༺RAYNE༻ It's morning again. I open my eyes and stretch my limbs, a wide smile on my face. This morning feels different, the best kind of different. It definitely has something to do with everything that happened the previous day. And I'm talking about how Liam finally got what he's been chasing for the past week. He was appointed as the new CEO of Everhart Energy yesterday! Lucas made it official by releasing a public announcement and hosting a press conference. The media was in a frenzy, with reporters and journalists clamouring for Liam's attention, bombarding him with questions and trying to get a scoop on his plans for the company. There are even rumours flying around that Liam has emerged as the clear frontrunner and has secured his spot as Lucas' successor, leaving Daniel and Leo in the dust. I doubt those two will be happy about this. Liam, however, has been over the moon. I've never seen him so happy before. He's been on cloud nine ever since, his mood is pretty infectiou
༺RAYNE༻ “So, what's it going to be?” Henry's voice is hard and heavy with spite. His tone tells me he's enjoying this a lot, enjoying putting me in a difficult position where I'm forced to make a choice. My heart is drumming, hammering against my ribcage and thumping in my ears as I think about this carefully. I weigh the consequences of each option. If I don't do as he says, he'll definitely release the pictures and even... the sextape. I gasp sharply and curse myself for being such a fool. A fool for being so stupidly in love that I handed him the ammunition to destroy me and now he's holding it over my head like a ticking time bomb. My staggering gullibility and stupidity makes me want to give myself a resounding slap. I was willing to degrade myself for someone who never truly loved or valued me. I trusted him so much that when he insisted on us filming us while we made love, I didn't think twice. “It would be just for our private collection, a special memory for us to cheri
༺LIAM༻ This cannot be happening. This cannot be fucking happening! Rayne is staring right back at me, peering into my eyes and telling me she doesn't remember anything. She doesn't remember me. Not even her name. What kind of a sick joke is this? “Are you... really my husband?” she asks, her voice soft and feathery. She looks like she's in so much pain and I'm not just talking about the stitches, scratches, her broken arm, the swollen lip and cuts on her chin. Although, seeing her covered in wounds and scars makes my chest tighten with rage. I can see the pain flicker in her deep blue eyes, a haunting blackness that chills me to the bones and scares me more than anything has in a long while. Her frail sight tears me apart and breaks my heart into a million pieces. It makes me want to hold her forever and never let her go. Fuck, how could I have let this happen to her? I take her hand in mine again and heave, “Yes, I'm your husband, Liam. And you are my wife, Rayne.” The pain m
༺LIAM༻ I drive off to the old warehouse in the outskirts of the city where I had strictly ordered for Henry to be held alive and chained up. The minute I pull up outside the outside the rundown building, a cold wind chills me to the bone. But it’s the exact opposite of the seething fury burning in my gut. Marcus approaches me while I’m stepping out of the car. He gives me a slight bow, his lips pulled into a tight grimace. “Welcome, boss,” he hoarses. “We’ve been softening the son of a bitch up for you. We have everything under wraps, no leaks.” I nod and loosen my tie, my eyes scanning the trees around. “You never disappoint me, Marcus.” Marcus is my go-to enforcer when I need to handle messy, off-the-books situations like settling scores, tidying up loose ends and eliminating threats permanently. He’s been working for me ever since I got him out of jail. He’s brutal animal and a cunning sociopath but his loyalty is unmatched. “Take me to him,” I order. Marcus gives me a grim
༺RAYNE༻ After spending five days in the hospital, I've finally been discharged. Liam, my husband, takes me home. Home. I don't even have a clue what it looks like or where it is or what memories we've made within the walls. But Liam's hand on mine, his smooth voice and soft touch stirs something deep within me and washes me whole with a sense of security and familiarity that I can't quite explain. And when he walks me through the front door, his other hand on my waist, I feel like I'm exactly where I belong. I just wish I could remember it. “We're home,” he announces, guiding me into the living room. I just nod and sigh, clinging to him like I would fall apart if I don't. Right now, his presence is the only thing that feels real. Even though my mind is nothing but a blank slate, having him near me makes me feel like I'm myself even if it's just a bit. He takes me to what I think is our bedroom. My eyes are roving over the unfamiliar room frantically, drinking in every detail, ho
༺RAYNE༻ Liam doesn't say anything. It's like he's holding back. Yet again. I don't know what the exact problem is. If he really loves me, then why's he finding it so hard to tell me how he feels? Is there something he's not telling me? Something that's keeping him from fully opening up? “Liam, what—” “Shhh,” he coos. “Don't think about anything right now, okay? Just relax and let me take care of you in every way possible.” I find myself nodding and keeping my mouth shut. I guess I should worry later and enjoy the moment. Liam lowers his head to my mound and cups it, fondling my flesh. I gasp and arch my back, biting my lip. He pushes my dress up and parts my thighs. His eyes get dark at the sight of my covered soaked honeypot. Even with my thong on, it's easy to tell my core is drenched already, from the kiss. My arousal is leaking into my panties. It's all because of him. It's his doing. Did I always get this wet for him? And that too, easily? It's exhilarating. Liam slowly pe
༺RAYNE༻ “How do I look?“ I stand in front of Kim, my hip cocked to one side, one hand resting on it. I smile and bat my lashes, waiting for her approval, my fingers drumming against my hip, my shoulders squared. Kim gasps theatrically and puts a hand over her mouth. “Oh my goodness, dear! You are breathtakingly gorgeous! You're going to steal the show and make Mr Everhart forget his name!” she chirps, grinning from ear to ear. A soft pink tint spreads across my cheeks and I turn back to stare into the full-length mirror. I really do look good. I have a very long, silky black evening dress on, kind of like a ball gown, with a thigh-high slit that lets my long, lean leg do all the talking. The back of the dress plunges down into a very low, daring V, highlighting every slope and arch of my back. I smooth out the silk of my gown and put my mask on, a black velvet masquerade mask with pretty feathers and tiny, glittering gems stitched along its edges. Tonight, we're attending Sabrin
༺RAYNE༻ “The late Oliver Everhart, your son... was my father. I'm his son and your grandson.” The words of the waiter resound in the room over and over in the midst of the stunned, deafening silence. The atmosphere has immediately turned stiff and still, heavy and ridden with collective shock and unasked questions. Daniel is the first one to break the silence with a loud, bitter roar. “This is absurd! This is an insult! You think you can worm your way into our family’s fortune with this outrageous claim? How dare you?! You’ll pay for your audacity, you worthless nobody!” With no more than five long, angry strides, he closes the distance with Oscar and snarls, “Get out! Get out of our sight before I lose all control and rip you to shreds! There's no place for bottom-feeding leeches here! We already have one worthless freeloader siphoning off our family's wealth and we don't need another!” The last barb was a direct shot at Liam. And it leaves its imprint on Liam because when I gla