There weren't many people when the car door at my side was opened by Rhysand from outside.Nausea starts to take over my stomach and threatens to come out, I swallow again and start to stand up and take Rhysand's hand that is reaching out to me. Sending him a brief sharp glance, I gripped his hand tightly, spitting out annoyance I couldn't express, and then I stared ahead. A dome-shaped building loomed before us. So luxurious and towering in the middle of Madrid. I would love to be here if under different circumstances.Not in a horrific situation full of terror, for sure."Fight me, Princess. I always welcome you with pleasure." Rhysand's voice enters my ears, sending chilling shivers that make my spine stiff. One arm wraps around my waist which is covered by the knee-length brown coat he gave me. Even so, it's like skin to skin. The touch is hell and I don't want to fall further down that hell hole.I just glanced at him with the levelest look possible, something I tried to keep eve
"Why did you invite him?" I said sharply when Brando Mikhaleov went to look for his wife.I glanced at Rhysand as flash images of what Reagan was doing in his office came to my head. It was horrible and I was already trying to hold back something that was burning in my chest. Why are the men in my life, besides Maven and dad, so horrible and being a piece of shit?I've never seen Reagan again, and it almost makes me feel good, and then this whole Rhysand thing happened, his presence can send my head thinking about nothing but how Rhysand made a 180 degree turn in my life.I want all of these ends. I want to move to a small village in Canada, and never see any of them for the rest of my life. I want to live a quiet and happy life with the simplicity I've dreamed of, but it feels impossible. The world around me, which was created before I was born, makes me unable to escape from it. I realized that all old money circles, or world conglomerates, have never had a "clean world" in their li
Screams broke out.Mierda, mierda, mierda over and over again like a messed up record with lots of sounds. Alarm came in the air so thick I could feel it on my tongue. And then a gust of air escaped from me as I was brought down to the floor. A heavy body covered me as the glass of the painting shattered in a clear pattern. And then the paintings that were in the frame also turned into an insignificant torn.Shot.My heartbeat pounded in my ears, and I couldn't tell from the bullets flying above me. I know who's lying on top of me, trying to match my breath with his as the chaos continues. A feeling of security enveloped me while this room became a battleground for these mobsters. I cover my ears. It felt like it went on forever, before a silence enveloped the room that carried the echoes of gunshots."Are you okay?"I heard his words, but my mind was focused on red. Blood dripped onto the wooden floorboards in my line of sight.Hands gripping my face, twisting it. "Are you okay?" Rhy
I thought we were going anywhere, anywhere but sitting in this Palace in the middle of this forest.I don't think Rhysand will ever relax, considering what happened to us last night. The building was his too, and the few who were hurt were people who worked for him. That mess was Reagan's doing, and I don't think Rhysand would take one second to relax, But he did things differently. Choose to stay here, and chill with me, even fucking with me a few times and stopped when something inside my stomach screamed for food.I didn't think he could be this relaxed about what happened, and why is he behaving like last night's incident didn't even happen? And that makes me nervous.I stare at the lines of words in the novel I'm reading, even though my mind goes elsewhere. If only we were in different circumstances—where I was living quietly, and Rhysand wasn't some horrible psychopath—then I would be happy to spend time here with him. But that might happen in the otherworldly version, or not at
"You already did, Rhys." My words came out after the silence enveloped us for a few seconds that felt tense.Rhysand's brows pinched, and his face hardened."You did it without realizing it. You've hurt me more than you and I could ever imagine." I said, against everything that tells me to be quiet, or something bad will happen if I do. But, the heat in my chest told me I couldn't hold it in any longer. "You.. with all your manipulations, you've already hurt me.""I already told you, if I don't do something. All of these. You can't be mine. I can't get you.""This is what hurt me... I've only become the object of your obsession, and did you think that injuring someone so easily would make me clap and throw a proud smile at you?" I said. "I would absolutely not do that, Rhys."His eyebrows pulled up, displeasure rose from them, and the aura around me turned into one of discomfort. His domineering side, which I didn't like about him, and then his monstrous side made me uncomfortable and
My breath caught and my whole body froze, I felt my blood recede from my head and I shivered when I saw what was presented in front of me."He's a maniac." I whispered with terror creeping up inside of me.My feet moved and walked deeper into the room. My eyes are glued to the photographs hanging on the walls and the paintings that cover the walls. Pictures and paintings of me, whether when I was still in college, or when I had graduated from college. I reached out and grabbed one of the pictures and stared at it. It was when I was at the college graduation ceremony. I was just alone because there were several photo sessions where I could take photos alone, and with my family. I put the picture down, and then reached for another one. This time it's a picture of me sleeping...Wait. That is my room.Who took my picture in my room? My family has never done it because they think it's pointless. And this.. does that mean Rhysand somehow came into my room and took my picture, before I even
My body stiffens. I breathed heavily, and my heart beat even louder. "In fact, I wanted to show you this place and show you my self-drawn portrait at the right time, but," his voice was still behind me, I heard no steps, that means he wasn't coming any closer. Still there, and talking to me in a relaxed and calm tone. "You've already found it yourself." My heart was beating violently, as was the anticipation welling up inside of me. Tears came out again, wetting my cheeks because the jolt of emotion that was so sharp took over my chest. I don't know what Rhysand will do to me when he see all of this. What I already did. But I'm sure that's a bad thing. Very bad. "And they were crushed." He said again, still in a calm tone that hurt my heart so much, I know that underneath it all, there is a monster that is getting ready to show itself in front of me. "It deserves to be destroyed." I forced out. I've gone into the ocean so deep, denying it won't do anything. Fighting him is the ri
The sound of birds chirping so loud greeted my morning, I blinked my eyes to see the morning view from this room while a great pain pressed against my neck and head. Resentment overtook me when I remembered what happened to me last night, what I had done in Rhysand's secret room which was so dirty and disgusting, and what he had done to keep me from being conscious.I tried to get up after massaging my head and neck tightly. It's not of much use, but it will help me a little.I sat up on the bed, and I can't think of a way to get out of this hell that is clad in beauty. My head hurts so bad, and I don't know if its uselessness to think is because of the pain or because I'm stupid. Looks like number two is the correct one.I'm not refused or denying anything. I should have always had to do something based on my gut feelings and instincts, but my heart has always found a way to control my entire reaction to him, what to do with him, and to believe that my fall for him was something beau
Rhysand. I caressed her face, amazed at how soft her skin was, and how it would still be beautiful even when she fell asleep with her mouth open and her hair messy.I planted a kiss on his forehead, stroking the enlarged belly, containing our two children. Something lit up inside me. Happiness and many more thrilling feelings that make me always kneel in front of her.I kissed her again, kissing her face with light kisses, and biting her cheek which were more chubby than before.Cute.She writhes under me, grunting when her sleep is disturbed. Her hand pushed my face away, I chuckled."Stay away from me, Rhys. I still want to sleep." Her scolding comes back, and butterflies fly in my chest when I feel that this is real. That she was already in my arms and no one would be able to take her away from me. Even her my famlily, and my family.I put my face on her neck, sipping on the skin of her neck, inhaling the scent that will never bore me. "I love you." The words just came out.She sh
Rafaella isn't much different from our dad, I spent the afternoon listening to her talk about how I should divorce him, raise my two kids with them instead of Rhysand, saying that Rhysand was a bad influence on our kids.I never paid any attention to her. Never bothered about her, I never even filled it into my mind. All I did was hear her, and make a face that I didn't care about what she said. She left when she got tired of lecturing me.Rafaella can be a supportive sibling, and so can I, but she can be a bitch sometimes and always brings something up, whatever she does is keep me wrong, and makes me the coward of all. I know that it's in her nature, but now I can't take it anymore. I was just trying to put my real face on, and tell her that I never heard any of the lectures she gave.I never got any support from her, all she did was blame me and say that everything happened because of me. I did feel it was a mistake, that I should have stayed away from Rhysand. But I have never reg
Rhodes, Greece, Two Months Later.Silence.Quiet.Silent.Empty.Empty.I leaned myself on the small green sofa bed on the balcony. Staring at the beautiful scenery in front of me. Beautiful Lindos beach, and some small kayaks that reach almost the middle of the beach. I put my pregnancy book on top of my stomach which was protruding more than it should. I know that because I'm carrying two babies, and Rafaella often looks at my belly in horror. I don't feel bad about it. Pride and happiness seep into my chest. Realizing that I will be a mother soon.On the other hand the emptiness and silence still surrounds my heart. Shadows and hopes for someone to be by my side to be with me, and face this together. I knew that I was too naive, too hopeful that he would come to me, and take me home. That he would do everything for us. But I'm sure he will. I can't deny how crazy he is and how he could do anything for me. I've been in that position before, and I underestimate his love if I dare to
Seven years later.I leaned back in my chair after finishing chatting with business colleagues who happened to stop me and engage me in conversation with so much nonsense.I took a sip of wine, putting my hands in the pockets of my formal trousers, looking at a woman sitting with her family. There were two women with the same face, and I didn't have to bother to tell which was the other and which was the woman I had been obsessed with for the past seven years.Amanda Dimitriou.Yeah, I've fallen that deep for her. There wasn't a day I spent without watching her from afar until I could even recognize her from a hundred meters away. If she only knew what I've done—how many people's blood I've spilled just because of that about her .. would she have run away?Well, of course yes. Do i care? No. The thing Amanda should know is that she can't run away from me when I come to claim her later.I've already made a plan. Did something to her : got her wasted tonight, stole her, and then brought
It's all fun, and feels so fast.Feels hazy, and so satisfying until I wake up in the morning. Sitting myself on the bed of a two hundred thousand dollar hotel room, staring at the messy bed room. Someone messed up this room last night, and I know it was me. Well, I was drunk, which I never do anymore. I have a high tolerance for alcohol, and I never want to make myself vulnerable in a crowd. I would choose to get drunk in my own room, and then face a headache the next day.Exception for tonight. It's like I'm back in my early puberty : high on alcohol, and then finding a different woman every weekend sleeping in the same bed as me. Naked, of course. I've rarely done that, at least I've never done it in a high state and then forgot the safeguard I always use. I wouldn't take such a risk while I was having conscientious sex, and relief washed over me to see the ripped condom packaging on the floor.I believe my hangover came from exhaustion after having fun and exploring five countries
I realized that I was twenty-two years old, and I had graduated from a business school in New York.It's really an extraordinary thing, and on the other hand it's so annoying.I wanted to grow up, to be able to do something wild, to have more power for it, to be free and then to die with satisfaction. On the other hand I realized that I would never be free from anything. There is a great responsibility that is tightly tied around my neck, and there are many hopes that rest on my shoulders.My grandfather from my father side, and my grandfather from my mother side—they all expected me to become the successor to the business empire they had worked so hard to build themselves.I always thought that if I deserved it all, I had enough self-confidence to make it. More than that, I love them, cherish them. Well, even though I hate their children, I love the parents who gave birth to them. Those two middle-aged couples replaced the love that Bellva and I should have received from two selfish
I don't trust other people.They are fickle, prone to errors, and don't know what they are doing often.They are useless, tasteless, and should not pollute the air with their breath. The disdain I have for these people has been ingrained in me ever since I grew up from the small child phase and gradually discovered what the world is all about.I don't believe in the chance system either. People don't get two or three chances with me. One mistake and they're out.Forever.Anyone who crossed the line once would do it again if given the chance. It's the forbidden fruit, the gratification deferred, and the glorification sought. If they get one taste, they will be compelled to taste another.Then another. And one more.Until they are reduced to animals pursuing their basic needs.Giving them the chance to get close to the line, let alone cross it, is the personification of stupidity.My zero-tolerance policy might describe me as cold-blooded and heartless, but it was better than being labe
My blood rushed under my skin when I saw him.And those same green eyes as mine are adrift with me.His expression hardened, and he started walking towards me. I froze, not knowing what to do with his sudden presence."Are you all right, Amanda?"I shook my head.My heartbeat slowed down when my older brother had stopped right in front of me. That familiar musk scent came to my nose. His face hardened, and underneath it was the longing he had for me."Maven.""Amanda..." he said harshly. "You have no idea how much we flustered looking for you? How long we waited to meet you.""I'm fine." I said. I looked at Jade who was looking at us in confusion. "We'll talk for a bit. You don't need to worry, he's my brother."I know Jade already knows, but I just wanted to let her know that so there's no understanding at all. Jade nodded, and then left us.Maven catches the eye, and leads me to the other end of the room. Close to the exit."I'm fine. You don't need to worry, Maven." I gulped. "I'm
Husband and wife.I never thought that I would experience it so quickly. I didn't expect that my status had changed in two days. So short, and fast.A mother and a wife.My heart expands with happiness as I pull off this elaborate dress with Jade's help.He walked into the bedroom, and that was it.. it felt different and not different. He sat on the edge of the bed. He looked at me, with heat in his eyes, and a bright light in them. I drew closer to him. Stop, and stand between his legs. He hugged my waist, kissing my stomach that was under his shirt that I was wearing. I love wearing his t-shirt, I love his signature scent that never goes away, and it always makes me feel comfortable."I should take off your dress, Wife." he said.His other calls made me smile. Happiness exploded in my heart. "The dress is quite beautiful, and expensive. I will not let you mess it, husband."He looked up, his smile bright."Are you happy?" I stroked his face.He nodded. "Very happy."I sat astride hi