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
"Iden I am sorry," she said in a whisper, calming his tormented spirit. He closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of her embrace, but his heart remained conflicted as to why he asked with a low voice. Her breath was warm, her presence was serene yet smoldering, and her head was resting on the back of his shoulders."I am not sure..."He shivered and felt his body jolt as her breath fanned his bare skin. I could feel that I was the reason you were upset. He drew her in front, encircling her narrow waist with his powerful arms. "I cannot bear the thought that you are hurt," he said, rubbing her wet face and pushing her hair back. He bent down and looked at her face, examining every inch of it. "It is killing me," his breath fanned her cold and wet lips and made her bare skin itch. He slapped his lips on her, intensifying their kiss. With his teeth brushing against her lips, his tongue vying for control, and his hands moving all over her body, he pushed her against the wall, ripped
"I plead guilty." The courtroom was hushed, the air thick with anticipation. Ellaya Stone stood tall, her gaze unyielding as she uttered those damming words: The judge, a stern figure in black robes, raised an eyebrow."Ms. Stone, are you certain you do not wish to say anything in your defence?" Ellaya's lips curved into a sardonic smile "I, Ellaya Stone, accept responsibility for all of my crimes. 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, leaving him comatose." Her admission hung heavy in the room. The man opposite her, Iden Ruan himself watched her with eyes that held both anger and something deeper- a glint of melancholy. "Life in prison sentenced for Ms Ellaya Stone." the judge declared. Ellaya's pride remained intact as she extended her hands to be handcuffed, stepping alongside two police officers. But her gaze lingered on Iden, that mocking smile sti
In the dim moonlight, his breath hitched as he reached for the doorknob, fingers trembling. The wood groaned in protest and the door swung open, revealing a room steeped in memories. there, on the wall, a faded photograph captured a moment frozen in time: a radiant woman beside a man, their smiles etched into the paper. But an ache in his chest told a story beyond the frame. His knuckles whitened, clenched fists trembling like fragile birds. The room's air thickened, anchoring him to the floorboards. His gaze fixed on the photograph fading with age, But words eluded him trapped in his throat, a silent plea. "Ellaya," he rasped, the syllables etching pain across his chest. His trembling fingers brushed the frame, a whispered against time's canvas. The curtains swayed, revealing an emptiness that echoed through his chest. The photograph clung to the wall, sepia hues softening the edges of memories. She, radiant in lace, defied the years. He traced her counters the curves of her cheeks,
"Iden I am sorry," she said in a whisper, calming his tormented spirit. He closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of her embrace, but his heart remained conflicted as to why he asked with a low voice. Her breath was warm, her presence was serene yet smoldering, and her head was resting on the back of his shoulders."I am not sure..."He shivered and felt his body jolt as her breath fanned his bare skin. I could feel that I was the reason you were upset. He drew her in front, encircling her narrow waist with his powerful arms. "I cannot bear the thought that you are hurt," he said, rubbing her wet face and pushing her hair back. He bent down and looked at her face, examining every inch of it. "It is killing me," his breath fanned her cold and wet lips and made her bare skin itch. He slapped his lips on her, intensifying their kiss. With his teeth brushing against her lips, his tongue vying for control, and his hands moving all over her body, he pushed her against the wall, ripped
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
“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