Cattleya’s POV"Let me open the wine first," I whispered, smiling at him and pushing him down on the bed. "I bet you'd like to drink some wine...""Yes, please..." he said.I went over to the table, opened the wine bottle, and poured the wine into the glass. Yesterday, I messed around with the wine and mixed it with something—a sleeping pill that had enough drugs to make him feel sleepy and dizzy in just five minutes. I sat on his lap and handed the glass to him.He gulped down the wine in his throat. As I began to strip down, his eyes followed my every move, a mix of desire and lust. Then he leaned forward, his hand reaching out to my shoulder. And his breath was hot against my skin as he whispered, "You're so beautiful..." His gaze lingered on my face, and he couldn't resist the urge to touch my lips gently. "Can I kiss you?" I couldn't believe the man before me. This Jaxon was so different from the one I'd met. His sincerity and genuineness made me feel like a terrible person.
Cattleya’s POVAfter what happened between us that morning, I was so exhausted I didn't want to get out of bed. I was lying around aimlessly, but then I realized that I had to get up, or else I wouldn't do anything today. Staying in bed and being unproductive was not part of my plan!I got up from bed, combed my hair, and cleaned myself. After that, the butler called. I picked up the telephone and said, "Yes?""Miss Cattleya, would you like some brunch? We prepared something delicious for you...""Thanks, Mr. Cooper. I'm coming," I said as I put down the telephone.I walked outside, wearing a big robe just to cover all the kiss marks Jaxon left me this morning.The maid greeted me with a warm smile. She put all the meals on the table, along with my favorite tea with milk. Then Mr. Cooper handed me my tablet so I could read the news."Thank you," I said softly and sipped my Masala chai.And he said, "What a nice view, isn't it?"I looked up and saw that it was a beautiful day. Unlik
Cattleya’s POV"I don't know why I'm here," Nikolai replied, his voice trailing off. He looked lost, his breath heavy with alcohol, and his eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn't slept for days. His curly hair was tangled, but it didn't diminish his charm. All the maids in the villa would peek at him through their windows.He was just my private investigator, but we quickly became friends, as if we could sense each other's pain."Did you drive here just to tell me you don't know why you're here?" He chuckled softly, "Sorry..." "You're drunk, Nikolai. Give me your key, and I'll drive you home," I demanded, extending my hand.Nikolai suddenly pulled out his car keys from his pocket and handed them to me with a smile. "I apologize," he said. "This was unprofessional. You're my client, and here I am at your doorstep, looking for you for no reason. I have nothing to say, Cattleya..."I gently pushed Nikolai into the front seat, closed the car door, and then turned around to sit in the dri
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 POV"I don't understand why you're acting this way, Catt! I've been looking for you for weeks. Why are you divorcing me all of a sudden? Did I do something wrong? Did I upset you? Did you hear something bad about me? Tell me… maybe I can explain it better," he said, his voice pleading for a second chance. I noticed his shoulders shrugging nervously because of my sudden decision until he shook his head and asked, "Cattleya, did something happen? Did that bastard do something terrible to you? Did he touch you?"I gulped softly and shook my head. "No, Jaxon. You heard me, right? I want a divorce. That's it. We're done."He clenched his jaw, his fists balling up in anger. "You don't love me anymore?! After everything we've been through, you're just going to throw it away? And now that you're here with me, you're asking for a breakup?"I looked straight into his eyes and nodded. "Yes."“I don’t believe you…” he said as he stepped back and pursed his lips, then he turned his back
Cattleya’s POV"No. But why are you doing this to me? Why aren't you hurting me? Why?" I asked, my heart filled with doubt, confusion, and a nagging worry that perhaps he had ulterior motives. I felt safer with him, but trust had become a foreign concept."You remind me of my wife, my late wife. She died in a car accident, eight months pregnant with our child," he confessed, his voice trembling. "I don't want that to happen to any woman, not even the wife of my enemy. I only want to see him suffer by not seeing you."I gasped, stunned by his revelation. I had no idea he was carrying such pain. Despite his good intentions, my heart ached for my husband, Jaxon. But the safety of the child growing within me took precedence, a bitter truth I couldn't ignore.He turned away without a word and fled to his room. And I sat in the corner, lost and anxious, unsure of what to do.Then, suddenly, the door from his room opened, and he approached me. "If you want to see him again, just say so. Then
Jaxon’s POV"I saw her... in her grave..." Grace muttered. Then she laughed so hard she cried. The nurse took her after I pushed her away. "Get rid of her..."Anthony showed up. "This is not okay, Jaxon! Don't hurt my sister!""Grace is sick!" I said.Suddenly, Anita stormed in. "You're just Fred's nephew. Just because Fred gave you permission to be our guardian doesn't mean you should send my daughter to a mental hospital!"I sneered softly. "I have so many things to do, especially looking for my wife for so many weeks now! And all of you questioned my authority? Then be it, I'm no longer taking care of this family. All of you can do whatever you want!" Then, I turned my back on them.Anthony tried to call my name. "Jaxon..."Then Anita said, "Just let him go, Anthony... he's mad."I walked outside with a dismayed expression and puffed a cigarette. I remembered how Cattleya hated the smell of cigarettes, so I threw it into the trash can and cursed silently, "Damn it, where are you, C
Jaxon’s POVI've been missing her for days. I miss her so much. Everything about her makes me think of where she is now. And where did Nikolai take her? If I ever see that bastard's face, I swear to God, I'm going to end his life with a lot of suffering."Jaxon, you haven't even touched your food. Are you alright?" Elise asked as she took my spoon and took a spoonful of food. Then she said, "If you're thinking about how to find her, how can you think better if you're not eating any food?"I stood up, fixed my necktie, and said, "Elise, why are you still here? Didn't I just tell you I don't want you here? I have a wife, and you can't serve me as if you're my wife."She scoffed, "Really? I'm only worried about you, Jaxon. Why are you overreacting? And of course, I've been part of your family ever since I was a kid, and I became your fiancée before that woman arrived in your life.""Elise, I know your point. But she's missing now and nowhere to be found. Can you be so considerate about t
Vlad Fernandez’s POV "Who is this woman?" I asked as soon as I arrived at my penthouse. She had been delivered an hour ago. That foolish Don Marco thought he could bribe me with a woman to distract me from his mountain of debt.My secretary said, "Her name is Cattleya Sullivan, the billionaire heiress. That's all I know for now. I'll dig up more information for you, sir."I tossed my coat to the floor and said, "Get out."He left immediately, closing the door softly behind him.She has brunette hair and porcelain skin, then she slowly moves her weak limbs. She opened her eyes, looked around, and gasped in shock when her gaze landed on me. "Who are you?" she asked.I smirked and repeated her question, "Who are you?"She rolled her eyes at me. Hmm, a bit of an attitude, I thought. Perhaps she was a spoiled brat from a wealthy family. She then got up from the bed and sighed nervously. "Please, help me...""You ask a stranger for help?" I asked softly, staring at her.As she stood up, sh
Cattleya’s POV“What the fuck is the problem?” Nikolai asked his minion in frustration.The man replied, “Sir, your father just landed. He’s here…”Nikolai’s eyes widened, and he glanced at me, “Take Aubrey with you, hide yourself from my father.”I was confused at first, and then I obeyed him. I walked outside to take Aubrey, but I was paralyzed in my feet when the old man was already carrying Aubrey in his arms. He was smiling at her, and my heart trembled in nervousness as I whispered, “Oh, it can’t be.”And Nikolai stepped outside. His face mirrored my own shock. He gasped as he watched his father talk to his secret daughter. Then, with a visible effort, he composed himself and approached his father with a forced calm. “Father, you’re here. What a surprise! Why didn’t you tell me you were going to visit… us?”Then the old man slowly put Aubrey on the ground and his gaze landed on me. Then he said, "Oh, she's here too? Long time no see, sweet precious, Cattleya."I didn't smile back
Cattleya’s POVI stayed in my room all night, overwhelmed by the shocking revelations. I was worried for Aubrey, knowing she had a father who was a danger to her. Nikolai was ruthless and capable of killing without remorse. Being alone with him, the nanny, and the guards filled me with fear. I knew that one wrong move could cost someone their life, as Nikolai wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.He was truly insane!I heard a knock on my door, gasping in fear as I stared at the shadow beneath the door.Then I heard his voice, "Catt, why don't you come downstairs and eat with me? You haven't eaten anything since we got here. It's time for you to eat some food, right?"I breathed softly, "I don't want to eat.""Do you want me to break this door and drag you out of your room? Don't test my patience, Catt," he threatened.I took a deep breath and sighed, getting up from my bed and walking to the door. I glared at him with pure hatred, "I'd rather eat nothing than stare at you while I'm e
Cattleya’s POV"Are you happy now?" I glared at Nikolai, and he just smiled at me with a proud grin."Of course, I'm really happy. Our family is complete now. I want Aubrey to have a mother, which is you, Cattleya," he said.I was a little confused and asked, "What do you mean by that? Noah is the real father of Aubrey, not you..."He laughed at me, his expression turning serious. "Oh, sorry if I fooled you again. I'm not the real father of Aubrey. That's why I didn't do anything wrong to your parents' lives, because they got my daughter. I tried so hard to hide Aubrey from everyone, from my father, because I knew her life would be in danger.""What?!" I exclaimed, shocked. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "What are you talking about?!"Aubrey stirred in my arms, and I handed her to the nanny. I glared at Nikolai, his lips curved into a playful smile. I grabbed his wrist and pulled him to the back of the house. Before he could say anything, I slapped him hard across the face. "I
Cattleya’s POVI've shut my heart and withdrawn from life for over a week now. It's been like spending eternity in the dark, but I feel I need more time to recover from everything that's happened.I took a deep breath, staring out the window at the maids and guards going about their days. I remained trapped in my own sadness and life's drama, and I couldn't shake the feeling of wreckage.A knock sounded at my door, my mother's voice cutting through the silence. "Honey, Jaxon's here. Do you want to come down?"I glanced at the door, my breath catching in my throat. "No," I whispered. A few minutes later, the door creaked open. "Mom, I don't want to see him yet," I muttered.Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed through the room. "Baby, it's me."I froze, my eyes wide with surprise, as I turned to face him. "H-Hi," I stammered.Jaxon stepped into my dimly lit room, his gaze sweeping across the chaotic space. The drawn curtains and the air of melancholy were suffocating us, but he remained