I recline my body serenely on the plush bed. My garments lay discarded on the floor.As I stood there unclothed, my skin adorned with a multitude of passionate imprints of his. My legs felt slightly slick, a lingering reminder of the passion we had just shared.My ebony locks cascaded gracefully down my small frame, exuding an air of elegance and sophistication. All for his eyes. Although I appeared calm and composed, being in his presence still brings me nothing but a tingling thrill."What's the matter, Marga?"A firm grip enveloped my delicate waist from behind. His calloused fingers caressed my skin as he skillfully reached down.I simply adored it when Justin affectionately referred to me by that nickname of mine, especially when he whispered it gently in my ear. It seemed incredibly captivating, causing ny heart to skip a beat. Justin's eyes fluttered open, taking in the sight of my body. Yet, his hands continued to move without pause. He was filled with an irresistible allure.
I had initially graduated with a degree in acting. After I tied the knot with Justin Montefalco, I have decided to let go of my dreams of pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.Additionally, possessing an air of innocence and irresistible charm, I've already heard that I was the object of desire for many in the entertainment industry. But of course, Justin preferred to keep his possessions out of the reach of others which was why I couldn't be able to pursue it.And since now that they were ending this marriage, there was no need for him to be so spiteful."Alright, once the divorce is finalized, I'll make sure Hector helps you get in the industry much easier," Justin said, assuring me. "With your exceptional talents, it won't be long before you achieve widespread recognition as an actress, my little rabbit." Justin Montefalco's voice exuded a touch of frostiness.He was determined to go through with it. Meanwhile, it left me torn between conflicting emotions.I couldn't be
Justin hurried his footsteps outside just as after he saw from the screen that it was Regina calling. Cautiously avoiding letting me hear whatever conversation they would have. Of course, I pretended I didn’t know it was her. Following their conversation, Justin returned and promptly headed towards the walk-in closet adjacent to our bed to get some new clothes.“Who called you just now?” I asked, pretending I was not aware it was Regina.Anyone would easily say that I look so pathetic given how I actually tried to act like it’s fine when it’s not.“There is something I need to see at the office.” Justin replied.“In this early morning?” I asked with a soft grin on my face.He was such a pretty bad liar. But even as a bad liar, I found myself always swayed by his figure that was just extremely perfect. His broad shoulders and his narrow waist. The muscles on Justin’s body were just the right amount, and he exuded sexiness. His extremely handsome appearance made him the dream lover o
It was impossible for Doctor Lou to contain her shock. My parents were her teachers. Since the time that they had passed away, Doctor Lou had received very little information regarding me.Surprisingly, upon our unexpected reunion, I found myself in the midst of marriage and pregnancy. To complicate matters further, I now had to approach her with a delicate request - to keep my impending pregnancy a secret.She asked, “Why?”“I intend to retain custody of this child even though I am divorcing my husband. I refuse to entrust this child to my husband or anyone else.” I let Doctor Lou delicately place her hand on my stomach, her eyes brimming with the tenderness of a shared motherhood."You naive young thing. It is not solely your responsibility to care for the child. Furthermore, your husband is obligated to accept responsibility of the child too. Are you aware of how challenging it can be for a woman to lead a child after she has been divorced?” Doctor Lou's heart was filled with sorr
"Oh, what a surprise to see you here as well."I greeted her with a casual smile, not showing any particular interest.Regina observed my fragile demeanor. Her attire exuded an air of elegance and sophistication, reflecting her refined taste. It appeared that Justin had been quite generous with his financial gestures towards her over the years.I can't believe as these were supposed to be mine!"Indeed, I am afflicted with leukemia. Justin went out of his way to make sure I was admitted to this hospital and assured me that they are highly skilled in treating leukemia." Regina's eyes burned with a mix of envy and animosity, yet her voice remained detached."Leukemia?" I was absolutely taken aback."Yes. According to Justin, your parents were highly knowledgeable about leukemia and had a history of working at this hospital. Thus, numerous treatments and methods have been left behind by them who worked here before." Regina couldn't help but bring up Justin in every single sentence she ut
"Yes, I am aware." Regina pressed her lips together, responding with empathy.Unable to tolerate the wait any longer, I swiftly whisked Justin away from the hospital.As soon as we reached the exclusive restaurant I had mentioned, I wasted no time in placing a generous order for multiple delectable dishes. "Duck soup, prawn meat dumplings, garlic beef bone marrow..."These dishes are packed with essential nutrients.Once I placed my order, I made sure to inquire with Justin about his culinary preferences. "What would you like to have?" I asked him."Feel free to indulge in a delicious meal. I'm not hungry," Justin replied with a distant look on his face.I couldn't help but break into a warm smile. "Of course. Would you be interested in having dinner with Regina after you have already consumed enough food to satisfy your hunger? You could consider getting a meal for her. There is no doubt that the food served at this establishment is of the highest quality.”I attempted to bear with t
"I told you, don't be too greedy!" Justin's face was filled with a deep sense of sadness.However, fear did not consume me. I was on the verge of losing it all anyway, so what was there left for me to fear?With the child growing inside me and my last bit of self-respect on the line, I was determined not to make any compromises this time."I believe we don't need to finish this meal. I already lost my apettite." I grabbed my bag, my face devoid of emotion. Justin was fully aware of the depth of my affection for him.However, he had exploited my emotions, oblivious to the fact that I would also experience heartache.Once I left the restaurant, I took a moment to collect my feelings before returning to Montefalco's ancestral home in order to see grandma.Grandma was incredibly kind and loving towards me, just like a grandmother should be. Despite my disagreement with Justin, I couldn't overlook the significance of his grandmother.In addition, grandma has been experiencing some health i
“Mother, I’m here to see Grandma. Since Grandma is going to rest. I’ll go ahead now.” Even if Justin’s mom didn’t ask, I still told her the reason why I came.As she looked at me leaving, I could still see from my peripheral view how Justin's mom glared at me with such pity.I guess I was too sensible. I hid everything inside and never complained to grandmother. And I let Justin do whatever he wanted.“Would you like to spend the night here? I asked the kitchen staff to buy wild yellow fish. It tastes good,” Justin’s mom said calmly.Although she was asking for me to stay, her attitude didn’t change at all. It was still dull that I couldn’t tell whether she was asking that to me wholeheartedly or out of force.I appreciate the effort in whatever way she must have learned about the yellowfish. Perhap, my mother-in-law was only doing this because she pitied me, her thin and fragile-looking daughter-in-law, especially after asking me to stay and have dinner with them.And I somehow appre
The night was deceptively peaceful. The city lights stretched far beyond the penthouse windows, illuminating a world that had no idea of the chaos brewing beneath the surface.Leon stood by the window, his sleeves rolled up, his jaw clenched in quiet contemplation. He hadn’t said much since our meeting at the club.I knew why.We had allies now, but it wasn’t enough.We needed more.“Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours,” I said, stepping closer.Leon’s fingers tightened around the glass in his hand. “There’s a war coming, Margarette. And I don’t know if I can keep you safe through it.”I scoffed. “You’re still underestimating me?”His jaw ticked. “No. I just—” He exhaled sharply, turning to face me. “I can’t lose you.”The words hit harder than they should have.I swallowed, pushing down the sudden rush of emotion. “Then don’t.”Leon studied me for a long moment, his eyes dark and unreadable. Then, before I could react, he pulled me flush against him, his lips capturing mine
By the next morning, the fallout had already begun.Leon and I sat in his penthouse, reviewing the reports pouring in from our contacts. Calloway’s operation had taken a major hit—his Russian allies were furious, his supply lines were compromised, and his reputation was crumbling.But we both knew it wasn’t over.Calloway wouldn’t take this loss lying down.Leon’s fingers drummed against the table, his jaw tight. “He’ll retaliate.”I nodded. “It’s just a matter of when.”Leon’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then answered with a clipped, “What?”A pause.Then his expression darkened.“When?” he demanded.Another pause.“Where is she now?”I sat up straighter, sensing the shift in his energy.Then Leon cursed under his breath and ended the call.“What happened?” I asked.He stood, already grabbing his keys. “Alexa was taken.”My blood ran cold. “By Calloway?”Leon’s jaw clenched. “Looks like it.”I shot up from my seat. “Then let’s go get her.”Alexa’s location was traced to a
The ride back to the penthouse was silent, tension thick in the air. Leon drove with one hand on the wheel, the other gripping his gun. His jaw was locked, his eyes dark.I knew that look.He was planning. Calculating.“Calloway just declared war,” I murmured, watching the city lights blur past the windshield.Leon exhaled sharply. “He did more than that. He underestimated us.”I studied his profile—the controlled rage simmering beneath his calm demeanor. He wasn’t just angry. He was ready to make a move.“We need to hit back,” I said.Leon’s grip tightened. “We will.”His phone buzzed. He glanced at it, then tossed it onto the dashboard. “My father.”“Answer it,” I urged.Leon let out a slow breath before pressing the call button. “Yeah?”His father’s voice was sharp. “I assume you’re still alive.”Leon smirked. “Disappointed?”A pause. Then, “Get to the estate. Now.”The line went dead.Leon exhaled through his nose, tossing his phone onto his lap. “That’s never a good sign.”I lean
Days passed, but the unease in Leon hadn’t faded. He kept himself busy, making calls, arranging meetings, tightening security. I watched him closely, noting the way his shoulders carried an unseen weight. His father’s sudden reappearance had unsettled him more than he let on.One evening, as we lay in bed, I turned to him, brushing my fingers over his chest. “Leon, talk to me.”He exhaled, his arm tightening around me. “It’s nothing.”I propped myself up on my elbow, searching his face. “It’s not nothing. You’re restless. You barely sleep.”His jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he would brush me off again. But then, he spoke.“When I was younger, my father used to tell me that in our world, loyalty is everything,” he said, his voice low. “But he also told me that loyalty is never free—it’s bought, traded, or forced.”I frowned. “You think he came back because he wants something from you?”Leon nodded. “My father has never been a man who does things without a reason. If he’s he
The days following Leon’s proposal felt like a dream—soft, golden, and filled with an unshakable sense of peace. I caught myself staring at the ring on my finger more often than I cared to admit, the weight of it both grounding and exhilarating.We didn’t rush into planning the wedding. Instead, we let ourselves be, relishing in this new phase of our relationship. The world outside our home was still chaotic, filled with unfinished battles and uncertain futures, but in this—in us—there was certainty.One evening, as we lay tangled together on the couch, Leon traced patterns on my bare shoulder, his voice a low murmur against my skin. “Tell me something you’ve never told anyone.”I turned my head to look at him, our faces inches apart. “Something I’ve never told anyone?”He nodded. “Something real.”I swallowed, considering. There were so many pieces of me I’d kept hidden—fears, dreams, scars that hadn’t fully healed. But with Leon, there was no need for walls.“I used to be afraid of
The days at the beach house were fleeting, but they imprinted themselves onto my soul like ink on paper—permanent, unshakable.Leon and I spent our time wrapped in each other, the world outside forgotten. We cooked together, danced in the kitchen barefoot, made love under the moonlight, and talked about everything we had never had the chance to say before.One evening, after a long walk along the shore, we sat on the wooden deck of the house, our legs tangled beneath a thick blanket. The waves hummed in the background, their rhythm as steady as the beating of my heart.Leon turned to me, his fingers tracing circles on my thigh. “What do you want the future to look like, Margarette?”I leaned my head against his shoulder. “This. Just more of this.”He smiled, kissing the top of my head. “No big dreams? No wild ambitions?”I laughed softly. “I think I’ve spent so much of my life chasing things—justice, revenge, security. And now, all I want is peace.”His hand found mine beneath the bla
The days after our engagement were a blur of quiet moments and soft laughter—normalcy in a way I had never truly experienced before. Leon and I settled into a rhythm that felt natural, like we had been doing this forever.One evening, we were sprawled out on the couch, my legs draped over his lap as he absentmindedly traced circles on my ankle. A movie played in the background, but neither of us was paying attention.“You know,” Leon mused, tilting his head toward me, “we should probably start thinking about where we want to live.”I blinked. “What’s wrong with where we live now?”He chuckled. “Nothing, but… don’t you want something that’s ours? A place we choose together?”The idea settled in my chest, warm and unfamiliar. I had always been so focused on surviving that I had never considered what it would mean to truly build something with him.“You already have a place in mind, don’t you?” I narrowed my eyes.He smirked. “Maybe.”I sighed dramatically. “Of course you do. Go on then,
I hated the way he did that.Leaving just enough of an impression to keep me tangled in his web, forcing me to dwell on his words long after he was gone. It was infuriating. And the worst part? A small, treacherous part of me was starting to believe him.I own every part of you.I shook my head, pushing the thought aside.Not if I had anything to say about it.Still, I needed to figure out my next move. Thiago was playing a long game, and I refused to be caught off guard again. If I wanted any chance of slipping out from under his control, I had to think ahead.I grabbed my phone and dialed Lucia.She picked up on the second ring. “Bridgette, finally! I’ve been waiting for you to call.”I exhaled. “Yeah, sorry. Things have been… complicated.”“No kidding.” Lucia lowered her voice. “I did some digging while you were away. The stock for Bermudez Group is still stable, but there are whispers about an internal shake-up. Whatever Thiago’s planning, it’s big.”I frowned. “Define ‘big.’”“Po
The weight of Leon’s words pressed down on me. He just put a price on your head.I had expected retaliation, but a bounty? That was another level of danger entirely.Leon was already moving. He grabbed his coat and checked his gun, his movements controlled but urgent. “We need to leave. Now.”I forced myself to stay calm. “Where are we going?”“Somewhere Nathan’s men won’t find us.”Elise, who had just stepped out of the guest room, paled. “Wait—you’re running?”Leon shot her a sharp look. “We’re regrouping.”I exhaled, my mind racing. “We can’t just disappear. If we run, Nathan will see it as confirmation that we’re a threat. He’ll only push harder.”Leon’s jaw clenched. “And if we stay, you’ll end up with a bullet in your skull.”Elise swallowed. “If Nathan wants her dead, there’s no hiding. He has eyes everywhere.”Leon turned to me. “She’s right. We need to be smart about this.”I hated the idea of leaving, of running, but I wasn’t reckless. If Leon thought we needed to move, I tr