TwelveThe trauma of losing her loved ones in a single day had irrevocably changed her perception of Christmas Day. The once joyful season had become a truly somber reminder of the tragedy that had befallen her. The sight of snow, a symbol of peace and tranquility, now filled Florence with nothing but absolute horrifying dread, a haunting reminder of the loss that she had endured.“Why had it been my family? Why had I been chosen to suffer such a devastating loss? Why was I the only one who survived? Why did I not die that night with them? Why did I have to live? Why did I have to keep living without them in it?” The questions echoed strongly in her mind, a constant source of torment. She would never wish such pain on anyone, yet she could not help but feel a sense of hopelessness and confusion. “Why had it been me? Why has my family been taken from me through such a cruel death?”The weight of grief was always heavy for her for years now, as if it was a burden that she will forever c
ThirteenYear 2023It was a crisp January evening in New York City. The air was nippy, but the city lights created a warm, inviting glow. Some tourists had started their evening with a hearty dinner at a classic Italian restaurant in Little Italy. As they savored their pasta and a glass of red wine, they could hear the lively chatter of other diners and the soft sounds of jazz music playing in the background.Most people who just finished having their dinner, had taken a leisurely stroll through Central Park. The park was quieter now, with only a few people braving the cold. Some had admired the snow-covered trees and the twinkling lights of the city skyline. As others walked, they could feel the peace and tranquility of the park, a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.There were some who watched a lively Broadway show. The theater was, as always, filled with excitement as the curtain rose. The performance was captivating, and most who had left the theater felt insp
FourteenFlorence’s chest heaved as she nodded her head, her lips parted slightly. Her hands, trembling slightly, reached out to accept the envelope. She and Heath had connected through a sugar daddy website called SecretBenefits, a topic frequently discussed among her fellow female college students as a means to add more to their income on platforms like FansOnly. Their initial encounter had been immediate, and Heath had wasted no time in expressing his desires to marry. While hesitant, Florence’s dire financial situation had compelled her to consider the proposal.Florence’s desperate financial circumstances had forced her to contemplate the proposal. Driven by a fierce determination to survive even if she had been hanging by a thread, she was willing to consider any option, no matter how unconventional. Despite the profound depression that had enveloped her in recent years, she still harbored a desire to make her parents and older brother proud by obtaining a college degree. She be
FifteenThe contract marriage was easy, being a good trophy wife to Doctor Heath Godric in public for his reputation and to bolster his name and image. That was all. Be a good fake wife since he needed one. That was the extent of her obligations towards him and nothing else. Only for his public appearance. In exchange, she would receive a monthly allowance, her debt to the loan sharks would be paid, her debt for the student loan would also be paid, she would have free housing for five years, a private bedroom in his residence, and no sexual favors would be required from Heath. Her plan was to save as much money as possible during this time, with the intention of moving out once the contractual marriage was dissolved. Florence knew that it was going to be easy money. “Five years. Just five years,” Florence mused to herself as she thought in the back of her head. She had endured countless hardships in her life, so the prospect of portraying a fake wife to a wealthy dentist for five y
Sixteen“I want to do a runthrough with you.” Heath chimed as he was driving to the location.Florence shifted her focus to Heath as the car was moving, acknowledging his request with a polite affirmative nod.“We are heading to The Noble Cause dinner, and it will be a huge event especially for the both of us. For you, as well. Of course, for me.” He smiled widely, “This is our first public appearance as a couple, so it is crucial and very imperative that we convincingly portray ourselves as a genuine pair.” Florence nodded, indicating her understanding. “Remember to subtly display the engagement ring,” she muttered.Heath praised her right away, “Very excellent. But remember to be discreet with the ring, avoid flaunting it excessively, as that might appear unnatural.”Florence nodded her head once more, confirming her understanding of his instructions. She then inquired, “May I ask you a question?”Heath raised an eyebrow, curious about her question. “What is it? You are not usually
SeventeenWithin the exclusive world of the ultra-wealthy, three prominent families reigned supreme: the Frorths, the Spencers, and the Battenkurts. For centuries, these three powerful and wealthy families had consistently occupied the top three positions on the list of the world’s wealthiest dynasties.So, in the realm of affluence, Zacchaeus “Chaos” Spencer Battenkurt, the playboy billionaire, belonged to a whole new and different kind of echelon, a level of wealth that transcended the ordinary. His wealth was completely unparalleled, placing him in a league of his own kind.While most wealthy individuals were accustomed to the luxury of marble floors, Chaos walked on a different level entirely, surrounded by opulence and extravagance. His father, Edward Battenkurt, a former Vice President of the United States, and the one and only heir of the Battenkurts, hailed from a family of generational wealth, their influence deeply rooted in the political landscape and economic sphere.His m
18 “”EighteenAs the evening progressed, Florence’s boredom grew more, and she found herself mechanically stirring the remaining food on her plate. At the same table, Florence sat among the wives of the businessmen, who were engaged in discussions about high-end salons and luxury brands from Italy and other countries they could actually afford without a sweat. Florence, however, found these conversations uninteresting and struggled to pay attention.Startled by the sudden surge of loud music from the stage, Florence dropped her fork in pain. Her right ear was particularly sensitive to such sounds, a condition that her doctor had previously warned her about. An orchestra provided live music for the affluent attendees of the ballroom, but Florence found the noise overwhelming. She struggled to cope with the sound, instinctively holding and covering her hearing aid to alleviate the discomfort.“Babe,” Heath placed a gentle hand on Florence’s shoulder, rubbing her spine soothingly. “Are
NineteenFlorence’s gaze was fixed on the man, who appeared to be a humble hotel waiter with a generous smile on his face, a comparison to the wealthy people in the ballroom that she just escaped for a couple of seconds. Little did she know, he was the infamous Spencer-Battenkurt’s CEO playboy billionaire in disguise. His humble demeanor and casual attire disguised his true identity. Despite the expensive brands he wore, she knew nothing about it, and he hoped that she did not recognize him from his speech earlier. His overall appearance was unassuming, despite the fact that he possessed immense wealth and never encountered financial difficulties. His casual demeanor, reminiscent of the waiters in the ballroom who wore white dress shirts and colored dress pants of black, gray, and brown, led Florence to completely overlook his extraordinary wealth and influence. His unassuming presence, similar to the waiters in the ballroom, led Florence to completely overlook his extraordinary we
Sixty-OneChaos gently wiped away her tears. “You have me,” he whispered, his voice filled with reassurance. “I don’t know what to do anymore,” she sobbed, her voice barely audible. “I just want it all to end.” She was not seeking pity, but simply pouring out her heart, a raw and vulnerable display of her pain. “I don’t want to live anymore.” She cried as more tears fell over her cheeks.“Don’t say that,” Chaos replied, his voice gentle as he wiped her tears with his thumbs. “You have to live for yourself, not for anyone else. Just tell me what happened. Please? Let me help you. What has he been doing to you?”“I don’t need your pity.” She barked. “I am not pitying you, Florence,” Chaos replied gently. “I care about you. I want to help you.”Florence shook her head, tears streaming down her face as she covered her eyes with her hands. “You won’t understand,” she sobbed, her voice muffled by her hands. “No one does. No one will.” Her words echoed the depths of her despair, a cry for
SixtyShe woke up with a throbbing pain in her eye. She was lying on the cold, hard floor, the shattered pieces of glass scattered around her. The dried remains of last night’s dinner were a stark reminder of the violence that had unfolded. She gingerly touched her eye, wincing at the pain. The bruise was already starting to form, a dark mark of the abuse she had endured. After she took a shower, Florence stared at her reflection in the mirror, her heart was immensely heavy with sorrow and shame of what she had been going through in her life. A dark bruise marred her eye, a very strong reminder of the violence that she had endured. She could not believe that Heath had resorted to such brutality for the second time, that he had shattered the fragile peace once again that they had once shared.Florence cursed under her breath as she applied makeup to conceal the bruise around her eye. She was running late for the ceremony, and the pain in her eye was throbbing. She rushed through her m
Fifty-Nine Florence returned to the city, a sense of melancholy settling over her. As she stepped into Heath’s flat, the familiar silence greeted her. A quick glance around confirmed her suspicion: Heath was still out of the country for his business trips and conventions. His slippers, untouched by the door, were a stark reminder of his absence. A wave of loneliness washed over her, a familiar feeling that had become a constant companion.The dinner table was set, a stark contrast to the emptiness Florence felt inside. As they ate, the silence was deafening, broken only by the clinking of silverware. The tension in the air was palpable, a silent battle between two souls, each harboring their own secrets.Florence knew what was coming. Heath, with his insatiable ego for power, reputation and influence, mixed with his twisted mind, would propose and insist to her of seducing Chaos, and playing a dangerous game. She braced herself for the storm, the verbal abuse that would undoubtedly
Fifty-EightFlorence’s voice, barely a whisper, broke the silence. “I’m a trophy wife,” she confessed, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resignation. The words hung heavy in the air, a stark revelation that shattered the fragile peace.Chaos, taken aback by her honesty, gently rubbed her back. He did not want to ask anything for now, all he wanted to do was to let her know that he was there and he was listening. He understood the weight of her words, the pain and humiliation she must have endured. The secrets she kept to safeguard Heath’s reputation in the world of money and power. “I’m so sorry, Florence,” he murmured, his voice filled with empathy. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”The silence that followed was heavier, a poignant pause as they both processed the gravity of her confession. Florence, her heart was absolutely heavy with sorrow, letting the tears flow freely. The pent-up emotions she went through since her family died, the years of silent suffer
Fifty-SevenAround two o'clock in the morning, Florence could not sleep. She was wide awake and staring at the ceiling wearing a baggy shirt and some pajama bottoms. She tried to reminisce about what happened in the lake as she was also recalling how Chaos’ amazing body looked so hot.As Florence lay in bed, her mind raced with the events of the night. The memory of Chaos’ confession, his longing gaze, haunted her. She could not deny the intensity of her feelings for him, the deep connection they shared. But she was also terrified of the consequences, the potential heartbreak that lay ahead.The more she thought about it, the more confused she became. Why did he confess his feelings of wanting to kiss her? Was it fueled because it was a spur of the moment or because he was being his playful womanizer side? She could not help but ask herself, did he truly mean those words, or was it just a fleeting moment of passion? Florence tossed and turned, unable to find peace due to her mind bein
Fifty-SixChaos smirked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You caught me,” he signed, his fingers moving gracefully. His playful gesture, a silent acknowledgment of his unspoken desire, sent a thrill through Florence. The intimacy of the moment, the shared understanding, was intoxicating.“You thought I didn’t.” She hand signed as they shared a laugh. Florence felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. She was both embarrassed and exhilarated by the boldness of his confession. She knew that crossing the line between friendship and romance would be risky, but she could not deny the pull she felt towards him. The cool water enveloped them, a soothing balm for their weary souls. Chaos gently guided Florence, his strong arms supporting her as she floated on her back. The weightlessness of the water, combined with the warmth of his touch, created a sense of peace and tranquility.As they drifted silently, the world seemed to fade away. The only sound was the gentle lapping of the water agai
Fifty-Five The morning sun cast a warm glow over the lake, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Florence and Chaos sat by the water’s edge, enjoying a leisurely breakfast. The peaceful and gentle lapping of the very small waves on the lakes against the shore provided a soothing soundtrack to their conversation.“I am glad we came here,” Florence said, her voice soft. “It is so peaceful.”Chaos smiled warmly. “I am glad that you like it,” he replied. “I often come here to clear my head.”They spent the rest of the morning talking, laughing, and simply enjoying each other’s company. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them. As the day wore on, they took a boat ride on the lake, explored the nearby trails, and shared a quiet dinner by the fireplace.As the night fell, they sat on the porch, watching the stars twinkle above. “It makes me not want to leave,” Florence confessed, her voice filled with longing. “I wish we could stay here forever.”Chaos took her hand
Fifty-FourFlorence awoke refreshed, the soft glow of the morning sun filtering through the curtains. The bathroom, a sanctuary of tranquility, beckoned her with its luxurious amenities. High-end toiletries, from fragrant soaps to soothing lotions, filled the space with a delightful aroma. As she stepped into the warm embrace of the shower, the stress and worries of the past few days began to melt away. The gentle stream of water massaged her tired muscles, while the rich lather enveloped her senses. The experience was pure indulgence, a much-needed respite from the chaos of her life.Emerging from the bathroom, wrapped in a plush towel, Florence paused at the window. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes landed on the breathtaking sight before her. Chaos, his muscular physique glistening in the morning sun, was swimming in the lake. The water droplets, clinging to his skin, accentuated his every curve, every line. She could not help but admire the raw beauty of his form, the p
Fifty-Three The car hummed along the deserted highway, the soft glow of the dashboard illuminating Florence’s face while the music was playing in the background. She was lost in thought, her mind racing with a thousand questions. This spontaneous road trip, a sudden escape from the confines of her life, had thrown her into a whirlwind of emotions.Chaos, ever the attentive driver, glanced at her, his eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice gentle. “You seem a bit… distant.”Florence forced a smile. “I am fine,” she replied, her voice barely a whisper. But her forced cheerfulness could not mask the underlying sadness in her eyes. “Just wondering what clothes we will wear.” She lied.Chaos chuckled softly, “Don’t worry about it.”She knew that she was trapped in a life that was not her own, a prisoner of her circumstances. But she got in this situation because of her own choices, and her own debts as well as her father’s. She had no choice but to suffer.As they d