Vivian POVThud.... Thud.... Thud.Beep... Beep... Beep.One... Two.... Three, I snapped my eyes open, the intensity of the sun shone brightly on my face as I turn to face the other side of the wall.Inhaling a bit of fresh air that penetrates through the window, my legs instantly hit a table and I wince in pain.Lazily trying to sit up, the memories come flooding in my mind. Glancing around the room, I realize it isn't mine but somewhere else.Oh I remember now, I was in a hospital, Max and I had a well heated hot round of super sex, not minding that I was terribly feeling ill. It wasn't his fault after all, I had forced him to do it.Just then, the door opened and Max walked in, a worried expression on his face."Vivian.. Damn it, I thought I might have hurt you. I'm sorr_" He coughed, halting on his words as he realized what he was about to say.Max was a proud Man, a very proud Man that wouldn't even stoop low to apologizing to anyone let alone me." I thought you were about sayi
Vivian POVFew hours later, I was discharged but Max's words was a ringing Bell in my ears, I couldn't get his voice, that Fierce and determined look on his eyes earlier from my head_ he had meant every word he said." Here Vivian, you're forgetting it already" He called behind me as he handed over the diamond Stoned necklace to me as we strode out of the hospital. From a side glance, I assured Doctor Tim that I was fine as he seemed to have become worked up about my discharge.We got out of the hospital as Max led me to sit at the back of the car while he got in front and drove off. Now, thinking about it, he hadn't used any of his guards recently."Where are we going to Max?" I asked as he accelerated faster, not sparing me a glance. "To AGC" His reply came shortly and my heart skipped."AGC? You're joking right" I bemused, disliking the whole idea of everything that has been happening."Why? You don't like it there?" He chuckled, as he instantly took a peek at my horrific face fro
Vivian POV"Sir_""I would love you to run a test on my wife, she's showing signs of pregnancy and I want to confirm" His words rang straight across the, Doctor's office, shutting the middle aged old man up completely, for a second, he was stunned by Max's shout out of order and if Max wasn't someone so powerful, I guess the man would have excused us instead, his eyes Shone fear and submission.Poor man. What could he possibly do against arrogant Max Norman. But right now, my priority problem was the fact that by crook or by book, somehow, after the tests, Max would definitely know the truth.Wasn't it high time I escaped? Wasn't it time I ran away from this hellhole before I'm exposed? But then, thinking about it alone gave me a feeling of doubt, doubt that etched heavily on my heart for no cause. A part of me was against the idea of leaving, escaping and running away, especially when the one month deal is yet to be expired. Somehow, how I conflicted with my feelings these days leave
Vivian POVMax drove into the left corner of a road that seemed not so crowded with people and pulled to a stop.He brought out cell phone and dialed number "Frank, where are you? Trace my location right now and come down this instant" He ordered and cut off the line and immediately pushed the door open and came down to my side." Vivian, I would need you to go in there and wait" He said, pointing towards a luxury store at the end of the opposite road as he pulled open the car for me and I stepped down, my eyes filled with horror."What's going on Max? Who are those people?" I couldn't help but ask yet in the next fleeting seconds, Max pulled me by the hands and we walked over the road into the luxury store."Here" He said, bringing out a black card from his pockets and handed it over to me. "Pick whatever you want and make sure to while away time here, for hours maybe until I come back, you know the passcode""But Max_""Listen Vivian" He cut me off " We're being attacked right now
Ruth POV I paced worriedly about the room, Max's words an unending surge of storm in me. He had blatantly refused me, the Max who wouldn't bear to see me get hurt was slowly slipping away from my hands and I watched it happen. The sound of the cracking opening of the door jolted me up from my fleet of thoughts. Hannah came in and walked towards me with a smile. " What news?" I questioned closely. "Don't worry my dear, you'll soon have Max in your hands." She replied as she sat down on the bed. " I do not trust your words lightly Hannah, it's either you help me have Max or I'll tell. You know my lips are always open" I said with a hinge of threat in my tone. "Are you threatening me now Ruth? I am helping you and you should be grateful for it!" She barked back. "Then be sure that help would come out positively, if not, I'll tell the world the truth about you and Daniel" I replied and leaned closer to her face " How would it feel when the world learns of your deceit? How wou
3rd person POV[Ruth~] This is a foreshadowing point of view. Ruth smiled and slid in her phone inside her pockets. "I have been too lenient on everyone, they won't know what hit them by the time I'm done" She muttered under her breath and sighed. A thought crossed her mind. 'She needed to see him' Ruth didn't hesitate another moment before she dashed inside the house and came back with her handbag. She should definitely go enjoy herself with him while she waited for Good News! She walked out of the mansion and headed straight to the main road before a cab pulled off in front of her and she got in, her mind fully enveloped with intense happiness. ' What had she been doing all these while when the easier way was there? ' Max would surely be hers finally! *** "Then, why are you calling me Mistress?" Ruth asked the one question that had been bothering her thoughts since she came into Ryan's house he had rented for their secret joint and meeting, confusion etched on her
VIVIAN POV "Daniel Browns?" I called in shock as I stared at the woman beside him none other than my best friend Sofia. " Vivian?" Sofia called, shock evident in her face. So Sofia's secret husband all these while had been Daniel Browns? Was that why he seemed casual with me at the hospital? This was a devastating surprise indeed! Countless times, I had asked Sofia to reveal her husband maybe a picture would do but she was keen and Stern on showing his identity, saying that it was better left unknown to me and I wondered why she had said that. "Daniel Browns is your husband? The hide and seek all these while is him Sofia?" I couldn't help but ask. She shrugged, pressing her lips thinly to each other as if suddenly wanting to hide. "Wow Sofia! Just wow!" I exclaimed, shaking my head in light wonder. "Vivian, I can explain okay. We should go over there and I'll tell you the reason" She said, her expression riling with guilt as she looked down, unable to meet my own gaze. "Wha
Vivian POV I turned sharply to leave but before i could even take a step out, he pulled me back and I stumbled on my feet and fell on his chest. Fuck! I cursed inwardly as I immediately scrambled away from his body, not liking the feelings that coursed through me. "I'm- I'm sorry, I didn't want to inconvenience you" He quickly apologized as I arranged my dress. "It's fine Daniel, I would just step out" I answered, forcing a smile on my face. "You don't have to. I can actually be the one to leave if you're uncomfortable, please pardon me" He added, turned around and left. I watched his back Ashe walked back to Sofia who seemed to be selecting another dress entirely. What is all these? I felt confused in my head. Things was getting complicated and I don't even understand my own thoughts and feelings any more. My mind instantly went back to Max. 'He should be alright? He hadn't returned neither had he called. He's alright Vivian, just calm yourself' I assured myself in my
The rain drummed lightly against the glass windows of a thp penthouse rhythmic whisper against the silence that had settled between them. Vivian stood by the fireplace, her arms crossed, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t quite find the words.Max leaned against the back of the couch, his sharp blue eyes trained on her, unwavering, unreadable. He had removed his jacket, his white shirt unbuttoned at the top, revealing the strong lines of his chest. The firelight flickered against his skin, casting reflection that made him look more dangerous—more irresistible.“I hate it when you shut me out,” Vivian finally said, her voice quieter than she intended.Max exhaled, rubbing his fingers across his jaw. “I’m not shutting you out, sweetheart.” His voice was deep, rough, filled with an edge of restraint. “I just don’t know how to forget the sight of you crying over him.”Vivian sucked in a breath. She knew exactly what he meant. The image of her embracing Daniel
Max stood at the edge of the terrace, the cool evening breeze tousling his dark hair. He hadn’t expected to feel this way—light, free, and even a bit hopeful. After everything that had happened, all the deceit, the betrayals, the conspiracies that had weighed heavily on his shoulders, he finally had a moment of peace. The past was behind him, but the future was bright, and it was something he’d begun to look forward to.As the golden rays of the setting sun stretched across the sky, Max took a deep breath, allowing the warmth to settle in his chest. He hadn’t realized just how suffocating the tension had been until it was gone. Vivian and Emma, the two people who had become his world, were safe, and the people responsible for the harm they’d caused would no longer be a threat.But this moment wasn’t about them. This was about something else. Something Max had never expected, something that, despite everything, felt like a reward—a new beginning.It had been a quiet evening, the mansio
The final Blow.The courtroom was filled with tension, the air thick with anticipation. Max stood at the back, his eyes sharp, scanning the room as the defendants were led in. Ruth, Hannah, and Alexander, each appearing cold and composed, but Max could see the cracks forming beneath their facades. Their time had come.The gallery was filled with spectators, reporters, and those affected by the heinous crimes that had been committed. The seats were packed, yet there was a stillness that enveloped the room as the doors opened, and the accused were escorted to their designated seats.Max stood quietly, the weight of the entire process settling on his shoulders. He wasn’t just here to see them convicted; he was here to make sure the truth was brought into the light. The truth that had been hidden for so long. The truth that had torn apart so many lives, including his own.The courtroom had a sterile atmosphere—cold marble floors, high wooden ceilings, and the buzz of murmurs filling the a
Hi dear readers this book is coming to an end with just few more chapters ahead and an epilogue as well, be active.A week later.Max had spent years mastering the art of control—whether in business, in combat, or in the relentless war for power that had shaped his life. But tonight wasn’t just about control. Tonight was about ending this.Ruth, Hannah, and Alexander had played their twisted games for far too long. They had destroyed lives, ripped families apart, and forced Vivian into years of torment. It was time they faced the consequences.Max stood in front of a dimly lit table, the blue glow from the monitors casting reflection over his sharp features. The private estate security footage played in front of him, a slow feed of a place that would soon become the stage for their downfall.Ray stood beside him, arms crossed, his expression hard. “Are you sure about this?”Max didn’t glance at him. “It’s the only way.”Ray exhaled, nodding. “Then let’s go over it again.”The setup wa
Back at the suite, after Max had dropped off the little girl he saved earlier in the hospital to tend to her and also make inquiries about her parents, Max carried Emma inside, gently laying her on the bed. She stirred slightly, her lashes fluttering, but exhaustion kept her under.Vivian brushed a hand over her daughter’s hair, tears threatening to spill. “My baby…”Max exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. “She needs to rest. And so do you.”Vivian turned to him, eyes flashing. “How can I rest? Max, she was taken! If you hadn’t found her, if you hadn’t—” Her voice cracked, and she pressed a hand to her lips.Max closed the distance between them in two strides, gripping her arms. “But I did find her.” His voice was low, firm. “And I won’t let it happen again.”Vivian looked up at him, searching his face. “Ruth won’t stop.”His expression darkened. “Neither will I.”A heavy silence stretched between them.Vivian’s breath was shaky as she stepped closer, pressing her forehead to his c
The dim light of Max’s computer screen was the only source of light in the room, casting sharp shadows over his face as he stared at the footage playing in front of him. His hands were clenched into fists, his jaw locked so tightly it ached.The moment Emma had gone missing, he had known something wasn’t right. And now, he had proof.On the screen, the tiny, barely noticeable footage from Vivian’s earrings played. It was a risk he had taken, secretly placing a micro CCTV camera on them before leaving. He hadn’t told her—not because he didn’t trust her, but because he didn’t trust the world around her.And now, that paranoia had paid off.A grainy, shadowy figure moved into the hotel room. The timestamp showed it was mere minutes before Vivian woke up and found Emma gone. The man was fast, calculated—he knew exactly where to go.Then, for a split second, his face was caught in the reflection of a mirror.Max froze the footage and zoomed in. His blood ran cold.Damian Cross.A ghost fro
The phone call ended with a cold finality, the kidnapper’s warning ringing in Vivian’s ears. Her breath came in shallow bursts, her fingers clenched around the phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her world had shrunk down to a single, terrifying truth—Emma was in the hands of a monster, and she had to get her back. Alone.Vivian fought the urge to collapse. She couldn’t afford to fall apart. Emma needed her to be strong.Her eyes darted around the park, scanning for any sign of the man who had spoken to her moments ago, but he had vanished into the trees, blending into the shadows like a ghost. There was no one to follow, no immediate threat, just the suffocating silence pressing against her chest.Vivian forced her trembling legs to move, stumbling back toward her car. Her mind was already working at a frantic pace. The kidnapper had told her to come alone, no police, no Max. But how could she face this alone? She had no weapons, no plan, nothing but the desperate love o
Vivian woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the blinds. She knew Max had left and her body ached, a pleasant reminder of the night before, of the fire that had burned between her and Max. But as her eyes fluttered open, a sense of unease crept up her spine. The bed beside her was empty, the sheets slightly tangled as if Max had gotten up in the early hours of the morning.She pushed herself up on her elbows, glancing around the room. She couldn’t hear Emma’s usual morning giggles or the sounds of her little feet padding across the floor. The silence was unnerving, too quiet for a house that normally buzzed with life, even if it was just the two of them.Her heart sank as she pushed the covers off and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She had been so caught up in the heat of the moment with Max that she hadn't thought about Emma. In the past, Emma's early morning wanderings were never a cause for concern, but today, something felt different."Emma?" Vivian called
The house was quiet, save for the soft hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Emma had fallen asleep quickly, her small body curled up beneath the covers, her peaceful expression a welcome contrast to the chaos of the past days. Vivian had kissed her goodnight, her heart heavy but full, before slipping silently out of the room.Max was waiting in the living room, his presence unmistakable even before she stepped through the door. The dim light from the lamps cast reflection over his face, making him look like a man on the edge—intense, brooding, and yet somehow still impossibly magnetic.Vivian hesitated for a moment, her pulse quickening at the thought of being alone with him again. She had never imagined things would unfold like this, never expected the intensity of the emotions that had resurfaced between them. The spark between them was undeniable, but so were the complications. So many unspoken truths, and still so much left to face.Max didn’t speak right away, but his eyes fol