LOGIN"Daddy! I missed you!" Summer shrieked, launching herself at us the moment Helios and I stepped into the mansion. She barreled towards her father, who scooped her into his arms without a beat. Kisses rained down on his cheek as she peppered him with them.
Helios chuckled, "I missed you too, Princess." My heart, a stubborn fortress, softened at the sight."Where have you been? You didn't even call me or Mommy," my daughter pouted, her lower lip trembling adorably.I woke to a tickle on my neck, a soft brush that feathered across my skin. Turning, I found Helios buried against me, his face nestled in the curve of my neck, peppering it with kisses. I tried to pull away, but his arm was a steel band around my waist, holding me captive. "Helios, stop," I whispered, a shiver chasing down my spine. This was too much, too early, my body already heating in response. He lifted his head, his eyes locking onto mine, and oh, God. Desire, raw and untamed, blazed in their depths. Did this man ever tire? As he lowered his head to tease my neck once more, I instinctively placed my hand on his head, halting his descent. "Helios, what are you doing?" The words tumbled out, and then I remembered the date. "Today's your friend's wedding, isn't it? We can't be late." Instead of rising, he pulled me closer, burying his face deeper into my neck. "We could ditch their wedding and cuddle here all day," he mumbled, his
Warning: Spg Once our daughter was sound asleep, Helios wasted no time, pulling me into his bedroom with an urgency that sent shivers down my spine. The moment we were inside, the door barely shut, he devoured my lips in a hungry, bruising kiss, pressing me against the cool wood. A low groan rumbled in his chest as I responded, mirroring his fierce passion, and he deepened the kiss, as if desperate to consume every last bit of me. His hunger was insatiable, his mouth claiming mine with a desperate intensity that stole my breath. His hands roamed, a molten brand against my waist, gripping and kneading as if I were the most precious, tantalizing thing he’d ever touched. When he finally pulled away, just long enough to tear off his t-shirt, my lips instinctively chased his, a yearning I couldn’t control. A flush of embarrassment warmed my cheeks, but it vanished the moment his mouth found mine again. He tangled his fingers in my hair, pulling gently but fi
"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday Baby/Summer/Princess!" We burst into laughter, singing to Summer, our voices playfully stumbling over her various nicknames. My daughter, completely unconcerned, clapped her hands with joyous abandon. "Happy 5th Birthday, Princess!" Apollo and Artemis chorused, planting kisses on Summer's cheeks. "Thank you, Tito Handsome. I love you a million, million times!" Summer chirped, snatching her gift from Apollo before turning to Artemis. "Thank you, Tita Goddess. I love you a million, million and gazillion times!" she declared, accepting Artemis's present. Apollo's brow furrowed in mock indignation. "Why don't I get a gazillion times?" he grumbled, and Summer and Artemis exchanged a knowing glance. "Girl power!" they exclaimed in unison, erupting into giggles. I joined their laughter, a warmth spreading through me. "Brother! Y
"Daddy! I missed you!" Summer shrieked, launching herself at us the moment Helios and I stepped into the mansion. She barreled towards her father, who scooped her into his arms without a beat. Kisses rained down on his cheek as she peppered him with them. Helios chuckled, "I missed you too, Princess." My heart, a stubborn fortress, softened at the sight. "Where have you been? You didn't even call me or Mommy," my daughter pouted, her lower lip trembling adorably. "Well, I had to travel for work, Princess. But don't worry. I won't leave you again." I'd briefed Helios on all the excuses I'd spun for Summer when she’d asked about his absence. Thankfully, she wasn't too upset, despite her father vanishing without a trace. "Since I missed you, I'll let you sleep with me and Mommy," Summer announced with a mischievous grin, but her father shook his head. "No, Princess. I promised I won't sleep with your Mommy until she says yes t
“Brother told me everything.” Apollo’s voice, a sudden, playful jolt, ripped me from my poolside reverie. One moment, the world was mine, silent and still. The next, he materialized beside me, followed by Artemis, who gracefully claimed the opposite lounger. Summer was still at school, and with a day off stretching into a luxurious expanse, my thoughts had inevitably drifted to Helios. Another week had blurred into the last, a cruel, endless cycle, and still, no sign of him. No calls, no messages, no fleeting glimpses. My heart ached for Summer, her bright spirit dimmed by her father’s absence, growing visibly sadder with each passing day. And I? I was lost in my own quiet despair. Every tick of the clock echoed his absence, a constant, nagging worry that gnawed at my peace. Sometimes, a dangerous whisper would creep in – a regret, a longing for that night I’d pushed him away, wishing I’d simply surrendered to the love he’d offered. But fear h
ZURI'S POINT OF VIEW I haven’t laid eyes on Helios since that night. The mansion feels hollow without him—his study doors stay closed, his scent has faded from the linens, and I suspect he hasn’t set foot here at all. He’s vanished from the office too, leaving my desk buried under mountains of work that only he can sign off on. I’ve called his number every single day. It’s always dead. Apollo says he’s not at his penthouse in Gallagher Empire Tower. Artemis claims she has no clue where her brother’s run off to. Even his parents hunt me down for answers, their voices tight with worry. And yes—I’m terrified. Two weeks have slipped by with no word, and my mind spins through every nightmare. He has enemies in this world, men who’d gladly see him fall. What if something bad happened? No. Stop it, Zuri. You’re spiraling. “Mommy? Where’s Daddy?” Summer’s small arms wrap around me as we lie side by side in bed, her breath warm against my neck. My daughter asks the same question ev
ZURI'S POINT OF VIEW I fought to calm Summer down—her sobs came in harsh, ragged waves, so violent I feared she’d stop breathing altogether. Only when I whispered that her father had left did her body finally go slack against mine. I knew she was traumatized. She hadn’t let go
ZURI'S POINT OF VIEW “Where are you off to?” Mrs. Gallagher’s voice pulled me from my thoughts as I stepped into the dining room, dressed in my blazer and heels. The whole family was gathered around the long mahogany table, plates of eggs and fruit spread before them. My gaze
ZURI'S POINT OF VIEW “Mommy, are we moving again?”Summer’s voice followed me around the bedroom as I folded her dresses into suitcases—every last one of her things, packed and ready to go.“Baby, we talked about this. We’re going to live with Grandma and Daddy now. Remember?”Her little face crea
ZURI'S POINT OF VIEW“Why don’t we all go inside and talk this through?” Mrs. Gallagher said, striding into the house before Helios or I could muster a word of protest. We had no choice but to follow in her wake.She sent Summer upstairs first, with a handful of toys to keep my daughter occupied, t







