INICIAR SESIÓNAurora froze completely. Even the assistant near the doorway looked like she nearly stopped breathing. Corren shook his head slightly afterward as though realizing how abrupt the sentence sounded aloud. “See? I told you it sounded insane.” Aurora could not even find words immediately. Marry him? Her heart began beating harder now. Not because she thought Corren was mocking her. No. That was the terrifying part. He was serious. Completely serious. Corren looked at her quietly before speaking again, softer this time. “I’m not asking because of pity. And I’m not asking because of some media scandal.” His gaze never left hers. “I’m asking because I genuinely believe we could build something good together eventually.” Aurora’s throat tightened slightly. Corren continued calmly. “I won’t stand here and lie to you about dramatic love stories.” A faint smile touched his lips. “You know me better than that already.” Aurora almost smiled too. “But I can promise you respect,” he said
Aurora Stephen stared at the tablet in silence. The headline remained boldly displayed across the screen like a public accusation waiting to spread even further. “IS AURORA STEPHEN THE WOMAN STANDING BETWEEN CORREN THORNWYCK AND CASSIENNE RHODES?” For a few seconds, nobody inside the private consultation lounge spoke. The assistant standing near the doorway looked visibly uncomfortable, unsure whether she should remain there or disappear before the situation worsened. Across from Aurora, Corren Thornwyck leaned back slowly against the couch, his eyes fixed calmly on her as she read the article. Unlike Aurora, he did not look surprised. And somehow, that made Aurora look at him immediately. “Don’t tell me that you already understand something,” she said quietly. Corren lifted his eyes toward her. Aurora knew that look already. That thoughtful stillness that appeared whenever his mind was putting things together faster than everyone else around him. Finally, Corren exhaled softl
The atmosphere inside Aurora Stephen’s boutique was unusually busy this afternoon. Assistants moved back and forth between fitting rooms carrying carefully arranged garment bags while two stylists argued softly near the fabric display over which imported material should be used for a custom evening gown. The soft sound of instrumental music floated through the elegant space, blending naturally with the quiet conversations happening around the showroom. Near the center fitting platform, Aurora Stephen stood reviewing sketches on a digital tablet while one of her assistants waited nervously beside her. “No,” Aurora said calmly, zooming in on the design again. “The neckline ruins the structure of the dress completely. It’s too aggressive.” “But the client specifically requested something dramatic.” Aurora handed the tablet back without looking up. “Dramatic and tasteless are not the same thing, Sophie.” The assistant immediately nodded. “I’ll have the design team adjust it.” Auro
At the mention of Lucien and the Noah family, Cassienne’s expression changed faintly. Daisy would be there. And Ray too, most likely if someone had already invited him. Cassienne felt that it wouldn't be a good combination. The entire web of their lives seemed to be moving toward Lisbourn. Dreston saw the thought forming in her face. “What is it?” Cassienne reached for her glass of water. “Nothing. I’m just thinking this event sounds less like a gala and more like everyone we know being placed inside one room.” Jessica grinned. “Exactly. That is why it will be glorious.” Dreston did not look nearly as amused. “It also means heavy media attention and increased security risk.” Jessica’s excitement dimmed slightly. “You think it’s dangerous?” “I think anything public is dangerous right now.” Cassienne turned to him, knowing exactly where his mind had gone. Tina. The hit-and-run. Her own attack. The old lab. The enemies still hiding in the dark. “I don’t have to attend,” she sai
And for now, that was enough. She leaned forward and kissed him softly. Dreston responded slowly at first, then with growing warmth, his hand sliding against her back as if he wanted to memorize the feel of her all over again. The kiss didn't come with the desperation of the night before. It was calmer and intimate in a different way. More like peace at last. When Cassienne finally pulled back, Dreston followed her slightly, reluctant to let the moment end. She smiled against his lips. “You really don’t want to go to work.” “I don’t.” “Then what do you want to do?” “Stay here.” “And?” “With you.” “And?” He looked at her with open amusement now. “You’re trying to trap me into saying something inappropriate.” “I’m trying to see if you have shame.” “I don’t. At least not with you.” Cassienne laughed again, this time more freely. Dreston’s expression softened as he watched her. These were the moments he really missed while they were pretending, hiding, calculating every mov
The early morning sun came slowly, slipping through the tall windows of Dreston and Cassienne’s bedroom before spreading across the wide bed. At this hour, the house was too quiet, almost like no one lived there, as if even the walls understood that the people inside needed rest after so many days of tension, travel, fear, and uncertainty. A few minutes later. Cassienne woke first, eyes opened as she tried to get herself back in order. Then for a few seconds, she simply lay there beneath the warm sheets, listening to the quiet rhythm of Dreston’s breathing behind her. His arm was heavy around her waist, his palm resting possessively against the lower part of her stomach in that unconscious way he had developed lately. Even in sleep, he held her like his body refused to forget that she was carrying his child. That made her smile a little. Last night really softened something between them again. Though it didn't fully fix everything, because nothing about their lives could be fi
The bedroom was bathed in the soft, golden hues of dawn. Sunlight slipped through the sheer curtains like gentle fingers, tracing patterns across the rumpled white sheets. Cassienne lay nestled in the warmth of the bed, her body still lax from the deep, restorative sleep that had claimed her aft
Cassienne walked steadily down the hallway of the hospital, her heels clicking softly with each step. In her hands was a small paper bag from a nearby grocery store. Inside were fresh fruits she had picked up on her way—grapes, apples, and sliced oranges. It wasn’t much, but bringing something for
The late afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of the private VIP hospital room, reflecting across the polished floor. Dreston lay propped against several pillows, his back supported by the elevated hospital bed. The thick bandage that had wrapped most of his head a day ago had now been
Later that same late afternoon. Across from the bed, two familiar figures occupied the visitor chairs. Garry Richardson lounged comfortably with one ankle resting over the opposite knee, while Ray Simpson sat beside him, leaning slightly forward with his elbows on his thighs. The mood in the room







