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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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