Cattleya’s POV"You don't love me?" he repeated his voice barely a whisper. Then, a storm brewing in his eyes, it felt like he wanted to burst into anger.I tried to calm down, but the fear that was creeping into my heart made me more nervous as I stared at him and met his fiery gaze."I'm sorry..." That's all I could say.Even if I had feelings for him, I could not love a criminal like him. A man whose hobby was to kill, do illegal things, and do all the forbidden things in the world.He released my arm and stepped back, "You know, I thought we had something special...""I did, too. But... I was wrong. Let's just face the reality, okay? We got married because we agreed to it. No feelings attached, right?"Jaxon's eyes narrowed, and he asked, "You are not playing with me, right? Do you think my feelings for you were funny? Do you really think you can just hurt me like this because I've already told you what I feel?!" I remained silent. I should be happy because I did succeed in bre
Cattleya’s POV"No," I said."Oh, maybe you forgot who's the boss here?" He challenged, raising an eyebrow.A sudden clap of thunder startled me. I ran into his arms and hugged him tightly. He returned the hug with the same intensity. My heart hammered as I buried my head in his chest. I closed my eyes and whispered, "I'm scared."He carried me to his long couch. I felt safe in his arms and snuggled closer, burying my head in his chest and trembling. I'm afraid of thunder. I don't know why, but whenever I hear the loud thunder above, it feels like it could attack and kill me."Shhh," he whispered, stroking my head. "It's okay." He lay back on the couch and tried not to pull away from me.It was comforting to snuggle up with someone who made me feel safe.I smiled softly and hugged him tightly on the couch. We both felt each other's embrace until the rain stopped. I slept in his arms, and when I woke up, he was already staring at me. I immediately covered my face with my hand and
Cattleya’s POVI gently removed his hand from mine and walked away, my heart was heavy. I stepped outside without looking back at him. Then the driver was already waiting, and I said, "Take me to my parents' house."He nodded and opened the van door for me.As I stepped inside, I glanced back. Jaxon was gone, already walking away like nothing happened.His protectiveness was deadly, capable of killing someone for me. That's what made him dangerous, so dangerous that I couldn't stop him. But why did I feel so guilty about it? He had saved me, and without him, I would be dead! But why was I running away from him? Why was I doing this to him?Maybe I was running away because I feared becoming like the man he had just beaten to death.I arrived at my parents' house, but they were gone. They were on a business trip slash vacation to visit my grandma in London while I was stuck here, still living in the past, still searching for answers about my dead twin sister.How could they move o
Cattleya’s POV"Catt, are you okay?" Nikolai asked, noticing my prolonged gaze. I smiled at him and forced my eyes away. "Why did Noah hire you? You're a professional man. This kind of job isn't really for you," I inquired."So, you're actually asking me that?"I sighed, "Yeah, because I want to know the truth. I want to trust you, Nikolai." "It's because I want to be close to you, Catt. I want to be one of your closest friends because I like you," he replied, his gaze tenacious.I paused just because of what he said, so I cleared my throat and said softly, “Well, thank you for being honest.” "Look, Aunty Catty! I finished everything," Audrey exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement."Wow, you must be very hungry!" I replied, returning her smile.She giggled softly. "Yes! I love chicken..." Then she yawned and glanced at Nikolai. "I want to take a nap..." "I think she wants to sleep here," Nikolai suggested.A pang of pity shot through me. Audrey needed someone to care for he
Cattleya’s POV“I am mad,” he said. I turned my head, a defiant smirk playing on my lips. "What if you are mad? Do I even care if you're really mad?"He pulled over to the side of the road, his breathing ragged and uneven."Are you really trying to test my patience? You know I can't hurt you—""Oh, then hurt me so you'll feel better," I retorted, crossing my arms defiantly.He chuckled, his voice laced with a dangerous undertone. "I can't do that... but I can hurt you in another way that can make you feel pleasure and pain at the same time."I slapped his hand away, my voice trembling with anger and frustration. "Jaxon, not now. You're making my head spin. I just need some time alone to think.""To think what? To think about divorcing me because you changed your mind? Because marriage was a mistake, and you don't need me at all because there's Nikolai Stone to help you with anything?" He asked, his voice dribbling with accusations.I glared at him, my eyes wide with disbelief.Damn,
Cattleya’s POVThen someone injected something into my neck, I began to feel lightheaded as my world spun around me. He grabbed me and pushed me into the car like nothing happened. I opened my eyes and reached for my phone in my pocket, but the man grabbed it and threw it outside. "Jaxon..." I spoke quietly. The man laughed and said, "Oh, he can't save you anymore." "W—Who are you? What do you want from me?" I asked with a voice shaking. All at once, I felt both lost and terrified. I tried hard to stay awake, but all of a sudden I felt like my eyes were slowly closing. It was right then that I passed out.*****I blinked my eyes slowly, feeling as if a truck had run me over. My limbs were heavy and unresponsive. Panic overflowed as I realized I was trapped in an empty, abandoned building, and my wrists and legs were bound together."Where am I? What do you want from me?" I screamed in hysteria.The room was empty except for a pile of weapons. Despite the pitch-black darkness,
Cattleya’s POVWhen I woke up, I gasped as I found Leo staring at me with a smirk on his face. "Oh, good morning, sunshine," he said. "Guess what? You're still here with me. No, you're not dreaming. Uh, maybe a nightmare…."I tried to get up, but he grabbed my hair and threw me into the dark room. "You'll never leave this place!" he shouted.A small teenage girl creaked open the door, looking shocked to see me on the bed with bruises on my face. "Who is she? What happened to her?" She gasped while covering her mouth with her hand."Lilith, get out of here!" Leo hissed. "I've told you many times not to open this door, but you just won't listen! Get out! I said... Get out!"The brave young woman named Lilith stepped in and insisted, "Brother? She doesn't look good. You should take her to the hospital."I put my head down and pretended to cough, and in the corner of my eye, I caught Leo looking annoyed."Look at her, we should probably call a doctor!" Lilith exclaimed, her voice filled w
NIKOLAI’S POVAs I sat at my desk, drenched in sweat from my recent run, my mind raced with worry. Cattleya had been missing for three days. A ticking time bomb of rage, anger, and hatred was building inside me.I thought back to Ariella, now in heaven. She had wanted to leave, making me feel like a fool. I had lashed out in a moment of anger, but it was a mistake. But it was so surprising that she had asked for something that would end her life.Over the past two months, I have taken more lives than I could count. But these people had made it impossible for me to achieve my goals. I wanted to lead the Mafia, obtain Jaxon's crucial encryption hard drive, and eliminate those counselors. It wasn't too much to ask. The Morettis had forced my family into hiding for years, and I yearned to settle the score with Jaxon.Now, I have a solution: Cattleya Sullivan.The sudden knock on the door startled me, and I shouted. "Go away!"It was Julianna checking in.I let out a frustrated sigh,
Cattleya’s POV"Are you ready?" I asked, and then he held my hand tightly. He nodded nervously. I laughed, "Jaxon, this is not so you." "I'm just nervous, babe," he replied with a soft sigh.Thankfully, I had previously told them about their father, who had been away for many years and even showed them a photo of Jaxon. So, by the time they met him, they already knew who he was.Jaxon looked incredibly nervous as we arrived at the safe house. He seemed on the verge of running away. "What if they don't like me? What if they can't accept me?" he fretted."Have they seen your face before?" I asked calmly.He stood at the doorway, a mixture of excitement and apprehension evident on his face. "No, not yet. But I've already seen them. Gosh, they look so cute! They look just like me—""Hey! I'm their mother too," I teased, "You can't take all the credit!"Jaxon blushed. I wanted to laugh but gently knocked on the door with a smile.He sighed softly. "What do I do now? Will they be upset t
Cattleya’s POVI ducked down to cover my head. Looking around, I saw everyone had gone wild, fighting for survival as if their lives depended on it. Terror gripped me as I watched my husband battling fiercely, risking his own life."J--Jaxon!" He indeed chose me, and now he had to fight all those people trying to kill him. Within minutes, Vlad and his men arrived to help Jaxon in the battle.My eyes widened as I saw Vlad grab one of them and viciously crack their neck, and then a cruel smile graced his lips. He continued in this manner, dispatching each of them with chilling efficiency.I stepped back, searching for an exit, only to realize I had forgotten something. When I turned around, I saw Elise standing behind me, her eyes wide with shock.She hissed, "Don't you dare.." I scoffed, then walked towards her, grabbing her hand tightly and dragging her towards me. She struggled against me, but even though my body felt battered and bruised, I wouldn't let her go."Let go of me, bit
Cattleya’s POV"Oh, Cattleya, you are such a fool. How could you believe that I took your twins?" I heard Elise's voice echoing through the empty building.I never thought I would find myself in another life-threatening situation. My heart pounded in my chest, and then I took a deep breath, tried to steady myself, and looked up to see her. Elise stood at the bottom of the stairs, a vision in a crimson velvet dress, identical to the one I had worn on the night I chose revenge.A chilling smile played on her lips. She looked like a predator, poised and ready to strike.She turned around, a crowing glint in her eyes. "Do you like my gown? Oh, I almost forgot… it's quite identical to the one you wore the last time, but I think this one is better."I stared at her, my gaze unwavering. Giving her the death stare wouldn't achieve anything. I needed to think, to find a way to escape this deadly game, or perhaps even fight for my life.She walked towards me, stopping a few steps away. "But yo
Cattleya’s POVThe rain had finally stopped, and I was starting to feel a little peckish. I headed downstairs, planning to grab a snack in the kitchen. But as I approached, I heard a loud crash. My heart lurched. Three figures, masked and menacing, stood frozen in the doorway.Panic rushed through me. I reacted instinctively, snatching a heavy vase from the counter and hurling it at them. The vase shattered against the wall, glass raining down. Then, like a ghost, Jaxon appeared. His gun barked three times, and the intruders crumpled to the floor."Ow!" I hissed, wincing as a sharp pain shot through my foot. Jaxon asked, "Are you hurt?" "I'd stepped on a shard of glass...." Jaxon rushed towards me, scooping me up in his arms. "We need to go," he growled, carrying me out of the house. Gunfire erupted behind us. It wasn't just three men. It was an ambush!He threw me into the car, buckling me in before sliding behind the wheel. "They found us," he said, his voice grim."I know,"
Cattleya’s POVHe put me above the table and pulled himself closer to me. He kissed my lips, then my cheek, and finally my forehead, staring into my eyes with such longing. He breathed softly and whispered, "You know how much I've waited for this…"I gasped and asked, "What do you mean?"He just smiled at me and continued. He kissed my earlobe, then down my neck, showering me with tender kisses all over my body. It sent a tingling sensation through me that I craved so badly.Then he took off his gray T-shirt. I gasped as I stared at his muscular body. Damn, what a body! I lay my back on the table, and he leaned in, kissing my lips again. He pulled me so close that our mouths and lips smashed together, driven by the longing we felt for each other.Then he caressed my neck down to my chest, making me almost moan aloud. He put his hand on my lips and said, "Moan out loud, baby..."He continued what he was doing, caressing my breasts more and more. Finally, unable to contain himself any l
Cattleya’s POVI awoke to the rhythmic drumming of heavy rain against the windowpane. Never had I imagined life could feel this peaceful, this utterly serene. I couldn't believe the man I'd yearned for, longed for with every fiber of my being, was sitting there, watching me sleep. I blinked slowly, a yawn escaping my lips, and murmured, "Did I sleep too long?"Jaxon smiled, the curve of his lips a breathtaking sight, and then he replied, "You passed out."I nodded, my heart pounding against my ribs. And I sat up in bed; the world still felt surreal, a dream I feared waking from. My gaze darted away, unable to bear the intensity of his gaze and the unspoken emotions swirling between us. I just couldn't help but sigh in relief. Then he said, "I… I only know you're my wife because my investigator proved it to me. The photos on the screen, everything about it, prove that you're my wife."My eyes widened. If this was all it was, if his feelings weren't genuine if he only recognized me
Cattleya’s POV"Catt, you should sleep, and we will face it tomorrow, okay?" Vlad said, leading me to my room. I couldn't help but hug him, saying, "Thank you for helping me."He was a little stunned when I hugged him. He tapped my shoulder, "Everything will be fine. I'm sure of it.""Thanks, Vlad," I said, kissing his cheek and locking the door. I only did that so that he would think my mind wasn't in a storm and that I would fall asleep tonight without thinking about anything. I took a deep breath and glanced at the window. I needed to know what really happened to Jaxon. I couldn't just leave him there with a group of people who betrayed him.I knew Vlad was working on it, but I had to take action before it was too late.I slowly opened the window, and the wind greeted me. I placed my hands on the railing and slowly climbed down without making any noise. Then I bit my lower lip when I saw Vlad talking to someone on the phone in the living room. I tried so hard not to be noticed by
Cattleya's POVMr. Salvatore glared at me as if he'd seen a ghost, then immediately pretended like he didn't know me, "Who the hell are you?"I chuckled softly. "Oh, you're just like your daughter. She pretended she didn't know me too. Alright, let me present myself again. My name is Cattleya Sullivan. The woman who died three years ago."Suddenly, Elise interjected, "It's Dylan's birthday, and I don't want you to ruin my son's birthday..." then she glanced at Jaxon. "How could you bring this woman here to cause some chaos?"Jaxon ignored her.And amid the crowd, I heard Grace's voice shriek. My first thought was that she'd escaped the mental hospital, drunk and disheveled. "Cattleya! Oh my god, it's been a long time! Y—You're alive! I thought you were dead?!" Then she laughed at her own joke. "Oh my god, maybe I was just seeing things. Are you a ghost?"And that's when Jaxon interrupted her, "Grace, do you know her?"Anthony arrived to stop Grace from talking. "Grace, what the hell a
Cattleya’s POV“What?! I didn't do anything wrong! She strangled me to death, Jaxon! This woman hurt me! You can ask your son! He saw everything!" Elise said while pointing a finger at me.She really wanted Jaxon to believe her, but I guess I really know my husband the most. By looking at it, he doesn't believe a single word that Elise just said."Did I just warn you not to hurt my employee? She's my new secretary, for the love of God, Elise. You always make this so complicated. And please, don’t drag Dylan into this. Don’t be so childish…." Then she shook her head and said one more time, "Jaxon—""Stop this, Elise. Get out of Cattleya's room now. I'll deal with you later," Jaxon said, opening the door wider.Elise walked out, her feet thumping against the floor. She looked furious, but here I am, my heart so flattered that Jaxon didn't believe Elise. I am so proud of my husband. Oh, damn, there he is, staring at me. Jaxon took a step closer and checked my arms and neck. My heart wa