ANMELDENFor a brief moment, Damien couldn’t speak. He had foolishly hoped that Leo might accept the Blackwood name. Maybe, with time, he would even accept him.But when Damien looked at the stubborn expression on Leo’s face, he knew better. Why would Leo accept the Blackwood name when, in his eyes, Miguel had been his real father and Damien was the man who had taken him away?“Right,” Damien said quickly, forcing his smile back onto his face. “Okay, fine. Leo Favino. Sorry. My mistake.”Amy looked between them, immediately sensing the tension in the room, but she quickly composed herself. She stepped toward Leo with a warm smile and held out her hand.“Hello, Leo. My full name is Amara willams , but everyone just calls me Amy. It’s nice to meet you.”Leo stared at her outstretched hand for a few seconds before slowly taking it. His handshake was brief and weak, and he pulled his hand away almost immediately.“Yeah, hi,” he muttered.Amy didn’t seem bothered by his cold response. She kept her
Amelia’s terrified scream cut through the chaos.Everyone turned. Amelia was gripping the edge of her bunk with both hands. Her face had gone completely pale, and sweat covered her forehead.“WHERE ARE THE NURSES?!” she cried. “I THINK I’M LOSING THE BABY!”Her hands trembled as she looked down. Blood was spreading across the bunk, soaking through the thin mattress.Tanya covered her mouth with both hands. “Oh my God!”She immediately rushed to Amelia’s side. “Help her!” Tanya cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Please! Somebody help her!”Amelia tried to speak, but her lips were trembling. “I… I can’t…”Her head dropped against the wall.“I’m so dizzy.”Tanya grabbed her hand tightly. “Stay with me, Amelia! Please!”Within seconds, guards stormed into the cell block. “MOVE!” one guard shouted, pushing through the crowd. “Everybody back!”Two nurses hurried in behind them, carrying a stretcher. “Clear the way!”The inmates quickly stepped aside. One nurse rushed to Amelia and chec
DAMIEN’S MANSION – ENTRANCE HALL – MORNINGDamien stood in the large entrance hall, looking down at the little boy who wanted nothing to do with him. Leo’s small body was trembling, his eyes were red from crying, and his hands were tightly clenched at his sides.Damien had known this wouldn’t be easy. He had expected Leo to hate him, but seeing the fear in his son’s eyes hurt more than he had prepared for.He took a slow breath and tried to keep his emotions under control.“Leo,” he said gently, lowering himself slightly so they were closer to eye level. “I know I made mistakes. Terrible mistakes. I was influenced by my ex-wife, Katherina, and I regret listening to her. I regret the things I did because of her, and I wish I could go back and change them.”Leo stared at him without saying a word.Damien swallowed and continued, “I know saying sorry won’t erase what happened. I know I can’t change the past, but I want to try to make things right. I want to be your father. A real father.
DANIEL BLACKWOOD MANSION ~ NEW YORK CITY Daniel returned to the foyer and calmly pulled out his phone. He glanced at the screen before selecting a number and putting the call on speaker.The call connected after a few rings. “Elena,” Daniel said, a satisfied smile slowly spreading across his face. “You’re the best lawyer I’ve ever worked with. Your plan worked perfectly.”He leaned against the wall, casually adjusting his watch. “I have full custody of Aiden. Ariana is completely destroyed, and Marco will never dare cross me again.”There was a brief silence before Elena finally responded. “You’re welcome, Daniel, but don’t celebrate too early. Getting custody was only the first step. If Ariana challenges the order, we’ll need to be ready for her.”Daniel’s smile widened. “She won’t challenge anything.”“You sound very confident.”“I am,” he replied, his voice calm. “Ariana has lost everything. She won’t have the strength or resources to fight me now.”Elena paused before speaking ag
WENT-WORTH CORRECTIONAL PRISON ~ NEW YORK CITYAmelia glared at Sophia, her face twisted with pain and anger. Even though she was clearly suffering, her voice was sharp.“Shut up, you pathetic excuse for a woman. You’re nobody. You always have been. The only reason anyone ever noticed you was because you were my shadow.”Sophia’s smile disappeared. “Your shadow? Please. I was the one with the money. I was the one with the power. You were nothing before Alejandro, and you’re nothing now.”Amelia let out a bitter laugh and held her stomach. “Funny. And yet, look at where you are now. Sitting in prison and carrying your gatekeeper’s bastard.”She looked around at the other inmates before turning back to Sophia with a cruel smile. “And me? I’m the top dog in this entire cell block. So tell me, Sophia. Who’s the nobody now?”The other inmates burst into laughter. Then someone shouted, “Gatekeeper’s bastard, Another inmate joined in. “Gatekeeper’s bastard!” Soon, the whole cell block was ch
DANIEL BLACKWOOD MANSION ~ NEW YORK CITY Daniel pulled the trigger.The gunshot echoed through the mansion, followed by Marco’s scream. He stumbled backward and crashed onto the floor, both hands immediately flying to his leg. Blood slipped between his fingers as his entire body shook.“AH! Boss!”Daniel lowered the gun and calmly walked toward him. His expression was cold, his jaw tight, and his eyes showed no sign of pity. He stopped beside Marco and slowly crouched down, resting one arm against his knee.“Let me make something clear,” Daniel said softly.Marco looked up at him with wide, terrified eyes, his lips trembling as he struggled to breathe through the pain.“I gave you a script,” Daniel continued, his voice dangerously calm. “You follow the script. You don’t add scenes. You don’t improvise. You do exactly what I tell you. Nothing more. Nothing less.”Marco shook his head desperately while pressing harder against his wound.“Please, boss,” he begged. “I need a hospital. Pl
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.“Vivian!” he shoute
BLACKWOOD INDUSTRIES ~ NEW YORK Katherina slipped Nicholas Hale’s 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
Marisa jabbed a finger at Amelia. “Yes. You.”The room went quiet.Alejandro tensed. “Mother, don’t.”“No,” Marisa said, her voice cold. “You don’t get to shield her. Let me speak.”She stepped closer to Amelia. “You show up here… and suddenly the Guerras strike. You have ties to the Blackwoods. To
THE FAVINO ESTATE — LATE MORNINGThe house felt different after Marisa left.Amelia noticed it first.The servants moved softly, avoiding eye contact. Phones were kept on silent. Even the sunlight pouring through the tall windows felt restrained, like it didn’t want to interrupt whatever storm was







