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"Lilith? What’s happening?” Lilith sighed, “My brother did something to the car’s tire…” The car screeched to a sudden halt, startling me. I watched in shock as Leo slammed his fist on the steering wheel, his gaze darting between me and his sister.Seconds later, he climbed out of the car, yanked his sister out, and handed her to the waiting guards."Lilith, you're so stubborn! If you don't get out of my way, I'll kill the most important person in your life..."Lilith's face contorted with rage as she stomped on Leo's foot. "You f***ing jerk! I wish you weren't my brother! Get away from me!" Then she glanced at me, "Sorry, Cattleya. I did what I could to help you."I shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes. "It's okay...." The guards then escorted her away, pushing her into another SUV until she was out of my sight."You, come with me or I'll shoot you in the head!" Leo said after taking a deep breath while staring at me.I attempted to clasp my hands together, bu
Jaxon’s POV I carried the woman who had always been in my mind for three days, my heart pounding with anxiety. The weight of her unconscious body in my arms was a constant reminder of the danger she had faced.I phoned an ambulance, my voice trembling as I explained the situation. The doctors rushed her into the operating room, and I waited outside, pacing back and forth, my mind racing.I caught a glimpse of Nikolai in the hallway, his face engraved with worry.He approached me, his voice barely a whisper. "I want to stay here." "You must leave now," I said.He shook his head, his voice rising. "No, I will not leave her again. You have put her life in danger, and I cannot afford to lose her due to your irresponsibility!""I already gave you a chance to see her," I replied, my voice filled with anger. "And you won't touch or talk to her again!"Nikolai scoffed. "Really? Trust me, if she wakes up, she'll look for me. I'm her trusted friend now, remember that!""What makes you think
Cattleya’s POV"Cattleya, you had a miscarriage. I'm so sorry," the doctor said, his head bowed.I glanced at Jaxon, who remained silent. His expression seemed a bit disoriented as I stared at him for a long moment.After the doctor checked my pulse and everything else, he scheduled an appointment with the ob-gyn and then left the room.Tears began to stream down my face. I didn't understand why it felt like a part of me had been ripped away into pieces. "Why does it have to be like this? I know I'm not ready to be a mother, but I would... I would perfectly accept the baby with open arms because she belongs to me. She belongs to me..." I said, my voice cracking and raspy, my heart heavy from the sudden loss I never expected."I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for what happened. I was too late... I failed to protect you," he said, his voice filled with pain.I shook my head. "No, it was all my fault... I didn't know I was pregnant. I was too careless. I... I lost our child..."Jaxon pulled me c
Cattleya’s POV"What the hell is she smiling about?" I muttered under my breath, closing the curtains with a heavy sigh of anger.Was she smiling because something terrible had happened to me? Of course, she might be. After all, she was my husband's ex-fiancee, and that something must have made her day even happier.I sat in my wheelchair, biting my lower lip. Overthinking things like this wouldn't help; it would only worsen things.I rolled the wheelchair to the side table, picked up my phone, and called my mom. She answered quickly, her voice soft. "Oh, honey, what's wrong? You called? Do you want us to come there? Or do you want to be at the villa so I can take care of you?"I shook my head and clicked my tongue. "No, Mom. I'm okay. I just miss you... Did Grandma call?"She sighed deeply. "Well, my last vacation didn't go well. Your grandma has Alzheimer's and dementia. She's not well, Catt. I'm sorry..."I bit my lower lip, trying to calm myself. I closed my eyes and said, "Ok
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