LOGINRichard's car surged out of the hospital basement, breaking into the blinding midday sunlight.Alina rested her head against the window, still catching her breath, her hands gripping the edge of the seat. Her heart was pounding so hard she could hear it in her own ears. They had made it out. But she knew this was only the beginning."Where are we going, Papa?" she asked, her voice unsteady.Richard gripped the steering wheel, his eyes darting quickly to the mirrors. "Papa isn't sure yet. The important thing is we put distance between us and there. Daniel must know by now. And he'll be deploying everyone he has."As if in answer to that fear, Richard's phone buzzed again. Emma's name appeared on the screen. He answered quickly, switching to speakerphone."Emma? Where are you?""I'm out of the hospital," Emma replied, her breathing still uneven. "I'm in a taxi now. What about you two? Are you safe?""We're on the road," said Richard. "But we need somewhere to go. Somewhere Daniel won't
Alina knew they had no time.Daniel was surely already on his way. Every second they wasted was a second bringing that man closer. And once Daniel arrived, every opportunity would be sealed shut."We have to move now," said Alina, her voice quiet but firm. "There's no time to put together a perfect plan. If we wait for Adrian or Ms. Fontaine, Daniel will get here first."Richard looked at his daughter, then nodded. "You're right. But what do we do?"Alina was already sitting upright, her hands moving to the IV line attached to the back of her hand. Fortunately, her condition had improved considerably over the past few days — her body was no longer as weak as when she'd first arrived. She drew a breath, then with a swift motion pulled the IV line out herself, wincing slightly as the needle came free."Alina—" Emma almost protested."I'm fine," Alina cut her off, pressing a cotton swab to the injection site. "Emma, I need you to create a distraction. The nurses at the station, whoever's
Room 412 felt tense.Alina sensed it even before anyone said anything. There was a tension hanging in the air, carried in the faces of the nurses coming and going with steps quicker than usual, in the way they avoided meeting her eyes for too long.Something was happening.Then the door opened, and two people entered together — Emma and Richard. Both their faces were pale, Emma's eyes red as if she'd been holding back tears all morning. Richard walked behind her with heavy steps, his expression broken by something he hadn't yet managed to say."Papa?" Alina sat up in bed, anxiety immediately creeping into her chest. "Emma? What's wrong? Why do you both look like that?"Richard approached first, sitting at the edge of the bed and gripping his daughter's thin hand. For a moment he didn't speak, only drew a breath, gathering his courage."Alina," he finally said, his voice trembling. "Papa has to tell you something. And Papa is sorry there's no easier way to say it."Alina's heart began
Midnight, and the lights on the top floor of Blackwood Enterprises were still on.Daniel sat behind his desk, staring at his computer screen with a flat expression. Most of the building was already empty, only a few security staff remaining on watch downstairs. But Daniel had no intention of going home yet. There were too many things he needed to make sure went perfectly.The door to his office opened. Marcus walked in quickly, his expression tense."Sir, there's a development you need to know about," he said in a low voice. "The detective investigating Steven Walsh's death—his name is Reyes. He's starting to find things."Daniel lifted his gaze from the screen. "Evidence?""Yes." Marcus hesitated for a moment. "According to our man at the police department. He found a transaction history from Mrs. Sterling."Daniel leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping slowly on the armrest."Clarissa," he repeated quietly."It seems the money transfers she sent to Walsh weren't disguised wel
Adrian stared at his phone screen, reading that message for the umpteenth time.'That transfer originated from an account registered under the name Clarissa Sterling.'Clarissa Sterling. Not Daniel.Adrian leaned back in his car seat, his mind working quickly, rearranging every piece he had gathered so far.All this time he had been certain Daniel was behind everything. The spread photos of Alina, the news destroying her reputation, then the death of the journalist who wrote it. Everything felt like one complete chain originating from one hand.But it turned out it wasn't that simple.Clarissa was the one who paid Steven Walsh to spread Alina's photos. That explained a lot—personal hatred, a desire to destroy Alina in the public eye, a method of attack more emotional than calculated.But Steven's death? That wasn't Clarissa's work.Adrian rubbed his chin, thinking it through carefully.Killing someone and making it look like suicide required resources. Connections to people who knew h
On the other side, Adrian met his father in person. He stood in front of his father's study door, hesitating for a moment before knocking.It had been a long time since Adrian had last set foot in his father's office. He knocked. Then entered.William Montgomery sat behind a large desk. The man looked older than Adrian remembered—hair turning whiter, deep lines of exhaustion on his face, shoulders no longer as upright as before."You came," William said in a tone hard to read."Yes," Adrian answered briefly while closing the door behind him.Both looked at each other in an awkward silence—two men who shared blood but shared almost nothing else. Their relationship had always been like this. Cold. Distant. More like two business associates who weren't close than father and son.Adrian stepped closer and sat in the chair across the desk, without waiting to be invited."I've checked everything," Adrian said, getting straight to the point as had always been his family's habit. "Everything
Mr. Harris hesitated briefly, then nodded and stepped away, clearing the path for Clarissa.Clarissa knocked on the door—twice, sharp—then entered without waiting for an answer.Alina stood at the window—still in the same position since the photoshoot began.Mrs. Helen sat on a chair in the corner
Day five since Alina was allowed to see Junior.Five days with the same routine. Measured. Controlled.In the morning—Alina went to Junior’s room when he woke up. Helped him get ready. Straightened his uniform. Walked him to the dining table where Clarissa already waited with a smile that was far t
Alina and Junior sat in each other's embrace for a few moments—silent, just feeling each other's presence.Then Junior pulled back slightly. Looking at Alina with an expression too serious for a six-year-old."Mama," he said softly. "Junior promises to be a good child."Alina frowned, stroking Juni
At five in the morning, a soft knock on the door woke Alina from sleep that had never really come.She'd been awake since three. Lying in bed with eyes open, staring at the ceiling, waiting for morning to arrive.Waiting for the chance to see Junior."Mrs. Blackwood?" Mrs. Helen's voice from outsid







