MasukAMELIA STONE MANSION ~ NEW YORK CITY The black SUV turned through the tall iron gates of Amelia Stoneâs mansion and rolled down the familiar driveway. Amelia sat in the back seat, staring out at the beautiful gardens, the marble fountain, and the grand entrance she hadnât seen in six months. Ariana glanced at her and smiled. âWeâre home, Amelia.âAmelia nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. âSix months in prison. Do you know how many times I dreamed about this place? I even started missing the ridiculous fountain. I used to complain about the sound of the water, but now I would gladly listen to it all day.ââYou can complain about it again tomorrow,â Ariana teased. âToday, just enjoy being home.âBefore Amelia could reply, the SUV stopped in front of the mansion. The driver hurried out to open her door, while Ariana stepped out on the other side. Amelia climbed out slowly, then looked toward the entrance and stopped in surprise. A large white banner stretched across the front o
âI would throw you out in a fucking heartbeat without thinking twice!â Daniel snapped. âDo you want to know the only reason Iâm even entertaining this nonsense? Because youâre the mother of my children! And because Catalina and Camilla deserve to know their mother is receiving treatment instead of finding out one day that she died without anyone trying to help her.âKatherinaâs lips parted, but Daniel continued before she could respond.âIâm doing this for the children, not because I suddenly give a damn about you. So, since you keep throwing that cancer diagnosis in our faces, answer me something. What kind of cancer do you have again? And what stage is it?âKatherina blinked rapidly. âI-I already told you that I haveâââYou told us you have cancer,â Daniel interrupted. âThatâs not an answer. What type? What stage? What treatment has your doctor recommended? You want thirty million naira, a private bedroom, a driver, and a nanny, but you canât even give us a straight answer about the
Alexander turned away, coughing suspiciously into his fist.Katherina shot to her feet. âExcuse me? Who the hell said I was going to seduce you?ââIâm establishing boundaries,â Daniel replied calmly. âIâd rather not wake up at two in the morning to find you wearing sexy lingerie, standing beside my bed, and reminding me that we have children together.âCatalina lost the battle and burst into laughter. âDaniel, you have clearly thought about this in great detail!ââIâm being prepared.ââPrepared?â Katherina shrieked. âYou arrogant, self-important bastard! Iâd rather seduce a lamppost!ââGood,â Daniel said. âA lamppost wonât misunderstand our relationship.âCatalina doubled over laughing while Alexander shook his head, no longer bothering to hide his smile. Katherina looked around the room, furious that nobody was taking her outrage seriously. âYou people are unbelievable!âDaniel ignored the complaints and pushed the agreement toward her. âThose are my terms. Do you agree to them?âKat
ALEXANDER BLACKWOOD FAMILY MANSION ~ Catalina covered her mouth, though the smile on her face made it clear she wasnât particularly sorry. âOh, Katherina, that was quite a performance,â she said. âYou disappeared for three years, came back with a medical report, and somehow turned a family meeting into a battlefield. And now Damien has walked out.âKatherina shot her an angry look. âWhat the hell is so funny?âCatalinaâs smile faded slightly as she met her glare. âNothing. I just think you should stop making everything worse for yourself. If youâre really sick, then deal with it properly instead of throwing things at people who refuse to believe you.ââThen stop making it everyoneâs business,â Catalina replied, folding her arms. âYou disappeared for three years, came back with a medical report, and suddenly expect everyone to hand over thirty million naira without asking questions. Do you honestly think weâre that foolish?âKatherinaâs face tightened. âCatalina, mind your business.â
She spread her arms, gesturing toward Sofia, who stood behind him wearing the ring on her finger. âYour pregnant wife is standing right in front of you, watching you kiss her best friend like you couldnât wait to get your hands on her, and youâre whining about a few clothes on the floor? What the hell is wrong with you? Have you completely lost whatever little decency you had left?ââMy pregnant wife?â Alejandro repeated, his voice dropping into a dangerously quiet tone. âYou seem to remember that title whenever it suits you.âGabriella went still, her anger momentarily giving way to disbelief. Then her face hardened. âDonât you dare use my pregnancy against me, you spineless bastard.â Her voice shook, but she didnât lower it. âYou want to humiliate me? Fine. You want to parade your mistress around my home? Go ahead. But donât stand there pretending youâre the victim because I refuse to smile while you make a fool of me.âAlejandroâs expression turned cold. âHave you finished running
ALEJANDRO FAVINO MANSION ~ NEW YORK CITYSofia rose onto her toes and pressed her lips against Alejandroâs. Gabriella froze. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe. Sofia slid her fingers into Alejandroâs hair while he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. He didnât hesitate or try to push her away. Instead, he kissed her back as though there was nothing wrong with what they were doing.They looked so comfortable together that Gabriella felt sick. This wasnât an awkward mistake or a kiss Sofia had stolen without his permission. Alejandro was holding her willingly, and Sofia was kissing him with the confidence of a woman who knew she had every right to be there.Gabriellaâs bags slipped from her hands and crashed onto the marble floor. Her purse fell open, sending her keys scattering across the tiles, while her phone slid beneath the coffee table.She barely noticed.Her hands flew to her pregnant belly as she stared at the two people she had trusted most. One was th
âTwo days ago. Daniel and I were talking about the party, and we realizedâwhy wait? We love each other. We have a son together. We want to be a family. So weâre doing it now.â Ariana twisted her hands together. âAre you mad?ââMad? Are you kidding?â Amelia rushed forward and hugged her best friend
DANIELâS PENTHOUSE â MORNINGDaniel paced the living room, holding a half-filled glass of Martell. His voice was sharp, bitter.âLucas, do you know what that woman did? That so-called mother of my kids?âLucas looked up from the couch, raising an eyebrow. âYou mean Katherina your baby mama? What ha
Alexander swallowed hard, trying to hold his ground. âThis isnât fairââVivianâs eyes glistened as she stepped closer, her voice low and shaky but filled with desire.âFair?â she whispered. âIâve been patient, Alex. Iâve stayed quiet while you buried yourself in guilt over her. Itâs been three day
MANHATTAN FAMILY COURT ~The courtroom was quiet, except for the soft hum of the air conditioner.Katherina sat at the long wooden table, her hands trembling as she stared at the papers in front of her. Jessica sat beside her, pretending to dab her tears with a tissue. Across the room, little Mira







