Alan was amazed at this new family that Valeria had conjured up out of nothing, but he finally acknowledged it and couldn't be happier for her, although apparently her brothers had every intention of bullying anyone into helping Valeria. “Just tell us what we should do, doctor,” Andrew said. “We will spare no expense or effort.” “Well, it may be a bit extreme, but I would feel more at ease if we started Valeria's treatment with a blood transfusion. It won't be much, but it will give us a good push on the way,” the doctor explained. “No problem, we should be compatible, right?” asked Elliot. “Yes, you should. I'll have some quick tests done for all three of you.” “And then?” “Depending on her progress, she'll have to stay in the hospital for at least a week, with an IV for her medication to take her out of the worst of it. After that... the treatment is long. She needs exercise, to eat well, to maintain her regular cycle of injections... but above all, she needs peace and quiet. S

Fourteen days, not one more, not one less. Fourteen days had passed since Valeria had been admitted to the hospital. The twins hadn't left her side except to get something to eat or to take a bath, and Andrew had kept a safe distance away, but Valeria knew he was outside, waiting in case she changed her mind about having him around. There had been no office, no work, nothing that mattered to them more than Valeria and Alice, and now Alan had finally agreed to discharge her, with ten thousand recommendations, but at least he felt sure enough to let her go. “Richard,” Valeria called when they were alone. She was already able to distinguish one from the other well. Her brother approached her. “Yes, doll, what is it?” “I'd like to ask you something. I'm a little ashamed to do it, but... I guess I have no one else to ask…” Richard sat down next to her. “You don't have to be ashamed about anything with me. Tell me what you need.” Valeria wriggled her fingers in her lap. “Can you... c

The phone rang insistently, but Nick didn't bother to pick it up. Miranda had acquired an unpleasant habit of calling him as soon as he got up in the morning, and it was already wearing on his patience. But she was his girlfriend again after all, so there wasn't much he could do about it except not answering her and lying to her about it later. He adjusted the cufflinks on the sleeves of his shirt and his tie. When or how exactly had he resumed his relationship with Miranda? He couldn't remember. He had accompanied her to a lot of events to get Valeria out of his head, at some point the press had started talking about them as a couple, and suddenly Miranda had begun to behave as if they were... He hadn't consciously accepted that, but it seemed that—eventually—that would have been the natural outcome for the two of them anyway, especially after Valeria had disappeared. And she really had disappeared. Nick had been left with so many doubts, so many incomplete thoughts after the alterc

If the ghost of his father had risen up at that table in front of everyone, Nicholas Bennet's face would have reflected much less horror. “Wh-what do you mean, majority shareholder?” he roared, unable to contain himself. “What kind of nonsense is that?” Valeria didn't even flinch despite the reproachful looks the shareholders were giving Nick. “It’s not nonsense, Mr. Bennet, just business.” Valeria shrugged. “The debt the studio acquired left me with twenty percent of its shares, I bought eight percent from Mrs. Layla, and some other shareholders, who were better aware of the difficult situation this studio is going through, decided to sell me part of theirs. So now, I manage forty-one percent of the shares.” She pushed the folder toward him again. “It's all here, Mr. Bennet, you can check it with your legal department.” Nick took out the stack of signed and notarized papers, and his face lost all color in a second. “Is this your revenge?” he hissed, unable to contain himself. “De

Nick waited, waited until he saw them leave smiling and saying goodbye to each other with a kiss on the cheek and a hug. And just as he was, half drunk and angry, he got into his car and chased Valeria's car. He didn't know why he was doing it, only that he had that imminent need to get it out of his system. He saw her take the road towards the most exclusive residential area of the city and he imagined very well where she was going. To Andrew's house. That was where she must live now that she was his wife. He accelerated until he was in front of her and suddenly cut her off. Valeria slammed on the brakes and before she even stopped to think, she pressed that button on the car that assured her she wouldn't be alone for too long. Nick's car braked in front of hers and a half-staggering, furious man got out. Valeria's eyes narrowed when she realized it was him, so she got out of her car with a sigh. “Are you all right, Mr. Bennet?” she asked, although there was not a hint of concer