As days turned into months, winter approached, the chill in the air a stark contrast to the warmth Bae sought. Meanwhile, Zanier's family remained oblivious to their circumstances.
In a dimly lit room, Sliva gazed at her frail father, his once robust frame now thin and covered with a blanket, his breaths shallow and labored.
"Father, I'm sorry for this, but I can't just watch anymore," she said, her voice quaking with emotion.
"How could Zanier do this? He took my daughter and ran off," Sliva lamented, tears brimming in her eyes as worry for Bae tightened her chest.
"Sliva…" Frankford's voice was weak but firm as he turned his head slowly toward her.
"Didn't you forget about the child already? Why now, after marrying Zanier?" he asked, a piercing question that hung in the air.
Sliva's eyes widened, stung by her father's words, the weight of them sinking into her heart.
"Then that's good. If you can't find a solid answer to my question, perhaps you don't have the right to question Zanier's actions," Frankford commanded, his tone cold, the authority of a father ringing clear.
Silva bit her lip, lowering her head, a wave of sadness washing over her. Regret crept into her heart, heavy and unyielding.
"You're right, Father," she thought, realizing how harshly she had treated the sweet girl she had once loved at first sight in the orphanage.
Frankford's gaze shifted to Brag, who leaned casually against the doorframe, a smirk playing at his lips.
"I heard your wife is pregnant. Is that so?" he asked, his tone sharp and probing.
"Yes, and she's one week along," Brag replied, the smirk widening as he met his grandfather's cold stare.
"I see. Well, congratulations. I hope to be around for the baby shower—let alone the baby," Frankford continued, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a heavy fog.
Brag felt the weight of words pressing down on him, the unspoken challenge evident in his grandfather's eyes.
"Of course, old man," he said, forcing a smile despite the tension.
Just then, Frankford's attention shifted to Cody, who stood awkwardly by the door, dressed in a white nightgown that seemed to accentuate his youth.
"And you, when are you getting married?" Frankford questioned, his gaze piercing.
Cody opened his mouth to respond, "Not any ti—" but his mother, Jia, swiftly interjected.
"Oh, father-in-law! We're certainly working on that," she said, her smile sugary sweet, yet her eyes flashed with urgency.
"And it will be sometime soon," Jia added, shooting a warning glare at Cody, who looked caught off guard.
"Anyway, I think it's best to let Zanier do what he wants for now. Sooner or later, he'll show up," Frankford said dismissively, the authority in his voice brooking no argument.
With that, he signaled for everyone to leave, except for his wife, Elaine, who remained by his side,
As Elaine entered her room, she was greeted by the sight of Brag lounging on her couch, a hint of tension in his posture.
"My dear Brag, what brings you here today?" she asked, her voice warm as she stepped forward to embrace her second-oldest grandson, whose visits had become increasingly rare.
"I was wondering if Grandpa mentioned anything about Zanier's whereabouts," he replied, a flicker of worry crossing his face.
His tone was casual, but the tension in his brow suggested otherwise.
"After all, who wouldn't worry about family?" Brag added, wrapping his arms around her in a half-hearted hug.
But as he pulled back, a smirk curled on his lips, his gaze turning cold and calculating.
"And with our business strategy in flux, his sudden disappearance raises some concerns."
Brag's expression shifted, becoming more menacing as he studied his grandmother, awaiting her response.
"That's tragic," Elaine said, a pang of sympathy welling up within her for her grandson's distress.
"But I suspect your grandpa knows something and is keeping it under wraps—though that's just my intuition, dear." She added, her voice softer, yet laced with uncertainty.
"I see. I guess the old man Frank doesn't trust us enough to share his plans," Brag said coldly, his smirk returning, hinting at deeper frustrations.
"You know how Grandpa is; he's always strict about keeping people's business private," Elaine replied dismissively, though her own heart raced with curiosity and concern.
"Anyway, I'm quite happy to hear about your wife's pregnancy," Elaine said, her smile radiating warmth.
"Are you, though?" Brag's voice dropped, a chill seeping into his tone as he stood to leave.
Elaine's eyes widened at the sudden shift in his demeanor. The faint smirk on his lips sent a shiver down her spine.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be, dear?" she replied, attempting to keep her voice steady.
"Are you sure you're not mistaking me for Zanier?" Brag taunted, his gaze piercing as he scrutinized her reaction.
Elaine felt a rush of shock at his words but managed a composed smile in response.
"Just messing with you again, old lady," he added, a faint grin breaking through his cold facade. "Besides, I expected all my family to be happy about the news."
Though his smile suggested lightheartedness, Elaine sensed an undercurrent of seriousness.
Concern began to creep into her thoughts.
"Perhaps we've paid too little attention to him in favor of Zanier," she mused, guilt gnawing at her as she watched him.
Brag, lost in his own thoughts, resolved, "Regardless, I'll be Taking over the rest of the businesses in Frank's possession." As he walked toward the door, he felt the weight of his ambitions pressing on him as he smirked.
"Just need to wait and have all my pieces in place," he thought, closing the door behind him with a firm click.
As he stepped into the hallway, Brag's mind raced.
"And if that man actually has information about Zanier's whereabouts..."
" then it's time for a change of plan. One wrong move will be the end!" He pulled out his phone, and quickly texted an anonymous number, determination etched on his face.
"This is the situation that intrigues me the most," Brag thought, a satisfied smirk curling on his lips.
Love a challenging mist that he needs to exercise a second plan -His wife's pregnancy was a strategic move, a backup plan while his Boys searched for Zanier.
He glanced over at Penny, who was gently guiding her mother, Silva, into her room.
With a quick tap on his phone, he sent a message: Hope you're not planning to harm my child.
Penny's phone buzzed, and her eyes widened in shock as she read the message. Another notification popped up: If a single complaint touches my child, you will be repaid brutally.
Her heart raced, and the phone slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor. The threat felt all too real.
"Are you okay, Penny?" Silva asked concern etched on her face as she noticed her daughter's stricken expression and the broken phone.
"Oh, sorry, Mother. I just drifted off for a moment," Penny replied, forcing a smile as she bent down to pick up her phone.
"Please be careful, dear," Silva cautioned, her worry deepening, suspicion flickering in her eyes.
Penny glanced toward the spot where Brag had been standing, but he was gone.
"Damn you, Brag," she thought bitterly, a chill running down her spine.
She touched her belly, a cold determination settling in her chest as she planned to get rid of the child by morning.
"Trust me, Brag. You don't want to make me your enemy," she thought, a sinister glint in her eyes.
The fear of her mother discovering the truth loomed large, intensifying her resolve as she felt the weight of her hidden reality.