Chapter 86I grab fistfuls of the twelve thousand dollars Louis Vuitton dress Ash bought for this day and drag. The sound of it tearing makes me shiver with satisfaction as it rips from top to bottom. It's a slip of a thing, not even worth the amount it was paid for. I look down in disdain as it pools at my feet.Unfortunately, my satisfaction is short-lived.My chest is still on fire with shock, that damn tightness sat constricting my lungs to the point I almost can't breathe and have to drag short gulps of air in through my mouth.How will you feel if your fiancée didn't show up on the day of your engagement party?Yup! That's exactly what happened to me.Twelve hours earlierThe day dawns bright and clear. It's so bright, shards of sunlight peek into the room through the floor-to-ceiling length curtains, piercing my eyes in its brightness. I roll to the other side, noting the warmth and dent on it. Ash must
Chapter 87It's said that as time goes by, the pain of a broken heart reduces.Well. . . that's a bloody lie if I ever heard any. This pain sitting pretty like a gigantic log of wood on my chest never goes, never really leaves. Oh, it fades alright, it fades when I'm working and keeping busy, but then when I'm alone, it slams back into me with a bang. Worse still when I look into her face, it's like staring at another treacherous face."She's sooo cute. Look at those chubby cheeks and those dimples, oh my. She's going to break many hearts when she grows up, I guarantee it."I stare at Clarissa's mum and sigh, because what can I say? It's the truth. Lily is a beautiful child that brings me so much joy with her delightful chuckles and joyful personality, but staring at her every day gives me a pleasure-pain kind of feeling.I look at her dark hair which is in the exact shade as mine, quite alright, but when I st
Chapter 88After calling Dan and telling him I would be available for dinner at 7 pm, I slump into my chair, emotionally exhausted even though the day has barely begun. I try to dive into work, I really do try but it looks like the white roses, which seem to mock me from their perch on my table, are a constant clear reminder of my recent past.When I realize I can't take it anymore, I fling the vase at the door and watch as the flowers scatter onto the floor and the vase makes an ear-shattering noise as it splinters into many pieces. Luckily, it's lunch break and no one is around so I'm in the clear for the meantime to vent. It seems my chest has been torn open and there's this great chasm that needs to be filled.I shake my head and grip my hair in my two hands, despair filling me with anguish. My soul which had been full to the brim a year ago, screams with emptiness. I feel like a walking dead because I'm so
Chapter 89I met Dan on one of those nights when I wandered the streets of Clarissa's parent's neighborhood. I had just been discharged from the hospital with my daughter and could not stand to be near her at that time because she reminded me so much of her father.If I'm to be honest, she still does but I have come to terms with my fate and realize that anytime I look at her, she isn't just a part of him but of me as well, and can not be blamed for her father's behavior. I would wander the streets aimlessly until I walked into a park. I remember sitting on a seat and staring aimlessly at the children who played on the swings.I always got glared at by their mothers but I was too out of it to even realize at that time. A man walked up to me and politely asked if he could sit beside me. I'd said nothing at that time because I just wanted to be left alone. That man was Dan. He sat down anyway and introduced himse
Chapter 90The feeling of being in Dan's arms is bringing back dêjãvū and that puts a bad taste in my mouth. After eating - rather, forcing him to eat, he swept me into his arms and onto the dance floor and I had to painfully go through the memories of another time with Ash.I can't do it anymore."I'm tired, Dan." I grimace as his hand tightens around my waist but I release a sigh of relief when it loosens and he steps back with a jerky nod."You're right, I'm sorry. I'll take you home now.""No!" My voice comes out loud, so I paste a smile on my face hoping it looks comfortable, and shake my head. "No, please." I shrug. "The night is still young, and. . .""What are you saying?" I watch with a sinking heart as hope flares to life in his eyes. I'm not tired of being with Dan, but he shouldn't look like I'm the next best thing after God.What have I gotten myself into? Unfortunately for me, I can't stop now. "I
Chapter 91All around me, the theatre takes on thunderous applause from the people who are standing, clapping, and cheering. Within me, there's a different type of thunder, and even though the applause is enough to drown out the roar of a lion, I can still hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears.Dan is oblivious to the turmoil I'm going through as he's also a part of the crowd clapping and standing. The strobe lights are no longer bouncing all around as their focus is now solely on the stage and the men smiling and bowing.Yes, they did a great job, but my attention is now focused on the seat where the couple is, where I know Ash Thunder is. I fiddle with my bag to bring out my phone but my hands are shaking so badly it's difficult to get it out. On the third try, I succeed as I drag my phone out and manage to put the torchlight on as well.I flash it on the seat directly in front of me but it's empty. There's
Chapter 92He's slouched with his hands resting on the arms of the chair, his legs stretched out in front of him. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, pressed black trousers, and polished black brogues, his hair is slightly wet and slicked back. He looks like a poster boy for the CEO of a conglomerate and even though I hate him, it's a look he carries quite well.I've never seen him wearing such clothes before. It's like I'm looking at his clone and not the real person. He's like a totally different person.The air is weighty with something heavy and I sit up immediately when I realize he's here. Ash is here. He's sitting in front of me, and staring at me. In my mind's eye, I see him sitting close to the blonde woman and staring at her. I close my eyes, trying to unsee it. I feel as if many hands are closing around my throat as I begin to gasp for air. He's beside me in an instant holding a glass of water."Breat
Chapter 93The night seems to drag on and sleep seems to be elusive, a figment of my imagination, something that has refused to come even though I've willed it. Believe me when I say that I've done almost everything to try and get my brain to relax but it seems to be an exercise in futility.I've tossed and turned, trying to shut off my brain activities by counting sheep, I've even tried praying, but that has never really worked out for me so I just gave up and resorted to tossing and turning.Look at me now - it's almost dawn and I'm still awake. Wide awake, actually.I can't seem to get those pictures Ash threw on the bed for me to see, out of my head. Even though I locked them up in my bedside drawer, they're still imprinted in my mind.Why would anyone want to kill me?What have I done for that to happen?I haven't hurt anyone.Alright, yes, I did kill someone. Two people actually, but the first person I kill
Chapter 108"Fuuuuck! Must you place this shit around my neck so tightly?" I ask Night eyes with a frown.Night Eyes rolls his eyes but doesn't say anything except to tighten the tie around my neck like a damn noose. He says I've been acting like a prissy bitch since I woke up this morning and realized it's the D-day. My six trusted men, now my groomsmen, are sitting around dressed up in white tuxedos drinking champagne while I'm sweating buckets inside this suit that's more like a straight jacket than any other thing."Will you get your feet off my precious table, Moro?" I say, tugging on my collar as I eye him from the corner of my eyes.He just smirks and continues sipping on his drink like I didn't just give him an order."Ouch, fuck! What the-? Will you take it easy? My neck's not a damn concrete, Night eyes.""Quit bitching, Ash, anyone hearing you would think you're not dying to get married to Alicia,
Chapter 107 The ride is fraught with tense silence and not even Ash's hand in mind does anything to alleviate the tightness in my chest and the dryness in my mouth. I'm freaking the fuck out. He keeps rubbing circles on my open palm with his thumb trying to soothe me but it's pointless. Getting to the meeting place doesn't take long because there's not much traffic. I look up at the large white building as Ash drives into the driveway and my eyes immediately home onto the bold signboard displayed on the front of the building in red capital letters that reads - THE CAMORRA. "You've gotta be kidding me!" Ash chuckles. "I told you they rule everything in Italy so don't be surprised about that." "I understand that, but they kill, and steal, and-" "Ah, ah, ah! Don't say that to anyone here, Hazel eyes, they rule everything, yes. . ." He nods. "Even the police, so hanging up a big old signboard isn't going to make it less real." My heart sinks, because what he just said is even worse
Chapter 106 When I wake, it's still dark outside and there's no one on the bed beside me. I sit up as panic begins to claw its way inside my chest but when I hear the shower going, I know what happened last night was real and Tanya is alive. Even though I haven't gotten much sleep, I feel energized. I feel happy.We're going to have to face them tomorrow.My heart plummets when I remember Ash's words from the night before. He sat me down and told me there would be reprisals and that I needed to get prepared for whatever the five dons that run the Canmora will do. He was a bit evasive about what the reprisals were but I don't need to be a rocket scientist to know it has to do with shedding blood.I'm petrified as his words wash through me but as soon as the door to the bathroom opens, I shake it off and paste on a smile as Tanya comes back inside the room. Her blonde hair is wet and longer than I've ever see
Chapter 106The ghost of Tanya doesn't float toward me as I initially thought, she walks toward me instead, smiling mischievously exactly the same way Tanya used to when she was alive. I blink repeatedly but she's still there, still smiling, and still looking at me."T.... Tanya?" I say once again, noting the tremor in my voice.Tanya's ghost smiles wider. "Hi, sis."Instead of fainting, as most women would, I let out a piercing scream loud enough to wake the dead. A hand snakes around my waist and it takes a few seconds for me to realize Ash is speaking to me.". . . relax, it's alright, please."I focus on his face as his words finally break through my consciousness. "Is. . ." I lick my dry lips. "Is her ghost still there?""I'm right here, sis." Tanya's ghost says from right behind me.This time, I'm not able to take it as the cold hands of oblivion wrap around me and enfold me in their arms.*". . . going
Chapte 105 Ever since I was kidnapped, I had slept fitfully, always keeping an eye open for when Rita and her minions would come to torment me. Not that it would stop her - no, but at least I would be somewhat ready. Now that I'm free, I feel a sense of peace steal through me as the hum of the car engine wraps around me. Soon, I few my eyes close as the movement of the car lulls me into a deep sleep. I don't know what wakes me up but the car has stopped and Ash is coming down. I blink repeatedly to remove the vestiges of sleep still clinging to my eyes and cloudy head before I come down from the car and look around. What I see in front of me gives me pause for thought. It's a plane. Ash is standing in front of it shaking a man's hand as he nods to something he's saying. He turns to me and beckons for me to come over. My legs feel a little wobbly from being cramped up in the same position for goodness knows how long but I manage to walk over without falling. Ash introduces me to the
Chapter 104Ash carries me up the stairs and doesn't let go, even when I tell him I'm okay and can walk, still he doesn't allow my feet to touch the ground. I try to tell him that carrying me - bridal style - will only slow us down but he's not having it.He's fast on his feet, I must admit but that niggling fear is sitting pretty on my chest once again and not allowing me to breathe well. As soon as we get up the stairs and into a hallway, he slows down and looks left and right. His eyes have gone keen and sharp and I don't need to be told we're both in danger. If they see him carrying me out of here, we're both dead.At least I will be.The scorned woman will forgive Ash. . . maybe.I watch his face as he watches the surrounding before moving stealthily. I feel his muscles flex and bunch as he carries me. His strides eat up the floor as he moves toward a door at the far end. I slide my eyes from his face an
Chapter 103I don't know how long I've been kept in this basement. I can't really say for certain, but what I do know is that I've been tortured with icy water that was dunked on me. I've been slapped around and beaten within an inch of my life. I've almost been raped but the scorned woman said she didn't want any of her men to touch me so I could be tight enough for all the men I would get to sleep with at the brothel I will be taken to eventually.The funny thing is, with every taunting word, every action, and every little thing I go through, I grow more hardened, more determined to live. If this is how people are reborn into criminals, then I'm going to be a living example and I'm not backing down. The scorned woman comes to see me every day expecting me to grovel and beg for freedom as well as for my life, but when she sees the blazing fire in my eyes and the determination, it only drives her around the
Chapter 102"She did WHAT?" My voice screeches on the last word and it's all I can do not to throw a hissy fit.Fuuuuuck!"I warned her! I told her about the danger of leaving this house. Does she even know what will happen to her if Dominatrix gets her hands on her?"Clarissa is practically wilting at my outburst. I know I shouldn't take it out on her but it was her responsibility to try to keep Hazel eyes here at home, where she belongs."Tell me once again what happened and don't even leave anything out." I sit on the bed and listen as Clarissa stammers her way through."We. . . I m. . . m. . . mean she-"Someone bursts into the room without knocking and I don't need a crystal ball to let me know it's Night Eyes. He must have been informed by Hilda about my roaring 'cause that's all I've been doing ever since I came home an hour ago. It's fucking two in the morning and Hazel eyes isn't at home. I had to he
Chapter 101It takes me a few seconds to realize I'm swaying - not like a pendulum - but it's a movement not caused by me.It takes me another few seconds to realize I'm unable to move my limbs- what the fuck?It takes me yet another minute to notice everywhere is dark and that I'm blindfolded. That's when the stark realization hits me in the chest -Not again. . .I've been kidnapped.I begin to thrash against the bindings holding my hands hostage at my back and those at my legs. My only joy is that my mouth is not bound, so I open it and scream, but even that is fleeting when I feel the solid nudge of something against my temple.It's a gun. It has to be a gun."One more word out of your pretty mouth and I'll pump lead into your head. Nod if you understand me."I nod immediately and a small sense of relief flits through me when the weight of the gun against my head is removed. I close my eyes, even though I'v