AthenaThe knock on the door before the push still couldn't take my mind away from last night's scenario. I couldn’t focus. Not at work, not anywhere. My mind kept replaying the moment—Lucien, cold and indifferent, touching me in front of another woman. I hate to admit that she is his wife now. Damn the fucking title! I should’ve felt triumphant, powerful even. Instead, a knot of frustration tightened in my chest. What did it mean? Was he training her? punishing or, or worse—trying to humiliate her?I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as Ethan stood in front of me. His charming, fearless demeanour only added to my irritation. He was supposed to be my ally, not Moore’s. Yet here he was, explaining why he was being "kind" to her.“Why are you so concerned about Moore?” I asked coldly, my voice laced with suspicion. I wasn’t in the mood for his games. His loyalty was starting to irritate me.And besides, why on earth is she not at work?He shrugged casually, his smirk
MooreAs I walked through the dark alley of the prison wall out to the blinding light of the day, I pushed my hands to my face, shielding my eyes from the rays of sunlight. Laughter, tears, or whatever emotion I could think of conjoined together, seizing my breath away as I walked diligently towards the extremely large gate that caged me and many others in isolation.I was free! The idea of freedom overwhelmed my very being. I couldn't help the rush of tears amidst heartfelt laughter.“Grey will be happy,” I whispered inwardly, my mind running to my husband as the men standing guard at the prison gate opened it so I could walk out. A step towards the freedom I had looked forward to for five years, an overwhelmed screeching voice of a young lady called, running breathlessly towards me, halting my movement.“Moore, Moore wait!”I turned, and my eyes broadened in shock. Nicole? “Don't tell me you're released too?” My voice was laced with excitement. Nicole McWood was the only friend and
Moore“Yes... oh my!”The grunts and moaning intensified as I stumbled backward at the sight before me. I blinked repeatedly, trying to convince myself that I was somewhere on the prison floor, having a dreadful nightmare.My heart, and everything inside of me, died at the sight I beheld. My husband was ramming into the very familiar figure of my best friend as he took her from behind. Her moans filled the room as both were oblivious to my presence.“Oh yeah... Yeah, Grey,” she moaned.I watched, my head spinning, and my body in severe pain.“No!” I mumbled incoherently. Grey would never do this to me. I went to prison instead of him. I accepted willingly to suffer for his atrocities and I got to be backstabbed by him and my friend?I couldn't move my legs and my voice failed me. As much as I wanted to scream his name, I couldn't bring myself to say a word. But then I couldn't stand watching them as I forced my voice out, tears already at the brim.“Grey,” I called calmly, my voice ho
Moore.I stared blankly at the papers thrown at me, my eyes watered and blinded by tears as I struggled to compose myself.“I will go, Grey, but not without knowing the terms of this divorce,” I groaned, forcing the words out.“I don't think you understand what you're getting into, Moore,” Nora spat for the first time since I arrived. I turned, my eyes glaring at her with a look of death. “Are you so clueless or just pretending to be ignorant? You signed some papers when you were arrested, didn't you?”“And how does that relate to my question?” I asked, still in disbelief as I looked at her. How could I have surrounded myself with enemies?“You're really clueless. You signed that no properties would be given to you after you returned. I mean, you weren't even supposed to return anyway,” she countered, with mockery in her voice. “I see why you got disowned. I would have done the same if you were my child.”My eyes widened in shock. My hands shook vigorously as I stared at the papers i
Moore"Moore," Nicole called, running towards me and engulfing me in a swift hug. "My goodness, Moore, who did this to you?""Nicole," I replied, my voice hoarse, as I turned to the gentleman who bid me farewell and went on his way. He had been kind enough to wait until Nicole arrived."What happened?" she asked, disentangling from the hug. I stared at her in shock and admiration. Just a few hours with family, and she looked way better.I couldn't say anything. I just held her hands. "I want to go home," I whispered. I didn't care what they thought of me; I just needed to be home. "I must return home to my family."Nicole nodded. I believed she knew I was too depressed to speak. She pushed me gently into her arms, and I whimpered silently."Let's get you out of here first. Then you can tell me where your family lives," she said softly.I nodded and followed her silently to a red sports car. She had always told me she missed racing, and I could tell she was a good car racer from her ch
Lucien.Six years ago, at the vibrant age of twenty-six, I was rejected and publicly humiliated by nineteen-year-old Lady Moore Quinn, the extremely beautiful daughter of Lewiston Quinn.News, billboards, and even gossip had taken over the humiliating rejection for years until this present moment. Not even the news of her imprisonment could wash away the vibrating anger surging through me every damn day her name was called. I wasn't satisfied she was punished, obviously for a crime caused by her husband, the peasant beggar she rejected me for.And each day, I dreamed of nothing but giving her a taste of her own medicine. I had to take her out of jail to quench that hunger.She was obviously not how she used to be six years ago. Her family owed me, even after her father asked me to take her little sister, I refused. It was her I wanted! I wanted the world to know she's at the lowest after the chronic humiliation. No one was allowed to make her suffer. I was so angry I decided to punish
Moore.“I can walk!” I yelled angrily at the man carrying me on his shoulder as I was roughly shoved into the car parked in the parking lot.“You behave or the Boss will have you whipped,” the big guy with a tattoo ordered, causing more fear in my already shaken self.I let out a dry laugh. “You don't think this is the '70s where I get beaten for trying to protest? I'm not frightened by your mere sleazy words.”The big guy glared, his eyes shooting warnings at me to keep my mouth shut. He didn't immediately close the car door, leaving it wide open. I knew trying to dart out of the car would be pointless, but I still did it. I couldn't let them think I was some stupid submissive.“I see you only act on impulse, young woman,” the tattoo guy said, catching me and throwing me back into the car. I yelped in pain as my head hit the other door of the car.The windows were tinted, so I couldn't see where Lucien went. They had two cars with them anyway.“Moore,” my sister called, and I raised
Lucien.The car pulled up, and I walked upstairs, choosing to follow the steps rather than use the elevator.Lillard opened the door wide enough for me, and I walked in, Athena sitting pretty on the couch, obviously waiting for me.She stood up, her hands wide as she pushed herself into my arms. “Where have you been, huh?”“I'm getting married to Athena,” I blurted, patting her backside, but she shoved herself away from me, her eyes boring into me with disbelief.“What?”Now that's what I hate most. I can't possibly repeat that when I knew she heard me vividly. I sighed, feeling extremely tired and repulsive. A feeling I had with me the very minute my eyes met that of Moore.Without replying to her, I dismissed Lillard and Damian and carried my steps through the stairs. Whenever I'm tired, I tend to do that to regain more energy and think with a clear head. But I regretted immediately not going through the elevator as Athena followed suit, anger emitting from her.“What did you just s
AthenaThe knock on the door before the push still couldn't take my mind away from last night's scenario. I couldn’t focus. Not at work, not anywhere. My mind kept replaying the moment—Lucien, cold and indifferent, touching me in front of another woman. I hate to admit that she is his wife now. Damn the fucking title! I should’ve felt triumphant, powerful even. Instead, a knot of frustration tightened in my chest. What did it mean? Was he training her? punishing or, or worse—trying to humiliate her?I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as Ethan stood in front of me. His charming, fearless demeanour only added to my irritation. He was supposed to be my ally, not Moore’s. Yet here he was, explaining why he was being "kind" to her.“Why are you so concerned about Moore?” I asked coldly, my voice laced with suspicion. I wasn’t in the mood for his games. His loyalty was starting to irritate me.And besides, why on earth is she not at work?He shrugged casually, his smirk
MooreI was still wrapped in the sheets, feeling a little better from the medicine I took, when the door opened. Vivian's figure stood in the doorway, her usual composed expression giving way to something slightly more concerned.“Your sister’s here ma'am.” she announced.My heart sank. Emily? Now? She wasn’t supposed to be here—wasn't she off in Europe for her studies? The last thing I needed was to face her. Not like this, not now.I only wanted her to pay for the clothes via invoice sent to her, but rather, she's here, In Lucien's home.I sat up, clutching the sheets closer to my chest, feeling utterly exposed, not just physically but emotionally. “Vivian, can you get the package from her? Tell her I’m... busy.”Vivian hesitated, her hand resting lightly on the doorframe. “She’s refusing to hand it over. Says she needs to see you, and she sounds urgent.”My throat tightened. Urgent? Emily didn’t do “urgent.” She was always the calm, collected one, never rattled by anything. If she
ArthurI walked into my home, the familiar cold air embracing me like an old friend. The tension in my chest simmered beneath the surface as I thought about what lay ahead. Moore’s sister, Grey, Lucien... all of them were pieces in a game I’d been forced to pause five years ago. But now, I had all the cards in my hand again.Five years.Five years since Moore left me to die.The memory of that day still stung like a fresh wound, but I wasn’t the same man who had fallen for her harmless looks back then. When I woke up after barely surviving, the news was everywhere—plastered across every screen and paper. Moore had gone to jail after her attempted murder or murder on me.She had aligned herself with a man I had intended to use. It had been the perfect plan until she ruined everything. Until she almost cleared me in a web that eventually caused her ruin.I had no issues with her, I only saw her as the perfect place to hide until I had all the power to overthrow him. But now, she's just
Grey“Mr. Addison, we’ve got another problem.”My PA’s voice trembled slightly, his fingers gripping the tablet in his hands like it held the weight of the world. I glanced up at him, noticing the worried look etched on his face. He looked more anxious than usual, which told me this wasn’t just a minor issue. Something serious was happening, again.“What now, Jerry?” I asked, rubbing my temples.He hesitated, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "Shareholders are pulling out their shares. Ever since the incident at your ex wife's wedding... things have gotten worse."I felt my stomach twist. The wedding. That damned disaster had not only humiliated me but was now threatening to ruin everything I had worked for."How bad is it?" I asked through clenched teeth.Jerry's eyes flickered nervously, and he cleared his throat. "It’s... drastic. We've lost almost 15% of our shares in the past two days, and the trend isn’t slowing down. If it continues—""I get the picture," I cut hi
Emily“What the heck?” I blurted out, not almost feeling myself while I stared at my phone with the intensity I had no idea I had.The message stared back at me like an open wound, festering with dread. My heart hammered in my chest, the words burned into my brain."I see your slutty sister got married to a filthy rich man, huh? Tell her to watch her back. I know her movements."Whoever sent this was serious. It wasn’t some random prank. Whoever it was had been watching Moore closely, and now they were coming for her. The threat wasn’t even aimed at me, but I felt it deep in my bones. I’d never been this terrified in my life.A knock on my door jolted me out of my spiralling thoughts. My phone nearly slipped out of my hand as I rushed to answer it.I opened the door, and Madam Isabel, the housekeeper, stood there, her kind but tired eyes looking at me through thick lenses. She held a large bag, the kind you’d expect from a high-end boutique."Good afternoon, Emily. This arrived for yo
Jordan.I hadn't been able to concentrate since Mrs. Giodarno, as I should start calling her—walked out of my office the previous day. The encounter replayed in my mind over and over, like a song stuck on repeat. It wasn’t anything particularly significant, just her grabbing a few things. But still, it left a mark.I can't seem to breathe in close proximity with her.I couldn’t explain it, but something about her pulled me in. It was a strange feeling, a magnetic force that I couldn’t shake off, no matter how much I reminded myself that she was married. Married to Lucien Giordano, of all people. That fact should have been enough for me to keep my distance. And yet, here I was—standing in her home, my heart pounding against my chest as if I were some nervous teenager.I took a deep breath, clutching the small purse she had left behind at my office. I’d used it as an excuse to come here. I could have sent someone, though I wasn’t entirely sure why. Maybe I wanted to see her again, mayb
MooreI buried my face deeper into the duvet, feeling the stinging aches all over my body. Tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably, my chest rose and fell in quiet sobs. The pain in my body was nothing compared to the whirlwind of emotions inside me.I couldn’t stop thinking about Ethan, the way he had rushed to help me at the hospital. My heart clenched in fear, imagining what Lucien might do to him now. He wasn’t the type to let things slide, and I knew the thought of Ethan stepping in didn't sit well with him. I had been terribly punished for that.My organs hurt, and I could still feel the heat of the whip on them. He had made his mark clear. If I wished to survive here, then I had to be obedient.Obey! Obey! Obey!“Son of a bitch!” I cursed inwardly.I closed my eyes, hoping—no, praying—that somehow, I could protect Ethan from Lucien’s wrath.But that was wishful thinking. I could barely protect myself.I wiped my eyes, feeling the burning embarrassment crawl through me.I had
LUCIEN. “Put your hands on your laps.” I roared anger emitting from me while she quickly did as was instructed.I walked past her into the inner room where everything dreadful to a woman would be.Athena had a choice when I brought her here, but Moore, she comes at my order. “Is… what's this place?” Her trembling voice asked as I walked through the trail to pick up the right cuffs that would keep her in check.I picked the leather cuffs with sharp designed edges and walked swiftly to her side. “You will see.” I replied to her questions before stretching my hands towards her. “Your hand.” “This is a criminal offence, you know? I could sue you for abuse.” “I'll watch you try.” I replied, my patience wearing thin.If only she had someone to tell her that things wouldn't be too hard for her if only she behaves. “I don't give my consent to this. I didn't sign my involvement, you're doing this to me out of my free will.” Whatever thing she thinks she's doing by buying off tim
Lucien.I don't know why I had that package delivered to her. Isolation were my plans for her but somehow, I couldn't help the nut in my stomach over my decision to close the world on her. She is stubborn, those were fact about Moore and those are what I liked most, reasons to have her punished and humiliated. “You never learn, I see?” I let out the words in my throat. She disgust me, every single part of her does. She raised her head up, ready yet again to protest. I stared over her, her body clean and flawless, no indication of sufferness despite the things she had been through. “Come.” I let out, forcing the thoughts of ruining those skin off my head. I'll take it gradually at a time.I had against my rule brought her a phone. I even added a credit card so she could at least spend while I still carry out my bitterness on her. But seeing the paper box on the floor only indicated that she had tossed them aside without knowing what's in there. Yet, she took some help from a r