LOGINAlina 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
That afternoon, Ms. Fontaine had just left Alina's hospital room when her phone rang."Ms. Fontaine speaking.""This is Dr. Whitmore."The hospital director's voice sounded tense."I need to meet with you. Now."Ten minutes later, they sat facing each other in the director's office.No small talk.Dr. Whitmore immediately handed over a document.Ms. Fontaine read it.The longer she read, the colder her expression became.Medical Recommendation for Home Care.On grounds of the mother's and baby's health.On grounds of emotional stability.On grounds of a more comfortable environment.Alina was recommended for home-based care.Ms. Fontaine closed the document slowly."Daniel Blackwood."It wasn't a question.Dr. Whitmore let out a long breath."This afternoon. He came himself."The room fell silent."Are you going to sign it?"The question came directly.The hospital director looked exhausted, dark circles under his eyes like a man who hadn't slept properly in days."I'm being pressured
Alina stared at the tray before her with empty eyes.The chicken soup was still steaming. White rice neatly arranged. Warm tea in a fine porcelain cup.But she wasn't hungry.Not after the conversation with Emma. Not after hearing the words "divorce" and "custody battle" spoken aloud for the first
At the opposite end of the corridor, in the master bedroom that had just become hers, Clarissa Sterling stood before the large mirror with a practiced confident smile.Maroon lingerie—delicate lace that barely covered anything, with strategically placed details—hugged her body perfectly. She turned
Alina struggled—hands pushing Daniel's chest desperately, head trying to turn away from the lips pressing firmly against hers.But Daniel's hand behind her head was too strong. His position too calculated.She couldn't break free.Water from Daniel's mouth flowed—carrying the bitter medicine forcib
At ten past five in the evening, Alina's bedroom door opened slowly.Mrs. Helen entered with a dinner tray—chicken soup, white rice, and warm tea. But what made Alina's heart beat faster wasn't the food.Under the napkin covering the tray, there was something rectangular in shape. Small. Hidden.Mr







