---
Five hours later…
Roshan was laughing warmly as he played with the twins when Mike's family arrived.
"Grandpa!" Emily cried, rushing to hug him. Dennis followed more calmly, wrapping his small arms around the old man.
Dennis, six years old, was three months older than the twins. A kind-hearted boy, he loved his family fiercely and always tried to protect his little sister and cousins.
Emily, four years old, with long brown hair, was the opposite—gentle and sweet, a nature lover with a heart for animals. She adored her big sister Cherry and cried easily when moved.
Their great-grandfather kissed their foreheads. "I missed you both so much," he whispered.
"I missed you too!" Emily chimed, before running to Cherry. "Big sister!" She hugged her tightly.
Cherry grinned. "I missed you too. Look, see?" She lifted Leo, the cat.
"Wow, a cat! He's so cute!" Emily petted the animal's head eagerly. "Can I hold him?"
"Sure." Cherry handed Leo over proudly.
"Who gave you the cat?" Emily asked.
"Aunty Tracy bought him for me."
"Where is she now?"
"In her room."
"Let's go to her!" Emily said excitedly.
"Sure." Cherry took her hand, and the two little girls rushed upstairs.
Dennis and Charlie exchanged glances, unimpressed.
"It's not like the cat is even that cute," Dennis muttered.
Charlie gave a solemn nod in agreement, though his eyes lingered on Leo for a second too long.
---
LUCIAN'S POV
It's been seven years… and we still haven't met again, Lucian thought bitterly.
The door creaked, and his fiancée walked in. Clara.
After the incident years ago, his father had been furious—forcing him into an arranged marriage with the daughter of a billionaire. Lucian resisted for four years, but under relentless pressure, he finally gave in.
Even so, the ghost of Mirabel haunted him.
For two years after their last encounter, she had disappeared from social media. No photoshoots. No magazine covers. Not a trace. Her fans were desperate, yet she remained hidden.
Then, three months later, she resurfaced. An advertisement for a luxury car.
Lucian remembered the moment vividly. He had watched the clip again and again—her smile, her voice, her presence. But when she acted in a film and kissed another man on-screen, his chest ached so deeply he had to stop. He could no longer bear to watch her movies.
And yet… every magazine cover with her face? He bought. Every advertisement she appeared in? He memorized. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't let her go.
Clara stood before him now, a beauty in her own right—open-minded, elegant, the only daughter of Mr. Hale. She adored flowers, hated filth, and carried herself like the perfect woman. From the first day they met, she had fallen for him completely.
Lucian, however, barely looked at her. Their engagement was one-sided. He kissed her only when their parents demanded it, and even then, it was nothing more than a cold peck.
"Lucian," Clara said softly, holding a glossy brochure. "There's a new hotel opening soon. I thought it might be good for you to relax."
He didn't even glance up. "I don't need it. I'm fine here."
Clara's eyes flickered. She knew he would never choose her, but she wasn't giving up.
"This hotel isn't just for relaxing. Mike King built it himself. There will be powerful, influential men there—perfect for business connections. It could be good for your company."
Lucian finally looked up, narrowing his eyes.
Clara smiled faintly. This was her only chance. If she could get him there, maybe she could spend more time with him… maybe even share a night together.
---