LOGINAMELIA STONE MANSION ~ NEW YORK CITY The black SUV turned through the tall iron gates of Amelia Stone’s 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 hadn’t seen in six months. Ariana glanced at her and smiled. “We’re home, Amelia.”Amelia nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Six 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.”“You can complain about it again tomorrow,” Ariana teased. “Today, just enjoy being home.”Before 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
“I would throw you out in a fucking heartbeat without thinking twice!” Daniel snapped. “Do you want to know the only reason I’m even entertaining this nonsense? Because you’re 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.”Katherina’s lips parted, but Daniel continued before she could respond.“I’m 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?”Katherina blinked rapidly. “I-I already told you that I have—”“You told us you have cancer,” Daniel interrupted. “That’s 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 can’t even give us a straight answer about the
Alexander turned away, coughing suspiciously into his fist.Katherina shot to her feet. “Excuse me? Who the hell said I was going to seduce you?”“I’m establishing boundaries,” Daniel replied calmly. “I’d 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.”Catalina lost the battle and burst into laughter. “Daniel, you have clearly thought about this in great detail!”“I’m being prepared.”“Prepared?” Katherina shrieked. “You arrogant, self-important bastard! I’d rather seduce a lamppost!”“Good,” Daniel said. “A lamppost won’t misunderstand our relationship.”Catalina 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. “You people are unbelievable!”Daniel ignored the complaints and pushed the agreement toward her. “Those are my terms. Do you agree to them?”Kat
ALEXANDER BLACKWOOD FAMILY MANSION ~ Catalina covered her mouth, though the smile on her face made it clear she wasn’t particularly sorry. “Oh, Katherina, that was quite a performance,” she said. “You 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.”Katherina shot her an angry look. “What the hell is so funny?”Catalina’s smile faded slightly as she met her glare. “Nothing. I just think you should stop making everything worse for yourself. If you’re really sick, then deal with it properly instead of throwing things at people who refuse to believe you.”“Then stop making it everyone’s business,” Catalina replied, folding her arms. “You 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 we’re that foolish?”Katherina’s face tightened. “Catalina, mind your business.”
She spread her arms, gesturing toward Sofia, who stood behind him wearing the ring on her finger. “Your pregnant wife is standing right in front of you, watching you kiss her best friend like you couldn’t wait to get your hands on her, and you’re 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?”“My pregnant wife?” Alejandro repeated, his voice dropping into a dangerously quiet tone. “You seem to remember that title whenever it suits you.”Gabriella went still, her anger momentarily giving way to disbelief. Then her face hardened. “Don’t you dare use my pregnancy against me, you spineless bastard.” Her voice shook, but she didn’t lower it. “You want to humiliate me? Fine. You want to parade your mistress around my home? Go ahead. But don’t stand there pretending you’re the victim because I refuse to smile while you make a fool of me.”Alejandro’s expression turned cold. “Have you finished running
ALEJANDRO FAVINO MANSION ~ NEW YORK CITYSofia rose onto her toes and pressed her lips against Alejandro’s. Gabriella froze. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe. Sofia slid her fingers into Alejandro’s hair while he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. He didn’t 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 wasn’t 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.Gabriella’s 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
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
KATHERINA APARTMENT ~ NEW YORKRyan’s voice dropped, turning cold. “Good. I’ll send you a secure line. Nobody can know we’re working together. Not Damien. Not the board. No one.”Katherina smirked and leaned back in her chair.“Please. Damien has so many problems piled on his head, he wouldn’t noti
BLACKWOOD INDUSTRIES~NEW YORK Vivian was signing documents when Mia burst into the office without knockingHer voice shook. “Vivian… he’s here.”Vivian didn’t even look up. “Who? Ryan again? Security knows what to do.”Mia shook her head fast, eyes huge. “No. Harrison Cole.”Vivian stopped moving
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







