As Ellaya descended the stairs, the gown trailing behind her, she vowed to defy fate. Love might be treacherous, but she would fight against cynicism, against her doubts. She would prove that even an “ugly face” could hold a heart ablaze. Ellaya stood beneath the stairs, gazing into the faces of people she had once thought of as family; but now, her family was merely using her as a commodity, without a thought for her. But it was her destiny; they never considered her anything more than a machine to earn money for them; she had no idea what her parents' love was; all she knew was how to earn, and they taught her well in this regard. Her senses snapped out of her reverie as she felt her mother's hand approach, telling her, "You look perfect; let us go; they are waiting." Ellaya nodded and got in the car; her dad was already there, using his phone to type something. Her mother commanded the driver while seated next to her. Ellaya twisted her waist and held her stomach in agony
Ellaya’s heart raced as she stood there, her entire world hanging in the balance. The dimly light corridor seemed to hold its breath. His eyes bore into hers searching for any sign of hesitation or doubt. "Are you sure you want this”, He asked, his voice low and intense. Ellaya mind raced. She had never been one to make impuseive decisions, but this, this was different. This was Iden-the man who had turned her life upside down, the man who had awakened desires she never knew existed. She noded , her resolve firm. "Yes”. She whispered. Her voice barely audible. She had left behind her career, her family, and her old life. She had no doubt about that. Iden face transferred. The hard lines soften, and smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He pulled her close, hugged her in his firm arms. Ellaya doubt melted away, replaced by desire and longing. She leaned into his embrace, feeling the weight of her decision settle over her . She could not imagine her parents' reaction to her sudden
Iden laughed looking at her face filled with anxiety. "Laaya, stop worrying about other people; nobody is going to bother us here." " They don’t live here with us?" Iden drew her in closer, put his head in her neck, and took a deep breath. Her face twisted as his hot breath tickled her bare skin. "Then where do they live?" She repeated her question. "Shh, not a word …" He silenced her whispering in her ear, putting a finger to her lips. He turned her, facing toward the mirror, a beautiful woman with purple eyes and radiant pink skin, hair tied in a bun staring at her. The man behind her was the most attractive man she had ever seen. He was incredibly attractive despite only having a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a low-hanging tie, along with black trousers. His words reverberated through the empty room as she nodded her head and grinned at him. "Perfect" after a pause he spoke again looking at his phone "You are the most gorgeous bride I have ever seen, he said
Ellaya rubbed her eyes and slowly opened them; morning light danced in the corners of her new bedroom, and a gentle breeze brushed against her cheeks. She sat up and the slik cover slipped off her body. When the cold air touched her skin, she realised what had happened the night before. Her face flushed red and a shy smile appeared on her lips as she looked around the room, but there was no sign of the man she had married. Her first night as his wife was nothing but romantic and beautiful. The shyness gave way to uncertainty and fear: what if Iden had left her alone in this unfamiliar house, and where would he go? Many questions arose in her mind, and she quickly wrapped the white silk cover around her breast and opened the room to find the answer. "I..iden.. where are you?" Looking around, she exited her room and descended the stairs. The house was very small, with only a few rooms and old furniture. The house was eerily quiet, as though no one was home. She looked around the livi
"I plead guilty." The courtroom was hushed, the air thick with anticipation. Ellaya Stone stood tall, her gaze unyielding as she uttered those damming words: The judge, a stern figure in black robes, raised an eyebrow."Ms. Stone, are you certain you do not wish to say anything in your defence?" Ellaya's lips curved into a sardonic smile "I, Ellaya Stone, accept responsibility for all of my crimes. As Mr Iden Ruan's personal assistant at Ruan Corporation, I stole and sold the company's proprietary information to the M&D group. I also poisoned Mr Alex Ruan, leaving him comatose." Her admission hung heavy in the room. The man opposite her, Iden Ruan himself watched her with eyes that held both anger and something deeper- a glint of melancholy. "Life in prison sentenced for Ms Ellaya Stone." the judge declared. Ellaya's pride remained intact as she extended her hands to be handcuffed, stepping alongside two police officers. But her gaze lingered on Iden, that mocking smile sti
In the dim moonlight, his breath hitched as he reached for the doorknob, fingers trembling. The wood groaned in protest and the door swung open, revealing a room steeped in memories. there, on the wall, a faded photograph captured a moment frozen in time: a radiant woman beside a man, their smiles etched into the paper. But an ache in his chest told a story beyond the frame. His knuckles whitened, clenched fists trembling like fragile birds. The room's air thickened, anchoring him to the floorboards. His gaze fixed on the photograph fading with age, But words eluded him trapped in his throat, a silent plea. "Ellaya," he rasped, the syllables etching pain across his chest. His trembling fingers brushed the frame, a whispered against time's canvas. The curtains swayed, revealing an emptiness that echoed through his chest. The photograph clung to the wall, sepia hues softening the edges of memories. She, radiant in lace, defied the years. He traced her counters the curves of her cheeks,
It's her, he exclaimed, his voice trembling as he threw her hand in the air and bolted from the cafe'. His eyes darted left and right, scanning the empty road. Just a moment ago, those doe-like purple eyes had locked onto his, but now she was gone-vanished into thin air. It couldn't be his imagination, right? Not another delusion. Ana burst out of the cafe', her face etched with concern."Iden... what's wrong?" He turned to face her, his expression hardening "Nothing," he murmured, hesitating, before taking her hand and pulling her away "Let's go." With determined strides, he led her away his mind racing. He couldn't afford to waste any more time or reveal anything. As they hurried off, a shadowy figure emerged from behind a large tree near the cafe'. She leaned against the tree, lighting a cigarette. With a single trough puff, half of it turned to ash, scattering into the air and falling to the ground.................................................................................
"You, what are you doing here" The woman jolted awake and shouted at the person standing at the door. The man at the door stepped forward, his face etched with worry. "She is back... She is back from prison." her heart pounded in her chest."How is that possible isn't she in the cell for life imprisonment? How could she possibly return? You must be mistaken." he shook his head, his expression resolute."No, my informant can't be wrong." His voice was steady, but his eyes betrayed his anxiety. With unsteady steps, he moved to the bed and wrapped his arms around the terrified middle-aged woman.She trembled uncontrollably, the breath coming in short, panicked gasped, Words failed her as the weight of he husband's revelation sank in. In the dark corner of the room, the woman in black sneered, her eyes glintered with disdain. She lurched away silently uninterested in the conversation behind her.She entered a vast library, the air thick with the scent of old books. Thousand of vol