Chapter 42%
Darius led me and Dorotheo inside his mansion, his grip firm around my wrist like he was afraid I would slip away again. The moment we stepped into the grand hall, a familiar figure appeared–Ronan.}
His steps faltered. His gaze locked onto me, and his entire body went rigid.§
“Valeria?” His voice carried pure disbelief.}
Before I could respond, he turned sharply to Darius. “Does he… remember her?”
My stomach twisted. “What the hell are you talking about?“}
Ronan sighed, rubbing his temple like he was bracing himself for my reaction. “Darius lost parts of his memory after he wakes up from coma. He remembers his empire, his enemies… but when it comes to you, Valeria, all he remembers is your name. He doesn’t remember your face. He doesn’t remember what you meant to him.”}
The ground beneath me seemed to tilt.
I turned to Darius, searching his face, my pulse hammering in my ears. He was looking at me–not with recognition, not with love, but with uncertainty. Like I was a ghost of something he once knew but couldn’t quite place.
But I didn’t care.
The pain of his words burned, but I refused to let it break me.
I stepped forward, closing the distance between us, and wrapped my arms around him. “It doesn’t matter,” I whispered against his chest. “I’m here now.“}
His body stiffened, muscles tensing under my touch. For a moment, I thought he would push me away. But then his arms came around me, pulling me against him.
“Valeria.” His voice was hushed, “You came back.“THE
Ronan cleared his throat, breaking the moment. “We thought you were dead,” he said grimly. “The car accident… the body they found was burned beyond recognition. We had no reason to think otherwise.“}]
I swallowed hard, shaking my head. “Miranda orchestrated that accident. She wanted to burned me alive but Lorenzo saved me.“}
Darius’s grip on me tightened. His jaw locked, his entire demeanor shifting at the mention of that name. “Lorenzo?“}
I turned, gently resting my hand on Dorotheo’s back. “And this… this is our son, Darius.”
Darius’s entire body stilled. His eyes, sharp as steel, darted from me to Dorotheo, his expression unreadable. Seconds stretched, heavy and suffocating. Then, without warning, he knelt before our son, pulling him into his arms.
“My son,” he murmured, voice thick with something raw. “I knew it from the very first time I saw you…”
Dorotheo tilted his head, studying him. “Are you my daddy?” His small voice held no fear–just curiosity.
Darius swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes.” His hand cupped the back of Dorotheo’s head, holding him close. “Yes, I am.”
Dorotheo grinned, hugging him without hesitation.
My throat tightened. Watching them, seeing Darius hoid him like he had been waiting for this moment his entire life–it was something I never thought I’d witness.
And I would not let Miranda take this away from me. Not again.
Then Darius pulled back slightly, his brows furrowing. “How?” His voice was rough, demanding. “You were in a coma, Valeria. How the hell did you give birth to my son?“>
I took a deep breath. “I had an emergency C–section while unconscious,” I explained. “The doctors made sure I survived… but it was Lorenzo who ensured I lived long enough to wake up.”
His hands clenched into fists. “Lorenzo again.” He said the name like it was poison on his tongue.”
2
I met his glare without flinching. “Yes. He pulled me out of the wreckage and got me the medical care I needed. When I woke up months later, I had no memory of who I was.“}
A muscle ticked in Darius’s jaw. “And he kept you.“}
“He saved me,” I corrected. “Not all men betray the people they claim to love, Darius.“}}
His entire frame tensed, a storm brewing behind his dark gaze.}
I reached for his hand, forcing him to look at me. “I know this isn’t easy to hear, but I owe him my life.“}
Darius let out a sharp breath, his grip on me tightening as if grounding himself. “Then why did you come back?“}
I lifted my chin, my voice steady. “Because I remember everything now.”
And because Miranda was going to pay for every second she stole from me.”
Darius studied me, his expression cold and calculating. “You came back for revenge.“}
I didn’t deny it. “I came back for justice.”
He scoffed, crossing his arms. “There’s no justice in this world, Valeria. Only winners and losers.“N
“Then I plan to win. Miranda took everything from me. I won’t let her take anything more.“!!
His lips curled into a smirk, but there was no humor in it. “Then we have the same goal.”
I shook my head. “Not yet.“%
His smirk vanished. “What do you mean?“%
head to investinata firet* lesid “Tharde enmething I need in confirm shout has life Ahad the nannia anınd har
3:30 PM
“I need to investigate first,” I said. “There’s something I need to confirm about her life. About the people around her.“”
A name burned in my mind. Penelope.
Darius didn’t look pleased, but he nodded once. “Fine. But I’m not letting you go in unprotected.“}
He turned to Ronan. “Triple the security. No one touches her.”
Ronan smirked. “Already working on it, boss.“}
D
Darius faced me again, his presence overwhelming. “Dorotheo stays here. No arguments.” His voice was final, allowing no room for protest. “I’ll personally make sure he’s protected while you do what you need to do.“}]
I exhaled, giving a firm nod.
It was time to finish this. Once and for all.
T
