MasukDaniel was overjoyed.Truly overjoyed.After all these years, he had finally returned to the Hart mansion—not as a lonely little boy searching for comfort, but as Amelia’s boyfriend.The thought alone made him smile all the way home.He and Amelia had stayed with her family until late in the evening, enjoying every minute together before he reluctantly drove her back to her apartment. He waited until she had gone inside safely before heading home himself.After a long shower, they spent nearly an hour on the phone, talking about everything and nothing at all.By the time the call ended, Daniel lay back on his bed, replaying the entire day in his mind.Curt finally accepting him.Flora’s endless teasing.Samantha and Cole giving them their blessing.Amelia smiling at him the entire day.His heart had never felt so full.Just then, something crossed his mind.He sat upright immediately and reached for his phone.There was one person he hadn’t shared the good news with properly.His fath
The next morning, Amelia and Daniel were on their way to the Hart Mansion.Although Daniel kept his eyes on the road, Amelia couldn’t help noticing the subtle signs of nervousness. His grip on the steering wheel was just a little tighter than usual, and every now and then, he’d smooth an imaginary crease on his shirt.She smiled to herself.“My parents are going to love you, you know.”Daniel glanced at her briefly.“I just want to make a good impression.”“You’ve already made one.”He chuckled softly.“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them.”“I suppose I’m a little nervous.”Amelia reached across the center console and gently intertwined her fingers with his.“Mr. Carter…”He looked over.“You don’t have to be perfect.”“You already are.”She smiled warmly.“At least… you’re perfect to me.”Daniel felt the last bit of tension in his shoulders melt away.A smile spread across his face.“Thank you, babe.”Before long, the familiar gates of the Hart Mansion came into view.As the c
Amelia had just returned to the office after a hearty lunch with the sweetest man in the world.And the best part?He was hers.A smile lingered on her lips, warm enough to brighten the entire floor. It was almost contagious.The employees who knew about her relationship exchanged knowing smiles as she walked past them, but Amelia couldn’t have cared less.Her thoughts were completely occupied by one man.“I think it’s time I met your parents.”Just remembering Daniel’s words sent another wave of warmth through her chest.Tomorrow.They had decided on tomorrow.It was the weekend, and Daniel would finally meet her family.The thought alone filled her with excitement.She already knew they would adore him.How could they not?He was kind, thoughtful, respectful, funny…Perfect.And finally, she would get an explanation from her parents about why they had hidden Daniel’s identity from her all those years.She smiled to herself.Two birds with one stone.Walking into her office, Amelia s
Daniel was a man of his word.It wasn’t long before he arrived at Hart Corporation to pick Amelia up, and together they headed toward one of the city’s finest Chinese restaurants.The drive there was filled with the same effortless teasing and playful flirting that had quickly become second nature to them.It never got old.Somehow, every conversation with Daniel made Amelia smile.Likewise, Daniel found himself looking over at her every chance he got, still unable to believe she was really his.Soon they arrived at the restaurant.Daniel had already made a reservation, so they were immediately shown to a quiet table near the window.After ordering their meals, the two settled into easy conversation while waiting for the food to arrive.Just then—“Amelia?”The familiar voice made her look up.Her eyes widened slightly.“Alexander?”Standing a few feet away was the man she once believed she would spend the rest of her life with.He looked…Different.His suit was still expensive, but
Daniel would soon realized he wasn’t the only one distracted by love.He simply happened to be the happier victim of it.For what felt like the hundredth time that morning, he caught himself smiling for absolutely no reason as he walked through the grand lobby of Carter Global Holdings.Employees greeted him respectfully as always, but more than one person did a double take.Their usually composed CEO looked…Happy.Genuinely happy.Daniel adjusted the knot of his tie as he stepped into his private office, only to be met by the amused smile of his secretary.“Feeling good today, sir?”Daniel looked up from straightening his cufflinks.“Is it that obvious?”She nodded without hesitation.“Very obvious, sir.”He chuckled, shaking his head.“Well… what can I say?”She folded her arms, pretending to study him.“I’ve worked for you for years.”“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile this much before ten in the morning.”Daniel laughed again.“I suppose some things are worth smiling about.”
The movie quickly became nothing more than a blur of moving colors and distant voices.Neither of them had any idea what was happening on the screen anymore.Amelia shifted on Daniel’s lap until she was sitting sideways against him, her back resting comfortably against his chest. The warmth of his embrace surrounded her almost instantly, and the familiar scent of cedarwood and fresh linen settled around her like a comforting blanket.For a while, neither of them spoke.Daniel simply held her.His hand rested naturally on her waist, his thumb absentmindedly tracing slow circles against the fabric of her pajamas. Every gentle stroke made Amelia’s heartbeat quicken just a little more.“Daniel…”Her voice was barely above a whisper.“Hm?”She slowly turned in his arms until they were facing each other.Their eyes met.Neither of them looked away.There was laughter lingering between them from only moments before, but something quieter had settled in its place now.Something deeper.Someth
True to his word.Amelia was having the time of her life.It started simple.Light.Easy.The way things between them always seemed to begin.Neither of them had eaten breakfast, so they settled into a small, cozy Chinese restaurant tucked just off the main street. The air was warm, filled with the
Amelia had barely finished adjusting the strap of her dress when her phone buzzed.The sound cut through the quiet of her apartment, sharp enough to make her pause, but not unexpected.She already knew.A small smile tugged at her lips as she reached for her phone, her heart picking up just slightl
After carefully planning for this gala, the day had finally arrived.Alexander had always believed that execution mattered more than intention.Ideas were easy.Vision was common.But bringing something to life, perfectly, precisely, without cracks, that was where power revealed itself.And tonight
Nothing.Absolutely nothing.Could have prepared Amelia for the walk down that red carpet.Not books.Not movies.Not even the quiet confidence she had built before stepping out of that car.Because the moment her heel touched the carpet.The world exploded.Flashes.Blinding, relentless flashes of







