Chapter 26: A New Storm is Coming

The sunlight poured through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating the clothes scattered messily on the floor. A tuxedo jacket here, a red dress there, high heels overturned near the door.

Serenity stirred in the large bed. Her whole body felt heavy, aching in a good way.

She tried to turn over, but a strong arm tightened around her waist, pulling her back against a hard, warm chest.

"Stay," Jackson mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent. "Don't move."

Serenity blushed, remembering the events of last night. They didn't even make it to the bed properly before they started tearing each other's clothes off. It was wild, desperate, and filled with five years of pent-up longing.

"Jackson, it's morning," Serenity whispered, running her fingers through his messy hair. "We need to get up. The kids..."

"Alfred is taking them to the museum today," Jackson mumbled, nipping gently at her earlobe. "We have the whole house to ourselves."

He opened his eyes. Those dark irises were now clear and filled with affection. He propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at her.

"Good morning, Mrs. Sterling."

"Good morning, Mr. Sterling," Serenity smiled shyly.

Jackson traced her jawline with his thumb. "I still can't believe you are here. In my bed. If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up."

"It's not a dream," Serenity pulled him down for a lazy morning kiss. "But if you don't let me get up to pee, it will become a nightmare."

Jackson laughed, finally letting her go. "Go. But come back fast. I'm ordering breakfast in bed."

Serenity wrapped herself in the duvet and hopped towards the bathroom.

For the next hour, they lay in bed eating strawberries and pancakes, talking about the future.

"I want to expand Vera Jewelry to Europe," Serenity said. "London, Milan..."

"Do it," Jackson fed her a strawberry. "I'll handle the real estate. You handle the art."

"Jackson," Serenity looked at him seriously. "Are we... really back together?"

"I gave you a ring. I gave you my heart. And last night, I gave you my body," Jackson smirked. "There is no return policy, Serenity."

Serenity laughed, feeling truly happy.

But as the saying goes, calm days are rare in the Sterling world.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Jackson's phone on the nightstand started vibrating violently.

Jackson frowned. "I told Luke not to disturb me unless the building is on fire."

He picked it up, annoyance written all over his face. "What is it, Luke? This better be important."

"Boss..." Luke's voice on the other end was trembling with urgency. "We have a situation. A big one."

"Speak."

"Someone just acquired 15% of the Sterling Group shares this morning. They bought it from the minority shareholders at triple the market price."

Jackson sat up straight, the sheet falling off his chest. His eyes turned cold instantly. "Who has that kind of cash?"

Luke hesitated. "The buyer is registered under a shell company in Switzerland. But... he just walked into the headquarters lobby five minutes ago. He is demanding an emergency board meeting."

"Who is he?" Jackson growled.

"He says... he says his name is Mason. Mason Sterling."

The room went dead silent.

Jackson froze. His hand gripped the phone so tight his knuckles turned white.

Serenity noticed the sudden change in the atmosphere. She sat up, touching his arm. "Jackson? What's wrong?"

Jackson slowly lowered the phone. A dark shadow crossed his face—an expression of hatred Serenity had never seen before.

"Mason," he whispered the name like a curse.

"Who is Mason?" Serenity asked.

"My half-brother," Jackson stood up from the bed, his relaxed demeanor gone. He walked to the window, staring out like a king preparing for war.

"My father had a mistress in Italy. She had a son. He has been exiled for ten years," Jackson's voice was freezing. "Now that my grandfather is dead, the bastard has returned to claim the throne."

He turned to look at Serenity. The gentle lover from five minutes ago was gone. The ruthless CEO was back.

"Serenity, get dressed," Jackson commanded. "The peaceful days are over. Mason didn't just come for money. He came to destroy everything I love."

He looked at her, his eyes blazing.

"I need you by my side. Are you ready?"

Serenity felt a chill run down her spine, but she didn't flinch. She stood up, letting the duvet drop, standing tall and proud.

"I am your wife, Jackson. Where you go, I go."

Jackson nodded grimly.

"Good. Because this is going to be a bloodbath."