He walks on, though she doesn't answer. "He's going to try to unravel the secrets of your marriage—and the lies," she interjects vehemently. "Yes," he admitted. "As long as he's doing it there's business value. But people who know you won't give a damn. He's offering bawdy gossip, it's not true—" "And I'm at the heart of it," she moaned, lightly shaking his head slightly."It's frustrating," he agrees quickly because the last thing she needs is to invalidate her feelings. "But you're a much better person than he is. Every lie he tells, every story he sells, the ones that hit the bottom tabloids, and every day you keep silent says a lot about his character— —and your character. You have great integrity, Amelia, but I doubt he even knows how to spell that word."She blinked slowly, then focused on a point behind his shoulder. He didn't understand her. "You married me for two reasons. One was to drown out his stories with your own news. The other was for your family." Her eyes met
"Yes, sir, of course." Despite the late hour, his assistant connected him immediately, and John answered the phone on the third ring. There is the clink of glasses and laughter in the background. "Are you busy?" Victor asked. "I have friends for dinner, but it doesn't matter," John answered. Victor leaned back in his chair. He doesn't like to interfere in the private lives of employees, but his salary is well above average."I have time, sir. What's the matter?" The door clicked, and then the voice fade away. "It won't take long." Victor put aside his doubts about the timing of the call. He had to know that this matter was dealt with. "I need you to do one thing for me. Delegate if necessary, but deal with it." He went on to outline his list: Threatening TV networks with defamation lawsuits,Threatened Dominic's attorneys in the same way, regardless of whether he was in the "Big Sister Celebrity Home" complex and isolated from the outside world, and promised more detailed litiga
There was danger in that emotion—the opposite of how she should feel—but there was something about Victor that made her want to stop time and devour him. Knowing him completely—everything about him—even if she knew him instinctively, beyond explanation. The jet ski was great, but when they got home, Victor said he had work to do, then suddenly disappeared, leaving her alone.She told herself that she was happy, that their time together had to be carefully balanced or there would be too much danger. She read for a while, then went into her studio, imagined how she would arrange the furniture, and then, when the sunlight started to almost become too much, she undressed and stood on the edge of the bath. In the pool, toes curled up on top, eyes chasing the ripples of the water.She counted to three, took a deep breath, and dived, cracked just below the surface, dashed into the water, held her breath until she reached the opposite bank, and pulled herself up, resting her arms on the edg
Victor rejected her four years ago, and even though they only spent one night together, it has broken her down. His words broke her in two. She married Dominic and foolishly hoped she could be normal again, but she failed because Victor was always there, in her head, in her memory, in her studio, and in her heart.She instinctively shies away from any deeper self-analysis because it would be disastrous if she started thinking that she did something stupid and fell in love with him. Even the thought made her stiffen and break free, creating space between them, physically, she hoped, emotionally. It's one of her favorite things about being on the island with Victor.Walking aimlessly and directionlessly along his private beach, the sand warm under his toes, the sea lapping on his feet, the sun half-hidden on the horizon, throwing them a blanket of gold, so it looks like There was something magical in the air there. As they walked, easily conversing, or just silent, side by side, his
Her throat worked overtime, swallowing hard, trying to get rid of the bitter taste. "I'm sorry for what you've been through. I feel sorry for your mother." "I want to save her, Amelia. I want to do it so badly, but I'm too young and her needs are hard to grasp. I don't know how— Dad should have understood her mote but—" he growled, his frustration palpable. Amy was full of sympathy, but also understanding."So you saved me instead," she whispered, guilt tightening her chest. Because she unknowingly brought him a situation he could never refuse. She came to him as a troubled woman, a woman who suffered in her marriage, a woman who was emotionally manipulated and abused to the point that she forgot who she was and definitely lost the way to her inner strength.But Victor wasn't ready for history to repeat itself, so he stepped in and saved the world of her. He is no longer a child, but an adult, fully capable of being a savior. It all made sense, and his behavior was no less honorable
Something tightened inside of her, but she refused to let it disturb her. Over lunch, Amy described Paraiso to them, and whenever she missed any detail, Victor was there to fill in the blanks, answering questions about the history of the island house, so she listened to him with rapt attention. But then, whenever he could leave things to Amy, he would do so, defer to her, and let her charm her parents with beautiful stories of the sanctuary.When they sat down to enjoy their coffee, Amy was too full to eat anymore, and Victor brought it up. "I can find a way to allay your concerns, but, of course, this is a big decision that you should weigh carefully." He went on to outline his proposal for how much he would be willing to pay for a controlling stake in the company. The corporation is a dizzying figure, and how he juggles his responsibilities in three large multinational corporations."My father's company and my own run like well-oiled machines. When I take on Robles Manufacturing,
It was obvious that he liked her and respected her. He went out of his way to make her happy. But that doesn't mean he loves her, or that he will, for one simple reason: he doesn't want to. Victor is not one to feel what he does not welcome. She was appalled by the sarcasm about wearing a seat belt. It protects her from danger, but what about the danger that comes with loving Victor as strongly as she does?What choice does she have? Amy's pulse quickened a little, and doubts began to hit from the inside out. If she loves him so much and he doesn't feel the same, how on earth is she going to keep the marriage going? Why didn't she see this possibility as possible? She came into this marriage so absolutely sure she could control it. What a fool she is!There was tension in the air as he drove home and parked his car expertly, walking around her door before she opened it herself. After entering, he turned to face her again, his expression was hard to read. Both were silent for a few s
She nodded slowly. "That's the way it is here." She felt like she was drowning. "Aren't you serious? Again?" "You forgot?" "Rules?" If anything, his sarcastic response strengthened her resolve. "Nothing happened to change them." "Everything changed," he replied, briefly giving her hope. She felt it burning and tried to hold it down, but hope was a powerful force and now it was rolling through her."Have you?" "Of course." He ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "Look how much we've gotten to know each other, Amelia. When you came into my office and we negotiated that damn contract, you were my—." "A mistake," she interjected. There was a hint of bitterness in his tone. He ignores this. "Now you're my wife." The last word was so possessive and passionate that it made her body startle, but she stood still, holding her ground."What does that mean to you?" His anger was palpable. "We got married, we are a team now. A great team."Her heart was beating wildly with tensi
Clara clear all doubts and misunderstandings!"Where are you going?" Jacob asked big-sister Clara."This is just an in-flight visit to clear up misunderstandings. I will come back to see Castiglio next time. By the way, Mira—"Mira raised her head nervously. Clara laughed again. "Your brother managed to convince his mother not to sell the family painting with the house. I'm glad to see them hanging where they belong."***"Clara can run in circles," Mira muttered as the limousine disappeared from view. "She was mopping the floors with us." Still in shock, she started back indoors. Then it dawned on her: Clara knew everything. There's no need to pretend anymore, and there's no need to wait for a divorce any longer. Suddenly, Mira's lower limbs struggled limply through the swamp like toothpicks. Clara removes the artificial boundaries formed by their relationship. They are running out of time. "How can you tell her our marriage is fake?" Jacob angrily condemned. "Do you really thin
Mira took a step back, frustrated by the bodyguard's barely concealed hostility. He hesitated, apparently determined not to insult Jacob for his assistance during her stay. From the door, she glanced back."Things are not what you think." She said helplessly. "I shouldn't be thinking about anything, Mrs. Delrama." But there was accusation about him, his usual quiet friendliness chilled by what she believed to be a fiercely defensive loyalty to Jacob.It's only when Jacob is in this situation that he realizes that Jacob is too damn manly and proud to want her around him, which prompts Mira to go back to her room. She lay in bed and watched the dawn break. He was really upset, he must have been drunk. Mira tried very hard to understand. Hadn't she herself betrayed Dimitri's trust in the same way? She agreed to marry Jacob only under duress,If she had known what their fate would be in the morning after the ceremony, she would have run a thousand miles. Jacob wasn't trying to disinher
"I don't hate anyone." But Mira is still ashamed because she remembers her resentment against his legal family reaching explosive proportions before her brother's death, only that was when she met Jacob and Clara and before she let herself face reality."Dimitri doesn't love anyone," she pointed out sternly. "He never stopped loving Clara. Even if he knew about me, I think Clara knows this and that's why she never gives him a choice." "You didn't give me a choice either," Jacob reprimanded bitterly. "You let me continue to think that you slept with Dimitri. Even though you know this belief breaks my heart, you keep me believing it!""I keep telling you we're not lovers, but I know it's pointless! The only possible explanation for Dimitri's will is the one I've come up with." Jacob's eagle-like profile was frozen with suppressed emotion, and he gave her a sharp look."But I must admit that I cruelly and cynically misjudged Dimitri and did everything in my power to shirk the responsibi
But not just in the moment when she revels in the fact that he can't take his eyes off her. Mira was awakened by the thunderous slam of the door. She blinked confusedly in the light and stood up against the pillows, looking vaguely at Jacob, standing at the foot of the bed, shirtless except for a pair of faded skinny jeans hanging down over his thin hips. There was a gentle smile on her lips. He looks so magnificent, he always looks so magnificent,She could even forgive him for accidentally waking her out of a deep sleep for the first time in days. Vicious black eyes stared at her fiercely. Mira froze in amazement, her smile gone, her abdominal muscles tensing. Waves of seething tension emanated from Jacob. "What's wrong?" she asked in a low voice."I'm hungry. I got up to get something to eat and on the way down I started wondering what was so important about these documents that my lawyer felt the need to fly over and put them in my hands himself and if they were worth that much.
Raw triumph flashed in his glistening eyes. He ran slowly, looking for his fingers in the pouty mound he had bared for fun. As his thumb brushed the stiff pink bud approaching him, she gasped and stood up against him, every nerve ending in her body screaming in response. He pushed her to the ground with passionate kisses. She kissed him back with desperate urgency, everything she had suppressed for so long.Endless days suddenly betrayed her in a possessive storm. Her hands ran over his body, smoothing the warm golden skin that encased the whiplash muscles, and she let out a hungry moan of impatience. "You're always in a hurry—" Mira writhed and squirmed, on fire wanting him, without a semblance of self-control, not even remembering. Her fingers gripped his thick, silky black hair, and she moved her legs in an invitation to pain more blatantly than words.With a sharp groan, Jacob reached for her hips and pulled her under him. Then he hesitated. "I don't want to hurt you anymore."
"Change it." Mira pleaded sincerely, and hurriedly avoided him and walked towards the house. "I'm going to take a shower." "See you upstairs," Jacob said softly. She froze and then understood what he meant. He had to change, and although he slept in the bedroom opposite to her, half his clothes were in the closet in her room. Her head was still spinning. One kiss and she's gone without a trace, and Jacob can do anything to her! No wonder he was laughing!She was his and he knew it. A taxi was already waiting in the courtyard, and when Mira entered the hall, a maid was leading a man with a briefcase into the living room. The man stopped for a moment and almost looked at Mira in surprise. Then, just as suddenly, his piercing black eyes veiled nodded politely and disappeared from her view.Mira looked curiously at Klaud standing under the stairs. "Who's that?" "Mr. Delrama's lawyer." No doubt the man was staring at her because she looked horrible in her gardening attire it wasn't a
"I know what I'm doing, Sol." "How can you say that? There's no peace in Castiglio. We're all crawling around the house—no smiles, no laughs. That wonderful delicious food—He said if he didn't finish another meal, he'd leave!" "Jacob is very bad-tempered." "Having a wife who works all day in the garden, he has a reason. You're neglecting your husband." Not in her dream, she didn't."He thrives on neglect." Sol gritted her teeth disapprovingly, shook her head, and got up to leave. "You're as stubborn as he is." Mira regained her energy and continued weeding. If her brother looked down on her and Jacob now, she knew he would blame her too. But from the moment Jacob asserted that if she were related to Dimitri, he would feel obligated to maintain a married relationship with her, Mira decided not to try to use that as a basis to attract and keep him.After successfully seducing her into bed, Jacob candidly admits that his only interest in her is sex. If he knew she was Dimitri's sist
The powerful car stopped in the yard. Jacob turned off the engine and turned to look at her, black eyes as hard as jet in a vibrantly handsome face. "When you lose your temper with Sheldon, your mood can turn bad. He is your security blanket and I think you are old enough to live without him. Times have changed, don't try to tell me differently, baby. What you want now is me—"Forever, and always, she thought horrified, clutching at the depths of her own vulnerability. She wants so much more than she hopes to achieve. Jacob held up a strong hand and gently tucked a handful of colorful spirals between his fingers. He lifted her brooding face, subjecting her to the onslaught of his stern scrutinizing gaze. "I want you," he said with great succinctness. "So what's the problem? In my opinion, this is a simple and completely straightforward relationship."Mira held her breath, almost drowning in the evocative scent of him being so close, and a flurry of small reactions made her dizzy an
Sheldon makes a deliberate U-turn in the colored vehicle. "I've always promised myself to take a vacation. The moment you said you were in Castiglio, I saw the sun, water, and the sand and I realized where you had to be. From there, it was just a matter of studying the map." As he drove down the steep mountain road at the crawling speed of a fear of heights, holding the steering wheel painfully tightly, rounding each zigzag corner with ease,Mira thought about Jacob feverishly until she was dizzy with tension. Bang! He stole her peace and security. And what did he give her in return? A terrible sense of inadequacy and self-loathing, and an unreliable temper like an active volcano. "If you are threatened by Jacob, please yell." Just last night, he told her that she had a fight with him and wanted to arrest him! He's seen inside of her and understood something that she didn't understand herself, and it's horrific.She should have known she was in love with him the moment she found her