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Chapter 8. Genuine fidelity
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EXCEPTION Chapter 9. Another predicament
Back to Adeleine's POV It's been one week, and my recovery was much more rapid than I thought possible. Even though Courtney urged me to use the knife and prove my words, I'm not blaming him despite the upshot. To be frank, I'm grateful because I was able to experience the feeling of being taken care of by someone genuinely. It's hard to describe how liberating that feeling is, but I'm happy it lessened my burden. That's one good thing about this treacherous life I'm in. Two diligent doctors, each specializing in different aspects of my well-being. While one meticulously tended to my physical health, the other delved into my psychological well-being. During their meticulous care, Courtney never failed to make sure I was okay. Through his soothing voice over the phone or reassuring visits, he ensured I never felt alone in my journey toward recovery. Words aren't enough to elucidate his kindness, and even without many words from him, the genuineness could still be felt by his actions.
EXCEPTION Chapter 10. Incursion
The trepidation inside me was like a hefty stone weighing down on me. No words fled my mouth, especially when the image of my abusive husband flickered across my mind for a fraction of a second. But my imagination vanished from the moment I heard Courtney.“All of you come here!” He called out in his clear yet strong voice. I was dumbfounded to see more than ten men coming out from different spots. Their moves were quick and precise as they all stood before him, awaiting the decree. So, does this mean men are around while Courtney taught me how to shoot? I hadn’t noticed their presence earlier, not even for one second.“We’re facing an unknown adversary. I need you to adapt. Mobilize our elite units. Make sure half of you will accompany the Python Team. The rest must stay here and take every precaution.” His commanding tone was still calm despite the grave atmosphere, but only because he knew how to control himself. “And later, I’ll give you a signal once I summon Chief William. We mu
EXCEPTION Chapter 12. Safe in his arms
Back to Adeleine's POVI am walking in the hallway with Oliver. He told me to follow him and said we would meet Courtney, but he did not mention where that was going, so I assumed it would be somewhere outside of the building. "Did he mention where we were going?" I asked while surveying every corner that we passed. He swiveled around. "He didn't. But don't worry, you can ask him later."He let out a short smile before turning around again and walking down another hallway.This isn't like the first time we met. The previous meetings were awkward, with both of us being strangers trying to get along with one another. The truth is I prefer being alone with Courtney than with him. I just couldn't explain it, but his eyes gave me the creeps. They looked cold and calculating, making me feel like a lab rat. I couldn't open this matter to Courtney because I didn't want him to worry about me.To divert my attention from these thoughts, I decided to take my phone out of my pocket. I was surpr
EXCEPTION Chapter 13. Jealousy
The weight of the gun in my hand seemed to grow with each passing moment as I stood in the heart of the sprawling lawn behind Courtney's grand mansion. The green expanse stretched before me, the grass swaying gently in the breeze. Courtney and I moved here right after the incident. He trained me well for one week now on how to hold a gun and shoot properly, load the weapon, and handle it at all times in case of any unwanted dangers. One week has passed since the last incident when Oliver attempted to abduct me and bring me back to my husband. He deserved to be behind bars, locked away from the world he'd manipulated. His treachery had cost lives, shattered alliances, and left them with nothing but rage. Courtney showed me the evidence—the encrypted files, the coded messages inside the Redstone Building that he used to fool everyone. These memories still haunted my dreams like some kind of bloody nightmare. But thanks to Courtney, who never failed to ensure I was doing well. He may n
EXCEPTION Chapter 14. The oath
Our arrival at El Bistro Piazza, renowned as one of the wealthy Italian restaurants, was swift and seamless, taking us merely fifteen minutes. Nestled in a parking lot adjacent to the entrance, we traversed through the revolving glass doors; Courtney wrapped his right arm around my waist, guiding me toward the nearest counter. The restaurant's interior exuded a grandeur that left me astounding, boasting lofty ceilings, walls adorned with rich dark wood, and a plethora of exquisite artwork on display. It's filled with classical music, which I rarely hear from a restaurant. The interior comprised vintage black leather booths lined up along the walls, interspersed with plush velvet chairs and elegant glass tables, creating a harmonious blend of old-world charm and luxury. There are also paintings, photographs, and sculptures scattered in every corner. At one end of the restaurant, there's a wall with bookshelves lined with books.A female receptionist approached us, engaging Courtney in
EXCEPTION Chapter 15. Rebel heart
"Of course. You don't need to worry about that," I finally answered after a minute of silence until the server arrived and placed our order. My mind was still in deep thought and confusion over what had just been said to me. Why did he say those words? Why he needed to remind me of that? Before my mind could go down even more rabbit hole, I reached out the glass with red tea and took a sip to quell the sudden wave of questions threatening to spill out of my mouth. The warmth of it consoled me a bit.He gave me a short smile in response and didn't say a word. As he organized his plate, I couldn't help but stare at him for a couple more seconds before snapping out of it and eating my food. Our casual conversation continued over dinner as he listened to every word from my mouth. I'm actually more cautious now with him, acting cool as if no thoughts are running through my head. My heart felt something bizarre— a kind of heavy emotion. But I have to conceal it.Perhaps it's my fault for
EXCEPTION Chapter 16. Mystery
I am sitting in the corner of the room, watching the scene unfold before me. Courtney has been punishing a guy for seventeen minutes straight. The poor guy hunched over in a corner on his knees as he tried to escape from his. He’s sweating like crazy, shaking even more than normal, and tears swell down both cheeks like a child. His glasses are askew on his nose. There was a blood stain that stretched from his forehead down his neck. It dripped off his chin onto his shirt, pooling beneath his arms. I should have felt sympathy for him, but I'm just enjoying myself watching, knowing that Courtney was doing it for a profound reason."God damn you for soiling your uniforms! You're such a piece of shit!" Courtney's face twisted with aversion as he continued his tirade against the guy, repeatedly kicking out with his foot. The guy was breathing hard, his chest puffing up now and again, but no words came out of his mouth. He just stared at him with so much pain and hatred.It wasn't long unti
EXCEPTION Chapter 17. Lie
It’s been two hours since they sent me back to my room. Alone in the dimly lit room, I find my thoughts consumed by what happened, my weary eyes struggling to resist the call of sleep. I’ve been trying to stop myself from doing what’s on my mind. I wanted to follow Courtney and ask those questions that kept bubbling in my head, especially about his disappearance. But the warning I got from his men was more than enough to convince me that it’s best if I leave him alone for now.In the middle of this train of thought, a knock on the door broke it off.“Come in,” I said softly until one of his men entered my room.“Good evening, Ms. Adeleine.” He bowed slightly. “Sir Courtney wants to see you. He’s waiting for you in his room.”His voice sounded stiff and professional, as it always does when he talks to Courtney. I quickly nodded until he finally walked out.Without hesitation, I stood up from my bed and brushed my hair in front of the mirror. I put some makeup on to conceal any traces o
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EXCEPTION Chapter 33. Echoes of Yesterday
The room was dark, save for the faint glow of moonlight streaming through the partially closed curtains. I shifted under the covers, my mind buzzing with remnants of last night's conversation with Courtney. Every word he said was still fresh. The way he had pushed me away, his words harsh and final, had been eating away at me all night.I blinked, adjusting my eyes to the dim light, only to freeze. There, sitting in a chair beside my bed, was Courtney. My eyes widened in surprise. His figure was shadowed, but I could see the outline of his broad shoulders and the unmistakable weight he seemed to carry. My heart skipped a beat as my brain scrambled to understand what was happening.How long had he been sitting there?I sat up slowly, my movements cautious, my gaze fixed on him. "Courtney?" My voice came out softer than I intended, still thick with sleep. I hadn't expected him to be here, especially not like this.He turned his head slightly toward me, and in the faint light, I saw his
EXCEPTION Chapter 32. Fragile heart
It's been four hours since Julian sent me back to the Reestone Building. He's outside the door, guarding me for four hours straight. And now I have to stay inside, let the boredom get the better of me until Courtney shows up. I stood before a full-length mirror, taking in the sight of myself. My hair cascaded down in soft waves, and I was in dark pajamas and an oversized shirt. But as I stared, the carefree reflection began to blur, overshadowed by memories that played out like a reel— the scenario earlier. Every threat and sound of gunfire was fresh in my memory as it echoed around in my head like a scream. But what really gets to me are all the memories that don't involve guns or bullets; it wasn't just the violence that haunted me. It was Courtney's strange hold over people at the party as if he were some kind of man who made many contributions. It almost made him seem harmless, almost like a beloved community figure. Charismatic, but only those who dared to cross him knew the dar
EXCEPTION Chapter 31. Who is she?
A heavy tension permeated the atmosphere, the silence profound and suffocating. Our adversaries loomed before us, their predatory gazes fixed upon us, ready to unleash violence at any moment. Yet, amidst this palpable threat, my eyes were drawn to Courtney. The look on his face was so fucking serene like nothing could bring him down, and he was capable of facing down our foes without a flicker of hesitation. But then, there's still a part of me that can't help but feel anxious about what will happen after tonight. My thoughts were brought to a halt when Courtney pulled out a lighter and held it towards the cigarette dangling between his fingers. Wait! A cigarette bomb! Without hesitation, he threw the smoke grenade in our direction with such precision and accuracy that it hit exactly where it needed to be. A blast rippled through the ground, and it was then followed by screams that only seemed amplified because of the explosion. The smell of gunpowder hung in the air, and smo
EXCEPTION Chapter 30. Diamond
Courtney held my hand tight as we ran outside, chasing the entire gang. Continuous gunshots echoed through the air. Bullets pinged off brick and metal structures around us, creating a cacophony that was becoming too much to bear. I looked over my shoulder briefly but didn't see anyone who had not been shot already, so I focused on escaping. It was easy enough with Courtney by my side, but it was still terrifying to think I was now facing this scenario. Those dangerous gang members were the ones who made trouble and are now on their way to sell the diamond. We were behind the enemies, and they kept firing at that ridiculous speed and precision. But we're trying to follow them while staying out of reach. However, despite the fact I'm used to hearing gunshots, the apprehension overwhelmed me with each thump that echoed around the surroundings. But Courtney's hands had this comforting grip on my arm as he continued to pull me along. The more we kept following them, the more I witness
EXCEPTION Chapter 29. Bloody night
It’s raining outside. The water drummed relentlessly against the car’s roof as Courtney navigated the slick streets. I’m chilling in the car’s passenger seat. Our plan to walk had been derailed because the rain had just started pouring down. Instead, we decided to head straight to our destination. I was just looking out the window as we drove, admiring how pretty everything looked in the rain. It was so calming I could feel my body relax. Not to mention that I’m tipsy from the bottle of wine we just finished earlier. I turned my head to look at Courtney; he was still concentrating on the road while speaking with Julian over the phone. The urgency in his tone and how his eyebrows were knitted together gave me a clue. And it’s probably not anything good. He seemed very upset, but he kept his cool for this long. I strained to catch snippets of conversation—code names, locations, things that are classified information—but I couldn’t make much sense of it. Eventually, he hung up and sigh
EXCEPTION Chapter 28. Queen of Denial
I’m sitting inside Redemice Cafe, a bustling, popular restaurant and his current favorite, according to him. As I sit in contemplative silence, my gaze fixated on him in the distance, I observe him engaged in a conversation over the phone. Meanwhile, I remain rooted in my place, patiently awaiting the arrival of our meal. It has been fourteen hours since he unveiled all the weapons and closet to me. Despite the gravity of yesterday’s events, I have whiled away the day in quiet repose as if the specter of danger had never loomed over us only now, as he brought me to this wealthy cafe. I’m wearing this dress he gave me— a black slit maxi dress adorned with shimmering sequins that seem to sparkle like precious jewels. The fabric is not flimsy; it exudes a softness and warmth that caresses my skin as my fingers glide over the delicate ruffles. While not overly revealing, the neckline features a sheer top, a choice that Courtney insisted upon. And the black suede heels that go along with i
EXCEPTION Chapter 27. I want you back
I woke up from the sound of steps coming closer. I opened my eyes to see a figure of a man in a black suit standing over me, his hands behind his back and his posture rigid and formal. My eyes widened in recognition as I stared at him with my hand still on my head. I rubbed my eyes with my fingers to make sure it was real. It’s Julian—one of Courtney’s men. “Good morning, Ms. Adeleine. I’m sorry for waking you early.” He bowed his head slightly to show his apologetic nature. “Sir Courtney asked me to bring you to him once you’re awake.” I rubbed my eyes again before sitting up slowly in bed. It took some time for them to readjust after sleeping in such an awkward position. “Oh. Alright. Tell him I’ll be there in a few minutes.” “Noted, Ms. Adeleine. I’ll be waiting outside your room.” He gave another bow and left quickly, closing the bedroom door quietly behind him. I sighed deeply and sat up fully, running a hand through my hair. I wondered why Courtney had me dragged out of bed
EXCEPTION Chapter 26. Entwined with you
When his gaze redirected to Blaine, his features hardened instantly. The fury was evident. And now I’m feeling nervous ’cause I could feel the tension that’s there.Blaine suddenly let out a loud growl, which snapped my attention. “Bullshit!” He swerved, taking another turn so sharply that the car almost tipped over. “If he thinks he can save you, he’s wrong!”I didn’t respond, but deep in my heart, I knew he was wrong. He’s a fool even to think Courtney was incapable of saving me.Blaine suddenly veered into an abandoned warehouse district, the crumbling buildings providing cover. I looked outside, and Courtney was following us, tires screeching as it fishtailed around the corner. He leaned out of the window, gun in hand, while his left hand held the wheel firmly. The following thing was when he fired shots through the windows beside Blaine, causing them to shatter loudly, and the bullets raked across the front windshield. That caused me to jerk back into the seat, covering my ears as
EXCEPTION Chapter 25. Save me
Back to Adeleine's POVI sat in the dimly lit room, my reflection staring back at me from the ornate mirror. The dress they made me wear was seductive, no doubt about it. A sleek red gown with a daring slit up my thigh, a line of lace tracing my curves just above the knee. It was a bit revealing for my taste, and I couldn't help but feel a tad uneasy in it. Peering at my reflection, I hardly recognized myself. My eyes, once lively and bright, now held only weariness and sorrow. And even with all the makeup, my true self peeked through, those scars and bruises telling a story of their own on my skin.Chris Salvatore, the man who had bought me for a million dollars, stood by the door. His eyes bore into mine, devoid of any compassion. Blaine was the mastermind behind this crazy idea of selling me to this jerk, and here I was, completely helpless to stop it."You're mine now." Chris sneered, his voice dripping with disgust as he swaggered toward me. I met his gaze through the mirror with
