Lance’s POV…I have to admit that Edward is a tough competitor. It was a neck-to-neck competition. I won the race because of my experience and, of course, because of the horse. I wanted to show him how much I loved my wife. So I plucked some wildflowers before going back to her.Looking at her smiling contentedly, my chest swelled with pride. I gave her the flowers.She, as a reward for my victory, kissed me in front of Edward.All the worries and doubts in my mind disappear instantly. I take her kiss as her way to express her love for me. I could hardly wait to claim her and mark every inch of her body to tell everyone that she belonged to me.I took her back to the resort. When we entered our room, I couldn’t stop myself from kissing her. She kissed me back with the same wildness.I am well aware of her condition. I am afraid my wild desire will hurt her, but I cannot control the animal within me.I started pumping her hard, pressing her against the wall. My brain was already on fir
Molly’s POV…When I woke up, it was already dark outside. The room was dimly lit by the light from the nightstand. Lance was not beside me. Of course, he will not sleep so long in the daytime. I am embarrassed when I think that I have slept the entire afternoon.I quickly get out of bed and go into the bathroom. I cannot stop wondering where Lance has gone.‘Maybe he is with Adam,’ my mind whispers.I also think the same.Adam and Lance are good friends. Perhaps they are planning for the next place to visit.I feel sorry for Adam when I think about him. It was he who had suggested horseback riding. But he had to leave early because of Ruby. His fun was ruined. It would have been more enjoyable if he had participated in the race.Lance might want to pay him back, and he ought to. After all, he invited him here to relax and have fun, not to look after Ruby.I come out of the bathroom after freshening up and change into a sleeveless knee-length dress. I put on light makeup and leave my h
I am speechlessly staring at him. His smiling face is so close to mine that it freezes me completely. This man’s aura is something that can shake me to my core.He chuckles and steps back a little. "Your husband seems busy with someone else. He is not going to take you to dinner. But I am here with you. I will not let you sleep on an empty stomach.""You are mistaken. Lance and Ruby are good friends." Although I am upset with Lance, I still defend him. I don’t want to let him think that things are not right between me and Lance. Even if we have disagreements, we will work through them. I don't want anyone, especially Edward, to get involved."Ruby got injured while riding a horse," I remind him. "He is only taking care of her. Don’t assume anything."He chuckles. "If you say so. I believe in you."But I don’t believe what he is saying. His expression and words do not match.He glances to the right and says, "There is the winner." He stretches his lips from ear to ear.I follow his gaz
The dinner has been served, and we all start eating. Ruby tries to serve Lance this or that dish, but Daisy blocks her every time."Why don’t you eat your meal quietly?" Daisy asks. "Lance is not a child. He can serve himself, okay?"She is so focused on blocking Ruby that she is unaware that she is eating the steak Adam has cut for her. Watching Adam smile contentedly, I feel warm.I always wanted to see Daisy settle down with a good man, who would love her unconditionally. I am seeing that person in Adam, who seems very caring. I am happy for this new couple from the bottom of my heart."Don’t be envious of others." I come back to reality when I hear Lance murmur in my ear. "I have also cut a steak for you."He nods toward my plate.When I look down, I see my steak has already been cut into pieces. My face flushes in an instant, and my lips curl into a shy smile."Why are you interfering so much?" Ruby snaps.Her harsh tone compels me to raise my eyes at her. My smile fades instantl
Edward’s POV…I have been restless ever since I had dinner with them. So, I am strolling through the garden on the other side of the courtyard instead of going back to my room. I had planned to draw Molly's attention and raise some doubts in Lance's mind. But things didn’t turn out according to my plan.Molly has fallen so deeply for Lance. Her eyes were telling the whole story. The way she looked at him…‘Ugh…’ I pinch my brow. "How can she love him so much? How can she forget about that passionate night between us?"I cannot stop wondering. It is so frustrating. She had been separated from her husband for three years because of Lance’s affair with Ruby. She had a crazy one-night stand with me a year ago. Then she returned to him recently and fell head over heels in love with Lance as if nothing had happened.She was having dinner at the same table with her husband’s ex.That woman, Ruby…I snort with annoyance.She is so terrible and pretentious. She has ruined my mood. I can see ri
I don’t like seeing her here. My mood is getting worse."Move aside," I say as I approach my room. I don’t even think it is necessary to ask why she is here. I have nothing to do with her and don’t want to talk to her.She blocks my way. "I can understand how you are feeling. We are in the same boat, you know."I scowl at her. "What do you mean?""Come on, Edward. Don’t try to hide anything from me. I can see right through into your mind." She is smirking and looking straight into my eyes.Such provocation really annoys me. I am losing my cool."What do you want? Say it and scram."She chuckles and mutters, "Still trying to hide. Okay, then I will reveal it. You are here for Molly.""What are you talking about?" I grumble. It is embarrassing to be exposed in front of a woman like her."Stop pretending now. I know your intention." She flashed a vile smile. "You want Molly, and I want Lance. How about we work together, Mr. Brookes?"My eyebrows furrow as I consider something."Come in."
I don’t get a word she says after that. I remained numb in my seat. Although it was just gossip, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.Lance’s strange behavior, his silence, and his flustered look all crossed my mind.Ruby is seeing a gynecologist! Is she pregnant? Who is the father of her baby?My heart shook at the thought that Lance could be her baby’s father. I feel sick to my stomach. I leap to my feet and dash to the bathroom.Not only did I puke, but tears streamed down my cheeks. I am terrified. My entire body is trembling.I splash water on my face, again and again. I want to wake myself up from the dream. This is not true. Lance is not the father of Ruby's child. He stated that he regarded her as a sister. I keep reminding myself. This is merely a rumor, and I shouldn’t pay attention to it. But my tears are still coming out. My heart still hurts."Uh…" I gasp and look at myself in the mirror. My face is pale, and my eyes are red. The woman looking back at me reminds me of Molly
I gasp and step back, chills pricking my body. I am too shocked to react.Ruby just said she wanted to have a baby with Lance. Did she mean the baby was Lance’s?Another wave of shudders hits me. This time, I cannot stay silent."What did you say? Did you mention Lance?""Please go away," she yells, curling into a ball."Who is the father of your baby?" I continue to ask, my voice shaking."I am begging you, don’t hurt me. Please."I am getting annoyed to hear the same words. Why is she not simply answering my question?"Ruby." I grab her arm. "I am asking you something.""Ah… you are hurting me. Let me go.""You were saying something about Lance. Is he the father of your baby?""Molly, please leave me." She no longer takes Lance’s name. She only keeps begging me, crying her eyes out.I am not sure if she took his name on purpose or if she was so overwhelmed with emotion that his name slipped out by accident."Molly…"Before I ask her some more things, I hear Lance’s voice from behind
I am somewhat taken aback as I notice the quick change in her expression. Then I realize her distress is because of what Edward did to me."Look, I have nothing against Edward." I hurriedly try to explain. "What he did is undoubtedly wrong. But it is also true that he kept me safe from Ruby’s torture. He had some misunderstandings. The moment he realized his mistakes, he released me. So, don’t be sad. Okay?"Daisy has a bitter smile on her face. Honestly, that smile doesn’t look good on her. If I had not been injured, I would have held her hands and comforted her.I can only say, "He is not perfect. But he is not bad either.""I know," I hear her say when I am about to say more. "I know him well. I am not sad because of him. Basically, it was not his fault. He was only looking for the woman he had a crazy one-night stand with. It was me who was trying to hide from him. It was I who remained silent when I realized he had mistaken you for me. I could have told you everything, but I didn
Lance’s POV…My hands are itching to strangle her to death. But I don’t have time now. I need to stay with Molly. I will deal with this bitch later, and I swear, I will teach her a good lesson."Take her to the dungeon," I command. "Make sure you will treat her well."Treating her well entails not allowing her to sit quietly, and the guards understand exactly what I mean.I turn to leave."Lance…"I pause at the doorstep and look back at her."Don’t be so cruel. It is me, Ruby. I love you, Lance. Whatever I did was for you. All I want is to be with you. Please, don’t let them take me away. Consider the time we spent together. You like me. Didn't you say you would always look after me? Didn’t you say you would be grateful to me forever for saving your life? You cannot forget your promises. Please, Lance. I beg you. Take me back. I swear, I will not hurt Molly."I glare at her. I can see right through her mind. How pretentious she is. She is capable of outperforming Oskar-winning actres
I dodge the attack and turn swiftly aside, pushing her away.Ruby stumbles, the knife slipping out of her grip.Before she can get on her feet, I pick up the stool and throw it at her. The stool collides with her back as she attempts to stand up.I don’t have time to check if she is able to stand up or pick up the knife. I turn around and flee to the door. It is shocking that I cannot open the door. I twist the knob again and again, but I can’t unlock it.What the hell is going on? Did the lock get jammed?I still try to unlock the door, twisting the knob repeatedly."Hahaha…" Ruby’s laughter resonates inside the room.I freeze and turn to face her."Oh, Molly… you are too naïve," she says between the laughs. "Do you think I am also stupid like you?" She gets to her feet, her expression darkening. "I won’t come here without preparation, risking my life. I have been waiting for this day to meet you again face-to-face. And it is the best day to kill you on your wedding day."She bends a
A month later…Molly’s POV…This is our wedding day. It is a grand wedding that any woman will dream of. The hall, which is decorated with various flowers, is packed with guests. The media is also present.I have a feeling that I have suddenly become a celebrity. My wedding gown is designed by a well-known designer. It looks so pretty.It is a strapless ball gown that fits snugly around my breasts and widens from the waist, hiding my slightly protruding belly.After holding my hair in a messy bun, the makeup artist completes my makeover.I check myself in the mirror and smile shyly."You are glowing," the makeup artist says. "Mr. Stevens will not be able to look away from you today."I blush to hear her compliment."My bestie is the prettiest one," Daisy chimes in as she walks into the powder room. She inspects me, holding my shoulders. "You look gorgeous. Your and Lance’s photos are going to make headlines tomorrow.""Has the groom arrived?" The makeup artist asks, beaming with a smi
Lance returns after some time. I am relieved to see his wound is properly bandaged."We are heading to the restaurant for dinner," says Edward. "Are you coming?""No." Lance denies his offer, his gaze lingering on me. "I will ask the room service to deliver the food here.""As you see fit. Shall we go?" Edward nods at Daisy.Daisy hugs me and whispers in my ear, "Enjoy your meal with your husband, and let me enjoy my boyfriend’s company."I smile in response.They walk out. Now, I and Lance are alone in the room. We continue to stare at each other silently.Lance has told me many things today. He has been honest with me. He has cleared many doubts in my mind. I now know that he genuinely loves me. I also understood why he always took care of Ruby.He was only trying to repay her favor.Favor?I am still perplexed as to when Ruby saved him and how. I cannot help but say, "I’d like to know how she saved you.""I will tell you everything." Lance holds my hand and takes me to the bed. "It
Lance’s POV…My heart aches when I recall Molly’s sad look that evening. I was confused and apprehensive at the time and couldn’t reveal it to her. I wanted some time to think about it before concluding anything. So, I didn’t tell Molly anything about it when she asked me.That was another mistake I had made. However, I don’t want to repeat the mistake, so I decide to disclose everything to her."The doctors said that there were some complications in her pregnancy, and the fetus was weak. He recommended bed rest. Ruby often called me while I was at work and cried a lot, saying she feared her baby would suffer from cancer just like she did. I pitied her and used to go to her to console her."I pause when I notice her suspicious look. I know exactly what she is thinking. I clasp her hands. "Believe me, I only intended to console her. I owe her this life. She saved me once.""She saved you!" she exclaims, a look of disbelief spreading across her face.I nod. "Yes. I am taking care of her
I cannot stop crying. I feel so guilty.Out of anger, I came so far away and put myself in danger. Because of me, Lance got hurt. I shouldn’t have acted impulsively. I could have stayed at the resort and questioned him."Sorry." I apologize to him again."Stop crying," he consoles me. "Listen up. The rain is getting heavy. We need to take shelter somewhere."I don’t know how far the village is from here. Since it is getting dark and raining, nothing is clearly visible. Furthermore, I don’t know how the people will be. As I look down at the three people lying motionless on the ground, I cannot help but shudder.I don’t want to put my trust in the villagers. I’d better head to the next bus stop."There…" Lance pointed to the right. "I can see a building there. Let’s go."I also spot a building-like structure in that direction. But I am reluctant to go there. I tug on his wrist and stop him."I'm not sure what danger lurks there. What if we come across more goons like these?" I nodded to
Molly’s POV…I am so lost in my thoughts that I don't realize all of the passengers have left. The driver asks me to get down since it is the last stop.I hesitantly get off the bus and take a look around. The area is deserted and looks scary. I don’t know where to go. At this moment, I regret acting recklessly. I shouldn’t have come so far away from the resort.It is started drizzling now. I have to get to the bus stop shed quickly. I take my phone from my purse, thinking to call Daisy."Oh!"I am stunned and disappointed at the same time when I see no signal on the phone.I dejectedly sit down on the bench and look at the road dazedly, hoping the next bus will come soon.Maybe a taxi.I remember Lance running after the bus. I wonder if he is still looking for me."Will he come here looking for me?" I murmur in a trance."Are you waiting for the bus?"I almost jump when I hear a husky voice.Three men are coming toward me, smiling vilely.I immediately know I am in danger. I stand up
"Molly, you are getting it wrong," he says. His nervousness is clear in his demeanor.Why is he so nervous if he has done nothing wrong? What is he trying to hide?I scowl at him suspiciously."Yes, she was here. Believe me, I didn’t call her. She came here on her own." He comes in closer and holds my hands."And you met her secretly," I add, my heart tearing apart.He hangs his head down and nods slowly."Why?" I snarl, withdrawing my hands. My fingers are shaking in rage. My insides are clenching in agony. I get emotional, and I cannot say a word.All the bitter memories from the past rush into my mind, making me feel that he can never forget Ruby. He always preferred her and rushed to her whenever she called him. I am sure he might have done the same thing."I met her because she was depressed. She was…""Depressed?" I scoff before he can finish speaking. "She is always depressed… pitiful. You always go to her. Why, Lance? If she needed you, I wouldn't have stopped you from going t