MasukSienna had been immersed in her perfume business for months, losing track of time the way only obsession allowed. At first, she’d been certain Frederick was ready to invest, his interest had been obvious, his questions precise, but the truth was, she hadn’t finalized a single sample. Not one that satisfied her.Every time the notes came together, something still felt wrong. Too sharp, too dull, too ordinary. The failures gnawed at her, stirring an ache she didn’t like to acknowledge.She missed Cassie, missed her instincts, her quiet certainty with scents. But the pit Sienna had dug with her own choices was too wide, too deep, to simple climb out of now. Pride alone wouldn’t let her.And yet, the business was moving forward. Production plans were ready, packaging designs finalized, investors waiting. All of it without a fragrance as wild and grounding, as intoxicating and calm, as the one Franklin was wearing that day.She noticed
Corrine and Adrian exchanged a look heavy with years of unspoken understanding. In the end, both of them smiled, strained nervous smiles that didn’t quite reach their eyes.“Cassie’s parentage has to remain a secret,” Corrine said carefully, her voice calm but firm. “At least until the right time. She’s been gone for almost six months already, so… give it another year and a half. When the time is right, everything will unravel on its own.”Franklin was no fool. He caught the hesitation, the deliberate phrasing, the way they avoided saying too much. His brows drew together slightly.“So,” he said evenly, “were her parents some kind of big shots?”Adrian let out a quiet breath and forced a smile. “Frank, you really are sharp.” He inclined his head slightly, sincerity evident in his tone. “But please, just wait, and thank you truly for everything you’ve done for he
From the moment they arrived, Tristan’s attention never strayed from Rose.He stood a short distance away, posture relaxed yet alert, watching her with quiet fascination as she animatedly spoke with Franklin.The way she smiled, the tilt of her head, the softness in her expressions. Every small detail struck him like a familiar echo. It wasn’t just resemblance. It was uncanny.Rose looked so much like Cassie that it stirred something deep and unsettled in him, a strange blend of curiosity and nostalgia he hadn’t anticipated.Even Corrine and Adrian seemed momentarily distracted by Rose’s easy bond with Franklin. They paused more than once, exchanging subtle glances, silently admiring the natural warmth between the child and the man. When the question was raised, their attention sharpened all at once.Tristan himself had changed significantly since Cassie entered his life. Time and discipline had refined him. His albinism, on
Cassie smiled, but she didn’t answer him right away.Instead, she turned and disappeared briefly into the bedroom. When she returned, she was holding a neatly wrapped gift box tied with a simple ribbon.She placed it in Franklin’s hands with deliberate care, as if the weight of it carried more than just what was inside.“Give this to Mom,” she said softly. “Let her give it to Julius if Frederick is around. Otherwise, you can give it to him yourself.” She paused, then added with a faint smile, “I’ve already told him a few things about you.”Franklin’s mind drifted back instantly. He remembered the phone call, clear as day, when Cassie had casually mentioned that she had someone. At the time, his chest had tightened with an emotion he hadn’t wanted to name. He had been afraid it was Nathan.But now, standing there with the gift box in his hands, reality settled in fully. It had been him all along.A wave of remorse washed over him, sharp and humbling. He had allowed guilt to bloom in hi
Cassie hadn’t intentionally ignored Patience’s calls but rather, time had simply slipped through her fingers the way it always did when her days became crowded.Still, when her phone rang again, she didn’t let it die out this time. She reached for it immediately. “Pat, I’m so sorry I missed your calls.”Patience laughed softly on the other end, her tone warm, unbothered. “I figured you were busy. Honestly, I’m just happy you managed to pick up at all. Did you get the flowers?”Cassie turned in her chair, her gaze landing on the lush bouquet resting on her desk. Fresh petals, elegant wrapping, carefully chosen colors, thoughtful in every sense of the word.A smile tugged at her lips. “They’re beautiful, Pat. Thank you so much.”“That’s not even the best part,” Patience said, her excitement barely contained. She didn’t give Cassie the chance to ask before continuing. “I took your advice. I opened the joint account. I didn’t take a single cent without explaining why and guess what? He st
Before Cassie could even form a response, Franklin stepped in smoothly, his voice calm but firm. “Trust me, that would never happen.”Then he remembered a few things Jonathan had told him about the night he picked up Cassie’s friends at the club.Franklin tilted his head slightly, studying Evan with an amused glint in his eyes. “I think there are women very close to you who are madly in love with you,” he added lightly. “You should consider giving them a chance.”Evan’s expression barely shifted, but the corner of his mouth tightened.“Coming from you?” he replied coolly. “As if you ever gave any of the women obsessed with you a chance.”For once, Franklin had no immediate comeback. The silence lingered just long enough to be noticeable. Cassie let out a quiet breath of relief, grateful for the pause before things turned sharp. “I’m glad you two are getting along,” she said, forcing a lightness into her tone. “I should probably get going.”“Wait,” Evan said, stopping her. “Please answ







