LOGINMARCUSI lay beside her on the bed, my hand gently rubbing slow circles over her back and the swell of her belly where our twin sons rested. Julia had pulled the blanket over her head again, but I could still hear the quiet, shaky breaths and the occasional sniffle. Each soft sob twisted something deep in my chest.I hated seeing her like this.“Baby…” I murmured, keeping my voice low and steady. I carefully tugged the blanket down just enough to see her tear-streaked face. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she refused to look at me. “Come on, Julia. Talk to me. I can’t fix it if I don’t know what’s hurting you.”She stayed silent for a long moment, her arms wrapped tightly around her bump as if protecting our boys from whatever was upsetting her. I shifted closer, careful not to put any pressure on her stomach, and pressed a soft kiss to her temple.“I’m right here,” I whispered. “I’m not leaving this bed until you tell me what happened. Was it the nursery? Did I place something wrong
JULIAThe nursery was almost complete.I had spent most of the afternoon resting on the terrace, occasionally calling out small adjustments while Marcus and the team worked tirelessly. Everything looked beautiful — the blue and green accents, the soft bedding, the mobiles gently turning above the cribs. I should have felt happy and excited. Instead, a heavy, bitter feeling had settled in my chest the moment I saw them.Marcus was standing near the hallway outside the nursery, talking to a woman I didn’t recognize. She was tall, elegant, and dressed in a sleek black blouse and pencil skirt — clearly a designer. She held a tablet in one hand and was laughing brightly at something Marcus had just said. Her laugh was light and melodic, the kind that carried easily down the corridor.What made my stomach twist was the way she casually reached out and touched his arm—a soft, familiar slap, followed by her fingers lingering for a second too long as she leaned in to point at something on her
JULIAThe next morning, the manor buzzed with quiet activity.The large delivery van had arrived early, and Marcus’s men, along with a team of professional movers and interior specialists he had hired, were carefully unloading everything we had purchased the day before. Crates, boxes, and carefully wrapped furniture pieces filled the wide driveway. I watched from the comfort of a cushioned lounge chair on the terrace, a soft blanket draped over my legs and a cup of ginger tea in my hands.Marcus had been very clear: I was not to lift a finger or move around too much.“You carried our sons for eleven weeks already,” he had said firmly when I tried to stand up earlier. “Today, you sit. You direct. And I will do everything you ask.”So that was exactly what happened.I sat like a queen on the terrace, my very visible twin bump resting comfortably on my lap, while Marcus turned into the most patient, devoted helper I had ever seen. He didn’t complain once. Not when I changed my mind about
JULIAMarcus arranged for everything to be carefully loaded into a separate black van that had arrived discreetly at the back entrance of the mall. His men supervised the loading with quiet efficiency, making sure nothing was damaged and that the more delicate items were secured properly.I watched from a comfortable bench near the exit, my hand resting on my prominent twin bump. Marcus stood beside me, one arm wrapped securely around my waist, supporting my weight as I leaned into him.“You didn’t have to rent the whole mall,” I said again, though my voice was soft and grateful this time.He pressed a kiss to the side of my head. “I did. And I’d do it again tomorrow if you wanted to go back for more.”Once the van was fully loaded and on its way to the manor, Marcus turned to me with that intense, protective gaze I had come to love so much.“We’re not going straight home,” he said. “You’ve been on your feet most of the day, even if you tried to hide it. I made reservations for dinner
JULIAOne week had passed since that unforgettable night when I revealed we were having twin boys.The news had settled over the manor like a warm, protective blanket. Marcus had become even more attentive—if that was possible. He made sure I rested more, ate the right foods, and attended every check-up without fail. The word “Daddy” had slipped into our private moments naturally, bringing a spark to his eyes every single time. But today was different. Today was about celebrating our boys in the most tangible way possible.Shopping.Marcus had insisted on taking me out to get everything we needed for the twins. When I suggested going to one of the high-end baby boutiques in the city, he simply shook his head and said, “No. We’re doing this properly.”I didn’t understand what “properly” meant until we arrived at the luxurious shopping mall on the outskirts of the city.The entire mall had been rented out for the day.No other customers. No crowds. Just us, Phoebe, and a small team of M
JULIAMarcus held me close for a long moment after I finished pleasing him, his strong arms wrapped around me protectively. His breathing was still heavy, chest rising and falling against my cheek as I rested my head there. One of his hands stroked my hair gently while the other rested on my rounded belly, cradling the twin bump with careful reverence.“You were perfect,” he murmured, voice low and rough from his release. “So fucking perfect for Daddy.”I smiled against his chest, feeling warm and satisfied even though my own body was still aching with need.Marcus pulled back just enough to look at me, his dark eyes searching my face with that intense concern he always carried now. He brushed his thumb over my swollen lower lip, still glistening from taking him.“But we’re not done yet, baby,” he said softly. “You took such good care of me. Now it’s my turn to take care of you.”I bit my lip, heat flooding my cheeks. “Daddy… you don’t have to—”“I want to,” he interrupted gently but
NEROI should have known better than to come.The DeCavalcante estate felt colder these days—not in temperature, but in presence. The kind of cold that sank beneath the skin, settled into bone, whispered that nothing here was safe anymore. Even the walls felt like they were listening.Terra’s room
TERRAI stared at my reflection until I no longer recognized the woman looking back at me.Perfect hair. Perfect silk robe. Perfect posture.And yet everything that was supposed to be mine was slipping through my fingers.The room reeked of expensive perfume and broken glass. Mother had finally sto
MARCUSI rarely go anywhere without expecting resistance.Enemies hide behind smiles. Allies hide knives. Even silence, in my world, is never innocent.But her mother’s house was different.The moment my car slowed in front of the modest gate, something in my chest eased—just a fraction. Enough to
PHOEBEIf someone had told me a month ago that I’d see Julia laughing like this—head tipped back, eyes bright, cheeks flushed with happiness—I would’ve laughed right in their face.Yet here we were.We were sitting beside her mother’s bed, sunlight pouring in through the half-open window, dust mote







