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
Sheila's POV I opened my arms and embraced Gregory tightly, noticing that I now had to stand on tiptoe to reach his neck. It had been years since we last saw each other, and he had changed so much.Gregory's father was the founder of Cliff Law Firm, renowned nationwide. His father had a lot of business dealings with my father, and my divorce agreement was drafted by a lawyer from Cliff Law Firm. When we were kids, his family lived next door to mine. Unlike my brothers Travis and Will, who inherited my father's dark brown hair, I took after my mother with red hair. Gregory's hair was red too, making him look more like my real brother compared to Travis and Will.He was three years younger than me and used to cry a lot. Will loved to prank him, often scaring him with spiders from the garden. Every time he got bullied, I would help him fight back. Later, I went to college and rarely came home, and he went to a private high school, boarding at the school. We hardly saw each other after t
Sheila's POV “My brothers said the same thing. ""You deserve someone better."I took a sip of coconut juice, and when I looked up, our eyes met. His deep gray eyes had transformed into a dark blue ocean in the night, with unseen currents swirling beneath the surface. Suddenly, the atmosphere grew uncomfortably intimate, and I quickly changed the subject."What time is your performance tomorrow?""10 AM.""It's late now, you should get some rest." I gave him a quick hug and turned to return to my room. For some reason, I felt a burning gaze on my back, making the cool night air feel a bit too hot.Maybe I was overthinking. I shook my head. Gregory felt like a brother to me. There was no way he had feelings for me.They say time is like a healing river that washes away all pain. Traveling can have a similar effect, creating distance between you and your memories. That night, I peacefully slept in the unfamiliar hotel bed until Gregory knocked on my balcony door the next morning."I did
Hugh’s POV After Shelia and I kissed that night, we didn't contact each other for a week. During that time, I had to deal with work and face Susan, Sam's older sister, who naturally hired top lawyers for him. The Middleton family, while not as powerful as Thornton Aviation or Warner Pharmaceuticals, had their own food and agriculture businesses and still held significant economic strength. They wouldn't sit back when it came to Sam's case.Once Sam was sent to prison, Susan, being the largest investor in Flegmin Pharmaceuticals, was also investigated. However, there was no evidence connecting her to the illegal drug production, so she faced no penalties.David may have privately helped Susan. Despite their marriage being a business alliance, he always pampered her. Over 20 years ago, when Thornton Aviation was in crisis, Susan sold her assets in the Middleton family business to help David. That's why she now holds 15% of the shares in Thornton Aviation.As for my mother, David only m