chapter1037

Queenie hesitated. If Simone finds out you're scheming against the guy she likes, you know she won't let it go."

Aurora replied, That's part of why I didn't tell my father or brother. If they find out who Joshua really is, they'll either try to win him over to our side and if that happens, they'll probably try to set him up with Stella-or they'll see him as a threat and become his enemy. Either way, it could get ugly.

Simone likes Joshua. I don't want our family to go to war with him. Leonard will hold back for Simone's sake; he won't push things too far."

Queenie grinned. "You always think things through, Aurora."

That was one of the reasons Queenie and Aurora were such close friends- Aurora was nobody's doormat, but she wasn't ruthless either.

Noticing the time, Aurora stood up with Queenie, and they left the caf together.

They had barely stepped outside when a car with no plates screeched to a halt right in front of them.

Before either woman could make sense of what was happening, they were forced into the car.

Meanwhile, Leonard got a call: Simone had been kidnapped.

His voice turned cold as he instructed his assistant to trace Simone's movements,

then shrugged on his coat, ready to handle the rescue himself.

But just as he was heading out, his phone rang again. It was Israel Williams.

"Leonard, Aurora's been kidnapped. You need to come to the Williams estate right away."

Leonard froze in his tracks. "What did you say? Aurora too?"

Hearing the confusion in Leonard's voice, Israel pressed, "Wait, what do you

mean, 'too'? Was someone else kidnapped?"

Leonard replied, "Simone was taken as well."

"Could it be the same people?"

"I don't know yet. We're still looking into it."

"Either way, get over here. We need to figure out our next move-together."

Stella knew nothing about the kidnappings. She was on her way to the airport- Haynes O'Brien had called to say that Keen was visiting her in Solmaris.

It had been ages since Stella had seen Keen. The last time she'd been in the hospital, she was worried something might happen and hadn't let Keen visit. But Keen missed her terribly and begged every day to see his mom.

Haynes couldn't say no anymore. He also admitted he wanted an excuse to see

Stella himself, so he brought Keen to Solmaris.

Stella and Joshua met them at the airport.

As soon as he saw Stella, Keen broke into a run and threw himself into her arms.

"Mom, I missed you so much! Did you miss me?"

Keen had no idea Stella had been kidnapped and hurt.

Stella hugged him gently and smiled. Of course I missed you, Keen."

She didn't want to admit it, but she had to face the truth: her past

approach to raising Keen had failed.

The way

he'd disrespected her

before some of it was her ow

fault. She'd been too self-effacing, too willing to give without setting boundaries. Even with family, relationships take work-they're not just about sacrifice.

After Keen's excitement faded, he spotted Joshua standing off to the side. His eyes lit up. "Mr. Joshua!"

Joshua ruffled Keen's hair with a smile. "You've gotten taller again, Keen."

Being able to see his mom and his favorite Mr. Joshua in one day-Keen could barely contain his delight.

Watching from the side, Haynes felt

a pang of jealousy. His own son adored a man he himself could

barely stand. For the first time, he understood exactly how Stella must have felt.