Chapter 18SEBASTIAN’S POVThis garden held a special place in my life and heart. It held memories that are forever stuck with me like glue. Almost every morning, I like to come here, play my music and let the serenity envelope me. I let the calmness take care of me. Pamper me. It was more than a garden to me. It was my antidote. My escape from the world threatening to swallow me whole.In our two years of marriage, Catherine never knew of my special connection to this place. No one knew. Except... Brianna. Now that I've brought her here and told her.I had brought her here, thinking perhaps the music and serenity will wipe away every pain. Every trauma. Yesterday’s dreadful scenario at the cocktail party. Wipe away everything that burdened her. But I was wrong. The moment I saw those glistening tears on her pale, heart-shaped face, I knew it did more harm than good. Perhaps, it was a mistake bringing her here. Perhaps, I shouldn’t have plugged those buds in her ears. But the song was
Chapter 19BRIANNA’S POVHis surprised, pitiful gaze lingered on me and at that moment, I wished I had a shell I could coil back into. I wished I hadn’t told him. I could have just collected the book and when I got back to my chamber, left it there.“Didn’t you go to wolf school?” He leaned in closer to me, his thick, sleek brows drawing in questioningly.“I’m sorry,” I turned away from him and tried to put the book back on the shelf. “I shouldn’t have told you that.”“No,” he reached out and stopped me. “It’s okay. You can tell me. We’re the only ones here. You don’t have to be ashamed... or afraid of anything. Okay?”Ashamed? I wasn’t ashamed. I just wish I hadn’t told him. I didn’t want him to know anything about me. About my background. My childhood. Everything I had been through. He was my master and telling him all that was unnecessary.Seeing how reserved I was, he collected the book from my hand, kept it precariously on top of the arranged books and tried coming closer. But fro
Chapter 20 SEBASTIAN’S POVIt baffled me to know she couldn’t read like everyone else. I had always thought every wolf went to school while growing up. But I just learnt that wasn’t the case. After she told me her story, I felt for her. She had been through a lot. Witnessed so much pain that I so desperately want to erase. As she told me her story, her fragile soul was threatening to drown in the sea of her pain and sorrow. But I didn’t let that happen. I pulled her out immediately by promising to teach her to read when I get back from my business trip. She raised her head and her beautiful, grey eyes sparkled with a vivid gleam. That was when I knew I had succeeded in making her feel better. But the business trip was a cover-up. I was going away for three days but it wasn’t for a business meeting or trip. I was going to make Nolan pay for what he did to her at that cocktail party. I vowed to myself never to let anyone hurt her as long as she was with me. But Nolan did hurt her. And
Chapter 21BRIANNA’S POVOn a beautiful summer morning, I saw myself lying on a soft carpet of green grass. Sebastian was lying beside me, his fingers cool and smooth as they held mine. An easy smile was playing on the corners of our lips as we were captivated by each others’ presence and by the beautiful sky above, painted with vibrant hues of blue and wisps of fluffy white clouds. We were happy. So happy. That was the kind of happiness I longed for. But in the blink of an eye, all that vanished. The sky turned black and the ground beneath me began to quake. Afraid, I turned to Sebastian so we could get up and run to safety. But then, I realized he wasn’t Sebastian. It was Hermes. His hold tightened around my hand and he tried to pull me closer to himself while I struggled with everything in me.“Where do you think you’re going to, princess?” his devilish smirk overtook his features as he stared at me. “What did you think? You can get away from me forever? We’re forever stuck togeth
Chapter 22BRIANNA’S POV“Since you’re living under my roof, you’re to abide by my rules,” Catherine’s voice was cold, territorial and exact as she screeched the paper to me. “On the first page of the paper are the rules and your tasks and in the back is the plan of the castle to help you find your way around. You’re to obey my rules with your life and carry out your chores diligently. Anything asides that will attract punishments. Severe punishments,” she stressed, her gaze growing colder and sharper by the passing moment.Her words bore through me and I drew in a subtle breath, wondering when punishments will end in my life. Breathe Brianna. Just breathe. I tried to calm myself as my gaze dropped to the sheet and carefully, I picked it up, eager to know what my tasks and her rules were. Squinting at the millions of incomprehensible words scribbled on the paper, I swallowed a lump and tried to remain steady. Seeing it made me wonder if the other maids were also made to go through s
Chapter 23BRIANNA’S POVI didn’t need the castle plan to find the kitchen. It was just close to the dining room. Moreover, I had passed from there a few times. But I had never stepped in to catch a full glimpse of it.As I cautiously entered the kitchen, my eyes widened on seeing how beautiful and ultra-modern it looked. The sleek marble countertops glistened under the soft overhead lights, reflecting from the elegant hanging chandeliers and also from the gentle light that poured in from the windows and a stunning set of French doors.Stainless steel appliances adorned the space, their surfaces free of any smudges or stains. The organization and cleanliness were impeccable, with pots, pans and other utensils neatly hanging from a stylish rack on the wall. The fragrance of freshly cut lemons, lavender and different spices mingled in the air, adding to the sensory delight.Suddenly, my breath caught in my throat as I threw another glance at the French doors. I was so amazed with how bea
Chapter 24BRIANNA’S POVI spent almost an hour or more trying to clean myself up. I had to take another bath to get rid of the stench, spent a longer time washing and combing my hair to remove the food particles that clung to it and change into new cloth. I still found it hard to believe Catherine could have done something like that to me.As quickly as I could, I rushed back to the kitchen to clean up the mess and begin the chores for the day. Time wasn’t on my side at all. I had wasted way too much time on getting myself cleaned up and it was almost mid-day. I had to clean and tidy up all the rooms in the castle which according to my assumption were not less than 20…or 30 including the servants’ quarters, the storeroom and the ones that weren’t in use, do the laundry, prune the flower beds and gardens, attend to Catherine’s needs and most importantly have her lunch ready in an hour or two.After I was done with the kitchen, I proceeded to the dining room. Catherine was done eating
Chapter 25BRIANNA’S POVGently, I placed two mugs of hot chocolate and two small plates of crisp crackers on a tray and made my way to Catherine and her guest. As I approached, I noticed they were still sneering and glaring daggers at me. But I focused my gaze on the refreshments I was carrying.I almost made it to the table when my steps suddenly faltered as the hem of my long gown tangled beneath my feet, causing me to stumble forward. The tray tilted precariously and a gasp filled the air as the piping hot chocolate drinks cascaded from their cup, splattering onto the lady’s dress. All these were followed by the clattering sound of the mugs and plates as they scattered all over the table and floor.Oh no! Not again. What have I done?“Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness…Oh my goodness,” she gasped a cry and stood reflexively. “You ruined my gown! Catherine, it’s hot…it’s hot…it’s burning me,” screeching her seat away from the table, she rose and ran upstairs like a wounded wild animal
CHAPTER 19“W…what do you mean she didn’t make it?...” My voice quivered as I tried to keep it steady. My breath was heavy, coming in short quick gasps that hurt my chest. “S…she’s dead, Lily,” the doctor hesitated before breaking the news with a heavy sigh. “She couldn’t be operated on due to lack of completion of the payment. Her body has been transferred to the morgue. I’m sorry. I did my best. I really did. You need to come now to identify her body and make necessary arrangements…” The weight of his revelation bore down heavily on me like a ton of rocks, crushing me to a pulp. I didn’t know for how long I stayed mute, feeling an acute sense of loss wash over me. My mother. My sweet mother…the only family I had left was gone. I won’t get to see her again. This was all my fault. If only I had gathered the payment and made it to the hospital in time, I could have saved her. She’ll still be breathing by now. Terrible regrets assailed me as hot painful tears burned their way down m
BRIANNA’S POV The pungent smell of drugs and antiseptics came streaming into my nose. Irritated, I grimaced, shaking my head to ward off the smell. My eyes forcefully slid open to find myself in an unfamiliar environment flooded with bright almost blinding lights with the walls painted white too. It didn’t take long for me to realize I was in a hospital, the beeping of the heart monitor and other medical machines I was hooked to the only sounds heard in the room. I groaned in discomfort, breathing out heavily as I tried to gently sit up on the bed. I felt so disoriented like I just woke up from a terrible coma. I tried to recall the events that led to me being here when the door suddenly pushed open and Sebastian stormed in. “Doctor! She’s awake,” he shouted, appearing relieved and overwhelmed with joy. He crouched in front of me, looking at me and touching me like I was made of glass. He was extremely concerned. “Are you okay?” He asked not waiting for me to answer before a
CHAPTER 152 SEBASTIAN’S POV Hermes started moving stealthily towards the car, forcing Brianna along with him, his eyes fixed on us without wavering. Brianna looked at us with a helpless gaze, silently pleading for us to help her. I felt really bad. My body burned with restlessness and the urge to do something. Anything. I can’t just stay back and watch Hermes take her away. I can’t afford to lose her again. I can’t bear living a minute of my life again without seeing her. I didn’t know if there was someone inside the SUV to drive them. I couldn’t see clearly. But Hermes was moving into the passenger’s seat with her. That meant someone was there or maybe he’ll climb into the driver’s seat after he got in. But whatever the case was, I didn’t want him to take her away again. I looked at Dylan in a silent, urgent plea. “We have to do something. We can’t just stay back and let him take her away again…” “I’m sorry Sebastian,” Dylan sighed in pessimism. “But there is nothing
CHAPTER 151 SEBASTIAN’S POV Dylan managed to gather all the association’s security troops in time. With an armoured truck, we burst in through the gates of his castle, taking the occupants mostly his guards by surprise. They didn’t expect us, especially by this time, at dusk. Dressed in bulletproof vests, we jumped down the trucks and shot several times in the air to frighten Hermes’s guards and force their surrender. The order from Dylan was to arrest, not to shoot. But I wanted to kill them all, most especially Hermes. Dylan knew I’d find it hard to adhere to his commands so he refused to give me a gun. Having arrived with five armoured trucks – three for the association’s troops and the other two for Hermes and his guards that will be arrested, we were almost thrice the number of Hermes’s guards. And the fact we came unexpectedly, they weren’t prepared at all. Looking around the place, I couldn’t see Hermes or Brianna. Where the hell was that bastard and where has he t
CHAPTER 150 BRIANNA’S POV I grimaced bitterly, looking away in irritation. “Let me go! I’m going nowhere with you…” But it fell on deaf ears as he started dragging me along with him to the castle’s exit as though I was some children’s toy. His grip was so tight I feared I might fracture my wrist if I tried to break free. “You killed her…” I swallowed with difficulty, tears falling out my eyes as the brutal scenario of how he killed his sister came rushing to my mind. “She was worried about you…she was only trying to help yet you murdered her in cold blood. You’re selfish! You have no heart! You’re a monster ….!! How can you murder your sister like that?!! You’ll never win me over… As long as I live, I’ll continue to hate you…” Exhaling loudly in frustration, he stopped and turned to me, the anger and rage in his eyes hot enough to burn me to ashes. I stopped talking and froze in fear, my breath fluttering in my chest. “Maybe it’s time I gagged that little hole of yours
CHAPTER 149 SEBASTIAN’S POV “What?....what is it?” I asked in desperate curiosity, eager to know the contents of the letter that left him in such a devastated state. “It’s from Hermes’s sister, Hera,” he uttered, rebuffed as he momentarily looked at the me and letter. “What did she say?” My curiosity peaked as I took a step closer to him. He looked into the letter. “She says that Hermes kidnapped a pregnant slave named Brianna Campbell and…” “That’s her!” I pointed out almost hysterically, interrupting him. “She is the one. Do you believe me now? Or are you going to doubt this one too?” I cocked a furious brow, a clear indication I was angry with his nonchalant attitude towards this matter. Even though this letter would help prove to Dylan and the rest of the committee that I wasn’t lying, I couldn’t fathom how it came to be. Why would Hera write and send it, implicating her brother? Hera and I weren’t very much acquitted. But merely seeing her was enough to tell an
CHAPTER 148BRIANNA’S POVPanic began to trickle in. “What…what’s the problem?” I asked her, my voice fragile and shaking “It’s always left unlocked since no one knows about it…I don’t know who could have locked it!” She exclaimed in frustration.My heart started thumping against my chest, the little hope I had crushing to pieces. Hermes was only a few distance behind us. If we don’t find a way to make it out any moment from now, he’ll definitely catch up with us. And I was already tired, hungry, and thirsty. I have held it for long. I didn’t know how much longer I could endure.“Come on,” she said as she took my wrist. “We can still make out before Hermes…”However, her words knotted in her throat the moment Hermes walked into the room.His eyes were dark and devilish, and his features hardened to a lethal frown as he glared at us. Tightly curled around his fingers was a pocket knife. He looked like he was ready to draw blood.I swallowed a lump that hurt my throat and thudded down
CHAPTER 147BRIANNA’S POV“What…?” The shock of what I heard threw me off balance to the extent that reality seemed to shatter. Did she just mention I was sold off to Hermes by a woman? Not just any woman but the one close to me? Close enough to be a relative?“What woman are you talking of?” Desperation and suspense clutched me as I walked to her and grabbed her by the shoulders.From the way she kept glancing around, struggling to recall, it was clear her memory was hazy. “Uhmm…. It’s been a long time so…I can’t really remember. The little I could see was she had curly shoulder-length hair and wore a floral dress…She looked like those types of women who’ll go the extra mile to look beautiful…I’m sorry but that’s all I can remember. I wish I could do better…”She didn’t finish talking when I left her shoulders and suddenly walked away from her. Shock siphoned blood from my body. I was too way to dazed even think or blink. Those descriptions matched Aunt Gigi’s perfectly. She had cur
CHAPTER 146SEBASTIAN’S POVMy face scrunched out of shape in rage as I scowled at him. I felt like throwing him a punch that would knock him back to his senses. Just how the flying fuck did he think I was lying over something this serious? The lives of my twin babies and the love of my life were on the line here, yet he’s telling me to seek therapy?!With all rage tearing me apart on the inside, I wanted to say something to him. Something that’ll cut through his scepticism and make him understand the gravity of the situation. Something harsh that’ll make him understand just how angry I am. But Khan, who was also in the office with us, stepped in to intervene, sensing the escalating tension.“My boss is telling the truth,” he said, keeping a calm demeanour as he explained. “The castle was attacked, and all my colleagues and the maids were killed. Not to mention my boss’s slave was taken hostage. They were all gunshot wounds, and with the way the operation was carried out, we’re convi