LOGINAriana opened her mouth, but Elena raised one finger, stopping her.âSo, whether you like it or not, legally, he is still your husband.âArianaâs face tightened.Elena picked up her pen again and tapped it against the table. âYou can call yourself whatever you want socially, but the court is going to look at the legal documents. And according to those documents, Daniel Blackwood is still your husband.âMarco shifted uncomfortably beside Ariana.Elena glanced at him. âAnd before you start defending her again, remember that Iâm trying to help her. Making excuses wonât get Aiden back. Facts will.âAriana's eyes filled with tears. "I know. That's why I'm here. That's why I need your help. I'll do anything. I'll pay anything. Just please, help me get my son back."Elena studied Ariana for a long moment, her eyes unreadable. She slowly tapped her pen against the table, her expression cold and calculating.âTell me, Mrs. Martino,â Elena said, âdo you have any idea how much this is going to c
ELENA CASTILLOâs OFFICE â CONFERENCE ROOM â AFTERNOONThe office was sleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline.Ariana sat at the conference table, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She was nervous, her heart pounding in her chest. Her palms were sweaty. Her mouth was dry. Beside her sat Marco, his leg still bandaged, his arm in a sling. He had insisted on coming with her, and she was grateful for his support.Across from them sat Elena Rossi, a sharp-faced woman in her forties with cold eyes and a predatory smile. Elena Castillo sat across from Ariana, looking completely unimpressed.She was dressed in an expensive black pantsuit, her hair pulled back into a tight, severe bun. A gold watch rested on her wrist, and her manicured fingers tapped an expensive pen against the table with growing impatience.She glanced at Ariana as if she were already tired of dealing with her. âSo,â Elena said flatly, flipping through the papers in front of her. â
Elena ignored her. âAmelia is nothing but a manipulative liar,â she said coldly. âShe used Alejandro from the beginning.âSerena frowned. âElenaâââShe trapped him with a pregnancy that wasnât even his,â Elena continued, her voice filled with disgust. âAnd now sheâs trying to pull him back in with another baby.âShe shook her head. âItâs pathetic. She knows Alejandro is moving on, so now she wants to use the baby to drag him back into her mess.âSerenaâs eyes narrowed. âYou people really hear yourselves, right?âElena glared at her.âWhat is that supposed to mean?âSerena slowly set down her glass.âIt means a woman just lost her daughter.âSerenaâs voice became firm as she looked around the room.âAnd while her other baby is fighting for his life in the hospital, weâre sitting here calling her pathetic. Maybe, just maybe, we should stop celebrating her pain for five minutes and remember that sheâs still a human being.âAlejandro immediately nodded, his expression becoming serious.âShe
Amelia looked up, confused. âYes?âThe nurse glanced at Dr. Patel before giving Amelia a small smile. âThereâs no need to worry about the hospital bills anymore.âAmelia blinked. âWhat?âThe nurse checked the file in her hands. âYour bills have been paid. All of them.âDr. Patelâs eyebrows lifted in surprise. âWhat do you mean theyâve been paid?ââThe entire balance,â the nurse explained. âThe emergency procedure, the NICU treatment, and your sonâs medical care. Everything has been covered.âAmelia stared at her in disbelief. âBut⊠how?âThe nurse shook her head. âIâm not sure. The payment was made anonymously.âAmeliaâs eyes widened. âAnonymously?ââYes, maâam. The hospital received the payment a short while ago. Your account has been marked as fully paid.âAmelia slowly sank back against her pillows, completely stunned. âA benefactorâŠâ she whispered.Dr. Patel looked at the nurse, then back at Amelia. âSomeone paid three thousand dollars for your sonâs treatment?âThe nurse nodded.
Serena blinked innocently and pressed a hand to her chest. "Rude? Me?""Yes, you!" Elena threw her hands up. "You've been taking jabs at Gabriella all night."Serena lounged back, crossing her legs. "I congratulated her. If she heard something else, that's not my problem."Gabriella's eyes narrowed. "If you have something to say, just say it."Serena turned slowly. "Oh, trust me. I have plenty."Alejandro shot her a warning look. "Serena."She raised her hands. "What? I'm sitting here quietly.""You haven't been quiet for five minutes," Elena muttered.Serena ignored her and locked eyes with Gabriella. "You want to know why I have a problem with you?""Yes."Serena tilted her head. "Fine. You walked into my brother's life, Amelia disappeared, and suddenly you're pregnant, planning a wedding, and everyone's supposed to act like this is a fairy tale."Gabriella's face hardened. "I didn't make Alejandro leave her."Serena scoffed. "Of course not. He just magically changed his entire life
ALEJANDROâS PENTHOUSE â LIVING ROOM â EVENINGThe penthouse was full of activity. Candles flickered around the room, filling the living room with a warm, golden glow.Alejandro sat on the leather sofa with one arm resting along the back. Gabriella sat beside him, one hand resting protectively on her belly. She looked extremely pleased with herself.She wore an elegant ivory silk dress, and her dark hair was perfectly styled.Across from them sat Alejandroâs mother, Marisa, and his sisters, Elena and Serena. Marisa looked elegant in her navy silk dress, while Elena sat beside her with a calm, unreadable expression.Serena, however, wasnât even trying to hide her annoyance.Gabriella clapped her hands excitedly. âAlright, everyone! We only have three days until the wedding, and thereâs still so much to do. I made a list.âSerena rolled her eyes. âOf course you did. Iâm surprised you didnât make a spreadsheet too.âGabriellaâs smile tightened. âI just want everything to be perfect.ââCle
BLACKWOOD INDUSTRIES ~ NEW YORK Katherina slipped Nicholas Haleâs 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. âYes. You.âThe room went quiet.Alejandro tensed. âMother, donât.ââNo,â Marisa said, her voice cold. âYou donât get to shield her. Let me speak.âShe stepped closer to Amelia. âYou show up here⊠and suddenly the Guerras strike. You have ties to the Blackwoods. To
THE FAVINO ESTATE â 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 didnât want to interrupt whatever storm was
VIVIAN OFFICE~ NEW YORK Then she saw Miaâs expression puzzled, a little worried, waiting for her boss to recognize her own approval. Vivianâs survival instinct kicked in, cold and swift. She could not let Mia know.She forced a weak, dismissive laugh and rubbed her temple. âOh, for heavenâs sake.







