“Why isn’t he crying?” Selene’s voice broke as she clutched the quiet son close. “Selene, that child did not survive,” Moira said softly. Selene stared stubbornly at the tiny body.
“Stop assuming. He’s only silent because he wants a lullaby. I will sing, and he will open his eyes.” She sang through ragged sobs, each note trembling. The infant did not respond.
Outside the ward, Adrian stood frozen. The sound of Selene’s heartbreak stabbed him like ice. He slid down the wall, legs threatening to give out as pain and shame blossomed in his chest.
“Baby, please don’t leave your mother. You are both my strength, my reason to live…” Tears streamed down Selene’s face, the sobs filling the small room with raw despair. Damien leaned down and wrapped his arms around Selene as they both held the infants, crying. Then an astonishing thing happened.
The baby who had been still suddenly stirred a weak leg kicked against Selene’s arm. Her lips wobbled. “Moira! Damien!” she whispered, voice trembling with hope. Damien cradled the newborns and bent to her side. The son who had been still let out a faint, wavering cry. Both twins began crying at once.
“Oh, thank God,” Moira breathed, pressing a trembling kiss to Selene’s temple. “Yes, Selene – just as you said. They’re both okay.”
Selene held both infants close. “Thank you,” she murmured, voice thin. “Thank you for coming back to me.”
Adrian entered then, eyes fixed on the fragile bundles against Selene’s chest. Damien moved protectively as Adrian’s step hinted at intent to take them.
“Those are my sons – mine and Selene’s. Give them here,” Adrian said, fists clenched, voice trembling with barely contained fury.
“Selene, I have the right to see them, please,” Adrian pleaded, losing patience. “They’re my children, Damien!”
Damien’s gaze turned icy. “They are yours?” he said, laughing dangerously. “Since you’ve already framed Selene, how about I convert those lies into truth? From now on, these children are mine, just as Selene is.”
“Damien!” Adrian shouted and lunged, but Selene’s cry stopped him.
“Get out! Stop this, Adrian!” Selene screamed. Adrian smiled, stepping closer, voice rising.
Dałezo i loft him I wao nmnnant with hie tiuine
“I’ve apologized. I’ve begged. What more do you want? Hit me, hurt me, but don’t leave me alone. They are my children-”
“My son almost died because of you! Get out before I kill you. Leave. Now.” Selene’s glare twisted Adrian’s face into anguish and rage.
“You’ll regret this, Selene. Soon I will have you,” Adrian spat, low and venomous. Before he could say more, two burly guards entered and hauled him out.
“This isn’t over,” Adrian called as they forced him down the corridor. Outside, he stalked to his car, stained with the night’s blood, and slammed the door.
Following the trail of consequences and guilt, Adrian fumed into his phone. “Cancel all contracts with the Rivers family and pull our investments,” he ordered his secretary. “I want those bastards ruined. Tell everyone who backs the Rivers projects that they’re
my enemy.”
The secretary protested. “But sir
protested. “But sir – some of those contracts-”
“I don’t care!” Adrian snapped, cutting the call.
“Even without Blackthorn backing, I am still Adrian Blackthorn. Cassandra – I will ruin you!” he hissed.
Across the country, Selene’s biological father, Jacob Rivers, answered his buzzing phone. He was about to scold the late caller when news of crashing investments hit him.
–
“What? Adrian WHAT?!” he shouted. Diana Rivers, his wife, and their sons, Leonard Rivers and Victor Rivers, rushed to the room as his associate relayed the chaos. “It was God’s grace that Miss Selene and her two sons survived the premature delivery,” the associate said. “There was a disturbance at the infirmary – Mr. Damien Blackthorn has declared his intent to marry Miss Selene and adopt the twins. Mr. Adrian blames Cassandra for fabricating evidence-”
Jacob slammed the phone down and, in fury, struck Diana. “Slut!” he shouted; kicks and blows followed. Leonard and Victor watched, horrified.
“You nearly lost my bloodline’s heirs because of your incompetence and that whore!” Jacob raged. “You let this orphan, Selene, be endangered and brought back that bitch! You two will step down as heirs!”
Victor’s eyes widened. “Cassandra did that?”
“Do you think your grandfather will let you live after his great–grandsons almost died? He will throw me out of the family! From now on, you both lose your place.” Jacob pointed at his wife as if she were to blame.
Chanter 32
14:29 Sat, Sep 27
回
“Even without Blackthorn backing, I am still Adrian Blackthorn. Cassandra – I will ruin you!” he hissed.
Across the country, Selene’s biological father, Jacob Rivers, answered his buzzing phone. He was about to scold the late caller when news of crashing investments hit
him.
“What? Adrian – WHAT?!” he shouted. Diana Rivers, his wife, and their sons, Leonard Rivers and Victor Rivers, rushed to the room as his associate relayed the chaos.
“It was God’s grace that Miss Selene and her two sons survived the premature delivery,” the associate said. “There was a disturbance at the infirmary Mr. Damien Blackthorn has declared his intent to marry Miss Selene and adopt the twins. Mr. Adrian blames Cassandra for fabricating evidence-”
Jacob slammed the phone down and, in fury, struck Diana. “Slut!” he shouted; kicks and blows followed. Leonard and Victor watched, horrified.
“You nearly lost my bloodline’s heirs because of your incompetence and that whore!” Jacob raged. “You let this orphan, Selene, be endangered and brought back that bitch! You two will step down as heirs!”
Victor’s eyes widened. “Cassandra did that?”
“Do you think your grandfather will let you live after his great–grandsons almost died? He will throw me out of the family! From now on, you both lose your place.” Jacob pointed at his wife as if she were to blame.
“I must bring Selene and my grandson back!” he snarled, resolve hardening into something dangerous.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.