Sapphire's POVI glared at the intruder, sashaying her way down the aisle with a plastic smile on her slightly made-up face. She had a smug look on, her shoulders were held up high and her heels were even higher. Her heels added more height to her already tall stature that if she stretched just a little, she could reach for the clouds. Her eyes were hidden underneath a pair of dark sunglasses and her emerald dress did justice to her beautiful skin.This woman sure knows how to make an appearance. I guess being dramatic is a family trait for the Donovans. How did she even get in here? Who let her in?"How could you all even think of proceeding with this wedding when the groom's mother was yet to grace it with her awe-inspiring presence?" Eric's mother said, a small smile parting her lips.The whole place was utterly silent and all eyes were on her. She seemed to be feeding on it. It was easy to tell that just like her son, she loved and lived for the attention and drama, of course. Her
Sapphire's POV"No way! I'm not going on a honeymoon with you," I stated in a stern voice and folded my arms, staring dead into Eric's piercing eyes. "Absolutely not."Eric stared back at me, hard and cold and then shoved his hands in the pockets of his pants. "What did you just say?" His voice was smooth but very far from warm and there seemed to be something about his expression which I couldn't point out."You heard me," I said. "I'm not going on that honeymoon trip with you, Eric. I've changed my mind."He looked away briefly and then let out a heavy sigh. "Oh, I wasn't asking for your permission actually. I was only informing you," he declared, looking at me once again."And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" I eyed him, my eyes running up and down the luggages he'd made one of his maids to pack for us both.Eric and I had gotten home only a while ago after the hell of a long wedding reception that followed. Oh, it was eventful all right, we signed the contract and went thr
Sapphire's POVEric and I arrived at Malibu, California after a 7-hour long flight in his private jet. By the time we got here, it was almost 5:30am. I was exhausted during our flight, fatigue clung to me like a stubborn shadow that I had no idea how or when I had dozed off. I was surprised to wake up in Eric's arms and he refused to let me go. He carried me all the way to our ride and sat with me in the backseat while a chauffeur drove us to our destination.The ride there was silent and I peered through the window of the car, taking in the view of the city. The last time I was here in Los Angeles, I was barely 8 and I remembered coming with my mum but the reason, I had long forgotten.It wasn't very bright outside yet I didn't tear my gaze from the view. It was a lot better staring out the window than having to just sit awkwardly and making sure I avoided Eric's eyes – which I was doing, of course.However, I glanced at him for a moment but I wasn't expecting to find his eyes fixed
Sapphire's POVThe revelation hit me like a tidal wave and I couldn't believe what I had just read. Realizing that Eric had been with Sophia the entire night, I felt a stinging pain. The water from the shower continued to run and so did a million questions in my mind. Was Sophia here at this resort as well? What the hell was she doing here? Was she the one who had called him the previous day? And if she was, why did Eric feel the need to lie about it to my face?Why did he decide to make a fool out of me? Why did he bring me all the way here on some dumb honeymoon since he was going to mess around with her? How could he bring me to this place and bring that woman here as well? Why the hell was I forced here in the first place?I stood there frozen, still clutching Eric's phone and staring at it. I was unable to tear my gaze away. It was so bad, I read the text over and over again. My mind raced, trying to process the information. None of this seemed to make sense. I darted my gaze to
Sapphire's POVEric called out to me but I didn't stop. I continued to walk away from him, ignoring his demand. He got to where I was and grabbed my arm, forcefully turning me to face him. His grip was tight, and his eyes bore into mine with anger."You can't just walk away whenever you feel like it," he spat.I glared at him, pulling my arm free from his grasp. Surprisingly, I did it in one swift motion. "Watch me," I shot back.Without another word, I stormed out of the room and down the stairs, my heart beating fast and my mind in a whirlwind like a storm tearing through a fragile landscape, leaving emotional debris in its wake. Eric's words echoed in my head, each one feeling like a stab to the heart. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. And even worse, I couldn't believe what I was feeling right now.My chest tightened as if invisible hands were squeezing my heart and my heartbeat quickened even more. There was a sudden ache within, deep and unyielding and it was somewhat of
Sapphire's POVI watched intently as the doctor examined Eric's wound in his chest and checked his vitals, fear gripping my body whole like a vice. We were back at the villa, with Eric laying on the bed and me sitting next to him. It was only thanks to the security guard who was nearby at the beach that I could bring Eric here soon. I had been screaming frantically as I watched Eric lay flat on the sand, his face contorted with pain. My screams had caught the attention of the guard."Help me! "Please, help me! My husband has been shot!" I had found myself crying out, my trembling hands covered in Eric's blood.The bullet hadn't left much of a gaping hole in his chest yet his blood seeped out in small streams, staining his shirt until it was soaked. I'd heard my own heartbeat pounding in my ears and I'd felt my entire body shivering. It'd prompted the guard to run towards me and kneel down, trying to get control of the situation."We need to get him to the villa immediately," he'd said
Sapphire's POV"Well?" I peered at Eric who was just staring blankly at me, making no move to give me an answer. "Please tell me. I need to know! Why did you take that bullet for me?"Eric's stoic expression didn't change but I could see the wheels turning in his head and a glint of emotion betraying him in his eyes. He was trying to come up with an answer but it was clear to see that he was struggling. He gripped the covers on the bed and glanced away, shifting uncomfortably on the bed as though he was grappling with his own thoughts. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke."You're my wife. And whether it's a contract or not, I take my responsibilities seriously. And in that moment, my responsibility was to protect you.""You didn't have to, Eric. You didn't have to do it," I said, shaking my head and shutting my eyes for a while."Of course I had to. I brought you here and it's my responsibility to take care of you at all times. I'm your husband regardless of what we bo
Sapphire's POV I was left speechless by all that Eric said. I didn't know how to react or what to say. I opened my mouth to speak, to express myself but no words came out. My tongue failed me. All I could do was look into his eyes in hopes that my own eyes would reveal to him what I didn't have the guts to.I was in love with this man and after what he did for me, my feelings for him intensified. If there was anyway I had doubts about what I felt for him, if I ever thought I had been mistaking infatuation for love, then this single act of selflessness Eric had displayed for my sake, without me having to ask, had erased them all and had secured his place in my heart."Thank you," I choked out, a tear sliding down my cheek. "Thank you for saving me."Eric reached for my face and cupped my cheek. With his thumb, he wiped the tear off my face and stroked my cheek. "You don't look so good when you cry."I forced a smile and leaned against him, careful to graze his wound. Eric wrapped his