KISS POV — SWITZERLAND
The sound of metal slicing through air echoed across the training ground.
"Again."
I pivoted, twisted my wrist, and struck.
My opponent barely managed to block before stumbling back. I didn't wait. I moved again—sharp, precise, ruthless.
"Enough."
I froze.
Slowly, I lowered the weapon and turned.
My mother stood at the edge of the field, her posture composed, her gaze unreadable.
The wind lifted the hem of her coat as she walked toward me.
"You've mastered discipline," she said. "But today, I didn't come as your instructor."
I frowned slightly. "Then?"
She handed me a tablet.
"An invitation."
I wiped the sweat from my face and glanced at the screen.
ANNUAL GLOBAL BUSINESS AWARDS — CITY V
My breath stalled.
City V.
The ground beneath me felt suddenly unstable.
"It's one of the biggest events of the year," my mother continued. "Political figures. Business empires. Old allies. Old enemies."
I didn't respond.
She watched me carefully. "It will be held in City V."
Silence stretched between us.
City V.
Adrian.
The mansion.
The twins.
I slowly sat on the stone bench beside the field, my fingers tightening around the tablet.
My mother didn't rush me. She never did.
Images crashed into my mind—Adrian's eyes the day he lost me, the warmth of my children's tiny hands, the sound of their breathing I'd only heard for a moment before everything shattered.
"I left them," I whispered.
"You were taken," she corrected gently.
I swallowed hard.
"What if… what if seeing them breaks me?" I asked quietly.
My mother knelt in front of me. "And what if not seeing them destroys you instead?"
I looked up at her.
She touched my cheek. "Do you want to go back?"
I closed my eyes.
For the first time in a year, my lips curved—not sharp, not cold—but real.
A genuine smile.
"I'm ready," I said softly.
"Ready to face the world."
Then my voice hardened.
"Ready to protect those I love. My husband. My children."
She nodded once. "Then prepare. The crown doesn't hide anymore."
GOODWILL EMPIRE — CITY V
Oscar dropped another file on the desk.
"Still nothing," he said quietly.
Adrian didn't look up.
Isaac leaned back in his chair, rubbing his jaw. "It's like she vanished into thin air."
Adrian finally spoke, his voice low. "She didn't vanish. Someone took her."
Oscar hesitated, then cleared his throat.
"There's something else."
Adrian's eyes lifted slowly. "Say it."
"We received an invitation," Oscar said. "Annual Global Business Awards."
Adrian scoffed. "I'm not going."
Isaac straightened. "You are."
Adrian shot him a look. "I don't care about awards."
Isaac stepped closer. "But you care about visibility."
Silence.
"What if she's watching?" Isaac continued.
"What if that's where she expects to find you?"
Adrian's jaw clenched.
"And your kids?" Isaac added gently.
"Augustina and I will stay with them."
Adrian looked away.
"…Fine," he muttered. "One appearance."
Oscar exhaled quietly.
CITY V — KISS
The jet door opened.
I stepped down slowly, heels clicking against the tarmac.
City V.
I inhaled deeply.
"I'm back," I murmured.
"Here I come, my love."
The car was already waiting.
KISS POV — CITY V MANSION
The house was exactly as I remembered.
Too quiet.
I stood in the living room for a long moment before pulling out my phone.
"Get me my secretary."
A pause.
"Yes," I said calmly. "I'm back."
I walked toward the window.
"I want to know if Ashley is still in the city."
Silence.
"…She is?"
My lips curved faintly.
"Good."
A beat.
"Bring her to the basement. Keep her alive."
Another pause.
"I'll deal with her after the event."
I ended the call and headed out again.
MALL — CITY V
I was scanning a rack of dresses when I felt it.
That stare.
I turned.
Chris Blackwood.
He looked like he'd seen a ghost.
"Kiss…?" His voice cracked.
I met his gaze calmly. Coldly.
I turned away.
"Kiss, wait," he said quickly. "Please. Just… five minutes."
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
We sat across from each other at a quiet café.
"Where were you?" he demanded softly. "Do you have any idea what Adrian went through?"
I stiffened.
I stood up abruptly. "You don't get to ask me that."
Chris grabbed my wrist gently. "I loved you."
That snapped something.
I leaned down, eyes blazing. "And you stood by while Ashley tried to kill me and my unborn children."
His face drained of color. "What?"
"Don't," I hissed. "Don't pretend."
"I didn't know everything," he said hoarsely. "When I found out, I cut ties with her. Completely."
I froze.
"You… what?"
"I walked away," he said quietly. "Because if loving you meant letting you go… then that's what I chose."
I searched his face.
"See your family," he added softly. "Before everything breaks again."
I turned away without another word.
But my hands were shaking.
KISS POV — NIGHT
Standing by the window of the mansion, I whispered into the dark:
"I'm here now."
"And this time…"
"I'm not leaving."