Lily's POVI was visibly shocked at the revelation. It seems there are many other things that I'm not aware of.“Yes Ma'am. I thought Elena would tell you but it seems your mum wanted her visit to be kept secret.” Carla said.I nodded in acknowledgement, taking in everything in good faith in as much as anger lurked in my stomach.“So, what else do I need to know about her visit? Aside asking about Elena, did she ask anything else?” I queried.“Nothing else. She only asked me to keep an eye on Elena. She dismissed me afterwards, so I didn't know when she left eventually.” “Have you been doing as she said ever since then? And she really didn't give you a reason for her suspicions?” It didn't make sense that my mum would suddenly be suspicious of Elena.The last time she visited, she made it quite obvious that she doesn't like Elena, but I thought that everything died down after going to the hospital that day.Well, she probably has some doubts left. But she would have asked me directly
Lily's POVI dismissed Carla with a wave of my hand, still fuming. My head pounded from the frustration of dealing with Julian’s indifference. How could he be so casual about this? I stormed into our bedroom, slamming the door behind me. But instead of pacing around in anger like I usually did, I forced myself to sit on the edge of the bed and take a deep breath. I’ll wait. Julian wanted to enjoy his dinner? Fine. Let him. But once he was done, he *would* listen to me. So I sat there, arms crossed, counting the minutes. After what felt like an eternity, I heard the sound of his chair scraping against the floor, then footsteps heading toward the living room. I followed. And when I walked in, there he was—lying comfortably on the couch, his legs stretched out, a beer bottle in one hand, eyes fixed on the damn TV. Football. Of course, it was football. I inhaled sharply, willing myself to stay calm. I walked up to him, standing directly in his line of vision, but h
Lily's POVI paced the sitting room, my arms crossed over my chest, my nerves on edge. Julian sat on the couch, watching his football game like there wasn’t something urgent at stake. His calmness only fueled my frustration. "Lily, come sit down," Julian said, glancing at me briefly before returning his attention to the screen. “She’ll be here soon,” he said lazily from the couch, his eyes glued to the screen. I shot him an annoyed look. "How can you be so relaxed? This is important!" "I'm not relaxed. I'm waiting—like you should be." "You don’t understand how urgent this feels." Julian sighed, muting the TV. "I do, but pacing won’t make Monica arrive any faster." Julian leaned back, stretching his arms behind his head. "It’s your mom we’re talking about. She does things at her own pace." I shot him a glare. "That’s the problem." I ignored him and continued walking back and forth, my thoughts a jumbled mess. Where was she? She said she’d be here an hour ago. Another
Julian’s POVMonica leaned back against the couch, arms crossed, her expression dark with satisfaction. “It’s the only way,” she muttered. “Elena’s caused enough damage. We need to make sure she doesn’t get another chance.” Lily sat beside me, her fingers curling into the fabric of her jeans. She hadn’t spoken much since Monica revealed Elena’s actions. I knew she was trying to process everything, trying to understand how someone she trusted could betray us so thoroughly. I exhaled, rubbing a hand down my face. “We just have to be smart about it,” I said. “We can’t leave any loose ends.” Monica smirked. “That’s why I suggested kidnapping her. Scare her enough to disappear, or… something more permanent.” Lily’s head snapped up. “Mom, we’re not killers.” Monica raised a brow. “No, but we know people who are.” The weight of her words settled over us. Monica was ruthless when it came to protecting those she cared about. And right now, she wanted Elena to pay. “Who do you kno
Gina's POV I sat at the head seat inside the boardroom, overlooking the city's landscape. It was indeed a sight to behold but the beauty wasn't where my attention was.I thought of the last fight I had with Alex, within the week. He had called me a bitter and vengeful woman. The words still rang in my ear repeatedly.I had thought that Alex would support me in my quest for revenge against all the people who had wronged me but instead he said all sort of things about me.I never thought he would ever threaten me with our marriage. He had asked me to stop or risk losing everything.Previously, I had already begun to love and cherish Alex, as my husband and not just business partner. But now, he is using it against me.If I had known that he would have tried to stop me from having my sweet revenge, I would have just kept him at arm's length. Like I initially planned to do.Well, nothing is going to stop me from having my way in anything. If I must let him go, then I will.Maybe we aren'
Gina's POV I stared at my phone, debating whether to call Alex. After our last fight, I wasn’t sure if he even wanted to hear my voice. But today was Valentine’s Day, and even though I didn’t expect much from him, a small part of me hoped he’d at least acknowledge it. Just as I exhaled and prepared to dial, the door to the boardroom swung open. Alex stood there, tall and composed, holding a massive bouquet of red roses. I blinked, convinced I was imagining things. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Gina,” he said, stepping forward. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. After the argument we had, I expected him to stay mad for at least another few days. But here he was, closing the distance between us, his expression soft but determined. He handed me the flowers, and I hesitantly took them, still trying to process what was happening. “You got these for me?” I asked, my voice almost a whisper. He smirked. “No, for the secretary outside. Of course, they’re for you.” I let out a brea
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
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
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