He had spent countless nights convincing himself that LOVE was just a distraction, a weakness he could not afford to have at any point in his life. But now, all those walls he built around his heart for years crumbled like dust to the ground.Because he loved her….YES! He loved her….He really loved her….Like a lot…No! More than a lot…More than he could describe…More than he thought was possible…More than he thought he was capable of…The intensity of his feelings was so terrifying….It was UNREAL….He never planned on loving her this much….Or even liking her this much…But now, his feelings for her are absolutely fucking INSANE…Insane enough to send a bullet flying through the man who had dared to touch her.A riff-raff.A pathetic excuse for a man!A mere nobody.A scum… the lowest of the low!A man like that had the audacity to lay a finger on what was undeniably HIS?Had the audacity to touch her with his greasy fingers?How dare he? How dare anyone think they could touch
“How’s she?” Sebastian’s voice was low and tense.“She's okay. The nurses checked. She is untouched, not damaged or marked in any way... Well... apart from a few wound scratches and some large handprints on her… ass!” Ryan, his close friend and an ER Doctor said, the last part slipping out before he could catch himself.Sebastian’s face turned pale, the reality of Kourtney's assault crashing over him like a tidal wave.The guilt was suffocating. How could he have let this happen?“But, wait! What really happened?” Ryan asked, his eyes enquiring.“I mean, You are THE Sebastian Woods. You rule this City! How did you even let your wife get kidnapped? And she almost got raped?”Ryan’s voice was incredulous, his medical professionalism momentarily forgotten while Sebastian shifted uncomfortably on his feet.The questions came at him like a barrage of bullets, and he felt himself retreating into a defensive posture.“Wait! What was she even doing at Coolaroo? That wretched place is no place
At the Smith Villa, the atmosphere was tense. Brandon was lounging on the terrace, a drink in hand, looking relaxed as if he hadn’t a care in the world.His parents were inside, worried sick about the photos that has taken over the internet. They had always warned Brandon to stay clear of trouble or anything that would get their family name into the mud.But now, he had unleashed such chaos.“Brandon, you should really think about what you’re doing. Why still getting involved with that Kourtney girl,” his mother called out from inside. “You have no idea what kind of trouble you’re inviting. Your wedding to the other Allen young mistress is just a few days away. Goodness!”“Relax, Mom. Besides, it’s not my fault those pictures were posted online,” Brandon said, a smirk on his face. In fact, he loved the outcome. At this point, he no longer cared.But just then, a sound broke through the night—a revving engine, followed by the screech of tires as different cars pulled up to the villa.
Brandon pushed himself up, wiping the blood from his nose, trying to regain some show of dignity.Gritting his teeth against the pain, he forced himself to speak, trying hard not to show any form of weakness.“You think you can just do this to me?” he spat, his voice shaky but defiant. “You can’t just kidnap me. I’m a Smith! My family has connections—”Boom!Sebastian’s men wasted no time as another landed a hefty blow to his stomach. Brandon landed on his back with a thud, the air knocked out of him.Meanwhile, Sebastian’s lips curled into a smirk, and he took a slow drag from his cigar, letting the smoke curl around him like a serpent.“Kidnap? Hardly. This is just a friendly visit to discuss your little stunt with my wife.”He stood up from his desk, towering over like a dark shadow as he moved with an air of elegance toward his target.Family?Connections?What a joker!Brandon and his family were no match for him in any way or anything!The thought of him feeling untouchable beca
Kourtney paid the driver hastily with trembling hands and made her way towards Lilian's charming brick house, nestled among the flowering trees.Because of a misunderstanding a few months ago, Lilian had moved out of the Powell family villa. A decision Kourtney had supported wholeheartedly.She didn’t even need to ring the doorbell; she knew the password. Lilian had always been her safe haven, and she desperately needed that comfort now.With a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.The large living room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the television illuminating the space. Kourtney’s brows furrowed when she saw Lilian sprawled out lazily on the couch, popcorn bucket in hand, utterly engrossed in a K-drama.Melodramatic music played in the background as a handsome male lead confessed his undying love to the female lead, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, while Lilian’s eyes sparkled with joy.She didn’t even notice Kourtney had entered until she cleared her thro
This time, Kourtney could only hope he respected her decision.“You... You don’t get to just waltz in here after what you made me go through. I need space, Mr Woods!”Sebastian rubbed a hand over his head, exhaling sharply as if trying to control himself.He needed to!He didn't want to give the woman any more reason to distance herself from him.She was back to calling him Mr Woods again and that somehow made his blood boil. It was as if they were back to square one all over again!“Go away, I beg you. I want you to leave me alone,” Kourtney's tears glistened under the dim light, and he felt a deep ache in his chest. No matter what happens here…. He knew he wasn’t going to sleep tonight!“Please…” she whispered. “Just go, Mr Woods. I don’t want to see you.” At this point, Sebastian couldn’t bring himself to press further. The hurt in her gaze was a stark reminder of how he had failed her. He was a man used to getting what he wanted, but Kourtney had been the only thing that had eve
Kourtney woke up the next day with her eyelids heavy and swollen from a restless night filled with tears. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, illuminating the room in a soft golden coloring that felt almost mocking against the turmoil in her heart. She groaned, raising a hand to her forehead, which throbbed painfully—a reminder of her emotional breakdown from the night before. It was as if the universe had conspired against her.“Good morning, sleepy head. Breakfast is ready!” Lilian’s cheerful voice floated into the room, cutting through the fog of Kourtney's despair, a tray balanced delicately in her hands. “I made your favorite—avocado toast with a poached egg. You need to eat something, sweetie.”Kourtney didn’t respond immediately. She lay there, staring blankly at the ceiling, feeling utterly defeated.Seeing her nonchalant attitude, Lilian placed the tray on Kourtney’s lap, her brow furrowing with concern. “You have to eat, Kourt. You haven’t had a proper meal since… well
Kourtney arrived at the Allen Corporation, still not knowing what to expect. As soon as she stepped into the sleek, glass-walled lobby, she felt the usual unwelcome wave of discomfort wash over her. Once again, she couldn't shake off the feeling of being an outsider, an alien.The polished marble floors and glass walls screamed success, but to her, they felt like an impenetrable fortress. She was a stranger in her own family’s empire.And, of course, she was met with the usual bitter stares, accusatory glares, judging whispers, and seething snares.“Can I help you?” the receptionist at the front desk asked, her tone as cold as the air conditioning that blasted overhead.“I’m Kourtney Allen, here to meet with HR,” Kourtney replied, forcing a smile despite the rudeness.“Well. Sign in,” the sharp-tongued receptionist barked, barely looking up from her computer screen, her fingers tapping away like a machine.Kourtney's heart sank as she complied, scribbling her name on the visitor log.