MARCELFor a second, I was confused about why Mae’s voice echoed downstairs but when Elodie and Mae began to argue, something snapped in my head. Pain sliced through my head like a knife as the memories rushed in. Memories of me sending Mae out of my house, memories of me warning her to never show her face before me, memories of my wife and I being in Hawaii before Darius struck by kidnapping her, using wolfsbane on me and hitting my head till I lost consciousness. Goosebumps spilled over my body because it felt like I had just woken up from a nightmare. My heart pounded in my chest, anger, rage, and fury seeping through my veins as my eyes widened in shock. I swiveled my gaze around the whole gallery, everyone had shock boldly written on their faces as whispers filled the whole room. Then slowly, all the lies that I had been fed rushed into my mind. Lies from Axel and Mae. Lies that didn't even make any sense. Axel left the culprit just to turn Elodie who was the victim into a v
Mae’s P.O.V For two days, I have been living in fear, hiding in a small rented car that looked suffocating and inconvenient as hell. I pulled my hoodie over my head, gnawing on my fingers as I fixed my gaze on Marcel’s mansion. Ever since I made that stupid mistake, everyone abandoned me including my friends who didn’t want to take me in despite my plea. Even Zoey whom I bothered Marcel about. It was disappointing that all the people that I have helped in one way or the other picked this moment as the perfect time to turn their backs on me. Axel wasn’t answering any of my calls either, then Darius… Just the thought of Darius made my skin crawl. I couldn’t believe that I allowed him to fool me! So he was the one who had attacked Marcel? Like I worked for the same person who tried to kill Marcel? Fuck! I exhaled sharply, placing a hand on my chest in a bid to steel myself. “All I need to do is get my international passport and go back to Germany before Marcel finds me…” I pau
Marcel “For the funeral flowers, mix them with a touch of roses because she loved roses a lot, orchids, chrysanthemums, and hydrangeas. I will meet up with the funeral proceedings later, goodbye.” I disconnected the call, crossing my legs while shifting my gaze back to Mae who had tears streaming down her cheeks, her voice barely above a whisper. “Pl-Please…I promise you that if you let me go, I will never disturb you again” Watching her with a calm smile on my face, I glanced at the men who gripped her by the arms firmly, commanding. “Continue” As a scream tore from her lips, the man behind her forced her head back into the water. Splashes of water here and there. Then her head was forced back up as she gasped for air, her chest heaving up and down and when her eyes met mine, she pursed her lips and burst into tears. “Please give me a second chance” I raised a brow in confusion. “Second chance? Do you even know why I gave you a second chance in the first place? Because Axel pl
Darius’s P.O.VSitting behind my mahogany desk, leaning in the chair while twirling a pen in my hand, I couldn’t get rid of the thoughts of Mae that swirled in my mind. Dead?Like she died in an accident? Heaving an exasperated sigh, I leaned back further in my chair while squinting my eyes. “Anyways, she was lucky to have passed away painlessly in an accident before Marcel came for her”On the other hand, I was trying to protect myself from Marcel’s wrath, trying to form an alliance with Zade that was just beyond business. But recently, Zade has been difficult to get through. At that moment, a knock sounded on my door, jolting me out of my thoughts as the door creaked open. I was taken aback when some of my employees walked into my study room, carrying a large cake with a huge smile plastered on their faces. For a second I was confused about what was going on but when they began to sing the ‘birthday song’, the reality that it was my birthday hit me. How could I have forgotten?
Darius’s P.O.VThe cacophony of the reporters and journalists who tried to get the perfect spot filled my ear. As their cameras flashed, I mounted the podium, the weight of the moment pressing down on me as I leaned forward and adjusted the microphone.As soon as I cleared my throat, the murmurs died down and silence enveloped the whole room while I flashed a smile at everyone and most importantly, exchanged eye contact with the reporters whom I had paid to report good news about me and ensure that Marcel gets woven in a controversy somehow. Like using Mae’s death against him. Everyone needed to know that he was a murderer and the only thing I needed was to divert the public’s attention away from me and make Marcel suffer the harsh scrutiny from the public. “Ladies and gentlemen…” I paused, steadying my breathing and for some weird reason, fear slowly crept through my mind. What if my mental instability surfaced at this crucial moment? Apart from when I played golf with some of my
Darius’s P.O.VPetitions here and there. Boycotts. To worsen things, Killian’s fan girlies had thrown eggs on my car and now I was on a hot seat, defending myself, the company that I have built for years because there was no way that I was going to succumb to the board member’s pressure. As my fingers drummed on the table, I couldn’t get rid of the thoughts of Marcel that plagued my mind while I leaned in the chair, staring at my fingers with darkened eyes. Marcel succeeded in planting someone into my house because that only had to be the perfect explanation for why Mae’s lifeless body was found in my house. Now I knew why the narrative of her being cremated and not being buried flew around in the media. That bastard! It was because he had been planning this all along. This wouldn’t be my end. It couldn’t just be. I didn’t come this far for this to be my end. To worsen things, someone had been kidnapping the family members of the council. First, it was Elder Theodore’s wife an
Elodie’s P.O.VCrossing a hand over my chest, I raised a brow while cocking my head. “Sister-In-Law?” I reiterated, glowering at him. Axel’s shoulders sagged as his chest heaved while I went to my seat and fixed him a stern gaze. “How can I help you, Axel?”Axel took tiny steps towards me and unlike those who would have their seats without my permission or having simple courtesy, Axel took me aback when he fell on his knees to the ground, his head hung low in despair as he clasped his hands. Confusion swirled in my mind as I stared intently at him. “What is the meaning of all this nonsense, Axel? And who allowed you in?”“Sister-In-Law”An icy revulsion hit me at that moment because it was just weird that the same Mae supporter dared to call me that after everything that he had done. “Who is your Sister-In-law? Are you sure that you aren’t in the wrong place? If you call me that one more time, then I am going to have you thrown out of here”Axel raised his head, his eyes gleaming w
MarcelElodie came down the small steps, strutting towards the garden while carrying a small cake that she had baked. Lanterns hung from the tree, casting a golden glow all over the garden that was filled with the gentle hum of crickets and the gentle rustle of leaves. I could perceive lavender all around. But the perfect lavender was here, my woman. With every step that she took towards me, my heart raced hard in my chest as she flashed a smile at me and shot a wink that made my heart skitter.Dressed in a pink choker dress that hugged her curves perfectly while her hair was tied in a ponytail, Elodie dropped the cake carefully on the desk. With eyes glinting with amusement, I leaned forward. “What is the event?”She hummed for a while as she leaned down and cupped my face. “It is a surprise” Her face was a few inches away from mine and at that moment, my fingers curled over her waist, pulling her closer to me as she placed both hands on my shoulders for support. “What kind of su
Epilogue **After One Year** The setting sun cast a golden glow over the ethereal surroundings as the sound of waves crashing in the distance echoed through my ears. My heart pounded against my chest in anxiety despite the excitement that bubbled deep within me. The air hung heavy with anticipation and on exchanging fleeting glances with the triplets who keep taking pictures of me with their cameras, I shot a wink at them. Silas gesticulated before he mouthed. “Daddy, don't overdo the smile. Smile, like this” I did just as he had said while the guests laughed at the silent conversation between Silas and me. I gave Silas a thumbs-up while Silver gave a gentle applause that was almost inaudible. Sage on the other hand sat next to Aunt Nadia, Leah, and Axel who carried both Elysia and Daisy in his arms while Sage made funny faces to them. Staring at the scene before me, I fiddled with my fingers in anticipation, carefully waiting for my bride. “She is here” Someone murmu
Elodie’s P.O.VThe clouds darkened, thunder rumbling through the sky while I stood rooted to the same spot frozen. The rain first started like a gentle patter but in the next minute, the rain enveloped me totally, soaking my clothes as my hair clung to my face. I was too numb to speak. Too shocked to even wrap my head around what had happened. I could barely move my legs but I mustered the courage and dragged my feet towards the railings, staring down at Darius's lifeless body. His blood that soaked the metal spikes was being washed away by the rain that fell heavily. I should be relieved that he was dead…But the more I stared at his lifeless body, the more dread settled at the pit of my stomach and I saw myself on the metal spikes. My breath came in ragged gasps as I gripped the railings and that was when the images of Ezra spurting out blood flashed through my mind. My shoulders sagged and the more I gripped the railings, the more different emotions crashed over me. I crumbled
Elodie’s P.O.VOh my. The necklace looked pretty on me. I trailed my fingers on the necklace and stared at my reflection in the mirror, that was when the reality hit me that Silver wasn’t back with my phone yet. He didn’t know where he dropped his phone tablet and pleaded with me to give him my phone so he could call his dad. “Could he be playing games on my phone?” I muttered to myself, standing up and that was when it dawned on me that even my hair stylist wasn’t back yet. I glanced at her empty cup of juice and darted my eyes back to mine which was still untouched. “What could she be taking downstairs?” I muttered to myself, opening the door to the room, and stepping out while calling for Silver’s name. But the only response I got was his name which returned as echoes in my ears. Something was wrong.What was going on? Walking down the hallway, relief flooded through me when I saw Aunt Nadia sleeping on the couch next to the vase of flowers. “Aunt Nadia, you should go into
Marcel’s P.O.V*** Baby Shower ***Strings of pink, white, and silver balloons floated gently in the sunlit garden. Tulips, daisies, and peonies decorated every corner while I stood amidst it all, staring around like a proud dad. I had canceled all my schedule just to participate in the decoration after inviting a team of event planners from Thailand. As a smile formed on my face, the only thought that coursed through my mind was how Elodie was going to love this.I could already picture the look that was going to be on her face when she stepped into the garden later in the evening. All of a sudden, I was jolted out of my thoughts when a maid stood before me and on getting my attention, she lowered her head. “Sir, the popular cake corner called concerning how the delivery was going to be late. They claimed that there was a mix-up with the cake decorations”“I would be going alongside the head servant to monitor the progress of the cake. We will ensure that it gets here before the b
Marcel’s P.O.VIn the doctor’s office, Elodie stared into space, before heaving a sigh while her hands were clasped tightly in mine. A small smile played on my face, amused with the way a strand fell on her face. I was about to remove my hands from her’s in a bid to brush off the strand when she turned to look at me, a glint of worry in her eyes and distress written on her face. She has been like this lately. It worsened since the night she accepted my marriage proposal and the annoying thing was she didn't want to see a doctor and instead stuck to paranoia. I was soon jolted out of my thoughts when she muttered. “Marcel, what if it is a stomach infection or cancer?”Heaving an exasperated sigh, I shook my head. “That is why we are here. I told you that it isn't any of this”Her voice shook. “It is not like you are a doctor. Plus I have never felt this way before and I have been seeing symptoms that relate to stomach cancer and stomach infection”“We should have seen the pack docto
Elodie’s P.O.VImages of Susan’s lifeless body in the creek flashed through my mind and the way Marcel’s strong arms encircled me, pulling my trembling body against his chest in a bid to stop my gaze from lingering on her disfigured face. Darius was a monster. A monster that I never wanted to lay eyes on for the rest of my life. Marcel assured me that he was going to find Darius and finish him off as fast as possible. It has been two months since Susan died and still, that grotesque image of her in the creek kept lingering in my mind. I was so traumatized that the only one who helped me was Marcel and right now, I was pissed at him. Recently, I have been having crazy mood swings that really scared Marcel off at times and right now I was boiling because I had planned a movie night with him just for him to bail out on me at the last minute. My gaze lingered on his message telling me that he wasn't going to be coming because something important suddenly came up. Like I wasn't impor
Elodie’s P.O.V Taking my gaze off the ornate glass chandeliers, adorned with delicate crystal pieces that hung from the intricately designed ceiling, I paused beside Marcel. He glanced at me briefly before turning swiftly, his eyes softening and lighting up as if he had just seen an irreplaceable treasure.Staring into the ethereal green of my eyes, Marcel wrapped his fingers around my waist drawing me closer to him as he buried his face at the side of my neck, nibbling in a way that sent shivers down my spine. It was like he was basking in my scent. He was warm. My haven and my peace. I loved him. A lot. His lips grazed my skin, sending sparks of fire in its wake. “You are like a delicate flower that I want to keep, adorn, cherish, and nurture forever, ensuring you bloom endlessly. To the very end”“You are so beautiful, I feel like I want to end the party, take your clothes off, and show you how much you mean to me”My hand rested on his shoulders, while I muttered under my bre
Darius’s P.O.VMy lips trembled as a searing pain racked through my body while I hung limply from the chains that bound my wrists to the walls, my upper body exposed and covered with cuts which blood dripped from. Another lash landed on my back and a groan left my lips, my vision blurred with a red haze as I gritted my teeth. “Stop!” A husky voice echoed off the walls of Layzal’s dungeon as the whip made a soft thud as it was dropped against the ground. As soon as the doors to the dungeon closed, hot tears streamed down my face and a bitter laughter spiraled from me. It has been two weeks since Marcel eliminated all the council members who were responsible for everything that happened to his family. He had chosen new members of the council, and taken over my pack with my idiotic park members in support of that tyrant. Marcel changed the name of the pack to the moonstone pack. He probably named it after my late son. That bastard!I was soon jolted out of my thoughts when a dark au
Darius’s P.O.VI jolted awake as my eyes flew open and my chest heaved up and down. Staring at the ceiling which a candle chandelier hung while the grotesque image of the nightmare clung to the back of my mind like a dark stubborn shadow that seemed more like it was soon going to close in on me.I sat up slowly, leaning against the headboard while staring into space as memories of the nightmare flashed through my mind. My breath came in short, shallow gasps as I ran my hands through my hair frustratedly. I had seen myself falling off a cliff and I was in my pool of blood. Could it be the lingering fear of Layzal doing something to me that made me have this horrible nightmare? It had to be it. There was no way that I was going to die! I would never allow that. I will do everything to stay alive and get my children back from Marcel. “I won't die! Not now…not now” I muttered to myself while placing a hand on my chest that heaved slowly, sliding off the bed, as I walked to the bathroo