~VALENTINO’S POV~ The house was quiet and still. The kind of stillness that wraps around you like a blanket when you’re waiting for someone you love. I stood by the bedroom window, my shirt unbuttoned, sleeves rolled to my elbows, a glass of bourbon untouched in my hand. The city stretched out beneath the window, lights blinking like stars fallen too low. But all I could think about… was her. Alina. My woman, my wife. I exhaled softly and glanced at the time again. She left the office hours ago. Where is she? I turned from the window and sat on the edge of the bed, placing the glass on the nightstand. Maybe she stopped somewhere, maybe Ethan was being a bastard again, maybe she got caught up with something on her way home. She always cared too deeply for people. I ran a hand through my hair and smiled a little, remembering the way she curled into me at night, always chasing my warmth like it was the only thing in the world that made her feel safe. God,
~Alina’s POV~“What?” I blinked, lifting my head slowly to meet the stranger’s face. My brows furrowed. “You’re saying you’re this boy? The lurking around in the photo?”I stared down at the photo still glowing on my phone screen. Valentino, Dante and that third boy in the background—the one I hadn’t been able to stop wondering about since Giulia handed me the picture.But now… that boy was standing right in front of me.The man gave a lazy shrug and tilted his head, his dark brown eyes sharp despite the calm expression on his face. He looked older now, of course—late twenties or maybe early thirties—but the face in the picture… it wasn’t too far off.Sharp cheekbones, long lashes, a strong, angular jawline.“You can’t be serious,” Giulia muttered beside me, her voice laced with suspicion.“Look closely,” he said with a faint smile. “See the mole on my left cheek? Look at the boy in the picture.”I leaned in, holding the phone up against his face. My eyes scanned every detail. Sur
~ALINA’S POV~The engine hummed low as the car coasted through the winding alleys of Queens Road. It was a narrow road tucked at the edge of Toronto’s heart—cracked, cluttered, and always buzzing with life. On either side of the street, makeshift tents, broken crates, and bundles of faded blankets spilled onto the sidewalk like discarded memories.The sun had begun its slow descent, dyeing the sky a bruised orange as it filtered through grimy building windows.I was behind the wheel, one hand gripping the steering while the other hovered over a small stack of papers lying on the dashboard. My eyes flicked down to them again—thin, sharp-edged, like they still carried the weight of betrayal.The documents Ethan had returned.I bit my lower lip, exhaling.“I can’t believe Valentino did all this,” I murmured, my voice soft with disbelief. “He didn’t even ask questions. Just made Ethan give everything back to me.”Beside me, Giulia popped open a can of lemon soda, letting out a dramatic
~VALENTINO’S POV~ The garden went silent. Ethan flinched. “What did you just say?” Jade’s whole body tensed, her face turned white in shock. I flicked ash from my cigarette and looked directly at Ethan. “Why don’t you ask your beautiful wife who the real father is?” “What the hell are you talking about?” Ethan snapped. “Don’t you dare.” “Ask her,” I interrupted coldly. “Let’s not make a scene. Unless you want one.” People were whispering now. A few guests were already pulling out their phones. Jade’s lips trembled. She looked like she wanted to sink into the earth. “Go on,” I snapped, eyes still on the boy. “You evil bastard…” Ethan growled. “How dare you do this on my son’s birthday? You want revenge for that bitch? Fine. Come at me. But don’t drag my family into this.” I puffed another stream of smoke, watching it curl around us like a storm. “That was your last chance.” My eyes flicked across the garden, and I spotted him. A man in a gray tank top,
~VALENTINO’S POV~ [ One Hour Ago] The low hum of the engine was the only sound in the car as it steered through the mid-evening streets of Toronto. I sat in the back, one arm resting across the seat, the other curled near the window, the city’s fading light brushing across my knuckles. All I could think about was her. My head tilted back slightly, eyes fixed on the dusky skyline through the window. All I could think about was her. Her laugh. Her scent. The way she curled up next to me like I was her favorite place in the world. I missed her. It had only been hours, but my body was restless to see her again. God, what had this woman done to me? I reached into my jacket pocket and retrieved a cigarette, lighting it slowly, letting the smoke curl out of the window. “Boss,” Rocco’s voice piped up from beside me, flipping open his briefcase in the back seat. “I almost forgot. That file you asked for a month ago. About Ali’s Holdings?” I glanced at him wit
~Alina’s POV~ The warm scent of cinnamon tea lingered in the air, curling lazily through the spacious office like a soft blanket. The floor-to-ceiling windows were half-draped in linen blinds, letting the evening sunlight bleed softly into the room, painting the desk in gold. Giulia sat across from me in the velvet guest chair, legs crossed, one hand cradling a sleek glass of citrus iced tea while the other tapped absently against her thigh. I curled my fingers around my own cup, the porcelain warm against my skin as I took a slow sip and leaned back in my leather chair with a tired groan. “I swear,” I said, placing the cup down gently on its coaster. “If one more client calls to ‘confirm the final draft’ that I already approved three days ago, I might throw myself out that window.” Giulia snorted, hiding her smile behind her glass. “Busy day?” “You think?” I raised a brow, sweeping my hair into a lazy bun with one hand. “I’m juggling Tino Autos and Ali’s Holdin