LOGINKaren spent the entire morning anxious and confused about her feelings, pacing back and forth, not knowing what to think or do. She sat on the porch with a cup of coffee that grew cold without her noticing, her mind returning repeatedly to the previous night.“What have I done?” she whispered.Not long ago, she had been in love with Peter. She believed he would ask her to marry him; she dreamed about it; she built castles in the sand. Until she found out that he loved another woman and wanted to use her to tear a piece of her away and save Lindsay.She met Sebastian by chance, or what she thought was chance. He took her in when she had nothing, no one, no hope. He proposed a fake marriage and gave her a house to live in.It was a cold, temporary arrangement, but as the days passed, she got to know him better. She saw beyond the mask of coldness he wore so well. She discovered a human and vulnerable side, hurt, alone like her.They kissed in the rain like the protagonists in romantic m
Sebastian had always been as punctual as clockwork, but this was the first time in years that he had arrived late to the office.“You seem happy,” Richard commented, watching Sebastian out of the corner of his eye as they crossed the hallway to the conference room.“I’m in a good mood,” Sebastian replied, the lightness in his voice so obvious it was suspicious.Richard raised an eyebrow, well aware of his client’s chronic bad mood.“Did you make a fortune in stocks? Or did a competitor finally go bankrupt?”“No.”“Did your father have a heart attack?”Sebastian let out a short, almost amused laugh.“The idea is tempting, but not yet.”Richard paused for a second, studying him more closely. There was something different there. A strange relaxation in his shoulders. A glow that didn’t come from power or victory.“Then I’m left with only one option,” he intoned. “You’ve met a new woman.”“Not that either.”“I give up.” Richard raised his hands in surrender. “What the hell happened to mak
They sat in silence for a few minutes, watching Las Vegas stretch out before them like an inverted sky—each light a promise, each neon sign a secret kept. Sebastian had contemplated that landscape dozens of times, almost always alone, or accompanied only by a glass of whiskey. But this time was different. Karen was there. And that changed everything.“Would you like anything else, Mr. Sterling?” asked the server discreetly, appearing beside them.“We’re leaving now,” Sebastian replied, without taking his eyes off Karen.He stood up, took her hand, and led her to the exit. Their fingers intertwined naturally, firmly and intimately, as if there were no agreement, as if they were just two people in love.“Aren’t you going to pay the bill?” Karen asked, looking over her shoulder.“No,” he replied simply.“Sebastian, wait... let’s go back. I have some money.” She tried to stop him, but he kept walking, pulling her gently.Sebastian laughed, a genuine, almost light sound.“I never pay the b
Karen stood still. Not out of shyness or submission, but because there was simply no reason to confront Olivia. That night was hers, and she would not allow it to be ruined.“Olivia, I already told you,” Sebastian began, his voice controlled and threatening at the same time.Olivia didn’t give him a chance to finish his sentence. She pulled up the empty chair and sat down next to them, as if she had been invited.“You know, looking at you two...” she tilted her head, analyzing them with a venomous smile, “you actually look like a genuine couple.”“What are you doing here?” Sebastian asked, unable to hide his impatience.“Having dinner,” she replied dismissively. “They say this is the best veal in Las Vegas, but I prefer the other restaurant’s.” She let out a loud, exaggerated laugh that echoed through the restaurant. “Am I disturbing the couple?”Sebastian narrowed his eyes on her.“You’re drunk,” he scolded her.“Sebastian, dear, this has never been a problem before. You’ve always li
Karen’s happiness was complete, radiant, and impossible to contain. It overflowed with every gesture, every breath. For the first time in a long time, she felt lighthearted. She needed to share this truth with Mrs. Malcolm, who was the only mother life had given her.She glanced at the clock on the wall. If she hurried, she could make it to the orphanage and back in time for dinner with Sebastian at eight.The nun was waiting for her in her office, as if she knew she would come. When their eyes met, no words were necessary. Mrs. Malcolm understood everything even before she heard it.“The DNA test proved that woman is my mother,” Karen said, her voice vibrating with emotion, and she almost laughed as she spoke.They hugged each other tightly. They cried together, but they were tears of relief, of reparation, of grief finally allowed to rest.“My daughter! I’m so glad your heart is at peace.”“I came here personally to tell you...” Karen pulled away just enough to hold the older woman’
Sebastian and Karen were sitting in Richard’s office. The atmosphere between them was tense, charged with expectation. A sealed envelope lay on the mahogany desk—small, innocuous, but containing answers Karen had been seeking her entire life.“I’ll open it for you,” Richard said, picking up the envelope carefully.Without realizing it, Karen took Sebastian’s hand. Her fingers intertwined tightly with his. She was seeking anchorage and courage.Sebastian squeezed back. Silently.Richard opened the envelope, took out the documents, and skim them. Then he looked up.“The document confirms...” He paused deliberately. “That this woman is without a doubt your biological mother. 99.9% genetic compatibility. There is no doubt.”The world stopped for a second and then exploded with colors and sounds.Karen let go of Sebastian’s hand and brought her hands to her mouth, instant tears streaming down her face.“My mother...” Karen whispered. “It’s her. It’s really her.”She couldn’t hold back. She







