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
The black jeep stopped in front a building that looked like a....A clubhouse???!!I immediately turned my head to look at Alexander. Is this the important meeting he wanted me to escort him to??After our argument earlier today, Alexander had come back to tell me to dress up, that we were going for an important meeting. He even had to choose a dress for me. A black strapless dress that exposed most of my skin. It made me feel like a whore and to my utmost chagrin, we're outside a clubhouse.A freaking clubhouse! I don't do clubbing. Literally, I've never been to a club house all my life. There was this one time Ava wanted to drag me to one that was a few blocks away from our apartment, but I vehemently refused with the excuse of being sick.And now, Alexander had to cunningly and deceptively bring me here. If this is where he was going to have his important meeting, then I'm not going in with him. I'd rather wait for him inside this car."Is this where your important meeting is goin
I glared fiercely at Alexander, who was purposely avoiding my gaze. My hand gripped the side of his shirt tightly. I was fuming. I was pissed. How could he?I can't believe this! I'm going to be a pawn in his stupid game! How cruel can this arrogant asshole be?First, he said we were going for an important meeting, only for us to land in a clubhouse and, as if that isn't enough, he had to use me as some sort of bait or pawn in his selfish, foolish game. Isn't this some sort of gamble? He's going to play a game of chess with Russo and, if I understand things right here, if he wins, he gets to go with over forty million dollars. And if Russo wins, he'd have me fully. Even the thought of being close to the dangerous man across the table makes me want to puke.I looked at him, my eyes meeting his. The right side of his lips slowly curled into a smirk. I eyed him warily, my hand still gripping Alexander's shirt tightly.I don't want to be involved in this. I don't even want to be anywher
I stormed out of the VIP premises without looking back. The anger inside me still a raging storm and I desperately needed to calm it down. If I could find a knife, I'll surely stab Alexander repeatedly with it. That ingrate and arrogant asshole! He'll surely get it hot from me. That is a solemn promise. The loud music immediately blasted my ears as I stepped into the crowdy arena, the stench of alcohol and sweats filled my nostrils. I scrunched my nose up a little as I tried to maneuver my way through the dancing and drunk folks. I glanced towards the less crowdy bar and made a run for it. I needed to calm my insides down with something liquid, even if it's water. I plopped myself down on one of the seats and huffed out annoyingly. "Water please," I muttered lowly when the bartender came back to me with a flashy smile on his face. I gave him a once over look, taking in his handsome features and lean figure. "Just water?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. I replied him with a shrug
I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I couldn't even feel my body as I swayed to the sound of the music on the dance floorI staggered a few times but I would feel an arm steady me. I wanted to let loose. Let go of my problems and just live in the moment. So, I raised my hands above my head and rocked my hips to the lovely beat."Alright, baby, that's enough for the night. Let's go home now," a voice which I recognize so well whispered in my ear. His arms was wrapped around my waist in a possessive manner.I thought I dragged Damien with me to the dance floor, how come Alexander is the one with me now."Why are you here? I thought Damien was the one I dragged here to dance with me." My words were still slurred and I wasn't even in control of my body."No, you're wrong. I was the one you dragged with you.""What?!""Now, let's go," he huffed out and made to pull me out of the dance floor but I forced myself away from him and pouted at him."I want to have more fun, hu
I didn't know how long I was in his arms, but I know it was long enough for my legs to start aching me. I slowly disengaged from his body, his black vest wet with my tears and slightly rumpled because of the way I've been gripping it.I sniffled and slowly lowered myself onto the bed. The headache I was feeling was now ten times worse. I think I could really use a pill now.Alexander slowly bent down to meet eyes. He studied me for a few seconds while I struggled to avoid his gaze. My face was flushed. I can't believe I really cried in his arms.Alexander mildly took my hand in his and briefly rubbed the back of my palms."My feisty little Angel cried in my arms. I just want you you to know that I'd never intentionally put you harms way. Heavens, I would never do that to you. You're way too precious." He caressed my cheeks, and I instinctively shut my eyes leaning into his palm."I'd send Claire to you. You just have to freshen up and have a proper rest. Or if you can't take your bath
I was startled when the door immediately jerked open and Ava rushed inside, almost knocking Clark to the side.I glanced up at her when she looked me over, touching my forehead, my arms, my lower abdomen."Ava, you didn't tell me that you've resumed the work of a nurse." My tone was subdued and I stared at her calmly."I was so worried when I got a phone call from your husband, telling me to immediately come over. I was so worried that something bad had happened to you." Her face was creased with concern and interest.I sighed out and momentarily shut my eyes, to wave off the slight dizziness that took over me. I had just finished eating a few minutes ago. Thankfully, the food remained in my stomach. "I'm fine, Ava. It was just an allergy. I had too much to drink last night, so I got sick. It's surprising that the doctor said I had an allergy. What did Alexander call it again path...err..." I tilted my head to the side a little, trying to remember the name he called."Pathology Immun
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