Alexander?!Oh my God!!!I immediately plunged myself down to his side, my heart beating frantically against my ribcage.I stared at him in panic, not knowing what to do exactly.How do I stop the blood that was continuously flowing out by the side of his stomach, soaking his midnight black shirt? And I really hate the sight of blood.I desperately looked around the library, my eyes seeking to find a thick cloth but all I could see were books neatly stacked on shelves. I sighed out in frustration, but then, my eyes caught a white thick cloth that looked like a blanket. It was carelessly drooped on a one-sitter chair at the far end of the library.Has that chair been here all this while? Not caring about the answer to that question, I immediately rushed towards the chair, almost tripping on my steps. I grabbed the small, soft blanket and bolted back to Alexander. I held the blanket against his bleeding stomach, aiming to stop the bleeding.I looked up at him to see him staring intentl
The bedroom was a sanctuary of serenity, where soft rays of morning sunlight filtered through gauzy curtains, casting a gentle, golden glow on the room's furnishings. A large, plush bed dominated the center, its duvet artfully tousled as if the slumberer had just departed. The walls, painted a tranquil shade of sky blue, were adorned with an eclectic mix of artwork, from vibrant abstract canvases to serene landscapes that seemed to invite the outside world in.A quaint wooden desk nestled against one corner, cluttered with books, journals, and a meticulously arranged collection of pens. The window sill, adorned with potted succulents, overlooked a tranquil garden, where the occasional bird's song added a touch of melody to the morning tableau.On the far side of the room, a walk-in closet stood ajar, revealing a kaleidoscope of fashion choices, from tailored suits to whimsical dresses, each hung with care. A full-length mirror leaned against the closet door, ready to reflect the day's
First, there's the darkness. It's like being in the womb again, right before the grand explosion of birth. Except now, the darkness isn't comforting, it's claustrophobic. It's an abyss that threatens to consume me whole, and yet, somewhere within it, I find the strength to start swimming."She'll be fine, right?" I heard a soft female voice ask, her voice was familiar yet soothing and pleasant to my ears.My eyes slowly fluttered open, my visions were blurry and vague at first as I looked around the room strangely. It slowly became clearer as I could see the room very clearly.This looks like Alexander's room. I turned to stare at the figures that were staring back at me. I felt a soft wave of deja vu wash over me. My eyes caught Alexander's grey orbs that were mixed with so many emotions I couldn't decipher. He just stood three foots away from the bed I'm lying on - his bed. I forcefully dragged my eyes away from his to stare at his parents, who were standing closely beside him. Mr
The door opened and Claire came in with a tray of food in her hands. She slowly approached the bed with calculated footsteps. When she got to the foot of the bed, Samantha stood up and took the tray from her. Claire flashed me a smile and a look of concern when my eyes jammed with hers. I just nodded at her with a small smile.She bowed lowly before turning to leave the room. Samantha opened the covers on the two plates that was on the tray. My stomach grumbled at the sight of the pasta and the grilled chicken that filled the two plates.I stared awkwardly at Samantha when she took a spoonful of pasta and brought it to my lips. Is she trying to feed me?"I can really feed myself, Sam," I whispered and tried to take the pasta filled spoon from her but she moved it away from me with a little shake of her head."You obviously lack the strength to do that. So, just let me feed you alright? Or do you want me to call Alexander to feed you?" My eyes immediately widened and I vigorously sh
As our lips met, a tingling sensation ran through my body. I felt his hands gently cup my face as he deepened the kiss, his lips moving against mine with a gentle urgency. In that moment, nothing else mattered - no worries or fears, no past or future. There was only the heat of the moment, the electricity between us, and the pure, unbridled passion of the kiss. His bit at my lower lip and I gasped against his lips. He seized that opportunity and plunged his tongue into my mouth, sucking and ravishing every corner of my mouth. Lost in the moment, I locked my fingers into his hair, drawing him closer to me as the heat of his body warmed me up.His kiss was full of tenderness, passion and untold emotions. The world around me ceased to exist, leaving only the two of us in a sea of pure, unbridled emotion.I felt his hand lift the hem of the small crop top I was wearing. It slowly travelled up and settled under my naked breasts. His fingers lightly grazed the underside of my left breast.
ALEXANDERI strolled through the dimly lit passageway with Ivory still hung over my shoulder. I know her hands must be numb now from hitting my back relentlessly, hits that felt like where I'm being tapped with feathers. I stopped abruptly and gently put her down. She swayed a little but I caught her arm before she could fall. She forced her arm away from me and gave me a harsh glare, making my lips to lift in an amused smile.As I watched her with an amused gaze, I couldn't help but be captivated by her tenacious and feisty nature. There was something about the way she moved that drew me in, like she was dancing through life with effortless ease. She exuded confidence and poise, and it was impossible to look away.I had never met anyone quite like her before, not even Nicole. She was a mystery, a puzzle that I was determined to solve. With every interaction, I found myself growing more intrigued by her. She was intelligent and quick-witted, always one step ahead in every conversatio
IVORYAs I stepped into the brand new bakery, I was greeted by a charming and cozy atmosphere. The walls were painted in a soft pastel color scheme, creating a warm and inviting space. Hanging from the ceiling were delicate pendant lights that casted a soft glow throughout the room, adding a touch of elegance to the decor.The bakery featured rustic wooden tables and chairs, accented with plush cushions in floral patterns. Each table was adorned with a small vase of fresh flowers, adding a pop of color and a touch of nature to the setting. The countertops were made of sleek marble, providing a clean and polished look to the space.The centerpiece of the bakery was a large display case filled with an array of mouthwatering pastries, breads, and cakes. The pastries were artfully arranged on tiered stands, showcasing their beauty and tempting customers to indulge. The aroma of freshly baked goods filled the air, creating a sense of comfort and nostalgia.The walls were adorned with vinta
The silence in the car was palpable. Alexander hasn't said a word to me since he carried me out of the alleyway. The man who wanted to attack me was left behind with two of Alexander's bodyguards who showed up from nowhere. I'm still wondering how he knew where I was and at the exact place. I didn't remember telling anyone where I was going to. I simply sneaked out and I'm sure no one saw me when I did or maybe someone did.My erratically beating heart had reduced and the shock I felt when I thought the strange man would hurt me had fizzled off. What was he going to do with me anyway?Hurt me? Kill me? Abduct or kidnap? Worst of all, rape me? I couldn't just pinpoint exactly what could've happened to me if Alexander hadn't arrived on time. Despite him being an arrogant ass, I'm still grateful to him for saving my life.I sighed out and glanced at him, his grip on the steering wheel was tight and his face was taut. I could feel the anger and annoyance that was oozing off him. I gul
FIVE MONTHS LATER I clutched Alexander's hand, my nails digging deep into his skin as a contraction ripped through my body like a wave crashing on the shore. "It's time," I panted, my eyes locked onto his, my voice barely above a whisper. Alexander's face was etched with concern, but he smiled reassuringly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We're almost there, my love. Just a few more minutes." He stroked my hair, his touch gentle and soothing. But I knew it was more than that. The pain was intensifying, like a fire burning brighter with each passing moment. I could feel the baby's head crowning, the pressure building. Suddenly, Theresa burst into the room, her face set with urgency. "It's time to go! We need to get her to the hospital, now!" she exclaimed, her voice firm but laced with worry. The next few minutes were a blur as Alexander scooped me up and rushed me to the car, Clark and Mr. Sebastian following close behind, their faces set with concern. Samantha and Mr. Marco b
As the black SUV came to a stop in front of Alexander's mansion, I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Alexander got down and rounded the car to open the door for me, his eyes locked onto mine with a warm smile. I took his hand, and he helped me out of the car, his touch sending shivers down my spine.As I stepped out, I saw Theresa standing outside the patio with Mr. Sebastian, her tears-filled eyes fixed on me with a mixture of happiness and sadness. Samantha stood by the side with Mr. Marco, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Alexander's grandfather, stood with them, his eyes piercing as he gazed at me with a small smile on his lips.Alexander's hand tightened around mine as he led me towards them. Theresa immediately rushed towards me and engulfed me in a tight hug. Sobs racking through her body. My own eyes immediately clouded with tears as I hugged her back, feeling a deep sense of connection and love. I could feel her heart racing with excitement, her breath coming in s
IVORY'S POV It's been two days since I saw Ezekiel at the diner. And surprisingly, I haven't seen anything unusual. I had thought that they would've stormed here already, and I've been holding on to that small hope that Ezekiel was considerate enough not to tell Alexander my location. I've been living in this small, shabby apartment for months now, trying to lay low and avoid detection. It's been a lonely existence, but a necessary one. I've missed Alexander, missed him more than I thought possible. I never stopped loving him, but I couldn't go back to him, not to his world. It was too dangerous, too suffocating. As I looked around my apartment, I felt a pang of sadness. It was small and empty, except for the bed, a table, and a few other sparse furnishings. Joe had given it to me, and I was grateful for his kindness. At least I had a roof over my head, a place to call my own. But it was a far cry from the life I had left behind. I missed the luxury, the comfort, the sense of secur
ALEXANDER'S POVI sat in my dimly lit study, gazing out the window, surrounded by the shadows of my own despair. It had been four months since Ivory left, and I was no closer to finding her. Every lead, every hint, every rumor had turned out to be a dead end. I was starting to lose my grip on reality, my mind consumed by thoughts of her, of where she might be, of whether she was safe.I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. I couldn't focus on anything except finding her. My business was suffering, my relationships were suffering, my very sanity was suffering. And yet, I couldn't stop. I couldn't rest until I found her.Because I loved her. I loved her more than life itself. I loved her more than I ever thought possible. She was my everything, my reason for being. And without her, I was nothing.And then, the news had come. She was pregnant. My baby was growing inside her, and I wasn't there to see it, to feel it, to be a part of it. The thought was almost too much to bear.I remembered the d
FOUR MONTHS LATER...I stood at the edge of the small town, my eyes fixed on the horizon. I had been on the move for months, never staying in one place for too long. I had to keep running, had to keep hiding. I couldn't let them find me.I had been living off the grid, using cash and fake IDs to survive. I had cut my hair short and dyed it brown, trying to blend in with the crowd. I had lost weight, my eyes sunken from lack of sleep.But despite the hardships, I felt free. I felt alive.I thought back to the night I escaped, the rain pounding against my face as I ran. I had never felt so alive, so exhilarated.I had made my way to Ravenwood, a small, quaint town nestled in the heart of Oregon, where I had managed to find a work as a waitress at a local diner. I kept to myself, never making friends or connections. I couldn't afford to get close to anyone.But as the months passed, I started to feel a sense of belonging. I started to feel like I could finally start over.I walked into t
As I watched Alexander leave my room, I roughly brushed away the tears that were streaming down my face, my hands shaking with anger and hurt. Damn him for reducing me to this state, for making me feel so vulnerable and weak. Damn him for making me love him so deeply, so completely, only to shatter my heart into a million pieces. Damn my body for always reacting to every of his touch. And, damn my heart for still loving him after his lies and betrayal. I slowly walked to the door and slammed it shut, hardly. But, just as I was about to turn, another knock sounded on the door. Angrily I opened it, ready to bark at Alexander for not wanting to leave me alone. "What part of get out don't you under..." My words hung in my throat, when my eyes met with Theresa's. Her face was glistening with tears, her eyes swollen and puffy. A look of hurt, guilt and sadness was etched on her beautiful face. My heart almost almost melted at her pitiful sight and I wanted nothing more than to go int
Laughter echoed in my mind, a cold, mirthless sound. I felt like a pawn in a game I didn't understand, used by everyone around me. My legs trembled beneath me as I reached the top of the stairs, my hand grasping for the door handle to my room.I flung the door open and stumbled inside, slamming it shut behind me. I leaned against the door, my heart racing, my mind spinning. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare, with no escape.I slid down the door, my legs giving out beneath me. I buried my face in my hands, tears streaming down my face. I felt so alone, so lost. My hands wrapped around my stomach protectively, as if to protect the life growing inside me from the unknown danger surrounding me. A soft knock on the door broke the silence. "Angel, please let me in," Alexander's voice whispered through the door.I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. "Go away," I whispered back.The knocking stopped, but I knew he wouldn't give up. He would keep trying to reach me, to expla
IVORY'S POVI stood frozen at the foot of the stairs, my eyes fixed on the scene before me as five pairs of eyes locked onto me, their gazes piercing and intense. Alexander's words hung in the air, a confession of secrets and lies that threatened to upend my entire world. My mind reeled, struggling to process the words he had just dropped, as if trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.My head spun, a dizzying sensation washing over me like a wave, leaving me breathless and disoriented. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, the wind knocked out of me, leaving me gasping for air. My legs trembled beneath me, and I reached out for the stair railings, grasping for support as the room seemed to tilt around me.Alexander immediately took a step towards me, his eyes filled with concern, but I stopped him with a raised finger, my hand shaking with a mix of anger and fear. I shook my head at him, a silent warning to stay back, to give me space to process the chaos that was erupting in
ALEXANDER'S POVI paced back and forth in my dimly lit study, my mind consumed by the events of the past few days. If only I had arrived sooner, maybe Ava would still be alive. Maybe Ivory wouldn't be lying on a bed, her heart broken and her spirit shattered.Three days ago, our mission to rescue Ivory and Ava from the clutches of Russo and his brother had gone catastrophically wrong. We were racing against time to reach the docks where they were being held hostage, but fate had other plans. Russo's men ambushed us, and we found ourselves entangled in a fierce battle that seemed to have no end. Wave after wave of his henchmen attacked us, each one more relentless than the last. We fought valiantly, but the sheer number of opponents slowed us down, and precious minutes ticked by.As the fight dragged on for over two hours, my anxiety grew. Every second counted, and I knew that Ivory and Ava were running out of time. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we emerged victorious, bu