CHAPTER 1.CAMILLA The beep from my phone pierced through the peaceful chats of the hospital waiting room. I paused before answering. My fingers, still numb from holding the pregnancy report, reached sluggishly for the phone. "Camilla, where are you?" Mirabel's voice was frantic and pulled me back to reality. "I'm just leaving the hospital," I replied, my tone remote. A mild, delicate delight grew inside me, blended with something deeper. "What's going on?" Mirabel was silent before she spoke again. "Get to the hotel. Now." Her voice faltered. "Your husband is been stolen from you by another woman." It's Alex He's… "He is with another woman."The words hit me like a slap in the face, but I didn't respond. I could not. Not in front of everyone. I tightened my grip on the phone, my breath wavering as I battled the nausea that was forming in my throat. "Which hotel?" I murmured. She mentioned the city's most exquisite five-star hotel, a place that seemed almost mystical to me—like so
CHAPTER 2.CAMILLA I was brought back to life from the veil of fear and bewilderment that had shrouded me since I saw Alex at the hotel by the sound of his car humming in the driveway. As I waited for him to enter, my heart wrenched horribly. He'd been away for three days, without saying anything. And throughout those three days, I had convinced myself that he was too busy at work to return home. But I knew in my heart. Even before I saw them together, I could tell that something was odd. If not, why was he acting so aloof? How else could he remain away from me?I heard his slow, steady footsteps nearing the front door. My pulse raced with fury, concern, and, shamelessly, hope. The door creaked open, and there he was—tall, broad-shouldered, and as polished as usual. As he moved past me, his face remained expressionless. There was no word, not even an apology, for making love in public with another woman. It was as if I did not exist. I am invisible to him. I inhaled hard, my thro
CHAPTER 3.CAMILLA I had spent hours mentally preparing for this moment. I'd go into his office, demand an explanation, and notify him about the baby. Maybe—just maybe—he'd finally see the cause to see me. Finally, see us. The home looked like a cemetery now. Every empty room rang with thoughts of what could have been, drowning me in their stillness. I couldn't wait for him to return home, particularly since it had become nothing but icy walls and stillness. And Alex? He was no longer the person who slept next to me, but a ghost, leaving for days, inaccessible by phone, and left me clinging to a marriage that seemed like it was slipping away.He would never get home before midnight, if at all he's coming home. Even if I called, he would not answer. He never did. That's why I had to go into his office. I needed him to hear me; he couldn't ignore me in person. This was my last chance to save our marriage, and I wasn't going to waste it. Not while I am carrying our child.As I drove,
CHAPTER FOUR.Alex The previous two weeks have been a haze, but I suddenly feel alive. Alessia Is back. It's as if all of the missing parts of my life have been reunited. Those years without her made me feel like I was living in someone else's skin, a stranger in my own life. With Alessia gone, I basically went through the motions, praying for her return. And now she's back from Paris with her PHD, eager to continue up where we left off. The love of my life has come home, and nothing—no one—will stop us.My mom was quite thrilled when I informed her about Alessia's return and my intension.“You have to be fast about it, Alex” she had remarked later, leaving me with the strength that I needed.But, as much as I want to dwell in the joy of Alessia 's return, I can't escape the reality I've been stuck in. Camilla. That marriage was never my choice. It was my father's. He placed a leash on me, forcing me to mask the agony I felt when Alessia fled. He told me to carry on. "You'll grow to
Chapter 5.Alex.The last five years turned out to be the worst of my life. I had thought that divorcing Camilla was the best option.I made myself believe that Alessia was the one. I love her so much, that I couldn't wait to get married to her. But She crushed my heart. I thought that once I married her, the world would stop being empty and she would make everything right. But, I was wrong. Totally wrong.When Alessia returned from Paris, I thought she was still the same girl who had filled my head with dreams years before. The woman who pushed me, made me laugh, and was really driven and energetic. But she wasn't the same girl anymore. It was as if Paris had eaten away the best parts of her and replaced them with something darker. Her face seemed familiar, but her soul... I could scarcely recognise it.It started with little, unimportant things. Her love for the better things in life was not new, but after Paris, it became more of an addiction. Expensive drinks, expensive clothes, a
Camilla I couldn't take my eyes off my phone's screen. Another business deal. My company has gotten so many bids lately that I'm even rejecting. This one, however, was unique. It was a brand-new company in New York that was making a significant offer. This is the kind of proposal that I wanted. They got in touch with me requesting that I partner with them in marketings their new product. I calmed a bit, breathed deeply, and let everything to soak in. This would have been impossible five years ago. I was just a sales person with just a dream and my tiny baby to look after when I first began. However, I had built a company and a name here. I thought back to those early days, the long hours, the strive to rise, and the several times I had to go extra miles just to get a job. Ava Ltd. has been created from the ground up by every transaction, late night, and lost holiday. I was struck by how far I had come as I looked around my workplace, which had slick furniture, walls covered with
Chapter Seven AlexMy heart sank as I watched Camilla walk out of my office. She wore a quick, unreadable look on her face as she left. She was calm, elegant, and distant. I barely recognized her. This wasn’t the same woman I’d divorced so easily. Camilla used to be soft-spoken, gentle, the woman who waited and had hoped that I will one day her, and at least make time for her. But, she was a different person now, confident, strong, commanding—she was new person, a CEO. And I’d been too blind to see it.But now, seeing her walk away from me, every step felt like a punishment I deserved. I’d hurt her badly, without a second thought, all for the love that I thought I had for Alessia. And what had that gotten me now? A life that felt more like a hollow display in a horror movie.It has been three days since Camilla left my office, saying she’d “think about the partnership.” I’d been hoping she’d call, but each day passed without words from her. With a heavy heart, I picked up my phone,
Camilla As I got Ava ready for school, the morning felt less light than normal. I dropped her off, but my mind couldn't stop thinking about New York and that terrible meeting with him. Alex. He took me by surprise. I would have turned down the proposal right away if I had known he was behind it. But the name of the company was different, so I thought I was talking with one of New York's bright new business owners. A relationship with one of the fastest-growing companies in the country seemed like it would be a great idea. I wouldn't have gone into that office at all if I knew it was Alex's. I have made up my mind. I won't partner with his company. I sent my decline mail three days ago. I’d even let other offers slip by, thinking this one was worth the work. Now, I buried myself in new ideas, determined to find fresh, satisfying chances that had nothing to do with him. Still, my thoughts kept wandering back, memories pricking at the edges of my focus. --- I remembered that d
AlexThe air was thick with anxiety as our car sped down the deserted road, tires buzzing against the asphalt. The black SUV ahead of us faded into the distance, its taillights blazing red and flickering like a heartbeat. We were getting near, but not fast enough.We'd been after them for over half an hour. The police used a GPS tracker concealed on their car. We knew they were going south on Route 19, but every second felt like we were losing them. My stomach twisted from anger and anxiety. I should have acted faster. I should've been more prepared. If I had, Ava might not be in danger now. But now all I could do was track them down. As the SUV's red taillights flashed in front of us, I grasped the armrest tightly. My heart was rushing and thumping inside my chest. Every second seemed like an eternity. I couldn't let them leave with her. We needed to get her back. "Keep on them!" The officer next to me ordered, his voice tense with urgency.The officers in the car with me were doin
Camilla The front door was slightly opened. As I pushed, the wood creaked, ringing through the silence like a warning. A moist chill crept across my skin. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of mold, dust, and something more. Something metallic. The room was consumed by darkness, but a dim light flickered in the distance. It hummed weakly, throwing long, fragmented shadows on the walls. My breath came out in short, uneven gasps. Every instinct screamed at me to turn back, run, and seek help. But I couldn't, I kept moving. Because somewhere in the darkness, Ava was waiting for me.Then, from the darkness, came a voice. "Hands up." I froze. The voice was calm. Too calm. Possessing such control implied power.Footsteps were the next sound, which was slow and measured. Heavy. Deliberate. A rough, hard hand clamped around my wrist. Not cruel, but uncompromising. A silent warning. "Move." The grasp tightened slightly, guiding me forwards. My legs felt weak, but I
CamillaThe jet's hum filled the silence around me, but inside my head, all I could hear was noise—loud, excruciating noise. Ava. Her name rang repeatedly, pressing my heart even more. I gazed at my phone screen, my fingers quivering as I dialed Marta's number again. Still turned off.I tried again. Still nothing.Tears blurred my vision. My daughter was out there, in the hands of a dangerous person. Was she crying? Was she afraid? Did they injure her? My gut wrenched in misery at the thought. Across from me, Alex stood with his phone to his ear. His voice was steady and controlled, in stark contrast to the conflict inside me. "Alexander Brookes, CEO of Millach LTD," he said while listening to the other end of the line. His expression was unreadable, but I could sense the strain in his jaw. "There was an emergency that we needed to attend to. We already left. Tell Ms. Montgomery for a reschedule of this meeting if feasible." There was a delay before he said, "Alright, sorr
CamillaMy heart raced as I entered the room, my trembling fingers on the door just as it closed behind me. The silence around me was intense, broken only by my choppy breaths. I leaned my back against the door, feeling its coolness, but it didn't help quiet the turmoil inside me. Alex. The memory of his touch and the feel of his lips stayed with me like a haunting presence I couldn't escape. My resolve and the walls I carefully built around myself fell apart whenever he got near. I tried really hard to keep him away to protect myself and my daughter, but when he looked at me with those pleading eyes, I lost my strength. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to manage my feelings. It wasn't just about him; it was how he made me feel and how he could always remove the walls I felt I needed. The best thing I could do was put some space between us, lock the door, and guarantee that the mistakes of the previous night were never repeated. Sliding down to the floor, I sat with my knees t
AlexShe pulled the room door open without speaking, allowing it to swing close behind her. I caught it before it closed fully and followed her inside. Camilla walked straight to the couch and dropped herself upon its edge with a stiff motion. She crossed her arms again, her fingers grabbing her sleeves as if bracing for a blow. Her eyes was concentrated on a faraway location, her expression opaque yet heavy with thought. I paused near the door and watched her. She didn't recognize my presence as she moved her head slightly away. I took a breath and stepped closer, each movement slow and deliberate. The cool floor muffled my footfall, but I could feel the space between us. When I got close enough to talk, I stopped and kept my voice low. "Camilla, please listen to me." Her body tensed slightly, but she did not glance at me. The silence extended, dense with tension, and her only reaction was a tiny twitch of her fingers against her arm. "There's nothing to talk about," she st
ALEX The warm rays of sunlight crept through the blinds and woke me up. I stirred, slipping into the mattress, the warmth strange but weirdly soothing. As I opened my eyes, images of the previous night flooded back to me. I was on Camilla's bed. I sat up gently, putting my elbows on my knees and running a hand through my hair. A faint smile pulled on the corner of my lips. For the first time in years, the nothingness inside of me didn't feel so overwhelming. Being with her filled a gap I had no idea was so profound. As I shifted, the covers slipped down, showing my bare chest and the empty space next me. My heart dropped slightly when I realized Camilla was not there. I looked around the room, my eyes scanning every angle. Her scent lingered slightly in the air, but she was nowhere to be found. I pushed the blankets away from my legs and found my clothes lying on the floor. I picked them up one by one, the room's silence disturbed only by the subtle rustle of cloth as I dressed
Camilla. I felt his breath on my lips. He knelt between my legs and looked down at me, his eyes glowing. I am interested and fascinated as I watch."Please fuck me, Alex."He raises his eyebrows and moves his hand up and down his fantastic length.I am simply a ball of sexual, stressed, and need. He peered down at me for a time, as if calculating my desire, before grabbing me and flipping me over. It caught me by surprise. Before I could answer, he thrust inside me. I yelled out in response to his abrupt thrusting, and I came instantly again and again, breaking apart beneath him as he continued to crash gloriously into me. He didn't stop. I was finished. I loved it. And he pounded on and on... then I was building again.Alex had a nice attitude.My body convulsed around him as I climaxed again, yelling out his name. I shattered again into small bits, while Alex stayed still, finally letting go and softly finding his release. He collapsed on top of me, breathing hard.I laid on the
Camilla The door clicked shut behind us, and for a moment, the room was very quiet. The storm outside was strong, with lightning flashing up the sky for a moment. The constant sound of rain against the windows matched the beating of my heart. Alex stood right behind me, feeling warm and intense. I could feel his breath on the back of my neck; it was steady but also unsure. It gave me an unshakeable chill. I turned slowly to look at him, my hands shaking a bit by my sides. His eyes looked into mine, deep and curious. For the first time in a long while, he didn't seem arrogant or defensive. Only weakness. “Camilla…” he whispered, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through me. I reached up and lightly touched his face with my fingers. His skin was warm, and he leaned into the touch, closing his eyes for a short moment as if savoring it. When he opened them again, they were filled with a kindness that made my chest ache. He brought his face closer to mine, reminding
Alex The storm outside mirrored the one inside my chest. Thunder echoed through the night as I lay in bed, staring at my room's ceiling. Rain pounded against the windows, heavy and unrelenting, like the thoughts racing through my mind. I could not sleep. I ran my fingers through my hair, annoyed. Camilla's presence in the next room hung over me like a heavy chain. Knowing she was so close but felt so far away was heartbreaking. I tried to talk to her, apologize, and make her understand, but she always shut me out. Maybe she was right. I had broken her in ways I didn't think I could ever make up for. But I wasn't the man I once was, and I wanted—need—to show her that. Lightning flashed outside, briefly lighting the room. I sat up and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, bare feet on the icy floor. My chest clenched with a frantic, gnawing pain. I couldn't simply lie here. I took a big breath and stood, padding out into the common area. The room was poorly lit, with the