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
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
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
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.
The courtroom was suffocating in its silence, the weight of anticipation pressing against every breath. Even the fluorescent lights seemed sharper, more unforgiving, casting stark shadows across Ellaya Stone’s face. She stood tall—spine straight, chin lifted—but her eyes burned with something beyond defiance. Pain. Exhaustion. Resignation. Then, she uttered those damning words: “I plead guilty.” The gasp wasn’t just a sound—it was a ripple of disbelief, swallowing the room whole. The judge, wrapped in his black robes, leaned forward, his gaze steady but edged with scrutiny. “Ms. Stone, are you absolutely certain you wish to say nothing in your defense?” A sardonic smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Not joy. Not regret. Just a quiet bitterness, something worn thin with time. “I, Ellaya Stone, accept responsibility for all of my crimes.” Her voice was steady, but the sadness beneath it ran deep—like water pressing against cracked glass. “As Mr. Iden Ruan’s pers
The buzz of his phone dragged him from oblivion, sharp and insistent, like a wasp stinging him back to life. He groaned, clutching his pounding head, the taste of regret bitter on his tongue. The screen’s light seared his eyes, but he answered anyway—out of reflex more than intention. “Kai,” he croaked. His voice was shredded. “What is it?” “Where the hell are you, Iden?” Kai’s voice was raw, urgent. “I’ve been calling you all night. What the fuck is going on?” “What could possibly be so important,” Iden growled, voice jagged, “that I can’t have one night to myself?” Kai’s laugh was cold. Dead. “Your wife turned herself in this morning.” The words were simple. But they detonated inside him. He didn’t breathe. Didn’t blink. Just… broke. His hand tightened around the phone like it might hold him together. “What?” It came out strangled. The forest swayed around him, uncaring. Trees moved with the wind, indifferent to the fracture inside him. The ground shifted, unreliable und
Ellaya walked forward, the wind lashing at her like invisible claws, tugging at her tattered dress—ghostly fingers urging her forward... or trying to hold her back. She flinched as thunder roared above, a deafening snarl that vibrated through her bones. A flash of lightning lit up her face, casting her features in a pale, sharp glow—one second of clarity in the suffocating darkness of the haunted night. Her legs trembled beneath her, each step sending a sharp, searing pain through her foot. Blood oozed from an open wound, mixing with the dirty puddles beneath her, leaving behind crimson trails like silent cries for help. But it wasn't the pain in her body that mattered. It was the wound in her soul. That was deeper. Far crueler. The heinous act that had shattered her into unrecognizable pieces clung to her like a second skin. Her face twisted with fear and anguish, etched permanently with the scars of betrayal. Her muffled sobs, raw and aching, echoed behind her, swallowed
"Please let me go…. Please, I am your daughter", Ellaya's plea rang in the room as her so-called father threw himself on the bed, clutching her hands tightly and attempting to kiss her. She kicked and scratched him on the face protecting herself. " Fuck. You bitch", he slapped her. Richard gripped her legs tightly. "Help… help .. mumma please help ..."she plead again and again. She retorted, "Fuck you bitch, you deserve it," She yelled as she sat on the couch and began polishing her nails as if watching a television drama. "You know what, Ellaya? Her soul was deeply wounded by her father's filthy remarks, "I always wanted to rip your clothes and make you feel good, baby girl." She wanted to hurl it in his face as her stomach roiled. For his own daughter, how could a father think this way? She shook her head, "No.. no.. please." Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she was crying and sweating but still fighting. The grip on her leg was cutting into her skin. "Now be a good g
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