Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Meanwhile, at the Goth family back in Jayrodale.

Dominic had been restless since he returned from Quinton's roundtable event. He thought it was the perfect time for the Goth family to rise. If he could impress Quinton, billions of investments would come pouring into the family.

With that kind of funding, the Goths could skyrocket and finally stand shoulder to shoulder with the Weller family, the Rhodes family, and other regional powerhouses

Eventually, Dominic could not wait any longer and eagerly waited for Nyla to get home from work.

He greeted her with uncharacteristic warmth. "Nyla, come here, sweetheart. You're back a little early tonight, huh? It's been a while since we all sat down for dinner together. Tonight, I want to have a real heart-to-heart with you."

Nyla gave him a suspicious look but walked over and sat down beside him.

Normally, Dominic was completely consumed by family business. Even when he came home, he only spoke to Camilla and barely acknowledged Nyla. To him, she had always been invisible, someone who could come and go without anyone noticing.

With Dominic suddenly acting like a doting father, waiting for her return and preparing dinner, it made Nyla feel more than a little out of place.

Dominic had no idea what was going through her mind. He just kept piling food onto her plate, asking her questions, acting every bit the warm, loving father he rarely ever was.

Sitting nearby was his pregnant wife Camilla, the woman he married after Nyla's birth mother had passed. She could not help but roll her eyes at the sight.

She hated seeing Dominic treat Nyla with kindness. Deep down, she was afraid that Nyla would one day fight for the inheritance-or worse, for Dominic's affection-against the child growing in her belly.

Truthfully, what Camilla hated most was Nyla herself. In her mind, this home would be perfect if Nyla did not exist. It would be just her, Dominic, and their unborn child a picture-perfect family.noveldrama

"Dad, please stop serving me. I can't finish all this," Nyla said quietly, overwhelmed by his sudden affection.

Dominic just smiled and set his utensils down. "Nyla, the truth is, there's something important I wanted to talk to you about tonight."

Nyla tensed. "Dad, please don't tell me you're trying to force me into another arranged marriage. I just graduated not long ago, and I really want to work hard for a few years before I even think about marriage."

Camilla snorted from the side. "Work hard, my ass. A woman's prime years are right after college. This is the best time to get married. Wait a few more years, and once your skin starts to sag and that youthful glow fades, who's gonna want you?" Cóntent belongs to

Nyla stayed quiet. Of course, she knew Camilla would love nothing more than to

marry her off quickly-just to get her out of the Goth house.

That way, no one could threaten her or her unborn baby's standing in the family.

However, what hurt Nyla the most was the unfairness of it all.

She had never once considered fighting Camilla or her future sibling for inheritance. She had no interest in any of that.

Dominic smiled and said gently, “Nyla, don't worry. Tonight isn't about pushing you into marriage. I respect your choice. If you want to work hard for a few years, go for it."

Nyla was really confused. In the

past, her father had always sided with Camilla and pressured her to find a man as soon as possible. He

had already tried multiple times to rush her into dating and marriage, practically pushing her out the door.

There was even a time when she became so overwhelmed and desperate that

dark thoughts began to creep into her mind.

It was during that low point that she met Andrew.

She had just started her first real job after med school, barely finding her footing- when Andrew showed up. He was handsome, with that protective big-brother energy, and his medical skills were downright legendary.

Nyla had fallen for him immediately. More than once, she shamelessly flirted, constantly finding ways to bump- into him, eager for any excuse to make her existence known.