The toy...My eyes widened as I stared at his beautiful face, partially lit by the disco lights. His eyes bored into mine, quickening my heart. For maybe three seconds—maybe more—we stood staring at each other as though it were a contest—the first to look away fails. The bright lights, and the loud music around me—all quickly disappeared into oblivion. And as usual, my weak heart disappointed me, and I averted my gaze.Damon gripped my hand, and my pulse rate hiked. Warmth, one I needed not to feel, traveled from my point of contact to my heart, offering delusional comfort. I struggled to release myself from his grip, but his grip tightened, and he pulled me closer, our bodies mere inches apart. I breathe in his cologne.His warmth.Damon yelled, “Follow me.” He turned around and pulled me, paving the way among the crowd with his tall, broad physique.Leading me into a private room. The silence relieved me from the raging sound from the previous spot. The neon light that decorate
The toy...Stretching on the bed, I yawned. I noticed Damon wasn’t on the bed. I reached out for my phone to check the time, and it was 10 a.m. He’d probably gone to work. The regret I anticipated last night came rushing in. I sat on the bed—my knees to my chest—already weak and tired.“Morning sunshine,” Damon greeted, leaning shirtless on the door frame. My body jerked and my gaze shifted to him. My eyes lingered on his body, admiring every contour of his sculpted body. Quickly, I turned my face away as I felt my face turn crimson and hugged my body tighter.“Breakfast is ready; come on.” Damon pulled me from the bed and led me to the kitchen.I settled in the dining room, and he sat next to me. The butler placed the breakfast—pancakes, omelets, and hot dogs—before us.Damon opened the juice, filled my cup, and then dug into his food.Slowly, I stuffed my mouth. My thoughts were still heavy in my mind. Every action, every glance, and every accidental touch only immersed my heart
The CEO . . My eyes were glued to my phone, barely paying attention to the man rambling on in what felt like a completely pointless meeting. All my messages were left unread, and I couldn’t fathom why she insisted on me calling her Aria. What was wrong with Binky? I scoffed, my brows knitting together. "Mr. Wesley," the data analyst called out, his chin held high and a tiny smile on his lips. "What do you think about the project?" he asked. I didn’t need to listen to him fully; from the start of his presentation, I could already tell it was trash. Yet, he seemed to think he had delivered something groundbreaking. "Trash," I called out. His eyes widened and his smile faltered. I leaned back, wrapping my fingers around each other. "I said it's trash. He blinked, looking taken aback. "May I know why sir?” He questioned, stuttering. I sighed, shaking my head. "Firstly, your data analysis is all over the place. You didn't even consider the most recent market trends. And your pro
The toy..My phone's incessant pinging grated on my nerves, fueling an annoying heat in me. I stared at the screen as expected; it was Damon. Every three hours, he’d blow up my phone with calls and texts. I put the phone in silence and hid it beneath the pillow.The shower stopped, and Eliana came out, a towel tied around her body. “If you don’t do something about it, he’s going to keep disturbing you.” She had been staying with me for some days now. I sighed and turned restlessly on the bed. “Better still, block him.” Eliana sat on the bed.I rose to a sitting position.Thoughts of Damon crossed my mind. The bed carried so many memories. I dug my fingers into the bedsheet. A part of me wishes Lucy never showed me the diary; I should have continued living in the delusion—I was happy.A bloody war was going on in me—me wanting to let him go, the other begging him till he accepted me. None seemed easier. Eliana burst into laughter. “When did you become such a reckless romantic?” Sh
The CEO..The air was always thick around the house, but it was much thicker today. Maybe it was because my father’s voice was sharper than usual. With a deep inhale, I opened the door and walked in. My footsteps echoed, merging with the pounding of my heart—how I hated this house.I nearly bumped into Lucy. Her eyes were filled with panic. My expression hardened; I already knew what was about to happen.In the living room, my father sat on a single couch, four hefty men standing behind him, each gripping a bat, an iron pipe, and a steel rod. I sighed, the sight all too familiar, and braced myself for yet another confrontation.My father cleared his throat, his voice laced with disappointment. "Why do you keep wavering between being a failure and a Wesley? Is this perhaps the consequence of weak blood flowing through your veins?”I stood there without a word.With a cold, disdainful gaze, he continued, "Lucy has told me everything. You even left the house. Damon, I thought you would
The CEO..It was barely up to two weeks, and she was already back here—the hospital. I sat on the chair outside the emergency room. My heart pounded in my throat, and my sweaty palms clasped together. My eyes widened, and I froze as they rolled my Binky out of the emergency room. She lay on the bedside trolley, her pale face barely visible under the oxygen mask. Blood seeped into the bandages around her head and her clothes.Tracy covered my eyes with her hand. “You don’t have to see her,” she advised.I pushed her hand away. “I need to.” The medical team surrounded her. Their urgent movement knotted a tie in my stomach.“We need to take her to the surgical theater,” the doctor stated.I scurried behind them and gripped one of the nurses. “What’s happening?” I asked with a strained voice.“Severe head trauma, possible internal bleeding. We need to operate on her immediately.” The nurse walked away, her words tightening my throat. I smacked my forehead again and again.Tracy caugh
The CEO...My chest tightened as my heart pounded panic into my system. Desperately, I battled with the rope. I had to be set free; I had to protect her. Each futile attempt only led to rope digging deeper into my skin and blisters forming on my skin.“That’s not going to happen,” Tracy stated her voice firm. The clicks of her heels against the floor mingled with the tension. “He’s coming with me.”“How’re you going to do that?” He inquired. My father’s tone mocked her. “Last time you abandoned him.”Another tension brewed between them. Hatred, anger, and pain filled the air; no wonder it was always thick.Tracy inched closer and stared up at him, her gaze unwavering. “You see, Williams, everyone has changed; you are the only one still stuck playing god in your delusional world.” Her demeanor changed completely; it was cold. My father flinched at her words. His throat visibly tightened. “Tracy,” he yelled, but it sounded different—not the way he yelled my name when I disappointed h
Aria (15 years old)..I scurried upstairs, my heart dancing in my chest. My eyes fell on Ariel sitting on her bed, cuddling her teddy bear, her eyes fixed on a book.“Guess what,” I stated, jumping on her bed. Ariel forced a smile. “Did she agree to buy you a diary?” She questioned.“Yes,” I yelled. “Well, I did everything She told me to do.” I pouted. “Get a diary too,” I blurted.Ariel’s gaze shifted to meet mine. “What would I write about?”“Are you serious?” I sprang up from the bed, throwing my hands in the air. “You can write about anything—your day, your crush, and things you don’t want to tell anyone. Secrets,” I suggested. Ariel’s expression morphed as her lips curled downwards. “Anything I can’t tell anyone.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to stop telling you things. I don’t need a diary—I have you.”My face reddened and I turned my face away as she turned her attention back to the book she was reading. “What are you reading?” I jumped on her body, and she winced. I
Lucy pov ...Amidst the lush greenery, the breeze sung a calm song to me. I sat on the bench watching other patients. They were all crazy. I scoffed and skimmed my hands on my patient outfit. I turned and faced Logan, who arrived a few seconds later. “It’s been ages.” Logan smiled. “I wanted to get red roses, but you said you love yellow flowers." He handed me a bouquet of yellow roses.I smiled and accepted it. “How’s your sister?” I faced him. “Tell me you have stopped smoking.”It’s been a long time since I had a conversation with the outside world. I had no family and no friends ever came to visit. It was nice to see him.Logan chuckled. “I have stopped smoking.” His green eyes gleamed beneath the yellow hues of the sun. “And for my sister.” He paused and clenched the edge of the wooden seat. “She didn’t make it.” His voice softened.“I am so sorry.” My chest tightened. I knew how much he loved his sister.“But I opened a bar.” A wide smile formed across his lips. “When you g
Lucy ..(This chapter contains violence that might disturb viewers. Viewers' discretion is advised.)The news had already spread like wildfire. Damon hadn’t said anything, nor have I; people could only wonder what happened that led to us canceling our wedding a day before. My friend had asked, and I told them that I ended it after discovering Damon wanted to absorb my company just like his father did to other companies.Leaning back on my office chair, I sighed. I was this close to having him. I jolted up as the door opened. “There’s a meeting with the board of directors,” Tina announced. “Now?” I raised a brow. “Why?” She adjusted her glasses. “Yes, Ma’am. I really don’t know. But all the members are around.” I sprang to my feet. The clicks of my heels echoed. My heart pounded. How come I wasn’t aware of the meeting? Sweat swathed across my palm.Opening the door, my eyes fell on the seven members—they were all here. It was hard for them to gather together, except something v
The toy ..I dragged the last luggage down the stairs and placed it at the door. I was tired of being his toy. I was stupid to think that we would end up together. I had enough savings to start up my life. I need to run away from Manhattan, from New York. I need to move far away, to another place.I glanced around the apartment; so many beautiful and ugly memories; both of them haunted me.Opening the door, I gasped as my eyes fell on Damon. I held the tears that welled in my eyes. My heart twisted yet fluttered. Pain and relief fought to dominate my chest—neither won.His eyes fell on my luggage, and he frowned. “Where are you going?” What is he going to say to me? No, stay here and watch me get married to another woman. I rolled my wet eyes. “I’m leaving Damon.” I tried to bolster my voice, to show resolve.He inched closer and shut the door behind him. His beautiful amber eyes burned into mine. The eyes I had loved so much, that had caused me so much pain. Now one of my babies
The CEO..I climbed the stairs, each step feeling as heavy as the weight pressing down on my heart. Pearl had handed over the remaining 10 percent of the company shares to me, knowing that once the engagement and merger were finalized, the Wesley Corporation would likely dissolve Beckham Construction. The certificate was cold in my hands, but it felt meaningless now.As I passed by Lucy's room, the sound of her soft chuckle drifted out, followed by her mother's voice. I glared at the door. The thought of me spending the rest of my life with her was mentally gnawing. I was doing this for the child; once the child is enough, I'll get a divorce and just focus on my child. The memories of my childhood after my mother flooded in—just me and my father. "Damon isn’t around, right?" Mrs. Beckham asked. "Are you sure he is?"I was about to walk away, but the question glued my feet to the floor and, like a magnet, pulled my ears to the door."He isn't," Lucy replied, a note of excitement bub
The toy ..Tears streamed down my face, warm and bitter as they traced the curves of my cheeks. The room around me was silent like it was holding its breath, waiting for me to break.And I did.I muffled my sobs, pressing the back of my hand against my mouth, trying to keep it together, even though no one was around to witness. My elbows dug into my thighs as I leaned forward, staring at the two red lines on the pregnancy test. They glared back at me, mocking me. I shook my head, refusing to believe it. This couldn’t be real. What now? My mind raced, thoughts crashing into each other like waves against a rock. Damon’s wedding was just two days away. Two days. Even if I told him, what would change? I could hear Mr. Brian's voice in my head, loud and clear. Men know who they want to marry, and they keep the others around just for fun.I had brushed off those words when he first said them, but now they are repeated. in my mind, each repetition drilling pain into my heart—I should ha
The CEO..The drive was perfect, the kind of perfect that only comes once in a long while. The wind whipped through my hair as the convertible glided down the winding road, the sun casting a golden glow over everything it touched. The expression on my father when I testified against him in court felt like an award—a medal.Opening the door to my house, my gaze fell on Mrs. Beckham and Lucy.Mrs. Beckham stood in the center of the room, her presence cold.My smile faded, “Mrs. Beckham,” I greeted her with a curt nod. Mrs. Beckham was the female version of my father, so I spoke, a knot formed in my stomach as her presence gnawed at me.She didn’t return my pleasantries. Instead, she placed a crisp white envelope on the burly wood table, her eyes boring into mine. “Open it,” she instructed, her tone strict and firm. I hesitated for a second before crossing the room.I hardened my gaze as I snatched up the envelope, the paper cool and smooth against my skin. I tore it open and pulled
(This chapter contains violence that might disturb viewers. Viewers' discretion is advised.) The CEO . . I had changed into another outfit as I sat on the bed in my room. I constantly rubbed my hands, although they were clean. I could still feel Zach’s blood on my hand. How could I lose control? How could I hurt him? I smacked my head with my hand, letting out a grunt. Tracy trudged in. She only kept thinner and paler. “How are you doing?” “How is Zach? Is he up?” My fingers fidgeted. “No.” She tossed a file to me. “That’s the rest of my company.” “Why are you giving me?” Tracy’s expression softened. “Damon, I can die any moment. I need to leave my company with someone competent.” A weak smile stretched her lip. “Now let go and take your freedom from your father.” She gripped my hand, a failed attempt to pull me up. My chest tightened; this heart of mine had experienced too much pain. Another gloominess lingered at the mention of her dying any moment. I was too
The CEO . .Lying on the bed, I felt the sheets beneath me, my eyes closed, yet my mind was restless, buzzing with haunting images I couldn’t escape. Binky's tears haunted me; her face burned into my thoughts. But it was my father’s smile that truly kept me awake—the coldness, the quiet satisfaction he always had when things went his way. My hand gripped the bedsheet, twisting it, hoping it could ease my pain— but nothing.I couldn’t shake the thought—if only I’d been better, if only I’d been stronger if only I could’ve been more than this... this puppet he so easily manipulated. But I wasn’t. I was nothing more than a piece on his board and moved around to suit his game. The bitterness of it tore me from the inside out, choking with helplessness. If only I could turn the tables and make him pay for all of it. I wasn’t that person—not powerful enough, not anything enough.Stumbling to the closet, I flung open a drawer, my heart racing as I reached for the revolver inside. The c
Toy..I sat in the large, imposing courtroom. The air thickened with tension, but Nope still hung over, hoping Justice could be served. The murmurs of spectators seized as the proceedings began, leaving the shuffle of the papers. My eyes fixed on Damon’s father, who stood in the defendant box. Occasionally, he would stare at me and flash a smile that aggravated me. His words still rang in my ears, the way he casually told me how I looked softer than Aria outside the courtroom. I clenched my fist, hoping he would rot in jail for eternity. Mr. Jackson stood at the defendant's box. His eyes constantly darted between me and Mr. Wesley. My chest was tight like I was carrying the weight of the world on my chest. The flutters in my stomach were so grave that I might have developed stomach cancer. I sighed, hoping Damon’s threat should have walked in. Damon had messaged Mr. Jackson once he confessed to Mr. Wesley. He would protect him as Mr. Wesley would be powerless and be behind bars.