Mag-log inThey got to the room, and Vienna released his hand. She wanted to ask him how she got to the bed earlier but decided against it, and besides, Alan wouldn't do such a thing, so it must have been Kellie.
Vienna concluded. "So, would you like to go first or should I?" Vienna asked, maintaining her calm. "What?" Alan asked. "I mean taking a shower," she answered. "You go first," he replied. Vienna walked to the bed and picked up the nightgown placed on the bed for her and entered the bathroom. She came out in twenty minutes, tightened the gown and sat down in front of the mirror to blow-dry her hair. When she finished, she wanted to climb into bed to sleep but wondered how Alan would be able to take care of himself in the bathroom alone. She sat down and listened. After fifteen minutes, he came out dressed and went straight to the bed to sleep, and the realization dawned on Vienna about where she would sleep. She stood up and went to the closet, hoping to find some duvet to use but there was nothing in there. Not even a piece of cloth. "Aren't you going to sleep?" She heard Alan's voice call out and wondered why he was so unbothered about them sharing a bed. But knowing she couldn't sleep on the bare floor either, she slowly crawled onto the far end of the bed and lay down. Her heart beat noisily as she shut her eyes and hoped the night would end as soon as possible when she heard Alan's soft breathing. "So, he sleeps early," she thought, and slowly turned to face him. Vienna adjusted her body on the bed, moving closer and sighed, then closed her eyes again. Vienna opened them a few minutes later after falling asleep and saw Alan's back turned to her, sleeping so close. She placed a hand over her nose to cover her breath and made to move backwards when she noticed Alan suddenly turn to her, his face right near hers. Vienna was startled. She stayed calm for a few seconds and when she saw that he was not waking up, she relaxed but kept staring at him. The corner of her lips lifted up, forming a smile and Vienna immediately slapped herself awake. "Vienna, he is someone who ruined your family," she said to remind herself. Alan moved a bit and rested his hand on her waist, holding her, and Vienna furrowed, about to push him away but felt the warmth of his hand on her body. Her body shuddered and she exhaled slowly, holding her breath after and called out his name. But that only made him cuddle her more in his arm and she felt his breath fall on her neck. Vienna gripped her shoulders, moving her legs slowly to show her unease but didn't push him away and simply pulled back a little, staring at him. She touched his forehead, poked his nose with her finger, then scanned his face down to his neck while biting her lips painfully. Vienna wanted to move her hand away but felt more curious and caressed his face, curious about his Adam's apple as it moved gently. Her eyes fell on his loose buttons, revealing his chiseled chest, and she felt tempted to touch but didn't. Vienna swallowed hard, unable to believe herself for having such unclean thoughts and closed her eyes briefly, mortified. Alan opened his eyes all of a sudden, and Vienna froze, taken aback. Alan's eyes stared at her for a second then he closed his eyes again and turned his back to her. Vienna panicked, and wanted to explain, but it seemed he already fell asleep again and she quickly rolled away on the bed and accidentally rolled off it, hitting the floor. "Ah!" Vienna mouthed, knowing she deserved the pain and sat up from the floor, checking to see if she disturbed him again but he remained still on the bed and she heaved. She wondered if it's because she had never been with any man that made her feel attracted to just anyone, even to someone she hated so much, and slowly stood to her feet. That's it, that's the only possible explanation. Vienna told herself as she quietly made her way to the bathroom and closed the door after her, deciding to freeze in the bathroom rather than go back inside. Alan opened his eyes as soon as he heard the door close and turned slightly on the bed, confirming Vienna wasn't there. Then he heard the sound of water in the bathroom. He adjusted the pillow and closed his eyes to get some sleep. Not able to take his drug to sleep today, he closed his eyes to think and ponder about other things to distract himself when he heard a movement and felt her body lying close to him. Alan shook his head, surprised it only took a few minutes for her to start rolling all over the bed and turned his back to her, but her steady breathing made him turn around though he kept his eyes closed. He could hear the silent whimper from her and felt amused, so when he felt her hand push him, he wrapped his hand around her and waited for her reaction. Alan wasn't sure where his hand fell, but didn't want to open his eyes so he moved his hand a bit and realized it was her back. He waited for her reaction after this but none that he expected came and then he felt a tingling sensation as her hand moved over his face. He tried to ignore it, not sure if she was doing that subconsciously or not, but when he felt her hand touch his neck, he could no longer keep calm and gripped his hand tightly, forcing himself to open his eyes a second later but he couldn't see her. Alan heard her gasp and closed his eyes again, sure that she was awake, and turned away from her. He tried not to move despite being tempted to and kept his eyes shut until morning. The sound of the knock on the door woke them up in the room and Vienna jumped on her feet from the chair to the bed quickly. "Come in," she said, and the butler walked in and greeted them before inviting them for breakfast. "Thank you," she replied to him. "Here are your clothes," he added and dropped the clothes for them on the chair. Vienna heaved as he left, and climbed out of the bed again, then saw Alan also waking up and moved aside.Bonus Chapter. Alan drives Vienna to the clinic for her regular check-up, one hand on the wheel, the other reaching back to hold little Alex's hand. But Alex pulls away with a slight frown."Dad, I'm a man now. You don't have to hold my hand in public," he says with an air of seriousness far beyond his five years.Alan chuckles. "Really? Since when?""Since forever," Alex replies confidently. "People will think I'm still a baby if you keep doing that."With an amused smirk, Alan lifts his hand in a full, dramatic salute. "Yes, sir. Noted, young man."They walk into the clinic, and after a few quiet steps, Alex glances up at his father again. "Dad, do you think Mom's going to have a boy or a girl?""I want a little brother," Alex declares without waiting for an answer. "That way, we can do cool stuff together-and he won't be into dressing up like those silly girls at school."Alan raises a brow, murmuring just loud enough, "I don't want that."Alex hears it. "Don't want what?"
Two of Alan's bodyguards entered the room and firmly took Benita from Sam's grasp, escorting her out without mercy. "I know she's done terrible things," Sam said with a hint of sympathy, " But please... don't hurt her." "That depends on my mood," Alan replied coldly, then turned and led Vienna out of the house. Sam followed behind them."I didn't know you told Alan about this," Sam asked Vienna, his voice a mix of surprise and concern. "I'm sorry," she said gently, "but it was for the best." Alan's patience was thinning, his expression growing more serious."Mr. Alan, I'm really sorry about everything," Sam said, stepping forward and stretching out a hand. Alan didn't take it. Instead, he brushed past him with indifference. Sam chuckled softly, not offended by the snub. He turned to Vienna. "I just hope we can still be friends," he said sincerely, holding out his hand again.Alan instinctively stepped forward, but Vienna subtly stopped him with a light touch on his arm. "I don't
Nisan takes a taxi to Vanessa's apartment. As he leans back in the seat, a quiet sense of relief washes over him-he's finally said what he needed to say. For the first time in a long while, he feels light, almost happy.He once longed to reunite with his father, tired of being labeled "fatherless," but after two years of living that life, he realizes he prefers to be somewhere he's loved for who he truly is-not for what he represents.The taxi pulls up in front of Vanessa's building. Nisan pays with the last of his cash, steps out, and knocks gently on the door. He waits. About a minute later, Carolina opens it.She says nothing when she sees him, only gives a nod and steps aside to let him in. Silently, she leads him down the hallway to Vanessa's room. She's already asleep.Carolina leaves him there and quietly walks away.Nisan steps closer and sits on the edge of the bed. He gazes at Vanessa with quiet remorse. He shouldn't have left her-not when she needed him most. Gently, he tak
Vanessa suddenly stopped insulting him and abruptly ended the call. Nisan, caught off guard, quickly dialed her number again. But this time, someone else answered."Hello?" a voice said. It was her roommate."Can you please give the phone to her?" Nisan pleaded, his voice shaky.Carolina hesitated but eventually handed the phone over, clearly reluctant."Vanessa-" he started, but she cut him off."Nisan, can you... can you not go through with the engagement?" she asked softly, her voice trembling. "Can't you break it off for me?"He didn't answer. He could hear her sobbing quietly on the other end."Remember when you told me you'd grant me a wish before leaving?" she asked. "Can I use it now? If it's about money-I will work harder to support you-" Carolina snatched the phone from Vanessa before she could say anymore nonsense and ended the call.Nisan stood frozen, the silence on the line echoing louder than any words. He slowly lowered the phone from his ear, still stunned, just as
"Are you staying over?" Victoria asks, popping another fruit into her mouth."I'm not sure I should," Vienna replies, taking a bite from the plate herself.Within moments, Miner walks into the house. Both women stand up to greet him. Victoria walks up to him with a cheerful smile, wrapping him in a warm hug before taking his bag."What's the reason behind all this excitement?" Miner asks, raising a brow at his wife's unusually cheerful demeanor."Aren't you just glad I'm happy?" Victoria teases with a playful tone."I am... just pleasantly surprised," he replies, clearly curious."Vienna's here too," Victoria adds, glancing at Vienna with a subtle nod.Miner nods knowingly and takes off his suit and shoes before settling on the couch. Victoria quietly takes them to the bedroom."I'll leave you two to talk," she says with a smile, disappearing down the hallway.Miner turns to Vienna. "So, what's this about? You sounded urgent.""Dad," Vienna begins hesitantly, her tone serious, "I need
Sam stares at Vienna in utter disbelief, his mind struggling to process everything she's just revealed. Her words paint a picture entirely different from what Benita had told him.According to Benita, Vienna had manipulated Karen-driving him to madness-while stringing Sam along with lies. She claimed Vienna abandoned Karen coldly for Alan's wealth and even aborted Karen's child to erase any trace of their relationship. Benita insisted Alan framed Karen, leading to his arrest and eventual death. Through it all, Benita positioned herself as the loyal friend Sam never noticed, the one who suffered in silence and was wrongfully imprisoned because of Vienna.But now, hearing Vienna's version, Sam's certainty crumbles.Vienna, calm but resolute, watches the confusion twist across his face. She reaches into her bag and pulls out a folder thick with documents-proof of Karen and Benita's alliance, their plot to seize control of the company, and details about Alan's eye injury."Take this,"







