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11. Your wife is back
Last Updated:
2025-02-26 19:27:24
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Beg, or worse, Break 12. A simple answer
Aelia’s POVThe Spencer estate loomed before me, grand and pristine under the golden glow of evening lights. It was the kind of house people dreamed of. Polished marble floors, chandeliers that dripped with wealth, laughter that carried through its massive halls like music.To me, it was nothing more than a stage. A place where I had always been present but never truly belonged.I stood at the entrance, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag. The weight of old memories pressed down on me, making it difficult to breathe.It had been years since I walked through these doors as a Spencer. Yet, stepping inside, it felt like nothing had changed.The moment I entered, the sickly sweet scent of vanilla and champagne filled my nose. Waiters dressed in black and white glided across the room, offering glasses of wine to guests who were already deep in conversation. Laughter rang through the air, light, elegant and practiced.Everything was perfect.Because in this house, perfection wa
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Beg, or worse, Break 13. I need money
Aelia’s POVI was too stunned to speak when I saw Jamie. The murmurs started immediately, hushed but loud enough for me to hear, they never really cared enough to whisper.“Isn’t that Jamie Hartwell?”“The heir to the Hartwell family?”“I thought he was still overseas!”His grip on my wrist was firm but gentle as he led me away from the table and I had a feeling this news wouldn’t end in this table. My adoptive mother remained silent, but I knew she was watching, analyzing.Jamie barely acknowledged the crowd, his focus entirely on me as we stepped outside. The moment the doors shut behind us, he exhaled.“Are you okay?”I stared at him. The concern in his voice was real, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer.Jamie opened the passenger door to his car and gestured for me to get in. I hesitated, glancing back at the house.He sighed. “Aelia, do you really want to stay there?”I didn’t.So I got in.Inside the car, Jamie was quiet for a moment before finally asking, “What was that
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Beg, or worse, Break 14. You can’t tell me what to do
The Montonio estate was eerily silent when Pedro arrived, the dim golden lights casting long shadows against the pristine marble walls. The scent of something rich and expensive lingered in the air, fresh roses, aged wine, and the overwhelming presence of her.Valeria Montonio.His wife.She was waiting for him.The dining hall was set as if for a scene in a high-society film. An extravagant chandelier hung above the long mahogany table, the finest china and silverware meticulously arranged, candles flickering with a warm but hollow glow.At the far end of the table, Valeria sat like a reigning queen, her elbow propped against the chair’s armrest, a delicate wine glass swirling between her fingers. She exuded effortless elegance, draped in a deep crimson silk dress that hugged her body like it was sculpted just for her. Her dark brown hair cascaded over her shoulder in waves, her full lips painted a shade of red that could only be described as dangerous.She had once been the most sou
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Beg, or worse, Break 15. The descent of madness
Pedro entered his private quarters, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. The silence of the room did little to ease the restlessness crawling under his skin. His suit felt suffocating, his pulse too erratic, his mind spinning in too many directions.Valeria’s threats were not empty words. He knew that well.He had seen her ruin careers with a snap of her fingers, watched her strip models of their contracts, blacklist actresses from entire industries, and destroy women she deemed a threat, just because she could.And now, she had set her sights on Aelia.Pulling out his phone, he dialed a secure number.“She needs protection,” Pedro said the moment the call connected.There was no need for names. The person on the other end understood instantly.“Ghost detail?”“Yes.”The voice hesitated. “She won’t notice?”“She doesn’t need to.”There was a brief pause before the answer came. “It will be done.”Pedro ended the call and exhaled slowly, pressing his fingers against his templ
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Beg, or worse, Break 16. Family dinner
“Mr. Montonio sent an invitation.” Derrick announced and that was all that needed to be said. By the evening of the next day Pedro knew where he had to be. The Montonio estate was as extravagant as ever, its vast halls adorned with artwork worth more than most people’s entire lives. The dining room was set for four, candlelight flickering against the polished mahogany table, wine poured into crystal glasses.Pedro sat across from Valeria, his expression unreadable as he swirled the dark red liquid in his glass.And at the head of the table, exuding power and arrogance, sat Mr. Gabriel Montonio.Pedro’s father.The man who had made him. The man he despised.Gabriel Montonio had aged well, his presence as commanding as ever. He was dressed in a tailored suit, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back, his sharp eyes holding the weight of decades of ruthless decisions.But Pedro wasn’t looking at him.His attention was locked on the woman sitting beside his father.She was young, breathtaki
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Tonight, I wanted to forget everything. Forget the lingering fear that had followed me for weeks.Forget the strange gifts, the unsettling warnings, the man who made my life feel like it was spiraling out of my control.Tonight, I wanted to be free.I fastened the last clasp of my earring and took a step back, letting my eyes glide over my reflection in the mirror.The dress Jamie had sent me this morning was a masterpiece, deep red, the fabric smooth and luxurious against my skin. Tiny stones were embedded all over, shimmering like crushed ruby gems every time I moved. Paired with my styled hair and bold red lipstick, I looked… different.Elegant. Beautiful. Like a woman who belonged in a fairytale.I let out a slow breath.A knock at the door snapped me out of my trance.Jamie.I smoothed my dress and made my way to the door, my heart beating a little faster than usual. The moment I opened it, I was greeted by the sight of him, sharp navy blue suit, perfectly tailored, his dark ha
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Beg, or worse, Break 18. You set this up
Aelia’s POVThe world around me blurred.Wine dripped from my hair, soaking into my dress, but I hardly felt it. My ears were ringing, my heartbeat thundering in my chest as I stared at Jamie.He wasn’t speaking.He couldn’t speak.That silence, it was worse than if he had denied it.Because his silence was the truth.The woman beside him, the one who had humiliated me in front of him, straightened her shoulders, her lips arching in satisfaction. Then, she turned to Jamie.“Choose,” she said, her voice firm, expectant.I sucked in a shaky breath.Jamie’s mouth parted slightly, but no words came out.Seconds passed.And still, nothing.My entire body went cold.I had been waiting for him to say something, to explain, to deny, to fight for me.But he didn’t.And that was all the answer I needed.I took a step back, my heels clicking against the polished floor. The restaurant felt suffocating, the candlelight too warm, the walls too tight.I had to get out.So I ran.I pushed past the t
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Aelia’s POVSilk restraints bit into my wrists, keeping them bound above my head. Each tug only made them tighten.The air was heavy with the lingering scent of cologne, whiskey, and something faintly metallic. Every breath felt suffocating.The last thing I remembered was leaving the courthouse, the weight of another failed case pressing on my shoulders. A sharp sting at my neck then darkness.Now, I was here.The door creaked open.A chill ran through me as footsteps echoed against the floor. Slow and purposeful.The air shifted. It wasn’t just someone entering the room. It was something far more suffocating. A force. A presence that made the space around me feel smaller, like the walls were inching closer.Even before I looked up, I knew who it was.Pedro Montonio.A raw, instinctive terror gripped my chest.He stepped into view, his sharp blue eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my pulse stutter. He didn’t need to speak for the threat to be clear —he was power. The kin
Last Updated : 2025-02-21
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Beg, or worse, Break 18. You set this up
Aelia’s POVThe world around me blurred.Wine dripped from my hair, soaking into my dress, but I hardly felt it. My ears were ringing, my heartbeat thundering in my chest as I stared at Jamie.He wasn’t speaking.He couldn’t speak.That silence, it was worse than if he had denied it.Because his silence was the truth.The woman beside him, the one who had humiliated me in front of him, straightened her shoulders, her lips arching in satisfaction. Then, she turned to Jamie.“Choose,” she said, her voice firm, expectant.I sucked in a shaky breath.Jamie’s mouth parted slightly, but no words came out.Seconds passed.And still, nothing.My entire body went cold.I had been waiting for him to say something, to explain, to deny, to fight for me.But he didn’t.And that was all the answer I needed.I took a step back, my heels clicking against the polished floor. The restaurant felt suffocating, the candlelight too warm, the walls too tight.I had to get out.So I ran.I pushed past the t
Beg, or worse, Break 17. What was real?
Tonight, I wanted to forget everything. Forget the lingering fear that had followed me for weeks.Forget the strange gifts, the unsettling warnings, the man who made my life feel like it was spiraling out of my control.Tonight, I wanted to be free.I fastened the last clasp of my earring and took a step back, letting my eyes glide over my reflection in the mirror.The dress Jamie had sent me this morning was a masterpiece, deep red, the fabric smooth and luxurious against my skin. Tiny stones were embedded all over, shimmering like crushed ruby gems every time I moved. Paired with my styled hair and bold red lipstick, I looked… different.Elegant. Beautiful. Like a woman who belonged in a fairytale.I let out a slow breath.A knock at the door snapped me out of my trance.Jamie.I smoothed my dress and made my way to the door, my heart beating a little faster than usual. The moment I opened it, I was greeted by the sight of him, sharp navy blue suit, perfectly tailored, his dark ha
Beg, or worse, Break 16. Family dinner
“Mr. Montonio sent an invitation.” Derrick announced and that was all that needed to be said. By the evening of the next day Pedro knew where he had to be. The Montonio estate was as extravagant as ever, its vast halls adorned with artwork worth more than most people’s entire lives. The dining room was set for four, candlelight flickering against the polished mahogany table, wine poured into crystal glasses.Pedro sat across from Valeria, his expression unreadable as he swirled the dark red liquid in his glass.And at the head of the table, exuding power and arrogance, sat Mr. Gabriel Montonio.Pedro’s father.The man who had made him. The man he despised.Gabriel Montonio had aged well, his presence as commanding as ever. He was dressed in a tailored suit, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back, his sharp eyes holding the weight of decades of ruthless decisions.But Pedro wasn’t looking at him.His attention was locked on the woman sitting beside his father.She was young, breathtaki
Beg, or worse, Break 15. The descent of madness
Pedro entered his private quarters, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. The silence of the room did little to ease the restlessness crawling under his skin. His suit felt suffocating, his pulse too erratic, his mind spinning in too many directions.Valeria’s threats were not empty words. He knew that well.He had seen her ruin careers with a snap of her fingers, watched her strip models of their contracts, blacklist actresses from entire industries, and destroy women she deemed a threat, just because she could.And now, she had set her sights on Aelia.Pulling out his phone, he dialed a secure number.“She needs protection,” Pedro said the moment the call connected.There was no need for names. The person on the other end understood instantly.“Ghost detail?”“Yes.”The voice hesitated. “She won’t notice?”“She doesn’t need to.”There was a brief pause before the answer came. “It will be done.”Pedro ended the call and exhaled slowly, pressing his fingers against his templ
Beg, or worse, Break 14. You can’t tell me what to do
The Montonio estate was eerily silent when Pedro arrived, the dim golden lights casting long shadows against the pristine marble walls. The scent of something rich and expensive lingered in the air, fresh roses, aged wine, and the overwhelming presence of her.Valeria Montonio.His wife.She was waiting for him.The dining hall was set as if for a scene in a high-society film. An extravagant chandelier hung above the long mahogany table, the finest china and silverware meticulously arranged, candles flickering with a warm but hollow glow.At the far end of the table, Valeria sat like a reigning queen, her elbow propped against the chair’s armrest, a delicate wine glass swirling between her fingers. She exuded effortless elegance, draped in a deep crimson silk dress that hugged her body like it was sculpted just for her. Her dark brown hair cascaded over her shoulder in waves, her full lips painted a shade of red that could only be described as dangerous.She had once been the most sou
Beg, or worse, Break 13. I need money
Aelia’s POVI was too stunned to speak when I saw Jamie. The murmurs started immediately, hushed but loud enough for me to hear, they never really cared enough to whisper.“Isn’t that Jamie Hartwell?”“The heir to the Hartwell family?”“I thought he was still overseas!”His grip on my wrist was firm but gentle as he led me away from the table and I had a feeling this news wouldn’t end in this table. My adoptive mother remained silent, but I knew she was watching, analyzing.Jamie barely acknowledged the crowd, his focus entirely on me as we stepped outside. The moment the doors shut behind us, he exhaled.“Are you okay?”I stared at him. The concern in his voice was real, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer.Jamie opened the passenger door to his car and gestured for me to get in. I hesitated, glancing back at the house.He sighed. “Aelia, do you really want to stay there?”I didn’t.So I got in.Inside the car, Jamie was quiet for a moment before finally asking, “What was that
Beg, or worse, Break 12. A simple answer
Aelia’s POVThe Spencer estate loomed before me, grand and pristine under the golden glow of evening lights. It was the kind of house people dreamed of. Polished marble floors, chandeliers that dripped with wealth, laughter that carried through its massive halls like music.To me, it was nothing more than a stage. A place where I had always been present but never truly belonged.I stood at the entrance, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag. The weight of old memories pressed down on me, making it difficult to breathe.It had been years since I walked through these doors as a Spencer. Yet, stepping inside, it felt like nothing had changed.The moment I entered, the sickly sweet scent of vanilla and champagne filled my nose. Waiters dressed in black and white glided across the room, offering glasses of wine to guests who were already deep in conversation. Laughter rang through the air, light, elegant and practiced.Everything was perfect.Because in this house, perfection wa
Beg, or worse, Break 11. Your wife is back
Pedro’s POVMorning light streamed through the glass walls of my office, casting a dull glow over the polished floor. I barely glanced at it. My focus was on Derrick, who stood before me, hands clasped behind his back like a soldier awaiting orders.“She received everything,” he confirmed.A slow smirk pulled at my lips. Of course, she did.The gifts, the flowers, the message, each one carefully chosen, each one designed to remind Aelia that I wasn’t done with her. That she belonged to me, whether she accepted it yet or not.“And?” I prompted, adjusting the cuffs of my shirt.Derrick hesitated, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. “She… accepted them. Though, she seemed a bit overwhelmed.”I liked that. I liked that I overwhelmed her. That even in my absence, she was drowning in me.I stood, rolling my shoulders as I made my way to the door. The boardroom was on the next floor, where my executives were already waiting for a meeting I had no interest in attending. Busin
Beg, or worse, Break 10. Gifts wrapped in chains
The doorbell rang again. Aelia’s fingers twitched at her side, still wary from the last unwanted visitor. She hesitated, but eventually forced herself to open the door.A man in a neat black uniform stood before her, holding an extravagant bouquet of deep red roses, their petals rich and velvety. He barely acknowledged her shock as he extended a clipboard.“Signature, please.”She blinked. “Excuse me?”The man gestured to the bouquet. “These are yours, miss. You need to sign for the delivery.”Aelia’s hand moved on its own, signing her name with shaky strokes. The moment she finished, the man gave a sharp nod, then turned and motioned to someone behind him.What followed made her breath caught.A small army of workers emerged from behind a massive truck parked on the street. Box after box, each branded with designer labels she had only ever seen in magazines was carried into her tiny living room. Shoes, clothes, bags, accessories… each item impossibly rare, the kind of things people f
