LOGINThe long-awaited morning had finally arrived.The London sky had been clear since sunrise, as though it, too, welcomed the day that would mark a new beginning for Adele and Sebastian. The hotel hosting the wedding reception had already filled with guests an hour before the ceremony was set to begin. Floral arrangements lined the entrance, while reporters and photographers waited in the designated press area.The wedding of Sebastian Rowe and Adele Laurent had become one of the city's most anticipated events.Not only because they were both well-known figures in the business world, but also because their life stories had captured public attention in recent months.This time, however, there were no headlines about the Ashcroft family scandal.No stories about Cedric.Today, most media outlets had chosen to focus on only one thing—A woman who had successfully rebuilt her life after surviving her past.Inside the bridal suite, Adele sat before the mirror as the makeup artist applied the
Leonard read the message over and over without replying.Adele's words were not long, nor did they carry the anger that had filled their conversations some time ago. Yet that was precisely why they cut so deeply. There was no longer any demand for him to change. There were no questions waiting to be answered. Adele was simply expressing a decision she had made with all her heart.He turned off his phone and looked once again at the wedding invitation still resting in his hand.A few months ago, he had been searching for every possible way to get close to the woman who had once been his wife.Now, she was asking him to do the one thing that was hardest of all.To let go of the past.Leonard let out a long breath before unlocking his phone again. His fingers hovered over the screen for a long time as countless sentences came to mind.An apology felt long overdue.An explanation was no longer necessary.In the end, he typed only one reply.I understand. I hope you finally find the happin
News of Cedric's arrest spread far more quickly than anyone had expected.By the following morning, nearly every media outlet that had previously been consumed with reporting Elena's identity had shifted its focus to the arrest of Margaret Ashcroft's younger brother. Police announced that they had dismantled a network involved in identity fraud, the distribution of false information to the media, and an attempted kidnapping carried out by several of Cedric's associates. Elena and Ash were mentioned only as protected victims, allowing news about the two children to gradually disappear from the front pages.For Adele, it was the best news she had received in weeks.She switched off the television before Elena came downstairs. She didn't want her daughter to hear or see anything related to their family's ordeal.A few moments later, the sound of small footsteps echoed down the staircase.Elena came downstairs carrying her favorite teddy bear."Mommy.""Yes, sweetheart?""I'm hungry."Ade
The night after Cedric's phone call, Leonard couldn't sleep.Ash was asleep in the room next door, while Leonard remained in the living room with several files his attorney had lent him. He had read every report on Cedric over and over again, yet none of them offered a single concrete clue about the old man's whereabouts.What troubled him most wasn't the threat against himself.It was the fact that Cedric had begun using children as tools for revenge.Leonard's phone vibrated.Sebastian's name appeared on the screen."I just got an update from my team," Sebastian said without any preamble. "We traced the tracking device that was hidden inside the flower arrangement."Leonard rose to his feet immediately."Where did it lead?""An abandoned warehouse near the docks. The police have already been notified.""Are you going there?""No. I'm staying here with Adele and Elena."Leonard understood the decision.Someone had to remain behind to protect them."I'll head over.""Leonard."He stop
Leonard's words left Sebastian silent for a moment.He had never expected to hear such a statement from the man who had once been willing to do anything to make Adele his."Are you serious?" Sebastian asked."I have no reason to joke."Leonard stood by the window of his small house, his gaze drifting toward the yard where he took Ash every afternoon."The longer you wait, the more opportunities Cedric will have to go after Elena."Sebastian didn't answer right away.He knew Leonard was right.Still, hearing those words come from Leonard himself felt strange."Adele might think this is just an act of pity.""No." Leonard's voice was calm. "If I truly loved Arabella back then... then I should also be able to accept the happiness she has chosen."Those words made Sebastian let out a long breath."I'll protect her.""I know.""I'll protect Elena too."Leonard closed his eyes for a brief moment."That's exactly why I can say all this."After the call ended, the house fell silent once more.
That night ended without anyone truly getting any rest.After his call with Sebastian ended, Leonard returned to Ash's room. The baby had finally fallen asleep again after crying for a long time. The nanny sat beside the crib, gently holding Ash's tiny hand, as though she was afraid to let go even for a moment.Leonard stood by the window.The little house suddenly felt fragile.Back when he was still the head of Ashcroft Group, he could have called the company's chief of security, ordered dozens of guards into position, or relocated his family to a safer place within hours.Now, all of that was gone.The company had gone bankrupt.The mansion had been sold.The people who once worked for him had moved on with their own lives.All that remained was a father, a nanny, and a baby.Leonard slowly rubbed his face.For the first time since becoming the heir to the Ashcroft family...he truly understood what it felt like to have no power.On the other side of the city, Sebastian's office li
Adele’s words made Leonard fall silent for a few seconds.Her tone was calm. Not judgmental. And somehow, that was exactly what made him uneasy.He studied her more closely.“So you already think I’m that terrible?”Adele slowly sipped her coffee.“I’m only stating facts.”“And everyone lies someti
Leonard stood frozen in the dining room doorway.His gaze immediately locked onto Sebastian’s hand still resting over Adele’s fingers.And strangely—That simple sight hurt far more than it should have.“Leonard.”Margaret finally broke the silence as she leaned back casually in her chair.“You’re
The charity dinner ended close to midnight.Guests slowly began leaving the ballroom one by one while a light rain started falling outside the hotel once again.Vanessa was speaking with several socialites when Adele walked toward the main lobby.Her black gown swayed softly with every step she too
It was already late at night when Leonard’s car entered the grounds of the Ashcroft family estate.The lights inside the massive mansion were still brightly lit.And Leonard immediately knew—This was not going to be a short conversation.The moment he stepped into the main sitting room, Vanessa wa







