Cathleen's fingers traced the rim of her porcelain cup, a delicate dance of apprehension and resolve. Around her, the restaurant hummed with the quiet cadence of morning routines, yet within her chest, a storm brewed more bitter than the dark roast she reluctantly sipped."Did you know?" Her words cut through the murmurs, eyes fixated on the man across from her.Her father, William, met her gaze with a wearied resignation that belied his stoic front. The air thickened between them, laden with the weight of unspoken truths and the sharp tang of betrayal."Did you know I wouldn't be marrying Finn that day, but his uncle?" The question hung in the air, accusatory and demanding. Her voice was steel-wrapped in velvet, as authoritative as any closing argument she'd delivered in the courtroom.William's nod was almost imperceptible, but to Cathleen, it roared like thunder. "Mr. Knight called me before the wedding," he began, his voice steady despite the tremor Cathleen detected—a lawyer's da
Cathleen’s fingers drummed against the steering wheel, a staccato rhythm that echoed her racing thoughts as she navigated the familiar route to work. The morning sun glared off chrome and glass, but inside her car was a sanctuary of shadowed thoughts.She swung into her reserved parking spot, the engine's purr dying as she cut the ignition. Her heels clicked with authority across the concrete as she entered the building, the sound a sharp counterpoint to the whispers of betrayal still ringing in her ears.Settling into the leather chair behind her desk, Cathleen couldn't help but replay the scene from the restaurant in her mind. A smirk crawled across her face, unbidden. Xavier Knight—her husband, the enigma—at the helm of Knight Group International? It made an absurd kind of sense.She chuckled, the sound hollow in the expanse of her office. Farms? Hardly. Xavier exuded a polished steel presence that spoke of boardrooms, not barns. The scent of money and power clung to him like colog
The keys clattered onto the mahogany desk, signaling the end of another victorious battle in the courtroom. Cathleen's heels clicked a definitive rhythm as she strode out of the law firm, her shoulders squared against the weight of her reputation—undefeated, unyielding. The evening sky was a canvas of dusky blues and purples, with shadows playing across the parking lot where Xavier's sleek car sat unattended. It felt like an act of defiance just to slide into the driver's seat and claim something of his or hers, even temporarily.She maneuvered through the city streets with precision, her lips set in a thin line. Each stoplight was a momentary pause in her tightly wound existence, each green light, a silent permission to continue on this path she had been shackled to. The vehicle hummed to a stop in the familiar driveway, and her hand reached for the walking stick, a necessary tool since the accident that Xavier never asked about. She braced herself against its solid support, each ste
Water cascaded off her skin as Cathleen stepped out of the shower, droplets of determination clinging to her body like the cases she so skillfully argued in court. She dressed methodically, choosing attire that wrapped around her like armor—a facade of composure for the daily battles waged within the walls of her own home. With each step down the staircase, her walking stick tapped a steady rhythm against the cold floor—each tap defiance, a declaration of her resilience.Xavier lounged on the couch, a study in casual power with one leg draped over the other. His gaze lifted as Cathleen descended, and his heart betrayed him, pounding against his will. He hated this weakness, this primal reaction to the sight of her. He hated that his mind was clouded with lust, reducing his world to the most basic of instincts. Cursing inwardly, he grappled with the involuntary surge of lust, a silent war waged between his intellect and his baser needs."Follow me," Xavier commanded, his voice a blade
Raindrops drummed a steady rhythm on the canvas above as Cathleen and Xavier stood shoulder-to-shoulder, ensnared in an uneasy truce beneath their shared umbrella. The water fountain before them, a marble spectacle, gushed obliviously to the tension that coiled tighter with each heartbeat."I'm sure your girlfriend would love this place," Cathleen ventured, her voice cutting through the pelting rain with genuine curiosity.Xavier's response was swift, with a sharpened edge to his words. "I bought this house for you, Cathleen." His insistence bore the weight of possession, of claims staked, and of expectations set.Her gaze fixed upon the relentless cascade of the fountain, Cathleen tilted her chin up, meeting his stare with cool detachment. The gravity of his declaration failed to stir her; instead, it solidified her resolve. "Xavier, this whole marriage thing isn't going to work." Her words were scalpel-precise, severing illusions with surgical clarity. "I don't like you, and you don
Shivers rippled across Cathleen's skin, each wave a sharp reminder of her body's betrayal. She curled tighter under the sheets, willing warmth into her limbs, but the fever that had taken hold refused to relent. Eyes heavy with unshed sleep, she lay in the dark, cocooned within the four walls that seemed to press closer with every strained breath.The fucking night was alive with the goddamn sounds of betrayal. Olivia's piercing screams echoed through the fucking silence, punctuated by the relentless thud of the headboard slamming against the wall. Each fucking beat was a reminder of Xavier's frenzied passion, a symphony of flesh that spat in the face of Cathleen's lonely solitude.Xavier's normally aloof demeanor shattered as primal urges consumed him. The scent of Cathleen's skin haunted him, lingering on his fingertips like a ghostly reminder of what he couldn't have. Despite the heat radiating from his current lover, her defiance and sharp tongue still cut through his defenses and
Water drummed against Xavier's skin, the heat searing away the remnants of sleep. His thoughts churned as he thought of Cathleen’s cooking. She was creative and good at it. The thought of her butternut soup made him hasten his movements in the shower. With swift efficiency, he dried off, dressed in tailored attire, and descended the staircase with purpose.As he reached the bottom, his gaze cut through the morning light toward Olivia. Draped across an armchair, she was a disheveled vision of lace—yesterday's lingerie clinging to her like a second skin. His frown was immediate, a silent condemnation. She might as well have hoisted a flag, declaring war on Cathleen's dignity—an affront he couldn't ignore despite the void where love should reside.Without a word, he took his place at the head of the dining table, the chair scraping the floor with a harsh sound that echoed his mood. The helpers entered a ballet of practiced motions delivering breakfast—a feast that underlined the absence
The front door swung open with the kind of urgency that only came with bad news. Dr. Martin, a man whose existence seemed to balance perpetually between life's precipices, stepped through the threshold, his medical bag clutched with reverence. Behind him, Old Mr. Knight entered, his posture a testament to years of carrying the weight of wisdom and silent judgments.Xavier's jaw clenched, teeth grinding, in anticipation of the familiar reprimand. The look on his father's face was enough to confirm it; another lecture brewed just beneath the surface. There was no escaping the paternal storm."Xavier," Old Mr. Knight began, the disappointment heavy in his voice. "We need to talk."Oblivious—or indifferent—to the gravity settling over the room, Olivia stretched like a cat that had claimed the dining table as her own personal sunspot. Her limbs moved with an elegance that belied the chaos, and her gaze never once flitted toward the newcomers. She stood there, unmoving and expressionless, h
Xavier strode through the door, the weight of the day sloughing off his shoulders at the sight ahead. Cathleen stood at the stove, her movements fluid, and practiced, with little Bella snug against her back in a carrier, her chubby cheeks squished against her mother's spine. He couldn't help but smile."Hey, my girls," he murmured, bending to press a kiss first on Cathleen's temple, then on Bella's forehead, inhaling the homely scent of cooking and baby shampoo. He watched them for a moment longer before turning away, the warmth of their closeness giving way to the chill of the sitting room."I know you don't want to hear this," he called over his shoulder, the words carrying an edge as they cut through the domestic scene, "but your father has been discharged from the hospital."Cathleen's stirring stilled, her body tensing up. She exhaled, a weary sound that seemed to carry all the weight of her dread. "I can't lose him," she whispered more to herself than to Xavier."Old man's tough
Xavier’s heart was pounding, and his footsteps thundered as he descended the stairs. The scene before him was a twisted tableau: Avery’s arm was outstretched, her gun aimed directly at Cathleen, his wife, but Cathleen stood firm, unflinching, like stone."Aaa, right on time, babe," Avery cooed, her gaze sickly sweet upon Xavier. "I wanted you to watch when I shot her; she is the wall blocking our love from blooming.""Fuck," he muttered under his breath, his hands lifting in a gesture of surrender. "Avery, you must have forgotten; I am Cathleen's husband, not yours." His voice was ice, calmness belying the chaos."Always playing saint, aren't we?" Avery's scorn sliced through the air. "It has always been simple. Live your life to the fullest, but stay away from what's mine. Was that too much to ask Cathleen?"Her laughter was manic, echoing off the walls.Xavier's eyes flicked to Cathleen, searching for fear, for surrender. There was none. She was a fortress, her expression unreadable
Chaos erupted. Amidst the somber atmosphere of the funeral, a sudden shriek shattered the silence as William's lifeless body collapsed onto the ground. His blood stained the grass, mingling with the soil near Dora's freshly filled grave. "Oh, my God!" The cry echoed through the cemetery."She shot her own father!" Accusations flew as mourners scattered like leaves in a gale.Avery stood there, her face contorted with rage; her gun was still pointed at Cathleen. William took a shot for Cathleen because he couldn’t let her die; she was the only good one in the family. William’s body is now a barrier to Avery's twisted desires. People swarmed between them, their panic a living wall blocking Avery's line of fire."Move!" Avery's scream lashed out, raw and violent. But the crowd surged, oblivious to her fury. She spat venom at Cathleen, her voice a snarl. "You fucking bitch, I will make sure I finish what I started, and I will never stop until Xavier is mine!"Cathleen refused to let the c
A chill wind swept over the cemetery, rustling the solemn rows of tombstones. Cathleen's heels crunched on the gravel, her black dress clinging to her like a second skin. Xavier's arm was a vice around their daughter Bella, his jaw set and eyes dark as the sky above. Murmurs rippled through the crowd as they advanced, a wave of turned heads marking their path."Look at that," someone hissed from the sea of black attire."Did she really have to come?""Shh...it's starting."They settled near the front, close enough for William to feel their presence. His eyes met Cathleen's, an unspoken storm in the glance they shared. Cathleen lowered her gaze, a silent nod to the man who'd never let her fall. Avery, standing rigid by the casket, simmered with an anger so potent it could curdle blood."You shouldn't be here," she spat under her breath, words meant for snakes's ears only.Cathleen ignored her, the air too thick with grief and old grudges. She straightened, shoulders back, defiance etch
Xavier's arms, sinewy and sure, cradled Cathleen's limp form as he lifted her from the cold, unforgiving floor of the dungeon. The dim light cast shadows over her face, the afterglow of their session still etched on her features. He navigated the hallway with a predator's grace, each step deliberate, carrying his wife to the sanctuary of their bedroom and throwing the walk-in closet.He laid her down on the bed, silk sheets enveloping her like a lover's embrace. Xavier’s eyes lingered on Cathleen, tracing the curve of her cheek, the swell of her chest rising and falling in slumber. She was a vision—a tempestuous beauty drained by their shared intensity.The need for taking a shower before he sleeps pulled him away, and he slipped out of his clothes, leaving them in a heap. The shower beckoned, a hiss of steam and spray echoing off the marble. Water cascaded over him, a baptism washing away the remnants of their dark play.Surrounded by a thick cloud of steam, the sound of his phone pi
Cathleen's tongue moved with skilled precision, tracing the throbbing vein beneath his tight skin. Every time she sucked on it, he let out a deep guttural groan, his hips a machine of raw, carnal rhythm. he was using her as an instrument to fulfill his primal needs. She was merely an object to him, a tool for his darkest cravings, and yet she gloried in it."Fuck," he gasped, his voice a low animal growl. His body tensed, every muscle coiled tight, ready to unleash the storm brewing deep within his loins. Her mouth—so damn perfect—was both his heaven and hell. He hovered, teetering on the brink of oblivion, debating whether to cum on her face or her throat.Swallow it, he decided.He drove into her, relentless, his grip on her hair unyielding. Small thrusts turned her throat into his personal sanctum, his temple of release. And then the curse of his climax broke free—a whisper against the roar of his pleasure. Hot jets filled her, branding her insides, and though she gagged, she took
Cathleen's gaze lingered on the floor, her posture a silent testament to submission. The air crackled with tension, thick with the scent of longing and power. Xavier towered over her, his presence an oppressive force that kept her tethered to the spot."You're going to let me fuck your mouth," he commanded, voice like gravel. His eyes bored into her, capturing every flicker of emotion that danced across her features. Lust swirled there, betraying her inner turmoil. "And if you're lucky, I'll let you cum before I'm done with you for the night. But you've got to make it good for me if you want that to happen. Do you understand?"Her silence hung heavy between them until he prodded, "I asked you a question."She nodded, her voice a whisper lost in the void. "I understand.""Good girl," Xavier praised, a crooked smile playing on his lips. He made a show of unbuckling his belt, the sound slicing through Cathleen's resolve. His cock sprang free, already half-hard—evidence of his own desire
Cathleen's jaw tightened, and she gritted her teeth as Xavier's fingers glided over her skin. She held herself back, resisting the urge to give in to the overwhelming feeling of pleasure. He enjoyed the resistance she put up and the battle between them as she fought against him. But he knew it wouldn't last for long."Fuck," the word hissed out between her teeth—a half curse, half sigh—as he withdrew from her most sensitive spot, only to invade her with a sudden thrust. His fingers curled inside her, an unspoken invitation to succumb. Cathleen’s body betrayed her with a shudder, slick warmth coating his probing digits."Mmm, it feels like you want my dick in you right now, Cat." Xavier's voice dripped with taunting arrogance. "Do you want me to fuck you? Bend you over?"Silence hung, broken only by her stifled whimper. Her silence was submission enough for now.As he observed her, Xavier couldn't help but notice the quickening rise and fall of her chest, a clear sign of her arousal de
"Come here," Xavier commanded, the authority in his voice as palpable as the tension crackling between them. Cathleen’s glare could have cut glass, but she stepped forward anyway, her heels clicking sharply against the cold floor. Towering over her, he reveled in the height difference, utilizing it to impose and dominate. His hand reached out, fingers grazing her jaw, demanding her gaze."Look at me." The words were a velvet growl.Reluctantly, her eyes met his, defiance sparking within their depths. Even scowling, she exuded a beauty that was raw and real, stirring something predatory within him. Swiftly, he fastened the collar around her neck, meticulously adjusting it until it lay just so. The ring dangled, a silent testament to who commanded this game."Perfect," he murmured, stepping back to admire her. His eyes traced her form, approving yet unsatisfied. He held up a finger, a silent command punctuated by a menacing grin. "Wait one second. Don't move.""Is that an order, sir?" H