MasukLiora’s POV *The next day* I was already dressed for work when I reached for my bag, swinging it over my shoulder as I quickly fixed my hair. Today, I would finally find out who this Elian Rhodes was… and what exactly he wanted from me. Just then, Derek stepped out, already suited up. His gaze softened the moment it landed on me, and without a word, we headed out together. He guided me to the car, opening the door like always. I slid in, and he shut the door gently before moving to the other side. Moments later, the engine roared to life. The car came to a smooth stop in front of the hospital building. Derek stepped out first, then opened my door. I stepped out, and together, we walked inside. At the reception, Derek’s voice was firm. “We’re here to see Dr. Elian Rhodes.” The receptionist nodded politely, glancing at her screen before pointing down the hallway. “Third door on the left.” We thanked her and continued. When we finally reached the office, Derek pushed the door o
Author’s POV“And what, exactly, is that supposed to mean?” Dylan asked, his voice low and dangerous. “Do you even know who I am?”A dry chuckle slipped from James as his fist clenched at his side.Dylan lifted a hand, pointing at him. “For the last…”He didn't finish as James’s fist collided with his jaw in a brutal arc. The impact snapped Dylan’s head sideways, his hair shifting with the force as his body staggered a step back.Dylan slowly brought a hand to his jaw, rubbing it as his father’s voice echoed:Control your temper.“Don’t just stand there, separate them!” Elara shouted, her voice sharp despite her weakness.But no one moved, they simply watched.Elara struggled, pushing herself up from the bed, ignoring the sharp pain that tore through her body. Before she could rise fully, Stephanie gently laid Bianca on the bed and rushed forward.“James, it’s enough. Let him go,” Stephanie urged, stepping between them.“No,” James replied coldly. “This bastard needs to pay. And hones
Author’s POVDylan stood in the ward, his gaze fixed on Elara, who was still unconscious. Behind him, Anderson, James, and Stephanie observed him in tense silence. Stephanie gently held Bianca in her arms, fast asleep.“So he’s the one who did that to Elara and Lucien?” James muttered under his breath, leaning slightly toward Anderson.Anderson gave a slow, reluctant nod.At that moment, Elara stirred, her eyelids fluttered open as she slowly regained consciousness. But the instant her gaze landed on Dylan standing before her, her eyes widened in fear.“Please… I didn’t mean to tell,” she pleaded weakly from the bed, her voice trembling.Stephanie and the others immediately moved closer.“Elara, I’m here,” Stephanie said softly, sitting beside her.But Elara’s eyes never left Dylan.Dylan exhaled, stepping forward slightly.“I’ve been here… waiting on my feet for you to wake up,” he began quietly. “Everything I did to you and Lucien… it was wrong and unfair.”“No… it’s fine,” Elara cu
Liora’s POVI rose to my feet and made my way toward Mum’s office.When I stepped inside, her attention was fixed on the documents spread across her desk.“Lio, darling,” she called softly, sensing my presence before her eyes lifted to meet mine.I walked forward and took the seat opposite her, returning her smile.“I heard about your presentation,” she began warmly. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to…”“Why didn’t you tell me?” I cut in, my voice gentle but firm. “It was more than just being present.”I held her gaze.“If not for Derek… I don’t know how I would have handled it.”Her smile deepened.“That,” she said, “is exactly what I wanted to see.”A small frown creased my brows. “What do you mean?”She leaned forward slightly, folding her hands on the desk as her expression softened.“I wanted to tell you,” she admitted. “But before I could, you had already thrown yourself into it. And yesterday… you didn’t come to see me.”I stood and walked around the desk, reaching for her hand.“
Liora’s POV*The next day*“Good morning.”The voice reached me faintly, as though from a distance. Slowly, I opened my eyes… and turned.Derek was beside me on the bed, still in his pajamas.My gaze lowered; he was holding a tray.“I made breakfast,” he said, a quiet smile curving his lips.I blinked at him, caught off guard.Derek… cooking?My gaze lingered on him a second longer than it should have.Since when? Or… is this because of yesterday?Before I could say anything, my phone began to ring. I pushed myself up quickly and grabbed it; it was an unknown caller.“Who the hell…” I muttered under my breath before answering.“Hello ma’am, you haven’t arrived yet. Mrs. Evelyn is here and waiting.” Jade’s voice came through, urgent.My eyes widened.“Oh my goodness! I’ll be there shortly.”I ended the call without waiting for a reply and checked the time.“They’re right… I’m late.”I rushed toward the bathroom, Derek's voice barely registering behind me.After a quick shower, I steppe
Author’s POV“Before I got married,” Elliot began slowly, “there was someone else. A woman I loved… someone I would have done anything for.”He paused, his gaze distant.“But my father had already decided my future. The marriage with your mother was arranged; business, alliances, and legacy.” His jaw tightened slightly. “Your mother and I… we were promised to each other before we were even old enough to understand what that meant.”“Go away!” Dylan shouted, his voice cracking as he tried to shut it all out.Elliot let out a weary chuckle, shaking his head.“You really are nothing like her,” he said softly. “Not in patience or strength.”A faint, bittersweet smile touched his lips.“In our marriage… she saw through me almost immediately. She noticed how distant I was. How… absent.” His eyes dimmed. “And eventually, she found out why.”Dylan’s breathing slowed despite himself.“She discovered I was still in love with someone else. And then…” Elliot exhaled, wiping at the corner of his e
Just then, the door creaked open and Trisha stepped in.“Ma’am, Mrs. Sinclair requests your presence in her office,” she announced.I swallowed, turning briefly to Derek as I rose to my feet.“I suppose she has some work for me,” I said, forcing a light smile, hoping he would take the hint and leav
“How could you…” she thundered, standing in front of me, her hand raised to strike.Before it could land, I caught her wrist midair. I rose slowly to my feet, my grip tightening just enough to stop her.“Don’t you dare.” My voice came out low, but cold enough to freeze the moment.Her eyes widened,
Liora’s POV“What exactly do you mean?” I asked, but she ignored me and slid a brand-new, latest-model phone onto the table.“Your mother asked me to give this to you,” she said flatly.I reached for it, but her voice stopped me mid-motion.“Don’t even dare. From now on, the phone belongs to me,” s
“No…” I muttered under my breath, rising to my feet a little too quickly.My mind raced, searching for something… anything to cover what she had just overheard.“It’s… it’s a friend of mine,” I said quickly, forcing my voice to steady. “She meant she’ll take care of my goddaughter.”There was a bri







