Chapter 333


    Tears streamed down ra’s cheeks, unbidden.


    This mutual love, a love that raced headlong toward each other, was something she couldn’t resist.


    Her resolve to leave Ian crumbled in that instant. She looked up at him, her voice soft and slightly


    nasal. “Ian, promise me, no matter what happens, you’ll always keep our child safe.”


    Ian bent down to kiss away the tears from the corners of her eyes. “I promise you, once all of this is


    over, we’ll leave for a ce where no one can find us. Just the three of us. I’ll take care of you. We’ll


    attend prenatal yoga sses together, and we’ll wait for our little one’s arrival.”


    ra was touched and filled with longing. It was a scene she had dreamed of for so long. She


    wanted to raise their child together with Ian.


    The tension in her heart finally eased, and a long-lost smile spread across her lips. “Ian.” She called


    to him softly.


    Ian looked down tenderly. “Yeah, I’m right here.”


    ra wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. “I think I’m falling in


    love with you more and more.”


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    “Only think? Mrs. Hayes, shouldn’t you be absolutely, positively certain about loving your man?”


    Immediately, Ian’s hot kisses peppered her neck, sending her senses into disarray.


    By the time the car pulled into the Bell family estate, the desire in their eyes hadn’t faded. ra’s


    voice was hoarse with lust. “To avoid any trouble, we’ll keep our rtionship under wraps for now.


    Once I’ve got solid evidence of Heidi’s crimes, we’ll leave.”


    Ian smiled and kissed her forehead. “I’ll follow Mrs. Hayes’ lead.”


    Stepping out of the car, they entered the grand hall only to be confronted with an unexpected figure.


    Paolo sat on the sofa with a brooding expression. Upon seeing them, he approached with a hint of


    desperation in his voice. “ra, what Heidi did was wrong, and I’llpensate you for any harm


    she caused you and your friend. Whatever you want, just don’t let her go to jail. You know, she’s


    been coddled all her life and suffers from depression. If she stays in prison too long, I’m afraid it


    might kill her. Please, let her off this once. Withdraw your charges.”


    ra stared at him coolly, her voice devoid of warmth. “Are you suggesting, Mr. Paolo, that your


    daughter’s life matters, but mine and my friend’s do not? If my friend hadn’t handled it well, others


    could have been hurt, innocent bystanders even. If we pardon such egregious actions, what’s the


    point of havingws in this country?”


    Paolo’s face turned even more sullen, but to save his daughter, he had to swallow his pride.


    “Rest assured. If you spare Heidi, I’ll take her out of the country immediately. I promise she won’t


    harm you again. I’ll give you a 5% stake in thepany worth millions in dividends annually. All I


    ask is that you don’t pursue charges against Heidi.”


    ra watched Paolo, once so formidable, now pleading with her to save his daughter. She couldn’t


    help but draw her lips into a cold, thin line. “Sorry, Mr. Paolo, my friend’s life is more precious to me


    than money. I won’t withdraw the case. Please leave.”


    She turned to walk away, but before she could take a step, Paolo’s voice rose in a frenzy of


    madness. “ra, you’ll regret this!”