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.
**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
The courtroom was thick with anticipation, the silence pressing down like a weight on everyone present. Ellaya Stone stood tall, the faint glow of fluorescent lights casting sharp shadows on her face. Her shoulders were squared, her chin slightly lifted, but her eyes burned with defiance as she uttered those damning words: *“ I Plead guilty.”* A collective gasp rippled through the room. The judge, an imposing figure wrapped in flowing black robes, raised an eyebrow, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “Ms. Stone, are you absolutely certain you wish to say nothing in your defense?” A sardonic smile curled at the corners of her lips. It wasn’t a smile born of joy but one laced with bitterness. “I, Ellaya Stone, accept responsibility for all of my crimes.” Her voice was steady, each word sharp and clear. “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, lea
In the dim moonlight, his breath faltered, each inhaled shallow as his trembling fingers hovered over the doorknob. The metal was cold beneath his touch, biting into his skin as though it could sense the storm raging inside him. The wood groaned in protest as he turned the knob, and the door creaked open, revealing a room steeped in shadows and memories. There, on the far wall, hung a faded photograph—a moment frozen in time. The radiant woman in lace smiled beside a man whose pride seemed etched into his face. Their joy, once vibrant, now bled into muted sepia tones. But the ache gripping his chest told a story no photograph could capture. Iden's knuckles whitened as his fists clenched at his sides, trembling under the weight of emotions he couldn’t contain. The air in the room thickened, pressing down on him, anchoring him to the floor as his gaze stayed glued to the photograph. Words formed and dissolved in his throat, a silent plea that refused to take shape. When he finally
“It’s her,” Iden exclaimed, his voice trembling as he threw Ana’s hand aside and bolted from the café. His chest heaved, his eyes darting left and right, scanning the empty road. Just moments ago, those doe-like purple eyes had locked onto his, freezing him in place. But now, she was gone—vanished into thin air. His heart raced, his mind spiraling. It couldn’t be his imagination, could it? Not another delusion. Ana burst out of the café, her heels clicking against the pavement as she rushed to his side. Her face was etched with concern, her brows furrowed. “Iden… what’s wrong?” He turned to her, his expression hardening like stone. “Nothing,”he murmured, his voice clipped. Hesitating for a moment, he grabbed her hand and pulled her away. “Let’s go.” With determined strides, he led her down the street, his grip firm but distant. His mind raced, thoughts colliding like waves in a storm. He couldn’t afford to waste time or reveal anything—not now. As they hurried off, a shadowy figu
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 glittered 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. Thousands of
The morning light seeped through the obstinate trees, their leaves swaying gently in the breeze, droplets of dew glimmering like precious gems under the soft kiss of the sun. Birds flitted from branch to branch, their songs weaving through the air, distant yet soothing. In the white-painted hospital room, the curtains shifted lazily, revealing fleeting streaks of sunlight that stretched toward the figure lying motionless on the bed. His closed eyes fluttered twice at the distant murmur of voices. Iden’s heavy lids parted, revealing dark eyes clouded with confusion. His gaze drifted upward, meeting the blank, sterile expanse of the white ceiling. His chest rose and fell unevenly, the stiffness in his neck sparking a dull, persistent ache. “What… What am I doing here?” His voice cracked, each word clawing its way from his dry throat. He ran a hand across his face, feeling the roughness of fever-chilled skin. The pounding in his head mirrored the disarray of his thoughts. James steppe
The man in the hospital ward scrolled through his phone, his silver-grey eyes narrowing slightly. Those eyes—the sharp blend of angelic grace and devilish intensity—seemed to pierce through whatever they landed on. Even in the simple hospital gown, he exuded an authority that demanded the world’s obedience. Iden Ruan rose from the edge of the hospital bed. The clean, minimalistic lines of the room seemed to bow to his commanding presence. His frame, towering above six feet three, moved with a predatory elegance. Muscles rippled beneath the fabric, their angular definition hinting at raw power. A strong jawline, cut as if by a master sculptor, framed a mouth that was both cruel and inviting, while strands of black hair shimmered faintly under the morning light streaming through the window. In less than fifteen minutes, Iden had washed away the residue of rest, dressed in a perfectly tailored coat, and was walking briskly out of the ward. His movements were calculated, the click of hi
**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