Natalie's POVMy jaw started to hurt, but Rafael did not pull his hand, he kept looking deeply in my eyes. His face hovered so close, his thumb grazed my lower lip, touching it very slowly, and unawares he pushed his finger between my lips!I felt as though I had been ensnared, intoxicated by his gaze, his scent, and his proximity.How can a woman possibly push away the man she loves when he's this close, tempting her beyond measure?My gaze lingered on his face, while his eyes remained fixated on my lips.Suddenly, he sprang to his feet, as though jolted by electricity! He swiftly moved to the farthest point from me and stared out of the window.Confusion swept over me, leaving me at a loss for words."You cannot engage in a sexual relationship until we annul this marriage," he declared, his tone commanding.It was the first time he referred to it as marriage. Previously, he had called it the contract, the agreement. Despite his commanding tone, I found myself questioning his authorit
Rafael's POV I was extremely bored in this fucking dinner meeting. Although I'm a workaholic person, my mind was full of Natalie. I felt awkward about what I had done earlier that day. How on earth did I touch her in that fucking way!? What the fuck will she think about me?A pervert!But I can't stop myself, I'm longing to put her on my knees and hit her ass, to punish her severely.To punish her for what she said; that she didn't want to be bound to one man! Yet how many men has she been dating?I shook my head to focus on the current meeting. We were discussing awaiting shipment. This was one of the deals that would make the Marrin Group gain more billions of dollars. Yet I was reluctant to sign the contract. Something fishy about them made me hesitate.The dinner was served, and I was immersed in eating and discussing with the client when I noticed Jack, my personal assistant, pointing to a table in the corner of this deluxe dining restaurant.I stopped eating when I saw what J
Natalie's POVI lazily tossed and turned in bed, eventually opening my eyes to check the time. Seeing a black bed sheet covering my body made me tense up and become fully awake—I had never chosen black for my room. I stared at the unfamiliar bedroom for a moment before realizing it was Rafael's apartment. But why am I here?I took off the bed cover and discovered that I was wearing only my underwear. A blush spreaded across my skin. I couldn't remember much, except that Raf and I had gotten into his car. Did he take off my dress?I couldn't believe that Raf might have done that! Did he really take off my dress?I remembered being at the spa yesterday when Rebecca had mocked me, saying, “After this extreme care, you're supposed to go straight to your boyfriend's bed.”She was trying to make fun of me because I refused to be in a sexual relationship, even a temporary one."You're missing out on a lot of fun," Fillo assured me.But I always dreamed of saving myself for the man who would b
Rafael's POVI couldn't sleep well last night; my body was on alert knowing that Natalie was half-naked just a door away.I put my hands under my head while I was leaning on my back on the sofa, staring at the white ceiling. Memories of Natalie as a kid flashed through my mind, and I smiled. She had been such an adorable little girl. That little girl had grown up during the years I spent abroad.A sarcastic smile appeared on my lips as I accused myself, “You can't accept that the little girl who was once infatuated with you has grown up into a sexy woman who isn't interested in you. Instead, she likes other men, but you.”Suddenly, I heard the soft footsteps of someone walking on tiptoe. Her familiar perfume told me it was her. I closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep. When I heard her steps moving away, I opened my eyes. She was wrapping her body in a towel that barely covered her.Once I heard the movements of the water, I followed her to the balcony. She was swimming. I couldn't ta
Natalie's POV Being naked in the arms of the man I loved was an incredible and indescribable sensation. I had always dreamt of being held in his embrace. Yet, that dream had turned into a nightmare, and now I found myself sitting before Jack after everything he had witnessed. I had never experienced such profound embarrassment before."I'm sorry. I had no idea it was you. I mean, I never imagined...!" Jack stammered, his words trailing off in confusion.I squeezed my forehead, grappling to find a suitable reply to his insinuation. I could read between the lines, and a headache was definitely looming.He shifted closer and sat beside me, his eyes brimming with concern and anxiety. He murmured, "Listen, Natalie. I really like you. You're a genuinely good person. I don't know what happened between you two last night to end up together, doing..."I closed my eyes, shutting out the rest of his words. I didn't want to hear any more. I already knew. I knew exactly what he was thinking of me.
Natalie's POV I felt awkward as both men stared at me blankly. What did they expect me to say?Rafael broke the short silence, his gaze furious as he stared at Jack. With gritted teeth, he demanded, "Why did you tell her that I'm here?""I didn't. She thinks maybe you're cheating on her. I swore you're not though," Jack said sarcastically, his tone tinged with frustration.I felt terrible. Why was I in this situation in the first place? I hadn't come here by myself!! I found myself here, and I didn't even know the reason yet.I hated Rafael in this instance. He put me in this humiliating situation, yet he acted indifferent, as if he didn't give a damn about any of it. He was quiet and cold, seeming like he didn't care that his fiancée was just minutes away!His demeanor was so calm that it provoked me even further.With an injured expression I couldn't control, I stood up, grabbed my handbag, and turned to leave, unable to bear the tension any longer."Wait!" Raf said, his hand reachi
Rafael's POV My heart tightened and became full of guilt when I saw the misery and disappointment on Natalie's face, although she tried to hide them. I knew I was the one who created this situation and generated this ado. I knew that she felt the same I felt, and wanted the thing I wanted. I sensed that when she was in my arms.However, at least I don't have to explain to Debbie why Natalie slept here last night. I couldn't risk it. If news like this spread, it would affect our arranged upcoming marriage. And as a result, The Nefson Holdings Group will not be merged with Marine Empire Trading.Once Natalie disappeared from my sight, Debbie appeared. She frowned slightly when she found me standing on the doorstep and wondered, "Why are you standing here?" I turned and entered the apartment without a word. Her question was answered by silence.She followed me inside, wrapped her arms around my waist and asked, “Why didn't you answer my calls? I was worried about you!”I let her arms
Rafael's POVI fixed my eyes on Natalie who was Indulged, displaying the presentation on the big screen behind her. This was the first time I attended a preparatory side meeting. I saw the astonishment on my employees' faces, but I didn't care.She impressed me. She was discussing her presentation in proficiency. Her confidence, presence and eye contact while negotiating was really impressive. Even the sudden entrance of Jack and I did not affect her performance.I was surprised when she came out from behind the table to grab some more maps for the presentation.'For God's sake! What is she wearing? Or not wearing!?' I wondered in disbelief mixed with a hint of anger."In fact, Mr Merrin, I think the idea that gorgeous Natalie presents is genius. People love gossip, so we will give him that with a great show. They'll gossip and your products will be the most wanted and searched through the internet database” Markus said with a voice filled with admiration, grabbing me from my thought
Hello everybody!!Thank you for reading this book. I appreciate the time you spent on this journey with me.I feel a mixture of emotions now—both happy and sad. Happy because I successfully completed this book, and sad because the journey has come to an end. The lesson of this book is that true love is strong and marriage is precious. Try to understand your spouse, take their hand, and face life's difficulties together.Please follow me and stay tuned for my new book.With love,Jeje Romanzoo
Natalie’s POVI heard the sound of Rafael's keys in the door lock with great anticipation. I took a deep breath as he opened the mansion door, and a wave of claps and joyful laughter washed over him. The room was filled with friends and family, their faces glowing with happiness. But the one thing that captured his attention, the one image that filled his heart and eyes with overwhelming joy, was me. I stood in the center of the room, holding Matt in my arms, wearing a stunning white dress—a wedding dress.Rafael’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief, and then tears of happiness welled up. His expression mirrored my own overwhelming emotions. I remembered the days when I loved him secretly, the painful nights I spent yearning for his touch. The jealousy that broke my heart at that time. Then, I thought of how much he had changed for me, how he had shed his sadistic tendencies and embraced a love that was tender and true. Our love had become a sanctuary, a safe haven where we could be
Natalie’s POVThe location led me to a rundown part of town, a place I would never have thought to visit under normal circumstances. The taxi stopped a few blocks away, and I paid the driver, telling him to wait. I couldn’t risk Debbie spotting the car.I walked the rest of the way, my senses on high alert. Every sound, every shadow made my heart race. Finally, I reached the address Debbie had sent. It was an old, abandoned warehouse, the kind of place that sent shivers down your spine just by looking at it.I wiped a tear ran down my cheek, and with taking a deep breath, I stepped inside. The air was musty, and the only light came from the gaps in the boarded-up windows. My footsteps echoed eerily as I walked further into the building.My heart bounded with anticipation, finally I would see my little boy. How did she manage to feed him? He didn’t take the formula milk.“Natalie,” Debbie’s voice rang out from the darkness, sending a chill down my spine. She stepped out from the shadow
Natalie’s POVAs the door swung open, my breath caught in my throat. But, there, standing on the doorstep, was my family—the Rowsons. Maya, Daniel, Lucas, their mother and father, and even our granny. They all looked worried, their presence both comforting and overwhelming.As I stared at them, I was shocked. It was the last person to step forward who shocked me the most. My real father. He stood there, looking healthier and stronger than I remembered, and there was a softness in his eyes that I hadn’t seen the last time I visited him. For a moment, I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. It was as if time had stopped, and all I could do was stare at him.“Hey guys, you came!” Rafael cut the silence with a surprised tone."Nat," Maya said softly, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around me. "We're here for you."Everybody stepped inside and started hugging me except one person, my father.However, he stood there puzzled for a moment then said softly in a whisper, “Natalie,” his voice th
Natalie’s POVThe long night passed in a haze of dread and exhaustion. I couldn’t sleep; every time I closed my eyes, I saw Matt’s face, heard his cries. The darkness outside the window was a mirror to the darkness inside me, a suffocating blanket that left me gasping for breath. I paced the room, my steps slow and heavy, my mind replaying the events of the day over and over again.Rafael had been gone for hours, searching desperately for any clue that might lead us to our son. The silence of the house was oppressive, broken only by the occasional creak of the floorboards or the distant hum of traffic outside. The waiting was unbearable, each minute stretching into an eternity. I could feel the panic rising within me, threatening to consume me whole.I moved from room to room, my body restless, my mind tormented by the unknown. I went into Matt's room and sat on his bed, clutching his favorite stuffed animal, inhaling the faint scent of him still lingering in the fabric. Memories of h
Natalie’s POVSix hours had passed, and still, no news about Matt. My heart tightened with each minute that dragged by, constricting so tightly that I could barely breathe. The silence was suffocating, every second stretching into an eternity. I couldn’t imagine what Debbie might be doing to my little boy. Rafael had been updating me frequently with whatever scraps of information he could gather, but the constant fear gnawed at me, an ever-present shadow that made me feel as if I might crumble at any moment.“No news?” Tobi asked gently as she handed me a cup of coffee. Her voice was soft, but the concern in her eyes was palpable. I shook my head, unable to find any words that could convey the depth of my fear. Nothing was clear. Debbie was careful—she’d even managed to avoid the street cameras.The waiting was unbearable. My mind started to spiral, conjuring horrific images of my son’s screams, trapped in my head like an endless loop of terror. It was dark outside now, the evening s
The room spun around me, and I had to grip the back of the chair to steady myself when Natalie told me that Matt had been kidnapped.“Matt is kidnapped,” her words echoed endlessly in my mind.“Matt is gone, Raf! You have to bring my son back to me!” she wailed through the phone, her words barely understandable through her loud sobs.Every passing minute was crucial, every second a potential danger. The guilt was overwhelming. Was I the reason danger had found my family? Why did I ever get engaged to that witch in the first place?Documents and everything else on my desk scattered to the floor as I shoved the table over in a fit of rage and frustration. The chaos mirrored the turmoil inside me.The office door swung open, and Jack and several employees rushed in. “What’s going on?” Jack asked, staring around the wrecked room in shock.“She kidnapped Matt!” I roared, my voice raw with desperation.Earlier that afternoon, I had received a call from the main city police station warning m
Natalie’s POVThe afternoon crowd was stifling as I wrapped up the meeting for the upcoming fashion show and made my way home. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the bustling streets, a stark contrast to my serene thoughts.It had been three months since we returned to the USA, and I had already launched my new fashion design company. My heart swelled with happiness at the thought. Living with my husband and our nearly four-month-old son was a dream come true, and every day felt like a step closer to my ambitions as a fashion designer.I couldn't help but smile as I imagined Rafael at home, sitting beside Matt’s crib, watching him sleep or feeding him his bottle. The mere thought of our little family filled me with warmth.My phone rang, jolting me from my reverie. I glanced at the screen and pressed the reply button, Laura's voice echoing through the car speaker. “Natalie, are you on your way home?” she asked, her tone edged with urgency.“Yes, what's wrong, Laur
Natalie’s POVThe room door swung open, and the Rowsens filed in one by one until the space was filled with their lively presence.“Hey, new mother!” Carla exclaimed, balancing a box of gifts in her hands, as the other family members held their own presents.“Oh, look at the little boy. He’s a spitting image of the charming Lucas, which is me,” Lucas mumbled, bending down to get a closer look at my child.“Move away!” Rafael snapped, shoving Lucas aside. “Don’t touch him. He’s still weak and could get infected easily!”I stifled a chuckle. Rafael’s overprotectiveness was one of his most endearing traits.“Hey, man! What’s wrong with you? I was just trying to see the boy! Don’t tell me you’re one of those overprotective fathers!” Lucas teased, prompting laughter from everyone in the room.I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. The Rowsens had supported me when I was at my lowest, and they had become my real family. But now, with Rafael and our son, I had my own family. I loved them a