ZAYLEN When I saw Liana walk away, immediate guilt filled me in. I shouldn’t have talked to her like that. It was indeed rude. I should have controlled my anger and talked to her calmly. My trance was broken when I heard sniffles coming from Noelle. My heart sank at that sight. So I approached my sister. I saw the tears streaming down her face. "Noelle, listen to me. It’s—" I tried to explain out of concern, but she rudely cut me off. “Please, Zaylen.” She looked at me, her expression hardened with anger. "I don't want to talk to you right now," she spat, her tone sharp and biting. "Just leave me alone." I felt a pang in my chest by her words. I knew that I had upset her with my earlier behavior, and now seeing her so upset made me feel terrible. Maybe I should have been softer while explaining. But what could I have done? She wasn't willing to listen to a word of mine when I was being soft. "Noelle,” I mumbled, reaching out a hand towards her. But much to my disappoin
ZAYLEN "Zaylen, no! Let him go!" Liana's voice had cut through the haze, panicked and urgent. I could barely hear her over the rush of blood in my ears, the rage clouding my vision. “Zaylen!” Liana's cries pierced through the haze of my fury. But all I could picture was my wrecked family due to his father. All of a sudden, Liana touch landed on my arm in an attempt to pry me off, and it was like a shock of cold water. "Zaylen, please!" Liana's voice was desperate now, her fingers gripping my arm tight. "You're hurting him!" I hesitated, the anger slowly ebbing away as I met Liana's pleading gaze. My grip loosened on Trevor as I turned to look at her, breaths heavy and ragged. Trevor was gasping for air. “Liana,” I mumbled, finally closing my eyes and calming myself down. “What do you think you are doing?” Liana asked, her eyes wide with fear and concern. Then she turned to Trevor. “Are you okay, Trevor?” Trevor nodded, and I pulled Liana to my side, not wanting her
LIANA I had no idea what the hell just happened, but Zaylen's expression told me everything. His world seemed to be crumbling before my eyes. "Are you okay?" I asked, concern lacing my voice, as a tear escaped his eye. "She left... she really left, Liana," he uttered, his voice choked with emotion. I moved closer, wrapping my arms around him in a comforting embrace, my heart clenching at the sight of him crying. I didn’t like it at all. "I promised Mom that I would protect her and yet..." "I understand, Zaylen," I murmured softly, feeling his pain like it was my own. "But you're not alone in this. We will figure it out together." He leaned into my embrace, his body trembling with suppressed sobs. "It's just... Trevor's family… it is a mess," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don't want Noelle to be a part of that family.” I pulled back slightly, studying his face. "What do you mean?" Zaylen took a shaky breath, gathering his thoughts. "They would make her li
LIANA The next day, after work, I drove to meet Noelle after she texted me the address of her new place. My phone chimed as I was in my car. I saw it was a text from Zaylen. Zaylen: Did you reach home? I didn’t want to inform him yet that I was going to meet Noelle, so I decided to alter the truth a bit. Liana: I am running some errands. Why? Did you need something? Zaylen replied instantly. Zaylen: No, nothing. Just asking. I felt his texts were a bit off. Liana: Are you okay? Zaylen: I hope so. Liana: Take care. Zaylen: You too :) I locked the phone and mumbled, “I will try to fix this, Zaylen. I promise.” As I arrived, I realized it was Trevor's home, and Noelle welcomed me inside. Trevor's penthouse exuded an aura of modern luxury and sophistication. As I stepped inside, I was greeted by expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that offered breathtaking views of the city skyline. “Hi, Liana,” Trevor greeted me as he emerged from the staircase. “Why don’t you guys sit
LIANAThe moment I got out of the apartment, I was astonished when my eyes met the familiar green ones. Zaylen was standing there, wearing a dark green suit that complimented his eyes. When he saw me, a subtle smile formed on his lips as I approached him. “How are you here?” I asked, my surprise still evident in my voice as I approached Zaylen outside the apartment building, where his car was parked. He shrugged, his expression serious. “I knew where Trevor lived. I was about to go talk to Noelle, but then I saw your car so I stopped.”“Oh, so you were waiting for me to come out?” I inquired to be sure, arching an eyebrow. “Something like that.” He leaned against the car, crossing his arms against his chest. “So what did you guys talk about?”“We talked about a lot of things, like how you treat Noelle as a child and you think she can’t protect herself even though she is an adult now,” I started speaking. “Zaylen, I think you should respect Noelle’s choice and let her be. She knows
ZAYLEN The moment my eyes fell on Noelle standing and talking to Trevor about something in the living room, I realized how much older my baby sister grew up to be. The day my mom brought Noelle, I was only four years old. I used to follow my mom wherever she would carry Noelle with her. I would observe the baby so lovingly. And then… When I was twelve, my mom officially handed me Noelle, and I never knew it would be the last time I would see my mom. Raising Noelle properly, saving her from the clutches of my ruthless father — I could never see her in tears. But last night, I made her cry. Trevor saw me and said, “Oh… Noelle, your brother is here for you.” Noelle instantly turned her head to see me. A glow appeared on her face as she walked to me. “You are here! You came!” “How can I not come here when my sister is staying here?” I let out, a smile tugging on my lips. “Besides, I needed to see if your boyfriend was treating you well or not.” I glanced at Trevor, who just chuck
LIANA I opened my eyes to darkness, the air heavy with the scent of must and dampness. Panic surged through me as I realized I was locked in some kind of godown. "Hello? Is anyone there?" My voice echoed off the walls, but there was no response. I clasped my hands together, my heart racing. “Lara?” I called out, but there was no response. "Please, someone, anyone, help," I whispered, my voice barely audible in the suffocating darkness. But the darkness remained indifferent to my pleas, swallowing them whole. My heart hammered against my chest as fear clenched at my throat. I hated darkness! Tears welled in my eyes as I mumbled, “I hope someone comes and saves me.” Who could care enough for me to save me? I left a text to Zaylen though. Only he could rescue me from this nightmare. But I couldn’t give up and had to try to find a way out. With trembling hands, I approached a small window, its glass coated in grime. Peering out, I saw nothing but darkness, the moonless s
LIANA "No, the same mother," Lara corrected with a chilling calmness. My eyes widened in shock, my mind struggling to comprehend the magnitude of her revelation. "What do you mean, Lara? My mother... she..." I stammered, unable to form coherent words. Lara's lips curled into a cold smile as she saw the confusion etched on my face. "Yes, Liana. ‘Our’ dear mother was the one who cheated," she confirmed, her voice dripping with disdain. Dread settled like a stone in the pit of my stomach as I listened to Lara's words. "But... but how?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. Lara's laughter was devoid of any warmth as she revealed the painful truth. "She cheated with the driver, Liana. And I am the result of her betrayal," she spat, her words like a dagger to my heart. My hands trembled as I struggled to process the enormity of Lara's revelation. The woman who randomly left me when I was five years old, without any explanation and anything, actually cheated on my father? I had
LIANAThe morning sun poured through the curtains, casting a gentle light across our bedroom. I woke up to the soft, familiar hum of the world outside, the sound of birds chirping in the distance. I turned to see Zaylen sleeping beside me, his face relaxed in peaceful slumber. The sight of him always filled me with a profound sense of contentment and love.I stretched, carefully sliding out of bed to avoid waking him. Today wasn’t just any day—it was a day I had looked forward to for a long time. The house was still, the calm before the storm of our bustling family life. I tiptoed down the hallway, my heart swelling with excitement as I made my way to the nursery.Our twins had brought a new kind of joy into our lives, their arrival a culmination of love and anticipation. The nursery was painted in soft pastel colors, with a cozy crib in the corner and shelves lined with toys and books. The gentle hum of the white noise machine filled the room, blending with the soft sunlight filte
LIANA It was mid-morning, and the office was bustling with the usual activity. The gentle hum of conversation and the clacking of keyboards filled the air, but I could barely focus on anything other than the growing discomfort and irritability that had become a constant companion over the past few weeks. I sat at my desk, my fingers drumming impatiently on the surface. The pile of paperwork before me seemed to mock my inability to concentrate. I sighed heavily, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me. Zaylen, ever observant, noticed my agitation from his office. He appeared at my desk, a look of concern etched on his face. “Hey, baby. How’s it going?” I glanced up, trying to muster a polite smile. “Just peachy,” I said, though the words were more of a snarl than anything else. “If you consider battling an insurm
LIANA The next few days, I couldn’t shake a strange feeling. I was more tired than usual, and the scent of coffee, which I normally loved, was suddenly making me nauseous. Sara noticed my discomfort. “Liana, are you feeling okay?” she asked, her brow furrowed with concern. “I’m fine, just a bit tired” I replied, trying to brush it off. “Been feeling nauseous and my head is pounding these last few days.” Sara gave me a knowing look. “Maybe you should take a pregnancy test.” I blinked, surprised by her suggestion. “A pregnancy test?” She nodded. “There might be a possibility.” The idea was both thrilling and terrifying. Could it be possible? I decided to take Sara’s advice to heart. During my lunch break, I headed to the pharmacy just a few blocks away. The fluorescent lights and the hum of the store seemed unusually bright as I picked out a pregnancy test kit. My heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety as I made my way back to the office, clutchin
LIANAThe past few months had flown by in a blissful haze. Our honeymoon had taken us from the Maldives to the enchanting streets of Paris, and finally, to the serene countryside of Tuscany. Each day had been filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. But now, it was back to reality—our reality, where Zaylen and I were not only husband and wife but also Alpha and Luna, and for the time being, colleagues.I walked into the office, the familiar scent of coffee and paper filling the air. As I made my way to my desk, I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with nerves. This was our first day back after the long honeymoon, and though I was eager to dive back into work, I couldn’t ignore the butterflies in my stomach.Zaylen’s office door was slightly ajar, and as I passed by, I saw him sitting behind his desk, engrossed in a document. He looked up, catching my eye, and a slow, mischievous smile spread across his face.“Good morning, my Luna,” he called out, his
LIANAThe following morning, we decided to explore more of the city. After a quick breakfast, we set off to visit the Louvre Museum. As we walked through the grand halls, admiring the masterpieces, Zaylen kept me close, his hand never leaving mine."Look at this one," he said, pointing to a painting. "Doesn't it remind you of one of our dates?"“The one we had just before you proposed to me?” I asked to be sure. As he nodded, I laughed, remembering that endearing evening. "It does. We have come a long way, haven't we?""We have," he agreed, his eyes softening as he looked at me. "And I wouldn't change a thing."We continued our tour, losing ourselves in the beauty of the art and the history that surrounded us. As we exited the museum, we found a street vendor selling crepes. Zaylen insisted on buying one for each of us, and we sat on a nearby bench, enjoying the sweet treat."These are delicious," I said, licking a bit of Nutella from my fingers."Almost as sweet as you," Zaylen tea
LIANAThe Eiffel Tower stood tall and majestic against the twilight sky, its twinkling lights casting a romantic glow over the city of Paris. I marveled at the sight, my heart swelling with awe and excitement. Our long honeymoon had brought us from the tropical paradise of the Maldives to the enchanting streets of Paris, and I couldn't have been happier.Zaylen and I strolled hand in hand along the Seine River, the soft murmur of French conversations and the distant sound of street musicians creating a magical atmosphere. He looked dashing in a tailored suit, and I felt like a princess in my flowing dress."Isn't this beautiful?" I sighed, leaning my head on his shoulder."It is," he agreed, pressing a kiss to my temple. "But not as beautiful as you."I blushed, my heart fluttering at his words. "Always the charmer.""For you, always," he replied with a playful wink.As we walked, we passed a quaint café with outdoor seating. Zaylen tugged me toward it. "How about a little dessert?"
LIANAThe soft rustling of palm trees and the rhythmic lapping of waves greeted me as I stepped onto the sunlit balcony. The warm, salty breeze of the Maldives caressed my face, bringing with it a sense of serene contentment I hadn't felt in years. The crystal-clear waters stretched out endlessly, a shimmering expanse of turquoise that promised days of relaxation and intimate moments with Zaylen.I leaned against the railing, closing my eyes and letting the sounds of paradise envelop me. A gentle smile tugged at my lips as I thought of Zaylen still asleep in our villa, the man who had turned my world upside down in the best way possible."Liana?" Zaylen's voice, husky with sleep, reached me, making my heart flutter.I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his dark hair tousled and his eyes still heavy with sleep. He looked so different from the domineering, fierce leader I had first met. Here, he was just Zaylen, my husband, the man I loved with all my heart."Good morning, sle
LIANAToday was the day—the day Zaylen and I would finally stand before our loved ones, pledging our hearts to each other in marriage. The anticipation and excitement in the air were palpable, mingling with the fragrant scents of blooming flowers and the soft rustle of leaves. Our wedding was set against a backdrop of lush greenery, the venue a picturesque garden that seemed to be alive with joy and celebration.The sun shone brightly, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. The ceremony was to be held in a charming outdoor setting, with a floral arch adorned with cascading white roses and delicate greenery. The aisle, lined with white rose petals, led to a beautifully decorated altar where Zaylen and I would exchange our vows.I took a deep breath, feeling the flutter of nervous excitement in my stomach as I prepared to walk down the aisle. Noelle, radiating beauty even with her eight-month baby bump, adjusted her position next to me. She looked stunning in her deep emerald g
LIANAThe morning sun filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled light across the campsite. The soft, golden rays glinted off the sparkling surface of the waterfall, creating a mesmerizing display of light and water. The gentle roar of the falls provided a soothing soundtrack as the water cascaded into a clear, shimmering pool below.The campsite, nestled beside this natural wonder, was waking up with the day. The cool, fresh air carried the crisp scent of pine and morning dew. The grass was still damp from the night, and the tents stood slightly crumpled, evidence of a night spent in cozy slumber.Trevor, ever the early riser and mischief-maker, had a gleam in his eye as he set his plan into motion. He crept quietly towards Zaylen, who was enjoying a leisurely breakfast by the fire, unaware of the prank that was about to unfold. Trevor had filled a bucket with water and carefully rigged it to tip over when Zaylen’s chair was moved.I observed from a distance, sipping my