Emma sat at the dimly lit bar, nursing a glass of scotch as she stared into the swirling depths of her emotions. Tears glistened in her eyes as she thought about Trevor, the man she had loved with all her heart, the man who had shattered her world into a million irreparable pieces. They had been dating for five years, planning their future together, building a life filled with promises of forever. But all of that came crashing down when she discovered he had been cheating on her with whom he introduced as his childhood friend.Deep down, Emma couldn't help but acknowledge the beauty of Ivanka, she's a supermodel, a beauty capable of bringing any man to his knees, and she had successfully brought Trevor to his knees; the only difference was then, Trevor had to stomp on her and her broken heart to get on his knees for Ivanka.The betrayal had cut her to the core, leaving a gaping wound in her heart that refused to heal. She felt lost and alone, adrift in a sea of broken dreams and shat
Emma's heart raced in her chest, the scent of Lucas's cologne filling her senses. It was masculine and alluring, his warm breath caressing her cheek as he pinned her against the wall. Fear gripped her as she waited for his next move, her back pressed against the hard surface."I don't appreciate how you speak to me. I genuinely care about you and what you're going through. The scoundrel who betrayed you doesn't deserve you. Only a fool would leave someone as beautiful as you for a so-called friend. Emma, your heart is pure. Don't let him alter who you are," Lucas murmured softly, his gaze shifting from her eyes to her full lips, a dark desire flickering in his eyesSensing his intense stare on her lips, Emma seized the moment to push him away. "You don't know me at all. You're trying so hard to pretend you're different. You're not. I won't fall for your sweet-talking ways, Mr. Sugarcoated lover boy. Stay out of my path," she retorted firmly."You are drunk, Emma, you have no one to loo
Upon arriving at his penthouse, Lucas carried her with ease, her body limply draped over his arms as he made his way to the bedroom. He had considered taking her to one of the many guest rooms in his house but ultimately decided against it; he couldn't afford to let a stranger wander his home without his watchful eye.As he laid her gently on the bed, Emma emitted a soft moan, and fresh tears escaped her tightly shut eyes. Lucas carefully removed her shoes and pondered whether to also remove her dress, wanting her to be as comfortable as possible. But he ultimately decided against it, not wanting to take advantage of her vulnerable state. He helped her into one of his shirts and a pair of shorts and then undressed himself, preparing for bed. But as he was about to enter the shower, he heard her sobbing.Turning to face her, he could tell she was deep in a dream. He wondered how much the wound of her betrayal must have hurt for her to cry in her slumber. Gently pulling the covers up t
Lucas was keenly aware of the need to vacate the room and put as much distance between himself and her as possible before committing the gravest error of his existence. For half a decade, he had remained chaste, refraining from inviting any woman into his private quarters or allowing anyone to stay the night. With fervent prayer, he hoped no ravenous journalists were covertly spying on his residence, eager to capture a headline-worthy photograph that would bring in a torrent of online traffic and potentially extort him for a hefty sum."Are you famished?" he asked, already heading for the door, "I am. You can get cleaned up while I have the cook prepare breakfast for us." He exited the bedroom with haste, seemingly as if his backside were aflame.Emma let out a long sigh of relief as she watched him leave the room, unable to deny the powerful effect he had on her. With just one touch, she could feel her panties becoming soaked - a fact that infuriated her. Why did she feel this unden
With every savory bite of the lamb served with homemade mint jelly, tiny roasted potatoes, and for dessert, homemade pudding topped with whipped cream that Emma wholeheartedly indulged in, Lucas felt a strange but warm stirring in his heart, enthralled by how her eyes lit up when she took a huge mouthful of the meal.The way her lips embraced the fork as she withdrew it, and her tongue darted out to catch any stray crumbs and sauce, sent a sudden surge of desire through him. He could feel the warmth spreading in his stomach, and the tightness growing in his pants made him shift uneasily in his chair. He wondered if Emma was aware of the innocent effect she had on him.Unaware of Lucas's inner turmoil, Emma continued to relish her meal. These were by far the most delicious meal she had ever tasted, and the fact that they were prepared by a man only piqued her interest. She had grown accustomed to taking care of all the household tasks, including cooking, laundry, and picking up after T
Her phone slipped from her grasp and hit the ground with a thud. Lucas rushed to her side, bewildered by her scaring actions. With a worried expression, he grasped her shoulder and a single tear slid down her cheek. "What's the matter, Emma?" Lucas inquired, gently guiding her to the nearby sofa.Emma sniffled as tears continued to fall. "He wants me out of the house. The devil said I have 24 hours to leave," Emma sobbed, burying her face into Lucas's shoulder.Lucas's jaw clenched as the anger that had subsided resurfaced. He already despised Trevor, even though he had yet to meet him. That stupid, fucking asshole.When he returned to find her still crying, he offered her a glass of water, watching as she gulped it down. Her tears seemed unending, and he wished he could take away the pain etched on her face. After what felt like an eternity, exhaustion overtook her and she curled into a ball on the couch, her sobs gradually fading into quiet whimpers.Once he was certain she was deepl
Anxiety surged through Lucas as he fought to control himself. "Not today," he told himself as he stepped back, closing the door behind him. Emma was left speechless, anticipating his next move, if he ever succumbed to his weaknesses. She let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Disappointment washed over her, mingling with the heat pooling between her thighs and the ache in her chest. Her body longed for his touch, something she knew she shouldn't even consider. She yearned to feel his skin against hers, but at the same time, she was grateful he didn't push it. He didn't want her to feel like prey or to take advantage of her, especially since she was still in a fragile state.It was too soon to be entangled in another relationship, especially one that seemed destined to end like her last.At this moment, she craved closure and retribution against the only person she had ever loved and devoted her time to. Despite her efforts and dedication, she was treated as if she
"Easy does it, Emma," a familiar voice rang out, halting Emma in her tracks. She turned, her anxiety replaced with surprise upon seeing Lucas standing beside her. She had assumed he had already left after dropping her off, but there he was, an unexpected source of comfort amidst her turmoil. His expression was unreadable, but Emma found solace in his presence nonetheless."Allow me to speak with the guards," Lucas offered, his voice steady and reassuring. Emma nodded, her breath catching in her throat as she closed her eyes, determined to remain composed. She couldn't shake off the shame of being evicted and having Lucas witness it, but she was grateful that he had stayed by her side once again. She took a moment to collect herself, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm the rising panic within her before dialing her phone.With each ring, Emma's anxiety grew, her heart pounding in her ears like a relentless drumbeat. The first ring ended, and Trevor's familiar voice suggested she
Emma clenched her hands in her lap, her knuckles white. She glanced at Lucas, who gave her a reassuring nod. "You can do this," he mouthed.After what felt like an eternity, it was time for the verdict. The judge's voice was firm, unyielding. "Mario Rodriguez, you are sentenced to a total of fifty years in prison for the rape of Kathy Callum, for human trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, and aiding murders. You will be eligible for parole after twenty five years."The courtroom buzzed with murmurs, but Emma barely heard them. She was focused on the look of shock and fury on Mr. Mario's face as he was led away in handcuffs. It was over. Truly over.Tears welled in her eyes, but this time they were tears of relief. Lucas squeezed her hand, and she turned to him, a tentative smile breaking through. "It's finally over," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.He nodded, pulling her into a hug. "You were amazing," he said softly. "So strong."Emma leaned into him, feeling
Emma felt the warm trickle of blood running down the side of her face where the gun had struck her. The metallic scent filled her nostrils as she looked up at Mr. Mario. His grip on her face was ironclad, his face mere inches from hers. His breath was hot and reeked of cigarettes as he hissed, “Don’t make me kill you, Emma. Don’t tempt me.”His voice was low and menacing, and Emma could feel the vibration of his words against her skin. She knew she was probably making the worst decision of her life, but it was the only thing she could think of. With a sudden, desperate resolve, she lunged forward and sank her teeth into his nose. She bit down hard, the taste of blood flooding her mouth, and pulled with all her might until she felt the flesh tear awayMr. Mario’s scream pierced the air, raw and filled with agony. Emma could see the shock and pain in his eyes as he clutched his nose, blood streaming through his fingers. Seizing the moment, Emma summoned every ounce of strength and let o
Emma slowly sat back down in a chair. She took a deep breath and opened the file. Inside, she found a set of documents. As she scanned the pages, her eyes landed on the title: "Dissolution of Betrothal Contract." Her heart pounded as she saw Morgan’s signature at the bottom.Her mind reeled. Why had Morgan changed her mind? What had prompted this sudden shift? Emma leaned back, staring at the papers, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and curiosity. But her relief was unmistakable."What had changed her mind?" Emma whispered to herself, the question lingering as she stepped out of the courtroom.**One month later**Emma stepped out of the hospital with Tina, who had just finished her antenatal check-up. The setting evening sun glinted off the hospital’s glass facade, casting long shadows on the pavement.Emma got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. “Feeling okay?” she asked as she navigated the car through the parking lot.Tina chuckled, resting a hand on her baby bump.
His lips curled into a sneer. "I'm going to win my case tomorrow. And when I get out, Emma, I'll make sure you pay. I'll kill you, and before that, I'll have my way with you. Brutally. You'll regret everything. You should have stopped when you had the chance."Emma's smile didn't waver, but inside, a shiver ran down her spine. She steadied herself, refusing to let him see any weakness. She knew the case was too good for him to win it. "We'll see about that, Ethan Maddox. How pitiful it is, the once powerful Maddox, stuck in a jail cell." She stood up, adjusting her coat with deliberate grace.As the guards moved to take him away, Ethan's expression shifted, a malicious glint in his eye. "Watch your back, Emma. Mario is still out there, and he's planning something big."Emma paused, her heart skipping a beat, but she didn't turn around. She walked out of the room, the echo of Ethan's words trailing after her.With Mario still roaming out there, she knew everything was truly far from ov
"Cookies or a sandwich?" Emma asked.Tina picked cookies without hesitation. Emma retrieved a pack from the pantry and placed a few on a plate, setting it on the counter next to where they would soon sit with their hot drinks.The kettle began to whistle, steam escaping from its spout as Emma poured the hot water into two waiting mugs filled with cocoa mix. The rich aroma of chocolate filled the air.They sat down at the kitchen table, the silence heavy between them as they sipped their drinks. The warmth of the hot chocolate seeped through Emma's fingers, temporarily soothing her senses.After they finished their drinks and Tina left, Emma returned to the living room. The fatigue of the day washed over her, and she settled onto the couch, her thoughts wandering to Lucas.Hours later, the sound of the front door opening roused Emma from her doze. She blinked sleepily, glancing at the clock—it was a little past seven. Lucas entered the room.He settled beside her on the couch, leaning o
The lady sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping as she collapsed onto the edge of the bed. "Maybe you weren't convincing enough," she suggested. "You should have worn the other more revealing red dress. And maybe you sounded pushy..."Her words faded into the background as Morgan's anger reached a boiling point. With a sudden, ferocious movement, she stood up and crossed the room in two quick strides. Grabbing the lady by the front of her shirt, she lifted her off the bed and slammed her against the nearby wall. The impact sent a dull thud through the room."If you want to pass blame on me for your stupid plans not working," Morgan hissed through gritted teeth, her face inches from the lady's, "you're not going to like how it ends for you."The lady's eyes widened in shock and fear. Her breath came in shallow, rapid bursts. As Morgan's grip tightened momentarily before letting go, the lady slid down the wall, her legs weak beneath her. She straightened herself slowly, smoothing out her
Upstairs, Lucas leaned back in his leather chair, the phone pressed to his ear. Morgan's voice echoed through the line, breaking the silence."We need to see Lucas. It's urgent," Morgan's tone was urgent.Lucas frowned, his brow furrowing. "See me for what?" he asked, his voice guarded.There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Morgan replied, "About Ethan Maddox. There's been a breakthrough, and I thought you should know."Lucas's grip tightened on the phone. Ethan Maddox. He inhaled sharply."Why are you trying to help me?" Lucas's voice was low, contemplative. "It feels like there's more to this than just the case."A soft chuckle came through the line, warm and unexpectedly genuine. "Yes, Lucas," Morgan admitted, her tone unguarded. "I have my reasons. I want you to warm up to me, and if helping with this case will achieve that, then I'm willing to take the risk. I'm really sorry about yesterday, I shouldn't have done that. It's been years, and I should have allo
"This is one of the disk file you gave to us, we would like to watch it with you," the police officer stated and Mrs Veronica nodded.The screen showed a dimly lit kitchen. Mrs. Maria was gagged and tied on the floor, her eyes wide with fear. Ethan Maddox was pacing around, his face twisted in anger, his mouth moving rapidly as he shouted. Although there was no sound, the rage in his body language was unmistakable. Mrs. Maria seemed to be pleading, shaking her head in desperation.The scene escalated quickly. Ethan Maddox grabbed a knife from the counter and, with a swift, brutal motion, slashed at Mrs. Maria's neck. Blood spurted out in gruesome bursts, staining the floor and walls. Mrs. Veronica's breath caught in her throat, her eyes glued to the screen.The officer quickly shut the laptop, her hands shaking slightly. She took a deep breath, her face pale. "This... this is more than enough evidence," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Emma and Lucas sat in the car, parked
Emma inhaled sharply, not expecting what she had just heard. "Does the phone contain information that could help?" She asked and the woman nodded.Emma glanced at Lucas, whose eyes were distant and unfocused, lost in thought.Lucas suddenly stood up from the worn-out couch, his expression resolute. "This is what we're going to do," he said, his voice steady. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, a sign of the stress they were under.Emma watched as he began to pace. "I'm going to call the police, and you're going to speak to them," he continued, "They'll come here and find everything exactly as it is. But this time, we'll take pictures and leak them to the public. That way, they can't cover anything up, especially with the FBI involved." He glanced at the woman, whose eyes widened slightly, a mix of fear in her gaze."We need to make sure they can't hide this," Lucas explained. "You're going to tell them you've been attacked and that you have information they need. When they're clos