Cassandra was lounging on the sofa when the sound of footsteps echoed at the doorway. She turned her head, slightly surprised to see Caspian back so soon.“You're back already?” she asked, sitting up. “What about Alaric?”Caspian shrugged off his jacket with an effortless motion before settling beside her. “Alaric was proven guilty. I have no intention of helping him walk free. He deserves to face the consequences of his actions.”Cassandra studied him in silence. The sharp confidence in his eyes remained, but there was a subtle weariness beneath it—not regret, though. He was certain of his decision.She moved closer, resting her hand gently over his. “Are you okay? I mean, aren’t you worried this scandal will taint the Verity family name?”Caspian turned to her and gave a small, amused smile.“Why would I put my family's reputation above justice?” His gaze locked onto hers. “Don’t forget—you’re part of the Verity family now, too. And to me, protecting a name isn’t as important as hol
Alaric sat in the metal chair, his cuffed hands resting on the cold surface of the interrogation table. His jaw clenched as he glared at Selene, who sat across from him with her legs elegantly crossed, her eyes gleaming with triumph.“Get me out of here first, and we’ll get married next month.”Selene let out a quiet chuckle, her gaze sharp with calculation. “Next month?” She shook her head slowly, leaning back in her chair. “No, darling. That’s too long.”Her piercing eyes locked onto his.“If you want to walk free now, then we’re getting married presently.”Alaric’s fists clenched. This woman was insane.“Do you think marriage is as simple as flipping a switch?!” He shot her a sharp glare, barely able to process the absurdity of what she was saying.But Selene remained composed. She leaned in slightly, the corners of her lips curling into a sly smile. “We don’t need a grand wedding, Alaric. The only thing that matters is making it legal. It’s far too late to dream about a lavish cer
“Who was at the door?”Cassandra stepped into the living room, her hair still slightly damp, carrying the fresh scent of soap after her shower. Her eyes scanned the room, but all she found was Caspian standing casually near the sofa.“Alaric and Selene,” Caspian replied flatly, his tone void of interest. “But they're gone now.”Cassandra frowned. Why did they suddenly show up? However, before she could ask further, Caspian had already pulled her into his arms.He lowered his head, inhaling the lingering fragrance of soap on Cassandra’s skin. His eyes fluttered shut for a moment, savoring her scent as if she were an addiction, he could never escape.“Why did you finish your shower so quickly?” Caspian murmured, his voice deep and slightly hoarse. “I was planning to join you.”He buried his face in the curve of her neck, his lips brushing against her soft skin, leaving a trail of warmth that sent shivers down Cassandra’s spine. But before the moment could escalate, something suddenly cr
Selene still refused to give up, no matter how many times Alaric had told her to stop.She didn’t care.The burning jealousy inside her had reached its limit. She was sick of watching Cassandra always stay one step ahead.Selene still couldn’t accept the fact that Cassandra now lived in the house she had always dreamed of.The house that should have been hers.Today, she returned to Caspian’s house. This time, she made sure to come when Caspian wasn’t home.“Stop in front of that house,” she instructed the taxi driver.The car slowed and finally stopped before a grand mansion, its elegant design and meticulously kept garden exuding an air of superiority.Selene stepped out gracefully, tossing the fare to the driver without bothering to wait for change. As the taxi drove away, she lifted her chin, her gaze locking onto the security guard stationed at the front gate.She narrowed her eyes.That guard wasn’t here the last time she visited.So Caspian had anticipated that she would come b
Alaric had just opened his car door when his attention was drawn to a familiar figure.Across the parking lot, Caspian was getting into his car, starting the engine, and driving away.Alaric narrowed his eyes. Since when did Caspian start coming home early?His father was never the type to come home often. Even when his mother was alive, the house was filled with nothing but arguments. They never looked like a happy couple.But now, Caspian was coming home earlier. He looked different. He looked happy.Alaric clenched his fists.Does Caspian actually love Cassandra?He got into his car, but his thoughts kept spiraling. Even as he drove toward his apartment, that question continued to haunt him.Then, his mind drifted back to the conversation he had overheard the other day. Even though Damian had denied it, brushing it off as a misunderstanding, something still felt… off.Was all of this really just a coincidence?Alaric gritted his teeth. Caspian wasn’t the type of man to act on impul
Caspian sat upright in his seat, his left hand gripping the steering wheel tightly while his sharp gaze remained fixed on Alaric, who sat beside him. The air inside the car felt heavy, thick with unspoken tension hanging between them.For the countless times, Caspian felt nothing but disappointment. Alaric, it seemed, was no different from his late mother—always wanting more.“Fine.” Caspian's voice was flat, nearly devoid of emotion, yet carried an undeniable authority. “I'll buy you a house and give you a higher position in the company.”Alaric’s smug expression softened slightly.“But as for company shares, you'll get them later—after I'm dead. That will be your inheritance. Is that enough for you?” Caspian continued, his tone icy cold.A small smirk crept onto Alaric’s lips, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. He couldn’t demand more for now, but that was fine. He could wait. The house and the promotion were more than enough to cement his standing in the company without having to
The air inside the room felt cold, but not because of the temperature. Cassandra stood in front of the large window, gazing at the dark, starless sky. Her hand gently caressed her growing belly. This should have been the only thing on her mind.But it wasn’t.Her thoughts drifted back to Caspian. She remembered the grim look on his face, the way his jaw clenched to suppress his anger, and the tension in his shoulders as he bore the weight of it all alone. Cassandra couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.Caspian wasn’t the type to back down easily, yet this time, he chose silence.As his wife, there was no way she could accept that. Selene and Alaric had to pay.Caspian had warned her not to interfere. She knew he was worried, and she should’ve listened. But how could she sit idly by while the people who looked down on her husband laughed in victory?Just this once, she wouldn’t obey him. Besides, she had someone on her side.A few days ago, the sky was overcast. A light drizzle patter
The night sky hung dark and heavy as Alaric strolled into his house, his steps casual, his grip firm on the wrist of a woman he had just met at the bar. The woman looked pleased, as if she had successfully trapped her prey.“I thought you were lying when you said you were a CEO with a big house,” she teased, her sultry voice dripping with false admiration as her eyes swept over the luxurious interior. “Turns out, you really are an impressive man.”Alaric smirked arrogantly, his ego swelling at the cheap flattery.“Of course, I am.”The woman bit her lower lip seductively, pretending to hesitate. “But are you sure? A man like you must already have a wife.”Alaric chuckled dismissively, as if the question was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.“You don’t need to worry about my wife,” he said nonchalantly. “Our marriage is just on paper. The only thing you need to focus on is satisfying me. My personal life is none of your concern.”To Alaric, Selene was never a wife—just a key to
Alaric's POVI never thought this moment would come so soon.Three years ago, I watched Freya fill out her university application form with trembling hands, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and fear.I remember the long nights she spent with books scattered across the table, working on essays and projects with unwavering determination.And now, here I stand in the grand hall of New York University, dressed in a crisp black suit, watching her name appear on the big screen as the valedictorian.Freya Verity, Bachelor of Communication—Top Graduate of the Year.I look up at the stage where she stands, clad in a black graduation gown and a gold sash signifying her achievements. The spotlight casts a soft glow on her face, and for a brief moment, time seems to stop.She did it.She made it.And I have never felt prouder in my entire life.Beside me, Hero sits in his small chair, wearing the miniature suit Freya picked out for him, complete with a slightly crooked bow tie. He tries to sit
Alaric's POVI never imagined my life would turn out like this.I used to think I would always be the kind of man who only knew how to survive—content with cooking in a small restaurant kitchen, satisfied with a modest paycheck, and avoiding anything remotely connected to the Verity name. Furthermore, I thought I would remain the man who rejected his past, carving out his own path without ever looking back.But three years later, my life had thoroughly changed.Now, I stood in the penthouse suite of Verity Hotel, wearing a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, my tie discarded hours ago. The city lights of New York shimmered beyond the massive windows, casting a golden glow into the room.On the sofa, a small two-year-old boy slept soundly, his tiny arms wrapped around a stuffed bear. His breathing was soft, his face peaceful, as if the world around him wasn’t full of chaos.Hero Verity. My son.I still remembered when Freya chose that name. “Because he's our hero, Alaric. H
Freya's POVI had never felt happiness quite as terrifying as this before.There was still a part of me trying to process all the changes happening so fast—going back to college, finding a new rhythm in life, and now carrying another life inside me.But if there was one thing I knew for sure, it was that I wasn’t doing any of it alone.I watched Alaric from across the room as he stood in the kitchen, his back straight as he cooked over the stove. The scent of eggs and toast filled the air, wrapping the space in a warmth that was oddly comforting.Leaning against the doorway, I crossed my arms and observed him.Who would’ve thought that the same man who once lived in darkness could look so at home in a kitchen like this?“I still can’t believe you’re actually making me breakfast,” I finally said, breaking the morning silence.Alaric glanced over his shoulder, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I’m not letting you skip breakfast again. Especially now, since you’re eating for two.”I pouted.
Freya's POVI’ve realized something over the past few days.Love alone isn’t enough.Love is the foundation, but what keeps it standing is commitment—the courage to choose each other every single day, through the good and the bad.And now, I’m at a point where I need to make sure that Alaric and I aren’t just in love, but that we’re also moving in the same direction.I sat on the couch, holding the ultrasound results we’d just gotten yesterday. Our baby. Still so tiny, but its presence was real. Its existence changed everything—not just for me, but for Alaric too.I heard the sound of the door opening, followed by familiar footsteps. Alaric had just returned from a meeting with his father. He’d mentioned it was about the inheritance he was set to receive.As soon as he saw me, he walked over, kissed the top of my head, and then dropped onto the couch beside me.“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice soft.I turned to him, offering a small smile. “A little nauseous this morning, bu
Freya’s POVI sat at the edge of the bed, one hand resting on my stomach. My fingers traced over the still-flat surface of my skin, as if trying to grasp the reality of what I had just learned.I was pregnant with Alaric’s child.I repeated it in my head, trying to let the words sink in. This was real. It wasn’t just a possibility or a joke from a faulty test.The doctor had confirmed it—I was carrying Alaric’s baby. And somehow, ever since that moment, the world felt like it was moving in slow motion.I lifted my head, my gaze falling on Alaric, who stood by the bedroom door, arms crossed over his chest. He was watching me with an unreadable expression—a mixture of awe, relief, and something deeper that I couldn’t quite define.“Are you still in shock?” His voice was low, almost gentle.I let out a breath and nodded slowly. “Of course. I just found out a few hours ago that there’s a tiny human growing inside me.”A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he stepped closer and
Alaric's POVI’ve faced a lot in my life.Life in prison, betrayal, losing people I considered family. Even surviving the criminal underworld that nearly swallowed me whole.I’ve been on the brink of destruction, standing between life and death more times than I can count.But none of that could have prepared me for what I just heard.“Congratulations, Mr. Verity. Your partner is pregnant. She’s about eight weeks along.”I froze in place like an idiot.The doctor’s voice echoed in the room, but my brain seemed to stop functioning. I stared at the blood test results in my hand. The numbers should have made sense, but right now, they just felt like a jumble of meaningless symbols.I had to lean on the desk because, for the first time in my life, my knees almost gave out.Freya… pregnant?I took a deep breath, trying to regain my focus. “Are you sure?” My voice came out hoarser than I expected.The doctor smiled, unfazed by my reaction. “We ran the test twice to confirm. All signs point
Freya's POVI’ve always loved the atmosphere of classes at NYU. The lecture halls are spacious, modern, and filled with students who are just as passionate as I am.Professor Callahan, who teaches Media, Culture, and Society, is the kind of academic who’s both brilliant and insightful. His voice is confident as he explains how media shapes social perceptions. Popular culture isn’t just entertainment—it’s a social phenomenon with a profound impact on everyday life.I listened intently, jotting down key points in my notebook. But today felt different.Since this morning, my body had been feeling a little off.I woke up with an uncomfortable sensation in my stomach. It wasn’t exactly pain, but more like waves of nausea that came and went.At first, I thought it was just the usual nervousness I feel before heading to class. I’m the type of person who’s always excited, and sporadically that excitement turns into a bit of anxiety.But this time was different.I swallowed hard, trying to ign
Freya’s POVI stood on the balcony of our apartment, letting the cool night breeze brush against my skin. Below me, New York pulsed with life—city lights scattered like stars, distant honks and the faint hum of the city still audible despite the late hour.Leaning against the railing, I hugged myself and gazed at the skyline.I should be in bed, but my mind was too restless.Today, I had finalized all my administrative paperwork for college. I had my class schedule, my student ID, and had even spent the last few hours reading through reference materials for my first course.I should be proud of myself. But there was an unsettling feeling in my chest: a quiet anxiety I couldn’t fully understand.The sound of the sliding door opening behind me pulled me from my thoughts, followed by familiar footsteps. I didn’t have to turn around to know it was Alaric.He didn’t say anything, just stood beside me, resting his hands on the railing, his sharp green eyes focused on the city.I glanced at
Freya’s POVI stared at my reflection in the mirror, letting out a slow, deep breath.This morning, I wore a peach blouse, paired with loose white pants that draped comfortably around my legs. On my feet were white flats adorned with delicate floral accents— a gift from Alaric. I completed the look with a cross-body bag filled with books and pens.Today marked the beginning of something new.I had officially enrolled at New York University (NYU), choosing to major in Communication Studies with a Bachelor of Science in Media, Culture.I was rebuilding my life, choosing not just to be someone who had survived her past but someone who was actively shaping her own future.Alaric had never tried to change me. Instead, he always made sure I had the freedom to be myself.I checked my natural-looking makeup, ran my fingers through my shoulder-length hair to fix it, and then stepped out of the bedroom, finding Alaric already waiting for me.He was standing in the kitchen, pouring himself a cup