LOGINElias Pov I woke up before the sun had fully cleared the horizon, the gray light of dawn filtering through the curtains of my bedroom. I felt light today. I stared at the ceiling, a slow, genuine smile spreading across my face as the memory of the previous night flooded back. Her voice. It had been trembling, hesitant, but she had said it. *I love you.* I knew how much those words cost her. Mara wasn't a woman of grand gestures or easy declarations; she was shy, guarded by years of having to hide her heart to survive. For her to say it first, to reach out through the silence and claim me, meant more than any contract I had ever signed. I closed my eyes for a second, savoring the victory. I loved her more—I knew I did—because I had loved her from the beginning.I got out of bed, moving with a purpose that had been missing for weeks. I showered and dressed in a charcoal suit, choosing a tie with a hint of deep red. I looked at myself in the mirror and didn't see the weary man who had
Mara's Pov The reunion with my father was a blur of tears, shaky breaths, and a million questions that tumbled out of me all at once. I sat beside him on the sofa, clutching his hand as if he might vanish if I let go. He answered everything, his voice calm, his eyes reflecting a peace I hadn't seen in him for years."It’s alright, Mara," he said, pulling me into a firm embrace. "You don't have to keep crying like a baby. I'm her, aren't I? I’ll explain everything just like you want."I nodded, my tears slowing as the reality of his presence anchored me. Every sound in the house, every creak of the floorboards, felt like a victory against the dark months we had endured.Dad started from the beginning. He spoke of the day he had finally wanted to open up to me, but I was still pissed at him. He told me about his change of plans to go to Elias, only for Margaret to get to him before he could reach Elias. "I really regretted it—” I whispered, the weight of my past choices pressing down
Richard's PovI didn't know what to say at first. My mind was a tangle of protective instincts and the cold, hard reality of the last few months. Finally, I leaned back, my chair creaking softly in the stillness."I didn't expect the timing, Elias," I said, my voice sounding more tired than I felt. "But I’d be a fool to say I didn't suspect something was going on between the two of you, even before I had confirmed it."Elias didn't flinch. "I love her a lot. I can't stop now. I’ve tried to fight it when I thought it wouldn't work out between us. and I’ve tried to ignore it for the sake of the family name, but none of that matters if she isn’t by my side. I’m not asking for a favor. I’m telling you that she is the only woman I wish to spend the rest of my life with."I looked at him searching , but I found only a raw, desperate sincerity. "I knew about your feelings at the time," I admitted. "David told me about it. He saw it before I did, or perhaps he was just more willing to admit w
Elias Pov Beside me, Richard walked with a slow but steady gait. The doctor had given him a clean bill of health an hour ago, confirming that the toxins were finally out of his system and his vocal cords was recovering very fast."I can walk to the car myself. You don't need to worry," Richard said, his voice still a bit gravelly, but the strength was returning to it. "I know you can" I replied, holding the door open for him anyway. "But the doctor said to take it slow. I’m just following orders."He chuckled, a dry sound that ended in a small cough. We climbed into the sedan, the leather seats warm from the sun. As I started the engine, I looked over at him. "The space in the mansion is ready for you. Andrea and Camille are already there, and will take care of you. It would be better if we all stayed together until the trial begins. It’s safer."Richard shook his head, looking out the window at the passing city. "I appreciate everything you’ve done, Elias. Truly. But I need to be i
Elias Pov I stopped at Richard’s door first, pushing it open just an inch. He was fast asleep, his breathing rhythmic and deep. The tension that had lived in his jaw for weeks had finally smoothed out. I closed the door softly and moved to the next room.Through the half-open door, I saw Andrea sitting on the edge of her bed. Camille was beside her, her hand resting on Andrea’s shoulder. I could hear Camille’s voice, low and thick with emotion."I am so sorry, Andrea," Camille whispered. "I was so blinded by my own fear that I didn't believe you. I let you stand alone when you needed me most."Andrea didn't answer with words. She just leaned into Camille, her head resting on her mother’s chest, her shoulders shaking with quiet, exhausted sobs. It was a sight I never thought I’d see again—a moment of genuine, unfiltered connection between them. I turned away, giving them the privacy they had earned.I went to my own room and stripped off my suit. I felt like I was shedding a skin tha
Elias Pov "You must be happy, Elias," she said, her voice a dry rasp. "You finally caught me."I pulled up a chair and sat down, keeping my distance. I didn't feel happy. I felt a heavy, hollow sadness that settled deep in my bones. "I’m not happy, Margaret.""Don't play the saint with me," she spat. "Don't act like you care now, just because you've succeeded in putting me behind bars. You Lawson men are all the same. You act like the world revolves around you. Maybe I should've killed you first."I "I didn't know, Margaret. I didn't know about your mother Elena. I didn't know my father had another child living in the shadows. My father didn't mention anything. If I had known, things would have been different."Margaret let out a sharp, hysterical laugh. "Different? You would have sent a check. You would have paid for my silence just like he did. You wouldn't have invited me to your table. You wouldn't have called me sister.""Thats not true, but I am sorry," I said, my voice stead
Mara's POV "Shhh—" he murmured against my ear. His breath, a furnace of alcohol. His words were slurred, but the intent behind them was sharp enough to draw blood. "I've missed you—I've missed this, Mara.""You’re drunk," I gasped, trying to pry his hands wrapped around me, but he only tightened t
Mara's POVI stared at the mirror, at my own reflection.The mirror didn't lie, but it didn't tell the whole truth either. It showed a woman in a high-necked black silk gown, her copper hair pinned back in a severe, respectful bun. It showed the "grieving widow" the world expected to see. But it di
Elias POVBy the time I reached her, my fists were already flying. One of Volkov’s men went down with a crack to the jaw. Another staggered back when my elbow drove into his ribs. I didn’t think. I didn’t calculate. I moved on instinct—rage guiding every step.“How dare you!”One of them reached fo
Elias POVThey say every debt has two ways to be paid—the clean way, and the way that stains your hands forever. The underground casino was the last place I ever expected to find myself… but tonight, we were playing this game the old way.I stepped out first, straightening my suit as the cold air h







