LOGINFAVINO PENTHOUSE ~ NEW YORK CITY Gabriella sighed. "Fine. What about when he's sleeping? I can—""Seduce him," Sofia interrupted. "That's what you do. You seduce him. You get him excited. And then when he's not paying attention, you use a syringe or something."Gabriella's face lit up. "A syringe! Yes! I can get a needleless syringe and collect it myself!"Sofia stared at her. "You're going to put a syringe near his—"Gabriella waved her hand dismissively. "Not near. I'll wait until after. When he's in the bathroom. I'll collect it."Sofia shook her head slowly. "You're really going to do this, aren't you?"Gabriella nodded firmly. "Yes. I'm going to do this."Sofia looked at her friend. Her eyes were wide with disbelief."Oh my God," Sofia whispered. "You are really evil."Gabriella smiled. A cold, calculating smile."That's why we're best friends," Gabriella said. "Because you understand me."Sofia laughed. It was a nervous laugh. "I don't know if I understand you. I think I'm just
Ariana was shaking. Her wrist was red and bruised. Tears streamed down her face.The stranger turned to her. His face softened. "Are you okay?" he asked gently. "Did he hurt you?"Ariana nodded. Then she shook her head. "I don't know. I'm just... I'm so scared."The stranger reached out and touched her arm. "You're safe now. He's gone. He won't bother you again."Ariana looked at him. "Thank you. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up."The stranger smiled. "I'm just glad I was here."He looked at her name tag. "Ariana. Beautiful name."Ariana blushed. "Thank you."He extended his hand. "I'm Marco. I've been coming here for the past three weeks. I've seen you around."Ariana shook his hand. His grip was warm and strong."I've seen you too," she admitted. "You always sit in the corner and read."Marco laughed. "You noticed me?"Ariana smiled weakly. "Hard not to. You're the only customer who doesn't complain about the coffee."Marco laughed again. "The coffee is exc
QUEENS – COFFEE SHOP – 8:00 A.M.The little coffee shop was already packed with customers. The smell of fresh coffee filled the air as people rushed in and out, eager to start their day.Ariana stood behind the counter in a green apron with a name tag that read “Ariana.”.Her dark hair was tied into a messy bun, and the faint circles under her eyes showed how exhausted she was. She looked like she hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks.She had been working at the café for two weeks. It wasn’t the life she had dreamed of, but it was honest work. The paycheck covered the rent, bought groceries, and most importantly, kept her far away from Daniel.“Can I get a double espresso?” a man asked with a friendly smile.“Of course,” Ariana replied, forcing a small smile of her own.She moved quickly, grinding the beans, pulling the shot, and pouring it into a paper cup. Her hands worked almost automatically now. She had learned the job faster than she expected.She placed the cup on the
Gabriella nodded, a small smile spreading across her face.“I found out yesterday. I wanted tonight to be special when I told you… but I guess now is the perfect time.”She rubbed her stomach gently. “I’m carrying your child.”Alejandro stared at her, unable to speak.Gabriella stepped even closer until they were only inches apart.“This baby is yours, Alejandro,” she whispered. “Your own flesh and blood.”She gave him a meaningful look. “Not Amelia’s child that you chose to love as your own.”Her smile grew wider. “This is different. This is your biological baby. The baby you’ve always dreamed of having.”Alejandro swallowed hard. “You’re… pregnant,” he murmured, still trying to process her words.“Yes.” Gabriella slipped her hands into his. “We’re going to have a family. A real family.”She squeezed his hands gently. “This is our chance to start over. Leave the past behind. Forget Amelia. Forget everything that happened.”Alejandro searched her face, his voice barely above a whisper
NYPD PRECINCT — FRONT DESK — AFTERNOONAlejandro stood at the front desk of the police station, his face pale and frantic. His expensive suit was wrinkled. His hair was disheveled. He hadn't slept in twenty-four hours.Leo had been missing for almost a full day. Alejandro had searched everywhere. He had called everyone. He had even contacted the police.But there was no sign of his son anywhere."Please," Alejandro begged the officer at the desk. "You have to find him. He's only eight years old. He's been gone for hours."The officer nodded, his expression sympathetic. "We're doing everything we can, Mr. Favino. We've put out an Amber Alert. We're checking all the security cameras in the area. We'll find him."Alejandro's hands were shaking. "I can't lose him. I can't."Just then, his phone buzzed. He looked at the screen and saw Ariana's name.His heart skipped a beat. He answered immediately."Ariana? Do you know where Leo is? Have you seen him?"Ariana's voice was cold and sharp.
ARIANA APARTMENT ~ NEW YORK CITY Leo shrugged, a small smile appearing on his face. "I had to get away. Gabriella was so mad. She screamed so loud. It was so funny."Ariana laughed again, pulling him into another hug. "Oh, I wish I could have seen her face. She probably looked like a fish out of water."Leo giggled, but his giggles quickly turned back to tears. "Aunt Ariana, I don't want to go to that school. I want my mother. I want to see Mama."Ariana's expression softened. She cupped his face in her hands and looked into his eyes. "Listen to me, Leo. You are not going to that school. You are staying right here with me. I'm going to take care of you until your mother gets out of prison. Do you understand?"Leo's eyes lit up with hope. "Really? I can stay with you?"Ariana nodded firmly. "Really. I'm not letting anyone send you away. You're family, Leo. And family sticks together."She stood up and took his hand. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up. You look like you've been throu
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







