Novels by Ahsa

The next morning, Leonard woke much earlier than usual.Ash was still fast asleep. Leonard stood beside the baby's crib for a few moments before leaning down to straighten the blanket that had slipped slightly out of place. The movement was still a little awkward, but it had become part of his new morning routine.The nanny watched quietly from the doorway."Are you going out, sir?"Leonard nodded."I won't be gone long. If Ash wakes up before I get back, please let me know."She looked slightly surprised. In the past, Leonard had almost never explained where he was going. Now, even leaving the house for a few hours made him feel the need to make sure his son would be all right.Leonard left without a driver.His car stopped in an old neighborhood on the outskirts of London, a place once filled with the families of Ashcroft Group employees. After the company collapsed, many had lost their jobs. Some had been forced to sell their homes. Others had moved into a community shelter establi

Leonard read the text message several times before finally turning off his phone screen. The sentence was simple, yet it weighed far more heavily than every accusation ever thrown at him.If you truly want to atone for your sins, don't begin by chasing Arabella... begin by saving Ash.For the past several weeks, his thoughts had been consumed by Arabella and Elena. Every time he opened his eyes, he saw the terrified expression on his daughter's face as she struggled in his arms. Every time he closed them, he saw the icy look in Arabella's eyes when she revealed her true identity.Without realizing it, there was another child who needed him even more.Leonard started the engine and drove toward the rental house that had become his new home. It was far smaller than the Ashcroft estate, but for the first time in years, it felt more honest than the grand mansion he had once been so proud of.The moment he opened the front door, Ash's cries echoed through the house.The nanny, who was carr

Leonard continued holding the ring for a long time.The small piece of metal felt cold in his palm.But the tightness in his chest felt far more real.Once, that ring had symbolized a promise.Now, it was nothing more than a reminder of everything he had destroyed with his own hands.Slowly, he placed the ring back into its small box.Then he closed the desk drawer.There was nothing left to change about the past.Only tomorrow remained.And for the first time, Leonard had no idea what tomorrow would look like.Morning arrived with a light drizzle.Leonard walked into the Ashcroft Group headquarters once again.But this time, not as the company's leader.He was simply a man finishing his final responsibilities.The remaining employees filled the main lobby.Most carried cardboard boxes containing their personal belongings.Others were handling the paperwork for their layoffs.Leonard stopped walking.His gaze swept across the faces of the people who had worked for his family for so ma

Leonard remained standing in front of the penthouse window.The photograph of Elena was still in his hand.For years, Leonard had believed that the Ashcroft name was everything.It opened doors.It commanded respect.It made him believe he could never lose.But now...That very name had become the reason people walked away from him.He gazed out over the city of London.The lights of the buildings still glittered against the night sky.Yet there was no longer a single place that truly felt like home.His phone rang.This time, it was the company's lawyer."Mr. Leonard.""What is it now?""We need your signature.""For what?""The sale of the company's remaining assets."Leonard closed his eyes."Which assets?""Three office buildings... and the remainder of your personal shares."He remained silent for a long moment."What if I refuse?"The lawyer took a slow breath."Then thousands of employees who still haven't received their salaries will have to wait even longer."Leonard lowered

Leonard didn't answer immediately.His gaze remained fixed on the document in his hands.With every page he turned, his jaw tightened further.A custody petition.Not a request to take Ash away from the Ashcroft family.Not a request for release from prison.Instead, it was a formal petition seeking regular visitation rights with her son.Leonard slowly closed the file.Silence filled the room once more."She wants to see Ash?"The lawyer nodded."Legally, Vanessa is still his biological mother."Leonard leaned back in his chair.Tired.So incredibly tired.Because for the first time, he was beginning to understand something.Vanessa was a murderer.But she was still a mother.And unlike him—At least she had fought for her child."What do you recommend?"The lawyer hesitated."Legally speaking, the court will most likely grant at least part of her request."Leonard let out a short laugh.Not because it was funny.But because of the irony.Vanessa was sitting in prison, yet she was st

Elena's innocent words made Leonard stop in his tracks.He didn't turn around immediately.But his entire body froze.Because there was no hatred in Elena's voice.No anger.Only the fear of a little girl who didn't want a stranger disrupting her world.And somehow, that hurt far more.Adele gently stroked her daughter's hair."It's okay, sweetheart."Elena wrapped her arms tightly around her mother's waist."I don't like it when that man makes Mama cry."A sharp ache tightened in Leonard's chest.Because the child was right.Every time he appeared, old wounds were torn open again.Every time he showed up, there were tears."Let's go home."Sebastian's voice was calm.He picked Elena up and started walking toward the car.Elena still had her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.As if the safest place in the world was right there.Leonard watched them.And for the first time—He truly understood what Arabella must have felt.Watching someone else fill a place that should have been his

A few weeks after the birth, the house felt different.Not only because a crib now stood in the corner of their bedroom.Not only because the scent of milk and baby powder had become part of the morning air.But because the small cries that once filled the rooms had begun to soften into light laughter.Emily.They chose the name on their third day in the hospital. Simple. Gentle. Strong.It was Ethan who said it first, almost by accident.“Emily,” he murmured while trying to spell out the list of names they had written on a piece of paper.From that moment on, it felt right.—The first days were not always easy.Sleep deprivation. Diapers. Feeding schedules that ignored the clock.But this time, there was no hidden panic beneath the exhaustion.Emma was calmer than she had ever been.Her body healed well. The delivery wounds recovered quickly. The doctor described her condition as “very stable.”James was different too.He no longer obsessed over meeting schedules. No longer answered

The day came sooner than Emma had imagined.Dawn still hung pale in the sky when the ache began—different from ordinary cramps. Deeper. More rhythmic.Emma woke slowly, one hand instinctively cradling her now-full belly. She waited a few seconds.It came again.Stronger this time.“James,” she called softly.He was awake instantly, as if he had never truly slept soundly since she entered her ninth month. “What is it?”Emma drew in a breath. “I think… it’s time.”James froze for two seconds.Then he moved too quickly.“Contractions? How far apart? How bad is the pain? Your water—”Emma almost laughed despite the grimace on her face. “Relax. Let’s time it first.”The timer on the phone started.Seven minutes.Then six.James was already standing beside the bed, his face tense, trying to look rational.Ethan woke at the sound of hurried footsteps in the hallway.“What’s happening?” he asked, eyes half-open.James knelt in front of him. “Your sister wants to come out.”Ethan’s eyes widene

The months that followed were calmer than Emma had imagined.Not without vigilance.Not without routine check-ups and vitamins never missed.But there was no bleeding. No suspicious cramps. No panicked nights that sent them rushing to the hospital.The pregnancy progressed with a healthy rhythm.Each visit to the doctor brought good news.The baby’s weight matched its age.The heartbeat was steady.The development was right on track.Emma began to learn how to breathe without constantly bracing for bad news.She chose to stop working for a while—not because she was forced to, but because this time, she decided to. Her mornings were filled with reading, light walks in the garden, or simply sitting with a warm cup of tea without rushing anywhere.James accompanied her almost every step of the way.He now had a new routine: waking earlier, preparing a simple breakfast, making sure Emma took her vitamins, then reviewing his own schedule to ensure it wasn’t too full.“I don’t want you to f

The two weeks passed more slowly than any Emma had ever lived through.Each morning began with prayers she never spoke aloud.Each night ended with James’s hand resting over her abdomen, as if making sure that small life was still there.The next appointment arrived.And this time, when the room dimmed again and the monitor flickered to life, Emma did not turn her face away.The doctor smiled before saying anything.“There.”Her voice was gentle, but certain.On the screen, the tiny dot was clearer now. More defined.Emma covered her mouth.James went still.Tears slid down Emma’s cheeks, unstoppable. This time, they were not born of fear.James pressed a kiss to the back of her hand.“Thank you,” he whispered—though it wasn’t clear to whom.The pregnancy was healthy.And since that first test showed two lines, Emma had allowed herself to hope a little further.—The change showed in James as well.He became more disciplined. His working hours were reduced. Meetings were moved home. E

The obstetrics clinic was not far from their house, yet the fifteen-minute drive felt like an hour.Emma sat in the passenger seat, her hands clasped together over her abdomen. James drove more slowly than usual. There was no music. No light conversation.Only carefully measured breathing.“Are you dizzy?” James asked, keeping his eyes on the road.“No.”“Nauseous?”“A little. But it’s normal.”James nodded. He wanted to say so many things—words of reassurance, grand promises—but he understood that this time, what Emma needed was not speeches. She needed his calm presence.They arrived.The waiting room was painted in soft cream tones, with cushioned chairs and the faint scent of disinfectant. On the walls, framed photographs of smiling babies hung in white frames.Emma stared at one of them a little too long.James followed her gaze. His hand instinctively reached for hers.“We’re not chasing that photo,” he whispered. “We’re just here to make sure everything’s all right.”Emma nodde

The embrace lasted longer than usual.Not an embrace born of longing.Not one driven by desire.But the embrace of two people who both understood that happiness sometimes arrives hand in hand with the quietest fear.Emma was still holding the pregnancy test when James slowly pulled back, looking at it again as if to make sure the lines would not disappear.“Two lines,” he murmured.Emma nodded.An old memory—one she had tried to bury in the deepest corner of her heart—began to rise slowly to the surface.The smell of the hospital room.The white lights that were too bright.The doctor’s careful voice.And the sentence that had made her world collapse—“There’s no heartbeat.”James saw the change in his wife’s face.“You’re thinking about before,” he said gently.Emma did not deny it. “I failed to protect the baby.”James immediately shook his head. “No.”“I worked too hard back then. I said I was strong. I said I was fine. I kept attending meetings. I stood for hours.” Her voice began

Aurora stared at her phone screen for a few moments before finally closing her laptop.Her first day back at work had been much easier than she had expected.Several reports had been completed.Her meetings with the department heads had also gone smoothly.Yet Darius's message kept stirring her curiosity.She picked up her bag and said goodbye to her secretary."I'm heading home.""Have a good evening, Mrs. Aurora."As soon as she stepped out of the building, a very familiar car was already waiting at the entrance.It wasn't the chauffeur.Darius himself was behind the wheel.Aurora opened the door and got in."You came to pick me up yourself?"Darius nodded."It's your first day back at work. I wanted to be the one to bring you home."Aurora smiled."Thank you."The car slowly pulled away from the Blackwood building.A few minutes passed.Aurora realized they weren't heading home."Where are we going?""You'll find out soon enough."Aurora laughed softly."You really enjoy keeping me

Aurora looked at Darius curiously."A surprise?"A faint smile appeared on Darius's lips."If I tell you now, it won't be a surprise anymore."Aurora laughed softly."At least give me a hint."He shook his head."Wait two more days."Aurora didn't press him.She knew her husband well enough.Whenever Darius wanted to keep something secret to make his family happy, there was no point in asking any further.The next two days passed more quickly than either of them had expected.That morning, the Harrington residence was unusually busy.Aurora wore an ivory business suit that had been tucked away in her closet for a long time.Hazel stood in front of her mother, looking her up and down."Mommy, you look beautiful."Aurora smiled."Thank you."Hazel nodded in satisfaction."You look just like you did in your office pictures."Aurora laughed."You still remember?""I do."Hazel picked up Aurora's work bag and handed it to her."Here."Aurora accepted it."Thank you, Assistant Hazel."Hazel

On the way to the aquarium, Aurora spent most of the drive gazing out the window.Peter's words still echoed in her mind.The leader of Blackwood will be returning very soon.It sounded like a simple sentence.But after everything that had happened, it carried far greater meaning.Darius glanced at her briefly."What are you thinking about?"Aurora smiled."I'm imagining the day I truly return to work."Darius nodded."So am I."Aurora turned to him."Won't you feel like you're losing something?""Why would I?""You've been leading Blackwood for the past several months."A faint smile touched Darius's lips."I was only looking after your home."Aurora didn't answer.His words filled her heart with warmth.When they arrived at the aquarium, Hazel immediately ran ahead, still holding Aurora's hand."Mommy, hurry!"Aurora laughed."Slow down."Darius pushed the double stroller.Aiden and Aria were still fast asleep.Hazel stopped in front of a massive aquarium."A blue fish.""A yellow f

Darius didn't answer immediately.His gaze shifted to Aurora, who was helping Hazel straighten her hat."All right. We'll be there."The call ended.Aurora looked at him."What is it?"Darius slipped his phone into his pocket."Uncle Peter asked us to stop by Blackwood for a while."Aurora frowned."Now?""Yes. He said the board of directors has made a decision."Aurora took a slow breath."Then let's go there first."Hazel immediately raised her hand."What about the fish?"Aurora crouched in front of her daughter."We'll go see the fish after Mommy finishes her business."Hazel thought for a moment."Promise?""Promise.""Then Hazel will be patient."A few minutes later, the car was back on the road.This time, their destination wasn't a place for recreation, but the Blackwood headquarters.When they arrived, Peter was already waiting in the lobby."I'm sorry for interrupting your family's plans."Darius shook his head."It's all right."Peter turned to Aurora."They're all waiting.

Aurora read the next few lines.The letter wasn't long.It contained only a few sentences explaining everything Darius had already told her.About the responsibility he had merely wanted to safeguard.About his promise to return Blackwood to its rightful owner.And about his hope that Aurora would never doubt the sincerity of the man who had become her husband.Aurora drew a slow breath.Without reading to the final page, she carefully folded the letter.Darius watched her."You're not going to finish it?"Aurora shook her head."I already understand."She slipped the letter back into the envelope."I don't need to read the rest."Darius frowned."Why?"Aurora looked at him."Because I've already heard the answer I needed most... directly from you."The atmosphere in the room felt much lighter than it had only minutes before.Aurora stood up.Then she walked toward the window."I'm sorry."Darius rose to his feet as well."I'm sorry too."Aurora turned to him."For what?""I was too c

Darius fell silent for a few moments.He looked at Hazel, who was still busy stacking colorful blocks on the carpet."Daddy, build the tallest tower," Hazel said cheerfully.Darius smiled faintly."In a minute."Then he turned his attention back to the phone call."So... you've received the envelope?""Yes.""Have you read it yet?""Not yet.""Why not?"Aurora looked down at the brown envelope resting on her lap."I want to hear your explanation first."Darius took a slow breath."Then come home.""Is that all?""I want to explain it while looking into your eyes."Aurora didn't answer.A few seconds later, the call ended.Throughout the drive home, Aurora glanced at the envelope over and over again.Darius's handwriting was exactly as she remembered it.Neat.Firm.Never rushed.Several times, she almost broke the seal.But every time her fingers brushed the edge of the envelope, she stopped herself.She wanted to hear everything directly from Darius.Not from a single sheet of paper.