“I know you’re in love with another man, and I understand how deeply you care about him,” Michael said, his voice low but firm. “But I don’t care. As long as we’re together, it doesn’t matter if you return my feelings or not. All I want is to be with you and see you happy. If you’re content being married to Franco, fine. If you’re happy as long as you’re with him, fine. I don’t care about that, Muna. I just want to love you. I just want you to give us a chance. Just a peaceful moment with you. The person you love doesn’t matter—only you, me, and us.”Muna’s lips trembled. She stared at him, stunned by his words. She had never imagined a kind of love that asked for nothing in return—love that didn’t even care if it was one-sided. It unsettled her. The longer she stayed, the more dangerous this felt. The more time she gave him, the more he would push for closeness.She brushed her hair back and forced a thin smile. “I believe you don’t know what’s wrong with you, Michael. You’re obsesse

Alyana scratched her head, her brows furrowed in confusion. Her mother telling her to take over the position of Ruffian Lady? At this time of all times?The thought alone made her uneasy. How was she even supposed to achieve that? She wasn’t some kind of hero, nor was she a genius with a mind that could grasp things in an instant. And besides, her mother should know better—Franco was the Ruffian Lord. The power to decide who became Ruffian Lady rested entirely with him.That was exactly what Alyana told her mother. But before she could even finish, Grace gripped her daughter’s hand so tightly it made Alyana wince, yanking her to her feet and jabbing a finger at her face.“Use your brain for once, Alyana!” Grace snapped, her eyes blazing. “Just once, try to use it. How can you stand there telling me you don’t have the capability, or the power, to claim that position?”Alyana let out a long, weary sigh. She was too tired to argue, yet she couldn’t hold back. Turning to face Grace direct

Alyana shook her head in disbelief. It wasn’t that she couldn’t accept what her mother was saying—it was the weight of it sinking in. The thought hit her hard. Her mother’s plan made sense. Too much sense.As Grace spoke, Alyana could already see the picture forming in her mind. Every word painted a scene that played out before her eyes, and the more she imagined it, the more it all seemed possible.“Who doesn’t want to be the Ruffian Lady?” The same question Muna once asked herself now echoed in Alyana’s thoughts. Every woman in the country dreamed of it, longed to taste that power and honor, even for a moment. And why should she—of all people—be the one to deny herself that dream? Especially when it was so easy for her to make it reality.Grace watched closely, reading her daughter’s shifting expression. She could tell Alyana was no longer resisting. Something inside her was changing. Stepping closer, she rested a hand on Alyana’s shoulder and spoke softly.“So, tell me, Alyana. Wha

Alyana’s lips quivered in surprise. She quickly stood, forcing a smile that didn’t match the tightness in her face. Turning to Grace, she asked, trying to sound light,“What are you talking about, Mom? Which dad are you referring to? You know better than anyone that Oscar’s father isn’t here. He can’t be—he’s already with his second family.”“Enough of the lies, Alyana!” Grace cut her off sharply. The words left Alyana flabbergasted. She leaned toward her mother, her voice low and urgent.“What are you doing, Mom? You’re saying the opposite of what we planned!”Grace only smiled at her daughter, calm and reassuring. “I’m okay,” she said softly, before stepping closer to Oscar.She crouched slightly to meet his eyes and spoke gently, “Your dad is back in the country. If you want to see him, then get yourself ready. Drop your school bag in your room, and tell Nanny Olivia to prepare your bath. Afterwards, we’ll be visiting your father.”Oscar’s lips didn’t twitch in excitement, nor did

It seemed Alyana wasn’t the only one with something planned for Franco.Elena also had her own package for him. But unlike Alyana’s, Elena’s intention was simple—she only wanted one thing. To bring them back together again.She was at her dressing mirror, spraying her favorite deodorant, when her mother stepped in. Elena’s lips curved into a smile, one Rita hadn’t seen in a long while. It made her pause.Rita picked an apple from the stool by the mirror, studying her daughter from head to toe. “This one you’re in such a good mood today? Is it because you’ll be meeting the Ruffian Lord?” she asked with a teasing chuckle.Elena kept quiet, still focused on the deodorant.That was when Rita noticed the bottle in her hand. “And what’s with that perfume? Isn’t that the same one you once asked the superstore to stop selling—because Franco complimented it?”Elena froze, then lowered the bottle. “Exactly! Wow, Mother, you still remember what happened ages ago? I thought your memory would be f