Author's POV Jared snickered, his hands going up to cover his mouth. Evangeline heard it nonetheless. It was only Giselle that could make Evangeline lose her composure like this, even her children hardly could. Giselle laughed, a twinkling bell-like laugh that echoed in the house. She stepped aside and greeted warmly, “Welcome back, my lady. The house is ready for your greatness to enter.” She bowed her head a bit low and stretched her hands to gesture to the house. Evangeline huffed, but she went in nonetheless, glancing at Giselle with an unfathomable look in her eyes. With that, the family made their way up the grand marble steps and into the mansion, the main hall was just as lavish as ever, with its high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and intricately carved wooden panelling. As they made their way through the hall, Jared slowed his pace, his gaze wandering over the portraits that lined the walls. Each portrait depicted a member of the Delacroix family, their stern, proud faces
Elaine's POV “There, it's done. Brent Ruse has been arrested and sentenced, it was very quick.” I leaned on my seat, turning it around so I could face Zade who stood behind me, “What next?” I asked, staring at him from under my lashes. Zade said nothing, he remained silent, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. My cheeks heated under his scrutiny and I shifted uncomfortably, trying to figure out what he was thinking. Why was he staring at me like that? Was there something on my face? I lifted my hands to my face, I wasn't wearing my mask but it wasn't as if he had never seen me without my mask before… I swallowed, feeling my heart race faster with every second that passed. “Za…” Then his phone rang, and the sudden noise supposedly broke the spell between us. “Hm?” He didn't move, just hummed and continued looking at me with an unreadable expression, until his phone chimed again. “Aren't you going to take that?” I gestured towards the ringing phone.
Elaine's POVZade questioned, blocking their view of me. I was still shaking, my body remembered all that she did to me even though it had been a long time. I didn't expect to meet her once again in a place like this, why did she come back? Because of Zade? Erika Windsor, a woman who almost killed me in the past, just because she wanted Zade. She stood up, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw Zade but her gaze quickly shifted to the masked figure behind him, me. I took a step back again, grateful for the mask that concealed my identity but somehow, I still felt so exposed under Erika's gaze. “Zade.” She purred, pushing a strand of her perfectly styled hair behind her ear, “I'm just here to catch up with some old friends, there's no need to get so defensive.” She said sweetly, but her voice was so grating to the ears. It had a tone of saccharin sweetness and left a bitter after taste. Zade's jaw clenched, his presence was cold and unyielding, “Old friends?” He repeated, his voi
Elaine's POV“Let's get on with it.”Zade muttered. “What about your little friend here, is she also interested in joining this game? It'll be fun if more girls join.” Chris, one of the men sitting around the table asked, his gaze settling on me with a smirk. I froze, a jolt of unease shooting through me. I hadn’t come here to play games, especially not ones like these, I knew all too well how bad things could get. And with Erika in the room, everything felt like a trap waiting to spring. “No,” I said quietly, shaking my head, “I’m just here to…” “What’s the matter?” Erika interrupted, her voice dripping with mock sweetness, “Afraid? Or maybe you just don’t have what it takes to hang out with us?” She chuckled, the sound of her laugh was grating against my nerves like nails scratching on a chalkboard, “You really are a weakling, aren’t you?” “Erika.” Zade's voice cut in, low in warning. I stiffened, her words hitting a sore spot, my initial instinct was to ignore her, to keep my com
Elaine's POV I stared at her, my expression was blank and the sudden silence in the room felt oppressive, no one spoke nor dared to move, their attention was focused entirely on the both of us. Erika's face was contorted by rage, her usual smug demeanour shattered. “You… You bitch!” She screeched, the corners of her eyes going red, “Can you hear her?! Can you all hear her? She's insulting me, she's fucking insulting me!” “Insulting?” Zade cut in, leaning back on his seat, “I didn't hear any insults, what I heard was facts. She was speaking as a matter of factly. You are not as intimidating as you think you are, Erika, she dares because she can.” Zade's vouce was firm, the authority in his voice cutting off any words of protest that was about to come. “Excuse me but I won't be playing this game anymore, as long as she's here. Zade, I'll be outside waiting in the car, when you're done, please meet me there. And don't get too drunk, I can't have you fainting on me in the car, you'r
Elaine's POV I instantly pulled back, shocked at what happened. Zade's eyes were wide, staring at me. He looked like he had seen a ghost. “Elaine…” He whispered huskily, his deep voice going even lower. I felt a thrill rush down my spine, and a tingle in my stomach. My hands were clenched at my sides, trembling. I wanted to kiss him again, to feel his lips on mine one more time. I could not tear my gaze away from his lips, Zade always held this sort of power over me, a magnetic force that attracted me to him from the moment we met up until we dated. I thought it was over, but as it turns out, it was still very much there. He shifted slightly, and I realised that I had been staring too long. I tore my gaze away and looked everywhere else but him, silence stretched between us, making it all awkward. I knew I should say something to make it less awkward but I didn't know what, how could I even say anything when my entire body was still screaming for Zade's touch. I was trying to do e
Zade's POV The moment I parked at the house, Elaine jumped down from the car and ran into the sitting room. Within minutes, I couldn't find her anymore and her door was locked. I couldn't help but chuckle at the way she scurried away. She was so bold back there in the car and now, she was running away like a rabbit? I shook my head, another snicker sneaking past my lips. But… I clenched my fists. Was I too hasty in doing what I did? I glanced back at Elaine's door, my jaw clenching, a part of me wanted to go after her, to demand we finish what we started but another part, the more rational part of me that had disappointed me in the car, told me to back off. To give her space, after everything she had been through, I couldn't push her too hard or too fast, I was even thankful that she didn't kick me in the balls for kissing her. A memory of that came to me and I chuckled again. But damn it, that kiss… it had been everything I remembered and more. She tasted like fire and sweetne
Zade's POVI said, and Erika's eyes widened, her lips trembling as she tried to move back. It wasn't possible since she was strapped to the chair. I stepped closer, a sinister smirk on my face. “Z… Zade? What… What are you talking about? You came here to save me, didn't you? You're just trying to scare me.” Sweat dripped down her brows and dropped to her clothes. I chuckled, the sound echoing in the warehouse. “Save you?” I repeated softly, leaning down until my face was only inches from hers, and I let my hand trail lightly over the back of her chair, a slow, deliberate movement that made her shiver in fear, “Did you really think I would ever waste my time saving you?” Erika’s breath hitched as she shrank back as much as her body could allow, “Zade, I…” “Shut up.” I cut her off sharply. The coldness in my voice made her eyes widen, the tears she’d been holding back spilling over her cheeks, “Do you know what the sight of you does to me? The disgust it makes me feel? After every
Elaine's Pov Zade’s warm smile made me smile in response to what he said. His hands in mine felt very grounding, like nothing was going to happen while he was here. “I wasn’t sure if you were still in the mood for it.” I replied, my voice lighter than I felt.He tilted his head, studying me for a
Elaine's Pov “Am I interrupting something? And why is my dear sister on the floor shaking like a leaf? Did she do something to you, Elaine?” Katherine questioned, standing beside me, next to Elijah. After this, I was going to become a wingman for both of them. If Katherine could get married to E
Elaine's Pov It was as if a boulder had fallen down on Mila and Jade, the both of them stumbled in shock and horror. I went straight to them, my brother's and Zade right behind me. When I stopped, I beamed at them, stretching out my hands for a handshake. “Mila Hall and Jade, right? I've heard s
“Elaine, although to you and to others, this is just a normal debut, but it's not. You don't know how you went missing and why I spent so much time finding you. There are people in this family who haven't shown themselves. Those who are waiting for you to be officially recognised into this family so
Elaine's Pov. “This is bullshit, you know?!” I muttered angrily under my breath, frowning when a gust of wind flowed into the shed, making my body automatically shiver. Not only was I locked up in a place where it was going to be hard for people to pass through, I was also cold, dirty and smelly.
Elaine's Pov “They’re just people, Elaine. It's not like you've not stood in front of a lot of people before. You literally did this when dealing with Caleb and Emily.” I muttered under her breath, trying to steady my raging nerves. Guests who were dressed in glamorous attires filed into the l
Elaine's Pov “Yours? How noble.” Jade sneered, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder, “But don’t think for a second that your actions will go unnoticed. Father doesn’t take kindly to being disobeyed, baby brother. You know that better than anyone.” “Like I said, it's your problem not mine. H
Elaine’s Pov “That’s your brother? He’s ugly. Really ugly.” I whispered to Zade who snickered at my words. Truly, to me, this Jade was really ugly, not as handsome as Zade. I stared at him for a while, frowning, even from where he stood, I could smell the amount of female perfume coming from him.
Author's Pov "I am so exhausted." Katherine groaned. She plopped down on her bed, covering her face with her pillow. Going to the Delacroix Mansion was not something she had counted on in her entire life but Elaine made it happen. Mila might have gone there but she no chance to. "Miss. Your sis