Chapter: Chapter 71: Too Sick to Hate YouI woke to the sound of Cassian swearing.Cracking one eye open, I found him standing in the doorway of my bedroom, looking at his phone with a thunderous expression."Problem?" His head snapped up. "How are you feeling?"I took a moment to assess. My head still ached, but the room wasn't spinning anymore. My body felt heavy, but not like it was being crushed under a ton of bricks. Progress."Less like I'm dying, more like I was hit by a small car instead of a truck," I reported. "What's wrong? Did someone steal your favorite yacht?"He ignored my attempt at sarcasm. "I need to go."Of course. Now that I wasn't at death's door, he was ready to bail again. Classic Cassian—coming to the rescue and then disappearing when the real work of relationships began."Don't let me keep you," I said, turning my face away.The bed dipped as he sat beside me. "It's not what you think.""You don't know what I think.""I can see it on your face." His fingers caught my chin, gently turning me back to f
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-16
Chapter: Chapter 70: Fever Dreams and Stubborn HeartsI'd never been good at rock bottom. You'd think I'd have developed a talent for it by now.Three days after the Elysium disaster, I sat cross-legged on my apartment floor surrounded by a sea of ads, red circles marking potential jobs. The list was depressingly short.My phone buzzed for the twentieth time that day. Cassian. Again.I ignored it. Again."Bartender," I muttered, circling another ad with a red pen that was running out of ink. "I can do that. Pour drinks, smile pretty, tell drunk guys to go to hell when they get handsy."Actually, my experience at Elysium might work in my favor there.My phone lit up again. This time with a text:We need to talk."We need for you to lose my number," I told my silent apartment. My voice sounded rough, scratchy. I'd been feeling like garbage since yesterday—probably from stress, lack of sleep, and the diet of ramen and spite I'd been living on.The phone buzzed again.I scrolled through the latest batch of messages, my thumb hovering over th
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-16
Chapter: Chapter 69: The Fallout of Wanting YouCassian stood when I entered. He looked different tonight—his usual perfect composure slightly rumpled, as if he'd spent the day running his hands through his hair."What do you want from me?" I demanded, skipping the pleasantries. "This cat-and-mouse game is getting old.""You," he replied without hesitation. "That hasn't changed."I barked out a laugh. "Right. When it's convenient for you. When it fits into your perfect little control freak world.""There's nothing perfect about my world." He moved closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "Especially not since you walked out of it.""I didn't walk out," I hissed. "You kicked me out. You looked me in the eye and told me to leave.""I was wrong.""No shit." I crossed my arms. "You know what's funny? I actually believed we had something real. That you—the great Cassian Romano—might actually care about the girl you kidnapped to settle a debt."His jaw tightened. "I never saw you as a debt.""No?" I stepped closer, anger making me reckless.
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-16
Chapter: Chapter 68: Rooms Built for RuinThe VIP room looked exactly as it had the night before. The same champagne chilling in its bucket. The same soft music creating an illusion of intimacy.And there he was—Cassian. Waiting. Watching. The most dangerous man I'd ever known, looking at me like I was both salvation and destruction wrapped in one package.I shut the door behind me with more force than necessary."Back for more silent staring?" I asked, injecting as much venom as I could into the words.His expression remained neutral, but something flickered in his eyes—amusement? Frustration? "If that's what you prefer.""What I'd prefer is for you to disappear," I snapped, choosing a chair as far from him as the small room allowed. "But apparently what I want doesn't matter anymore.""It's the only thing that matters." His voice was so low I almost didn't catch the words.I crossed my legs, aware of how the movement drew his eyes. My outfit tonight was white—innocent in color. The irony wasn't lost on me. "Why are you doin
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-15
Chapter: Chapter 67: Falling into Old PatternsTwenty minutes later, I stood outside VIP room three, my hand trembling on the doorknob. I'd changed into a different outfit—a deep burgundy two-piece that made my skin look luminous. No body glitter this time. No mask of makeup. Just me, stripped down to the bare essentials.Taking a deep breath, I opened the door.The private room was filled with plush velvet couches arranged around a small center stage. A bottle of champagne chilled in an ice bucket, two crystal flutes waiting beside it. The music was softer here, just background to whatever would unfold.Cassian sat on the main couch. He'd removed his suit jacket, his white shirt rolled up at the sleeves to reveal powerful forearms. He looked like sin incarnate—dangerous and tempting."You're the client," I said flatly, letting the door close behind me.He said nothing."Fine," I muttered, crossing to the farthest corner of the room. I sat down, arms crossed tightly over my chest. "Your money. Your time. But I'm not dancing."Stil
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-15
Chapter: Chapter 66: Falling from GraceOne more week into my new life as Ruby, and I'd found my rhythm. The nerves that used to twist my stomach before each performance had transformed into a different kind of energy. I'd learned to turn off my thoughts, to become a body without a past or future.Tonight, the club was packed tighter than usual. Elysium thrummed with energy and smoke machines creating a foggy haze across the main floor."You're up, Ruby," Vivienne said, her hand cool against my bare shoulder. "Main stage. They've been asking for you all night."I nodded, adjusting the straps of my outfit—a black lace creation that revealed more than it concealed. The other girls had taught me how to apply body glitter that caught the lights, making my skin shimmer. I'd learned to paint my face into a mask of seduction—smoky eyes, blood-red lips, cheekbones sharp enough to cut glass."Give them something special," Vivienne winked. "Weeknight crowd this big means big money."I stepped onto the stage, and the crowd fell silent
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-15
Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak
"Sign the papers, Estella."
Marco slid the divorce papers across the mahogany table, his eyes fixed on Claudia, who hovered by his side with a victorious smile. "Did you really think a nobody like you could keep me?"
Estella's throat tightened as she forced herself to meet his gaze. The diamond on Claudia's finger caught the light—his best friend now wearing what should have been hers forever.
"You should be grateful," Claudia murmured, resting a hand on her belly. "Letting you go is the kindest thing we've done for you."
When Estella married into the powerful Valdez family, she believed in love conquering all. Instead, she found herself cast out, Helena Valdez herself showing her the door when Claudia announced her pregnancy.
Then Alejandro De Luca appeared—Marco's sworn enemy offering an unexpected proposition. "A contract marriage," he said simply. "You get protection. I get revenge."
Together, they plotted to dismantle the very family that had humiliated her. With each calculated move, Estella reclaimed pieces of herself she thought lost forever.
But revenge is a dangerous game. As their plan unfolded and tragedy struck, Estella discovered that survival meant more than settling scores—it meant learning to wield her pain as power.
The quietest heart, after all, often hides the most dangerous storm.
Baca
Chapter: Epilogue: The Secrets We KeepFive Years LaterEstella had insisted on having the windows open despite the doctors' protests—she needed to breathe something other than antiseptic and fear."Almost there," The matron encouraged from between her legs. "One more big push, Estella."Alejandro's hand was nearly crushed in her grip as another contraction seized her. The twins had decided to arrive three weeks early, sending them rushing to the hospital in the middle of the night."You're doing amazingly," Alejandro murmured against her temple. The entire pregnancy had been classified high-risk from the beginning.Estella bore down with a primal scream, feeling the first baby slide from her body."It's a boy!" The matron announced, lifting the wailing infant for them to see before placing him on Estella's chest.She touched her son's dark, wet hair. "Hello, little one,"The moment of joy was short-lived. The monitors beside her bed began beeping erratically."Blood pressure dropping," a nurse called out.The doctor in ch
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-11
Chapter: 216: Almost HomeThe following weeks were filled with medical tests, therapy sessions, and small but significant milestones.Three weeks after waking, he took his first unassisted steps, gripping the parallel bars with so much intensity as he forced his atrophied muscles to cooperate. I watched from the sidelines, heart in my throat, as he pushed through pain that would have stopped a lesser man."Fuck," he growled through gritted teeth when his legs threatened to give out halfway through. "I'm not stopping."His physical therapist—a no-nonsense woman who'd quickly learned to match his intensity—nodded approvingly. "Two more steps. You can do two more."He did three before collapsing into the wheelchair afterward with sweat pouring down his face."Next time I'll do ten," he promised, breath coming in harsh pants.I handed him a towel, leaning in to whisper, "Watching you fight like this is incredibly sexy, you know."His exhausted laugh was all the reward I needed.By the six-week mark, he was walking
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-10
Chapter: 215: Two Months Later, Still YoursWhen we broke apart, I rested my head on his shoulder, breathing in his scent beneath the antiseptic hospital smell. "Don't ever scare me like that again," I whispered."I'll try not to make a habit of getting stabbed in the heart," he replied dryly."This isn't funny, Alejandro." I lifted my head to meet his gaze. "I thought I'd lost you. I thought our daughter would grow up without her father."His expression sobered. "I know. I'm sorry." He squeezed my hand weakly. "How bad was it?""Bad," I admitted. "The knife nicked your heart. You lost so much blood... They weren't sure you'd make it through the first surgery." My voice caught. "And then you didn't wake up. Days turned into weeks, and you just... stayed asleep.""I'm sorry," he repeated. "For putting you through that. For not being there for you and Arielle.""You're here now," I said. The door opened quietly, and we both looked up to see Dr. Matthews returning, accompanied by a neurologist I recognized from previous consultat
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-10
Chapter: 214: The Sixty-Second DayTwo months laterThe hospital room had become my second home. The nurses knew my schedule better than I did—when I'd arrive each morning with fresh clothes for both of us, when I'd step out for coffee, which chair I preferred to sit in while reading aloud to Alejandro's unresponsive form.Sixty-one days of talking to someone who couldn't answer. Sixty-one days of watching for the slightest movement of an eyelid or the smallest twitch of a finger. Sixty-one days of hope slowly eroding into something that felt dangerously close to despair."The medical journal says coma patients show increased brain activity when family members speak to them," I said, turning the page of the medical text I'd been studying obsessively. "So I'm going to keep talking, even if I'm starting to repeat myself."Alejandro remained motionless. They'd removed his breathing tube last week when he started breathing on his own—a positive sign, Dr. Matthews had assured me. But his consciousness remained locked away,
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-10
Chapter: 213: One-Sided Conversations"Aunt Eleanor," I gasped, shocked to see her. In the chaos, I'd almost forgotten she'd been injured in the initial car crash where Arielle was taken."You look worse than me," she said weakly, attempting a smile that turned into a wince.For some reason, it was the sight of her—battered but alive, just like the rest of us—that finally broke through the numbness I'd been hiding behind. The tears came suddenly and violently, sobs wrenching themselves from my chest as she wheeled herself closer, reaching out with her good arm to pull me against her."I was so scared," I admitted between sobs. "I thought we were all going to die. I was scared history was going to repeat itself self. And this time Arielle, Alejandro—""But you didn't," she reminded me. "You saved them both."I shook my head, glancing at Alejandro's still form. "I didn't save him. He's still—""Fighting," Eleanor cut in. "Just like he always has. Just like you have."I cried until I had no tears left, letting go of the fear
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-10
Chapter: 212: The Silence That Hurts MostI must have dozed off despite my determination to stay awake, because the next thing I knew, someone was gently shaking my shoulder."Estella? Can you hear me?"I forced my heavy eyelids open to find Raul standing over me, his face lined with worry. Clara hovered behind him, her eyes red-rimmed."Raul," I croaked, my throat dry. "Alejandro?""He's out of surgery," Raul said. "It was touch and go for a while, but he made it through."Relief made me dizzy. "He's okay?"Raul and Clara exchanged glances."What aren't you telling me?" I demanded, suddenly fully awake.Raul sighed. "The damage was extensive. They repaired what they could, but... he's in a coma, Estella.""A coma? For how long?""They don't know," Clara said gently, stepping forward to take my hand. "All they said was the next 48 hours are critical."I struggled to sit up, ignoring the pain that shot through my body. "I need to see him.""You need to rest," Clara countered. "You're no good to him or Arielle if you collapse."
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-09
Chapter: Chapter 31: The First Strike BackI wrapped my arms around myself, Adrian's shirt soft against my bruised wrists.Damien lingered in the doorway, eyes crawling over me in his father's clothes. "You can choose to end this now, Elle. Come back to me while I am still forgiving."My skin crawled but I forced a brave face. "The only place you'll see me is court. When I tell them exactly what you did."His smile turned cruel. "Your word against mine, baby. And we both know who they'll believe.""Get out."He blew me a kiss before following his mother.Beth hurried to my side the moment they left. "Mrs. Blackwell, are you alright?""Fine." My voice sounded hollow even to my own ears.Marla stepped closer, concern painted on her face. "Perhaps you should rest. You've had a shock."I looked at her—really looked at her. She is now playing the concerned servant."Get out of my face Marla." I stepped closer. "Before I slap the living daylights out of your face."Her eyes widened filling up with unshed tears. "I'm sure I don't kno
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-05
Chapter: Chapter 30: ConsequencesElleAdrian's arms were steel bands around me as sobs wracked my body. I couldn't stop shaking, the memory of Damien's hands still burning on my skin."Let me see." Adrian's voice was lethal as he gently pulled back, examining my wrists. Dark bruises were already forming where Damien had pinned me.His jaw clenched. "I should have killed him.""I'm fine—""You're not fucking fine." His fingers traced the torn edge of my shirt. "He touched you."I shivered, but not from cold this time."And why the hell are you soaked?" His eyes narrowed, taking in my drenched clothes."Marla." I tried for a smile but it wobbled. "Apparently I needed a shower."His expression darkened. "What did she do?""Nothing I can't handle." "Elle.""Really, I—" My voice cracked and fresh tears spilled."Come here." He scooped me up like I weighed nothing, heading for the stairs. Tom quickly looked away as we passed, but I caught the concern in his eyes."Adrian—""Shut up and let me take care of you."I pressed
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-21
Chapter: Chapter 29: ShatteredElle"What do you want?" I wrapped my arms around myself, too aware of how the wet shirt clung to my skin. "Why are you here this early morning?"He crouched in front of me, close enough that I caught the familiar scent of his cologne. The same one he'd worn when we—Stop."You know why. I know you would be up by this time and I want to talk to you before everyone wakes up." His voice was soft. Almost gentle. The way it used to be, before he turned to Vanessa."Don't." I shifted away but the tree blocked my escape."Elle." He reached out, fingers hovering near my cheek but not touching. Not yet. "You're shivering.""I'm fine." "Here." He shrugged off his jacket. "Let me—""I said I'm fine." But my teeth chattered, betraying me.He draped the jacket over my shoulders anyway. "I miss you." The words ghosted across my skin. "Every day, I miss you."I moved to stand but he caught my wrist. "Damien—""I made a mistake." His thumb stroked over my pulse point. An achingly familiar gesture.
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-02-25
Chapter: Chapter 28: ThornsElle The morning air bit at my cheeks as I jogged through the private gardens, my feet pounding against the gravel path in a steady rhythm with my racing thoughts. Last night replayed in my head - his hands, his mouth, the way he'd pulled away just when I wanted more.Asshole.Two could play at that game. If he thought he could just walk away after a kiss like that...My plan to work up a satisfying amount of righteous anger derailed when I spotted Marla watering roses by the fountain. Great. Just what I needed - Adrian's oh-so-devoted housekeeper with her perfect makeup at 7 AM.I slipped past her ,completed another lap turned to begin a new one. I just rounded the corner and collided with a wall of ice-cold water. "Oh!" Marla's shocked gasp would have won her an Oscar. "Mrs. Blackwell, I'm so sorry! I was just watering the roses and absolutely didn't see you..."I wiped water from my eyes, my thin running top now completely soaked through. "Really? Because the roses are behind you
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-02-24
Chapter: Chapter 27: RestraintAdrianI was half-listening to Harrison's merger proposal my mind kept drifting to Elle, wondering what she was doing now. Then my phone buzzed. It was Tom telling me she ditched him for a club."We'll continue this another time," I cut Harrison off, already standing."The stakeholders are expecting—""They can keep expecting." Mirage. Of all the places she could have gone. I knew the club well – too well. The kind of place where inhibitions disappeared under pulsing lights and overpriced champagne.The moment I walked in, I saw her. The dress she wore was pure sin, the fabric clinging to curves I'd been forcing myself not to think about. But it wasn't the dress that made my blood boil – it was the man leaning into her space at the bar, watching her laugh at whatever bullshit line he'd just fed her.Something primitive roared to life inside me. The careful control I'd maintained. Since that night in the library when I'd promised myself I wouldn't touch her again. Wouldn't complicate
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-02-22
Chapter: Chapter 26: Dangerous Games IIElleWe walked in tense silence through the club, the crowd parting instinctively before Adrian's imposing presence. Outside, the cool night air hit my flushed skin, making me suddenly aware of how revealing Sophia's dress was. Adrian's eyes darkened as he took in my appearance fully under the street lights, his gaze lingering on the expanse of thigh the hem barely covered.His jaw clenched. "Get in the car."Tom was waiting with the Bentley, his expression carefully neutral as he opened the door. I slid in without argument, suddenly exhausted by the whole night.Adrian joined me a moment later, the door closing with a soft thud that somehow sounded final.Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. "Are you going to lecture me all the way home, or are you saving it for when we have more privacy?"Adrian's eyes met mine in the dimness of the backseat, his expression darkening. "Oh, we'll have plenty to discuss when we get home. Starting with why my wife was at a nightclub dressed like that,
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-02-22
Masuk
