Ryke watched as everyone else ran around, laughing and playing without a care in the world.More than anything he wished he could join them.They looked like they didn't have worries about anything.Unlike him, he had to think of when the next punches would come."Ryke, why are you sitting all alone?"He looked up at Miss Lily staring down at him with a smile on her face.She was really pretty, he thought."I don't want to play"."Okay, do you mind if I sit next to you? I don't want to play either".He nodded."Care to tell me why you don't want to join them?"He shrugged."Well it's good that you are here. I actually wanted to talk to you about something. On your family tree I saw that you put your father's name as Richard Sterling and also as Richard Jenome. Mind if I ask why?"He let out a breath, "Those are my father's names"."Well shouldn't it be Richard Jerome Sterling?""No!"."But that's the way it's supposed to be"."He said he has two different names so you don't know what
Crystal stared at the wall clock in the small cafe counting minutes till she could take an excuse to leave. Chloe was nice, but the rest of her friends were not her type of people. There were a gang of four, Becca, who thought it nice to pop the gum in her mouth every single second, Jeremy, whose eyes hadn't left her chest area, trying to see if he could suddenly get x-ray vision and see through her big top and lastly Cade, the guy who had completely dissed her when Chloe introduced them. Since they sat down, his eyes had been focused on the book in front of him while his hands shaded away. She looked up at the clock one last time, "You know what? I actually forgot that I have somewhere to be. It was really nice meeting you guys though". Liar She threw them one last smile before walking out. The sky was darkening, the rain was definitely already making plans to come down on them. Should she call Ryke? She was still upset with Logan and Isabella didn't have a car, even though sh
Ryke opened his eyes slowly, trying to adjust to the light in the room. He looked around.Why was he in the hospital?Something else caught his eyes, there was a curtain of white hair surrounding the side of his bed.She lay by his side holding his hand in a tight grip like he would drift off if she let him go.He sighed. He remembered now. He had a panic attack and then something else crossed his mind.Her lips on his before his world went black. He sighed again.He hadn't had a panic attack in over ten years, why did it happen now?***********Ryke placed his ear on the door of his room listening to them argue.It was different this time. Normally his father did the shouting and screaming and then sometimes the hitting followed.But this time was different, his mother's voice was also raised and she was screaming back at him.He opened the door slowly, trying to get a better take on the situation. His father's hands raised and then came down across his mother's face.He shouted as s
"Do we have to go? I mean you could just tell them that you got hit by a truck or something", Crystal whined.Why do I have to be the one to get hit by a truck?"She rolled her eyes at him, "Because I am too beautiful to die. Obviously"."So you think". "You don't think I'm beautiful?"She turned to face him with a raised brow."What I think doesn't matter. What matters is how you see yourself". "Haha, very funny". Ryke smiled. Ever since his panic attack, things had progressed a little or at least he would like to think so because two days passed and she didn't throw a tantrum or remind him how much she hated him. On the downside, his father was alive. He had responded to the text immediately and he never got a reply. His father had gone radio silent. Like the quiet before a storm.He wasn't a little boy anymore that couldn't defend himself from the punches thrown at him. He was a grown ass thirty year old man with a billion dollar company to his name.Yet fear still accompanied
"What did I tell you about following orders?""I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I won't do it again", the little girl replied with fear in her voice."Of course you won't", the man said removing his belt."Please. Please. I'm begging you. I promise I won't do it again"."After this, I'm sure you won't".The man raised his hand."Please!!!", the little girl screamed.Isabella woke up with a scream, sweating and panting.Her mother rushed into the room, "Mija, are you okay?"Camilla went to her side, pulling her close, "It's okay. It was just a nightmare".Isabella sobbed into her mother's chest, "It felt so real Mamá"."It's okay, you are fine now. Don't worry. No one will ever get you".The next morning, Isabella went out for a run. It was one of the things that cleared her head.They say you can't escape your past. She had been living in denial. Maybe if she forgets about it, it eventually goes away. So far that has worked for her.The nightmares had always haunted her but this past few
"What?", Crystal said to herself while staring at her phone."Crystal we need to go", Ryke told her, pulling her by the hand."It can't be real. My mum loved my Dad, she would never"."I'm sure she wouldn't. But for now, we need to get you back home. The press will be hot everywhere looking for you to hear your comment. So it's better you are as far away from it as possible"."Look at me". Crystal raised her head from her phone to look at him."I'm going to handle it okay? Do you trust me?"Crystal stared into his eyes. This was a man that had forced her into marriage, taken away her choice to attend her dream school with her best friend, touched her the way no one had ever touched her and most of all, he made her want to pull at her hair and scream.Did she trust him?"Yes".She saw the look of surprise cross his face quickly before he nodded."Okay, let's go".They said a quick goodbye to the Morgans.Jacob assured her that everything would be fine with a pat on her back as Ryke led
Crystal had read a lot of books, hundreds of books, if not thousands. But none of them had prepared her for that moment. When she had brushed her lips against his to stop him from having a panic attack, all she felt was a light rush but this was different. His tongue brushed against hers seeking access. She parted her lips slightly and when he deepened the kiss, her whole world exploded. She had kissed boys before like during dances and stupid party games like seven minutes in heaven but this was different. He wrapped his hands around her waist holding her and she was so grateful because her legs felt like jelly. He tasted the way he smelt, like the combination of sin and dark chocolates, if sin had a taste. After a few minutes he pulled away. They both panted staring at each other. Just then Crystal saw the cameras. She was about to push him away when he brushed a strand of her hair from her face and placed a light peck on her forehead. "Play the part". Of course, that's al
Crystal stepped onto the bustling college campus, her heart pounding. With her making headlines recently, the personal details of her life splashed across the news for everyone to see, she couldn't help it. Every step she took, it felt as if everyone's eyes were on her. A feeling she should be used to by now. She made her way through the field, hoping it was all just in her head and no one was actually staring. "Crystal!!", someone called her name from across the field. Chloe came rushing up to her. "Hey", she panted, "Sorry. I saw you and I had to run fast". After a few minutes, she finally caught her breath and then as Crystal expected, the words came flowing. "Crystal! Oh my gosh, what's going on? I've been dying to talk to you!" Chloe exclaimed, grabbing Crystal's arm and steering her towards a quieter corner of the campus. Crystal took a deep breath and offered a small smile. "Hey Chloe. Yeah, I know it's been all over the news. It's been a crazy few weeks, to say the lea
Dread crept over her, a chill running down her spine. She stared at the message, a surge of fear and confusion flooding her mind. Who was behind this threat? The text had come from a different number. Her thoughts raced, trying to make sense of the menacing warning.With a shaky hand, she put the phone down, her mind reeling with a thousand questions and an equal number of fears. The ominous message echoed in her mind, leaving her on edge and uncertain of what would come next.Taking in a deep breath, she composed herself and walked out of the building, hurrying to the one person that made her feel safe in all the chaos revolving around her life.Crystal threw herself at Ryke immediately she set her eyes on him, catching him off guard, and he hesitated before wrapping his arms around her. It was unexpected; her words of missing him, the sudden embrace, all of it felt unreal to him, especially given the strained circumstances between them.When they finally disconnected from the hug, R
“I asked you a question, Crystal,” Logan gritted his teeth.Shaking her head, Crystal took a step back from the painting and let out a hollow laugh, “I just realized something. Crystal? I thought I was snowflake.”Logan’s glare intensified, “That still doesn’t answer my question.”Crystal rolled her eyes and turned to Isabella, “So I guess I was wrong and you are innocent,” she spat."Wrong or not, it doesn't change the fact that I had nothing to do with whatever mess you've found yourself in," Isabella finally spoke, her voice calm but tinged with an undercurrent of irritation.Crystal's frustration flared, her eyes narrowing as she retorted, “Logan might have gotten you out but I know what I saw and I have evidence. There are also witnesses that saw you enter Ryke’s mansion.”Isabella chuckled darkly, a bitter edge to the sound. "Evidence can be deceiving, and witnesses can be manipulated. You should know that, Crystal."Crystal shook her head in disbelief. "I trusted you, Isabella
Crystal stepped into the sterile, echoing confines of the visiting room at the correctional facility. Her breath caught as she caught sight of Isabella, sitting calmly, seemingly indifferent to the world around her. Crystal's heart pounded against her chest as she approached the table, her emotions in turmoil, her hands trembling with a mix of apprehension and longing for answers."Isabella," Crystal's voice quivered slightly as she took a seat across from her former best friend. Isabella lifted her gaze casually, her expression unreadable. Crystal's eyes searched Isabella's face, seeking any hint of remorse, of the friendship they once shared, but found nothing."I'm surprised you came," Isabella remarked casually, her tone devoid of emotion. "I had to," Crystal replied, her voice breaking slightly. "I need to understand, Bels. Why? Why did you do it?"Isabella leaned back in her chair, a faint smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she
Chloe slowly fluttered her eyes open, the hazy blur of the hospital room coming into focus. The sterile scent, the faint hum of machines, all too familiar yet always disconcerting. As her vision cleared, she caught sight of Christian, his relief evident as their eyes met.A faint smile tugged at Christian's lips, but Chloe could see the underlying worry etched in the lines of his face, his attempt at humor failing to mask his concern. "Hey there, sleeping beauty," he quipped, a weak attempt to lighten the weight of the moment. "Is this becoming our thing now? Almost getting killed and ending up in the hospital?”Chloe managed a small, tired chuckle, but the gravity of their situation weighed heavily upon her. "Seems like it," she murmured, her voice hoarse from the ordeal. "But I wouldn't mind a change of pace anytime soon."Their banter masked the underlying tension that lingered in the air. Chloe's gaze softened as she reached out, her fingers lightly brushing against Christian's ha
The cacophony of voices echoed around him, distant yet somehow piercing. He found himself standing in the hazy periphery of a scene, a memory from his childhood that remained etched in his subconscious—the day he overheard his parents arguing.Their voices, once muffled whispers, now reverberated sharply through the walls, a symphony of discord that shook the very foundation of his understanding. Logan crept closer to the partially ajar door of his father’s study, drawn by the urgency in his parents' voices. He lingered, unseen, on the periphery of their heated exchange."I can't believe you're bringing this up again!" Jessica’s voice was filled with a mixture of anguish and exasperation."Jessica, he deserves to know," his father's voice replied, the weight of responsibility tinged with a hint of sorrow.Their words were like shards of glass, piercing Logan's sheltered world, fragmenting the illusion of his reality. He stood frozen, unseen, as the truth unfolded in the exchange bet
Logan's sleek black sedan pulled up outside the police station. Stepping out, his demeanor was one of controlled urgency, every stride purposeful as he approached the entrance.Approaching the front desk, he spoke with a tone that demanded attention. "I need to speak with someone in charge regarding the arrest of Isabella Montez."The officer behind the desk regarded Logan with a hint of skepticism, his uniform crisply pressed as he sized up the affluent newcomer. "I'm sorry, sir. I can't provide details about ongoing cases."Logan's frustration simmered beneath his controlled demeanor. "I understand, but Ms. Montez's arrest is a mistake. I need to rectify this immediately."The officer glanced at his computer screen before meeting Logan's gaze. "I'll see if someone can speak with you, sir. Please wait here."Minutes dragged like hours as Logan paced the station's lobby, his mind racing with a myriad of scenarios and strategies to make Isabella's release. Finally, a stern-looking de
Isabella stood before Ricardo, a mix of defiance and fear flickering in her eyes. "I did everything you asked me to, enough with the threats," she declared, her voice trembling slightly.Ricardo's lips curled into a chilling smile. "You have always been more beautiful when you defy me. But beauty won't clear your debt, my dear," he remarked, his tone cold and calculating. "You know the rules. I ask, you comply.""Please," Isabella begged, desperation lacing her words. "I've done what you asked. Let me go. Let me be free of this."His smile faded, replaced by an unsettling glint in his eyes. "Freedom? Oh, Isabella, freedom comes at a cost. And your debt won't be paid until I get what I want," he sneered, relishing his control over her.Tears welled in Isabella's eyes as she felt the weight of his words crushing her hopes. "I'll tell Logan. He'll help me. He'll—"Ricardo's laughter cut through her plea, a cruel and mocking sound. "Tell Logan? And what can he do, my dear?" he taunted, th
Chapter 40The world became a flurry in Crystal’s eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks, her heart pounding a rapid rhythm of fear and desperation. Chloe lay motionless on the stretcher, wheeled away by the frantic medical team."Please, you have to help her. She can't breathe. I think … I think she’s dying.” Crystal's voice quivered with panic as she pleaded with the nurses, her hands shaking as she clutched at the edge of the stretcher.The nurses, while empathetic, tried to calm her down. "Ma'am, we're doing everything we can. Please step back and let us do our job," one of the nurses said in a reassuring tone, gently guiding Crystal away from the treatment area.Crystal's breaths came in ragged gasps, her eyes wide with terror. "But she's my friend. I can't lose her. Please, you have to save her," she pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion."Miss, we understand, but we need you to stay calm for her sake. The doctors are with her; they're doing everything possible," another nurse
Crystal cried out, and he put his hand over her mouth to quiet her. "I'm sorry," he said. "It's just so big. It hurts." She shook her head, trying not to cry. "Don't worry," he said. "Just relax and let it go in."He began moving his hips slowly, pushing his cock deeper inside her. She gasped again as he pushed harder, stretching her walls even more than they were already. Then he stopped, holding himself deep inside her, "How does that feel?" he asked. "Good," she replied, "But it still hurts." He planted a small kiss on her forehead then he started moving again, sliding his cock in and out of her. She moaned softly, and then he kissed her, his tongue exploring her mouth. He pulled away from her and laid on his back. "Get on top of me," he ordered.A blush stained her cheek, “I don’t know how to be on top.” Fiddling with her fingers, she tried to look everywhere in the room but him.“Hey, look at me. Do you trust me?”She nodded, biting her lips.“Come here. I will teach you and