"Speak, you bastard!" Iden's grip tightened around the man's jaw, a tempest of rage and confusion swirling within him. Kaito's eyes widened in disbelief, the shock of the situation washing over him like a cold wave."We sent...," the man gasped, his voice strained under Iden's relentless hold. As Iden's fingers dug into his cheeks, he finally withdrew his hand, leaving the man gasping for breath."We sent him to abduct the girl..." The words hung in the air, heavy with malice."What was her name?" Iden interjected, urgency lacing his voice as if he were racing against time to confirm the horror that gnawed at his insides."Ellaya... Ellaya Stone, the rockstar. Everything was going perfectly according to our plan... We sent him as her bodyguard to lure her in with false love, then kill her parents and seize her properties. She was a rising star, a prize worth bidding for.""Bidding... girl trafficking..." The words tasted like poison on Iden's tongue, a visceral fury igniting within hi
Ellaya’s search through the empty streets yielded no signs of life. Desperation gnawed at her, urging her to try his office. What if he was still there? Her legs moved almost of their own accord, each step a battle against the storm of doubts and fears raging within her. The relentless rain soaked her to the bone, but she pressed on, driven by a flicker of hope. Hours later, she arrived at her destination, only to have her hopes dashed once more. The building stood shrouded in darkness, devoid of any sign of life. She stood there, drenched and defeated, her eyes red-rimmed. Her white dress once pristine, clung to her body like a shroud, a stark contrast against the darkness of the night. The wind howled mournfully, tugging at her drenched hair and chilling to her core. Tears mingled with the rain as she looked up at the lonely building, the droplets casting elongated shadows that danced around her like ghosts of forgotten promises a silent sentinel in the cold, dark night. Her leg
In the heart of the vibrant nightclub, amidst the thumping music and animated conversations, Iden sat ensconced on a luxurious velvet sofa, a drink in hand. Neon lights danced across his face, painting it with a kaleidoscope of colors as he savored each sip, his gaze wandering over the lively crowd. In that moment, he seemed a world apart, lost in contemplation amid the pulsing energy of the room. His mind wandered to the woman drenched in rain, crouched on the cold pavement. Her eyes, brimming with worry, were searched for him, her concern piercing through the storm. He had read her message repeatedly until his phone died, unable to respond. Yesterday was their wedding anniversary. He knew how excited she was; she must have spent the entire day in the kitchen, preparing his favorite dishes and decorating their cozy home. He had plans too. He had ordered the most exquisite diamond ring in the world, custom-made just for her. He hadn’t called or wished her because he wanted to surp
As the weight of his thoughts bore down on him, the plush sofa sank under his burdened frame. The pulsating beats of the club reverberated through the air, a stark contrast to the storm brewing within him. Kaito’s voice cut through the haze of music, delivering news that should have ignited a spark of triumph. “We got the deal,” Kaito announced triumphantly, thrusting the signed document into Iden’s hands. The paper, a symbol of their hard-fought victory, felt heavy in Iden’s grasp. Yet, he merely glanced at it with a detached expression, the mask of indifference firmly in place as he took another sip of his drink. The amber liquid burned down his throat, but it did little to thaw the ice encasing his heart. Kaito, ever the observant friend, noticed the lack of enthusiasm. “Thinking about your high-and-mighty wife again?” he needled slyly, his eyes darting around the room, searching for a distraction from the palpable tension.The club’s patrons were a blur of movement, laughter,
Iden received a call from his mother last night inviting him to a family dinner at one of New York's most upscale hotels. When he arrived, he realised he had been tricked again. "Mom, I told you I don’t want any of these ridiculous blind dates,” Iden said, frustration evident in his voice.The girl he met was overly made-up, wearing a dress too short to hide anything. It was clear she was there for a blind date, but her attempts to seduce him were painfully obvious. He was tired of his mother setting him up without his consent. “But why not? You’re not getting any younger. I want my grandchildren before I die,” his mother insisted. Iden was packing his luggage, talking while he folded his clothes. Blind dates and marriage when he already had a woman waiting for him. He found the whole situation absurd. "Mom, who knows if he’s already married and hiding his wife from us?” Kai, the troublemaker, chimed in. Iden shot him a glare, but it was futile. Kai was never one to be intimidate
Two months had passed, and Iden was still away. Each morning, the alarm’s harsh beep signaled another day of solitude for Ellaya. She moved through her routine mechanically—fixing breakfast, tidying up, and doing laundry—accompanied only by the hum of the washing machine and the clatter of dishes. The once vibrant house now echoed with silence, a stark contrast to the lively conversations and laughter it once held. Opening the store, Ellaya sighed heavily, realizing it was time to restock. With Iden’s absence came the absence of funds, forcing her to dip into her savings. An anxious frown creased her brow as she retrieved a packet of rice. It had been two days since she last cooked, but feeling her strength wane, she opted for a simple meal. Living a middle-class life for a year had been manageable, but now, the harsh reality hit her. Financial constraints forced her to be mindful of every expense. She meticulously planned the household budget, ensuring every penny was accounted f
"What have you done?" Iden's voice rumbled low, his fist crashing onto the dining table with a resounding boom that silenced the entire restaurant. The mask of calm he habitually wore cracked, revealing a storm of emotions beneath. His brows knitted tightly, eyes flashing with intense fury, and the creases on his forehead etched deep with seething rage. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you hadn’t told her about the trip,” Annabell’s voice quivered with regret, her eyes darting around the room as if seeking an escape. “I really am sorry.” "Why did you have to call her?" His voice rumbled, resounding through the restaurant and capturing the attention of everyone present. Ignoring the curious glances, he focused solely on the repercussions of her actions. Emotions clashed on his face—anger sparking like lightning in his eyes. "Pay close attention. You stay away from her. Understand?" Leaning in, his words were sharp as his breath lingered heavily between them. His gaze penetrated hers with
As the day melted away into dusk, her heart smoldered with a fiery mix of anger and betrayal. Each second dragged on, a taunting reminder of the man who had abandoned her to face life’s storms alone. Despite her frustration, a flicker of unwavering trust lingered deep within her—a trust reserved for the man she cherished above all. She imagined him basking in sun-kissed escapades on distant shores, surrounded by strangers, as if she were a forgotten memory. The urge to unleash a tempest of accusations and sorrowful cries clawed at her insides, yet an invisible thread tethered her to the belief in his love. No video or photo could sway her steadfast heart from its loyalty. As twilight settled over her world, she stood on the edge of an emotional storm, torn between the agony of doubt and the enduring flame of love for a man whose shadow now loomed large over her fractured heart. Refusing to dwell on the same thoughts and act like a damsel in distress, she decided to do somethin
Iden's muscles rippled with each thunderous blow against the punching bag. His skin glistened with a sheen of sweat, accentuating the defined contours of his body as he unleashed his fury. With every punch, a torrent of emotions surged through him, driving him to the brink of madness. As memories flashed before his eyes, Iden's jaw clenched, his teeth grinding together in a symphony of rage. The image of Ellaya, bruised and broken, haunted his thoughts, igniting a fire within him that threatened to consume everything in its path. Her innocence, juxtaposed against Alex's depravity, fueled the inferno raging in his heart. In that moment, Iden teetered on the edge of oblivion, his vision tinted crimson with an insatiable thirst for vengeance. The image of Alex professing his twisted affections for Ellaya was the catalyst that pushed him over the edge. Only Kaito's intervention spared Alex from Iden's wrath, but the embers of retribution still smoldered within him. Iden's body moved w
Alex sprawled on the car's hood, a whirlwind of motion and violence overtaking him, his senses reeled from the sudden impact. Blood trickled from his battered lips, mingling with the cuts etching his face as he was mercilessly dragged along the unforgiving metal surface. Each breath felt like a struggle, his body a symphony of pain, every heartbeat a drum of fear. Then, a voice sliced through the chaos, heavy as iron, dripping with anger. "How. Dare. You." The words seeped out like venom, laced with a potent wrath that chilled the air. And then, louder, angrier: "How dare you touch her." The weight of those words settled upon Alex like a crushing weight, realization dawning on him in dread. Iden's movements were swift and menacing as he brandished his gun, the cold metal pressing against Alex's trembling form, a macabre dance of power and submission. Alex's eyes widened in horror, his very soul quivering with fear. Amidst this turmoil, Ellaya stepped forward, her presence a wh
Ellaya stood at the kitchen counter, her knife rhythmically slicing through the vegetables. The sudden buzz of her phone broke her concentration. She wiped her hands on a towel and glanced at the screen. Another message from Alex. It had been a week of relentless texts and calls, like a bee obsessively hovering around a flower. She had even spotted his car lingering near her house multiple times. She sighed, feeling a mix of irritation and unease. Alex’s persistence was unsettling, especially given her husband’s possessive nature. She didn’t want to ignite any misunderstandings. Last night, she had bought flowers from the supermarket, hoping to expedite the process of creating the perfume and end this unwanted attention. The message read: “Hey beautiful, hope you’re not too busy and hungry. Lunch today?” Ellaya’s grip tightened on her phone. She never felt comfortable around Alex; there was something off about his gaze, something that made her skin crawl. She considered tellin
Ellaya lay in bed, her eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling as the moonlight cast eerie shadows across the room. Iden’s warning echoed in her mind, a relentless whisper that refused to let her rest. His possessiveness was suffocating, yet his distance was even more perplexing. Why did he keep her at arm’s length while guarding her so fiercely from other men? Was it mere coincidence, or was there a divine hand at play? She turned on her side, clutching the pillow tightly, her body tense with unease. Every time she met or talked to Alex, her phone would ring, and it would be Iden, as if he had a sixth sense about her interactions. It felt like he was always there, lurking in the shadows, watching her every move. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, her skin prickling with the sensation of being observed. Ellaya sat up abruptly, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward off the chill that had settled in her bones. The more she th
In the stillness of the night, Ellaya sat perched on the balcony,alone under the cold, indifferent gaze of the moon. The howling wind whipped through her hair, sending shivers down her spine, echoing the turmoil within her heart. Her slender neck stretched upwards, legs folded beneath her, and arms wrapped protectively around her knees. A solitary tear trickled down her cheek, vanishing amidst the strands of her hair. More tears cascaded down her cheeks, mingling with the shimmering moonlight as if even the heavens wept for her sorrow. A wistful smile adorned her lips, as if in recognition of a familiar ache. Why did misfortune always seem to find her, especially in matters of the heart? From her childhood, she yearned for the warmth of her parents’ love. As an only child, she never experienced the tender embrace of parental care. Instead, she was merely a source of financial gain for them. Her journey with music began when most children embarked on their school adventures. El
In the private room of his nightclub, Iden sat rigidly in front of his laptop, a storm brewing within him. His gaze, cold and intense, remained fixed on the screen, every muscle in his body tensed with barely contained fury. As he observed Alex's every move with Ellaya, a deep scowl creased his forehead, his jaw clenched so tightly that he tasted blood from biting his inner cheeks. The air crackled with tension as Alex reached for Ellaya's hand on the screen. In response, Iden's grip on the glass in his hand tightened involuntarily, the pressure causing it to shatter with a sharp, echoing sound that mirrored the fracture in his own composure. He slammed his fist onto the table, the impact making the laptop tremble violently, scattering files around like fallen leaves. Around him, his men sensed the shift in atmosphere, their murmurs barely registering in Iden's furious haze. His eyes blazed with an intensity that bordered on madness, his nostrils flaring with each ragged breath.
Ellaya tore through the drawers, her movements frantic and eyes wild with frustration. “It’s not here!” she shouted, her voice sharp with urgency. Annabel, clutching her hands in pain, winced. “Check the other drawer or the table,” she gasped, tears brimming in her eyes. Ellaya’s desperation grew with each passing second as she scoured every corner of the room. “I can’t find the brown file anywhere!” she cried, glancing at Annabel, who sat on the sofa, fists clenched, tears streaming down her face. Suddenly, Ellaya’s eyes locked onto a drawer beside the table. Determination ignited within her as she yanked at the handle. “It’s locked,” she said, her voice seeking reassurance. Annabel nodded, her expression a mix of pain and resolve. “Try 12042004,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Ellaya’s heart skipped a beat at the familiar date. With a mix of surprise and apprehension, she entered the numbers. The drawer slid open smoothly, revealing the coveted file inside. It
Ellaya sat on her patio, bathed in the warm, golden light of the setting sun. Her fingers traced the words of a novel, but her thoughts were far away with Iden. The breeze tugged gently at her hair as she savored the mingling scents of coffee and blooming flowers. A sudden, sharp honk shattered the peaceful moment, causing Ellaya to startle. Her brow furrowed with determination as she rose from her seat, each step towards the door brimming with tension. Could it be Iden, who had promised to return in three days but had been absent for a month? whenever she called he was always busy and never replied back. She pushed open the heavy metal gate of her home, only to be met by the sight of a crimson Ferrari gleaming in front of her modest abode. Car idling outside, its engine humming softly. The luxurious car seemed out of place in her humble neighborhood. "Darling, step inside. I have a surprise for you," she ventured onto the porch, her gaze locked with the visitor's, a blend of
The doctor left the room, but Iden remained, sitting on the floor beside her, clutching her hand as if it were his lifeline. His eyes bore into her, heavy with a mix of anger and sorrow. Her breath was steady, her chest rising and falling rhythmically. She looked so innocent, almost childlike. His heart ached, refusing to believe she was the same woman who had shattered Leo’s life. But the evidence was damning. He threw the medicine into his mouth, filling with mouthful of water. Rising from his position, he moved to sit beside her, his movements deliberate and tense. He bend over, his fingers gently gripping her cheeks, forcing her mouth open. With a desperate urgency, he pressed his lips to hers, pushing the medicine and water into her mouth. Ellaya coughed violently but he saw her managed to swallow. She remained still, her eyes closed. Iden stood up abruptly and left the room, his footsteps echoing in the silence. .................... Ellaya awoke to the soft glow of the m