LOGIN**(Back to Dwyne's Point of View)**"What...?"Bradley's brows drew together as he stared at the doctor."I'm sorry... could you please repeat that?"For a moment, I simply blinked then I looked at his expression.The most feared man in the Italian Mafia stood completely frozen, looking more confused than I had ever seen him.I could not stop myself and a quiet chuckle escaped my lips.Across the desk, Dr. Paula Wilson smiled warmly. "I had a feeling that would be your reaction."I covered my mouth, trying to stop laughing.
**(from Bradley's Point of View)**Eight months later...The courthouse stood surrounded by reporters long before the trial was scheduled to begin.News vans lined both sides of the street, cameras pointed toward the entrance as journalists eagerly waited for the arrival of everyone connected to what had become one of the country's most publicized criminal cases.The kidnapping of Dr. Dwyne Ellaine.The obsession of Benjamin Harrington.The fall of one of the most influential business families in the country.For months, every newspaper had followed the story. Today… It w
The gentle sound of the waves had become my favorite melody.The ocean stretched endlessly before me, its crystal-blue water sparkling beneath the afternoon sun like thousands of tiny diamonds scattered across the sea. The warm breeze carried the scent of salt and tropical flowers, while rows of swaying palm trees danced peacefully along the white sandy shore.It was beautiful, peaceful and perfect.If someone had told me years ago that I would one day wake up on a private island in the middle of the ocean beside the man I loved, I would have laughed and told them they were completely insane.Yet… Here I was. Standing ankle-deep in the warm seawater, wearing the most beautiful white bikini I had ever owned.The fabric hugged my figure comfortably without feeling revealing, while a sheer white cover-up lay forgotten on one of the beach chairs beneath the shade of a large umbrella.I tilted my face toward the sun and closed my eyes to feel the warmth against my skin. It felt wonderful w
For several long seconds, no one spoke.The living room that had been peaceful only moments ago suddenly felt unbearably quiet. I slowly set the book down on the coffee table before rising from the sofa.Bradley immediately reached for my hand. His thumb brushed gently across my knuckles, silently asking if I was alright.I gave him a small nod. "I'll be okay."His eyes searched mine for another moment before he loosened his grip, though he remained close enough that our shoulders almost touched.Far enough to let me face my past and close enough to catch me if I fell.My father stood near the entrance, looking exactly as I remembered. Perfectly tailored suit, straight posture and
For the first time in what felt like forever, I woke up to complete peace with no nightmares, no racing heartbeat and no fear that opening my eyes would reveal four cold walls trapping me once again.Instead, warm morning sunlight slipped through the enormous bedroom windows, bathing the room in a soft golden glow.I lay still for several moments, listening to the quiet rhythm of another heartbeat beside me. It was steady, calm and familiar.Bradley… His arm was still wrapped securely around my waist, as though even in his sleep he refused to let me drift too far away.A small smile found its way onto my lips and I carefully turned my head toward him to see he was still asleep.Without the cold expression he wore in fr
Leaving the hospital felt strangely surreal.Just a few weeks ago, I had wondered if I would ever walk beneath the open sky again. Now, as Bradley carefully helped me out of the hospital room, I found myself pausing for a moment to look back at the place that had become my sanctuary during the darkest days of my life.It was where I had been brought back from the edge where I had cried, recovered and learned to smile again.And where I had slowly realized just how deeply Bradley loved me. His hand slipped gently around my waist."Ready, baby?" He asked softly in my left ear.I looked up at him and smiled softly. "I think so."Instead of letting me walk the long hallway, Bradley bent down without warning and effortlessly lifted me into his arms."Brad..." I laughed quietly, feeling several nurses smile as they watched us pass. "I can still walk.""I know." His answer was calm. "But you don't have to."There was no point arguing with him anymore, especially not about things like this.E
As we walked back to the dining room everyone was talking to each other as if they didn't care about us and what the two of us were doing.Is this normal for them? I thought irritably, thinking that Bradley often did this with other women and I wasn't the first.Huff..."Who is this?"Speaking of women.
"Dwyne..." I lifted my head and looked at Bradley who called out at the same time holding my hand in his, oh my God. "These are my cousins, they're here because they heard you were here" He said casually and I just gave a nervous smile to everyone, at a loss for what to say."You'll get to know and r
Ring.. Ring.. Ring…I groaned in annoyance as I heard the cell phone ringing and not stopping.There was only one person who would keep doing that and I knew she would never stop until I picked it up.Lifting my head to look at the clock on the wall, I groaned loudly again when I saw that it was 10am?!
It was 10PM by the time we finished, thanking the chef in person and all the waiters who seemed very happy to hear me with a smile on their face, I walked back upstairs with Bradley who said nothing and just nodded his head before he left with me.I don't know if that nod meant anything, but one thin







