ANMELDENAMELIA STONE MANSION ~ NEW YORK CITY The black SUV turned through the tall iron gates of Amelia Stoneโs 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 hadnโt seen in six months. Ariana glanced at her and smiled. โWeโre home, Amelia.โAmelia nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. โSix 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.โโYou can complain about it again tomorrow,โ Ariana teased. โToday, just enjoy being home.โBefore 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
โI would throw you out in a fucking heartbeat without thinking twice!โ Daniel snapped. โDo you want to know the only reason Iโm even entertaining this nonsense? Because youโre 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.โKatherinaโs lips parted, but Daniel continued before she could respond.โIโm 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?โKatherina blinked rapidly. โI-I already told you that I haveโโโYou told us you have cancer,โ Daniel interrupted. โThatโs 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 canโt even give us a straight answer about the
Alexander turned away, coughing suspiciously into his fist.Katherina shot to her feet. โExcuse me? Who the hell said I was going to seduce you?โโIโm establishing boundaries,โ Daniel replied calmly. โIโd 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.โCatalina lost the battle and burst into laughter. โDaniel, you have clearly thought about this in great detail!โโIโm being prepared.โโPrepared?โ Katherina shrieked. โYou arrogant, self-important bastard! Iโd rather seduce a lamppost!โโGood,โ Daniel said. โA lamppost wonโt misunderstand our relationship.โCatalina 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. โYou people are unbelievable!โDaniel ignored the complaints and pushed the agreement toward her. โThose are my terms. Do you agree to them?โKat
ALEXANDER BLACKWOOD FAMILY MANSION ~ Catalina covered her mouth, though the smile on her face made it clear she wasnโt particularly sorry. โOh, Katherina, that was quite a performance,โ she said. โYou 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.โKatherina shot her an angry look. โWhat the hell is so funny?โCatalinaโs smile faded slightly as she met her glare. โNothing. I just think you should stop making everything worse for yourself. If youโre really sick, then deal with it properly instead of throwing things at people who refuse to believe you.โโThen stop making it everyoneโs business,โ Catalina replied, folding her arms. โYou 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 weโre that foolish?โKatherinaโs face tightened. โCatalina, mind your business.โ
She spread her arms, gesturing toward Sofia, who stood behind him wearing the ring on her finger. โYour pregnant wife is standing right in front of you, watching you kiss her best friend like you couldnโt wait to get your hands on her, and youโre 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?โโMy pregnant wife?โ Alejandro repeated, his voice dropping into a dangerously quiet tone. โYou seem to remember that title whenever it suits you.โGabriella went still, her anger momentarily giving way to disbelief. Then her face hardened. โDonโt you dare use my pregnancy against me, you spineless bastard.โ Her voice shook, but she didnโt lower it. โYou want to humiliate me? Fine. You want to parade your mistress around my home? Go ahead. But donโt stand there pretending youโre the victim because I refuse to smile while you make a fool of me.โAlejandroโs expression turned cold. โHave you finished running
ALEJANDRO FAVINO MANSION ~ NEW YORK CITYSofia rose onto her toes and pressed her lips against Alejandroโs. Gabriella froze. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe. Sofia slid her fingers into Alejandroโs hair while he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. He didnโt 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 wasnโt 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.Gabriellaโs 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
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







