She snapped open her eyes. Her breathing was harsh to her ears and the pounding in her heart was louder. Fear ran through her and she shuddered when all the worse memories flooded through her mind, " Jeena, " She breathed heavily. Kathie shook her by her shoulder, " Mia! Calm down. You're home. Jeena is out of danger. You need to calm down. " She stared at Kattie with watery eyes. She gazed around at the familiar walls, " Ethan? " She whispered. " He'll be back soon. Do you want me to call him? " Kattie asked concernedly. A pang of disappointment made her heart heavy as Jeena's pale face flashed before her eyes, " I wanna see Jeena." She said anxiously. " Wait, " Kattie said as she ran her fingers on the touch screen of her phone. She glanced at her phone nervously. She couldn't see, what was she doing? For sure, her fingers were moving, " What are you doing? " She finally asked. " Robbie is waiting for us in the garage, " Kattie r
She slowly peeled her lids open. She slipped her hand on the mattress and found it empty. She twirled on her back and stared at the empty place. Clenching the sheet to her chest, she sat on it, straightening her back, and roamed her eyes in the room. But she could hear the running water in the washroom. She was going to put her feet down, when Ethan came out of the washroom only in his boxer, " Good morning, Love, " He bent ahead and kissed her cheek. She smiled looking up at him, " Morning, " She smiled. He slipped his arms under her thighs and back, picking her up along with the sheet. She gripped his shoulder. Her thoughts ran back to Jeena, " Are we going to see Jenna? " She asked, hopefully. He nodded and kissed her again. She couldn’t help the smile that broke free. She stepped out of the car as it pulled over at the entrance of the hospital. He tossed the keys at his man as he put his hand over her back. They sauntered togethe
With one last splash of water, she trudged back to the bathroom’s door. She froze when she saw Martino waiting for her on the couch. She stopped dead on her feet, her heart began to run. She felt a tremor running along with her limbs. All could she think.... what if Ethan would find it out. He loathed another man around her. His every rule was engraved on her soul. " Hi, " Martino got on his feet at her sight. His usual smile tugged on his lips. He rolled his eyes when he saw her expression, " I'm not going to eat you, Mia. " He said and motioned at the door. It was impossible to predict the reason for his being in her room. It sounded like a good idea to walk out of the room. That seemed to her more comfortable. " How is Jeena? " She asked him whenever she controlled her fear. " Doing well. Mom asked me to check on you. Are you alright? " He asked. She stopped walking. It was the last thing she wanted to discuss, " You didn't tell Ethan.
Her phone beeped in her hand. Excitedly, she swiped on the new popped up message. ' I'm sending my driver. He must be waiting outside. ' Her face erupted into a huge smile. She slipped her feet in the black plump heels and clinched the purse in her hand. She walked out of the room as she dropped the phone in her purse and zipped it to seal. " Someone is looking beautiful. " Michail smiled, stopping near the stairs. " Thanks, I'm going out with Ethan. " she smiled. He nodded and extended his arm, " May I? " He smiled. She giggled and put her arm around his strong arm. Michail could look menacing, which made her scared but he didn't hurt her. He knew to respect the wife of his boss, his brother. " Jeena asked me to talk to you. She told me about Lana's behavior. " He said in his stern voice. She glanced at him with a frightened look in her eyes, " D.. did you hurt her? " She asked, she was having difficulty walking with him
She curled up in a ball over the mattress. Her hands were fisted and pulled closer to her chest, her knuckles turned white. The pool of unshed tears gathered in her eyes. She couldn't hold it back any longer. Her shoulder began to shake as her sobs wracked. Her eyes were swollen with all crying. Her face scrunched up as she allowed the pain to seep through her body. It had been a month. She couldn't forget that night. Blood on her hands, clothes, and most essential, that guilt that tormented her every second was fresh in her mind. She couldn't sleep calmly. She woke with his blood on her hands. " I killed him. " She whispered in her cracked sobbing voice. Her breaths increased as her sobs echoed in the room. " Oh, God! Mia! " Kattie rushed into the room and bent over her. Grabbing her hand, she peeled it from her face, " Mia, " She sadly said. " He died because of me. " She whispered. She was holding herself responsible for his death.
She stopped her feet as she sighted Lucas in the backyard garden. His hands were shoved into his jeans' pocket. His gaze was intense as he kept staring ahead at the greenery. Silently, she twirled to leave, " It's your house if you're forgetting. " His harsh tone stopped her feet again. Digging her nails in her palms, she spun and stared at him in astonishment, " I thought. It's only my husband who can recognize me without looking in my direction. " She spoke slowly. " Ethan, " He breathed, " He's the best. Of course, " He glanced at her, with void blue eyes. She nodded agreeing with him, " Lana didn't tell me that she has a younger brother. " She paced ahead. Mark was following her all the time. He stood at some distance, darting his gaze around them. " No one talks about me, " He said, again looking at the distance with a cold expression. " I don't understand, " She asked hesitantly. He glanced at her, sniveling his neck. His expr
Kattie kept her company as they cooked dinner together. To her astounding, no one complained about her cooking skill. Her phone beeped in her hand. she glanced at the screen with a small smile. She was returning to her normal life. ' How did it go? ' Gretta. ' Thankfully, no one complained about it. It's a relief.' " Mia, " Kattie tapped on her shoulder. She twirled with a smile and froze to see Martino, Lucas, Kattie, and Svetlana together. Martino was wearing a black suit with no tie and two buttons of his shirt were unfastened. Lucas was wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt. Svetlana was looking better than before in a dark midi dress. She kept herself locked in the room. It was also after many days she saw her at the dining table. " We're heading to the club. Wanna join? " Kattie asked, excitedly. ' Lana won't like it if I'll join them. She won't show her hatred openly. but I'd be better if she do not see me around her. ' " No, I'd lik
She changed into shorts and a tank top. She slipped under the blanket and tucked it to her waist. She exhaled slowly. ' He has filled the empty space in my life. Does he feel the same? Kattie said that it could be a plan. It didn't look like one. Why would he do this? Lana is also family. He was just smiling. Why is it hurting me so much to see him with her? I love him. He didn't get mad at me when he saw me with Lucas on the dance floor. ' She shivered when she perceived a soft touch on her wrist. She jerked her eyes at strong hands. Her husband was sitting on the edge of the bed. He tenderly brushed his fingers, putting ointment on them. She flinched at the sensation of pain and jerked her hand away. His hold on her hand stopped her. Abruptly, he bent ahead and pressed his lips softly on her. She closed her eyes. It was his way to apologize to her. It saddened her more. She compelled him to take such a step, " It doesn't hurt." She whisp
He saw dread turning into pure terror as her gaze moved around her. It made him leave everything and closed his arms around her. He did not want to spoil his plan. He held himself back. A muscle tickled in his jaw staring at the rope around her wrists. His cold and hard gaze turned fright when she passed out. Ivan curled his arms around her. He could not shake off his feelings. He took long strides toward her. His gaze was dark and dangerous. "Not so easy, son." Stefano came gasping Svetlana's hand. His gun pressed against his wife's head. He glowered at him. His gaze was trained on them. His breathing was calmed but his beast was ready to claw. "Ethan!" Svetlana cried as she wiggled her arm to get free from his hold. Her face was contorted in fear. His mostly attention was averted to his wife. She was very sensitive to pain. His knuckles turned white around his gun as he fought his anger, "Stefano!" He hissed, tilting his face as his blazing
It was computerized. Kattie punched the code and the door opened. She drove the car inside. 'It feels weird that she's my husband's ex and knows everything about him. About his secret places. She must have come here with him.' It was dark but she could tell this place was beautiful. It reminded her of her kidnapping place. She smiled considering the old days. Her sadness disappeared, recalling time. "You're blushing, Mia," Kattie asked as she drove toward the garage. 'I don't think you'll like it. The mention of how I met Ethan and got married to him could hurt her.' She shook her head, "Just thinking about Ethan," She said, blushing. Kattie parked the car. The engine died. She opened the door and stepped out of the car. "Yeah, only he can make you blush in such a nervous condition." Kattie chuckled as she closed the door of the car after getting off, but it didn't reach her eyes. She was looking nervous as hel
She felt a hand shaking her shoulder and a sligh voice in her ear. She shoved away from the hand that was gripping her arm. "Mia," Someone shook her again, more strongly. She opened her mouth. But a soft hand enclosed her mouth. Her eyes dilated in dread. She glanced straight with big eyes and heaved a deep sigh. She held her hand to push it away from her mouth. But Kattie shook her head. She drew herself into a sitting position. A backpack was hung on her shoulders and the same basket was resting on the edge of the old bed, "I wanna.." Kattie closed her hand over her mouth again. A strange feeling permeated the air. She held her hand and pushed it down, "What are you doing, Kattie?" She asked in a whisper. "Come with me. I'll explain everything to you." Kattie promised. She shook her head as she darted her gaze around to see him. It wasn't fully dark, "Where's Ethan?" She asked. "Mia, we don't have time. For
Kattie passed her a pillow. She took it from her and placed it behind her back. She rested against it and felt relief from back pain. "You're missing him." She asked. 'He didn't send me away from him. He should be the one to inform me, not Michail. If Kattie hadn't pulled his mask. We would have never known it. ' "Yes," She squinted at the door. She was expecting him to walk in at any time. "And you're expecting him too!" Kattie said it with more enthusiasm. She glanced at her and shrugged, "Just feeling it," She said. "I've sent a message to Ethan." Kattie smiled as wiggled her brows. She didn't imagine this side for her. But she loved it, her friendship. She winced and felt tingling in her body, "But our phones aren't working." She lowered her voice. She wasn't sure. Would Michail approve it or not? Kattie drew her face closer, "I told you about the satellite phone." She asked. She nodded, "Did you text,
Her heart was pounding and her hands were shaking. She tried the door. She couldn't jump in this condition. It was locked. 'How did he know about my pregnancy? Ethan trusted him. He must have told him everything. He betrayed him. What would he do to us? Kattie shouldn't be here. I'd be responsible for everything. He would ask for a big ransom. I wish! He isn't working for Stefano.' "Are you working for Stefano?" she asked with a distasteful voice. "Are you planning to jump out of the car in this condition?" His gaze turned to her through the rearview mirror, "It's locked." He added. Kattie winced, "No, it's stupidity, Mia." She moved forward and pulled her hand away and shook her head furiously. Her eyes closed as she tried to calm her breathing, "I wasn't even thinking about it." She said. "You should eat something," Kattie breathed and gave a box of cookies. She could see fear in her eyes and her hands were shaking. She too
When they reached the store again. Everything was sabotaged. Two guards were lying on the ground. They were beaten up badly. Kattie was clenching the gun in both hands. There were five goons. Ivan hurried toward her, his knuckles were white with his hold on them. "Ma'am," He said. She stepped back, "Thank you, you came." Her eyes rested on the blood line on the arm, "Kattie! You're bleeding." She raised her feet to reach her but another bulky guard stopped her. "It's nothing. Stay behind." Kattie said. Her eyes were trained on the goons. "I'm giving you one chance. Drop your weapons and take your steps back out of the place." Ivan snarled. His second hand went at his back for another gun. "We are not going anywhere without her," Their leader pointed his gun at her and laughed. She panicked. Dread made her hands tremble. She felt goosebumps in the exposed skin. "I won't warn you again." He said and pulled the trigge
She grabbed the towel and patted it on her face. After making it dry, she wasn't bothered to change into a beautiful gown today. She paced out and closed the washroom behind her. Her feet halted when she saw a dark brown printed gown lying on one side of the mattress. Her heart hopped in happiness. 'He still cares. I was freaking out about it. But he didn't change. He's accepting our baby. It could be hard for him as his world is far away from love and care. Still, he keeps it in his heart for us.' She grabbed it and hugged it to her chest. She whirled on her feet. She reached the hall and looked around for him. There were only Martino and Lucas sitting at the dining table and having their breakfast. "Good morning, why is it only you two?" She asked, again darting her gaze around. "Ethan is with Robbie and Ivan. I haven't seen Kattie. That's what her name is," Lucas said as he curled his hand around the cup of coffee. "Yes, it
He took Kattie's facial expressions. She jumped to her feet at his sight. He glanced at Ivan. Though, he had kept him updated about everything. He wasn't expecting Kattie in his room. He glanced at his wife. It was late, near midnight. She was sleeping. He sighed, "Shouldn't you be in your room?" He asked intensely, still looking at his wife. "I need to talk to you." She folded her arms over her chest. She was looking pretty upset and annoyed. He knew the reason but it was totally unexpected. "Robbie must be waiting for you." He said, with no expression. Ivan was on his feet. He needed to talk to him. But he could when Kattie was around. She shook her head, "It's about Mia." She said, pressing her lips. "Ivan told me. What happened in the kitchen." He told her, hoping she would end the topic. She wasn't essential for him, but he cared for his family. "Very well! I don't want Svetlana near her. You can send her away, anywhere but
She was watching him through the corners of her eyes. He could easily hurt her and buried her body under the ground, in the woods, or in an abandoned place. A shiver worked down her spine and she quickened her pace. He was following her. Her heart was racing too. 'Why?' She couldn't help darting her glance at him. His dark gaze was looking around as if looking for something. Her fear seemed to vanish for an unknown reason, "Do you need anything? The kitchen is downstairs." She softly told him. He snapped his dark eyes at her. She barely saw people with such intense dark eyes, "No, ma'am." He said. She nodded after a pause and began to pace in the room. "I need to shower." She cringed. "I'm waiting here, ma'am.." He said. She stared at the couch behind him, "Why don't you sit on the couch?" She asked. "I'll be fine. You please carry on." He gestured at the door. She walked in and bolted the do