“Those instructions included protecting Michael and Henry, yet somehow you hunted them instead” I continued quietly. Marlo immediately raised both hands slightly in surrender.“Fernando, listen to me—”“No.”My voice sharpened enough to cut through his sentence instantly.I leaned forward slowly, resting my elbows against the table.“You terrorized my husband, you kidnapped my son, you pointed guns at them and almost killed Ashley and Nick, not that I care about those two but still" I said.Marlo swallowed subtly and his gaze
Fernando’s POVI walked through the gates of the jail slowly with my guards trailing behind me, my expression controlled, my presence unmistakable.People noticed me immediately, they always did.Some straightened, some looked away too quickly while others whispered.It was not because I was loud, I didn’t need to be. Influence has a sound of its own and it vibrated all thorough me.I stopped outside the visitation section and a guard stepped forward.“Sir, this area is—”He stopped mid-sentence when he properly looked at me and recognition flickered then caution and compliance followed. "Don Fernando Ramirez" he greeted but I didn’t respond.I just adjusted my cufflink slightly.“I’m here to see Marlo Ramirez” I said calmly. The guard hesitated.“He currently has a visitor” he replied. I exhaled slowly through my nose.“I don’t care” I said sharply. Another guard stepped closer, clearly uncomfortable now.“Sir, protocol—”I finally looked at him and he stopped speaking immediatel
Fernando's POVThe food was hot and gave off the scent of something expensive and well-prepared. I should’ve been eating. My body was screaming for food after the long, exhausting times i have had—but my thoughts were wrapped around my ribcage, tight and suffocating.Michael was sitting right acro
Michael’s POVThe soft hum of the microwave was oddly comforting in the otherwise tense silence of the kitchen. The scent of warmed-up soup filled the air, and for a fleeting moment, it smelled almost like home. Or what home might have been, in some better, less screwed-up lifetime.I ran a hand t
Marlo's POVI touched my jaw, wincing slightly as my fingers brushed over the tender spot where Michael's fist had connected. That bastard had actually punched me and it surprisingly hurt much more than I had expected it would. The sting was sharp, but beneath it was an unmistakable excitement.
Michael's POV I walked past Marlo without a word, my heart pounding in my chest. The air between us felt thick, suffocating, like storm clouds gathering right above my head. The headlights from Damian’s car illuminated the driveway, and the night’s cool breeze did nothing to ease the heat prickl






