In that instant, time seemed to stand still as he drew in a deep breath, the sound of her humming washing over him like a soothing balm. With a newfound resolve, he strode purposefully towards her, his every step filled with an urgent longing. She remained lost in her own world, unaware of his approach, her sweet melody filling the air around them. And then, in a sudden whirlwind of movement, he spun her around, his grip firm yet gentle around her slender waist. The flowers she had gathered scattered around them in a graceful arc, adding to the surreal beauty of the moment. Her feet left the ground as he lifted her effortlessly, her skirt billowing around them like a flurry of petals in the wind. And then, without warning, his lips met hers in a tender yet passionate kiss, sealing their connection in a moment of pure, unbridled emotion. inside, his heart soared with love and desire, knowing that in her arms, he had found his true home. The man she waited anxiously, the man who had
Iden’s self-curses echoed through his mind, a storm of regret and anger. " Fuck! What was I thinking?" he murmured again She wasn't an angel fallen from grace or a broken spirit. She was the siren, the seductress, who led Leo astray, shattered his pure heart without remorse. She was like a potent drug, that ensnared deeper with each touch, and Leo, innocent and naive, became her plaything; she twisted his emotions with her enchanting ways and reveled in her power, relishing in her control over him. Leo, once vibrant and alive, fell prey to her wiles. He succumbed to her allure, losing himself in her web until he was left broken and defeated, begging for release. In the end, he found solace in death’s embrace. Iden’s thoughts churned, grappling with the pain of witnessing Leo’s tragic downfall at the hands of this beguiling enchantress. The memories of Leo’s suffering haunted him, a stark reminder of the destructive power love could wield in the wrong hands. And could kill the m
Kaito, intense and focused, delivered the chilling report to Iden in the private sanctum of their high-end nightclub. “They struck again, boss. Thirteen of our own, gone. Our ship’s under threat for the third time this month,” he revealed, his voice low but urgent, eyes darting around the dimly lit room. Iden, a formidable figure exuding authority, absorbed the news with a steely gaze. His fingers drummed rhythmically on the polished mahogany desk, a subtle sign of his simmering anger. “And our armory hit once more last night. Second time in weeks,” he mused, his jaw clenched in silent resolve, the muscles in his neck taut. Kaito’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “Someone’s trying to undermine us while you’re away, boss. But they forget who sits beside the king.” His eyes burned with raw determination as he leaned forward, the dim light casting sharp shadows on his face. “I’ve held our ground", he fought in the shadows without a whisper to disturb his absence. The
The opulent hall sparkled under the shimmer of chandeliers, draped in luxurious silks and fragrant flowers. Every detail whispered luxury, while the wait staff moved with the grace of supermodels. The man in the grey suit commanded attention, his tall frame exuding a magnetic charm that outshone his surroundings. With piercing blue eyes and dark, tousled hair, he seemed to possess a beauty as rare as it was effortless. Surrounded by a group of admirers, he stood regal and poised, embodying the elegance of the Ruans. A middle-aged man approached, a genial smile lighting up his round face as he extended his hand. “Mr. Alex Ruan, happiest of birthdays to you. May you be blessed with health and happiness,” he greeted warmly. Alex’s handshake was confident, his smile genuine yet tinged with a hint of mystery as his gaze swept across the room. “Thank you, Mr. Williams,” he responded graciously, his eyes betraying a deeper contemplation beneath the surface. Suddenly the tension hung
The festivities were a whirlwind of energy and style, with music pounding through the air and dancers moving with electrifying grace. The tantalizing scents of exotic foods mingled with the laughter and chatter of the crowd. Flickering lights cast dramatic shadows, creating an atmosphere thick with anticipation and mystery. As the night wore on, the party’s allure only grew, each moment more thrilling than the last. The elegant melody wafted through the air a hush fell over the room as all eyes turned toward the woman in a stunning red gown. the soft glow of candlelight bathed her in a warm, inviting aura, highlighting her flawless features and accentuating the curve of her crimson lips. "Happy birthday, Mr. Ruan," she purred, her voice a sultry whisper that seemed to linger in the air like a tantalizing perfume. The long slit of her dress revealed a hint creamy skin as she glided towards him with an undeniable allure. Alex felt a magnetic pull as she approached, her presence
Ellaya sat perched on the kitchen island, a swirl of steam dancing above her bowl of noodles. The savory aroma enveloped the room, but her gaze was fixed beyond the window, where birds sang harmonies on a nearby branch. It was New Year’s Day, yet she found herself entrenched in solitude within her modest abode. Despite the bustling world outside, her own kin seemed distant, preoccupied with their own lives. Work used to be her solace, but today it only accentuated her loneliness. Lost in her thoughts, she pondered Iden’s absence. He had vanished without a trace two days prior, back from his overseas trip but still unreachable. As midnight approached, her attempts to reach him for a simple New Year’s greeting were met with silence—his phone stubbornly powered off. As she contemplated him, the heavy main door creaked open with a drawn-out groan, and in walked the very man who had been occupying her thoughts. His arrival brought with it an icy aura that seemed to permeate the room,
A tear slid down Ellaya’s cheek as memories flooded her mind. “Like you did two days ago?” she whispered, the pain evident in her voice. Her body trembled, and she looked away, unable to meet his gaze. He realized he had let his anger get the best of him, and as he felt the tension in his muscles ease, he gently cradled her face in his hands, his touch tentative as he drew her closer, his warm breath softly caressing her skin. “Don’t you dare lay a hand on me!” she screamed, her voice echoing through the walls, tears cascading down her cheeks like a waterfall of emotion. His jaw clenched, frustration flashing in his darkened eyes as he ran his fingers through his hair in a display of exasperation. “Ellaya, please. This is not the time to be irrational,” he growled, his voice laced with a tinge of impatience. But she refused to back down, her voice filled with a mix of hurt and anger. “You lied to me, Iden. And then you treated me like a whore. Do you even realize how much it
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
She jolted upright, her breath hitching, wide eyes darting around the dimly lit room. The door slammed shut behind her mother, the sound reverberating through the walls like a final, sealing sentence. Trapped. The air thickened, suffocating, filled with unspoken threats that coiled around her like invisible chains. Her mother’s voice echoed in her ears, sharp and unforgiving—but it was her father’s gaze that rooted her in place. Cold. Calculated. Promising that this was only the beginning. _"Mumma… what are you…"_, she choked out, but the words barely formed before— Rosi lunged. Her fingers twisted mercilessly into Ellaya’s hair, yanking hard enough to send bolts of pain slicing across her scalp. "You bitch!" The venom in Rosi’s voice sent ice through her veins. "I told you to listen to your father, didn’t I?" Spittle flew as she spat her fury, words trembling with rage. "You dare come back after abandoning us? After throwing your childish tantrums?" The air between t
**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