Julian served breakfast in the dining room of Ferro House. For Briana, he presented a nourishing spread: a bowl of Greek yogurt topped with fresh berries and crushed walnuts, a slice of whole-wheat toast with avocado, and a small glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice — a light and balanced meal, rich in folate and nutrients essential for a healthy pregnancy.“Thank you, Julian,” Briana said, her voice bright with enthusiasm. “How are you doing?”“Much better, Lady Ferro.” Julian offered a polite bow and quietly withdrew.Mark raised an eyebrow at his wife. “Okay, I think I deserve to know what’s going on.”“What are you talking about, darling?” Briana asked, feigning ignorance.Mark flashed a mischievous smile. “Something is brewing between you and Julian.”The color drained from Briana’s face. His choice of words could easily be misinterpreted.Mark chuckled, realizing her discomfort. “Hey, I know you’re not having an affair with the chef.”“But the choice of words...” Briana picked u

After both women had left the room, Gilson showed the photos to Patricio. The jaw of his future son-in-law immediately tightened.“That’s what I suspected,” Patricio muttered.“She knows that Brie’s baby room is better,” Gilson said, agitated, “but she prefers to maintain the lie and refuses to see the photos. Are you understanding this?”“Yes, Mr. Vasconcelos,” Patricio replied, clearly distressed. “And honestly... I’m starting to get worried.”“There are other things I don’t know about?” Gilson asked, aghast.“This ‘bet,’ which Briana never even agreed to, is driving my fiancée out of her mind. I don’t want this rivalry to extend to every aspect of my son’s life.”“Patricio, you have a responsibility to my daughter,” Gilson reminded him sternly.“And to my son as well. If I feel that he won’t be happy having a mother who is obsessed with her cousin...” Patricio’s brow furrowed. “I don’t think I need to finish that sentence. As a lawyer, I know my rights.”Gilson swallowed hard. If t

“My young man, it’s been a while!” Nadir exclaimed.Rodolfo flinched, immediately sensing trouble from Nadir. “Mrs. Vasconcelos, what do you mean?”“I’m referring to the fact that you’ve missed days of work,” Nadir said, approaching him. “Was everything alright with you?”Rodolfo swallowed, unable to tell the truth. “Ehr... I was unwell, barely able to get out of bed.”That wasn’t entirely a lie. Rodolfo couldn’t get out of bed because he was handcuffed, being abused relentlessly by Nadir’s sister-in-law.Nadir, didn’t catching his drift, put her hand on her mouth. “How awful! Fortunately, your family—”“To make matters worse, I live alone,” Rodolfo corrected her quickly.“Oh, what a pity,” Nadir said, maintaining her charismatic smile. “Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better and are back.”Nadir returned inside the company, feeling she had done a good deed by showing concern for her employees.Rodolfo, however, let out a comically loud sigh of relief that caught the attention of his co

Briana lunched quietly in the usual restaurant. Her plate held a careful balance of nourishment: grilled salmon over a bed of quinoa, steamed vegetables seasoned only lightly with herbs, and a chilled glass of coconut water.It was the kind of meal her doctor would wholeheartedly approve for a pregnant woman, and she ate it at an unhurried pace while her gaze drifted to the television mounted above the bar.From her point of view, the news anchor looked exhausted, his eyes shadowed by deep circles, his voice carrying a funereal gravity.“The Public Security Council of Aurelia met at Parliament today with the prince and future heir to the throne, Clayton Lemes, to discuss the worsening security crisis,” he intoned. “Speculation continues about whether the recent attacks truly stem from angry viewers of the show Times of Glory, or whether something more is at play. We await further updates.”Briana frowned. If people began to suspect the true motive behind the bombings, chaos would only

Elara sat propped against the headboard, wrapped in the one nightgown that had survived Christopher’s relentless, feverish affection.A satisfied smile curved her lips as she scrolled through the glowing responses to her public statement online.Her name was everywhere, her promise to restore Aurelia Square already earning her the admiration of strangers.She was scanning her contacts to make a call when the guest-room door opened and Briana stepped inside, gently closing it behind her so the servants wouldn’t overhear.“Elara? Are you alright?”“I’m fine, Briana.”Briana approached the bed, her expression warm but with concern. “I’m sorry about my cousin. There are moments when he… overdoes it.”Elara’s smile turned wicked. “If I had even a little strength left, we’d still be at it right now.” Her eyes sparkled. “I feel like the luckiest woman in the world.”Briana sat at the edge of the bed, studying her guest more closely. “You have deep feelings for him, don’t you?”“Of course!” E