Chapter 37%
Lorenzo had built an empire–a business so vast and powerful that it placed him among the wealthiest men in the industry. Yet, despite the demands of his work, he never allowed it to consume him
He was the CEO of Elite Nexus Holdings, an online business giant that specialized in high–end e–commerce, cryptocurrency investments, and digital asset trading. It was the kind of business that could turn ordinary people into millionaires overnight. And at the top of it all stood Lorenzo, commanding an empire that thrived under his leadership.
Because of that, he was able to give me everything. A life of luxury. A breathtaking home filled with elegance and wealth. A son who looked at me with unconditional love, as if I was his entire world. And above all, he gave me himself
He loved me.”
Every weekend, he took me on dates, planning each one meticulously just to make me smile. He made sure I knew I was cherished, that i never felt alone. He never forced me to remember our past. Never pressured me into anything I wasn’t ready for
He was the perfect husband.
And yet, deep inside, something didn’t feel right. There was a void, an unexplainable emptiness that I couldn’t place. It lingered in the quiet moments when I was alone, whispering doubts I couldn’t silence
At night, I would wake up gasping, my body drenched in sweat, my heart racing with fear. The same nightmare haunted me over and over again. The moment of impact.
The deafening crash. The metallic scent of blood filling the air. The wreckage surrounding me, trapping me in darkness. No matter how much time passed, the memories of the accident refused to fade.
But there was another nightmare–one that made me curl into myself, sobbing uncontrollably into my hands. In that dream, I wasn’t alone. There was a tiny, lifeless body in my arms. A child. A girl. I didn’t know her name. I didn’t recognize her face. But I could feel her in Ty soul,
The grief was unbearable. A deep, hollow pain that left me breathless.
Who was she?3
And why did my heart feel like it had been ripped apart?
One afternoon, I sat in the nursery with Dorotheo, watching as he built a colorful tower with his wooden blocks. His laughter filled the room, soft and full of joy, bringing warmth to the otherwise quiet space.»
“Mommy, look! I made a tower!” His voice was bright, his dark eyes shining with excitement.
I smiled, reaching out to ruffle his soft black hair. “You’re so smart, Theo.”
“Like Daddy?” He grinned proudly.
“Like you,” I said, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
In the background, the large flatscreen TV played the afternoon news, the low hum of voices filling the air. Lorenzo was in his office, busy with business calls, so I had the nursery to myself. I wasn’t paying attention to the broadcast, too focused on Theo as he giggled and stacked his blocks.
And then I saw her
My body went completely still.)
The blood in my veins turned to ice, freezing me in place as my gaze locked onto the screen.
Miranda.X
She stood there, her face flawless, her lips painted in a perfect red smile as she spoke into the microphone: Her expression radiated pure happiness, as if her entire life had fallen perfectly into place.
“I’m just so happy,” she said, her voice carrying that familiar sweetness. “This is a dream come true.”
And then I saw him?
Standing beside her, a man with sharp features and piercing, icy eyes. Rafael De Luca!!!
The news banner at the bottom of the screen displayed the words that made my breath catch in my throat!
“MIRANDA ROUSSEAU AND RAFAEL DE LUCA ANNOUNCE THEIR UPCOMING WEDDING &
My hands curled into fists, my nails digging into my palms.}
My heart pounded violently in my chest, the sound roaring in my ears.
“Mommy?” Theo’s small voice pulled at my attention, but I barely heard him. My vision blurred d as I stared at the screen, the weight of the past crashing over me like a tidal wave.
Miranda
Rafael L
Their names bumed like fire on my tongue.”
“Mommy?” Dorotheo’s small voice pulled me back to reality.
I blinked, struggling to steady my breath as I loosened my grip on his tiny shirt. He was looking
with concem.
was looking up at me, his big, innocent eyes filled
“I’m sorry, baby,” I whispered, stroking his soft curls in an attempt to calm myself. “Mommy’s just.. surprised.”%
But no matter how much I tried to compose myself, my heart wouldn’t settle. It pounded furiously against my ribs, the unease twisting in my stomach like a tightening knot!
3:29 PM c
“And now, onto business affairs,” the reporter announced. “We have an exclusive clip of Mr. Darius Romano, CEO of Romano Enterprises, who has made his first public appearance since his company faced massive setbacks two years ago. Reports say his recovery was nothing short of a miracle.”
The screen changed.S
And my world stopped
A man in a sharp black suit appeared on the screen, his expression unreadable as a swarm of reporters crowded around him, shoving microphones in his direction.
My chest tightened painfully.
He stood tall, his presence commanding, his features sharp and striking. His dark, piercing eyes carried an intensity that sent a chill down my spine. The sharp angle of his jaw, the way he carried himself with such authority–2
I knew him.8
I didn’t know how, but something deep inside me screamed that I had seen him before.
And then–S
Dorotheo shifted in my arms, his small body pressing against mine as he turned his gaze toward the TV.
My stomach twisted violently.
Because as I stared at Darius Romano….
It was like looking at an older version of my son.
The resemblance was undeniable.
The same dark, stormy eyes.
The same chiseled features
The same presence that demanded attention without a single word.
Dorotheo had Lorenzo’s last name.}
But he didn’t look like him.
“Mommy?” Dorotheo tilted his head, his voice filled with curiosity. “That man looks like me.“!
My throat ran dry. I couldn’t answer, Because deep down…} A part of me already knew the truth.
