LOGINAxel"You know better than to call me during this period, Derek."The moment I answered the phone, I stepped to the balcony and quietly slid the glass door shut behind me."Especially when Jasmine is here," I continued coldly. "I told you I was taking the day off.""I'm sorry, Sir," Derek apologized immediately. "I just received urgent news, and I had to inform you."I pinched the bridge of my nose."Couldn't this 'urgent news' wait until tomorrow?"A brief silence stretched between us before he answered. "I'm afraid not, Sir.""What is it?""I just received word that Miss Olivia has been admitted to the hospital."I frowned. "The hospital? Is she sick? What happened?"Derek hesitated. "It's worse than that. She... she attempted to harm herself."Everything inside me froze. "What?""She's currently hospitalized."What the hell?! Olivia tried to take her own life?"Send me the address. I'm on my way."I ended the call just as I heard a soft voice behind me."Axel?"I turned around.Jas
Olivia Mrs. Jackson calmly looked at me again. There was no anger, hatred, or cold glare in her expression… just sadness.An overwhelming sadness that had hollowed her eyes.She slowly turned back toward Liam.Neither of us spoke.I hesitated before finally taking a careful step into the room, then another, and another, until I stood beside his bed.The sight before me shattered what little strength I had left.Liam lay perfectly still.His eyes remained closed peacefully, almost as if he were simply taking an afternoon nap.If not for the oxygen tube resting beneath his nose, the IV lines disappearing beneath the blankets, and the heart monitor beside him producing its steady, rhythmic beeps… I could have convinced myself he was merely sleeping.His complexion looked too pale, and his lips lacked their usual warmth.Seeing someone who had once smiled so brightly… who had always been
OliviaI stood in front of the hospital building, watching as different people came and went through the glass doors.Some walked in with anxious expressions, their hands tightly clasped together as if silently praying for good news. Others stepped out with relieved, happy smiles, embracing their loved ones. There were also those whose faces were streaked with tears, their shoulders slumped beneath the weight of heartbreaking news.I simply stood there.My feet refused to move.The breeze brushed against my face, carrying the sharp scent of disinfectant that escaped every time the hospital doors opened. I stared at the building for what felt like forever, watching strangers continue with their lives while mine felt like it had long since stopped.I drew in a shaky breath.No… I wasn't going to cry anymore.Today, I didn't care if Liam's parents threw me out again. I didn't care if they yelled at me, humiliated me, or blamed me for everything that had happened.After all, I deserved it
AxelI sat at the head of the table, listening as Mr. Silas stood before the digital presentation screen."Our market share across Asia has really exceeded projections," Mr. Silas said confidently as another graph appeared behind him. "I believe it's time we accelerate our expansion strategy into Europe and North America. Preliminary studies indicate strong investment opportunities, especially in the technology and healthcare sectors."A few board members nodded thoughtfully as he continued with his presentation.Just then, the conference room doors suddenly swung open, and Derek hurried inside.Ignoring the curious stares around the room, he walked straight toward me. His face was unusually grim.He leaned down and whispered just loudly enough for only me to hear."Sir... Carl Pierce is dead."Everything inside me froze.Dead?An uncomfortable silence spread across the conference room as every executive watched us, wondering what was going on.I instantly rose from my chair."Today's
Carl"Sooner than you expect."Something about the way she said it made the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand up.I slowly turned my head toward her.A few loose strands of dark hair had slipped free from the bun at the back of her head, giving her an effortlessly attractive look. My eyes wandered over her without shame before I could stop myself.Her perfectly fitted nurse's uniform did her plenty of favors, hugging her generous curves in all the right places. Now this was the kind of nurse a man didn't mind being treated by. A grin tugged at my lips. She was gorgeous.Maybe this hospital stay wasn't so bad after all. If she was going to be the one taking care of me from now on, I certainly wouldn't mind extending my stay a little longer. The view alone was worth it."You know..." I said, flashing what I knew was my most irresistible smile. It had been more than enough to captivate Jenny, so I had no reason to think it wouldn't work on this nurse too."You're quite beautiful."
Carl"I've got everything under control, Elvis," I said confidently into the phone, popping another slice of apple into my mouth while keeping one eye on the football match playing on the television mounted on the hospital wall. "Nothing could ever go wrong."A long sigh drifted through the phone speaker."Carl," Elvis said wearily, "there's an old saying that the person who walks carelessly with a pot of oil shouldn't be surprised when it spills. Be careful. One wrong step is all it takes."I chuckled dismissively and waved a hand through the air."Not this time. I've thought everything through."Because I had.Jasmine was my daughter.She could put on all the cold expressions she wanted and act like she had finally grown a backbone, but deep down, she was still the little girl I'd raised.As long as I remained her father, she'd always have responsibilities toward me, and I intended to make sure she fulfilled every single one of them.Elvis sighed again."I just don't want you making
OliviaI didn’t remember the drive or the traffic lights or even the turns.All that kept replaying in my mind was the image of blood pooling beneath the dim dock lights.When we reached my apartment building, I stepped out of the car on unsteady legs. We didn’t speak as we walked upstairs.I unloc
Olivia I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection longer than usual. My fingers trembled a little as I smoothed the hem of my dress for the fourth time, pressing down a wrinkle that wasn’t even there.It had been years.Years since I last saw my sister.My step-sister…The thought al
AxelDid she just say… how much?I blinked, almost certain I’d misheard. But no, the stunning woman standing before me had indeed just looked me dead in the eyes and asked how much I charged.A slow smirk spread across my lips. “Do you think you can afford me, sweetheart?”She giggled softly, and I
Olivia “Are you out of your damn mind, Aiden?!”My voice echoed through the staircase as I stormed out of my boyfriend’s crappy apartment.Aiden stumbled after me, half-naked, wearing only a brief. “Babe, wait! Please, let me explain…”Before he could finish, I swung my bag hard at him.“Explain w







