LOGINAri and Alexander walked into the mansion, laughter echoing through the grand halls as the doors shut behind them. “You needed to see their faces when you told them you were the owner of the restaurant,” Ari said, still amused. “I saw it,”Alexander replied with a satisfied smile. “And I’m glad they all got what they deserved.” “Including the manager,” Alexander added, and they both laughed. “I can’t forget how you stood up for me that night,” Alexander continued, his voice softening. “That was when I knew you were the one.” Ari’s expression warmed as they climbed the stairs together, heading straight to their room—their safe space after everything they had been through. Inside, Alexander pulled her gently into his arms and kissed her. Ari melted into him, kissing him back just as softly, their laughter fading into something deeper, something quieter. But the moment was interrupted by the sharp ring of a phone. Alexander groaned. “Seriously?” Ari laughed softly and picked it u
⸻ Ari gasped. “Delaney…” Alexander followed her gaze. His eyes landed on Delaney, standing among the guests, looking nervous and out of place in her simple dress. His expression hardened instantly. “What is she doing here?” he asked coldly. Ari swallowed slowly, her fingers tightening slightly around Alexander’s arm. “I… I don’t know,” she whispered. The music continued playing, but Ari’s mind was no longer on the dance. Memories of the past rushed back. The betrayal. The lies. The humiliation. “Excuse me, Alex. I need to settle something.” “Okay, Ari. Don’t go too far.” “I won’t.” Ari smiled, then left the stage. She grabbed Delaney’s hands and dragged her outside. Lisa and Cynthia followed behind them. “Ari, please,” Delaney said. “What are you doing here?” Ari demanded as they halted at the car park outside. “I’m sorry,” Delaney said weakly. “It’s been a while… I wanted to see my sister.” “Don’t you dare call me that.” Lisa and Cynthia st
⸻ Delaney stood frozen, her eyes glued to the television screen. The image of Alexander Draven, Ariella, and their triplets kept flashing across the screen. Her heart pounded violently in her chest. “That… that’s impossible,” she whispered to herself. The workers beside her were still giggling. “Look at them,” one of them said. “They look like a perfect family.” “It’s Ariella, she looks stunning”.another added.“Whoa it’s Ari”, the others gasped. Delaney’s fingers tightened around the cleaning cloth. Ari… The name echoed in her mind. Her chest suddenly felt heavy. She remembered the day Ari left the restaurant, the arguments, the jealousy, the arrogance she once carried when she was still with Evander , and how she stole Ari’s life with her lies.The staffs looked at Delaney, mocking her saying Ari is leaving a better life than her now.They kept on laughing her..Delaney felt her heart shattering from their words. Ari was now the wife of the most powerful billionaire
⸻ FEW MONTHS LATER In a restaurant, the TV was on while a lady was cleaning the table. A customer walked in. The lady stopped cleaning. She breathed deeply and stared at the customers for a while as they sat down. “Go attend to them, Delaney,” her manager urged. “Alright, sir.” Delaney bowed gently.Delaney walked up to them in slow pace.. “Good morning, madam. What do you care for?” Delaney asked. She wore a pair of black jeans, her red T-shirt neatly tucked in, a red face cap on her head, and a pair of black cover shoes. “Can’t you see I’m talking to my client?” the lady raised her head as she snapped at Delaney. “Delaney?” she called. “Oh, it’s you.” She turned to her client. “Don’t you know Delaney Marlowe? She was one of the biggest models in the city—very rude and arrogant. So you are working as a waitress now? How pathetic.” Delaney’s eyes welled with tears, but she hid it. The lady’s words hurt her. The lady said, “We will be leaving soon, so we don’t need anythin
The ambulance siren pierced through the night as it sped toward the hospital. Inside, the paramedics worked quickly around Ari. “Her contractions are getting stronger,” one of them said urgently. Ari gripped the edge of the stretcher, sweat forming on her forehead. “Alex…” she whispered weakly. Alex sat beside her, holding her hand tightly. “I’m here,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. “I’m right here.” Another contraction hit. Ari cried out in pain, her body trembling. “It’s not time, Alex. My babies still need to grow,” she said weakly. The paramedic quickly checked the monitor. “We’re losing time,” he said. “We need to get her to the operating room immediately. This is preterm labor.” Alex’s heart pounded in his chest. “Will she be okay ?” he asked anxiously. “She’s still fighting,” the paramedic replied. “But we have to move fast.” Minutes later, the ambulance screeched to a stop at the hospital entrance. Doctors and nurses rushed forward wi
The phone slipped slowly from Alex’s hand. The entire room had gone silent. Lisa stared at him, her heart racing. “Alex… what happened?” Alex didn’t answer immediately. His jaw was tight, his eyes burning with something darker than anger. “He has Ari,” he finally said. Lisa’s face went pale. “What?” “He wants ten billion dollars,” Alex said, his voice dangerously calm. “And he’s threatening to force her into premature labor if I don’t come alone.” Lisa covered her mouth in shock. “That monster…” Alex’s phone buzzed. A message. Evander. Alex opened it. An address appeared on the screen. An abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Twenty minutes. Lisa stepped closer. “You’re not actually going alone, right?” Alex grabbed his coat. “Yes.” “But Alex—” “This ends tonight.” He walked toward the door. Lisa followed quickly. “He’s dangerous! You can’t just walk in there!” Alex stopped. For a moment, he didn’t speak. Then he looked at her. “If anything happ







