15 Days....360 hours...21600 minutes....It doesn't sound like a lot of time, but I feel like I have felt every moment passing by me, passing through me. Life used to pretty simple for me in the past, I woke up for Shraf, took care of myself for Shraf, I lived for Shraf. I don't know what took over me once I reached Barbados, or what took over my husband. But it seems like the role has been reversed. The 'Eva' from before would have been overjoyed with the attention from Shraf that I'm receiving now. But at this moment, it's not bringing happiness; instead, it feels like a painful stab to my broken heart, suffocating me with unanswered questions. The clock ticks, each second resonating with the rhythm of my restless heart. The choices I make in the next 15 days will define where my life goes. I crave clarity, simple answers to the swirling questions in my mind, like a storm ready to engulf me.I closed my eyes, in an attempt to calm the raging voices in my head, try to think about a
My heart pounded in my chest as I stumbled back to the villa, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and betrayal. Every step felt heavy, as if I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. I couldn't believe what Lily had told me, couldn't wrap my head around the fact that Shraf had been engaged to another woman for five years. It felt like a nightmare, a cruel joke played on me by fate. As I approached the villa, I felt a sense of detachment from my surroundings. The lush green trees and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore faded into the background as my thoughts consumed me. I didn't know how I had made it back here, how I had managed to walk through the doors of our villa. All I knew was that I needed answers, and I needed them now. I barged into Shraf's office, my heart racing as I saw him sitting at his desk, still working. His dark eyes lifted to meet mine, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. The silence was deafening, filled with unspoken words a
I lay there, my body still trembling from the aftermath of our passion. Shraf's arm wrapped tightly around me, pulling me closer as he continued to kiss my neck and nibble on my earlobe. I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions - desire, exhaustion, and a growing sense of unease.Shraf had made love to me so many times that I lost count. Each time, it felt like he was trying to prove something, to assert his dominance over me. I begged him to stop, to give me a break, but it was like he was on a mission. His eyes were dark and intense as he gazed into mine, his breath hot against my skin."I need you, Eva," he whispered, his voice low and husky. "I can't stop."I tried to push him away, but his grip was too strong. Shraf was kissing under my jaw, behind my ears, leaving a trail of hickies. He was kissing me like he was worshipping me. I shuddered under his touch, but it wasn't just the physical sensation that made me tremble. My mind was consumed with thoughts of the reality of our
The selfishness in Shraf's response pulled another gut-wrenching sob from me. My lips pursed, one of them battered and cut from my relentless biting."Fuck you, Shraf! How can you be so selfish?!" I seethed, anger lacing my voice. Shraf, infuriating as ever, silenced me with his fingers on my lips."I don't like when you curse," he calmly declared, stoking the flames of my rage."You enjoy having me submissive, don't you? You like in my pain for your psychopathic satisfaction?" I shot back, bitterness and resentment dripping from my words.His eyes darkened with frustration, and something I couldn't quite decipher. Shraf's grip tightened, tension palpable. I pursed my lips, trying to stifle escaping sobs. Looking up at Shraf, tears filled my eyes as I whispered, "I was just a plaything for you, wasn't I? Hell, It was like you never noticed me."Shraf fell into a contemplative silence, his intense gaze fixed on me. "Never noticed you?" he raised an eyebrow. "Only if you knew, Eva" murm
In the past few days at home, I tried to rest, or more accurately, attempted to survive the turmoil in my mind. Since that night, something changed between us. He changed. The more I tried to ignore him, the more he seemed to pay attention, as if having a forceful hold on me that made it tougher to shake off his presence. I didn't stop trying, though. My head constantly told me to hate him, to punish him for his betrayal. But when he was in the frame, he distracted me from those thoughts and every vile emotion that accompanied them. Yet, when he was gone, all those emotions barged back in, and it felt as though the walls were closing in, confining me to a dark, suffocating space. I disconnected from my surroundings, my mind stuck in the whirlwind of dark thoughts. My eyes went blank. "Look at me, Eva," he would order and I would follow but when I did, it felt like my eyes were just looking past him, as if I wasn't really there in that moment. In those moments of disconnection, he hel
My heart pounded in my chest as Shraf guided me towards the car. The cold metal of the door pressed against my back as he opened it, and I hesitated before slipping inside. The leather seat welcomed me, but there was an unspoken tension in the air that made the space feel confining. Shraf settled in beside me, his movements precise and controlled. The engine roared to life, filling the silence that hung heavily between us. I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze, my eyes fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. The city lights blurred into streaks of color, a chaotic reflection of the turmoil within me. The car pulled away from the curb, and the rhythm of the road seemed to amplify the silence inside the vehicle. Shraf's hands firmly gripped the steering wheel, his focus ahead. I fidgeted with the hem of my dress, a physical manifestation of my inner unrest. The weight of the ring on my finger felt like a tangible reminder of the constraints that bound me. I stole a glance
As Shraf’s lips crashed against mine, it felt like a whirlwind had hit us. His kiss was strong and demanding, leaving me no chance to resist. His hands gripped my waist with an iron grip, pulling me close with a possessiveness that makes my heart race.There was no tenderness in his touch, no gentleness in the way he claimed me as his own. It was a primal need, a hunger that consumed us both as he took what he wanted without hesitation or remorse. His tongue plunged into my mouth with a fierce intensity, exploring every corner with a predatory hunger that left me breathless and powerless to resist.I tried to push him away, to reclaim some semblance of control, but his hold on me only tightened, crushing any hope of escape. His touch was rough, bordering on painful, as he left bruises in his wake, marking me as his in body and soul.As Shraf’s lips parted from mine, we both struggled to catch our breath, our chests heaving with exertion. My face felt hot and flushed, and I could hardl
“I fell in love!”A thunder roared overhead, distant clouds erupted into storms, and waves started relentlessly crashing against the shore. I was in a daze. I could see though. I could see Shraf, his voice piercing the storm, urging me to move, I could see the world around me breaking apart but I was numb. I was numb when Shraf rushed towards me and lifted me in his arms. I looked at his beautifully tensed face, he was drenched in the storm, the curls of his hair sticking against his forehead. I looked at his eyes, clear eyes and the reflection of storm in them.With me in his arms, Shraf ran through the storm. Shraf’s arms held me close, his grip firm. His heartbeat, strong and steady, was a reassuring rhythm against my ear. I could feel the warmth of his body, a stark contrast to the biting cold of the storm.As Shraf carried me towards our car, the heavy rain pelted down on us, soaking us to the bone. I shivered uncontrollably, feeling the cold seeping into my bones. When he set me
I froze at his words, my entire body locking up as the truth settled in like a lead weight. Leonardo Vega. I had heard that name before, but it had always felt distant, like something from the underworld you knew existed but never touched. Now, that underworld had a face, and it was the face of my husband.Leonardo Vega was no ordinary criminal. He was infamous. I had heard whispers in the business world, even seen reports in passing. A man who operated in the shadows, untouchable by the law, with ties so deep they ran through the veins of governments, multinational corporations, and the very fabric of society's power structures. But what made him terrifying wasn't just his criminal empire; it was the sheer ruthlessness with which he ran it.Rumors said he controlled entire black-market economies, that he had bribed judges, politicians, and police forces across the world. Trafficking. Money laundering. Assassinations. His reach was international, and his network of associates? Equally
The next morning, he was gone. There was no sign of him; if it weren't for the lingering soreness between my legs, I would have thought the entire night had been a dream.His words from last night kept replaying in my mind. What he said was vague, but my suspicion grew stronger. Was Shraf involved with a crime lord or the Mafia? I needed to know.But how could it be true? The billion-dollar empire that is Sinclaire Industries—could it all be a façade? I had worked with Shraf for five years, and none of it ever felt like a front.I quickly picked up my phone and got dressed for the day. Sinclaire Industries, I am coming!As I approached Sinclaire Industries, my mind buzzed with questions. The opulent lobby, with its towering glass walls and sleek marble floors, had always felt intimidating, but today it loomed over me with an air of foreboding. I had to find answers—answers to the countless secrets Shraf had kept hidden.I marched toward the elevator, my resolve hardening with each ste
"I can't see you with anyone else." There was no emotion in his tone, he was just stating fact. Pure fact."That's too selfish of you, don't you think?" I breathe out, my heart still beating fast, thanks to udall the rigorous sex with him."I am a selfish man, Mi Vida. I have always been, you should know that by now."A bitter laugh escapes me, "I know it, more than anyone else ever could. But that doesn't mean, I am going to live my life according to your whims and wishes."He stills and then pulls me in a swift motion beneath him, "You are not planning to see him again, are you?"I raise an eyebrow, his audacity fueling up my resentment, "I am planning to more than seeing him, actually." "If you even dare, Eva," he growled, yanking my hair hard enough to elicit a sharp cry from me. "I'll kill that man. I'll torture him in every conceivable way, and then l'll make him watch as I fuck you hard over and over again.""You are a monster! I hate you!" I hissed, trying to keep my distance
My eyes fluttered open, disoriented in the dim light of the room. A presence loomed nearby, sending a shiver down my spine. “Who’s there?” I whispered, my voice trembling with fear.A figure moved closer, and a low, chilling voice whispered in my ear, “It’s me, Mi Vida.”I took in a shaky breath.Shraf.There was no mistaking him.I would never forget the smell of his cologne. The smell of his skin. It was seared into my memory forever.It was the scent of my nightmares, my deepest fears, my worst memories, all rolled into one.But it was also the smell of lust, of sex, of pleasure.“Shraf?” I didn’t recognize the voice that came from my mouth. It was weak. Shaky. Scared. Because I was scared. I didn’t move an inch, my body rigid as I lay in the darkness of my bedroom.A hand landed on my hip, slowly traveling up and down my leg. Up and down, up and down.I tried to swallow, my throat suddenly dry, but nothing would go down.“Who else would it be?” A deep voice whispered in my ear, br
Jared gasped, “That fucking bastard! I’m gonna kill him!”I quickly grabbed his hand, trying to calm his anger. “No, J, it’s all sorted out.”“What do you mean, ‘sorted out’? Did he fucking cheat on you?” he spat out the words.“It’s-it’s not like that” I said, stepping closer to soothe him. “Let’s just leave for now, okay?”“If you say so,” he muttered, nodding. I pulled him out by the hand, and just as we crossed the arcade entrance, Shraf appeared, blocking our path. Lily was left behind, staring at us with a strange expression I couldn’t decipher.“Shraf,” I breathed, my grip on Jared’s arm tightening. My heart was pounding, and I knew they could hear it.“Eva,” Shraf replied, his dark eyes locked onto my hands on Jared’s arm. If looks could kill, we’d be nothing but ashes. But he didn’t say anything else, and neither did we. Jared, not one to back down, squared his shoulders. The silence between us was thick, tension slicing through the air.I cleared my throat awkwardly, trying
“So, how’s your love life?” I inquired, watching Jared devour the pancakes I whipped up for breakfast.“Meh,” he mumbled between bites.“Don’t tell me the infamous college playboy lost his charm this soon,” I teased, rolling my eyes.“I’m just not feeling the whole dating scene anymore,” he admitted.“Ah, Mr. Smith wanted to settle down now, huh?” I teased, grinning.“Kinda,” he confessed, running a hand through his hair.“Got someone in mind?” I prodded.“Not really. Still waiting,” he replied, snagging a pancake from my plate.“Hey!” I protested, slapping his hand away.“What? They’re too good to resist. Should’ve made more,” he said with a smirk as I loaded the dishwasher.“Make them yourself,” I retorted, huffing.“So, spill. How was your love life?” he asked, leaning back in his chair. My heart skipped a beat before I composed myself.“You don’t have to share if you don’t want to, Eva. It’s okay,” he assured me gently.“I know,” I nodded, forcing a sad smile as I gazed at my bare
Shocked by Shraf’s message, a torrent of anger surged through me, swiftly escalating to pure lividity. Who did he think he was? Did he truly believe he could still exert control over me after everything? Well, he had another thing coming. I refused to let him dictate my life any longer. It was time to live on my own terms. With determination propelling my actions, I seized my phone and dialed a familiar number, my fingers tapping the screen with purpose. “Are you available?” I typed, my heart racing with anticipation as I hit send. A blue tick appeared, signaling that my message had been read. Before long, a reply illuminated the screen. “You alive, fluffball?” The response brought a smile to my face, a wave of nostalgia washing over me. Oh, how I missed him! “Yes, still alive, Jared,” I replied, adding a rolled eyes emoji for good measure. “Too bad, now I have to start annoying u again,” his message followed swiftly. I burst into laughter, the sound reverberating through the empt
The night stretched on, with Shraf’s heavy breathing lulling me into a fitful sleep, my mind raced with thoughts of escape. I replayed every scenario, every possible avenue of freedom, searching for the one that held the least risk. And then, as dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, a plan began to form in my mind.I waited until Shraf’s rhythmic breathing signaled that he was deeply asleep, his hold on me loosening ever so slightly. With cautious movements, I extricated myself from his grasp, my heart pounding in my chest like a drumroll of anticipation.Silently, I slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb him. Every creak of the floorboards beneath my feet sounded like thunder in the oppressive silence of the room. I held my breath, praying that he wouldn’t wake, that this fleeting moment of freedom wouldn’t be snatched away before it even began.With trembling hands, I gathered the few belongings I could carry—some clothes, a handful of cash I had squirreled away, and th
I slipped back into a daze once more. The days blurred together, each one passing in a haze of confusion and numbness. I felt myself sinking deeper into the abyss of my own thoughts. The world around me seemed distant and unreal, like I was trapped in a dream from which I couldn’t wake up.Shraf’s attempts to rouse me from my stupor went unanswered. His kisses, once filled with warmth and passion, now felt distant and meaningless against my cold skin. Even as he fed me spoonfuls of soup or gently caressed my hair, I remained still, my mind a million miles away.Magdalena’s kind words and gestures offered little solace. I could feel her concern, her attempts to break through the walls I had erected around myself, but I couldn’t find the strength to respond. My voice felt trapped within me, buried beneath layers of pain and confusion.I existed in a state of limbo, caught between the past and the present, unable to move forward. As the days stretched on, I longed for an escape from the