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.
In the stillness of the night, Ellaya sat perched on the balcony,alone under the cold, indifferent gaze of the moon. The howling wind whipped through her hair, sending shivers down her spine, echoing the turmoil within her heart. Her slender neck stretched upwards, legs folded beneath her, and arms wrapped protectively around her knees. A solitary tear trickled down her cheek, vanishing amidst the strands of her hair. More tears cascaded down her cheeks, mingling with the shimmering moonlight as if even the heavens wept for her sorrow. A wistful smile adorned her lips, as if in recognition of a familiar ache. Why did misfortune always seem to find her, especially in matters of the heart? From her childhood, she yearned for the warmth of her parents’ love. As an only child, she never experienced the tender embrace of parental care. Instead, she was merely a source of financial gain for them. Her journey with music began when most children embarked on their school adventures. El
Ellaya lay in bed, her eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling as the moonlight cast eerie shadows across the room. Iden’s warning echoed in her mind, a relentless whisper that refused to let her rest. His possessiveness was suffocating, yet his distance was even more perplexing. Why did he keep her at arm’s length while guarding her so fiercely from other men? Was it mere coincidence, or was there a divine hand at play? She turned on her side, clutching the pillow tightly, her body tense with unease. Every time she met or talked to Alex, her phone would ring, and it would be Iden, as if he had a sixth sense about her interactions. It felt like he was always there, lurking in the shadows, watching her every move. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, her skin prickling with the sensation of being observed. Ellaya sat up abruptly, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward off the chill that had settled in her bones. The more she th
Ellaya stood at the kitchen counter, her knife rhythmically slicing through the vegetables. The sudden buzz of her phone broke her concentration. She wiped her hands on a towel and glanced at the screen. Another message from Alex. It had been a week of relentless texts and calls, like a bee obsessively hovering around a flower. She had even spotted his car lingering near her house multiple times. She sighed, feeling a mix of irritation and unease. Alex’s persistence was unsettling, especially given her husband’s possessive nature. She didn’t want to ignite any misunderstandings. Last night, she had bought flowers from the supermarket, hoping to expedite the process of creating the perfume and end this unwanted attention. The message read: “Hey beautiful, hope you’re not too busy and hungry. Lunch today?” Ellaya’s grip tightened on her phone. She never felt comfortable around Alex; there was something off about his gaze, something that made her skin crawl. She considered tellin
Alex sprawled on the car's hood, a whirlwind of motion and violence overtaking him, his senses reeled from the sudden impact. Blood trickled from his battered lips, mingling with the cuts etching his face as he was mercilessly dragged along the unforgiving metal surface. Each breath felt like a struggle, his body a symphony of pain, every heartbeat a drum of fear. Then, a voice sliced through the chaos, heavy as iron, dripping with anger. "How. Dare. You." The words seeped out like venom, laced with a potent wrath that chilled the air. And then, louder, angrier: "How dare you touch her." The weight of those words settled upon Alex like a crushing weight, realization dawning on him in dread. Iden's movements were swift and menacing as he brandished his gun, the cold metal pressing against Alex's trembling form, a macabre dance of power and submission. Alex's eyes widened in horror, his very soul quivering with fear. Amidst this turmoil, Ellaya stepped forward, her presence a wh
Iden's muscles rippled with each thunderous blow against the punching bag. His skin glistened with a sheen of sweat, accentuating the defined contours of his body as he unleashed his fury. With every punch, a torrent of emotions surged through him, driving him to the brink of madness. As memories flashed before his eyes, Iden's jaw clenched, his teeth grinding together in a symphony of rage. The image of Ellaya, bruised and broken, haunted his thoughts, igniting a fire within him that threatened to consume everything in its path. Her innocence, juxtaposed against Alex's depravity, fueled the inferno raging in his heart. In that moment, Iden teetered on the edge of oblivion, his vision tinted crimson with an insatiable thirst for vengeance. The image of Alex professing his twisted affections for Ellaya was the catalyst that pushed him over the edge. Only Kaito's intervention spared Alex from Iden's wrath, but the embers of retribution still smoldered within him. Iden's body moved w
Iden's footsteps echoed softly in the dark hallway as he made his way to the bedroom, his heart heavy with a mixture of guilt and tenderness. The air was thick with silence, broken only by the hushed rustle of his movements. As he turned the doorknob, a sense of trepidation gripped him, unsure of what he would find inside. The moon cast a haunting glow into the now clean room, illuminating Ellaya's form like an ethereal specter in the night. Her peaceful slumber seemed at odds with the turmoil that had unfolded earlier, her face a mask of innocence marred by the evidence of her silent suffering. Gently, he approached her, his presence a mere whisper in the stillness of the room. He carefully sat on the floor beside her bed, his gaze fixed on her pale face. The sight of her tear-stained cheeks and delicate features stirred a storm of emotions within him. He reached out and tenderly brushed her hair away from her face, revealing the faint traces of a cut on her lips and the bruise
"I demand to know, Ellaya," Iden growled, his voice thick with seething jealousy. The day's events were a blur, but his wife's subconscious whispers of another man's name gnawed at him as she slept, leaving him burning with rage. His grip tightened around her chin, pulling her closer, his eyes ablaze with fury. She quivered, unable to meet his intense gaze. "Tell me... who. Is. Leo?" he demanded, with sheer anger and hurt. Her voice wavered as she tried to respond, "I don't... I don't... know," she stuttered, the fear evident in her eyes. The frustration boiling inside him spilled over. He flicked her chin with a mocking smile. His heavy gaze scanned her for the last time before storming out of the room, leaving behind a tense silence. Ellaya was left alone, the echo of their confrontation ringing in her ears. She folded her legs close to her chest, wrapping her arms around them as tears streamed down her face. The room echoed with her sobs. Her body shook violently and her hear
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
Iden walked in, hands shoved deep in his pockets, his eyes darting between Ellaya’s face and the man sitting on her bed. His footsteps were slow and deliberate. His expression was cold, void of any emotion, as always. The man’s gaze tracked Iden with narrowed eyes and a stoic demeanor. Iden paused near him, then turned to look at Ellaya, who seemed transfixed on her husband, like a deer caught in headlights. “Will you not introduce me to him, puppet?” the man asked, his voice dripping with condescension, a grin plastered across his face. Iden chewed the word puppet under his breath as his brows knitted. As if jolted from a trance, Ellaya flinched at his words and shifted her gaze from the Iden to man then again, man to Iden . “He… is Iden he... is my h... husband,” she stammered, licked her dry lips, her voice shaking, tears glistening in her eyes. Iden observed her with a mix of curiosity and concern. He had seen every expression on her face, but never fear—now, she looke
Iden leaned back, a devilish grin spreading across his face, eyes sparkling with malice. “This is for thinking about my woman the wrong way, Alex,” he sneered, his voice smooth yet laced with venom. “And for the girls whose lives you ruined.” Alex's breath quickened, panic flaring in his chest as he clutched his neck, feeling the warmth of the poison seeping into his veins. “You son of a bitch,” he gasped, desperation coursing through him. “You can kill me, but not him. He would never let her go, never.” His voice faltered, each word strained as the poison began to tighten its grip. Iden froze for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he locked onto Alex. Kai and Annabel spun around, concern etched across their faces. Iden moved in close, gripping Alex's hair tightly, forcing him to look up. “Who is he?” His voice was low and menacing, a growl that sent shivers down the spine. Alex, however, just grinned defiantly through the pain, his eyes sparkling with defiance. Iden lifted him
Annabel twirled the pendrive between her manicured fingers, a sly smile curving her lips as she leaned closer. “Is this what you were talking about, sweetheart?” she purred, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. She crouched down, her fingers brushing against Alex's cheek, sending a shiver down his spine. Alex’s eyes widened in disbelief, a storm brewing within him. “Fucking bitch,” he growled, his voice low and menacing. Anger radiated off him like heat waves, and he clenched his fists, knuckles turning white. “I knew you were a fucking traitor! I knew you were just putting on an act to get close to me.” A cruel laugh escaped him, echoing around them, sharp and bitter. “I should have killed you after I… after I fucked you that night.” He paused, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air, his chest heaving with rage. “But wait, it was my damn mistake. I wanted to kill both of you together.” His eyes fixated on the pendrive again, narrowing suspiciously as if it he
The hand under his trembled slightly, her eyelashes flicked. Iden's body stiffened, rigid, and his heart throbbed violently. He clenched his hand, his eyes focused on her. Her eyes weren't focused, but she slowly opened them and tried to say something. "Laaya," he whispered. Finally, the tear he had been holding back fell down his cheeks, and he didn't even realize it. "Iden," she spoke softly. Her eyes were still not focused and fluttered twice before she finally shut them again. "Ellaya," he called out, his voice laced with panic. The doctors rushed in. "She... she just opened her eyes," he said anxiously, gently rubbing her hand. "Don't worry, Mr. Ruan. She's out of the coma now," the doctor reassured him. Iden exhaled deeply, nodding silently, his gaze fixed on her pale face and the steady rise and fall of her breaths. Every passing moment felt like agony to him. Guilt, a sensation foreign to him until now, gnawed at his insides, tormenting him with every breath. At
Iden returned to the hospital, his clothes clean and looking noble and handsome, as if the accident meant nothing and was just a passing moment. But the scrapes on his knuckles hinted at a fierce battle he had fought, as if he had gone through hell and back. He pushed open the door, and the sight still stung his eyes, hurting him like hell. His footsteps were light on the floor as he approached her bedside. Sitting down beside her, his fingertips touched her. She was pale and warm against his skin, still unconscious, still in a coma. He caressed her cheeks, noting the bandages on her head and the faint marks of several small cuts. "I am sorry, princess. I should have done better," he whispered, his voice cracking with sheer emotion. He had beaten the shit out of the person who caused her condition, but the flame in his heart still burned fiercely, and he knew why. If only he had not allowed her to sit in the car and wait for her death. If only he had never left. But he knew th
Ellaya was taken to the emergency room, leaving Iden waiting outside, surrounded by doctors and nurses. He was injured and still bleeding but was hell-bent on not getting treated until he was sure she was mended. "Iden, you need to wrap up your wound first," Annabel said, clasping his shoulder and squeezing lightly to ground his lost soul. Iden sat on a chair, his fingers clasped together, head hung low, legs spread apart. His shirt was dyed with red and dark blood, not only his. He was amidst a quest for revenge, yet here he was, tortured by the woman he sought vengeance upon. His eyes flicked toward the operating room, and his fingers tightened. His lips stretched in a straight line, and his eyes were bloodshot. The cold metal gate stared back at him as if mocking him. Inside, Ellaya was surrounded by doctors and nurses. Each moment stretched like an eternity, piercing him like a knife cutting through his very soul. Kaito stood in the corner, arms folded, eyes fixed on his brothe
Iden gently lifted Ellaya out of the wreckage, holding her close as he carried her away from the burning car. Ellaya felt delicate and weightless in his arms, her skin warm to the touch. Despite the searing heat from the flames, Iden pressed on without hesitation. His sole purpose was to ensure Ellaya's safety. Ellaya, can you hear me?" he gasped, his voice trembling with fear and anxiety as he hurried to a safe distance, Annabel right beside him. His heart raced in his chest as he rushed away from the burning wreckage, holding Ellaya close. Each step felt like a race against time, every movement fueled by desperation and a fierce resolve to save her. Ellaya's body seemed so delicate and weightless in his arms, her skin radiating warmth against his own. Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, meeting his gaze with a hint of recognition before gently closing again. "Stay with me, Ellaya," he murmured, his words thick with emotion. "Please, stay with me." Tears welled up, clouding
Sitting rigidly in the car, Ellaya watched in horror as her husband, holding her best friend, jumped out, leaving her utterly alone in the speeding vehicle. Her face lost all color, and her body shivered uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her cheeks like raindrops, and her grip tightened around the car seat as fear crept into her bones, sending chills down her spine. Her fingers trembled as she grabbed the handle of the car door, contemplating jumping out to save her own life. But as if something shifted within her, she dropped the idea. She retreated, folding her legs to her chest and hugging them tightly, hiding her face between her knees as if shielding herself from impending harm. She felt cold and numb, her mind unable to process anything but her past—her abusive and manipulative parents, her struggles in childhood to live a normal life, her desperate craving for parental love, and then Iden, who had entered her life like a sweet melody. Everything had seemed surreal at th