UNMASKING FATE

tangled and rumpled, evidence of a night spent together. Allaire Morretti stood by the window, his lean figure

ce and defiance. She wore a traditional Colombian pikin, a vividly coloured head wrap that added an exotic, regal touch to her already captivating beaut

iration and longing. He traced the outline of her face w

ow, his attention completely absorbed by whatever was on his phone. Silently, she rose from the bed, her l

ck with sleep. She peered over his shoulder and saw the photo

g to face her. "Isabella,

"Then what is it, Allaire? Why are you always

his face. "Isabella, you don't under

anded, her voice rising. "Wha

ustration. "She has a spirit that can't be tamed, a strength tha

hat am I to you, then? A consolation prize

is head. "It's

r eyes. "Tell me, Allaire, because I can't keep doing this. I

"I'm sorry, Isabella. I care about you, but Seraphin

e to hide her tears. "I thought I could be enough for yo

ch her, but she stepped ou

upted, her voice br

nging of Allaire's hones interrupted them. H

choed through the room. "Are

ied, his tone uneasy. "She left in anger, and I went after

y. "Boys!" he called out to his security team. "My d

mmediately," he said, ending the call and quickly getting d

r this much?" s

eraphina and always dreamed of being her husband, even whe

filled with anger and jealousy. "Seraphina, you will pay for this. Allaire will

to search for his missing daughter. Allaire arrived, his mind consumed with wor

ncent muttered, his voic

ed him, his tone firm. "I'll do everythi

ary. "I hope you're right,

to spread the word, and mob

sing, they'll see it as an opportunity to harm her. We need to keep it a secret and prot

d, Vincent. I've already sent my men to l

f his missing daughter. "We'll do whatever it takes to bring he

earch efforts, while Vincent remained in his study,

ced back and forth in his study, his mind consumed by worry for Seraphine. Every passing moment

it without checking the caller ID. "Hell

hter? You are not man enough. That's why Lucien Salvatore will always be smarter and wiser than you.

anger and frustration. His father's words were like a wound

ice laced with fury. "You have n

always been a disappointment, Allaire. You could never measure

with emotion. The weight of his father's words crushed him, triggering mem

ects crashing to the floor. The echo of shattering glass filled the room as

his youth. He remembered the days when they had taken everything from Lucien

entment had poisoned their relationship long ago. Allaire had always env

while belittling Allaire at every turn. Allaire could nev

se of hopelessness wash over him. No matter what he did, he woul

ithin him. He would find Saraphina, no matter the cost. He w

tudy behind, his mind focused on one thing: finding Seraphina and