LOGINARIANA FLORES APARTMENT ~ NEW YORK CITYThe tension in the room was suffocating. Ariana's chest heaved as she stood her ground, her hands trembling at her sides."Ariana," Marco said gently, reaching for her arm. "Calm down. Let's justโ""Don't tell me to calm down!" She yanked her arm away, her voice cracking with desperation. "They're trying to take my baby! My son! And you all think I'm some kind of monster?"Daniel laughed again, the sound cruel and dismissive. "See? This is what I've been dealing with. She's uncontrollable. She's violent. She'sโ""Shut up!" Ariana screamed. Her eyes were wild, tears streaming down her face, mascara staining her cheeks. "You're a liar! You cheated on me with three different women! You made one of them get rid of your baby because you didn't want the scandal! And now you think you can just take my son like he's some kind of prize? Over my dead body!"She lunged toward Daniel, her fingers reaching for Aiden, who was crying hysterically in his fat
Gabriella stood in the middle of the lobby, her phone clutched in her hands. Her face was pale. Her heart was pounding.Sofia grabbed her arm. "Gabriella, snap out of it! He's going to be here any minute. You need to pull yourself together."Gabriella's voice was barely a whisper. "I can't do this. I can't face him. He's going to know. He's going to see right through me."Sofia shook her firmly. "Listen to me. You are Gabriella Guerra. You have been lying to people your whole life. You are a master manipulator. You can do this."Gabriella took a shaky breath. "You're right. You're right. I can do this. I just need to think."Sofia nodded. "Okay. So what's the plan? What are you going to tell him?"Gabriella's mind raced. "I'll tell him I'm feeling sick. I'll tell him I don't feel well enough to go to the clinic today. That'll buy me some time."Sofia nodded. "Good. That's good. And then what?"Gabriella's eyes narrowed with determination. "And then I find a doctor who will fake the re
Ariana turned to Mrs. Houston, tears filling her eyes.โPlease, Mrs. Houston, you have to believe me. Iโm a good mother. I would never put my children in danger. I had no idea what my nanny was doing. If I had known about that party, I would have stopped it.โMrs. Houstonโs face remained serious. โI understand what youโre saying, Mrs.Flores , but the evidence against you is serious. Your nanny had a party with drugs and alcohol while your children were in the house. You were unreachable for hours, and right now, we have no proof that you didnโt know what was happening.โShe paused before adding, โMy job is to protect your children.โAriana shook her head, tears running down her cheeks.โBut I didnโt do anything wrong. You canโt take my children away because of something I didnโt even know about!โDaniel suddenly gave a cold laugh.โMaybe you should stop acting like youโre some perfect mother, Ariana. Everyone can see the truth about you now.โAriana froze.Slowly, she turned to him.
Ariana quickly pulled her hand away from Marco and marched up the porch.โThatโs none of your business!โ she snapped. โWhat the hell is going on? Why are there police officers at my house?โThe stern-looking woman stepped forward.She wore a neat blazer and held a folder tightly against her chest. Her face was serious.โMrs. Flores, Iโm Mrs. Houston from Child Protective Services.โArianaโs anger immediately turned into confusion.โChild Protective Services?โโYes.โโWhy are you here?โMrs. Houston opened her folder and glanced at her notes.โWe received several complaints from your neighbors.โAriana frowned. โComplaints about what?โMrs. Houston looked directly at her.โWe were told there was a large party at this house last night.โArianaโs heart skipped. โWhat?โโA frat party,โ Mrs. Houston continued. โAnd according to the complaints, your two-year-old son and your nephew were inside the house while the party was happening.โArianaโs face went pale. โThatโs not possible.โMrs. Hou
SURROGACY AGENCY โ MEETING ROOM โ 11:00 AMGabriella sat at a small table, waiting. Sofia sat beside her, looking uncomfortable.The door opened. A young woman walked in. She was tall and slender with olive skin and dark eyes. She was beautiful. Her hair was long and dark. Her smile was shy.Maria.Gabriella studied her like she was inspecting a piece of merchandise."Hello," Maria said softly. "I'm Maria."Gabriella didn't smile. "Sit down."Maria sat down nervously.Gabriella leaned forward and studied Maria carefully. โSo, Maria. Tell me about yourself.โMaria sat up straight, trying not to look nervous.โIโm from Spain. I came to America two years ago. I work as a waitress, and I send money back home to help my family.โGabriella nodded slowly.โI see. And youโre willing to carry a baby for me?โMaria nodded.โYes. I want to help. I know how much having a family means to people, and if I can help someone have a child, Iโm willing to do it.โGabriella gave a small laugh. โThatโs s
SOHO CLUB ~ NEW YORK CITY โDo it,โ he said against her breast. โCome on my fingers.โShe did. Her whole body tightened. She moaned loud, not caring who might hear outside. Her inner walls clenched around his fingers as the orgasm rolled through her. Marco kept moving his hand, drawing it out until she was shaking.When she could breathe again he pulled his fingers free and kissed her mouth. She tasted herself on his tongue.โI need you inside me,โ she said. โRight now.โMarco didnโt argue. He unbuckled his belt, shoved his jeans and boxers down just enough. His cock sprang free, thick and hard. Ariana reached down and wrapped her hand around him. He hissed.โFuck, your hand feels good.โShe stroked him a few times, then guided him to her entrance. Marco looked her in the eyes.โYou sure?โโIโve never been more sure. Fuck me.โHe pushed in slow at first. She was tight after so long without anyone. The stretch burned in the best way. Arianaโs mouth fell open. Marco kept going until
AMELIA STONE OFFICE ~ STONE INDUSTRIES The door to Ameliaโs office opened without a sound. Nicholas Hale stepped in, closing it behind him with a soft click. The room seemed to shift, charged with something unspoken.Amelia stayed in her chair, leaning back with calm, controlled ease. Her usual CE
ALEJANDRO MASTER BEDROOM ~ NEW YORK The phone had been buzzing nonstop.Alejandro walked into the master bedroom, holding it up. โMi reina, your phone has been ringing non-stop.โAmelia pushed herself up against the pillows, exhausted. โMy phone? Are you serious? I thought I had it with me all alo
ALEXANDER MANSION~ NEW YORKAlexander Blackwood stormed through the marble halls of his mansion, his anger practically vibrating through his steps. The maids and staff froze as he passed, their whispers trailing behind him. He reached the Master bedroom, flinging the door open.โVivian!โ he shoute
BLACKWOOD INDUSTRIES ~ NEW YORK Katherina slipped Nicholas Haleโs card into her folder and closed it.Control. That was the word. And that was what she needed to hold on to.She straightened her blazer, smoothed her face, and returned to her desk as if nothing had happened. As if the air in the ro







