Chapter fifty three(I lie each time I call you ‘gorgeous’, you're not)Sapphire's Point Of View:He entered the office while loosening his tie more before slamming the door on my face.I swallowed, my hands slowly grasping the door knob, twisting it and pushing it open.This was inevitable anyway so it was better to face it earlier or face it later when the rage in him would be uncontrollable.I shut the door behind me, sheepishly walking into the office. He stood before the blinds, pulling the string to let in brightness.Back downstairs, the workers were all requesting they have a meeting with him as if something was coming upon the company but he declined their requests which was unusual for him to do.“What did Eric tell you?" He asked, taking his tie off his neck. He didn't even bother to beat about the bush.I took in heavy breaths greedily.Closing the distance between us, I touched his back tenderly, hoping that would calm him.Oh, silly me!“I won't repeat it after this. What
Chapter fifty four(24th birthday party)Sapphire's Point Of View:“Leave if you want to, and I'm not going to hold you back anymore. This is your chance, Sapphire and I, Landon Rykhard, swear to never hold you back after this.”.His frown got even more serious but I found myself planted to the spot, unable to leave.“Why aren't you leaving?! This is your last chance or isn't that what you want?!”.Yes, it's what I want but I'm scared of the unknown.How would my life turn out without you, Landon? My life without anyone else is like trash but even though you hurt me, you are still my protection and no one would dare come near me and hurt me with you around.I wasn't in love. I wasn't infatuated. I wasn't obsessed. I was only attached.What would happen to the child I'm carrying? Would fate repeat itself and would I end up just like my mother, treating my child badly and making fate repeat itself on my daughter again?It was at this moment I realized my assumptions were not wrong. Lando
Chapter fifty five(Sapphire is kidnapped)Sapphire's Point Of View:I let out a shaky breath, shaking my head before turning and running off. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me.I was glad he didn't bother coming after me this time but a part of me hated it. A part of me hated that he valued eating cake with Tiara more than he valued me. Those moments should be between both of us and not both of them.Staring at the sunset. Cuddling in the car on our wedding day. Eating cake together.Those moments belonged to both of us and Tiara stole my spot!She stole it! As if it belonged to her in the first place. As if Tyler was hers in the first place.My heart hurts real bad.I fought the urge to yell out my lungs as I walked down the road with a heavy heart and teary eyes.I needed the walk even though it meant abandoning my own birthday party. I just needed to clear my head for a few minutes.A few minutes became several minutes and I kept going down the road, wandering off to where I
Chapter fifty six(Landon saved America)🚩THIS CHAPTER IS LIKE A FLASHBACK AS IT RETURNS TO TWO MONTHS AGO. IT'S JUST TO QUENCH YOUR CURIOSITY IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING HOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RESOLVED THE SITUATION AND REDEEMED LANDON'S REPUTATION BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE LEAVING A CONFLICT UNRESOLVED.🚩Attorney General's Point Of View:I couldn't believe my eyes as I read through the file in his phone.That man was a bloody criminal?“I know just what to do!" I assured Landon.I scrambled for my phone on the couch, scrolling through it.I stopped scrolling to click the social media icon, opening the app.I rose up, stepping forward to position my phone on the shelf to go live.Landon stood and left the background, going to stand behind the phone to watch me.“Give me the phone!" I commanded, not daring to even look at his hard face.He tossed me the phone which I immediately grabbed. I leaned forward to click the GO LIVE button.I waited patiently, watching the audience build up.Once
Chapter fifty seven(Dread and Terror. Cold and Hot) Sapphire's Point Of View: My lips trembled and I didn't realize tears were flowing down my cheeks until a hot drop landed on my lap. That was when I noticed I wasn't wearing the golden dress anymore, I was already stripped half baked in just my shorts and bra. I gazed up at him, fighting the urge to lose my mind. I whispered his name, “L-landon,". He didn't respond, he only leaned forward. I thought his eyes were always piercing and dark before this but I just realized now that that was all pretense. His real eyes were these icy cold devilish ones. Not so piercing. Not so dark but cold. And hot. Cold and hot at the same time. My heart burned and my soul froze from just looking into his eyes or was it vice versa instead? I couldn't tell. What was this feeling? Dread? Terror? What exactly was this feeling! I wasn't sure there was a word in the dictionary that explained this forbidden feeling. “Landon?" I whispe
Chapter fifty eight(I went into premature labor)Sapphire's Point Of View:The sound was familiar and I knew what it meant. He pulled the trigger, not feeling an ounce of pity for me.He preferred killing me and not getting the asset. My existence didn't matter to him one bit. The realization hit hard, punching a hole in my chest.But the sound the trigger made when it was pulled signified that there were no bullets in the gun.He withdrew the gun from my temple, mumbling a curse.The lady left the room and soon came back with some bullets. He loaded the gun without sparing me a glance, pressing it against my temple.He wasn't joking! He would blow out my brains.“I'll do it!" I shouted, squeezing my eyes shut in fear.I felt the gun lower from my head and I opened my eyes again."I'm glad you know what's good for you," he responded."But can I play with her?” She asked, teasing him.“She's not a puppet, you can't play with her." He spat at her harshly and she flinched at his thundero
Chapter fifty nine(she escaped)Landon's Point Of View:I sat on the veranda on a creaky rocking chair, rocking it back and forth as I stared at the moon above. This is it. This is the part where I finally get hold of what I wanted all along.It took forever for her to become twenty-four but the patience was worth it!When I get those arts from the asset and sell them out, my net worth would incredibly multiply.I looked down at my wrist to look into the wristwatch, the flickering yellowish bulb illuminating the time for me.It was 11:59pm and it was time to return home but Classira hadn't stopped tending to her just yet. It wasn't supposed to take that long.Plus, I wasn't hearing yells anymore.Just then, I heard a yell but not the one I expected. It was Classira's yell. She was yelling my name.“Landon!!" She shouted.I knew something was wrong immediately. I got up and turned, dashing into the building with the wooden floors creaking beneath my feet.I went straight down through
Chapter sixty(Meeting Mrs. Grey)Sapphire's Point Of View:It's been two weeks since I escaped from the hospital and my mind has not been settled. I always imagined what would go down if Landon came in through the door one day with his little bitch.That day would probably be the end of me.I've been hiding at a random house near a bushy path. Of course, I didn't just see the house and go in and live alone.There was an old lady in her 60s living there alone. She didn't have any family or friends and it breaks my heart.She was really nice and pretty, yet vulnerable and insecure. I hoped she would just get a chance someday to look into the mirror and see how pretty she was but now, she couldn't as she was partially blind.Not partially but mostly, like ninety percent blind.She doesn't see things so clearly.She didn't deserve to live like this. She was just so nice and treated me just like a mother would treat her own daughter, never treating me badly because she was helping me and I
Chapter ninety seven(the footage)Sapphire's Point Of View:It's been one and half week since I got that footage and I have been watching it closely for days, zooming in for details. I drew closer and closer to when box G/0/1/0- - 6/H would be delivered into the store room. I could have just fast forwarded the video to that part, but I wanted to monitor some other things to get clues.I managed to speak with the government agencies about demolishing the company and they agreed to give us about three weeks more to prove ourselves innocent or give it up for them.I have been traveling back and forth between New York City and New Jersey and the stress was a heavy burden to carry. The stress was weighing me down, but I couldn't neglect my responsibilities. I had to monitor Tyler and see if he was doing any better from the neurologist's treatments or not.At the same time, I had to return home to investigate my kid's kidnap and organize the company properly and also watch the footage.Wi
Chapter ninety six(60/40 chance)Sapphire's Point Of View:I remained still, trying to not process what he said but I had already processed it, I was only finding it challenging to digest it and comprehend properly.What did he just say? My Tyler has lost his memory? So he doesn't remember me anymore? He doesn't remember who the culprit was anymore? He doesn't remember anything? Or what?!No, there's no way this is possible.I still remained immobile, not blinking as tears clouded my vision, stinging my eyes as they threatened to spill.There was this silent prayer I said in my mind for him to just laugh out loud and smack me on my shoulder gently then tell me it's a prank or a silly joke, but his face didn't seem like it was fake.His face was heavy with pity and regret.I still didn't blink my eyes and finally, the tears spilled.The only part of my body that moved was my heart and I didn't know why. I didn't know why it didn't just stop beating and let me get buried at this moment.
Chapter ninety five(adoration turned uncertainty)Sapphire's Point Of View:“Who?" I asked, waiting patiently for his words.As his lips parted for him to speak, he jerked instead as he began to cough profusely. I placed my hand on his chest, trying to calm him down but he didn't stop.“Calm down. Easy there, sweetie,” I said, rubbing his chest gently as he coughed.His arm began to shake since he was using them to brace his body.“Lay down." I suggested but he seemed as if he was battling with the cough instead so he didn't hear me.I let out a sigh, not knowing what to do to calm him down.His shaking arm collapsed, leaving him to slam his head against the metal design below him.He stopped coughing immediately, lying there immobile.“Are you okay now?" I asked, only to realize his eyes were closed. A gasp escaped my lips as my eyes widened. “Tyler!!" I shouted, gently tapping him but he didn't budge.My hand cupped my mouth. “Oh shit!" I whispered, turning away and running out of
Chapter ninety four(golden opportunity)Sapphire's Point Of View:My eyes narrowed, my gaze focusing on the kids for a while.They were my kids. Jackson and Jason.Without second thoughts, I dropped the apples in my hand, shoving the passersby aside as I made it through them, making sure I didn't take my eyes off my kids who walked sheepishly with the man who was holding their wrists tightly. From the way he held them, I could tell he was forcefully taking them and he had probably threatened them beforehand.Oh, my poor kids. They were threatened.I would make sure he pays for this! I should have known he had something to hide when he was glancing at me like a mother fucking freak in the plane.“Sorry!" I shouted, separating a couple and running by without looking back.I still had my gaze planted on my kids. I drew closer and closer as the man approached the exit of the airport which wasn't really flooded with people.Suddenly, I felt my left knee bend and I fell to the floor like a
Chapter ninety three(The First Lady)Sergio's Point Of View:I groaned, holding tight onto my thigh as I watched sapphire walk away. I wanted to stop her but I couldn't as she was already far away. I squeezed my eyes shut, pain banging through me.The next thing I heard was the door slamming.Then silence followed. I have been left alone to cry and groan in pain. Left alone to sort myself. I could tell sapphire was feeling betrayed but I was the one who was supposed to feel betrayed instead.I lied to her about doing it for the Empire. Even if I was it for the Empire, she wasn't supposed to react this way as she knew our top rule that we don't sell each other out and we will do anything to protect each other at all cost.I understood that she loved that family but she knew the rules. Also, I only lied to her about saving the Empire. I was saving her instead. I was saving her from emotional distress and getting her reputation ruined.~FLASHBACK~“I'm risking five million dollars." Luca
Chapter ninety two(airport encounter)Sapphire's Point of View:I couldn't believe it. The words that emerged from his lips. It felt as though I didn't hear him so well.I thought something else happened but I was right, I didn't hear him so well as gunshots floated through the air, overshadowing his whispering voice.I stumbled backwards, my eyes scanning the backdoor as that was where the gunshots came from.I waited patiently, silence prolonging the anticipation as my heart hammered against my ribcage.It took every little fiber of self-control in me to stand there and not tell in frustration.I could hear nothing. Everywhere was dead silent except for my pounding heart and my shallow breath.Just as I expected, the door cracked open, the metal creaks piercing the silence.The door finally swung open, revealing a muscular man with piercing onyx eyes.I took two steps back in fear as I gasped. My blood ran cold whilst the hair at the back of my neck stood to the end, the man's eyes
Chapter ninety one(book a flight)Sapphire's Point Of View:“Are you okay?" Dad asked, stretching his hand to touch me.“Don't. Touch. Me!" I gritted my teeth before bending and picking my phone immediately, then turning and walking out as fast as I could.I wasn't ready to continue my confrontation with Dad. When he was ready to make things right with me, he would tell me the truth and tell me everything I needed to know.I slammed the door, entering into the car.All that ran through my mind was TYLER. Was he okay? How did he get himself into an accident? Will he be fine?From the name of the hospital, I knew it was a famous hospital in Jersey so I probably wouldn't be able to go there tonight despite the fact that I wanted to see my husband and spend time with him so badly.How was he doing? Did he sustain serious injuries?Why's all these happening now! Just why?! First, my kids got kidnapped and now my husband was involved in an accident. What was going on? Why did the pressure h
Chapter ninety(treasures, not sacrifices)Sapphire's Point Of View:'Here is where the game begins, Ekaterina!’.My hand trembled as my face became tensed, dread etched on my expression whilst my hand quivered uncontrollably.I screamed in fear, running out of the room and dashing down the stairs with my heart pounding heavily in my chest.With my chest heaving up and down, heavy breaths escaping my shivering lips, I grabbed my handbag from my couch, pulling the zipper immediately.My hand went into the bag and came out with my phone in it. I scrolled through my contact list, clicking on Tyler's number and waiting for him to answer the call.“Answer the god-damned call!" I shouted, beads of sweat trickling down my forehead.The call didn't even go through. As I paced back and forth the room, biting my nails for comfort, I tried calling him again but it still didn't go through.“Fuck you!” I yelled, tossing the phone on the couch harshly as I fell to the floor, digging my nails into my
Chapter eighty nine(two sides of a coin)Tyler's Point Of View:“Two bottles of whiskey, please!!" Kevin shouted, gesturing for the bartender to bring in more alcohol.He grabbed the bottle of almost finished champagne and poured some more champagne into our glasses.We all raised our glasses, clashing them before downing the glass, sighing.“We did it!" Alvin cheered, joy evident in his voice.Oh yes, we sure did it! We bagged the new contract! I thought it would take longer but it didn't so I would be returning home to my wife, Sapphire, tomorrow.“I can finally return home to my family tomorrow!" I sighed.Seth shook his head. “No! Family aside, we need to celebrate first. Don't forget we are all married with kids and we got married before you, so don't act as if your family is special. We also need some time, you know, away from family to enjoy! We are dudes and we should be free!”.Kevin pat Seth on his back, commending him for his words."Since you don't know then I'll have to t