Emma WatsonAt least that was a turnaround. Thank goodness I didn't get killed in a car ride. Shortly after Rayian left me in the cold, dark night—without caring if anything might harm me—Alex must have already driven past or maybe taken another route. I thought about visiting my mother, but I remembered that guests weren’t allowed to sleep over. My mom must really feel neglected, and so must Lena. I didn’t even know how critical her state was or if she needed more attention. Was she still unconscious, as Mom had said, or was she awake now? She would feel as if she had been left for dead… The thought of the ticket man flashed through my mind. He must have known that ring was worth much more and had decided to let me give it away for so little. I would go back to him, and he would return that ring to me, no matter what. I made Rayian lose his clients. The least I could do was return his ring to him.But why did he give me such expensive ring in the first place? Just a
Ray Maverick"Emma with Lucas again," I sighed as I saw Emma stepping out of Lucas' car. "Sir, you know everyone still thinks you're blind. Please don't ruin things," Abel reminded me. He was right. No one had to know that I could see again until the culprit responsible for my blindness had been found. But seeing Emma and Lucas together, I lost it. Why was it that Emma never ceased to get on my nerves? First, she made me lose the company to my brother, then my grandma's ring, and now she was with my nemesis, Lucas. "Please, sir, keep your act in check," Abel said again, as I got out of the car. I had avoided the seductress' trap, having to actually close my eyes behind my glasses. Her voice was intoxicating enough. It was great Abel made it in time. Who knows what might have played out otherwise? Emma's face twitched into a frown as I approached them. She was motioning for Abel to leave, but he refused, smiling at me instead. "We meet again, bro," he spoke. What nerv
029Ray Maverick"Sir, do you need something?" Clara, who seemed to still be awake, asked as she saw me. "No, nothing," I said, twirling the umbrella in my hand. "Okay, sir," she said and headed back to her quarters. I walked outside, deciding to leave my glass behind. I was too tired to act up in this storm. I had to go out of the gates. She didn't even enter. She was shivering profusely as she curled up. "Get up," I said. Her weak eyes turned to look at me. Though it was raining, I could tell she was crying. Her hair was now messed up, her eyes red. I shielded her with the umbrella I held. "Did you hear me?" I asked as she wasn't moving. She avoided my gaze and turned the other way. The rain was now dripping off my skin, and I felt goosebumps forming on my arms. This was not a good time for her to act stubborn. I let go of the umbrella as it was no use anyway. I was drenched. I knelt down toward Emma. She quivered a bit. I picked her up in bridal styl
Emma WatsonThe heat I felt building up beneath my body was so great. First, it was Rayian carrying me out of the rain, then him saying I had to stay in his room and take a bath. I had purposely taken my time in the bathroom so that by the time I got out, he would be very much asleep. But no, he wasn’t. And now he was just an inch from colliding into my naked body. I had never felt so ashamed in my life before. In fact, I had never felt such a rush of emotions like I did today. First from joy to sadness, then deep thought, and now here I was, feeling all wet. I had never been naked in front of anyone in my life before, but at least Rayian couldn’t see me. But he wasn’t wearing his glasses. I stared at him directly in his eyes, in case a miracle might happen and he would suddenly begin to see again. “Is it?” His question hit me again. “Uh… sorry, what did you say?” I asked, trying to reach for the towel that had fallen off my body, but before I could make a move, his ri
Emma Watson "Me..." I had asked. The room was dead silent, with everyone waiting for Alex to speak. "There's a note on it," he stated. "Read it," Rayian said, munching on his food. Alex hesitated a bit after opening the letter, his face twitching as he went through its contents. "Can't you read?" Rayian asked. I was in the middle of all this. I wasn't expecting anything from anyone, at least not anytime soon. "Abel, take it from him." Rayian commanded.Abel snatched the letter from Alex and glanced through it. He froze too. "What does it say, Abel?" "Sir, it reads here that... 'Sorry about last night, sweet... sweetheart.'" His voice wavered slightly at the last word. I could already suspect who sent the letter. "Is that all?" Rayian asked. Abel shook his head in dismissal, a gesture I knew Rayian couldn't see. "'As you saw last night, your husband is the aggressive one, not me...'" "That's the same thing he did to Beni..." "Stop," Rayian snapped when th
032Ray MaverickIt was her—the seductress at the bar. Now I knew why her voice sounded familiar. I had met her at their house the other night. The night she offered herself in exchange for Emma. And how both she and their mother lied that Emma was with her boyfriend. But one thing wasn't clear. Carioa, the sex master, had confessed that Eliana, Emma's mother, was in on it. And that same night, she showed up at my house, claiming to have come to apologize to Emma for her wrongdoings. Was that how pathetic Emma could be? Buying into their lies every now and then? And her sister was also at the bar last night, looking all slutty, though I didn't look at her. I mean, who dresses up to seduce a man in rags? But something was different about her this morning. I wouldn't have recalled her if she hadn't spoken. She was in simple clothes, like someone who had escaped a psychiatric hospital. A bandage was wrapped around her hand. Her eyes were swollen, with dark circles beneath t
033Emma WatsonMy face was as peachy as peaches, my skin still hurting from the kiss. My lips had dried up as if he had inflicted his cold nature upon them. The fact that he kept calling me his wife all through... But then, the words he whispered to me broke the bubble of any stupid feelings that was growing. " _I am going to clean up your mess,"_ he smiled after pulling out of the hug. Mom and Lena were both excited as they heard him mention my car. They were threatening to scream but composed themselves until Rayian was out of sight. "Did I just hear him say car?" Lena smiled as she pulled my arm into hers. I nodded in response, reciprocating her smile. "My daughter is lucky," my mom shouted. "No, Mom, I am the lucky one," I let go of Lena's hands as I drew closer to her. "We both are," Lena smiled as she joined us. Eliana smiled as she took the hands of both her daughters. "As much as I love to see this and would love to have you here a while, it's sad to announ
Ray Maverick We had just walked away from Lucas. Surely, our surprise would blow him away."Good morning, sir Ray," the doctor greeted as we walked into his office."Good morning, Doctor." I replied."You were supposed to be here two weeks ago,""Yes, Doctor. I... I had something to take care of," I explained."Oh, I see," the doctor said. "Alright, Mr. Ray, let me check your eyes," he said as he got out his tools and came to examine my eyes."Your eyes seem okay, and you seem to be improving faster," the doctor observed."Thank you, Doctor," my grey eyes beamed with intensity."Are you experiencing any difficulties?" the doctor asked."Ehm, just that my vision gets blurry with the glasses on... Yes, like I feel I'm going blind from the glasses," I added."Oh, sorry about that," the doctor stated. "I think I will prescribe you new glasses to help with that. And please stay off them as often as possible, so it wouldn't damage your already-made progress.""Thank you, Doctor," I said wit
Emma WatsonMy heart pounded as I pushed through the crowded streets, searching desperately for Ray.Something wasn’t right.The way his phone kept ringing with no answer. The way my stomach twisted with a growing sense of dread.Celeste’s warning echoed in my mind.Benita isn’t working alone. She never was.She wants to take Ray down. Completely.And she knows the best way to do that… is through you.I felt sick.If Benita was planning something, Ray was already in danger. And if he didn’t pick up his phone, it could only mean one thing—He was already caught in the middle of whatever she had planned.I pulled out my phone and called Lucas.He picked up on the first ring.“Where is he?” I asked, breathless.Lucas cursed under his breath. “I tried stopping him. I swear, I did.”A cold wave of fear washed over me. “Stopping him from what?”“Going after Vincent.”My blood ran cold.“Where?” I demanded.Lucas hesitated. “Emma—”“Where, Lucas?” I snapped.A pause. Then—“The old warehouse
Chapter 49A New Player on Board Emma WatsonI gripped the edge of the door, my knuckles turning white.Celeste DeLuca.The name alone sent a jolt of fear through me. I didn’t know much about the DeLuca family, but what I did know was enough to make my stomach twist.And now one of them was standing at my doorstep.Her sharp green eyes flickered with amusement, as if she could see every thought running through my mind. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”Every instinct screamed at me to slam the door in her face.But something about her made me pause.She didn’t look threatening—at least, not in the obvious way. There was no gun, no knife. No sign that she meant me immediate harm.And yet…I didn’t trust her.I forced myself to speak. “Why are you here?”Celeste’s smile didn’t falter. “Like I said—I came to talk.”I swallowed hard. “About Ray?”Her eyes gleamed. “Yes. And Benita.”That name was enough to send another shiver down my spine.I hesitated, my heart pounding. I shouldn’t l
Emma WatsonI woke up to the steady rhythm of Ray’s heartbeat beneath my ear. His arms were wrapped tightly around me, as if he was afraid I’d disappear if he let go. I didn’t move. I didn’t want to. For the first time in days, I felt safe. Secure. Like the storm raging around us couldn’t touch me—not while I was here, in his arms. But reality was waiting. And we couldn’t ignore it forever. I shifted slightly, tilting my head to look at him. His face was relaxed in sleep, but even now, I could see the tension in his features. The weight of everything he had been through still lingered. I reached up, running my fingers lightly over his jaw. His eyes fluttered open. For a second, he just looked at me. Then his lips curved into a slow, lazy smile. “Morning, trouble.” I rolled my eyes, but my heart did a little flip. “Morning.” His arms tightened around me, pulling me closer. “Can we stay like this forever?” I sighed. “I wish.” Ray’s expression darkened slight
Emma WatsonThe weight of Ray’s confession still sat heavy on my chest as I walked back to our Mansion. The night air did little to clear my head; if anything, the wind only intensified the storm of emotions swirling inside me.I had asked for the truth. And I had gotten it.But now… I didn’t know what to do with it.I wrapped my arms around myself as I climbed the stairs to my room. My fingers trembled as I unlocked the door. The second I stepped inside, I let out a shaky breath, pressing my back against the door for support.Ray had been betrayed. Nearly killed. And the woman who had done it wasn’t just some forgotten ghost from his past.Benita was still here.Still haunting him.And she wasn’t done.I thought back to the way Ray had looked at me when I said we’d fight this together. The doubt in his eyes. The fear.He didn’t believe we could win.That terrified me more than anything.I forced myself to move, shedding my coat as I stepped into the dimly lit living room. My head had
Emma WatsonI barely remembered the walk back to my apartment. My mind was a storm of emotions—anger, confusion, heartbreak. Ray had admitted it. He’d loved Benita once. He’d been with her.And he’d kept it from me. The city was alive around me, yet I felt disconnected, my body moving on autopilot. Cars rushed past, their headlights painting streaks of light against wet pavement. Somewhere in the distance, a siren wailed. My hands trembled as I unlocked the door. Mira passed me a glance, but her ignored her walking to my room.Rayian had said I could stay there if I didn't want to share a room with him.The room was dark and still, the silence pressing down on me. It felt colder than usual, as if the walls themselves sensed my turmoil. I dropped my coat onto the couch, rubbing my arms. I needed air.Grabbing my keys, I stepped onto the balcony. The city stretched before me, buildings towering under the moonlight. The cold breeze bit at my skin, but I welcomed it. I gripped the r
Emma Watson I stared at the photograph in my hands, my fingers trembling. Ray’s face stared back at me, younger but unmistakably him. His jaw was sharp, his eyes held the same intensity—but there was something different. A darkness. A cold, calculated expression that sent chills down my spine. And next to him? Benita.Their hands were clasped, their gazes locked like the world around them didn’t exist. My stomach twisted. “You’re lying,” I whispered, shoving the picture back at her. “This doesn’t mean anything.” Benita chuckled, a slow, deliberate sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “Oh, Emma. You’re in denial. That’s adorable.” I clenched my fists. “I don’t believe you.” Her smile widened. “You don’t have to. But the truth doesn’t change just because you refuse to see it.” My heart pounded. “Why are you doing this?” Benita’s eyes gleamed. “Because you deserve to know who you’re really in love with.” I wanted to throw her out. To scream at her. But the wors
Emma Watson The moment Benita walked away, silence stretched between Ray and me like a fragile thread waiting to snap. My pulse pounded in my ears, drowning out everything but the echo of her parting words. _"Does she even know who you really are?"_ I swallowed hard, staring at Ray, searching his face for something—anything—that would prove her wrong. But all I saw was hesitation. And that hesitation shattered me. “Ray,” I whispered, my voice barely holding steady. “What did she mean by that?” He ran a hand over his face, exhaling sharply. “Emma, don’t—” “Don’t what?” My voice rose, shaking with frustration. “Don’t ask questions? Don’t demand the truth?” His jaw tightened, but he didn’t answer. And that silence? It spoke louder than anything he could’ve said.A bitter laugh escaped me. “You can’t even deny it, can you?” Ray closed his eyes for a brief second before stepping toward me. “It’s not what you think.” “Then tell me what it is,” I shot back, stepping aw
Emma WatsonThe night air was thick with silence. Even with the curtains drawn, I could sense the vast emptiness outside, the weight of the estate pressing in around me. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the untouched dinner tray that Mira had brought in hours ago. My appetite had vanished the moment I saw her downstairs. Benita. Ray’s ex. The woman he once shared something with. I didn’t know what made me angrier—the fact that she was here, under this roof, or the fact that Ray had kept it from me. I exhaled slowly, willing my thoughts to settle. He said it wasn’t about meBut how could I believe that when the woman who had once held his heart was now walking through our home like she belonged here? A sharp knock at the door made me tense. I knew it was him. I debated ignoring it, but I wasn’t a coward. I wouldn’t hide from this. I walked over and pulled the door open. Ray stood there, one hand in his pocket, the other braced against the doorframe. His
Death Itself Emma Watson I slammed the door shut behind me, my breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps. My chest ached, but it wasn’t from exhaustion—it was from the overwhelming surge of emotions clawing at my insides. Benita.The name alone sent a wave of anger through me. I should have known something was off the second Ray drove me home in silence. He never stayed that quiet unless something was weighing on him. But this? Her? My hands curled into fists as I pushed off the door, pacing the length of the room. Why was she here? I had barely processed the fact that she and Ray shared a history, let alone the kind that involved a past relationship. But it wasn’t just that. He knew she was here before we walked in. He didn’t tell me. He let me walk in blind—again.A bitter laugh bubbled in my throat. Of course, he did. Why would Ray Maverick think I deserved to know anything? A soft knock at the door made me freeze. I knew who it was before he even spoke. “