Julian's POVI sat alone in my dimly lit room, my head in my hands, consumed by the weight of what had happened that night. The memory replayed in my mind like a cruel joke—my hands on the maidservant, the way Lily had walked in at the worst possible moment, the disgust in her eyes. I hadn't meant for it to happen. I hadn't even realized what I was doing until it was too late. But none of that mattered. What mattered was that I had betrayed Lily’s trust, and now she wouldn’t even listen to me. I wanted to believe that if I could just explain, if I could just tell her that it was a mistake, that it had meant nothing—maybe she would understand. But deep down, I knew that wasn’t true. Lily had always been unwavering in her beliefs, in her expectations. To her, betrayal was betrayal, and no amount of reasoning would change that. I sighed heavily, running my fingers through my hair. My entire life was about to collapse, and I felt powerless to stop it. A sudden noise startled me—a sh
Julian's POV I couldn't let her leave. The moment Lily walked out of my room, I knew I had to do something. If she left now, it would be over—there would be no coming back from this. So I followed her. My heartbeat pounded in my ears as I moved down the hallway, watching her slender figure disappear into our bedroom. Our bedroom. Would it even be ours anymore? No. I wouldn’t let that happen. I reached the doorway just as she stepped toward the closet, pulling out a suitcase with steady hands. “Lily,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. She didn’t look at me. I stepped inside and, without hesitation, turned and locked the door. Her shoulders tensed, but she didn’t turn around. “Unlock the door, Julian,” she said flatly, pulling out a few dresses and folding them neatly. “No,” I said firmly. “Not until you hear me out.” She let out a sharp breath and finally turned to face me. Her eyes—cold, distant—cut through me like a blade. “What do you want to sa
(Lily’s POV)My hands trembled as I placed my suitcase back in the closet, my mind still racing from the whirlwind of emotions that had just unfolded. Julian’s words still lingered in my ears, his desperate pleas, the raw emotion in his eyes when he begged me to stay. And I stayed. I had made my decision, and no matter how much doubt clawed at the edges of my mind, I knew I wasn’t going to walk away from my marriage. But there was one last battle to fight. My mother. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the bedroom and made my way downstairs. The house was quiet now, almost as if it was holding its breath, waiting for the next storm.I found Monica in the living room, perched on the edge of the couch, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her foot tapping against the hardwood floor. She looked up the moment I entered, her eyes narrowing. "Is the car packed?" she asked, her voice clipped. I swallowed. "No, Mama. I’m not leaving." Silence. Then, she stood, her bod
(Elena’s POV)I sat on the edge of my bed, gripping my phone tightly, my heart pounding in frustration. The voices from downstairs had been impossible to ignore—heated words exchanged, accusations thrown like daggers, and then… the worst part. Lily had decided to stay. I clenched my jaw, a bitter taste settling in my mouth. How could she be so blind? After everything, after all the warnings, she was still choosing Julian. I had been *so* sure she would leave this time. That she would finally see the truth. But no. She had thrown away her last chance at freedom. I stood abruptly, pacing the room before pulling out my phone. There was only one person I needed to talk to right now. Gina. I quickly dialed her number, my fingers trembling with anger. She picked up on the second ring. "Elena? What’s wrong?" "It didn’t work," I hissed, my voice shaking. "She’s staying." There was silence on the other end before Gina let out an irritated sigh. "Are you serious?" "Monica
Elena's POVThe house was quiet, save for the rhythmic ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts spiraling with frustration. My fingers drummed against the mattress as I replayed the events of the evening in my mind. I had done my part—smiled when needed, picked the perfect dress, even helped her get ready like a good little assistant. But beneath the surface, I was boiling.Lily and Julian were gone. Off to their perfect date, laughing and holding hands as if nothing had happened. As if Monica hadn't fought for her, as if she hadn't nearly walked away from it all. It made my stomach twist. Just as I exhaled deeply, attempting to clear my thoughts, a sharp knock at the front door made me sit up. I froze.I frowned, pushing myself up. Who could it be? Lily and Julian had just left, and it was too late for visitors. Who could be here at this hour? Cautiously, I got up and padded toward the front door. My heart poun
Lily's POVThe moment Julian pulled up to the hotel, I knew this night was going to be different. The building itself was grand, with warm golden lights illuminating the entrance, and beyond it, I could see the soft shimmer of a lake reflecting the evening sky. The whole scene felt straight out of a dream, one I wasn’t quite ready to wake up from. Julian stepped out of the car first, moving quickly to open my door before I could do it myself. His hand reached for mine, warm and firm, and when I looked up at him, he was already smiling. "You look breathtaking," he said, his voice low, full of admiration. Heat rushed to my cheeks. I had spent extra time getting ready, slipping into a deep red dress that hugged my curves in all the right places, my hair cascading in soft waves down my shoulders. But hearing him say it like that made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. He reached behind him, and before I could ask what he was doing, he pulled out a bouquet of re
Lily's POVThe warm morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. I blinked, slowly waking up to the feeling of Julian’s arms wrapped securely around me. His steady breathing tickled the back of my neck, his warmth seeping into me like a cozy blanket. For a moment, I just lay there, letting everything sink in. The fight, the tears, the way he had begged me to stay. And now, this. The soft sheets, the scent of his cologne still lingering in the air, and the way my heart felt full again. I turned my head slightly, careful not to disturb him too much. His face was relaxed in sleep, a stark contrast to the desperation I had seen in his eyes just yesterday. A small smile tugged at my lips. He looked so peaceful, so different from the man who had locked my door and practically thrown himself at my mercy. I reached out and brushed my fingers lightly over his cheek. “Hey,” I whispered, even though I kind of didn’t want to wake him up. His eyelids f
Gina’s POVThe phone pressed against my ear, I paced the length of my office, my heels clicking against the marble floor. "Just stay put, Elena," I hissed, glancing toward the door. "I need time to figure out our next move. We can’t afford another slip-up." Elena sighed on the other end. "We should've taken care of her the moment she walked back into his life." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I know that," I snapped. "But we need a smarter approach. Monica’s in the way, and Julian… he’s unpredictable when it comes to Lily. If we move too soon, we risk everything." A beat of silence stretched between us before Elena muttered, "Fine. But hurry up"The moment I hung up the call with Elena, I let out a sigh, tapping my nails against the desk. The wheels in my mind were already turning, formulating the next step. Julian, Lily, Monica—none of them would see what was coming. I would make sure of that. But just as I leaned back in my chair, I felt a presence behind me. My body tense
Elena's POV I was packing my bags, my mind racing with thoughts of Asia and the new life that awaited me. But just as I was about to zip up my suitcase, my phone rang."Hello?" I answered, expecting it to be Gina."Hi, is this Elena?" a deep voice asked."Yes, it is. Who is this?""My name is Mark. I'm Gina's associate. She sent me to drive you to the airport."I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "Okay, thanks. What time should I be ready?""How about we meet at the coffee shop on 5th street at 2 pm?" Mark suggested.I agreed, and we hung up. But as I continued packing, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't right. I had an ulterior motive, one that I couldn't reveal to Gina or Mark just yet.I finished packing, but instead of taking my suitcase with me, I left it behind. I dressed up in a sun hat and glasses, concealing my face. I made my way to the coffee shop, my heart racing with anticipation.When I arrived, Mark was already there, sitting in a black sedan.
Gina's POV I walked into my house, dropping my bag on the floor. I was exhausted from a long day at work. As I made my way to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, I remembered that I hadn't spoken to Elena in a while.I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed her number. She picked up on the second ring."Gina! Oh my god, it's so great to hear from you!" Elena exclaimed.I chuckled. "Hey, Elena. I'm sorry I haven't called you in a while. How have you been?""I've been good, Gina. But I've had some trouble," Elena said, her voice serious."What kind of trouble?" I asked, my instincts on high alert."Julian and his friends sent some men to capture me," Elena said, her voice shaking.I gritted my teeth. "Those bastards. I'm so sorry, Elena. Are you okay?""Yeah, I'm fine. I managed to escape," Elena said.I took a deep breath. "Elena, I think it's time for you to get out of the country. I want you to fly to Asia."There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Asia? But why, Gina?""Beca
Elena's POV Some Days Earlier***I trudged wearily back to my apartment, my arms laden with groceries from the market. It had been weeks since I'd last spoken to Gina, and I was starting to feel like a ghost, invisible and forgotten.After leaving Lily's house under Gina's instructions, I'd gone into hiding, always looking over my shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'd rented a small apartment a few months ago, and it had become my refuge, my sanctuary.But I couldn't stay there all the time. I had to keep moving, had to keep changing my routine, just in case someone was watching. So, some nights I'd lodge in a hotel, paying cash and using a fake name.It was a lonely, isolating existence, but I knew it was necessary. I'd seen what Gina was capable of, and I knew that if she wanted to find me, she would.As I approached my apartment building, I noticed something that made my heart skip a beat. Two men, dressed in black and wearing masks, were snooping around the entrance.
Julian's POVI bent over and ripped the blindfold off the girl's face, my heart pounding. The dim light of the warehouse flickered over her tear-streaked cheeks, but as soon as I got a good look at her, my stomach twisted. It wasn’t Elena. Lily gasped beside me, her hand flying to her mouth. "Julian… this isn’t her."Monica, standing a few feet away, erupted into laughter. "You idiots," she scoffed, shaking her head. "You fools are always being deceived."My jaw clenched so tight I thought my teeth might crack. Rage surged through me like wildfire. I spun around and locked eyes with one of the men who had captured the girl. Without a second thought, I drove my fist into his face, feeling the satisfying crunch of bone against my knuckles. He staggered back, blood dripping from his nose. "You had one job," I snarled. "One fucking job! And you couldn’t even do that right."He groaned, holding his face, but I wasn’t done. I stepped forward, grabbing his shirt, yanking him close. "Go fin
Julian's POV The next evening, we got our confirmation. Bill’s men had eyes on Elena. She had just returned to the apartment after being out all day, and she was alone. “This is it,” Monica said, pacing excitedly. “We need to act now.” I glanced at Lily, but she was avoiding my gaze. “Bill’s men are in position,” I told them. “They can handle the grab. But once we have her, what’s next?” Monica grinned. “We make her talk. One way or another.” Lily shifted uncomfortably but said nothing. I nodded. “Alright. Let’s do this.” I made the call. Lily finally looked up, her eyes wide with unease. “Julian…” I reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. “Trust me.” She hesitated, then gave a small nod. I looked back at the message on my phone. Take her to the warehouse. We’ll be there soon.*******I paced the length of the warehouse, my shoes clicking against the cold concrete floor. The dim light barely illuminated the figure tied to the chair in the center of the ro
Gina's POV As Alex led me to the bedroom, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The events of the past few days had been overwhelming, and I was grateful for the comfort and safety of Alex's arms.We stepped into the bathroom, and Alex turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature to just right. We stood under the warm water, letting it wash away the stresses of the day. Afterwards, Alex gently towel-dried my hair and applied a generous amount of hair oil, working it through my tangled locks with a gentle touch.As he combed out my hair, I felt my eyes grow heavy, the soothing motion lulling me into a state of relaxation. Alex helped me slide into my nightgown, his fingers brushing against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.We climbed into bed, and Alex wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. I felt safe, protected, and loved."Gina, I want you to promise me something," Alex said, his voice low and serious."What is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper."I want
Gina's POV As the violins played a soft, romantic tune, Alex pulled me close, his arms wrapping securely around my waist. I let out a breathless laugh as he swayed us gently, our feet sinking slightly into the cool beach sand. “Dancing barefoot on the beach?” I teased, gazing up at him. “Who knew you were such a romantic?” He smirked. “You bring it out of me.” I shook my head, smiling. “I still can’t believe all of this. The dinner, the music, the stars…” I sighed, resting my head against his chest. “It’s perfect.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “That’s all I wanted—for you to be happy.” I closed my eyes, letting the moment wash over me. The rhythmic crash of the waves, the warmth of Alex’s embrace, the feeling of being utterly and completely loved. It was everything. After what felt like forever, he pulled back slightly, his hand still gripping mine. “Come with me. There’s one more thing I want to show you.” I arched an eyebrow. “Another surprise?” He chuckled. “Tru
Gina’s POVAlex led me inside the penthouse, and the moment I stepped through the door, my breath hitched. It was stunning. Soft, golden lights illuminated the spacious living room, casting a warm glow over the polished marble floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the ocean, the waves shimmering under the moonlight.A plush white sofa sat in the center of the room, surrounded by sleek modern furniture. In the corner, a grand piano rested near a collection of candles flickering gently, filling the air with a subtle vanilla scent. I turned to Alex, my eyes wide. “This place is incredible.” He grinned, watching my reaction. “I hoped you’d like it.” “Like it?” I spun in a slow circle, taking everything in. “Alex, it’s—” I shook my head, speechless. He walked up behind me, his hands resting gently on my waist. “Only the best for my wife.” A shiver ran through me at the way he said it. I turned in his arms, looking up at him. “You didn’t have to do
Gina’s POVAs the credits rolled on the screen, Alex stretched and turned to me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “The night’s not over yet,” he said. I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? There’s more?” He smirked. “Of course. You didn’t think I’d settle for just dinner and a movie, did you?” I chuckled. “Honestly? I was already impressed.” “Well, prepare to be amazed.” He took my hand and led me back to the car, opening the door for me like a true gentleman. As I slid inside, he leaned in slightly, his lips brushing against my temple before he shut the door. The simple touch sent warmth rushing through me. When he got into the driver’s seat, he started the engine and turned to me. “Comfortable?” I nodded. “So where are we going?” He grinned. “Patience, my love.” With that, he pulled out of the parking lot and started driving. As we cruised along the countryside, the city lights faded behind us, replaced by open fields and the soft glow of the moon. The radio played sof