EMILY'S POVAs I connected the call, a menacing laugh erupted, sending shivers down my spine. “Longest time, Emily… you thought I had forgotten about you?” The voice was familiar yet terrifying. I quickly checked the number, my heart racing. It was the same one that has haunted me all this while. My quivered as I spoke, “ W- what do you want from me? Please…” The line went silent, leaving me with only my racing thoughts."I didn't call to send shivers down your spine, Emily... although it's always a pleasure to hear your voice tremble. No, I called to share a little secret about someone dear to you. Are you curious? It's about Ronald…”I gripped the phone tightly,my heart racing as I listened to the sinister tone on the other end of the line“What are you talking about? I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.The voice chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. “Lets just say that Ronald has a few things he didn't want you and the world to know. And I'm willing to share the
RONALD POV I stepped off the elevator, my eyes scanning the bustling office floor. My assistant, Laila looked up from her desk, a warm smile crossing her face.“Welcome back sir," she said, rising from her seat. “How was your trip?”I nodded,my mind still on the meeting and deals I'd secured during the past days. “It was a success,” I replied, going towards my office while Leila followed behind. “ I think we have done a good job landing that new client,”As I we sat down, Leila pulled out a folder filled with papers and began to brief me on the latest developments in the company. I listened intently and taking notes as needed.When we finished,I leaned back in my chair,my eyes narrowing. “ Have you made any progress on finding the culprit?”Leila's expression turned serious and she nodded. “ I have been working on it,sir. I think I have found a lead but I need a bit more time to confirm.”I nodded,my mind already thinking of the next step. “Keep me posted,” I said, standing up . “I w
EMILY'S POVI stood frozen, my eyes locked on Ronald's as he entered the room. I couldn't believe he was here. I felt a flutter in my chest as our gaze met and I quickly looked away, trying to compose myself.As we sat down to dinner, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The tension in the room was strong and I knew I wasn't the only one who felr it. Stepfather tried to make small talks but it only makes things more awkward.Ronald, gazed quitely, his expression cold as he listened to father. I bet he couldn't wait to get out of here. As the conversation turned to business, I zoned out, my mind wandering to the strange call I had the previous night. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something from me.But my attention was quickly snapped back to the present as my stepsister, Ivy, began to taunt me. Her words cut deep and I felt a surge of anger and frustration. Ivy had always thought I always had the best things and she is always getting what comes after but I’m
RONALD'S POV My eyes fluttered open to see Emily's face in close view,her face soft and serene in the morning light. I took a moment to drink in the sight of her, my gaze tracing the curve of her face, her eyelashes,pointed nose and lips. I bite my bottom lips as I reminisce about our kiss the previous night.A strand of hair had fallen across her cheek, and I reached out to gently brush it behind her ear. My fingers grazed her skin and I felt a spark of tenderness. She didn't stir, still fast asleep. I smiled to myself, feeling a sense of pure intimacy. I carefully slide out of bed, trying not to disturb her. As I stood up, the room seemed to come alive around me, the morning light casting a warm glow over everything.I began to get ready for work, my movement quiet deliberate. As I prepared for the day ahead, my mind started to turn the tasks and challenges that awaited me . I grabbed my bag and headed out of the door, the morning air crisp and cool as I made my way to the office
EMILY'S POVI woke up to an empty bed, the sheets rumpled and cold. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My feet dangled in the air for a moment before I planted them firmly on the floor.I stumbled towards the bathroom, my sleepy body tilting precariously to one side. I flicked on the light and blinked in the bright glow. My reflection stared back at me from the mirror, my eyes puffy and my lips swollen.I reached out a hand to touch my lips, my fingers tracing the tender skin. A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered the events of the previous night. My cheeks flushed with a warm blush as I replayed the memory of Ronald's kiss.I stood there for a moment, lost in thought, before I shook my head and tried to clear my mind. I glared at my reflection, my eyes stern. "Focus, Emily," I told myself. "This contract marriage would be over very soon,remember your promise. You're going to marry for love, not...not whatever this is."I took a
RONALD'S POV A sly smile spread across my face as Emily's legs buckled, but I swiftly caught her, holding her upright. I locked eyes with her, scrutinizing her expression, eager to gauge her emotions. I wanted her to surrender, to abandon her pride and acknowledge my dominance. Unbeknownst to her, she was now mine, bound to my will.Her eyes blazed with desire as she gazed up at me, but I remained unfazed, determined to push her further. I wouldn't relent until she was on her knees, begging for my touch.I lifted her from the ground, carrying her in a bridal style and placing her gently on the bed, making her sit on the bed, I crouched down in front of her , pulling off her shoes slowly. She watched me, eagerness to explore shone in her glassy eyes.I gazed at her, my eyes never leaving her, “Remember, I told you that I have something to show you. You will get to see it soon," I whispered, removing her dress over her head while she nodded in response.Her lacy bra came into view,accen
EMILY'S POVI slowly opened my eyes, my gaze blurry from sleep. As I stretched, my back arched, and a soft moan escaped my lips. My limbs feel heavy, my muscles protesting as I shift.I reached out to Ronald's side of the bed, only to find it empty. He was always an early riser.I winced, my eyes closing briefly as I settled into a more comfortable position. My chest rose and fell with slow, deep breaths. A mix feeling of disappointment and pleasure made my head throb as memories of the previous night flooded my mind.I tossed the duvet aside, revealing my naked body, and collapsed back onto the bed, covering my face with my palms. "How do I face him? How come I let this happen?" I whispered to myself, shamefully. I attempted to stand, but my legs faltered, and I winced in pain. I grasped the bedside table for support, taking slow and deliberate steps towards the bathroom.I stepped into the bathroom, and my eyes landed on the bathtub, already filled with water. I sat down on the edg
RONALD'S POV I stepped into the room, expecting to see Emily's bright smile or hear her gentle hum. But the space was empty, the silence a palpable presence. My eyes scanned the room, a flicker of concern igniting within me. "Where is she?" I wondered, my mind racing with possibilities.I moved quietly, my footsteps a soft whisper on the floor. I pushed open the bathroom door, and a warm mist enveloped me. My gaze fell upon Emily, her slender form submerged in the bathtub. Her eyes were closed, her chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. A soft, serene smile played on her lips, and her hair floated around her like a halo.My heart swelled with tenderness as I took in the peaceful scene. I felt a deep sense of responsibility, a desire to protect and care for this beautiful, vulnerable woman. I stood there, frozen in time, drinking in the sight of Emily, fast asleep in the bathtub. I crouched beside the bathtub, my eyes fixed on Emily's serene face. Her eyelids fluttered ope
EMILY'S POVAs I sat at the kitchen table, sipping my coffee and staring blankly at my phone, I couldn't shake off the thoughts of Ronald that had been plaguing me all morning. I had made up my mind to avoid him at all costs when I get back to work on Monday. But the thought of avoiding him only made my heart ache. Mia's sudden return, beaming with a bright smile, caught me off guard. "Emily," she called out, her voice low and sweet, like a gentle breeze on a summer day.I looked up, my curiosity piqued, and raised an eyebrow. "What's making you smile like that?" I asked, my tone laced with a hint of amusement.Mia just chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief, and said, "I have something to show you." My curiosity was piqued, and I found myself leaning in, eager to know what Mia had in store.Just then, Colin walked in, followed by Ronald. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, and I felt a rush of emotions: anger, hurt, and a hint of longing. My expression changed instantly, my
RONALD'S POV Ronald went about his morning routine, tackling his tasks with his usual efficiency. But just as he was getting into the swing of things, his phone buzzed with an unexpected call from Calling."Hey, meet me at the usual spot," Calling said, his voice low and mysterious.Ronald's brow furrowed in surprise. "What's up? It's only 2 pm. We don't usually meet until evening."There was a pause on the other end of the line before Calling responded, "Just trust me on this one, Ronald. I need to show you something."Ronald's curiosity was piqued. What could Calling possibly want to show him that couldn't wait until evening?As I drove to meet Colin, the city streets blurred together in a haze of worry and anxiety. The sound of the engine and the hum of the tires on the pavement were the only sounds that filled my mind. I navigated through the crowded streets, my eyes fixed on the road ahead, my mind racing with thoughts of Colin's call. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease
EMILY'S POV As I lounged on the couch, lost in thought, the door swung open and Mia burst in, her energy infectious. She dropped her bag with a flourish, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Emily, let's eat out today!" she exclaimed, already moving towards me.I opened my mouth to protest, but she was too quick. Her hand shot up, palm facing me, and I felt a familiar sense of resignation wash over me. Mia always got her way, and I knew better than to argue.With a sigh, I let her pull me up from the couch. She propelled me towards the bedroom, chattering excitedly about her day. I shrugged, letting her fuss over me as she rummaged through my closet for a change of clothes.As Mia dug through my closet, her voice bubbled over with excitement, recounting the highlights of her day at the office. I couldn't help but smile as she giggled her way through a story about her boss's misadventure with a cup of coffee. "And then, he stood up, and coffee just dripped down his shirt!" Mia's laugh
RONALD'S POVI sat at my desk, staring blankly at the papers in front of me. It had been a week since I'd sent Emily packing, and I couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that had settled in my chest.I missed her. I missed her smile, her laugh, her sleepy face under the morning light . I even missed the way the calls me, the way my name rolled out of her tongue when we were intimate .But my pride refused to let me admit it. I had to maintain my tough exterior, my confident demeanor. I couldn't let anyone see the vulnerability that was eating away at me.As I glanced around the office, I noticed my subordinates whispering and glancing at me. I knew they were speculating about my relationship with Emily. The fact that she hadn't been coming to work only added fuel to the fire.I felt a surge of anger and frustration. Why did they have to gossip about my personal life? Bunch of gossipers. But deep down, I knew it was my own fault. I had let my pride and ego get the better of me. I ha
EMILY POVI felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, unable to escape the crushing weight of my grief. My body ached from crying, my eyes burning from the constant flow of tears. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt such overwhelming sadness.As I lay there, I felt Mia's gentle touch on my shoulder, her soft words of comfort whispering in my ear. But I couldn't respond, couldn't even muster up the energy to push her away. I just lay there, numb and broken, as she tried to reach me.I knew Mia was worried, I could sense it in her touch, her voice. But I couldn't reassure her, couldn't even look at her. I just felt too much pain, too much sorrow.As the minutes ticked by, I felt Mia's presence fade away, leaving me alone in my darkness. The silence was oppressive, the only sound was my quiet sobs. I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of my grief, unable to escape.I don't know how long I lay there, lost in my sorrow. Time seemed to stand still, the world outside my
RONALD'S POVI stormed into the conference room, my face a thundercloud. My team, seated around the table, exchanged nervous glances. I couldn't help it - I was still reeling from the pictures I had received the previous day. My mood was in a jumble of mess. "Alright, let's get started," I growled, slamming my fist on the table. My team jumped, taken aback by my outburst."Uh, yes, sir," one of them stammered. "We've got the quarterly reports ready for review."I snatched the report from the team member's hand, my eyes scanning the pages with a mixture of disdain and anger."This is unacceptable," I snapped, my voice rising. "You call this a report? It's a joke!"The team member who had presented the report looked taken aback. "I-I apologize, sir. I'll make sure to-"I cut him off, my face red with rage. "You'd better. I expect to see a revised report on my desk by the end of the day. And if it's not up to par, there will be consequences."The team nodded hastily, eager to escape my
EMILY POVI trudged into the room, my heart heavy with shame, regret and confusion. Ronald's words still echoed in my mind, "I don't want to see you again." I felt like I'd been punched in the gut,my heart shattered,my breath knocked out of me.I began to pack my bags, my hands moving mechanically as I tried to process what had just happened. The question, ‘How did this happen?’ swirl in my mind,I couldn't even remember all that happened before I black out, I just know that I was in the club. I didn't have anywhere to go, no one to turn to. I contemplated calling Mia, but I didn't want to burden her again. She'd already done so much for me.But I didn't have a choice. I had to call Mia. She was the only person I could turn to. I dialed her number, my heart racing with anxiety.Mia's son came to pick me up, and the drive was silent. I could feel Mia's eyes on me, sense her curiosity and concern. But she didn't ask me any questions, didn't pry. She just let me be.When we arrived at Mi
RONALD'S POVAs I stepped into my house, I felt a wave of fury wash over me. My expression was a mask of controlled anger, my eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. My jaw was clenched in a tight line, my face set in a stern, unyielding expression.I couldn't believe what I had just seen. A photo of Emily, laughing and smiling with a drink in her hand, had been sent to me. My mind was reeling with questions and doubts. Why had she lied to me? Why had she told me she was going to a quiet dinner with Mia when in reality she was out partying?I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my trust and faith in Emily shattered. I couldn't believe that she had betrayed me like this. I thought we had something real, something special. But now, I wasn't so sure.As I walked through the house, my footsteps were heavy and deliberate. I was weighing each step carefully, trying to calm myself down before I confronted Emily. But it was no use. My anger and hurt were simmering just below the surface, w
EMILY'S POVThe doctor discharged me, giving instructions that I should have enough rest and should be taken care of. I couldn't stop crying as we left the hospital. The pain and grief were overwhelming, and I felt like I was drowning in my own tears.As we were about to part ways,Ethan turned to me with a pleading look in his eyes."Emily, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me," Ethan said, his voice filled with regret. "I feel like this is all my fault."Mia's voice was sharp and angry. "You're right, it's your fault. Why weren't you watching her? Why did you let her out of your sight? You invited her to the party,you should have made her your responsibility."I reached out and put a hand on Mia's arm. "It's not Ethan's fault, Mia. It's an accident. I'm the one who...who...". I couldn't finish the sentence. The pain was too much, and I felt like I was going to break.But Mia's was unforgiving. “An accident? An accident that could have been prevented if he had been paying attention.”Mia'