In the cold hall, Drake weaved his way through. His shoulders were squared, his eyes serious, and his expression cold as ice. At the end of the hall stood three guards, securing a room.Drake gave them a nod, and one of the guards knocked on the door, announcing his presence. Upon receiving permission, the guards opened the door, letting Drake step inside.The room was large and imposing, with dark walls. In the middle of the room was a king-sized bed, where a man lay surrounded by three women, their hands and lips shamelessly exploring him.“What is it, Drake?” Cassian Moore raised his gaze to Drake, his calloused hand squeezing the ass of the woman straddling him. “Care to join before discussing whatever it is that’s on your mind?”“It’s about the new Don,” Drake said, his tone cautious. “He just got married.”Cassian’s brow furrowed as he sat up abruptly. “Klaus Barnard got married?” he questioned, disbelief sharpening his voice.“Yes. He tried to keep it a secret. His wife’s name
Klaus chuckled, a low sound that felt like music to her ears. He pressed a swift kiss to her cheek.“Go freshen up. Breakfast will be ready soon,” he said, pulling away.Morticia noticed the restraint in his retreat. She would have loved to tease him more, but her body ached, though she tried to deny it.Back in the room, she entered the bathroom, opting for a warm bath since it was quite cold outside. The weather was relaxing, and she could already imagine using the chill as an excuse to have Klaus wrap his strong arms around her and talk for hours.She wished this honeymoon would never end.After her bath, she stared at her reflection. Love marks adorned her delicate skin, reminders of their passion.Geez, Morticia, enough with the thoughts about him.But no, there was no stopping them. Klaus was her husband now. Hers forever. She imagined their future—children, boys or girls, whatever God blessed them with. She pictured herself and Klaus parenting together, telling stories to their
Rhea returned home a bit early from work. Setting her coat aside, she stepped further into the room. Her eyes searched for Valerie. Was she not home yet?“Val?” Rhea called out gently, deciding to check their room. Getting there, she hesitated but pushed the thought aside. She opened the door, and there was Valerie, sitting on the bed, her back bent, her face cradled in her palms, and her elbows resting on her knees. She seemed lost in thought, a million miles away.Rhea stepped forward, her steps light and careful. Sadness swept across her features.“Val,” she called lightly, but Valerie remained unmoved, still drowning in her thoughts.Sighing, Rhea stepped closer and touched Valerie's shoulder.Valerie seemed to snap out of her trance, her gaze shooting up to meet Rhea's. “Rhea!”She stood up to face her and took a deep breath, clearing her throat and masking the sadness that Rhea had glimpsed for a fleeting moment.“Hey… uh, you got off work quite early. How are you doing?” Valer
Rhea didn't realize the tears that slipped down her face, running down her own cheek. Never had she thought Valerie could face such cruelty from her own relative—someone she had once trusted.Why do trusted people seem to hurt her? Even her only sister and her first love did, cheating on her on her birthday.“Oh… Val,” Rhea whispered.“I was nine.” Valerie's jaw was gritted so hard that her teeth sent a signal of aching. “No one seems to believe me since there was no proof to support my claim, and I had spoken up too late,” Valerie whispered, her voice slightly heavy with emotion. “Nana wasn't around. It was just my sister who tried to fight for me.”“She tried to get to the root of the matter, wanting to run a test on me, but… the police never listened…”Rhea’s jaw clenched. “They must be insane. How could they dismiss you like that? How could they turn their backs on a child?” she whispered, her voice trembling with anger and sorrow.Valerie let out a bitter laugh, the sound devoid
As Rhea told Morticia the whole story about Valerie’s uncle, Morticia felt anger and worry rising in her chest.The urge to find the man named Drake triggered her.“He said that bastard is in town. Definitely has a motive… a dangerous one, I presume,” Rhea sighed. “Val asked me not to tell anyone… but I think you already know the reason why I'm telling you.”Morticia nodded, knowing what Rhea meant. “Sure, that bastard needs to be caught. How dare he return after all he did and still have the guts to appear at Nana's funeral?”“I know, right? I wish I could break both of his legs!” Rhea's jaw clenched, and Morticia gave her an assuring squeeze.“It's okay… we’ll find him.”****“Drake Grayson,” Klaus's jaw clenched. “I know that bastard.”“You do?” Morticia asked, a slight hint of hope lacing her voice. If Klaus knows him, then they can have their revenge for what he did to Valerie.“Yes. And as a matter of fact… he is after me,” Klaus said, his voice devoid of panic. He looked as tho
Cassian's face quickly twisted from an amused one into a panicked one. “How the hell did he find us?” They must have underestimated Klaus. How did Klaus even know they were after him?Drake’s jaw clenched. “I'll head out to stop him.” He grabbed his gun and stepped out of the room with some men.Cassian, however, swiftly pulled out his gun and pointed it at Morticia’s forehead. He chuckled.“What makes him think I won't kill you before he gets here?” Cassian asked with a smirk. He clicked on his gun, ready to shoot, but Morticia showed no fear; Cassian knew she was only acting tough.“Ending you right here will solve everything and bring everything back together. If you die, Klaus will forget all about you and marry my daughter.”Cassian crooked his neck. “That’s how he is; he doesn't give a fuck about anyone. Even you. You're just a worthless whore he'll soon throw away. So I'll do you the favor by driving this bullet into your forehead.”“Oh, little man. Our bond is way stronger tha
Cassian’s chest heaved, his face reddened with anger as he glanced at the men who had utterly betrayed him. His voice tinged with anger and deperation. “You fools! You think Klaus will treat you right? Klaus isn’t even a Moore!”“But my husband led the clan in defeating their greatest enemy," Morticia glared sharply, her voice cold. "While you hid and cowered in fear,” Cassian gritted his teeth in anger, but that anger quickly turned to fear the moment the door opened. A lifeless body fell at the threshold making Cassian gulped in fear, and Klaus stepped in, blood staining his face and black suit, making him look like a handsome devil emerging straight from hell.Cassian trembled as Klaus approached with light yet powerful steps, an instinctive fear making him shift back. Sweat pooled his body.Klaus’s strong arm wrapped possessively around Morticia’s waist, while his other hand gripped a gun aimed directly at Cassian’s forehead.“Wait! Wait! Are you really going to kill me? I’m one
Valerie's eyes fluttered open, meeting white walls. The smell of antiseptic filled the air; she was in the hospital.There was bandaging wrapped around her waist and hand.She moved, only to feel a hand hold hers. Her eyes met Rhea’s, who was sleeping with her head rested on the bed.Valerie's eyes softened. She slowly sat up, ignoring the pain that struck her waist, and gazed down at Rhea.Her face was calm, dried tears visible. She must have scared her little bear. Valerie reached for the loose strands of Rhea's hair, tucking them behind her ear.Her light touch pulled Rhea out of her sleep, her eyes slowly fluttering open.“Hey, babe,” Valerie drawled.Rhea's eyes slowly met hers; after three seconds, they immediately widened.“Val?” she whispered, and Valerie smiled.Rhea pulled her into a tight embrace. Valerie suppressed a wince.“Val, you are alright!” Rhea cried out in a wracking voice, her body shaking in despair. “What in the world were you thinking, doing such a dangerous t
Morticia moaned softly as she shifted on the bed with a small frown. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, meeting an unfamiliar room.She recalled standing with Klaus and discussing things with Valerie and Rhea, and then everything turned blank.“Bunnie?” Klaus's deep voice made her turn her head to the side.A smile spread across his lips as he shifted closer.“What happened?” she asked in a weak voice.Klaus reached for her hand, holding it in his. Emotions swirled in her eyes, and Morticia began to panic.“Is something wrong with me?” she asked innocently.Klaus shook his head gently, then leaned in to kiss her forehead.He pulled back slightly and brushed a strand of hair from her face.“You’re okay, Bunnie,” he murmured. “You’re carrying our child.”Morticia swallowed, her heart pounding. “What?”He exhaled with a grin. “You're going to be a mother soon. You’re two weeks pregnant.”Silence.Morticia blinked, her lips parting slightly as if she had misheard him. Emotions surged through
Valerie's eyes fluttered open, meeting white walls. The smell of antiseptic filled the air; she was in the hospital.There was bandaging wrapped around her waist and hand.She moved, only to feel a hand hold hers. Her eyes met Rhea’s, who was sleeping with her head rested on the bed.Valerie's eyes softened. She slowly sat up, ignoring the pain that struck her waist, and gazed down at Rhea.Her face was calm, dried tears visible. She must have scared her little bear. Valerie reached for the loose strands of Rhea's hair, tucking them behind her ear.Her light touch pulled Rhea out of her sleep, her eyes slowly fluttering open.“Hey, babe,” Valerie drawled.Rhea's eyes slowly met hers; after three seconds, they immediately widened.“Val?” she whispered, and Valerie smiled.Rhea pulled her into a tight embrace. Valerie suppressed a wince.“Val, you are alright!” Rhea cried out in a wracking voice, her body shaking in despair. “What in the world were you thinking, doing such a dangerous t
Cassian’s chest heaved, his face reddened with anger as he glanced at the men who had utterly betrayed him. His voice tinged with anger and deperation. “You fools! You think Klaus will treat you right? Klaus isn’t even a Moore!”“But my husband led the clan in defeating their greatest enemy," Morticia glared sharply, her voice cold. "While you hid and cowered in fear,” Cassian gritted his teeth in anger, but that anger quickly turned to fear the moment the door opened. A lifeless body fell at the threshold making Cassian gulped in fear, and Klaus stepped in, blood staining his face and black suit, making him look like a handsome devil emerging straight from hell.Cassian trembled as Klaus approached with light yet powerful steps, an instinctive fear making him shift back. Sweat pooled his body.Klaus’s strong arm wrapped possessively around Morticia’s waist, while his other hand gripped a gun aimed directly at Cassian’s forehead.“Wait! Wait! Are you really going to kill me? I’m one
Cassian's face quickly twisted from an amused one into a panicked one. “How the hell did he find us?” They must have underestimated Klaus. How did Klaus even know they were after him?Drake’s jaw clenched. “I'll head out to stop him.” He grabbed his gun and stepped out of the room with some men.Cassian, however, swiftly pulled out his gun and pointed it at Morticia’s forehead. He chuckled.“What makes him think I won't kill you before he gets here?” Cassian asked with a smirk. He clicked on his gun, ready to shoot, but Morticia showed no fear; Cassian knew she was only acting tough.“Ending you right here will solve everything and bring everything back together. If you die, Klaus will forget all about you and marry my daughter.”Cassian crooked his neck. “That’s how he is; he doesn't give a fuck about anyone. Even you. You're just a worthless whore he'll soon throw away. So I'll do you the favor by driving this bullet into your forehead.”“Oh, little man. Our bond is way stronger tha
As Rhea told Morticia the whole story about Valerie’s uncle, Morticia felt anger and worry rising in her chest.The urge to find the man named Drake triggered her.“He said that bastard is in town. Definitely has a motive… a dangerous one, I presume,” Rhea sighed. “Val asked me not to tell anyone… but I think you already know the reason why I'm telling you.”Morticia nodded, knowing what Rhea meant. “Sure, that bastard needs to be caught. How dare he return after all he did and still have the guts to appear at Nana's funeral?”“I know, right? I wish I could break both of his legs!” Rhea's jaw clenched, and Morticia gave her an assuring squeeze.“It's okay… we’ll find him.”****“Drake Grayson,” Klaus's jaw clenched. “I know that bastard.”“You do?” Morticia asked, a slight hint of hope lacing her voice. If Klaus knows him, then they can have their revenge for what he did to Valerie.“Yes. And as a matter of fact… he is after me,” Klaus said, his voice devoid of panic. He looked as tho
Rhea didn't realize the tears that slipped down her face, running down her own cheek. Never had she thought Valerie could face such cruelty from her own relative—someone she had once trusted.Why do trusted people seem to hurt her? Even her only sister and her first love did, cheating on her on her birthday.“Oh… Val,” Rhea whispered.“I was nine.” Valerie's jaw was gritted so hard that her teeth sent a signal of aching. “No one seems to believe me since there was no proof to support my claim, and I had spoken up too late,” Valerie whispered, her voice slightly heavy with emotion. “Nana wasn't around. It was just my sister who tried to fight for me.”“She tried to get to the root of the matter, wanting to run a test on me, but… the police never listened…”Rhea’s jaw clenched. “They must be insane. How could they dismiss you like that? How could they turn their backs on a child?” she whispered, her voice trembling with anger and sorrow.Valerie let out a bitter laugh, the sound devoid
Rhea returned home a bit early from work. Setting her coat aside, she stepped further into the room. Her eyes searched for Valerie. Was she not home yet?“Val?” Rhea called out gently, deciding to check their room. Getting there, she hesitated but pushed the thought aside. She opened the door, and there was Valerie, sitting on the bed, her back bent, her face cradled in her palms, and her elbows resting on her knees. She seemed lost in thought, a million miles away.Rhea stepped forward, her steps light and careful. Sadness swept across her features.“Val,” she called lightly, but Valerie remained unmoved, still drowning in her thoughts.Sighing, Rhea stepped closer and touched Valerie's shoulder.Valerie seemed to snap out of her trance, her gaze shooting up to meet Rhea's. “Rhea!”She stood up to face her and took a deep breath, clearing her throat and masking the sadness that Rhea had glimpsed for a fleeting moment.“Hey… uh, you got off work quite early. How are you doing?” Valer
Klaus chuckled, a low sound that felt like music to her ears. He pressed a swift kiss to her cheek.“Go freshen up. Breakfast will be ready soon,” he said, pulling away.Morticia noticed the restraint in his retreat. She would have loved to tease him more, but her body ached, though she tried to deny it.Back in the room, she entered the bathroom, opting for a warm bath since it was quite cold outside. The weather was relaxing, and she could already imagine using the chill as an excuse to have Klaus wrap his strong arms around her and talk for hours.She wished this honeymoon would never end.After her bath, she stared at her reflection. Love marks adorned her delicate skin, reminders of their passion.Geez, Morticia, enough with the thoughts about him.But no, there was no stopping them. Klaus was her husband now. Hers forever. She imagined their future—children, boys or girls, whatever God blessed them with. She pictured herself and Klaus parenting together, telling stories to their
In the cold hall, Drake weaved his way through. His shoulders were squared, his eyes serious, and his expression cold as ice. At the end of the hall stood three guards, securing a room.Drake gave them a nod, and one of the guards knocked on the door, announcing his presence. Upon receiving permission, the guards opened the door, letting Drake step inside.The room was large and imposing, with dark walls. In the middle of the room was a king-sized bed, where a man lay surrounded by three women, their hands and lips shamelessly exploring him.“What is it, Drake?” Cassian Moore raised his gaze to Drake, his calloused hand squeezing the ass of the woman straddling him. “Care to join before discussing whatever it is that’s on your mind?”“It’s about the new Don,” Drake said, his tone cautious. “He just got married.”Cassian’s brow furrowed as he sat up abruptly. “Klaus Barnard got married?” he questioned, disbelief sharpening his voice.“Yes. He tried to keep it a secret. His wife’s name