As Lucian strode down the corridor to his room, his mind wandering far away, he felt he heard some commotions, but minding his own business he was tempted to dismiss the commotion echoing around him and just walk by.
Memories of the enigmatic woman's kiss lingered, tugging at his focus. Lucian could recall the softness of her lips, the warmth of her breath, and the subtle taste of her lips. The gentle touch of her hand at the back of his neck, and the electricity that had sparked between them stood out in his memory. Buried deep in his thoughts, Lucian halted. He had heard a familiar voice break through the chaos, the same voice that had sought his aid at the hotel's entrance, it felt like that of someone in need, helpless, barely audible. Not very sure whether he was hallucinating or something, Lucian stood in place. He wanted to be sure that it was the same voice, and sure enough, he heard it once more. "Help me! Somebody help me please!" The faint whisper rang once more in Lucian's ears. At that moment, Lucian's hesitation melted away, replaced by a resolute determination to rush and find the owner of the voice. With swift purpose, he turned towards the source of the distress, ready to intervene. Lucian found the familiar little girl carried and surrounded by a group of young men, her dress torn to the point that her cleavages were visible to their display. At a closer glance, Lucian realized that the girl herself was not very okay. She felt so weak, and her eyes were barely open. She was only trying to keep them open. Sweat trickled down all over her face, her cheeks flushed from heat and a general feeling of discomfort evident from the way she was turning about. Lucian didn't know why he felt the need to protect her from those perverts. He just wanted to be her shield in such a time of distress. This was so unlike Lucian. Normally, he didn't care about anybody except for his family and friends. It was not like he had any friends anyway, he was always too aloof to make any friends. Without hesitation, Lucian sprang into action, dashed and jumped before them, blocking the way. He wanted to negotiate with them as he didn't like any violence, not that he was a coward. "Leave her alone!" he bellowed, his voice clear and distinct in the deserted corridor. The assailants lifted their faces to him, expressions shifting from arrogance to surprise. "What's it to you, huh?" one of them jeered, his words dripping with disdain. "She's ours now for the taking."Another voice sneered as if warning him to mind his own business before he, too, could end up in trouble. Lucian's fists clenched at his sides, his resolve hardening like a rock. He hated it when they claimed their possession of her. It didn't sit well with him thinking of such shabby-looking guys claiming possession of such an innocent, helpless young girl. Without a moment's hesitation, Lucian sprang into action ignoring their taunts and lunged at them at full speed. Lucian first targeted the two guys who were holding Krystie, his reflexes honed by years of training, throwing blows at them. Each punch landed with bone-crushing force. The assailants staggered backwards under the onslaught. Taking the chance, Lucian pulled Krystie to himself and gently pushed her to his side as he countered his attackers, making sure they didn't have a chance to go anywhere near Krystie. As good a boxer as Lucian was, highly trained in karate and fencing, handling such a weak gang was not hard for him because, in just five minutes, they were all lying flat on the ground, each either with a broken arm or limb moaning. Lucian had really gone easy on them because, normally, they all were supposed to have stopped breathing a long time ago. Lucian gently picked the young girl from the ground and carried her bridal style, by all means trying not to stare at her exposed cleavages. He was a gentleman enough to know such basic manners. One thing, however, was not right because with the way, Krystie clung her warm body to him, Lucian could feel his little brother down there reacting, waking up in the process. Lucian completely ignored his perverted mind and carried her to his room. He was not a fool not to have realized that she must have been spiked, and for some reason,, he knew that all this must have a connection with the earlier event at the hotel's entrance when she had kissed him. Lucian sought to take her to his room to give her first aid and a cold shower before he could call his family doctor to attend to her. Just as Lucian lowered Krystie onto the bed, she pulled him to herself, and without wasting a moment, Krystie intertwined their lips, kissing Lucian roughly as if her life depended on it. Lucian was shocked for a moment before he came back to his senses and pushed her away, but Krystie was so adamant, clinging to him. Krystie's gentle moans sounded enticing to Lucian, and as she touched herself, it acted as a complete seduction to Lucian arousing him more than he already was. Krystie's pale skin and exposed collarbones were already making it hard for Lucian to think. All the ounces of self-control evaporated immediately. Krystie had gently caressed his already excited manhood. As blood rushed to his lower body, Lucian found it too hard to resist her hot kisses. It seemed like no matter how much Lucian tried to stop himself from drowning in her hot, wet kisses, his body, especially his already erect manhood, had a mind of its own, directing him to do exactly the opposite of what he intended to. "Please help me!" Krystie's warm breath on Lucian's ears made him tremble in excitement, forcing Lucian to give in to his desires and lust.Krystie sat on a thick blanket spread out on the floor, cradling a sleepy-eyed baby boy in her arms while his twin sister giggled as Lucian lifted her high into the air, spinning her gently. "Easy, Lucian," Krystie laughed, brushing her son's dark curls from his forehead. "She’s going to think she's a plane." "She’s my little plane," Lucian said proudly, kissing the baby's chubby cheek as she squealed with delight. "A future heartbreaker like her mom." Krystie rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her lips. Their twins, Liam and Liana, were now six months old. Everything had changed since that magical wedding night. Regal Hospital, under Krystie's leadership, had become one of the most respected medical centres in the country. Krystie had restructured the staff, introduced groundbreaking programs for patient care, and expanded services to help the underserved. Her days were busy, filled with patients, administrative meetings, and, more often than not, chasing a
The iron gates of the prison stood still under the grey morning sky. Rain drizzles fell as a man dressed in all black stood at the gate. One last glance at the prison before he left. Not long after, sombre news had already spread like wildfire through the city: Xavier West was found dead in his cell at dawn.The report listed it as a suicide.There was no note, only the silence of a man who had once tried to control too much and lost everything. The guards said he hadn’t spoken for days. He’d sat in the corner, staring at the cracks in the wall, as if waiting for something that never came.Two days later, a small and discreet burial was held at a secluded cemetery. There were no headlines or reporters. Just a closed casket, a simple grave, and a few scattered mourners who had once called him family.Mark took one last glance at the casket at turned around, tears at the corners of his eyes. Despite everything his father had done, he couldn't deny that watching him lay in that casket st
Krystie smiled up at Lucian. As the slow notes of Perfect by Ed Sheeran ft Beyonce filled the garden, Lucian gently pulled her into his arms. They swayed together, the world around them fading away. His forehead pressed against hers as they danced. Mark and Chloe joined them on the dance floor, laughing when Mark twirled her clumsily but caught her just before she stumbled. Around them, their friends watched with shining eyes. When the song ended, Joel took the microphone, clearing his throat dramatically. "Alright, alright!" he called. "Before we dive into the cake and the rest of the night, we have something to announce" Lucian stepped forward, reaching into his pocket for a small velvet box. He smiled at Krystie, a radiant smile reserved only for her. "I wanted to start our new life together by giving you something," he said, voice carrying through the garden. "Something that represents your strength, your compassion, your unwavering belief in doing what's right." Krystie f
The air in the small living room buzzed with excitement. Krystie, Lucian, Mark, and Chloe sat around the coffee table, papers, flowers, and swatches of fabric spread out chaotically before them. "I still can't believe we're planning this in a few hours," Chloe giggled nervously, twirling a pen between her fingers. "Are we really doing this?" Mark caught her hand and squeezed it. "We are, honey. I don't want to waste any more time." Lucian nodded in agreement, his gaze tender as it fell on Krystie. "Neither do I. After everything we've been through, it's time for a new beginning. A real one." Krystie's heart swelled with emotions. It felt almost surreal, planning a wedding in one day but she wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Her parents would have wanted her to live fully, to find happiness even after the darkness. The girls and boys quickly divided up the tasks. Chloe and Krystie called a few close friends to help with the arrangements, while Lucian and Mark secured the
Krystie stiffened slightly in Lucian’s arms, lifting her head to meet his eyes."You said I gave you purpose," she whispered, her voice raw from crying. "What do you mean by that?"Lucian gazed down at her, his thumb gently brushing away the tear tracks on her cheek. His lips curved into a bittersweet smile as memories of seven years ago flooded his mind."I never told you before," he murmured. "But I think I owe you now."Krystie blinked in confusion. "Lucian…?"He led her by the hand to the couch and sat down, pulling her down beside him. His hand never left hers."Seven years ago," he began softly, "I was at the hospital. I had just lost my brother, Damien. He was my guardian after our parents died. He was everything to me."His voice grew tight with emotion, and Krystie squeezed his hand encouragingly."I sat outside the operation room for hours, refusing to leave. When they finally told me he didn’t make it, I couldn’t breathe. I just sat there, in the cold hallway, crying like a
Mark stood in front of Chloe’s apartment door, his knuckles white from clenching his fists. He hesitated for a second before knocking. Chloe opened the door, surprised to see him, but the look on his face made her step aside without question. "Mark?" He stepped inside, but he couldn’t look at her. His voice broke almost immediately. "I accompanied Krystie to see my father." Chloe’s eyes widened slightly, but she waited. Mark exhaled a shaky breath and finally looked at her, eyes red. "He admitted everything, Chloe. He killed them. Your parents just because he was bitter and envious." His voice cracked. "And I’m his son. I carry his blood, he stammered. I... I wouldn’t blame you if you hated me. If you never forgave me. I wouldn't forgive me either." Before another word could leave his lips, Chloe pulled him into a hug. He was stiff at first, then broke down, crying into her shoulder. "I’m so sorry…" he whispered, his voice raw.Chloe gently patted his back, her voice soft. "You