登入ANGELAThe morning began flawlessly. Which, in my existence, consistently signified that the universe was ready to strike me in the throat.Sunlight streamed through my office blinds, the aroma of fresh espresso wafted in the air, and my wedding file—indeed, a physical file—was organized on my desk with color-coded tabs: guest list, seating arrangement, catering, dress fittings, and contingency plans in case Sin interferes.I was in the midst of reviewing contracts for one of Mikhail’s subsidiaries when my assistant knocked.“Ms. Rivera,” she whispered gently, glancing in. “A woman is here to meet you.” States that it’s critical.”I scowled. "Did she give a name?"She paused briefly. “Officer Maria Calloway.”And just like that, my coffee became flavourless.I compelled a grin. "Have her come in."Calloway didn’t enter rooms—she took them over. Consistently sharp, consistently collected, always displaying that subtle smile suggesting she was accustomed to deceit. Her fitted dark suit
MIKHAILI should’ve realized something was wrong the instant Sin requested a “private family meeting.”Sin avoids “private family gatherings.” She conducts ambushes, interrogations, and sometimes brunch with a touch of sarcasm. Yet this? Everyone was extraordinarily silent.We were at one of her secure residences—her “discreet spots” as she refers to them. It’s a transparent-walled stronghold by the water, accompanied by a silence that weighs on your ears. Adrian leaned against the window, arms crossed, with tension throughout his body. The twins—Jasson and Jaden—were seated next to each other on the couch, their eyes flickering among everyone as if observing a ticking bomb. Boyce and Cara were seated at the room's far end, and I swear, even the atmosphere around them seemed dense.Catalina positioned herself alongside Melissa besides me, her hand intertwined with mine. I wasn't sure if it was for solace or control. Steel held Majesty in his arms while Keith and Knox sat quietly besid
STEELI had just entered the conference room when the atmosphere changed. The sort of change you sense just before a thunderstorm, heavy and bitter, like the space itself understood an eruption was imminent.My executives—six men and one woman—were in the midst of discussing quarterly forecasts when the glass doors swung open and Detective Maria Calloway entered.She simply walked in. Didn’t even hesitate. She simply marched in with that self-satisfied expression and badge shining under the fluorescent lights, her ponytail so taut it could break. Two uniformed officers stood behind her, accompanied by two men in plain suits, each clutching a folder filled with numerous papers.Knox, positioned to my left, halted in the middle of his sentence.Maria grinned like a feline that just discovered a bird's nest."Ah, look at that." The powerful Moretti Enterprises. “I notice you’re still standing.”All fell silent.I reclined gently, crossing my arms. “Detective,” I remarked, my tone compos
JASSONTwo days had passed since the shot was fired. Two days have passed since Majesty’s cry pierced the air like a siren, since Keith fell to the ground bleeding, since Sin remained motionless, pale and trembling, gazing at the gun still smoking in her daughter’s small hand.It has been two days since Nyla went missing.However, I found her.I always find them.She was hidden away in a low-cost motel on the outskirts of town, completely devoid of life. She wasn't anticipating my arrival. It was evident from the way her eyes grew larger when she opened the door and found me there.“Jasson?” she murmured, gripping the hem of her robe. “What are you—”“Put your clothes on,” I interrupted her, entering without waiting for an invitation. "We need to talk."Her face became stern, yet she refrained from disagreeing. She walked through the room slowly and intentionally, as if challenging me to become impatient. I did not. Not as of now.Once she settled on the bed, arms folded and chin rais
SINI can't remember a day in my life when silence felt as weighty as it did that morning. Not even on the day I laid dad to rest. Not even when I collapsed at my father's tomb.Majesty was perched on the couch, her small face looking pale, her curls in disarray, her hands shaking as she clutched the stuffed lion that Malik had given her two birthdays prior. Keith was upstairs with his arm in a sling, rejecting pain medications because, as he said, “I’ve been shot before.” I asked him to be quiet and he smiled regardless.And what about Nyra? She stood before me, her jaw clenched, arms folded as though the universe had offended her directly.“Do you have any thoughts on what might have occurred?” My voice sounded overly calm. That's when I realized I had moved beyond anger. My calmness was deadly.“I had no intention of hurting her—” Nyra began, but I interrupted her with a glare so piercing she halted mid-sentence."You handed my daughter a gun that was loaded." My voice broke at la
MALIKI never imagined I'd refer to another person as mother.Yet, following four years beneath Sin's care, after all she did for us — after providing me a life beyond mere survival — it unintentionally escaped one day.“Sleep well, Mom.”That night, she smiled gently, both soft and sorrowful. "You don't need to address me that way, Malik.""I wish to," I had said. And I truly meant it.But tonight… that term carried weight. Tainted.Keith remained in the hospital, Majesty had not said a word since the shooting, and Sin had been awake for two days. Each part of the house was quiet, uneasy — the sort of quiet that sent chills down your spine.What about Nyla?She was walking back and forth in her room like a trapped wolf.I lingered by the door for a while before I eventually entered. “We should discuss this.”She halted abruptly, pivoting quickly. Her eyes were bloodshot, frantic, her hair tangled. “Oh, what’s happening?” Did you come to be with the others? "Accuse me as well?"“Accus







