It was a scorching day when Ellaya stepped out of her house, shielding herself with an umbrella. She looked effortlessly stunning in beige wide-leg high-waist pants paired with a matching crop top. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she made her way to the bus stop. This was her first time traveling alone on public transportation. “You can do it, Ellaya,” she whispered to herself, taking a deep breath as she boarded the bus. Although it was her first solo journey, she felt the comforting presence of her husband, Iden, who was always there to protect her. Smiling at the thought of him, she pulled out her phone to let him know she was on her way. It was a rule they had—she always informed him of her whereabouts. But just as she unlocked her phone, it abruptly shut down. Frustrated, she tried to turn it back on, but it was no use. Ellaya had a habit of neglecting her gadgets, often forgetting to charge them. With a sigh, she leaned against the window, watching the world go by. Whe
Ellaya nodded and wiped her tears as she stood up and left. She met the attentive doctor of Ava, and collected all the information. “Miss Stone. We are doing our best to help her wake up, but again, we are only doctors, not gods. You have to wait patiently,” the doctor advised gently. Ellaya nodded, feeling a mix of hope and helplessness. She wanted to pay for Mia’s medical expenses, but the doctor informed her that someone had already covered all the bills; it must have been her father. Without giving it more thought, she went to meet Mia next. “Doctor, how is she now?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. “We have treated her superficial wounds, but the wound on her soul is hard to treat. She isn’t talking or responding to anything. I can suggest a good psychiatrist,” the doctor replied with a concerned look. Ellaya nodded again and entered the room. Mia was sitting on her bed, staring at the wall and biting her lower lip. “Mia,” Ellaya called her name softly, but th
Ellaya’s heart raced as her mother’s harsh words reverberated through her mind. “Ella, stop deceiving yourself.” Her mother’s voice was a thunderclap, nearly bursting her eardrums. “I still remember how the doctor recoiled in fear when you were born, almost dropping you. Even as your mother, I couldn’t bear to look at you for months. I cried days and nights, thinking I had given birth to something inhuman. But since you are our only child, your father and I eventually accepted you. What do you think others will do? They can find countless beautiful women, so why would they choose you, Ellaya, unless they had some hidden agenda?” Mrs. Stone’s voice was icy and unyielding. “You are different, ugly, and frightening. Look at yourself.” She shook Ellaya roughly, forcing her to face the mirror. Already broken, Ellaya couldn’t muster the strength to confront her reflection. “You were only good at singing, Ellaya, but you ruined everything. You ruined us. Raising you was a nightmare, and I
Iden shoved his phone into his pocket, snapped his laptop shut, and yanked his car keys from the drawer. He stormed out of his office, with James scrambling to keep up. “Sir, you have a meeting in ten minutes,” James called out, clutching his file, his phone precariously balancing his glasses on his nose. “Cancel it,” Iden barked, adjusting his tie and coat, his pace unrelenting. “And the dinner meeting with the Japanese client in an hour?” James pressed, his voice tinged with desperation. “Cancel that too.” Iden’s steps faltered only at the elevator, where he jabbed the button repeatedly. “But sir, we’ve been waiting for this meeting for six months,” James stammered, his anxiety palpable. They had poured countless hours into securing this deal, with trips to Japan and sleepless nights. Now, on the brink of success, Iden was abruptly pulling the plug. James’s heart raced with unease. Iden jabbed the elevator buttons repeatedly. “Sir, the lift has been out of order since
Iden was preparing dinner while Ellaya perched on the kitchen island, her eyes following his every move. She watched the way he chopped vegetables, the concentration on his face, the subtle twitch of his muscles, and how his long, beautiful fingers gripped the knife. Even in casual sweatpants and a t-shirt, he exuded a magnetism that could make women kneel and beg for his attention. And here she was, the better half of this incredibly handsome man, wondering why he chose her among all the beautiful women out there. The hurtful words of her mother echoed in her mind, making her wonder if he would eventually get tired of her and shove her out of his life, just as her mother had predicted. The question raced through her mind like a wild wind, leaving her feeling vulnerable and uncertain. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. One harsh word from her mother, and here, her self-confidence shattered like a piece of glass. It had taken her years to piece it back together, and yet, o
She stood under the hospital building, its tall shadow stretching across the road. The setting sun cast a warm glow, brushing her face and sending a chill through her skin. As she moved forward, she rummaged through her handbag for her phone, her mind focused on getting home before Iden arrived. Over the past two months, she had visited Eva whenever she could, though Eva’s condition remained unchanged. She hadn’t visited her parents, still haunted by her mother’s harsh words. Lost in thought, she didn’t notice the figure approaching and bumped into them. Her phone fell, and she knelt to pick it up, apologizing. Her breath caught when she heard her name. She looked up, and a small, beautiful smile crept across her face as she recognized the voice. Ella… oh my god, is it really you?” The woman looked as beautiful and cheerful as ever. Ellaya stood up, clutching her phone. “Annabell, when did you get back?” Ellaya moved forward and hugged her tightly. It had been almost a year sinc
Iden held her trembling form, her sobs echoing in the quiet room. “Why? Why did you do this to me?” she cried, her voice barely a whisper. “Why did you marry her?” She clung to him, her tears soaking through his shirt. Iden stood there, speechless, as she poured out her heart. “Divorce her… come back to me… I can’t live without you.” The word “divorce” jolted him back to reality. He gently pushed her away, holding her shoulders to create some distance. His eyes softened as he looked into hers. Wiping her tears, he caressed her head tenderly. “Anna, stop crying. You know why I married her. Please, stop acting like a child and be strong, okay?” “You promised you’d never leave me. Then why did you marry her and not me? Tell me, Iden.” She wiped her tears with the back of her hands, shaking her head in despair. He grabbed her and bent down slightly, his voice firm yet gentle. “Anna, listen to me. I am not leaving you. You don’t have to be mad. Pull yourself together and be stron
"Iden I am sorry," she said in a whisper, calming his tormented spirit. He closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of her embrace, but his heart remained conflicted as to why he asked with a low voice. Her breath was warm, her presence was serene yet smoldering, and her head was resting on the back of his shoulders."I am not sure..."He shivered and felt his body jolt as her breath fanned his bare skin. I could feel that I was the reason you were upset. He drew her in front, encircling her narrow waist with his powerful arms. "I cannot bear the thought that you are hurt," he said, rubbing her wet face and pushing her hair back. He bent down and looked at her face, examining every inch of it. "It is killing me," his breath fanned her cold and wet lips and made her bare skin itch. He slapped his lips on her, intensifying their kiss. With his teeth brushing against her lips, his tongue vying for control, and his hands moving all over her body, he pushed her against the wall, ripped
**Trigger Warning** The chapters ahead contains depictions of attempted sexual violence, survival, and themes of trauma that may be distressing for some readers. Please prioritize your well-being and proceed with caution. If these themes are sensitive for you, consider skipping this chapter. _______________________________ With a crushed heart and shattered hope, Ellaya sank to the cold, damp floor, her hands obscuring her face as tears streamed through the cracks of her fingers. The muffled sobs echoed in the vast villa, heavy like the weight of betrayal pressing down on her chest. Around her, faces twisted into masks of indifference, some even smirking. Mr. Stone leaned casually against the arm of the chair, pushing the woman on his lap away lightly before rising, towering over Ellaya. Rosi, fists clenched at her sides, threw her arms up in frustration. "You were the one who supported her every whim! Look where it’s gotten her!" “Enough!” Mr. Stone's voice boomed through
Her heart pounded with every hesitant step as she crossed the threshold into the familiar yet suffocating house. The spacious, opulent rooms, once a haven, now felt overwhelming, almost foreign. The contrast between the house’s warmth and her cold, dripping body was jarring. Water pooled at her feet as droplets trailed behind her, evidence of the storm she had been through—not just outside, but within. Her damp dress clung to her trembling frame, her fingers clutching the fabric tightly, as if it could anchor her amidst the tide of fear and guilt rising in her chest. Her eyes swept over the familiar surroundings, each detail stirring memories that surged relentlessly. Some were fleeting moments of comfort, others sharp reminders of hurt. The pounding in her temples intensified as thoughts swirled—thoughts of how other children ran to their homes for safety, for solace, while she stood here, terrified of what lay ahead. This place, though grand and inviting, was never truly home.
Ellaya knelt on the rain-slick ground, her trembling fingers splayed across the jagged edges of the gravestone. The icy night wind lashed at her exposed skin, turning her hands numb as the cold seeped through her drenched clothes. Strands of her hair stuck to her tear-streaked face, the relentless downpour soaking her completely. The weight of despair pressed heavily on her chest, tightening with every ragged breath. Her sobs came in sharp, uneven gasps as the venomous words of the man she had once given her heart to echoed in her mind, relentless as a cruel melody. *“I regret meeting you. I regret marrying you—even if it was only on paper, even if it was for revenge.”* The memory of his voice was a knife, twisting and tearing through her already shattered heart. She had believed in him, in the love she thought they shared. Every touch of his hands had felt like a symphony, every word a promise of a future together. She had abandoned everything for him—her career, her family, ev
Ellaya knelt on the cold, damp ground, her fingers trembling as they traced the jagged edges of the gravestone. The biting wind clawed at her skin, its chill settling deep into her bones. Her hair, disheveled by the relentless breeze, clung to her tear-streaked face. The night wrapped around her like a shroud, heavy and unforgiving, as the venomous words of the man she once loved echoed mercilessly in her mind. *“I regret meeting you. I regret marrying you—even if it was only on paper, even if it was for revenge.”* Each word had struck like a dagger, cutting through her soul and leaving it raw and exposed. The love she had cherished so deeply now felt like poison, eating away at her. Once, her heart had found its rhythm in his presence, had felt safe in his arms. Now, it was nothing but a hollow vessel, incapable of anything but pain. He had destroyed her, ensured she could never love again—not him, not anyone. A sob tore from her throat, shattering the stillness of the gravey
Iden yanked the car door open and slid into the driver’s seat, slamming it shut with enough force to shake the vehicle. His chest heaved with suppressed rage, his jaw locked so tightly it felt like his teeth would crack. His fingers wrapped around the steering wheel, knuckles blanching as he gripped it hard enough to hurt. The engine roared to life, the growl of it mirroring the storm swirling inside him. Without hesitation, he slammed his foot onto the accelerator, sending the car flying down the road like a bullet from a gun. In the wing-mirror mirror, his eyes caught sight of her—Ellaya. She was curled up on the floor, her small frame swallowed by the darkness. Though her face was hidden, he could see it in the way she sat: her shoulders hunched, her arms wrapped around herself, her soul crumbling. Her despair hung in the air like a weight he couldn’t ignore. His chest ached with an intensity that made him want to scream. Instead, he muttered under his breath, voice hoarse, “Fuck,
She smiled faintly, her lips curving upward with a hollow defiance, as if to mock him. But her eyes—those haunted, shattered eyes—glimmered with a strange mix of resignation and rebellion. “Do it,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, yet weighted with sorrow. “I have nothing left to lose.” Iden’s jaw tightened at her words, the muscles twitching as if holding back a storm. His grip on her throat loosened suddenly, and she stumbled back, her hand flying to her neck as she gasped for air. The cold night air felt sharp against her skin, a cruel reminder of her vulnerability. Her knees wavered, but she steadied herself, trembling fingers reaching out to nothing but the empty void around her. Her heart pounded furiously against her ribs, each beat like a reminder of the betrayal standing before her. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them spill. She lifted her head slightly, her gaze falling on Iden—a man who no longer resembled the one she once loved. Hi
“I’m here to take you home,” Iden said, his voice warm, but his hand on her cheek was cold—a stark contrast to his words. Ellaya didn’t respond. She didn’t flinch. She just sat there, numb, too numb to react. It felt like a dream, fragile and fleeting. She was terrified to move, scared that if she did, the illusion would shatter, and he would vanish like smoke. “Laaya, say something. Anything,” he urged, his tone soft, almost pleading. It was the same voice she had fallen in love with, the one that once made her feel safe. A single tear slipped down her cheek, warm and lonely. Before it could fall, his thumb brushed it away, just as he used to. The familiarity of the gesture broke something inside her, and she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him. His embrace was strong, warm, and all-encompassing. For a fleeting moment, she felt secure, as though his arms could shield her from the cruelty of the world. “I haven’t done anything,” she whispered, her voice cracking under the
Ellaya was ushered into the stark, cold detention room and left alone. The only items in front of her were a water bottle and a crumpled packet of crackers on the table. Hours passed, but no one came to question her. The silence weighed on her like a heavy fog, thick and suffocating. She cradled her head in her trembling hands, her teeth sinking into her lower lip until the metallic tang of blood seeped into her mouth. Her chest heaved with shallow breaths as she sighed repeatedly, her body refusing to give in to tears, though her heart begged for release. She wasn’t just hurt—she was in shock, too numb to fully grasp the cruel reality of the situation. Iden’s words echoed in her mind, each syllable cutting her like shards of glass. Why would he frame her? He was her husband—Iden David—so why had they called him “Mr. Ruan”? Why hadn’t he denied it? Why had he stood there and condemned her with such conviction? Questions swirled violently in her mind, one crashing into the next, li
It had been weeks since Ellaya woke up. Though her physical injuries were healing, she seemed to be a shadow of her former self. She had shut herself off completely, retreating into a silent world where no one could reach her. Iden never brought up Uncle Richard, and she didn’t seem inclined to talk about him either. Their unspoken agreement to avoid the topic only deepened the growing chasm between them. Iden rarely visited the hospital, but when he did, he lingered outside her door, never stepping in for more than a brief glance. The once vibrant and animated Ellaya sat on the hospital bed one sunny morning, staring out of the window. The sunlight poured in, illuminating her frail figure. She had lost so much weight that her clothes hung loosely on her, and the dark circles under her eyes revealed the sleepless nights she endured. Her hands rested idly in her lap, motionless, and her lips trembled faintly, as though she wanted to speak but had forgotten how. Iden had seen many