Shelia's POV"How many more secrets are you keeping from me?" Zia playfully asked."Just keep this one for me. I don't want others in the company to know Will is my brother.""Well, I'll need some hush money. You owe me a fancy dinner."After finding out about my true identity, Zia pretended to be upset, but she still treated me like a normal friend. Over the weekend, I invited her to dinner at my place and asked her and Will to help me quickly learn about the company's operations."Who would've thought a wealthy young lady like you could cook so well," Zia complimented."I'm glad you like it," I replied, too embarrassed to admit that I had learned to cook to please Hugh after we got married."You never liked cooking before. Must be for that jerk," Will teased."From now on, I'll only cook for you. Happy?" I retorted.With Zia and Will's help, I quickly picked things up. The week passed by busily but fulfillingly, and before I knew it, it was Friday. I hadn't forgotten my appointment w
Hugh's POV I arrived at the courthouse at 2 PM sharp, but Shelia never showed up. I called her three times, but there was no answer.Was she getting back at me for being late on our wedding day three years ago?I remembered the day we were supposed to get married. I had been called to an emergency at an amusement park where a Ferris wheel had malfunctioned, trapping dozens of people. By the time I finished the rescue and checked my phone, there were several missed calls from Shelia. I had completely forgotten we were supposed to go to the county office that afternoon.When I finally arrived, Shelia was sitting alone on the steps of the county office, looking sad. However, her face lit up when she saw me, shining like a sunflower. By then, the staff had gone home, and we had to reschedule.It was now 5 PM, and it was clear that Shelia wasn't going to come today. Just like last time, we would have to reschedule. Strangely, amidst my anger, I felt a peculiar sense of relief. If we final
Hugh's POV “That call was from Shelia's colleague, Zia. Before Shelia left the office this afternoon, Zia gave her a report proving that a pharmaceutical company called Flegmin was producing illegal drugs. Zia just found out that Flegmin's CEO is Sam Middleton, and the largest shareholder is Susan Middleton.""Sam? That scumbag again!" Wasn't the lesson at the bar enough? How dare he mess with Shelia!"I should be asking you. What kind of trash is your family? Shelia must have been blind to marry you," Will said contemptuously."Now's not the time to argue. We need Hugh's help to find Shelia quickly. Calling the police is useless, they won't file a case for a disappearance under 24 hours. But I can use military resources under the pretext of investigating the terror attack," Travis calmly called his subordinates.Then, I led them into the estate to find Susan."Hugh, what's this attitude? Helping outsiders bully me," Susan stood with her hands on her hips, pointing at Travis and Will.
Shelia's POV As I woke up, I immediately sensed the unsettling reality of my situation. I was bound, blindfolded, and gagged, trapped inside a large wooden box with a sealed lid. Panic surged through me, and I desperately tried to scream, but only muffled sounds escaped my lips. No matter how hard I fought, the lid remained immovable. My efforts were in vain.Gradually calming down, I became aware that I was being transported in a moving vehicle. The pungent smell of chemicals filled the air, providing a clue to my abductor's identity. It had to be Lucy!After about thirty long minutes, the car came to a halt. Two men forcefully carried me out and into a building, callously throwing me onto the floor. They removed my blindfold and gag. Blinking against the darkness, I realized I was inside a partially constructed house, with the night already engulfing the surroundings. I must have been unconscious throughout the entire afternoon."You must be working for Lucy. What has she promised
Hugh's POV Seeing Shelia covered in blood, naked, and struggling on the ground filled me with guilt and rage. No matter what, she was my wife for three years, yet within a month of my return, she was repeatedly hurt. I had saved countless people, but I couldn't protect the ones closest to me.After helping Shelia put on my T-shirt, I cut the ropes binding her hands and feet. At that moment, Travis appeared at the door, his face a mixture of shock and anger. Before he could speak, Shelia yelled,"Let's go! This place is going to explode!"I lifted Shelia and, with Travis, rushed downstairs. "Will, get back to the car!"Having experienced explosions before, I was terrified. Death in a blast is instant, not even giving time for reaction. I couldn't let that happen to Shelia.We had parked about 500 meters away, hidden among roadside bushes for concealment. Shelia hadn't said how long we had, so we just ran as fast as we could.We got back to the car, and as Travis drove off, explosion
Shelia's POV Once we got home, Will asked cautiously, "That scum... he didn't... he didn't hurt you, did he?" During the car ride, none of them dared to ask, afraid of causing me further distress.I replied directly, "He took some photos but didn't assault me. Hugh will get those photos back for me. Don't worry. I'm going to take a shower.""Alright. I'll make dinner. You must be hungry," Will headed to the kitchen but then turned back, looking at me with guilt. "I should've dealt with Sam the first time he harassed you at the bar. I won't let him off this time.""We're all fine, aren't we?" I forced a smile, trying to appear unaffected for Will's sake.Once alone in the bathroom, I finally let my suppressed emotions out: anger, fear, humiliation, gratitude, and the overwhelming love for Hugh that I couldn't control. I scrubbed my body repeatedly before sinking into the bathtub, submerging my face in the water until my tears stopped. Just as I was about to suffocate, I surfaced, mom
Hugh's POV I waited outside her apartment building and saw a car pull up. A man opened the passenger door, and Sheila stepped out. She wore a cream-colored blouse and a short skirt, her red hair making her look like a cherry ice cream in summer. She seemed in good spirits, which eased some of my worries. I'd feared yesterday's ordeal might have left her deeply shaken.However, I couldn't help but feel curious about the man accompanying her. I approached cautiously."Sheila," I said as I pulled out the camera and glanced at the man beside her, deciding not to say much more.Understanding my intention, Sheila turned to the man. "Wait here. I need to talk to him alone."Once we were a short distance away, I inquired, "Who is he?""A bodyguard that Will hired for me.""Will really takes care of you, huh! Does he treat all his employees this way?" I mockingly remarked."Give me the photos," Sheila redirected the conversation, taking the camera. She then asked, "Have you seen these?""Yes,
Sheila's POV Why did he kiss me?After taking a shower, I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. I touched my lips, still feeling the prickly sensation from his stubble and the electric shock of his kiss. That kiss nearly made me lose my mind. If I'd had a couple of drinks then, I wouldn’t have pushed him away. I would have done what I've wanted to do all year.I longed for his touch, his kiss. I missed the way he would press me beneath him, demanding and taking, and the synchronized beating of our hearts after making love. It was as if the entire universe went quiet, leaving only our heartbeats, lonely yet warm.But earlier, I pushed him away. He hadn't suggested getting back together, nor did he want to break up with Esther. What are we now? Was that kiss out of pity? Compensation? Or just a man's instinctual possessiveness and a momentary sexual impulse?I want a complete love, one that belongs only to me.If he can’t give me that, why tease me, why give me hope? The pai