LOGINFour months passedAmelia paced the hospital hallway day after day. She stepped into Andres’s room, leaned over, and pressed her lips to his. "Andres, wake up. Your son’s coming in a month, and I’m clueless about a name. Please," she whispered, clutching his hand and kissing his knuckles. She filled him in on her day, gave him another soft kiss, and headed out.Next door, she entered Thiago’s room and kissed his forehead. "Thiago, open your eyes. I’m pissed at you, why’d you have to pull that stunt?""Because the idiot’s in love with you," Selena snapped, bitterness dripping from her voice. "Keep your hands off my son," she shouted at Amelia."Selena, get your toxic hands off me. I’m so furious I might lose it on you," Amelia shot back."Get out!" Selena screamed."Mama, please… stop yelling," Thiago murmured weakly. Amelia froze, her hand hovering over his face."Thiago?" she whispered, her voice cracking as she touched his cheek."Mi amor," he managed, his eyes fluttering open. Tear
Oliver stormed back and forth, the phone clutched in his hand."Andy, I’m done with this fucking business. I’m out," Oliver snapped."Alright, just make the call. We’ll deal with the rest later," Andy replied, calm but firm.Oliver hesitated, then dialed. He muttered a name, his voice tight, before sinking into a chair, hands covering his face like he could block out the world.Her dad and brothers moved down the hospital corridor, their footsteps echoing."How is she?" her dad asked, his voice low."Still waiting. The doctor hasn’t come out yet," "I’m pissed at her. Why did she do something so stupid?""Because she loves you, you idiot. She’s loyal to a fault," her dad shot back.Oliver exhaled sharply. "I don’t deserve her," he muttered just as the doctor approached."She’s fine. Resting. No permanent damage," the doctor assured."Thank you," Oliver said quickly, already pointing toward the room where she’d be brought. "I need to see her."Peru, Thiago’s houseThe men they called "C
"My shipment’s gone missing, and now my guys are getting picked up," the voice growled. "Find out who’s behind this, or I’ll have to wipe the slate clean, you get me?" The line went dead.Amelia stepped forward, demanding to see Thiago. They let her in, and he immediately pulled her into an embrace. "Missed you, mi amor," he murmured."Thiago," she began, but his lips met hers. "Focus, please.""I am focused," he said, pulling back slightly."Who’s doing this to us? Think, Thiago. The shipment’s gone, who handles shipments?""Oliver. Call him and figure it out," he said, his hand brushing her cheek."Thiago, come on. They got hit too.""They’ve got nothing on us," he replied, pulling her closer.She met his gaze. "You still love me, Amelia. I know I hurt you…I didn’t see it, your pain. But I’ll never stop loving you. Andres told me you’re expecting." He held her tight.Amelia looked at him as she turned to leave."Ms. Cardenal, Detective Jose Garcia, head of narcotics," he introduced
6 months laterOlivia swayed to the music as she flipped pancakes, lost in her rhythm. Oliver sneaked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, making her jump. “Jesus, Oliver! Good thing I wasn’t holding a knife,” she laughed, swatting his arm. He grabbed a piece of bacon, stuffing it in his mouth. “Gonna have to run an extra mile after this,” he mumbled.“Sit down,” she said, pulling out a chair. “Eat like a normal person.”He grinned, staring at her like she’d hung the moon. The ring was ready, her dad and brothers already called. Tonight was the night.“Don’t forget,” he said, “masked ball tonight. Dancing. Fancy stuff.”“Forget? Oliver, you’re actually taking me? I’m impressed,” she teased, wiping her hands on a dish towel.“Yeah, yeah,” he said, kissing her neck before heading out. “Fuck, you’re distracting.” He smirked, turning on his heel. “Later.”The doorbell buzzed just as she stepped inside from the market. She swung the door open to find a courier holding four bo
Lucas leaned back in his chair at the conference table, Bella beside him, while Michael, Thiago, Andres, the Montenegro brothers, and Cesar filled the room. Oliver gave a nod. “Go ahead, Lucas. I’m just here to keep things civil. You, Max, and Andy call the shots now.” Lucas was about to speak when a man flanked by four guards strode in, all charm and confidence.“Lucas Jackson,” the man said, grinning. “Here to hear your pitch. So, this is the son who’s after my daughter?” He glanced at Oliver.“Jared Korvat, welcome,” Lucas stood, shaking his hand. “Yeah, that’s Oliver, one of my sons running this empire.”Jared eyed him for a moment before taking a seat, then pointed at Thiago.Lucas cut in. “That’s why we’re here, to settle this. Let’s hear what they’ve got first; they’ve come up with a plan.”“Alright,” Oliver began. “We’ve got a newcomer, Cesar Benavidez, with some solid routes. He’s willing to rent them to us, and we’ll coordinate. His setup could bring in serious profit.” He l
Bella, our kid’s in trouble,” Lucas muttered, flooring the gas.“Han trained her. She’ll handle it. And let’s be real, he’s obsessed with her. He’s not going to kill her,” Bella shot back, shrugging.His phone buzzed. “Yeah?”“Dad?” Amelia’s voice crackled through.“You good?” Lucas barked.“Yeah, Cesar had backup. Dad, listen...” she hesitated, “look after Isabella. I’ve got to…”“Amelia, you know I will. Sort your crap out and get your ass home, kid,” Lucas cut in.“Thanks, Dad. I will,” Amelia replied.“This isn’t over, Amelia,” Thiago growled.“It’s over. We’re done. Hand Isabella to my dad. I won’t let that snake near her,” Amelia snapped.“Oh, now you’re making demands?” Thiago sneered.She moved toward him, but Cesar caught her arm. “You were really going to kill him?”“No, of course not,” Thiago lied, his tone sharp.“Think about your daughter, Thiago. What’s she going to think when I tell her everything about us?” Amelia shot back.Thiago’s eyes flicked to Cesar. “You touched







