LOGINThe soft hum of the engine filled the narrow space like a distant echo from a dream that had not fully released her yet. Naomi stirred slowly beneath the soft blanket covering her body. Her head still felt heavy, her throat dry, and every breath felt like waking after a long illness. It took several
In the end, Lydia gave a faint smile. “No. Of course not.”“Let’s move,” Cale said flatly.They left the suite at a brisk pace. The hotel corridor looked calm, too calm, with thick carpet swallowing the sound of footsteps and warm yellow lights making everything appear normal. Yet that very stillnes
Three knocks sounded at the suite door, soft but clear enough to cut through the tension hanging in the air. No one moved for a fraction of a second. It was as if the entire room had stopped breathing together.Lydia, standing near the table, instinctively turned toward the door. Her fingers were gr
Don Falcon’s office occupied the highest floor of the mansion, overlooking a stretch of city that seemed small beneath the vast glass windows. But that morning, no one in the room dared appreciate the view. The air felt heavy, dense with pressure that came entirely from the man seated behind the gle
“Not if it’s treated immediately.” The doctor looked at Cale calmly. “But she needs complete rest. No stress, no fear, and she must not be left alone.”Lydia raised a brow. “That last part sounds important.”Dr. Weber took out fever medication and wrote an additional prescription. “I’ll give her an
The hotel room door flew open harder than usual. Fast footsteps entered the main suite, followed by a rush of cold air from the hallway before the door could close again.Cale came in first, still wearing the same suit he had left in that morning. His face was unreadable, but the tight line of his j
“Are you meeting Eli today?” Lydia asked, just to be sure.She had just set down a plate of sliced fruit for Josh and Riana. Since early morning, Grace and Althea had already left the house. Althea had been asked to come to Grace’s school for a storytelling performance—an event involving children th
“Of course.”Josh looked at his grandmother, hesitation written clearly on his face, but he could no longer hold it back. “If later… if it turns out Eli really is Chase’s child—what will happen?”The question hung inside the car, stopping every other thought in its tracks. Riana didn’t blink as she
Meanwhile, in SunCity.After the call ended, Althea remained staring at her darkened phone screen. Her chest felt tight, restless—not because of what Daven had said, but because of everything he hadn’t. It seemed the pressure was coming at him from all sides, especially with the news surrounding Cal
“Nothing fatal,” the caller said flatly. “Just enough to make Riana rush over and make sure the child is fine. After that, you can build a bond. Reset your brilliant plan. Become the only person who truly cares about Eli—and earn her trust.”Selena let the words settle. The kitchen remained quiet; S







