AMANIJay walks away with the phone pressed against his ear and I slump against the wall. A dejected sigh escapes my lips as I shove a lock of hair from my eyes. I can feel the tiny vein on my forehead persistently throb. This day started off on a bad note and now, it’s only getting worse. Except for Aunt Ophelia’s tiny sniffles, the room is deathly silent. She doesn’t attempt to talk to me and for that, I’m truly grateful. I don’t think I’ve got the energy for human interactions at the moment. I need a moment to think, to regroup. I stand upright three minutes later when Jay returns. Judging from the pinched frown on his face, he’s not happy.“Jay…”“Ma’am, the boss has ordered that I take you back to the Hope Fortress immediately.”“What? Why?”“He didn’t state his reasons.” That’s a big lie and I know it. He knows the reason.I take a step closer to him, holding his calm gaze. “You’re lying, Jay. Something happened and I need you to tell me the truth. What’s going on? Where’s Bh
BHYRONI fondle the thug’s limp cock between my knives and he shivers in my grip. Just one swipe and the cap will come off… that’s how sharp my knives are.“I’ll ask you for the last time: why did King Murder send you here? What’s his plan?”“P-please, I don’t know anything. Let me go, please…”Anger burns in my veins. “Wrong fucking answer.”I plunge the tip of my blade into his twitching cock and make a 360-degree twist. His head snaps backward, and his mouth falls open as his screams rock the room. “Lucien, tape his mouth,” I order one of my men. “He’d probably render us all deaf when I begin the actual cutting.”“No! No, please! I’ll tell you everything I know. Please, don’t hurt me!”I lean away from his bloody body with a satisfied smirk on my face. Of course I knew he’d break. They always do.“Can you take the knife out of my…”“No. The knife stays. Just in case you think you can fuck up, remember that one downward swipe and your useless cock is gone.”Tears pour down his chee
AMANIBhyron left the country, the whole fucking continent, and he never bothered to tell me? Anger burns in my veins, coupled with the sick feeling of abandonment.“He didn’t tell me he was travelling.” I say quietly, holding Jay’s calm stare. “Who did he go with? Duke? Why is he in Rome?” “Mr. Duke is in Paris with Miss Zuri as we speak. The boss travelled with Miss Sharon. He didn’t tell me the nature or reason for his trip.” I pull out one of the chairs attached to the kitchen island and sink into it. Duke is in Paris with Zuri? She never told me!Bhyron and Sharon. Jealousy crawls through my bloodstream at the thought of both of them together. While I’m over here nauseous and sick as hell, he’s gallivanting Rome with that stupid bitch. Overcome by irrational anger, I pick up my phone and dial his number.It rings and rings but no one answers. After the fourth ring, I’m sent to voicemail. After trying three more times without getting a response, I finally snap.“Call him.” I o
AMANIYesterday was grandma Ayutthaya’s funeral but I wasn’t in attendance because Bhyron obviously felt I did not deserve to be there. He didn’t let me visit grandpa at the hospital either. He hid grandma’s dead body from me and now, I missed her funeral. An hour later, I’m still in the same position that Jay left me after he spilled the news. I’m shocked and cold. So cold. I only jolt back to reality when my phone rings. It’s a strange number. I pick up the device with shaky fingers. “Hello?”“Hello, kitten.” A breathy rasp filters through the speakers.My limbs turn to ice. That voice. It’s the devil himself.“Antonio?”He chuckles, a light dangerous sound that has goosebumps spattering across my flesh. “You remember my voice. Should I be flattered?”His flirtatious tone almost makes me gag. I shut my eyes and push back the horrible, dark memories that threaten to escape.“What do you want? I’m supposed to get the money to you tomorrow. I still have time.”“No, you don’t. In fa
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS A BIT OF PHYSICAL ABUSE. **AMANII made a deal with Antonio Gunam and ordinarily, I shouldn’t be scared of him. But there’s something in his eyes. Something dark and ferocious. A wild, unhinged emotion that makes my strained arms tremble. I cringe away from his touch, my heart beating wildly when he presses closer. Of course the bastard doesn’t get the hint. His lips twist in a smirk and he runs a finger over my damp, sweaty chest. When those disgusting fingers almost touch my boobs, I pull backwards and a pained hiss escapes me as my skull slams against the drywall.He bends over, giving me a strong, involuntary whiff of his designer perfume. “You’ve gotten braver since the last time I saw you, little kitten. Have you forgotten how you writhed beneath me that night?” I bare my teeth at him, hiding the excruciating throbbing of my head with a snarl; “Why am I naked, Antonio? What’s going on? This isn’t what we agreed on.” He leans back with a wicked
“Mommy, where’s daddy? He promised he’ll be here for my birthday. Is he working again?” I swallow the painful lump in my throat and turn to my three-year old son. The hospital air is already depressing enough, but watching my frail son tethered to so many wires threatens to break the dam that holds my tears. “Your father will be here soon, sweetheart. He promised us, didn’t he? I’m sure he’s on his way right now.” I say those words without any iota of hope whatsoever. It’s already eleven PM and I’ve been calling my husband since sunrise with no response. “It’s almost midnight.” Dave argues weakly. “Is he spending time with Miss Laura and her daughters again? But he promised to stay with me throughout today.” His eyes fill with tears and my heart tightens painfully. No longer able to bear his sad face, I plaster a fake smile on mine, get to my feet and wipe his cheeks. “You know what? I’m sure daddy is waiting outside right now. I’ll go out there and bring him in, ok
I’m shaking. I can’t breathe. I can’t even speak. The birthday decorations are still hanging from the ceiling and the cake that Dave refused to eat without his daddy still lies there, untouched. All that doesn’t faze me, but the moment I see my little boy covered from head to toe in a white cloth, a horrible, painful pang shoots through my chest. I’m shaking like a leaf as I lift the sheets and look at his frail face and closed eyes. Eyes that will now be closed forever. “N-no.” I whisper, tears falling in torrents down my face. “God, please no. Take me instead. Please take me and bring back my little boy. Please…” I lay my head on his chest, hoping to hear a heartbeat. Nothing. Dave is not breathing anymore. He’s really gone. My baby was diagnosed with brain cancer at just two years old. So far, we’d tried our best to give him the best medical care possible but three months ago, the doctor informed us that he only had six months to live. I run my shaky fingers ove
It’s been three days since my son died. Three days of keeping myself holed up in my new apartment and crying myself to sleep every night. Three days of darkness and gloom. I wake up frowning because the rising sun currently peeks through the sheer white curtains, bathing the room in brightness when all I want is to keep wallowing in darkness and grief. It suddenly hits me that I’ve not received any response from Henry ever since I served him our divorce papers more than forty eight hours ago. I pick up my cell phone and scroll through the endless list of missed calls. There’s none from my soon-to-be ex-husband. Henry never called me even once. Suddenly driven by anger and frustration, I dial his private number and wait impatiently for him to respond. I end the call when I get no response twenty seconds later and get to my feet. Henry still thinks I was playing around when I asked for a divorce. I’ll pay him a visit today and illustrate just how serious I am about leaving his
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS A BIT OF PHYSICAL ABUSE. **AMANII made a deal with Antonio Gunam and ordinarily, I shouldn’t be scared of him. But there’s something in his eyes. Something dark and ferocious. A wild, unhinged emotion that makes my strained arms tremble. I cringe away from his touch, my heart beating wildly when he presses closer. Of course the bastard doesn’t get the hint. His lips twist in a smirk and he runs a finger over my damp, sweaty chest. When those disgusting fingers almost touch my boobs, I pull backwards and a pained hiss escapes me as my skull slams against the drywall.He bends over, giving me a strong, involuntary whiff of his designer perfume. “You’ve gotten braver since the last time I saw you, little kitten. Have you forgotten how you writhed beneath me that night?” I bare my teeth at him, hiding the excruciating throbbing of my head with a snarl; “Why am I naked, Antonio? What’s going on? This isn’t what we agreed on.” He leans back with a wicked
AMANIYesterday was grandma Ayutthaya’s funeral but I wasn’t in attendance because Bhyron obviously felt I did not deserve to be there. He didn’t let me visit grandpa at the hospital either. He hid grandma’s dead body from me and now, I missed her funeral. An hour later, I’m still in the same position that Jay left me after he spilled the news. I’m shocked and cold. So cold. I only jolt back to reality when my phone rings. It’s a strange number. I pick up the device with shaky fingers. “Hello?”“Hello, kitten.” A breathy rasp filters through the speakers.My limbs turn to ice. That voice. It’s the devil himself.“Antonio?”He chuckles, a light dangerous sound that has goosebumps spattering across my flesh. “You remember my voice. Should I be flattered?”His flirtatious tone almost makes me gag. I shut my eyes and push back the horrible, dark memories that threaten to escape.“What do you want? I’m supposed to get the money to you tomorrow. I still have time.”“No, you don’t. In fa
AMANIBhyron left the country, the whole fucking continent, and he never bothered to tell me? Anger burns in my veins, coupled with the sick feeling of abandonment.“He didn’t tell me he was travelling.” I say quietly, holding Jay’s calm stare. “Who did he go with? Duke? Why is he in Rome?” “Mr. Duke is in Paris with Miss Zuri as we speak. The boss travelled with Miss Sharon. He didn’t tell me the nature or reason for his trip.” I pull out one of the chairs attached to the kitchen island and sink into it. Duke is in Paris with Zuri? She never told me!Bhyron and Sharon. Jealousy crawls through my bloodstream at the thought of both of them together. While I’m over here nauseous and sick as hell, he’s gallivanting Rome with that stupid bitch. Overcome by irrational anger, I pick up my phone and dial his number.It rings and rings but no one answers. After the fourth ring, I’m sent to voicemail. After trying three more times without getting a response, I finally snap.“Call him.” I o
BHYRONI fondle the thug’s limp cock between my knives and he shivers in my grip. Just one swipe and the cap will come off… that’s how sharp my knives are.“I’ll ask you for the last time: why did King Murder send you here? What’s his plan?”“P-please, I don’t know anything. Let me go, please…”Anger burns in my veins. “Wrong fucking answer.”I plunge the tip of my blade into his twitching cock and make a 360-degree twist. His head snaps backward, and his mouth falls open as his screams rock the room. “Lucien, tape his mouth,” I order one of my men. “He’d probably render us all deaf when I begin the actual cutting.”“No! No, please! I’ll tell you everything I know. Please, don’t hurt me!”I lean away from his bloody body with a satisfied smirk on my face. Of course I knew he’d break. They always do.“Can you take the knife out of my…”“No. The knife stays. Just in case you think you can fuck up, remember that one downward swipe and your useless cock is gone.”Tears pour down his chee
AMANIJay walks away with the phone pressed against his ear and I slump against the wall. A dejected sigh escapes my lips as I shove a lock of hair from my eyes. I can feel the tiny vein on my forehead persistently throb. This day started off on a bad note and now, it’s only getting worse. Except for Aunt Ophelia’s tiny sniffles, the room is deathly silent. She doesn’t attempt to talk to me and for that, I’m truly grateful. I don’t think I’ve got the energy for human interactions at the moment. I need a moment to think, to regroup. I stand upright three minutes later when Jay returns. Judging from the pinched frown on his face, he’s not happy.“Jay…”“Ma’am, the boss has ordered that I take you back to the Hope Fortress immediately.”“What? Why?”“He didn’t state his reasons.” That’s a big lie and I know it. He knows the reason.I take a step closer to him, holding his calm gaze. “You’re lying, Jay. Something happened and I need you to tell me the truth. What’s going on? Where’s Bh
AMANIThe past ten minutes have been nothing short of a roller coaster of emotions. I wrap my arms around myself, shivering as I pace Aunt Ophelia’s sitting room. The documents and pictures are scattered on a table before her while she continues to cry her eyes out. Thankfully, Zuri is holding her back from touching me. I might just freak out if she does.“Why don’t you stop crying and tell me what I need to know, aunt?” I ask for the umpteenth time. “Why were you hiding photos of a woman who looks exactly like me in your pantry? Why were you hiding positive DNA test results?” I pause, holding her watery stare; “and while you’re at it, tell me why you borrowed nine hundred thousand dollars from the Gunam brothers after Bhyron paid off our debts.”Her expression slacks and she slowly rises to her feet. “How did you know about the debt?”My hackles have been rising for the past few seconds and right now, they’re ready to snap.“I was almost raped because of that debt, Aunt Ophelia!” I
AMANII’m a moving mass of nerves as Aunt Ophelia continues to fawn over me, her entire face etched with anxiety.“Are you okay? I called to speak to you yesterday but Bhyron said you were sick. What happened? Are you hungry? What did you eat today?”I sit on the sofa, lips firmly pressed together and twiddling my thumbs when all I want to do is scream that she stops pretending.When she touches my arm, I finally snap. I jerk to my feet and Aunt Ophelia goes stumbling backwards, her eyes widening in shock.Guilt burns in my veins and an apology sits in my throat like a rock. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get the words out.“Amani. Are you okay? D-did I do something wrong?”My eyes dart to Zuri, silently pleading for help. Thankfully, she steps in;“Aunt, I don’t think Amani is feeling very well at the moment. Why don’t we…?”“I feel a bit nauseous.” I cut in. “I’ll just… go to the bathroom.”Aunt Ophelia frowns but I turn around and make a run for it before she can ask any
BHYRON“…I wish you would just crawl into a hole somewhere and die.”“…I wish you were dead.”“…I curse the day you were born.”These are words I’ve heard constantly from my own mother, father, brother and cousins. But I learned from a young age that I needed to become thick skinned if I wanted to survive on the harsh streets of New York. I learned that even family can betray you. Mine have stabbed me in the back several times. A lot of outsiders have also wished me death — co-workers, rivals, competitors… but none hit as hard as when Amani looked me in the eyes and said those words.I’ve been broken, battered, burnt and even beaten, but none of that can be compared to the acidic pain that seared my heart two hours ago.It’s been two hours and I’ve done everything I can to forget. I threw myself into meetings, met a couple of investors and concluded plans for the expansion of La Marièe. But the ache in my chest only keeps growing. It can’t be ignored. “…La Marièe’s profits keep exce
AMANII can hear Zuri scream behind me as Bhyron carries me to his office without a care in the world. Just before he walks inside, he stops at the doorway and looks over his shoulder;“Duncan, keep Miss Bentham away from this area. I don’t need any distractions.”What? “Don’t you dare touch me…!” Zuri yells. Unfortunately, her voice is muffled a second later when Bhyron slams the door, shutting us inside his soundproof office.“You can let me go now. There’s no need for this.” I say through clench teeth, struggling in his hold.He clamps his tree trunk arms around my waist and plops me on his sturdy glass desk. Before I can slide off and make a quick escape, Bhyron shoves my thighs apart and steps between them. He plants his palms on the desk, trapping me against his chest.“Where do you think you’re going?” He growls.The angry, wounded goddess inside of me desperately wants to ignore him or just yell in his face, but my problems won’t go away if I keep acting irrational.So I tak