The first rays of morning sunlight cut through the curtains, painting the room in gold. Alaric Hawke stirred under the weight of the warmth beside him, another woman’s presence heavy on the bed. His phone vibrated relentlessly on the nightstand.
He reached for it, swiping the call away, but the voice blasted from the speaker.
“ALARIC! DON’T YOU DARE COME LATE! YOU HAVE TO PICK ME RIGHT! DON’T FORGET THAT!”
Alaric groaned, rolling over and glancing at the clock. The hands ticked toward the hour class began. He didn’t reply.
“HEY, YOU MOTHER****CKER! GET YOUR A UP! I DON’T CARE ABOUT YOUR DAY UNLESS YOU CARE ABOUT THAT! BUT I HAVE A CLASS!”
Alaric finally sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Fine, fine,” he muttered, voice rough from sleep. He turned to the woman in his bed, who was still half-asleep.
Alaric (irritated, half-smile):85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmeBODIYQ1
“Time to go. You’re gonna have to leave.”
Woman (pouting):85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9osTjjDrjl
“Already? You’re no fun, Alaric.”
He smirked, throwing a pillow at her lightly. “Not my problem. Family first.”
Within minutes, he was dressed, hair slicked back, and keys in hand. He slid into his Maserati, engine purring, and drove toward the Hawke estate.
Meanwhile, across the city, Zayden Whitmore was already up, fully dressed and alert. His adopted sister, Zaylee, sat at the dining table, spooning cereal with methodical grace, humming along to soft music playing from the speakers.
Zayden (teasing, grabbing a piece of toast):85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea034H7xnU
“You actually woke up on time? I’m impressed.”
Zaylee (without looking up, proper as ever):85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLQD1BeBm4
“Unlike some people I know, I respect schedules. Plus, you’re my brother; I need to set an example.”
Zayden chuckled, watching her for a moment. He had known Zaylee long enough to see the duality—formal, composed, polite… yet with him, she let her guard down, laughing freely, letting loose in ways no one else saw.
He drove her to Harvard Medical School, the city streets buzzing with morning traffic. Once parked, Zaylee turned to him, adjusting her white blouse neatly.
Zayden (smiling, handing her backpack):85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq5LHf2z2o
“First day, little sis. Knock ’em dead.”
Zaylee (hugging him quickly):85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQkod7VFjH
“Thanks, big brother. Don’t work too hard, okay?”
With a wink and a wave, Zayden watched her walk inside, then got back into his car, music playing as he drove toward his own campus.
Alaric’s morning, however, had other surprises. He had just turned the corner when his foot instinctively slammed on the brakes. There, stepping out of a car, was a young girl in a white tweed dress. Her elegance was arresting; even the wind seemed to pause, playing with the hem of her skirt.
Alaric blinked, caught off guard. Their eyes met—melting glances, silent acknowledgment—and for a heartbeat, the world narrowed to just her.
Alaric (thinking, muttering under his breath):85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvx304lmSC
“What the… who is she?”
Reality hit again when the sound of a heavy door shutting snapped him back. Alana, in the passenger seat beside him, leaned over, scowling.
Alana (exasperated):85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrWuKnAiHw
“Why are you looking at her, you idiot? She’s Whitmore.”
Alaric smirked, leaning back in his seat, voice laced with amusement.
Alaric:85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFUrhpesYm
“That’s why… that shitty elegance, huh?”
Alana (rolling her eyes, teasing):85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4UFKhANgE
“Don’t you have class? Go do your work if I’m right.”
Alaric sighed dramatically, still catching glimpses of Zaylee through the side mirror. “Fine, fine,” he muttered, gripping the wheel. “But I’m telling you, she’s trouble waiting to happen.”
Alana (grinning, elbowing him lightly):85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm30YQN9n5n
“Just focus on business school, Romeo.”
He smirked again, but his gaze lingered for a moment longer in the mirror. There was something about her poise, the quiet confidence, that stirred a strange sense of curiosity he couldn’t shake.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnocYZHW67
and then Add to home screen.