The room spun, and Elena stumbled backward, landing unceremoniously on the couch.
Amidst the charged atmosphere behind the door, Elena struggled to stand up. Her legs felt unsteady as she moved towards the bedroom exit.
No. No, no.
Andrew would never do this to her. He would never.
He loved her so much.
He would never…
She still believed that the person inside was not him.
That’s right, he must be someone who had a similar voice.
Besides, Chloe never liked Andrew to begin with, so why would she…
Yes, she must be overthinking because of her disappointment earlier.
Elena’s hand quivered as she reached for the doorknob.
However, just as she was about to turn the handle, she stopped.
She did not dare enter the room and confront the two people inside.
The thought of confronting her husband's adultery and her best friend's betrayal was excruciating, and it was too much for her to bear.
In fact, Elena had never felt so terrified before.
Even when she had broken ties with her family, even when her future was unknown when she married Andrew, she had never been this afraid.
But right now, she couldn't face it.
A deep fear seized her heart.
Elena knew that once she entered the room, her life would change.
But she also knew that if she didn’t confront the truth now, she would suffocate for the rest of her life.
“Please don’t let it be what I think it is.”
Elena drew in a deep breath when she heard the voices from inside.
“Weren’t you supposed to celebrate your anniversary tonight? How come you have time to meet me?” Chloe asked.
“It’s just an anniversary. Definitely not as important as f**king you.” Andrew replied.
Chloe was pleased with his answer but still asked innocently. “But… wouldn’t Elena be upset by your absence?”
“So what? I just have to coax her with a few words, and that old hag will continue to lick my shoes!”“Won’t she feel something amiss?”
"Right now, even if she sees the two of us having s*x, she will forgive me," Andrew laughed unkindly. "After all, she's blinded by love and her entire world only revolves around me."
Bang!
The door opened with a loud bang, revealing a scene that destroyed Elena's already fragile state of mind.
Chloe lay on the bed, her face flushed with pleasure as Andrew slipped his manhood inside her.
Elena's world crumbled in an instant.
Despite mentally preparing herself, the reality that unfolded in front of her pierced her defenses like a knife through her soul.
Her body trembled uncontrollably, and her heart turned cold as a wave of nausea surged through her.
Hearing the bang, Chloe and Andrew were both startled.
They turned to see the intruder and their eyes widened in horror when they saw Elena standing at the door.
“El-Elena…” Chloe stammered in shock.
She hastily disentangled herself from Andrew and reached for her clothes. “Elena, this isn’t what it seems,” Chloe attempted to explain.
“Not what I think?” Elena’s voice crackled with a burst of fury. “You both are literally joined at the hips. What exactly do you call this, then?” she roared.
Chloe felt awkward.
She wanted to refute, but Elena’s attention had already shifted towards Andrew.
Elena's gaze bored into Andrew, wanting answers that he was unable to provide.
"Why, Andrew?" "How could you do this to me?" Elena's voice quivered, and her eyes filled with tears.
Andrew stood there nonchalantly, with no remorse, no guilt on his face. "Don't make it seem like such a big deal, Elena. There's nothing wrong here,"
Elena looked at him with disbelief. "Not a big deal?"
"Yes, and so what if I slept with her?" Andrew said, his voice full of arrogance. "Also, which male does not have a mistress outside? As long as you play the role of Mrs. Elliot, everything will stay the same."
The shallowness of Andrew’s words stabbed at Elena’s already wounded heart.
She could not believe he was the same person who had vowed to accompany her till the end of the world.
Without a second thought, her hand swung with force, and a resounding smack echoed in the room.
“Do you think I care about that lousy title?” Elena gritted her teeth in anger as she glared at him.
A bright crimson print appeared across Andrew’s cheek, and he looked at her in shock.
In the five years of their relationship, he had never seen such ferocity in her gaze.
The Elena in his memories had been gentle, soft-spoken, and accommodating.
Her loving gaze had never wavered, always looking at him with warmth and adoration.
No matter how badly his family treated her, she had never raised her voice or expressed her dissatisfaction.
Even during their arguments, it was always Elena who yielded first.
But tonight, it was his first time seeing this side of hers.
At that moment, he felt as though he was facing a different person than he thought he knew.
Chloe was equally dumbfounded, as she never expected Elena to hit him.
She had firsthand witnessed how much Elena cherished Andrew. So much so that she would bawl her heart out, even if Andrew had a slight fever.
But soon, a hint of smug satisfaction flickered in her eyes as she observed the chaos in front of her.
Good! Fight as much as you can! It’d be best if there’s blood today!
“Elena, please don’t hurt Andy. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s me,” Chloe hurriedly interjected. She pinched her thigh, squeezing out a few tears. “I simply love Andy too much. It’s my feelings that led to this.”
Chloe’s voice was soft, and tears welled in her eyes.
Her small frame could instantly evoke a sense of pity from anyone who glanced her way.
And Andrew was the same.
His heart ached as he witnessed Chloe take the blame upon herself.
“Love? Chloe Baker, ask yourself. Have I ever treated you badly? Didn’t your conscience hurt a bit when you decided to sleep with my husband?! Did you two ever consider what it would be like for me when I learn the truth?” Elena screamed, her voice breaking with the pain inflicted on her.
At this point, she felt that her life was a joke.
For Andrew, she had abandoned her career and dreams and chose to settle as an ordinary housewife.
Just so that he would not feel inferior, she had broken ties with her family while stupidly currying favor with her in-laws.
In the end, he dismissed her by saying, “It’s not a big deal.”
“Trust me, Elena, I never meant to hurt you. And don’t worry. No one would take Andy away from you,” Chloe implored, her voice earnest. “I don’t seek any status from Andy, nor do I have any complaints against him.”
Chloe stood in front of Elena and held her arms.
“Why make things difficult for everyone, El?” Chloe’s voice was persuasive as she looked at her with a hint of madness. “We can go back to how things were. You and Andy will still be the loving couple and I’ll remain your best friend. I’m not greedy and I’ll be content if Andy can accompany me occasionally. You can take care of him on the weekdays while I’ll serve him on weekends. We can live together like sisters, and everyone can be happy.”
Chloe wanted to force Elena into a corner.However, if the latter was disobedient, then she didn’t mind using a crooked approach.Hearing Chloe’s words, Andrew’s eyes lit up.Initially, he had been racking his brains, thinking about how to clean up the mess, but Chloe’s suggestion enlightened him.That’s right. As long as Elena turned a blind eye to his affairs, everything would be fine!Sure enough, hooking up with Chloe was the best decision. She always prioritized him first and never caused him any inconvenience.“Serve him together? Are you trying to disgust me to death?” Elena was so repulsed by her words she wanted to throw up. “I never knew you could stoop so low. What makes you think that after everything, I’d still want this trash?”Elena’s words stung Andrew, and he immediately leaped to his defense. “Who do you think you’re calling trash?”“Still asking?” Elena glared at him fiercely.“Andrew, please, calm down,” Chloe urged, her voice laced with concern. “Elena is angry ri
“It’s just that… my heart is fluttering.”The darkness in the man’s eyes disappeared, and the corner of his lips curled up.His tall figure leaned closer to the counter and stopped when there was only an inch’s space between them.“Does your heart flutter after seeing me?” The man deliberately lowered his voice.The last syllable he said was seductive, as if it could move the wind by her ear.Elena nodded her head subconsciously.The man was pleased by her response and reached out his hand.Elena’s breath hitched as the man brushed his warm fingertips across her hair, removing a small piece of confetti that had gotten stuck.Ba-dump!At that moment, Elena’s heart started to pound violently against her chest.Currently, the two of them were very close, and Elena could smell a faint scent of agarwood on him.It made one feel calm and refreshing.The man lowered his eyelashes and noticed the woman still holding her breath.Her face was soft, and her lips were full and red, enticing him t
“Even if you do, it’ll be my honor.”The man paused, taken aback by her boldness.Then a low chuckle resounded in the space.“What a sweet mouth,” he said in amusement. “Is your mouth really that sweet, or…”“Why don’t you find out?” Elena interrupted him.“I want to, but I’m afraid.”“Afraid?”The man’s expression remained impassive, but there was a flicker in his eyes. “I’m afraid that once I taste it, I’ll become addicted,” he confessed.Straightening her body, Elena took a step closer and pressed her soft lips against the corners of his mouth. “For a drug, there’s always an antidote.”The man did not allow her to pull away.Without a word, his lips crashed down on hers in a fierce and hungry kiss.Holding the back of her head, the man couldn’t help but suck on her tongue greedily, savoring the taste of lingering alcohol on her breath.It was a feeling he had never experienced before, one that ignited a fire within him.Elena melted into the kiss, her body responding to his touch w
But there was no answer.Life seemed to lose all meaning as Elena cried, and unknowingly she fell asleep.When she woke up, she realized it was dark outside.Elena’s eyes felt heavy, swollen from the tears she had shed.No, this could not go on.When had she, Elena Walker, ever been in such an embarrassing state?She would not allow herself to suffer the grievances while the adulterous pair moved freely with no remorse.She pushed herself to her feet and went to the bathroom, determined to wash away the traces of her distress.Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Elena saw a glimmer of strength in her eyes.The defeated woman from the past was now replaced by someone strong and determined.She would gather evidence of Andrew’s infidelity, irrefutable proof that would expose him as the liar and cheater he was. Sue him for adultery and strip him of every penny until he begged on the streets.Not that she cared about this little of his money. But if she didn’t hit him where it hurt,
“I was just trying to be considerate, Lucas,” Samantha said embarrassedly. “I’m concerned about you just as I would for my children.”“Did I ask for your concern?” Lucas shot back. “Besides, I’m afraid that the woman you chose will be as cheap as you.”Elena silently gave Lucas a thumbs-up.For too long, Samantha had been strutting around like a proud peacock, exerting control over the lives of those around her.And as her daughter-in-law, Elena had the worst.But she never expected Lucas to humble her with just a sentence.Tears immediately brimmed in Samantha’s eyes as she appeared to be hurt by his words.“I know that you don’t like us and think that I’ve caused your parent’s separation but I never meant any of this to happen,” she protested weakly. “And I may not be your biological mother, but I have always considered you like my own.”“Do you think you’re worthy?”“Watch your words, Lucas. This is not how you speak to your mother,” Thomas cleared his throat in a warning.“I’m sor
Elena had never been one to follow her heart without considering the consequences.But something about Lucas had ignited a spark within her, a longing she had long suppressed in the confines of her marriage to Andrew.Hence, in a moment of recklessness, she succumbed to the passion as if nothing else mattered.But as she stood face to face with him, the reality of her actions came crashing down around her like a tornado.Of all people, why did it have to be him?How could she have been so blind, so foolish?It was as if fate had played a cruel joke on her.“Come here,” the man ordered.Elena stood frozen as Lucas’ commanding voice cut through the air.Her muscles tensed as she once again resisted the urge to flee.“Don’t make me repeat myself,” Lucas growled, his impatience palpable.Elena swallowed hard, the taste of fear bitter on her tongue.She took hesitant steps towards him, her eyes fixed on the ground, as she refused to meet his piercing gaze.Lucas’s patience was wearing thin
Knox’s shoulders relaxed, and he breathed a sigh of relief.After witnessing their boss’ interactions with that woman, they were afraid that the former might’ve taken a liking to her.But as quickly as the thought entered their mind, they dismissed it.Their boss was famous for being ascetic, and last night’s events were probably his testosterone bursting out for a breather.“In that case, I’ll inform the hotel manager that you’ll be going over,” Knox informed.Lucas raised a brow. “For what?”Knox felt a pang of confusion.Every time they visited Auburn Hills, his boss would always stay at the hotel.So why was he still asking?Lucas sensed his confusion and replied. “This is my house. Why should I stay in a hotel when I have my room here?”Knox’s mouth twitched, and he was rendered speechless.———Elena’s heels clicked against the pavement as she emerged from the lawyer’s office.The late afternoon sun cast long shadows, mirroring the desolation that enveloped her.After careful con
Elena cursed Samantha countless times for getting her into this predicament.Lucas nudged the food trolley and ordered. “Eat it.”“Huh?” Elena was confused.But when she realized the meaning of his words, she became infuriated.“You think I poisoned the food?” She gritted her teeth.Lucas shrugged, his answer obvious.Since he was suspicious, Elena wanted to ask him why he was still living in the mansion.Despite having a long day, she had prepared supper for him at this late hour; yet this man dared to question her motives.Did she look that free to him?With a sharp inhale, Elena grabbed the spoon.Glaring at him, she scooped up a mouthful of food and shoved it into her mouth, her jaw working furiously as she chewed.She savored every bite to show him she had eaten.After swallowing, she slammed the spoon back onto the table with a forceful clatter. “There, are you satisfied now?”Just when Elena thought he would let her go, she saw him shake his head. “No.”Lucas moved closer till
Four years later.The snow-covered peaks stretched endlessly, a breathtaking expanse of white under the pale winter sun.“Again!”Ethan laughed, his bright eyes gleaming with excitement.He was bundled in a white ski suit, his tiny gloved hands gripping the ski poles.Lucas crouched beside him, adjusting the boy’s stance with practiced ease.“Feet apart, shoulders steady,” he instructed, his deep voice laced with patience. “And don’t lean too far forward, or you’ll—”Before he could finish, Ethan pushed off, wobbling slightly as he slid down the gentle slope.“—fall,” Lucas muttered, shaking his head as Ethan toppled over into the soft snow.A giggle rang through the air as Ethan flopped onto his back, arms spread wide.As Ethan grew older, his features bore a striking resemblance to Lucas, except for his gorgeous dark blue
Isabella’s lips trembled. “I—I thought—”“You thought?” Helen’s voice cracked, a bitter laugh escaping her. “No, Isabella. You chose. You chose Mike. You chose yourself. And you threw Lucas away again.”Helen’s chest rose and fell with the force of her emotions.Looking at Isabella, she felt nothing but bitter disappointment.“We never blamed you,” Helen said. “Not when you lied about your death. Not when you left your son behind to fend for himself,” she continued, her voice cracking. “And this is how you repay us?”A choked sob escaped Isabella’s lips.She reached for Helen’s hand, but Helen took a step back.“You could’ve asked for help. You could’ve told anyone. But instead, you sold out your own family. Your own grandson.”Helen looked at Isabella with eyes full of grief.“D
“I have lived long enough to witness the rise and fall of generations, but tonight… tonight, I feel truly blessed. This child is not only the blood of our Evans family but the future that will carry our legacy forward.”He turned toward Lucas and reached out his aged hands.Lucas stepped forward, carefully handing Ethan over to his great-grandfather.Harold cradled the child with surprising gentleness, his usually stern eyes softening as he looked down at the tiny face.Under the watchful eyes of the entire Evans family and the influential guests present, Harold personally opened the ancient Evans family record book, an heirloom that had documented the bloodline for centuries.With a brush dipped in ink, Harold carefully wrote down the name Ethan Lucas Evans in bold strokes.The moment the ink touched the paper, it symbolized Ethan’s official entry into the Evans family tree, a position that no one could ever challen
He nudged Elena, who carefully handed the baby over.Everyone watched as Harold’s rough hands, once used to commanding empires and instilling fear, trembled slightly as they cradled the tiny life in his arms.The moment the child settled against him, Harold’s fury melted away.Helen stepped closer, her own hands clasped over her chest as she peered down at the baby. “Oh my God, he’s so handsome.”Harold’s eyes reddened once again.This was the blood of the Evans family…“Look at him,” Harold’s voice cracked. “He’s got the same sharp brows as Lucas when he was a baby.”Lucas’ eyes softened.The little one stirred slightly, his tiny hand clenching into a fist.A faint smile spread across Harold’s face as he gently patted the baby’s chest.“From this day onward,” Harold announced, his voice filled with pride a
ACE’s face immediately turned terrifying.“Winter.” He said warningly. “You’re not allowed to joke about that.”Her heart skipped a beat.No one knew better than her how scary this man was once he got angry.Wrapping her arms around his neck, she rubbed her face against his cheek. “All right, all right. Don’t be fierce.”ACE sighed helplessly.He could make world leaders shut up with a single glance, yet before this woman, he was always at the losing end.No matter how ruthless he was outside, when it came to Winter, he had no bottom line.He let her act coquettishly and turned around. “What do you want to eat?”Winter’s eyes instantly lit up.Her hubby was so good to her.She latched onto his arm without hesitation, her voice filled with excitement as she rattled off a long list of dishes.“…”Jayden, w
Lucas only smiled.Back when he resided in Country K, Lucas had found himself entangled with the Black Vipers, a ruthless underground syndicate known for their brutal dealings in the underworld.To survive and walk out alive, Lucas went undercover as Rocky.He played his role flawlessly, climbing their ranks, gaining their trust, and dismantling their core operations.By the time he left Country K, he thought he had completely destroyed them.Yet, fate proved him wrong.Like cockroaches that thrive in darkness, they waited for the right moment to resurface.Lucas knew their weaknesses.Their hideouts and the fractures in their foundation.The cops knew it, too.That’s why they came to him, not as a suspect, but as an asset.They needed someone who could infiltrate deep, someone with a personal stake in bringing the Black Vipers to their knees.And when the authorities realized the extent of his
Jayden Luxton strode toward them, his sharp gaze sweeping over the scene.Dressed in all black, he exuded the same air of danger and authority as Lucas, but his approach wasn’t hostile.Not this time.“Everything is ready.” He said, giving him a small nod.Behind him, the hospital staff rushed forward, quickly transferring Elena onto a stretcher.As the stretcher started moving, Elena’s fingers slipped from Lucas’.She stirred slightly, her fingers weakly grasping at his sleeve before her strength gave out.The sight nearly shattered him.The stretcher was wheeled straight into the emergency room, disappearing through the doors.The woman, who had been by Elena’s side the entire time, turned to Lucas. “I’ll take care of it.”Before she could enter the operating room, Jayden’s arm shot in front of her.Wariness flickered across his face.The
Elena’s pulse quickened. “What—”“Just do it.” His tone left no room for argument.Ten minutes later, a sharp, piercing scream resounds from inside the bedroom.The guards patrolling rushed inside, and what they saw blew their minds.Elena lay on the cold, hard floor, her body curled in on itself.A dark pool of blood spread beneath her, soaking through her dress.Her face contorted in agony, sweat beading along her forehead as she gasped for air.Before her stood Hunter with his fists clenched at his side.His usually sharp gaze was unfocused, drowning in a drunken stupor.One of the guards cursed under his breath. “What the hell did you do, Hunter?!”Hunter swayed slightly, his movements sluggish. “I just wanted to… wanted to hold her hands. But she wouldn’t let me.”“The baby…” Elena rasped, her lips trembling. &l
Elena’s face turned pale.“Don’t overdo it, Hunter. We can’t afford any accidents before the smuggling.” Reed reminded him.“Relax,” Hunter replied coolly.He grabbed Elena’s chin, his thumb dragging across her cheekbone as he tilted her face left, then right.“Damn. What a pretty face,” he mused, his tone almost appreciative. “That b***ard Lucas really lucked out, huh?”Elena pulled away her face from his grip and glared at him. “Don’t take his name from your filthy mouth.”Hunter sneered. “Touched a nerve, did I?”Elena’s glare was colder than ice.Hunter crouched before her, bringing his face level with hers. “I don’t have a good temper, woman.” Hunter continued, his voice slow, deliberate. “So, if you dare piss me off…”A cold metal suddenly touched Elena’s belly.