Standing by the hallway, lost in thoughts as she admired the grand look of the mansion. She heard a cry from the hallway and then a little figure hugging her so tight! "Mommy, why did you leave me and Dad?!"
Standing by the hallway, lost in thoughts as she admired the grand look of the mansion. She heard a cry from the hallway and then a little figure hugging her so tight! "Mommy, why did you leave me and Dad?!"
Chapter One: A Coat of Empathy
@Stapha_writes ✍️✍️✍️
DO NOT COPY OR REPOST! ❌❌❌
Kalix Vasiliev sat in his usual corner of a cozy coffee shop, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee surrounding him. His tall, lean frame and piercing blue eyes exuded confidence, but he found more comfort here than in his grand mansion. The simplicity always reminded him of how much he wanted to take burdens of his shoulder. The café, with its warm, earthy tones and sunlight streaming through large windows, was a sanctuary from the city's bustle, all wanted to go in there as if were a goodluck activity likewise when the evening came, they all gathered there to have a sip of what feels comfort like, easing their stress!
As he sipped his espresso and went through emails, a commotion near the counter caught his attention. Luna Avery, a colleague, was being berated by a towering barista for a trivial mistake. The barista's harsh voice echoed through the café as he poured a cup of ice water over Luna's head. Kalix's blood boiled. He rose, heart racing, and moved swiftly across the room, shrugging off his coat as he went. Reaching Luna, he draped it over her shoulders. She looked up, eyes wide with surprise and gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered.
Kalix faced the barista with controlled fury. "If you can't treat customers and staff with respect, then here, isn't your working space." The barista, cowed, mumbled an apology and retreated. Kalix returned to his table, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Luna and her look of gratitude. She had come after to get his home address so as to return the coat. She expressed a heartfelt gratitude as it was the first for anyone defending her all her life.
The next day, Luna stood before Kalix's grand estate, clutching his freshly laundered coat. Venturing further into the mansion, she admired the elegant decor and spacious rooms. Suddenly, a small boy ran towards her, crying, "Mommy, I missed you!" Luna instinctively hugged him. She looked up to see Kalix standing in the doorway, his expression a mix of hope and apprehension.
Kalix explained, "This is my son, Leo. His mother left us years ago. He's been struggling, especially today-it's his birthday. Could you pretend to be his mother, just for today?" Luna, moved by Leo's plight, agreed. The rest of the day was a whirlwind of activity. Luna found herself immersed in the role, bringing smiles to Leo's face as they played games in the expansive backyard. She enjoyed it too!
As the sun set, they gathered for a birthday dinner. Leo's eyes sparkled with joy as he blew out the candles. After dinner, Kalix put Leo to bed, reading him a story and tucking him in. Luna watched the tender moment with a soft smile. When Kalix emerged, he looked exhausted but content.
"Thank you, Luna," he said quietly, meeting her eyes. "You made his day special. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it."
Luna smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. "It was my pleasure, Kalix. Leo is a wonderful boy. I'm glad I could help."
They stood there for a moment, the air between them charged with unspoken emotions. Finally, Kalix broke the silence. "I know I asked a lot from you today, but... would you consider continuing this? Being a part of Leo's life? He seems to have taken to you, and I think it would do him a lot of good."
Luna's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't expected this. But looking into Kalix's eyes, she felt a connection she couldn't ignore. "I'll think about it, Kalix," she said softly. "I'll need some time to process everything."
Kalix nodded. "Of course. Take all the time you need. Just know that we're here, and we would love to have you as a part of our family."
As Luna left the mansion that night, the weight of the day's events settled over her. She couldn't deny the bond she had felt with Leo, nor the growing attraction she felt towards Kalix. The mansion, once an intimidating symbol of wealth, now felt like a place of potential and new beginnings. As she walked home, she realized that her life had taken an unexpected turn. The decision ahead of her was daunting, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it might just lead to something wonderful.
The next morning, Luna awoke with a new sense of resolve. She decided to visit Mara, a mutual friend who had known Kalix for years. Mara's apartment was a cozy haven filled with eclectic artwork and the scent of fresh flowers. She welcomed Luna with a warm hug and a cup of herbal tea. As they settled into the plush armchairs in the living room, Luna shared the events of the previous day.
Mara listened intently, her expression a mix of surprise and empathy. "I had no idea Kalix was dealing with so much," she said softly. "He's always been so private about his personal life."
Luna nodded. "I feel this strong connection to Leo and even to Kalix. But it's all so sudden. I'm not sure what to do."
Mara placed a comforting hand on Luna's arm. "Trust your instincts, Luna. You've always had a good heart. Just take things one step at a time. And remember, you don't have to make any decisions right away."
Reassured by Mara's words, Luna felt more at ease. She spent the rest of the day reflecting on her conversation and trying to envision a future that included Leo and Kalix. That evening, she received a text from Kalix:
**Kalix: Thank you again for yesterday. Leo hasn't stopped talking about you. If you're free, we'd love to have you over for dinner this weekend. No pressure, just a chance to get to know each other better.**
Luna smiled, feeling a flutter of excitement mixed with nerves. She typed out a quick reply:
**Luna: I'd love to. See you Saturday evening.**
The days leading up to the dinner passed in a blur. Luna felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. When Saturday evening arrived, she found herself once again standing before the grand iron gates of Kalix's estate. This time, she felt more confident, her heart lighter with the promise of new beginnings. She felt she was home!
Kalix greeted her at the door with a warm smile. He looked more relaxed, his eyes reflecting hope and gratitude. "Luna, thank you for coming," he said, stepping aside to let her in.
Leo came running down the hallway, his face lighting up. "Luna! You're here!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms around her. Luna laughed, hugging him back, feeling a surge of affection.
Dinner was a pleasant affair, filled with laughter and easy conversation. Kalix had prepared a delicious meal, and Luna shared stories from her childhood, drawing parallels with Leo's experiences. The bond between them grew stronger.
After dinner, they moved to the living room, where Leo excitedly showed Luna his favorite books and toys. Kalix watched from a distance, a content smile on his face. As the evening drew to a close, Leo dozed off on the couch, his head resting in Luna's lap. She gently stroked his hair, feeling a sense of peace and belonging.
Kalix came over and carefully lifted Leo, carrying him to bed. Luna followed, watching as Kalix tenderly tucked his son in and kissed his forehead. When Kalix returned, he and Luna stood together in the hallway, the air thick with unspoken emotions.
"Luna, I know this is a lot to ask, but would you consider being a part of our lives more permanently? Leo needs someone like you, and... I think we could be happy together."
Luna's heart raced. She felt a deep affection for Leo and a growing attraction to Kalix. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "Yes, Kalix. I'd like that very much."
Kalix's face lit up with relief and joy. He took Luna's hand, squeezing it gently. "Thank you, Luna. You've given us hope for a brighter future."
As Luna left the mansion that night, she felt a sense of fulfillment and anticipation and then a kind of responsibility. The path ahead was uncertain, but she knew she had made the right choice. With Kalix and Leo by her side, she felt ready to face whatever challenges the future might bring.
And thus, a simple act of kindness at a coffee shop had set in motion a series of events that would change their lives forever, intertwining their fates in ways none of them could have imagined. As Luna walked home, her heart was filled with trepidation and hope, the promise of new beginnings lighting her way.
Synopsis He was the most powerful man in the city, feared by everyone and known for his devilishly handsome face. Raymond Ray had everything anyone could desire-wealth, influence, and respect. Yet, he harbored no interest in women. It all began as a scheme to extort money from him. Ariana found herself trapped in a marriage she never wanted. It wasn't that she was opposed to marriage, but certainly not to the most dangerous man in the city. Her aunt lied to the world, claiming that Raymond had gotten Ariana pregnant and refused to take responsibility, all in a bid to swindle him. But the truth was far from that-Ariana wasn't pregnant, nor had she ever been close to Raymond. To everyone's shock, instead of denying the accusations, Raymond announced his intention to marry her. He knew it was all a lie, but he had a plan-a dangerous one. He would make Ariana pay for daring to play with fire. And whoever plays with fire always gets burned.
He's arrogant. Kim Tae Hyun, aged forty five. A fashion designer best known in Korea. He is known for his fame and riches. He order with just the snap of his fingers but it changed when he met Eun Ae, a crazy girl, a lowlife breed. Just their first encounter, the dogs could cry... In the verge for a job, she founds his secret. "You... You... are...a v-a-m-p-i-r-e" She said stammering spelling the word out.. HE'S A VAMPIRE.. HE SUCKS, KILLS AND DOES NOT GIVE A DAMN... Now that a human knows, what would become of her?? Will she go scot-free? Find out..
Aria Thorne was born into a pack that treated her like dirt beneath their paws. Born as a StillBlood, she was mocked, beaten, and branded "broken." Her only chance at escape? A forced marriage to a fallen Alpha whose scars ran deeper than flesh. Lucien Vine was once a man of legend. A ruthless warrior. A king among Alphas. Now he's a shadow, crippled and discarded by the very pack he once led and bled for. Lucien saw nothing but another chain when the new alpha forced him to wed a StillBlood. She was nothing more than one more curse. However, fate has a perverse sense of humor. Because the Broken Luna possesses a hidden ability that she is unaware of, and the only person who might be able to awaken it is the Crippled Alpha. Will they ruin one another? Or rise together and set the world on fire?
Clara had to die once to see who truly surrounded her-traitors and opportunists everywhere. After her rebirth, she swore to make her enemies pay. Her fiancé mocked, "You think you deserve me?" She punched him and ended the engagement. Her stepsister played innocent, but Clara shut her down with a cold retort. "Stop pretending! I'm tired of your little act!" They called her a loser, but Clara didn't bother defending herself. Instead, she revealed her real power: superstar, racing champion, and secret mogul. When her masks fell, chaos erupted. Her ex begged, and the crime lord claimed her, but Clara had already conquered them all.
For three years, I documented the slow death of my marriage in a black journal. It was my 100-point divorce plan: for every time my husband, Blake, chose his first love, Ariana, over me, I deducted points. When the score hit zero, I would leave. The final points vanished the night he left me bleeding out from a car crash. I was eight weeks pregnant with the child we had prayed for. In the ER, the nurses frantically called him-the star surgeon of the very hospital I was dying in. "Dr. Santos, we have a Jane Doe, O-negative, bleeding out. She's pregnant, and we're about to lose them both. We need you to authorize an emergency blood transfer." His voice came over the speaker, cold and impatient. "I can't. My priority is Miss Whitfield. Do what you can for the patient, but I can't divert anything right now." He hung up. He condemned his own child to death to ensure his ex-girlfriend had resources on standby after a minor procedure.
After two years of marriage, Kristian dropped a bombshell. "She's back. Let's get divorced. Name your price." Freya didn't argue. She just smiled and made her demands. "I want your most expensive supercar." "Okay." "The villa on the outskirts." "Sure." "And half of the billions we made together." Kristian froze. "Come again?" He thought she was ordinary-but Freya was the genius behind their fortune. And now that she'd gone, he'd do anything to win her back.
Everyone in town knew Amelia had chased Jaxton for years, even etching his initials on her skin. When malicious rumors swarmed, he merely straightened his cuff links and ordered her to kneel before the woman he truly loved. Seething with realization, she slammed her engagement ring down on his desk and walked away. Not long after, she whispered "I do" to a billionaire, their wedding post crashing every feed. Panic cracked Jaxton. "She's using you to spite me," he spat. The billionaire just smiled. "Being her sword is my honor."
I was the spare daughter of the Vitiello crime family, born solely to provide organs for my golden sister, Isabella. Four years ago, under the codename "Seven," I nursed Dante Moretti, the Don of Chicago, back to health in a safe house. I was the one who held him in the dark. But Isabella stole my name, my credit, and the man I loved. Now, Dante looked at me with nothing but cold disgust, believing her lies. When a neon sign crashed down on the street, Dante used his body to shield Isabella, leaving me to be crushed under twisted steel. While Isabella sat in a VIP suite crying over a scratch, I lay broken, listening to my parents discuss if my kidneys were still viable for harvest. The final straw came at their engagement gala. When Dante saw me wearing the lava stone bracelet I had worn in the safe house, he accused me of stealing it from Isabella. He ordered my father to punish me. I took fifty lashes to my back while Dante covered Isabella's eyes, protecting her from the ugly truth. That night, the love in my heart finally died. On the morning of their wedding, I handed Dante a gift box containing a cassette tape—the only proof that I was Seven. Then, I signed the papers disowning my family, threw my phone out the car window, and boarded a one-way flight to Sydney. By the time Dante listens to that tape and realizes he married a monster, I will be thousands of miles away, never to return.
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