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Chapter 32: Nothing Personal
Last Updated:
2024-08-15 14:43:59
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It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 33: Jealousy
Parker looked at me with an amused smile. "You got yourself another Stacy?" he asked, his tone laced with a hint of teasing."Why are you always surrounding yourself with women, Rommy?" Caroline drawled, her voice dry and unimpressed. I shuddered at the nickname she used. I kept my mouth shut, knowing that words were useless when they came from me — she was immune to their effect."Is it because you think I will always tolerate it?" Caroline continued, her gaze unwavering. "I have a heart that loves you, you know." "Lady, do be quiet or we will leave and you won't see your darling Rommy again," Lavender interjected, her tone clearly sarcastic as she used the nickname. "Sir, please sit down so we can get this over with," she added, reaching for my hand and snaking her fingers around my wrist, pulling me down into the chair. The place where she touched me left my skin buzzing even after she removed her hand. I stared down at my hand, momentarily lost to the world around me until Parker
Last Updated : 2024-08-15It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 34: The Devil's in the Details
I only intended to save him. It wasn't that I cared who wanted to throw themselves at him—no, my focus was solely on protecting my children. Another woman in his life was a threat to their happiness and future. They had only just started to love him, to trust him, and I couldn't bear the thought of his attention being snatched away by some newcomer.My children deserved his unwavering love and devotion. After all, he had been largely absent and useless for so many years. Now that he was finally making an effort to be a father, I wouldn't allow some witch to swoop in and try to claim him. Not on my watch.That tiny, insistent voice in the back of my mind whispered, 'Or you could just admit that you don't want another woman's hands on him because he's yours.'I scowled, irritated by the truth in her words. 'Dear subconscious, don't you have better things to do than torment me with your brutal honesty?''Telling you the truth is what I choose to do with my time,' she retorted unapologeti
Last Updated : 2024-08-16It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 35: Redemption
A wistful smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I gazed up at the night sky, feeling the cool breeze caress my skin. Ferris had brought me to our special place, a secluded corner of the park that had become a sanctuary for our group of friends.This was where Ferris and I had first discovered the spot, and we had later shared it with the rest of the guys, transforming it into our own private haven. The memories of the countless hours we had spent here, laughing and sharing our dreams, welled up within me, causing a prickling sensation behind my eyes."Here, I found it in my car!" Ferris exclaimed excitedly, stretching out a can of soda towards me. I quirked a brow at him, a hint of amusement playing on my features."What? How long has that been in your car?" I asked, unable to resist the urge to tease him.Ferris bit his lip, his gaze shifting upward as he pensively counted on his fingers. "Erm… yes! That time Link and I went to a basketball game!" he declared, his eyes lighting u
Last Updated : 2024-08-17It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 36: The Unraveling of a Madman
I stared at Ferris with a sarcastic smile, waiting for him to provide his glorified excuse. I was infuriated that not only was he advocating for the man who had ruined my life, but he didn't even seem angry about it.I knew Ferris well. He was the kind of person who was true to his conscience, no matter what. He didn't like to suppress his emotions or deny the truth, and that was one of the many things I both loved and hated about him. If he was trying to be an advocate, then it must be something he had thought about for years, and most importantly, it had to be true. That alone was enough to make me furious. I didn't want to know what had happened to Rominic after what he had done to me. He could rot in hell for all I cared.Ferris inclined his head upward and smiled at me, a hint of sadness in his expression. I returned his smile with scorn. He shrugged his shoulders and leaned back on his hands. "Aren't you going to say anything?" I prompted."Haven't you noticed that something is
Last Updated : 2024-08-19It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 37: Bitterness and Anger
Ferris parked the car at the gate of what was supposed to be my home. After my emotional outburst, he never mentioned it again, simply taking me back home in silence. The awkward quiet reigned in the car, allowing depression and anger to dominate my mind.I knew I was being inconsiderate, but I also felt I deserved to be. What irked me was that Rominic had to suffer too. If he hadn't, my heart wouldn't have considered him for a second. But knowing he had gone through hardships, and that there was a chance he loved me, was making my heart turn against me.I was angry because I felt sorry for him, yet I also wanted to end everything. But I would never forgive him, not after what he had put me through. The fact that my children were ill, that we lived from hand to mouth, that I faced humiliation as a beggar — none of that mattered. The fact that he had ruined my life could never be forgiven or forgotten.Could he erase the memories of me using my body as a last resort to save my children
Last Updated : 2024-08-20It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 38: The Weight of Scars
I keep a smile plastered on my face as I slowly drag the zipper down the back of my dress, peeling it off my shoulders and letting it pool at my feet. I'm left standing in just my underwear, but that doesn't last long. With a few deft movements, I unclasp my bra, push the straps off, and toss it aside.The look of horror that washes over his face when he sees my once smooth, unblemished stomach now covered in scars is deeply satisfying. "Can you see?" I ask, my voice dripping with a mixture of anger and resignation. "This is what I've been hiding under my clothes. See these?"I turn around, exposing the angry red welts and lash marks across my back. "I got these when I willingly participated to be the sex slave of a wealthy psychopath. He doesn't sleep with the women, but he derives pleasure from their pain and the sight of their blood. All I had to do was take whips on my body and cry like there's no tomorrow, and I get the complete money to start Zayne's treatment."I point to a par
Last Updated : 2024-08-21It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 39: crows like shiny things
Rominic's viewpointI now truly understand the depths of Lavender's bitterness and pain. The scars that marred her body were a constant, physical reminder of the horrors she had endured, and the emotional and mental scars were even deeper, seared into her very consciousness. I felt a deep pang of guilt, knowing that my actions had been the catalyst for so much of her suffering.I desperately wanted to fix it, to make her forget the trauma and pain she had experienced. But I knew, deep down, that such a thing was impossible. The idea of using hypnosis or some kind of memory-wiping machine crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. That would be a selfish and greedy act, robbing her of her own experiences and freedom.No, if I truly wanted her forgiveness, I would have to earn it through patience and understanding, not through force or manipulation—but I knew it'll be impossible to fully control myself. The temptation to hunt down every single one of the men who had hurt her, to unlea
Last Updated : 2024-08-23It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 40: You need help
The greatest thing about acceptance is that the moment you embrace it, you feel an immense sense of relief, and the healing process begins. At least, that's how it was for me. I woke up with the most excruciating headache I'd experienced in ages — I couldn't recall the last time it had been this severe. Yet, the lightness and peace I felt in my heart made the pain seem like nothing.Granted, Rominic had panicked and ended up taking me to the hospital, but it was ultimately a good thing. Rominic was driving us back home, his expression quiet and concerned. I couldn't help but wonder if he was worried about me.I had decided to start accepting things as they were, determined to stop denying reality and simply deal with it. I had been slowly losing my grip, and it had terrified me. Rominic was right — we both needed psychological help, and I was considering getting some."Serenity came to me last night," Rominic said calmly. I turned my head to look at him, and I was struck by the grim e
Last Updated : 2024-08-24
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It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 109: Possession and Apologies
Lavender stood in the dimly lit living room, her nerves fraying with every passing second. The soft glow of the overhead light bathed the space in warm hues, but it did little to soothe the tension crackling in the air. Rominic was pacing, his creamy blonde hair disheveled, winter-gray eyes stormy as they pinned her in place. He wasn't speaking yet, but his silence was worse than yelling. It was the kind of silence that suffocated, pressing down on her chest like an unseen weight.She laughed nervously, the sound brittle as it broke the stillness. "It's not what you're thinking," she said, her voice softer than she intended. "I swear, Rominic, it's not.”His eyes flickered, sharp and unyielding, and she could feel his temper bubbling just beneath the surface. The faint ticking of his wall clock was the only other sound in the room, an infuriating reminder of how slowly time seemed to move in moments like these.Lavender inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself. Her cinnamon-brown hair
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 108: Truce Over Grudges
Apollo's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts, sharp and unrelenting. "You alone could've prevented everything, but you chose not to. That's exactly why I despised you. None of you deserve him.""True," I whispered, my voice trembling but steady enough to hold the weight of my resolve. "I don't deserve him." I lifted my gaze to meet his, my expression calm despite the storm raging inside me. A soft, bitter smile curved my lips. "But neither does he deserve me."For a moment, Apollo's sneer faltered, his sharp retort caught in his throat. I turned away before he could recover, the silence between us broken only by the muffled sounds from outside and the deafening beat of my own heart.The room was still thick with the lingering stench of sweat and mildew, but somehow, the suffocating weight of the earlier confrontation had begun to lift. The muffled groans and rhythmic thumping from the other side of the door persisted, but I could almost tune them out now. Apollo leaned back agains
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 107: Locked In (2)
"Useless," I muttered, shaking my head and leaning further into the armrest of the sofa. The fabric felt damp, and I shifted again, trying to touch as little of it as possible.Apollo leaned back against the wall, his legs stretched out and his arms crossed over his chest. He looked as though he were perfectly comfortable, but I knew better. He thrived on tension, and this situation was no different. A heavy silence settled between us, but it was far from peaceful. The noises from outside—the cries, the moans, the unmistakable sound of a furniture slamming against a wall—filled the void like an unwelcome guest."You've changed," Apollo finally said, his voice cutting through the cacophony. I turned to him, my expression flat and unimpressed. "What?" "What you did out there…" he trailed off, his tone strangely contemplative, though the familiar edge of derision lingered."I don't see anything wrong with seducing my husband," I replied sharply, emphasizing the word ‘husband' with veno
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 106: Locked In
You know how sometimes things don't go as planned? Well, my situation was one of those.At first, everything seemed to be going perfectly. I had managed to get under Apollo's skin so effectively that he stormed off, his face tight with fury. Victory tasted sweet—at least for a fleeting moment. With him out of the picture, Rominic was mine, entirely mine. We flirted, trading sharp smiles and lingering glances that set my skin ablaze. We kissed, his hands firm yet teasing, and for a brief while, the club's chaotic energy seemed to fade into the background. Then, as if the universe couldn't let me revel for too long, Lilith and a group of men I'd pointed out started brawling. Rominic and Phineas stepped in, practically dragging them apart before things got bloody. They saved lives; I mostly tried not to get crushed.And somehow—still baffling to me—I ended up here. In the mixed-gender restroom. With Apollo.Let me clarify: calling it a “restroom” was a cruel joke. There wasn't a toilet i
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 105: How to Crash a Party (2)
The bass-heavy music from the club reverberated through the walls as I stepped inside, the heavy scent of alcohol, sweat, and expensive cologne hitting me instantly. The lights pulsed in rhythmic patterns, casting shadows that danced across the crowded floor. Bodies moved in sync with the music, a chaotic symphony of energy and decadence.Beside me, Lilith was in her element. Her barely-there silver dress sparkled under the strobe lights, the hem so short it was a miracle it managed to cover her at all. She sauntered forward, her electric-blue eyes scanning the room with the eagerness of a predator sizing up its prey."Isn't this fun?" she chirped, her voice loud enough to cut through the music.I smirked at her. "You're certainly having the time of your life, Mrs. Zǐmò." I say, intentionally reminding her about who's she married to and the possibility of him destroying this club if any man should lay their hands on her.Lilith shot me a wink—ignoring me—before sashaying ahead, her dy
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 104: How to Crash a Party
I sat cross-legged on the bed, my laptop balanced precariously on my knees as the soft hum of its fan filled the room. The faint scent of sweet peas lingered in the air from the diffuser on the nightstand, mingling with the faint aroma of vanilla shampoo from Savia and Serenity's braiding session.Lilith sprawled on her stomach on the other end of the bed, her dyed pink hair spilling over her shoulders as she kicked her legs lazily in the air. Her electric blue eyes gleamed with mischief as she rambled on and on about her latest escapade in the digital world."So, there I was," Lilith began, her voice animated, "watching this idiot try to bypass a firewall that I set up in, like, ten seconds. And guess what? The guy thought using a brute-force algorithm would work. Can you believe that? Brute force! In this times! What is he, a caveman?"Zachary, seated on the floor beside the bed, leaned forward with an intrigued expression. "Wait, what kind of firewall? Was it encrypted with—""Trip
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 103: The Club's Unexpected Guest (2)
As she scurried away, still visibly dazed, Apollo watched her go with a satisfied grin. "Too easy," he murmured under his breath as he took a seat beside Phineas."You ever get tired?" I asked with irritation.Apollo shrugged, brushing his long hair over his shoulder. "Of what? Being this irresistible? Never."Phineas snorted, picking his phone back up.Apollo leaned back in his chair, the dim light catching the faint shimmer in his silver eyes. His smirk returned, sharper now, almost taunting. "You know," he said, his tone taking on a biting edge, "you're wasting your godly features on Lavender."My grip tightened around the glass in my hand, the faint creak of the strain barely audible over the music. "Careful," I said, my voice low and firm, each word deliberate. "Lavender is my wife, and you'll show her respect."His smirk faltered for just a moment, his eyes flickering with something I couldn't quite place—was it irritation? Jealousy? But just as quickly, he scoffed, looking away
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 102: The Club's Unexpected Guest
Rominic's POVThe music hit me the moment I walked into the club, a pulsing bass that vibrated through my chest and resonated with the faint buzz of the conversations around us. Strobe lights flickered in neon greens and purples, casting fragmented shadows across the packed dance floor. The air smelled of a heady mix of alcohol, sweat, and the faint sweetness of spilled cocktails.Phineas was walking ahead of me, running his fingers through his recently dyed reddish-blonde hair. He looked back with a playful grin, his sky-blue eyes gleaming under the ever-changing lights."You could have warned me you were dragging me into this circus," I muttered, adjusting my cufflinks and glancing down at my wristwatch—a Patek Philippe with a sleek platinum finish and a blue enamel dial. A gift from Lavender."It's called spontaneity, Nic," Phineas replied, his voice cheerful over the thumping beat. "And we both know Apollo couldn't shut up about it. He wouldn't have let us off the hook."My gaze d
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 101: The Unshakable Pest
Lavender's POVI sat curled on the plush armchair in the living room, the soft hum of background music barely registering in my ears. My phone was in my hand, the screen glowing with an all-too-familiar face staring back at me. The article on Apollo was everywhere, plastered across every major news outlet.I scrolled through it begrudgingly, my thumb moving slower than I wanted it to. Why am I even reading this? I thought bitterly, glaring at his perfectly curated image.Apollo Dean Stine. Even his name sounded ridiculous. The man wore charm like armor, his bright silver eyes twinkling with a cheerfulness I could only describe as infuriating. They had a strange quality to them, shifting colors subtly with different lighting. People always gushed about how unique and mesmerizing they were, but to me, they were nothing short of absurd."Who in the world has stupid eyes like that?" I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.I scrolled further, my eyes catching on his recent look. He'd
