ログインThe next morning, the bright light of a brand new day flooded the elegantly sophisticated study of the huge and grand Hale estate. Richard sat behind his large desk, his expression serious and focused as he worked on important business files while Katherine stood near the window, quietly stirring a fresh cup of chamomile tea. Elliott was working on his files too, while his eyes kept flickering on the sleek smartphone that was resting right in the center of the desk as if waiting for Elara's call.As if God had heard his prayers, with a soft ringtone, the phone screen illuminated, and Elara’s contact name began to flash. Richard immediately pressed the speaker button, the line connecting with a quiet click."Hello, Dad? Mom? Elliott?" Elara’s voice traveled clearly through the line, sounding light, calm, and incredibly peaceful."Good morning, my darling," Katherine spoke first, her motherly voice filled with an instant warmth. "We are missing you and our sweet angels. How are you ho
The evening was alive with the voices, sophisticated chatter and the clinking of crystal glasses. The event was an intimate affair, an exclusive celebration hosted by one of Christian’s closest friends from high society, held at a luxurious private gallery in the heart of the city.Christian stood near the center of the room, looking sharp and immaculate in a tailored charcoal suit. However, despite the elegant surroundings, a shadow of exhaustion and heavy worry dimmed his usual bright eyes. His mind was miles away, wondering how Elara was faring inside the Blackwood mansion during this temporary pause in their engagement.Suddenly, the air around him felt colder and tense.Through the crowded room, Melissa and Anna emerged from the dark shadows. They had managed to secure invitations to this highly exclusive gathering by using their old, desperate family connections, dragging themselves into an event they normally wouldn't belong to. Melissa wore a striking crimson red dress, her l
The next afternoon, the bright sun was just beginning to dip down in the horizon, painting the sky in soft shades of orange and pink colors. Elara was sitting in the sunroom, watching Emma and Noah carefully stack blocks, when the deep, familiar purr of a luxury car engine echoed through the long driveway.Her brows furrowed slightly as she checked the diamond watch on her wrist. It was barely three o'clock in the afternoon.Within moments, the huge doors of the foyer were opened and Nathaniel walked inside. He wasn't wearing his usual rigid corporate suit jacket; instead, his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and his dark eyes looked energetic and alive. The moment his gaze found Elara standing by the archway, a wide, genuine smile completely transformed his handsome face, making him look even more captivating."Daddy!" Emma shrieked happily with pure delight, dropping her blocks instantly and sprinting across the polished marble floor. Noah was right behind her, his usual serio
After the heavy double doors slammed shut, the tense atmosphere in the grand foyer slowly evaporated, replaced once again by the comforting warmth of the Blackwood mansion. Elara looked down at Emma and Noah, her heart swelling with pride as she brushed the stray hairs from their faces."You two were so brave," Elara whispered, a genuine, beautiful smile lighting up her eyes. "Thank you for protecting Mommy.""We will always protect you, Mommy!" Emma cheered, her brief anger completely forgotten as she grabbed Elara’s hand, pulling her back toward the grand drawing room. "Come on, let's go finish our game!"The rest of the evening turned into a joyful celebration of their little victory. Elara completely let her guard down, allowing herself to laugh freely as she joined the twins on the plush rug. They built a massive fort out of velvet sofa cushions and silk pillows, pretending it was a magical castle where no bad wizards or mean ladies could ever enter. Noah proudly showed Elara a
The heavy double doors of the foyer remained wide open, the cold breeze air which was sweeping into the grand hall as Elara stood perfectly still, her stature elegant and unyielding. She didn't invite them in, nor did she step back.Melissa took a sudden step forwar shamelessly.. She forced her bottom lip to tremble, looking up at Elara with eyes that she tried to force to brim with tears. Right beside her, Anna lowered her head, her posture mimicking a deeply repentant servant."Elara... please, just hear us out," Melissa said, her voice dropping into a soft, breathy whine that sounded completely practiced. "We didn't come here to fight with you. After everything that happened at the hospital, after seeing Nathaniel almost lose his life... it completely changed me. Anna and I have been losing sleep over how we treated you five years ago. We came here tonight because we are just so incredibly sorry for behaving badly in the past. We were blind, and we want to beg for your forgiveness
The painful and emotional weight of their confessions still hung in the cool night air when a soft, sleepy whimper broke the silence of the dark shoreline."Mommy... Daddy..." Emma's tiny, high-pitched voice called out weakly from inside the glowing white canopy tent.Elara quickly pulled her hand back from Nathaniel’s cheek, wiping her own eyes as she stood up from the sand. Nathaniel rose swiftly beside her, his dark eyes still glistening with unshed tears, but his focus instantly shifting to his children. Together, they walked over to the canopy and pulled back the soft mesh curtains. Emma was sitting up, rubbing her sleepy eyes, while Noah was blinking awake next to her, looking around the dark beach."We're right here, sweetheart," Elara whispered softly, crawling into the tent and pulling Emma into her arms.Nathaniel followed right behind her, his broad frame filling the entrance of the tent as he slid under the thick, warm blankets on the other side of the children. The twins
The silence that surrounded the air after the slap was finally broken by the distant music coming from the ballroom. Nathaniel’s head was still turned to the other side, his skin stinging hard where Elara's palm had left a red handprint on his cheek.He had never been struck in his life before, not
The moment the word wife left Nathaniel's lips, Elara felt the air vanish from her lungs. A cold and numbing shock washed over her body, making her limbs feel like they can't move further. She stopped moving entirely, her feet frozen on the dance floor as the rest of the world continued to dance
Elara caught the falling lace mask and pressed it back against her face, securing the ribbon with a tight knot so it won't fall off again. Christian asked her if she's okay and she nodded. Both Elara and Christian continued dancing on the rhythm. The two looked like a pair of swans who were made f
The next day at heights mansion, everything was sparkling with glamour and buzz of VIPs around. The grand ballroom is filled with velvet drapes and crystal chandeliers, their lights casting bright dancing shadows onto the walls. The whole place was swarmed by people wearing tuxedos, expensive gow







