Lucy’s POVHe flashed a smile at me and said, “You know my name?” I replied, “Yes, I heard it the last time. What are you doing here?” "This place is for sale, so I came here to check it out," he replied coolly. "Wait, Lucy..." My grandmother called my name, looking like she was in a hurry to stop me from leaving. My grandmother, a woman of quick wit and sharp tongue, turned her attention to the man beside me. "Ah, Mr. Hugo Ricci, what brings you here unannounced? I was under the impression our meeting was off for today." "Mrs. Hansley, I am here to inspect the entire property," Mr. Ricci stated, his voice carrying an air of authority. "Are you selling the traditional house, grandma?" I asked my grandmother. She nodded and said, "Yeah, I need to sell it." "What for?" “For Jane.” she said. I smiled bitterly at her because she was doing her best to save Jane from getting rotten in prison. She seems to care more about Jane than I do, and I don't know why, but it really ge
Edward’s POV"What? Have they reconciled? Are they going to see each other again? I did everything to make her like me. But what I gave up for her will be for nothing?!" I got mad and slammed the chair against the wall. "No! F*Ck! No!" I yelled again. "She broke my heart, you know that?!" I said angrily.Seeing me go aggressive frightened my male secretary. I could not believe everything that was happening. Even though I sent her that video, she still forgave him and even took him back. My heart was pounding with resentment and envy as I tightened my grip on my hand.She knows why I like her so much, but she's still really into Arman. I will not sit idly by and observe their happiness. I need to do something to make them regret breaking my heart. "Joseph, you know what to do," I told my male secretary as I took a deep breath. "Send her the oleander flower and be sure she gets it. That's my dead last present to her." Joseph took a deep breath and fixed his glasses. "Do you really
Arman’s POVMy lawyer, Knox Ricci, said, "Arman, there's a call for you." As I looked across at him, my mind continued to race over who could have called me at this hour. Finally, I reached for his phone and demanded, "Who is this?" "Miss Lucy is in the hospital right now, Sir. She was poisoned!" “What?” I quickly grabbed my things and gave my lawyer his phone back. Knox asked, “What’s happening?” “Something happened to Lucy.” Then I raced outside and slammed on the brakes because I was so scared I was going to pass out from thinking about what had happened to her; my heart was racing with anxiety. Whoever dared to endanger Lucy's life should suffer the ultimate price. If it means killing another person, it will be to exact revenge for what he did to my Lucy; I will not allow this to go unpunished.My fear of losing her had me racing inside the hospital as soon as I stepped through the door. Oh, sh*t, I put her in this real position. If one of my enemies did this to her, I mi
Lucy’s POV"Are you alright? Do you feel any pain? Tell me. Do you want something?" While I stared at him, I blinked my eyes and thought about what had happened the day before. According to the nurse, I had been sleeping for twenty-four hours. But this man in front of me looked so worried. I wanted to reassure him that I was okay, that I was on the path to recovery.Tears began to trickle down my cheeks as I uttered the words, "T--Thank you." I'm thankful to have him by my side, even though all of my friends, family, and even my parents have left me. Arman looked a little confused as I cried while holding his hand, but he didn't say a word. He just let me cry in his arms. Someone like him is just what I need at this very moment. He stroked my hair and the back of my head, saying, "It's okay, just cry it out. I'm here for you, Lucy."He smiled at me, sensing my distress, and asked, "Are you feeling better now?" I wiped my tears away and asked, "Where's Alicia?" "She's with Cecill
Lucy’s POVI curled up in bed and peered around like a scared cat because I knew that if he left, I would not be the same person I was before. He cupped my face, touched my hand, and said, "Let me do my job and find that person. Everything will be okay, and you won't be scared anymore. Okay, Lucy?"I chewed on my lower lip, my head moving in a slow, reluctant nod, as if the words were too heavy to bear. "You don't have to leave tonight. You know the risk, you know how dangerous it is to be outside...." "Lucy, sshhhh..." he put his finger on my lips and he shook his head, "Nothing bad will happen to me, trust me." "Isn't it clear that I'm scared to death if anything happens to you?" I asked him with a smile."Well, hearing you say those magic words still makes me feel good, you know?" He said."I love you..." I said, my voice barely a whisper but filled with a depth of emotion.He grinned and lifted my chin to kiss my lips. I closed my eyes and felt his heavenly lips on mine; I kisse
Lucy’s POV"No! Are you seriously going to disrespect me like this after all I did for you?!" He yelled at me and grabbed my arm so hard that I could feel his nails digging into my skin. "Edward! You're hurting me…" I said as I tried to get him to move away. Then Sofia snarled, "Edward, get off your filthy hands off my daughter in law!" He laughed and stated, "Why would I do that? She's mine." Edward took my hand and pulled out his gun. "If anyone moves, her skull will blow up!" he yelled, threatening everyone.Edward scanned the room with a stern look on his face. He grabbed me tightly and dragged me down the hall until we reached the parking lot. He pushed me inside his car and tied a rope around my wrist. He then put scratch tape over my mouth. "Stop crying!" he yelled at me.My heart was beating so fast because I had no idea what Edward's plan was. Until I heard bullets going off everywhere, he took me with him and got away.I let out a cry when he thrust a syringe into my
Lucy’s POVHe pulled away from me right away after I bit his lower lip. "f*CK!" He slapped my face and punched my stomach until I was so hurt I couldn't move. He tore my clothes apart, and all I could do was cry out for help. "I don't want to do this to you, but you're giving me no choice, Lucy!" "Edward, please stop!" I hit him in the head so hard that a few drops of blood slowly fell from his forehead. I clutch my head in pain as I sob uncontrollably. My heart is pounding like a migraine. A sudden and deafening gunshot rang out from behind him as he was about to draw his gun. Following that, Edward's lifeless body landed directly on me. I shook with fear as a dead body fell on me, making me feel like my whole world dropped apart.I heard footsteps coming toward me. I screamed in fear. Fear of death.As much as I wanted to breathe, the fear, confusion, and panic I felt made it impossible for me to do so. I closed my eyes slowly and got lost in the chaos of this hell room. Someo
Lucy’s POVONE WEEK LATER, Cecille sobbed to Alecia, "She won't leave her room no matter what I do. Can you please talk to her?" I stare at my phone every day just to receive a call from Arman, but I guess I was only waiting for nothing. "Lucy..." Alecia said as she walked toward me with a sad face. "Maybe you need to pick yourself back up again." It might be time for you to eat and take care of yourself. If things get worse, you'll become depressed, and I don't want that to happen.""Why do you care about me?" My shoulders trembled as I sobbed hysterically as if mourning the loss of something dear in my heart, and I pleaded with the universe to simply let me rot in this place; I no longer want to live. "Lucy, I'm not just your secretary; I'm also your friend. In fact...." Alecia grabbed Cecille's hand and continued, "We are your friends, and we are here for you. We want you to know that you're not alone as you go through this breakup." After wiping away my tears and trying not t
Arman’s POV"Loretta is here; she wanted to talk to you." Ray said as he sat on the couch, playing with his gun.Even though it's crystal clear that I don't want her or want to see her, this woman is continuously trying to force herself on me. I let out a soft sigh and walked to the door. When I opened it, I saw her in her pajamas. Her feet were so dirty that it looked like she had run away from home and come here to see me.I asked with narrowed eyes, "What are you doing here?""H—Help me. My father wants to kill me, and you're the only person I can trust." She said it with a voice full of fear. She looked around, and as she did, her tears began to roll back into her cheeks. I need your help; if he finds out I'm here, he'll kill me.She pushed her way in, which shocked me. Even Ray looked at her in shock and confusion at what she was doing in my house. Ray got up and said, "She left her house. I think Mr. Patani has a bad temper. Are you okay, Loretta?" "Please don't tell him I'm he
Lucy’s POV"Yes, Grandma." I said, lowering my head, trying not to shed tears this time. "But I guess Jane needs you the most now. She just lost her child and it must be painful for her to lose two people important in her life."Grandma sighed in remorse, her voice mixed with pain as she said, "I didn't know that we were being too considerate with Jane but not with you, my dear."I smiled. "It's okay; life is like that. I have to go."I glanced at Uncle Robert, who looked so worried about Jane's condition, and Aunt Cecille ran outside to call the nurse and doctor. My heart felt like it was wrenched a thousand times because Jane still has parents who love her truly, but I am here, feeling like a lost daughter.Aunt Cecille glanced at me as I turned my back on them; she said nothing, but the look of unfathomable guilt was written all over her face. As I made my way outside, I noticed the two bodyguards still standing there. To be honest, I wasn't used to having security. But if my life
Lucy’s POV"What's wrong?" It looked like he didn't want to talk about it again. So I blocked his way and asked, "Say something." "I guess someone hired him to kill you. But no one still knows who that guy was. Why don't you forget about it so you don't have to worry about it anymore?" "How can I forget about it if my life has been in danger and people have tried to kill me ever since my father died?" I asked with disdain. He touched my face and whispered, "You need not be afraid anymore. Please know that I am here for you and will protect you as long as you are with me."I felt a pang, a bitter ache in my heart as I stared at him. He says the same things that Arman always told me, and I can't help but think about the good old times with Arman. Looking at him, though, brought back a memory. I remember another smile, one that completely captivated me. It was Arman's smile, the one that never failed to make my heart race and flutter. “Are you alright?” Hugo asked as he scanned my f
Lucy’s POVI'm out here in the street, shivering from the cold and the agony in my heart from my feelings for Arman, and it's raining again. It's been hard for me to forget about him, but now I'm crying again because of him. I took a deep breath and hailed a cab. When I got inside, I saw a suspicious-looking knife and a rope. I retreated and said, "I think I forgot something. Sorry." I then closed the car door and ran away in fear.But the taxi followed in the street, I frowned and muttered in panic, “What’s wrong with him?” Even though it was pouring rain, I kept running until I tripped and looked like I couldn't go on. The cab driver stopped in front of me. As I tried to crawl, he got out of his car and smiled at me. He had a deep scar on his face. "So, you're Lucy Hansley? You've been on my radar, Lucy...""Who are you?! What do you want from me?" I yelled in fear and then grabbed a rock to throw at him. As I stood up, I groaned in pain and tried to run as fast as I could, even
Lucy’s POVI pushed him away, desperately trying to escape from his grasp. "Arman, I can't! I am dating Hugo now... I can't bear the thought of betraying him!""No, you belong to me. You felt sorry for him, that's why you gave him a chance! I know you still love me—"I slapped his face, my tears slowly rolling down on my cheeks. My heart throbbed in pain as I said, "And after this, what?! You're going to leave me again! How can you kiss me, want to make love to me, and in the end, you're still going to leave me like nothing happened between us?!""Lucy…" Silence engulfed the room as he watched my tears trace paths down my cheeks. Just as I turned to leave, a deafening crack of thunder split the sky, and a blinding bolt of lightning illuminated the downpour that drenched the place in an instant. I stumbled back, only to find myself enveloped in his warm embrace. His arms wrapped around me, and as I looked up, his gaze held me captive, and I whispered, "A-Arman..." "I'm sorry..." he
Arman’s POV"Delayed?!" I growled angrily, my voice a rumble that sent shivers down the spines of my men lined up before me. They all lowered their heads as I barked into the phone, "What do you mean by delayed? It's been three damn days that shipment's been floating in that damn ocean!"Ray answered, "Port security's been doing thorough inspections, and we can't afford to lose another shipment. So, we asked the captain to hold standby.""Ray..." I sighed, my anger simmering. "You better handle this. No more delays by tomorrow, or else we lose the Pattani deal."Looking up, I met my men's eyes and issued a command: "Request an extension from Pattani. I want one of you to dig deeper into Hugo Ricci. I want a comprehensive report on him.""Yes, boss." Then they started marching out.I stepped outside while my chest pounded angrily just thinking about the shipments. Then, my thoughts drifted back to Lucy and Hugo again. I sighed as I saw Loretta, Pattani's daughter. She waved and smiled
Lucy’s POV"Lucy," he said gently, drawing me back to the conversation. But I didn't know what to say to him; my mind was a tangled mess. How could I respond to his question? Part of me feared rejecting him, but another larger part was that I couldn't ignore the growing unease in my gut. Ever since his relentless pursuit began, his true colors had started to show. He didn't just give up so easily; he tried to make me happy again, which made me reluctant to ignore his feelings. Before Alicia could spot us, I dragged Hugo into my office and locked the door. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm my nerves. He waited patiently, his gaze fixed on me. Then I turned to face him and bit my lower lip. "Hugo..." He smiled."How can you forget him if you don't want to try dating me?" he asked, suggesting a relationship.I took another soft breath and let out a nervous chuckle. "What? What are you talking about? I have already moved on and am trying to make myself happy again. See? I'm happy
Lucy’s POVHugo arrived, his gaze lingering on me as if he longed to offer comfort but held himself back. He watched silently as my sobs wracked my body.Wiping away tears and sniffling, I forced out the words, "I think..." I paused softly and expressed, "I think it's best if you distance yourself from me." "Why?" He reached out a hand hesitantly, then stopped before making contact. "I know I must seem like a stranger, but seeing your pain... It hurts me too. I can't bear to see you cry because of him. I know you don't understand me doing this to you, but trust me, I don't know either." "I know you're trying your best, but seeing you reminds me of him too much."His eyes clouded with sadness as he took a step back. "Well, Lucy," he said softly, "If that's what you want, I can't argue. But remember, whenever you're ready to face the world again, I'm just right here for you, okay?" I nodded, offering a weak smile of apology as I slowly closed the door. Left alone, I sank to the floor
Lucy’s POV"Why would I kill myself just for him?" I asked him with a laugh and added, "That's not who I am." He didn't say anything; he just looked at me as if he had something on his mind that he couldn't say. I met his gaze head-on, "Hugo, I'm fine. Do yourself a favor and go home." His hand went into his pocket as he stood up, his face a mask of concern. "Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself here?" he asked."Hugo, why do you care so much about me? Watching people die is probably nothing new to you," I said, my voice tinged with bitterness. A flicker of pain written on his face and he replied with clenched jaw, "You don't know anything about me. Yes, Arman and I are the same people who grew up in that world. But I am not ruthless like him." I watched him walk to the door. Before he opened it, he glanced back at me and said, "I know you think I'm a bad person, but I'm still human. And when I care for someone, Lucy, I don't fake it. Remember that."And he left me with a hea