Jake opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. It had been a long time since he’d been this speechless. He watched as Alexander stood up from his swivel chair and began pacing the room."The last time I was this speechless was back in high school when our math teacher threw an equation at me. I never thought I’d find myself this stunned at thirty," he remarked, still struggling to believe the situation. He turned to Alexander, who had his hands shoved deep into his pockets."Can you do me a favor?" Alexander asked."What kind of favor can you ask when you’re already doing yourself a favor?" Jake replied with a chuckle. He was surprised that Alexander would go to such lengths just for Marianne, a girl he had always cared less about throughout their lives."Could you please keep this a secret? It’ll only be for a short while... If I can’t win her back with this plan, I’ll leave San Diego for good and won’t look for her again," Alexander stated. Jake let out a laugh, but Alexande
As soon as Marianne stepped into the restaurant, Michael approached her, carrying Emilio in his arms. Relief washed over her when she saw they were both safe.“Has anyone contacted the police? What exactly happened?” Marianne asked, but Michael shook his head, indicating he had no idea.“It all happened so quickly... I was outside when it occurred, but I really don’t know the full details,” Michael admitted. Marianne gently caressed her son’s cheek.“You must have been terrified,” she said softly, running her fingers through his hair. At that moment, the blare of police sirens echoed through the area."Michael, I don’t think it’s safe for you to stay here... What if—”“Based on what Emilio said—” Michael started to explain, but Marianne cut him off.“What did Emilio say?” she asked, her tone serious as she turned to face her five-year-old son. His small voice cut through the air.“Those were the people who kidnapped me and made Uncle Alexander the way he is now," Emilio said, leaving
A lengthy silence hung between them, with Sophia not uttering a word on her end. Vincent smirked, then pressed on."Don’t you want to win Jayson Williams back?" he inquired, turning away from the balcony to lean against the railing. "I could tell you’re still into him, that’s how I discovered you’re his ex. Or should I say, still his girlfriend?" He didn’t really expect a reply."What does that have to do with you? Is there something you want from me? Or is your woman with my Jay now?" she shot back, and this time, it was Vincent who fell silent."You and I don’t know each other, but it’s absurd for you to call me about such a joke, darling. Just so you know, I can always have Jayson back without any assistance because he’s mine, and he always will be," she said, her tone dripping with confidence."Your girlfriend can have her fun for now—he's got a big d*ck. It’s the kind that makes any woman want him for good. So watch out, she might not want to let him go. But as for me? I won’t co
Marianne and Alexander climbed into the car, and a brief silence enveloped them for a few seconds before Alexander broke the quiet."Are you sure you're fit to go out? We can always pick another day," he suggested, glancing over at her. She met his gaze and offered a small smile."I want to go today," she replied, her eyes lingering on his face. How was he so effortlessly handsome? It sent a flutter through her heart."I feel like staying out with you today... just you and me," she muttered, biting her lip and realizing how cringe that felt before looking away. Marianne knew that in difficult times like this, having Alexander next to her always made her feel at ease. A small smile escaped Alexander's lips at her words as he started the car.It was going to be a long night, so he was sure they had more than enough time to enjoy each other's company like they used to.******Michael's clenched fists slowly loosened as Dylan kissed him with both passion and something else he couldn't qui
"Huh?" she exclaimed, her mind drifting off to something else. What did he mean by “sleep together”? She wouldn’t deny that her thoughts had wandered elsewhere. Alexander couldn’t help but chuckle at her flushed cheeks; she had clearly misinterpreted what he meant.“It’s not what you think,” he said, pressing his lips together to stifle a laugh. “I meant we should share a bed. When did your mind get so dirty?” He watched as she blinked rapidly, silently scolding herself for indulging in such bizarre thoughts.“Who says my mind is dirty? Do you really think I can’t sleep next to you? We did it all the time back then, so why would I think anything inappropriate now?” She scoffed, moving to the other side of the bed and lying down with her back to him. She bit her lip hard, squeezing her eyes shut, knowing he had a point."We can also do what's on your mind if you don't mind," she heard him say, and she quickly turned to face him. She was startled to find him so close. How did he get to
It was just midnight, but Jayson couldn’t sleep. A restless energy coursed through him, and though he couldn’t quite explain why, he knew something felt off. Marianne seemed more distant lately, and despite all his efforts, he couldn’t reach her.Was it a mistake to love her, knowing she still held onto the man who abandoned her five years ago? Was first love really as powerful as people claimed? For most of his life, he’d never believed in it—until Marianne came along and forced him to reconsider."I can't just stand by anymore. Marianne is meant to be mine. I’ve waited long enough, endured enough, and I won’t let Alex take her from me," Jayson vowed. Yet, in the back of his mind, he was scared. But knowing Marianne was no longer the same woman she had been brought him a small sense of relief.“I’m sorry, Marianne. Don’t hold it against me if I do something reckless,” he whispered to himself, pacing towards the living room, hoping to distract his restless mind. The thought of Mariann
Jake had already gotten Emilio ready for school and was now waiting for his mom and Alexander to show up so they could all head out together. Since Jake needed to be at his family's company soon, he glanced at the clock and noticed it was already past 8 a.m., causing him to let out a frustrated sigh.“I don’t think your parents realize they’re supposed to take you to school,” Jake muttered, turning to face Emilio, who was watching him.“Don’t even ask me why I said ‘your parents,’ okay? I have no clue how to explain that to you,” Jake added, trailing off awkwardly.“I wasn’t going to ask,” Emilio cut in, taking a casual bite from the cookie Jake had handed him earlier. “My mom said she’ll explain everything when I’m older, so I’m not really that curious. Besides, having two dads isn’t bad. They’re both wealthy and honorable men,” he finished proudly.Jake gave him a nod, followed by a thumbs-up. “Yeah, yeah, must be nice. Both your dads are pretty loaded.”Shaking his head with a smal
As the words left her lips, Jayson suddenly burst into laughter. He wasn’t entirely sure what was so funny, but somehow, it felt right in that moment. Marianne stared at him, holding back from saying anything that might hurt him further, as she could already hear the pain in his voice.“I’m sorry, Jayson...” she whispered, taking a cautious step toward him. But he shifted away, creating more distance between them. She froze, her eyes locked on his.“I’m not... angry,” he muttered, blinking rapidly. “I’m not even crying, but these tears won’t stop.” His voice cracked as he wiped his eyes, sobering from the laughter.“Jayson...” Marianne called his name softly, feeling her own heart shatter under the weight of his sadness.“I spent five years thinking I could win you over, waiting for you to open your heart to me. I thought, maybe one day, you’d finally see how I feel about you, but now I realize that day will never come,” he said with a bitter smile, lifting his gaze to meet hers. “Tel
The next day, Marianne and the others were at the hospital, except for Dylan and Michael, who had prior commitments but promised to visit later that evening. Grandma Emma arrived at the hospital, her warm presence immediately filling the room. She gently picked up Emilio and held him in her arms before turning to Jake. “Once again, I’m so proud of you,” she said, reaching out to ruffle Jake’s hair affectionately. Jake swatted her hand away with a playful grin. “I’m not a baby, Grandma!” he whined, eliciting laughter from everyone in the room. Marianne smiled faintly at the heartwarming scene, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Her mind lingered on Alexander, still lying unconscious in his hospital bed. Suddenly, Romeo burst into the room, a bag of ice cream in hand and urgency written all over his face. “Something’s going on,” he announced, hurrying to grab the remote. The TV flickered on, and the image of a news anchor appeared. “This just in,” the reporter began. “A ship
An ambulance was called immediately. Marianne, Jake and Emilio were carefully placed inside as the sirens wailed into the night, and the vehicle sped toward the hospital. Meanwhile, Vincent and the other officers stayed behind to survey the area, but there was no sign of Jayson. He had escaped. "What now? If he gets out of here, gets another surgery… we’ll have a much bigger problem on our hands," one officer muttered, glancing nervously at Vincent, who ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Meaning Sophia and Elena would have died for nothing? No," Vincent growled, his eyes hardening. "We finish this. He doesn’t walk away."Determined, Vincent moved away from the group, scanning the area for any sign of the fugitive. Still, Jayson was nowhere to be found. "We should issue an announcement," another officer suggested. Without hesitation, the team dispersed to their vehicles to alert the public and organize a citywide manhunt. The head of the police approached Vincent. "
Vincent tore the small plastic seal open, revealing the flash drive hidden inside. He stared at it for a moment, his mind racing with curiosity. "Where can I plug this in?" he asked, his tone calm but urgent. The officer pointed him toward a desk with a computer. Vincent inserted the drive, his fingers steady, but his heart pounded as the files loaded onto the screen. Rows of folders appeared...documents, images, and most notably, a series of videos. One caught his attention immediately..."Confession by Sophia Latino."He clicked play. The screen flickered to life, showing a young woman with sharp eyes and a determined expression. Her voice was firm, but there was a trace of fear behind her words. "I, Sophia Latino, documented all of this because I don’t trust Desmond Howard..." Vincent froze as the name struck a chord deep within him. His brow furrowed as he whispered it aloud. "Desmond Howard? Why does the name sounds familiar?"The officer beside him, Sergeant Miller, narr
"Elena," Jayson whispered, his voice sharp with bitterness. His eyes darkened as he stared at the screen, the tension in his jaw tightening with every second. Rage blurred his vision, making it hard to focus on the task at hand. He wanted to smash the screen, but a sudden knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. With a sigh, he set the food aside and walked to the door. When he opened the door, one of his men stood waiting. "Boss," the man greeted him, bowing slightly. Jayson nodded in acknowledgment. His expression remained cold "I have a job for you," he said, pulling out his phone, tapped a few times, and handed it over. "This is her number. Track her down." His gaze hardened, his voice dropping to a chilling calm. "Silence her." The man gave a nod, his eyes glinting with understanding, before turning to leave. Jayson closed the door quietly behind him. His mind raced, but there was no time for hesitation. Instead of returning to Marianne, he moved swiftly to his bed
Across from her, Jayson found a seat and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his eyes a dark, endless abyss. "You deserve the truth," he began, his tone eerily soft, like a lover sharing a secret. "You always did."Marianne felt her heart thudding painfully in her chest. "What are you talking about?"He smiled, but it wasn’t warm. It was hollow, devoid of humanity. "Who I really am," he said slowly. "You’ve known pieces of me...the parts I’ve let you see. But that’s not the whole story. It never was."She sniffed but he sighed, a sound filled with false regret. "I grew up in a house where pain was currency, where love was a weapon. My parents… they weren’t just abusive. They were the kind of monsters that lived behind closed doors with smiling faces for the world. They crushed me until there was nothing left. But one night, I heard someone say, ‘If you can’t escape your suffering, end it.’ I took those words to heart. I went home, and I ended it." He met her gaze, unbli
The sirens of the police car blared in the distance, growing faint as Vincent watched it disappear down the street. He exhaled slowly, his eyes filled with determination. The officers had taken over the scene just as planned. Now, there was only one place left to be. The hospital "Let’s go," he muttered to the others before slipping into his car as they drove off.The minute he arrived, he rushed through the sterile corridors, searching. His eyes found Charlotte standing near the waiting area. She looked small and fragile, her arms wrapped around herself as if trying to hold herself together. "Where’s Jake? And what about Alexander? Is he not out yet?" Vincent asked as he strode toward her. Without answering, Charlotte threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly like a scared child. Her grip was so firm it surprised him. Vincent sighed heavily, patting her back with gentle impatience. "You’re an expectant mother. Cut the child act and start acting like a woman.?" Vincent c
“I’m sorry, Marianne,” Jayson muttered under his breath as he drove away.In a matter of minutes, Jayson reached his apartment, the tires of his car screeching to a halt. He stepped out swiftly, lifting Emilio from his mother's side. The child stirred lightly, leaning against Jayson’s chest as he carried him inside and settled him in a room.Without a moment's pause, he returned for Marianne’s unconscious form, and also carried her. Just as he turned toward the house, Elena appeared, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene before her. "Well, I’m not here for this," she said, drawing his attention. "Why the hell did you get Alexander involved in an accident?" Jayson said nothing. He kept his expression blank as he carried Marianne past her as if he wasn't the one being questioned.Elena chuckled softly, trailing after him. "Are you ignoring me now?" she asked. "Did you forget I have evidence that could destroy you? Ruin everything you’ve built? And maybe... Lead to your death?"
Elena stepped into the house, her eyes immediately landing on Hailey sitting at the dining table, chattering away with her nanny. The little girl was so absorbed in their conversation that she didn’t even notice her mother’s arrival. The nanny, amused, chuckled softly at whatever Hailey was saying. "Ma’am... you’re back," the nanny murmured, rising to her feet. Hailey turned her head just in time to see her mother fully enter the house. Her eyes lit up. "Mom!" she beamed, abandoning her food as she jumped off her chair and ran toward Elena. Elena knelt down, gently ruffling her daughter’s hair. "How have you been, my love?" she asked, cupping Hailey’s small face before kissing her forehead. "I’m fine, Mom. But I missed you so much last night," Hailey muttered, her lips forming a small pout. "Where did you go? You’ve never slept outside unless you were traveling." Elena smiled, brushing a stray curl away from Hailey’s face. "I had to look for a job yesterday. Since we moved
Charlotte left Jake’s place that morning, her mind already set on collecting her belongings. Not that she’d be moving in with Jake...no, Grandma Emma had graciously offered her one of her mansions to stay in until the case with her mother was resolved. Charlotte had been overwhelmed with gratitude, thanking Emma profusely for her kindness. Jake had offered to accompany her, but she declined. "You’re expecting Alexander, remember? It wouldn’t be nice if he came by and found the house empty," she reminded him. Still, Jake had made her promise to be careful. She assured him she would. Now, as she sat in the cab, her head rested against the window, lost in thought. The city blurred past, but her mind was miles away. She knew her family loved her dearly...there was no question of that...but her mother… Her mother would be a whole different story. To her, Charlotte was still a baby, and the idea of her own baby carrying another child would be a shock. "I hope Mom doesn’t scold me,"