INICIAR SESIÓNThe command room on the upper floor of Blackwood Enterprises filled with tension again the moment Daniel's phone rang."Vincent," he answered quickly, almost before the second ring."There's a development," said the voice on the other end, brief as always. "One of my contacts at the port in New Zealand reported a woman disembarking from the Russo ship two days ago. Heavily escorted. Her face wasn't clearly visible—covered by a hat and scarf."Daniel's heart pounded."Are you sure it's my wife?""No confirmation yet," Vincent answered. "The physical description matches. Height. Build. Even the way she walked—careful, like someone protecting a pregnancy. But I can't be a hundred percent certain without a clear photo."Daniel stood up from his chair, his hands clenched tight.After days without results, after hitting dead end after dead end, finally something felt real."I'll go myself," Daniel said firmly."I'd suggest waiting," Vincent tried to hold him back. "If you move now and it tu
The car carrying Alina stopped in front of a small wooden house surrounded by tall trees. The mountain air felt far colder than she'd imagined, but strangely, it was calming.A married couple was already waiting at the door. The man was of medium build, his hair starting to gray at the temples, while his wife smiled warmly, wearing a knitted scarf. Both looked like people who had long lived far from the bustle of the city—calm and unpretentious."Miss Alina?" the man greeted, his voice warm. "I'm Thomas. This is my wife, Nora. Adrian contacted us a few days ago."Alina got out of the car with Renee's help, then bowed slightly in greeting."Thank you for being willing to take me in," she said sincerely.Nora stepped forward immediately, gently holding both of Alina's hands. "No need to thank us, dear. Come in. We've prepared everything for you."They guided Alina inside, past a small yard filled with wildflowers. The house wasn't big, but every corner felt cared for with attention."We
Clarissa didn't stop there.Her voice grew even sharper, as if every word that came out fueled her own anger further."She's just pretending to be sick so everyone would pity her. So your father would keep paying attention to her."Junior stared at his mother, not believing what he'd just heard."And because she failed to get what she wanted," Clarissa continued, "she just ran off with another man. Do you know—" she paused for a moment, as if deliberately choosing the most hurtful words, "—that baby in her belly might not even be your father's. It could be someone else's child. So don't ever ask about her again. A woman like that has no self-respect. It's better that she's gone and never comes back to this house.""No!" Junior shouted, his voice trembling with an anger he'd never felt this intensely before. "Alina is not a bad woman like Mom is saying!"All this time Junior had known Clarissa disliked Alina. He could feel it in the way Clarissa spoke, in the tone of her voice that alw
Meanwhile, Junior was beginning to feel Alina's absence.All this time, even when Alina wasn't in front of him, Junior always knew she was somewhere in this house. Her presence was like air—not always seen, but always felt.Now, that air was gone.And even though the house was full of people working, serving, passing back and forth in every corner, Junior felt alone.He also began to notice something else.Daniel, his father, hadn't come home in a long time either.Junior tried to remember. The last time he recalled his father being home was the night he woke up unexpectedly from thirst, then heard Daniel's voice—firm, hurried—talking to someone on the phone. Junior hadn't even gotten a glimpse of Daniel's face. He'd only heard his voice briefly before going back up to bed and falling asleep again.Since that night, Junior no longer knew where his father was. Even when he woke up in the middle of the night hoping Daniel had come home, he never found him.There was no sound of the fron
Two days on the ship felt like two weeks.But the moment Alina stood on the main deck and watched the land slowly drawing closer on the morning horizon, all that exhaustion seemed to dissolve at once.The air was different here. Cooler. Fresher. Carrying the scent of earth and wet grass drifting on the sea wind. The sky stretched wide in a calm, pale blue — no city noise, no shadows of skyscrapers closing in around her.Alina drew a deep breath.For the first time in a very long while, the air felt like something she could actually breathe freely.Renee stood not far behind her, quiet as always, but ever watchful.A few minutes later, a crew member came to inform them the ship would be docking soon. Alina nodded, then turned and made her way back inside to collect her small bag before disembarking.But before she could descend the steps to the pier, her feet stopped.Salvatore Russo was standing in the main corridor, as though he had been waiting.Alina approached him and gave a sligh
Renee walked half a step ahead of Alina, guiding her back through the ship's quiet corridor. The sound of waves murmured faintly through the walls. The ship continued moving, cleaving through the night in steady calm. The crystal lamps along the corridor ceiling cast a warm glow that felt worlds apart from the darkness that had shadowed Alina's life for so long. Back in her cabin, Alina sat on the edge of the bed after Renee closed the door softly behind her. Alone. Yet for the first time, the solitude did not feel frightening. Her hand slowly came to rest on her stomach, still barely changed in shape. "We're safe," she whispered quietly, speaking more to her unborn child than to herself. "At least for tonight." She lay back, closed her eyes, and let the sound of the ocean carry her into the kind of sleep she had long forgotten — sleep that was truly peaceful, with no fear waiting in the dark. --- Meanwhile, at the top floor of Blackwood Enterprises, well into the early hours
Mr. Harris hesitated briefly, then nodded and stepped away, clearing the path for Clarissa.Clarissa knocked on the door—twice, sharp—then entered without waiting for an answer.Alina stood at the window—still in the same position since the photoshoot began.Mrs. Helen sat on a chair in the corner
Day five since Alina was allowed to see Junior.Five days with the same routine. Measured. Controlled.In the morning—Alina went to Junior’s room when he woke up. Helped him get ready. Straightened his uniform. Walked him to the dining table where Clarissa already waited with a smile that was far t
At five in the morning, a soft knock on the door woke Alina from sleep that had never really come.She'd been awake since three. Lying in bed with eyes open, staring at the ceiling, waiting for morning to arrive.Waiting for the chance to see Junior."Mrs. Blackwood?" Mrs. Helen's voice from outsid
At six in the evening, Daniel came home earlier than usual.His Bentley Continental stopped in front of the mansion with smooth precision that somehow felt menacing.He got out with briefcase in hand, posture rigid as always. White shirt still crisp despite it being evening. Tie perfectly knotted.







