“If you agree to a 15% profit, sign the document. If not, leave my office right now, Mr. Cooper,” Iden said, unlocking his phone and typing something. With a thud, Iden threw the file on the table. The man opposite him glanced nervously at his associates, rubbing his hands and chewing on his lower lip. “But Mr. Ruan, we agreed to a 50-50 profit split,” he protested. “It’s okay, Mr. Cooper. If you don’t want to sign the document right now, I can still work on the land we agreed on without losing a single cent to you. Fifteen percent is a fortune you earn from the Ruan Corporation. Fifteen percent profit is even more than fifty percent from other companies, so it’s not a loss for you to work with the Ruans,” Iden replied calmly. Mr. Cooper cocked his head and glanced at the man sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, sipping his wine. His body shook involuntarily, and beads of sweat slid down his forehead as his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. He stretched out his hand, took
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
Ellaya's world was in turmoil. Each day felt like a storm, with every moment echoing Iden's absence. His silence wrapped around her like a suffocating shroud, leaving her gasping for answers. Desperation gripped her as she dialed his number, only to be met with the deafening void of unanswered calls. Seated before a mirror, Ellaya gazed at her reflection. The woman staring back had eyes like amethyst orbs, wide and hauntingly deep. Cascading waves of dark hair with a mystical purple sheen framed a face that defied convention. Her complexion, a delicate shade of baby pink, hinted at otherworldly origins. In the mirror's gaze, she saw a being that transcended mere humanity. It was a face marked by whispers of ancient power and forbidden allure. Inside, emotions roiled—anguish, defiance, and a fierce longing for acceptance. Her form spoke of a silent struggle against judgment and isolation. The reflection before her was not merely a woman; she was a paradox. In her mother's words, a d
Ellaya's mind raced, unable to shake off the unsettling sight in the study. Despite the disbelief tugging at her thoughts, her heart felt heavy with a truth she was reluctant to accept. Lost in her turmoil, she stared intently at the table, her grip on the spoon tightening as it dug into her plate. "Ellaya," Annabell's urgent voice pierced through her thoughts, causing her to startle. The clatter of her spoon hitting the floor echoed in the tense silence. Ellaya reached down to retrieve it, her gaze lifted, only to catch Iden gripping Annabell's hand forcefully. A surge of emotion gripped Ellaya as she witnessed Annabell's futile attempt to free herself from his grasp, the unshed tears burning in Ellaya's eyes, threatening to fall down. She wiped away the tears with a trembling hand as she sank back into her seat. Uncertainty clouded her mind, yet one thing remained clear; her heart refused to believe in this cruel charade. Their eyes met in a silent clash of wills, both refusin
"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
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
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
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
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
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
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