LOGINTwo days passed with no meaningful change in Junior's condition.His fever kept rising and falling, never truly stabilizing despite the medication and care given exactly as Dr. Foster had instructed. His small body grew even thinner, his cheeks hollow, his eyes often half-closed in a state hovering between consciousness and unconsciousness.Every so often Junior would wake, his eyes blinking weakly up at the ceiling."Mama..." he whispered hoarsely, his voice nearly gone. "Where's Mama?"Clarissa, sitting at his side, rushed closer, taking his hand. "Mama's here, sweetheart."But Junior only glanced at her briefly, a faint confusion flickering in his eyes before they closed again, sinking back into a sleep that was never truly peaceful.That wasn't the answer he was searching for. And everyone in the room knew it all too well.---In his office, Daniel sat behind a desk buried in reports that brought no good news.Marcus stood before him, tablet in hand, his expression tense as he del
Meanwhile, at the mansion, Junior had been running a high fever since the early hours of the morning.At first it was just a slightly warm body temperature when the housekeeper woke him for breakfast. Clarissa assumed it was an ordinary flu, gave him whatever fever reducer was on hand, then sent him back to bed.But by midday, Junior's condition had worsened dramatically.His temperature kept climbing despite repeated cold compresses. He refused to eat, and even water was difficult for him to swallow. His small body was limp, his eyes half-shut, his breathing rapid and irregular.The family doctor was called at once.Junior's room became a flurry of activity. Nurses moved in and out carrying medical equipment, the doctor examined him with a grave expression, while Clarissa sat on the edge of the bed, holding her son's hand with an expression of worry convincing enough for anyone watching.But behind that face, something far darker lurked.Because every time Junior drifted into deliriu
Several days had passed since Alina arrived at this house, and slowly she began to find a new rhythm. Mornings gardening with Nora. Afternoons learning to cook simple recipes passed down through generations. Evenings walking the hills, always with Renee keeping watch a few steps behind, her eyes sweeping the surroundings without ever truly relaxing.Alina's body was beginning to change. The hollows in her cheeks were gradually filling out. Her pallid skin was slowly reclaiming its color. Even her laughter—small, rare, but real—began to surface now and then, surprising herself each time it happened.But beneath that stillness, there was one empty space that never quite filled.That evening, after dinner, Alina sat at the small table near her bedroom window, a blank sheet of paper before her.She wrote.'Dear Junior,''Mama hopes you're doing well. Mama hopes you're eating regularly, sleeping enough, and not watching too many cartoons until you forget the time.''Mama is here, in a fara
Marcus stood at attention before Daniel, waiting for further instructions.But before Daniel could issue any orders, the phone on his desk buzzed again.Vincent's name appeared on the screen.Daniel snatched it up immediately. "Vincent. I just received information about a call made from New Zealand to Richard Hayes's home. Do you know anything about it?"A brief silence on the other end."I was just about to tell you," Vincent replied, his tone slightly different from usual—more careful. "My team's contacts have traced the number.""And?""The number is registered to a prepaid SIM purchased with cash at a convenience store in Auckland three days ago," said Vincent. "But after digging further, the same number was also used to contact at least seven other numbers within the last two hours—random numbers, most of them inactive or belonging to small businesses with no connection to each other whatsoever."Daniel frowned. "What does that mean?""It means," Vincent replied, sounding increas
The command room on the upper floor of Blackwood Enterprises filled with tension again the moment Daniel's phone rang."Vincent," he answered quickly, almost before the second ring."There's a development," said the voice on the other end, brief as always. "One of my contacts at the port in New Zealand reported a woman disembarking from the Russo ship two days ago. Heavily escorted. Her face wasn't clearly visible—covered by a hat and scarf."Daniel's heart pounded."Are you sure it's my wife?""No confirmation yet," Vincent answered. "The physical description matches. Height. Build. Even the way she walked—careful, like someone protecting a pregnancy. But I can't be a hundred percent certain without a clear photo."Daniel stood up from his chair, his hands clenched tight.After days without results, after hitting dead end after dead end, finally something felt real."I'll go myself," Daniel said firmly."I'd suggest waiting," Vincent tried to hold him back. "If you move now and it tu
The car carrying Alina stopped in front of a small wooden house surrounded by tall trees. The mountain air felt far colder than she'd imagined, but strangely, it was calming.A married couple was already waiting at the door. The man was of medium build, his hair starting to gray at the temples, while his wife smiled warmly, wearing a knitted scarf. Both looked like people who had long lived far from the bustle of the city—calm and unpretentious."Miss Alina?" the man greeted, his voice warm. "I'm Thomas. This is my wife, Nora. Adrian contacted us a few days ago."Alina got out of the car with Renee's help, then bowed slightly in greeting."Thank you for being willing to take me in," she said sincerely.Nora stepped forward immediately, gently holding both of Alina's hands. "No need to thank us, dear. Come in. We've prepared everything for you."They guided Alina inside, past a small yard filled with wildflowers. The house wasn't big, but every corner felt cared for with attention."We
CHAPTER 52Morning came too quickly.Or perhaps not quickly enough. Alina wasn't sure anymore. Time had felt strange since she'd been confined to her room—too slow and too fast simultaneously, like a broken clock.At exactly eight o'clock, the sound of a large engine woke her from restless sleep.A
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
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







