After spending a couple of hours in the hospital due to mild hypertension caused by the shock of losing her son, Katia returned to her apartment.Alice, worried about her daughter, decided to stay with her. Richard, on the other hand, went to prepare everything for their grandson's burial. The burial would take place in Katia's hometown, Oregon.The next day, they all traveled there, where Katia's aunts and cousins were waiting for them."We were looking forward to seeing you, but not under these circumstances," one of her aunts said to her."Your Wyoming relatives couldn't make it, but they send their heartfelt condolences for your loss," Alice informed her.At that moment, Katia opened her eyes, and tears gradually filled them. Unable to help it, she collapsed into her mother's arms.She had quickly transitioned from the first stage to the fourth stage of grief, which worried her parents.As the doctor had advised them, it was best for Katia to have some time alone to process the lo

Richard looked at his third daughter in astonishment because he didn't think that was the reason, and Stefan felt the same way due to the response she had given her father.Katia bit her lower lip, mentally cursing herself for lying to her father, as this was the second time she had done so.The first time had been when she informed them that she was pregnant with Oscar, when in reality, it was the result of a rape.She shrugged and wished her mother would come to her aid."Please, let the lie be believed," she wished with all her might mentally."Are you not pregnant by this man?" the lieutenant asked after a few minutes."No! Of course not, Dad. Adri just died, how do you expect me to get pregnant by him?" she asked irritably. "Dad, I love him. Don't dwell on it. Just like you and Mom still sleep together despite being divorced, I can marry whoever I want. I'm free and of legal age. I'm not a child anymore."Richard stared at his daughter in astonishment because it was the first tim

They walked towards the main house, where they climbed the semicircular staircase to the upper floor and headed to the second room on the left.Stefan opened the door, and Katia stood there, gazing at the prominent ceilings in the bedroom, where comfort met functionality.On the bed, there was a neatly folded pajama, and next to it, a form-fitting knit dress with a shiny pattern featuring metallic threads in the weave. It was a sleeveless model with a fitted waist, an open back, and a neck closure with a clasp at the nape.At the foot of the bed, there were synthetic suede high heels with pointed toes, crisscrossing straps on the upper part that tied around the ankles, a metal embellishment on the heel, and rubber soles."And what's this dress for?" Katia asked, puzzled."For you to wear tonight, for our dinner out," he replied. "I'll leave you to change."An hour later, they both went out for dinner at a rather expensive restaurant. She didn't understand why he had taken her to this

The man was a handsome young fellow, tall and in excellent physical shape.His hair was black and tousled, with well-defined eyebrows and green eyes that he often used to seduce women. He had full lips and just a hint of stubble.Stefan's gaze hardened upon seeing him, but he opened his eyes in surprise when he saw the woman accompanying him.She was a fair-skinned woman of medium height, 5'8" (173 cm), with ashy blonde hair, almost reaching a light brown shade. Her hair was long and straight, with shorter strands framing her face. She had beautiful brown eyes and a well-developed body despite her age.She was stunning.Stefan couldn't believe what he was seeing. What was Gretchen doing with that man who was his counterpart?"That girl... wasn't she your girlfriend, Mr. Schmidt?" one of the men he was with asked."Yes, she was," he replied tersely.He couldn't believe what he was witnessing. Gretchen had left him ten years ago, and now she was with his enemy? Didn't she despise that w

She opened it and as she walked toward the bed, she read:"Miss West:I'm sure that when you read this letter, it's because you wanted to take a bath and probably didn't have any bikinis in your suitcase. You might be wondering why there are so many bikinis in that drawer. Well, you see: since we don't get along very well, I had to bring you here by force, and you probably didn't have time to pack properly.You're not obligated to wear them, but I would love it if you did. I wouldn't be wrong to say they would look very good on you. Please don't be angry with me. I'm just trying to make your stay in my house as least distressing as possible for you and your son. And please, don't be angry with me for bringing you here by force.I like to see you smile, and I hope that will be the case while you're with me.Farewell,Stefan Schmidt, your STUPID boss.P.S. There's more clothing in the closet that I bought for you, but you don't have to wear it or give me the money.I'm happy to do it.O