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 “This is stupid, really stupid.” I muttered, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I was all dressed and primped up, looking like I was going to a party rather than to work. Although it wasn't as much as the receptionist's dressing at the capital, I still thought that this was over the top. I groaned, going to sit back on the bed, what had happened the night before was messing me up. I raised my hands to touch my lips, somehow, I was still feeling the soft feel of his lips on mine, I still remember it vividly. Zade was still a very good kisser, even more than before. If I could just get him to kiss me again… I trailed off. What the heck am I thinking?! “Ugh! I'm tired!” I buried my face into my pillow, groaning into it. “If you're tired, you can stay at home.” I suddenly heard Zade's voice and I turned my head towards the door and there he was, leaning against the door frame. I rolled my eyes. “And you would allow me to stay at home?” I questioned. “Anything f
Elaine's POV “True.” He said with a slight nod, “But then I wouldn’t get to see you all flustered like this, would I?” He winked, and I felt my heart stutter again. He knew exactly what he was doing, pushing me just enough to get a reaction. What was his plan actually? I took a deep breath, willing myself to remain calm, “Fine, I’ll get the package. But I’m not doing this because you asked nicely. I’m doing it because I want to get out of this place and get some fresh air.” “Of course.” He nodded again, that infuriating smirk never leaving his face, “You know, Elaine, sometimes I think you like running errands for me.” “Please, don’t flatter yourself.” I scoffed, grabbing my bag from the chair and slinging it over my shoulder, “I just want to finish this quickly so I can get back to my actual job. So who's the person I'm taking the package from?” Zade handed me a picture and I stared at it, along with an address and a phone number. The address was at a high end restaurant, V
Elaine's POV “Yes, I’m really Elijah Delacroix, the eldest son of the royal family.” He confirmed, his tone serious now, yet still holding that air of amusement, “Now, do you still think I’m impersonating someone?” “N… no.” I shook my head dumbly, still dazed, “I'm sorry for accusing you of impersonation!” I bowed my head, apologising. My heart was beating so fast, from fear, that he would just call out people and say, ‘Off with her head!’ and then I would not be able to get my revenge again. Elijah burst into another set of laughter at my trembling body, “Don't worry, I'm not going to ask someone to go off with your head if that's what you're thinking.” He said, making me go red in the face. “I… I'm sorry.” I squealed. But, from what I heard, the oldest son of the Delacroix family was a bald headed old man with a big stomach, he wasn't as handsome as this, and tall. The other one was rather short. Rumours, they really could destroy a person, I never had the chance to search for
Elaine's POV Caleb and Emily… They were looking right at me. Their eyes were wide, as wide as sauce pans, they looked like they had just seen a ghost. I almost chuckled at the irony, because to them, I was very much like a ghost, a ghost who Emily had watched drown or so she believed. I remembered watching the news and the body that was found under the bridge; the one that was said to be mine obviously wasn't. It had the same name I had, and it had worked in my favour, not that Caleb and Emily had any qualms to check it. If they had looked further, they would have found out that another family had come to claim it; that it wasn't mine at all, but they didn't. I gripped the steering wheel, willing myself to have a blank and neutral face. I didn't think I'd meet them like this, in this manner, staring at each other from afar. I swallowed the rising bile in my throat, the memories of that night surging back like a wave I wasn’t ready for. I had prepared for this moment a thousand times
Author's Pov The car ride back to Grandfather's mansion was quiet. No one spoke a word, not even one movement. Grandfather's face was serene, calm, blank, as if he wasn't thinking about anything. While Caleb had all sorts of emotions written very colorfully on his face. When they alighted from t
Elaine's Pov “Thank you for your help, we will get back to you in a few days.” The Police officer declared, his voice loud and clear. Afterwards, they dragged the still screaming Emily out of the mansion, leaving the scene behind. After they left, guests started to murmur. “Caleb’s family is don
“You don’t get it, do you?” I said, my voice steady, “This isn’t about being better than you. This is about justice, for everyone you’ve hurt. Including me!” Emily’s breathing grew ragged, her chest heaving as she stared at me with unbridled hatred. Suddenly, she lunged forward, her hands reaching
Elaine's Pov “You said you loved me!” Her voice broke, tears streaming down her face as she staggered toward him, but he took a step back, his jaw tightening. She turned toward the crowd then, her gaze wild and unfocused, “They’re all lying! They’re jealous! All of them are jealous of what I have
Elaine's Pov “Instead… Why don't we bring a doctor in to check if you're actually pregnant? After all, you've been able to deceive each and every one of us. If I didn't find out about it, you would have still continued to use it as leverage.” I said slowly, deliberately, enunciating every word, my
Elaine's Pov “How do I know all of this?” I repeated, my voice calm but commanding, “Because I am Elaine Winters.” And with that, I pulled off my mask, revealing my face to the people in the room. The gasp that erupted from the crowd was deafening. “She’s alive, I saw her on TV saying she was dea
Elaine's Pov “I can't take Caleb as my future husband… Why, you may be asking?” I slapped Caleb's hand away from my wrist, cleaning my palm on my dress as I turned to face the audience, “Because he's my ex husband!” I finished sweetly, clapping my hands together, the sound echoing throughout the h
Elaine's Pov It was time for the engagement. I stood in front of the mirror as the servants continued to dress me, I could hear the excited murmurs that came from the guests outside. Those whom I had invited and a lot of Caleb's workers and friends. I was nervous I wouldn't lie, but also, I re
Elaine's Pov “Put up the banners!” “Can't you see that it's not the same colour?! This is two shades darker, bring it down and change it instantly!” “Remove this, and this, and this! This party must be perfect! Lady Evangeline said there must be no mistakes!” Servants ran helter skelter