Adrian's Point of ViewThere’s a moment when life feels like it’s teetering on the edge of chaos and clarity, a fine line where decisions shape not just the day, but the future. That was the moment I found myself in as I stared into my mother’s smug, calculating face. The tension in the room was palpable, every word she spoke laced with venom meant to cut Emma and me down.“How did you…” I started, but she cut me off mid-sentence, her voice dripping with icy authority.“Find out about your little contract marriage, yeah?” She leaned back on the couch, swirling her wine glass like she was the queen of the damn universe. “Well, let’s just say your mother isn’t one to be fooled. The sudden marriage between you and this filthy little rat didn’t sit right with me. So, I had to look into it, and guess what I found?”Her manicured finger pointed to the contract lying in Emma’s trembling hands. Emma looked frozen, her wide eyes darting between the document and my mother’s cruel smile.“Mother
Emma's Point Of ViewWaking up felt like dragging myself from a dream I never wanted to leave. My body ached in ways that were both foreign and thrilling, each twinge a vivid reminder of the passion I had shared with Adrian last night. I stretched my arms above my head, wincing slightly, my mind replaying sexual moments that made my cheeks flush. Before I could gather my scattered thoughts, the door to Adrian's room, soon to be our room, swung open.Adrian walked in, a tray balanced in his hands, his trademark smirk softened by a genuine, almost boyish smile. "Morning, Mrs. Steele," he said, his voice warm enough to melt the frostiest morning."Good morning," I murmured, my voice betraying my shyness as he set the tray down on the bedside table. The aroma of eggs, bacon, and freshly brewed coffee wafted toward me, and my stomach growled its approval.Adrian leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "I figured you'd need a hearty breakfast after last night’s... activities," h
Emma’s Point Of View The smell of fresh coffee still lingered in the air as I walked into the kitchen, my mind swirling with the morning’s events. Adrian’s quick and simple response to my text, "I’m fine" hadn’t eased my worry, but I knew better than to push him. He’d return when he was ready. Instead of dwelling, I decided to channel my energy into something productive. Lunch. For the first time in my life, I wanted to cook for someone else, for him, my husband.The word still sounded surreal, even in my thoughts. Husband. Six months ago, the very idea of marriage was a distant dream, buried under piles of unpaid medical bills and long, lonely nights trying to make ends meet. And yet, here I was, standing in a sunlit kitchen bigger than my entire apartment used to be, preparing a meal for the man who had turned my life upside down.“Good morning, Mrs. Steele,” the cook greeted warmly, her hands already busy slicing vegetables on the counter.“Good morning, Clara,” I replied with a s
Emma's Point Of ViewThe bathroom was still heavy with the scent of lavender steam as I stepped out, my hair damp and curling over my shoulders. A fluffy towel was tightly secured around me as I crossed the room and sat down at the dresser. My fingers hovered over my collection of skincare products, ranging from toners, moisturizers to serums, a luxury I never thought I would ever afford. Six months ago, the idea of a “night routine” was laughable. My days had been a blur of hospital visits, work, and exhaustion. Picking out a product for my face would’ve been at the bottom of the list.As I opened a drawer to grab my jade roller, my fingers brushed against something familiar. Pulling it out, I saw a photograph of Brandon, his smile frozen in time. My heart clenched. I traced his features on the photo, whispering, “Thanks to you, I got to meet the real Adrian. The man who treats me like a Queen. Without you, I’d still be hating him as my insatiable Casanova boss.”A pang of bitterswee
Adrian's Point Of View The aroma of coffee and sizzling bacon lured me into the kitchen as I adjusted my tie. Mornings at home had become my favorite part of the day since Emma entered my life. Seeing her moving around the kitchen, her hair pulled into a loose bun and an apron tied neatly around her waist, made everything else fade into the background. “Morning, baby,” I said, slipping my arms around her waist from behind and pecking her cheek. She smelled like lavender and honey, a scent that had become intoxicatingly familiar. “Good morning,” she replied, glancing at me over her shoulder with a soft smile. “What’s for breakfast?” I asked, reluctantly letting her go and sliding into my seat at the table. “Pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs,” she replied, flipping a pancake with practiced ease. The cook stood by the counter, offering assistance when needed, but it was clear Emma was running the show. I smiled, watching her move with a confidence that made me proud. She was
Emma's Point of ViewBreakfast should’ve been a calming start to the day, but the tension hung thick in the air, making every bite feel like a struggle. I stared at my plate, pushing scrambled eggs around with my fork as my appetite vanished. Across from me, Adrian sat, his sharp blue eyes darting between me and his coffee cup.“Alright,” he said finally, breaking the silence. “What’s going on, Emma?”I glanced up, feigning a weak smile. “Nothing. Just... stressed. You know, mentally preparing for another delightful day with your mother.”Adrian chuckled softly, though the concern in his eyes lingered. “Come on, she can’t be that bad. My mother's just... strong-willed.”I arched an eyebrow. “Strong-willed? Adrian, she practically lives to tear me down. Every time we’re together, it’s like she’s sharpening knives with her words.”He reached across the table, covering my hand with his. “Then how about you don’t go. Skip the food tasting. Or I can go with you, I’ll handle her. You don’t
Emma's Point of View~~Flashback~~I never thought love could hurt this much. Sitting in front of the mirror, towel wrapped around my damp hair, I tried to steel myself against the bubbling anger that refused to subside. Adrian’s footsteps echoed down the hall before the door creaked open, and the moment he walked in, I knew we weren’t going to have a peaceful night.He strode into the room, his briefcase landing heavily on the bed. “Has it gotten to the point where you insult my mother now?”I froze mid-motion, slowly lowering the towel from my hair. “What are you talking about?” My voice was steady, but my heart thudded in my chest.“Don’t act like you don’t know!” he snapped, his hand slicing through the air. “You removed the cake slices my mother wanted just to spite her.”My jaw dropped. “That’s what she told you?” I rose from my seat, incredulous. “Did she mention how it was Celia switched my choice of dessert, calling muffins low-class?”Adrian’s laugh was bitter. “Who even use
Adrian’s Point of ViewMy reflection staring back at me from the mirror wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped to see. My eyes were underscored by dark circles from nights of restless sleep, and the tension in my jaw felt permanent. I adjusted my tie, trying to focus on the day ahead, but my mind was somewhere else or rather, on someone else. Emma.For the past three days, the house had been like a graveyard. Her silence was deafening. I’d catch glimpses of her at a distance, always avoiding me. The space between us felt insurmountable, but I didn’t blame her. I knew I’d crossed a line, siding with my mother without hearing Emma out. I had let my own insecurities and misplaced loyalty blind me.As I grabbed my briefcase and stepped into the hall, I hesitated outside her door. Should I knock? Apologize? The words lingered on my tongue but never left my mouth. Coward. That’s what I felt like. With a sigh, I moved past, trying to shake off the nagging guilt that clung to me.Downstairs, the cook
Adrian’s Point of ViewMy daughter Lily and I sat together in the living room, watching one of her favorite cartoon shows. Her little head rested on my lap as I gently stroked her soft curls. It was one of those rare moments, something I treasured, especially after everything we have been going through.After this, I planned to take Lily to see my mother at the hospital. She had been asking about her grandmother for days now, and I had promised we'd visit. Last weekend, we had to postpone because of Celia joining in to play with Lily, but I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way this time.Just as I was beginning to lose myself in my haunted thoughts and the sweet sound of Lily's breathing, the sound of footsteps echoed from upstairs, followed by something scraping against the bare floor. I turned my head quickly to catch Nanny Isidro coming down the stairs, struggling with a large suitcase.I frowned. Why was she carrying such luggage?Gently adjusting Lily so her head rested on
Celia’s Point of View"That bitch!!" I spat in rageThe sharp honk of a car behind me barely registered as I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles white with tension. My foot pressed hard on the gas, only to slam the brake as the traffic light turned red. My heart pounded violently in my chest, my mind a whirlwind of rage."Why the fuck was Adrian still keeping his guard up around me? After everything I had done to make him vulnerable, to force him to need me, he still held on to that wretched woman." I ranted to myselfTwo months. It had been two goddamn months since Emma disappeared, yet he still thought about her, still looked for her. How? Why? Wasn’t absence supposed to make the damn heart forget? Instead, it had only made his feelings for her stronger.My nails dug into my palm as I let out a low growl of frustration. This wasn’t supposed to be happening.The light turned green. Without thinking twice, I veered off course, making a sharp turn down the desolate road leading out
Adrian’s Point of View"Lily?" I called out, descending the stairs into the living room, my voice echoing slightly in the empty space. I had been looking for her for the past five minutes, and just when worry started creeping in, I heard a muffled sound coming from the couch.I quickened my steps and found her lying facedown, her small frame trembling slightly."Hey, baby," I murmured, sitting beside her and gently lifting her into my arms. "Why are you here all alone?"The moment her face turned to me, my heart clenched. Her cheeks were streaked with tears, her lower lip trembling as she sniffled. Panic surged inside me."Lily," I whispered, tucking her hair behind her ear. "What’s wrong, sweetheart? Talk to Daddy please."She hiccupped, rubbing her tear-streaked face against my shirt. "I miss Mommy," she whimpered, her voice cracking with emotion. "You promised she’d be back before my birthday, but she’s still not here… and… and I don’t even know if she’s okay."Pain shot through my
Emma’s Point Of ViewI had no idea how long I had been here. Days had turned into nights, and the passage of time felt like a cruel trick. The walls of this hellhole had no windows, only a dim bulb that flickered overhead, mocking me.Was Adrian looking for me?Was Lily okay?Just the thought of my little girl crying herself to sleep without me sent a fresh wave of agony through my chest. I clenched my jaw, forcing back the tears. I had to be strong. I had to survive.The door creaked open, breaking my spiraling thoughts. My breath hitched as one of the men walked in, carrying a plate of food. My stomach twisted painfully. It had been almost two days since I had eaten, but I refused to break. I wouldn’t let them win.The man sneered. “Here! You better eat." he he snares then said," My boss is being so generous, letting you even have a meal. If it were up to me, I’d leave you to starve.”I glared at him, my lips pressed into a tight line. My gaze flickered to the plate, I wanted to rej
Adrian’s Point Of ViewThree days.Three agonizing, sleepless, tormenting days since Emma disappeared.I sat in the dimly lit office of Detective Roy, my fingers curled into tight fists, my breathing shallow with barely restrained rage. Every passing second felt like a blade dragging against my skin, a cruel reminder that she was out there somewhere, alone, scared, waiting for me to find her.And yet, I had nothing. No leads. No goddamn answers.“I’m sorry, Mr. Steele,” Detective Roy said, his tone firm yet laced with exhaustion. “There’s been no solid lead on her whereabouts.”That was it.I exploded out of my chair.“What the hell do you mean no solid lead?” I roared, slamming my hands on his desk so hard that pens scattered and a cup of coffee trembled on its saucer. “You’ve had three goddamn days, and you’re telling me you’ve found nothing? What the hell am I paying you people for?”Detective Roy barely flinched, clearly used to outbursts like mine, but his silence only fueled my
Emma’s Point of View The first thing I registered was the cold. The kind that seeped into my bones, numbing every inch of my skin. My body ached as I stirred, my head throbbing with the weight of unconsciousness. I blinked, my vision adjusting to the dim light above me. It flickered weakly, casting eerie shadows across the warehouse’s bare concrete walls. My wedding dress, now wrinkled and slightly torn, clung to my body. I was tied to a chair, my wrists burning from the rough ropes biting into my skin.A slow, creeping dread settled in my chest. Where was I?I tried to shift, but the chair screeched against the concrete floor, the sound echoing in the silence. My breath hitched. Someone would hear me. Or maybe… someone already had.A door creaked open."Who’s there?" My voice was hoarse, desperate. "Please, let me go. I beg you! How much do you want? My husband... he’ll pay you anything! Just name your price! Please..."A figure stepped into the light, the glow illuminating their fa
Emma’s Point of View~~~Flashback~~~“Emma, you are the only woman I will ever love and hold till eternity. This may not be a vow at the altar, but it's my vow to you.”Adrian’s words echoed in my mind, wrapping around my heart like a warm embrace. "I love you too Adrian, I promise you my love and devotion. I want to wake up next to you every day for the rest of my life" I said back to him as he hugged me tightly, raising my head to meet his, he crashed his lips on mine, kissing me with so much passion and want, my hands flew to his hair as I massaged it! "I love you so damn much Emma" he spoke into my lips as I groaned.. ~~~Flash back ends~~~It had been two days since he made love to me, whispering sweet promises against my skin, as if engraving them into my soul. Sitting before the grand vanity mirror, I gazed at my reflection, feeling a rush of emotions. Six years ago, I would have laughed at the idea of marrying Adrian Steele. He had been nothing more than an infuriating, ar
Adrian’s Point Of View~~ Flashback ~~The soft hum of chatter filled the cozy café, blending with the clink of cups and the hiss of the espresso machine. I pushed the door open, the bell above jingling as I walked inside. My eyes scanned the room until they landed on herCelia had tucked herself away in a quiet corner, her fingers nervously playing with the handle of her cup.She looked up the moment she noticed me and offered a faint smile. “You came.”I pulled the chair out and sat across from her, my expression guarded. “What do you want, Celia?”Her smile faltered, her hands tightening around the coffee cup. “Adrian… can we not do this any longer?” She reached across the table, trying to touch my hand, but I pulled back instinctively.Her shoulders sagged, but she pressed on, her voice cracking slightly. “Why do you hate me so much? We used to be close. We dated, remember? Why is it so hard for you to forgive me for that night?”I inhaled deeply, weighing my words before I spoke.
Emma's Point Of View The scent of sautéed vegetables filled the kitchen as I stirred the pan, lost in the rhythm of preparing lunch. It was oddly therapeutic, chopping, stirring, seasoning each action giving me a moment of calm in the whirlwind my life had been lately.A pair of familiar arms snaked around my waist, pulling me back against a firm chest. Adrian’s breath brushed my neck before his lips followed, planting slow, deliberate kisses along my skin.I couldn’t help but chuckle. “When did you wake up, silly?”“A few minutes ago,” he murmured between kisses, his voice low and teasing, “and turns out, this beautiful lady of mine wasn’t in bed with me.”I smiled, leaning back into him. “Lily woke up early and wanted food. So, here I am, making her a healthy meal.”He nuzzled into my neck, pressing one more kiss there. “That’s a thoughtful mother right there.”He finally let me go, but not before sneaking a berry from the plate on the counter.“Adrian!” I scolded, giving him a pla