Chapter: Chapter 13The meeting with the producer goes better than I expect, though it’s not perfect. He doesn’t hand me a lead role—how could he? I’ve been gone for so long, and my reappearance is sudden. But luck seems to favor me, if only a little. One of the main actresses, though not the lead, has fallen critically ill, and they need a replacement. That’s where I come in.He hands me the script, his tone brisk yet encouraging. “We’ve already started shooting,” he says. “We’ll need you ready. We’ll have to reshoot her scenes, but thankfully, it’s early in production, and nothing’s been revealed to the public yet.”I nod, smiling as confidently as I can, though inside, I’m a bundle of nerves.---Now, hours later, I’m back in my room, fresh from a shower and sprawled across my bed. The script sits on the bedside table, untouched, as my thoughts spiral into a familiar storm—him. It’s like every thought, every breath, finds its way back to him.I don’t just want him—I need him. My body, my heart, even m
Last Updated: 2024-12-11
Chapter: Chapter 12“Zalie, what is it?” I ask, suddenly alert.She blinks, snapping out of her trance and smiling nervously. “Nothing. Just felt like someone was watching me.”“Do you want to leave?” I offer, glancing around for anything suspicious.She shakes her head quickly, brushing it off. “No, no. Don’t worry about it.” Her voice is chipper again, and the momentary tension dissolves. “Anyway, as I was saying…”I sit back, waiting for the rest of her story.“I agreed to the private dance,” she continues, smirking. “I figured it would add to the authenticity of my acting. So, I danced. I gave them my best moves, and girl, let me tell you—I was ‘on fire’. But then, of course, they took it too far. They asked for sex. In public.”I wrinkle my nose. “Men are goats.”“Exactly! I mean, I know people do it, but I’m not one of them. Shame isn’t just a word, it’s a lifestyle, and those men clearly don’t have it. Anyway…” She pauses again, her gaze darting around the café once more, as if she senses somethin
Last Updated: 2024-12-10
Chapter: Chapter 11Lynette’s POVThe next day, we find ourselves at the shopping mall, an air of excitement swirling around us like the scent of new leather and expensive perfume. Hats and oversized sunglasses shield our identities, though they don’t hide the fact that we’re clearly not ordinary shoppers.Store after store, we roam like kids on a treasure hunt, trying on outfits, giggling over ridiculous accessories, and debating over which shade of lipstick makes the best statement. Normally, I don’t fuss over my looks—being a public figure has trained me to dress well but not obsess. Today, though, I feel a need to be different.I’m buying clothes—sexy, eye-catching ones. For him.It’s stupid, I know. Hell, I can call myself pathetic if I want to, but it doesn’t change the truth. Zalie says it’s normal, that she felt the same when she met her boyfriend. But for me, it’s strange and unnerving. I’ve never dressed to impress anyone before, let alone someone who shouldn’t even be on my mind.The worst par
Last Updated: 2024-12-09
Chapter: Chapter 10“So,” Lyla begins, her voice quiet but probing, “how was your treatment?”The question lingers, wrapping around me like a heavy blanket. I shift my gaze to the ceiling, the soft coral-purple light reflecting faintly from the walls. Memories I’ve tried to bury stir, threatening to rise.“Partially lonely,” I begin, my voice distant. “Terrifying. And… eye-opening.”Lyla props herself up on an elbow, her expression thoughtful. “Why?”I sigh, the words bubbling up despite the ache they bring. “Lonely because the monks weren’t exactly friendly. They only interacted with me when they had to teach or check on my progress. They weren’t cruel, but they weren’t companions either. I had two friends there, but one left a few months after I arrived. That left me… isolated.”The room seems to hold its breath, the quiet hum of the sea breeze filtering in through the slightly cracked window.“And terrifying,” I continue, my voice wavering. “Because their methods were intense, and the fear of dying ne
Last Updated: 2024-12-08
Chapter: Chapter 9I snap out of my thoughts and focus on the present. Zalie’s excited voice echoes off the shimmering walls as Ivanna spins in the middle of the living room, her arms stretched wide to soak in the grandeur of the space. Sunlight filters through the sleek walls—glass or silver, I still can’t tell—spilling light across the polished floors and bathing the massive windows that overlook the sea. “My sugar daddies were very useful,” I say with a shrug, throwing a quick glance at Lyla, whose mischievous grin spreads wider. “You actually listened to our idea!” Lyla says, practically bouncing where she stands. I chuckle, shaking my head. “Well, you did make a convincing argument.” “This place is insane!” Ivanna exclaims, whirling around again. Her gaze shifts to the driveway, where a collection of gleaming, custom-built cars sits in neat rows, each one polished to perfection. “Are those your cars?” “Yep,” I reply nonchalantly, leaning back against the sofa. “All four of them. Custom-bu
Last Updated: 2024-12-07
Chapter: Chapter 8The next morning, Zalie arrives with her two teammates, right on time—or, rather, earlier than expected. I sent her my address after a restless night and a phone call with Kassian.Talking to him soothes me in ways I can’t explain. He’s not Rowan, but something about his voice fills the emptiness Rowan could never touch. Kassian steadies me, his words wrapping around me like a safety net. And yet, the relief comes with guilt, sharp and unforgiving.How can I feel more at peace with Kassian alive, while mourning Rowan? And how can I keep Kassian’s secret—pretending to be the brother I grieve—without losing myself in the lie?What kind of person am I, really?The sound of footsteps and an exasperated voice pulls me from my spiraling thoughts.“What the hell, Lynette? You call this mansion an apartment?” Ivanna exclaims, her words echoing dramatically in the foyer. She strides in, tall and confident, her auburn hair a cascade of wild curls over her shoulders. Her amber eyes narrow as she
Last Updated: 2024-12-06
Chapter: Epilogue Today marks a year and seven months since Larissa went into a coma. The project to fasten her healing remains a failure. There has been no positive result since. So far, the doctors still deem her survival impossible and the medicine to help the impossible become possible is nothing but a failure. The agreed number of experiments I can carry out is getting close. I promised my parents that after the number is three hundred, I will not carry out any more experiments. Even if they are condemned criminals, even if they throw away gangsters from the assassin association and mafia, they are still humans. Or so Mom said. Almost two years isn't enough to heal the wound in my heart, or anyone who truly loved her. I miss her. I miss everything about her. The world has no colors without her. I caught him, the bastard who made this happen. It's a shame he died from the third experiment. I would have loved to put him to more use. Larissa's parents welcomed a new baby last
Last Updated: 2024-03-09
Chapter: Chapter 114: pull yourself togetherZayne's viewpointI tapped my foot on the floor, my hands clasped and pressed to my lips. I silently prayed with my eyes closed for a good result since we didn't have the time or anyone to test it out. It wasn't something dangerous, that we were sure of but anything could happen. It'd been almost nine hours since the operation began. There had been no news from Dad or the doctors. We weren't allowed in there.Savia huffed for the umpteenth time. She had been pacing for four hours without a break. Neither of us could sleep. Serenity slept off thrice and woke up with a scream. She had nightmares. Zyaire slept off along the way, but unlike Serenity, he did not wake or shake, he cried in his sleep. None of us could be bothered to soothe each other's pain."Argh!!!" Savia screamed, ruffling her hair and shaking her head wildly. "This is driving me crazy!""Relax, Savvy," Aunt Rylee said softly. She accompanied us to the hospital along with her husband, Uncle Phineas. We kept Mom's conditio
Last Updated: 2024-03-08
Chapter: Chapter 113: reckless decisions (2)Larissa's viewpointI looked around the house, walking in slowly while Neo went in to get something. It was strange. He told me it was an apartment and his Grandpa was sending him away but for someone who was leaving, they put a great effort into the interior design of the house. Note that I said house, not apartment. It was undoubtedly a beautiful home. The taupe gray, silver, and cream theme with a bit of brown was lovely, along with the furniture and the styling."I'm back," he announced, drawing my attention to him. He walked to the cream camel back sofa with a bottle of Beaufort a Ambonnay Grand Cru Doux Rose, two white wine glasses, a big plate of Swedish meatballs, and dark chocolate almond barks. He dropped the tray on the table and sat down."Shouldn't you be using champagne glasses for those?" I joined him."I broke them," I picked the bottle first. It was one of my favorite wines. "So how are you doing? Since you got out,""Not good. My grandparents are shipping me off to I
Last Updated: 2024-03-07
Chapter: Chapter 112: reckless decisionsLarissa's viewpointI stood at the airport, listening to my Dad nag about how he'd like to return home and meet his house the same way he left it. It was the day after the wedding. My Dad and Mikayla were officially married. Zayne got me the VIP pass to the hotel I asked him to. I still couldn't shake off the grin on my face from the way my parents reacted. Though it was a gift Zayne spent effort on, it was still from me. Dad made sure to rub that on my face but Mikayla was sincerely grateful. I wish I could exclude him from the honeymoon."And you cannot throw or attend any party in our absence. Odette and Tristan, if I find out you broke anything in another argument again, I'll destroy your souls, use your flesh to make leather, and wear them as boots—""Dad, that's not—""Boots!" He snarled, daring us to correct him again. "Larissa, I promise you, I will hunt you to the end of the earth even in death if you dare redecorate my house," he growled, glaring daggers at me. I gasped. How
Last Updated: 2024-03-06
Chapter: Chapter 111: you'll surviveLarissa's viewpoint"Are you hurt?" The expected question. He needed to stop worrying about me. It was sweet of him but also unnecessary. I wasn't like before. If it hurt, I'd let him know."I'm fine, don't worry,""I’m still going to… fuck me," he groaned when my walls clenched hard around him. He fell over, using his hands to hold up his weight from compressing me. "Damn. I'm going to go a little stronger than before. Please don't hesitate to–""Tell you if it hurts or if I can't handle it, yes, I know. Can you move now?""Remember to—""For goodness's sake, I will," I laughed, a bit impatient and lust showing in my tone. "I promise I won't foolishly take more than I can handle so please continue or I'll flip us over and fuck you myself. You know, that was the plan when I wore this underwear. The plan was to tie you up and have my way with you," Zayne chuckled and put strength in his arms, holding back his desire (as always) to destroy my insides recklessly, and the result of that w
Last Updated: 2024-03-05
Chapter: Chapter 110: this isn't good for my heartLarissa's viewpoint"I've arrived!" I shouted, kicking Zayne's bedroom door open. He spun the giant white ball chair around, revealing the red interior. He looked at me flatly and I grinned in response. "Zaddy, I'm home!" I shrieked again. Of course, we were at his private house. We agreed to meet there, but he didn't have the large chair the last time I came."That door is worth someone's yearly salary, be careful with it," I nodded, swinging the bags in my hands happily. "You're wearing a coat," he stated."For dramatic reveal," I replied, dropping the bags on the glass table. "And no, I'm not bothered by what my mother said to me. If anything, I feel sorry for myself," he stretched his hands out, gesturing for me to come closer. I planned to go over to him anyway. "I feel pity and disappointment for myself. I allowed the fear of what I might be like if I became anything like her to torment me for years. I feared becoming like her the most but seeing her right now, I'm forced to won
Last Updated: 2024-03-04
Chapter: Chapter 81: A Fresh Start I preened in front of the mirror, my eyes critically examining the elegant dress that clung to my figure. The fit-and-flare skater dress featured long sleeves and a round neckline, creating a classic, feminine silhouette. The bold color scheme of black and white provided a striking visual contrast, drawing the eye inward.The pattern of the dress was particularly captivating, with vertical stripes that followed the contours of the bodice before fanning out along the skirt. The stripes were punctuated by delicate, crochet-inspired detailing, adding a touch of visual interest and depth to the design. This dynamic pattern created an almost optical illusion effect, lending a sense of movement and energy to the garment.The hemline of the skirt fell just above my knees, striking a balance between elegance and practicality."Hmm," I mused, stroking my chin thoughtfully. As I evaluated the dress from various angles, I couldn't help but feel that it was better suited for non-work related occa
Last Updated: 2024-12-11
Chapter: Chapter 80: Dinner and PresentsI gazed out the window, watching the scene unfold below. Serenity danced gracefully in the pool, her movements captured by Zyaire's camera. Savia sat nearby, her laptop open as she stole glances at the pair, a pensive look on her face. Zayne, lost in his own world, brushed paint across a canvas, immortalizing the moment.I sighed heavily, tearing my gaze from the lively scene. Lifting my eyes to the bright, cloudless sky, I felt the weight of the day's boredom press down upon me. Thoughts, unwelcome but persistent, began to ease their way into my mind. I fought to push them back, but the deepest ones refused to be silenced.My mind raced, grappling with the question of how I would move forward from this point. Returning to work under Rominic was no longer an option. Though I knew I had done nothing wrong, the thought of facing the inevitable stares and whispers from my colleagues filled me with dread. Even if they dared not speak out of fear of their boss, my husband, I couldn't bear
Last Updated: 2024-12-11
Chapter: Chapter 79: Seeds of VengeanceEyes filled with resentment and anger stared straight at the TV, the screen a stark contrast to the storm brewing within. The sound of teeth grinding echoed in the background, a rhythmic clicking that punctuated the heavy silence of the living room. The TV was muted, the only sounds were the woman's ragged breaths and the insistent grinding of her teeth.The blue-eyed woman, her face contorted in a mask of fury, bit into her fingernails, drawing blood. Her other hand, clenched into a fist, dug into her thigh, her fingers leaving white marks on the soft leather of the sofa. Her foot tapped impatiently on the floor, a metronome marking the passage of time, each beat a reminder of her failure. She couldn't believe it. Her carefully laid out plan, her perfect plan, destroyed by a single, insignificant boy.It hadn't taken much to concoct the new plan, but gathering the information, the pieces she needed to put it into motion, had been a challenge. She had hoped it would yield a considerat
Last Updated: 2024-12-10
Chapter: Chapter 78: The Fierce Defender"First of all, you're not a gold digger," Anna said firmly, her voice laced with fierce protectiveness. "So don't ever think you are. And even if you are, so fucking what? You were with him for almost three years, you dated him, slept with him, and even bore him five children all at once. Let's not forget you raised them until now. So what if you came back because of his wealth? You deserve that and much more. Don't let those jealous fools get to you," she finished, her gaze unwavering."And he took your wealth from you," Gael added, his voice low and filled with a quiet anger."The wealth was never hers to begin with. She foolishly handed it to her father – ow!" Ferris cried out, clutching his leg as Elias gave him a swift kick to shut him up. Ferris really had enough of me. He never tried to mince his words anymore. As much as I appreciated his honesty, it still stung."And out of his league? Who the bloody hell do they think they are?!" Suzanne hissed, angrily picking up a cushion
Last Updated: 2024-12-10
Chapter: Chapter 77: Facing the Storm WithinI gnawed on my thumb anxiously, my gaze glued to the screen of my phone as I scrolled through the comments on a shared post concerning me. The comments were a mixed bag, most of the negative ones condemning me for going back to Rominic, who had, in their eyes, ruined my life. Many fiercely insulted me for my supposed immorality, claiming there was always a way out without resorting to using my body.I pulled my thumb from my mouth and glared at the phone. "What do they know? It's not like they've been in my situation," I muttered, then returned my thumb to its comforting haven between my teeth. They had no idea what I'd been through, so who were they to judge? Some people even commented on my foolishness for believing someone out of my league could love me, shaming me for being a gold digger and getting what I deserved.My anxiety ratcheted up a notch. I was never after Rominic's money, maybe his fame, but not his wealth. I'm not a gold digger. I never was, and I never will be. 'Is th
Last Updated: 2024-12-08
Chapter: Chapter 76: A Glimmer of HopeI walked into the house absentmindedly, my fingers deftly unfastening the buttons of my shirt. I still felt overwhelmed by the crushing weight of grief and guilt, to the point where simply breathing was becoming a painful effort. But unlike before, I now had a clear purpose in mind, and that was exactly what I intended to pursue."You're back," a soft voice stopped me in my tracks. I looked down to see my daughter, Serenity, standing before me, clutching her favorite stuffed toy. Her eyes were deep and teary, with dark circles beneath them, yet they were filled with a glimmer of expectation as she gazed up at me."Daddy, did you get a call from Miss Beira?" she asked.Realization dawned on me then. She had been the one to call Beira. I should have guessed as much, since she was the only one who had accompanied Lavender to her therapy sessions in the early weeks."Mrs.," I corrected gently, "and yes, I did.""I asked her to check on you because you seem to be losing your mind," Serenit
Last Updated: 2024-12-07
LOGIN
