The sound of their laughter filled the living room early that morning. Orion and Apollo had stacked every couch cushion they could find and were jumping on them like they'd built a makeshift trampoline. A cartoon played on the TV, completely ignored in favor of the game they'd invented. But I couldn't smile. Since the early hours of the morning, that message had been weighing on my mind. And I knew I couldn't keep it to myself. Alexander was in the kitchen, arranging mugs in the new cabinet as if they already had assigned places on day one. Leah sat at the table with a cup of tea, stirring it with a small spoon like she had a thousand thoughts spinning in her head. "Leah. Alex," I called softly, walking toward the table. "Can I talk to you for a second?" Leah looked up immediately. Alexander turned at the same time. "Did something happen?" he asked, already moving toward me. I took a deep breath, pulled my phone from my pocket, and placed it on the table with the screen l

"Winter?" I repeated, almost laughing despite the pain in my knee and the ache in my shoulder. "Well, look at that… the same name as—" She smiled like she already knew exactly what I was about to say. "Winter Enterprises, yes," she said casually, adjusting the blanket over her legs. "My son runs it now." My stomach clenched so hard it nearly stole my breath. The word son expanded inside my head until it filled every inch of space. Deep down, I already knew the answer, but still… I needed to hear it. "Your son? But…" I pretended to be confused. "I thought the CEO of Winter was around thirty-five." She laughed, genuinely, so naturally that for a second I wondered if she was teasing me or simply amused by my ignorance. "Yes. He just turned thirty-five." I was still trying to process it. The woman in front of me didn't look a day over forty-five, and that was me being generous. "Forgive my curiosity, but… how old are you?" I asked. "Looking at you, I'd never guess more than

Damian's POV "Stella?" I repeated, stepping a little closer. Still nothing. Impatience won out over caution. I touched her shoulder, and she finally turned to face me. It wasn't her. The woman who had unfamiliar features and light eyes, frowned at me. "Sorry," I said, already stepping back. That was when a nurse walked past carrying a tray of bandages. I turned quickly. "Excuse me," I called, moving toward her. "Have you seen a patient named Stella Harper? She came in earlier. Knee injury, blonde." She seemed to think for a second, then nodded. "Yes, of course. She was just here, but she's already left with her companion." "Companion?" I echoed, a strange tightness forming in my stomach. "Yes. A man. I think it was her boyfriend. They left through the side exit." I didn't need to hear anything else. I passed her, almost jogging, and followed the direction she pointed. The automatic door slid open with a rush of cold air, revealing the parking lot in front of m

Weeks Later, Stella's POV The days that followed blurred together into care routines, precautions, and a constant undercurrent of fear that I tried not to show. As soon as I read that threatening message, I changed my phone number the very next day, hoping the anonymous sender would give up. I went to the police station, filed a report, handed over my old phone with the number and everything. But, as expected, the response was the usual vague line: "We'll investigate." An investigation that, so far, had led nowhere, and probably never would. Deep down, I knew the feeling of being watched wouldn't disappear just because of a new number or a police report. It was impossible not to feel scared, but I did my best to ignore that sensation whenever I could. Time passed, and little by little my routine settled back into place. The bruises healed. The cut on my forehead became nothing more than a faint mark. The scratches on my arm faded, and my knee finally stopped protesting after a fe

Stella's POV "You told him you found out where I live?" My voice came out more nervous than I meant it to, and I saw Elaine blink, surprised by my bluntness. She shook her head quickly. "No, Stella. I didn't tell Damian. It wouldn't be right to let him come to your house without your approval first." I let out a breath of relief, though my brow still creased. "Then please, don't tell him. There's no need for this thank-you from him or from you. I would've done the same for anyone. The fact that I helped someone so powerful was just a coincidence. Accepting some kind of reward would make it seem like what I did wasn't genuine." She looked at me with an almost sad, but understanding expression. "I understand. I don't want to pressure you in any way, and I know you saved my life without expecting anything in return." I glanced at the clock on the wall and realized it was already past the twins' dinnertime. "Since you came all this way and brought the gifts, would you like