BRYAN'S POV"Good morning, son," Mom greeted me as she strolled into my room, carrying a tray in her hands, smiling warmly in my direction. She had come by because Sylvia and I would be getting married in a few months."Mom..." I responded, surprised. She chuckled, setting the tray down on the table."I know you're going to try and skip breakfast like always," she teased, placing her hands firmly on her waist."I have to go out of the city for business," I explained, but she just chuckled again, unconcerned."That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat, son. Health comes before wealth son," she reminded me, stepping closer to help knot my tie."You’re pushing yourself too hard. We talked about this just last month," she scolded lightly, as she narrowed her eyes with concern. I sighed softly."I’ve been taking better care of myself lately," Iuttered, and she shook her head immediately."Skipping meals isn’t taking care of yourself. That’s a terrible habit," she pointed out, gesturing toward the
BRYAN'S POV"The Godfather informed me that you would be coming over, so I made reservations to welcome you," one of our trusted men residing in the territory announced immediately as I walked in."I've been here for a day now, Dan. What's up with things around here? We already lost some of our men lately, and the shipments didn't go as planned," I asked, as we walked in together."Boss, the business hasn't been in good shape. The attack on our factory last night was something else. Our men narrowly escaped." He began."Whoever is heading the attacks on the business must be very dangerous and out to ruin you," he explained, as he led me towards the sitting room."Boss," the men bowed when they saw me.It was a sign of respect they gave to every member of the mafia business, something I had learned to get used to."We need to talk more about this issue and devise a means to get on with the business, and protect the workers as well.""Copy that, Boss," he replied and shook hands with me
BRYAN'S POVI stared at Trenton and Oscar as they explained everything that happened in my absence, how they managed to get my ex and bring her back into the city, not just into the city but into my mansion."Do you even hear yourself right now, Trenton?" I burst out angrily."Bryan, I know you're pissed off right now. Sylvia might have heard from the servants around that she lives in your mansion, but we both know things are going south, especially with Godfather trying to sabotage you from the inside," Oscar explained, and I took deep breaths, trying to calm my nerves."Sylvia and I will be getting married soon. How do you even expect her to come to terms with this reality?""Are you guys for real right now?" I yelled angrily, and they just rubbed their necks nervously."Calm down and think of this as a way to end this game. You know she's useful," Trenton argued, and an uncomfortable silence filled the room.My ride back to the estate was a quiet one, my thoughts were filled with t
LAURA'S POVMemories of the past clouded my mind, and I stopped as I screamed. "Aaaaaa! Aaaaa!" I screamed at the top of my voice, as I stopped and rubbed my neck.I walked into the bathroom and switched on the shower, still in my clothes, and as the cold water hit my skin, I burst out crying badly."It hurts... it hurts so much... it fucking hurts so much," I sobbed, and I gasped in between my tears."You're going to be fine, Laura. Crying is weak... No one should see your weakness. Nothing should be your weakness," I encourage myself, even though I was feeling numb at that moment."Hide wherever you are, because when I finally get you, I'll make sure you live to regret every single minute you breathe," I muttered and closed my eyes as I sank into the bathtub.The next morning, I left early for a run in the estate.I ran to the extreme end and ran back, and when I got to back the front of the mansion, I stopped to drink from my water can.I put on my Bluetooth as beads of sweat roll
LAURA'S POVThe meeting with Trenton, Oscar, and Bryan did not end well, but we had this conversation that opened my mind to the fact that I would be working closely with him. If we would ever get a chance at ruining Blake in his own game, I had to find out who Cindy and my stepmom sold me off to. I stared at myself in the mirror as I put on my eye lens. Kora stared at me with a frown on her face, yes she freaked out when she heard of my return to the city and the fact that I was going to stay at my ex's estate.In fact, she could not wrap the idea around her head. "You look different," she remarked, and I could hear worry in her voice."That's why I didn't want you to know, you worry too much," I replied as I straightened my dress. "You won't blame me. You've hidden so many dirty secrets, Laura. You left the city without a word and now you're working with Bryan. It makes me feel like you're a part of something illegal." She began"Did I really not mean anything to you?" she asked
LAURA'S POV "Good evening, beautiful," he trailed off with a smile on his face, and I turned towards him with a fake smile."Good evening, sir," I responded with fake nervousness, as I played with my fingers shyly."Here's your drink, ma'am," the bartender called, and I took it, sipping slowly."You're such a damsel. I've been watching you work that beauty," he observed, and I faked a blush."Thanks, sir." "I want to be with you. What can I do for you tonight?" he inquired, and I laughed."You're such a fine man, sir," I smiled teasingly as I got close to him, purposely flaunting my boobs.He moved closer to me, sending his hand to my waist. "Oh, sir," I laughed, and he chuckled."I want us to have some alone time, me and you..." I proposed, and he stared at me."I like you, dear. You didn't even stress me at all. Straight to the business," he remarked with his thick accent.I've always hated sick men like him who didn't care about the age of the ladies they took to bed, and Mr. D i
BRYAN'S POV I was angry she wasted time in there with that old hag. I couldn't help but lose it when I saw her walk out looking like someone who has been f*cked. And then, I reacted on impulse. I don't get angry easily, but when I do, everyone knows it's never nice. I stared at her in anger as she pulled her sling bag closer to her body. "I don't need your help. I'll call Cris to pick me up," she replied, hurt. It was pretty obvious my words hurt her, but that's exactly what I wanted her to feel, the pain she put me through when she walked away from me. "Get in the car before I walk up to you!" I snapped, and she just stared at me with her green doe eyes. Laura has always been a stubborn woman. Anyone who knew her knew just how much she hates being controlled, something I observed even before we dated in the past. "I'm not your wife, and I'm definitely not someone you should be yelling at," she retorted, and I stormed out of the car in anger. "Do not test my patience, Laura
BRYAN'S POV"I'm going to my room," I stated as I got up immediately."But, baby..." she trailed off."Sylvia..." I uttered, and she sighed."It's okay; at least you came out for me tonight," she remarked, and I smiled at her excitement."Goodnight," I announced, and she hugged me. I kissed her forehead as I strolled towards my room.As I was walking toward the direction of my room, I heard Julie's voice in the kitchen and I frowned. Oscar wasn't around, and hearing her voice in the kitchen means only one thing, I knew she was having one of her weird cravings.Who knows what she would want to eat this time? The last time I saw her and Oscar this late at night, she wanted fried eggs and roasted potatoes with maple syrup on top.He and I had to plead with her not to eat that weird food. She cried until he gave in. Or the day she told him to sing for her outside the mansion.It was funny yet cute. Julie has always had her moments of craziness with this pregnancy, so I decided to check on
LAURA'S POV We returned to the city after that weekend, and the whole family was happy about the news, especially his mom and friends. The plans for our wedding went on with full force. Bryan and I wanted something simple, by the sea with family and friends, that was it. A few days before my wedding, I noticed I was seriously sick. I couldn't eat anything because the moment it got in my stomach, I threw it all up. I couldn't even leave the bed. Bryan was out of the country with Oscar for business otherwise, he would be worried sick. "Babe, get off the bed, we are supposed to go cake tasting today," Kora complained. "I can't... I feel so weak... my boobs ache a bit, they feel so full..." I murmured weakly. "What?" Julie inquired, and I rubbed my forehead. "Have you eaten something? Besides, you're burning up pretty badly." "I throw up the minute it gets in my stomach," I replied, and she gasped. "When was the last time you saw your periods?" she probed, and I stared at her. "I
BRYAN'S POV It's been two weeks since the incident with Mikoy and the rest. Laura hasn't been herself, she's been quiet, and the nightmares have moved to a whole new level. It hurt me because it felt like the devil still controlled her happiness from the land of the dead. She has been seeing a therapist, and we are hoping for positive results. I just want my woman to be okay, and maybe a change of environment for a while would help, I thought calmly. "What are you thinking about?" she inquired while walking into our room. It's crazy how I went into a state of confusion when I found out Ruby was not mine. I did a DNA test and I'm waiting for the results. "About you, about us... I think we need space from everything, love," I stated, and she looked at me in confusion as I held her hand. "Let's go out of the country for a while," I suggested, and she stared at my face. "But what about our daughter...?" she trailed off, and my heart warmed at her ability to always create spa
AUTHOR'S POINT OF VIEW "Sylvia didn't commit suicide. The annoying thing is the fact that she was murdered right under our nose," Oscar declared angrily as he fixed his tie. "Who killed her then?" Chase inquired as he took a drag from his smoke. "Her former boss," he replied, rubbing his forehead. "Madam Valencia?" Bryan cursed under his breath as he looked away. How she managed to get her men into the estate was definitely something to worry about. "She didn't send her men, she paid one of our men to do it, then sent a letter of apology after her job was done," Oscar responded as he threw the envelope. "And the fucker that betrayed us?" Bryan inquired. "Nowhere to be found for now. I think he went into hiding." "I always knew she wasn't stupid enough to take her own life. Too bad her past came back at her," Trenton commented, shaking his head. "Enough of Sylvia. Tonight is Cindy's party. Everyone must stick to the plan. I want this over. I've had enough of their madness," B
LAURA'S POVBryan smiled softly as he looked in my direction. I returned the same hearty smile to him.The meeting moved from dinner to the discussion of our plans and how things would be done."Cindy is already a fool right now when it comes to me, so letting me into her party is gonna be the easiest thing to do," Trenton spoke up, telling us his plan."So Laura is gonna be the bait?" Bryan inquired immediately after I came into the picture."It's a brilliant idea," I uttered before he would say no."Brilliant idea? My love, you can't face that bastard. Remember how it turned out the last time?" He questioned, concern written all over his face."How long will I keep running, love? It's high time I face my past and put an end to Mikoy once and for all, so I'm in," I declared firmly, and he sighed softly without saying anything else.He was angry, but I'd deal with his drama later. We can't add that to the list of our numerous problems.Trenton chipped in, "This time around, we have to
BRYAN'S POVThey used to have a romantic relationship in the past? If it really isn't something to be worried about, why didn't she tell me? I wondered as I ran my fingers through my hair with a frown on my face."Don't tell me you're still thinking about that stuff," Trenton nudged me on the arm as we walked toward our rooms."I can't help myself," I replied, and he chuckled."Talk to her, then. Don't let doubt creep in. This is the time when you both need each other the most, man," he urged, and I nodded as he walked in the opposite direction.I walked to my room, and there she was, in her nightwear with Ruby in her arms."Hey, love," she greeted with a bright smile on her face.I couldn't return the smile, though, even if I tried, my mind kept going back and forth."My crown," she called, and I sighed softly."Why didn't you tell me you used to have a past with Cris?" I inquired, and she turned to me in confusion."Are we still talking about him, love? I told you, there's no need t
LAURA'S POV"He asked about Cris," I told my best friend, and Kora stared at me."And what did you tell him?" she questioned while folding some clean towels."Nothing, I didn't tell him. What would I have told him?" I frowned, even the thought kept a rotten feeling in my stomach."At least, Cris used to work for you, so he would let it slide. You don't know how men can be," she chuckled."Cris used to like me so much, there was a time we even kissed, like, made out," I said, scratching my neck nervously."Wait, did you guys sleep together?" she exclaimed, her jaw literally dropping."No, no, bestie, what would make you even think that?" I replied, and she raised both hands in surrender."Don't blame me, baby girl, that guy is smoking hot..." She trailed off."Plus, you guys used to make out in the past," she teased, and my cheeks heated up in embarrassment."Kora..." I whined, and she burst out laughing."Chill, it was in the past. Bryan also had a relationship with Sylvia, they even
AUTHOR'S POV"Is he okay?" Diane inquired, as she rubbed her arms softly."Mom, you need to calm down, please. At least eat something, Bryan wouldn't like to see you in this condition," Stephanie complained, as she hugged her mother closely."I can't eat with all those pipes connected to his body. I'm so scared, I can't lose any of my children," she voiced her fear."Bryan is a fighter, he'll be fine. Just be strong," Stephanie assured her mommy, and she nodded slowly.She had to be strong for her children. Bryan wasn't going to die on her, and that's one thing she strongly believed, even as fear gnawed at her."Hello, ma'am, the lady is awake," one of the nurses reported."Laura is awake, Mother," Stephanie exclaimed happily and left with the nurse to Laura's ward.Laura's eyes fluttered open for the second time, she closed them immediately due to how the bright lights burned her eyes.She opened them again and winced at how sore her body felt, her throat dry and her head hurt."Brya
LAURA'S POVBryan has been the sweetest since I woke up. I was strangely craving noodles, so I asked him to make me some.He stared at me in amusement because noodles weren't something I craved on a normal day. But he left to make me some, after which I invited him to join me.We ended up eating together, and his phone rang in the middle of the meal. I stared at him curiously as he picked up.He looked shocked about whatever he heard at the other end because he started talking in monosyllables.Something told me deep down that something was off."Huh..." He trailed off and stopped himself from continuing."I need to go," he announced immediately after he hung up the call."Go where? It's evening, and I want you here with me," I replied, and he bit his lower lip."It's very important, baby, but I promise I will be fine," he expressed, and I sighed."At least tell me where you're going, I don't feel too good," I complained."Maybe you're worrying too much," he mentioned and kissed my fo
BRYAN'S POV"How is she doing now? Is she okay?" Her best friend Kora inquired as she rushed into my room where Laura lay unconscious on the bed.We moved her to my place after the doctors were done with the most important treatment."She's still unconscious, but the doctor assured us she's out of danger," I responded, and she heaved a sigh of relief."Glad to hear that. I was worried when they told me what happened," she remarked, and I smiled."I caused it though, I made things worse," I mumbled, and she chuckled."Oh c'mon, it's not easy to be with Mikoy in one space and not want to end his life, not after everything he put our girl through," she said, and I pressed my lips tightly together."Be careful, Bryan. I know Laura would want this fight to end with everyone alive," she commented, and patted my back."I will come to check up on her again. Yvonne is awake," she informed me, and I murmured an okay."Everything is complicated, Cindy is part of Mikoy's team, meaning they planne