تسجيل الدخولNaomi’s POVThe second day felt harder than the first.I don’t know why.Maybe because the excitement from yesterday was gone.Yesterday, everything felt new and bright. I didn’t have time to think too much. I was just moving… just trying to keep up.But today…My mind was full.Full of thoughts.Full of memories.Full of quiet fear.I woke up early before Martha and Leo. The room was still dark, but I couldn’t sleep anymore.I sat up slowly and looked at Leo.He was sleeping on his back this time, one hand above his head. His small fingers moved a little, like he was dreaming.I smiled.“What are you dreaming about?” I whispered.I leaned closer and kissed his forehead.He didn’t wake up.Good.He needed rest.After everything he had been through… he deserved peace.I stood up quietly and walked to the window.London was already awake.Cars moving.People walking fast.No one waiting.No one slowing down.This city didn’t care about your feelings.It just moved.I wrapped my arms aro
Naomi’s POVThe first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the silence.Not the quiet kind of silence from the mountain. That one was soft and calm, like a mother’s hand on your head. This one was different. It felt… strange. Heavy. Like the air was waiting for something.I blinked slowly and looked around.The room was big. Bigger than any room I had ever slept in before. The ceiling was high, painted white like fresh milk. The curtains were long and cream, moving gently with the wind from the window.For a moment, I forgot where I was.Then it came back.London.We were in London.I sat up slowly, my heart beating fast. The bed was soft under me, too soft. It felt like I would sink into it if I stayed too long.I turned my head quickly.“Leo?”My voice came out low, almost scared.Then I saw him.He was curled up beside me, holding the edge of my dress like always. His small chest was rising and falling slowly. His lips were slightly open.Sleeping.Safe.I let out a long breat
Naomi felt a tiny bit of guilt, but she knew she couldn't stay for him. Her wings were finally grown, and she had to fly.Inside the mansion, Valentina was sitting in her room, throwing her jewelry at the mirror. Clink! Sparkle! Smash!"She is going to London!" Valentina screamed at her father, Victor, who was sitting in a chair nearby. "She is going to live in a fancy apartment with her brat! And Lucas is here, staring at her picture every day! Do something, Father!"Victor looked at his daughter. He was starting to get tired of her screaming. "There is nothing I can do, Valentina. She has international protection now. The media loves her. If we touch her now, the police will come straight to us. We have to let her go.""I won't let her go!" Valentina shouted. "I will follow her! I will find a way to ruin her in London too!""You will stay here and be a wife," Victor said, his voice cold. "If you leave, Lucas will definitely leave you. Stay here. Keep the ring on your finger. Let he
The Ashford Mansion was very quiet in the morning, but the city outside was loud. Everywhere you looked—on the big screens in the streets, on the sides of buses, and in the windows of the Ashford office buildings—there was a face. It was a beautiful face with kind eyes and a strong chin.It was Naomi.The company had made a big decision. They wanted to show the world that they cared about real talent. They chose Naomi’s drawing, "The Truth," to be the face of their new global brand. Her picture was now in the United States, in Europe, and all over the world. She was being called the best young artist in the country.Inside the mansion, Valentina was finally standing on her own two feet. Her cast was gone, and she was wearing expensive high heels again. Her father, Victor, had told her she must go to the office every day with Lucas. He wanted her to watch the money. He wanted her to make sure Lucas didn't try to run away."Get in the car, Lucas," Valentina said, her voice sharp. "We ar
But Jessica and Megan were not giving up. They were sitting in the library, looking at a fashion magazine."Look at this," Jessica said, pointing to a photo of Valentina Ashford. "She is the wife of that rich CEO, Lucas Ashford. Everyone says they are the perfect couple, but look at her face. She looks miserable.""I heard a rumor," Megan whispered, leaning in. "I heard that Lucas Ashford had a secret wife before Valentina. A girl from a poor background. I bet that girl is Naomi. Think about it! Naomi has a son who looks just like a rich kid. She has a lot of secrets. It fits perfectly!""If that is true," Jessica said, her eyes turning mean. "Then Naomi is not a 'National Artist.' She is just a woman who got kicked out of a mansion. We should find proof. If we find proof, we can show everyone that she is a fraud."They started searching on the internet. They looked for old photos of Lucas Ashford. They looked for any mention of a secret wedding. They were like two hungry dogs looking
The afternoon sun was hitting the big windows of the Ashford Mansion. Inside, the house was very quiet. Lucas was in the library, and Evelyn was sitting in the sunroom, drinking tea. She was thinking about how to keep the family name clean. She still felt a lot of stress from the night at the art gallery.Suddenly, the front doors swung open with a loud bang.The maids jumped in surprise. Standing in the doorway was a tall man with a very expensive coat and a face that looked like stone. It was Mr. Victor, Valentina’s father. He had not called. He had not sent a message. He just walked in like he owned the building."Where is my daughter?" Victor shouted. His voice was deep and very scary.Valentina was in the living room, sitting in her wheelchair. When she heard her father’s voice, her face lit up with a giant smile. She hadn't seen him in a long time. She used her hands to move her wheelchair quickly toward the hall."Father!" Valentina cried out.She reached him and grabbed his wa
Naomi’s POVThe smell of the hospital was finally behind me.I sat in the passenger seat of Martha’s old, small car. My body felt like it was made of glass. Every bump in the road made me squeeze my eyes shut and hold my belly. I was still in pain, but the doctor had said my blood pressure was stab
Lucas’s POVThe Ashford mansion had become a place I no longer recognized. It was a factory of luxury. Two days remained until the wedding, and the air was thick with the smell of expensive flowers and the sound of frantic voices. Every room was filled with workers. They were hanging silk drapes, p
Naomi’s POVThe darkness was not black. It was a strange, heavy gray. I felt like I was underwater, trying to swim to the surface, but the water was made of lead. I could hear voices, but they sounded like they were coming from a long, metal tunnel."She’s waking up! Look, her eyes are moving!"I f
No, I told myself sternly. He won't care. He has Valentina now. He has the money. He has his life back.I thought about Abigail. She was the only person who knew I was here. I had called her from a payphone near the train station. She had cried, promising to bring me some money and food tomorrow."







