WARNING. GRAPHIC VIOLENCE AHEAD.YVONNEHe raised his hand to cup one bosom inside it. I shut my lids tightly. I don't want to see what he's going to do to me. He gently cupped my breast, his thumb circling my nipple. I thrashed and tried to move away from him despite being restrained."Stop moving!" he snapped. His hold on my chest tightened."No! You stop this!" I growled. I am so mad. How dare he touch me like that? I want to kill him right now!My jaw clenched when he crouched down and buried his nose against my neck. I wanted to kick him away from me but I couldn't move my legs. Damn it."Aaah!" I screamed so loudly when I felt him moving down, trailing kisses on my skin."Stop!" I growled. He laughed as he took a step back away from me. I sighed in relief until I saw him grip his whip again.Oh no...I watched him raise his hand and snapped it in the air. The leather strap landed on my side, the tip curled and hit my back. I bit my lip to stop myself from making any sound that mi
VLADIMIR"Shit! You're bleeding!" Mike hissed when the crossfire finally ceased. "We have to take you to the hospital!""Do you think I have time for that?" I growled. "We need to find her!""Our men are already looking for them. We should at least try to stop the bleeding!" he insisted while glancing at my stomach.The middle part of my shirt is now soaked in blood."You won't find her in that state," he snapped. "You might die first."Fuck!"I can't let them get away!" I yelled. We can't let precious time pass. Who knows what they plan to do to her?! And Jade!"Fuck! Did they get Jade too?""It seems so," Mike answered. "They couldn't find her anywhere.""Fuck!" I kicked the sand in frustration. "Who else knows we're here?""What's happened here?" Smith came up to me."Shouldn't I be the one asking that?" I retorted."What are you insinuating?" he narrowed his eyes at me. "We have nothing to do with this!""You better make sure of that!" I spat while reloading my gun.My head is sp
VLADIMIRI clenched my teeth after talking to Jade. I wished I could have spoken to Yvonne as well, but Jade seemed frantic. I kept telling her to give the damned phone to my wife but she just kept crying for help!It's understandable. I know she's scared, but...Fuck."Yvonne thinks they were in a yacht," I told them. "Mike, call our techs. See if they could track her phone.""Got it, boss," he nodded."We have speedboats," Smith said. "We could use them.""It might be too late. They could have gotten far by now," I hissed through gritted teeth. "I need a chopper!""It's impossible to wait for our chopper, Boss," Mike said grimly.I know."We don't have one, but I know someone who does," Eric said."Then what are we waiting for?" I snapped. "Let's go! I can pay! I don't care how much it takes!""We should let the others use speedboats, though. The chopper could only carry a few people," he said."Fine," I huffed. "Mike, you know what to do."I wasn't in the right headspace to give or
VLADIMIRLife seemed to flash right in front of my eyes.I will fucking kill him!"Vlad," Yvonne called my name desperately.My heart was breaking as I heard her sob. The skin on her chest, stomach, and thighs was full of cut wounds that looked familiar to me. He whipped her.How dare he do this?!Fortunately, I don't see any major injuries or bleeding on her."Let her go," I was surprised by the calmness in my voice. It was in great contrast to how I truly felt. I wanted to lunge at him immediately and strangle him with my bare hands until his eyes popped out of his head.But I have to keep my cool to avoid rash decisions that might endanger Yvonne even more. My eyes zoned in on the sharp edge of the knife held against her kneck.Fuck. One wrong move and it could cost me her life."I'm the one you want, right?" I muttered tauntingly while staring at him.He chuckled while staring back at me but didn't say anything."Who are you?" I hissed. "What do you want from me?"He chuckled. I'm
YVONNEI grabbed onto him, not wanting to let him go. I want to be in his arms."No, please..." I begged him to stay.My whole body is aching for his touch. For the safety that his warm embrace offered, but this may not be the right time to be clingy. He still had to deal with that man. I should try to understand.I bit my lip when he turned his back on me. It pained me to watch him walk away.I held the sheet wrapped around me like it was my lifeline. I was still naked underneath, but it was thick enough to protect me against the cold.I was right, we were on a ship in the middle of the dark sea. I couldn't be more thankful that Vlad found me when he did. It could have been worse.But wait...My eyes roamed around to look for Jade but I couldn't see her anywhere. Oh my god. Did they torture her too?"Where's Jade?" I croaked, asking no one in particular. "She was there with me!" I panicked but the men around quickly calmed me down."Don't worry. They already found her," one of the me
VLADIMIRI gently tucked her in. I wanted to stay beside her but I had to make some calls. I need to get to the bottom of this. I called Blaze to tell him what to do."Make sure the hospital is heavily guarded. I want men stationed outside her hospital room and around the vicinity," I told him.I will drop her off at the hospital as soon as we land. At first, I thought of just sending our doctor to the penthouse. That would be safer, but she needs to be checked thoroughly. I want to be sure she's alright."Okay, I will make some arrangements," he replied.An ambulance was waiting for us at the airport when we landed."What's happening?" Yvonne confusedly asked when she saw paramedics approaching."You need to be checked," I told her."Why? I'm okay now," she frowned. "I just wanted to go home and rest.""I know," I sighed. "Trust me, that's what I want too. But we need to make sure you're okay. You don't need to stay here for long, after the tests, you can go home."I can still see def
YVONNE"We need to run some tests, as per Mr. Lewis' order. He wanted a general check-up to be done to make sure that you're okay. First, we need to get your blood sample...." the doctor explained while a nurse checked my vitals. Her voice sounded distant to my ears.A bitter taste filled my mouth as exhaustion started to defeat my whole body."I need to check your wounds," I heard her say, to which I only groaned in response.The nurse helped me take off my clothes. Cold seeped through my skin. I turned to look away, avoiding to see the pity in their eyes as my wounds came into view."Nurse..." I heard the doctor call, but I didn't bother to look at what they were doing.They made me sit on the bed as they simultaneously cleaned my wounds. I bit my lip to stop myself from whimpering in pain. Some of the cuts made by the thin leather whip were so deep that they needed to be stitched.After making sure that my back had no injuries, they made me lay down on the bed. A lone tear rolled f
YVONNEMy body temperature seemed to drop by numerous degrees. I suddenly find it hard to breathe.Why? Why now? I mean, I knew it was coming when I saw that blind item on the internet, but..."I'm so sorry..." Dave muttered. Silence filled the room as my mind spiraled down into a deep abyss of destruction. What a perfect timing! I just got kidnapped and tortured for goodness' sake!As if that wasn't enough, I have to wake up to this?! I wanted to scream to ease the tension inside my chest.Is it the reason why Vlad hasn't come to visit me? Has he seen it already?Of course, he did!"I want to go home," I said with conviction when I finally found my tongue. Dave looked at me with confusion."But..," he tried to disagree."Please," I cut him off. "I just want to get out of here." I was on the verge of lashing out. My breaths were shallow and rapid.I feel like a ticking bomb that might explode any minute now. I heard him sigh."I'll see what I can do," he said before going out of the
YVONNEI slowly released the air I didn't know I was holding in until he finally left. I stared at the door even after he was gone.Is that it? Is that all he wanted to talk about?I really thought he would open up the talk about our divorce or something. It may not be necessary since Riva was alive. They were legally married. Wouldn't that make our marriage void?"What's the matter?" I heard Cora ask, interrupting my thoughts.I looked at her and tried to smile as I shook my head.What if it was all just a dream? A nightmare to be exact...It could be, right? Everything's still fresh in my mind. The was Vladimir narrated her death. He said Riva died in his arms. He was there when she died. How could it be possible for her to come back to life?It must have been a nightmare. I frowned while recalling last night's events in my head. Was it real?I groaned. I'm not so sure anymore.Vlad must be right. I should go back to my therapy sessions with Dr. Linda. I feel like I'm slowly getting
VLADIMIRNo.I can't kick Yvonne out of my life just like that. That was the first thought that came to mind when I woke up the next morning.She's been in danger ever since I married her. Leon is dead, but the list of people who want me to fail or die is endless. She'd been kidnapped and almost died twice in a row.The least I could do was ensure her safety after we parted ways. I still haven't found her mother, and I'm not sure whether Leon was the one who was using her against me. I need to get her out of Yvonne's way. I need to make up for dragging her into my mess.Once I'm sure she'd be safe on her own, perhaps I'd be relieved to let her go."Good morning," Cora greeted me when he saw me emerging into the dining room.Yvonne who was sitting at the dining table seemed to freeze when she sensed my presence. I swear I saw her almost jump out of her seat when she heard my footsteps."Morning," I grumbled. And that's when she slowly turned her head to look at me."H-hi," she mumbled,
VLADIMIRIt still felt surreal. I couldn't help but stare at her as she sat beside me."Where to, boss?" my driver asked.I was about to mention the penthouse but I stopped myself just in time. I ordered Matias to take Yvonne to the hospital but she will soon be discharged and brought back to the penthouse. I also wanted Riva to get checked but she was adamant about it. She insisted she was fine although she didn't look like it. She looked so frail and weak but I didn't want to argue with her.Perhaps I can convince her to undergo an executive checkup at a later time. Other things are bothering me right now.I don't know how to deal with the situation yet. I feel so overwhelmed and confused as fuck. First, how can I tell Riva about Yvonne? Does she already know that I remarried? Probably.The wedding was all over the news and the internet. Besides, I'm sure Leon wouldn't pass up such a good opportunity. I can just imagine the myriad of lies he must have told Riva while keeping us apa
VLADIMIR "What the fuck?!" Leon yelled when he looked around and saw his men falling down one by one. The remaining surrounded him in an attempt to protect him. But no. I will not let anyone get in the way between us. Not after what he did. He just admitted to planning everything. I don't exactly know how he was able to pull it off, but I will find out soon enough. He started running away but I took my sweet time hunting him down. The whole building is already surrounded by my men so I'm not worried about him getting away. He will end up in my hands no matter what. I grabbed the rifle handed to me. I aimed it at one of Leon's bodyguards while I was stalking them. I shot one in the shoulder and the other one at the back of his knee. I shot them down one by one, making sure they were all injured but alive. Slowly taking them out of the picture. Until it was only Leon left in the running. "Fuck you, Vladimir!" he yelled when I intentionally missed his head, only letting the bullet
YVONNE I took a deep breath while the elevator moved up. We were heading to the penthouse. I didn't know what to expect. The anticipation is fucking killing me. What if I just volunteer to leave? I'm sure Vladimir wouldn't mind. I chewed on my bottom lip. He would probably appreciate it. Should I? I gasped when the elevator pinged, signaling we reached the right floor. We're here. I heaved another lungful of air before stepping out of the elevator. The short ride felt suffocating. The bodyguards walked me to the unit. I scanned my index finger and sighed in relief when I realized I still had access to the front door. He's not kicking me out. At least, not just yet. If I thought he would kick me out when my identity was uncovered, now that Riva turned out alive, it felt all too real. I was kind of expecting to see them in the living room, waiting for me, probably with my luggage and the divorce papers in hand. But the unit was too quiet when I stepped in. It was empty.
YVONNEI was beyond dumbfounded. I didn't even realize we had already arrived at the hospital. I can't believe I was kidnapped twice in just a short matter of time."We're here," the driver said.Two men escorted me to the emergency room. I told them I was okay and there was really no need to go here but then I remembered how I was bashed in the head with a gun. That part of my head was still throbbing but the crazy events of the night made me numb.The nurses immediately checked if I had wounds. The area where I was hit was tender and sore but it didn't have an open wound."We still need to check. You could have internal bleeding or concussion," the attending physician said when I told them I wanted to go home already.That sounded over dramatic. I wanted to insist on being discharged, but then I remembered I may not have a house to return to anymore.Riva is back. The thought brought a bitter taste to my tongue. She is Vladimir's real wife. Where will that leave me?"Okay," I weakl
YVONNEHow is this even possible? Am I hallucinating?I know I've only seen her in pictures, but...I glanced at Vladimir. Looking at his shocked and pained expression, I knew I was right. It was Riva standing behind the second-floor railing."Dad, stop this! What else do you want?" she cried, weakly sliding onto the floor. I don't think she noticed Vladimir yet."Hush, mia cara," her father cooed before turning to Vlad who still hadn't recovered from his shock.I couldn't blame him. Even I was left gaping at the scene unfolding right before my very eyes."Did you miss Riva?" her father taunted him.A loud gasp echoed. I looked up to see Riva staring back at Vlad. My heart clenched painfully when I saw the longing in her eyes, which mirrored the same expression in Vlad's. The more I stare at them, the more real it gets. She's alive. Riva is alive. I felt an inexplicable stabbing pain in my chest."V-vlad," she called, her voice sounded pleading.Her father gestured something and the
YVONNEWhat the hell is going on?!I tried to call for help but the car made a sharp turn, causing my head to hit on the door.Damn it! I groaned in pain as I felt the car going faster. The speed and the hit on my head made me a little dizzy. Despite that, I still tried to look outside to see where we were heading but couldn't see anything clearly.It was dark and we were going so fast. I grabbed onto the door handle when the man suddenly hit the brake. I almost slammed into the back of the shotgun seat. "Where are we going?" I asked while looking at the man who had taken me. He was wearing a ski mask, making it impossible for me to recognize him.Is this Raoul, Riva's brother?"Who are you? Why are you doing this?!" I cried but he didn't bother to respond. He just kept on driving as if he were in a race.Memories from the last time I was kidnapped replayed in my head like a broken record. No. I won't let it happen again. I looked for something I could use in the backseat. My eyes wi
VLADIMIR"Which of your wives are you looking for?" he smirked. The daunting smile on his crooked lips told me he knew something I didn't."What the hell are you talking about?" I grunted impatiently. I looked around, hoping to see Yvonne, but she was not anywhere in sight. What is he planning to do to her?"Oh," he clutched his chest as if he was in pain. "Have you already forgotten about my daughter? You're hurting my feelings, Vladimir," he chuckled.I frowned. Why is he acting like this? Is he taking his daughter's death lightly or is he mocking me?Fuck him."Let Yvonne go," I growled. "She should be out of this. Whatever happened in the past has nothing to do with her!""Do you think I didn't know that?" he chuckled humorlessly. "But you are in no position to give me orders. You are in my territory. I can get you killed in a snap of a finger."Well, that's what he thinks."Tell me, did you really forget about my precious daughter?" he asked. "Don't you think it's insulting that