LOGINOver the past few weeks, Fiona Swan had undergone yet another round of chemotherapy—one of many since she began her cancer treatment. In truth, her body could no longer endure it. The process was agonizing, not only because of the pain from the IV infusions administered during each session, but also because of what followed: relentless nausea, dizziness, and a complete loss of appetite.
Fiona held on for Malikha. More than anything, she wanted to see her daughter happy, or at the
Seorang manajer tengah dipukuli agar ia memberitahukan brankas penyimpanan uang. Ketika ia tak bicara, seorang pria yang sepertinya pimpinan kelompok itu mnembak kepalanya hingga ia tewas. Malikha menahan tangis dan kepanikannya agar tak meledak. Jika tidak, bayinya bisa kekurangan oksigen dan ia tak ingin terjadi hal yang membahayakan."Bernapas Malikha ... bernapas," gumamnya pelan ketakutan sambil memejamkan mata. Tangannya lalu meraba perut dan menenangkan bayi yang terus bergerak karena sang ibu sangat stres."Tenanglah, Sayang. Mommy di sini. Tenanglah ... kita akan baik-baik saja!" bisik Malikha pada bayinya.Seorang pengunjung yang juga ikut disandera bersamanya lalu menoleh pada Malikha merasa kasihan melihatnya yang ternyata sedang hamil. Ia berinisiatif untuk menggeserkan tubuhnya agar menutupi Malikha sehingga tak ada perampok yang menyadari kehadirannya."Terima kasih!" bisik Malikha dari belakang. Pengunjung pria yang lebih muda darinya itu mengangguk sambil sedikit menu
A single phone call caused Aidan and Glenn to exchange glances in the lobby of Orcanza. Aidan gave Glenn a firm nod, and his assistant immediately approached. Together, they headed straight for the elevator down to the underground parking garage.“I’ve prepped all the gear in my car, sir!”Aidan nodded. “We’ll use yours.”Glenn nodded back, stepping out of the elevator alongside Aidan. Both men shed their suit jackets before Glenn unlocked the trunk of his luxury sedan. He pressed a hidden button, revealing a secret compartment. Aidan and Glenn tossed their suit jackets and dress shirts aside, quickly changing into plain long-sleeved t-shirts before getting into the vehicle.Thirty minutes later, they arrived at an office complex that the NYPD had completely evacuated. Police line tape had been strung up since late afternoon when the robbery first broke out. Their car couldn't breach the police barricade, which had sealed off the surrounding streets for blocks. As a result, they had t
MONTH SIXAidan plunged right back into his old workaholic habits. After returning from Los Angeles, he spent nearly all his waking hours buried in work. The only thing different about him was his hair—now a neat cut in a dark brownish-black shade.Aidan had transformed into a stylish, handsome, and masculine man. Yet he remained as cold and mysterious as ever. The only constant was that he still wore his wedding ring and no longer played around with women or alcohol.The most drastic change was that Aidan completely abolished the "red room" shows in his clubs and casinos. All the dancers and pole dancers were reassigned to regular waitstaff and other roles. His clubs now exclusively booked renowned DJs, putting an end to any adult entertainment.Leaning his elbows against the second-floor railing of his casino, Aidan listened as the general manager explained the revenue and growth metrics for his Pegasus club and casino. Aidan simp
Aidan had already left LA, though Malikha had yet to realize it. This was now the third time in a single week that she had called Raphael to her home. She had grown increasingly restless lately, haunted by recurring dreams of Aidan.She even dreamed of kissing and making love to him in her bed. On top of that, Malikha was frequently overwhelmed by sudden surges of anxiety, feeling unsafe whenever she was left alone—even though she had been perfectly fine before."Since when have you been feeling this anxious?" Raphael asked after working through a series of preliminary questions."For about two months now. Ever since my fourth month of pregnancy," Malikha answered, her tone laced with worry. She dreaded the thought that something bad might happen again because of these dreams.Raphael, who had brought an obstetrician along, conferred with the doctor regarding her recent assessment. He paused to think for a moment before asking Malikha to describe he
There was nothing Aidan could do except hone his marksmanship. One by one, he tackled various targets, distances, and challenges. While his friends took breaks, he chose to keep practicing. Nearly a month after separating from Malikha once again, Aidan had grown noticeably calmer. He no longer lost his temper and had gained far better self-control.He stopped snapping at Lucy or raising his voice at her. Aidan finally had everything under control. Perhaps accepting a reality that was never on his side was what transformed him into a completely different man."Time to take a break, Boss," interjected Glenn, who had just finished bladed weapons training with Han Kazuya. He sat down next to Aidan and wiped away his sweat. Aidan secured his firearm and turned to Glenn, his brows furrowing."Where are your clothes?" Aidan asked, noticing that Glenn was shirtless, wearing only trousers. Sweat still doused his body, dripping from his somewhat long hair."I’ve changed my shirt twice already.
Originally, the Seven Wolves were supposed to return using a luxury SUV, with a separate sedan assigned to Aidan. Instead, Aidan chose to ride in the same car as all his friends on the way back to the apartment.He sat in the middle row, sandwiched between Mars and Jayden. Arjoona was at the wheel, with Shawn in the front passenger seat to his right, while Bryan sat alone in the back row. Throughout the journey, Aidan remained dead silent—until he suddenly spoke up."I’m going back to New York with you guys!" Aidan blurted out.Everyone turned to look at him, including Arjoona, who nearly lost control of the vehicle at Aidan’s words."Why?" Jayden was the first to ask. Shawn had already taken off his cap and was rubbing his temples."What am I staying here for anyway?""But aren't you supposed to win Malikha back?!" Mars protested, his voice rising.Aidan lowered his head and sighed. "I think I was being too pushy. Maybe she really doesn't want to be with me anymore. What's the point
The way he called her made her stomach drop. He left before she could respond. At the same time, Malikha stood frozen in the middle of the bar. Her pulse wouldn’t slow.There was a strange ache in her chest. Why did that man feel like a ghost from a life she tried to forget?Meanwhile, Aidan slamme
“Please don’t throw me out. I have nowhere else to go, Mr. Bradford.”Malikha heard the tremor in her own voice and despised it. She had spent years learning how to stand straight, even when the world pushed her down. She had learned to smile when customers looked at her as if she were something ch
Aidan smiled as he listened to Malikha’s reaction on the other end of the phone.He could already picture her expression—wide eyes, trembling lips, that soft, overwhelmed look she always had whenever something touched her heart. The thought alone was enough to satisfy him.“Do you like the surprise?
Malikha froze the moment she heard his voice.“Hey, babydoll!”Her heart skipped as she slowly turned around. Of all people… she hadn’t expected to see him here.Aidan flashed a charming grin, acting warm and friendly, almost like an old friend.He stepped out of his car like he had all the time in







