Seventy-Five.

TWENTY-ONE YEARS LATER...

"Where is Sandro?"

I turn at the firm sound of my husband's voice, my nerves flutter in my stomach as I bite on my lower lip.

"I believe he's in his room, dear," I state nervously.

"Is he ready?" Aydem asks as he flicks out his hand and looks at his expensive gold watch.

"He's still just a kid."

"He's the heir to the throne of our family empire, and it's time for him to take his place."

I look past his shoulder, shaking my head at our youngest daughter, Asli as she attempts to enter the living room. "I know. He was born for this and you have spent most of his life preparing him for it... But-"

"But, you're his mother, and naturally you can't help but worry about his wellbeing." Aydem crosses the room, devouring the distance between us in no time and pulls me into his comforting arms.

Twenty glorious years with this man hasn't diminished the power of his touch one bit. He still has the authority to build the sensations of desire, lust and need engulfing my body all at once.

I suppose it is how we ended up having seven beautiful children between us in total. Five boys and two girls, who all look like their father.

"I'm his father. I feel the exact, same way, but the time has come and he is strong, not to mention he has us and his siblings to support him every step of the way." He asserts firmly.

I nod my head, "You're right." I sigh with defeat, "I have to trust the process."

"Are the other children ready too?"

"I think we are still waiting on Selin," I say light-heartedly, "like usual. Let me go check."

[Okay,] "Tamum, I'll go gather the rest of the children and meet you out front." He says as he kisses me on the cheek, his lips lingering longer than usual.

Standing outside of Sandro's bedroom, I knock on his door, and he pulls it open on my third knock. "Mother," He says in a charming tone, knowing why I'm here. "What do I owe the pleasure?"

Folding my arms across my chest, I give him a scolding look, "Sandro Burak, you know full well why I'm here. Your father is gathering the rest of your siblings as we speak so we can get going to your announcing ceremony." I shake my head.

The brat still isn't ready, and that was to be expected of him. He has always been a strong-minded person. There was no way anyone could make him do something he didn't want to do.

And it's clear as day, that nothing has changed twenty-two years later.

"I don't want to run the family empire mum," He says with defeat, retreating into his room, and leaning against his closet with his arms folded over his chest in a defensive stance. "It's not what I want to do."

"I know son. But this is what your father wants, he's ready to retire, and hand the business over to you. He's got companies all over the globe now, and he needs someone young and fresh to take over. You're his pride and joy son. I just wish you could see that."

Blowing air out of his nose, "I do, it's like looking in the mirror with him. Only he's the aging version of me." He combs both of his hands through his jet black hair, "Fine.. I'll meet you at the Grand Hall." He mutters, removing his top to change into the tuxedo his father personally picked out for him.

I blow him a kiss, "I love you,"

He halts his actions, raising his gaze to meet mine. "Dad is right you know, it's hard to deny you of anything." He chuckles, as I turn away and close his bedroom door behind me.

---

THREE YEARS LATER...

SANDRO PEKER...

As the sun blushes, illuminating the sky in all her splendour, I take another swig of my father's favourite bottle of malt whiskey. Exhaling with a heavy heart that is full of regret, I stare down at the three graves in front of me.

It's been three fucking long and excruciating years, since, I lost my mother, father, and baby sister Asli in a deadly collision on state highway twenty-two on the night of my father's shoe company takeover announcement event.

Not only did I lose three of my family members that night, but I also lost my best friend and most of my sanity. Two years ago, I reclaimed my family name and built an empire big enough to take down the Esposito family.

After learning the truth about my parent's and sisters' death, it wasn't an accident but a hit on their life. I packed up everything and shipped my siblings off to Turkey to live with Uncle Sedar and Aunt Cedes.

New Zealand wasn't a safe haven for them anymore and I couldn't afford the distraction of being the older, protective brother they so desperately needed me to be.

I swore to avenge their deaths.

It has been revealed that Trent Esposito secretly fathered two sons and a daughter. His two sons exacted vengeance on my parents for his death. Now is the time for me to repay the favour; not only will I enjoy destroying them, but I'll also enjoy breaking his daughter when I find her.

My father once said that he was a lion and people will hear him roar...

Well, I'm the fucking Devil, and I will make people roar in fear of me...

I'll be the dark fog engulfing the room, with nothing to lose and so much to gain. Like smoke, destroying everything it comes into contact with, until, all that remains is the aberrant odour of my contamination.

My name is Sandro Peker, and you can read about my mission in the upcoming instalment of... Hidden Secrets: Obstinate Queen.