Se connecterYULIANo sooner than our car turned into Heathrow’s private terminal, I knew Kendrick had not been exaggerating. Still, nothing prepared me for the sight waiting beyond the glass doors.A sleek private jet sat on the tarmac, its polished exterior gleaming beneath the morning sun. The engines were already running, and a few staff members stood nearby, dressed in immaculate uniforms.I stared through the window, then glanced at me. “You weren’t kidding when you said you had a jet.”Kendrick laughed beside me. “I don't know why you keep underestimating me.”The car came to a stop. The driver stepped out first and opened Kendrick's door. He climbed out before walking around to my side. He opened my door and held out his hand. “Come on, Peaches.”I placed my hand in his, tugging at the strap of my purse over my shoulder. “This is insane.”“Good insane?”I bobbed my head. “Very good insane.”He smirked, walking us toward the stairs leading into the aircraft. The closer we got, the more sur
KENDRICKI stood on the edge of the golf course at the Fernsby estate, adjusting the cuff of my polo shirt as I watched Victor and Damon approach me on the field.Both were dressed for the game, golf bags already waiting beside the carts.Victor was wearing a navy polo, white trousers, and the same smug expression he seemed to wake up with every morning.Damon looked better after being away from London for almost three weeks. The exhaustion that had followed Sophie's betrayal had finally begun to disappear from his face.I checked him out. “Looking good, bro.”“Yeah….” He picked up his club. “Ready to move on.”I hummed in agreement. “That’s what I like to hear.”Victor clapped Damon on the shoulder. “Finally! We were starting to think we'd have to drag you onto this course ourselves.”Damon chortled. “I would've come eventually.”“You?” Victor scoffed. “Of course.” He smirked proudly. “I’m the life of the party. You two will be bored with me in your lives!”I laughed as we walked to
YULIAThe first thing I noticed when the gates opened was the security. Two men stood on either side of the entrance, dressed in dark suits and earpieces. Another was stationed near the main house, speaking quietly into a phone.This wasn't just a wealthy family home. It felt guarded and protected.The black armored Escalade carrying me rolled through the enormous iron gates and continued up a long, winding driveway lined with perfectly trimmed hedges. Tall trees stood on either side, their branches moving gently in the afternoon breeze.Then the house came into view as I stared through the window. It was beautiful. Massive, elegant, and unmistakably expensive.The architecture had a European grandeur to it, with pale stone walls, tall arched windows, dark roofing, and elaborate columns framing the entrance. A large circular fountain stood in the centre of the driveway, water cascading from a sculpted marble centerpiece.The gardens stretched farther than I could see. For a moment, I
YULIA“So… are you ready to call her?” Adeline asked, watching me like I might change my mind.I’d told her everything. It had been two days since my mother’s surprise visit, and I’d finally made up my mind to see her tomorrow.“Yeah,” I breathed, rubbing my hands over my thighs. “I just… I’m nervous.”“Girl, relax.” She tipped her head, giving me an encouraging look. “I’m sure she’s probably just as nervous, waiting for you to call.”She tipped her head, gesturing to my phone. “Go on. Call her.”With the card in my left hand, I picked up my phone with my other hand, my fingers hovering over the screen.Adeline watched silently. “You're not backing out now,” she warned.I took a breath and typed the number. Then I pressed call. I put the phone on speaker and placed it on the desk between us. The phone rang for a while, then her voice came through.“Hello?”I gulped. “Uhh… hi.” My voice sounded embarrassingly small. “It’s me, Yulia.”My mother’s entire tone changed. “Yulia!” Excitemen
KENDRICKI arrived at the penthouse before Yulia. I was already on the road when she texted me. The moment she stepped into the living room, I knew something was wrong.The look on her face said everything. My Peaches was troubled.She didn't even hesitate. She rushed into my arms, and I caught her easily as she wrapped her legs around my waist. I carried her to the couch and sat down, keeping her close.For a while, neither of us said anything.I simply held her, letting her warmth and presence remind me that she was here. It was just yesterday she left, but I still found myself missing her.I was glad she wanted to see me. The day at the office had been exhausting. But this? This was what I needed too.After a while, I pressed a kiss into her hair and whispered, “Do you want to talk about it?”She pulled back, her eyes met mine, and there was something there I couldn't quite place. Confusion. Pain. Shock.“My mother is back.”I froze. For a moment, I wasn't sure I heard correctly. “
YULIATime stopped. Every muscle in me seized. I couldn't move. I just stood there, staring at the woman who had appeared in my father's house like sixteen years hadn't passed.It felt like she’d never gone. Like I hadn't spent all those years wondering if she ever thought about me.“Yulia…” Her voice broke slightly when she said my name.I looked away immediately. “Dad.” My voice was sharper than I intended. “What is she doing here?”My father didn't answer immediately. The sadness in his eyes made my chest tighten.“Baby girl… listen—”“No.” I shook my head, pointing toward the woman standing a few feet away. “Why is she here?”The woman looked hurt, but I refused to let myself feel sorry for her. Not yet. Not after everything.My father swallowed. “She's your mother, Yulia.”The words hit me harder than I expected, but I refused to hear him.“No, she's not!”Silence filled the room.My father's face changed. “Yulia—”“She is not my mother!” My voice cracked. “A mother doesn't disap
YULIA“So you’re telling me that you’re living with the Kendrick Fernsby?” Adeline asked dramatically, raising both hands to make quotation marks in the air. I laughed, taking another sip of my pineapple smoothie. I had decided to meet her at The Good Life Eatery because their smoothies were ridic
KENDRICKI shouldn’t have kissed her. It wasn’t even a kiss worth overthinking—just her cheek, a brief moment of contact that should’ve meant nothing.But it did, and that was the problem.I ruffled my hair, staring blankly at the surveillance analytics displayed across my MacBook’s screen while ab
YULIA“This is it?” I asked, glancing around the parking lot filled with cars. “Yes.” Kendrick parked his car and turned to me. “Ever been to a street race?”I shook my head wildly, speechless all of a sudden. His expression barely changed, but his eyes said otherwise . “Then prepare yourself. Yo
YULIA“We’re almost there, baby girl.” My father watched me as I angled towards the side window, lost in my thoughts.“I still can’t believe you eloped and got married.” I glanced at him, and he was smiling.“Well… I can’t be single forever. I’m ready to settle down and spend the rest of my life wi







