LOGINSTEFFANO“Boss, we got him. His girlfriend’s with him too.”“Good,” I replied coldly. “I’m on my way.”I rubbed my aching head and pushed myself up from the couch before checking on the twins.They were both still fast asleep.I kissed each of them on the forehead before quietly turning to leave.Just as I reached the door, it opened, and Lucian walked in.“How’s Alexa?” I asked him.“Better,” he answered, stifling a yawn. “Good thing Aunt Alexis wasn’t there tonight, so I finally got to visit Lex without getting interrogated.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “Where are you going?”A slow smile spread across my face.“I’ve got a game to play.”He froze.“A game?” Lucian frowned. “What the hell are you planning now, Steffano?”I ignored the question and grabbed my jacket.“Take care of my kids for me.”“Wait.” His expression darkened. “Don’t tell me you’re finally going after Paredes.”“It’s time,” I said calmly. “I think he’s gotten a little too comfortable with the freedom I gave him.”“
“I’m sorry, sweetheart, that Mommy still hasn’t been able to come back there yet. But I promise, by tomorrow I’ll feel better enough to visit you. I miss you so much.”“Oh, don’t worry about me, Mommy,” Stephie said softly on the other end of the call. “I’m okay. I miss you too, but I want you to rest so you don’t get sick taking care of me.”I slowly sat down on the couch, my chest tightening at the sweetness in her voice.“Thank you, Stephie. I’ll see you tomorrow.”“Mommy… I love you.”I swallowed hard.Stephie wasn’t my biological child, yet somehow she made me experience the kind of love only a mother could understand.“I love you too, sweetheart. Always.”The moment the call ended, I bit my lip and opened Nathalia’s social media profile.The second I saw our pictures together, tears rolled down my cheeks again.I’d actually known Nathalia since college, though we were never close back then, even if we were in the same department.Years later, we met again during auditions for Te
I’m scared.Dr. William asked me to start recounting everything I remembered from that night—the night Steffano said I still had missing memories from.My mind was a mess.If Steffano wasn’t beside me right now, I honestly didn’t know what I would do.I feel like I’m losing my mind.The hallucinations… the recurring nightmares… they terrify me.But at the same time, I want to remember.I need to remember what really happened that night.I want to know who tried to kill me… and who framed me for their crime.“So you believe the version Rebecca remembers isn’t what actually happened that night?” Dr. William asked.“Yes,” Steffano answered quietly.The doctor nodded thoughtfully.“This may be a case of selective amnesia, Steffano.”“Selective amnesia?”“Yes. It’s a form of memory loss where a person blocks out specific events or details while the rest of their memories remain intact.” He folded his hands together calmly. “It’s usually connected to trauma or extreme emotional distress. So
FERDIE“What are you talking about?” I asked shakily. “What letters? What child?”Geraldine frowned at me.“You really don’t know?”“I don’t,” I admitted honestly. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she shook her head.“Then Carol probably intercepted every letter I sent you.” Her smile faded. “She was probably the one replying to me too… telling me to stay away from your family.” Her eyes darkened painfully. “I guess that was her revenge.”I swallowed hard.Suddenly, memories started flooding back—how much more distant Caroline became during Rebecca’s pregnancy. How our marriage slowly crumbled despite believing she had forgiven me for my mistake.But she never truly did.“Are you saying…” My voice cracked. “We had
STEFFANO“So where exactly are we going?” Rebecca asked, her attention still fixed on Savvy as she waved goodbye to him. Lucian and Boston would be taking him back to the hospital.The moment their car disappeared down the road, I reached for her hand.I glanced one last time at Glo’s grave and silently promised her that the next time I came back, I’d bring the justice she deserved.“We’re going to see someone who can help you.”This should’ve happened a long time ago.“Help me with what?” she asked, brows furrowed deeply as she looked at me.“You’ll understand when we get there,” I replied before guiding her toward the car.She sighed softly. “Can’t we do this another day? Whatever mysterious place you’ve been refusing to tell me about all afternoon?”“Why?” I touched her forehead immediately. “Are you tired? Are you feeling sick again?”She smiled faintly and took my hand away.“No. I’m just worried about you. Between the two of us, you’re the one who never rests.”I gently rested h
I woke up to sunlight hitting my face.The damp washcloth slipped from my forehead as I sat up. My eyes immediately searched the bed beside me for Steffano, knowing he’d stayed by my side the entire night, taking care of me.A smile spread across my lips when the mattress dipped and strong arms wrapped around me from behind.“Good morning,” Steffano murmured, pressing a hand to my forehead. “Good. Your fever’s gone now.”I hugged him back. “That’s because I had a really good nurse taking care of me.”He laughed softly. “Then I deserve a reward for being such a good nurse.”I looked up at him with a smile and burst out laughing when he puckered his lips dramatically, clearly pointing at them.“Later,” I teased. “I need to brush my teeth first.”I squealed when he suddenly pulled me down onto the bed.“You don’t have to,” he said between laughs, pinning me beneath him. “I don’t care what your breath smells like or tastes like.”“Steffano!” I smacked his arm in embarrassment. “You’re imp
“WHY aren’t you guys wearing your pajamas?” Stephie complained the moment we stepped inside the theater room.The three of us—Steffano, Savvy, and I—looked at each other.“I forgot,” I said quickly, pinching Stephie’s cheek. “I’ll go change very quickly, sweetheart.”Stephie placed her hands on her
“What’s going on? Why does someone look so grumpy this morning?” I said as soon as I entered Stephie's room.Her hair was a mess, and she kept avoiding the maid from brushing it.“Mommy! You’re here!” Stephie rushed toward me and snatched the brush from the maid’s hand. “Kitty said she could do a F
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice raspy as I blinked my eyes open to find Steffano sitting beside me.I swallowed hard as a smirk played on his lips. My skin prickled with goosebumps when he reached out, his hand trailing softly against my cheek.“Have I told you how beautiful you are, R
“You know, Mommy?” Stephie said while I was fixing her hair. “I met a lady at the hospital during one of my check-ups. She looked just like you. I even had an attack because I was so sad when she told me she wasn’t my mommy. But that wasn’t really you, right?”My hands paused for a second before I







