"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
Ryke paced back and forth, his anxiety levels skyrocketing with each passing minute. Where the hell was she? Unlike before when she was declining his calls, now the calls were going directly to voicemail. He stared at his phone on the coffee table awaiting Christian's call. He couldn't risk going to the police, that would draw plenty of attention and the news would leak making another Greendale headline. He had had enough to last him a year these past few days. Swallowing his pride, he finally picked up his phone and dialed a number. Logan picked up on the first ring. "Ryke". "Logan" There was a pause. "You called me. So why don't you get off your high horse and tell me what you want". "Is she with you?" "Is who with me?" "Don't play dumb with me Logan. Where is Crystal? She didn't come home last night". Logan stopped typing on his computer, "What do you mean she didn't come home? Where is she?" Ryke glared at his phone, "I didn't call you so you could ask me questions
~Hours earlier~The morning sunlight bath the college campus with a soft glow. Ryke watched through the window of his car. Different cliques hung around just laughing. The field was occupied by a number of students bristling around to get started on their daily activities."Alex is in the gym", Christian told Ryke."Okay", Ryke nodded."Well if we want to talk to him, we are going to have to get out of this car"."Okay", Ryke nodded again."Ryke, are you listening to me?", Christian asked agitated."Yes. Let's go".They made their way through the field, some students hurried to their classes while some stopped to stare.It was either one of two things, they knew who he was or they were trying to understand why two men in suits were heading into their campus.Ryke tried to keep the worry out of his mind. She was just being a teenager like Christian had said.That would have been so much easier to believe if her phone wasn't found with a broken screen."Is the girl with your nephew?"
"What do you mean by who am I? If this is your way of showing that you finally developed a sense of humor then now is not the best time". Ryke blinked, "I'm really sorry but I really don't know who you are". Christian's smile faded as Ryke's words sank in. He could see the confusion and genuine lack of recognition in Ryke's eyes. Concern knitted his brow, and he leaned in closer, his voice laced with worry. "Ryke, this isn't a joke. It's me, Christian. We've been friends for years. Don't you remember?" Ryke's gaze remained distant. His brows furrowed as he tried to piece the fragments together. "You really don't remember", Christian said, letting it sink in. "Christian, I was just coming to find you. Can I talk to you for a minute?", Doctor Collins said from the door. Christian took one more look at Ryke before nodding. The two men walked outside, closing the door behind them. "He doesn't remember who he is". The Doctor nodded understandingly as if to pacify him, "Don't worry.
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