About three hours later, Hector and Ruby were ready to leave. Hector drove them both, his hand resting casually on Ruby’s knee as he steered with the other. She watched him in silence, her heart racing. Everything was going according to plan. The car slowed as they pulled into a quiet, secluded garden. Ruby’s eyes widened when she saw it. It was breathtaking. Flowers of every color bloomed in perfect rows, and tall trees shaded stone pathways. The sound of a nearby fountain mixed with the soft chirping of birds. It looked almost magical. For a moment, she wondered if Hector had ordered the place to be arranged just for her. It was too perfect. “You like it?” he asked, watching her expression. She smiled softly, as if the sight alone had warmed her heart. “It’s beautiful.” He smiled back. “As beautiful as you are.” She thanked him excitedly. Together, they walked further into the garden, their hands brushing lightly as they moved. They found a quiet bench under a flowering
ANYA Valentine’s Day; The day of lovers, the day I had been waiting for with my heart in my throat and dreams in my eyes. Today was going to be my day. My perfect day. I rushed into the bar, my heart pounding in anticipation. The sight of Cross made my breath catch, as it always did. He was sitting there, looking effortlessly perfect. His hair was slightly messy, his smile casually charming, and his presence magnetic. I had loved him since high school, and even now, in college, that love hadn’t faded. If anything, it had only grown stronger. He was the guy all the girls wanted, yet somehow, he remained single. That was part of his charm...unreachable, mysterious, untouchable. But not to me. I believed I had a chance. I wasn’t supposed to school at Kings college. My parents had wanted me to attend a more prestigious one, but I had whined, begged, and complained until they sent me there.....where Cross was. To me, nothing mattered more than being near him. Yesterday, I had done
ANYA The sound of laughter erupted behind me, sharp and mocking. Cameras flashed, their lenses pointed at me like spotlights, capturing every humiliating second. I clenched my fists, trying to block out the noise. I knew this would happen. I knew Hunter Steele would humiliate me, but I didn’t care. If enduring this proved my love for Cross, it was worth it. I kept reminding myself: By the end of today, I’ll have my first kiss.....from the love of my life. Cross will see how much I love him, and everything will be perfect. But then Hunter’s annoyed expression softened. A chuckle escaped his lips, sending a chill down my spine. Before I could process it, his face turned cold, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer. My heart raced as he loomed over me, his presence suffocating. “Why is he so close?” I thought, frozen in place. He reached out, his hand catching my chin. His grip was firm but not painful, and his intense gaze seemed to dissect every inch of my face. “Is he going to
ANYA I couldn’t decide what was worse: the fact that Cross wanted nothing to do with me or that Hunter Steele, of all people, had decided I was going to be his wife. My chest tightened as the memory of Hunter’s kiss flashed through my mind. I wiped my lips again, as though I could erase the feeling. "Oh, Cross," I thought miserably. "What can I do to win you back? You were the one who told me to approach Hunter Steele. I only did it for you, but now I’m the one paying the price." My phone felt heavy in my hand as I scrolled to Cross’s number. Desperation gnawed at me. I just needed to explain, to tell him what really happened. Maybe if he listened, he would forgive me. But when I called, the automated voice informed me that my number had been blocked. The rejection hit me like a slap. My heart felt like it was being ripped apart. I still remembered the look on his face before he walked out of the bar....the disgust in his eyes, the finality in his voice. And the stares of e
HUNTER I can’t remember the last time I willingly let a woman get close to me. To me, they were a necessary evil—useful when needed, but never trusted. If it weren’t for my father constantly nagging me to settle down, I wouldn’t have entertained the idea of marriage at all. I was only twenty-six. What was the rush? That was before last night. When I walked into one of my bars, planning to inspect it before gifting it to a friend, I expected nothing more than the usual. The place was buzzing, people minding their drinks and business—until her. A young woman, trembling yet determined, stepped in front of me and asked the most ridiculous question I’d ever heard: “Will you marry me?” Women had thrown themselves at me countless times—clinging, scheming, desperate. But no one had ever dared to ask me to marry them outright. At first, I was annoyed, but her fear-stricken face caught my attention. There was something strangely compelling about her bravery. She looked so fragile, y
ANYAI finally understood why people said Hunter Steele was ruthless. He didn’t just make threats; he acted on them without hesitation. The fear in my mother’s eyes, my father collapsing on the floor, my brother trying to stay strong....it was all my fault. I had dragged my family into this nightmare.As I stared at Hunter, who stood tall and unyielding, I hated him more than I’d ever hated anyone. But despite my hatred, a few hours later, I found myself standing beside him in court. His presence was suffocating, his control absolute.The ceremony was brief, emotionless. Before I knew it, the judge pronounced us husband and wife. My heart sank as the reality of my new life hit me. This wasn’t a fairytale. This was a cage.Once we stepped outside the court, Hunter pulled out his phone and made a call. “Send a hundred-billion-dollar contract to Blake Enterprise,” he ordered. “They’re my in-laws now.”I stared at him, shocked. A hundred billion dollars? My family’s company had been teete
ANYAI swallowed hard, tears threatening to spill from my eyes as I stared at Hunter. I felt powerless under his intense gaze, his presence suffocating. For a fleeting moment, I thought about fighting back....maybe kneeing him to escape. But fear gripped me. If I acted recklessly, my family would undoubtedly pay the price.Suddenly, his hand moved from under my dress, and he gently caressed my cheek. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, but it wasn’t from comfort....it was the unsettling control he seemed to have over me.I squeezed my eyes shut, refusing to look at him.“Open your eyes when I speak to you,” he commanded, his voice cold but firm.I reluctantly obeyed, opening my eyes to find his face mere inches from mine. His lips almost brushed mine, and his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine with a chilling intensity.“My beautiful wife,” he whispered, his tone deceptively soft. “There’s something you need to understand. In this house, my word is law. So, when I say, ‘Go take a
ANYA I blinked several times, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. My brain was screaming at me to move, to run, to do anything....but I was frozen in place as Hunter Steele kept on holding me, his damp hair dripping water onto his shoulders, his chest bare, and a single piece of clothing—a pair of briefs—clinging to him. "Did he just take a bath?" I wondered, panicking. Then it hit me like a truck. "This is his bedroom. Oh no! How did I walk into the lion's den?" A shiver ran down my spine. Not because of the chill, but because of the way Hunter's cold, furious gaze bore into me. Then, to my utter confusion, his expression shifted. The anger faded, replaced by something else..... amusement. "I asked you a question," he said, his voice low and commanding. "What are you doing in my bedroom when I clearly warned you to stay away?" "I... I..." My voice trailed off. My mind, which should have been coming up with a brilliant excuse, decided to take a vacation. Great timing, brain
About three hours later, Hector and Ruby were ready to leave. Hector drove them both, his hand resting casually on Ruby’s knee as he steered with the other. She watched him in silence, her heart racing. Everything was going according to plan. The car slowed as they pulled into a quiet, secluded garden. Ruby’s eyes widened when she saw it. It was breathtaking. Flowers of every color bloomed in perfect rows, and tall trees shaded stone pathways. The sound of a nearby fountain mixed with the soft chirping of birds. It looked almost magical. For a moment, she wondered if Hector had ordered the place to be arranged just for her. It was too perfect. “You like it?” he asked, watching her expression. She smiled softly, as if the sight alone had warmed her heart. “It’s beautiful.” He smiled back. “As beautiful as you are.” She thanked him excitedly. Together, they walked further into the garden, their hands brushing lightly as they moved. They found a quiet bench under a flowering
"I love you too." Ruby told Hector. As the words left her lips, tears welled in her eyes and slid down her cheeks. Without a second thought, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. Then he kissed her, his mouth crashing against hers with a kind of desperation he couldn’t explain. He held her close, as if he was afraid of letting go, as if she might disappear. When they finally left the restaurant, Hector drove her home himself. On the way back, they barely spoke. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable but it was filled with unspoken emotions neither of them was ready to put into words. Later that night, after an intense love making session, Hector sat by Ruby’s bedside. She was asleep, her breathing soft and steady, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her. He watched her for a long time, his thoughts restless. "How is it possible to love someone this much?" The question rolled through his mind over and over. He wasn’t sure when it had started, but now, it consumed him. Eve
In the days that followed, Hector became someone else. Someone Ruby never thought he could be. He stayed close to her, taking care of her every need as if it were his life’s mission. He personally drove her to every hospital check-up. He made sure she took her medication on time. If she so much as winced in discomfort, he was already at her side, asking if she was in pain. He brought her everything she could possibly need...clothes, shoes, books, even things she didn’t ask for. He paid attention. And not once did he leave her alone for too long. He was there. Always there. Some nights, Ruby lay awake staring at the ceiling, wondering who Hector might have been if his life had gone another way. If he hadn’t been born into this world of violence and power. If they had met under different circumstances—two normal people in an ordinary life. Would she have loved him? The answer came quicker than she liked. Yes. He was strong, fiercely protective, and loyal to the core. He work
Hector stepped out of the hidden room and sealed the door behind him. His chest tightened for a brief second, thinking of Ruby inside...safe, at least for now. But there was no time to waste. He moved fast, his boots silent on the polished floor as he made his way to where he kept his best weapons. He grabbed another gun...a heavy, black pistol, checked the magazine, and loaded a fresh round. Then he slung a second weapon over his shoulder, clipped his knife to his belt, and moved toward the front of the house. Then he heard boots pounding against tile. Voices low, fast, speaking in different languages. They were already inside. He counted the sounds. Ten men. Three different gangs. And they hadn’t come to negotiate. They came to kill him. He ducked behind a thick column and took a slow breath. His mind was clear. He tapped the side of his earpiece and muttered, “I need backup. Now.” The reply was immediate. His men were on their way, but they were still ten minutes out.
Hector sat quietly for a moment, staring at Ruby like he was seeing her for the first time. Then his voice broke the silence. “I want to make you a promise,” he said. “From now on, I will never keep you with me against your will. But I’ll also never send you away again.” Ruby’s eyes widened slightly. She held her breath, unsure if she had heard him right. “You’re free,” he continued. “You can come and go as you please. Do whatever makes you happy. If one day you decide to leave, I won’t stop you.” He leaned forward, locking eyes with her. “That’s my promise.” For a second, there was silence. Then her lips slowly curved into a faint smile. “Turns out getting almost killed was for the best,” she said lightly, though something in her voice shook. But Hector didn’t smile back. His expression hardened. “No,” he said firmly. “It wasn’t. And don’t you ever try something like that again. I don’t like it.” Ruby’s smile faded just a little. She nodded. “I won’t,” she promised so
Ruby was falling. Her body hit the ground hard, but she didn’t feel the pain. Her vision blurred, everything fading into darkness. The last thing she saw was a figure running toward her. His voice cut through the haze, shouting her name. Hector. She knew it was him. But she couldn’t hold on any longer. Her eyes closed as the world slipped away. She woke to the sound of steady beeping. Cold sheets beneath her. A dull ache in her chest. Ruby blinked slowly. Bright lights above her head. White walls. The smell of antiseptic. She was certainly in a hospital. And then... She felt a hand holding hers. Warm and strong. Her eyes shifted, and there he was. Hector. Sitting by her side, his dark eyes locked onto hers. His grip tight, like he was afraid she might slip away again. “Where… where am I?” she whispered. Her voice was weak. “Am I… still alive?” Hector’s jaw clenched as he nodded. “You’re alive,” he said. His voice was low. “Thank God you’re
After dinner, Ruby followed Hector into his room, smiling because she finally got him to eat everything she made. She believed she was so close to finally gaining his trust. She had no idea that he had already made up his mind. No matter what, he had to send her away. Keeping her here… it was wrong. This wasn’t her world. She deserved something better...a life far from him, far from danger. But before she left, he wanted to give her something. Something that truly mattered to her. So when she entered the room and saw him lost in thought, she walked over and sat on his thigh, wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed his cheek, her lips soft against his skin. "What’s on your mind?" she asked, her voice gentle. Hector blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "I was thinking of doing something nice for you," he admitted. Her brows lifted slightly. "Oh?" "Yeah." His gaze locked onto hers. "Tell me," he said. "Is there something you really want?" Her e
On the drive back home, Hector’s mind was in turmoil. Everything he had believed was a lie. Ruby had struggled...fought...to convince him that she was someone else. But he hadn’t listened. He had refused to listen. And now, he finally understood. He leaned back against the seat, eyes dark. Eduardo. That bastard. Hector had spent years perfecting the art of punishment, but what punishment could ever be enough for what Eduardo had done to Ruby? He had destroyed her life. Sold her. Framed her. Left her to rot. His fists tightened. But then, an odd thought crossed his mind. 'Why did she stop trying to convince me?' 'Why did she eventually accept it?' 'If she had stood her ground… if she had fought a little harder… Would I have figured it out sooner?' He exhaled sharply. His underling, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. “What are you going to do now?” Hector stared out of the window, expression unreadable. "The right thing," he
As soon as they got into the car, Hector turned to his underling. "Where are we headed?" he asked, his voice calm. The underling hesitated. "It's not something I can explain," he finally said. "I just need to show you." Hector's brows lifted slightly. Mysterious. He didn’t like mysteries. Especially not when they involved him. Because he had been betrayed before, Hector never fully trusted anyone. Not his enemies. Not his underlings. And definitely not the woman sleeping in his bed. Since this one refused to disclose what they were going to find, Hector decided to let him have his way. But at the same time, he discreetly prepared his weapon. If this was a trap, he would deal with it immediately. And if his underling was up to no good? Well… he wouldn’t live to see another sunrise. When the car finally came to a stop, Hector frowned. A cemetery. He stepped out slowly, scanning the area. The air was still. His underling pointed ahead. "Read what’s writt