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029: A Lunch Together (I)
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2024-10-29 19:42:56The second Ayla turned her head around, she saw Claude staring back at her as he chuckled to himself.
"What?" She drew her brows together, questioning the man. But did not get any proper reply.
"Nothing…" Claude shrugged the question off before getting on his feet. "What would you like to have for lunch?" He tried to shift the conversation to something else, but failed miserably.
There was no way Ayla was going to let it slide without getting an answer, a proper one at that.
"Why were you laughing?" The small frown resting in between her brows only seemed to have deepened. She was starting to get irritated.
"You want to send her a bill?" He looked up from his desk before reaching out to the landline. "Like for real?"
Claude chose to indulge her curiosity. He would rather have a conversation if that meant getting that frown off of her face.
"You think I was joking?" She leaned back in
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The Heartless Bride 031: Just a Little Longer
Minutes later, Ayla was leaving over his hand as she lightly dabbed the site with a wet cotton ball."It's gonna sting a little." She spoke up, giving him a heads-up for the stinging pain which was about to shoot along the length of his wound anytime now.Just as she had predicted, Claude began to hiss through his teeth. His tolerance of pain was definitely more than others, but in the end, he was also just another human—mortal and weak."Just a little longer." Ayla added in a whisper. She wanted him to know that the pain wouldn't last long. Though she failed to notice that the man was too lost in observing her, he failed to pay her words any attention.Claude was more focused on observing every little change in her facial expressions. Be it the way she drew her brows together when he would hiss through his teeth, or the way she nibbled on her lower lip while keeping her focus on his hand, nothing escaped his eyes.He
The Heartless Bride 032: Breakfast (I)
It was the weekend already, and Ayla didn't have a single clue about how to start with her day. She had been up for an hour already, but Claude was nowhere to be seen. Usually, he would be up before she was and they would have their dinner together down in the main hall before going on about their own days. Ayla would leave for the college, and he would wait patiently before the entrance of her campus until she was longer in his sight before heading down to his company. But what was she supposed to do on a saturday. Especially now that her mother-in-law was back from her small trip. The old woman served as a reminder for her that life was not as simple as she was taking it to be. She was lucky enough to have a couple of days' break from the old woman's nagging. Moreover, she remembered Claude mentioning something about the new article getting published today. He had managed to get the publications delayed to the weekend so that she didn't ha
The Heartless Bride 033: Breakfast (II)
"Really?" Claude throws his mother a hopeless glance before jumping on his feet. "Don't look at me like I am the culprit here." Sylvia scoffed. "I was only talking about facts. She should have at least listened to me. It's not like I am asking her to just stop living her life." Claude wanted nothing more than to sprint towards his room and make sure that Ayla was alright. But he also knew that he needed to clarify his stance on the matter before his mother first. Otherwise, it would be just brushed under the rug. "You could have at least talked to me first. We have been barely married for like ten days in total. And here you are putting pressure on her like this." His hands reached up to brush his hair back in frustration. "I don't even understand why you want a grandchild so badly when you already have three of them." His words were curt, and hit the old man right where it hurt her. Sylvia gasped in shock before recovering from it.
The Heartless Bride 034: San Francisco (I)
Gushes of cold wind blew by her hair, turning them into a tangled mess. Ayla was regretting not tying her hair up into a bun as soon as she stepped out of the private jet. When Claude had mentioned about the getaway, she had agreed to it right away. She knew that there was nothing for her to be afraid of. He had done nothing so far to break her trust. And she believed that he would not attempt to do anything of the sort. Moreover, she was supposed to make some public appearances with him anyway. Hence, Ayla didn't find any harm in tagging along. It was a much better alternative than having to spend her weekend back at the mansion listening to her mother-in-law. But never did she think about it being out of the city. They had to take the company's jet to arrive at their destination: San Francisco. Though it only took them almost an hour and a half to reach, Ayla could feel the flight's tiredness creeping up her back. All she wanted was to jum
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"Ayla?" Claude called her out as he tried to catch up to her steps, climbing up the stairs. "Hey, hey, hey…." He grabbed her elbow and tugged at it to bring her close. "I know what we talked about, and I meant every single word of it." He used his free hand to brush away the stray locks of her hair. "There's no one in my life, and there will never be one as long as you are with me." He didn't know why, but her words affected her more than he let on. Every last one of it serves as a jab to his soul. It made him wonder about the depth of his feelings for her. So far, he used to believe that he was attracted to her because of reasons he didn't know yet. "That's not what I mean." Ayla was no less confused by her sudden outburst. Why did she make a big deal out of it? There he was, trying his best to give her a good life. And she was doing nothing but to ruin their trip. "I am so sorry." She shook her head as an apology left
The Heartless Bride 036: San Francisco (III)
"By the way, if you don't mind me asking, how exactly are you two related? Claude kept on saying that it's a surprise and refused to tell me anything." She rolled her eyes at Claude first before giving Katherine a smile.Ayla didn't find it comfortable to be poking her nose in their private matters, but she had to know for sure."This little fool hasn't told you about me?" Katherine was a little baffled by the sudden revelation. "Don't tell me that you haven't told her anything?" She shifted her eyes to throw Claude a deadly stare, only to see him shaking his head."For real?" Katherine was clearly having a hard time believing her ears, but all Ayla could do was to watch it all from the sidelines."I didn't get the chance to do it." This time Claude spoke up in his defence. "Everything happened so fast, and I wanted her to get settled down first before disclosing anything about the family's secret. More so, I couldn't do it with Mo
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"Name the devils and here they are. Come on Ayla, I'll introduce you to them." Given no other choice, Ayla followed Katherine out of the living room with Claude walking closely behind her. As soon as she was out and about, her eyes landed on three children—two boys and one girl—and a man following behind them with a couple of plastic bags in his hands. "Noah!" Katherine threw him a glare before giving him a warning out loud. "You better have not let them overshop that sugary junk. Or else, be prepared to sleep on the couch tonight." Ayla found the whole scene a bit hilarious as her eyes darted around the entrance hall which was now filled with loud chattering. "Kids, behave!" Katherine yelled once again, but this time it was directed at the three children who had their eyes focused on Ayla. Their eyes shifted back and forth between her and Claude as they exchanged a few words every now and then. "Is that our new aunt?" The gi
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[Three years later…]"Breathe in… breathe out…" Ayla was mumbling to herself as she tried to calm down her jittery nerves.She was standing before a floor length mirror, her eyes focused on her own reflection as her dress glinted under the warm lighting of her new room. Bringing her palms to the front of the dress, she ran them down in attempts to smoothen down the nonexisting creases. She couldn't help the worrying thoughts resonating at the back of her mind, her frown only deepening. But before she could delve down further, a knock at the door brought her out."Is anyone inside?"The voice was so familiar to her that a sigh of relief left her lips unconsciously."It's just me in here." Ayla breathed out as a soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She had sent everyone out including the make-up artist and her team once they had
The Heartless Bride 191: Desires (II)*
[The following chapter includes mention of R-18 content. Kindly read at your own discretion.] Claude sucked onto the soft spot as his finger moved inside her, earning her moans in return which were not less than a siren's call for him, luring him to continue. He felt her insides tightening around his finger as he moved it relentlessly. He knew that she was close to finding her release and deliberately slowed down his movements. Ayla could feel her orgasm building up, inching closer to the edge. She let out a frustrated groan when Claude slowed down his movements. "D-don't st-op." She managed to say in between her gasps for air. "Oh! I am not planning to, my love, not tonight." Claude murmured against her skin and moved his lips to her cleavage, biting and sucking on her fair, smooth skin. "This might hurt a bit." He said as he inserted
The Heartless Bride 190: Desires (I)*
[The following chapter includes mention of R-18 content. Kindly read at your own discretion.] "You don't think that it makes me unworthy of you?" She managed to mutter out as she held Claude's gaze. "You must have hit your brain if that's what's going through your brain." Claude scoffed as he leaned down to capture her lips in a passionate kiss. This time she didn't push him away but responded with the same passion. It wasn't until both of them ran out of their breaths did they pull back. "Do you understand now how much you mean to me?" Claude flicked her forehead as if he was reprimanding a small child. "I do… you mean no less to me." She smiled for the first time today and it was enough for Claude to know that everything was going to be just fine. All she needed was a little time and his love. "I love you." Claude mumbled
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The Heartless Bride 187: The Culprit (I)*
[The following chapter includes mention of sexual assault. Kindly read at your own discretion.] "Let me tell you a story, kitten." He pushed himself off the wall, dusting his coat in the process. Gavin walked to the other side of the room to pick a chair and dragged it to the centre of the room. He settled down on it so that he was facing Ayla. "What story?" Despite the fact that she was scared for her life, she didn't show it on her face. She knew that she had to put up a brave front until Claude could reach her. He would realize sooner or later that she was missing. With a smile, Gavin began. "My father and a friend of his started a business together. The kind which was to grow into a big one over time. But the old man got played by his so-called friend. My father spent everything we had or owned on his dream. When our family w
The Heartless Bride 186: Suspicions (II)
[Three weeks later…]With a jump in her step, Ayla made her way to her favourite store. Things were going great with Claude finally. Everything in her life seemed to be on track. Well, almost everything.Though Claude and her were spending more and more time together with each passing day as if they were in a relationship. They kind of were, but the man never asked her to be his girlfriend despite the fact that's how he had been introducing her to everyone who saw them together.There was one other thing which was bugging her at the back of her mind. Because of peer pressure about them dating—if it could be called that—the two of them inadvertently started using black masks whenever they were in public. Neither of the two wanted to let others throw in their unwanted opinions about their relationship. Though somewhere deep inside her heart, she wanted the whole world to know that Claud
The Heartless Bride 185: Suspicions (I)
"So…"Ayla dragged it out as she turned around to stare at the man who was still standing by the doors."Mr. D'Souza?""Call me Gavin, please." He still has the same charming smile playing across his face as he walked further into the room"Umm… I am pretty sure I can not do that." Ayla let out a nervous chuckle. There was something ominous about the way he stared back at her. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she was sure that it wasn't only her mind playing with her. Something about him had shifted since the moment they walked in."Oh, please. Claude and I may not be the best of friends, but we are on our way there. It would mean a lot to me if you'd call me without any formalities." He paused before adding after a while. "Only when it's us… three."'What the f*ck!'Ala
The Heartless Bride 184: I was Missing you (II)
"Because it looks like I interrupted something important."Her frown was the only thing which Claude could see but the helplessness which filled her eyes was enough of a giveaway for him. She was feeling guilty for interrupting their meeting. Well, it was more of a tour now. The actual meeting had already been wrapped up a while ago. It was what had Claude believing that her interruption was not going to have any repercussions. Even if there were any, he didn't care."It's fine. Don't worry." Claude rubbed his hand up and down her back to calm her down. Turning his attention to the group, he began. "Apologies for the interruption everyone, but let me introduce you all to my girlfriend." He was smart enough to not announce her name to the team. Though he wondered where Ayla was going with the secrecy."I am sure she must have a name." It was Mr. D'Souza who spoke up. There was a small smile playing acros
