LOGINSeven Years Later,~ JANET ~Taking a quick nap, I woke up when it was almost evening. The house was eerily silent. I moved to the dresser while twisting my hair into a messy bun. Looking at myself and noticing the tiredness around my eyes, I yawned again. Life with twin girls and a grumpy ten-year-old son isn’t easy, especially since he wants nothing to do with his mother because he finds her too controlling.I looked at the picture of my fraternal twins, Eliana and Larissa. Yes, we named one of our daughters after Sebastian’s first wife.And surprisingly, our daughter is just like her—kind, soft-spoken, well-mannered, and she loves Sebastian the most. Sometimes I feel she is reborn as our daughter to seek the love she never received in her previous life. Sebastian’s word is like it’s written in stone for her, while Eliana, much to my dismay, is a stark contrast.She never listens and always does her own thing. Fearless and blunt, but good-hearted. Sebastian says she’s just as annoyi
Serena took Anton’s photograph from her closet and settled into his recliner. A gentle smile spread on her lips as her tired old eyes looked at her late husband. She reached out and took a sip from the wine glass on the bedside table.Her bloodshot eyes looked at him with admiration. “I resented your calm approach to navigating our criminal world. I never tried to understand your perspective, amore mio.” She pressed her lips together. “Thank you for giving me the best children.” Her eyes welled up with tears.Reclining, she closed her eyes with regret when the doorknob moved, and Kyle peeked inside.“Nonna?” His innocent eyes looked in her direction.Serena opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Come here, Mio bambino,”Kyle approached her, she lifted him into her arms and sat him in her lap. “It’s late. Why aren’t you in bed?”“I can’t go to bed. I am scared.”“What are you scared of?” Serena softly stroked his head.“Scared of broccoli,”Serena burst out laughing. “What? You aren’t afr
Sebastian turned around, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs. There, framed within the grand archway of the church entrance, she stood.The light seemed to gather around her, illuminating the delicate lace of her gown and the gentle cascade of her veil.All the gloom, rage, and crushing fear vanished instantly, replaced by a sudden, overwhelming wave of relief so intense it nearly made him buckle. He couldn’t believe his eyes until she started moving toward him.A hesitant smile at first, then blooming into genuine joy spread across his face. She was here. His bride.And at that moment, all he felt was a profound, deep happiness that overshadowed every dark thought that had troubled him just moments earlier.With each careful step, she moved closer, the gentle rustling of her gown the only sound in the suddenly silent church. His breath caught in his throat as she finally reached the end of the aisle. Sebastian extended his hand, and she placed hers in his, gazing int
Sophia, Alex, Mason, and Isabella were hiding in a dark-tinted car far from the church to stay safe. Despite Alex’s objections, they couldn’t resist seeing her in a wedding outfit.“Mom, where is Janet?” asked thirteen-year-old Isabella, her eyes eagerly scanning every car parked near the church.Sophia glanced at her watch and then at Alex. “Alex, wasn’t the wedding supposed to be at noon? It’s 12:30! Where is she?”Alex stayed quiet, feeling uneasy.“I notice some guests are departing,” Mason said, sensing that something was amiss. “Should I check with the guards?”“No,” Alex said firmly. “No matter what, no one is getting out of the car.” Just then, his cell phone rang in his pocket. He knew who was calling but wondered why.“Hello,” he said.“Ferrari, speaking,” a hoarse voice said. “I have told the other half of the truth to Alexander Davis. From now on, he won’t bother Janet again. Now he knows it was Donovan who caused that night to turn ugly. Anyway, where are you?”“Home,” Al
Stefan took the flash drive from her and plugged it into the TV. The screen flickered to life with a baby’s smiling face. Janet watched the screen, a smile spreading across her lips as she saw Olivia on the screen, picking up the baby from the bed.“Connor, let’s take a family photo,” she said to the camera.The camcorder turned, and Connor’s larger-than-life smiling face appeared on the TV screen. Janet parted her lips as she heard him laugh and tease her mother, revealing a side she had never known existed.The family looked happy and complete, satisfied with whatever little they had.They both kissed the baby beside her, holding her gently between them. The video suddenly ended. Janet looked down at her lap, nervously twisting her fingers.“Hello, my lovely daughter,” a deep voice said.Janet looked up at the TV, and her eyes widened when she saw Connor with a smile.I understand you might hate me for ruining your relationship with Sebastian, but I had no choice. I needed to seek r
“You’re dead, Stefan!” Sebastian snapped into the phone. His jaw muscles tightened, and his eyes burned with anger. “How dare you take Janet to meet Ferrari without checking with me?”“Sebastian,” Stefan addressed him by his name for the first time. Although Sebastian never prohibited him from using his name, it was Stefan’s manner of demonstrating respect.“You knew I loved Nina. You were never unaware of how my heart breaks when I see her lifeless. For the past seven years, I have been searching for an answer, just as you are. How dare you hide such information from me?”Sebastian’s nostrils flared; his mind was swirling with thoughts of how Janet would react upon discovering the truth, and he was afraid she might not show up at their wedding. He feared losing her. Again.“You are going to pay for this, Stefan!”“Nothing scares me, Sebastian. I would bow my head if you want to take my life, but I won’t die before discovering the truth. Ms. Corrigan is in a meeting with Ferrari. I wi







