“Bang!” “Argh!” A gunshot ripped through the night, followed by a woman’s chilling scream.Kelsey Young’s eyes widened in disbelief as a man stood before her, shielding her from harm. “Tyler, why did you—” Why was he the one who came to save her? Kelsey had always seen Tyler Lang as the enemy. Revenge was the only thing keeping her by his side. She was determined to bring down the Langs. Yet now, Tyler took a bullet for her. “Run!” Gritting through the pain, Tyler hissed.However, another shot rang out. Kelsey watched him take another bullet to the back. The air was thick with the stench of blood. That was when Cooper Lyon surrounded them with a dozen men in black. “I bet you didn’t see this coming, Tyler.” Cooper sneered with a gun pointed at Kelsey and Tyler. Tyler’s emotionless eyes met Cooper’s. “Let Kels go.” Cooper curled his lips mockingly. “You are in no position to make demands.” Kelsey could not believe her eyes. “Um… Cooper. What’s going o
It was Tyler. The heart-stopping face and sculpted physique belonged to Abervale’s most powerful and good-looking man. Tyler was once Kelsey’s fiancé and the man who risked his life to save hers. To think she had a second chance in life, and the person she opened her eyes to was him. Kelsey stared straight at the man before her, emotions sweeping through her. “Fancy another go?” Tyler’s amused voice interrupted her thoughts. His imposing figure loomed close, his gaze drilling into hers. Kelsey then noticed that he was unclothed. She appeared to be in her birthday suit too. “Ah!” She exclaimed. It dawned on her that they just had their first intimacy. She had traveled back in time to when they first slept together. Tight muscles rippled across his bare, sun-kissed chest which now bore traces of last night’s passion. She left those scratches on him last night amid her struggle. “What’s that supposed to mean? Didn’t you see me with nothing on last night?” Lo
With lightning reflexes, Tyler held the elevator door before the closing mechanism clamped shut on Kelsey’s arm. His gesture gave Kelsey renewed hope. She knew he still cared about her. In her last life, Tyler was the devil incarnate to the public, but he always had a soft spot for her. “What do you want, Kelsey?” Pinning her against the elevator wall, Tyler questioned brutally. He had already given her what she wanted and promised to stay away. Apparently, that was not enough. Tyler wondered what it would take to finally please her.Kelsey looked up and took in his furious grimace, his teeth bare and gritted. She asked, “Do you want to marry me?” Tyler was taken aback at first, but his flawless face soon scowled. The damn woman knew exactly what buttons to push. “It’s my birthday next month,” without much explanation to offer, Kelsey merely looked at him and said. “If you want to marry me, pop the question at my birthday party.” Tyler’s eyes lit up, but the sp
“I’ll… kill Cooper!” Bloodthirst fleeted across Tyler’s eyes. To his surprise, Kelsey simply shrugged nonchalantly. “Then kill him.” In her last life, Cooper lied, manipulated, and finally brutally murdered her. Cooper was horrifically heartless. Kelsey could not wait to tear the brutal man apart with her bare hands. Tyler narrowed his eyes in disbelief. “What did you say?” Kelsey replied aloofly, “Go ahead and kill him. Don’t let me be the reason you hold back.” If personal revenge was not the ultimate goal, she would unleash Tyler on Cooper right that instance. Tyler’s gaze fixed on her indifferent face. His thoughts were once again confirmed that Kelsey was different than before. … Tyler’s Rolls Royce pulled up outside the Youngs’ residence. “Bye now.” Kelsey glanced out the car window, ready to get off. As her hand reached for the door handle, Tyler grabbed her by the wrist. Before Kelsey knew it, Tyler held her down on the cushion of the back seat.
Megan, no stranger to such things, knew the marks for what they were – hickeys.“I thought you were engaged to Tyler, Kelsey. Why are you still going out with other men?” Megan raised her voice to bring the matter to Charlie’s attention. Sure enough, Charlie grimaced. Kelsey snapped back, “I can say the same thing about you. My mom is alive and kicking, but you and your daughter act like you own the place.” “You!” Megan gave Charlie an embarrassed and hurt look. “I think I should just move out, Charlie.” “Bye now. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!” Kelsey waved her arm crudely. Megan froze. She only said that to tug at Charlie’s heartstrings, not to actually leave. The opportunity to move into the place was hard to come by. Megan could not possibly back out before she could assume the role of the lady of the house. “Shut up!” Charlie yelled at Kelsey. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.” He stared at the red marks along her neck and pressed solemnly, “Tell m
“Kels…” A frantic voice belonging to a man was heard. Before Kelsey knew it, a disheveled man stumbled toward her. It was Cooper. Covered in bloodstains and tattered clothes, he appeared roughened up and distressed. Despite his shoddy appearance, he retained his good looks and forlorn nature. Kelsey had to admit that even at his worst, Cooper had the package to sweep women off their feet.She was once attracted by his rough-hewn appeal. Kelsey sympathized with him, drew close to him, and tried to help him. Cooper, in turn, manipulated, hurt, and even killed her. She would not make the same mistakes again. Kelsey could not shake off the resentment as she stared at the man before her. “What are you doing here?” She asked with a frown. Cooper narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling on the hickeys along her neck. He clenched his fists. “You have been through a lot for me, Kels.” Kelsey rolled her eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself. I did it of my free will.” It was
“Don’t you dare!” Charlie yelled furiously. “If you don’t clear the air with Tyler, you can forget ever coming home again.” Kelsey could care less about being part of the family anymore. Still, now that she was given a fresh start in life, she needed to sort out the adversaries in the family. “Alright. I’ll take your advice and meet with Tyler.” Kelsey made a resigned face and shrugged. “But…” She paused. Charlie pressed, “But what?” “But who am I to see Tyler?” Kelsey asked. Charlie replied without hesitation, “You’re the heiress of the Youngs, Tyler’s fiancée.” Kelsey could forget about breaking off the marriage alliance with the Langs on Charlie’s watch. She batted her eyelashes innocently. “The heiress of the Youngs? I thought you wanted to disown me.” “You…” Charlie was rendered speechless. That was talk in the heat of the moment. Charlie’s intention was to make her go through the wedding with Tyler instead of frolicking around with Cooper. Kelsey hung
Josephine shrieked when she found Kelsey trashing her room. “These designer clothes are well over $100,000. Mom and Dad bought these limited-edition accessories from abroad for me too.” Josephine’s heart ached as she gathered her expensive garments and valuables from the floor. If only she could make Kelsey pay. Kelsey glanced at her indifferently. “So what? Dad said I could move back. I have no use for your trash, so it deserves to be dumped.” Josephine glared at her in disbelief. “Trash? Kelsey, you have no idea the value—” Before she could finish, Kelsey grabbed a music box on the table and flung it back. The article somehow struck Josephine in the head. “Ouch…” Josephine furrowed her brows in agony. She reached out to feel her forehead, only to find herself bleeding. The music box dropped to the ground with a thud, shattering to pieces in the fall. “You have gone too far, Kelsey!” Josephine yelled at Kelsey, “Don’t you know that the music box was a gift fro
With a predatory glint in his eyes, Tyler pressed his lips against Kelsey’s.“I’ll take your silence as your consent.” “Hang on!” Kelsey pushed him away. She meant business since it was about his sleepwalking last night. “I have a question.” “What is it?” Tyler asked in a raspy voice, his lips still lingering across her skin. His hands eagerly pulled her gown off her. “Do you sleepwalk?” Kelsey asked. Tyler paused, his eyes bearing a weight of emotions. Kelsey knew she was right on the money. Tyler had known about his sleepwalking. “Did you know you were sleepwalking last night?” Kelsey said while fixating earnestly on him. She was more concerned about his health. Tyler seemed healthy. Yet, he wandered off in a sleeping state. Judging by Tyler’s response, it was not his first rodeo. Generally speaking, sleepwalking was associated with trauma or unresolved issues. Kelsey suspected that Tyler had been through some kind of trauma, or something in his past wa
Tyler opened his eyes abruptly. Bare and dominant, he loomed above Kelsey while his penetrating gaze looked deep into her soul.Lost in the heat of his kiss, Kelsey opened her eyes in confusion at his sudden pause. She met his profound gaze. Kelsey’s heart skipped a beat. Her breath hitched. She stared at the man towering over her in disbelief, her eyes bulging. Tyler was awake. He examined her, his eyes scouring every inch of her body. Once he was certain that it was Kelsey, Tyler was relieved. “I’m home, babe,” he uttered with a sigh of relief. Feeling assured, he closed his eyes and rested his head on her shoulder. He filled his lungs with her familiar scent. Kelsey was taken aback, but her head gradually cleared. She thought that Tyler would not stop their little bed activity. However, Tyler stayed in the same position for a while. His steady breathing came soon after. He fell asleep. Kelsey was in disbelief. Since he wanted her so badly, Kelsey ass
Worried, Kelsey followed Tyler in case he hurt himself or fell off the stairs. He was not in a conscious state after all. Kelsey would not be so abrupt as to wake him from his sleepwalking. She was aware that waking a sleepwalker could lead to shock or other health problems.Kelsey stuck close behind Tyler and made sure he got up the stairs safely. Tyler returned to their bedroom and lay on the bed. Kelsey drew close for a look. The soft moonlight streamed through the French windows, casting a hazy glow over his defined face.Tyler lay there motionlessly, his eyes closed.Kelsey watched him sleep tenderly. For a moment, she drooled over him. However, she quickly frowned at the smell of alcohol on Tyler. Kelsey went to open the window to let in some airflow, dispersing the fumes of liquor. She then picked out a fresh pair of pajamas from the closet for Tyler.Tyler would need a change of briefs too. However, Kelsey’s cheeks burned when she pulled his brief draw
Kelsey returned to the villa she shared with Tyler. She intended to tell Tyler how her day with her best friend had gone. Charles was somehow caught in the crossfire. Yvonne’s mother-in-law accused her of having an affair with Charles which did a number to his reputation. Kelsey wanted to ask Tyler about his opinion on returning Charles’ favor. Since Charles was Tyler’s childhood friend, Tyler must know him best. However, Tyler had business plans to attend to, so he would not be home for dinner.Kelsey was alone in the upstairs bedroom, occupied with all related matters involving her new business venture. Since Kelsey and Rosette were going to audition to design costumes for Adrienne’s new film, Kelsey felt it was essential to study the genre of the new film and Adrienne’s past fashion choices. Time passed. By the time Kelsey shut her laptop, it was eleven at night. Rising to her feet, she stretched and walked out of the bedroom. Kelsey was on her way downstairs
“I’m sorry, Kelsey. I’m sorry to ruin lunch,” Yvonne murmured. Kelsey put her arm around her shoulder. “Why are you apologizing to me? Charles told me what he needed me for. It’s okay to skip lunch.” She paused and looked at Yvonne, her head tilted. “But Yvonne, you seem to have changed.” “How so?” Yvonne asked with a raised brow. “You’ve become composed and cunning now.” Kelsey said with admiration, “But it’s a good thing. I don’t want you to be Adam and his family’s doormat. You didn’t marry him to be his slave.” Yvonne curled her lips. “I’ve been through a lot, but I’ve learned a lot too. I had to learn from my mistakes.” She used to walk on eggshells around her husband and mother-in-law. She gave them too much leeway, and they walked all over her. In the future, Yvonne would not be so dumb as to let others hurt her again. She needed to stand up for herself. … Kelsey dropped Yvonne back home. Before, Yvonne would cry to Kelsey for hours after Agatha humiliated
“Didn’t you hear what Yvonne said? She’ll go ahead with the divorce. She doesn’t want to stick around until you take everything from her.” Kelsey snapped an angry look at Agatha. “Your son is the one with an affair. Don’t put this on Yvonne. Save your breath for your son. Yvonne is the victim. Who are you to accuse her?” Kelsey could not stand Agatha. Agatha placed herself above others and used Yvonne as a punching bag. Charles tipped the restaurant manager the wink. The restaurant manager led a security team to Agatha. “This is a public place, not your playground. Please leave now.” Agatha was humiliated to be thrown out of the premises. Instead of breaking down and apologizing, Yvonne calmly agreed to the divorce. Agatha did not see it coming. She needed to talk to her son. Clearly, Agatha had to find new ways to keep Yvonne in line. “Hmph! In that case, I should ask your parents if they know about their daughter filing for divorce,” Agatha said. In Agatha’s opi
Agatha’s son, Adam, was the one who had an affair. Yet, Agatha made Adam out to be the victim instead. Yvonne became the wicked woman who cheated on Adam. Kelsey racked her brain to think of ways to prove Yvonne’s innocence. Yvonne broke her silence.“Tell me. What are you trying to achieve?” Agatha’s big fuss was met with Yvonne’s nonchalant reply. For a moment, Agatha was in a daze. In the past, Agatha often berated Yvonne until the latter had no choice but to apologize. Agatha had always kept Yvonne in line through aggressive methods. Yet now, Yvonne asked her what she wanted to do. Instead of having a meltdown, Yvonne carried herself with ease. Agatha narrowed her eyes and said bitterly, “We pride ourselves on our decency. We can’t put up with your cheating. Just finalize the divorce and get out of my family. I don’t want to carry your shame.” She glared at Yvonne in disdain. “Fine.” Yvonne readily agreed. Yvonne understood that Agatha was a pro at throwi
Many patrons turned their heads to Yvonne and Charles’ table. The incident sparked a lot of chatter. Kelsey rushed over and explained to Agatha. “You’re mistaken. Yvonne and I are grabbing lunch after a day of shopping. Charles and Yvonne don’t know each other.” Agatha did not expect to see Kelsey there. However, she could not take back what she had said. Besides, Yvonne and Adam were getting a divorce. If Agatha could nail infidelity on Yvonne, Adam would get off the divorce with more. “Oh, your best friend can’t save you out of this, Yvonne. Don’t try to hide the fact that you’re with another man now.” Agatha was determined to accuse Yvonne. Charles was not having it. “Ma’am…” he said disgruntledly in an attempt to clear the air. “Shut up!” Agatha snapped and criticized him too. “Why are you flirting with a married woman? I get a bad vibe from you.” Charles was speechless. He was a gentleman. There was no way he would be caught dead hitting on a married woman.
Sensing Yvonne’s blues, Kelsey wanted her to eat well and divert her attention elsewhere. Yvonne ordered a variety. In truth, she had no appetite. Kelsey added a few more dishes.Not satisfied with the order, Charles told the server to bring up all the chef’s recommendations. “Won’t we have too much food, Charles?” Kelsey said. Charles smiled without a care. “It’s okay. You can’t have too much food.” While the food was being prepared, Kelsey asked, “What’s the favor you need?” “Oh, yeah. Tyler said that you have established an office with Rosette,” Charles uttered. “Yes.” Kelsey nodded. “Is there anything I can do to help?” Charles asked earnestly. Kelsey understood that Charles had feelings for Rosette. “Nothing as of yet,” she responded with a raised brow. Charles was a little late as Cleo had helped them a lot in setting up the business. “Let me know if you ever need any help,” Charles said. Kelsey smiled with intrigue. “Are you pursuing Rosette, Charles?