Later that evening…I have been lying quietly on the bed, stroking my baby bump. I cannot stop thinking about what happened this morning.Ruby looked so furious. She didn’t think twice to hit me. So much hostility is scary. I don’t know why she hates me so much.I don’t remember if I ever hurt her. Although I never liked her because of her closeness to Lance, I never did anything bad to her. I didn’t think of hurting her in my dreams.Her attitude and the hatred in her eyes compelled me to think about where I go wrong.Is it because I married Lance that she despises me so much? But didn't I leave three years ago? She had a chance to win him over. She had always been the one who clung to him. It wasn't my fault if she didn't win his heart. She shouldn't hold it against me."Huh…" I sigh deeply and mutter, "Who will tell her?"Creak…I sit up and turn to the door, only to see Edward coming in. I am not surprised, as I have been expecting his visit. But it happened too late.I expected h
Edward’s POV…I had not gone to see Molly since our last argument. I couldn't get Molly's words out of my head. After reflecting on it these days, I concluded that my feelings about that night were pure lust, not love.Molly was right. If I loved that woman, I would not have touched any other woman. Instead, I would have gone looking for her right away. But I lusted after every attractive girl that crossed my path and fucked them all.The most disturbing aspect was that someone was often coming and going into my mind these days.Daisy…I could not forget about our encounter in the backyard of the resort. Her painful eyes still piqued my interest. I wished I could get to know her. Something was there in her that pulled me towards her."Daisy…" My lips hooked slightly as I murmured the name. I gradually realized what I should do.I picked up the phone and dialed a number as I walked out of the office."Cancel all the meetings. I am going home." I ended the call and put the phone in my p
The next day…Lance’s POV…"What the hell is going on? Why can't you give me any information?" I cannot help but raise my voice at my assistant.I have been looking for Molly these days. I get irritated when I don't get any fruitful results despite sending my men all over the city. On top of that, the wedding day is approaching. Ruby is preparing the wedding with zeal. My parents, on the other hand, are furious with me. They stopped talking to me."It has been more than a week. But you are unable to find a clue."The assistant lowers his head and murmurs, "We are trying. Miss Ruby is constantly under surveillance. As soon as we find something suspicious, we will nab her and rescue madam.""Uh…" I grimace and wave my hand in a dismissive way. "I don’t need your fake promises. I need results. Get out of here now."He hurries out.I slam my fist on the table and groan, "Fuck. Such a loser I am."The door flies open, and my assistant rushes in again. "Mr. Stevens, Ruby has been spotted at
I am so furious, but he is still smiling as if my words do not affect him. I grow more and more enraged. My breathing comes in visible puffs."You are involved in Molly’s kidnapping," I snarl.To my great surprise, he is still smiling. There was not the slightest change in his expression.I am about to explode."Don't believe you can win her over if you keep her with you," I snap more angrily. "She will never be yours. Do you get that?"He laughs softly and takes a step toward me. I unconsciously step back, my throat tightening."I no longer care about how to win her heart," he says, taking another step toward me. "Instead, I want your love." He yanks on my arm and pulls me to his chest.It happened so quickly that I didn’t have the time to defend myself. What happened next was faster than I could think of anything.My eyes are wide, and my body is in off mode when I feel his lips on mine.He is kissing me.The world spins rapidly. The memories of that wild night came alive in my mind
Molly’s POV…My eyelids are so heavy. I try but can't open my eyes. Someone appears to be pulling my eyelids down. My head is also heavy. I have the distinct impression that a sack of bricks has been placed over my head. I wince and move a little. The tightness around my limbs causes me to frown.I forcefully open my eyes and am terrified to discover that I am tied to a chair."Again? No…" I grumble and wriggle to break free. But my struggles are all futile.I cannot understand how I ended up in this situation. I was on my way home, excited at the prospect of meeting Lance soon. Then how did I come here?As I mull it over, I remember our car losing control all of a sudden and zigzagging across the wide road. The driver pulled the brakes, saving us from a major collision. He got out of the car to investigate what had happened.Two motorbikes rushed over out of the blue and threw something inside the car. A cloud of white smoke spread in an instant, and I passed out soon.It turned out
Lance’s POV…Anger sparks within me the moment I notice Edward’s car rolling in through the gate. My fists tighten on the sides. I scrunch up my face and hurried over.The car stops on the side of the driveway, and Edward jumps out. I charge over and punch him in the face.Edward staggers a little. He tilts his head as he looks at me, wiping the blood from his nose. He has a smirk on his face, which irritates me even more."This is not the time to fight, Lance. Let’s go rescue Molly first."I only clench my teeth. I swear I would have thrashed him more if I had not been in a hurry. Right now, my priority is Molly. I want to reach her before Ruby can hurt her.We get into the car, and Edward takes the wheel. My men are following us in two cars.Several minutes later…Edward abruptly applies the brakes in the middle of an empty road.I look around at the unfamiliar surroundings. Thorny shrubs cover both sides of the road. No one is around. I take a quick look at the two cars behind us.
Ruby is still on the run. The cops and my men are looking for her. But none of them are able to track her down.I am no longer thinking about her. I am confident she cannot hide for a long time. My men will find her soon before the cops get her. I am concerned about Molly.48 hours had passed, but she had not regained consciousness yet. The doctor’s prediction is ringing in my ears. I am terrified by the thought that she will go into a coma.She is still in the ICU, and the doctors are looking after her.My grandma’s health condition deteriorated after hearing about this incident. So, I asked my parents not to come to the hospital.Daisy and Edward are with me.My anger at Edward started to disappear. During these two days, he had not gone home. His worry for Molly was clear. He had talked to the doctors as well.What surprised me is the way he looks after Daisy. It appears as if he likes her. I am perplexed too. I cannot figure out why he was after Molly if he liked Daisy.Did he sud
Inside the doctor’s chamber…"What is going on, doctor? She was talking about an incident that happened three years ago. Why is she saying she doesn’t remember anything after that?"I am so anxious that my fingertips turn cold."I can't say anything for certain. I need to conduct some additional tests. As of now, it looks like she is suffering from partial memory loss. She cannot remember a thing that happened in the past three years. Again, I need to examine her before I give the final report."I suddenly feel heaviness in my stomach. My skin tingles with discomfort.‘Partial memory loss!’ I am in a state of stupor.Molly doesn’t remember anything that happened in the past three years. That means, she doesn’t remember how we reconciled or how we were happy with each other. She still thinks I don’t love her."But, but… she is pregnant. Does she forget about that too?""Quite possible.""N-No… H-How can she forget about our baby? This is not true, right?""Mr. Stevens… Take it easy. He
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