After Richard set me down on the bed, he moved to sit on the edge, reaching out to stroke my hair gently. I could feel his affection radiating through his touch, and it made my heart swell with warmth. But there was something I needed to tell him, something that had been on my mind since morning that I knew he would love to hear “Richard,” I began, my voice steady but soft. “I need to talk to you about something.” He turned to me, his expression attentive as he tilted his head slightly. “What is it?” I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the conversation. “I’ve been thinking... I’m going to quit my job at the restaurant next month.” Richard’s eyes lit up with surprise, and then a slow smile spread across his face. “You are?” “Yes,” I nodded, feeling a sense of relief now that I’d finally said it. “And I want you to prepare a job for me at your company.” Richard’s smile grew even wider, and he couldn’t hide the excitement in his eyes. “Really? You’re serious about
Han's Pov The rain poured down in relentless sheets, soaking me to the bone as I stood in the deserted alleyway. I shivered, not from the cold, but from the anger and frustration that was boiling inside me. I pushed my wet hair out of my face for what felt like the hundredth time, swiping at the water that stubbornly clung to my skin. Where is this idiot? I thought, my patience wearing thin. How long does it take to show up for a simple exchange? I coughed, a harsh sound that echoed in the quiet night. The rain muffled everything, making the world seem distant and blurred, but my irritation was sharp and clear. I glanced around, squinting through the downpour, trying to see if anyone was coming. But the alley remained empty, the only sound the incessant drumming of rain against the pavement. “This is ridiculous,” I muttered to myself, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. I should have just let him rot in that damn jail.” I regretted my decision now. I couldn’t h
I woke up to the gentle warmth of Richard's arm wrapped around me. I smiled sleepily as I felt his lips brush against my temple, a tender gesture that made my heart flutter. "Morning," he murmured, his voice still husky from sleep. He kissed me again, this time on the cheek, and then trailed his lips down to the corner of my mouth. “Morning,” I replied, leaning into his embrace. His kisses grew bolder, more insistent, and soon we were lost in a series of good morning kisses, each one more intense than the last. As we finally pulled away, he looked at me with a playful smirk. "So, aren’t you going to work today?" I shook my head, a small grin tugging at my lips. "Nope, I’m off today. No rushing out of bed this morning." His smirk widened, and he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "Then how about we go to the park? Just the two of us?" I felt a spark of excitement at the idea. "That sounds nice," I agreed, already imagining a peaceful day in the sun with hi
Ava's Pov The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the room as I hurried to get ready for my first day at Richard’s company. My heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and nerves. I’d insisted on starting at the bottom, as an assistant in the fashion department, despite Richard’s many pleas that I choose something else—anything else. But I was determined to prove that I could stand on my own two feet, even if it meant enduring a few grueling days. Richard knocked softly on the door and stepped inside, dressed in one of his perfectly tailored suits. He looked every bit the powerful CEO he was, but I could see the concern etched on his face. “Are you sure about this?” he asked for what felt like the hundredth time. I glanced at him through the mirror as I finished applying my lipstick. “I’m sure,” I replied firmly. “I need to do this, Richard. I need to prove to myself that I can handle it.” He sighed and moved closer, placing his hands on my should
Ava's Pov I jolted awake, the feel of Richard’s hand gently tapping my leg pulling me from the depths of sleep. My eyes blinked open, struggling to adjust to the dim light of the living room. Richard was leaning over me, his face a mixture of concern and curiosity. “Ava,” he said softly, his voice laced with worry. “Why are you sleeping here? You should be in bed.” I groaned, my body feeling heavy and sluggish. “I must’ve dozed off... I was so tired,” I mumbled, trying to sit up. But the moment I did, a wave of nausea hit me like a freight train. My stomach churned violently, and before I could think, I clamped a hand over my mouth and bolted from the couch. Richard was right behind me as I raced to the nearest bathroom. I barely made it in time, collapsing in front of the toilet as my stomach emptied its contents with brutal force. The sound of my retching filled the small space, and tears sprang to my eyes from the intensity of it. Richard knelt beside me, his hand rubbing soot
Ava's Pov I woke up feeling a familiar queasiness gnawing at my stomach. Before I could even open my eyes fully, the sensation became too much to bear. I threw the covers off and bolted to the bathroom, barely making it in time before everything I had in me came rushing out. As I knelt by the toilet, trying to catch my breath, I heard Richard’s concerned voice behind me. “Ava, what’s going on? Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I glanced up at him. “I don’t know… Maybe it’s just something I ate, or… maybe it’s the stress,” I muttered, still feeling the lingering effects of nausea. Richard wasn’t buying it. His brow furrowed, and he crossed his arms, leaning against the bathroom door. “This isn’t just stress. This has been happening too often. I’m not settling for that excuse anymore. I’m booking a doctor’s appointment. We’re going today.” The firmness in his voice took me by surprise. But as much as I wanted to get checked, the thought of missing work made my stomach ch
Ava's Pov As I walked out of the hospital, I couldn’t stop thinking about how this could have happened. Pregnant. Again. My hand instinctively went to the scar from my last miscarriage. That pregnancy wasn’t really mine—I had been reborn into this body, carrying the trauma of being raped. But this child, the one growing inside me now, was different. It was mine and Richard's, conceived in love The thought made my heart ache with fear. Could I handle this? Could I protect this life? Lost in these thoughts, I barely noticed the van screeching to a halt in front of me until three masked men jumped out, surrounding me before I could react. “What do you want?” I asked, my voice trembling. They didn’t answer, only moved in closer. Panic surged through me. Before I could scream, they grabbed me, lifting me off the ground and shoving me into the van. My cries for help were cut off as they sealed my mouth with tape and tied my hands. Inside the van, I struggled against the rop
Richard’s POV The house was a wreck. Or maybe it was just me. I couldn't tell anymore. My head was spinning, my vision blurred, and the stench of whiskey hung in the air, mingling with the stale odor of neglect. Empty bottles littered the floor, remnants of countless nights spent drowning in alcohol, hoping to numb the pain that clawed at my chest. I staggered across the living room, the world tilting with every step. My legs felt like they were made of lead, each movement heavy and unsteady. I reached for the bottle on the coffee table, my hand trembling as I lifted it to my lips. The burn of the whiskey as it slid down my throat was the only thing that felt real anymore, the only thing that reminded me I was still alive. How long had it been? Weeks? Months? Time had lost all meaning. Every day bled into the next, a relentless cycle of emptiness and despair. I’d done everything—called in every favor, dug into every dark corner of the underworld I knew, even begged for help f