: Don't you think you've run enough?

As Tatiana stood before Isabella's grave, it felt like a nightmare. A nightmare she didn't want to believe. Her desperate voice over her voicemail echoed in her head.

She blamed herself for not being there when Isabella needed her help. She hated herself for leaving this monster den of a country in the first place.

Tatiana wished she had tried to stop Isabella from going into the entertainment industry, but her sister was determined, just like her.

She would find whoever was behind this and make them wish for death. She would destroy each and every one of them.

"Tatiana," a familiar voice snapped her back to reality. She turned to see her older sister Maya. She was dressed in black, just like her.

Only a few people attended Isabella's burial; their father, stepmother, and stepbrother were not among them.

Maya walked to stand beside her, sadness swirling in her gaze. "I'm so sorry."

Tatiana scoffed. "Isabella would never kill herself, you know that. And yet you let Father suppress the news and ask the cops to conclude it was suicide? How could you?"

"I have no power, Tatiana. How am I supposed to face Father?"

Tatiana knew she was right; there was nothing Maya could do even if she wanted to. Tatiana decided to find out the truth herself and avenge Isabella's death.

"Let it go, Tatie," Maya muttered, and Tatiana slowly looked at her, her eyes reddened with anger.

"Are you seriously kidding me? This is our little sister we are talking about. I should let go?" Tatiana asked, and Maya swallowed.

"I'm hurt too, and I badly want to make them pay, but I... I can't lose you too," Maya made to touch her, but Tatiana shifted back.

"Don't ever cross paths with me. You can stay low while I catch those bastards," Tatiana said as she walked towards Jolene, who was waiting for her.

Maya tried to hold her tears. She pulled up her sleeve, and her gaze settled on the red bruise on her wrist. She took a deep breath and watched Tatiana's car leave.

---

"She really said that?" Jolene asked in disbelief.

"I don't need her help anyway," Tatiana mumbled, shutting her eyes. Dylan and Catelyn would be coming to the country soon. She needed to find a good place before they returned.

They both settled in a coffee shop where they could discuss.

"I've checked the CCTV footage around Isabella's area, but they were all malfunctioning. A man told me it wasn't working for a long time. I'm sure the person behind Isabella's incident knows her, but I can't pinpoint who," Jolene explained.

"Those bastards behind it are sure to be in the entertainment industry, and the only way to get them is to be in the same world as them," Tatiana's eyes burned with determination.

"Are you saying..."

"Yes, I'm going back to acting," Tatiana stated firmly.

As they left the coffee shop, Tatiana spotted many reporters swarming around a large building, wanting to take a glimpse of a figure.

"Oh my, that's Mr. King," Jolene squealed, also trying to peek. A man emerged from the building with several guards, his suit screaming wealth.

His chiseled features illuminated by the sunlight—thick eyebrows, sharp nose, full lips, and a muscular figure that would make any woman drool. His hair was styled backward, with a few strands dangling to one side of his face. He carried each step with power, catching the onlookers' breaths, even Tatiana's.

Damn, what a beauty.

Though the reporters were wild at the sight of him, they dared not come closer than six feet. That's if they loved their reputation.

The word mercy wasn't in his dictionary.

"Mr. King?" Tatiana raised a brow.

"They call him 'King of the entertainment industry.' His full name is Cassius King. I heard he is a ruthless type, but fuck, he is so hot," Jolene said, and Tatiana gave her a look. "Sorry."

Returning her gaze to the imposing man called Cassius, Tatiana was stunned to meet his gaze. Even though she was seeing him from a distance, she felt those piercing gazes prickling her skin.

For some reason, his look reminded her of her little boy.

Though it was just for a moment, she couldn't help but wonder how a man held so much intimidating aura. Even after he entered his Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, Tatiana didn't stop staring until he drove out of sight.

"Are you crushing on him?" Jolene's voice snapped her back to reality.

Tatiana cleared her throat. "No way. I don't think he is any different from those powerful men I've met. They're all the same."

One of the female reporters spotted Tatiana and quickly took a picture before she left.

She looked down at the picture and frowned. "Isn't this Isabella's sister? Tatiana Wallington, a famous actress years ago who tarnished her marriage?" she mumbled in disbelief, but then her lips curved up.

---

Getting to her lodge, Tatiana stepped into her dimly lit room tiredly. Jolene would search for a company to get her signed with.

It wouldn't be easy due to her past and also Isabella's incident, but she wanted to give it a try. She wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted.

She went to take a shower, letting the warm water calm her tense muscles and relax her mind. After a few minutes, she emerged with a white towel draped around her chest and barely reaching her knee.

She went to her drawer to pull out nightwear for the night, oblivious to the figure in the room with his intense gaze on her.

Turning to wear it, her eyes settled on a man sitting on the couch around the corner, and she gasped in shock.

"What the fu..." She wanted to curse but recognized him and blinked several times just to make sure he was the one.

"Mr.... K-King?" she stuttered, gripping her towel tightly, afraid it might fall and reveal her forbidden treasure to him.

What the hell is he doing in her room?

His piercing gaze observed her body, face, and down to her smooth thighs.

"Excuse me," Tatiana snapped when the man said nothing.

"Why are you so surprised?" he asked in a deep, rich voice laced with power. He slowly stood and approached her, each step making her skin crawl.

"You barged into my room just like this, years ago," he stated, still stepping forward. Tatiana made to step backward, but her back touched the wall. Shit! She cursed inwardly.

As his height hovered over her, Tatiana got mesmerized by his blue charming eyes, which reminded her of her son.

Why does this man look so much like Dylan? She had asked herself that question when she saw him swarmed with so many reporters. There's no way he is the one, is he?

But his scent... no, it can't be.

He is scary; what is he here for? To kill her? She can't trust powerful men like him. They are devious.

She did the best thing she could think of. Run.

But her luck wasn't on her side as the man caught her and pinned her hands just above her head and glared at her.

"And where do you think you're going, woman? Don't you think you've run enough?" he sneered.

: He hates me

"Huh?" She raised her brow.

"You think you can just leave without a trace after what happened that night?" His hands still pinned hers above her head, his piercing blue eyes boring into hers.

"W-what do you mean?" she stuttered, his scent reminding her of that night—the night that changed her life completely.

"What do I mean? Are you seriously asking me that, woman? If your brain can't recall how we burned together on that bed, how about I remind you right here?" His face was dangerously close as he growled into her ear.

Her eyes widened. He meant it. Every single word. He was the king of the entertainment world, after all.

"Let me go," she demanded stubbornly, her voice barely audible. He let out a low, dark chuckle that sent a chill down her spine.

"Let you go? Oh, I'll let you go, Tatiana. But not until you understand the consequences of crossing paths with me."

Her pupils dilated as she remained frozen, not scared but shocked with the realization that Mr. King was the man she had a night with years ago. Dylan's father.

Tatiana never thought he'd hold such a personality. Cassius had the same blue eyes, lips, and hair color. He was like the bigger version of her son.

"Why did you leave that night?" he inquired.

"I'm sorry... I was drunk and in a state of depression that night. I left because I was embarrassed. I'm sorry," she apologized, her voice barely audible.

He remained quiet for a while, his gaze piercing as he observed her closely like a predator ready to pounce on its prey.

He released her hand, and she quickly held her towel.

'Dylan,' her subconscious reminded her, and she wanted to tell him, but his words shattered that thought.

"Among all the women who wanted my dick buried inside them, you're quite a different one."

Tatiana almost gasped. "I'm not that type of woman. You know nothing about me, and that night was a mistake."

"Oh yeah? I saw the way you stared at me hours ago. Like you desire me again."

Tatiana clenched her fist beside her. He smirked at her fierce look; that's exactly what he wanted to see.

As she made to speak, his phone rang, disrupting the moment. She watched him pull out his phone, and his gaze hardened.

"Well, I guess we'll be meeting some other time, Tatiana," he said, looking up at her, his jaw clenching. "Don't even think of running again; you won't like my next action."

With that, he stepped out of the room, and Tatiana could finally breathe well.

"That was scary." She made sure his footsteps faded completely before shutting the door.

---

After her encounter with Mr. King, Tatiana couldn't get her mind off him. She couldn't fathom the reason for his anger and had thought he would have forgotten her. But that wasn't the case.

He seemed to have searched for her, thinking she was a whore. She couldn't even bring herself to tell him about Dylan. Gosh, she felt like going crazy.

"Tatie, the apartment is ready," Jolene informed her over the phone, and she headed to the given address.

It was a well-secured residence in the whole of Australia. Tatiana was able to afford it, thanks to her savings. She knew that money would come in handy someday.

She needed a place where Dylan would be safe; this was a monster den of a country, after all.

After settling in, Tatiana reveled in the comfortable apartment she had prepared after so much stress. Its architecture was grand and well-furnished. The lighting was soft and warm, illuminating the lavish decorations.

The air was clean and fresh, prompting a smile on her face.

"Tatie?" Jolene called, bringing in some boxes.

"Hey, easy, I told you I'd pay some men to do this," Tatiana said, taking the loads from her, and Jolene sighed.

"It's fine. This is nothing," Jolene chuckled.

"Jojo?" Tatiana raised a brow.

"That's all, they're not that heavy. This is the last one," Jolene said. "Uhm, I've been meaning to ask."

"Hm?" Tatiana hummed, unpacking the box.

"Are you really sure about this?" she asked, and Tatiana looked at her. "I mean, everything. I just wanna know if you're fine."

Tatiana smiled. "I'm good."

"Great. I've found a company to sign you in, and you won't believe it. Take it as a surprise tomorrow," Jolene winked.

Jolene had always been a capable manager. She was like a sister from another mother, always helping Tatiana through thick and thin. Tatiana was sure Jolene was blaming herself for Isabella's death, even though she tried to hide it.

That was why she had been trying so hard to help her ever since her return.

"Jojo," Tatiana called.

"Hm?"

"Isabella's death was not your fault," Tatiana stated, and Jolene's face dropped. Those words felt like something she had been wanting to hear badly.

The doorbell sounded, disrupting the moment. Catelyn and Dylan walked in.

Jolene gasped, seeing the young cutie.

"Mummy!" Dylan's tiny voice chimed as he ran to hug Tatiana.

"Oh sweet boy, I've missed you," she kissed his cheek, and he giggled softly.

"I missed you too," he answered, and Tatiana kissed him again.

Dylan's gaze went to Jolene. "Aunt from the video call."

Jolene remained frozen, her lips parted as she stared in awe. 'Cute! Cute! Cute!' those were the words ringing in her head.

"Jojo?" Tatiana's voice brought her back to her senses.

"Dylan," Jolene crouched before him and held his tiny hands.

Dylan pouted. "Are you about to cry?" he asked innocently as he blinked those adorable eyes.

"I am just too happy to see you," Jolene chuckled.

"Me too," he replied.

"Do you wanna play? I and your mother prepared an awesome room for you. Wanna see it?"

"Yes!" he said excitedly.

Tatiana watched Jolene take Dylan to his room.

"She didn't even recognize my presence. Just how cute is your son?" Catelyn teased, and Tatiana smiled, but it disappeared almost immediately.

"I'm sorry about Isabella," Catelyn consoled.

"Thanks," Tatiana nodded. "I met Dylan's father yesterday."

Catelyn's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "Really?"

"Yeah, and I think he hates me for leaving that night," she added.

"Did you tell him about Dylan?" Catelyn asked, and Tatiana bit her lip. "You didn't?"

"I couldn't. He thinks I'm a whore. He hates me, and I did a bit of research about him last night and--" Tatiana paused to take a deep breath.

"And what?"

Tatiana looked at her and announced.

"He is engaged"