Cattleya’s POV"Why are you helping me, Vlad?" I asked directly."Because I want to see your husband suffer when he sees me with you. I want him to step out as the mafia lord. I want to bring him down and end his reign in the organization," Vlad replied, his voice filled with genuine hatred.Vianne cleared her throat, her expression thoughtful. "Well..." she began.I turned to her, perplexed. "Vianne?"She nodded slowly. "I know everything. I know about your husband. I've had to keep a low profile, or my life would be in danger.""What are you?" I asked, confusion etched on my face."Catt, don't get me wrong. Yes, I worked for you as your secretary, but when you met Jaxon, my father knew him well. He's been involved with some very dangerous people. I saw him kill a man, cold-blooded. He's ruthless, without mercy. But when I saw you with him, everything changed. I saw how he cared for you, how gentle he was...""So, you're not just an ordinary secretary. You know some secrets about the
Cattleya’s POV I stared at him with pure hatred. I couldn't believe he'd fallen for Elise's trap. Did he even consider the possibility that she might be lying to him? Was he so desperate for a baby, an heir, that he'd choose a woman who could bear his child?I smiled bitterly. "Well, sign the divorce papers then. I don't want to hear anything more from either of you. Perhaps this is for the best for both of us. Because I've always known that you'd choose your world over mine. And I accept that...""Why don't you just stay with me?""Stay? With you? After you just admitted to impregnating Elise, you want me to stay with you? Are you out of your mind? I'm not that desperate to forget what you did, Jaxon.""I don't know what just happened between me and Elise. I was so drunk that I thought it was you, and then I woke up next to her…"I scoffed and rolled my eyes but my voice was shaking to the point I wanted to cry in front of him, "Yeah, same old story. All men say that to hide their i
Jaxon’s POVI heard Nikolai's pained groan echoing through the empty room, the man who destroyed my marriage and drove my wife away. If he hadn't kidnapped her, she might not have left. I know I've made mistakes, but I never meant to be so stupid. Yet, here I am, a fool who got drunk and impregnated another woman!Nikolai laughed, blood dripping from his cracked lips. "Are you done, Jaxon? Why don't you just kill me?!" he yelled.I sneered at him. "I'm so happy to have you here, Nikolai... even more happy to see you suffer than to kill you. I don't want you to see your dad yet. He's probably in hell right now, but I'm sure you'll join him soon."Nikolai spat on the floor, struggling to untangle the chains binding his feet. "Or maybe your parents are already there waiting for you. Why don't you just go first? It could be a family reunion..." he laughed, a sound that grated on my nerves.I stared at him, my gaze intense. If looks could kill, he'd be dead already.He smirked. "I'm sorry
Cattleya’s POVONE WEEK LATER,I dropped the hot coffee, sending it splattering across the floor. Then, my heart pounded as I listened to the news report. "Breaking News: The notorious drug lord, false identity as a good detective turned out to be the son of Don Marco Gambino. The police already have him in jail, and it's true that the authorities got all the evidence that Nikolai Gambino, also known as Nikolai Stone, working as a detective, is the man who killed Ariella Sullivan and kidnapped her twin sister, Cattleya Sullivan..."I couldn't believe my ears. Jaxon had already turned in Nikolai. But something was off about Nikolai. He couldn't talk or move his limbs. I scoffed, realizing Jaxon had done this to silence Nikolai, to prevent him from revealing the secrets of the High Table, the Crimson Circle.I turned off the television and settled into my remote Italian retreat. I wasn't running away anymore. I was tired of running. But I knew everyone would assume I had fled, and that
Cattleya’s POV“Jaxon…” I whispered his name softly, and he stared at me with worried eyes as if he wanted to shield me from Elise’s men.Fear seized me as I placed my hand over my baby bump and cried out in terror, “Please… no…”Jaxon’s gaze fell upon my stomach, his expression a mix of surprise and overwhelming emotion. He slowly turned to Elise, who looked terrified. “ELISE!” he shouted.Elise began to cry, “Jaxon…”As Jaxon drew his gun, every other weapon in the room turned towards him. They were all Salvatore’s men, and unfortunately, Jaxon was alone, outnumbered by three to five opponents. At any moment, we could all be killed.Elise scoffed suddenly, “Do you want Cattleya to die? Is that what you want?! Look at her, she’s also pregnant with your child, and I can kill them both right now if you don’t put your gun down!”Terror consumed me. I was more afraid of what the next few seconds would bring. Jaxon slowly lowered his gun, and Elise smirked creepily.“You can kill me, Elis
Cattleya’s POV"Catt, please... I know you hate me, and I understand why." "Stop it! You betrayed me!" I yelled at her. And she replied, "But I didn't have a choice. They threatened my life, and I was terrified. I tried to warn you about them, but it was too late. They found you before I could do anything!" I stared at her, pity in my eyes. I understood her fear, her desperation. We're all just human, trying to survive, to protect ourselves. Who could blame her for choosing life over death?"I was desperate, so I begged Vlad to help you. He's the only one who could save you, and it turned out I was right, you're here... alive..." Tears welled up in her eyes as she recalled the horror of that day. "I'm sorry, Catt. I was scared...." I was speechless. I understood her, but I couldn't trust anyone anymore. I looked away from her; maybe shutting her out of my life would be better. "I'm sorry, and I hope someday you can forgive me," she said, her voice filled with regret. Then she low
Cattleya’s POV"Yes," I whispered, barely loud. "I want them to know that the woman they tried to kill is alive and well, and that I'll bring them all to justice."Vlad smiled, "You're brave, Catt. But right now, you need to focus on yourself and your babies. They need you. Once they're born, healthy and happy, we can talk about revenge."I returned his smile, though it was bittersweet. He didn't know I was already plotting my revenge against those who tried to kill me and my babies and the man I loved, Jaxon. They had killed him that day, and now he was a changed man who wouldn't recognize me. But I would do anything to make him remember me, so he could exact payback on the Salvatore family for betraying him.THREE WEEKS LATER, I held the metal railing as I tried to breathe properly. The pain was excruciating, radiating through my entire body. I wanted to scream in agony. Labor had taken hold of me, and water was streaming down my legs. I crawled to grab my phone and called Vlad. L
Cattleya’s POVI crossed my arms over my chest, my gaze fixed on Vlad, who looked deeply concerned about the babies and the packed bags scattered around the room. It seemed he wanted to flee the city to protect my children from Jaxon and his minions."It's time to leave," he said, his voice firm.I stared at him, a frown creasing my brow. "You shouldn't have acted like that."He sighed. "I know. But we have to get out of here before those minions find out about you."And when I turned to the door, Vianne was there, her expression grave. "I've already called the private jet for you and the twins," she said.I gave her a weak smile. I knew this escape would lead to years of hiding, until the twins were safe from prying eyes. I took a deep breath and glanced at Vlad. "Yeah, we're ready," I replied."That's great. We need to go now," Vlad urged."I'll take Madison, and you take Matthew," I said softly to Vianne, who smiled at me. She was happy I was giving her another chance, but little d
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