LOGINELIAS’s POVThe morning sun broke through the cold winter clouds, casting a soft light into the master bedroom.Thea sat by the small round table, wearing a comfortable cardigan. She looked much better than she had the night before. Her fever was entirely gone, and her breathing was calm, but the faint shadows under her eyes remained. She held a warm cup of herbal tea, staring quietly out into the room.I stood by the side of the bed, buttoning my shirt cuffs. My mind was still heavy from the events of the night before, but seeing her calm gave me a small sense of relief. Still, I knew I couldn't carry everything on my own anymore.I walked over and knelt beside her chair, taking her small hand into mine."Thea," I spoke softly, looking up into her dark eyes. "My mother called this morning. She wants to come by the estate today to visit you."Thea paused, her teacup hovering near her lips. A quiet hesitation crossed her face. "Your mother?""I know," I said quickly, squeezing her hand
Thea’s POV The air in the room was freezing.I was standing in the middle of the long, cold corridor of the Sterling estate. I was wearing the plain, faded dress I used to wear three years ago, the one my fake ass sister bought for me so I wouldn't stand out during dinners.Down the hallway, the bright lights of the room were shining. I heard laughter full of fake warmth.I stepped closer to the open double doors, keeping my back pressed against the wall, hiding in the shadows just like I always did back then.Inside the room, Maya was standing in the center of attention. She wore a bright red silk dress that shimmered under the chandeliers. Our father, Arthur, stood right beside her, holding a glass of champagne, his face full of pride as he introduced her to the guests."My beautiful daughter, Maya," Arthur’s voice echoed loudly, full of warmth and affection. "The bright star of the Sterling family."The guests smiled and clapped, showering Maya with compliments. Sherry sat nearby
ELIAS’s POV The bedroom was heavy and still.Outside, the freezing winter rain drummed against the thick glass of the balcony doors, casting long shadows across the floor. Inside, the room was warm, filled with the soft, steady hum of the bedside humidifier and the faint, sweet scent of lavender oil.I sat on the edge of the mattress, my elbows resting on my knees, staring down at my hands.Beneath the heavy velvet duvet, Thea was finally sleeping. Her breathing was deep and even, different from the lingering panic from earlier in the night. But her face was still pale, and the dark circles under her closed eyes told the silent story of the violent fever that had wracked her body just hours ago.Every time I closed my eyes, I could still hear the raw, terrifying agony in her voice as she thrashed against the pillows during her delirium.“Doctor... why won't you let me breathe? My chest hurts... Elias... where are you? Why aren't you coming to save me?”The words felt like physical bl
The heavy wooden doors of the Vance estate in the Swiss mountains clicked shut, echoing loudly through the massive, quiet house.Serena stood in the middle of her bedroom, her hands clenched into tight fists. On the velvet armchair across the room, two broad-shouldered security guards stood at attention, guarding the door. On the table rested her vanity case, completely empty. Her father had stripped away her private mobile phone, her laptop, her credit cards, and her passport before locking her inside the estate."You have brought enough embarrassment to this family, Serena," her father had cold-bloodedly told her before locking the door. "You will stay here under strict supervision until you learn how to behave."Tears of pure, boiling rage spilled over Serena’s eyelashes, running down her pale cheeks.She hated Elias. She hated her father. But above everything else in this world, she hated Thea Sterling-Vane. Thea had stolen Elias, stolen the spotlight, and now forced Serena to li
Back at the Vane estate, the afternoon sun had begun to set, casting long, dark orange shadows across the grand bedroom suite. Elias sat on the edge of the bed, holding a pair of soft, cashmere baby socks in his hands. He looked up as Thea walked into the room, holding two warm mugs of chamomile tea. She walked slowly, resting one hand behind her back to support the weight of her belly. Elias immediately set the small socks down, stood up, and hurried over to gently take the mugs from her hands, setting them on the nightstand before guiding her to sit comfortably against the soft bed pillows. "You shouldn't be carrying heavy trays, my love," Elias gently scolded her, sitting beside her and wrapping a soft wool blanket around her legs. Thea chuckled softly, leaning her head against his broad shoulder. "It was just two cups of tea, Elias. I am fine." Elias wrapped his arm around her shoulders, gently pulling her close against his chest. He reached down, resting his large, warm palm
Four months passed in a blur of quiet days and soft autumn air.Inside the Vane estate, time seemed to move at a slow, peaceful pace. The garden leaves turned from bright green to deep shades of orange and brown, and the cool breeze carried the crisp scent of late autumn.Thea stood before the tall mirror in her dressing room, wearing a loose, powder-blue wool sweater. She reached down, placing both hands over her rounded stomach. Her baby bump was now visibly prominent, a firm, beautiful curve that made her heart swell with warmth every single morning.In her heart, these past few months had brought a kind of peace she had never known. Elias had kept his word. He remained on his extended leave of absence, spending almost every hour of the day beside her. He walked with her in the private garden, read to her in the evenings, and personally oversaw every single meal prepared by Martha.Yet, as the weeks rolled on, a quiet, subtle weight began to settle over her chest.The estate had g
THEA’S POV Elias leaned in until I could feel the ghost of his breath against my lips. He was waiting for me to flinch. "You think you’ve grown claws, Thea," He murmured, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous vibration. "But you’re still in my house. You’re still wearing the ring I bought you. An
THEA’s POV Elias was still leaning over me, his face so close I could see the dark blue flecks in his eyes.I looked at him, and for a split second, I didn't see my husband. I saw a jailer. In my last life, I would have cried. I would have begged him not to say such scary things. But that Thea die
THEA’s POV The morning news was a bloodbath. I sat at the long, marble breakfast table, sipping my coffee and watching the television mounted on the wall. The headline scrolling across the bottom made the bitter caffeine taste like nectar: "STERLING ARCHITECTURE DROPS 40% AS MAJOR INVESTORS PULL
THEA’s POV In my first life, that voice would have made me jump. My father had a way of making me feel like I was five years old and failing a test. I used to spend my allowance buying him expensive watches just to get a "thank you" that never came. "Thea!" My mother’s voice joined in, high-pit







