VICTOR.... Once she's in my arms, I feel the world come to me... My worries wash away as I sniff her sweet scent. Dropping her off at her best friend's apartment, I commanded Mathew to stay outside the apartment building and protect her. At that time, I didn't realize that our enemy was waiting inside the building. I returned to my real office and attended a meeting. However, in the middle of it, Luis came in and informed me about Mathew's suspicions. Something had happened to my little bird. Her voice was recorded on his phone, and the way she screamed... My heart almost stopped. But Mathew said not a single soul came out of the apartment after she entered. I was dubious and checked the building's security cameras using my power. I saw Neil's car entering the apartment fifteen minutes before I dropped Bella off there. In the investigation, it came out that he owned one of the apartments there. It did not take me a second to understand what happened. I wanted to rush there and b
VICTOR.... I'm not surprised by her question; I was expecting it. I held her by the waist and nuzzled her cheeks. "I'm Victor Salazar Dubov, your husband. Do you have any doubt about that?" She looked up and slowly shook her head. "No, but I'm confused." She looked around. "Are you really connected to the Chairman?" Her brows furrowed as she started scratching her nose. "I'm not connected to the Chairman; I'm the Chairman," I replied truthfully. There is no point in hiding anymore. Now she's my wife, and since we've decided to give our relationship a chance, I need to be honest about my identity. Her beautiful eyes slowly widened. "So you're... no ordinary man." Her eyes squinted at me, and she sighed. "I was afraid for nothing then... You turn out to be the big boss of all." She snuggled close to me. I couldn't help but smile at her innocence; she did not bother about my identity, unlike others. This is what I've always wanted: someone who would see me as more than my power and
FLORENCE.... I stared at the screen of my phone; all the texts I had sent to Neil had not been received. That fucking bastard had blocked me! Aagh! I threw my phone away and slumped on the bed. Since that bitch entered my life, every fucking thing had changed! First, she took away my identity as the daughter of my parents, and everyone valued her because she was their blood! Then she took away the love of my life, my Neil, and the power I wanted to attain by being his wife! Why the fuck did she have to return after ten fucking years? Couldn't she just die? I've done everything to keep her from getting affection; I cannot just let her take away all that was mine! And finally, she ran away from home, breaking the engagement. People hated her more, and I got what I wanted: I got Neil. But... If she lives, I'll still be the adopted one of my parents, and her name will be taken before mine! So, I've wanted her dead! Still, she survived. I still remember that after she was saved, som
BELLATRIX.... After enough persuasion, I was finally able to go to the office. Victor wanted me to stay home and rest after that incident, but I felt there was no need for that. Also, I recently revealed our relationship to Logan and did not want him to think I was taking any advantage of it. When I reached work, I found him smiling with a colleague at his desk. Approaching my desk beside his, I greeted him. The smile on his face vanished, and an awkward expression lingered there. He left with that colleague with an excuse. It was disheartening. Did I make a mistake by informing him? He returned after some time and silently sat in his chair. I pushed my chair near his desk and directly looked at him. "Why are you avoiding me?" I asked openly; I needed to clear the air between us. I only have a few friends, and I don't want to lose them over a silly reason. He blinked. "I-I wasn't." He frowned; his face was nervous. Sigh... "I know it was unexpected, but please, I only have two
BELLATRIX.... For a long time, I couldn't utter a word. Florence Valdez called me? Why? "Bella, can you hear me?" Her voice rang in my ear again. "What do you want?" I feel annoyed by her call. There was silence for a few seconds before she spoke, "I know you weren't expecting my call since we don't share... any pleasant bond. But Bella, I... I wanted to talk to you. So, I was thinking if we could meet tomorrow. Can you?" It's quite shocking to get a call from her and even her request to meet. In five years of living together, she never talked politely to me once. What forced her now? Is it because of Victor's identity, or... for Neil? "Please, Bella, for once meet me," she says again. Although rejection was just hanging on my tongue, I changed my mind and shrugged, "Alright... But remember one thing, Florence: any funny move, and I'll ruin you." "No, I promise you that I only want to talk to you." There was a slight tremble in her voice, as if she were scared. However, this
VICTOR.... My private jet landed at the airport as I slowly walked down the jet, with Luis and Avon following behind me. My mood was quite ruined, thanks to a few pieces of news I received before flying back from Russia to the country. It turns out my little bird met Florence, and she hid it from me. Though she did nothing to keep it a secret, I'm still mad that she didn't inform me beforehand. Well, she just earned a punishment for herself! However, the worst news was that the reason I returned to America a few months earlier followed me here. Though, throughout my investigation, I've realized that someone from my family arranged that attack, I'm still unsure of who that person is and do not know how he would attack again. This time, I'm more scared for Bellatrix. She didn't know I had returned today; I was about to surprise her, yet she beat me to it. Now, it'll be a surprise punishment for her. I feel my body hardening just at the thought of that... "Luis." "Chairman." "Inf
BELLATRIX.... I lay on the bed, my mind drifting to Florence's words... Although I have always said I don't care about my parents, a part of me still hurts. Are they really my biological parents? This one question has lingered in my mind for the last five years. I was kidnapped at eight years old; ten years have passed in between, and their hearts' changes toward me... Neil's changes toward me were logical; with time, he had perhaps changed according to his parents and environment. But what about my parents? Do parents' hearts really change for their children? *Sigh...* If one day I am blessed with children, I will never treat them the way my parents did. I will love them so much, and I know Victor will do the same... Mmm, in that thought, does Victor want children too? With me? I blink, suddenly realizing that we never really discussed this matter. What if... he doesn't want to? He never shared his desires regarding this matter. An abrupt frustration coursed through me. I sat u
BELLATRIX.... The next day, I woke up with sore legs, a raspy throat, and a gleeful heart... I stretched my body before rolling over to my husband and hugging him. His huge arms wrapped around me as I lay on his chest, hearing his steady heartbeat. It was so peaceful, a dream come true. I never realized life could be so beautiful. Aside from stress, the pressure to fit into society, making the family proud, and fighting for their attention—which I have always received negatively—there were insults, mockery, and schemes... There was no kindness or delight in my life. But with Victor, those seemed just a part of life that gets suppressed by his love over time, healing my deeply wounded soul along the way. He knows that I met Florence yesterday; I did not attempt to hide it. However, he did not ask about it at all, which gives me a sense of freedom... He had given me space and trusted me enough to let me handle it on my own, which made me love him more. His hand was caressing my low