The next morning after the gala, the world was already buzzing.Roxanne was scrolling through her phone with a pounding heart, as article after article flashed across her phone screen.“Mrs.Sebastien’s Mysterious Past -Who Really is Roxanne Renwick?”“Ciel Sebastien’s Wife Exposed? The Night She Does not Want Anyone To Know About!”“A Billionaire’s Bride……or Just another Gold-Digger?”Her palms became sweaty as she held her phone. Her breathed hitched at the words across the page when she opened one of the articles.“An inside source had claimed that Roxanne Renwick had a secret lover before her sudden marriage to Ciel Sebastien, whose identity she had discreetly kept undsiclosed. But what could she be hiding? A wild one night stand, or something even more disgraceful? Source suggest that the night before her wedding, she was spotted leaving an hotel premises with a man whose identity could not be confirmed. Could it be that her
The Sebastien estate was quiet as it has always been. Roxanne was wandering around as usual. It's been just a few days since her wedding to Ciel Sebastien.She had not meant to snoop around.She had been searching for anything to fill her mind with.And that was when she came across a book on her husband's desk in his study.She decided to read it and as she was about to pick it up, she saw some papers beside it.She pulled them closer out of curiosity.She started to read them.Her heart stopped after she read the first page.It was a contract, a marriage contract for her and Sebastien.She was breathing heavily as she read through the neatly typed clauses.Duration of Marriage: Indefinite until either of the parties involved request dissolution.Financial Agreement: Mrs. Sebastien will get full support financially, including personal expenses, property, and discretiona
Roxanne had remained as an observer since her marriage to Ciel. She was never included in things that concerned the family except when it's needed to put on a public display.The estate where she stays with her husband is quite big and showcases power, and wealth.She had been wandering around it for the few days she had been married, trying to get to know it's occupants.She had been married into one of the powerful families in the country, but she never felt included.She was not okay with being a wife that's tossed into the background. She would not let herself be looked down upon again, and disregarded.Now that she's here, she would make sure she carry the Sebastien name with purpose.And she was going to let Ciel know about it, tonight.She found him in his study, as usual, with a glass of whiskey beside him.He looked relaxed, but Roxanne knew better. The man was always watching, and calculating.
That evening, Roxanne was still trying to work out the task given to her by Ciel.She was neck deep into it and didn't realize he was standing close to her.She jolted to consciousness when he coughed slightly to get her attention.She was surprised to see him.“You said you wanted control over your life, isn't it?” Ciel said quietly. “You seem quite serious about it.”“Why are you here?” Roxanne finally asked him as she kept her expression neutral.“Well, I would like you to put a pause on what you are doing and work on this.” He said as he gave her a folder. “There is a socialite in our circle. Vivienne Montclair.”“She's highly connected, and influential, and…” Roxanne could see something like amusement in his eyes.“And?” She asked as she arched her eyebrows.“And she is presently interfering in a business deal that concerns me. I would like you to convince her to step back without it causing
Roxanne could not find any comfort in Sebastien's estate since she came because she had been thinking about her brother.She had not seen him since her sudden marriage to Ciel and had no idea what was going on with him.That morning, she was scrolling through her phone, trying to focus but the tightness in her chest would not let her.A sense of unease has been eating her up since she woke up.Reading through the message on her phone, she could not be at rest.“Roxanne, this is Finn's nurse. Your brother is not doing so well. I thought you should know. He has been asking for you, but your step mother…she will not let us get across to you directly.”It was from an unknown number.Finn.Her little brother.Her only family, who had never betrayed her.She stood up from her seat immediately. Her heart raced so fast as she held her phone tightly.She need to see him.She need to ma
Roxanne was in the car, heading back to the Sebastien mansion.There should have been a form of relief for her, going back to her husband's mansion.But she felt hollow.Her earlier confrontation with Evelyn was still fresh in her mind. Her cruel words are heavy on her chest.“You chose wealth over your family.”The guilt was coming to her mind, regardless of how she tried to keep it off.Then the car stopped at the mansion's entrance.A butler came forward to open the door, but Roxanne was quick to do that, stepping out on time.She walked briskly inside the mansion, her steps heavy.She needs time to think.And to breathe.To…“You were quick”A deep voice jolted her to consciousness of her environment.She turned to see Ciel standing in the doorway, his silver blue eyes looking at her with deep scrutiny.His expression was neutral.She he
At a ballroom, people were glowing under the light of the crystal chandeliers, as different scents mixed together.The elites in New York had come together, dressed to impress and also to Converse, mostly with ulterior motives.Roxanne was already getting used to these kinds of gatherings. But tonight, something felt off.There was this tension in the air, something she could not quite place.Her husband was beside her with his tailored black suit enhancing his sharp features.His presence commanded respect, and yet, she could feel that even he was on guard tonight.She stood close to him more, as she looked around.That was when she saw them.Devian and Reina.She felt fidgety but tried to remain calm. She can't let them see her like that.Ciel turned his head slightly when he noticed her attitude. “Relax,” he said quietly. “They are not worth your sweat.”She did not reply.
The following day, Roxanne sat on the big bed with her hands fitted into fists on her lap.The earlier events pressed down on her like an heavy weight. It was suffocating.The experience left her a bit shaken. She wondered what would have happened if Ciel had not stopped her from drinking from that cup at the event.Ciel was standing by the window across the room. His figure was outlined against the city skyline. His hand was in his pockets, but his wife could see that he was tensed.The silence between them was thick.After awhile, he finally asked.“Who did it?”She did not say anything, but it is obvious he was thinking of something.It was clear he wanted names, and answers. But above all, he wanted revenge.She breathed in and out, trying to look at him as he turned around.His eyes looked dangerous.“To be honest, I do not know.” She said with a steady voice. “And even if I knew,
The next morning, it was a bit late when Roxanne woke up from sleep.Rays of sunlight was already slipping through her curtains into the room.Giving an idea of how long she had slept.She stretched her body, as she felt a sense of lightness Settle in her chest.It felt unfamiliar.She remembered the kiss with Ciel from last night.And she realized she could not push it away no matter how hard she tried.His gentle touch and how it made her tingle kept playing in her mind.Although she had let guard down and gotten intimate with him since they got married, in the back of her mind, she kept reminding herself that their marriage was nothing more than a contract.It was just a means to an end.But now, she wondered if that was really the case as it stands now.She was still thinking when her thoughts was interrupted by a knock on the door of her room.“Come in,” she said, thinking it was one of the domestic staff.But it was Ciel that came inside.He came in and leaned against the frame
The air around them was cool as they kept on enjoying the moment with each other.The park gave them a chance the enjoy free and cool serene environment.Also, it was a perfect backdrop for the closeness they were feeling at the moment.He placed a hand on hers and the warmth of their skin touching sent tingles up her am.It was a funny and strangely comforting feeling.It had been long she had this some of ease with a man, and now she is getting it with Ciel and not just anyone.Ciel, in his usual manner, kept still and exuded a confidence that tells something about his Status.His crisp shirt was flying around as the air blew it.There was softeness in the way he held her, it was in contrast to the icy demeanor he always carried around whenever he is at work.They decided to leave the park since it was getting late.Even though, neither of them was in a hurry to get home.Roxanne looked at him from the corner of her eye, as she glanced at the streetlights on the alley.They walked s
The city noise was gentle around them as Roxanne stood, facing Ciel, who was still smirking.She smiled at him too after his answer.She knew he was also hesitant to give a direct answer.And although she knew the right answer to all the questions she was asking him, she just wanted him to say it.The evening air was blowing against their body.They had a nice and lovely dinner. It had been warm, and intimate in a way she had not expected. The same feeling goes for Ciel.After the dinner, they had decided to walk around a bit with no particular reason or destination in mind.It was strange to her how everything had felt natural between them for a while now.He looked at her, his hands were inside the pockets of his trousers.He had stopped smirking.“You are quiet.”It was her turn to smirk.“You say that like it's something bad.”“No, no, it's not bad.” He said.“It is just unusual. You always have something to say. But silence does not look good on you.”She scoffed, playfully nudgi
It was evening period the day Roxanne finally finished the training she had been undergoing under one of Ciel's associate.She was now fully prepared for all the turns of corporate life.She inhaled as she held her shirt tighter around her shoulders.The past few weeks had been time consuming for her.It was focused on refining her skills, mastering the art of negotiation in business, and also sharpening her ability to take charge as the leader that she is with a solid confidence.She had been receptive towards the teaching and had worked tirelessly to understand how the intricate business world works, it's politics and the power plays that goes on.Every session of the training had pushed her further, breaking down her old self and rebuilding her into a stronger woman.A bit too strong.But now, she is done with it.She had completed every single one of the training.But as she stepped out of the building she was in, there was this unexpected feeling in her chest, lingering there as
She looked at her mother as she smirked.She could not determine what was going through her mind.She had just told her she needed to be smarter about the way she approaches things, especially when it concerns Roxanne.And she realized she was right.At this point, the whole family is in a mess, all because everything they tried to do to make Roxanne feel like shit ended up elevating her, and they are put to shame.Her mother too was staring back at her with a smirk and for a moment, it felt like both of them were in a battle to know who stares harder.Finally, she said.“Before we proceed with whatever it is that we would do later on, I want you to know that I was deeply disappointed with what you did at the competition though.”She sighed.“The consequences of what you have done may take some time before it goes away.”Reina's heart raced with different emotions.She felt ashamed as she listened to Evelyn speak.The words got to her and it took great composure not to have cried at t
After Martha had left, she was left alone in the big mansion with her thoughts.Asides her domestic staff, she was the only one at home and due to that, there was lots of quiet.However, the heavy silence was pressing down on her like a big stone as she relaxed on the sofa in the living room.She grabbed the glass she was drinking from earlier and gulped down the wine inside it, as she replayed what Martha said about her daughter over and over again in her mind.The fact she came to her home to mock her about it made the whole thing stung.This would not have happened if Reina had not been irrational, and had just listened to her.She had told her not to do anything irrational, else she would not be there to help clean up her mess.But she had not listened.Even the mess she had gotten herself into was something even she, her mother, can not even help her from if she wanted to.Martha had had a smirk on that had been meant to subtly let her know how much of a failure she was as a moth
Evelyn Renwick, the wife of Derek Renwick sat in her living, sipping from a glass of wine. Her grand space had lovely lights all over, but the beauty of her surrounding could not help her sour mood. The news about Roxanne's rise to fame and power had not passed her by. Not a day goes by that she does not read about her exploits on the internet. There were numerous articles written about her, her new fame and power status in the Fashion industry. “Roxanne Sebastien: The New Face of the Fashion World.” “From an unknown woman to a Fashion Mogil- How she Beat the Odds!” “The Big Slam Victory at Curl's Competition - Roxanne's Dominance!” She curled her lips in disdain whenever she come across such articles. It was not enough that she had ruined her husband, but now she had the audacity to outshine Reina? The thought of it made her chest burn with frustration. Her daughter, Reina, had called her the day after the scandal unfolded at the competition, ranting about her Roxanne's
At the police station, the cold air of the cell stung Derek Renwick in the face.How had been here for a week and it was the worst experience of his life.In his whole life, this was the first time he had ever been locked up.Whenever the officers come to check on him it give him food, and they lock the metallic gates behind them after they done, the loud clinking sound it makes always remind that of his fall from grace.Today was different though.Today is the day he regains freedom.He straightened his wrinkled shirt as he prepared to be taken out.His appearance was now rough, a reflection of his broken pride.Weeks behind bars had stripped him of his arrogance. His hair, once neatly combed, hung in unruly strands over his forehead. Days behind bars had made him humble to an extent. His combed his hair neatly, but there were still some unruly strands over his forehead.Days of sl
He then turned to look at her again.He was just frozen on that spot, unable to do anything.The weight of her words hung over him like a misty cloud.She had lied to him and manipulated him to think highly of her with the most wicked of all tricks.And the sad thing is that he had fallen for the lies.Who would not believe his woman is pregnant for me when she says so when you know you have been having sexual relations with her for some time?The floor beneath his shoes felt slippery, and it felt like all that made him while was breaking apart, from the foundation.Taking a deep breath, he said.“I can not believe everything was a lie about the pregnancy. Damn. Why?”His hand trembled a bit but he put it behind his back immediately to avoid being seen as weak.Reina, casually leaned back against the big Piano by the window, feeling nonchal