"You took so long to reach out to me, huh? Where have you been? And it seems like you've suddenly changed in my eyes," Franklyn asked, furrowing his brow.I had decided to meet up with Franklyn. News about my marriage to Yohan had already spread throughout our company, and I didn’t want him to hear about it from someone else. Franklyn was my only friend—he deserved to hear the truth from me first.I went to his company, knowing how busy he was. Besides, I didn’t want to stay at my own company for now, especially since I would soon be transferring to Yohan’s. What was the point of lingering there? It felt suffocating, and I wasn’t ready to face Dad just yet."I have something to tell you, Frank," I said seriously.He raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in my demeanor. "O... kay? What is it, Princess?"Taking a deep breath, I met his gaze and told him the truth."I'm already married to Zion Yohan Warren, Frank.""W-What?!" His eyes widened as he shot up from his swivel chair, placing h
"Y-Yohan, please, don't do this," I nervously said while trembling in my seat.He led me to our bedroom and sat me on our bed. He quickly undressed me, leaving me no choice but to obey his commands. I clung to my naked body, looking at him with pleading eyes. Yes, Yohan is indeed skilled in bed, and he always drives me crazy when he thrusts inside me, but he can also be a beast in bed. I've experienced not being able to walk or move properly because of what Yohan did to me, and I don't want it to happen again. I am willing to give myself to him because he's my husband, but my only wish is for him to be gentle with me.He stripped in front of me, revealing his intimidating physique. Yohan regularly goes to the gym, so his body is well-built, and his abs are clearly visible.Yohan approached me and enveloped me with his arms."Why do you look so nervous, Cosette? I'll take care of you, and you will like what we will be doing right now."He kissed my lips after saying that. His kisses we
I knew it—I wouldn’t be able to move properly again.I woke up early, my stomach grumbling in protest. I hadn’t eaten dinner, and Yohan and I had lost track of time. It must already be early morning. My body had given out the moment I hit the bed, exhaustion taking over. When will I ever get used to Yohan? It seems like I’m always sore because of him. He never seems to tire out!With a sigh, I carefully removed Yohan’s arm from around my waist. He was lying face down on the bed, sleeping soundly. I couldn’t help but smile as I studied his face. I can’t stop myself from falling for him. He’s the only man who has ever entered my life and made me feel this way. Shaking off these feelings for my husband would be impossible—I might even end up like my mother.Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to get up. Since Yohan doesn’t keep house help, if I didn’t move, we wouldn’t have anything to eat.Fuck. My body aches everywhere, and—damn it—there’s a burning sensation down there. I hesitated
"Meet the new COO of Warren Empire—my wife, Cosette Blanche Warren."Applause filled the conference room as Yohan introduced me to the board of directors. Thankfully, we weren’t late; I didn’t want to keep them waiting or leave a negative first impression. As I scanned the room, I noticed Lenore seated at a distance, clapping and smiling along with the others. However, despite her smile, there was something about her that remained intimidating—almost as if her expression held a hidden meaning, making me feel as though I had done something wrong.Since it was my first day at Yohan’s company, I was careful with every move I made."Ma’am, your husband’s company is huge! I can’t believe you’re working here—and you even brought me along!" my secretary, Alice, exclaimed cheerfully.We were now in my new office, which was significantly larger than my previous one at Allen Company.I took a deep breath, letting my gaze wander around the space. Adjusting to a new environment would take time, b
"How was your first day as the COO of Warren Empire, my lovely daughter? I'm so proud of you! It’s a significant opportunity, and many people will get to know you—especially since your husband is Yohan!" Dad exclaimed.Even though I didn’t want to come to Dad’s house, I had no choice but to follow his orders. I was expected to report everything happening in Yohan’s company, and I couldn’t help but wonder why I had to share all these details with Dad. It made me feel like a spy, but I didn’t dare question him, fearing he might scold me."Thanks, Dad," I replied simply.I glanced at my mother, who sat quietly beside him. I wanted to talk to her—to understand her life as Dad’s wife. I didn’t want to end up like her, so
"What I heard—is it true, Mrs. Warren? Did you really change your job?" Franklyn asked, raising an eyebrow.I hadn’t planned on meeting him, especially since I still had a lot to do at my new job. Plus, I wasn’t ready to tell him the truth just yet—I knew he’d tease me endlessly about it. But it seemed I had no choice now that he already knew. News spreads quickly, especially since I’m Yohan’s wife and part of the Warren family. Information about us never stays secret for long.Franklyn had arranged to meet me at a restaurant not far from the Warren Building. I wasn’t comfortable going to Yohan’s company with him, so I took the initiative to meet him instead."Yeah. That’s what Dad wanted, and before I could even ma
I still couldn't find my voice, and even now, I couldn't believe what I had witnessed.Why does Yohan have a gun?Is he part of a syndicate?Why does he own a gun, and more importantly, why does he seem completely unafraid to use it?"Let's grab a meal at the restaurant before heading home."I glanced at Yohan as he spoke. We usually went home together because that was what he preferred. Fortunately, he seemed calm now, and my fear and anxiety had somewhat subsided.Yohan chose where we would eat, and soon, we arrived at a Spanish restaurant. When he parked the car, I quietly stepped out and follow
I’m still not satisfied with what Yohan told me. It feels like he’s hiding something, and I need to find out the truth.“Ma’am Cosette?”I blinked and looked up as Alice called my name. She was already here. Earlier, I had given her a small task to help me gather some information.“Did you find anything?” I asked seriously.Alice nodded, locked my office door, and approached me.“I spoke with some employees here at Sir Zion’s company, Ma’am. They said your husband is indeed strict and intimidating. Many have been dismissed simply because he didn’t like their work. Sometimes, Sir Zion even humiliates employees in public to instill fear, ensuring others don’t make mistakes. However, some believe he does this to prevent laziness and push everyone to excel,” Alice explained.I bit my lip, deep in thought. ‘Maybe Yohan also dismissed the man I saw in his office. He really is a devil in disguise. No wonder people call him that—he truly embraces his ruthless nature.’“Is that all you found o
Cosette’s POVMama was very happy when I told her that Johiel and I are going home to Los Angeles. She mentioned again about our old house, which is now under Yohan's name. I didn't have any plans to visit Yohan and negotiate to have our house back and rename it to Allen again. But just to calm my mother down, I told her that I would try, though I wasn't sure, she's just so persistent."Mommy Cosette, when we're in Los Angeles, are we going to visit Otto?" Johiel asked me.We're on the plane now, and on the other side of our seats are the couple Iris and Franklyn. They're both asleep, so Johiel and I are talking quietly to avoid waking them up.I ran my fingers through Johiel's hair and smiled at him before answering his question."Let's rest first, Pretty boy, then tomorrow we'll visit your cousins and Aunt Geneva, okay?"He nodded and leaned on me. "Mommy, I'll sleep," he said softly, closing his eyes. I let him sleep while he leaned against my chest. I also closed my eyes as I gent
Cosette’s POV"You're telling me that you're going back to Los Angeles and you're taking Johiel with you? No!" Franklyn said, standing in front of me with a furrowed brow.I frowned at Franklyn's words. He and Iris came to my house for a visit and they're going to stay here overnight. Franklyn has a conference meeting nearby, so they decided to stay at my place instead of renting a hotel."Love, Cosette needs to go back to Los Angeles because that's where she's assigned for work," Iris said before I could speak.I glanced at her and she winked at me. Iris is six months pregnant with their first baby, and her belly is already quite large.Franklyn took a deep breath and calmed himself before speaking again, as Iris is sensitive right now and he didn't want to raise his voice in front of her."I understand that, Love, but what if Zion finds out the truth? He'll take Johiel from Cosette! We know what kind of man he is, he has no mercy," Franklyn said.Fortunately, Johiel is asleep now be
Cosette’s POV"Setta, you know that the house isn't in our name anymore, right? Your ex-husband already acquired all our properties."I rubbed my temples as I spoke to Mama on the phone. When Johiel and I got home from work, I immediately called Mama because I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease about her visit, and upon learning her purpose, I couldn't help but feel troubled."Ma, you could buy new properties in Los Angeles if you really want to go back there. You could also ask for help from Gene, or maybe you could just stay with them for a while," I suggested to her.I heard her sigh on the other end of the line. "Setta, our house holds many memories of us. I can't just let that go again," Mom said on the other line.I closed my eyes."Ma! You know that it's not ours anymore, right? I thought you had moved on and wanted to stay in Finland?" I said to her."I have moved on from the pain, Cosette, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten our life together with your father. I want o
Yohan's POV"She has panic attacks again, Zion."I stiffened, glancing at Claudia who was currently asleep in her bed. She's being checked on by her private doctor and nurses. Claudia lost control of herself earlier and almost hurt herself again, but thankfully, Aunt Lenore caught her in time and stopped her from doing anything rash. Aunt Lenore called me quickly, so I hurried over to the house where Claudia is staying."You can't just leave her alone, Zion! Don't you have any pity for her? It's been five years since she woke up from seven years in a coma, but Claudia is still suffering. She's your fiancée!"I couldn't help but bristle at what Aunt Lenore said, but I restrained myself."She was my fiancée, Aunt, not anymore. Claudia and I are no longer together; I'm just doing this out of guilt for what happened to her...because it's my fault that she's like this," I said to her.Five years ago, Claudia finally woke up from the seven-year coma. I was ecstatic at the time because she w
Cosette’s POVHerbert smiled and slightly bowed, greeting me, and I greeted him back."He's also from LA like you, so that's why I called you because I want you to assist him in his new workplace and be his tour guide for a while in the company," our Editor-in-chief, Mr. Nunes, said.I was slightly surprised and looked at Herbert again. He just smiled at me and waved slightly."Okay, Sir."Sir Nunes reminded Herbert of a few things before we left his office."Wow! I can't believe I have a fellow American colleague now, I'm happy," we both said as we left our editor-in-chief's office.Herbert smiled at me, scratching his head slightly. I could see he's shy and not much of a talker. It seems like I'll have a hard time talking to him even though we're both American. "Is that how you really are?" I asked him, raising my eyebrow.His eyes widened as if he had done something wrong to me. "H-Huh? What do you mean?" he asked, stuttering.I couldn't help but laugh. I shook my head and started
Cosette’s POVI'm outside my house right now, facing my laptop while I'm working. Our company allows us to work from home sometimes, and I'm working from home today. While I'm working here outside my house, I can't help but look at the scenery because I can see the mountain I used to hike with my Swiss friends. I haven't been able to hike recently because I'm busy with my job.I paused from my work when I heard my phone ring. I couldn't help but feel excited and eager when I saw who was calling. I quickly answered it and leaned back in my chair. Ah, my angel is calling me."Mommy Cosette!" he exclaimed from the other line as I answered his call.I chuckled softly and replied, "Yes, pretty boy? I missed you! When are you coming home?""I don't know, Mommy Cosette! But Papa Franklyn said we would visit you there on the weekend," he replied from the other line.I closed my eyes and hugged myself while talking to him on the other line. "I miss you so much, Baby. I wish you were with me,"
Yohan’s POV"Sir, Mrs. Cosette has already left, and she's on the plane heading to Switzerland."I closed my eyes and sighed deeply as my secretary delivered the news. I gestured for her to leave my office, and as I heard the door shut, I opened my eyes again, staring blankly.Because of my eagerness to fulfill my revenge plan that I had been plotting for a long time, I lost the person who made me feel complete again. I lost my wife and our angel because of my stupidity. This is the first time I have felt this pain again in my whole life. The last time I felt this pain was when my parents died. I never thought I would fall for the daughter of my enemy, the daughter of the one who betrayed my parents.I took a
Yohan's POVOct. 17, 2000.That's the date my parents were killed by the people they trusted their entire lives. I was there when my parents were killed. I saw how they mercilessly killed my dad and hurt my mom. That was the time that I will never forget in my whole life. I promised myself that the people who killed my parents would pay the price for whatever they did in the past."Zion?"I blinked my eyes and turned when I heard the voice of my Aunt Lenore, my father's sister. Aunt Lenore became my guardian when I lost my parents. I have no siblings, and only Aunt Lenore is the closest family I have here in LA. I have my family on my mother's side in Spain, but
"Cosette, aren't you going home yet?"I blinked my eyes and turned when I heard Franklyn's voice. Mom had already gone home because she felt dizzy and needed some rest. We were at the cemetery, where we buried my child. The doctor showed us our baby, and I couldn't help but cry and feel the pain when I saw how tiny he was. If he were still alive and saved, he would have grown up, and I would have given him everything that would make him happy. But now, my child is gone, leaving me alone."I'll stay here for a while, Frank," I said softly while looking at my child's gravestone. We just labeled it as Baby Warren since we didn't know his gender yet."Are you going to sign the annulment papers with Zion?" he asked.I blinked my eyes and faced him.Right. I still needed to sign those.After Yohan and I talked at the hospital about our separation, I immediately called Alice, and she took care of the annulment papers for Yohan and me. Yohan didn't talk about the annulment, but he had no choi