Chapter 019Reese“Do you want to hear my explanation?” Enzo didn’t even bother to deny it, and I stared at him in shock.Simply watching him start the engine and drive away left me speechless for a little moment.Explanation for what? For planning all of these?Did he also ask Mr. Vincent to give me a ride that day when I caught mom and Troy?I couldn't believe it. He took my virginity on purpose!Five minutes passed, and I noticed him pull over onto the shoulder of the road, and I finally came to my senses.“What explanation? You mean, you planned everything? You knew about their affair from the very start, huh?” I sneered, crossing my arms over my chest as I glared at him. “You planned to take my virginity!”“Woah, woah! Wait up!” he raised his hands in surrender. Amusement could be seen in his eyes, which made my blood boil even more. “I didn’t plan any of what you’re talking about, okay? That night when I met you, it was a coincidence, I swear!”“What? Then why are you asking me
Chapter 020ReeseSomething broke inside of me upon hearing those words from Troy. I thought I was immune to this feeling. I thought I was immune to this kind of pain. I was wrong. I never expected him to say those things to me, and I felt as if a foreign thing suddenly materialized out of the silence and the stillness devoured my heart in a single vicious bite.There was only emptiness inside me. As if nothing.I pressed my palm against my mouth to stop myself from sobbing. I promised myself not to cry over them because they weren't worthy of my tears.I stared at my phone, feeling my knees melt and my chest tightening.I can’t breathe.I can imagine him hugging my mother in comfort as she cried in his arms.My mind was a swamp and deep as I welcomed the daggers stabbing my chest repeatedly. It still hurts me.I took a deep breath. I needed to detach myself from them and clear my thoughts that were filled with them. But it still hurt.Before I could even feel myself collapse to the g
Chapter 021ReeseI asked Enzo to bring me back home, so I was here again at my house, pulling my luggage out, when I heard a car pull up with a loud screech of brakes, followed by the slamming open and closing of a car door.My eyes narrowed when I saw Troy get out of his car.“Reese!” he called out, but I didn’t pay attention to him as I went on getting my stuff out of the house. “Reese, take back what you said in the office! I want you to tell them that you were lying!”"You wish!" I scoffed, rolling my eyes at him.He grabbed my shoulders and started shaking them. He was staring at me with those piercing eyes that had me enthralled from the moment I laid eyes on them, but now they were making me terrified of him.“No.” I swatted his arms away, shoving him aside, and staring back at him with a far more intense intensity.“I can’t lose my job, Reese!” he yelled, his face contorted in fury. “I recently got promoted at my job!”I gulped, bracing myself. The fact that the person in fro
Chapter 022Reese“Oh, my mom is here to join us, darling,” I said mockingly, smiling at Troy tantalizingly. I took a few steps back towards Troy and hooked my arm around his neck, and I earned a glare at him, but didn't remove my arm.“Reese! You’re such a bitch! How dare you humiliate me and Troy in front of the executives!” my mother cried out in a piercing way, attacking me, but Troy brushed off my arm around his neck and stopped my mother with a hug.“Stop it, Mandy.” he said, trying to calm her. “She’s still your daughter. Don't hurt her.”“No!” mom yelled as she struggled to get away from Troy. “I will never forgive her for what she did to me! To us! Mr. Carter will definitely fire us, Troy. What should we do now? I can't lose my job. You know it.”And then she started sobbing loudly, burying her face in his chest, while Troy ran his palm up and down her back, kissing her hair.I quickly averted my gaze away from them, recalling how Enzo had done the same thing to me earlier. T
Chapter 023ReeseIt was much like the good old days when Liza gave me permission to stay in her house. When we were still in college, we used to be roommates. However, this new house that she has purchased has three rooms, and she allowed me to occupy the empty room that was adjacent to hers. She said her stepbrother had given her this house as a gift on her 26th birthday.Liza owned a bar and restaurant, so she was the boss herself of her own business. It had been her dream since then because she enjoyed drinking and going to parties. She left a while ago and told me to look for something to eat for dinner in the fridge.As I arranged my belongings in the empty closet, I could still hear her voice in my head.''I never really liked Troy...'' she said after I told her everything that happened. She told me before that marrying him was a mistake. She'd seen something in him. Some indications that he never really loved me. But I didn’t listen to her. I listened to what my heart was tell
Chapter 024ReeseBefore I could even take the first step to the stairs, the door threw open, and Enzo stepped inside.I panicked, and as I moved up, my foot missed the first step, causing me to close my eyes and prepare for the hard impact, but before I could fall to the ground, two arms caught me.''You’re very reckless...'' he murmured in my ear, and I breathed, becoming dizzy from his touch. ''Wait, have you been drinking?''I knew he could smell the alcohol emanating from me, and I had to get away from him immediately, but he wouldn’t let me when I tried to break free from his hold.''Stay...'' he murmured, wrapping his arms around my waist, which made me clench my inner walls as if I was ready to receive him.''Enzo...'' I whispered back, my eyes flickered to his mouth, watching his tongue brush over his lower lip tantalizingly.''You need to rest...'' he said, and I rolled my eyes when he scooped me up and carried me bridal style before he ascended the stairs. ''Liza explained
Chapter 025Reese''I believe that you also heard my answer to Liza when you made the decision to eavesdrop...'' I replied. ''So, I don’t have to answer your question anymore, right?''''I believe that you have also heard my sister’s opinion...''I pursed my lips for a moment before a bitter realization dawned on me. ''And that won’t change any of my decisions...''''Reese...''''Please Enzo, not now...'' I threw the bottle into the garbage bin and moved past the island he was sitting at, but I was taken aback when he suddenly grabbed my middle arm and forced me to face him.''Divorce him and marry me, Reese...''''What?''''I said, marry me, but divorce him first. I’ll pay you twenty million dollars. Just agree to become my wife...'' he stated, which caused my mouth to gape open in disbelief.Twenty million dollars? That was a huge amount of money. I could buy whatever I wanted with that money!But I can’t do whatever I want because I will be tied to Enzo for the rest of my life.Wai
Chapter 026Reese''Enzo...'' I uttered his name breathlessly. He was now fully clothed as he shut the door behind him. He lightly grazed his chin with his thumb, his gaze travelled along my face, down to my neck, and all the way to my breasts, which were covered with bubbles.''Care to explain why you did that to me earlier?'' he rasped, and I abruptly sat up, which resulted in the water sloshing around. He eyed the bubbles surrounding my nipples and how they hardened from his gaze.''I don’t want Liza to catch us...'' That was the very first thing that came to my mind, and he seemed not wanting to believe it.''Really?'' he sneered. ''What’s wrong if she catches us? We’re old enough for this...''I shook my head. ''You don’t understand. I told her everything that had happened to me, how mom and Troy cheated on me. And also, about that... having a one-night stand with a stranger...''To my surprise, he laughed. The sound vibrated against the water, and I clenched my thighs together.
Chapter 116EnzoAfter Reese had fallen asleep, I stepped out of my room and onto the balcony of my house. My heart seemed to be continuously sliced, leaving my soul feeling empty.Even in the darkness, with only the faint glow from the garden lamps, the yellow roses in my garden were visible. They were her favorite, Byers had told me, and I had planted them over the years, just to witness her smile once more upon seeing them.I had been waiting for her return all this time. And finally she was here, and now my beloved wife.Yet, I hurt her once more. I understood her earlier reaction. She had been abducted by Mandy and her lover, and perhaps they had harmed her in some way, which she recalled when I pressured her, and I despised myself for causing her that pain.I compelled her to recall that trauma, and the urge to inflict pain upon myself was overwhelming.Pain constricted my throat, and the solitary tear that dropped onto my cheek took me by surprise. I closed my eyes tightly as a
Chapter 115Reese"You're definitely mistaken...'' I said in a firm tone. "I didn't want that kiss. He forced me to kiss him...''Enzo regarded me with indifference, and I felt as though all the air had been sucked from my lungs, leaving me breathless.Oh my God...He didn't believe me at all.Tears began to gather in my eyes, and I couldn't recall when I had become so vulnerable because of him. Why did his apathy wound me so deeply that I felt on the verge of shattering?Hadn't I grown accustomed to being accused and disbelieved?''Seriously, Enzo?'' I questioned, incredulous. ''Had I intended to cheat, I wouldn't have even mentioned his presence to you. I can't believe it...'' I huffed. ''You're not that blind, aren't you?''He scoffed again, placing his hands on his hips.''Come on, Reese. Me, blind? You knew I would figure it out even if you hadn't told me about it. That's why you texted me, right? So I wouldn't just show up at your workplace like during the pageant...'' Each word
Chapter 114Reese''Marcus...'' I groaned, sending him a glare. I was starting to lose my patience. "What the hell are you doing? What the fuck do you still want from me? Why can't you just leave me alone, Marcus Andretti!?''I had no desire to endure more drama. After his actions, I deserved a distance of a thousand miles from him, just like how I put a space between myself and my ex-husband.Marcus' gaze bore into me, his jaw muscles twitching, fists clenched at his sides. ''Really?'' he smirked, ''You're asking me now what I want from you?'' he rasped, and I could hear his teeth gritting.I met his gaze with a blank expression, utterly clueless of what he wanted from me.''I want to fucking kiss you, hug you, touch you...'' he huffed a breath, before he slowly closed the distance between us, and whispered, ''I want to make you fucking mine again, Riley...''And with that, he cupped my face in between his large hands and kissed me harshly, muffling the sound I was going to make.My
Chapter 113ReeseMarcus arrived on set, warmly greeting the staff members. He hadn't noticed me yet, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was aware of my photoshoot here.What was he doing here? No one had mentioned that he would be at the studio today.The make-up artist, who had just finished enhancing my look, seemed to pick up on the surprise etched across my face. Kara gave me a curious glance.''You seem unaware that Marcus will be joining us for work today. We apologize for not informing you beforehand, Miss Riley. We're featuring him in an article for our next magazine issue, which will span roughly eight pages. That's unbelievable, don't you think?'' she chuckled, continuing to style my hair.If she found that unbelievable, I can't imagine what she would think of my thoughts at this moment. It seemed that fate enjoyed the notion of Marcus and me crossing paths again.However, given that we worked in the same industry, it was highly likely we would meet again.''He wasn't sch
Chapter 112Reese''Enzo...'' I whispered his name, my voice husky. I was aware of what he was doing to me, but my mind was far away from stopping what was going to happen.''I'm sorry...'' he said, running his fingertips on my kissmarks, and my heart skipped a bit when he leaned forward, placing soft kisses on each of them. ''I hope you feel better now...''My thoughts were in disarray as he pressed another kiss onto my collarbone, seemingly healing all the marks he had left.''Enzo, please...'' I pleaded, my hands resting on his shoulders, torn between pulling him closer and pushing him away.He stopped, shooting me a playful look. ''Are you scared that Riza will hear you moan and find us?''My cheeks reddened at his words. ''There must be some misunderstanding...'' I countered, turning away from him. ''For your information, I do not moan...''Enzo slightly chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. ''Really? But you just did. Didn't you hear yourself just now?''I shook my head. '
Chapter 111Reese''Now, you're the seeker, Leese!'' Riza laughed as she scampered off to hide.Later that afternoon, following Riza's return from school, we engaged in a game of hide and seek. It was my turn to count, and I pressed my forehead against the living room wall, counting from one to ten, while Riza sought a hiding spot. A subtle smile crept onto my lips.Once my counting ceased, I surveyed the room. Judging by the sounds, Riza hadn't strayed far.''Riza...'' I called out, grinning. ''Where are you, my baby?'' I playfully teased, beginning my search around the living room.Embarking on a hiatus from the limelight to share a life with Lorenzo Carter, I hadn't anticipated the sheer delight my heart would experience, frolicking with such a spirited little one.Feeling grateful for everything that had happened, I was still troubled by the thought of Enzo keeping secrets from me, making me question if marrying him was the right decision.What would Troy think about me marrying h
Chapter 110ReeseBefore I realized it, tears were cascading down my cheeks, and Enzo drew me into a tight embrace. I wept uncontrollably, my face pressed against his chest, my arms wrapped tightly around him.I had never allowed myself to be so vulnerable in front of anyone, and it was ironic that Enzo was the person comforting me right now as I fell apart. My shoulders trembled, and my cries filled the room.I was unaware of how much time had passed as I wept, occasionally fearing Enzo might leave me. Yet, he stayed, holding me closer with each tear I shed.Noticing my depleted strength, he lifted me up and walked towards the bed.He sat down, settling me on his lap, and continued to embrace me as I continued to cry into his chest.And gradually, I began to release my hold.**********This morning's breakfast consisted of pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Although they seemed delicious to my mind, my stomach disagreed.In fact, it was my heart that felt uneasy, to the point where I lost my
Chapter 109Enzo''May I attend my daughter's birthday party?'' Vincent implored, his eyes beseeching as he gazed at me.''I'm sorry, Dad, but I've only invited her close friends to surprise her...'' I replied. ''I think she'll be confused if she sees you there again...''I understood my father-in-law's feelings; he simply wanted to be part of Reese's significant life events, just as he was at our wedding. It was I who asked Vincent to walk Reese down the aisle, and he couldn't have been happier.''What if Reese wonders why I'm the one walking her down the aisle?'' I remember Vincent asking me on the day of our wedding, his voice tinged with worry yet laced with excitement.''Don't worry about it...'' I reassured him, patting his shoulder. ''I'll explain that you're the closest elder I have in my life right now...''Thankfully, Reese never questioned it.I also made it clear to Vincent that we couldn't force Reese to remember everything like what the doctor said, and I was relieved he
Chapter 108Enzo''It's true...'' Troy's mouth fell open in shock as he realized Mandy wasn't Reese's biological mother. With each word he read, his frown deepened. ''Mandy isn't her real mother. She even abducted her with her lover...''The thought of Reese suffering at Mandy's and her lover's hands made me clench my fists, and grit my teeth in rage. I couldn't help but hold the man before me responsible for everything that had happened to her.''But why?'' Troy's expression was one of confusion. ''Why would she do that to her?''I had no idea why Mandy had kidnapped Reese. My assumption was that Reese had caught her with her lover, and perhaps threatened to expose them to Troy.''I need your help to put Mandy behind bars...'' I declared to Troy with a commanding tone.Hesitation flickered in his eyes as he met my gaze. He was still in love with Mandy after everything he found out. It was clearly written in his eyes. But I don't care about him. I just wanted to give Reese the justice