《Bound by Betrayal (The Mafia King Captive Bride)》


 Chapter one

    Ashley¡¯s POV:


    Filling the room with an electric atmosphere, the DDW hotel in Los Angeles buzzed with the presence of wealthy individuals. Damien Albrecht¡¯s grand party for the opening of their newpany was the talk of the town.


    Damien Albrecht, the supposed heir to the Albrecht group and the world¡¯s youngest billionaire, was known for his involvement in various businesses, including rumors of drug dealings and leading a small mafia group. His name alone struck fear into the hearts of those who dared to cross his path. The mere mention of his name sent shivers down the spine. A human with no heart, a heartless, ferocious demon, and a nightmare to whoever obstructs his way at least that was how the rumors described him to be.


    Although I had only seen him through the media, Damien Albrecht had be my ideal man. Despite the rumors surrounding his dark and mysterious reputation, I couldn¡¯t help but feel excited about the prospect of seeing him in person. My anticipation grew as I hugged myself tightly, a satisfied smile on my face.


    To catch a glimpse of the world¡¯s richest billionaire, I sneaked out of the house with my best friend La. Damien Albrecht had be my celebrity crush, and this was an opportunity I couldn¡¯t miss.


    However, before the party even began, I had already consumed four sses of Devil¡¯s Springs Vodka. Its name proved fitting as the effects started to take hold, leaving me feeling dizzy. La, on the other hand, kept urging me to drink more.


    Filling my ss with more drinks insisting that I loosen up and vibe with the guests and rich men there.


    ¡°I aming, I need to make use of the restroom,¡± La leaned closer to my ear and suddenly whispered.


    ¡°I can¡¯t hear you,¡± I yelled back.


    ¡°Need to use the restroom!¡± she half screamed so that I could hear her amidst the loud booming music in the hotel.


    ¡°Let mee with youuu!¡± I squealed, I guess this is the effect of the alcohol.


    ¡°No need, I will be right back,¡± with that one word she strode out to God knows where.


    And just in time, my phone beeps in my purse, sliding my hand inside my pouch. I pulled it out, not even remembering to check the caller ID. I pressed the phone against my ear.


    ¡°Hey, Ash¡­..!¡± A smile pulled up on my lips brightening my face, only my fiance Mason Grayson addressed me by that name.


    ¡°Mason,¡± I called with a tender voice, struggling for him not to notice how drunk I seemed right now.


    ¡°Come to room 5088,¡± my eyes widened at that. My lips formed an o sound with the phone still pressed hard against my ear.


    I heard him chuckle at the other end, ¡°Don¡¯t worry I am not mad at you, I know that you are a little tipsy,¡±


    All smiley I left the party hall and ambled toward the staircase while still on call, ¡°Babe¡­¡­ Which room number again?¡±


    ¡°5088,¡± his voice sounds gregarious like he couldn¡¯t wait to meet me.


    ¡°So what are you doing here?¡± I asked, my two dimples deepened as I giggled.


    ¡°Don¡¯t keep me waiting, hurry up and you will find out the surprise on your own,¡± he chuckled.


    I ended the call and stared down at my appearance. I knew that I looked breathtaking in the wine red-colored luxurious gown that stopped mid-way showing my thigh. The luxurious gown hugged my exquisite figure scrupulously, making me look charming and at the same time cute.


    Walking through the vestibule of the hotel, I kept staggering when patting my forehead.


    ¡°How strange¡­¡­ Only that drink is not enough to make me this weak,¡± Holding the walls for support, I kept walking. My eyes have slowly started getting blurry.


    However, just in time, I saw the room number boldly written on top showing that I had finally reached my destination.


    ¡°Room 5089¡­.. Finally,¡± I hushed with a puff. Looking around the hallway I noticed that only one room is suited there, but Mason mentioned room 5088. I stared around the foyer for a while and sighed. Maybe he was mistaken because there is no room 5088 here.


    And without a second thought, I walked toward room 5089 with the joy of meeting Mason.


    KNOCK¡­!


    I banged loudly and suddenly the door hauled open under my hand and I was instantly greeted with the darkness inside the room.


    Twitching my eyes to see if I could clearly see or if I was still under the influence of the alcohol but sadly I felt a manly figure sp hold of my wrist and pull me inside the dark room, mming the door shut behind me.


    I flinched at the forcefulness with which the door crashed at its hinges.


    ¡°So you¡¯re the woman that they sent,¡±


    ¡°Mason,¡± I called but I was replied by a deep husky voice.


    ¡°Shhh,¡± he hushed.


    I instantly staggered back, this is not the voice of Mason.


    ¡°Hey! Who are you, this is not Mason?¡± I squawked,  clenching the hem of my clothes.  My eyes kept darting everywhere in the darkness looking for an escape despite being drunk.


    However, I felt him pull me toward him so that my body hits him and from what just happened I could tell that this stranger is fucking tall¡­¡­.. Taller than Mason.


    ¡°Just calm down your nerves and rx into my touch and let me treat you freaking well,¡± he whispers behind my ear, his husky voice sending chills down my body.


    I shuddered against his words, not even Mason has made me feel like this but that doesn¡¯t mean that I have to cheat on him.


    Trying to push him off me caused his grip on me to tighten and before I knew it I was pushed to the bed.


    ¡°Shhh¡­¡­. Close your mouth, enjoy the night and I will pay you ransomly well,¡± he brags and that only exacerbated my fear.


    And the next minute, I found myself on top of a bed, and before I could scurry away, a lean and strong body pinned me down against the mattress.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°No!!¡± I screamed but that only worsened the situation because I suddenly felt lips that tasted like cranberries capture my lips.


    Sucking and nibbling on them, a shrill cry escaped my throat.


    I struggled to scramble out of his hold but that was absurd because he is muscr and stronger than me.


    His lips felt soft and delicate against mine, the deep kiss awakened a burning desire within me unlike the series of kisses I have had with Mason, but still, I felt worthless and ashamed to face the reality of what is actually taking ce right now.


    How could I exin this to Mason, having lost all hope, tears rushed down my face.


    I am just a shit, I am just cheating on my fiance a few days before our wedding.


    I feel disgusted, how do I tell Mason? I have dated Mason for years and have nned on giving him my V-card which this stranger is taking in a savagery way.


    I struggled one more time before giving up, I couldn¡¯t do anything but endure the man¡¯s barbarity.

 Chapter Two

    It¡¯s heartbreaking to think about what happened. I never imagined I¡¯d end up in this situation. Losing my virginity to a random guy in a hotel room just days before my wedding with my fianc¨¦¡­ it feels like a nightmare.


    As I wake up, naked and clutching onto a heavy woolen duvet, I see a muscr stranger peacefully sleeping beside me. Tears stream down my face as the harsh reality sinks in. I close my eyes, hoping against hope that this is all just a terrible dream. But when I open my eyes again, the white walls of the room remind me that it¡¯s all too real.


    I can¡¯t bear to look at the man lying next to me, afraid that it will only reopen the wounds. But as he stirs, it brings me back to the present. I quickly get dressed, stumbling out of the room, my appearance disheveled and unkempt. mming the door shut, I refuse to take onest nce at the man with whom I had a scandalous encounter.


    I rushed out of the foyer, my heart pounding with anticipation, as I made my way toward the vibrant party area. The adrenaline coursing through my veins couldn¡¯t overshadow the nagging worry about my best friend, La. Where could she possibly be?


    Memories of the previous night flooded my mind. La and I hade here together before everything spiraled into chaos. Was she still here, searching for me amidst the chaos, or had she retreated to the safety of her own home? The thought of her wandering alone through the night sent a shiver down my spine.


    No, La couldn¡¯t leave without me. Determination fueled my actions as I swiftly pulled out my phone, ready to dial her number and bring her back to my side. But just as I was about to press the call button, a sudden movement caught my eye.


    Two figures walked inside the foyer, drawing my attention like a moth to a me. One was unmistakably Olivia Harlow, dressed in a provocative ck gown that left little to the imagination. The other figure, standing beside her, made my heart skip a beat. It was La, my best friend, her hand intertwined with Olivia¡¯s as if they were the closest of friends in the whole of the universe.


    The sight struck me like a lightning bolt, sending shockwaves through my entire being. Questions raced through my mind, each one more urgent than thest. Why are they together? What secrets had they been keeping from me? The sense of betrayal mingled with confusion, a whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume me.


    I couldn¡¯t stand there in stunned silence any longer. I had to confront La and Olivia, demand answers, and unravel the tangled web of secrets that had suddenly enveloped my world. With a deep breath, I mustered the courage to approach them, ready to face whatever truth awaited me.


    Confusion swirled within me as I observed their intertwined hands, my gaze piercing through my longshes. ¡°La,¡± I whispered, my voice tinged with bewilderment.


    They stopped in front of me almost close leaving a small distance between us, a strange smile danced across Olivia¡¯s face as she waved her hands, eximing, ¡°Surprise!¡±


    My lips quivered as I mustered the courage to speak, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± My eyes darted between the two of them, searching for answers.


    This is unlike Olivia, a grumpy demon can never be this happy without a reason. Olivia¡¯s sudden change in demeanor is quite unsettling. It¡¯s as if a mischievous spark has ignited within her, hidden beneath those long, flutteringshes. Her eyes twinkle with a sinister gleam, hinting at an ulterior motive lurking beneath her seemingly happy facade. It¡¯s unlike her to be so cheerful without a reason. Something wicked must be brewing in her mind.


    Olivia chuckled, a smirk ying on her lips. ¡°Don¡¯t me me for your gullibility, Ashley,¡± she sneered, stealing a nce at La before turning her attention back to me.


    My brow furrowed in confusion. What was she insinuating?


    ¡°Did you have a nice time with that greybeard coffin dodger back there?¡± Folding her arms against her chest, Olivia¡¯s eyes nced in the direction of the room and then back to me while saying in a serenading voice, a wicked smile ying on her lips. ¡°How was the banging?¡± Sheughed mischievously.


    How was the banging?


    I murmured while thinking before my eyes widened in shock as Olivia¡¯s words hit me like a punch to the gut, and realization washed over me. It all started to make sense. My eyes filled with pain as I turned to La, who immediately lowered her head in shame.


    Her deception became clear as if they had nned it all along. The girl I trusted more than a friend, the one I had sacrificed so much for, had betrayed our friendship at the hands of my wicked step-sister.


    I never had the best rtionship with Olivia, but this level of betrayal is beyond words.


    But why did I hear Mason¡¯s voice instead of hers?


    ¡°Not you, La,¡± I whispered, my disappointment and sadness evident in my voice. They both heard me.


    But immediately, my heart sank as Olivia¡¯s icy stare pierced through me, interrupted by a cutting remark, ¡°No need to me the poor girl, she did the right thing, my dear half-sister.¡±


    Her voice was calm yet detrimental and that alone only caused pain, anger, and betrayal to surge within me, causing my jaw to clench and my emotions to simmer.


    ¡°Olivia¡­¡±


    But before I could utter another word, she silenced me with a dismissive gesture, her finger pressed against her lips, demanding my silence. The weight of her dismissive gesture hushed me, leaving me feeling small and insignificant.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare call my name or act like we had some deep sisterly bond, Ashley,¡± she spat, her words dripping with disdain. ¡°We were merely sisters in name, nothing more.¡±


    As her words echoed in my ears, I couldn¡¯t help but gulp hard painfully, my gaze slowly drifting away from her. It was true, we had never shared a close rtionship, never truly acted like sisters from the day we firstid eyes on each other. But despite it all, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to harbor any ill will towards her.


    Olivia went too far this time, not only betraying me but also teaming up with my best friend, the very reason I snuck outst night.


    ¡°Do you really think I have any liking or desire to be associated with you? I¡¯ve been silently lurking in the shadows, despising you and everything about you. I just want to smack that pretty face of yours and ruin your so-called good girl reputation!¡± Her words cut through the air, devoid of any emotion.


    Pulling out her phone from her pocket, she shed it in front of me with a dangerous smirk on her lips. What was she nning this time?


    ¡°All the evidence I need to show Dad is right here, buried in this phone,¡± she taunted, pointing at the phone.


    My legs turned to jelly as her words sank in. ¡°You can¡¯t do that, Olivia,¡± I stammered, my lips trembling.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Oh, I can, and trust me, I will,¡± she sneered, her smile widening, resembling that of a devil.


    ¡°You¡­!¡± I tried to scream in wrath, but it came out more like a cry. It hurt, deep inside.


    It¡¯s devastating to be stabbed in the back by your best friend, someone who meant everything to you!


    Feeling betrayed and hurt, I couldn¡¯t find the words to speak. She had that video on her phone, and just the thought of it tarnishing my image and jeopardizing my uing wedding made my heart sink. I couldn¡¯t take any chances. All I could do was let the tears flow. It felt like everything was falling apart.


    ¡°Come on, La, let¡¯s go, girl,¡± I watched as Olivia grabbed La¡¯s arm, my own best friend.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be seen with this disgusting girl,¡± she sneered, flipping her hair as she stomped away.


    I kept staring at them until they disappeared from sight. With a broken heart, I sighed and dragged myself away from the scene.


    My heart is pounding, praying that she doesn¡¯t leak that video. My wedding with my fiance is hanging by a thread.

 Chapter three

    As I pushed the door open, a chilling silence enveloped the room. The atmosphere felt eerie and ominous, causing a shiver to run down my spine. It was as if the very air was frozen with an unsettling presence. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of unease creeping over me.


    The atmosphere in Daniel Harlow¡¯s house has never been this tense, I could feel the tension hanging in the air like a heavy cloud. It was a stark contrast to the usual atmosphere, even more intense than when he had brought his side chick, who happened to be Olivia¡¯s mother, into the picture. Memories of my mother¡¯s passing flooded my mind, adding to the already palpable heaviness in the room.


    As I ventured further into the lounge, the thick tension in the air became even more palpable. My eyes locked onto a towering figure seated on the couch, emanating an aura of masculine intensity with a deep scowl etched across his face. It was impossible to ignore his imposing presence, adding to the already charged atmosphere.


    ¡°Fa¡­ ther,¡± I stammered, my voice trembling as I tried to find the right words to address the tense atmosphere. But as soon as my eyes met his sharp gaze, my words caught in my throat, leaving me feelingpletely thrown off. The intensity in his eyes was enough to silence me, leaving me at a loss for what to say next.


    ¡°How could you after everything I have done for you? How could you, Ashley?!¡± He yelled out in rage.


    He has never addressed me by my full name before, this is actually the first time that I have seen my father this upset and mad. What could have inflicted his anger?


    ¡°Dad, I¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°How could you, Ashley? Despite everything, you decided to pay me back like this!¡± His low growl had the words stopped at the tip of my tongue.


    ¡°Dad,¡± I called but he instantly shut me up, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare call me Dad!¡±


    ¡°Why are you yelling at me? I don¡¯t know what I did,¡± tears started brimming my deep blue ocean eyes. I have already been through a lot today and I don¡¯t think that I have the strength for this.


    ¡°I gave you everything that you needed, even those that I couldn¡¯t afford; I always strived just to ensure that you neverck anything in life but you chose that tarnishing my image and dragging my reputation to the mud was the best!!¡±


    My tears were now trailing down, I could not possibly hurt my father and he knew it. Even when he brought in another woman with my mother still under the same roof with him, still I never hurt him. So what is he talking about?


    ¡°Dad,¡± I sniffed more tears in my eyes, ¡°Dad, I¡¯m really struggling to understand where you¡¯reing from. It hurts me deeply to see you so angry and upset. Can you help me understand your perspective better?¡±


    ¡°How could you understand when you sleep around with men for money!!¡±


    Chills crawled down my skin as I wildly dazed at him, his usation had my body frozen in ce.


    Sleeping with different men for money, his words were still looming in my head when he angrily switched on the television.


    The headline on the television captioned my attention, my name and my picture were boldly disyed on that television. There was a video attached to the lower side of the screen though it was white and ck and not that clear but thedy in the video has long blonde hair just like mine.


    She is naked with a huge man towering all over her, their faces were not captioned since they were surely feasting on each other¡¯s lips with the duvet doing little or no justice in covering them that well.


    My gaze slowly shifted to the caption below the video, ¡°What is she talking about, that I slept around for money?!¡± I stuttered unbelievably. I couldn¡¯t believe what I was seeing on the screen. The caption using me of sleeping around for money waspletely unfounded. I was shocked and speechless as I looked back at my father, trying to make sense of it all.


    ¡°You heard it right, Ashley, thanks for making me a fool out there,¡± his lips stretched out in a sad smirk, his fist curled to the other side as he snarled trying to control his anger.


    ¡°Were you not at DDW hotelst night?¡± His gaze filled with pain and disappointment as he asked.


    I couldn¡¯t believe what I was hearing. His question about me being at the DDW hotelst night felt like a sharp reminder of the usations. I can feel the weight of yesterday¡¯s events creeping back into my thoughts. It¡¯s hard toprehend, why Olivia? Why did you allow this to happen? And now, it seems like the news has spread everywhere.


    ¡°You see¡­ the anchorwoman wasn¡¯t lying,¡± he said, his voice trembling with emotion. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I bit my lip to hold back the sobs. It¡¯s a difficult situation, and I find myself doing nothing.


    Looking up at him, I could see the rage in his eyes as he growled while standing on his feet, ¡°I, Daniel Harlow, can never ept a daughter who is shameless and ill-mannered.¡± I felt a mix of emotion shot through me.


    ¡°Dad¡­! I didn¡¯t,¡± I cried out, my voice filled with desperation. I want to make it clear that I didn¡¯t do what he used me of. I hope he can listen and understand my side of the story.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t? But you just did it, Ashley, The news is all over the inte on how the first daughter of Denial Harlow solely slept around with men for money! How could you go to that shameless length? Have you ever demanded anything and I declined?!¡±


    Silence fell from my side as tears streamed down my face. I felt helpless, unable to do anything to change what was happening. The false usations spreading on the inte have made it seem like there¡¯s no way out.


    ¡°I am asking you a question, Ashely! Have you ever asked for anything and never got it?!¡± I flinch in fear when shaking my head.


    ¡°Get out!¡± He shrieked when massaging his sharp jaw.


    ¡°Dad, I still didn¡¯t¡­¡­.


    ¡°I said for you to get the fuck out of my sight before I lose it!!¡± He hummed, scaring me away.


    Shaking feebly with my lips trembling, I staggered out of the house and started running toward Mason¡¯s house.


    How do I exin this to him? I pray that he has not seen the news which is circting everywhere at a faster rate.


    I parked my Honda Jazz in front of the penthouse, feeling a mix of emotions. This ce, once a symbol of our love and future together, now feels like it¡¯s on the verge of copsing. It¡¯s heartbreaking, but I still believe there¡¯s a chance to salvage our rtionship though the possibility is small.


    I hurried out of the car and rushed towards the house, my heart pounding with anticipation. As I stood at the front door, I noticed that it was unlocked. It felt strange, but I couldn¡¯t help but give it a slight push to see what awaited me inside.


    However, my attention was immediately caught by something in the lobby. I saw feminine clothes scattered on the floor, and the sickening cologne lingering in the air. It was a fragrance I didn¡¯t recognize, definitely not the one Mason wears. My heart sank as I realized there might be more to this situation than I initially thought.


    I could feel my heart racing, and a wave of unease washed over me. But I pushed those unsettling thoughts aside, refusing to believe what my instincts were telling me.


    But instantly I felt my body freeze as a chilling sensation ran through me, almost knocking me to my knees. I heard a feminine voice moaning from the other side of the room, the very room that was supposed to be our matrimonial haven. It felt like a punch to the gut, and I couldn¡¯t ignore the reality unfolding before me.


    Clutching the fabric of my clothes, my body trembling, I mustered up the courage to extend my shaky hands toward the door. Despite that nagging voice in my head screaming at me to turn around and flee, curiosity consumed me. I needed to see with my own eyes to truly believe what was happening.


    Meanwhile, as I pushed the door open, a wave of terror washed over me, causing me to shudder against the door frame. Dismay shed across my eyes as I took in the sight before me. The scene was something I never expected, and it filled me with a mix of pain and sadness.


    Mason, my fiance whom I hase running to was deep inside another woman, fucking her on our bed. The bed shakes with how rough they are hitting it, and her sickening moan fills the air. A crippling scream ripples through the room, causing me to stagger back. My grip on the door handle loosened, and I felt a mix of shock and disbelief wash over me. It¡¯s a painful and confusing situation.


    Holding the hem of my clothes, tears rolled down my cheeks as I watched Olivia, my half-sister, and my fiance Mason having s*x on the exact bed meant for the both of us. It felt like a stab in the heart, a betrayal that I never sawing. I was overwhelmed with a mix of anger, sadness, and disbelief. I couldn¡¯t believe what my eyes were seeing.


    Well, I couldn¡¯t help but to let my pain out, ¡°Ah¡­.. no!¡± My heart felt like it was being squeezed as I stood there, unable to contain my silent sobs. When they finally noticed me, their eyes met mine, and the room fell silent. The weight of the situation hung heavy in the air.


    My heart sank as I stood there, hoping for Mason toe rushing to me, but it was just a cruel hallucination. Instead, a dreadful smirk appeared on his face as he continued thrusting into Olivia, who kept throwing triumphant smiles my way. The pain and betrayal cut deep.


    I could feel my heart breaking as I clutched my clothes, my hand trembling against my lips. In a daze of pain, I rushed out of the house and made my way to the car parked outside his penthouse. I didn¡¯t care about my father¡¯s warning to never return-I needed sce and a familiar ce to gather my thoughts.


    My world shattered before my eyes, years of hard work crumbling in an instant. With furious honking, the gate swung open, allowing me to slide in and park my car in the carport. I took a deep breath before stepping out.


    Feeling devastated and disheveled, I walked into the house to find my father surrounded by a group of men dressed in ck, busy filling out some documents. The scene added to the heaviness in my heart. I couldn¡¯t agree more. The atmosphere definitely feels off, not like it used to be. Something just feels¡­ off.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s time for us to leave, Mr. Harlow,¡± one of the men said, noticing my presence and diverting everyone¡¯s attention towards me. The sudden focus made me feel uneasy.


    I could feel my father¡¯s rage radiating from his face as our eyes locked. Instantly, I tore my gaze away, feeling a wave of nervousness wash over me. Chewing nervously on my bottom lip, I couldn¡¯t help but acknowledge that I was in aplete mess right now.


    ¡°Yeah, we did have a great day,¡± the man said to my father, earning a nod from him. His gaze was still fixed on me, and the man¡¯s cold eyes darted from my father back to me before adding, ¡°Whatever is in that contract stays there.¡± The tension in the room was palpable.


    And with that one word, he walked away with his men. I could see the hurt in my father¡¯s eyes, but before I could react, his next word threw me off the edge.


    ¡°Go pack up, you will be getting married tomorrow to Damien Albrecht.¡± Those words were incredibly shocking and overwhelming to hear.


    I shuddered against his words, Damien Albercht¡­¡­! There was a dead silence in the air, a silence that traveled all the way to my wounded heart. The calmness did nothing to the blood drumming heavily in my ear at the unexpected news.


    I couldn¡¯t believe it when I heard those words. Damien Albrecht, the world¡¯s youngest billionaire, and my crush¡­ It should be a reason to feel happy, right? But instead, I¡¯m left feeling confused. Why this sudden arrangement? I can¡¯t help but question everything. What is going on? Damien is a public figure, and my father is well-known, but not on the same level as the Albrecht family. It¡¯s all so overwhelming and hard to make sense of.


    ¡°Dad, what¡¯s happening?¡± I asked, my voice barely audible. The tension in the room was palpable, and my nerves were on edge. I needed answers, but I couldn¡¯t help feeling uneasy and nervous about the unfolding events.


    ¡°I can¡¯t take that chance,¡± he said, his gaze piercing and freezing me in ce. His words sent a shiver down my spine, leaving me feeling shocked and hurt. It was clear that there was something deeper at y, and I needed to address my concerns and emotions in order to navigate through this mess.


    ¡°I can¡¯t let my reputation be ruined,¡± he said, his words stabbing me like a knife. The pain shot through my body, intensifying the shock and hurt I was already feeling.


    ¡°I feel like everything I¡¯ve worked so hard for has been destroyed,¡± he mumbled, his voice filled with anguish. The pain and devastation of seeing everything he has built crumble before my eyes is overwhelming.


    ¡°What is he referring to?¡± I thought, my face twisted in confusion as I looked back at him. The situation felt like a puzzle with missing pieces, leaving me unsure of what he meant.


    ¡°Ourpany is now controlled by Damien Albrecht, your husband,¡± he said with a bitterugh as if he were barely holding himself together. The news hit me like a ton of bricks, and I could sense the pain and struggle behind his forcedughter.


    I know how much my father has worked his butt off to build his reputation and thepany. He¡¯s made sacrifices every day for thepany, and now it¡¯s under someone else¡¯s control all because of me. It¡¯s overwhelming to see thepany I grew up with in someone else¡¯s hands.


    ¡°What¡­ are you talking about, father?¡± I stammered, my voice filled with pain and confusion. The news had hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me struggling toprehend the situation.


    ¡°To protect our reputation from being tarnished and avoid positioning ourselves as aughing stock out there. They¡¯ve decided to step in and help¡­ He¡¯s taken on the role of being your fiance and the person you¡¯ve been involved with, but in exchange, he gains control of thepany,¡± my father exined. The revtion left me speechless, my mind racing toprehend the magnitude of the situation.


    ¡°What?!¡± I gasped, my voice filled with bewilderment and shock. The news had hit me like a thunderbolt, leaving me struggling to process the information. Does my father even know what he is trying to do?


    I know that Albrecht has always had a thing for ourpany but not to this extent. I can¡¯t believe Albrecht is doing this to us. It feels like they¡¯re ripping my father away from everything he¡¯s built. Ourpany is the only thing our family truly owns, and now it¡¯s being taken away. This is not helping but just a way to snatch thepany. How could my father stand so low and dumb to have epted these silly ideas? Yes¡­¡­.. Standing as my fiancee and the man behind my sexual scandals is a risky idea and can also tarnish or ruin their reputation but Albrecht is like the body and the mouthpieces around the world. So their reputation will never be ruined, rather the presence of their name in the picture will also add a lot of respect to our own family name.


    As a smartass and a maniptor, they have seen it as a perfect opportunity to dive in and rip everything from us, especially now that my father seems vulnerable. But fuck the goddamn reputation! I rather go down than agree to this silly deceptive idea of theirs. How could my father?Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°It¡¯s true that with their name on the picture, our reputation might be restored,¡± I responded, forcing a sad smile. It seemed like this arrangement was their way of salvaging our reputation, even if it came at a great cost. I still had mixed feelings about it, but I needed to have a conversation with my father to understand his reasoning better. It¡¯s a challenging situation, but I won¡¯t lose hope. He shouldn¡¯t have allowed their maniption to get to his head. Does he value fame, respect, reputation, and status so much that he has agreed to this?


    ¡°And thepany¡­¡± my heart raced as I anticipated the next piece of news. The fate of our belovedpany hung in the bnce, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel anxious about what was toe. I braced myself for whatever news was about to be revealed, knowing that it would have a painful impact on our family and our future.


    ¡°Gone¡­! It¡¯s devastating to hear that, even though the public still sees it as ours, the reality is that it¡¯s now under his control,¡± It¡¯s a painful realization.


    I staggered a bit, my eyes widening in disbelief. ¡°No, no, no¡­! This can¡¯t be happening,¡± I eximed. The idea that he would agree to this arrangement seemed absurd to me. Is this how much he cherishes his damn reputation? Now we have lost everything.


    Yes, even though I know that my father is one person that cares about his reputation, image, and what people will say but epting this idea is bullshit!!! Is better to be mocked than to lose everything we once had, thatpany was the tangible thing my family owed.


    However, I couldn¡¯t help but blurt out, ¡°Giving them thepany is definitely not the best decision.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the point of still having it while the shareholders will want to withdraw and disassociate themselves from thepany¡­¡­. Having it is still going to be useless but under his hold, everything will be fine,¡± heughed bitterly and that brought tears to my eyes. ¡°Who would want to associate themselves with a tainted name? It¡¯s like we¡¯ve be a joke online,¡± he adds, sharing in their frustration. The impact on our reputation is disheartening and overwhelming.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s tough not being able to have it, but I can still take pride in my hard work from a distance,¡± he replied.


    His sharp gaze settled on me, and I could see the pain in his eyes as he said, ¡°I am disappointed in you, Ashley. It feels like I live to curse the day you were born.¡± I felt a mix of hurt and pain wash over me.


    ¡°No, Father!¡± I cried out, but he pushed me to the other side and walked away. I felt a wave of emotions overwhelm me ¨C shock, hurt, andplication. Understandably, I am feeling overwhelmed and unsure about my emotions right now but one thing is for sure;  I am hurting, grieving in so much pain.


    Painfully, I fell to the ground and wept bitterly. It feels like everything I¡¯ve worked my ass off for till today is now crashing and shattering right in front of me. This sudden turn of events is incredibly tough to handle.


    In less than twenty-four hours, my life took another unexpected turn. Not only did I tarnish my image, but I also dragged my father down with me. It feels like everything is falling apart. I can¡¯t believe how quickly everything changed! One moment I was being set up, the next second I was disowned by my own father. And to make matters worse, my fiance is now with my step-sister. It feels like my world has been turned upside down. Now I¡¯m being forced to marry Damien Albrecht. It¡¯s all so painful and confusing.


    I still can¡¯t believe that a one-night stand could crush and shatter my dreams and future. It feels like everything I¡¯ve worked so hard for is slipping away.

 Chapter four

    As I sat beside my bed, curled up in a ball, a sudden knock echoed through the room. The sound sent a jolt of surprise through me, and I quicklyposed myself. Margaret, our house servant who had taken on the role of a mother figure since my own mother¡¯s passing, entered the room. ¡°I¡¯ve been informed by Mr. Harlow toe and assist you, Miss Ashley,¡± she said with a reassuring smile.


    With a heavy sigh, I dragged myself up from the floor. The weight of my circumstances seemed unbearable, and the thought of facing my wretched destiny loomed over me. I think that I just need to face my miserable fate.


    ¡°I need to pack,¡± I said quietly, puffing out a breath. ¡°Tomorrow is my wedding,¡±


    ¡°Oh, really!¡± She grinned, not even bothering to inquire about the details. Maybe she hadn¡¯t caught wind of the inte buzz or perhaps she assumes it¡¯s about Mason. Either way, I stick to my vague reference, not quite ready to face her probing questions. I yank out two suitcases from my closet and plonk them onto the bed.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s on the packing list?¡± she chirped, a smile stered on her face. Letting out a sigh, I turned away from her and made my way to the wall mirror. ¡°Just the essentials, Margaret,¡± I mumbled. She strolled over to my drawer and started flinging my favorite clothes onto the bed.


    I ain¡¯t much into fancy dresses, preferringfy clothes instead. But Margaret, being the thoughtful soul she is, pulled out some nice dresses that would do the trick for special asions. She chucked them onto the bed too.


    I mean shouldn¡¯t I be happy that I am finally getting married to my celebrity crush¡­¡­. Deep down I feel suffocating, torn, and shattered into pieces.


    As I looked around my room, trying to assess what and what I needed to pack. Opening the drawer beneath the wall mirror, I retrieved the diamond ne that Mason had gifted me on our first date in Mexico. Gazing at it, a lone tear trickled down my cheek, memories flooding my mind.


    The promises that we both made to each other and our dreams together were broken and forgotten due to that very night. I could have understood if he cheated on me with another person but why¡­¡­..! Why my sister? Why Olivia of all the girls out there, he chose my sister? Despite knowing that we never get along.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    I held the ne tightly against my chest, agony coursing through my veins. Mason, I betrayed you¡­ Lost in my anguish, a gentle hand rested on my shoulder. ¡°You okay, Miss Ashley?¡±


    I quickly hid the ne under my dress and instantly stood up. I strode toward mytrine and took out my toiletries and other necessities, tugging them inside my suitcase while ignoring the look Margaret was throwing my way.


    Turning around, I let out a sigh and proimed, ¡°Looks like we¡¯re finished.¡± Margaret nodded in agreement.


    However, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of sadness wash over me as I stared at the two suitcases resting on my bed. Never did I imagine my life could be such a chaotic mess. I¡¯d never felt so worthless and miserable all my life but in this moment, I can¡¯t help but confront the harsh reality that I am to be married off to Damien Albrecht, in exchange for my father¡¯spany_ all this was because of our reputation that I have seeded in dragging to the mud, all thanks to Olivia and my best friend La.


    Looking at Margaret, a part of me wanted to run to her, to cry to her, to tell her how scared I am about this unknown responsibility that has just befallen me¡­¡­.. But I couldn¡¯t dare to make a move, her sympathy at this time is going to make me feel worse.


    ¡°Thank you foring to help me out,¡± I muttered, my voicecking enthusiasm. She brushed it off, chuckling softly as she gently lifted my chin. ¡°I¡¯m happy to lend a hand. I¡¯ll be here bright and early to assist with the wedding preparations.¡±


    Her words served as a harsh wake-up call, a painful reminder of the stark reality staring me in the face. I mustered a feeble smile as I guided her towards the exit. Once she was gone, I carefully positioned my suitcase by the door and made my way back to my bed, where I had my tiny body curled up on the duvet.


    Clutching onto my lifeless pillow, I desperately tried to push away the overwhelming pain and worries consuming me. At that moment, a bittersweet image of my dear mother slipped into my thoughts. I knew deep down that wherever she may be, she wouldn¡¯t be proud of the path I was forced to walk. Oh, how I yearned for her presence, even if it meant hearingforting lies.


    And the weight of that regret weighs heavily on my heart. If only I could rewrite the past. The ache of longing and the sting of remorse consume me, as I yearn for a chance to mend what was broken. Oh, how I wish I never left that night. The pain is deep, and the tears flow freely as I navigate the depths of my sorrow.


    As the burden of my wretched existence grew heavier, the weight upon my shoulders became unbearable. Tears streamed down my face, their salty trails marking the depth of my pain. Exhaustion finally overtook me, pulling me into the sce of a deep slumber, where my sorrows momentarily faded away.

 Chapter five

    The cold winter breeze in Los Angeles serves as a gentle reminder that Christmas is fast approaching. The holiday spirit fills the air as people prepare for the joyous festivities ahead.


    The squirting sounds of the squirrels hopping from one cinnamon tree to another fill the air, but their discordant melody is nothingpared to the pain that weighs heavily on my heart. The dissonance of nature mirrors the turmoil within.


    I stood in the middle of my room, gazing at my reflection, adorned in a breathtaking ensemble for my wedding with Damien. I couldn¡¯t deny that I looked stunning, but deep down, this wasn¡¯t the marriage I had envisioned. It pained me to think that my special day would be overshadowed by sorrow and heartache.


    Margaret has worked her magic, skillfully concealing the dark circles under my eyes withyers of foundation and makeup, transforming my face into a stunning sight. One would think I should be overjoyed, right? But despite the outward beauty, my heart feels burdened, weighed down by an indescribable heaviness.


    I was supposed to marry Mason, the one I thought would be my forever. But here I am, about to wed a man I barely know, all because of one fateful night that shattered my world. It¡¯s a painful reminder of how one mistake can alter the course of our lives.


    I feel so sad for my father. It¡¯s heartbreaking to see my father¡¯spany, a renowned establishment in Los Angeles, targeted by the infamous Albrecht family. Their reputation for living above thew precedes them, so it¡¯s no surprise that they would go to any lengths to acquire ourpany, even if it means creating a messy situation.


    The Albrecht family is known for their extensive business ventures across continents, spanning both legal and illegal industries. Though no proof has ever been found of their illegal business, that¡¯s simply how they live above thew by paying off thew keepers and continuing to indulge in their tourism business.


    So when my father broke the horrible marriage news to me, it was devastating, leaving me feeling hurt and betrayed. Despite my infatuation with the heir of the Albrecht group, it was clear that they had no qualms about forcefully seizing my father¡¯spany, knowing how much it meant to him.


    ¡°It¡¯s time, miss,¡± Margaret said, interrupting my swirling thoughts.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    I gulped hard and turned to face her. With a nod, I acknowledged that it was time to confront the harsh reality. As she opened the door for me to step out, I was taken aback to find my father standing there, dressed in a sleek ck tuxedo.


    ¡°Da¡­¡­fath¡­¡­d ¡­. er,¡± I looked flushed, unsure of the exact word to use to address him.


    He stretched his hand towards me, and in that moment, I could see the pain hidden behind the facade of his smile. ¡°I am here to walk you down the aisle,¡± he said, his voice filled with a mix of emotions.


    I smiled, although it felt like a painful stretch. Today was meant to be a joyous asion with my dad and Mason by my side, but instead, it turned out to be the most devastating day of my life. With trembling hands, I reached out and ced my hand in his, trying to find some sce in his presence.


    Margaret seemed delighted as she beheld me in the pristine white dress, oblivious to the turmoil within me. My father nodded, turned around, and began leading us down the aisle, a bittersweet moment unfolding before us.


    The ceremonial hall swung open, and my heart skipped a beat as I took in the sea of people. It was astonishing to see such a crowd, considering the impromptu nature of this wedding. The paparazzi were swarming, capturing every moment with their cameras¡­ The entire ce exudes opulence, a testament to the involvement of a prominent public figure. What did I expect? Luxury was inevitable in this whirlwind affair.


    My heart raced, and I couldn¡¯t help but notice the disdainful nces from the crowd as I made my way down the aisle. As I approached the altar, my gaze fell upon Olivia and Mason, sitting together, their affection for each other on full disy. It was a painful sight, and my heart shattered as I watched them being all lovey-dovey.


    I couldn¡¯t help but gaze at them for a moment, and I¡¯m pretty sure my dad caught on. But before he could say or do anything, I quickly averted my eyes. We continued our slow walk to the altar, but having done his part he quietly left me at the altar alone with the old priest and went back to his chair.


    Damien is not yet here, so I stood all alone with the priest at the altar in the presence of every single soul. At times and times, my eyes still moved to where Olivia and Mason were sitting, the smirk and disgusted look they were both throwing my way was enough to have the ground swallow me.


    My heart shattered as I witnessed the man I¡¯ve loved for so long being all romantic with my step-sister. Hours passed, and still no sign of the groom. Murmurs and whispers filled the air, and I couldn¡¯t help but look up and see the embarrassment on my father¡¯s face.


    ¡°Poor, bride, she has been standing there for hours waiting for the groom,¡± I overheard an old woman¡¯s whispering voice.


    ¡°Not like the groom is some wealthy man anyway¡­¡± Another woman replied, her tone dripping with nastiness.


    ¡°I came here to see the man she¡¯s been sleeping around with¡­ Poor Mr. Harlow,¡± another woman replied, her voice filled with what seemed like genuine sadness.


    ¡°I think we all wasted our time ¡¯cause it seems like the man ain¡¯ting. Shame,¡± a man hissed in a low voice.


    The murmuring confused me. Didn¡¯t they know I was marrying the supposed heir to the Albrecht group?


    ¡°ording to the archon woman, she said she¡¯s marrying the man she had flings with¡­ I wonder who it is?¡± Another man replied, yawning in boredom.


    The next whispering confirmed my assumption. They had no idea, so I guess that¡¯s why Olivia seemed so excited, and this whole crowd came here just to mock my father. So this is what he was protecting ¨C his image and reputation.


    I turned around to see the smile on her lips. Olivia seemed like the happiest girl today, looking around, but there wasn¡¯t any sign of La. Guess she doesn¡¯t have the guts to face me, though, not after all she did.


    The old priest standing in front of me looked pale and stressed out with what was going on. He kept throwing me a pitiful look. I¡¯m sure his legs might be killing him by now. I felt so embarrassed and ashamed, but when all hope seemed lost and shattered, the priest decided to wed me all alone. He didn¡¯t mind the absence of my groom, since they all considered him a man of low caliber.


    ¡°Umm¡­ I wed you, Ashley Harlow¡­.¡± The old priest had barelypleted his statement when suddenly the door was pushed open, drawing everyone¡¯s attention.


    Just named the devil¡­¡­¡­


    There was a wild gasp and confusion in the midst of everyone as a group of men, all dressed in ck with 500 S&W Magnum pistols in their hands, walked inside the hall. The hall suddenly went dead quiet, and the tension in the air did not go unnoticed. The paparazzi all had their cameras brought down, fear and shock were in the eyes of every single person there, including me.


    Oh! My God¡­ is that a gun? My eyes widened in shock, and I just wished I could disappear from there. This is the worst day of my life. My heart was racing so fast, though I decided to stay calm and let¡¯s see what happens next.


    As Damien stepped out from the group of men and slowly started walking toward the altar, my heart skipped a beat. Smoke swirled around his face, hidden beneath arge ck ss and a ck cap. For a moment, I forgot about the ache in my heart as I couldn¡¯t help but be captivated by his neat and handsome appearance like he had been sketched out in a cartoon magazine.


    He looked absolutely stunning! Despite the dark aura surrounding him, I couldn¡¯t help but be mesmerized.


    He climbed the altar and stood in front of me, gesturing to the confused priest to continue. ¡°Go on with the marriage, I am here right now,¡± he said coldly, causing a loud gasp from the crowd. The tension in the air was palpable.


    ¡°WHAT!!¡± I heard Olivia let out an unexpected scream, the shock in her eyes going unnoticed. Mason seemed surprised too¡­ I guess they were all expecting to see some gray old-looking man just like Olivia portrays him to look. The unexpected twist definitely caught them off guard!


    None of them were expecting to see Damien, the heir to the Albrecht group, as the groom. It¡¯s tempting tough at the shock and terror on their faces, but it¡¯s heartbreaking that this marriage is just a business exchange for my father¡¯spany.


    I seem worthless and meaningless right now, the only things I can feel within me are pain, regret, and anger¡­¡­..


    The old trembling priest stared at him, then at me, before diverting his gaze towards my father¡¯s direction in fear. My father nodded, his face cold with a wrinkle stretched out on his forehead, showing that he was in pain. It¡¯s a difficult andplicated situation.


    The priest turned and continued, his voice cracking. He kept asking a lot of questions, and I kept responding with an ¡°I do.¡± Meanwhile, my gaze moved back to my father. He wasn¡¯t even looking at us. He looked stressed out and lost in deep thought. It hurts to see him in so much pain.


    I jolted when I felt the priest waving his hand in front of my face. I turned to find everyone, including the priest, and Damien¡¯s dark eyes on me. It¡¯s overwhelming to have all their attention focused on me at that moment.


    Luckily, the priest was kind enough to repeat the question, ¡°Do you, Ashley Harlow, ept Damien Albrecht as your husband?¡±


    My heart hammered against my chest as I looked at the demon in front of me. If ever there was a time to change my mind and finally free myself from this torture that I am about to enter, the time is now. It¡¯s important to listen to your heart and make the decision that feels right for you. I turned to look at my father, there was still a chance for him to make things right.

 Chapter six

    I looked at my father, my gaze pleading for him to take back his word and stop this marriage from happening. He wasn¡¯t even looking at us, and I knew one thing¡­ I just need to face the reality, he has made up his mind.


    Inhaling sharply, I stared back at the man in front of me with so much anger and pain. ¡°I¡­ do,¡± the word trembled out of my lips. It takes immense strength to make such a decision in the face of adversity.


    ¡°Do you, Damien Albrecht, ept Ashley¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°We are done,¡± Damien barked out, shutting the priest who quivered in fear, having him swallow the rest of his words.


    He gave me a long disgusted look, not bothered to hide his remark. I shrank back a bit under his fierce look, ¡°I think that we¡¯re done here, I have to go home with my wife,¡± he snorted, but despite the calmness of his voice, I was able to detect the danger in them.


    ¡°I, therefore, dere you two husband and wife,¡± the priest proimed, sealing your union.


    The priest had barely a few words to say but he instantly swallowed the whole words that were on the tip of his tongue the moment Damien shed him a sharp re. Poor man, as much as I felt bad for him but I feel more bad for myself knowing that this is what I am going to experience for years toe.


    Damien walked down from the altar dismissively putting an end to the ceremony, the whole ce was oddly quiet, who dares to utter a word?


    He walked and stopped a few steps away beside my father, who had his head lowered. I saw him ce his hand on top of my father¡¯s shoulder and lean to whisper something in his ear. It was clear that the words weren¡¯t pleasant, based on how my father suddenly trembled. A deadly smirk made its way to Damien¡¯s lips as he gave my father¡¯s shoulder a slight squeeze before walking away. It¡¯s a chilling moment that reveals the power dynamic at y.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    His men quickly stood up and went after him and I was left standing alone at the altar. Bathed in shame and embarrassment, I slowly lifted my gaze to stare at the man I had cursed so much pain. He had his head lowered and his fists clenched by his side.


    The voices murmuring were all coated in fear, and the paparazzi picked up their cameras from the ground where they had left them earlier, continuing their relentless recording. It¡¯s evident that this marriagecks love, and you can sense it without anyone having to tell you. It¡¯s a difficult situation to be in, everyone deserves a rtionship filled with love and happiness but I guess¡­¡­. Not me!


    I decided to step forward, and in that instant, I saw Olivia move toward my father and sit down beside him, taking his hand in her two palms. It was a touching moment as my father, who had been tongue-tied since the beginning of the ceremony, started having a conversation with her.


    I stood there, focused on their conversation, and it was clear from my father¡¯s bodynguage that he was grieving. I couldn¡¯t ignore the harsh nces that Olivia kept shooting my way, apanied by that silly smirk on her lips. I knew that whatever they were discussing had everything to do with what just happened here, right now, not after she saw me getting married to the world-famous billionaire, Damien Albrecht.


    I nced behind me and noticed the priest watching me, observing my internal struggle of whether to move forward or stay frozen in ce. He gave me a sympathetic look and then stepped forward, gently squeezing my shoulder to offer reassurance before walking away.


    Everywhere is getting empty, there is little or nobody still remaining in the hall, and the murmuring is slowly fading off as people find their way out.


    As I looked at my father, I decided to step forward and say a word to him, but before I could, a man beside me abruptly interrupted. It seems like there are constant interruptions and obstacles in this moment, making it even more challenging.


    ¡°Excuse me, miss, we have to leave,¡± I turned to see the intruder and was instantly greeted by a huge gruff-looking man, dressed in ck clothes. The pistol in his hand gave me a chill down my body, I don¡¯t need to be reminded who he is¡­¡­¡­. I already knew.


    I opened my mouth to talk but no word wasing out, my eyes ran down to the 500 S&W Magnum in his hand. My heart started pondering heavily as I saw his index finger gently tap on the trigger. I looked up to meet his gaze, his cold eyes sending me a quick message that I needed topile and leave with him.


    My face was suddenly filled with panic and anxiety like I did pass out anytime soon. I fearfully pulled my gaze away from him and noticed that the eyes of the other people remaining in the hall were now on me well except my father¡­¡­. Fuck!


    ¡°¡­¡­ Father¡­..¡± I called in a grief-stricken voice, I waited for him to react or say a word not minding the gruff cold-blooded creature in front of me. I need to hear my father¡¯s voice again, he has been all I have ever had since my mother¡¯s demise.


    I decided to take a step forward but more like he read my mind, he instantly stood up. Turned his back, and walked away without even trying to cast ast nce on me. I felt a mix of confusion and disappointment as he walked away without a single nce.


    I felt the hard hit on my chest, theck of interest he now has in me. I know that I wronged him but at least I wanted him to say a word to me even if it was scolding me.


    I could feel the weight of remorse and regret as I stood there, my clothes clenched tightly in my fists. Tears streamed down my face, uncontrobly and voluntarily. The paparazzi seized the opportunity, capturing every moment. It¡¯s a difficult and vulnerable position to be in.


    Every single moment of my life was captioned and I felt more worthless, it is no news that we are going to make the headline again tonight. I can see the dovey lovey couples by the corner¡­¡­. Olivia and Mason, and the look of disgust on their faces.


    ¡°Miss I am sure that you wouldn¡¯t want to keep the boss waiting¡­¡­¡±


    My mind, once a jumbled mess, snapped back to attention at the man¡¯s terrifying voice. The fear gripped me tight.


    I gulped hard and nodded at him, swallowing the huge lump past my throat. He stepped aside and gestured for me to start going. I nodded again like what seemed like a millionth time and started walking. I can see the shes of camera light sparks on the walls showing that they are taking ount of every moment.


    My insides were trembling, and my legs felt numb. ncing back, I saw the man right behind me, his expression icy and menacing. His presence exuded a chilling and dangerous aura.


    I quickly turned my attention forward and took a step back as a red Lamborghini pulled up in front of me, causing me to pause in my tracks.


    I waited for the car to move away or for the driver to roll down the tinted ss and say something if there was any reason why he stopped the car in front obstructing my way but before I could react I heard the same man¡¯s cold terrifying voice from behind.


    ¡°The car is here, you can enter inside,¡± Feeling a surge of fear, I hesitated as the man¡¯s voice instructed me to enter the car.


    My heart sank as I gazed at the stunning luxury car before me. Reality hit me hard ¨C this wasn¡¯t a nightmare. I had brought my family to their lowest point, agreeing to marry the leader of a mafia gang in exchange for my father¡¯spany.


    My fatal fate has just begun¡­¡­.. The beginning of my tragic destiny!

 Chapter seven

    ¡°I need¡­¡­ to get my bag,¡±


    ¡°Sorry, miss, everything you needed is already packed in the car,¡± I instantly snapped my head at the man behind me, shock shing through my face. Everything I need is already packed¡­.. How?


    His face was cold but my confused stare had him speak up again, ¡°A servant from your household brought out your bag and is inside the car so Miss if you don¡¯t mind we need to go,¡±


    I took a deep breath as he stepped forward and pulled open the back door for me. My heart raced as I gulped hard and quickly slid inside the car. With a resounding ¡°bam!¡± he closed the car door and made his way to the other side. He opened the passenger door and smoothly entered the car. The anticipation was palpable as we prepared to embark on this mysterious journey together.


    ****


    After five agonizing hours on the road, my butt is seriously hurting, and my stomach is growling like crazy. Finally, we pull up to a building that looks like a hotel¡­ or at least I hope it is. I can¡¯t help but ask myself, ¡°Is this really a hotel?¡±


    As soon as the car came to a stop, the gruff, huge man got out and walked over to my side. He opened the door for me, and I slowly emerged from the car. While I was getting out, I noticed the driver, a young guy who looked like he was in his early twenties. He grabbed my bag from the back of the car.


    Our eyes met, and he greeted me with a subtle nod and a faint smile. I couldn¡¯t help but reciprocate the gesture, grateful that at least someone acknowledged my presence. Unlike the man lurking behind me, who seemed to ignore my existence.


    I gulped hard, feeling a lump in my throat as the man¡¯s terrifying voice snapped me out of my trance. He instructed, ¡°This way, please.¡±


    I followed him closely, my curiosity piqued as we entered a grand parlor that seemed to defy all expectations of a hotel. I tilted my head, hoping to catch a glimpse of a receptionist, but the ce was anything but ordinary. It felt like stepping into paradise! But then, reality came crashing down on me.


    OMG! This is not a hotel but his house, is this the Albrecht family house? No¡­¡­. Not really! Everybody knows that their family house is located at the center of Los Angeles but this one is on the outskirts of the town.


    Wait a minute! Is this Damien¡¯s house? He looks so young but again, looks can be deceiving and again what was I expecting from the only heir to the Albrecht family and the head of a mafia gang?


    I silently trailed behind the imposing man and the driver, making our way to the second floor. The hallway felt eerily quiet, like a graveyard, despite the presence of numerous guards stationed throughout the house with pistols in their hands.


    Their hands on the triggers and their imposing stance sent chills down my spine. It¡¯s hard to fathom how someone can sleep soundly, knowing that the slightest pressure on that trigger could end their life in an instant.


    I took a nervous gulp and quietly trailed behind the two men. The guards stood there like programmed robots, pretending not to notice us, but I knew they were fully aware of what was going on.


    If it was me, I could have died of leg cramps and boredom when standing at a particr spot all day.


    We passed more than five rooms before stopping at thest room at the extreme. Phew, finally some breathing room! I let out a sigh of relief as we reached thest room. It¡¯s a relief not having those guards and their pistols constantly in sight.


    The huge man opened the door. I stepped into the room and was immediately frozen in awe. Wow, I¡¯ve never seen such a stunning room with such luxurious furniture. The Albrecht family¡¯s wealth is on a whole other level. It¡¯s crazy to think how much richer they arepared to my dad. We are like a low life in their presence despite my father¡¯s wealth just to tell you how wealthy they are.


    The room feels like abination of my own room back home and Olivia¡¯s. It¡¯s got a king-sized bed right in the center, and the whole ce feels so vibrant like someone has been living here. The walls are painted white, and the ck tiles add a nice contrast. There¡¯s even a cozy two-seater white couch by the side, next to a huge transparent ss window that overlooks a beautiful garden outside. The view is just breathtaking!


    This room is absolutely stunning and massive. It¡¯s such a relief to know that you¡¯ll be spending your time here, surrounded by such beauty. It¡¯s like a little slice of paradise amidst all the pain.


    There is a door across the room which I am sure is an ensuite bathroom, the door is slightly opened giving me a little peek of the inside, and oh! My gosh, it seems beautiful. And there is another door which I¡¯m sure is a walk-in closet.


    As I approached the neatly arranged room, my eyes were drawn to the beautiful pink flower on the table. It had such a captivating presence. Just as I reached out to touch it, a voice suddenly broke the silence, giving me quite a scare.


    ¡°The boss also sleeps here, so I¡¯d suggest not messing anything up and leaving things as they are. He¡¯s quite particr about cleanliness and doesn¡¯t appreciate people invading his space,¡± the gruff man warned, his gaze fixed on the flower. I quickly retracted my hand, feeling a mix of anxiety and caution.


    As the gruff man finished speaking, he turned and walked away. I shifted my gaze and saw the young driver cing my bag next to the bed. He shed a smile, but the intensity in his eyes served as a clear warning.


    I sighed as I heard him walk out and close the door behind him, how long have they been standing there? I didn¡¯t even know that they were still there. The thought of sleeping in the same ce as Damien Albrecht sends shivers down my spine.


    But as I looked up, my attention was immediately drawn to the pictures adorning the walls. Among them, one stood out ¨C a photograph of Damien and a woman, prominently disyed at the center. And beside the bedside drawer, there was another frame holding their photo, further capturing my curiosity.


    In that picture, the girl with silky, glowing skin was hugging Damien from behind, nting a kiss on his cheek. I can¡¯t exin why, but a twinge of jealousy tugged at my heart.


    I shouldn¡¯t be jealous. What was I expecting from a world handsome wealthy billionaire to be single? Just like myself, he might also have had a woman in his life before this whole incident.


    Yeah, it¡¯s tough to say how hisdy would react to this whole marriage thing. Albrecht can be pretty ruthless when ites to getting what they want, regardless of the circumstances. It¡¯s a messy situation, and I can only imagine the mixed emotions involved.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Though I am his wife. It¡¯s devastating to realize that this marriage was all a ploy to gain control of my father¡¯spany. Seeing those pictures in front of me brings tears to my eyes.


    What have you done to yourself, Ashley? I can¡¯t believe what I¡¯ve gotten myself into.


    If only I hadn¡¯t sneaked out that night, my life could have been different. I could have been happily married to Mason instead of being caught up in this mess with Damien. It¡¯s hard not to think about the what-ifs.

 Chapter eight

    Damien¡¯s POV:


    Damien Albrecht¡­ a name that strikes fear and panic into the hearts of anyone who hears it. He¡¯s not just ruthless, brutal, and ferocious, but the embodiment of everyone¡¯s worst nightmare. Crossing paths with him is like inviting pain and suffering into your life. He possesses no conscience for those with conscience will not do what he does. But I care less about their opinions or how they perceive me.


    ¡°Sh*t¡­¡± I groaned as crimson blood sttered in all directions, staining my hands with its gruesome reminder.


    As the lifeless bodiesy strewn across the cold, unforgiving ground, a chilling silence filled the air. The moonlight cast an eerie glow on the scene, illuminating the dark secrets hidden within the shadows. An enigmatic figure, I stood tall amidst the chaos, my eyes gleaming with a mix of satisfaction and determination.


    ¡°Done,¡± I smirked, a twisted satisfaction coursing through my veins as I released the lifeless bodies, allowing them to crumple to the unforgiving ground. I pulled out a white handkerchief from the depths of my pocket and meticulously wiped the blood from the gleaming de, each stroke a deliberate act of cleansing. Squeezing the fabric tightly, I rid my palms of the stains on them.


    ¡°I warned them, didn¡¯t I? I made it crystal clear that betrayal would not be forgiven,¡± I muttered to myself, a chilling reminder of the consequences that awaited those who dared to misbehave. With a contemptuous flick of my wrist, the blood-stained handkerchiefnded upon the three dead bodies lying motionless on the ground, a macabre symbol of their treachery.


    There are few things in life that I despise, but they are so tempting to ignore¡­ Lies, betrayal, and disobedience. Yet these three idiots managed tobine two of them. They lied, weaving a web of deceit, and betrayed our formidable mob, pilfering our precious coke and profiting from it, thinking I wouldn¡¯t notice. They thought wrong.¡± They underestimated me, Damien Albrecht, and now they shall face the wrath of their ill-fated decisions.


    If they had asked for money I could have given it out to them but like they always say¡­¡­. Even my gang members were afraid to face me at times.


    However, immediately after I got the information this morning I wanted to rush in here and finish them up but due to that silly contract with Mr. Harlow, by pulling the shame off his face and restoring his dignity by acting like the supposed fiancee as the man in the picture by getting married to his daughter.


    Hmmm but just like they say opportunities onlye by once, When I saw the caption on the news I extended a helping hand knowing fully well that it was a better opportunity to dive in and grab that little thing that I always wanted. The key point here is that I always get whatever I want no matter how ites. Though I hate the fact he makes it look like it was still his but I guess the main thing is that it is now under me¡­¡­ managing under my care and having my name on them.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Mr. Kenzo is here to negotiate the business,¡± Eros dropped the bombshell behind me.


    I stilled, a dangerous smile making it to my parted lips, ¡°Where is he?¡±


    ¡°He is inside the party room,¡± Pasito said one of my other friends, ¡°He came alone,¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­..¡± I chuckled dryly, ¡°Is the confidence,¡±


    sping my two fingers I turned around to look at them, we were standing in the backyard of the club. This is one of my stripper clubs. Mostly a lot of other mobse here to chill. Using the corner of my eyes I motioned to three of my men to drag the dead bodies away and clear that ce before refocusing my attention on Eros, Pasito, and others.


    ¡°Kenzo can not be trusted, so we¡¯re all going in there together,¡±


    Pasito gave me the look like it wasn¡¯t necessary but he dared not say that because even my friends Eros, and Pasito were scared of me even though Iughed and appeared lenient with them but I expected them to be happy about my every bit of my sess and sad even if they have to forge it when I am downcast. They all have to make my business theirs as well.


    I nodded my head and started heading inside. They both followed shortly. Immediately we stepped foot inside the club. The loud and sensual sound of the music echoed against the wall of that ce which was inundated with green and twinkling colorful lights.


    Screams andughter were heard as sses were filled up with liquor before they were drunk up empty by the throngs in there.


    At the center of the club were ecdysiasts who were entertaining the audience by undressing to the music and swaying their hips rhythmically backward and forward from side to side on the dance pole naked.


    I paid them for that so they should keep strip dancing to maintain the vibe here, I looked around and the crowds were enjoying themselves. The young women there were swaying barely covered bodies, moving their hips seductively just to please those hungry eyes of those men ogling at their bodies though most of the female¡¯s eyes were glued to me immediately I walked inside.


    I wasn¡¯t surprised because my mere presence was enough to monopolize and vanquish everyone or anything around me. If I was not here for business I could have gottenid with any random girl here, I wanted to look away when suddenly ady in brte got my attention. I smirked and she winked at me with a nasty smile.


    ¡°Does she know that you¡¯re married?¡± Eros teased and chuckled beside me. I eyed him, if it was someone else I would have ended him right now.


    ¡°Because of thepany, Eros Graham,¡± I reminded him of the reasons through clenched teeth.


    ¡°But the fact remains that you two are married,¡± Pasito said trying to fight back the smile forming at the corner of his lips.


    ¡°Enough,¡± I snapped, causing their smiles to instantly disappear. ¡°Where is Kenzo?¡± My voice was cold and sounded terrifying.


    ¡°This way, please,¡± one of my guards said, leading us toward a bar where an old man, though not that old around his early sixties, was sitting and filling his ss up with liquor.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± I cleared my throat and pulled out a chair, and sat down. ¡°Wow!! Damien¡­..¡± Seeing me, he dropped his ss of liquor and tried to hug me but instantly dragged his butt down to his chair under my cold gaze.


    ¡°Congrattions! I heard the news,¡± he pulled his liquor and shrugged his shoulders, ¡°You¡¯re married¡­.. Didn¡¯t see thating,¡± heughed.


    ¡°We are here for business, right?¡± I pulled a ss, filling it up with liquor. His smile instantly vanished, and fear shed in his eyes but he chuckledposing himself, ¡°Hmmm¡­¡­ yeah,¡± he muttered.


    My eyebrow arched up at his voice, my eyes gleaming maliciously causing a dangerous grin to settle on my well perfect chiseled face, making me look more perilous yet alluring, ¡°Go straight to business, Kenzo Jones,¡±


    To be continued¡­¡­¡­..

 Chapter nine

    ¡°Hmm¡­ You can see that I came alone,¡± he forced out a smile that barely made it over his face as I shot him a deadly re, ¡°Straight to business,¡± my voice was cold and dreadful to hear.


    He cleared his throat several times, struggling topose himself, ¡°I have finally epted your business deal.¡±


    ¡°Huh,¡± my eyebrow cocked up, I smirked and took a sip from my drink.


    There¡¯s this tension, this dark aura, and I notice how restless he suddenly seemed. This was the exact man who was neck-bent in not cooperating with us years back¡­ A loyal client of my adversary. But just like the saying goes, ¡°Damien Albrecht always gets whatever he wants no matter the situation.¡± Now, this very wealthy man looks like a chaff in front of me.


    ¡°Me and my team will invest in the business,¡± a smile spread across my lips at his words, but I ignored him and pretended that I didn¡¯t hear him.


    I lifted my hands by the side, giving a small p and Eros walked up toward us with a file in his hands. He gave me the file which I passed over to Kenzo with a red pen ced on top of the document.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± He scowled, staring between me, Eros, and others in a dazed state.


    ¡°Sign¡­¡­that is a contract,¡± Pasito¡¯s cold voice rasped amidst the booming music sending chills over the ce. I smiled and rxed back in my chair while still sipping my drink as I watched him stretch out his shaky hand forward and pick up the pen.


    From the side corner of my eyes, I watched him flip through the contents written down on the contract, his eyes widened at every statement that he read. He raised his head to look at me before refocusing his attention back on the document in front of him.


    ¡°It seems that everything makes sense to you,¡± without looking at him and focusing my gaze on the ss of liquor whirling in my hands, I said those words in a perfunctory manner.


    ¡°But this is unfair¡­¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t waste my time, Kenzo Jones¡­¡­ sign those papers,¡± an indistinct frown settled between my brows, and without saying much, I asked in a deep voice, ¡°Has everything been settled?¡±Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    He gulped, ¡°Yes¡­..¡± He nodded and slowly with trembling hands signed the contract before passing the contract back to me but I instantly stopped him with a slight flick of my index finger in the air. I pointed toward Eros, who stepped forward and took the signed contract.


    ¡°Thank you for giving me such an opportunity to partner with you,¡±


    My eyes trailed up to look at the owner of the voice, I was supposed to be the one thanking him right? Because I was the one who needed his service, I smirked and brought down the ss on the table. A malicious grin made it to my lips, giving me the look of a demon yet captivating.


    ¡°Kenzo Jones,¡± I tapped my index finger twice on the table with my other hand rubbing my jaw thoughtfully.


    ¡°We will give you no reason to regret partnering with us,¡± he blurted out, stammering at the end.


    ¡°I don¡¯t regret, Kenzo Jones,¡± I snapped my head at him, my dreadful calm voice rasping through the booming music in the club, ¡°Rather is the other way round,¡± he gulped and ufortably gulped down the liquor in his ss at my words.


    ¡°The red ink in the pen will be the color of your blood if you ever misbehave,¡± I gave him a small cold smile which was enough to clench the bones, my eyes held a severe warning on them.


    ¡°I¡­¡­ no I mean,¡±


    He didn¡¯t get toplete his words before I snapped, ¡°Leave,¡± the single sybles were barked out without any trace of emotion.


    ¡°Huh¡­.¡± He gasped, and Pasito stepped forward and tapped his shoulder, ¡°Your time is up¡­¡­ get out,¡±


    Looking at the stern faces of Eros, Pasito, and the guards behind us, he suddenly bobbed his head like an obedient puppet and scrambled out of the bar leaving the ss of his liquor there.


    Eros signed as he took a seat beside me, Pasito was by the other side and I was sitting in their middle. ¡°Are you sure that you still need him?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Doing this to get to Alexander Smith, right?¡± Pasito took a sip from his drink.


    My grip tightened around the ss tumbler, anger gradually seeping in as memories shed through my mind. The old wounds reopened again, he stripped everything from me¡­¡­. The first woman that I have ever loved was snatched away from me in fact they both yed me taking me as a fool. My ego was dampened that day she cheated and ran to my enemy, Alexander Smith. Huh¡­¡­.. Zuri, though she was dead but just like the meaning of her name beautiful, the amazing memories that we had were yet to be fed away and I have sworn to see Alexander crumble and feast on by the rodents.


    Just then the blurry image and scent of the woman that I slept with in the DDW hotel trickled back into my mind, I tightened my grip in anger. I spit harshly murmuring to myself, ¡°What is wrong with me, I have never fancied anybody that I had slept with?¡± She smelt like a strawberry¡­¡­. Fuck it!!!


    ¡°Hey, bro!¡± Eros gave my shoulder a slight bump, and that¡¯s when I noticed that a cracking line had formed in the ss tumbler on my hand. I signed and furiously smashed the ss against the wall drawing everyone¡¯s attention but I ignored them and mumbled to myself, ¡°I think I need to getid,¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re married, you should be going home,¡± Pasito teased, ¡°The marriage is because of thepany¡­¡­ that woman is a slut, if not for the benefit at hand I won¡¯t be getting married to her,¡± I said through clenched teeth, sending a severe warning in his direction.


    Eros chuckled and sipped his drink, I red at both, ¡°Fuck off,¡± I said and motioned for the brte girl from earlier to step forward.


    Turning to one of my guards, I instructed in an authoritative and intimidating voice, ¡°Bring her to room 709,¡±


    Standing on my feet, I walked out of the club toward my VIP room leaving Eros and Pasito alone there. I need to get that woman off my mind¡­¡­.. Fuck it! What are you doing to me, strawberry?


    To be continued¡­¡­¡­.

 Chapter ten

    ¡°I see you couldn¡¯t wait to be here,¡± the smoothness of my voice was striking, I said immediately I felt her walk inside.


    She smirked, closing the door she slowly walked up to me with her perfectly slender legs and short revealing blue gown that wrapped tightly around her body. ¡°Can¡¯t wait¡­¡­.¡± She said through her seductive silver eyes, making my smirk turn more rapacious at her lustful approach.


    She stopped in front of me and tried to ce her hand on my exposed abs but I held her hand back stopping it from touching me. Our gazes were still locked when suddenly anger slipped into my heart making my eyes turn cold. She almost flinched but I held her hand curbing her from taking a step back.


    I let out a hazardous smirk and stared back at her, women don¡¯t deserve anything good. They are all snakes and viins. Either they want something from you¡­¡­¡­. Money, fame or to have a taste of you but in public they always act so innocent and fragile just like Zuri.


    ¡°Whore¡­¡­.. They are all whores,¡± I spit, my warm breath tickling her ear as I whispered. She tensed at my demeanor which was too dark to stay close to.


    Regaining herposure, she smirked seductively but that only clutched my stomach, anger was racing through me that I paid less attention to what she was doing but I was instantly yanked back to reality as I felt her ce her two hands by the side of my face, pulling me forward for a kiss.


    I rapidly grabbed hold of her hands and squatted them away. I gave her a slight push, making her flinch a little. I gradually walked confidently to the couch and sat down. I bark out the next word in a deep and ferocious tone, ¡°Strip¡­¡­.¡±


    She smirked naughtily, giving me a seductive grin. Taking a few steps back she started removing her clothes, I poured down liquor into the ss tumbler beside me. Taking a sip from it, I leaned backward and rxed on the couch as I watched her strip naked in front of me.


    Once the whole clothes fell to the ground, my gaze wandered around her bare skin as a devilish aura colored my face. I take in her naked appearance, and I must confess that she looks appealing but I guess that¡¯s how all of them behave just to get whatever they want¡­¡­¡­ a dangerous viin that doesn¡¯t deserve mercy or anything close to good in life and that¡¯s why I have to keep using and trashing them.


    I was still thinking when she walked forward and climbed on top of me straddling me. She took the ss of liquor from my hand and ced it back on the side table.


    ¡°nned on driving you crazy tonight, Mr. Damien Albrecht,¡± I chuckled at her words. She slid his tiny hand inside my trousers and started rubbing my d*ck through the fabric.


    I hitched in my breath and quickly flipped the whore over, taking control of the game. I am the dominant no woman or anybody controls me on the bed. I smashed my lips against hers, kissing her roughly and harshly pouring out the anger in me as the hurtful memories of Zuri and Alexander making out shed through my mind.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    She hissed out in pain but I didn¡¯t stop but instead deepened the kiss, she managed to sneak her hand inside my trousers, pulling out my d*ck which fell out revealing the full length.


    She gasped, snorting hungrily as she stroked the length. I know it is f*****g huge and long and that¡¯s why any girl that I fucks never get enough. She ran her middle finger around the tip of my d*ck causing me to instantly let out a pleasant groan.


    She smirks with satisfaction and tries to wrap her hand fully around it when I quickly push the side drawer open, bringing out a condom and wrapping it around my dick. She smiled and tried positioning herself well but I suddenly thrust inside her wet dripping pussy brutally. She screamed and cried out in severe pain. Not even giving her enough time to adjust to size, I continued pounding harshly and faster into her.


    ¡°Fuck¡­¡­.. Oooh!


    ¡± Shit¡­¡­ yes, babe¡­¡­..


    It wasn¡¯t long before she quickly adjusted to my size, her pleasurable moans kept echoing in the room. I was feasting inside her when suddenly the beautiful moan and scent of that girl that I had at DDW hotel slipped back into my mind. Her sweet strawberry scent clouded my mind and her moans were hard to be forgotten.


    I thought that nobody would be able to make my sex life amazing after the demise of Zuri but that night despite how awful I took her it was more fascinating and beautiful.


    Who is she? Who are you strawberry? The first woman to have ever run away leaving me alone after sex¡­¡­¡­. Didn¡¯t she also enjoy it?


    I thrust hard on the whore as the captivating moan of that woman that very night rang through my head, making my d*ck to hardened inside the whore¡¯s pussy. She gasped and held me tight. Her nails were sinking inside my flesh. I can feel the anger in me subsiding the more I think of her.


    ¡°Oooh!¡­¡­ Babe¡­¡­¡­


    ¡± Hmmm¡­¡­. Go hard¡­¡­.


    And just then I instantly went rigid, snapping back to my senses at the pleading moans of the whore lying underneath me. Anger started rushing in as I noticed that it wasn¡¯t the strawberry but that brte whore. I snarled and forcefully pulled out of her.


    ¡°Wh¡­¡­¡­. What happened?¡± She gulped, sounding confused.


    I climbed out of her, peeling the condom off my d*ck, and tossed it straight to her face. She tried to yell but looking at my stern and angry face she gulped nervously and slowly shrunk back in fear.


    I zipped back my trousers and picked up my shirt from the ground while walking out of the room. I picked up my phone and dialed Lucas¡¯s number, my underground agent.


    I called him three times but he picked at the third ring. Pressing the phones against my ear I threatened sternly as I made it to the carport, ¡°If not for one thing you would have been fired,¡±


    ¡°Run a background check on the woman I slept with four days ago at DDW hotel,¡± I said and entered my car.


    ¡°Okay boss but can I have the picture,¡± he said drowsily like he was just waking up from sleep.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have her picture,¡± l groaned out in frustration.


    ¡°Sorry but can I know what she looks like?¡± He asked again.


    ¡°Fuck it, Lucas!!!¡± I hit my palms angrily against the stirring before igniting the car.


    ¡°Boss¡­¡­¡­..


    ¡°Be in my office early tomorrow morning,¡± with that said, I ended the call and tossed my phone to the other side of the passenger seat. Letting out a frustrated groan, I drove out of the club.

 Chapter Eleven

    Ashley¡¯s POV:


    The day dawned crispy and clear, the sun poured through the window then making the light of the dawn speed into my room. Luckily Damien was not home after the wedding and I was able to sleep alonest night.


    But my joy was once disrupted when the doorknob was twisted sideways, I had dozed off while crying throughout yesterday that I didn¡¯t even know it was morning. Still wrapped up in my wedding gown I tried to get up from the bed, but I wasn¡¯t quick enough to get up when the devil walked in.


    Just name the devil and here he is¡­¡­¡­. Damien.


    Damien walked in, his gaze moving straight to the picture me that was hanging on the wall. He looked devastated and yet angry. There was something with the way that he stared at the picture that crushed my heart.


    I cleared my throat, trying topose and remind myself what this demon did to my father but unfortunately, it seems like my little attitude draws his attention.


    Our eyes locked, and his face suddenly turned cold and toxic way enough to cringe the bones. I shrink back, mping the duvet close to my chest as he disgustedly trails his eyes at my body.


    ¡°I can see that you haven¡¯t taken your bath or you still can¡¯t get the wedding off your dull brain,¡± the smoothness of his voice was striking and yet terrifying. ¡°They didn¡¯t inform you that I hate dirt,¡± he adds.


    Shame quickly washed over me as I stared down at my appearance, making me instantly stand up from the bed and stand beside it while looking at him. I didn¡¯t even remember that I was still draped in my white wedding gown.


    I watched as he slowly took conscious steps forward, looking straight at the photo frame on the wall as he started removing his wristwatch, ne, and knuckle golden ring and quietly ced them on top of the pouf through gritted teeth. His gaze did not leave the photo in front of him for once, and for an unknown reason, I felt something eating me up as I continued to look at him, focusing his attention on the woman in the picture.


    I wonder who she is to him.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    However, I was still in my thoughts when he turned to face me and started unbuttoning his shirt. I gulped hard and quickly removed my eyes from him, but sometimes my behavior confused me because I couldn¡¯t keep my eyes away from him for long as he started removing his shirt, a nasty and disgusting smirk ying on his bottom lips.


    He slowly removed his clothes and started walking toward thetrine. I couldn¡¯t tear my gaze away from the dark dragon tattoo running all over his back, almost covering his body close to his neck, though he still looked captivating and at the same time tempting.


    ¡°Fuck¡­¡­   snap out of it! Snap out of it, Ash,¡± I shut my eyes, murmuring to myself. Reminding myself what his demon did to my father.


    His muscles flexed with every step that he took, and I was left lost as I stared at him. I know that he knows the effect his presence has on me and I swore that those nasty smirks are still roaming around his lips as he made it to thetrine.


    And there is something about his presence that always makes women flocks around him shamelessly and even forgives him even after he might have done one or two to hurt them but I promise him despite the silly effect he has on me which I bet is just a minor lust I will never be one of those women that craves for him not after what this beast do to my father because it is obvious that he has stripped everything away from us.


    He has finally gotten what he wants_ thepany on a tter of gold¡­¡­.. A handsome man with a heart of evil. And in this life, I don¡¯t think that I would ever forgive Olivia, La, and that man in the DDW that very night.


    The running of the water in thevatory brought me back to my senses, I swallowed hard and sat back on the bed with so much pain and grief. I¡¯m just imagining what my father will be going through right now. I could have said so about Mason but sadly it seems that he has moved on or was all this like moving to my sister just to hurt me since I bruised his feelings for me?


    I wiped out the stray tears that had managed to roll off my cheeks with the back of my palms, and just then my heart flipped up as the bathroom door opened and he walked out. My eyes hungrily roll all over his wet body as he locks the door behind him.


    He sharply turned, making me flinch a little.  He then started taking a few strides toward the king-sized cushion confidently with the towel hanging loosely around his waist that a single hand touch would have the eyes feast on the young man behind his two legs. He sat on the cushion arrogantly, his eyes running all over me again, ¡°Still draped in that gown,¡± he spits harshly.


    The coldness of his voice forcefully dragged me out of the bed, I quickly stood up and headed toward the bathroom in a sh, ¡°You know you should be thanking me for procuring the shame that you caused from your household,¡± he chuckled with so much mockery and venom in his voice.


    I halted on my steps and shut my eyes for a while, my hand tightening on the door handle, ¡°In your dreams,¡± I managed to mutter but loud enough for him to hear. I think my word got to him because he suddenly went quiet but not too long. He let out threatening words, his voice was so cold and precarious. ¡°Watch your tongue, young girl, and don¡¯t make things hard for yourself here because I don¡¯t mind seeing you rot in severe pain throughout your eternal life on this earth,¡±

 Chapter Twelve

    I huffed and made my way to the bathroom, hoping the cold water could calm me down and pull me out of this misery for a short period.


    I was so engrossed in pain that I didn¡¯t spare a second nce to admire the magnificent interior of the bathroom.


    I paused in front of the sink and nced at the wall mirror before turning on the tap. Interrupting the running water, I leaned forward and sshed the water on my face, allowing the mixture of water and tears to trickle down. My eyes closed as I imagined my pain coursing off me, knowing it was only temporary.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be fine,¡± I tried to assure myself the best way I could, but deep down, I knew it would only get worse. How could it be okay?


    ¡°How is it going to be okay; Just how?¡± I hummed in response as I slowly stepped under the shower and started crying profusely. I¡¯m scared of him, scared of this unknown fate that befalls me. I shouldn¡¯t have agreed with La to sneak out that night. If I hadn¡¯t listened to her and gotten myself drunk, maybe I wouldn¡¯t be here.


    How on earth am I supposed to survive in this marriage with this devilish creature? What if he strangles or kills me before I even make it to the next day? I closed my eyes and tried to shrug off my thoughts as I switched off the shower.


    I reached out my hand to grab some clothes, and that¡¯s when it dawned on me that I had forgotten toe prepared; I didn¡¯te in with any spare clothes.


    I instantly turned my head and saw the white wedding gown chilling in theundry basket where I tossed it earlier when I entered the bathroom.


    With a sad sigh, I grabbed a towel from the rail and gently patted my face before wrapping it around my body.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    As I looked up in the mirror, I couldn¡¯t recognize the woman staring back at me. My eyes had lost their sparkle, and my once vibrant green eyes now looked dull and lifeless.


    My life didn¡¯t go the way that I had imagined or even distinct from the way that I wanted. I held onto the towel tightly and walked out of the bathroom, hoping he would be gone. I wasn¡¯tfortable with him seeing me in just a towel.


    But to my dismay, he was still sitting arrogantly on the king-sized bed, swirling a ss of liquor in his hand. I froze as he raised his head and noticed me staring at him. I shifted ufortably as his hungry gaze roamed all over my body, stopping at my thigh. I nervously gulped as his eyes darkened.


    To my surprise, he stood up from the bed and slowly started walking towards me. His gaze was dangerously intense as he examined every inch of me. I took a step back, my heart racing until my back hit the bathroom door. Before I could react, he stopped in front of me, trapping me between him and the bathroom door.


    I could feel his presence closing in on me, his hand sliding behind me to lock the bathroom door. He tossed the key away, a smirk on his face like he had caught his prey and couldn¡¯t wait to bounce on it.


    I was ufortable, barely covered by the towel, and this man in front of me seemed like nothing but a demon. I wasn¡¯t ready for anything intimate with him.


    But before I could gather my thoughts, his cold hands gripped my shoulders, sending a sharp jolt of electricity through my body. I didn¡¯t know if he felt it too or if it was just me. As he forcefully tried to remove the towel, I held onto it tightly and pleaded, ¡°What are you doing? Please let me go!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t y the innocent card,¡± he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. ¡°You¡¯re well aware of my intentions, and let¡¯s not forget, this is what you do for a living.¡±


    His wordsnded like a crushing blow, leaving me gasping for air, unable to conceal my profound disbelief.  My mind raced toprehend the depth of his usation. But it was his next move that sent a chill down my spine. Just as he leaned in, his nose dangerously close to my vulnerable neck. Panic surged through my veins, causing my heart to ponder heavily.


    Yet, in a twist of fate, his body froze, startling me. Time seemed to stand still as he stared at me in confusion. What happened? I inquired since the atmosphere seemed deafening as if the universe held its breath.


    The room was thick with tension as we both exchanged a tense gaze. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what woulde next.


    ¡°You smell familiar,¡± he groaned, his grip tightening around me. He sniffed my scent, searching for recognition. I tried to push him away, but he only held me tighter, reminding me of the horrifying man I encountered at the DDW hotel that very night. Panic surged through me, and I screamed, desperately trying to break free.


    In a single, heart-wrenching moment, his hand collided with my delicate face, leaving behind a searing sensation that ignited a fire of pain. A cry of anguish escaped my lips as I cradled my throbbing cheek, recoiling in sheer terror.


    ¡°Why do you twist reality in this twisted dance?¡± he hissed with venomous rage. ¡°You, a deceitful soul! Do not feign innocence when the truth reveals your countless betrayals of how you warm different beds of several men.¡± Hetched out, angrily pointing his second finger in my direction.


    Tears cascaded down my anguished face, a testament to the fear that clenched my heart in its icy grip. Before I could gather my shattered resolve, his grip tightened as he forcibly flung me onto the unforgiving bed. Waves of agony coursed through my trembling body, and my fingers immediately clenched the fabric of the towel, a desperate lifeline in this sea of torment.


    He slowly and deliberately climbed onto the bed, his towering figure casting a dark shadow over me, intensifying the sense of fear. His voice, filled with a deep, husky tone, echoed through the room, sending shivers down my spine. With a disturbing audacity, his hands shamelessly roamed over every inch of my body, viting my very being.


    ¡°You, slutty b*tch! possesses an undeniable allure,¡± he groaned, his voice dripping with a mixture of desire and recognition. ¡°Your scent, so familiar, yet elusive. I can¡¯t recall where we have crossed paths before.¡± He forcefully grabbed my hair, his fingers digging into my scalp, as he hissed, ¡°Allow me to savor you, for you are my wife, and I shall ensure your pleasure.¡±


    To be continued¡­¡­¡­¡­

 Chapter Thirteen

    Tears streamed down my face as I fought to hold them back, feeling humiliated by his touch. I struggled to break free from his grip, but he tightened his hold. Just as he leaned in towards my lips, his phone beeped on the nightstand.


    Ignoring it at first, he continued, but the constant beeping frustrated him. He reluctantly reached for his phone, releasing his weight from me.


    I opened my eyes, attempting to sit up, but he grabbed my hair in a painful fist and dragged me towards him. I screamed in agony as the pain shot through my scalp. Leaning in close, he whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. At the sudden contact with his fresh breath, my body shivered in pleasure as his breath tickled my ear.


    Angry and determined, I grit my teeth in anger and struggle to loosen his hold on my hair, which is absurd. ¡°Look, slut,¡¯ I only married you to fulfill your father¡¯s wish. Going back on it will only sever the agreement. But before you get your hopes high and start parading around in your slutty head that you are married to Damien Albrecht, let me make something straight¡­¡±


    He said, trailing his hand inhumanely at my body before sneaking his hand around my neck and forcefully choking me. His right hand held my hair tight, and the other one roughly grabbed my neck. ¡°You will never be my wife. You¡¯re the reason why I am in this unwanted rtionship, and you will never share my bed. You can never be my wife, you slutty b*tch. You absolutely meant nothing to me.¡±


    His voice was cruel, and there was a snarl on his lips before he roughly pushed me onto the bed and turned to leave. I gasped for air, rubbing my neck to smooth the area that he roughly manhandled. A tear slipped out from my eyes, which I immediately wiped, and managed to reply to him in a harsh tone, though my voice came out more shaky.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Then end this marriage! You have gotten thepany, right? Then end this marriage because you can¡¯t keep what you despise in your possession.¡±


    My words again made him halt his steps. He turned around, his eyes became stony, and his grin stretched out into a more vicious smirk. He took long strides toward me, gradually, and was about to walk past me but stopped beside me, his hand resting roughly on my shoulder.


    My breath hitched at that sudden body contact. My heart was pounding faster, and my body felt weak. It made me wonder if he didn¡¯t feel the attraction between us, or was that just me?


    And just then, his nails pricked through my flesh, earning a sharp, painful whimper from me. ¡°Nope, I will not let you go that easily. At least let me fulfill that old man¡¯s painful request,¡± his lips stretched out in a wicked grin.


    ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean that we are cool,¡± he paused and tilted his head to look at me, where he found those green eyes already on him.


    ¡°Our marriage is nothing but a deal,¡± he said, looking at me. My green eyes met his cold silver eyes, and both of us red at each other.


    ¡°For any rules you break, I will im any part of your body,¡± his gaze grew dangerously darker at his words. I gulped and sped the towel tightly around my chest.


    ¡°My rules are not that much, but yet very tempting to break: lies, betrayal, and disobedience. Do yourself the favor and not break any of those,¡± he rasped in his threatening, hoarse voice before walking out of the room.


    Immediately, I heard the door shut. I quickly crawled out of the bed, rushed inside thetrine, and locked the door. Leaning my back against the door, I slowly slid down, allowing the tears to roll down. My body is vibrating and shaking furiously in fear. Is this marriage? This is total torture and not any marriage!


    I cried hard, remembering every bit of his terrible, harsh words toward me. I just need to know why he¡¯s keeping me under his custody if I mean absolutely nothing to him. Damien Albrecht, always breaking rules and severing agreements, so why is he so determined not to break this one? Is there something he¡¯s not telling me?


    I whimpered and screamed out in pain, tears rolling down my rosy cheeks. Wiping them away, I closed my eyes tightly and summoned the courage. ¡®Ashley, you¡¯re a fighter. You can¡¯t lose yourself. You have to gather your strength and go meet your father, at least to seek his forgiveness before anything else.¡¯


    My voice sounds encouraging, but I¡¯m afraid. I¡¯m not sure if I can do this¡­ The storm out there seems so scary.¡±

 Chapter Fourteen

    With tears streaming down my face, my heart clenches in pain. Every breath feels heavy, but I refuse to let despair consume me. ¡°Damien, why do you hold me captive when I mean nothing to you? What secret are you hiding?¡±


    The unanswered questions echo in my mind, fueling my determination to confront my father and seek his forgiveness. The storm outside may be terrifying, but I know I have to face it head-on. I whisper to myself, ¡°I am a fighter, and I won¡¯t lose myself. It¡¯s time to face the truth.¡±


    I dragged my tired body and unsteady legs out of the room, heading towards the closet. Rifling through my suitcase, I stumbled upon a stunning gown in a striking shade of blue, just the right amount of elegance and the way I wanted it. I quickly shed the clothes I had on and slipped into the alluring blue dress, making my way towards the room¡¯s side mirror. With a gentle touch, I concealed the fingerprints and scars around my neckline.


    Feeling somehow content with my appearance, I gracefully slipped into a pair of Moon Star shoes and essorized my outfit with a Debbie Wingham bag, worth a staggering six point seven million dors.


    Taking one final nce in the mirror, I confidently swung open the door and stepped out. But before I could even take a few steps down the hallway, I was met with lots of guards, standing tall and firm, blocking any further progress I could make.


    My brows furrowed in confusion as the realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. How could I have forgotten about those menacing guards, the demons of this wretched ce? It seemed that I had no choice but to face them head-on if I wanted to escape this prison of despair.


    Summoning up every ounce of courage, I spoke up, my voice trembling in the oppressive atmosphere. ¡°Excuse me, I need to go somewhere,¡± I managed to utter, my words barely audible amidst the palpable tension in the air.


    To my dismay, one of the guards responded with a cold and resolute tone. ¡°No one leaves unless the bossmands it,¡± he dered, his words causing a sharp gasp to escape my lips.


    ¡°Excuse me!¡± I eximed, my voiceced with frustration and desperation.


    ¡°You heard me right, miss,¡± he retorted, his face etched with sternness. ¡°Even you are not exempt from the boss¡¯s orders,¡± he added, his gaze unwavering.


    My eyes darted from one face to another, a sinking feeling settling in as I realized the harsh truth. The only way I could escape this confining cage was if the demon himself granted me permission, a notion that seemed utterly absurd. The problem was, I couldn¡¯t muster the courage to approach him again, not after everything that had transpired between us in that room.


    Confusion and shock swirled within me, causing my lips to move faster than my racing heart could handle. ¡°He knows that I need to go out,¡± I blurted out, the words slipping out before I could fully process the consequences.


    Their gazes darkened with doubt, and I knew I had made a grave mistake when one of them reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, dialing a number with purpose.


    I held my breath, anxiety coursing through my veins as they persistently dialed the number, each ring echoing in the tense silence. After several unsessful attempts, they raised a skeptical eyebrow at me, but I forced a smile, my expression strained.


    I knew I had just broken one of his rules, but at this moment, I didn¡¯t care. I needed to see that old man, rather than being locked up here, wasting away. ¡°I¡¯ve been standing here for hours, and it¡¯s clear he isn¡¯t answering,¡± I added, my voice tinged with frustration.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    They ignored me and continued dialing the number, I couldn¡¯t help but try to reason with them. ¡°Look, I¡¯m his wife, not like I¡¯m trying to run away,¡± I blurted out, hoping my words would sway their decision.


    Their stoic faces betrayed their confusion, but my desperate attempt seemed to catch their attention. ¡°Alright, maybe one of you shoulde with me to put an end to this madness,¡± I suggested, watching as their expressions shifted.


    After what felt like an eternity of hesitation, one of them finally stepped forward. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said, a smile spreading across my face, my dimple deepening.


    I nodded and we both walked out of the house, passing numerous guards along the way, heading towards the carport. The young guy from earlier rushed towards us, presumably the driver. However, he was quickly stopped by the guard behind me, by a simple raise of the index finger in the air.


    I observed as the young guy nodded with a bow and walked away, not sparing me a single nce and that hurt but I shrugged it off. The guard signaled another guard at the other side of thepound with his middle finger, prompting him to step forward. In a sh, the three of us made our way towards the Rolls-Royce parked in the carport. The first guard opened the back door for me, and I graciously entered, while nodding to the second guard who took his ce in the driver¡¯s seat.


    I felt a wave of unease as the second guard entered the car sitting beside me with his left hand resting on top of the pistol tucked inside his clothes which was between his shirt and his trousers, around his waist. His solid face and unwavering gaze fixed on the road. My eyes nervously shifted away as we began to drive.


    ******


    After what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived outside my father¡¯s house. The guard honked the car, signaling the presence of a visitor at the gate. My heart leaped with joy as I caught a glimpse of our security man, who began to open the gate after confirming the visitor.


    But just as the gate was pushed open, the guard in front angrily revved the engine and sped into thepound, scaring the security man away. I gasped in shock, watching as the security man quickly jumped to the other side for his safety. I turned to the guard beside me, only to find him unmoved as if nothing had just happened.


    I rolled my eyes at him, frustrated by their arrogance and self-centeredness. They truly are bloodthirsty monsters.


    As the car came to a stop, I took a deep breath, grateful to have arrived safely at my father¡¯s house. The guard beside me remained stoic, unmoved by the chaos that had unfolded earlier. I stepped out of the car, my heart still racing from the adrenaline-filled journey.


    But as I walked towards the entrance of the house, something unexpected happened. The guard who had scared away the security man earlier approached me with a remorseful expression. He apologized for his behavior, exining that he was just following orders and didn¡¯t mean to frighten anyone.


    I was taken aback by his sincerity and realized that perhaps not all guards were as heartless as I had assumed. It was a small moment of redemption, a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, there was more to these seemingly cold-hearted individuals, well except their demon boss, Damien Albrecht. And with that newfound perspective, I entered my father¡¯s house but was instantly greeted by a cold and terrifying aura.


    ¡°Seems like the devil is finally here,¡±


    ¡°Aunt¡­¡­..¡± I stammered, my words barely escaping my trembling lips.


    To be continued¡­¡­¡­

 Chapter Fifteen

    ¡°Aunt¡­¡± I stammered, my words barely escaping my trembling lips.


    When did shee back from California? Her sudden returnpletely shattered the little hope I had left.


    ¡°You slutty bastard!!¡± she barked out, her voice filled with anger and disgust, taking a menacing step forward.


    ¡°When did you return?¡± I smiled, attempting to mask the tense atmosphere that now engulfed the entire house.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!!¡± Her words echoed with a mix of fury and warning, piercing through the air with an intensity that sent chills down my spine.


    I took a step back, letting her words sink in. As much as it hurt, I realized she was right. I didn¡¯t have to pretend like everything was fine between us. I just needed to handle my business and move on.


    ¡°You evil child!¡± she spat venom in her words. I closed my eyes, holding back the emotions that threatened to spill over. This wasn¡¯t the first time she had hurled insults at me, especially since I lost my mother.


    ¡°I always knew you were no good, that you were evil!¡± she eximed, her eyes filled with disgust and hatred.


    ¡°Please¡­ I¡¯m here to see my father,¡± I managed to speak up, my voice trembling.


    ¡°Shut the fuck up!!!¡± she hissed harshly. ¡°The very man whose life you ruined.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t ruin anyone¡¯s life,¡± I snapped, catching her off guard. She quickly masked her expression, recing it with a cold stare.


    ¡°Taking away everything he has¡­ what does that even mean?¡± Anger surged through me as I heard the intruder¡¯s sickening voice.


    I turned my head towards Olivia. ¡°Olivia¡­¡± My eyes flickered with a mix of anger, hatred, and pain.


    ¡°Well, hello, sis. Nice to meet you too,¡± she sneered sarcastically, a taunting smirk ying on her lips.


    Just looking at her makes my blood fumes. If she hadn¡¯t leaked that video that day, I wouldn¡¯t be here now. I should have been out there, living my life to the fullest. But as they say, ¡°Everything has an end.¡± This is my end of happiness and also the beginning of my pain and misery.


    Looking at her, I can¡¯t help but wonder what I¡¯ve done to deserve this. Sure, I wasn¡¯t thrilled when my father brought them into our lives, but I¡¯ve never insulted or disrespected any of them¡­. Or given them any reason to hate me.


    ¡°And you have the audacity to still show your pathetic faces here,¡± she disparaged, mockingly lifting her chin.


    I stood my ground, determination burning in my eyes. ¡°I am here to see Father,¡± I repeated firmly, refusing to let their insults and usations shake me. Only if they know that she is a devil_ only if they know that she was the cause of all this.


    ¡°Oh¡­ Father!¡± they scoffed in unison, exchanging a knowing look before bursting intoughter. ¡°The man you supposedly ripped everything from, despite all he¡¯s done for you,¡± sheshed out.


    ¡°Ungrateful human being,¡± Olivia¡¯s mother snapped, venom dripping from her words. ¡°Just like your mother¡­ evil.¡±


    My anger surged, jaw clenched tightly, as I locked eyes with her. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare! Don¡¯t you dare call my mother¡­¡± Only if they know what I am going through right now, the never-ending torture from that demon but I guess even if they know it will be a thing of joy to them seeing me wallowing in pain.


    ¡°And if I do¡­ what will you do?¡± she taunted, stepping forward with her hands behind her back. ¡°He favored you over my precious daughter, Olivia. He gave you everything, everything¡­ but you ruined him. You may have been his ¡®best daughter,¡¯ but in reality, you¡¯re nothing but a serpent,¡± she spat, each word hitting me harder than expected.


    I took a deep breath, refusing to let their words define me. I knew who I was and what I deserved. I know the culprit behind all this but the issue is who will believe me not when evidence is all over the inte.


    ¡°The good girl,¡± Olivia chuckled. ¡°So bad I have Mason, I wonder how it feels knowing how he makes love to me,¡± sheughed and the worst was when her mother joined inughing.


    I could feel the anger boiling inside me as Olivia¡¯s cruel words echoed in the room. It was clear that she and her mother were reveling in my difort, finding joy in trying to hurt me. But I refused to let their negativity consume me.


    But as I opened my mouth to respond, a domineering voice cut through the tension,ing from the man standing at the stairs in the living room. ¡°What is going on here?¡± he demanded, his voicemanding attention.


    I turned towards my father, grateful for his intervention. Though his disappointment lingered in his eyes, I could see a glimmer of concern and curiosity. It was a chance to exin, to make him understand that I never intended for any of this to happen.


    I took a deep breath to steady myself but my heart flipped instantly, his cold gaze was fixed on me. I opened my mouth but instantly fell silent as I saw the disappointment and thunderous look on my father¡¯s face.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± My heart breaks hearing his voice, he speaks like he wasn¡¯t pleased to see me.


    My heart sank as my father¡¯s cold gaze pierced through me, disappointment etched on his face. The room fell silent, the tension thick in the air. Olivia and her mother reveled in the moment, theirughter echoing in my ears.


    ¡°Dad, I really didn¡¯t¡­ I¡­¡± I struggled to find the right words, my voice trembling with emotion. The weight of their usations and insults hung heavy on my shoulders.


    Olivia¡¯s mockingughter cut through the silence. ¡°Finally gone mute,¡± she slurred, her words dripping with venom.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± my father¡¯s voice thundered, his question echoing in the room. It felt like a punch to the gut as if he didn¡¯t want me there.


    ¡°Dad, I didn¡¯t mean to ruin things¡­ I didn¡¯t mean for any of this to happen,¡± I stammered, my lips trembling as I tried to exin myself. The words spilled out in a rush, my voice filled with desperation.


    But the disappointment in his eyes remained, his silence deafening. It felt like I was standing on a precipice, unsure if I would be able to bridge the gap between us. My heart ached, longing for his understanding and forgiveness.


    Olivia and her mother continued to revel in my difort, theirughter a constant reminder of my supposed wrongdoings. But deep down, I knew I had to stay strong. I couldn¡¯t let their negativity define me.


    Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage and stepped forward, making my way up the stairs towards my father. The room held its breath, waiting for his response.


    Meanwhile, Olivia watched the scene y out as she leaned on the wall with her chin propped on her hand. ¡°Dad¡­¡­. I just need your forgiveness,¡± I lowered my head in shame.


    The word had barely left my lips when Olivia barricaded me. With her hands folded naughtily in front of her chest, she sneered in disgust, ¡°What else do you want? You have already taken the most important thing from him,¡±


    ¡°Get out of here, and stop lingering your worthless self around here. You have done a lot of harm than good,¡±


    I clenched my fists as I glowered at her displeased words. Seeing the hatred and pain in my eyes, Olivia leaned forward, ¡°Is that not the fingerprints that I am seeing on your face¡­¡­¡­ oops!! Barely a day of your wedding and you¡¯re already getting the taste of what you dished out,¡±


    I could see the pain and concern in my father¡¯s face as Olivia¡¯sughter echoed in the background. But his expression quickly turned cold and nk.


    I wanted him to say something, to understand the pain I was going through. But Olivia¡¯s voice interrupted once again, spewing hurtful words. ¡°No man can ever make you worthy,¡± she sneered. ¡°Not Mason and here again, not Damien Albrecht who just married you for a reason. You¡¯re nothing but his punching bag.¡±


    My anger and pain surged through me, and I couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. I snapped my head towards Olivia, my hand itching to deliver a well-deserved p. ¡°Go ahead, then,¡± she taunted. ¡°Do your worst!¡±


    But before I could act, my father stepped in, his voice filled with disappointment. ¡°You, don¡¯t you dare! You, disgrace of a daughter,¡± he reprimanded.


    I took a deep breath, trying to regain control. Looking at Olivia, I dered, ¡°I won¡¯t stoop to your level. Your words won¡¯t define me. I¡¯m here to make amends with my father, and nothing you say or do can change that, not anymore,¡±


    Turning to my father, I gasped as I saw him ring at me with dissatisfaction. ¡°Dad¡­¡­. She just¡­¡­.


    ¡± You still have the gut toe here and raise your hands on your sister, the one that is far better than you,¡±


    Olivia¡¯s words cut deep, but I couldn¡¯t believe my father¡¯s response. Was he blind to her true nature or just susceptible to her maniption?


    ¡°Father,¡± I said, my voice trembling with disbelief. Who doesn¡¯t know Olivia¡¯s deep hatred toward me?


    His words hit me like a dagger. ¡°Everything Olivia said was right,¡± he continued, dismissing my pain. ¡°You should be in your husband¡¯s house, not here.¡±


    ¡°Dad,¡± I pleaded, tears welling up in my eyes.


    Nevertheless, he ignored me and resumed, ¡°You are married now, you should be in your husband¡¯s house and not here,¡±  he snapped, earning a chuckle from Olivia who had a dirty smirk on her lips.


    Husband¡­¡­  seriously!! The one that almost strangled me to deathst night.


    I cried out, ¡°Dad¡­!¡± My head was shaking in disbelief. I know I made mistakes, but being subjected to my early grave is not right. What did we gain from all of this? Absolutely nothing. It feels like my maniptive demon of a husband has everything, thepany and me, but we have nothing except empty respect.


    ¡°You don¡¯t deserve to be my daughter,¡± he shook his head in disappointment. It was incredibly hurtful to hear those words from your own father.


    ¡°You, wrenched soul ruined him and have ripped everything from us,¡± Olivia¡¯s mother snarled.


    I couldn¡¯t control the tears again as they rolled down my face watching my father act like my life and happiness didn¡¯t matter. I rather walk in shame than be trapped in that house with those men. It is incredibly painful to feel disregarded by someone that you love and grew up with.


    ¡°Please¡­ Dad,¡± I pleaded, my voice filled with desperation and longing. I hoped that my words would reach his heart, that he would see the pain and hurt in my eyes. I wanted him to understand, to realize that I was in pain.


    ¡°Your plea won¡¯t do anything, loser,¡± Olivia snarled, her sharp gaze piercing into mine. But I ignored her, determined to focus my attention on my father. I knew that deep down, there was still a flicker of love and understanding within him. I refused to let Olivia¡¯s words discourage me from fighting for the rtionship that meant so much to me.


    ¡°You heard Olivia, the way youid your bed is the way youy on them,¡± pain and disappointment shing in his eyes. ¡°Go home and carry your cross,¡±


    ¡°Dad¡­ please,¡± I fell to my knees immediately, tears streaming down my face. ¡°I can¡¯t go back there, please,¡± I cried out, my voice filled with desperation and fear.


    ¡°He is your husband and you should be thankful to him because assuming he didn¡¯t marry you off pretending to be your fiance, no one will ever take you seriously or want anything to do with you again,¡± he said, his words hitting me hard no matter how true it was.


    ¡°Who could want a slut as a wife,¡± Oliviaughed, ¡°Poor Damien¡­..¡±  She forged concern.


    ¡°Dad¡­ please,¡± I cried out, continuing to beg. I pleaded with all my heart, hoping that he would see the pain and desperation in my eyes. I needed him to understand the depth of my struggle and the importance of finding a way out of this situation.


    ¡°I have nothing else to do here,¡± he mumbled. I can sense frustration and disinterest in his voice.


    ¡°I just need your forgiveness,¡± I voiced out, pain in my tone. Heughed bitterly before looking back at me, ¡°My forgiveness wouldn¡¯t bring back thepany¡­¡­ so go back to your husband! Even at your wrong I helped marry you off, protecting you away from the shame that could have fallen on you by using mypany,¡± he said, his voice filled with pain.


    ¡°Go and build your home,¡± he suddenly said. And all I could feel was pain.


    Home¡­¡­ he said, I smiled bitterly. Building home with Damien Albrecht is more like throwing myself into the lion¡¯s den and expecting the lion not to chew me off. I didn¡¯t even know how to face him, talk more of making that ferocious creature love me. Damien was heartless


    ¡°If¡­ ¡°My voice trembled as I raised my teary eyes to look at him, ¡°If I seed in bringing back thepany, will you forgive and love me again,¡± I said in tears, and he suddenly went mute.


    He went still and I could feel Olivia letting out a tauntingugh like I was insane, but I brushed off her and her mother¡¯s cold and hateful speech toward me and focused my attention back to my father.


    ¡°How do you intend to do that, loser¡­¡­¡± Oliviaughed.


    ¡°Maybe sleeping with him,¡± her mother ridiculed.


    ¡°No, hahaha¡­¡­ Damien is smarter than that not after he has waited for thispany for years,¡± Olivia added, and felt a sharp pain in my heart.


    Everyone knows that I did sign my death sentence because Damien is a brutal being, and the worst is that I didn¡¯t even know how to go about this sudden n of mine.


    Still, in my thoughts, his furious words echoed through the house, sending shivers down my spine. ¡°Get out and nevere back,¡± my father bellowed, the fear gripping me tightly.


    ¡°He can never love you, so don¡¯t waste your time, or else you wish for your death so soon,¡± Olivia whispered in my ear, making sure only I could hear.


    However, sighing I turned away from Olivia, not giving her the satisfaction of seeing the pain in my eyes. I knew her words were meant to hurt, but I wouldn¡¯t let them break me. I took a deep breath and walked away, leaving her behind with her bitterness.


    I knew the road ahead wouldn¡¯t be easy, but I was ready to face the challenges head-on. I would find a way to mend the wounds I had unintentionally caused and rebuild the trust I had lost with my father even if it means enduring shits from that demon, Damien Albrecht.


    To be continued¡­¡­¡­.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter Sixteen

    Damien¡¯s POV:


    As I continued going through the tons of files on my desk in anger, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of boredom. With a ss of wine in my hand, my eyes unintentionally got caught in the color of the wine. It had a greenish hue, and at that moment, those vibrant green orbs slipped into my mind. I couldn¡¯t help but sigh as I leaned back, closing my eyes. I had never seen such captivating green eyes before. They were alluring, yet at the same time, tempting to look away from.


    With a growl, I snapped my eyes open, my heart pounding in my chest. What was happening to me? Those haunting green eyes seemed to materialize out of thin air, invading my thoughts. I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of dread that washed over me. Grumbling in frustration, I re my nostrils, trying to push the unsettling images away.


    But then, as my gazended on the portrait hanging on my office wall, her voice pierced through my mind, sending chills down my spine. It was as if she was speaking to me again, a presence I couldn¡¯t escape. The air in the room grew heavy, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of impending doom.


    ¡°Then end this marriage! You have gotten thepany, right? Then end this marriage because you can¡¯t keep what you despise in your possession.¡±


    My grip tightened around the ss tumbler, the cracking sound echoing in the room. It wasn¡¯t just her eyes anymore, but her voice, her words, they were consuming my mind. Her voice was so soft, so tender, like a gentle whisper in my ear. But then, frustration boiled within me, and I couldn¡¯t contain it any longer. Fuck¡­¡­..! I gritted my teeth and with a furious outburst, I threw the ss tumbler against the wall, shattering it into pieces. The greenish colorful contents stained the once pristine white wall, bringing my thoughts to an abrupt halt.


    When did those thoughts creep into my mind? I rubbed my palm over my face, feeling the weight of frustration. And then, in a burst of anger, I banged my hands on the desk, sending the carefully arranged documents and files flying onto the ground. It was as if my emotions had taken control, scattering everything in their path.


    ¡°Then end this marriage! You have gotten thepany, right? Then end this marriage because you can¡¯t keep what you despise in your possession.¡±


    Fuck¡­¡­.!! I snapped my eyes open. What the heck is wrong with me? Why can¡¯t I just get her out of my mind? Why can¡¯t I just erase her words and voices from my head? Nobody has ever talked back to me no matter what or even given me conditions and orders but only her¡­¡­¡­. Fuck!!


    Just as I was lost in my thoughts, the door swung open, and in walked Lucas. My eyes couldn¡¯t help but focus on his every nervous stride, taking in every detail of his appearance. Confused about why he seemed so nervous but at least I guess It was a wee distraction, a way to shift my focus away from her. Sometimes, unexpected moments like these have a way of pulling us out of our own heads.


    ¡°Good day, boss,¡± he halted in front of me and the table.  Lucas greeted me with a respectful bow, his hands sped behind his back.


    ¡°Lucas Rodman,¡± I tapped my index finger twice on the desk, acknowledging his presence.


    I can sense his confusion as his eyes wander, absorbing the chaos of the room-the mysterious greenish stain on the wall, the delicate ss fragments scattered on the floor, and the countless files strewn about. With a mix of curiosity and confusion, he dared to meet my gaze, but in an instant, his eyes darted away, unable to withstand the intensity of my fierce stare.


    ¡°Did you find anything?¡± I asked, going straight to the point, my voice filled with coldness and dispassion.


    ¡°No, boss¡­¡­. You told me toe over,¡± he said, his voice a bit unstable.


    That¡¯s what I love most, the fear in their faces and how they cower and shrink back like a toad whenever they stand in front of my presence.


    ¡°Go to DDW and run aprehensive background check on the woman I had a scandal with that very night,¡± I slowly closed my eyes and leaned back, feeling her seductive strawberry scent enveloping my mind.


    ¡°No worries, boss! Don¡¯t be offended. Which day and room are we talking about? Let me know the details, boss!¡± He stammered, his voice cracking in the end.


    ¡°On that very day, I hosted a party in that hotel, but I had no idea about the room number,¡± I mumbled with a cold expression, my eyes still closed.


    ¡°Okay, fine¡­¡­.. Any picture?¡±


    My eyes snapped forcefully at him, and he staggered out in fear. His breath quickened as he nervously rubbed his palms. ¡°I don¡¯t keep pictures,¡± I spat out the words one after the other in a vicious tone, sending more chills all over his trembling body. ¡°No pictures¡­¡­. Lucas Rodman,¡±


    The door suddenly opened, and my gaze slowly shifted from him to the intruder. Eros and Pasito walked in,ughing and chit-chatting. But as soon as they stepped inside the office, their facial expressions went nk, sensing the shift of tension in the air.


    They both stared at me and then at Lucas before exchanging a knowing look, they walked over and plopped on the couch.


    My stern gaze shifted back to the nervous Lucas, and with emphasis, I growled, ¡°Now, get out!¡±


    At mymand, Lucas bowed instantly and scrambled out of my office, leaving just me, Eros, and Pasito in the room.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s up?¡± Eros was the first to speak up, ¡°Why is Lucas here and the tension in the air?¡±


    ¡°Is there something you are not telling us?¡± Pasito voiced, ¡°Come on, bro,¡± At the mention of thest word, I let out a deep sigh and turned to them.


    ¡°Just helping me to run some background checks,¡± I signed.


    ¡°About Alexander,¡± Eros questioned, his brow c***k up in curiosity.


    ¡°This ce is a mess¡­¡­¡­ seems like someone triggered you but I didn¡¯t see blood on Lucas¡¯ body or was he not the person?¡± Pasito¡¯s eyes darted around the room, his curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­.¡± I huffed, ¡°Forget about the mess and about the check-up,¡± I folded the empty nk document in my palms. ¡°I need him to run aprehensive background check-up on DDW about the woman I had a scandal with that very night at the party,¡± I said and tossed the paper to the ground.


    Eros and Pasito exchanged a puzzled nce, their curiosity piqued. ¡°So, a woman from a one-night stand?¡± Pasito inquired, and I simply nodded in response. The air was thick with anticipation as we delved deeper into the story.


    Eros gasped in surprise, his voice filled with genuine concern. ¡°Why, bro? This doesn¡¯t seem like your usual self. What¡¯s going on?¡± he asked, wanting to understand the situation better. ¡°Or did shepletely blow your mind and leave you unable to think straight?¡± Eros couldn¡¯t help but tease, he burst intoughter, yfully poking fun at the situation.


    Idiot, I thought.


    I eyed him, if it was someone else, he could have been dropped dead by now.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Shut the fuck up, Eros,¡± I said, ring at him.


    Eros and Pasito took their seats on the couch, legs crossed, and a mischievous grin spread across Eros¡¯ face while Pasito fought the smile that was tugging at the corner of his lips.


    ¡°What¡¯s the big deal about her?¡± Pasito inquired, clearly intrigued by the situation. I leaned back, the memories etched in my mind.


    Her pleasurable moans and pleas filled my head, though the images were blurry and I couldn¡¯t get a vivid picture of what she did look like that day but I think I owe her. I took her out of her own will. I might be brutal and deadly but I have never raped or taken advantage of any woman, I am used to theming for me but that very night that exact woman pleaded for me to set her free despite the huge amount of money that I offered to her which other girls will never reason twice to ept but she declines and only seek for freedom. Still, engulfed by the alcohol and her scent I couldn¡¯t help but ravish her delicate skin.


    ¡°She was the first woman to have ever run away from me after a wonderful night with me,¡± I smirked, hiding the truth under my sleeve.


    ¡°I knew it¡­¡­. Howe, maybe the mighty Damien Albrecht didn¡¯t satisfy her well,¡± Eros poked fun at me, his voice filled with teasing.


    I eyed him, anger slowly seeping in as I watched Eros make fun of it. This is the first time in my whole life that ady has run away after any sex with me. Zuri might be a whore but she has never rejected or neglected our sex life but that woman was the first to run away. But not only that, I took her without her consent.


    ¡°You¡¯re joking too much about it right now,¡± I snarled through clenched teeth.


    Eros¡¯sugh quickly vanished and he cleared his throat, ¡°Anyway, I think the reason for her reaction is right there in front of you,¡± we both turned to look at him.


    ¡°She might be scared in the morning after discovering that she had a one hellish crazy night with a bloody motherfucker, that she slept with the badass mafia lord,¡±


    Pasito chipped in, ¡°I think Eros is right, maybe she ran away due to she was scared,¡±


    ¡°But there is something about her scent, it smells nice like a strawberry,¡± I fancied, as the smell engulfed my sense of smell.


    ¡°Well everyone does use that strawberry scent, which ismon among thedies. Even my girl does use it,¡± Eros blurted out.


    ¡°You mean even your fuck buddy,¡± Pasito teased and we all burst into augh. ¡°Just forget her, maybe she is one of the whores that came that night because there were a lot of girls there that very night,¡± he resumed. ¡°I didn¡¯t see anything special about her for you to start stressing yourself or Lucas over a mere whore,¡±


    I nodded at Pasito and let out a deep sigh, I think they are correct. I don¡¯t see any need to look for her besides she wasn¡¯t the first woman to be slept with against her wish.


    ¡°So what¡¯s up?¡± I snort, ¡°Why the serious face?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Well, one of the sons of Senator Juan is throwing avish party for his birthday and both top influencers and staggering rich species will be there,¡± Eros dropped the bombshell.


    I looked at them in confusion, ¡°And?¡± As far as I am concerned, I have the type of parties I attend which they know so I didn¡¯t see any need for this information.


    ¡°We were invited,¡± Pasito muttered, but I still maintained the same look, ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°Alexander ising,¡± he said, but that only hardened my expression. ¡°He always wants to brag and show off so I am not surprised that he ising,¡± I shrugged it off.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you want to have a word with him or see him after the incident?¡± Eros asked and at the mention of thatst word, my eyes pulled open. He was right.


    ¡°Which of the sons?¡± I asked, getting interested in the information.


    ¡°Carlos Juan,¡± Pasito announced.


    ¡°Then end this marriage! You have gotten thepany, right? Then end this marriage because you can¡¯t keep what you despise in your possession.¡±


    Her voice resounded in my head again and I couldn¡¯t shake off the haunting image of her teary eyes and cries from that room. It was like a storm brewing in my mind. And then, bam! An idea struck me like lightning.


    ¡°We will be going¡­¡± I said with a mischievous grin, causing both of them to raise their eyebrows in surprise. My sudden eptance caught them off guard. ¡°And¡­¡± I smirked, locking eyes with them. ¡°I¡¯ll be going with my lovely wife,¡± I dered, adding an extra twist to the surprise.


    ¡°Damien!!!¡± Pasito gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief. ¡°That is dangerous¡­¡± he shook his head at me, but that only widened my smile. I couldn¡¯t resist the thrill and excitement of the unknown.


    I need to show that nuisance that I have moved on¡­¡­¡­¡­ And what better way to do it than by going there with that slut that I have as a wife. Let¡¯s make a grand entrance and leave them speechless!


    To be continued.

 Chapter seventeen

    ¡°I can sense the danger lurking in your thoughts,¡± Pasito warns, his voice filled with concern.¡±Do you really have to go through with this?¡± he asked, his concern evident in his voice.


    ¡°Haha, that badass motherfucker! I bet the father is gonna regret trusting his precious daughter with a ruthless mob boss,¡± Eros chuckled, but I sensed a hint of seriousness in his tone.


    I raised an eyebrow, rubbing my palms together. ¡°You mean, a precious, seductive vixen¡­ that feasts on every d*ck out there,¡± I teased. ¡°DAMIEN!!¡± they both eximed in shock.


    ¡°That¡¯s brutal, man, but she¡¯s your wife,¡± Pasito scoffed, rolling his eyes. ¡°Happily married to a seductress,¡± Eros yfully taunted.


    Man, those two can get away with talking to me like that without losing their damn heads! Eros and I are tight as hell since childhood, and we¡¯ve been through all kinds of shit together. Growing up was tough as nails, I never knew what the hell that tiny word ¡°Love¡± meant.


    Damn, even with my parents¡¯ fat stacks of cash, they were all about business and never had a damn minute for me. I was surrounded by a bunch of servants and housemaids who catered to my every whim. But you know who really raised me? Mrs. Caterina, my badass nanny. She¡¯s still alive and holding it down at my family¡¯s crib, keeping things in check while my parents are off doing their usual work routine.


    Extremely, even with all the wealth, luxury, fame, and power, I still yearned for one thing: that sweet, sweet love from my parents. Eros, on the other hand, had a different situation. His mom may be gone, but his dad stepped up and yed both parental roles. Eros is the wildest, funniest, and smartest of our crew. We formed this gang together, but he¡¯s more into the business side while I embrace the brutal and sadistic side and a proud one at that.


    Oops! Should I talk about Pasito? Oh, the lucky one who knows what it¡¯s like to have both parents¡¯ love. I actually met him back in high school, and we¡¯ve been tight ever since. Pasito, man, he¡¯s got this cool vibe ¨C calcting, smart, and surprisingly soft underneath that tough exterior. He¡¯s the kind of guy you don¡¯t wanna mess with, but he¡¯s got a heart of gold. He was a product of love from his parents and has experienced what real love and family seem like. He believes that one day he will find a woman he loves and build a happy home with her. Hmmm¡­¡­ that sounds pathetic to me and makes meugh each time he thinks about that. That genders are nothing but serpent, cunny, and evil though they appear too innocent from the outside view.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be heading back home,¡± I groaned, catching their attention.


    ¡°Now¡­¡± Pasito asked, surprised that I was leaving so early. It¡¯s unlike me to not be heading to the bar or stuck in between work.


    ¡°Can¡¯t wait to devour the pretty damsel at home,¡± Eros said, and they both burst intoughter.


    I shoot him a quick death re, ¡°Back off, Eros¡­ I¡¯ve got important things to deal with.¡±


    ¡°At home,¡± he raised a teasing brow, challenging me to a yful banter.¡±Can¡¯t wait to quench the water inside that pretty hole,¡± he teased again.


    ¡°EROS GRAHAM!!¡± I snapped, emphasizing every single word. ¡°It¡¯s about the party,¡± I blurted out, and Pasito¡¯s face suddenly changed, concern filling his eyes. They both fell silent¡­ Finally, a way to silence their bantering mouths.


    ¡°Sure about this?¡± Pasito suddenly asked, but I ignored him, picked up my car key from the table, and stormed out of the office.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    ******


    As I pulled my luxurious Rolls-Royce Boat Tail into myvishpound, my heart sank when I realized that one of my prized cars was missing. It was a ring sign that someone had ventured out without my knowledge. The mystery deepened, and my curiosity heightened.


    My face creased in confusion as I surveyed thepound. I knew the cars my trusted men take for their errands, so where could it be? I tilted my head to the side, scanning the neatly parked cars designated for errands, and to my relief, they were all ounted for. Not a single one was missing. The mystery deepened, and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder who could have taken my missing car.


    Then If my men¡¯s cars are all here, it¡¯s possible that they escorted someone using my missing car. But who could it be? Suddenly, the image of a woman with captivating green eyes shed through my mind. Could she be the one behind the disappearance of my car? The mystery deepens, and I¡¯m determined to find out the truth.


    My fist tightened, my jaw clenched in anger as I stormed upstairs. With a burst of speed, I reached my room and swung the door open, hoping to find her there. But to my dismay, all I was met with were the stark white walls and deafening silence. She wasn¡¯t there. The search for answers continues¡­..


    I pushed open the door and stepped outside, feeling the heavy tension in the air. As I made my way towards the passage leading to my room, I came to a sudden halt in front of my men. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and curiosity.


    ¡°Where is she?¡± My face contorted with a brutal expression, and the weight of my voice pierced through the air like a lightning bolt. The intensity of my question hung in the atmosphere, demanding an answer.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± they murmured, fear filling their eyes. ¡°Where is she?!¡± I demanded, my voiceced with frustration and impatience. The urgency in my tone made it clear that I needed answers immediately.


    ¡°Boss, she¡­ I mean she went out,¡± one of the men stammered, fear evident in his voice.


    ¡°Under whosemand?¡± I shot them a death re, and they all exchanged puzzled and trembling looks.


    ¡°Under whosemand!!¡± They flinched and nervously turned their attention to me. Regret, fear, and panic colored their faces as they realized the weight of my question.


    ¡°She told us that you were aware of her visit to her parents,¡± the same guard muttered, his voice shaky and the words tumbling out in fear.


    I growled, ring at them. That girl¡­ It hasn¡¯t even been three days here and she¡¯s already misbehaving. Who the hell does she think she is?!


    ¡°Bravo! And you all let her out,¡± I pped my hands, a ferocious smirk ying at the corner of my lips. ¡°Easily manipted despite my intense training.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ no, boss,¡± they mumbled while staggering back. I arched a brow, watching them continue to step back as I took a few strides forward.


    ¡°We called you severally but no picking and¡­¡± I interrupted with a smirk. ¡°Must¡¯ve been too busy for your calls, huh?¡±


    ¡°And¡­¡± I emphasized harshly, my voiceced with annoyance. ¡°What else do you have to say for yourselves?¡±


    ¡°After a failed attempt, and her constant persistence. We decided not to push forward¡­ since she might be right,¡± the same guard mumbled, fiddling with his uniform. I raised an eyebrow, contemting their words.


    ¡°Right,¡± Itched at him, he jerked back and stared at me. Shivering, he muttered, ¡°She is your wife, boss¡­ so we thought that she might be¡­¡± I growled, causing him to pause. A mix of surprise and anger filled my expression. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡­. mean¡­¡­¡±


    He has not finallypleted his word, with my eyes filled with anger, disgust, and loathing at his use of words and their misconduct. I snatched the gun from the guard by my right and shot him straight in the forehead.


    The other remaining men staggered and backed out in fear. ¡°Disobeying my order¡­ That¡¯s the second rule,¡± I gave him a nasty smile, seeing his lifeless body lying helplessly on the floor. The room fell silent, the weight of my authority palpable in the air.


    ¡°Ahhhh¡­!!!¡± And just then a feminine voice of a woman that seemed terrified screamed from the other end of the hallway. The guards parted to the sides, making a space to see the intruder. The tension in the air grew, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of curiosity. Who could this intruder be?


    Lifting my head, my brutal eyes locked with hers, and a toxic smile appeared on my lips. ¡°Wee home, wife,¡± I said, my voice dripping with a mixture of menace and intrigue. The anticipation of what would unfold next hung in the air.


    To be continued.

 Chapter Eighteen

    Ashley¡¯s POV: (Trigger warning: Please mature audience)


    The drive back home was absolutely haunting. The air was heavy with an unsettling silence as if it held secrets waiting to be revealed. Not a single word escaped my lips. But the driver, I appreciated the driver¡¯s professionalism as he remained courteous and focused, navigating the road with precision. It was as if we were in our own little bubble, isted from the outside world.


    When we arrived, the guy on my left opened his door and came out before opening mine. What a gentleman! It¡¯s nice to see some chivalry still exists. Despite his rough looks, I think his gentle gesture warms my heart.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I muttered quietly and headed toward the house.


    The moment I stepped inside the house, I felt this dreadful aura and the chills crawling on my skin. It¡¯s like this ce will never be familiar to me¡­ never! I find myself muttering in my head, ¡°Never!¡± Can never get used to this ce.


    I shook off the strange feeling, my heart pounding in my chest as I strode towards my room. Almost reaching the corridor, I nced ahead and my eyes widened in rm. There, in the distance, a crowded group of men stood, their presence sending a shiver down my spine. The atmosphere was thick with an eerie and terrifying energy.


    The change in aura was impossible to ignore, and as I walked in further, a sense of unease washed over me. My grip on my purse tightened, my knuckles turning white with fear. The silence was eerie, almost suffocating as if the air itself held its breath. And then, out of nowhere, a deafening explosion shattered the stillness, sending shockwaves through the building. The sound was so powerful, so intense, that it felt like it could pierce through solid walls. *BAM* The noise reverberated in my ears, leaving me momentarily stunned and speechless.


    I heard a nervous gasp escape from the men, and it made me freeze in my tracks. It was as if a bag of ice had been dumped on me, paralyzing me with fear. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to move, and in that moment of terror, a bloodcurdling scream escaped from my trembling lips, echoing through the walls.


    However, the men, who were once crowded together, suddenly stopped in their tracks upon hearing the scream. They parted ways, creating a small space that allowed me to see the culprit. My face instantly turned pale, and my Debbie Wingham bag, worth a staggering six point seven million dors, slipped nervously out of my already trembling hand. My eyes immediately noticed the presence of an expended propent, contrary to the myth, with smokeless powder swirling around the tip of the gun, indicating that it had just been used. It was a chilling realization.


    Fear gripped me, causing me to cower and nearly copse to the ground. Desperately clutching onto the nearby wall for support, I managed to steady myself and avoid a fall. But then, our eyes locked, and I found myself staring into the chilling gaze of that brutal demon. A toxic smile twisted his lips, sending shivers down my spine.


    My heart raced as a devilish smirk yed across his lips, his gaze twinkling mischievously. ¡°Wee home, wife,¡± he said, his voice dripping with a dangerous blend of menace and intrigue. The anticipation of what woulde next hung heavy in the air as I locked eyes with him, unsure of what awaited me.


    However, just then his gaze shifted away from me, darkening as he noticed the guards standing behind me. ¡°I made a rule,¡± he said, sending my heart into a flurry of uncertainty.


    I felt a shiver run down my spine as his voice carried a heavy wave, rippling through my soul. ¡°They are just three, and yet you all couldn¡¯t avoid any of them. Every day, one seemed to be disobeyed,¡± he said, his words echoing with a mix of frustration and disappointment. The weight of his words hung in the air, leaving an unsettling silence.


    ¡°Bo¡­¡­.. Boss,¡± a fearful voice trembled behind me, stunning me. This man, who seemed all rough and tough a while ago, now sounds like a scared chicken. But who wouldn¡¯t chicken out in this menacing atmosphere and in the presence of this devilish creature that quests for blood? The fear in the air is palpable.


    ¡°Shhhhh¡­¡± he hushed them, his gaze filled with raw anger and disgust. The intensity in his eyes was undeniable.


    ¡°Who gave you two the order to drive out?¡± Realization hit me hard immediately when the question left his lips. The truth sank in, and I knew there was no escaping the consequences.


    /Fuck/ I made a huge mistake, and it¡¯s the main reason behind everything that unfolded. As I looked down at the lifeless body on the floor, a wave of realization hit me like a tidal wave. Tears started rolling down my cheeks uncontrobly, as I grappled with the overwhelming guilt and regret. If only I had stayed home, if only I hadn¡¯t ventured out, perhaps none of this tragedy would have urred. The weight of my actions is unbearable, and I can¡¯t help but me myself for the loss that has transpired.


    Why do I always end up with huge mistakes?


    ¡°Please, boss¡­. ¡±


    ¡°I hate to be begged,¡± heshed out. *BAM* Another horrified scream echoed on the wall, snapping me back to my senses. The sound shook me to my core, reminding me of the danger that surrounded us. I quickly gathered my wits and focused on finding a way to escape from this terrifying situation.


    ¡°Ahh¡­ Ahh,¡± the tough guy from earlier cried out, clutching his already wounded leg as blood gushed out. The sight was intense and unsettling, but it also served as a stark reminder of the consequences that I was about to witness.


    My head almost went deaf from all the muzzle sounds, and my whole body shook in fear. I watched in horror as he raised the gun and pointed it at the next guy beside the tough guy. This was the exact guy who had apologized to me earlier for scaring away our security man. The fear in his eyes was palpable as he cried and pleaded for mercy. It was a truly terrifying moment that I¡¯ll never forget in a hurry.


    My heart raced with adrenaline as I dashed in front of them, my every instinct screaming at me to protect them from the imminent danger, especially that guy. Damien¡¯s hand inched closer to the trigger, but my swift intervention caused it to pause, retreating slightly. But that momentary shock expression on his face quickly shifted from surprise to a wicked grin, as if relishing the challenge I presented.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    A shadow fell across one side of his face, and to my surprise, he released his hand, pushing the trigger back. The sudden change in his demeanor was unexpected and my body froze with fear. And I feltpletely paralyzed as I watched the bullet hurtling toward me at an rming speed. The shock and helplessness overwhelmed me in that terrifying moment.


    ¡°Ahh¡­¡­. Ah!¡± My scream echoed through the air as the other guy forcefully shoved me aside, taking the bullet meant for me in his left elbow instead of my face. I let out a groan of pain as my head collided with the wall, my hand instinctively cradling my throbbing head. I nced down at the injured man writhing in agony on the ground, clutching his wounded elbow. It was a surreal moment that felt like something out of a movie.


    My heart pounded in my chest as I forced myself to look up, and I was shocked to see him still gripping the pistol tightly. The realization hit me hard ¨C just how deadly could he be? It made me wonder if he had any regard for my life at all. If it weren¡¯t for the guard stepping in and pushing me to safety, I shuddered to think what my fate could have been.


    ¡°Break the rules and face the consequences,¡± he red at them, his lips filled with anger.


    ¡°No one dares to challenge me,¡± his gaze shifted to me. It was unsettling how he seemed to be relishing the scene. He moved his attention back to them and attempted to pull the trigger once more, but without hesitation, I stepped forward, catching him off guard once again.


    But just like earlier, his face turned venomous and filled with irritation. I couldn¡¯t hold back my emotions anymore, and through tears, I yelled at him, ¡®What will you gain from this?¡¯ My outburst caught him off guard, causing him to pause.¡±


    His dark gaze locked with mine, brimming with anger. ¡°Yes¡­ What will you gain?¡± I echoed, catching everyone in the room off guard, even the two guards lying helplessly on the ground behind me.


    ¡°How dare you!!¡± he barked out, his voice filled with contempt.


    Tears streamed down my face, a torrent of fear, nervousness, pain, and anguish. Each drop carried the weight of my emotions as if they were trying to escape the turmoil within me. I felt overwhelmed, lost in a sea of uncertainty and hurt.


    ¡°A rule broken deserved a punishment,¡± he coldly stated, his voice filled with menace as he raised the gun yet again. The barrel pointed straight ahead,pletely disregarding my presence, as if I were nothing more than an insignificant bystander. The air grew heavy with tension, and fear gripped my heart, knowing that I was still in harm¡¯s way.


    ¡°Please¡­,¡± I cried out, my voice trembling with desperation, as I watched his hand inch closer to the trigger, ready to unleash another bullet. The weight of guilt bore down on me, consuming my every thought. I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of more harm caused by my actions.


    ¡°It was all my fault,¡± I quickly spoke up, my words desperate and filled with regret. But he paid no heed, determined to continue his course of action. ¡°I lied, iming that you had asked me to leave,¡± I continued, hoping that my confession would make him reconsider. Yet, his resolve remained unshaken, leaving me in a state of helplessness.


    ¡°They called your phone several times but no one picked it up, so they had¡­ Please, they had no other choice than to permit me,¡± I sobbed, my voice choked with tears. The weight of the situation and the consequences of my actions overwhelmed me, leaving me in a state of deep sorrow.


    ¡°Please, if there is anyone to punish for defying your rules, I think it is me and not them,¡± I pleaded, the words tumbling out of my mouth in a desperate plea. But as soon as the words left my lips, he pressed the trigger. My heart skipped a beat as I screamed out in fear, but to my immense relief, no bullet emerged from the mouth of the muzzle.


    He tried again, frustration evident in his groan as he threw the gun to the ground. Swiftly, he snatched another gun from the guard standing by his right and fired a shot, hitting the guard on his left. ¡°I warned you all to always check your bullets and ensure each gun is loaded properly,¡± he eximed, emphasizing the importance of proper ammunition management.


    I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as the guard let out a bone-chilling scream, his left injured hand gripped in agony. With a swift motion, he turned towards me, his eyes filled with a dangerous determination, and aimed the gun directly at my face. At that moment, fear consumed me, and I closed my eyes tightly, my hands trembling as they were raised in surrender. Every second felt like an eternity as I braced myself for the worst, the weight of the situation pressing heavily upon my shoulders.


    I waited anxiously, every passing second feeling like an eternity. Minutes turned into hours, but still, nothing happened. I didn¡¯t dare to hope that there was no bullet in the gun this time. Lost in my heart-wrenching thoughts, I was suddenly snapped back to reality by his cold and dreadful voice piercing the air once again. ¡°Bring her to my room¡­¡­..¡± his words sent a shiver down my spine. The situation grew even more intense, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of dread.


    To be continued.

 Chapter Nineteen (strip and seduce me)

    (Trigger warning: Mature audience)


    My heart raced as he uttered those chilling words, ¡°Drag her to my room.¡± I couldn¡¯t believe what I was witnessing as he discarded the gun near the lifeless body. He turned and made his way towards his room, leaving me filled with fear and confusion.


    Just then, four of the guards stepped forward toward me while the rest started clearing the mess in the area. As the guards approached, their stoic expressions concealed their true feelings. I could sense their discontent with the chaotic situation, and it only fueled their animosity towards me. It seemed like they had more reasons to despise me now.


    My heart skipped a beat as the four imposing figures loomed in front of me. ¡°Please, this way,¡± they said. I gulped hard, nodding my head ever so slightly. I wasn¡¯t ready to escte the situation any further.


    So I allowed my body to move on autopilot as I took hesitant steps toward the room. My mind was clouded, unable to process the horrifying scene I had just witnessed. Escaping seemed futile; I knew they would catch me before I could even reach the end of the corridor. The weight of fear pressed down on me, suffocating any hope of survival.


    I still have some ns, dying now will be pointless and equally make me a coward and make ourpany gone forever.


    My heart raced as I reached the door, feeling their presence close behind me. With a deep breath, and nervously stretched out my trembling hand forward and pushed the door open.


    However, as I entered the room, chills crawled up my body, causing me to tremble. With each nervous step, his dreadful voice echoed against the walls, sending terrifying chills through my already shivering body. It was an unnerving experience.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You all were well informed to drag her ass, or are you all now deaf?¡± He was standing in the middle of the room, his back facing us as he gazed into the image of the woman in the picture. His voice was filled with coldness and devoid of any emotions.


    I could feel the tremor in my body as I shuddered against the wall, using the door for support,  ¡°Boss¡­..  We ept our punishment,¡± they mumbled before forcefully gripping my hands harshly, feeling the blood circting being blocked and pain instantly shot through my body.


    Chuckling, he waved dismissively with his left hand, still facing away from us. The guards nodded and forcefully pushed me into the room. I groaned and stumbled to the ground, feeling a sense of dread as the door was closed and locked behind me. It was just me and this terrifying presence in the room.


    ¡°You broke the second rule¡­¡­¡± His voice, smooth as silk, sent shivers down my spine, but the ominous aura surrounding him made it difficult to appreciate its remarkable quality. The words he spoke echoed in the room, emphasizing the severity of my transgression.


    ¡°He is a demon¡­ He took everything away from us! Enjoying cking us to nothing after taking everything from us in our vulnerable state,¡± I whispered to myself, the words dripping with bitterness and resentment. The memories of his maniption and the pain he inflicted on us came rushing back, fueling my anger. But amidst the whirlwind of emotions, I had to remind myself to stay focused. This manipting demon stood before me, his presence casting a dark shadow over the room. As he paused, the anticipation grew, and I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. Time seemed to stand still as he slowly began to turn around.


    My heart skipped a beat as he abruptly turned, causing me to instinctively recoil from his piercing gaze. The intensity in his eyes sent a chill down my spine, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of unease. ¡°Rule two was broken¡­ lying,¡± he stated, his voiceced with a mix of authority and menace. He slowly walked over to the couch and with calcted confidence, he sauntered over to the couch and settled himself down. Crossing one leg over the other in a casually hazardous manner.


    I stood frozen, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to gather the courage to respond. The room seemed to close in around me, and I averted my gaze, unable to meet his intense stare. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to resist, to not give in to his twisted desires. His charm was undeniable, but it was the dangerous glint in his eyes and the wicked smirk on his lips that sent shivers down my spine.


    ¡°Strip¡­¡­¡­. Seduce me,¡± Suddenly hismanding voice cut through the silence, demanding that I strip and seduce him. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, and I could feel the gravity of the situation sinking in. I refused to let fear consume me, but I knew that whatever he had in mind was nothing short of deadly. With a calcted nonchnce, he rxed in his chair, his eyes never leaving me, his smirk growing wider.


    ¡°Yes, strip¡­¡­¡±


    I gasped, my eyes widening in disbelief as I instinctively wrapped my arms around myself, seekingfort and protection. The nightstand became my refuge, a small barrier between me and the unsettling presence in the room. His gaze felt like a physical force, slowly stripping the clothes off my body. ¡°Who¡­ What are you saying?¡± I stammered, my voice trembling with fear. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, and the fear in my eyes was impossible to hide.


    ¡°Aghh¡­ Ouch! How could I forget that you need some slow music to strip tease,¡± he eximed, dismissing my question as if it were of no importance. Ignoring my confusion, he rose from the couch and made his way towards the wall. I watched in surprise as he pushed it open, revealing apletely different room beyond. The new space was filled with vibrant colors, emanating a brighter and more dreadful atmosphere. Without hesitation, he confidently stepped through the doorway.


    My heart raced as I caught sight of the BDSM equipment in the room, sending a wave of fear coursing through me. I couldn¡¯t fathom what was about to unfold, but I knew I couldn¡¯t allow this demon to touch or torture me. Just as my determination solidified, he reappeared with a small music box in his hand. cing it on the ottoman beside his seat, he switched it on, filling the room with a haunting melody.


    As the slow jazz music filled the room, he reached for the remote and switched on a dim blue light, casting a slightly darker ambiance. He then disappeared back into the other room again, only to return with a bottle of Diva Vodka in hand. With a deliberate stride, he approached the room where I stood, closing off the other space behind him.


    ¡°Entertain me¡­¡­.. Be quick and don¡¯t waste my time,¡± he sat back in his seat and started pouring the liquor inside a ss tumbler.


    ¡°Please¡­¡­. I can¡¯t,¡± I nervously blurted out, tears rolling down my cheeks. ¡°Don¡¯t get me angry,¡± he barked.


    Nervously, looking at him, I shook my head in fear. Tears rolled furiously down my cheeks as I mustered up the courage to speak. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t strip¡­ never!¡± I yelled, my voice filled with a mix of disgust and pain. The intensity of the moment made my heart race, but I knew I had to stand my ground.


    Nheless, my words seemed to have struck a chord with him. He abruptly stopped what he was doing and lifted his head, his gaze piercing into me with an unsettling intensity. I swallowed hard, trying to maintain myposure, but the pain in my eyes was undeniable.


    ¡°You think you can decline my order? You¡¯re only making things worse. Now, you¡¯ve broken two rules,¡± he sneered, cing the liquor on the side table beside me. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, almost crushing my breath.


    ¡°Lies and disobedience,¡± he lifted his gaze to look at me, his gaze was hazardous.


    ¡°To hell with your rules!¡± I cried out, my voice filled with defiance as I yelled at him. He shut his eyes momentarily, his fist clenched tightly beside me. A dangerous grin slowly spread across his lips, as if my outburst had only fueled his sinister delight.


    ¡°I can not have a cheap priceless whore in my house and still go out there to pay a whore in a club for a nightstand¡­¡­. I think you should be thanking me for patronizing your profession,¡± His smirk only intensified the pain in my heart. It hurt more than I could have ever imagined.


    ¡°Now strip!¡± His expression instantly turned brutal and scary.


    With a nervous gulp, I stood my ground and shook my head defiantly. ¡°I will never¡­ never!¡± I dered, my voice filled with determination.


    As his eyes turned bloody, my heart raced with fear. Before I could react, my back was mmed harshly against the wall, causing me to groan in pain. His massive hand tightened around my neck, cutting off my breath. Choking for air, I felt the intensity of his anger. ¡°How dare you!¡± he snarled, his grip tightening even more.


    His wicked grin sent shivers down my spine, his eyes filled with a terrifying mix of hatred and lust as he gazed into my nervous eyes. ¡°How can you forget so soon, wife?¡± he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. ¡°For every rule you break, there will be severe consequences of devouring those bodies of yours,¡± he warned, his smile growing wider. With a forceful push, he opened the wall, revealing a brighter room beyond.


    ¡°No¡­ oooh! Damien!¡± I screamed out in sheer terror, my voice echoing through the room as fear overwhelmed me.

 Chapter Twenty (Vulnerable)

    (Warning: This chapter contains some sexual content that may be offensive to some readers, please do not read if you¡¯re below 18. Do not read if you are not a fan of BDSM sex, read on your own discretion)


    ¡°No¡­ ooo! Damien!¡± I screamed out, my voice filled with sheer terror. The room seemed to amplify my fear, the echoes bouncing off the walls. The overwhelming feeling of dread coursed through my veins, leaving me trembling with fear. As I nced upward, my eyes widened in sheer terror. He locked the door, trapping us in the brightly lit room with a haunting pink glow. The room fell into an eerie silence, leaving me frightened and filled with suspense, desperate to know what he was really up to.


    My whole being was consumed by fear as I witnessed the devilish smirk on his lips. At that moment, I deeply regretted ever stepping my foot out of the house. I had foolishly believed that his threats were nothing more than empty words, but now I have realized the gravity of the situation. I must have been kidding myself. Tears streamed down my face as he ruthlessly shoved me against the bed. I let out a gut-wrenching groan, feeling the pain reverberate through my body. Frantically, I attempted to scramble away from his menacing gaze, but he forcefully halted my escape, his imposing figure casting a shadow over me.


    Despite how freaking out I was, Summoning every ounce of courage I had left, I managed to speak, disguising my overwhelming nerves. ¡°How¡­ How can you possibly desire something that you loathe?¡± I questioned, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and panic.


    Suddenly my heart skipped a beat as he abruptly paused, his gaze darkening in response to my words. He stared at me intensely for what felt like an eternity, and a glimmer of hope flickered within me. But just as quickly as it appeared, that hope was shattered as I felt his weight press against me once again. My mind raced, overwhelmed by the suffocating presence of his negative energy, like an ominous ck cloud. In an instant, he seized my wrist with a brutal, punishing grip, his low growl sending shivers down my spine. ¡°Consider this your punishment,¡± he snarled, his words dripping with menace.


    I gazed at him in disbelief, my voice trembling with both pain and fear. ¡°Pun¡­ Punishment?¡± I stammered, my words barely escaping my lips.


    His darkened eyes, filled with a disturbing mix of lust and cruelty, roamed over every inch of my body. ¡°Every act of disobedience warrants an inescapable punishment,¡± he snarled, his voice devoid of any warmth orpassion.


    However, fear surged through me as I desperately tried to free my fist from his absurd grip. ¡°I¡¯m your wife, not a puppet to be tortured!¡± I yelled, my voice filled with a mixture of defiance and hidden pain.


    But surprisingly, he threw his head back andughed. It was such a cold, emotionlessugh that made my blood freeze in my veins, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s just a title,¡± he sneered, his words piercing through me like ice. ¡°Didn¡¯t you read the contract or were you kept in the dark by Daniel Harlow? The marriage is a 50-50 deal¡­ Pull your family out of shame and seize control of thepany,¡± he smirked, his grip tightening as he forcefully dragged my hand towards the bed, intent on chaining it.


    I resisted and fought against his grip, my struggle only provoking low growls and snarls from him. ¡°You better behave,¡± he barked, his voice filled with aggression.


    ¡°Let me¡­ go,¡± I managed to say, but before I could finish, his palm struck my cheek with a force that made my neck snap to the side. Pain surged through me, and as I blinked back the tears, my eyes met his with a burning hatred.


    My heart raced as his words cut through me like a knife. ¡°How dare you disrespect me like that? Nobody has ever challenged me¡­ not even you, you little slut,¡± he spat with boiling anger. In a swift and brutal motion, he chained my hands with handcuffs to the bed restraints above my head. I cried out, my screams echoing in the room, desperately pleading for him to release me.


    My heart raced as he grabbed a tape from the side table and forcefully tied it around my mouth, silencing my cries. I struggled, flipping my legs in an attempt to break free from the heavy, tight chains that bound my hands. The situation felt absurd and terrifying.


    Nevertheless, he moved away from me, forcefully stretching my legs wide, causing excruciating pain to shoot through my limbs. I cried out, the beads of sweat rolling down my face. Helplessly, he chained each of my legs to the sides, securing them to the end of each bedside.


    The situation grew more intense and unsettling, causing my body to tremble with pain, fully aware of what was about toe next. A smirk crossed his face as he relished in my vulnerable state. The tears I had been holding back finally broke free, streaming down my face. He stepped away from the bed and confidently walked towards a wardrobe nearby, intensifying the sense of dread in the room.


    Mncholy, my eyes widened with a mix of panic and dread as he opened the wardrobe, revealing a collection of BDSM equipment neatly arranged in each unit. My heart sank into the pit of my stomach, filled with a sense of despair. I couldn¡¯t contain my fear any longer, and I screamed, desperately swaying back and forth on the bed, hoping for an escape.


    My hair was in a tangled mess, flipping in different directions as he took out an array of equipment. He turned towards me with a dangerous grin, his gaze fixated on my petite frame. It felt as though he saw me as a stunning canvas, ready for him to unleash his twisted mix of punishment and pleasure upon. The intensity of the situation continued to escte, leaving me feeling trapped and vulnerable.


    My chest rises and falls rapidly, my breath bingbored as a sense of helplessness washes over me. I am all too aware of what is about to happen, yet I feel utterly powerless to prevent it. With a gentle touch, he pulled out a long table and meticulously arranged each BDSM tool upon it. His gaze fixated upon me, his attention devilishly focused on my trembling form. The anticipation and fear continue to mount, intensifying the unsettling atmosphere in the room.


    And suddenly my heart raced as he leisurely unbuttoned his navy jacket, hanging it on the coat hooks by the door. The next item to be discarded was his tie, slowly undone andid t on the wooden table alongside the other equipment for our session. The anticipation grew, mixing with a cocktail of emotions that left me both intrigued and apprehensive.


    My body glistened with perspiration, small beads of sweat forming on my chest. The heat from the floor-to-ceiling windows pressed against my back and plump backside. My breath quickened as he approached me with deliberate steps, his presencemanding. He halted in front of me, his grip on my clothes forceful and unyielding. The intensity of the moment heightened, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    However, filled with heart-wrenching pain and fear, I let out a muffled cry, my voice barely audible through the gag. Desperately, I shook my head from side to side, silently pleading for him to release his grip. But like the devil he was, he swiftly yanked my clothing off, leaving my naked body exposed. The vulnerability and fear consumed me, intensifying the unsettling atmosphere in the room.


    To be continued¡­¡­..

 Chapter twenty-one (The never ending torture)

    At that moment, as I cried out, my vulnerability was on full disy. A wave of nervousness and shyness washed over me, engulfing my entire being. His eyes, filled with a twisted desire, roamed over my body, leaving me feeling exposed and worthless. It was as if I was transported back to that dreadful night at DDW, where my sense of self-worth was shattered.


    His gaze, sharp as a de, pierced through me, and I could feel the intensity of his desire. Lust, like a flickering me, danced in his eyes, casting an intoxicating spell. It was as if he had caught his prey, a sinister smirk forming on his lips, giving him an almost demonic aura. The anticipation of devouring his conquest consumed him, adding a chilling thrill to the air.


    Every nerve in my body ignited as his hands traced their sinful path down my bare skin. The electric current of pleasure surged through me, leaving me trembling with anticipation as his hand continued moving down my boobs. Stopping at one, he gently rubbed the nipple before roughly cupping them in his hands and squeezing them hard causing me to writhe helplessly in agony.


    ¡°Yes¡­¡­.. Scream that¡¯s what you know how to do best, whore,¡± His voice, a venomous growl, filled the room with an eerie intensity, as he snarled in a hushed tone.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡­.¡± His eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure as I screamed in agony, but my voice was stifled, reduced to a muffled sound due to the tape tied around my mouth. The chains rattled violently as I writhed in pain, desperately seeking release.


    He pped my cheeks, ¡°Shhh¡­ behave,¡± he barked, his words echoing in the air. My face flushed with embarrassment, tears welling up in my crystal-clear eyes. Stepping back, he reached for an object: a wireless vibrator, intensifying the unsettling atmosphere.


    I felt my heart race as I saw him approaching, my eyes wide with fear. I couldn¡¯t help but cry out, shaking my head and pleading for mercy through tear-filled eyes. He licked his lips, his gaze directed into my pussy. However, immediately after our gaze locked, he forcefully slid three fingers inside.


    ¡°Ahh¡­¡­.¡± I screamed painfully, my body forcefully lifting a bit from the bed but he harshly pushed me down with his left hand while his other hand was still inside. Tears were furiously streaming as I watched him in pain pound his fingers inside. He didn¡¯t wait for me to adjust before he slid another finger, four fingers, five fingers, and then all of his hands slid in.


    I screamed hard but the gag in my mouth made my voice tremble out in a muffled sound. My legs were shaking furiously in pain as his hand continued pounding faster and faster making me groan out in agony.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s it,¡± His smirk grew wider as he relished in my distress, his eyes fixated on my pained expression. The cocky smile on his lips never faltered, as if he was savoring every moment.


    I still haven¡¯t recovered from the shocking pain when I felt something big and painful slide inside my pussy. I cried out as I felt it vibrate vigorously inside me.


    He connected the wireless vibrator via Bluetooth, rxing watching me scream out in pain. Flipping my legs for any rescue but in all, it seems absurd. I copsed back to the bed helplessly, feeling the pain shooting through my body more like it was tearing all my bones apart.


    As I stared at him, a satisfactory smile yed on his lips, sending shivers down my spine. Slowly, deliberately, he rose from the couch, his eyes fixed on me with an intense gaze. With purposeful steps, he closed the distance between us, his presence engulfing the room as he pulled the vibrator out. My heart raced, anticipation and fear mingling in my veins.


    In one swift motion, he unfastened the handcuffs that had bound my hands. A rush of relief should have flooded over me, a sense of freedom regained. But as the blood began to flow back, a tingling sensation reced the numbness. Dizziness washed over me, leaving me feeling disoriented and broken. The reality of the situation sank in. The intensity of the moment, the power dynamic that had yed out, left me shaken to my core. It was a mix of emotions ¨C a twisted dance between pleasure and pain, desire and difort.


    With a violent jerk, he forcefully tore the tape from my mouth, the adhesive scraping against my skin, leaving behind a painful bruise. As he ripped it away, I let out a piercing scream, my voice reverberating through the room, echoing and bouncing off the walls with a chilling intensity. The agony and fear consumed me, leaving me feeling trapped and overwhelmed.


    ¡°Please¡­¡± The word escaped my bruised lips, trembling with pain and desperation.


    He paid no heed to my pleas, callously unchaining my aching legs which felt so painful to bring them close. At that moment, a flicker of relief washed over me, the false hope that perhaps he had forgiven me. But little did I know, that was merely the beginning of my torment, the prelude to a deeper and more sinister misery.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    As Damien approached, a wave of dread washed over me, my eyes fixated on the long handcuffs connected to an iron chain in his hand. I felt paralyzed, unable to move or even let out a scream. Tears streamed down my face uncontrobly as he callously tied my hands behind my back. The weight of the heavy chain was then ced around my neck, and with a rough shove, he forced me to the ground. The overwhelming sense of powerlessness and despair consumed me.


    I let out a piercing scream as I tumbled to the ground,nding with a resounding thud. My face hit the floor, leaving me disoriented and unsure of how to turn around. Meanwhile, Damien, with an air of superiority, strolled over to the couch in a majestic manner. The power dynamics at that moment were clear, and I felt a deep sense of unease and vulnerability. Tears rolled in my eyes watching Damien unzip his trousers, making his hardened man down there to fall out in full force. It was damn too huge and long, if I wasn¡¯t in so much pain I could have had the time to admire the golden treasure in front of me.


    He sat down and stroked his full-length dick before staring back at me. A deadly smirk made it to his lips. ¡°Hmmm¡­¡­.. Couldn¡¯t resist, huh?¡± His words slurred, a sinful smile etched across his face, intensifying the unsettling atmosphere.


    After a short while, I screamed in agony as he forcefully yanked the chain, causing me to lurch forward. With a cruel grip on my hair, he made it clear that our ¡°ytime¡± hade to an end. The pain was unbearable, but my hands remained bound behind my back, leaving mepletely helpless.


    Still, in pain, he steadied my head and began to pound his cock into my mouth, I kept gagging, and excess saliva dropped from my mouth as his length continued hitting the back of my throat ferociously. He released his grip from my hair and grabbed my neck while still pounding hard. My face was red and my eyes seemed to be popping out of their socket. Meanwhile, after what seems like forever, he pulled out his cock from my mouth and pped me hard. I writhed out in pain and cried out. He slowly hit his shaft on my lips in satisfaction before pulling away with a wicked smile.


    ¡°Enjoying it. ¡­. ..¡±


    ¡°This is your profession, little whore, so enough of the tears,¡±


    I feel disgusted watching him, his inhumane actions show that he is a beast. I was still drowning in my thoughts when I suddenly felt a whipnd on my ass, I flinched and screamed out in fear and pain. I was whipped for a while before the demon husband dropped the cat o¡¯ nine tails on the desk.


    Is this the inhumane bloodthirsty demon that my father wants me to make love to?


    He pushed me down to the couch, kneeling with my ass tilted toward him. He picked up the cat o¡¯ nine tails and resumed his action, whipping my ass making me cry out and wiggle my ass in pain.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare make a move!!¡± He barked out. The whippednding on my bare ass in full force. I bit hard on my lips crying my eyes out. Is going to be a long night because the torture is not ending anytime soon.

 Chapter twenty- two ( Some juicy gifts)

    Damien¡¯s POV:


    ¡°Oh¡­¡­ yeah! Fuck,¡±


    I groaned and almost cum inside her but I immediately withdrew and pushed her away. She screamed and fell to the ground in tears.


    Ignoring her endless sobs, I pick up my phone that has been ringing endless on the side table. **The Shadow Cartel** our mafia group name shing as the caller ID, gaining my attention. The Shadow Cartel was thergest and first mafia group to have ever existed in the whole world before *The Nightfall Legion* which was Alexander¡¯s own came into existence.


    Back in the day, our mafia group was known as ¡°La Famiglia Oscura,¡± it exuded an air of mystery and power. The name, inspired by the Italiannguage, tranted to ¡°The Dark Family,¡± perfectly captures the essence of our ndestine operations before my rtionship with Zuri went messy. The betrayal cut deep, and I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of any reminder of Zuri¡¯s dishonesty tarnishing my legacy. So, I made a bold decision ¨C I changed the name to ¡°The Shadow Cartel.¡± Because, of course, Zuri was the person who gave my group that first name, and with this new moniker, I aimed to erase any trace that would remind me of her betrayal and dishonesty. And the only thing remaining to end is that bastard, Alexander.


    I could sense the anger and frustration coursing through my veins as I stood up abruptly, snatching the phone and pressing it against my ear. My voice dripped with disdain as I curtly asked, ¡°Yes¡­ any problem?¡± The intensity of my emotions was palpable, clearly disying my disinterest in the conversation.


    However, with a hint of amusement in his voice, Eros chuckled from the other end and yfully called me a ¡°grumble head.¡± ¡°Hey, grumble head¡­ calm down,¡± he said, trying to lighten the mood.


    As I swiftly slid into my trousers and bottomed the zipper, a surge of curiositypelled me to inquire, ¡°What¡¯s the whole matter about?¡± I asked, but the slutty wife of mine, who I still didn¡¯t even know her name, groaned in pain on the ground as my leg mistakenly kicked her while I was trying to wear my clothes.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡­ who is whimpering there, buddy,¡± Pasito said immediately, yawning after he was connected to the call. I groaned mentally, was this the first thing he could say¡­.. Sometimes I feel like strangling their heads.


    ¡°Go on, why the call? Be fast, I have got some business to deal with right now,¡± I said, my voice filled with a menacing and emotionless tone.


    ¡°And believe me the business doesn¡¯t seem like a good one,¡± Pasito blurted, ¡°The whimpering did sound like someone in a lot of pain,¡± he acknowledged, his concern growing.


    At his words, I growled and snapped out. ¡°You gonna go on with the reason for the calls or continue questioning me?¡± I roared, my voice thundering through the room, causing the woman on the ground to tremble involuntarily in fear. I stared at her curled up on the ground, exhausted and writhing in pain. Letting out a sigh, I noticed the sudden silence from the other end of the phone.


    ¡°I¡¯m hanging up,¡± I announced, causing Eros to suddenly exim, ¡°Yo, bro¡­ Calm down.¡±


    ¡°The party was actually shifted to tomorrow evening at 8 o¡¯clock,¡± he enthusiastically announced, his voice brimming with excitement. ¡°And guess what? Alexander won¡¯t being alone!¡± This single piece of news has truly made my day! I can¡¯t wait for all the fun and surprises that await us tomorrow night!


    ¡°The coward couldn¡¯t do without guards for his safety¡­¡­.. He knows that he will be dead if he stays any second without them,¡± I bragged, a smirk appearing on my lips. ¡°Though those rascals won¡¯t save him if I decide to enter him but right I want to make his stay on this earth a living hell before squeezing the life off him,¡± I could sense the intensity in my voice as anger, disgust, and danger consumed my words.


    ¡°So, any ns for the night?¡± Eros asked. ¡°We need to pull up something,¡± he suggested, smirking from the other end.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­..¡± The woman groaned in pain, though her voice was barely audible but I am sure Pasito and Eros heard her because of the unsettling silence from their side. With an overwhelming surge of anger, fueled by a potent mix of frustration and indignation, I unleashed a brutal kick, striking her with a force that reverberated through my entire being. The intensity of my words matched the ferocity of my actions as I hissed, ¡°Keep your mouth firmly sealed, for if you dare to defy my warning, I will take it upon myself to ensure its closure. And believe me, my intentions are far from merciful¡­ I speak of a method that involves slicing away that which grants you the audacity to speak.¡± The air grew heavy with the weight of my threat, leaving no room for ambiguity or doubt.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    She let out a feeble whimper, her body trembling with fear. She mustered the strength to crawl away from me. ¡°Damien¡­¡±. At that moment, Pasito¡¯s gasp of disbelief pierced the air, his words a desperate plea, ¡°Come on, bro, that¡¯s your wife.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t remind me,¡± I curtly replied, silencing him with a firm tone. ¡°And as for tomorrow,¡± I muttered under my breath, striding away from the BDSM room towards the sanctuary of my main room. I made a beeline for the bar, deftly grabbing a drink and pouring it into a sleek ss tumbler. The liquid danced within, a potent elixir to momentarily drown out the chaos that consumed my thoughts.


    ¡°I need to show that jerk that I¡¯ve moved on,¡± I said with a smirk, taking a sip of my drink.


    ¡°That you¡¯ve moved on¡­¡± Pasito¡¯s confusion was evident, but Eros gasped in shock and disbelief, ¡°By using her?¡±


    I smiled, relieved that they understood my point without me needing to explicitly state it. ¡°No, bro¡­ you¡¯re putting her life at risk out there, and besides, you never liked her. So how do you n to do so?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.


    ¡°Watch and see,¡± I smirked, confident in my abilities to prove my point.


    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t wait to see the little stunt you¡¯ll pull out there and, of course, his reaction, hahaha,¡± Eros chuckled. But Pasito clearly wasn¡¯t buying the idea, and this annoyed me. His sudden concern for this woman was rming. ¡°She¡¯s your wife, Damien,¡± he said, reminding me of that stupid contract.


    ¡°And I am the husband, I chose to treat her the way I want. Not my fault that I got two presents at once; thepany and also a free cheap ugly whore,¡± I taunt, earning a chuckle from Eros.


    ¡°Erosughed, saying, ¡®It¡¯s like the saying: buy one, get one free!¡¯ I chuckled, but Pasito groaned in concern.¡±


    ¡°Though something seems strange,¡± I mumbled, and Eros suddenly stoppedughing. ¡°What is it?¡± they both asked, curious about my sudden change in demeanor.


    ¡°Her moan and scent seem very familiar, even her cries,¡± I said, remembering her intoxicating moan filled with cries of pain and pleasure a while ago inside the bright room.


    ¡°Hmm¡­.. It seems like we have met somewhere but I can¡¯t seriously recall,¡± I said, lost deep in thoughts. ¡°Her moan and scent feel incredibly familiar as if I¡¯ve encountered them before,¡± I mused, my mind diving deep into a whirlpool of thoughts.


    ¡°Maybe she was one of your flings in the past,¡± Eros remarked, his toneced with a yful mix of mockery and teasing.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Pasito gasped, his voice filled with surprise and amusement. ¡°You actually married one of your past flings?¡± The two of them burst intoughter, their joy echoing through the room. I couldn¡¯t help but join in, chuckling along with them. However, I quicklyposed myself, making sure to regain myposure before they could notice any lingering traces of my true emotions. ¡°Hey, guys is enough,¡±


    ¡°Is a good thing; you can¡¯t break those girls¡¯ hearts and go marry a virgin,¡± Eros taunted, elicitingughter from Pasito.


    ¡°I think Daniel Harlow will be regretting handing over his daughter to you,¡± they both said in unison.


    My expression suddenly twisted in anger, ¡°He should have handed thepany when I first made a move, but no! He declined and turned me into his enemy,¡± I vented, my annoyance evident in my voice.


    ¡°At least you now havepany, you always get what you want, you know that,¡± Pasito said, trying to cheer up the mood.


    ¡°Not the way I imagined, it came with a condition,¡± I replied, my anger still evident. ¡°A present that I never wanted,¡±


    ¡°You should cheer up, man. It came with a free gift¡­ Your wife. And I¡¯ve heard that the legitimate daughter of Daniel Harlow is a beauty to behold,¡± Eros eximed, interrupting me. ¡°Double win!¡±


    ¡°To hell with that!!¡± I growled, ¡°That man is a thick hot-headed man. That very moment was the only way to dive in and grab thatpany, and trust me thatpany will yield a lot of fortune,¡± I said with a sinister grin.


    The room fell into an eerie silence, the weight of my coldugh hanging in the air. ¡°Hahaha¡­ That was a clever move to marry the daughter and secure thepany. It seems he made that choice when he was at his lowest, knowing his daughter¡¯s future marriage was hanging by a thread. It was a desperate but determined push forward,¡± Eros chuckled.


    ¡°I always get what I want, no matter what. And this time, it¡¯s thepany,¡± I said confidently, taking another sip with a satisfied smirk.


    Eros leaned in, his voice filled with conviction, ¡°Listen, bro. You¡¯re incredibly smart for marrying her, even though it means everyone will see her as your wife. It might be a bitter pill to swallow, but remember, the main goal is thepany. You can always make adjustmentster or decide to let her go.¡±


    I chuckled bitterly, taking a sip from my drink. ¡°Exactly, he wanted me to marry his daughter and salvage his tarnished reputation,¡± I replied, my voiceced with a hint of sarcasm. ¡°He thinks I wasn¡¯t smart, hahaha,¡± I chuckled.


    ¡°Lol¡­ so hit me up, how did it go? I wasn¡¯t around then to get the full gist. I guess Lucas was the guy who went there,¡± Eros mumbled, eagerly anticipating the juicy details.


    I chuckled, bringing the wine forward, and took a sip. I looked back and still saw her writhing in pain. I rolled my eyes and pressed the remote, closing the BDSM room. I pressed the phone back to my ear, making sure she wasn¡¯t listening in. ¡°Daniel Harlow is fucking going to lose everything if thepany was still under him and trust me thatpany will yield a lot of fortune for me and that¡¯s why I went for it,¡±  Eros chuckled in agreement.


    ¡°He was desperate,¡± he blurted out. ¡°And that¡¯s why I decided to dive in¡­ Taking on the role of her fianc¨¦ to clear their name from the rumors on social media. You know Albrecht is a big name,¡± I said, a hint of pride in my voice.


    ¡°That thick-headed man¡­ He actually wanted me to marry off his daughter immediately to save their name,¡± I chuckled, earning a heartyugh from Eros. Pasito has been strangely silent. And I know he¡¯s not sleeping and is still listening to our conversation.


    ¡°I epted and issued a contract. Since you two were busy that day, I sent Lucas and some of my men to his house. Being desperate, he signed without reading it,¡± I announced, enjoying their gasps and wearing a wide smirk on my face.


    ¡°The contract states¡­ that since I am marrying her, thepany is originally under my ownership,¡± I blurted out, a mischievous smile ying on my lips as I swirled the ss in my hand.


    ¡°He was so desperate about their reputation that he didn¡¯t even pay enough attention to the contents¡­ My dear Lucas Rodman had to remind him by reading out the contents after the whole sign-up,¡± I stressed, emphasizing Lucas¡¯s name.


    ¡°Wow!!¡± Eros eximed in disbelief and awe. ¡°That¡¯s a smart move right there, meh, hahaha,¡± he gave me a thumbs up on the phone.


    ¡°Is the daughter aware of this whole thing?¡± Eros asked. I nced back at the closed door, a wicked smile forming on my lips. ¡°That whore had no clue,¡± I replied, my voice filled with amusement and mischief.


    ¡°Wow! I didn¡¯t see thating,¡± Pasito finally spoke up. ¡°But now that there¡¯s apany, you should let her go,¡± he suggested.


    ¡°But seriously, where¡¯s the fun in that?¡± I eximed, feigning hurt. ¡°Daniel Harlowpletely wasted my time, and now he needs to sit back and watch his daughter suffer the consequences of putting me through all that stress and hassle. What was he even thinking, entrusting his own flesh and blood to his number one enemy?¡± I said, my voice dripping with so much irritation, ¡°He states the condition and I make the rules, and besides all the girls are the same just like that good-for-nothing girl,  Zuri,¡±


    ¡°I think he was absolutely desperate, driven by an unwavering determination to cleanse the tarnished reputation of his household. Agreeing to the marriage was just a way for him to meticulously erase any trace of the news and clear the rumor on social media, leaving no room for the shame to resurface. He was determined to shield them from the depths of despair, preventing them from sinking back into the treacherous trenches of their past,¡± Pasito muttered quietly with concern, earning a nonchnt shrug from Eros.


    ¡°Not like it¡¯s any of my business, but I can¡¯t help but feel tempted to exploit the situation for my own benefit¡­ That¡¯s what happens when someone wastes my precious time,¡± I grumbled, my voice dripping with irritation.

 Chapter Twenty-three ( strange sparks)

    Ashley¡¯s POV:


    Tears welled up in my eyes as I sank onto the sofa, gazing out the window. Every inch of my body throbbed with pain as if my bones were shattered. It was unbearable to move as if I were being scorched by the mes of hell. I knew deep down that I had to reim thepany for my father, but how could I possibly do it while trapped under the same roof with a monster?


    Lost in my thoughts, the door swung open, revealing Damien. He nonchntly lit a cigarette, and as the smoke filled the room, I couldn¡¯t help but cough, feeling suffocated by the scent. But it seemed like my reaction only fueled his determination, as he continued to puff away, mocking my difort. Using my right hand, I suddenly covered my nose, desperately trying to escape the pungent smoke. Damien didn¡¯t even spare me a nce, his attention was fixated on that picture. Strangely, anger and pain coursed through my veins, growing stronger as I watched him, lost in thought as he attentively stared at the image of the woman on the wall.


    I wonder who this woman is to him. Who in her right senses will ever settle down with a monster?


    ¡°Get up!¡±


    Suddenly, his loud tone made me flinch, and I quickly jumped off the sofa. I couldn¡¯t find the words to say, so I just kept staring into those captivating silver eyes that have haunted me since I first saw his photo in the media.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± He asked, his gaze still resting on those frames. His question was like a striking blow to the face, he didn¡¯t even know my goddamn name.


    ¡°How can you not know the name of your wife, that¡¯s ill?¡±  For unknown reasons, tears welled up in my eyes as I spoke, my voice trembling.


    I parted my lips to say another thing when I was instantly greeted by Damien¡¯srge hand on my neck and just like a sh was quickly against the wall. I could feel his grip tightening around my throat, his other hand holding my waist. The sparks were quick, but this wasn¡¯t right. He leaned forward so that our nose was barely touching, and his breath on my lips sent chills down my spine.


    What is wrong with me? I suddenly felt hot or could I say the room instantly became steamy for me and I couldn¡¯t think straight.


    As Damien¡¯s lips brushed against my cheeks and reached my ears, his words dripped with venom as he questioned my assumption of being his wife. ¡°What gives you the impression that you¡¯re my wife?¡±The emphasis he ced on the word ¡°wife¡± made it clear that he had no intention of acknowledging our marriage. Immediately, our eyes locked, and Damien¡¯s cold gaze pierced through me. His lips hovered over mine as he uttered hurtful words, ¡°I can never have a slut as a wife, you were married under a condition,¡± It was a painful reminder of his disdain towards me.


    I felt a surge of pain in my eyes as Damien¡¯s words spilled from his lips as if they held no weight or meaning. ¡°I am¡­ I am not a slut, and I can never be one,¡± I whispered, feeling like my chest was copsing. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I mustered the strength to speak up, refusing to let his hurtful words get to me.


    ¡°The photos and videos in the media say otherwise,¡± My heart sank as Damien¡¯s deadly grin spread across his lips. The weight of his words crushed me, and I suddenly went silent, tears streaming down my face. How could they believe it if I ever told them that I was not the woman in the video?


    ¡°How irresponsible could you be! Marrying a slut because of your selfish interest¡­¡­ the whole world knows that we are married?¡± I mocked through teary eyes, my voice trembling with hurt and anger.


    However, Damien¡¯s mocking words seemed to get stuck in his throat, and his face showed a mix of shock and confusion. He clearly wasn¡¯t expecting such a strongeback from me.


    ¡°You¡­¡­!!!¡± He roared, his eyes turning pernicious. But he paused, his re fixed on me.


    ¡°Why did you stop?¡± My trembling lips moved faster than I would have liked, as I listened to the fast beating of my heart. His hold on me tightened harder. ¡°Come on, what are you still waiting for? Best me, kill me!!¡± I yelled, tears rolling down my face.


    ¡°Fuck¡­¡­ no, this is impossible,¡± he murmured to himself but I heard him. His gaze hardened coldly and he choked me deeper into the wall. ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± He asked, his intense gaze locked onto mine as if he were searching for something that had him confused.


    Whatever that is going on through those evil minds of his is none of my problem. I could feel the air slowly leaving me and suddenly my hand squeezed his, ignoring the strange sparks and the undeniable attraction to lean against his bare chest. I ced my hand against his, my nails digging into his skin, ¡°Hmmm¡­¡­¡­let me go!¡± I cried out through clenched teeth.


    Confusedly, he suddenly let go of me and roughly tossed me to the bed as if I weighed nothing. His gaze shifted from contemtion to a cold, deathly stare directed at me.


    ¡°You will be going to a party with me tonight,¡± he suddenly announced, ¡°You better behave and don¡¯t act stupid,¡± he warned and turned to leave. I wanted to yell at him but my eyes couldn¡¯t help but to ogle at his well-defined muscles. I didn¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with me; I thought I was supposed to hate him and not find him attractive.


    Remembering his evil-doing, I managed to force my eyes away from his bare skin. Hurling a death stare toward him, ¡°So you can finally humiliate me in front of the whole world and show them how worthless I am to you,¡± I shook my head, stubbornly. ¡°I have had enough, since I am not your wife I don¡¯t think it is necessary to go anywhere with you and besides you can go with her,¡± I pointed at the wall. He stopped and his gaze turned hazardous as he slowly followed the direction of my hand which stopped directly at the image on the wall.


    He returned his murderous gaze back to me, his eyes filled with anger and hostility. ¡°Don¡¯t be mistaken little slut, everything is not about you. Going there still doesn¡¯t make you worthy to be addressed as my wife,¡± strangely, his words hurt me more than I expected, but I pushed back the tears, refusing to let them fall.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be attending,¡± I managed to keep my emotions out of my voice as Damien stared at me expressionless. ¡°You have no choice, you will be attending,¡± he growled.


    ¡°Then I would see you try,¡± I don¡¯t know where this bravery suddenly popped out from but one thing for sure is that I am frustrated and I want him to be as frustrated as I am. Though I know that my sudden anger can lead to my doom_  I should never have yed with fire but right now there is no going back.


    His gaze narrowed on me, and he took a conscious step toward me. Part of me wanted to run away and shrink in fear, but before I could make any attempt to scramble away, something unexpected happened. He stopped in front of me and grabbed me, pulling me out of the bed so that we were now standing inches away from each other.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Don¡¯t test my patience, slut, in as much I am tempted to end you right now but I will act like nothing happened because you will be valuable tonight,¡± I inhaled his scent, and a throaty sound slipped out of my lips involuntarily. I was left speechless, causing Damien¡¯s eyes to darken, he forcefully pulled me closer. I couldn¡¯t maintain a stern gaze, feeling weak in his presence. Electric sparks seemed to ignite on my skin, and my body grew ufortably hot. And I know he knows what he is doing, he is irresistible despite his dark aura.


    Nheless, Damien quickly released his grip and harshly pushed me back to the bed. ¡°If you value this peanut you called life, then you better not keep me waiting this night or you will leave me with no other option than to crush them to pieces,¡± he threatened, before ruthlessly storming out of the room.


    What do you think about this chapter? Do you think it was necessary for Ashley to have challenged Damien knowing how deadly he could be¡­¡­.. What do you think was stopping Damien from ending her right now? Hmmm ? I think we will have to find out as time goes on.

 Chapter twenty-four (Preparing for the Night Party)

    I felt absolutely stunning, running my finger along the beautiful heart-shaped ne adorning my neck. It was a symbol of the deep love Mason and I shared. The shiny jewels perfectly matched my outfit, so there was no reason not to wear it, and besides not like he was going to be there anyway.


    It¡¯s a great Mason couldn¡¯t be there since he¡¯s a doctor and those kinds of outings aren¡¯t really his thing. I don¡¯t think I am ready to face him after everything that happened and knowing fully well that he is now with my step-sister, Olivia. I let out a sigh and found myself staring at the wall mirror in the room. ¡°I wish things never went astray,¡± I smiled, though a tinge of sadness lingered in my expression.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    However, the weight of Damien¡¯s wealth is overwhelming, enveloping me in an aura of extravagant luxury. But beneath the surface, I¡¯m carrying the pains and trauma that no amount of money can erase. It¡¯s like living a double life, hiding my struggles behind a facade of opulence.


    ¡°You look great,¡± As I was lost in my thoughts, a tiny familiar voice from behind caught my attention. I turned around to see the owner of that angelic voice standing there, curiosity filled the air as I eagerly turned to see who it was. ¡°You should smile often, ma, you look awesome,¡± She smiled sheepishly and pointed at the shiny jewel on my neck. At that moment, I couldn¡¯t help but let out an ufortable cough, realizing that I had been absentmindedly smiling while tracing my fingers along the ne.


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± I cleared my throat, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I asked, trying my best to hide the embarrassment that was creeping onto my face.


    ¡°Mm, yeah¡­¡­ I came to clear up the mess,¡± She was quick to reply, and giving a respectful nod, she made her way towards the door but I stopped her. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± That was unexpected, she looked stunned by the question. Yeks¡­¡­. I know the question was somehow but what could a teenage girl around her age be doing in this blood-sucking building? Is unsafe for her, and her parents should be irresponsible in allowing such a girl to step foot in here.


    ¡°I am Aurora,¡± She smiled tenderly, but before I could ask my next question, a knock interrupted us. The door swung open, revealing a massive, muscr man in a sleek ck suit. The sudden shift of aura in the air causes the girl to go rigid beside me.


    ¡°Good evening, ma,¡± the guard greeted with a slight bow, ¡°The boss is waiting for you downstairs,¡± he announced, and yeks¡­ that sudden announcement shattered my concern for Aurora, recing it with a wave of pain and grief. The thought of being stuck next to that demon during the party is absolutely ring and the fear of being humiliated is making me feel sick to my stomach.


    ¡°I see,¡± I could feel the weight of sadness in my voice as those words escaped my lips.  ¡°Please I have been ordered to get you down,¡± He moved aside, making room for me to pass through the door. I quickly cast Aurora a quick nce and walked out of the room without saying any more words.


    *********


    It wasn¡¯t that long and I was downstairs, heading toward the carport where the guard from earlier had told me that his boss was already waiting for me with some of his men. The light in thepound was not well illuminated, so it was dimmed.


    As I walked through the dimly lit alley, my steps echoed softly drawing me closer to the carport which was filled with men in sleek ck attire, forming an enigmatic presence. Among them stood a man donned in a sleek tuxedo who had his back turned on me as he engaged in a phone conversation.


    I don¡¯t need to be reminded who the person was, my demon husband¡­¡­ sh*t!! Lost in my own musings, I suddenly heard a stifled sound, causing me to snap out of my thoughts. The air crackled with anticipation as our eyes slowly locked, it was like a magic moment that defies reason. My heart fled as time seemed to stand still. So strange, his eyes, filled with an unusual intensity, held a hint of something I couldn¡¯t quite ce my finger on, and the phone that was pressed against his right ear, slowly slipped down from his ear as he unexpectedly and hungrily nced in my direction.


    I can hear the fast beating of my heart as this moment seems to send a rush of both intrigue and desire coursing through my veins, leaving me spellbound and yearning for more. The world around me seemed to fade into insignificance as I nced at the handsome ruthless bloody mafia donned in a sleek tuxedo that matched his physique. As I neared him it seemed like we were both being drawn together by a forbidden desire. I know that I shouldn¡¯t be attracted to him and despite knowing the darkness that surrounds him, I couldn¡¯t help but be captivated by his presence. There was an undeniable intrigue that drew me in, even though I knew he was a murderer, maniptor, and ruthless. And a monster that has done nothing but drive joy in seeing me rot in pain still, I couldn¡¯t help it. It was like a dance between danger and allure.


    It felt like a maic moment, like a scene from a movie, where the charming prince eagerly awaits his bride. I never wanted this moment to end, a smile forming in my mind as I approached him. But in an instant, I noticed his intense gaze transformed into an icy coldness, and a twitch of his eyebrow twitched up revealing an emotionless facade. ¡°I hate my time being dragged down by an insignificant being,¡± His voice, devoid of warmth, echoed with a brutal and chilling tone.


    His words were like a dagger to my heart, cutting deeper than I anticipated. I couldn¡¯t help but feel embarrassed, especially in front of his men, after the silly thoughts I had earlier about us. What was I even thinking? How could I expect this creature to find me appealing or have any emotions? This is a monster that I am talking about here¡­¡­.. I sniffed sadly and cleared my throat while fighting back the tears that were welling up in my eyes¡­.. This is strange!


    But I am sure I felt something unusual in his eyes when he gazed in my direction, I sighed¡­¡­maybe I was hallucinating, a monster can never have a soft spot.


    Surprisingly when still in my thoughts, with a forceful shove, Damien pushed the guard who was about to open the door for him aside, causing my eyebrow to twitch up in confusion. He angrily swung the door open under hismand and slid inside. My heart raced watching his angry demon peeking out from his actions, I swallowed hard as I summoned every ounce of courage while taking a conscious step forward. I gave the other driver beside me who was holding the door for me a quick look, I nodded acknowledging his kind gesture. As I entered inside the car, sitting beside him I could feel the weight of the moment settling upon me, sending a cold shiver to my bone marrow. My heart was beating fast as I kept stealing nces at him from time to time. This seemed like it was going to be another long night. I could feel the tension crackling in the air as the car drove off out of thepound.

 Chapter twenty-five (Confused)

    The drive was something else. I mean, I was a nervous wreck the whole time. Every now and then, I couldn¡¯t resist sneaking a peek at him. And I swear I am sure the front driver noticed from the rear mirror. It was like my eyes were maically drawn to him. I was just so infatuated! He looked so rxed, leaning his head back against the car seat with his eyes closed. I couldn¡¯t help but notice his index finger tapping gently on his thigh. It was such a calm and peaceful sight.


    But remembering how much of a monster he was, a surge of anger wells up inside me which makes me want to strangle him to death instantly. But at the same time, I couldn¡¯t help but be captivated by his well-shaped peaceful face. It¡¯s like he has this Greek god vibe that¡¯s just so tempting and alluring, making it so difficult to resist.


    He looks so calm and gentle with his eyes closed, making me have a second thought if there was an actual reason behind his dark facade. Because how on earth can a good-looking handsome man be so cruel and inhumane?


    My mind was still wallowing in thoughts when suddenly the car stopped, pulling me back to my senses. And instantly I felt a slight movement beside me. Turning to the side I noticed an indistinct frown settled between his eyebrows and without opening his eyes, he asked in a deep terrifying voice. ¡°Are we there?¡±


    ¡°Yes, boss,¡± the driver was quick to reply.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    And that¡¯s when an evil smirk slowly crept across his face as he opened his eyes. But then, the smirk vanished and his face turned into a cold stare as he nced in my direction. ¡°Leave the car,¡± His voice was so cold that it echoed through the air, and my body couldn¡¯t help but respond nervously.


    My heart was racing faster, trying to reach for the door. But then, his voice stopped me dead in my tracks. It was like I couldn¡¯t move! ¡°Not you¡­¡­¡± My heart skipped a beat when I felt his warm hand on top of mine, stopping me from opening the car. The little action strangely sent electrifying sparks at the area. I nervously peeped from the corner of my eyes and noticed his cold stare was fixed on his men that were in front. It was like he was plotting something with them. They got the information and quietly nodded their heads before stepping out of the car.


    The car fell into a sudden silence, we were alone now. He cleared his throat after some minutes, breaking the once quiet atmosphere as he turned to eye me up. It was like he was trying to read me or figure something out. ¡°We are here and I need you toply,¡± his voice was calm but there was a hint of seriousness in it, sending shivers down my spine.


    ¡°Huh,¡± I scratched my neck nervously, sounding confused. My action seemed to have annoyed him, his eyebrow twitched up slightly. It was like I had fueled his anger, ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb,¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to see tons of well-to-do men there though not as rich as me,¡± he brags before his tone changes back to cold. ¡°But¡­¡­.¡± He paused, scanning my face. It felt like he was trying to decipher something from my expression.


    ¡°I know that as a slut that you are, you might not help sliding into their rooms to warm their beds¡­. But look carefully, don¡¯t you dare leave my side or misbehave,¡± He warned sternly, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a sharp pang in my heart. His words crashed over me like a powerful, dangerous wave, shattering my insides in an instant. Biting hard on my lips to control my emotions, I looked away from him. It was a struggle to keep the tears from rushing down.


    He probably noticed the tears that had already welled up in my eyes, so he nced at me with a slight frown. ¡°Look at me,¡± hemanded in a voice void of emotions.


    I obediently turned around to face him, fighting back the tears. I instantly felt his gaze piercing deep inside my eyes. It was like he could see right through me, the amount of effect his words had on me. ¡°I believe you know how much I hate disobedience,¡± he said, and I nodded, not wanting to prolong the conversation any further.


    ¡°Good, throughout this party, you have to stick by my side, we have to act all lovely,¡± my eyes were quick to snap forward and gaze surprisingly at him.


    What is he talking about? Act lovely as in ying love with him¡­¡­. No way!! He gets to be joking, right?


    He gave me a fierce re before continuing his statement, making it clear that he was serious.


    ¡°Less talk, just follow my lead,¡± despite how he says the love word his voice was filled with irritation and hostility.


    ¡°Wh¡­¡­ why?¡± The question mistakenly slipped out of my trembling lips.


    ¡°Less question¡­¡­ just follow my lead, remember disobedience is among my third rules. I bet you don¡¯t want to break that,¡± his gaze lustfully ran quickly at my exposed thigh before it refocused back on my face sending me a quick dangerous message.


    Which made me nervously gulp and nod in response to him, trying to hide my fear. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± The question left me once again in a daze. What¡¯s my name? This should be the third or fourth time he has asked me that. He got to be kidding, right? Was thepany so important that he never got to check the name of his bride-to-be in the contract?


    ¡°I asked a question?¡± His cold voice snapped me back to reality, jolting my senses awake once again.


    ¡°Ashley Abrec¡­.. Harl¡­. Hmmm, sorry Ashley,¡± I let out a deep cough, confused about the surname to use. I couldn¡¯t use Albrecht since he never considered me worthy to be addressed as his wife since I am married off based on a mere contract and Harlow is no longer my surname. I am married now.


    ¡°Ashley,¡± There was something with the way he called the name that sent butterflies to my tummy¡­¡­ Damn it!! He nodded and eyed me up, his eyes twinkling with a tinge of mystery.


    However, Just as I tried to open the door, he intervened once again, preventing me from moving forward. ¡°Wait in here,¡± He said and opened his side of the door, confidently stepping out of the vehicle.


    ¡°Ahhh!!!!!¡± Immediately he stepped down, I heard the crowd going wild, with screams filling the air and camera shes illuminating the scene. It seems like the paparazzi are here too!


    ¡°Wow!!!! Is Damien Albrecht¡­¡­ Oh! My,¡± I sighed at the feminine voices, screaming as if they¡¯ve neverid eyes on a handsome, wealthy man before.


    I bet they didn¡¯t know he is a motherfucking scumbag monster! Yeks¡­¡­.. Looks can quite be deceiving.


    And out of nowhere, I suddenly noticed my side door swung open, and the shes of light gleaming toward my direction were so intense that they almost practically blinded me. I don¡¯t like being in the spotlight. My confusion grew even wider when Damien extended his hand towards me, a smile ying on his lips. But his gaze¡­ it held a stern warning as if he was silently telling me toply.


    I suddenly get the hint, and hold onto his hand matching his smile. Fuck it¡­¡­.. As I stepped out of the car, there was this crazy loud scream in the air! I thought it was the end, but little did I know, it was just the beginning of something even more confusing! And just then as Damien stepped forward, he gently tucked my hair behind my ear, his palms slowly brushing against my skin. I swallowed the huge lump that had suddenly formed in my throat but then again, in a slow and unexpected moment, he ced a sensual kiss on my forehead. Sending shivers down my spine and leaving me speechless.


    Okay, that¡¯s it!!!¡­.. I don¡¯t think I can pull through with this.

 Chapter Twenty- Six (The Party Hall)

    My heart raced as I found myself lost in a maelstrom of thoughts. My mind kept warning me, listing countless reasons to resist his charms. But those electric sparks between us made it nearly impossible to ignore. I could feel his gaze on me as he leaned back, his eyes locked with mine. The tension in the air was striking. And at that moment, I could have sworn I caught a flicker of desire in his eyes, a lustful shade that sent shivers down my spine. But just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished, reced by his signature cocky smile. It was as if he had a secret he was enjoying keeping from me.


    And with a quick nce at the paparazzi and the eager crowd, a satisfied smile yed on his lips. But then, he turned his attention back to me and stretched out his hand, a sudden show of affection that aroused my curiosity. Nheless, I couldn¡¯t help but be intrigued by his unpredictable nature.


    Shit¡­.. Fuck it! He¡¯s definitely throwing me off with his sudden change in demeanor, making me question the way I¡¯ve portrayed him.¡­¡­. He seems like a perfect gentleman right now. My heart is racing, but I can¡¯t shake off the fear of who I might encounter at the party and the reasons behind the strange conversation we had in the car earlier. There¡¯s something strange going on, and I can¡¯t help but be cautious.


    My heart unexpectedly skipped a beat as he smoothly slid his right hand around my waist, pulling me closer as we made our way towards the main door. The touch sent a jolt of excitement through me, but I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what his intentions were. The crowds were going wild, desperate to get a glimpse of us, but Damien¡¯s bodyguards were like an imprable wall, shielding us from the excited crowds. And that was when it hit me, the reality of being involved with Damien Albrecht, a world-famous figure, and the worst is that I am his wife.


    However, the moment we reached the door, the guards at the entrance bowed their heads in respect, acknowledging our presence before opening the door for us. It was a surreal experience, to be treated with such respect and privilege. This was what my father had always wanted, the power and respect to still enter anywhere with his head on by the powerful influence of Damien Albrecht as his son-inw after the incident. And that¡¯s why he couldn¡¯t think before signing those papers that have resulted in our nightmare.


    But as soon as we entered the hall, the atmosphere became oddly silent. The party host¡¯s piercing scream through the microphone sent nervous chills down my spine, his voice echoing throughout the room. All eyes were on us, intensifying the fear coursing through my body.


    ¡°Wee, the richest and youngest heir to the Albrecht group¡­ Damien Albrecht with his beloved wife, Ashley Albrecht,¡± the host¡¯s announcement echoed, causing the crowd to erupt in screams and apuse. My heart skipped a beat at those words, Ashley Albrecht¡­ It does have a cool ring to it!


    Luckily, Damien¡¯s grip tightened around me, sensing my difort. The crowd¡¯s eyes were fixated on us, especially on me. The whole ce reeked of luxury and ss. Though I might have grown up with a superfluity of lifestyle but honestly speaking, these high-ss gatherings were never my thing. I¡¯d rather get wasted in a nightclub, dancing my heart out and having a st than sitting here, all dolled up and pretending to enjoy myself.


    It¡¯s like I can feel their angry stares piercing through me. Their irritated smiles and jealousy-filled eyes are so confusing. Damien might be married but that doesn¡¯t mean that he hasn¡¯t had a fling or hung out with thousands of women in the past before me so why the surprised and angry faces from the crowd, like they have not seen him with any girl before? Well, those angry faces are mostly from the females and at this very moment I pray that Damien doesn¡¯t leave my side instead.


    I was still etched with terror, when two tall, handsome, and confident men with chiseled jawlines and piercing eyes that could definitely draw anyone in started approaching us¡­. Well, not me! They look so charming but my heart didn¡¯t skip a beat while watching them. One has long brown hair that stops at his neckline while the other has white-tinted hair that was cut perfectly well. The brown-haired guy¡¯s smile lights up the room, and his style is effortlessly cool. They both have this irresistible charm that makes heads turn wherever they pass.


    Still looking at the two guys who seemed like angels in human form, Damien, with a bored expression, swiftly snatched a ss of red wine from the passing waitress¡¯s tray. He seemed uninterested in the surroundings, his face reflecting hisck of engagement. ¡°Here,¡± I turned to notice his hand stretched out, I stared at the charming smile on his lips and then at the ss of wine in front of me. In as much as I wanted to decline the offer but the stern warning in his eyes, forced me to quickly grab the ss of wine with a phony smile that barely reached my eyes. Even though deep down, I couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that something wasn¡¯t right about this party.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Oops! I never knew that the illegitimate daughter of Daniel Harlow is this pretty in person,¡± As I turned around, I was snapped back to reality by a cocky and teasing voice. My grip on the wine ss tightened, preventing it from almost spilling. In front of me stood the two incredibly handsome guys, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a mix of curiosity and nervousness. They might be handsome but not as drop-dead gorgeous as the beast standing beside me, Damien Albrecht.


    ¡°Lolz, easy pretty one,¡± the same brown-headed guy said, helping me hold the ss well to avoid it spilling while the other guy remained calm beside him without saying anything. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a chill as his gaze lingered on me, his silence adding to the mystery. It made me wonder if we had crossed paths before.


    ¡°Behave yourself and get your filthy hand off her!¡± Damien¡¯s nose red up as he unleashed his anger on the brown-headed guy, his voice filled with irritation. The suppressed teasing smirk on the guy¡¯s face quickly faded, reced by a confused expression as he tried to make sense of the sudden shift in Damien¡¯s demeanor. With a furrowed brow, both guys looked at Damien, clearly taken aback by his unexpected reaction. Making me wonder what had caused such a sudden outburst. And with a surge of anger, Damien forcefully snatched the ss from my grasp, catching me off guard. The suddenness of his action not only surprised me but also left the two guys looking stunned, their brows furrowed in confusion.


    And in a swift motion, Damien handed the ss to the next passing waiter, recing it with another ss of wine. ¡°Here you go, wify,¡± he said, his reassuring smile putting me at ease. Then, with a cold and angry expression, he directed his gaze towards the two guys, making his displeasure known. ¡°Behave yourselves,¡± he gave out a stern warning, his voice filled with authority and a hint of irritation.


    His smile had a way of melting my heart, but it was bittersweet knowing that it was only for the moment. Even though I didn¡¯t know the two unfamiliar guys in front of us, I could sense that Damien had a strong connection with those guys, although I wasn¡¯t sure about the nature of their rtionship. But based on Damien¡¯s demeanor, it seemed like they had a good rapport because this demon beside me could have left their bodies swimming in their pool of blood and their heads dangling on the stage as a decoration for the party if they weren¡¯t cool. Who could dare to stand in front of a beast, teasing andughing at him?


    However, I was still in my little world when suddenly, not up to three secondster, the two guys approached us. Another tall and handsome guy with short jet-ck hair walked up to us. I could sense the energy around us shifted instantly, as if the air grew tense and the anger within Damien and the two strange guys was ready to burst forth. It was as if we were standing on the edge of a volcano, waiting for it to erupt.


    ¡°Is nice meeting you again, Damien Albrecht, since after five years,¡±

 Chapter Twenty-Seven (Stunned)

    Damien¡¯s POV:


    ¡°Sebastian¡­¡± I called out, my face contorting with a slight frown. Seriously, do I really have to deal with this annoying person right now?


    But the idiot shed me a grin, ncing at Eros and Pasito before turning his gaze back to me. ¡°Hey, bro¡­ it¡¯s been ages,¡± he said with that same grin stered on his face.


    I shot him a re, already fed up with his presence. And you know what¡¯s even funnier? Even though he¡¯s my cousin, Eros, and Pasito never liked him. That guy is just terrible, or should I say my dad¡¯s little ything. He is my cousin, Sebastian Albrecht¡­¡­ though I still wonder how I managed to have this fool as my cousin.


    Yeks!¡­¡­.. I had a bunch of cousins, and this fool, Sebastian, is one of them. Even though they¡¯re answering that influential surname, they¡¯re not exactly well-known to the public. But as for me, I was the recognized heir to the Albrecht group, and this was the reputation my father had painstakingly built from scratch.


    ¡°Sebastian, why are you here?¡± I said clearly notfortable with his presence. A grin reappeared on his lips as he nced at Ashley who was curiously staring at him, ¡°Wasn¡¯t expecting you here either, this is not your kind of outing,¡± he said, ignoring my question.


    ¡°You were asked a question,¡± said Eros. He already seemed pissed off and couldn¡¯t hide his irritation anymore.


    ¡°This is a party, puppet,¡± Sebastian smirked, earning a raised brow from both of us. I could feel Eros¡¯ anger boiling as he clenched his fist and lunged at Sebastian, but Pasito was quick to hold him back, preventing the scene from happening.


    **********


    Ashley¡¯s POV:


    I was just watching in curiosity, the ck jet-haired guy seemed to be close to Damien for him to be able to address him like that though his presence seemed to be irritating them. I wonder who he was?


    Turning to my side, I noticed the guy with a haircut whispering something to his friend who was at the edge of punching the daylight out of the ck hair guy. The brown-haired guy chuckled and eased back, but you could still see the hostility in his eyes. I quickly turned my head to see Damien standing there while looking at the scene emotionlessly.


    I wonder if this guy even has a heart or something. He seems calm like his friend was not about to punch the other guy to death.


    ¡°Hey, it has been five years since you left home and since then, nobody has seen you,¡± I turned my gaze towards the guy who spoke up, and Damien¡¯s eyes shot daggers at him. My curiosity was piqued as I wondered if they were brothers. It seemed like their rtionship was moreplicated than what we were told, considering Damien was supposed to be the only son.


    I might have known Damien through the media and being his number one fan but his private life is something that I had no idea about. Besides, we were married based on a mere contract, not like we even had a rtionship before marriage, so enough reason that I knew little or nothing about him aside from what the media told us.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Damien asked again, his voice carrying a hint of seriousness. I could sense the weight behind his question, wondering the type of rtionship he had with this guy.


    Nevertheless, the ck-haired guy cleared his throat, his voice dripping with boredom. ¡°I was so bored at home, I thought, why not crash this party? Plus, it¡¯s an open invitation,¡± he heckled but the brown-haired guy and his friend rolled their eyes at him.


    ¡°Not for idiots like you,¡± the brown-haired guy snarled with so much hatred when ring at him but the dude brushed it off while still grinning, ¡°My surname makes it easier for me to be invited,¡±


    Damien on the other hand, who had a bored look on his face, leaned forward beside the brown-haired guy and I heard him ask him something about having not seen Alexander. The guy whispered something back to his ear and he nodded. I couldn¡¯t do anything but continue to sip my drink.


    Surprisingly, the ck-haired guy turned to look at me, giving me a long look when Damien and the other two strangers were conversing before asking. ¡°Hey, who are you?¡±


    I sure wasn¡¯t expecting that, so I almost choked on the drink. Letting out a slight cough, I slowly cleared my throat and that question seemed to have drawn their attention. I can feel their eyes on me as I opened my mouth to talk but quickly before I could say a word, Damien jumped in and took over the conversation. ¡°She is my wife, do you have any issue with that?¡±


    And instantly, my heart skipped hearing him for the first time acknowledging me as his wife but the other two strangers looked stunned. Their surprised gaze added to my confusion. ¡°Oooh!!! So she is the one,¡± I turned to look at the surprised-looking ck-haired guy.


    ¡°Wow!¡± Regaining his senses, he stretched out his hand, ¡°Well, I am Sebastian, Damien¡¯s cousin,¡± he said, smiling.


    So he is his cousin, wow! I took his warm hand in mine, ¡°Nice to meet you, Sebastian, I am Ashley,¡± I said with a forced smile. He doesn¡¯t seem bad after all, so I wonder why the hatred.


    He smiled a bit. But Damien was quick to pull me toward him, untangling our hands from each other. The sudden action not only confused me but also the two strangers beside him.


    ¡°You left the house after the incident with Zuri for five years and now married to another beauty. We only have to hear the news through the media,¡± Sebastianined, but his action seemed to have infuriated Damien and left me curious.


    ¡°Shut the fuck up!!¡± Damien growled, trying to silence him but the dude continued, ¡°Will let your father know that I saw you today,¡± Sebastian¡¯s words seemed to have pricked Damien, making his eyes burn with anger. That grin on Sebastian¡¯s face almost pushed Damien into strangling him to death.


    ¡°Now! Get this fool outta here,¡± Damien growled, and two big dudes stepped forward. I didn¡¯t even notice them until now.


    ¡°Hey, you don¡¯t have to keep running away from home. Besides, Zuri is gone, and your parents¡­¡±


    ¡°Get this thing away!!¡±


    The guys stepped forward and one of them warned him, ¡°Behave yourself and respectfully go away.¡±


    I stood there looking at them, luckily their altercation didn¡¯t attract much of the audience but Sebastian hot-headedly pushed their hands off him and turned to re at Damien, ¡°We¡¯re in public, so you can¡¯t do anything. You can¡¯t disrespect your cousin like this!!¡± He kept talking, and it made me wonder about the type of rtionship Damien had with his parents and who Zuri was.


    However, those guys were still trying to get Sebastian away, when an old man walked up to us. ¡°Hi, Damien Albrecht is nice to have you on my son¡¯s birthday,¡± he said, grinning from ear to ear like a child though there was a hint of fear in his eyes.


    Damien gave the men and one of the strangers a quick signal before turning to the man in front of us, ¡°You invited us right? So we came, Senator Juan,¡± he said with no atom of respect or emotion. The old man nodded with a fearful smile on his lips. The smile on his face vanished away, and he extended out his hand to Damien who ignored him and instead turned to scan the hall.


    ¡°Someone is about to get his ass beat up,¡± the previous brown-haired guy murmured with a dirty smirk but I heard him clearly, he stepped forward and followed Sebastian and the two bulky men outside. Oh! Poor Sebastian¡­.. I looked up to Damien, is it, not his cousin brother that is about to get his ass whipped? I shook my head and looked away.


    I turned to stare at the influential man in front of me, this was my first time seeing Senator Juan in person. I gave the man a pitiful look. So he searched for someone to invite, and it happened to be this beast beside me, a cold-hearted demon! The man looked awkward, clearing his throat and trying to start a conversation with Damien, who seemed distracted as if he was searching for someone else.


    And that action of his reminded me of the question he asked earlier about someone like Alexander who wasn¡¯t in the party hall. I wondered if that person was important to him. I sighed and turned my attention back to Senator Juan, who was asking me a question.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± I said in a respectful and soothing tone, and that seemed to calm him down a bit. ¡°You look more pretty in person,¡± he remarked.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I nodded. Just then a call came into Damien¡¯s phone, and he looked at it with a mix of frustration and anger. He whispered something to the guy with tinted hair before storming off, not even sparing me a nce or acknowledging my presence. This action just showed me how unimportant I am in his life.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    I pulled my gaze away from his retracting figure back to the party and noticed that the tinted-haired guy had started having a conversation with Senator Juan and of course, I was left all alone.


    Having stood there for a while, I sighed and stepped away from them. Sipping my drink and pretending to vibe to the music, when suddenly I heard my name¡­¡­


    ¡°Oh, hey! Ashley, who do we have here? Finally a moment to yourself,¡±


    I turned immediately, my heart pounding heavily as I heard that sickeningly familiar voice. ¡°Olivia¡­¡± I whispered, my voice filled with a mix of surprise and confusion. ¡°What are you doing¡­.. here?¡±


    She smiled, but my eyes widened as I saw the person beside her. I couldn¡¯t believe it, not now!


    ¡°Is nice meeting you sister,¡± she shes me her cocky smile. But I ignored her and turned to stare at the guy beside her, their hands intertwined like two crazy lovers. ¡°Nice to meet you again, Ashley,¡±


    He greeted me like we were just casual friends and my heart sank as he extended his hand towards me, but I felt paralyzed, shocked, and heartbroken.


    ¡°Mas¡­. Mason,¡± I whispered, my voice trembling and cracking a bit as his name escaped my lips.

 Chapter twenty-eight (The Humiliation)

    I was shocked, confused, and couldn¡¯t find the right words to say. Seeing Mason after all this time stirred up a mix of emotions inside me, one which I couldn¡¯t quiteprehend. It¡¯s like my heart and mind are ying a confusing game.


    No way! I totally wasn¡¯t expecting them here, this was never the kind of party Mason attends though despite his profession as a medical doctor, we always end up almost every weekend in a nightclub which will crazily be booming with loud music and the smell of vodka. So that¡¯s why I was surprised to see him here¡­¡­ seems like Olivia might have been the one to drag him here.


    But how did she know that I would being? There were a lot of questions swirling around my head while looking at the two love birds. Was she here to ridicule me by shing my ex in front of me? How shameless!!


    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡­ Where is your charming prince?¡± She scowled, a taunting smirk on her lips as she asked with a raised brow.


    I cleared my throat and tried topose myself, ¡°Olivia¡­¡­. Why are you here?¡± I asked instead, ignoring her ridiculous question.


    ¡°This is a party, moron, everyone is invited,¡± she uttered harshly, a fake smile lingering on her face.


    But however, I couldn¡¯t help but clear my throat once again and manage to look at Mason, ¡°But this is not your kind of party,¡± I said, trying to keep my voice firm.


    Eventually, I didn¡¯t get to finish when Mason snapped, his face filled with coldness and mocking. ¡°Yes for responsible people but not for whores like you,¡± he said, his voice dripping with disdain.


    And instantly I felt my heart shattered at his words. This is the second time I¡¯ve seen Mason like this. The first time was earlier at his ce, and now¡­ here! My gaze quickly snapped to Olivia, who was standing right beside him. ¡°What has she done to him or told him to make him hate me this way?¡± I murmured in my head, my eyes not leaving hers.


    ¡°You think getting married to him is going to make you valuable, well¡­¡­ don¡¯t forget that I still have the video and the man you have slept with is not Damien. You can fool everyone but not me,¡± she uttered harshly with a scowl when swirling the ss of wine in her hand.


    Fuck¡­¡­!! I already know where this is going and I fucking regret stopping to have a word with them. We¡¯re in public, I can¡¯t allow her to humiliate me.


    ¡°Sorry, but I think I need to leave,¡± I said politely, not wanting to draw any attention from the crowd. But Olivia was quick to block my path, stopping me from walking away.


    ¡°Sorry, huh¡­.¡± she said with a bitterugh, ¡°Do fools like you know what sorry means? I bet if you did, you wouldn¡¯t have allowed the man whobored for you to be grieving in pain,¡± she snarled, and I noticed my palms itching to give her a resounding p across the face, but I knew deep down that resorting to violence wouldn¡¯t solve anything. Though this is what she wanted, to see more reasons to tag me as a bad girl in public and immediately Damien¡¯s face shed through my mind. One question chimed in¡­¡­. I wondered how Damien would respond if I were to react violently, so I held my hand back not wanting to experience any more form of torture from him.


    So I was quick to pull my hand back beside me and could only question myself, I couldn¡¯t believe it! How could she do this? She was the one who caused all this mess, so why was she trying to shift the me onto me? Was this the lie she had fed Mason with?


    ¡°Olivia¡­.¡± I felt my fists clenched tightly, trying my best to calm my nerves. And then, looking at me she burst into mockingughter, which only fueled my anger. But whatpletely shattered me was when Mason uttered that one word¡­


    ¡°You still can¡¯t forget, huh? Even after all this time, you¡¯re still wearing the ne I got for you,¡± he chuckled, catching Olivia¡¯s attention who immediately stoppedughing and instantly nced at my neck. I could feel the anger boiling beneath Olivia¡¯s gaze as her eyes fixated on the ne adorning my neck. And the worst part? I hadpletely forgotten I was still wearing it.


    I swallowed hard as I could feel the pain and embarrassment flooding my face, turning it bright red. All I wanted at that moment was to run away, but my legs felt like they were stuck to the ground, unable to move. The sight of their disgusted and mocking expressions made me wish for the earth to open up and swallow me whole. It was as if I had be the center of their amusement, and I longed for a way to escape the humiliation. Had I known I couldn¡¯t have put on the ne in the first ce.


    But unfortunately, it seemed like luck wasn¡¯t on my side because wanting to look away from them, I forcefully turned and my gaze stopped at the hand around Olivia¡¯s waist. I then looked up to see Mason¡¯s hand gently resting on Olivia¡¯s waist, a pang of intense emotion surged through me, causing a lump to form in my throat. I desperately wanted to avert my gaze, to shield myself from the pain, but it felt as if an invisible force held my eyes in ce. The sight before me was like a me, captivating yet agonizing, and I found myself unable to tear my eyes away.


    There was this deafening silence around us and after some minutes I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, feeling the humiliation that I¡¯m sure Mason noticed. I desperately wanted to hide my embarrassment, so I cleared my throat multiple times, attempting to find my voice. But no matter how hard I tried, the words just wouldn¡¯te out. I mustered up the courage to try again, noticing the smirks ying on their lips. But before I could utter a single word, a deep and captivating voice cut through the tension, interrupting the awkwardness.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ Wify, I have been looking for you,¡±


    We both snapped our heads in the direction of the voice, our eyes widening in shock, especially Olivia¡¯s. I couldn¡¯t help but notice a hint of anger in Mason¡¯s expression, although I wasn¡¯t sure why. But in that moment, a wave of relief washed over me. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Damien,¡± I mumbled, a smile hanging on my lips. It was such a pleasant surprise to see him here!


    He stopped behind me and I could feel his hands gently circling my waist, pulling me closer, his lips grazing my neck and shoulder, he quietly whispered though loud enough for the two to hear, ¡°Where have you been, wifey?¡± He breathed in my scent, his voice filled with longing.


    And that¡¯s when I slowly looked up to stare at their faces, Mason¡¯s face looked flushed and paler and Olivia seemed to be taken aback by the failure of her futile attempts to humiliate me and that¡¯s when I shed her my megawatt smirk enjoying the look on their faces.

 Chapter Twenty-nine (The Handsome Stranger in the hallway)

    The party was still going strong, and there I was, standing in the corner with a ss of wine, next to Damien who seemedpletely engrossed in the conversation with those two guys. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit isted, observing them. I wondered what they were discussing that had captured Damien¡¯s interest.


    Though on the one hand, I was kinda stoked when Damien put Marson and Olivia in their ce earlier. But deep down, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Marson. And I bet Olivia would have some trouble catching some sleep for days after that. Though it¡¯s just sad that all of Damien¡¯s actions were just for show and not genuine.


    ¡°Hey, have you guysid eyes on him?¡± Damien asked, his hand tugging me closer. I took a deep breath, catching a whiff of his cologne, the scent enveloping my senses. The dude with the tinted hair chuckled before responding, ¡°Nah, haven¡¯t spotted him yet.¡±


    ¡°But you guys imed he got an invite,¡± Damien retorted, shooting them a fierce re that made them gulp nervously. ¡°Maybe he¡¯ll still show up,¡± the other guy stammered, only to receive another sharp re from Damien.


    ¡°Since when did you guys start feeding me false info?!¡± His voice filled with anger, causing both the guys and myself to feel ufortable. I wanted to distance myself, but he held me tightly, so tightly that it almost felt suffocating. I struggled to break free for a moment, realizing his grip was unyielding, and ultimately after a few struggles I gave in, leaning into his touch.


    Their discussion dragged on for what felt like ages when suddenly his phone beeped. I heaved a sigh of relief as I watched him keep staring at the screen, his gaze locked for what seemed like an eternity. Then, lifting his head, he nodded to his friends, exchanging a silent conversation with just their eyes. Without uttering a word to me, he slowly walked away, leaving me in a state of fear again. This time, I couldn¡¯t ignore the nagging feeling that something was truly amiss. His mysterious actions and the way he kept me in the dark only added to my curiosity and heightened my fear.


    However, standing there I could feel the eyes of his other friends on me but I looked away not wanting to stare in their direction or even act like they were there. So I kept sipping my drink, trying to act all casual. But just then, out of the corner of my eyes, I saw the guy with tinted hair nudge his other friend by the elbow, and they started whispering something. And next thing I knew, they turned and started staring right at me. Still, I yed it cool, like I didn¡¯t notice, and continued sipping my drink. But then, I felt someone approaching me. Almost closer to me, I quickly gulped down my drink and Instantly handed the empty ss tumbler to a passing waiter.


    ¡°Excuse me!¡± I heard him, but I was quick to respond, cutting off any further conversation. ¡°Hmm¡­ Sorry, I think I need to use the restroom,¡± I muttered, forcing a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach my eyes. I feel so ufortable.


    All this time, the other guy with the tinted hair was staring at me. ¡°Fine, we¡¯ll go with you,¡± the other guy chuckled. But as soon as I heard that, I turned and shed my fakest smile. ¡°No need, I can find it on my own.¡±


    With that being said, I turned around and started walking away, not giving him another chance to say a word. I just needed some fresh air, away from all this party madness. I could hear them murmuring as I quickly made my way through the crowd, but apart from their chatter, I could feel someone¡¯s eyes on me. It was like they were watching my every damn move. I hurriedly walked out of the party hall, striding down the unfamiliar hallway with no clue where I was going. And that¡¯s when it hit me ¨C someone was following me.


    I could hear footsteps getting closer, at first I thought it could be one of Damien¡¯s friends so I turned around, but there was nobody there, just an empty hallway. Fear kicked in big time, and I clenched a handful of my dress. As I took a step forward, I noticed that presence kept getting even nearer. I stopped dead in my tracks and spun around, my eyes wide with fear.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    I slowly scanned the hallway, but there wasn¡¯t a single soul passing by or behind me. Gulping hard I quickened my walking. My heart was pounding so hard in my chest that I could hear the heavy thuds. The presence was still there, trailing behind me, getting closer. It was like a twisted game of mimicry ¨C whenever I stopped, it stopped, and when I quickened my steps, it hastened as well.


    The tension in the air was thick, and my heart was pounding with fear, and I couldn¡¯t handle it any longer. Without hesitation, I swiftly turned around, and to my surprise, there was no one behind me. The hallway stood empty, and the silence engulfed me. What is happening to me? Where did that presence go?


    ¡°Hello,¡±


    As soon as I heard the voice, I spun around, my eyes locking on the figure standing before me.


    ¡°Who¡­ Who are you?¡± I stammered, my hand instinctively reaching for my chest. I waspletely confused by the situation. It felt like someone had been following me, and now this well-dressed guy was standing right in front of me. This night kept getting wilder.


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± he coughed, snapping me out of my daze. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry for scaring you,¡± he said in a gentle tone as I indirectly observed him. I realized that he was unfamiliar to me. I didn¡¯t even notice him at the party because he could have stood out during the ceremony, but now I couldn¡¯t help but notice his striking appearance. He was incredibly handsome and older. I would guess he was in his mid-thirties. He was wearing a colorful, blueish tuxedo that caught my eye, and his thick, long ck hair fell down his side.


    ¡°I saw your picture in the media,¡± my heart skipped a bit as his words sank in. ¡°I heard that you are married to Damien Albrecht, so I was looking for an opportunity to congratte you but you seem upied since the ceremony started. Then I saw you leaving¡­¡­¡± he smiled sweetly at me.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± I managed to push out a smile, genuinely intrigued. ¡°Thank you! But who are you?¡± I asked, eager to know more about the mysterious stranger standing before me.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    But it seemed as though he was expecting my question because his smile deepened. ¡°I¡¯m Alexander Smith,¡± he replied, his voice filled with warmth, despite the mysterious way his eyes gleamed as he stared at me.

 Chapter Thirty (The gunshot)

    He stretched out his right hand, and I took it, my eyes fixating on the ck scorpion tattoo encircling his wrist. It wasn¡¯t very clear since his sleeve partially covered it, but something about it felt familiar. Suddenly, my mind shed back to Damien¡¯s tattoo. It bore a striking resemnce to the one before me.


    Seems like he caught onto my long stare because he pulled his hand back real quick and let out a little cough. Trying to act all cool, I said, ¡°I¡¯m Ashley¡­¡± And he just nodded, like he knew exactly who I was. It made me chuckle a bit.


    ¡°It seems like you already know,¡± I mumbled.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. Being married to Damien Albrecht, it¡¯s totally possible,¡± he said with a smile, which made me chuckle and feel a little embarrassed. How could I have possibly forgotten?


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ yeah,¡± I muttered softly, my voice barely audible, as I nervously scratched my neck, feeling embarrassed. But he justughed it off, brushing it aside. Hisugh seemed contagious but so sad I wasn¡¯t attracted to him.


    ¡°It¡¯s great to finally meet you in person, Ashley,¡± he said, and my eyes couldn¡¯t help but be drawn to the tattoo on his wrist once again. A thought raced through my mind, but before I could utter a word, Damien¡¯s booming voice echoed through the hallway. Fuck¡­..!! Now people are starting to pass by in the corridor and they stopped to stare at us.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Damien snapped. I turned slowly to look at him, feeling a mix of confusion and concern. His gaze was filled with anger, directed at Alexander. It seemed like he couldn¡¯t wait to harm him. But Alexander¡¯s expression remained nk, making it difficult to decipher his thoughts.


    Did they know each other? Because it seemed so weird for Damien to ask that question, especially since it was a party and anyone could be invited. And Alexander, he looks like someone from a higher ss. I wonder if there¡¯s some history between them that I don¡¯t know about.


    I can sense the anger and the sudden change of air around us. And just then I saw Damien¡¯s two other friends walk in on us. The brown jet-haired guy stood tall with a cocky smirk on his lips but the disgusted look they were throwing on Alexander seemed suspicious. Everything happening around me at this party seems confusing and at the same time makes me nervous.


    ¡°What are you doing here with my wife?¡± Damien emphasizes on thatst word, hissing out the word like he needed him to grab the meaning of the word. And I felt my heart skip at his sudden im and possessiveness.


    ¡°I heard about your wedding,¡± Alexander said, ignoring his question and the look on their faces. And that¡¯s when Damien¡¯s hand slowly sneaked around my waist possessively. The brown-haired guy followed his action, his gaze settled on me leaving a lingering smirk on his lips.


    ¡°She seems pretty¡­ I¡¯ll give you credit, you¡¯ve always had an eye for the finest things,¡± he said, eyeing me up thoughtfully. My heart skipped a beat at hispliment.


    Damien has neverplimented me, not when he views me as worthless as nothing. A girl who is married based on a mere contract but despite the cold atmosphere and the slight change around us I couldn¡¯t help but to appreciate the words of the stranger in front of us.


    ¡°Nice to meet you too, Ashley Albrecht!¡± The stranger deliberately stretched out his hand again, and without thinking, I took it with a slight smile.


    But before I could even gather my thoughts, a low growl filled the air, causing a hush to fall over the people passing by. I felt a chill run down my spine as all eyes turned towards us. Slowly, I turned my head in the direction from which the menacing sound hade. It came from beside me, a very angry-looking Damien quickly pulled my hands away from the stranger. I felt something stir within me as I watched him get angry seeing another man hold my hand. Does that mean he cares?


    I shifted my gaze towards Alexander, and I couldn¡¯t help but notice that his eyes were also fixed on Damien. His expression seemed devoid of any emotion.


    ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to touch my wife, man. What were you thinking?¡± Damien¡¯s voice was barely above a whisper, filled with anger. He nced at me with a look of disapproval before turning his gaze back to the stranger.


    I felt a sudden rush of nerves as I gulped and tried to steady myself. My legs felt a bit wobbly, but I managed to maintain my bnce. I tore my gaze away from Damien and quickly sent an apologetic look to Alexandr. His dark hazel eyes held something in them, something that made me feel like I should be cautious around him. It was confusing, yet it piqued my curiosity at the same time. I wonder what his intentions are.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°It was just a handshake¡­¡± Alexandr starts to exin, but Damien interrupts him with his next words.


    ¡°What are you doing here, Alexander? Standing next to my wife,¡± Damien said, his gaze fixed on the man in front of me. With their behavior, it was clear that there was some tension between them.


    But is this not the exact man that Damien was asking about earlier? If I could clearly remember, he mentioned something like Alexander Smith. Angry that his men haven¡¯t seen him, I thought he was supposed to feel excited seeing him but the reverse is the case because his eyes alone seemed to be tearing the man apart¡­¡­. Or was it because he was close to me? A Lot of questions were swirling in my head at the same time.


    ¡°This is Senator Juan¡¯s son¡¯s birthday, so I was invited. Do you have any problem with that?¡± Alexander asked, his gaze fixed on me the entire time. I could feel a tinge of nervousness creeping in as he spoke.


    His words sounded calm but were filled with sarcasm. Damien¡¯s is raging in anger, and I couldn¡¯t shake off the nervous feelings in my heart. Why did he give that mysterious look earlier and the scorpion tattoo on their hands? It seems like there are a lot of things that I didn¡¯t know about Damien.


    But I was snapped back to reality when Alexander¡¯s smooth, seductive voice reached my ears. ¡°She looks stunning,¡± he said, ncing at Damien. ¡°Do you love her that deeply?¡± He raised an eyebrow, his tone filled with intrigue.


    And I slowly turned to look at Damien who suddenly fell silent, my heart pounding as I anxiously waited for his reply. But my fear was quickly dismissed by his unexpected smirk. ¡°She¡¯s my wife, you idiot,¡± he retorted, his wordsced with a mix of amusement and mockery.


    Despite not saying the word ¡°yes,¡± it was still amazing to hear Damien acknowledge me as his wife. But it seemed like Alexander wasn¡¯t convinced. ¡°So you¡¯re saying you love her more than anything?¡­ Even more than her,¡± he questioned, and immediately I sensed Damien¡¯s difort beside me. Despite the smirk on his face, his eyes held a chilling and ominous gaze.


    Smirking as if he had achieved the desired reaction, Alexander shifted his gaze towards me. ¡°Looks like he didn¡¯t fill you in on her, sweetheart,¡± he said with a sly grin.


    ¡°Her¡­¡± I barely managed to utter the word when a loud bark echoed through the hallway, nearly deafening me. I instinctively flinched and turned to gaze at Damien, who now appeared menacing and dangerous, leaving me utterly bewildered.


    ¡°Get out,¡± Damien hissed each word with a bone-chilling intensity, clearly indicating that he had reached the end of his patience. And in an instant, the guy with tinted hair and the one with brown hair stood beside him, shooting Alexander a fierce re.


    The atmosphere around us suddenly bes unbearably tense as if it¡¯s charged with an electric current. I can¡¯t help but feel incredibly nervous like I want to shrink away from it all.


    However, a smiling Alexander folded his two hands behind him and maintained hisposure, surprising me with his boldness. Does he even know who this devil beside me is?


    ¡°Unfortunately, Damien Albrecht, you¡¯re not the host, so you can¡¯t kick me out,¡± he smirks, his lips curling up dreadfully.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± I heard Damien chuckling dangerously. ¡°You¡¯ve grown some guts, Alexander, thinking I can¡¯t just throw you out of here,¡± he threatened, his voice calm but filled with danger.


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± Alexander cleared his throat. ¡°I still wonder why a beautiful damsel like this could settle for a demon like you¡­ a murderer,¡± he said, barely finishing the word. Suddenly, Damien left my side in a sh and grabbed his neck instantly.


    It caught Alexanderpletely off guard. Damien tightened his grip on him as they battled, and I watched in horror as Damien unleashed a frighteningly furious tirade. ¡°You fool¡­ Get your ass out of here or watch me end you!¡±


    I was shaking vigorously in fear when I saw the green veins on Alexander¡¯s neck starting to pop out, fear kicked in big time. But before I could say a word, a loud thud was heard in the hallway **BAM**, making Damien¡¯s two other friends to quickly raise their clothes slightly and instantly pull out pistols


    Oh my gosh, I can¡¯t believe it! ¡°Bang!¡± Another gunshot echoed through the hallway, and I felt a surge of fear rush through me. The guy with tinted hair quickly pulled me back, shielding me from harm. I held onto his shirt, gripping him tight in fear.


    ¡°No¡­ AH!¡± I screamed fearfully, what¡¯s going on? And immediately the music booming in the party room was suddenly switched off. It got so quiet that it felt like a graveyard out there.


    No way! As I slowly lifted my head, my heart skipped a beat. A group of men dressed in ck, their faces concealed by masks, emerged from behind the massive pirs in the hallway. And to my horror, they were all armed with pistols! It felt like a scene straight out of an action movie. I couldn¡¯t believe what I was seeing. What is really going on?

 Chapter thirty-one (Traumatized)

    Just as tension filled the air, a voice suddenly echoed through the hallway, breaking the silence. It was a relief to hear something that interrupted the impending disaster.


    ¡°Mr. Damien,¡± Senator Juan stuttered from the far end of the hallway. And behind him is a group of people that I am sure were curious to see what was going on.


    Ignoring Senator Juan, Damien looked beside him. He gave the men in ck attire a close look before I noticed an indistinct frown suddenly settled on his face. ¡°Hmm¡­ You came with them?¡± His lips stretched into a thin line. He then nced at Alexander before looking at me. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of curiosity and apprehension. Damien¡¯s reaction to the men in ck attire was questionable. His frown seemed to suggest that he wasn¡¯t pleased with their presence.


    I felt his gaze fixed on me for a while, slowly scanning my body in search of any wound due to my screams earlier and the gunshot. My eye was fixed on his triangr neatly curved face that I didn¡¯t notice when his gaze slowly trailed down from my body up to my face. Immediately our eyes locked, and those deep ck eyes of his stared into mine, igniting a burning desire within me.


    ¡°What is going on here?¡± Senator Juan asked again, curiously ncing at the scene in front of him.


    ¡°Get your damn weapons down!!!¡± The brown-haired guy ratified.


    Now Damien¡¯s bodyguards are already closing in, and the security guards around the premises are rushing forward toward the scene, but the noises and the loud smacking sounds feel like nothing to my ears. All I could see was those deep ck eyes in front of me.


    Immediately, the windows made a loud, sharp ¡°CRACK!¡± sound. It was quite rming! As the cold chilling breeze blew inside, it sent shivers down my spine, almost freezing my bones. I quickly wrapped my hand around myself for warmth, feeling Damien¡¯s intense gaze quickly sweep in my direction. It was as if he knew something was up. The tension in the room was palpable.


    But before I could read the emotions in his eyes, Damien quickly tore his gaze away. And that drew my attention, making me follow the direction of his eyes. DAMN! That¡¯s when I saw those men in ck attire cing their hands on top of the window frame and hastily jumping out of the building. Fuck¡­! I shrieked at the sudden turn of events in front of me. I couldn¡¯t even imagine the adrenaline that rushed through my veins gripping my bones and leaving me in nothing but fear.


    This is a damn seven-story building! I¡¯m sure those men won¡¯t make it alive from this terrifying escape. Even if they survive, they¡¯ll be badly injured. I felt the tinted-haired guy nod beside me, and that¡¯s when I noticed the quick signal Damien sent to them with his eyes. Things are getting even more intense and mysterious and I couldn¡¯t help but notice the way that guy red at Alexander and the nervous look in his eyes before hurriedly rushing away from the hallway with some of their guards. I wonder what Alexander did to them though for the first time, his eyes held a nervous look like he already got the message sent by Damien to the tinted hair guy and this made me suspicious if he in any way had a hand in what just transpired right down.


    ¡°Mr. Damien, please what is going on here?¡± Finally, the hallway quietened as the senator Juan inquired again though Damien and Alexander were having a hard time tearing their gaze away from each other.


    ¡°Damn it! you sent those fools, you coward,¡± Damien¡¯s voice boomed, echoing through the now quiet hallway. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Alexander was quick to defend through gritted teeth, his struggle evident as he fought against Damien¡¯s tight grip, slowly losing his breath.


    ¡°Why all thismotion? There are so many eyes on you two, Mr. Damien. Can¡¯t we just go back there and continue the birthday party?¡± Senator Juan said, trying to act unbothered and cowardly as if nothing had happened. But I could see the fear in his face, clear as day. It¡¯s like he¡¯s trying to brush it off, but it¡¯s obvious that something serious is going down.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    After several hours, Damien finally blurted out, ¡°Yes, the party continues.¡± I could hear a collective sigh of relief from the senator, and a murmur began to rise among the crowd. It seemed like everyone was on edge, and the tension was finally starting to ease a bit though not for me, I felt traumatized. And right at that moment, the brown-haired guy stepped forward and whispered something to Damien. His gaze remained fixed on Alexander, who was desperately fighting to free himself from the clutches of this monstrous husband of mine. I could feel the intense hatred radiating from the brown-haired guy. He didn¡¯t even bother to hide his distaste towards Alexander. It¡¯s like there¡¯s a whole web of animosity and secrets between them that I have no clue about.


    After he stepped back, I noticed Damien¡¯s lips curl up in a dangerous smirk, his deep voice filling the room with an ominous tone. ¡°But that would be on one condition,¡± he said, his words sending a shiver down my spine. The tension in the air is almost unbearable once again.


    ¡°What condition, Mr. Damien?¡± Senator Juan stuttered, his face growing paler by the second. The fear in his voice was noticeable.


    Pushing Alexander to the ground, he falls instantly, clutching his neck. Damien then turns to face the senator and the crowd. My legs itch to go help Alexander, but I feel glued to the ground. I know better than to provoke this demon. Twisting his head a bit in Alexander¡¯s direction, hemanded in a chilling tone, ¡°Have him thrown out of this ce.¡± The room immediately fell silent, and a wave of tension washed over everyone.


    I gasped unexpectedly, and it seemed like everyone else did too. Even Senator Juan had a look of fear in his gaze. From the look of things, Alexander looked like an influential person, and having him thrown away was a huge humiliation which I am sure is what Damien wanted. I wanted to give Damien a disapproving look, but I knew it wouldn¡¯t make a difference and might make things worse. Plus, there are so many camera shes going off, and I don¡¯t want to be caught in an embarrassing moment. On a lighter note, there¡¯s a happy-looking brown-haired guy to my right who seems to be fascinated about the oue of everything.


    Minutes passed and the senator still hasn¡¯t done a thing. I guess he¡¯s afraid. ¡°Don¡¯t test my patience,¡± Damien threatened, clearly frightening the old, confused-looking man.


    I watched Damien¡¯s face harden with sternness as he grew impatient with the man¡¯s dy. I could feel the raw emotions of hate vibrating from him, especially when his gaze mistakenly fell in my direction. But then something strange happened. The coldness and hatred in his eyes flushed away instantly, leaving me confused. I thought I was hallucinating. But then Damien¡¯s features softened, and it all started to make sense. He started striding toward me, holding my gaze as ifmunicating in anguage that couldn¡¯t be registered.


    I felt stunned, and just then the breeze from outside hit me again, causing me to quickly shiver. His eyebrow twisted, and before I knew it, he was already standing right beside me with his jacket covering me. Looking at the jacket on my shoulders and the way he was protectively holding me makes my stomach somersault. Lifting my gaze, I noticed that his eyes were not on me but directed at the old senator.


    ¡°Guards! Take him away!¡± Senator Juan finally found his voice and let out amand. But despite how authoritative he tries to act, there is still a flicker of fear in his tone.


    The guards rushed toward Alexander, and he tried to swat them away, but he couldn¡¯t. Even the guards holding him seem a bit scared as if their lives were also hanging on a thin thread. It¡¯s a tense situation, and I understood their fear of dealing with two powerful and ruthless men, whoever they decided to flout has their lives at risk, more especially if they get to vite Damien¡¯s order.


    Dragging him away, Alexander stopped in front of us with his hands seized from behind. Damien was smirking while standing with so much superiority beside me. Alexander gave me a long look before he spoke up, ¡°Is alright, Senator Juan. I have always wanted to meet her and was curious to know how she looks in person but she was everything that I had imagined,¡± his gaze slowly locked with mine and I could feel the smirk on Damien¡¯s face vanished in an instant and was reced by a burning anger.


    He lifted his gaze and looked at the fuming Damien beside me, a smile curling on his lips. ¡°I will have my leave now,¡± he said.


    ¡°Take this fool away!¡± The guards started dragging him away under the murderous tone of Damien which almost flinched me. ¡°Lucky you I was in a good mood,¡± he said in a muffled tone, but I¡¯m sure Alexander heard him before the guards took him out of the hallway.


    ¡°Now! Everyone back to the party,¡± Senator Juan announced, pping his two hands in the air for a quick signal. From the corner of my eyes, I mistakenly got a glimpse of someone who looked exactly like Marcus and Olivia leaving the hallway amidst the crowds, but before I could react, Damien whispered beside me, ¡°To the car.¡±

 Chapter Thirty-two(The Warehouse)

    As we walked down the party hall, Damien held my hand tightly, gently rubbing it to soothe my racing heart. I was still shaken by everything that had just happened in there ¨C the gunshots and the daring escape through the window. Everything had me at the edge of breaking down.


    All eyes were on us, some picturing us as we made our way through the crowded party while others kept murmuring. Damien¡¯s guards were both in front and back of us, shielding us from the crowd and also parting ways for us. It felt like we were the center of attention, with all eyes on our every move.


    No matter how much I wanted to lift my head, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to do it. Damien¡¯s grip on my hands was strangelyforting as if he was silently assuring me of my safety. The sound of camera shes filled the air as we made our way down the building. It was a surreal and intense moment, with the world capturing our every move.


    ¡°Sir,¡± one of Damien¡¯s guys hurriedly approached us, causing us to abruptly stop in our tracks.


    Damien raised an eyebrow in confusion, and the guy nervously cleared his throat before stepping forward to speak. But before he could say a word, the scene was interrupted by a flurry of camera shes. The paparazzi had descended upon us, eager to capture the moment. It was like being caught in a spotlight, with the glint of camera lights reflecting in our direction.


    ¡°Mr. Damien, what do you have to say about what transpired there earlier with you and Mr. Alexander?¡± One of the paparazzi asked.


    It was like a frenzy with those paparazzi bombarding us with questions and those blinding camera shes. I couldn¡¯t help but lower my head, trying to shield myself from the overwhelming lights. Damien, being a public figure, seemed unfazed by it all, giving those paparazzi a piercing re. But as an introvert, I feltpletely out of my element. It¡¯s not something I¡¯m used to, and it definitely made me feel a bit uneasy.


    ¡°I heard that Mr. Alexander was once your man, please would you like to share why he hired a group of men to attack you and your wife in the hallway?¡±


    I quickly bit my lips when I heard that, and without even realizing it, I tightly squeezed Damien¡¯s palms. He had this smirk on his face and was about to say something, but then he sensed my difort and immediately backed off. That smirk faded away, and his expression turned ice-cold, sending shivers down my spine. With just a nod of his head, he signaled his men to take action. They wasted no time and started ushering the paparazzi away, creating a clear path for us to escape from that chaotic scene. I let out a sigh of relief to finally have some space and be able to walk away.


    Though it is so confusing how Damien can switch moods so effortlessly. I was lost in my thoughts when one of the paparazzi shouted, ¡°But you two were pretty close, would you like to share what happened between you two in Thand?¡±


    Thand¡­ I muttered confusingly in my head, trying to make sense of it all. But then I felt Damien stiffen beside me, and I could tell he was getting really angry. His teeth were gritted, and his fists were clenched tightly. It was clear that he was pissed off about something. We quickly made our way to the car, the tension in the air palpable. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what had gotten under his skin and the kind of rtionship he shared with Alexander.


    Reaching the carport, we hopped into the car and started driving, but then the driver took us down this super eerie road. Before I could even process what was happening, Damien forcefully pushed the door open and stepped out. I didn¡¯t hesitate and followed him right away. It felt like the right move to get out of that car and have some fresh air.


    ¡°Those damn paparazzi¡­ Seriously!¡± I heard him mutter angrily before he let out his frustration by punching his car and kicking the tire.


    In as much I am curious but I decided to stay quiet and pretend like I didn¡¯t hear anything. Just then, the guard from earlier approached us and said, ¡°Sir, Mr. Pasito and Mr. Eros are waiting for you.¡± His interruption broke the tense atmosphere. It seems like there¡¯s something important going on because who in their right senses will be waiting for someone in this creepy ce?


    Damien turned to look at the guard and inquired, ¡°Where are they?¡±


    ¡°This way, please,¡± the guard said, bowing respectfully and gesturing for Damien to follow him.


    ¡°Stay here,¡± giving me a long look, Damien uttered before turning away. I suddenly felt scared seeing him walking away. I so much wanted to decline but I seemed scared to even utter a word. But unfortunately, it seems like luck was on my side because he stopped on his track like he just read my mind. ¡°Are youing¡­¡­?¡±


    With a smile, I quickly rushed forward toward Damien, eager to join him. He turned his head, giving me a quick nce before intertwining our hands and leading the way. It feltforting to have his presence by my side in this uncertain situation.


    And not that long ago, we approached a distant ce that looked like an abandoned warehouse. I suddenly felt nervous at how terrifying that it looked but noticing that Damien was beside me had those feelings vanished away.


    However, after a few strides, we stopped in a backyard of the warehouse where I now see five men circling around a particr spot. Looking at them piqued my curiosity.


    ¡°Pasito,¡± Damien¡¯s deep voice echoed in the area, startling them. They turned around, and that¡¯s when I noticed the brown-haired guy and the other guy with tinted hair.


    They looked surprised and confused to see me there, but I didn¡¯t even bother with what was going on in their heads. My eyes strained to see past them, and that¡¯s when my curiosity led me to notice a group of dudes in ck attire, kneeling there all helplessly on the ground.


    Though it was easy to tell who those guys were based on their attire, I still followed Damien and walked up to them. They were in bad shape. I couldn¡¯t hear what Damien and the others were talking about because my attention waspletely focused on those injured men. It was crazy to see them struggling to kneel properly with their injuries. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder how wicked Damien¡¯s crew must be to make them go through that despite seeing their condition.


    I knew that after they might have jumped from those seven-story buildings that they would be badly wounded though from the look of things they also looked badly beaten and I already know who did all this. Looking at them I feel so touched and bad for them that I didn¡¯t know when I unconsciously sped Damien¡¯s shirt. ¡°Please, let them go. Your men have already done enough damage.¡±


    I noticed how Damien¡¯s men were looking at me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and surprise. My hands, still gripping Damien¡¯s shirt, were trembling, and my lips were trembling too. Damien gave me a pitiful look and then let out a grunt,¡± Hmm¡­..¡±


    ¡°How kind could you be?¡± he said, his touch gentle as he stroked my cheeks. ¡°Leaving them to go is unlike me, little fearful doll,¡± he continued, his lips stretching out dangerously. His gaze, filled with mystery, locked onto mine.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Pity is never my thing, little doll,¡± he said, causing me to flinch at his words. Tears blurred my vision, even though his voice remained calm andposed, still they sounded dangerous. He smirked and pulled me closer, gently stroking my head. Then, I felt him nod his head.


    I could feel the fear coursing through my body, knowing what was about to happen. Thest thing I wanted was to witness another life being taken right in front of me. I had seen him do it before, but I couldn¡¯t bear to watch it again. So, I definitely refused to look up. As he walked us back to the car, suddenly, ¡°BAM¡­ BAM!!¡± The sound of gunshots pierced the air, and my stomach twisted instantly in anguish as I heard the agonizing screams of those men.


    Squeezing Damien¡¯s hand in fear, I hurriedly made my way towards the car. My heart was pounding rapidly, knowing that those men were already dead. It made me wonder just how many lives this monstrous husband of mine might have taken. The thought sent shivers down my spine. Is he even a human?


    Opening the back door, Damien held it open as I slid inside. I felt his presence beside me, despite my desire for him to be far away. Strangely, I felt safe around him, even though I wanted to smack him and scream for ordering his men to kill those guys. But I couldn¡¯t find the words, so silent tears streamed down my face. And out of nowhere, Damien leaned forward and gently kissed my forehead before pulling me closer, resting my head on his shoulder. He began to tenderly rub my back, providing a sense offort amidst the chaos. The drive was so long that I eventually drifted off to sleep, unaware of the passing time.

 Chapter thirty-three(Olivia)

    Olivia¡¯s POV:


    Fuck¡­!!!


    As soon as we parked the car, I quickly opened my side door and stormed outside. I was filled with such intense pain and frustration that I didn¡¯t even bother waiting for Mason.


    ¡°Olivia. Olivia!¡±


    I ignored him and angrily stormed into his house, pacing around the sitting room in a circle. ¡°Ugh!¡­¡± I groaned in frustration, pulling my hair and gritting my teeth. It felt like everything was just falling apart.


    ¡°Come on, Olivia,¡± Mason said, rushing inside he then stopped in front of me. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You¡¯ve been acting strange at the party,¡± he continued, but I immediately stopped and looked at him, my expression filled with a mix of frustration and hostility.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you see it?¡± I asked, my curiosity evident as I scanned his face for answers. I was desperate to find some rity in the midst of my confusion.


    But all I noticed was his eyebrow twitching up in confusion. ¡°See what?¡± he inquired, clearly puzzled by my question.


    ¡°Damn it¡­! Stop acting clueless,¡± I grunted, sounding pissed off. But Mason¡¯s gaze remained confused as he quickly defended himself, ¡°I honestly have no idea what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    Sighing, I groaned inwardly, ¡°Didn¡¯t you see the way he was all over her? It was like she was some kind of treasure!¡± I expressed my frustration to Mason, hoping he had noticed the same thing.


    Yet all I could see was the uncertainty in his eyes, ¡°Who is all over who?¡± Mason¡¯s frown deepened, which only added to my frustration. ¡°I¡¯m talking about Damien Albrecht and that woman he was with,¡± I rified, my annoyance evident in my tone.


    But seeing the puzzled look on his face, I sighed before ring harder at him. ¡°Are you blind or something, Mason? Didn¡¯t you see what happened at the party between Damien and, of course, Ashley?¡± I asked, trying to contain the frustration that was bubbling up inside me.


    And that¡¯s when I saw him start to rx a bit, ¡°I¡¯m sure they were just making it up,¡± he said, shrugging his shoulders. But I immediately lifted my head and stared right in his direction.


    ¡°Damien is heartless and can¡¯t even like a soul. He married her off obviously because of Daniel Harlow¡¯spany, nothing else. So stop assuming,¡± he continued. But as much as I wanted to believe, I just couldn¡¯t. I know that I felt something between them at that party, something that I just couldn¡¯t quiteprehend.


    ¡°No,¡± I shook my head, ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± I muttered while deeply in thought. It¡¯s just that there were so many mixed signals and emotions between them in the party. It¡¯s hard to make sense of it all, especially when Damien is viewed as a heartless monster.


    Looking at me, Mason sighed and plopped on the couch, even if he didn¡¯t want to admit it or say anything. I could tell that something was going through his mind that he was trying to hide. ¡°Besides, aren¡¯t they supposed to be together? They¡¯re a couple and as a couple, they are¡­¡± He trailed off immediately when he heard my scream.


    ¡°No!!¡± I shouted, interrupting him and making him swallow the rest of his unsaid words. Leaning forward, I shook my head again. ¡°Can¡¯t you see what¡¯s trying to happen?¡± I questioned, but Mason gave me a long look before hissing.


    ¡°Come on, Olivia, you have me now. Besides, that¡¯s always been what you¡¯ve ever wanted,¡± he smirked, but I shook my head in anger.


    Ashley and Damien can¡¯t be in love, he can¡¯t love her!! Why is Mason not getting me? If they are to be happy then that means that all my efforts all these years will be nothing and might surely backfire on me. And thepany¡­¡­!


    ¡°Thepany,¡± I murmured, biting my finger in frustration. I could feel the weight of all my efforts and the potential consequences weighing on me. Thinking about it all, I groaned out loud, hitting my fists against my palms, and pulling my hair in a helpless gesture.


    ¡°Come on, Olivia, stop acting up! What do you mean by thepany?¡± Mason asked but I just shot him a fierce re. My mind was clearly split apart.


    ¡°Swear that you still didn¡¯t want her,¡± I scoffed, snapping at him, my frustration getting the best of me. Mason looked taken aback, his lips opening but no wordsing out.


    He suddenly went quiet, and an unsettling silence hung in the air, confirming my assumption. But before I could utter a word, he immediately spoke up, his voice filled with a mix of hesitation and uncertainty. ¡°Nope¡­,¡± he blurted out, breaking the silence.


    ¡°Don¡¯t lie, Mason, you were looking at her,¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I was just staring at the ne,¡± he quickly defended himself, his wordsced with a hint of defensiveness. It seemed like he was trying to conceal his emotions once again behind that exnation.


    And that¡¯s when it hit me, a sudden realization washing over me. ¡°Yes, that ne,¡± I mumbled, my voice filled with curiosity. ¡°What is she still doing with it?¡± I wondered aloud, puzzled by the lingering presence of the ne in her possession.


    And the gut of her to even embrace it in her neck to an important event, wait¡­.! Should it be what I am thinking about?


    Shrugging, Mason replied, ¡°I had no idea. I¡¯m just as confused as you are.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that,¡± I twitched my eyes in confusion, pausing to look at Mason before a devilish smile crept onto my lips. ¡°Does that mean that she still has feelings for you?¡± I asked, my curiosity getting the best of me.


    He went quiet before shrugging, ¡°Her business,¡± he smirked, but I could sense that his smile wasn¡¯t genuine. Smirking back, I decided to brush it off. After all, my mind was already set on something else.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    She did promise my father that she could do anything to make sure to fix their rtionship and I know that Ashley is one smart head. So I wasn¡¯t surprised if she could act like that at the party, anything to make Damien fall for her so she could bring back thatpany. And what could be my fate if she ever gets a hold of thatpany? Fuck¡­.  I will be doomed.


    No! I won¡¯t allow that to happen. I have lived with my mother for years in hidden and without any father¡¯s love and now this. No way!


    ¡°Olivia,¡±


    Mason kept calling, but I ignored him. ¡°Are you alright, Olivia?¡± he asked.


    Sighing, I turned around and walked away, heading straight into the nearest room, and locking myself in there. I know that he still likes her, and I need to find out if she still feels the same if I ever want to execute this n of mine well.


    Daniel Harlow actually owns a lot of other properties, but thatpany turned out to be the most profitable one. I thought everything would go smoothly after nning it all out, but then I found out that my father had signed a marriage contract with Damien Albrecht. And as if that wasn¡¯t enough, thepany was now off-limits for us. But as time went on, I thought things would at least favor me after seeing the fingerprints on Ashley¡¯s faces and necks only to be once again fooled¡­¡­. The way he was all over her at the party said otherwise.


    ¡°Ahhh!!¡± I eximed in frustration, running my fingers through my hair. I downed the entire ss of water, feeling determined. I can¡¯t just sit back and let her outshine me anymore. I¡¯ve endured enough since I was a child, and I refuse to do it any longer.


    I stood up and walked towards the wall mirror in the room, feeling a mix of anger and frustration. Mason didn¡¯t immediately follow me, that was unlike him, and I could tell he was also deep in thought.


    Slowly, I tilted my head to the left and cast a quick nce at the locked door. A dangerous smirk slowly spread across my lips. ¡°Just because she¡¯s married to Damien Albrecht doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯ll be better than me. I need to crush her before she takes another step.¡±

 Chapter thirty-four (The Lies)

    Olivia¡¯s POV:


    Sliding off the car, I let out a sigh and gazed straight ahead. Right in front of me stood Daniel Harlow¡¯s house, and as I looked behind me, a lingering smirk yed on my lips. I stretched my right hand forward, slowly running my fingers over the sleek surface of the red BMW 7 Series, savoring its smoothness. Knowing that this was once Ashley¡¯s favorite car brought a bright spark to my mood.


    This was actually my dream car too! But of course, our father had to go and get it for his precious legitimate daughter. Ugh, typical. And then, after everything that went down that night, fueled by anger, our father took away all her stuff ¨C the cars, the fancy luxury jewelry, and even her ess to this building. It was a real mess¡­. She was only left with nothing aside from her clothes.


    Smirking, I recall how she would shamelessly show off all her cars on social media, living it up with a carefree lifestyle, going clubbing, and feeling like she owned the world. And let¡¯s not forget about her father¡¯s money. He didn¡¯t hesitate to spend his fortune on her, while my mom and I were kept hidden and treated like outsiders. It was so unfair. We were always treated differently, living in shame without the same privileges she had. And to top it off, there was always this constantparison between the two of us. It was exhausting, to say the least.


    I smiled bitterly, remembering how Margret always goes on and on about her, calling her the ¡°Decent young maiden of the Harlow family.¡± It was like she couldn¡¯t help but praise her every chance she got, especially when I was around. And of course, she had to give her aundry list of reasons why she was supposedly better than me. It was so frustrating and hurtful.


    But that night was a total shocker! I mean, it had the potential to leave everyone speechless. But instead of facing the consequences, Daniel Harlow thought he could be all sneaky and send her off to marry Damien. Little did he know that it would backfire big time and he ended up losing his ownpany in the process.


    As I nodded my head bitterly, my gaze lifted and fixated on the building before me. My purpose here was clear ¨C to make Ashley endure the same pain and suffering that my mother and I had endured¡­ the anguish of growing up without a father¡¯s love. I wanted her to feel the weight of being deemed unworthy no matter what she did. And now, my next move was to seize control of my father¡¯s other properties, ensuring that the names on those deeds would be switched to mine. It was time for Ashley to face the consequences of her actions.


    With a smile ying on my lips, I closed the car door and confidently made my way inside. As soon as I stepped through the entrance, one of the male servants approached me, offering a polite greeting with a slight bow. ¡°Good day, miss¡­¡± he said respectfully.


    With a smile of satisfaction on my face, I handed him my handbag and asked him to take it to my room. I then gracefully removed my coat and handed it to him as well, gently pushing him aside. It felt empowering to finally receive the respect I had worked so hard for.


    ¡°Hello, miss¡­¡­ wee, please what would you like to have?¡±


    Just as the cook was about to ask me something, my attention was abruptly diverted by the sound of my mother¡¯s furious voice echoing through the building. It instantly grabbed my attention and I turned towards the source, curious to know what had provoked her anger.


    ¡°Can you for once consider Olivia worthy?¡±


    ¡°She is out there unting cars and leaving recklessly knowing quite well that we aren¡¯t that financially stable and fit to continue pulling up with that lifestyle!!¡±


    I felt a lump forming in my throat as my father¡¯s angry screams echoed in my ears. The disappointment in his voice was undeniable, and it pained me to realize that he never saw me as worthy. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what I had done to deserve such treatment from him.


    ¡°She wasn¡¯t the one that pulled you down. So better not transfer your frustration to her,¡± my mother yelled back. ¡°The same girl that you have been unting in your social media and presenting as your next heir. The descent daughter of yours was the one that dragged you to the mud and had your million dors fortunepany stripped off you in a swift of thought,¡±


    A smile instantly spreads across my face, erasing the sadness that had engulfed me. I¡¯ve always trusted my mother to deliver the perfecteback, and it seems like she¡¯s silenced Daniel Harlow with her words. With the building now quiet, I take a moment to bask in the satisfaction before confidently walking in.


    ¡°Olivia!!¡±


    As I walked through the door, my mother¡¯s eyes lit up and she rushed over to embrace me in a warm hug. ¡°You looked so stressed, my dear,¡± she said, studying my face with concern. I gave her a small smile, grateful for her presence. Turning to face my father, I greeted him with a polite but cautious tone, ¡°Good day, father¡­¡±


    Ignoring me, he trailed his gaze from my head to toe, ¡°Where are youing from?¡± He almosttched out.


    But my mom¡¯s voice was quick to cut through the tension, reprimanding my father with a sharp ¡°Daniel!¡± I gently ced a hand on my mom¡¯s arm, silently urging her to calm down. Deep down, all I ever wanted was my father¡¯s love and eptance, to be seen and cherished just like Ashley.


    I can clearly see the way my mom and him re at each other. Even after what happened, he was quick to marry her off, not ready to have her bear the shame. But deep down, I know the reverse could be the case if it was me in the picture. It¡¯s just so frustrating and unfair, you know? I just want to be treated with the same love and respect as Ashley, regardless of the situation.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Coming from the birthday party of Senator Juan¡¯s son,¡± I replied, putting on my best fake smile.


    He suspiciously nced at me before switching on the television for his night news, ¡°How did you get invited?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, Daniel?¡± My mom snapped back but I instantly held her hand stopping her from saying any other words. ¡°That was a harmless question,¡± he was quick to defend before rolling his eyes.


    Gulping hard, I muttered, ¡°You¡¯re right, Dad. It¡¯s just a harmless question. I went with Mason.¡± I could feel my heart racing as I revealed the truth.


    ¡°Mason,¡± he repeated the word like he didn¡¯t hear the first word well, ¡°Which Mason?¡± He questioned, turning to look at me.


    ¡°Mason Grayson,¡± I shrugged, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. But all I could get from my dad was surprise, shock, and disappointment. ¡°That was once your sister¡¯s fianc¨¦,¡± he rebuked.


    ¡°Yeah, but they broke up before we started dating,¡± I lied.


    ¡°Still, you shouldn¡¯t have, he was almost your sister¡¯s husband,¡± he reprimanded once again.


    ¡°He was almost before she blew it all off, besides I don¡¯t think that the girl still deserves to be addressed as one of this household!¡± My mom tackled my father, ring at him. ¡°At least for once, Daniel Harlow, appreciate the daughter in front of you that wasn¡¯t a whore!¡±


    ¡°It still doesn¡¯t justify her actions¡­.. Going to her sister¡¯s ex-boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°I rebuke a whore for being my daughter¡¯s sister¡­. You should thank the young responsible man for still wanting a maiden from this household, at least he finds my daughter worthy unlike some street whores,¡±  I silently smiled at my mother¡¯sst remark, especially seeing the helpless look on my father¡¯s face.


    But before he could say a word, the anchorwoman from the television broke a news that pulled all our attention. ¡°It was amazing to see cold-hearted Damien Albrecht so clingy and lovely again with his new wife, Ashley Albrechtst night after his fall out with his ex for years now,¡±


    I couldn¡¯t believe what I was hearing. My heart sank, and a mix of emotions washed over me. I felt a surge of anger, and sadness all at once. I suddenly felt my heart clench at the headline, and the sweetments below the caption. Slowly I turned and noticed how the disappointment in my father¡¯s eyes slowly switched to adoration and happiness, and that crushes me deeply. It shows that he still has a soft spot for her despite everything that happened. Do I even have a chance?


    ¡°Hmm¡­. Olivia,¡± my mother turned to look at me. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that you went to the party, so you met this family misfortune,¡± her question pulled everyone¡¯s attention, including me. I could see how much anger was swirling in my father¡¯s eyes immediately after those words left my mother¡¯s lips. He feels like strangling her.


    ¡°Hmm, yeah¡­ yeah,¡± I stammered, but my mother raised a brow. ¡°Wow! How could the anchorwoman be this cunning,¡± I suddenly exaggerated, acting shocked.


    ¡°What is it?¡± My father asked, looking at my surprised face.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Shaking my head, I let out the beastly side of me. ¡°Your whore of a daughter¡­¡±


    I didn¡¯t get to finish when my father suddenly interrupted me with a stern warning, ¡°Olivia¡­¡±


    ¡°Daniel!¡± My mother yelled back, making my father turn to look at her. Surprised at her sudden outburst, ¡°Allow the child,¡± she said to him, I silently smiled.


    Things were tense for a while before I cleared my throat. ¡°Sorry, Daddy, but she disappointed me,¡± I pulled up a fake hurtful expression which I am sure only my mom noticed. ¡°She was found in a man¡¯s hotel room after she lied to Damien that she wanted to use the restroom. I was with them throughout the party,¡± I fabricated with a sad smile.


    ¡°Even with Mason, ¡± he inquired.


    ¡°Come on, daughter,¡± my mom said, ¡°What happened,¡±


    Shrugging, I flipped myshes innocently at him. ¡°She had no problem seeing us together. She had earlier told me then when she was still in the house that she never loved him but wanted to marry him because of you,¡± I smiled, seeing the shock on his face.


    ¡°She and Damien were both clingy and sweet at the party before she was captioned in a hotel room on one of Damien¡¯s adversary¡¯s bed. This really caused a hugemotion at the party but as normal Damien has everything swept down the carpet at least his action will save us all from endless shame,¡± I said thest word with so much innocence that you could call me an angel when silently savoring the shock and disappointment on their faces.


    ¡°Damnit,¡± Daniel Harlow smacks his fist on the couch, ¡°How shameless!!¡± He murmured.


    ¡°Oh! How thoughtful of Damien,¡± my mom heaved out a sigh but I just shrugged.


    Looking away, a malicious smile slowly gleamed on my face. Just slow¡­ Slow and I will destroy you, Ashley!

 Chapter thirty-five (The new personal assistant)

    Damien¡¯s POV:N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    As I adjusted my necktie, a smile spread across my face as I caught sight of myself in the mirror. Memories of what happened at the party came rushing back to me, and I couldn¡¯t help but think that Ashley did an incredible job ying her role. She definitely deserves a thumbs-up for pulling it off so well!


    With a chuckle, I picked up my hairbrush and leisurely started brushing my hair, making my way down to my beard. I understand the look on Alexander¡¯s face, those suspicious looks and that¡¯s why I need to prove to him with actions so that I can easily achieve my goals.


    **Beep. Beep!¡±


    As I turned around, I couldn¡¯t help but notice my phone buzzing on the nightstand. And of course, Ashley had her own room which was very small in size and could barely fit two people at once and looked more not well arranged. Well¡­¡­ that was once my personal room where I pack stuff that I don¡¯t normally use and on the night of our wedding, I made it clear to her that she won¡¯t be sharing the same room with me and I meant it. So my men had to clear the other room that was a few steps away from mine and have her things moved to the ce.


    ¡°Hey there!¡± I greeted, picking up the phone and pressing it to my ear.


    ¡°Oh! Buddy,¡± it was Eros.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± I asked and continued buttoning up my sleeve button.


    ¡°Pasito told me that today you will be visiting the PowerTech innovationpany,¡± he exaggerated thest word, chuckling on the other side.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Yeah, I guess I need to get things under control,¡± I replied, slipping on my royal timepiece, a luxurious wristwatch adorned with diamonds and crafted with the finest materials that are worth a million-dor fortune.


    ¡°Of course, Daniel Harlow will be thrilled to see his son-inw taking charge of thepany, his hard work,¡± he mumbled out thest word in a mocking tone, mirroring my sarcasm.


    Grinning devilishly, I retort, ¡°He¡¯s gotta sit back and watch as I run thepany my way!¡±


    A sudden silence fell on the other end before I heard Eros clear his throat several times and resumed what he was saying. ¡°Did you see the look on Alexander¡¯s facest night?¡± he grinned, causing a smile to creep onto my lips.


    ¡°Yeah, I saw it, Eros, but can we pick up this conversationter? I gotta start heading to thepany right now,¡± I replied, brushing off the conversation before it even started.


    ¡°Oh! You know we need to drink in celebration of your ownership,¡± he suggested, getting the clue not to press further about the conversation.


    ¡°Yeah, when?¡±


    ¡°Maybe in the evening orter in the day,¡± he replied, and I nodded. ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± I grunted in agreement.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, I have to excuse myself, buddy,¡±


    ¡°Yeah, catch youter,¡± He replied, and I mimicked his spokennguage, and ended the call.


    Slipping the phone off my ear, I went through my contacts and clicked on Michael¡¯s number. This was Daniel Harlow¡¯s trusted manager, and I needed his presence around the premises to run thepany smoothly and effortlessly until I had gathered enough information.


    ¡°Hello, sir,¡± he was quick to pick up the call at the first beep.


    As soon as I heard his voice, I blurted out, ¡°Is everything in ce?''¡±


    But instead, he greeted me with a ¡®Good morning, sir,¡¯ which I just nodded, not trusting myself to speak. ¡°We have arranged everything for your arrival, sir,¡± he continued, but all I could do was take a deep breath and try to keep myposure.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I said, wanting to end the call when suddenly, I heard a voice behind my closed door. I fell silent, the phone still pressed against my ear, as curiosity took over. With cautious steps, I walked towards the door. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder who was waiting for me on the other side because I couldn¡¯t quite recall having any visitors this morning.


    As I twisted the doorknob, I felt anticipation building up within me but before I could open the door, I heard Michael¡¯s voiceing from the other side of the phone, ¡°Any other thing you want us to do for you, sir?¡± It caught me off guard, and I paused for a moment, unsure if I still needed anything from him.


    ¡°No,¡± I replied, the word still lingering on the tip of my tongue. But just as I was about to end the call, an idea struck me like a thunderbolt, causing a wicked smile to stretch across my lips. ¡°Hmmm¡­ Yes,¡± I said, my voice filled with mischief and intrigue.


    ¡°What is it, sir?¡± he asked politely, like an obedient dog. I paused for a moment, savoring the suspense. ¡°Well, Michael,¡± I replied with a mischievous grin, ¡°I have a little task for you,¡± I said, excitement evident in my voice.


    ¡°Sure thing, sir,¡± he replied, though the fear in his tone could easily be detected. ¡°Tell me what you need, and I¡¯ll make sure everything is arranged immediately. Just give me the details, and I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± He assured him, eager to assist in any way he could.


    ¡°I will being to the office this morning with my new personal assistant,¡± I announced, and I felt a sudden silence from the other side immediately.


    ¡°Personal assistant,¡± he murmured as if he hadn¡¯t quite caught the words. That single action annoyed me. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if I would have to deal with this nuisance on my very first day of arrival.


    ¡°But you already have an assistant here, but if you don¡¯t want her, we can easily rearrange for another one instead. No need to stress yourself, sir,¡± he said, stammering at thest word.


    ¡°Get her fired,¡± I blurted out, not even giving him a chance to finish his words.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ What?¡± he gasped, clearly taken aback by my sudden and direct response.


    ¡°Have that old assistant fired,¡± I repeated, this is something that I hate doing.


    ¡°But sir¡­¡­¡±


    Clenching my jaw, I rubbed my beard before snapping at him. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t get me pissed over the phone or you¡¯ll regret it. You need to send that woman out of that office before I reach that office,¡± I gave out a stern warning.


    ¡°I¡¯ll being with my personal secretary, so have her office arranged,¡± I said confidently as I forcefully opened the door. To my surprise, there was no one outside.


    Raising an eyebrow, I nced down the hallway, expecting to find someone after hearing voices earlier. But now, it was empty. I nodded and gently closed the door. ¡°Alright, sir¡­ We¡¯ll take care of it right away,¡± he replied.


    ¡°One more thing,¡± I interjected, wanting to share an additional request.


    ¡°Her office should be nearby, not too close but not too far either,¡± I instructed him with a cold tone, emphasizing the desired proximity.


    ¡°Sorry, sir but someone is already¡­..¡±


    ¡°Shhh,¡± I hushed him, motioning for him to be quiet. ¡°Normally I wasn¡¯t supposed to be having this conversation with you, Michael,¡± I said, with a hint of disdain in my voice as I emphasized his name.


    ¡°Get whoever that is upying that space out of there before I arrive,¡± I authorized with a touch of venom in my voice, making sure he felt my authority through the phone.


    ¡°Alright¡­ okay, sir,¡± he stammered, his response quick and filled with uncertainty.


    With a smirk on my face, I leisurely removed the phone from my ear, ending the call. The thrill of instilling fear in others always brings me immense joy. I tilted my head to the side, a wicked grin spreading across my face. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to have you as my new and personal assistant, wify,¡±  I said, relishing the power dynamic.

 Chapter Thirty-six (The breakfast)

    Ashley¡¯s POV:


    I was in the middle of a deep slumber when morning arrived. Unaware of my surroundings, the sound of the door opening and someone entering went unnoticed.


    Though I heard the faint sound of footsteps echoing on the cold tiles, growing louder until they came to a halt. Suddenly, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. I let out a sigh and brushed it off, thinking it was just a figment of my imagination or perhaps part of a dream.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, please wake up,¡± a soft, feminine voice whispered gently beside my ear. The words slowly registered in my sleepy mind, and I reluctantly let out a groan in my sleep, still not fully awake. Despite the gentle urging, I remained in theforting embrace of slumber.


    I heard her plea, ¡°Ma¡¯am, it¡¯s already morning, you need to wake up.¡± But I simply let out a dismissive sigh and stubbornly pulled the duvet over myself, determined to prolong my cozy sleep.


    ¡°Please Ma¡¯am, sir Damien wants you downstairs for breakfast,¡±


    As she uttered the name ¡°Sir Damien,¡± my eyes snapped open, momentarily blinded by the harsh sunlight streaming through the open windows. I quickly shut my eyes again, shielding them from the brightness.


    I waited for a moment, allowing my eyes to adjust to the light before opening them again. As soon as I did, a rush of memories fromst night flooded my mind, causing a strange twist in my heart.


    The events ofst night, the sight of those men¡¯s bloody wounds at the back of the warehouse, and their agonizing screams before they died¡­ It¡¯s been haunting me all night. The images just keep reying in my head. It¡¯s hard to shake off, you know? It gives me the chills when I think about it. I mean, I thought after seeing how I wasst night, he would at least want to spend some time with me. But no, as soon as we stepped into that creepy building he called home, he just discarded me like I was nothing. It¡¯s so frustrating and hurtful.


    How foolish I could be? I can¡¯t believe I was so blind to think that all those crazy stunts we pulled at the party, his possessiveness, kisses, and sweet words were actually real. It¡¯s like he was ying some twisted game, and I fell right into his trap. I was so scared and alonest night, that I couldn¡¯t even keep track of when I fell asleep.


    I stared up at the ceiling, feeling the pain welling up inside me. Tears were starting to fill my eyes, when suddenly, a voice came from behind,pletely catching me off guard. ¡°Are you okay, ma¡¯am?¡±


    I sharply sat up and immediately regretted it. My whole body hurts like crazy. I think it¡¯s because of how I cradled myself while sleepingst night. The fear in my mind must have made me tense up. ¡°Ahh¡­ Hmm,¡± I groaned.


    ¡°Are you hurt, ma¡¯am?¡± I looked up to see Emily, the head maid, standing there.


    She seems young and a bit timid. I wonder how she is coping with staying in the midst of these blood-sucking demons. She rushed over and held my hand, helping me sit upright to avoid any more pain. I smiled as I held her hand and said, ¡°Thank you, I¡¯m fine. But what brings you here so early in the morning?¡±


    ¡°The master requested your presence downstairs for breakfast,¡± she said, smiling at me. I gasped in surprise and replied, ¡°Downstairs?!


    Damien has been pretty clear about not wanting me to invade his private space ever since I arrived. I usually have my breakfast after he finishes or upstairs in my room. So, why would he suddenly want to see me in the dining room? Is he suggesting that we start eating together or maybe¡­ he feels bad about what happenedst night? It¡¯s hard to say, but it definitely makes me curious!


    You know, it¡¯s possible that Damien might have felt something between usst night too, right? There are so many questions swirling in my mind too. Each one seems more impossible than thest.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll just use the restroom real quick. I¡¯ll be there in less than five minutes,¡± I said. Emily nodded and quickly excused herself, leaving me alone once again in the room that looked like a formidable space in the building.


    Letting out a sigh, I managed to drag myself out of bed and make my way to the restroom. After taking care of my business, I mustered up the courage to head towards the dining room. I won¡¯t deny that I felt a bit scared, but at the same time, I couldn¡¯t help but feel curious about what awaited me there.


    As I closed the door behind me, I stepped out into the hallway. ¡°Good morning, ma¡¯am,¡± The guards standing nearby greeted me and I nodded with a warm smile acknowledging their presence.


    My room is just a few meters away from Damien¡¯s, which was supposed to be our matrimonial room. Honestly, I¡¯m relieved that we¡¯re not sharing the samepartment because that devil scares the crap out of me sometimes. To get to the dining room quickly, I knew I had to take the shortest route, which meant passing by the front of Damien¡¯s room. My heart was pounding as I approached his door. Taking a deep breath, I held it in anticipation. Since he asked me to meet him downstairs, there was a good chance he wouldn¡¯t be in his room right now. With that thought in mind, I started walking.


    Just as I was walking past Damien¡¯s room, I heard a deep voice beside me. I instinctively looked to my left and realized that the voice wasing from his room. ¡°Is everything in ce?¡± I heard him ask.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    With curiosity getting the best of me, I confidently walked towards his door. Luckily, the door wasn¡¯t fully locked, so I slowly twisted the handle and pushed it open, all while my heart pounded in my chest. Peeking inside, I saw Damien dressed in a sharp blue tuxedo, engrossed in a conversation on his phone. He seemedpletely focused, unaware of the cracking sound the door made or my presence.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I heard him say. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what he was up to. I eagerly waited, hoping to catch snippets of his conversation over the phone. But just as he was about to speak again, someone called out my name, causing me to jump in surprise.


    I spun around forcefully and was suddenly face-to-face with a puzzled Emily. ¡°Oh, hey Emily,¡± I managed to force a smile and swiftly closed the door.


    She raised a brow at me, her gaze trailing from my hand which was still on the door handle. I quickly pulled it back with a rueful smile, realizing my mistake. Her eyes returned to me, and she said with a gentle smile, brushing off my earlier suspicious behavior. ¡°I forgot to ask you what you¡¯d like to eat this morning,¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Anything,¡± I smiled at her, eager to move away and escape the embarrassment I had caused myself. I quickly started striding away, wanting to put some distance between us.


    *******


    Sitting on the dining chair, I¡¯ve been waiting for Damien for almost five hours, and he still hasn¡¯t shown up. What¡¯s he up to this time? Who¡¯s he on the call with? What could be so important that he hasn¡¯te down for breakfast yet?


    So many questions were swirling in my head, making my eyebrow twitch in concern as Emily walked in with a tray of food. She slowly ced it in front of me and stepped aside. I nced across the table and noticed that I was the only one served. I looked at Damien¡¯s spot, wondering where he could be.


    I opened my mouth to speak, but she beat me to it as she noticed the look on my face. ¡°Master left for work four hours ago,¡± she said, providing an exnation


    I sharply snapped my head at her in bewilderment. ¡°Wait, didn¡¯t you say Damien wanted to see me? Why did you say he left four hours ago? I¡¯ve been waiting for him this whole time!¡± I eximed, feeling frustrated and confused.


    Seeing the scared look on her face, I let out a sigh, trying to calm myself. ¡°What¡­ are you talking about?¡± I managed to ask, my voice filled with confusion and concern.


    ¡°He had already left for work,¡± she replied politely. ¡°But what about his breakfast?¡± I pointed toward the tray of food in front of me, feeling a mix of frustration and disappointment.


    ¡°Sorry, ma¡¯am, but Master has already eaten early in the morning. This one is only for you,¡± she blurted out, and I felt my heart ache.


    He didn¡¯t even care to know how I was feeling this morning. If I slept wellst night? Or at least see my face? In fact, even if he¡¯s disgusted by my presence¡­ he should at least pretend and act like he cares!


    I am a damn human with emotions!! He should stop treating me like I¡¯m worth nothing.


    Forcing out a smile, I swallowed hard and turned to face her. ¡°But you said that he wanted to see me,¡± I stammered, not sure how to sound.


    ¡°Yes, but he seemed to be in a hurry so¡­..¡±


    ¡°So,¡± I interrupted her. ¡°He left a message,¡± she muttered.


    And that¡¯s when I slowly raised a brow at her, thinking, ¡°Wait, what?¡± I sputtered. But her next words caught me off guard. ¡°He instructed that once you¡¯re done with your breakfast, the driver should drive you to the office.¡±

 Chapter thirty-seven(Uneasiness)

    It was a sunny day outside, and I found myself sitting in the back seat, gazing out of the car window. Emily¡¯s words echoed in my mind, reminding me that Damien wanted to see me in his office. Which one of his offices could it be? I let out a sigh and quickly nced at the driver, who seemedpletely focused on the road as if he had been given specific instructions on where to take me.


    The driver took what felt like an eternity to reach our destination. Eventually, the car came to a sudden halt in front of a towering building. There was something oddly familiar about the road leading up to it. Lost in my own thoughts, I was jolted back to reality when the driver opened my door. Stepping out of the car, I looked ahead and nearly stumbled as my eyes locked onto the banner proudly disyed in front of the building.


    ¡°POWERTECH INNOVATION COMPANY,¡± the name was boldly written, and my heart sank at the sight. Did he bring me here just to taunt me? Tears welled up in my eyes, and I struggled to hold back the sobs threatening to escape my trembling lips. As I stood there, lost in my emotions, the driver approached me. ¡°Please, ma¡¯am, Master instructed me to remind you to behave and follow the instructions he gave youst night,¡± the driver said.


    Instructions! And that¡¯s when I saw the camera shesing from the corner, diverting my attention from the banner. I noticed a group of paparazzi standing a few meters away. Do these people ever sleep? It feels like they¡¯re always everywhere. And speaking of instructions, I couldn¡¯t help but remember the conversation we had in his carst night¡­ Hmmm! What a narcissistic person he can be.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Mrs. Ashley, what do you have to say aboutst night,¡± I was snapped back from my dazed state by the question from the paparazzi woman.


    ¡°Have to say?¡± I murmured. ¡°Don¡¯t say anything¡­¡± The driver whispered into my ear, his words filled with caution. I nodded in agreement, understanding that I didn¡¯t need to mess up with that monstrous husband of mine¡­¡­ and that made me swallow up the rest of my unsaid words.


    ¡°Mrs. Ashley, Damien seemed all over you at the party. Are you two actually in love?¡± another youngdy asked, her voice dripping with disgust. But her judgment wentpletely unnoticed by me.


    Does she love him so much that she has this immense hatred towards me? I didn¡¯t say anything, but I responded with a small smile. Only if she knows that her crush is a ruthless monster behind that facade.


    ¡°So how long have you been dating Damien before the marriage? What pushed you two into getting married?¡± a male voice came from the crowded paparazzi. I held my breath at his question, feeling a shocking wave down my spine. It was as if his words were a painful reminder of the emotions swirling in my heart.


    I opened my lips, but tears slowly welled in my gaze. ¡°We can sense the crazy bond between you two. Love is indeed a beautiful thing,¡±


    I smiled bitterly, giving them a wry smile. If only they knew that we¡¯re married based on a mere contract and that this marriage is a living hell¡­ I bet they wouldn¡¯t utter thosest words.


    And at that very moment, a group of formidable-looking men emerged from the building, who I recognized to be his men. With a determined stance, they formed a protective barrier, shielding me from the prying paparazzi and guiding me safely inside the building. It was as if they had been instructed to ensure my safety in this chaotic moment.


    My heart sank, burdened by the weight of emotions, as I gazed upon thepany that had once been my father¡¯s legacy, now in the clutches of this monstrous husband. The sight tore at my soul, leaving me broken and disheartened. ¡°Please, ma¡¯am, this way,¡± one of the guards respectfully directed, their words met with a solemn nod from me, acknowledging their guidance.


    The staff members bowed their heads in greeting as they passed by me, their familiarity apparent. It seemed that many of them recognized me from the media, as my name had been making headlines for the past few weeks. However, this was my first time stepping foot into my father¡¯spany, and the mixture of emotions and curiosity swirled within me¡­¡­ what were my reasons foring here?


    As we made our way up the stairs, a gentleman in his early forties approached us,ing to a stop right in front. ¡°Hello, ma¡¯am,¡± he greeted with a friendly smile. ¡°I¡¯m Michael, the manager,¡± he introduced himself, reaching out his hand for a handshake.


    I nodded, a flicker of recognition crossing my face. I had heard my father mention Michael¡¯s name on several asions, so it wasn¡¯t difficult to connect the dots and realize that he was my father¡¯s trusted manager. The fact that he was still here gave me a glimmer of hope. If I could establish a rapport with him and gain insight into how thepany operated, it would undoubtedly make my next move much smoother. This was a crucial part of my n, as I needed to familiarize myself with the inner workings of thepany in order to navigate it sessfully.


    I stretched out my hand, and shook his hand firmly, feeling a sense of relief seeing him and I am sure he recognized me. ¡°Please do me the favor of taking you to your office, ma¡¯am,¡± he said but before I could reply I was abruptly interrupted by a deep voice echoing through the hallway. ¡°Mr. Michael, have you finishedpiling the files I sent you? Or did she inform you that she¡¯s physically challenged or visually impaired and unable to find her own way to her office?¡± the voice boomed, filled with impatience and skepticism.


    ¡°Uh, no, sir,¡± Michael stammered, his voice barely audible as he quickly withdrew his hand and avoided eye contact.


    I watched as Damien¡¯s face turned nk, his voice audibly cold as he mumbled, ¡°Good.¡± The atmosphere in the hallway suddenly grew tense as his deep voice continued to ridicule Micheal. ¡°Get to work, I hateziness,¡± he sneered, his words dripping with disdain. The intensity of his fierce gaze caused Michael to scramble away, his movements resembling that of a nervous wreck. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of empathy for him, understanding the pressure he was under in this demanding work environment by this monstrous husband of mine.


    The co-workers passing by gave Damien a confused look though they were quick to pull their faces away but the lingering confusion swirling in their eyes was enough to read what was actually going through their minds¡­¡­. And that act makes one thing clear, it was evident that none of them were aware that ourpany had fallen into the hands of this ruthless individual here.


    ¡°And you¡­¡± he said, giving me a scrutinizing look. But before he could say anything else, he nced at our co-workers, who quickly disappeared from view. ¡°Meet me in my office,¡± he red at me, his eyes filled with so much resentment, before striding away.


    Feeling a nervous knot in my stomach, I obediently trailed behind him. I needed to uncover the motives behind my presence here. While my instincts were whispering something, I craved confirmation before drawing any conclusions. As I reached a grand ss door, shimmering with a golden hue, I took a deep breath before summoning the courage to knock.


    ¡°Come in,¡± he finally said after my persistent knocking. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder why it took him so long to respond. I mean, he just entered his office, so he must have known I was the one at the door. It felt like an eternity standing here!


    Clearing my throat, I mustered up the courage to push the door open and step inside. ¡°You¡­ You called,¡± I stammered, my voice trembling slightly. The uneasiness settled in as I realized that this particr office was once my father¡¯s space.


    ¡°Have a seat,¡± hemanded in a clipped tone. I nodded and took a step forward, but before I could sit down, he interrupted me. ¡°No need to sit¡­ Stand,¡± he said abruptly.


    I nodded again, maintaining myposure. ¡°From today onwards, you will be working for me as my personal secretary,¡± he informed me. His words hung in the air as he asked, ¡°I am sure you know what that means?¡±


    ¡°What¡­ What the heck!¡± I gasped, my voice filled with surprise. ¡°I can¡¯t work here,¡± I eximed, shaking my head in disapproval.


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn if this used to be your father¡¯spany. It¡¯s mine now¡­ ALL MINE!¡± He emphasized thest word, making his intentions crystal clear. ¡°Hey, listen up. You better cooperate with me if you ever want to live to see the next day. After all, I¡¯m doing you a favor by letting you be with me. When we¡¯re outside, we¡¯re like lovers¡­ LOVERS! So you better behave and cooperate, got it?¡± He finished with an emotionless tone.


    ¡°Da¡­.. Damien,¡±


    ¡°Now get to work,¡± he scoffed.  ¡°But¡­ But¡­¡± I stammered, trying to find the rightful words to protest, but he cut me off with a scowl on his face.


    ¡°Now!!¡± He shrieked, sending me a murderous re that made me instinctively flee from his sight.

 Chapter thirty-eight(Cipher)

    Damien


    ¡°Hello, sir,¡± As soon as I answered the phone, I heard Michael¡¯s voice on the other end.


    With a hint of annoyance in my voice, I responded, ¡®Yeah,¡± as I furrowed my brow and continued to scroll through theptop in front of me on my desk. The screen illuminated my determined expression as I searched for the information I needed.


    ¡°Your friends are here to see you,¡± he stammered, his voice trembling with uncertainty.


    I paused for a moment, my thoughts swirling as I slowly swiveled my chair, facing the expansive ss window in my office. With a deliberate motion, I turned my attention back to the phone, my expression bing icy and resolute before I let out a deep sigh, my frustration palpable as I spoke, issuing a stern warning ¡°This is a task for my personal assistant, who happens to be my wife, not you.¡± I emphasized the word ¡°wife¡± to ensure he understood the gravity of the situation.


    ¡°I¡­ I mean, I¡¯m sorry, sir,¡± he quickly apologized, his voice filled with remorse. ¡°I understand, it¡¯s just that¡­ she just started today and she¡¯s still getting familiar with everything, especially how thepany operates,¡± he exined, stumbling over his words towards the end.


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand a thing, Mr. Michael,¡± I snapped, my voiceced with frustration. ¡°I specifically tasked you with guiding her on what needs to be done. Either get her up to speed or face the consequences,¡± I warned, my tone firm and unwavering. With that, I swiveled my chair back towards myptop, proceeding to focus on the task at hand.


    ¡°Let my friends in,¡± Imanded, my voice filled with authority.


    I could hear his heavy breathing as he quickly stammered, ¡°Ye¡­ yes, sir,¡± his words barely audible. With a dismissive wave of my hand, I abruptly ended the call. Tossing the phone to the other side of my desk, I pushed my chair forward and continued with what I was doing earlier.


    It didn¡¯t take more than a minute before I abruptly ended the call, and in that instant, the door to my office swung open, revealing Eros and Pasito standing there.


    ¡°Hey, bro!¡± Eros eximed, his voice filled with excitement as he greeted me with a firm handshake. And with a wide grin on his face, he plopped down on the couch, casually crossing his legs.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Pasito chimed in, extending his hand for a friendly handshake. After exchanging greetings, he pulled out a nearby chair and settled himself down.


    ¡°Did you see the news?¡± Eros was quick to ask, piquing my curiosity as I spared a quick nce at him. ¡°What¡¯s the news?¡± I inquired, focusing back on what I was doing.


    ¡°I think your n worked out, the whole inte is buzzing with the love you and your wife disyed at the partyst night,¡± Pasito chuckled, but I couldn¡¯t help but deepen my forehead in disgust.


    ¡°It was only an act, nothing like love,¡± I quickly defended, my tone filled with conviction.


    ¡°The main thing remains, you both seemed all loved up, and she seems incredibly gorgeous,¡± he said, winking at me before grinning like an idiot.


    ¡°Eros!¡± I spat out in disgust, shooting him a fierce nce that quickly shut him up.


    ¡°Do you think Alexander seemed convinced?¡± Pasito was smart enough to change the topic because their disgusting teasing is slowly pissing me off and getting on my nerves.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need him to believe¡­ It¡¯s his choice,¡± I smirked, continuing to scroll through myptop.


    ¡°What do you intend to gain from this with her? I mean your wife¡­.. I think it is about having Alexander believing that you two are together,¡± Pasito questioned, earning a sharp nce from me. I sighed and gave him a long look before refocusing on what I was doing.


    ¡°Why not just kill him instead of going through all these corners¡­ You know, ending him is small for you, bro,¡± Eros groaned, sounding fed up.


    ¡°Alexander is smart and hideous, remember,¡± Pasito muttered, reminding Eros. ¡°So it won¡¯t be that easy to track him down,¡± he added.


    ¡°We can track him down and end him if Damien wants to,¡± Eros protested.


    ¡°You sound off now, Eros¡­ That dude has a lot of alliances. It will be damn hard. We just need a strategic n,¡± Pasito insisted, emphasizing his idea.


    And honestly, he¡¯s right about the alliances¡­ That chicken head knows that if I see him, I¡¯ll fuck him up, and he might end up dead. So he went as far as forming an alliance with a lot of other mafias. Gotta admit, he¡¯s a bit smart and strategic but that doesn¡¯t mean I still don¡¯t get my eyes on every one of his movements.


    Letting out a weary sigh, I can¡¯t help but roll my eyes at their endless banter. ¡°You know, he may be smart in some ways, but when ites to women, especially mine, he¡¯s clueless. It¡¯s like he can¡¯t resist trying to take what¡¯s already imed,¡± I finally interject, my voice filled with a mix of cocky and pride.


    ¡°Is that why you are using her?¡± Pasito muttered. ¡°It is risky, bro,¡±


    ¡°Enough with the questions, Pasito!¡± I groan, feeling a mix of annoyance and frustration.


    ¡°Besides, his career is slowly going down a bit. I¡¯ve been keeping an eye on it,¡± we both turned our heads, ncing over at Eros who seemed engrossed in his phone. ¡°Looks like things might not be going so well for him after all.¡± He added.


    ¡°The whole world is bashing him, huh? Saying that he called assassins to attack your wife at the party,¡± Eros suddenly said, confusion evident in his voice. His words earn a sharp nce from both Pasito and me. We exchange a knowing look confused at the turn of events.


    ¡°How?¡± I asked, my voice filled with confusion.


    ¡°This is all so confusing. And the news is from an unknown source, Cipher?¡± I furrowed my brow, trying to make sense of it all immediately the word left Eros¡¯s lips. He looked just as perplexed as he raised his head to meet our gaze. The uncertainty in his eyes mirrored my own confusion.


    ¡°Cipher¡­ Who is Cipher?¡± I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. I turned my gaze back to Eros, hoping he had some answers.


    ¡°The blogger,¡± he answered back.


    ¡°Oh, the blogger,¡± I replied, nodding in understanding. ¡°The one who spreads all those rumors and gossip. It¡¯s crazy how much influence they now have, isn¡¯t it?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but shake my head in disbelief.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°But from the look on Alexander¡¯s facest night, he seems clueless about those men,¡± Pasito said before looking back at us.


    ¡°If he did, then where could those assassins havee from?¡± I pondered aloud, tapping my finger thoughtfully on the desk. ¡°You know, Alexander is cunny and maniptive. He can do anything just to grab attention from the public but still tell Lucas to gather the CCTV recordings of the party and any footage avable. It might give us some clues,¡± I instructed, staring into the thin air, lost in my thoughts.


    ¡°Alright, got it,¡± Eros replied, his fingers swiftly dialing a number that I assumed belonged to Lucas.


    I remained silent for a moment, lost in my own thoughts, before letting out a sigh. I returned to what I was doing earlier, trying to focus on my tasks. Just as I was getting back into the groove, Pasito¡¯s voice interrupted my concentration. ¡°How¡¯s the work going?¡± he asked, giving me a curious look as he eyed me up and down.


    Sighing, I switched off myptop and leaned back to face them. ¡°Not much, really. Just casually scrolling through their transaction history,¡± I shrugged, trying to downy the significance of my actions.


    ¡°Wow! Right into the transaction history, huh?¡± Pasito eximed. ¡°You¡¯re definitely not here to waste any time,¡± he added, both of themughing. I couldn¡¯t help but roll my eyes yfully at their teasing.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure Mr. Harlow has managed thepany well, so it¡¯s not going bankrupt anytime soon,¡± Eros teased. But at that moment, something clicked in my mind. Ignoring their jest, I quickly picked up my phone and dialed Michael¡¯s number.


    He was obedient enough to pick up at the first ring. ¡°Drag your ass here in two seconds,¡± I snarled before ending the call and tossing my phone away. Hissing, I tilted my head away, ignoring their curious nces.


    ¡°Damien,¡± that was Pasito, ¡°Any issue?¡± His question had barely left his lips when suddenly there was a knock at the door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± I announced. Michael opened the door, breathing heavily like he just run a marathon. Beads of sweat glistened on his face as he gently walked inside towards me. ¡°You called, sir,¡± he said, catching his breath.


    Eros and Pasito curiously nced at him before focusing back on me. ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied while tapping thoughtfully on my desk.


    ¡°Look,¡± I said, turning to face him with a nk expression. ¡°I think it¡¯s time for you to announce me as the new owner of Powertech Innovation Company.¡± I dropped the bombshell, earning a loud gasp from Eros and Pasito, which only left the clueless Michael confused.


    ¡°Okay, sir,¡± he nodded with a bow, clearly aware of my new ownership but unaware of the details or how I went about it.


    ¡°Damien,¡± Pasito called, his voice a bit shaky. But before Michael could walk out of the office, an idea suddenly shed through my mind, brightening my face and deepening my dimples.


    ¡°Wait, Michael,¡± I called, making him halt in his steps. ¡°Call in my personal assistant¡­ The announcement isn¡¯t your job either.¡±


    ¡°Personal assistant,¡± the two blurted, but they just earned a twitching eyebrow from me. ¡°Fast!¡± I turned to Michael and shrieked at him, causing him to hurriedly scramble out of the office.


    ¡°You have a personal assistant?¡± Eros asked, but I just shrugged without saying a word.


    ¡°But, Damien,¡± Pasito hesitated, his voice tinged with concern. ¡°I thought you made a promise to Mr. Harlow that you wouldn¡¯t let the public know it was yours. What exactly are you up to this time around?¡±

 Chapter thirty-nine(The special announcement)

    Ashley


    I love that feeling of peace andfort when I close my eyes and tap my finger, lost in thought. It¡¯s like the world fades away for a moment.


    Though staying here is one hell of a thing, you know? It really weighs on me, knowing that I¡¯ll be working in the verypany that used to belong to my father. It¡¯s a heavy burden. Sometimes, I wish I could turn back time to that night when I sneaked out with La. Maybe then, I could fix everything. But sadly, it¡¯s just not possible.


    Because everything that¡¯s been going on in my lifetely is just slowly eating away at me. I¡¯ve got so much on my te, so many responsibilities that I can¡¯t seem to find any solutions for. And to top it all off, La haspletely disappeared since that incident and our encounter in the hallway that day. But you know what?  sighing, I hissed out. ¡°Not like I care to know her way about though,¡±


    However, I was still lost in my own thoughts when out of the blue, I heard a knock on the door. It startled me, snapping me back to reality. ¡°Hmm¡­ Yeah,¡± I quickly responded, trying to gather myself in case it was that creature. I tried to hide my nervousness in my voice, even though deep down, I knew a monster like that wouldn¡¯t bother knocking before barging in.


    The door swung open, and there stood Michael, stepping into the room. As soon as Iid eyes on him, a gentle smile gradually spread across my face. ¡°Good afternoon, ma¡¯am,¡± he greeted, matching my smile with one of his own.


    ¡°Micheal,¡± I mumbled.


    ¡°Sorry that I disturbed you,¡± he apologized, but I quickly waved it away. ¡°No¡­ no, Micheal, it¡¯s fine. Besides, I¡¯m here to work,¡± I reassured him, trying to maintain a professional demeanor.


    ¡°How¡¯s the work?¡± he asked, his eyes scanning the piles of files on my desk that I hadn¡¯t even touched since morning.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± I scratched my neck nervously, ¡°It¡¯s been a bit stressful,¡± I lied, feeling the weight of my words. But instead of frowning, he gave me a warm smile that instantly eased my tension.


    ¡°That¡¯s how it is on the first day,¡± he said before his tone shifted to seriousness. ¡°Ma¡¯am, your husband, Mr. Damien, requests your presence in his office.¡±


    What the¡­¡­?


    Oh my goodness! Fuck¡­.! My heart skipped a beat with a mix of anxiety and curiosity at his unexpected announcement. Damien, that monster, wants to see me? My mind raced with questions. What could it be about? Did he secretly install CCTV cameras in the office? Is there a chance he caught me cking off on the surveince footage? The thought alone sent shivers down my spine, and the weight of uncertainty felt overwhelming.


    ¡°W-Why?¡± I stammered, my words stumbling out in a rush. ¡°Is it because of work? Are there CCTV cameras in this office?¡± I bombarded him with a flurry of questions, fear slowly gripping my heart.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am, of course, there is CCTV in the office,¡± he replied, his words calm and reassuring. ¡°But I¡¯m sure he is calling you because he needs your help to make an important announcement.¡± He finished his sentence with a warm, gentle smile.


    My eyes trailed toward the office phone next to myputer, and I noticed his gaze followed mine. ¡°Oh, speaking of that! He probably didn¡¯t contact you through the phone because your office phone is a bit faulty. The engineer is scheduled toe and repair it today.¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡± I grunted, nodding nervously, though I¡¯m sure he didn¡¯t notice as my mind raced with thoughts and worries. An announcement¡­ I can¡¯t help but wonder what it could be. What kind of announcement? I¡¯m pretty sure it won¡¯t be pleasant. The uncertainty is making me even more anxious. I let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the unknown pressing down on me. I just hope it¡¯s not something that will make things even more overwhelming. I can¡¯t handle any more surprises right now.


    I stood up from my chair, giving Michael a nod before I made my way out of my office and headed towards Damien¡¯s office, which was just a few steps away from mine.


    Approaching his door, I could hearughter and other soundsing from inside, implying that he wasn¡¯t alone. Clearing my throat, I took a moment topose myself before giving a firm knock on the door.


    ¡°Come in,¡±


    My legs almost trembled as I heard his voice from inside the office. Taking a deep breath, I tightly gripped the doorknob and swallowed nervously before pushing the door open. To my surprise, sitting across his office desk were those two young guys that I saw at the partyst night. It seemed like they were having a lively conversation with Damien. The sight of them brought back memories of those gunshots at the back of the warehouse and the agonizing cries of those men before they died.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Swallowing hard, I tried to push aside the lingering trauma fromst night as I took in the scene before me. They seemed so at ease, sitting there, chatting away. And then, our eyes met. The brown-haired guy shed me a friendly smile, while the other guy with white-tinted hair seemed unfazed, his gaze slowly scanning me from head to toe, taking in my appearance. It was an intense moment, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a mix of curiosity and apprehension.


    ¡°Hello, I am Eros and my friend here is Pasito,¡±  Standing up the brown-haired guy introduced himself with a friendly grin when reaching out his hand for a handshake. But before I could respond, an angry voice suddenly thundered through the room, breaking the moment. ¡°She¡¯s here for work, not for some friendly chatter!¡± the voice eximed, clearly frustrated by our interaction. The sudden shift in tone caught me off guard, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit uneasy.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± Eros asked, his voice filled with curiosity. I could see the intrigue in their eyes as I confidently made my way toward Damien¡¯s desk.


    ¡°Micheal said you were calling me,¡± I mumbled, my head cast down. It was hard to meet his gaze, feeling a mix of nervousness and curiosity about what he wanted to discuss.


    ¡°What!!¡±


    I slowly turned to see the confusion on their faces. They looked stunned, their eyes shifting between Damien and me in disbelief. ¡°Sh¡­ She¡¯s your personal assistant,¡± Eros stammered, his words filled with awe. Pasito, on the other hand, remained seated, his silence speaking volumes as he stared at Damien with a bewildered expression. It was a surreal moment, and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what had caused such a reaction. It¡¯s not like they don¡¯t know, right?


    ¡°Working in the samepany,¡± Eros added, before bursting into a confusedugh. His pitiful gaze met mine as he turned to look at me.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Damien said in a clipped tone, leaving no room for argument. I swallowed nervously, turning to meet his fierce gaze. His eyes bore into mine with a mixture of disgust and distaste. Clearing his throat, he dered, ¡°I need you to announce me as the new CEO and sole owner of Powertech Innovation Company.¡± The room erupted in gasps and whispers, the unexpectedness of his statement catching everyone off guard.


    ¡°Bro¡­..¡±


    ¡°Shut the fuck up,¡± Damien snapped his harsh tone quick to silence Eros. They swallowed hard, their unsaid words hanging in the air. The weight of the moment settled, and a tense silence filled the room.


    The words ¡°Powertech Innovation Company¡± echoed in my head for the tenth time, and finally, I grasped what he meant. And at that instant tears welled up in my eyes, and my gaze widened as I lifted my head to stare back at him, but he was already engrossed in hisptop, not even sparing me a nce. It felt like a punch to the gut, his indifference cutting me deeply.


    His friends were looking at me waiting for my next action, but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to look in their direction. I felt the overwhelming urge to run away, but I couldn¡¯t. Thoughts raced through my mind, wondering why he was breaking the contract and revealing the realm owner to the public. Was there some agreement with my father? I needed answers.


    But then as I reyed everything in my mind, his voice suddenly echoed through the office, and I couldn¡¯t help but tremble in fear. ¡°Get yourself useful and get the heck out of my office,¡± he yelled, his eyes glued to theptop screen. His words pierced right through me, making me flinch. The harshness of his tone sent a shiver down my spine.


    Swallowing, ¡°Hmm,¡± I couldn¡¯t help but nod nervously, blinking back the tears that were threatening to roll down. ¡°But¡­


    ¡°Get out,¡± the word barely left my lips as he quickly snapped. I felt a rush of adrenaline as I swirled around and started heading toward the door as fast as my legs could carry me. I didn¡¯t even bother to cast ast nce at him or anyone else in the room. The urgency in his voice made it clear that I needed to leave immediately.


    Beep! Beep!


    I heard his phone beep on his desk as he reluctantly picked up the call without caring to check the caller ID. ¡°Yes,¡± he snapped before he suddenly went quiet. The tension in the room grew thicker as I wondered who could be on the other end of the line.


    ¡°Who¡­ What¡¯s up, bro?¡± Eros blurted out, trying to break the silence as Damien quietly ended the call. I could hear the concern in his voice as he desperately tried to get Damien to respond. The room felt heavy with anticipation as I indirectly waited for his reply while still heading toward the door. I just pray that whatever it is has nothing to do with me again.


    ¡°My dad,¡± he mumbled after what felt like an eternity, his voice filled with anger. I could sense the frustration in his words as he finally broke the silence. The tension in the room seemed to intensify more, making the atmosphere more ufortable.


    ¡°What¡­ Seriously?¡± Pasito gasped, sounding worried. I couldn¡¯t help but notice the unusual nervousness in the air, which made me question what had happened. I was already gripping the door handle, ready to walk away, when I heard that thick, deep voice call out to me, causing me to halt in my tracks. My curiosity got the better of me, and I turned to face him, waiting to hear what he had to say.


    ¡°Tidy your work and get ready, we will be leaving in three minutes from now,¡±


    Okay, that¡¯s it¡­.. I thought it would have nothing to do with me but right now it seems it has a lot to do with me.

 Chapter Forty(Shopping)

    As the day drifted by, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to tidy up my things, if there were any to tidy at all because I had done nothing or gone through any files since morning. I found myself sinking into the back seat, my head gently leaning back, eyes shut tight. My mind was in turmoil, thoughts swirling endlessly around about the looming announcement.


    Honestly, I am contemting on what to do, does he have to publicize it? What does he intend to do with this? But he signed a damn contract!!


    Signing, I took a deep breath, realizing the so-called monster had been next to me this whole time as the driver drove us to who knows where. Just looking at him, eyes closed, head leaned back, he appears so calm and innocent. It¡¯s hard to believe how dangerous he is. I feel the urge to strangle him, but as I gaze at his tempting red lips, I hesitate.


    Memories started flowing in as I continued staring at those lips, if not that he was a demon¡­¡­ a dangerous alien that day, I could have so much enjoyed the sex because those lips were so soft and fascinating that when they trailed down my skin I felt¡­¡­.


    ¡°Fuck it!!¡±


    ¡°Snap out of it, Ashley! This is a demon, you can¡¯t sumb to his charms,¡± I groaned, hitting my head and murmuring, while ignoring the unsettling gaze of the driver and the guard in the front seats.


    My silent murmuring and constant hitting of my palms on my head draw Damien¡¯s attention. Twitching his brow, with a scowl, he slowly tilted his head to his left to nce at me. ¡°You know that we can easily stop at the rehabilitation center if you don¡¯t mind,¡± his smooth voice echoed in the car as it rolled out sarcastically.


    I stopped instantly,posing myself with a gulp as his words snapped into my head. Giving me a long look, he sighs before looking forward. ¡°Are we there, yet?¡± he asked.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Yep, just now,¡± the driver replied as the car came to a halt.


    Damien stared at me before muttering, ¡°Wait here,¡± and then he opened his side door and came down before closing it. I gulped and continued sitting as I watched him from the ss window stop in front of my door and open it. ¡°Here,¡± he said, stretching out his hand with a sly smile tugging at the bottom of his lips.


    I knew better not to leave him hanging, so I took his hand, and we both started walking toward a boutique. My face scrunches in disgust as I watch women giggling and drooling at him as we make our way toward the breathtaking boutique ahead of us.


    ¡°He is so fineeee!¡± I heard a female shriek in euphoria, dreamily.


    ¡°I just hope he is mine,¡±


    A sudden cough escaped my lips unexpectedly at the girl¡¯s next word. Damien c***ked a brow at me, but I shook my head dismissively, acting like nothing happened. I think we should be mindful of what we wish at times. I unwish that for you, little girl. This man shouldn¡¯t be anybody¡¯s wish at all. He was once mine, and now those silly wishes have brought me close to my doom.


    ¡°Wee, sir,¡± the security guy standing at the door bowed his head in fear as soon as heid eyes on Damien. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel the unexpected change his presence had in the ce.


    He disregarded the security guy and strolled in, his hand still holding mine as we made our way inside. I shed the security guy a small smile, acknowledging his greeting to ease his tension. The atmosphere was tense, and I could sense the unease in the air as we entered the room.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee, Sir Damien,¡± a woman in a yellow corporate jumpsuit sauntered toward us, her lips adorned with a seductive smile. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, adding an air of problem to her presence.


    I rolled my eyes at her, feeling a bit uneasy as I took in her appearance. Why does she have to act like that¡­.. Whore? It¡¯s so unnecessary and off-putting.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah¡­ Pull yourself together,¡± I muttered under my breath, trying to shake off the sudden difort.


    ¡°What brought you to our store, Sir Damien?¡± she asked, her face beaming with a nasty smile. Seeing how she was ttering thoseshes at Damien, I slowly tightened my grip on him before clearing my throat. Didn¡¯t she also see me here or am I so small that I seem so invisible?


    Damien noticed my reaction and a small smile appeared on his lips. ¡°I want my wife to check around and see if she likes anything here,¡± he exined, ncing at my puzzled expression. I could feel a mix of emotions bubbling up inside me as I tried to make sense of the situation.


    I stared at him, bewildered. ¡°This is a boutique¡­ Did he bring me here to shop for my clothes? But he has already loaded thousands of clothes in my wardrobe at home, so why this now?¡± The angry look on that woman¡¯s face didn¡¯t go unnoticed by me. It felt like a mix of confusion, surprise, and a tinge of excitement all at once.


    Why? Is there something that he is not telling me? Or was he not that bad? My heart was racing and I was flipping excitedly inside, huh, that¡¯s strange.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Sorry, ma, please this way,¡± the woman said, but her eyes held something unpleasant, like a hint of hatred and maybe a touch of jealousy.


    ¡°Hmm, sorry, I don¡¯t think I want to shop in this boutique again, darling,¡± I said, tightening my grip on Damien¡¯s hand as I leaned into his touch, trailing my finger on his hand with my eyes fixed on that woman. My words took the woman by surprise. Her gaze felt like a cold wind, sending shivers down my spine, and I couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that something was off about her¡­.. Perhaps one of those his admirers!


    I felt Damien tense under my touch. ¡°You haven¡¯t taken a look, ma,¡± she said with a gentle smile, but her eyes revealed a deathly re beneath that fake smile. It was as if she was hiding something sinister behind her pleasant facade.


    ¡°I think we should try another one then,¡± Damien said as we started walking away.


    ¡°Wait!!¡± I heard her speak, but Damien ignored her, and that brought a smirk to my lips. As we walked out of the boutique, I still couldn¡¯t fathom why I had reacted that way back in there. The unease lingered, like a puzzle I couldn¡¯t solve.


    ¡°I think you should take a look here,¡± Damien pointed at the next boutique, and we walked inside.


    ¡°Hello, wee,¡± the security guy at the next boutique greeted us with a respectful bow.


    ¡°Hello, wee, Mr. Damien Albrecht,¡± a woman from there stepped toward us. ¡°How can we assist you and your lovely wife?¡± Her warm greeting made me feel at ease as I nced at her, exchanging a knowing smile with her.


    ¡°I want you to find something elegant and stylish for my wife,¡± he said, smiling down at me. I gazed back at him, returning the smile, momentarily forgetting about the announcement and his dangerous aura. The boutique¡¯s soft lighting and the sound of hushed whispers from other shoppers created a sense of intimacy as if we were the only ones in the room. It was a moment of respite from the chaos outside, and I was grateful for it.


    We started choosing clothes as Damien settled on the couch, I picked out three gowns and made my way to the fitting room. Among them, I was drawn to a striking red gown. The gown is a deep rich shade of red with a fitted bodice and a flowing, floor-length. The neckline is a modern off-the-shoulder style, adding a touch of elegance. And I love the fact that the fabric has a subtle sheen and will definitely be catching the light as you move and it has a shimmering beaded belt to entuate the waist. The back has a dramatic, low-cut design, adding a hint of allure. Overall, it exudes sophistication and luxury. It was absolutely breathtaking! I couldn¡¯t wait to show Damien and get his opinion.


    I giggled at the idea of having Damien see me in this breathtaking dress. Grinning, I gave myself onest look before stepping out of the fitting room. The anticipation of his reaction made my heart race with excitement¡­. This sudden reaction of mine seems strange though.


    ¡°Wow! You look amazing,¡± the woman blurted, her mouth hanging in disbelief as she nced at me. Her eyes widened, and I could see the genuine admiration in her expression.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I mumbled with a smile as I looked around the ce for Damien. He wasn¡¯t sitting on the couch anymore. Where could he possibly be? My heart raced with excitement as I searched for him.


    The woman noticed my difort and let out a sigh. ¡°Mr. Damien left five minutes ago,¡± she said, receiving a sharp look from me. My heart sank as I realized that he just left.


    ¡°L¡­. Left,¡± the word stumbled out of my mouth. ¡°Where?¡± I asked, feeling a pang of hurt deep in my chest.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, but I can¡¯t help with that,¡± the woman said, looking confused and sympathetic.


    I know I am not that important but he had said that we should be all lovely outside, right?.  Was he so bored that he left? I wanted him to be the first to see the dress.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t tell you where he was going,¡± the words were still lingering in my mind as I opened my mouth to ask when suddenly the boutique door swung open, and in walked Mason. My heart raced and for a moment, I was suddenly lost in thoughts as I stared back at him. Slowly turning around, our eyes connected, and I swear I saw something like admiration in them. It was as if time stood still for a moment, and the air was filled with unspoken emotions.


    Just now again¡­¡­ Not here!!

 Chapter forty-one(Mason)

    My head was buzzing as I took in the sight of Mason standing in front of me. His shoulders were hunched, his hands crammed in his pants pocket. His hair looked crazy like he hadn¡¯t been taking care of it for a long time. It reminded me of how I alwaysb and style it whenever we go out. As the memories rushed back, I instantly shut my eyes, fighting back the feelings. When I reopened my eyes, they slowly trailed speechlessly down his neat clothes-a pair of blue jeans and a in white shirt with a canvas.


    He looks absolutely amazing, just like always. I was still in shock, and I wentpletely ck, causing my phone to tter to the floor. ¡°Miss¡­¡± the boutique owner suddenly muttered, though she was kind enough to catch the phone before it hit the ground.


    ¡°Here, your phone¡­ Miss,¡± the woman muttered, looking confused. Reaching my trembling hands forward, I quickly snatched it before turning back and rushing back to the dressing room. ¡°Ash¡­¡­¡± I heard my name followed by manly footsteps.


    ¡°Wait, Ashley,¡± I didn¡¯t wait for him to say another thing before I locked the door in haste, holding my racing heart. I leaned my back against the door as I slowly slid down.


    ¡°Ash¡­.


    ¡°Sorry, sir, but you just can¡¯t go inside,¡± I heard the boutique proprietor say. ¡°Why¡­ I mean, I need to talk to her?¡± My body trembled at Mason¡¯s voice.


    What¡¯s going on with me? I can still feel it¡­ Do I still love him? It¡¯s always been him, he was my fianc¨¦!! A lone tear secretly rolled down my cheek.


    ¡°ording to the rules of this boutique, I don¡¯t know you, dear, so you need to leave.¡± the woman maintains.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡±


    ¡°She came here with her husband, I can¡¯t leave my client in the hands of a stranger. Besides, I believe you know the husband,¡± she finishes, and I hear Mason let out a sigh.


    I stayed put, not saying anything. The scene that I witnessed when I came to visit him on that day in his house after the incident at the hotel reyed back in my head ¨C him and Olivia. ¡°He messed up,¡± my subconscious snapped, but I just shook my head. I think I wronged him¡­ I wronged him! And I just can¡¯t stand him out there. I don¡¯t think I¡¯m ready yet.


    As I stood there, my mind was filled with conflicting emotions. Part of me wanted to confront him, to demand answers on why of all the girls in this world it was Olivia that he chose. But another part of me hesitated, unsure if I was truly ready to face the truth. It was a difficult decision to make. The memories of our rtionship yed like a movie reel in my mind, reminding me of the love we once shared. But alongside those memories, fear and regret crept in. What could have been my fate now assuming I didn¡¯t sneak out with that betrayal of a friend¡­. I will be happy now, right? I won¡¯t be trapped in this depressing situation, right? These thoughts swirled around, leaving me feeling torn and uncertain.


    ****


    A few minutes passed and I was still plunged on the floor, sighing as I stood up. I know that he might have gone by now¡­ I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what he came to pick up from this boutique. Was it his or for Olivia? They seemed all lovey-dovey at the party that day. Maybe they are dating now¡­.. I smiled, sadly swallowing the sudden lump in my throat.


    KNOCK. KNOCKProperty ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    A faint knock at the door interrupted my thoughts,puting myself. I answered, ¡°Yes,¡± from the closed door, ¡°You have stayed too long there, miss and your guard is here,¡± the boutique proprietor said.


    ¡°Guard¡­¡± I mumbled before opening the door. I had already changed back into my former clothes. ¡°Please let me pack it,¡± she said, taking the clothes from me before walking away to put them in a shopping bag.


    ¡°Please, miss, the boss demands for your presence in his car,¡± a hefty man walked up to me. Following my gaze, his eyes stopped at the clothes the woman was packing inside the shopping bag on the counter. ¡°Please, to the car, I will get the clothes,¡± he said, earning a nod from me. I thanked the boutique proprietor once again for her help and bid her farewell.


    I quickly nced around the boutique, hoping to catch a glimpse of Mason, but he was nowhere to be found. Feeling a bit uneasy, I gulped hard and walked out of the boutique towards the waiting car. The guard opened the door, and I stepped inside.


    But to my surprise, Damien was already seated in the car, holding a bouquet of rose flowers in his hands. I couldn¡¯t help but look at the flowers and then back at him. When suddenly his cold voice pierced the silence, sending shivers down my spine. ¡°What took you so long?¡± he asked, his voice filled with an icy tone.


    I felt a mix of fear and confusion wash over me as I secretly stared at him. He was leaning his head against the car seat with his eyes closed. I watched as his Adam¡¯s apple bobbed up and down though I couldn¡¯t deny that his sudden question caught me off guard. I hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words to respond. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry,¡± I stammered. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize you were waiting. I didn¡¯t mean to keep you waiting.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I was just checking out the clothes,¡± I lied, my words stumbling out of my mouth. I could feel my heart racing as he slowly nced at me, his eyes filled with doubt and a smirk ying on his lips. As he looked away, the smile vanished, reced by a ruthless expression. ¡°I really don¡¯t like being lied to, but I¡¯ll let it slide¡­ for now.¡± My heart pounded nervously, and the driver¡¯s expression mirrored the tension in the air.


    However, a silence stretched in the car before he suddenly cleared his throat. ¡°Send a treaty partnership coboration to GadgetGeekspany. They¡¯re right up there in the world¡¯s best electrical gadget manufacturing chart, just behind Powertech. We need to partner with them. And again before I forget, it¡¯s important to let them know that I am now the sole owner of Powertech so that the signing and everything will go faster,¡± he said, finishing with a deadly smirk. Then, he muttered, ¡°Alexander¡­..!!!¡± repeatedly in a muffled sing-song tone before clenching his teeth in anger.


    ¡°But¡­ I don¡¯t know how to reach them,¡± I said, nervously fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. He red at me sharply and hissed, ¡°You¡¯re so dumb. I¡¯m sure Michael told you what to do.¡± I sighed and nodded, feeling the tension in the car.


    ¡°Be quick!¡± he shrieked at the driver, who jolted nervously in his seat. ¡°Yes, boss,¡± the driver replied with a nod. As the car started moving, I swallowed hard and tilted my head, staring out of the window. Mason¡¯s sudden appearance flooded my thoughts again. My eyes grew dull as the driver picked up speed. Everything in my life now feels gloomy and depressing. This isn¡¯t the life I imagined for myself, but fate seems to have led me to this dark ce¡­¡­ to the furthest end of the depressing part of the world.


    I might have been a fan of Damien Albrecht, but the man sitting beside me was not the person I had idolized. The man that I have been stalking all over the inte. He was someone else in reality ¨C a poisonous monster! And even though I owed you, Mason, I wasn¡¯t sure I could trust you either. Sighing, I wiped the lone tear trailing down my face, I felt like I was caught between two impossible choices, and I didn¡¯t know what to do.

 Chapter Forty-Two(Wanderlust boutique)

    Olivia


    I was filing my nails while sitting on the couch when *beep* suddenly a message popped up on my screen. Out of curiosity, I dropped the nail file on the small ss table in front of me and quietly picked up my phone. I clicked on the message and boom¡­ It took me to a passage on Instagram from one of my favorite bloggers.


    ¡°Mr. Damien and his wife were spotted in the Wanderlust boutique this afternoon. That¡¯s so exciting! Did you happen to see them yourself or did you hear it from someone else?¡± The blogger wrote under a picture capturing Damien and of course, my half-sister in front of the boutique hand in hand walking inside through the boutique door.


    Wait, isn¡¯t Wanderlust one of the biggest feminine boutiques in the world? No way!!! Damien wouldn¡¯t need a female dress, so it¡¯s obvious that he took that woman shopping. But for what exactly?! This news feels like a sharp sword slicing through my heart.


    As I clicked on thements, a rush of annoyance flooded over me, like waves crashing against the shore. But then, something even more intrusive happened. Anger surged through my veins, intensifying with each passing moment. It felt like a storm brewing inside me, ready to unleash its full force. I couldn¡¯t believe what I was reading, and it was as if the world around me faded away, consumed by my overwhelming fury.


    **Aw, I saw her today in the boutique when I came to pick up a dress and honestly, she looks so stunning**


    **Awn, I wish to find someone like Damien who will love me so dearly as he is doing to his wife**


    **Damn, this girl is so lucky!¡±


    **Yes, yes, they came to my boutique today, she is so so calm and humble. I am so sure Daniel Harlow is the happiest father right now**


    As I read through thements, waves of anger crashed over me, causing my body to tremble in disgust. I could feel my grip on my phone tightening as if I wanted to crush it in my hands. They all love her, don¡¯t they? She¡¯s the well-known daughter, while my mom and I were hiding from the public eye despite being part of the family member¡­. Daniel Harlow is the happiest, huh, hahaha! That¡¯sughable! Do they also know that she stripped him of everything?


    I let out a bitter snort, things seem to be getting better for her no matter how much stunt I pull out there.  Anger burned inside me, bubbling up like steaming water. Just as I was consumed by my frustration, the door swung open, and Mason walked in. He plopped down on the couch, but I ignored him, my gaze fixated on the phone in my hand, fighting the urge to smash it against the wall.


    ¡°Olivia, you didn¡¯t tell me you wereing,¡±


    ¡°Olivia¡­.. Olivia!¡±


    Startled, I jolted upright, abruptly pulled out of my thoughts by the gentle shake of someone. Raising my head, I let out a sigh as I realized it was Mason. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re back,¡± I mumbled, reaching over to switch off my phone.


    He stared at the phone, then back at me, his eyes filled with confusion. ¡°You didn¡¯t mention that you wereing. How did you even get in?¡± he asked, taking a seat beside me. ring at him, I let out a tired sigh. ¡°I have a spare key, Mason,¡± I replied, my voiceced with frustration.


    ¡°Oh!¡± He scratched his neck nervously. ¡°What¡¯s got you all fired up on your phone?¡± he asked, his curiosity evident as he peered at my screen.


    ¡°Where did you go?¡± I asked, pretending as if I hadn¡¯t heard his question at first.


    ¡°I asked you a question, Olivia,¡± he said, eyeing me intently. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± I grumbled. ¡°I just saw on the news that Damien and that girl went to Wanderlust Boutique,¡± I sighed, leaning back on the couch. I felt him stiff beside me all of a sudden but I brushed it off and let out a dreadful sign.


    ¡°I know you won¡¯t understand exactly what I mean,¡± I vented, my frustration seeping into my words. ¡°No matter how hard I try to get her out of my mind, she¡¯s always there, unting her lovey-dovey moments with him on my damn screen. It¡¯s infuriating!¡±


    Mason was oddly quiet, and I could sense his hesitation as he shrugged his shoulders after a few minutes. ¡°I¡¯m sure they were just showing off, nothing serious,¡± he reluctantly said, causing me to snap my head towards him. ¡°How?¡± I questioned, my curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Remember, we¡¯re talking about a bloody ruthless mafia,¡± he added, but I just shook my head in disagreement. ¡°Pretense can still lead to love, you know. Come on¡­ don¡¯t you get it?¡± I snapped back at him, frustrationcing my words.


    ¡°He can¡¯t love her, never! Not under my nose,¡± I added, my voice filled with determination and a touch of defiance.


    ¡°So, what do you wanna do now?¡± he asked, a tricky smile tugging at the corners of my lips. ¡°Do you still love her?¡± I inquired, my curiosity evident in my voice.


    ¡°What? Olivia?¡± he quickly defended, but I couldn¡¯t help but smirk. ¡°Come on, I won¡¯t be angry,¡± I said, gently taking his hands in mine, trying to reassure him.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­ Olivia, just stop,¡± he sighed, his voice filled with exasperation. He slowly pulled his hands away from mine and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.


    ¡°I get it, you still want her back, and that¡¯s where we need a n,¡± I replied, nodding in understanding. It was clear that he was still holding onto feelings for that winch and that seemed like a perfect n for me to dive in.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°A n, how?¡± He turned to look at me, confusion etched on his two deep ck eyes.


    ¡°Yeah, you want that girl and I want him,¡± I blurted out, smirking nastily at the end.


    His eyebrow furrowed as he scowled, looking confused. ¡°Wait, who are you talking about? Who is ¡®him¡¯ and ¡®her¡¯?¡±


    ¡°I want Damien,¡± I announced, earning a loud gasp from Mason. He couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter, but I just smiled confidently and rxed back on the couch.


    Seeing the seriousness on my face, he stopped and gaped at me in surprise. ¡°Wait, are you being serious right now?¡±


    ¡°I always mean business, Mason. You get her, and I get him. The fact remains that in the end, we both get what we want,¡± I exined, but he shook his head at me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think she will want that, Olivia,¡± he said with a downcast tone. ¡°What if he loves Damien?¡± he added. I paused for a moment, deeming his words.


    A silence stretched between us, I could feel the sudden tension in the air before I finally cleared my throat drawing his attention. ¡°A woman who still keeps the ne that represents the symbol of her love with her ex and even went to the extent of wearing them to a night out with her husband¡­ is still in love with her ex,¡± I smirked, patting his face as he kept mute and just continued looking at me talk.


    ¡°Make her want you more? Well, as a man, you know what to do,¡± I replied with a mischievous grin.


    ¡°What about you, how will you do this?¡± he asked, earning a mischievous grin from me. ¡°I always get what I want, remember?¡± I shed him a seductive smirk. He shook his head naughtily and smiled back.


    ¡°I wonder how those hyping her will feel once they find out that their humble, sweet girl didn¡¯t sleep with Damien but with a man old enough to be her grandfather at a hotel room?¡± I grinned, tapping my jaw thoughtfully.


    ¡°You know nobody will believe you,¡± I turned to look at him. ¡°You have no evidence, remember the clip was in ck and white and the face of that man in the video wasn¡¯t that clear,¡± Mason points out, causing my jaw to clench as I grit my teeth in anger. Realization hitting me hard like a ton of bricks.


    However, a dark shadow fell on the half side of my face, my anger bubbling inside as I pulled my gaze away from Mason. Suddenly, a dangerous smile crept onto my face as an idea clicked in my head. ¡°Yes, there is no evidence, but I still think I have something that could ruin her and grab Damien¡¯s attention towards me,¡± I whispered, my voice filled with determination. I knew that if I yed my cards right, I could turn the tables and destroy her for real. It was time to put my n into action and show them all who I really was.


    Hahaha! Let¡¯s do it my way then.

 Chapter forty-three (The sudden attraction)

    Damien


    ***beep. beep


    The gate was instantly pushed open and our car smoothly drove in, stopping in front of a massive white ss mansion.


    Silence stretched out as I sat there, staring at the house that I had grown to despise so much. It had been five years since thest time I set foot in here, but here I am again. It¡¯s funny how life works, isn¡¯t it? We can¡¯t run away from home for long. Though If it wasn¡¯t for the old man threatening to pull hispany away from me, I wouldn¡¯t be here today. I could have proven that saying wrong.


    The opening of my side door jerks me back to reality. Gripping the bouquet tightly, I nce at the petite frame beside me. She¡¯spletely lost in her thoughts as I watch her stare in awe at the gorgeous mansion through her side mirror. It¡¯s such a breathtaking sight!


    The house is damn fine, but I gotta be honest, I¡¯d rather sleep on the dark, cold streets than spend a night here.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    But damn! She looks stunning in that dress. It fits her perfectly and entuates her curves. Ugh, why am I feeling this way? I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. What the hell is going on with me?


    ¡°Are you going to keep staring like a lost puppy?¡± I ask, raising an eyebrow.


    Startled, I felt her jump as she suddenly jerked up, her nervousness evident. Looking into my expressionless face, she mumbled in a downcast tone, ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to keep you waiting,¡± her breath heavy.


    However, my gaze couldn¡¯t help but drift to her slightly parted lips. She looked incredibly stunning, and yet there was an innocent charm about her that could be deceiving. And that makes it frustratingly difficult to decipher what¡¯s going on in that pretty little head of hers sometimes.


    But before I even realized it, I found myself inching closer to her inside the car. Suddenly, she slipped away, narrowly avoiding hitting her head on the window.


    ¡°What? Are you scared of me? Do you think I will hurt you?¡± I mocked.


    Using my free hand, I grabbed her waist and immediately pushed her forward. Her boobs were almost brushing against my chest. I could clearly hear the fast beating of her heartbeat and the nervous look in her eyes that held something like¡­.. Wait!! Lust. Interestingly, I blinked back as a smirk stretched on my lips.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t¡­¡­ I mean¡­.. I mean shouldn¡¯t we be going inside?¡± She stumbled on her words.


    ¡°So you don¡¯t like it this way with me?¡± my eyebrow raised higher in amusement.


    Her tiny trembling hands move forward toward my chest to push me away and put some distance between us. But my eyes darkened, terrifying her as she suddenly brought down her hands in fear.


    ¡°I asked, don¡¯t you like it here?¡± I questioned, noticing her immediate shift in gaze. She nced down, trying to conceal the rosy hue that had overtaken her cheeks. It is clear that she still couldn¡¯t resist my charm, no matter what.


    She is fun to y or mess around with, so I slowly lifted her chin. Those green orbs locked with mine and I unexpectedly felt the boner in between my legs hardened. I just want to slowly lift the hem of her dress and push my hand inside to explore her soft skin.


    Fuck¡­¡­ what the fuck, Damien? What is wrong with me? Snap out of it dude and get your shits together man!


    Clearing my throat, I suddenly push out those sinful thoughts from my mind. ¡°Remember that she is nothing but a whore that was married based on a mere contract,¡± I whispered to myself, murmuring the word repeatedly in my head in order to get hold of my desires.


    ¡°This is my parent¡¯s house,¡± I told her, my gaze shifting between her eyes and resisting the temptation to focus on her lips. ¡°Oh,¡± she barely managed to whisper, causing me to shoot her a sharp re.


    ¡°Better behave yourself, don¡¯t ever talk anyhow. Be mindful of what and what you say in there if you sure value yourself,¡± I threaten in the end, making her shift ufortably in my hold. ¡°Infact, don¡¯t leave my sight,¡± I barked out each word in a terrifying tone, watching her gulp hard. Her breathing fastened as she sucked in a heavy breath before nodding her head obediently.


    Unexpectedly my gaze trails down back to those luscious lips again and I couldn¡¯t help but stroke her face as I sensually trace my thumb across her lips, feeling the softness but that only earned a surprise and nervous gasp from her.


    She suddenly cleared her throat, snapping me back to reality. ¡°Get out of the car!¡± Imanded, scrambling out immediately with the bouquet still in my hands.


    Her side door opened and she stepped out. I discreetly adjusted my pants, feeling a certain awakening down there. I waited for her to approach me, not daring to meet her gaze, and then I began walking towards the entrance door. Because for now I just couldn¡¯t make sense of my own thoughts and feelings right now.


    I think I need a goody and a moment away from her. I can¡¯t possibly feel this attraction toward her all of a sudden. She is a whore and nothing different from Zuri. ¡­.. They are all the same!


    As I kept muttering those words in my head, I hoped they would somehow calm me down. But then I heard the sound of her heels against the ground, and her presence trailing behind me. At that moment, I felt an overwhelming desire to turn around and im her right then and there.


    Fuck¡­¡­ this is no longer funny!!


    Almost closer to the entrance door, I heard her let out a cry of pain, ¡°Ah¡­!¡±


    I wanted to ignore her, but I couldn¡¯t. Not when I¡¯m already inside this hell I call home. Reluctantly, I turned to see what was wrong. My anger boiled like burningva as I saw one of my guards holding her feet. Seeing the murderous look on my face, he was quick to cower away in fear.


    She is lowering her body as she groans out in pain. I noticed her rubbing her leg, it seemed like she twisted her feet. Slowly I walked up to her and instantly grabbed her waist, pulling her toward me before she could fall to the ground. Her body crashed into mine, my hand tightened around her waist to steady her bnce. Quietly she lifted her head and our gaze locked into each other and I swear as those greenish orbs innocently stared into mine, I lost thest straw of my self-control and instantly smashed my lips against hers.

 Chapter forty-four(Visitation to Albrecht family house)

    Ashley


    Electricity crackles down my body as he roughly takes my lips in his. I¡¯m caught off guard, and without thinking, I instinctively sp his shirt, seeking support as my legs start to weaken. It¡¯s as if a switch flips in my mind. His touch has this maic pull, and suddenly an unfamiliar emotion begins to stir in my heart.


    I gulped nervously, attempting to push myself away from him, but my efforts were futile. At that moment, a heavy sensation pooled in my panties, making me acutely aware of the stickiness between my inner thighs. I shrank within his tight grip, feeling as if a powerful wave crashed over my trembling body.


    Biting down on my tongue, I desperately try to stifle the moan that¡¯s on the verge of escaping. My nails dig into his skin, but he remains unyielding. What¡¯s going on with him? Oh god¡­ I can feel his boner, and just when I think things can¡¯t get any more intense, the entrance door suddenly swings open, jolting him back to his senses.


    ¡°Sir, Damien!!¡± a surprised voice shrieked from behind, but he brushed off the interruption and locked eyes with me, searching for something I couldn¡¯t quite grasp. And suddenly his forehead creased with a slight frown as he studied me, giving me a long look before clearing his throat. With a sigh, he pulled away, leaving me feeling confused and embarrassed. I tilted my head, only to see the guards still standing there, their faces turned away as if they hadn¡¯t witnessed what just happened. Pretentious jerks!


    ¡°Sir, Damien¡­ Wee,¡± an old voice snapped me back to reality. I watched as Damien haughtily brushed past the elderly man without uttering a single word, not even a polite greeting. What an arrogant jerk!


    However, I let out a sigh as I noticed the dejected expression on the man¡¯s face, so I consciously approached him. ¡°Good afternoon, sir,¡± I muttered as a greeting. Surprisingly, a sudden genuine smile appeared on his face, but he quickly corrected me, saying, ¡°No, no, dear. I am not your sir, but merely your servant.¡±


    And that word kind of stings, you know? Seeing those gentle smiles on his lips reminded me of my father. It was hard to hold back the tears as the memories flooded in. I swallowed hard, trying to push down the lump in my throat that felt like poison at that moment. ¡°I¡­ I should go inside,¡± I managed to say, trying to hide the pain in my heart.


    ¡°Yes, yes, this way, my dear,¡± the man said, motioning for me to follow. I quietly walked inside, feeling a mix of tension and curiosity.


    ¡°Please let me know if you need anything,¡± he said, earning a nod from me as I carefully scanned the breathtaking interior of this mansion in front of me that seemed like a slice of paradise.


    The room was bathed in warm, golden sunlight that streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft glow on everything it touched. The walls were adorned with intricate floral wallpaper, adding a touch of elegance and charm.


    And at the centerpieces of the sitting room was a grand, plush sofa in a rich shade of velvet. It beckoned me to sink into its luxurious embrace, with its abundance of plump cushions and intricately carved wooden legs. And thankfully, Damien seems not to be looking at me at that moment as I gape like a local puppy. The coffee table in front of the sofa is a work of art, made of polished marble with delicate patterns etched into its surface.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    As I looked around, my eyes were drawn to the exquisite chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It sparkled and shimmered, casting a gentle cascade of light and shadow across the sitting room. The cold, velvety titles under my feet felt like walking on a cloud, its deep pile inviting me to take off my shoes and revel in theirfort.


    Honestly, the room was adorned with tasteful artwork, carefully selected toplement the overall aesthetic. Paintings of serenendscapes and vibrant flowers adorned the walls, adding a touch of natural beauty to the space.  At the end of the sitting room was a bookshelf filled with leather-bound ssics that stood in one corner, inviting me to curl up and lose myself in the world of literature.


    However, at the other corner of the room, there was a small nook dedicated to rxation. A cozy armchair was ced next to a window overlooking a lush garden, inviting me to sit back, enjoy the view, and unwind with a good book or a cup of tea. It was a truly enchanting space that made me feel like I had stepped into a dream.


    I was still in awe of the art pieces in front of me when all of a sudden, a loud scream of excitement echoed through the sitting room, almost deafening me and capturing our attention. It came from the spiral staircase behind us, and we couldn¡¯t help but turn to see what was happening.


    ¡°See my baby boy¡­¡­!!!¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Caterina!¡± Damien eximed. My confusion grew as I watched him dart forward like an excited child and envelop the old woman in a tight embrace.


    ¡°Mrs. Caterina,¡± I repeated the name in my head several times, my confusion growing as I looked back at them. I hadn¡¯t heard that name before, and it definitely wasn¡¯t his mother¡¯s name. She didn¡¯t even resemble the Mrs. Albrecht they disyed on social media or television. So, if not his mother, who could this woman be? His aunt, perhaps?


    ¡°You¡¯ve grown, it¡¯s been five years, son,¡± I heard her say, tears welling up in her eyes as she reached out to touch him, examining his appearance. But what really caught my attention was the genuine smile on Damien¡¯s face, sending a quick shock wave down my bone marrow.


    ¡°You left home and you didn¡¯t bother to check up,¡± she said, yfully stroking his cheeks as Damien burst intoughter, deepening my confusion. With a smile, he handed her the bouquet of roses. Is this some kind of movie? Does this demon reallyugh like that? Different thoughts raced through my head all at once as I continued watching them in nothing but confusion, especially Damien.


    ¡°You know that¡¯s not true, I do call,¡± he quickly defended, and they both burst intoughter. I could hear the woman¡¯s giggles too. It seemed like they were in their own little world,pletely forgetting that I was standing there.


    Well, I couldn¡¯t help the feeling of being neglected so I cleared my throat. And that¡¯s when a sudden silence envelops the room as their giggles andughter quickly die down, pulling their attention toward my direction. I watched in nervousness as the wrinkled old woman¡¯s face twisted into a frown as she looked me up and down. ¡°And who is this young prettydy standing over there?¡± she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

 Chapter forty-five(The kitchen conversation with Mrs, Caterina)

    ¡°Who is this prettydy standing over there?¡±


    My heart skipped a beat as Damien turned to look at me. I could feel my heart pounding, and the silence in the room seemed to stretch on forever. Suddenly, nerves took hold of me, and I regretted clearing my throat earlier to draw their attention. Now, I was worried that this demon might ridicule me or even introduce me as his personal assistant.


    But to my surprise, a small smile quickly breaks through his lips. ¡°She is my wife,¡± he said, his gaze still fixed on me. Boom! My heart skipped a beat and somersaulted several times as our eyes locked.


    ¡°Wife,¡± Mrs. Caterina muttered confusedly before a wild smile broke through her old wrinkled face. ¡°You mean Mrs. Ashley¡­?¡± She turned to stare at Damien with curiosity. ¡°Yes¡­¡± he turned and nodded gently at her.


    And just like a sh, someone rushed towards me and embraced me tight in a motherly hug. I was caught off guard and felt the urge to nervously back away, but the warmth that came with it was so tempting that I couldn¡¯t resist. After the long demise of my mother, I¡¯ve missed thefort of a motherly hug. And besides with everything going on in my life, I think I needed this kind of embrace too.


    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s bad,¡± Damien whined. ¡°You almost knocked me down,¡± heined, walking toward us. I could hear the sadness in his voice as he approached.


    ¡°Hey, Mrs. Caterina!¡± he squeals like a child, making us burst intoughter. I still can¡¯t believe that this is the devil that I was married to. Mrs. Caterina nods at me and breaks the hug before turning to face Damien, who¡¯s standing there groaning like a child. ¡°I have to say, you have good eyes and taste,¡± shepliments him, but the devil just shrugs his shoulders proudly, smiling like he just won a trophy.


    I think she doesn¡¯t know that this is a marriage based on terms and conditions. We shouldn¡¯t have met if not for one thing that I regretted up to this day.


    ¡°Wee home, daughter,¡± she smiled at me, looking at her. I didn¡¯t know what to say other than to nod my head, mirroring the smile on her face.


    ¡°Come help me in the kitchen,¡± she said. We started walking toward the kitchen hand in hand when suddenly Damien stood up from where he was sitting. ¡°What¡­ Where are you going?¡± Mrs. Caterina was quick to stop him.


    ¡°To the kitchen with you two,¡± he said, but Mrs. Caterina raised her eyebrow at him. Looking at the two makes me gulp down, this whole thing still seems like a dream to me. It all feels as if I was hallucinating.


    ¡°You will stay back, spare us a moment together,¡± she shes him a taunting smile. ¡°A moment for¡­?¡± He asked, his curiosity piqued.


    ¡°To have a moment alone with your wife, I have stayed with you since you were a child, so now it¡¯s her turn,¡± she mumbled, earning a sad snort from Damien.


    Then again, something drew my attention, she stayed with him since he was a child, how? Is she her aunt? Who is she to him?


    Damien gave me this quick nce and then looked back at Mrs. Caterina with a pout. ¡°You haven¡¯t seen me for five years,¡± he whined.


    ¡°And now that I¡¯ve seen you, it¡¯s time for you to go,¡± she said, dismissing him as she pulled me towards the pathway that led to what I assumed was the kitchen. It felt like Mrs. Caterina had something exciting to tell me or am I starting to sound delusional? However, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder why she was so eager to have a moment with me and not with the son she hadn¡¯t seen for over five years now.


    Honestly, everything is so confusing to me. Damien¡¯s childlike attitude is throwing me off guard. It¡¯s like he¡¯s transformed into this angelic version of the man I married. Seeing how carefree and yful he is with this woman stirs something deep inside me. It ignites a burning desire for something new and appealing. I can¡¯t help but wish that he could be like this forever.


    ¡°Wee to my second room, daughter,¡± Mrs. Caterina said, bringing me back to reality. As I stepped into the kitchen, my eyes widened in awe, taking in every detail. The kitchen was absolutely stunning!


    It¡¯s like stepping into a world of pure luxury. The sleek marble countertops glisten under the soft glow of the pendant lights, while the stainless steel appliances stand like shining sentinels. Long forgotten that Mrs. Caterina was with me, my legs solely pushed me forward on their own, standing in front of the cabs.


    I trail my fingers on them, they¡¯re a work of art, with their smooth, glossy finish and hidden handles. And don¡¯t even get me started on the ind-it¡¯s a masterpiece in itself, with its waterfall edge and bar seating. This kitchen is the epitome of modern elegance, a space where cooking bes a pleasure and entertaining bes an event. This looks inviting¡­¡­


    Hello, daughter,¡±


    ¡°Hello, Mrs. Ashley,¡± I heard my name, and it startled me, snapping me back to my senses. ¡°Hmmm¡­ Uhmm,¡± I stumbled, feeling a little embarrassed by my momentarypse.


    ¡°Come on, daughter,¡± sheughed, continuing on to the sink to clean up the mess. Unsure of what to do, I stood there for a moment, feeling a bit lost. I decided to take off my wrist watch and bracelet, cing them on the table nearby. That caught her attention, and she turned to look at them.


    ¡°Why are you removing your jewelry?¡± she asked, sounding confused.


    Giving her a small smile, Iughed and replied, ¡°It¡¯s just my wristwatch and bracelet, so I don¡¯t want water to touch them.¡± I found it amusing to exin.


    ¡°Water?¡±


    Ignoring her, I walked up to her and offered to clear the mess in the sink so she could move on to something else. At first, she seemed hesitant, but after a little back and forth between us, she reluctantly sighed and stepped aside. With a smile, I slipped my hands into the washing gloves and started washing the dishes.


    A sudden silence hung in the air between us for a while before I heard her clear her throat. ¡°Who is your father?¡± she asked, her eyes focused on the vegetables she was slicing.


    ¡°Daniel Harlow,¡± I replied, matching her tone.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Oh! Damien Harlow, that name sounds familiar,¡± she mumbled before eximing. ¡°Yes, he is an influential figure in the country. I heard he ventured into a power techpany or owned it, right?¡±


    Power techpany¡­ I couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly as the pains I had long forgotten resurfaced. My fists tightened around the sponge I was holding, squeezing it hard as I fought back the tears in my eyes. If only she knew that Daniel Harlow is just a name now, no longer the sole owner of thepany.


    Only if she knew that that pretentious devil inside that sitting room was now the owner. I sniffed and bit my lips hard to suppress my emotions. ¡°I¡¯m right, dear daughter, huh?¡± she mumbled, giving me a quick nce before continuing with what she was doing. I couldn¡¯t say a word but just smiled sadly at her.


    But her next question almost threw me off bnce, ¡°How did you meet with this stubborn baby boy of mine?¡±


    ¡°Huh,¡± I unexpectedly gasped, my eyes widening in surprise.


    ¡°I mean Damien,¡± she blurted, causing a huge lump to suddenly appear in my throat. My heart raced as I struggled to find the right words to respond.

 Chapter forty-six (The heavy tension)

    ¡°I mean Damien,¡± she blurted, causing a huge lump to suddenly appear in my throat. My heart raced as I struggled to find the right words to respond.


    Uhmm¡­.. Uh mmm¡­.


    How do I tell her how I met with Damien? Through the media, or perhaps a business marriage? As I pondered on that, I felt my heart racing with a mix of emotions, causing an internal tremor.


    ¡°I must confess, I was a huge fan of his. So, when people asked how we connected, I would say, ¡®We met through the media.¡± Well, maybe I stretched the truth a bit, but the way her eyes lit up, I could tell she believed me. And you know what? In a way, I wasn¡¯tpletely lying because we did meet through the media. If it wasn¡¯t for the news spreading like wildfire on social media, Damien wouldn¡¯t have even seen an opportunity to hop into my life.


    ¡°Wow!¡± she eximed, giving me a yful wink. ¡°That must be nice,¡± she said, shing me a mischievous smile. And then, she began to weave a tale, narrating how girls love to fawn over him and just couldn¡¯t resist his charm, despite his inhumane ways and stubborn demeanor. But amidst her words, one particr detail captivated me.  When she mentioned that she was sure he inherited his stubbornness from his father, since his mother, unlike him, wasn¡¯t known for her stubbornness. This revtion ignited a spark in my mind, leaving me with an enchanting question that echoed through my thoughts: If she isn¡¯t his mother, then who could she be? The mystery deepened, and I couldn¡¯t help but be drawn further into the captivating story.


    ¡°Are you his aunt?¡± I ask, my words flowing cautiously from my lips. It feels like I¡¯m treading on a delicate path, carefully navigating each step. Even though she puts me at ease, I know I must be mindful not to overstep any boundaries.


    ¡°That¡­¡± Her movements froze, and she slowly pivoted to meet my gaze, her eyes locking with mine. A moment of silence hung in the air, filled with anticipation. And then, with a heartfelt sigh, she whispered, ¡°Let¡¯s just say I¡¯m his nanny.¡± Her words cast a spell over me, stirring a mix of curiosity and intrigue. But as her words sank in, a scowl formed on my face, unable to hide my confusion.


    ¡°Nanny?¡± I arched an eyebrow, my mind swirling with different thoughts. ¡°But hold on, ording to the media, Mrs. Albrecht was the sole caretaker of her son, braving the challenges while the father embarked on endless business trips,¡± I mused, my wordsced with uncertainty. But that¡¯s what the media says, right? Though the inte can¡¯t be urate at times¡­¡­.. Yeah! The enigmatic realm of the inte, where truth and fiction dance a mesmerizing tango.


    I could feel the sting of pain in her eyes, a glimpse of hurt she swiftly veiled. My heart skipped a beat as I feared that I might have overstepped my boundaries. Still lost in my musings, her voice suddenly broke through the silence once more, ¡°Mrs. Albrecht is a very busy woman. But fear not dear one, I believe you will meet her today,¡± she whispered, her words a delicate secret shared between us. Feeling nervous I couldn¡¯t help the exuberant ¡°Oh!¡± that quickly escaped from my lips.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    I will see Mrs. Albrecht¡­¡­ as in the world-famous figure in this world! Wow¡­.. Just wow!


    I was lost in my own world, deep in thought, when suddenly, the kitchen door swung open, revealing Damien¡¯s charismatic presence. ¡°Hey there, still concocting culinary wonders?¡± he chimed, leaning in to give Mrs. Caterina a tender peck on the cheek. With a graceful stride, he made his way to the countertop, snagging a crisp apple from the disy. Our eyes locked,  and he yfully winked, turning my cheeks the color of overripe tomatoes.


    Hmm, I cleared my throat, and at that moment, I tore my eyes away from him. Oh, thank the stars that Mrs. Caterina was blissfully unaware¡­ My heart raced as I shifted ufortably, my gaze fixated on the te I was delicately washing. But even so, I could feel his piercing gaze trailing after me. Suddenly, Mrs. Caterina broke the tension with a yful remark to Damien, ¡°Come on! Am I going to whisk away with your wife? Why so possessive?¡± Her words made my heart skip a beat, and I found myself gulping nervously.


    ¡°Seriously, Mrs. Caterina, you can¡¯t abandon me with that insufferable old man,¡± he protested, his words dripping with frustration. This makes me silently roll my eyes at his harsh remarks.


    ¡°Hey, he¡¯s the new butler, Damien. Come on, show some respect, son,¡± she yfully smacked his shoulder before gracefully exiting the kitchen, leaving the two of us alone. The air crackled with tension as we stood there, a mix of curiosity and nervousness filling the space around me. It was as if time stood still, a magical moment where the world outside faded away from my side, leaving only the enchanting possibility of what could unfold between us as I felt his eyes lustfully trailing at me.


    The air grew heavy with an ufortable silence, so profound that even the faintest sound could be heard, like a pin gracefully descending to the ground. My unease intensified as the tension stretched out, weaving an intricate web of difort around us. It was as if time itself held its breath, making me feel trapped in here.


    Oh, God save my soul¡­¡­¡­!

 Chapter forty-seven(Mr. Albrecht)

    ¡°Being on that particr te for two hours,¡± I gulped hard, my heart pounding in my chest as his voice shattered the silence. Biting my lips, I fought the overwhelming urge to tear my gaze away from the sink, feeling his words roll out like a cruel mockery. It was clear that he knew exactly what he was doing, ying with my emotions like a master conductor.


    ¡°I am talking to you, wife,¡± I tightened my grip on the sponge, my heart racing as his steps drew closer. The anticipation hung in the air like a delicate spell, but before his hand could encircle my waist, a voice unexpectedly resonated from the doorway, shattering the moment and causing him to suddenly halt on his track. I silently did a sigh of the cross before I puffed out a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Wow! See who we have here!!¡±


    Startled, my senses were abruptly awakened by a resounding exmation that echoed through the door. Like a siren¡¯s call, themanding voice captured our attention, drawing our gaze toward the source. ¡°Sebastian¡± the name escaped Damien¡¯s lips, dripping with venomous disdain. At that moment, the air became charged with otherworldly energy, as if a spell had been cast, leaving me entranced by the mysterious tension that hung in the room.


    As I nced at the grinning, youthful figure standing at the door, a flicker of recognition sparked within me. It was him, the same guy from the partyst night. With a charming grin, he uttered the words, ¡°Nice to meet you too, brother,¡± gliding effortlessly into the heart of the kitchen, as if he had always belonged there.


    ¡°Has the family¡¯s little puppy wandered astray, unable to find its way home?¡± Damien sneered, his eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and contempt. The tension in the room grew thicker, like a fog of animosity hanging in the air, as if awaiting Sebastian¡¯s response.


    But being the typical Sebastian that he is, he simply shrugs it off with a wide grin, leaving me to wonder if he¡¯s truly mentally sound. ¡°Uncle Dennis wants to see me,¡± he casually mentions, his nonchnt demeanor adding an air of mystery to the situation.


    ¡°Well, since he¡¯s not here, do yourself a favor and make a swift exit,¡± Damien barked, his voiceced with a sharp edge as he pointed emphatically toward the door. I instinctively flinched at his outburst, looking at him I cringed at the coldness in his eyes. His anger seemed like a storm brewing on the horizon.


    The tes on the washing sink have long be a distant memory as I find myself staring at the man, snarling like a devil by my side. His fury is evident, yet Sebastian remains calm and oddly at ease, sparking my curiosity. They are brothers, right? Cousins precisely but that still makes them blood¡­. So why the seated hatred toward Sebastian? Or is there something I don¡¯t know about? Why should a Lot of secrets lie beneath this intricate tapestry of family ties?


    ¡°I know, he told me to wait up for him here,¡± he calmly responded, his shoulders nonchntly shrugging. The mischievous grin that adorned my face seemed to grate on the nerves of the devilish presence beside me. With a throaty chuckle, Damien proceeded to taunt, ¡°Well, well, it appears our little puppy now thinks he¡¯s the master of this domain,¡± his smirk oozed with calcted menace as he took deliberate steps closer.  I felt the air crackle with anxiety as if a spell was being woven at that very moment.


    ¡°Damien¡­¡± I whispered, my voice trembling with nervousness as I reached out and nervously grabbed his hand. He stiffened, freezing in his tracks before his gaze shifted towards me with a murderous intensity. I could feel the fear coursing through my veins, threatening to consume me entirely. This look is different from those lustful stares he was throwing my way a few moments ago. But just as panic began to take hold, Sabastian intervened, pulling me back to reality. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to see you again, my beautiful one,¡± he said, his words soothing my heart amidst the chaos.


    ¡°Uhmm¡­ Nice to meet you too, Sabastian,¡± I stammered, mustering a smile that failed to reach my eyes. Fear gripped me tightly, especially in the presence of this menacing demon. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of guilt for Sabastian, who had unwittingly found himself on Damien¡¯s bad side.


    ¡°What¡¯s so nice about him?¡± I gulped, my heart sinking at Damien¡¯s harshment. He continued tough and mock Sebastian, and it pained me to witness such humiliation. I had hoped that Damien would at least have the decency to spare him from embarrassment, especially in front of me. But perhaps I had set my expectations too high, considering even his friends could be so atrocious towards him¡­ Poor Sebastian! Despite Damien¡¯s hurtful remarks, I turned my gaze back to Sebastian, and to my surprise, he seemed unfazed, a genuine smile still etched on his face. At that moment, his resilience brought a smile to my own lips.


    How I wish I could be as confident and brave as Sebastian, not letting other people¡¯s words affect me. But unfortunately, I just couldn¡¯t.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Sebastian,¡± I blurted out before I could even think, and immediately Damien shot me a sharp re. But at that moment, Sebastian took my hand in his, offering aforting gesture that spoke volumes. It was as if he understood the tension and wanted to reassure me.


    ¡°Nice to meet you too,¡± he mumbled, his voice calm and smooth. ¡°Seems my stubborn brother brought you here despite his words, or perhaps he¡¯s afraid Uncle Dennis would withdraw hispany from his hold¡­ Poor thing.¡± As his words sank in, I struggled toprehend the situation until a loud bark beside me startled me back to my senses.


    ¡°YOU DAFT IDIOT¡­¡­!!!¡±


    My neck just seemed to tilt on its own, drawn towards the source of themotion. I couldn¡¯t help but notice the intense anger etched on Damien¡¯s face. In that moment, fear gripped me, causing me to instinctively step back from Sabastian. I desperately clung to the edge of the counter, praying that Mrs. Caterina would appear. It felt like Damien was on the verge of losing control, like a raging demon ready to unleash its fury.


    But in the blink of an eye, as if time itself had paused, I saw him standing mere inches away from Sabastian, his intentions clear. Yet, before he could make a single move, a voice, rich with authority, resonated from the doorway. ¡°What is the cause of thismotion? What¡¯s happening here?¡±


    Turning around, my legs began to tremble, and I nervously muttered, ¡°Mr. Albrecht,¡± my voice barely above a whisper.

 Chapter Forty-eight(Fraying nerves)

    My heart was pounding like crazy as I locked eyes with the man by the kitchen door. It¡¯s amazing how he looks way younger and more vibrant than you¡¯d expect for his age. It¡¯s like he¡¯s got some secret fountain of youth hidden away somewhere!


    As I nced at his features, it was undeniable that this man was the spitting image of Damien. They shared identical features, except for their eye color. ¡°I asked again, what¡¯s going on here?¡± My heart skipped a beat as I nervously recoiled from the icy tone in his voice.


    ¡°Your father is asking you a question, son,¡± I strained my eyes to make out the figure of a woman who had suddenly appeared behind Mr. Dennis Albrecht. It was Mrs. Albrecht herself. My heart sprinted as Damien stood there, unmoving, his hand now wrapped around Sebastian¡¯s neck. His intense gaze was fixed on the trembling Sebastian,pletely ignoring the presence of his own parents.


    I feel fucking nervous, not just for myself but also for him.


    I wanted to call out to him, but at that moment, my voice seemed to vanish into thin air. The nerves were eating me alive, and the tension in the room was almost unbearable. But just as I was about to lose hope, a wave of relief washed over me as Mrs. Caterina hurried towards the entrance of the kitchen.


    ¡°Mr. Albrecht, you guys are already here,¡± she said with a smile, but her expression quickly changed when she noticed the frown on Mr. Albrecht¡¯s face and the tense atmosphere in the room. She swallowed nervously and tilted her head, her eyes widening at the scene before her. ¡°Oh,e on, son¡­ he¡¯s your little cousin brother,¡± she pleaded as she rushed over to Damien, trying to calm him down and holding his hand.


    The room fell into a sudden silence as we all watched Mrs. Caterina try to reason with him. It felt like an eternity, but then I saw his grip slowly loosen around Sebastian¡¯s neck. In a swift motion, he pulled his hand back, causing Sebastian to copse to the ground, gasping for air as he clutched his throat.


    Poor boy¡­¡­ poor Sebastian.


    This is what I really wanted to do; hold his hand, talk to him, and have him rx under my touch but unfortunately, it was all in my head and nothing close to reality.


    I let out a huge breath that I didn¡¯t even realize I was holding, but my confusion only grew deeper. It struck me how quickly he listened to Mrs. Caterina¡¯s pleas, yet he seemed to ignore the pleas of his own parents, whom I¡¯m certain he hadn¡¯t seen in years. It¡¯s just so puzzling to me.


    ¡°Is this how you chose to greet us after vanishing from home for five years?¡± Mr. Dennis barked, flinching everyone in the room, well except, Damien. I shifted ufortably in my position as I felt the atmosphere be thick.


    ¡°Home¡­ hmm, I guess ¡®hell¡¯ would be a more fitting name for that so-called ¡®beautiful¡¯ word,¡± Damien scoffed, a smug smirk ying on his bottom lips as he turned to face his parents.


    ¡°You¡­¡­..


    ¡°What? You think you can threaten me? Ha! Or maybe you¡¯ll have your guards toss me out?¡± Damien¡¯s grin widened, his fists clenched tightly as fury radiated from him. I could sense the intensity in the air, and I nervously wanted to intervene before Damien said something worse. But before I could act, Mrs. Caterina swiftly reached out and grabbed his hand. However, under the stern gaze of Mrs. Albrecht, she quickly withdrew her hand. It was a tense moment, to say the least.


    ¡°Still the same,¡± Mr. Dennis hissed, a disappointed smirk forming on his lips.


    ¡°WHO CARES?!¡± Damien shot back, his voice filled with defiance. ¡°You have no idea how I have been surviving¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Damien, please,¡± I blurted out, my words tumbling out faster than I could process them as I cut him off and my heart pounding in my chest. Without thinking, I grabbed onto Damien¡¯s shirt, desperate to stop him from saying anything else. Believe me when I say that I am insignificant because it was at that moment, my existence suddenly mattered to them. The expressions on their faces said it all¡­


    ¡°Please,¡± I pleaded, disregarding the suspicious nces his parents were giving me. I tugged at his shirt, trying to divert his attention towards me. ¡°Just rx,¡± I mumbled, feeling a shiver run down my spine as he tilted his head and gave me a long, icy stare that almost sent chills down my spine. Despite my fraying nerves, I stood my ground, refusing to back down. Damien¡¯s gaze hardened as he looked at me, but then, unexpectedly, the coldness in his eyes melted away, reced by a warmth that took me by surprise.


    Mr. Dennis turned and exchanged a curious nce with his wife, their lips moving but their words eluding my ears. Clearing his throat, a sinister smirk ying on his lips that failed to reach his eyes, Mr. Dennis Albrecht turned his gaze towards me. ¡°And you must be?¡± he raised an eyebrow in curiosity, his frown contrasting with the lingering smirk on his lips.


    ¡°Ashley Har¡­¡­


    ¡°My wife,¡± Damien hissed out of nowhere, ¡°You got something to say about that?¡±


    The anger emanating from him makes it clear that he¡¯s not happy to be here. I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to ease the tense atmosphere in the room. ¡°Ashley¡­ uh, yeah, that¡¯s my name,¡± I stammered, my voice trailing off as I forced a smile on my lips.


    But to my disappointment, Mrs. Albrecht gave me a suspicious look,pletely ignoring my presence as she turned her attention back to her son. Nervousness consumed me, crawling through my body with full force. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what I said wrong or if this was just their natural behavior as sophisticated jerks. Suddenly, a fog descended upon my mind, leaving me unable to think clearly.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ interesting?¡± Mrs. Albrecht finally spoke up, shing a smile at me that failed to reach her eyes. There was something about that smile and the way she looked at me that sent a shiver down my spine. ¡°They look so good together,¡± Mrs. Caterina blurted out suddenly, her tone neutral as she observed Damien and me.


    However, Mrs. Albrecht nced at us once more before her gaze settled back on me. ¡°Well, to the dining table¡­ Our dear wife can¡¯t possibly stand there hungry,¡± she taunted, her smile growing as she turned and walked away with Mr. Dennis.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    The suffocating atmosphere sends a tremble down my spine. Is this how they always behave? Could this be the reason why Damien dislikes them so much? They possess this suffocating presence.


    ¡°Come on, daughter, let¡¯s head to the dining table,¡± Mrs. Caterina¡¯s voice snapped me out of my jumbled thoughts. I looked up and realized that it was just the three of us left in the kitchen. Sebastian was nowhere to be seen.


    ¡°Can¡¯t I skip dinner? I¡¯m really not feeling hungry,¡± I choked on my breath, my words escaping my lips more like a plead.


    ¡°I just can¡¯t¡­ I don¡¯t think I can survive a minute under those unsettling gazes from Mrs. Albrecht,¡± I whispered mentally, my voice quivering with unease.


    ¡°Come on, daughter,¡± Mrs. Caterina gently patted my cheeks, sensing my sudden fear. ¡°It¡¯s just a dinner,¡± she murmured before turning to Damien, who seemed lost in thought. ¡°Son, I made your favorite. Please lead your wife to the dining table,¡± she instructed, then walked away, leaving just Damien and me standing there.


    I gulped hard, my nervous hands clenched into fists. And then, suddenly my breath hitched in my throat as Damien¡¯s soft touch grazed my skin. He gently took my hand in his, turning to look at me. In that moment, for the first time, I saw a myriad of emotions in his usually cold gaze. A look of understanding passes in his eyes and I know he got why I was almost chickening out.

 Chapter Forty-nine (The heavy tension in the dining table)

    An eerie silence hung in the air as we all gathered around the dining table, our seats facing each other. Not a word was spoken as our attention was fixated on the delicious spread before us. However, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of asional peculiar nces directed my way from time to time.


    Swallowing hard, I tightly gripped the cutlery in my hand. My body quivered with nerves, and the sound of my pounding heart reverberated through my chest like it wanted to rip out of my ribcage in full force. Damn, I am feeling incredibly anxious.


    This was supposed to be a dreame true for me, dining with these public figures I¡¯ve always admired. But at this moment, all I can think about is getting through this and leaving this house as soon as possible.


    Without saying a single word, Mrs. Caterina rose from her seat and generously piled a delectable serving of prime rib with truffle mashed potatoes onto my te. The enticing aroma wafted up to my face, and a smile involuntarily spread across my lips. Our eyes met, and she offered me a small smile before redirecting her gaze and serving Sebastian who was sitting close to me. Mrs. Albrecht remained silent, her attention fixed on Mrs. Caterina¡¯s every move. She observed intently as Mrs. Caterina added a lobster bisque followed by filet mignon to Damien¡¯s te, then pushed the remaining dishes forward for Mrs. Albrecht and her husband to make their choice.


    The silence dragged on for a couple more hours until Mrs. Albrecht unexpectedly cleared her throat, shattering the stillness and capturing everyone¡¯s focus. ¡°So, Ashley¡­ that¡¯s your name, isn¡¯t it?¡± she inquired.


    I took a deep breath and nodded, my heart pounding faster at what she was about to say. ¡°So how did you meet with my son?¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­..!¡± I gasped, feeling a sudden heat within me.


    ¡°Why the sudden marriage with Damien?¡± she raised an eyebrow, catching me off guard and nearly causing me to spit out the water I was drinking.


    What the¡­¡­?!


    ¡°Mom!¡± Damien hissed, his voice filled with warning as he tried to intervene.


    ¡°Oh!¡­¡± Mrs. Caterina quickly reached across the table, handing me a napkin. ¡°Here you go, dear,¡± she mumbled.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I muttered under my breath. Sebastian nced up at us, a smirk briefly ying on his lips before returning to his usual nk expression. ¡°What¡­?¡± Mrs. Albrecht feigned a clueless expression. ¡°What happened? It¡¯s just a harmless question, son,¡± Mr. Dennis chimed in.


    ¡°Really,¡± Damien shook his head, his gaze shifting between both of them. The tension in the air became palpable, and I felt a knot forming in my stomach. This situation was far from ideal. A wedding that took ce just a day after the outrageous encounter I had at that hotel¡­ How on earth am I supposed to answer that? Should I reveal that it was an arranged marriage between my father and my husband? Seriously?


    This situation is just all kinds of messed up¡­.. Juste off it, and why can¡¯t I shake this feeling about Sebastian? It¡¯s like something is lurking beneath the surface, something he¡¯s keeping hidden. It¡¯s driving me crazy trying to figure it out!


    ¡°Wait a minute, you went ahead and had a wedding without telling us? We had to find out through the news?¡± Mrs. Albrechtined, giving me a silent re. ¡°Was it her idea?¡± she added, her tone filled with suspicion.


    ¡°Mom!¡± Damien snapped. ¡°You did call for dinner tonight, didn¡¯t you?¡± He hummed, his knuckles turning white from how tightly he was gripping the fork.


    ¡°It really hurts, son,¡± she whined,pletely oblivious to the anger emanating from Damien. ¡°You have no idea how much I¡¯ve always wanted to witness your wedding, son,¡± she continued, putting on a pitiful look.


    What a pretentious woman¡­.. Ugh! Never knew she could be like this based on how I do see her carry herself during her media rounds and on the inte.


    However, I couldn¡¯t believe my eyes as Damien rolled his eyes at her exaggerated sigh. ¡°Do you even know how humiliated I felt in front of my friends and business partners? The rumor spread like wildfire that I couldn¡¯t attend my own son¡¯s wedding¡­ when I had absolutely no clue!¡± Mr. Dennis erupted, his voice booming with anger, capturing everyone¡¯s attention and sending a shiver down my spine.


    ¡°You think I give a damn,¡± Damien fired back, a faint, menacing smirk ying on his lips. ¡°You care so much about your fucked up friends and business partners¡­ What about me?!¡± he thundered, mming his hand on the desk in a fit of anger.


    ¡°Care for the son who had to organize his own wedding without the knowledge of his parents!¡± Mr. Dennis barked, his fist clenched tightly as he shot a vicious re at Damien, who returned the same intense look.


    Oh no! I shrink back in my seat, nervously biting my lip. Mrs. Caterina seems tongue-tied like she has no say in this matter either. Only Sebastian is focused on his food,pletely unfazed by the heavy tension in the room. It¡¯s confusing, but I decided to brush off his strange behavior as Mrs. Albrecht¡¯s next words piqued my curiosity.


    ¡°You lost it all after her disappearance,¡± she fired back, shaking her head. The words hit me like a punch to the gut, stirring up a mix of confusion.


    Who? I whispered to myself.


    ¡°What¡­ What nonsense are you talking about?¡± he stammered, ring at his mother. Confusion and frustration etched across his face as he tried to make sense of her words.


    I just wish Damien would calm down, oh goodness!


    ¡°You lost your remaining sanity after her disappearance, you transformed into another thing¡­ We thought you never wanted another rtionship. We gave you time to heal by relocating and then boom, we saw your wedding all over the media,¡± she shouted back at her son, shooting him a dissatisfactory look.


    Who is the girl? What¡¯s suddenly going on here? Who disappeared? I¡¯m so confused, my head is spinning with all this confusion.


    ¡°More than seven freaking years!¡± he thundered before letting out a bitterugh. The frustration in his voice was palpable as if the weight of those years had finally taken its toll.


    But Mrs. Albrecht rxed back in her seat, as she ignored Damien and shifted her gaze to meet mine, a smile ying on her lips. ¡°Hahaha¡­ and from the look of things, it seems like our dear wife doesn¡¯t know about her as well,¡± she mumbled, shaking her head with a tinge of sadness, making my confusion deepen. Suddenly, a mischievous grin appeared on her lips. ¡°Would you like to know about¡­ Zuri?¡± she added, teasingly.


    ¡°I¡­¡­I¡­.¡± I had barely said a word when a loud gasp interrupted me.


    ¡°Mrs. Albrecht!¡± Mrs. Caterina suddenly blurted out, her voice trembling with nerves. I looked up at her, and my attention was fully captured before shifting my gaze back to Mrs. Albrecht. The room fell silent, even Sebastian pausing mid-bite, his eyes reflecting a mix of anxiety and unease as he nced at Mr. Albrecht, who seemed strangely unaffected. The air crackled with tension, and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what secrets were about to be revealed.


    But just as we were lost in the tension-filled moment, the shattering of tes on the ground jolted us back to reality. I turned my head towards the source of the sound and my eyes widened in shock. Damien stood just a few inches away from the dining table, fuming with anger. His eyes held a murderous re as I followed his gaze down. I gasped at the sight of blood dripping from his hand. He tightly gripped the broken pieces of ceramics, the sharp edges piercing into his flesh, causing him pain. The scene unfolded before me, a chilling reminder that things were about to take a dangerous turn.


    ¡°Da¡­ Damien,¡± I stammered, my words stumbling out nervously. The room grew suddenly quiet as all eyes turned towards him.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Come on, son,¡± Mrs. Caterina cried out, her voice filled with urgency as she rushed over to grab a bandage.


    ¡°Damien!¡± Mrs. Albrecht yelled, her voice filled with disbelief. ¡°Have you lost it?¡±


    ¡°Son!¡±


    ¡°You better not say another word about her, ever!¡± Damien¡¯s voice dripped with menace, his cold gaze burning like a raging volcano. I couldn¡¯t help but nce around, my heart pounding as I took in the chaos of food scattered on the floor and broken tes strewn about. My eyes then shifted to Damien¡¯s bloodied hands, and tears welled up in my eyes. Why did my life always seem to be filled with so much drama?


    Though that name seems familiar, like I¡¯ve heard it somewhere before¡­ Zuri. Who is she? Who is she to Damien?

 Chapter Fifty(The rainfall)

    As the rain poured relentlessly outside, I found myself drawn to the window, my heart heavy with a mix of nerves and unexined sadness. Each raindrop seemed to mirror the strange ache within me, falling with a gentle but persistent rhythm.


    ¡°Who is she?¡­.¡± I mumbled to myself watching the droplets slide down the ss, blurring the world outside, mirroring the unexinable tears that threatened to escape my eyes. The pitter-patter of rain became a soothing soundtrack to my racing thoughts, as I grappled with the weight of my emotions.


    Damien climbed upstairs to continue the conversation with his parents, causing a wave of relief to wash over me. The tension in the air earlier had been suffocating, and I was grateful for the chance to be alone in the sitting room downstairs. Sitting on the couch, I find myself gazing out the window, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts, while the heavy rainfall outside mirrored the storm within me.


    My life has be a tropical storm-filled drama ever since that haunting night that still lingers in my thoughts. With a sad smile on my face, I find sce in the gentle rhythm of the raindrops, my mind drifting to memories before that fateful evening. I used to love rainfall, especially during the winter season, as it brought soothingfort after each heavy downpour. But now, with the weight of my heart, the rain no longer holds the same enchantment for me. Despite my best efforts to push the memories away, they surge back with an unstoppable force. I still recall my ownughter echoing, as I once yed under the rain, and that suddenly caused tears to well up in my eyes.


    ¡°Hey there!¡± I jumped slightly as someone plopped down next to me on the couch. ¡°Check this out¡­¡± I turned to see who it was, but my eyes were immediately drawn to the steaming cup of coffee in his stretched-out hand.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Sebastian,¡± I managed to say, my voice trembling as I fought back the tears and pushed the memories away. ¡°Coffee¡­¡­ care for some?¡± He responded with a lopsided grin.


    Gulping hard, I awkwardly took the cup of coffee from him. ¡°Thanks,¡± I mumbled, my voice barely audible. He responded with a silent nod, and together we turned our attention back to the rhythmic dance of raindrops outside.


    As silence enveloped us, a wave of uneasiness washed over me, making me feel ufortably nervous as I took small sips of my coffee. I couldn¡¯t pinpoint the exact reason for this sudden anxiety, but deep down, I knew it stemmed from the burning questions I wanted to ask him. However, a hint of hesitation held me back. What could he possibly know? He is considered the family¡¯s designated puppet and psycho. However, his peculiar behavior from earlier hinted to me that he knows something.


    I knew that attempting to ask Damien the questions weighing on my mind would be futile, like trying to pour water on a rock. With a hesitant gaze, I turned my attention back to Sebastian again, who appeared lost in his own thoughts. I mustered up the courage to open my mouth, but the words vanished before they could escape. Suddenly, his unexpected remark jolted me off the couch. ¡°Do I look so handsome that you couldn¡¯t take your eyes off me?¡± he yfully winked, leaving me gasping for words. ¡°Sebastian¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± he asked, his gaze still fixed elsewhere as he casually sipped his drink. Inhaling deeply, I released a sigh, hoping to catch his attention. I nced at him once more before finally summoning the courage to ask, ¡°Who is she?¡±


    Sighs¡­¡­ this is not how I wanted this question to leave my lips, I sound now like a nervous wreck.


    He shifted his attention away from the window, his eyes locking onto mine as he studied me intently. After a moment of contemtion, he finally responded, ¡°You mean Zuri?¡± he asked, seeking confirmation.


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    I suddenly sensed a momentary tension in him before he leaned back on the couch, his gaze fixed on the rain outside. ¡°Only your husband can provide you with that exnation. I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m not in a position to disclose it,¡± he replied, avoiding eye contact with me.


    I couldn¡¯t help but let a bittersweet smile escape my lips. What was I even thinking? Hoping that he would share a family secret with me¡­ Come on, Ashley! Though on the other hand, based on Damien¡¯s earlier reaction, asking him would be like banging my head against a brick wall.


    ¡°Come on, just ask him. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll spill the beans,¡± he said, shrugging his shoulders as if it were the easiest thing in the world. It¡¯s like taking candy from a child and expecting them not to cry.


    ¡°He won¡¯t,¡± those words lingered on the tip of my tongue as he turned to face me, his eyes scanning my face in search of something unknown to me. Despite my growingfort around him, my gut told me there was more to him than meets the eye. As I locked eyes with him, a realization washed over me. If I truly wanted to uncover the secrets of my demon husband¡¯s past love because, from the look of things, Zuri was in it, then Sebastian was the only one who could help me provide the answers.


    ¡°She¡¯s just some crazy ex, not worth my time,¡± he finally muttered, confirming what I had suspected. ¡°I never really liked her,¡± he added, looking away with a slight pout.


    So she¡¯s his ex¡­ The thought of them being together makes my stomach twist in agony.


    This is strange though, what¡¯s wrong with me?


    ¡°Why?¡± I inquired, my voice betraying none of the emotions swirling inside me.


    He tilted his head again, his gaze fixed on me. ¡°He should have met you first instead of her,¡± he said, catching me off guard.


    ¡°Huh,¡± I gaped, sounding confused. But before he could say another word, his phone beeped. I watched as he slid his hand into his pants pocket and retrieved his phone. As he clicked on the message, my curiosity piqued, and I noticed him stiffen beside me.


    ¡°Sebastian¡­¡± I called, my voice filled with concern. ¡°Is everything alright?¡± I mumbled, leaning forward in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the message.


    It was like he had read my mind. He swiftly switched off his phone, a mix of pity and concern on his face as he turned to look at me. Tension radiated from him, a deep frown etched in his eyes, while I was left feeling utterly confused.


    However, just as I was lost in my thoughts, heavy footsteps echoed down the staircase at that moment, signaling the approach of someone. The sound of those footsteps sent a shiver down my spine, making me incredibly nervous. And then, as the person came into view, I couldn¡¯t help but choke on my breath. My gaze locked with those piercing silver eyes, filled with a chilling intensity that felt almost murderous.


    ¡°Son¡­¡± Mrs. Caterina rushed out of the kitchen, but Damienpletely ignored her, his anger evident as he angrily stomped toward me.


    My hands tightened around the cup of coffee, fear coursing through me as my heart pounded heavily. What the heck happened? Why is he so furious?


    Before I could get any answers in my head, he mercilessly yanked me off the couch, causing the cup to slip from my grasp and shatter on the cold tiles. Everything happened so fast, leaving me stunned and bewildered.


    ¡°Son¡­..!¡±


    ¡°Bye-bye, Ashley,¡± I heard Sebastian say, but before I could even respond, the front door was violently smashed open. I was forcefully hurled out into the heavy pouring rain, still in a state of confusion and panic. The rain pounded down on both of us with full force. Suddenly, a red Lamborghini pulled up in front of us, Damien¡¯s anger evident. He angrily opened the backseat and brutally pushed me inside, mming the door shut as he took a seat beside me. The whole situation felt like a nightmare I couldn¡¯t wake up from.

 Chapter fifty-one (The headline)

    Damien


    Beep beep¡­¡­¡­


    Beep beep¡­¡­¡­.


    I let out a frustrated sigh, groaning as I reached over to switch off my notifications, stopping any other message from pumping in. I needed a break from the constant influx of messages.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of the woman beside me. Her face was a mix of confusion, nerves, and fear. My blood boiled, and a surge of anger consumed me. At that moment, I couldn¡¯t help but entertain the most outrageous thoughts ¨C like smacking her senseless and squeezing the breath out of her. I was absolutely fuming, my anger reaching its boiling point.


    *** shback****


    ¡°You got married without informing us, son!¡± Standing in the sitting room upstairs, I stood beside the window fuming in anger. My cold gaze fixed directly on the woman who gave birth to me as I watched her angrily go on and on with her nonchnt rant, fueling my frustration even more.


    ¡°I asked a simple question. Why did you bring up her name? What do you hope to achieve?¡± Ished out, but my father swiftly chimed in, ready to interject.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare raise your voice at your mother, she¡¯s right! Do you have any idea how humiliated we felt out there? The mocking smiles on the faces of those who despise us,¡± his face reveals both irritation and disappointment, though he tries to conceal it.


    ¡°M¡­¡­Mother,¡± I chuckled in response, but his expression remained unamused. ¡°So, this is it? A wedding¡­ You two expected me to inform you about the wedding of a son you barely cared about?¡± I added with a lopsided grin, only for my face to quickly shift into a scowl.


    My cold gaze pierced into them as I unleashed my frustration. ¡°I¡¯ve warned you both to stay the heck out of my life¡­ You don¡¯t deserve to know anything that¡¯s happening to me,¡± I yelled, my anger palpable in my voice.


    I heard her let out a sigh, ¡°You¡¯re our son, Damien¡­ We should know what¡¯s going on in your life. We¡¯re your parents,¡± Mrs. Albrecht muttered. But all I could do was clench my jaw and shoot her a death re in return.


    ¡°I am not your son! When I needed to be called that¡­ You two were nowhere to be seen, and now you both think you deserve a ce in my life?¡± I snapped angrily, almost making her flinch. Though she was quick enough to reach out to grab the side table to maintain her bnce.


    ¡°Watch your tone, we¡¯re still your parents,¡± Mr. Dennis thundered, visibly riled but attempting to maintain hisposure.


    ¡°You both lost that responsibility a long time ago. You¡¯re just living with the title,¡± I muttered through clenched teeth, frustration seeping into my voice. ¡°I¡¯m in this mess because of you two¡­ You both yed a part in almost everything happening in my life!¡± I added, my words filled with a mix of anger and resentment.


    ¡°No, son¡­ You got yourself into this mess because of that Zuri girl,¡± Mrs. Albrecht quickly defended.


    Looking at her, I couldn¡¯t help but let out a bittersweetugh. ¡°At least she showed me the love you both couldn¡¯t provide,¡± I snapped, hiding the pain swirling in my heart at the reminder of that name.


    ¡°And where did it end? By you misbehaving and ending up marrying an enemy¡¯s daughter, Mr. Harlow¡¯s daughter, why?¡± a snide curve on his lips shows his displeasure.


    I felt my heart thud, a mix of emotions swirling within me. But I couldn¡¯t help but smirk, hiding my true feelings. ¡°Well, at least the enemy saw something special in me that you both couldn¡¯t. He offered me his precious gem to marry,¡± I retorted, sending him a sarcastic smirk in return.


    I couldn¡¯t help but watch as his jaw tightened in anger, a mischievous smile spreading across my face. ¡°Damien¡­ Don¡¯t be ungrateful. Your father and I worked hard to make sure you had everything you needed!¡± Mrs. Albrecht red at me, but I raised a taunting brow in response. ¡°Well, maybe you both should go back. Has the tour finished already?¡± I ridiculed them, enjoying the look on their faces.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you! Remember I can easily strip you of the chance to inherit the Albrecht family grouppany,¡± he angrily snarled. His threat didn¡¯t faze me at all as I stood tall, a deadly smirk on my face as I stared down at him. ¡°I¡¯d love to see you try,¡± I taunted, my voice dripping with confidence.


    The calm words that left my lips seemed to carry a high intensity, sending shockwaves through the room. Grabbing my phone from the table, I made my way towards the door, paying no mind to their stunned expressions. Suddenly, I heard Mr. Dennis¡¯s phone beep, catching my attention. I nced over and saw him pull out his phone, a gasp escaping his lips. It made me pause right in front of the door, curiosity getting the best of me.


    The room was filled with an indescribable tension as he turned to me, his face glowing with joy. ¡°You did it, son!¡± he eximed, a wide smile spreading across his face.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Mrs. Albrecht¡¯s voice echoed in the room. Confusion furrowed my brow as I turned to face them. He nced at his phone, then at his wife, and finally at me. ¡°You did it, son!!!¡± he eximed, jubtion evident in his expression. Irritation colored my face as I watched him celebrate. What did I do? Why this sudden excitement? Wasn¡¯t this the same man who was seething with anger and threatening to strip away my inheritance earlier?


    Sighs¡­¡­.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you spill the beans earlier?¡± he demanded, hisughter echoing through the room.


    What is the truth?


    ¡°That you married her because of thepany? And now you¡¯re the sole owner of the Powertech Innovation Company,¡± I felt my leg trembling at his revtion.


    What¡¯s he bbering about? Yeah, I asked her to make an announcement, but not like this¡­ I hurriedly grabbed my phone and opened my social media, and the headline with my name caught mepletely off guard. Fuming with rage, I stormed out of the room in a hurry.


    ****** End of shback******


    Damn it¡­! I clenched my fists, grinding my teeth in frustration. Is this some sick joke? The car screeched to a halt inside mypound. Without wasting a second, I flung open my side door, reached out my hand, and forcefully pulled Ashley out of the car.


    ¡°Hey! You¡¯re hurting me!¡± she screamed, her voice filled with pain as she desperately fought against my tight grip, but it only intensified.


    I stormed upstairs and flung open the door to my room, forcefully pushing her inside with anger. She let out a groan and stumbled, tripping over her own feet and face-palming the titles. ¡°Ouch¡­!¡± I heard her cry out.


    ¡°How dare you!¡± I snapped, my anger zing like a fiery inferno.


    Snarling, I watched her under a fierce gaze, and then slowly turning, she shot me a re. ¡°What was that for?¡± she snapped, giving me a confused look.


    So innocent yet hiding so much contempt behind that facade. I snapped, gripping her chin forcefully. ¡°How dare you make such an announcement?!¡±


    ¡°Which announcements?

 Chapter fifty-two (Confusion)

    Ashley


    My heart raced as I tried to decipher his furious gaze. What¡¯s this announcement he¡¯s talking about? I wondered, my mind racing with curiosity. What is happening? Thest time I remembered, he was acting all goody but right now¡­¡­. I mean right now, he looks like a lion ready to devour his prey which is no other than me. The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel a sense of impending danger.


    ¡°Get up!¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but visibly flinch as his voice thundered through the air, causing me to instinctively rise from the ground. Deep down, I longed to find the strength to conquer my fear of him, but it seemed like an insurmountable task. This wasn¡¯t just any ordinary adversary we were dealing with; this was a demon¡­.. A creature who has spilled blood without remorse. Adding me to his list wouldn¡¯t be anything new to him.


    I cleared my throat cautiously, refraining from speaking. As I straightened myself, I mustered the courage to meet his gaze, locking eyes with those captivating silver orbs that had haunted my thoughts ever since I firstid eyes on him in the media.


    Hours dragged on, and atst, I mustered the courage to part my trembling lips and utter a word. But before I could even form aplete sentence, Damien¡¯s massive hand mped around my neck, cutting off my words, and I was forcefully thrown against the wall. The intensity of his actions sent shockwaves through my body, leaving me gasping for air.


    His hand tightened around my throat, while the other firmly gripped my waist, all thanks to Olivia¡­.. I groaned as I struggled to free myself but his grip was damn tight and rough at the same time. Still, I continued struggling, strangely I felt the tingles that were rather too quick to erupt. My breath hitched as I felt him lean closer, so close that our noses briefly brushed, and I could feel the warmth of his breath upon my lips.


    However, a wave of heat washed over me, enveloping the room in an inexplicable steaminess. It was as if my thoughts became hazy, clouded by the overwhelming sensation. I couldn¡¯t think straight anymore, lost in the mesmerizing chaos of the moment. The air crackled with an electrifying energy, leaving me both disoriented and strangely exhrated.


    Damien¡¯s lips grazed my cheeks, moving closer to my right ear, his voice dripping with venom as he uttered my name, ¡°Ashley Hallow.¡± The emotionless gaze in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine, causing me to involuntarily tremble. Honestly, I don¡¯t think that I can be able to survive in the presence of this captivating yet terrifying demon. I felt a mix of nervousness, fear, and an inexplicable heat that coursed through my veins. I bit down hard on my tongue, trying to contain the overwhelming sensations as his cold gaze pierced through me. His lips hovered dangerously close to mine as he posed his question.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Who did you pay to make that announcement?! You think you¡¯re smart, don¡¯t you? His question echoed in my mind, leaving me puzzled. But suddenly, a wave of shock and confusion washed over me as realization dawned. My eyes widened in disbelief as I looked up, meeting his furious gaze, his eyes blinking with anger.


    This is not possible.


    I have even forgotten about the announcement he told me to make but what does he mean by paying someone to make the announcement? What happened?


    Fear filled my eyes as I continued to gaze at him, unable to find my voice. No matter how hard I tried, my mouth remained silent, my words trapped within. A gasp escaped my lips, mingling with the pain that surged through me as his grip tightened, squeezing deeper. It felt like a part of me was dying in that moment, a heaviness settling in my chest. Though tears welled up, threatening to spill, I fought against them, refusing to let them fall. I had made a promise to myself, a vow to never shed tears for him.


    ¡°If I, Damien Albrecht, find out that you are behind this mess. I promise you that I will shred y¡­¡­.¡±


    Suddenly, Damien paused, almost as if the word was stuck in his throat. Something flicked in his cold eyes but it vanished instantly before I could tell what it was. And just then, shock and confusion reappeared in his piercing silver gaze.


    ¡°Why¡¯d you stop?¡± I blurted out, my words tumbling out faster than I intended, as I listened to the fast beating of my heart. His hold on me tightened harder, ¡°Go on, hit me! Finish what you were saying! Tell me exactly how you¡¯ll tear me apart, how you¡¯ll end my life!¡± I shouted, the tears finally rolling down from my eyes.


    ¡°No. This is¡­. Not possible,¡± he whispered under his breath to himself but I heard him. Confusion mirrored in my own eyes, leaving me equally perplexed.


    My eyebrows furrowed as I saw him muttering through clenched teeth, his gaze growing even more intense. He forcefully pushed me against the wall, his grip tightening. ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?!¡± he snapped, staring into my eyes as if searching for something, something that seemed to puzzle him. It was as if there was a force pulling him back, preventing him from torturing me like he always did.


    Though whatever was troubling him was the least of my concerns at this moment. Exhaustion washed over me, and I felt the air slowly escaping my lungs. Ignoring the tingling sensation and the overwhelming urge to lean against his strong, bare chest, I tightened my grip on his hands. My nails dug deeper into his skin as I pleaded, ¡°Please, just let me go.¡±


    My voice trailed off, muffled by the pressure against my throat, and at that moment, his phone buzzed insistently in his pocket. With his left hand, he retrieved it while keeping his grip on me. Answering the call, he snapped at the person on the other end, demanding, ¡°What?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t catch what the person said, but I did notice his grip loosening slightly around my neck. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be there right now,¡± he said, ending the call and sliding the phone back into his pocket. His cold gaze locked with mine once again.


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± a deadly smirk tugged the side of his lips as he let go of me and tossed me to the bed like I weighed nothing. He turned to leave but abruptly halted, and nced at my direction. His eyes were fixed on me, unmoving, almost as if he was contemting and conflicted. However, in an instant, those emotions vanished, reced by a chilling stare directed right at me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare leave this room until I get back,¡± hemanded, his urgency palpable as he hurried out. BAM¡­!!! The door violently crashed against its hinges, sending a shiver down my spine. Assessing the situation, I sprang out of bed and swiftly retrieved my phone from my purse.


    I frantically unlocked my phone and hurriedly navigated to the media. A gasp escaped my lips, causing my legs to falter and sending me crashing back to the floor. Confusion and shock coursed through my veins as my eyes were fixated on the headline that shed across my screen.

 Chapter Fifty-Three (The burning rage)

    Damien


    As I paced back and forth in my dimly lit office, my mind swirled with a mix of emotions and thoughts. Anger surged through my veins, igniting a fire within me. ¡°Why in the world did you just call me out here?¡± I demanded, my voice dripping with intensity.


    ¡°Calm down¡­ we¡¯re doing our best to take down the news,¡± Eros muttered, but I brushed off his words, my anger boiling inside me. ¡°Working on it, but it feels like the news is everywhere, damn it!¡± I growled through clenched teeth. The frustration flooded through my veins, fueling my anger.


    ¡°I know but you have to calm down first, Damien,¡±


    ¡°DON¡¯T YOU DARE!¡± I eximed, my body freezing in ce as I whipped my head towards him. My chest rose and fell rapidly, anger burning in my eyes. ¡°My contract with GadgetGeekspany is on the line here¡­ We have to protect them,¡± I emphasized, before releasing a frustrated breath and running my hand through my hair.


    Eros let out a sigh, while Pasito remained engrossed in a phone call, clearly upied with the pressing matter at hand. ¡°You always seem to get your way, Damien, so why the concern about the contract?¡± Eros asked, his voice tinged with confusion. I took a moment to gather my thoughts, realizing that my actions might have seemed contradictory. ¡°It¡¯s not just about getting what I want,¡± I exined earnestly, swallowing hard as I let out a breath.


    ¡°The contract represents more than just personal gain. It¡¯s about the sess of our team, and the future we¡¯ve been working towards. Getting our hands on that will go a long way for us¡­..  I mean it will expand our sess more and the benefits are tempting¡±


    I just hope that my exnation could convince Eros, but we¡¯ve been friends since childhood, and he knows me too well, and that annoys the shit out of me. ¡°But if that¡¯s the case, you know you can secure the contract if what you mentioned is really what you want¡­ or is there something else holding you back?¡± he questioned, his voice filled with curiosity.


    Sighing, I turned to look at him, shaking my head. ¡°She¡¯s already witnessed me spill so much blood¡­ I wanted to secure the contract legitimately,¡± I trailed off, her piercing green eyes shing through my mind. The thought of her, the weight of her gaze, it was all I could think about. I don¡¯t know but I just have this urge to do things differently this time¡­¡­. Fuck it! Damn it, Ashely!!!


    What is going on with me?


    Turning around, I noticed the stunned look on Eros¡¯s face. He seemed at a loss for words but quicklyposed himself when Pasito interrupted with a throat-clearing sound. ¡°I think we should focus on finding the person who posted that awful content online,¡± Pasito suggested, approaching us. ¡°Thements online are not funny, Damien,¡± he added, his tone serious. I nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation.


    Fuck you!!!! The only people that I know that I told to make those announcements were Ashley and Micheal. But it can¡¯t be Micheal since he is clueless about how I got married to Ashley. But then if it is not Micheal, who could it be?¡­.. Ashley!


    I was still thinking when suddenly a knock came at the door. I let out a frustrated groan and ran my hand through my hair. ¡°Come in,¡± I heard Eros say, his expression nk. The door swung open and Lucas walked in, adding to the tension in the room.


    ¡°Did you find anything?¡± I blurted out as soon as he stepped into the room.


    ¡°Good evening, boss, ¡± he greeted. ¡°Enough of pleasantries¡­¡­. What did you find?¡± I snapped


    ¡°We are able to find out the person that posted the stuff,¡±


    As soon as the word left Lucas¡¯s lips, Eros and Pasito swiftly closed in on him. I leaned forward, a slight smirk forming on my lips. ¡°Ashley,¡± I muttered the name with a hint of bitterness, eagerly anticipating Lucas¡¯ confirmation of my suspicions.


    I promise I will kill you if it turns out to be you¡­. Ashley!


    ¡°Come on, man, she can¡¯t possibly go to that length,¡± Pasito chimed in, defending her as usual.


    My face grew dark as I snapped back at him, ¡°Just shut the f*ck up! She was the only one who knew about it.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t change a thing,¡± he keeps going, and I shoot him a death stare. I raise an eyebrow, giving him a skeptical look. Why is he always so quick to defend her? Hmmm¡­ is it pity or something else?


    ¡°Hey, hey, let¡¯s hear what Lucas has to say,¡± Eros chimed in, shooting me a signal to cool down. Damn, I¡¯m so pissed off right now, I¡¯m fucking giving Pasito the fiercest re imaginable. And guess what? He quickly throws his hands up in the air, apologizing like there¡¯s no tomorrow. Drama, drama, drama!


    Snarling, I couldn¡¯t bear to look at him any longer. My gaze shifted back to Lucas, who stood a few meters away from my desk. Somehow¡­.. Deep down, a sinking feeling crept into my gut, hoping against hope that it wouldn¡¯t be Ashley. My heart raced as I mustered the courage to ask, ¡°Who is it?¡± I tried my best to hide the nervousness bubbling inside me.


    For the first time since years ago, I suddenly feel scared and nervous¡­¡­ what the fuck!


    ¡°Olivia Harlow,¡± he suddenly blurted out, causing both Eros and Pasito to raise their eyebrows in surprise.


    Letting out a silent sigh of relief, I felt my tense muscles start to rx a bit, although the anger was still evident on my face. ¡°Olivia Harlow,¡± I muttered, mirroring the same expression on their faces.


    ¡°She¡¯s the illegitimate daughter of Daniel Harlow?¡± Lucas disclosed. I turned to Eros and Pasito, and we all exchanged a knowing look. The pieces of the puzzle were starting toe together.


    Do I now have to start dealing with family members?


    ¡°Get every information about her for me in less than¡­¡­¡± I trail off as he suddenly interrupts. ¡°Sorry for the interruption, boss, but I have gathered all the basic things you have to know,¡± he said, a mischievous grin spreading across my face.


    ¡°She is currently living in Daniel Harlow¡¯s mansion with her mom, and from the information she isn¡¯t in the best rtionship with Mrs, Ashley. They both never acted like sisters,¡± he exined. I silently nodded my head, absorbing every word he said.


    Easier for me to end her after all they never get along.


    ¡°Whoa, hold up!¡± Eros interjected, concern evident in his voice. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about doing something drastic like that. Remember, she¡¯s still your wife¡¯s sister.¡± He added.


    ¡°They seem like enemies to me,¡± I smirked, a cocky smile forming on my face.


    ¡°Still not enough reason, she will hate you more,¡± He pointed out and suddenly I felt something tug my heart. Breathing hard, I let out a sigh before ring at him. ¡°Who cares?¡± I snapped, managing to push away the unsettling feeling trying to overwhelm me.


    ¡°Then why did he go ahead and publish that in the media?¡± Pasito questioned, his voice filled with curiosity. ¡°Seems like he¡¯s just trying to protect her father¡¯spany¡­ So Daniel Harlow is a cheat, huh? Now that¡¯s interesting, so the prostitution is hereditary in their lineage,¡± I chuckled, relishing in the juicy details. Pasito couldn¡¯t help but roll his eyes at my reaction.


    Turning to face Lucas, my smile quickly faded as a cold, intimidating expression took its ce. ¡°Lucas,¡± Imanded, my voice firm. ¡°I need you to arrange a meeting for us. Tonight.¡± The intensity in my gaze matched the seriousness of my words.


    ¡°Alright, boss,¡± Lucas responded, bowing slightly as a sign of respect.


    I need to know her intention, whether it is a nned work between her and Alexander. Now this fool will be the happiest right at this moment.


    However, stopping in his tracks, Lucas turned to face me. ¡°Boss,¡± he said, catching my attention. I lifted my head, my brow twitching slightly as I looked at him.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°About the woman you told me to find?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be unfortunate!¡± I snapped, my gaze darkening dangerously. ¡°We have serious matters at hand¡­. Focus on them, Lucas!!¡±


    I rumbled with frustration, my gaze piercing into his. Without a second thought, he nodded in understanding and scrambled away instantly.

 Chapter Fifty-Four (Breaking their connection)

    Olivia


    With a smile on my face, I parked my car and made my way towards the house. As I walked, a warm feeling spread through my heart, grateful for the little stunt I had just pulled off.


    The inte is damn on fire!


    You know, finding someone to do the work for you isn¡¯t too difficult when money is involved. People can be quite motivated by a little cash incentive.


    Opening the door, I walked inside, the wicked smile still not leaving my lips. As I walked into the living room, a wave of tension hung in the air. There sat my father, sipping his coffee, and my mother, sitting beside him. They were close physically, but it was clear that something was missing between them. No chemistry, no bond. It was as if they were two strangers sharing a couch.


    This always makes me wonder if he actually loves my mom.


    It¡¯s always been interesting how he never fails to remind us of our ce in his life, even though he never says it outright. But his actions speak volumes. Since the very first day, I started to think for myself, I¡¯ve never seen him look at us with affection. It¡¯s always been her¡­ always Ashley!


    Tell me why can¡¯t he love us? Then why did he impregnate my mom if he never loved her?N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    With a sad smile on my face, I blink back the tears. This isn¡¯t why I¡¯m here. I refuse to let his actions ruin the mood right now. So, still smiling, I make my way into the sitting room.


    A wicked smile crept onto my lips as I approached them, drawing their attention. My heart raced with excitement at the little pieces of information that I was about to disclose to my dear father. I needed to shake things up to know how he would still see her after everything. Maybe, just maybe, I could shatter the love and connection they once had and gain his love and adoration.


    ¡°Hey, Mom, and Dad,¡± I greeted them, trying to sound casual but with a hint of mischief. ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Mind if I join you?¡±


    Our eyes met, and something flickered in my mother¡¯s gaze. We both exchanged a quick nce, as if silentlymunicating. My mother¡¯s eyes softened, while my father¡¯s expression remained guarded. Ignoring me, he continued with his coffee.


    ¡°Of course, sweetie,¡± my mother replied, patting the empty space beside her. ¡°Come sit with us.¡±


    I plopped down on the couch, deliberately cing myself between them. I could feel the tension in the room, but I refused to let it deter me. I was determined to break through the walls he had built around his heart and the little love he still has for her.


    ¡°So, Dad, have you seen the news spreading like wildfire on the inte?¡± I ask, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Did you happen to receive any phone calls today?¡±


    A mischievous smile ys on my lips as I notice his grip tighten around the cup, yet he still avoids looking at me. His curiosity is piqued, and that¡¯s all the encouragement I need to continue. It seems he hasn¡¯t seen the news yet, just as I expected.


    ¡°What¡¯s thetest scoop this time around, daughter?¡± my mom asks, turning to face me.


    I gave her a small smile before turning my gaze back to my father. ¡°I distinctly remember you telling me that Damien would be in charge of thepany, but it wouldn¡¯t be publicly known. You shared this with me on the day of their wedding, right after my dear sister¡¯s embarrassing stunt at the DDW hotel that had brought us to our lowest point,¡± I sarcastically blurt out, slightly lifting my head a bit to take in his facial expression.


    Now he¡¯s not even sipping his coffee. Though he¡¯s not looking at me, I can tell his curiosity is piqued. A mischievous gleam dances in my eyes as I raise an eyebrow and smirk, continuing my words.


    ¡°So sorry, Dad,¡± I say, my tone softening as I lower my voice. ¡°The news is all over the ce now. Everyone knows that Damien is the one in charge of Power Tech, not you anymore.¡± I drop the bomb, and just like that, the cup slips from his grasp, shattering on the floor. Coffee spills everywhere, leaving a brown stain on the pristine white tiles.


    ¡°What¡­¡­ nonsense are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°How could Damien!¡± he yelled, but I quickly interjected.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s Damien,¡± I mumbled, shaking my head as he angrily red at me. ¡°I¡­ I think it¡¯s my sister, Ashley, who posted that stuff online. It was uploaded on her Instagram page.¡±


    ¡°WHAT!!!¡± My mother¡¯s shriek echoed through the room. But as usual, Daniel shook his head disapprovingly.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be happening, Ashley can¡¯t¡­ do this,¡± he kept stuttering, shaking his head repeatedly in refusal to believe the words I spoke.


    ¡°But she did, that witch did it¡­¡± my mom interjected, her voice filled with frustration. ¡°I warned you, Daniel Harlow, as soon as I saw the news on the television while I was away. But no, she was your favorite daughter, and you didn¡¯t mind taking the risk. The only valuable thing our family had was snatched away because of your selfishness and her. You shouldn¡¯t have married her off instantly, but no¡­¡± My mom shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes.


    ¡°You love her so much that you didn¡¯t even consider your second daughter, Olivia,¡± the tears started streaming down her cheeks. Daniel held his head, his heart filled with panic, rising and falling. ¡°I know you dislike me so much, but at least this girl here hasn¡¯t done anything wrong to deserve this hatred or to endure this torment with us.¡±


    ¡°STOP IT!!¡± Daniel yelled, his veins popping out from his neck.


    ¡°She¡¯s way better than your so-called favorite girl, you know? Look at where this nonsense you pulled hasnded us. It¡¯s all over¡­ the news is everywhere. And guess what? She¡¯s the one who spilled the beans to the whole world.¡±


    ¡°Charlotte!!!¡± he snapped, anger evident in his re towards both me and my mom. ¡°There¡¯s no proof. It could just be some baseless rumor. Besides, Ashley couldn¡¯t possibly do something like that.¡±


    I smiled sadly, looking at him. It¡¯s clear that he trusts her unconditionally. It¡¯s hard to believe¡­ He still sees her as his daughter, while he never hesitates to point out my mistakes.


    ¡°Seriously, Daniel, I mean seriously,¡± my mom shook her head, disbelief and hurt flickering in her eyes. ¡°She ruined not just you, but all of us,¡± he gestured towards the three of us.


    With a sigh, I slowly got up from the couch and approached my furious father. I have had enough of their endless banter. ¡°Here,¡± I handed him my phone.


    He took a quick nce at it and then turned his gaze back to me, his eyes filled with anger. ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡± he asked, ring at the phone in front of him.


    ¡°It ain¡¯t no rumor, Dad. Take a look and see for yourself how she spilled all the details,¡± I said, my voice trembling with the hurt and pain that consumed my heart.


    Reluctantly, he nodded his head and took the phone, heading to her Instagram profile. A wave of anger, hurt, and pain washed over me as I watched him scroll through it. How could he love her so much? Why is it so difficult for him to ept me?


    ¡°No¡­.. No!¡±


    The shock in his voice jolted me out of my thoughts, and I quickly caught my phone before it hit the ground. Daniel staggered back, shaking his head in disbelief, unable to ept what he had just witnessed. A whirlwind of shock, disbelief, pain, and hurt filled his gaze.

 Chapter fifty-five (Stepping up my game)

    ¡°No way, Olivia! I couldn¡¯t believe my eyes when I saw what you pulled out there,¡± Mason exims, his jaw-dropping in utter disbelief.


    Swaying my hips in sing-song steps, I can¡¯t help but let out a triumphantugh as I plop down on the couch. ¡°The inte is going wild! All it takes is some cash,¡± I say, shrugging nonchntly as I sink into the cushions.


    ¡°How?¡± He shakes his head, still in shock. ¡°How in the world did you manage to pull it off? And where on earth did you get the money? I know it must have cost a fortune,¡± he asks, joining me on the couch.


    I give him a quick wink, my face lighting up with a big grin. ¡°You won¡¯t believe it, but the person actually hacked her Instagram ount,¡± I reveal, earning a sharp gasp from Mason. He chuckles before shaking his head in disbelief, but my expression turns somber as I gaze into the empty space. ¡°And the payment came from my own pocket,¡± I say, nervously chewing on my inner lip.


    ¡°From your money,¡± Mason muttered before his gaze snapped at me, his voice filled with disbelief. ¡°Wait¡­ from your Banca Popre di Mno¡¯s ount?¡± he exims, his voice rising. I let out a deep sigh in response.


    Damnit! Where was he expecting the money to havee from?


    ¡°Damn, girl! That¡¯s your hard-earned savings we¡¯re talking about,¡± he exims, shaking his head disapprovingly. ¡°You¡¯ve alreadyvished most of it, and what¡¯s left won¡¯t be enough to kickstart your clothing brand. Now, you are taking a pin from there,e on, you gotta be careful with taking money from there,¡± he advises, turning to face me.


    ¡°I get that we want to do this, but you also need enough funds to make your brand a sess. Constantly dripping into your savings will definitely have a negative impact,¡± he warns, his expression serious.


    Sighs¡­¡­


    What hase over him? This is strange, does he now suddenly care about me? Come on, Mason, we are not doing this, for goodness sake¡­ we have some target to catch.


    Though when ites to money, Daniel Harlow always made sure I had everything I needed. But now, I can¡¯t say the same. That wicked winch ruined us, and now she¡¯s married off to a sophisticated figure, and swimming in luxury.


    Tell me why Daniel Harlow has to marry her off immediately, especially to Damien putting hispany in the line. He never gave a damn about us, my mother and me. It was always just her¡­ her¡­ HER!


    I did whatever it took to crush her, to take away thepany and make it rightfully mine. I wanted to finally get my father¡¯s attention and make her experience the same hardships my mother and I endured for years. For her to understand the shit we went through.


    To know what it feels like to be kept in the shadows!


    Yet no matter how hard I try, everything ends up being a total joke, like a mission that¡¯s doomed to fail. Here I am, wasting away with Mason, watching her thrive. But you know what? I¡¯m done being insignificant. It¡¯s time for me to step up.


    I am done seeking attention, love, and adoration from a man who just won¡¯t give it to me. It¡¯s always been about her, always Ashley to Daniel Harlow¡¯s eyes, and never for once Olivia.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the money,¡± I smirked, turning to face Mason. ¡°Sure, thepany might be Daniel Harlow¡¯s biggest fortune, but it¡¯s not everything,¡± I said.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Mason asked, his curiosity piqued. I let out a menacingugh, nodding as I turned to face him once more. ¡°Come on, Mason, you think a big shot like Daniel Harlow would only have one property? Think again,¡± I said with a sly smile, enjoying the confusion in his eyes.


    ¡°Yeah, though those properties may not bring in as much as that Powertech, but they¡¯re still worth a pretty penny,¡± I said, a mischievous glint in my eyes as I smiled.


    ¡°I am confused but about those documents, how sure are you that the next of kin is not Ashley¡­. Come on, Olivia?¡± he said, shaking his head and running his hand through his hair, trying to brush away the confusion.


    ¡°I will secure those,¡±


    ¡°How?¡± He arched his brow at me, amusingly. His arched brow tells me to give up because it already seems like a futile mission.


    Futile mission to you but not to me, Mason. Remember I always get what I want no matter how long it takes.


    ¡°You can count on me, Mason,¡± I replied with a steely gaze, my determination shining through. ¡°Those properties will be mine, mark my words. I¡¯ll make sure they¡¯re under my name,¡± I assured him confidently.


    ¡°Come on, Olivia, that will be risky,¡±


    Geez! Why does he care so much? I am done with him, my focus now is on Damien.


    Ignoring him, I turned to face the empty space, a mischievous smile ying on my lips. ¡°I¡¯m done ying nice, Daniel Harlow,¡± I whispered, knowing he could hear me. ¡°I¡¯ll im those properties and keep Damien Albrecht by my side,¡± I hummed, before snapping my head in Mason¡¯s direction.


    His lips formed a tight line as he fixed a thoughtful gaze on me. I can¡¯t quite decipher what¡¯s going on in that head of yours, but listen, Mason. We¡¯ve been through so much together, and if I even catch a whiff of any hidden agenda, I¡¯ll personally make sure you regret it.


    ¡°Just do whatever you want but be careful,¡± he finally released a breath.


    A yful smile spread across my lips as I let my gaze roam up and down his face before speaking up, ¡°Oh, I see right through you, Mason,¡± I teased, my voice filled with a hint of mischief.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°You want her, and I want him. So, we have ourselves a deal,¡± I stated calmly, my voice carrying a hint of danger. I locked eyes with him, making it clear that confidentiality was paramount. He rolled his head in response, rubbing his jaw. ¡°Sure,¡± he mumbled, acknowledging our agreement.


    With a smile, I leaned back, enjoying the moment. Suddenly, my phone beeped, interrupting our conversation. We both nced at it, letting out a sigh of annoyance. Leaning forward, I reached for my phone to see what had captured its attention.


    It was a message!


    I stared at the curious-looking Mason, and back on my phone before tapping on my inbox.


    ¡°At 8:46 pm tonight, meet me upstairs, in the VIP at La Rosa Nera,¡±


    I quickly nced at my phone screen, my heart pounding in my chest as I read the message shing before me. ¡°What in the world is this message about?¡± I muttered, my mind racing to figure out if I had forgotten an important appointment with someone.


    But this is a private number and not from my contact.


    ¡°Wait, who is this?¡± I asked, my voice filled with nervousness. I nced over at Mason, who looked equally perplexed and unusually silent. Suddenly, his head snapped towards me, his eyes widening as he eximed, ¡°Hold on a second!¡±


    ¡°La Rosa Nera,¡± Mason repeated, his voice filled with intrigue. ¡°Isn¡¯t that one of Damien¡¯s clubs? The one at the end of Via Roma Street?¡±


    My eyes widened in realization as Mason¡¯s words sank in. How could I have forgotten? Everyone knows about La Rosa Nera, the luxurious club owned by Damien Albrecht. That means¡­ I¡¯m actually meeting Damien today! I couldn¡¯t believe my luck.


    Yes girl, I did it!!!!!


    ¡°Who¡¯s asking to see you at La Rosa Nera club?¡± Mason growled, his confusion evident in his voice.


    ¡°I did it!¡± I eximed, unable to contain my excitement. I giggled and jumped up and down, feeling a rush of adrenaline. Mason held his ear and gave me a puzzled re. ¡°You did what?¡± he asked, clearly confused.


    ¡°He finds out about who pulled the stunt over the inte,¡± I said, my voice filled with excitement. I couldn¡¯t help but giggle, my smile widening.


    ¡°He finds out,¡± Mason murmured, his voice filled with realization. ¡°The inte¡­¡± His widened gaze snapped towards me as the puzzle started to make sense in his mind.


    ¡°No way!¡± Mason shook his head in disbelief. ¡°How did he even get your number?¡±


    ¡°Typical Damien, always finding a way, just like me,¡± I said, shing him a smile. I shrugged and settled back onto the couch.


    ¡°You are not going,¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you see? This is dangerous! That demon mighte after you for messing with his name,¡± he warned, my voice filled with concern.


    Biting my lower lip, I turned to face the nervous and panicking Mason. ¡°This is what we both wanted¡­ I pulled that stunt for this reason, so I have to see him,¡± I said, my voice filled with determination.


    ¡°Olivia!¡±


    ¡°Calm down, I have another n,¡±

 Chapter fifty-six (Frustrated)

    Damien


    Sitting across the office table, I couldn¡¯t help but nce at my wristwatch. Frustration bubbled up inside me as I ran my hand through my hair.


    ¡°If I could count, you must¡¯ve checked your wristwatch more than five times. Gotta rx, bro?¡± Pasito let out a weary sigh. He seemed exhausted as he slouched back on the couch.


    Eros casually propped his elbow on the armchair, scrolling through his phone, lost in thought. The room buzzed with anticipation after Lucas spilled the details. While a part of me felt a surge of relief knowing Ashley wasn¡¯t involved but I couldn¡¯t help but keep checking my wristwatch. I can¡¯t wait for 8:46 pm when I¡¯ll head to La Rosa Nera club and show that idiot what happens when they mess with my name. Though a huge amount was paid to bring down the news I couldn¡¯t wait totch out on that bitch and also find out who is behind her.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Eros¡¯s sudden outburst caught us off guard, and our heads snapped in his direction. ¡°What¡¯s going on now?¡± I scowled, my frustration evident.


    ¡°The news has been taken down,¡± he mumbled quietly, his gaze still locked on his phone screen.


    ¡°Better,¡± I sighed, resting my head back.


    ¡°But¡­¡± he trailed off, his lips forming a tight line as he zoomed in on whatever had caught his attention on his phone.


    ¡°What now?¡± I red.


    ¡°Come on, dude, quit sulking,¡± Pasito rolled his eyes. ¡°And Eros, can you please speak up? Some of us need to rest,¡± he added, shooting a re at Eros, who appearedpletely absorbed in his phone.


    I shot him a fierce re, thinking how much I wanted to give him a piece of my mind. If it were anyone else, I might have lost my cool, but I held back. Little did he know, he should be grateful because¡­ Before I could finish my thoughts, Eros¡¯s voice cut through the air, interrupting me.


    ¡°The inte is still a mess,¡± he said, lifting his head to nce at us. I nodded in agreement before shrugging. ¡°It¡¯s just a matter of time,¡± I replied, echoing his sentiment.


    ¡°People are gonna keep talking, man. You can¡¯t expect everything to just disappear overnight,¡± Pasito raised an eyebrow at him, challenging his unrealistic expectations.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s true but¡­..¡± Eros trailed off once again.


    ¡°But what?¡± Pasito and I eximed simultaneously, unable to contain our curiosity any longer. This guy needed to stop keeping us in suspense and just spill it already. I nced at my wristwatch once again, feeling a surge of frustration building up inside me.


    ¡°This person again¡­¡­ this person who is he?¡± I nced at Pasito as we both gave Eros a look like he was mad.


    ¡°Cipher, huh? Yeah, this person is going all out defending you online. Did you bribe someone?¡± He lifted his gaze, amusement twinkling in his eyes, as he stared at me.


    My eyebrow furrowed as I shot him a death re. ¡°Who is this Cipher guy again? And any updates on that blogger?¡± I asked, feeling frustrated.


    Ignoring my question, Eros¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Man, this guy is going all out defending you! You better be ready to drop some serious cash into his ount after this saga,¡± he eximed, his amusement evident in his voice.


    ¡°Does this seem funny to you?¡± I snapped, wiping the smile off his face.


    ¡°Come on, you didn¡¯t pay this guy and he¡¯s defending you like crazy,¡± he whined, scrolling through his phone. I could see the smile reappear on his face as he read thements.


    Sighs!


    I rolled my eyes at him. ¡°Him¡­ How do you know if it¡¯s a guy?¡± Pasito questioned, eyeing Eros up and down.


    He shrugged. ¡°My instinct is telling me it¡¯s a guy, but seriously¡­ he¡¯s defending you like crazy,¡± heughed. ¡°I mean, the guy should know you¡¯re straight, hahaha. It¡¯s wild to think you have obsessed male fans now.¡±


    Geez!


    ¡°Eros!¡± I eximed in disgust. ¡°Any news about this Cipher person you¡¯re talking about?¡±


    ¡°No news about this mysterious male lover of yours,¡± Pasito and I exchanged disgusted nces, but Eros just grinned as usual. ¡°It¡¯s strange that his identity can¡¯t be traced for now,¡± he pondered, tapping his jaw thoughtfully before shaking his head.


    That¡¯s odd.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think he/she is a blogger,¡± Pasito quickly blurted. ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked, ignoring Eros as he scrolled through his phone.


    ¡°Because he/ she only shows up when your name is mentioned,¡± he pointed out. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± he scratched his head nervously, his eye sparkling as he teased. ¡°Hmm¡­ maybe Eros is right. It seems like you¡¯ve got yourself a crazy, obsessed lover who¡¯s willing to risk it all just to defend you,¡± he chuckled, earning a sharp re from me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you¡­!¡± I snapped, throwing the nearest thing I could grab at him. He dodged it,ughing. Disgust twisted my face as their words echoed in my ears¡­ Damn it!! I am damn straight.


    I might be an asshole but I love ya pussy. My gaze nced at the two idiots in front of me and my stomach crushes at their silly jokes.


    On the other hand, Eros seems suddenly quiet catching our attention. ¡°What¡¯s up, buddy?¡± I furrowed my brow, curious about his sudden change in demeanor.


    Come on, I am not in for another surprise.


    ¡°Hmmm, GadgetGeekspany is about to drop a bombshell tomorrow afternoon,¡± Eros disclosed, piquing our curiosity as he nervously ran his tongue over his bottom lips.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°They will announce their partnership coboration with Alexander tomorrow afternoon,¡±


    Fuck¡­¡­!!


    An ufortable silence suddenly fills the room, my fists clenched tightly, gripping the edge of my desk. This has got to be some kind of joke, right? The one time I try to coborate legally¡­ the one time I try to be nice.


    Alexander!


    Just in time, I nced at my wristwatch and saw that it was exactly 8:46 pm. Damn it¡­ I angrily snatched my car keys from the desk and stood up to leave.


    ¡°You¡¯re not driving,¡± Eros quickly interjected, stopping me in my tracks before I could reach the door.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯ming with you guys,¡± Pasito says, instantly getting up from the couch.


    The atmosphere is a bit draining right now.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go alone,¡± I blurted out after a few minutes of silence, dismissing them. But just as I reached for the door, Eros¡¯s voice cut through the room, adding to the tension. ¡°You almost caused this, buddy. You insisted on making this announcement despite our disapproval.¡±


    Clenching my fists by my side, I furiously stopped and turned, snapping at him, ¡°I never wanted it toe out like this! Now Alexander knows the truth,¡± I screeched, running my hand through my hair in frustration.


    ¡°The news has been brought down,¡±


    ¡°Alexander ain¡¯t no fool, and now the GadgetGeekspany wants to partner with him!¡± I growled, my gaze shooting daggers at them.


    They both stepped back, and no more words were said as silence hung in the air. My gaze turned cold as I red at both of them before sighing and heading for the door.


    ¡°Fine, but you ain¡¯t driving,¡± Eros quickly grabbed the door handle, preventing me from opening it. I tilted my head and snarled at him, but he didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, he gulped hard and stood his ground. ¡°I have toe with you to make sure you don¡¯t pull any stupid moves, and mind you, I¡¯ll be the one driving.¡±

 Chapter fifty-seven (Resisting the temptation)

    ¡°Look, Damien, please don¡¯t try anything stupid in there,¡±


    ¡°No matter what, she is still your wife¡¯s sister,¡±


    ¡°Is obvious they are not on speaking terms but we don¡¯t know the cause. What if it is a minor issue and those are sisters? They can still reconcile and then what happens if you hurt her? Think about your wife,¡±


    I¡¯m sitting in the backseat, gritting my teeth, as Eros just keeps going on and on with his non-stop bbering words as he drives us down to the club. I mean, seriously, it feels like he¡¯s got an endless supply of words stored up in there! I can¡¯t help but roll my eyes and wonder if we¡¯ll ever arrive at our destination with all this unnecessary chatter going on.


    He cast a nce at me through the rearview mirror  before asking, ¡°Hey, bro, do you understand me?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but roll my eyes at him, my fists clenched so tight, that I thought I might burst. The anger inside me was simmering, ready to explode. With a hiss escaping my lips, we made the next turn. And then, like a beacon in the night, the club appeared before us. Its name, ¡°LA ROSA NERA CLUB,¡± was disyed in bold, vibrant letters that seemed toe alive, blinking and shimmering with electric energy. Eros skillfully guided the car into a parking spot, and as soon as I heard the engine purr to a stop, I forcefully pushed open the back door and hopped out.


    ¡°Hey, buddy!!¡±


    I could hear the sound of footsteps getting closer, but I chose to ignore him. With anger, I maintained my fast pace towards the entrance. There was no need for me to turn around because I already knew exactly who it was.


    ¡°Come on, buddy, don¡¯t go doing anything foolish in there,¡± Eros eximed, his frustration evident in his voice.


    ¡°Good evening, capo,¡± the guards standing there greeted, but today was not the day for pleasantries. I wasn¡¯t here to exchange niceties.


    I roughly pushed them aside, my frustration boiling over as I kicked the entrance door open. It mmed forcefully against the wall, but luckily the sting music in the background masked the sound of the impact.


    ¡°Good evening, consigliere,¡± I heard the guards greeting Eros as I made my way inside the club. Their voices were filled with fear, and I could tell they had noticed the sudden shift in the atmosphere.


    ¡°Yeah, but hold on¡­ I¡¯ve got a bigger problem here,¡± Eros blurted out, his words rushing out in a faster tone. He quickly followed me inside, I ignored him and continued moving. ¡°Come on, buddy,¡± he said, his voice filled with urgency.


    Unexpectedly the shimmering light from the disco ball hit my face, its intensity forcing me to instantly shut my eyes. I slowly opened them, blinking to adjust, and scanning the area in search of that b*tch.


    ¡°Good evening capo,¡±


    I turned to see the intruder and let out a sigh of relief. ¡°Lucas,¡± I mumbled, recognizing him immediately.


    ¡°She¡¯s already in the VIP section, waiting for you, boss,¡± he quickly replied with a bow, his words filled with haste, as if he knew exactly what was going through my mind.


    Nodding I hurried toward the staircase, Eros cleared his throat acknowledging Lucas¡¯s greeting before he hurried behind me. I  rushed up the staircase, my steps quick and calcted. My heart vibrates in anger as I head towards the elevator that leads to the VIP area.


    I quickly pressed the white arrow pointing upward, and the elevator doors opened. Without hesitation, I stepped inside. But just as the doors were about to close, Eros rushed in, panting heavily.


    ¡°Hey bro, what¡¯s the rush? You were practically zooming up those stairs,¡± heined, his voice filled with exasperation. ¡°Damn!¡± he sighed, trying to catch his breath beforeunching into one of his infamous unending lectures.


    I stood there, my mind wandering in different directions, not even sparing him a nce or paying attention to his bbering. The Gadget announcement¡­ I needed their partnership if I really wanted to take this Powertech innovation to the next level. They had what I needed, fuck it!


    I growled, it looks like we¡¯ll have to handle this matter in my usual way then. Just as I thought, the elevator beeped, and the green light indicated that we had arrived at our destination. The doors opened, and I quickly rushed out, with Eros bbering behind me.


    ¡°I wonder why she did that but anyway you just have to find out,¡± I ignored him and walked faster. But he hurried up, catching up with my fast pace.


    I reached the VIP door, and the guard standing there gave us a slight bow. ¡°Good evening, Capo,¡± he greeted, opening the door and stepping aside to allow me to enter.


    Stopping in front of the door, I ced my left hand at the door, stopping Eros from taking a step inside. I tilted my head a bit to look at Eros who was right behind me, and said, ¡°Hey, just hang tight here for a moment, do you hear me?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± He raised his eyebrow. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t trust you in there alone,¡± he replied, his voice filled with concern. He gave me a suspicious re.


    ¡°She¡¯s just a girl, and I need a moment alone with her,¡± I insisted, my tone firm, my gaze shing with a hint of danger.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Getting the hint, he rolls his eyes at me and says, ¡°Okay, fine. I¡¯ll wait here, but don¡¯t try anything stupid. Remember, she¡¯s still your wife¡¯s sister.¡±


    ¡°Just get the necessary information,¡±


    Geez! How long will he say that?


    I red at him and walked inside. As soon as the door was shut behind me, I found myself in a dimly lit room. The soft glow of a few warm, low-wattage bulbs cast a gentle illumination, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Stopping in my tracks, I furiously scanned the room, searching for that bitch.


    ¡°Where is that thing?¡± I hissed through clenched teeth, my anger boiling over.


    ¡°You know, it wasn¡¯t the nicest thing to keep a girl waiting for you for too long,¡± I froze in my tracks as I heard a seductive, sweet, soft voiceing from behind me.


    I turned around, my eyes widening at the girl standing in front of me. She had an undeniable allure, and her dress was daring and provocative, yet tasteful. I could see her exposed boobs, with her t tummy on full disy and the skirt barely reaching her thigh or should I say barely covering her butts. She is almost naked, those pieces that are covering her are hiding nothing, to be honest.


    My eyes trailed along her exposed neckline, captivated by its allure which drew attention to her corbones and framed her face beautifully. She paired her dress with stylish essories; a dainty ne, which enhanced her overall appearance. Her hair was styled in cascading waves thatplemented her seductive outfit perfectly.


    ¡°I know you¡¯ll love what you see,¡± she confidently shed me a tempting grin.


    ¡°What is fucking wrong with me,¡± I growled at myself for checking her out. She is my wife¡¯s sister for God¡¯s sake.


    ¡°A woman based on a contract,¡± The dark side of my subconscious taunts me.


    ¡°But she is still my wife, even though this woman here is damn hot,¡± I mumbled to myself, my heart pounding in my chest. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my thoughts.


    What is wrong with me?


    ¡°Damien,¡± her seductive tone rang in my ears, my gaze involuntarily drawn to the bottle of red wine she held in her grip. I couldn¡¯t help but meet her gaze, feeling a mix of lust and suspicion. This might be a trap though her presence was captivating, and the temptation was undeniable.


    Swaying her hips temptingly from side to side, she slowly approached me. My gaze fixated on those enticing curves before rising to meet her captivating eyes. ¡°You wanted to see me,¡± she purred, but before she could trace her finger along my abs, I instinctively grabbed her hand, stopping her in her tracks.


    And just then, Ashley¡¯s face shed through my mind, her gorgeous green eyes appearing in my thoughts like a powerful wave.


    Normally, I could have just had my way with this bitch here and even killed her once I was done, but for some reason, something was holding me back¡­.. Those green orbs!


    Gritting my teeth in anger as the scent of her cologne assaulted my senses, I clenched my jaw tightly. My eyes snapped open, coldly locking onto her trembling form. With a tight grip on her wrist, my gaze pierced through her, emanating a dangerous intensity. I couldn¡¯t help but let out a sharp, frustrated shriek. ¡°What the fuck do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±

 Chapter fifty-eight(The dimly lit room)

    She forcefully yanked her wrist from my grip, and I watched as she quickly moved away from me, creating a small but noticeable distance between us.


    I snarled, my eyes fixed on her as she poured the wine into the ss tumbler on the table. Her seductive gaze met mine, intensifying the tension in the room.


    Holding the ss, she sauntered towards me, her perfectly slender legs on full disy. Ignoring the palpable tension in the air, she stopped right in front of me, a seductive grin ying on her lips. Her eyes sparkled as she extended the ss towards me.


    ring at her with a mix of anger and frustration, I couldn¡¯t stand her misced confidence any longer. In a fit of fury, I forcefully knocked the ss out of her hand, the sound of it shattering against the floor echoing through the room. Without hesitation, I grabbed her chin, my grip tight andmanding. But to my disbelief, she let out a seductive triumph, her voice dripping with desire. ¡°Come, Damien, I love my men rough,¡± she whispered, her words making my face twitch in disgust.


    My eyes hardened further, my grip tightening roughly around her chin, leaving no doubt that it would leave a bruise. She winced, a gasp escaping her lips. ¡°I asked you a damn question, you bloody slut!¡± I spat out.


    She smirked and scowled at me, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Stop acting all tight as if you don¡¯t like what you see,¡±


    My grip released from her chin, and in a fit of rage, I instinctively grabbed her neck, squeezing tightly. ¡°Damien¡­!¡± she screamed, her hands desperately trying to pry mine away. As the struggle ensued, the bottle of wine she held slipped from her grasp, crashing to the ground and shattering into pieces. The crimson liquid spilled onto the floor.


    ¡°Who are you working for? Who sent you?¡±


    I snapped, my breath cold and minty, fanning her cheeks. The intensity of my presence caused her body to instantly tense up, as my dark demeanor made it clear that staying close to me was no longer safe.


    ¡°What the heck are you talking about?¡± she red at me, her nails digging into my flesh. ¡°Let me go!¡± she demanded, her voice filled with desperation.


    And immediately, those innocent green orbs shed through my mind, piercing my heart as Eros¡¯s words popped into my head repeatedly. I instantly released my grip on her, tossing her away as if she weighed nothing, causing her tond on the floor. ¡°Ah¡­ ugh,¡± she groaned in pain, rubbing her neck where my grip had left its mark. Fearfully, she crawled away from me to the other side of the room, her eyes still filled with a mix of anger and fear as she red at me.


    My gaze remained fixed on her, unmoving, as my mind wrestled with a storm ofplicated emotions and conflicting thoughts. At that moment, a dark desire surged within me, an intense craving to strangle her to death. Snarling, my eyes transformed into a cold, piercing stare directed solely at her.


    ¡°Now!¡± I growled, my voice dripping with anger. ¡°Start talking,¡± I snapped, causing her to involuntarily flinch, clearly taken aback by the intensity of my words.


    ¡°What the fuck do you think you¡¯re doing, Damien?¡± she blurted out, her voice filled with irritation as she yelled at me.


    This motherfucker!


    ¡°Who the hell paid you to write those articles online?¡± I demanded, fixing her with a deadly re that caused her to quiver. But, to my surprise, she shed me a mischievous grin before speaking up. ¡°Why are you doing this? I know you called me here for us to have our moments together,¡±


    Damn this woman! Is she crazy or what?


    I nced at her, my expression remaining impassive. ¡°Talk!¡± I growled, my voice filled with impatience.


    ¡°I love you, Damien,¡± she cried out, her words catching me off-guard. I stopped in my tracks, my gaze widening as I processed her confession. She wiped away her pretentious tears and slowly took seductive steps toward me. ¡°I¡¯ve always loved you, Damien. Is it so hard for you to notice?¡± she cooed, her voice dripping with longing and vulnerability, the quiet room amplifying her soft tone.


    ¡°I love you, Damien. I did everything just to get your attention. Just give us a chance, have me,¡± she pleaded, closing the distance between us. Her breath tickled my neckline as she sensually purred, her words filled with desire. ¡°im my body, please, and make me yours.¡±


    She did everything just to get my attention, really? She ruined my n. And made me threaten my wife!All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    I snapped my head at her in anger, my gaze narrowing on her. My body burned with rage, and dark thoughts surged within me. Part of me wanted to smack her face, to release the anger that coursed through my veins. But another part of me wanted nothing but to strangle her instantly.


    And before I knew it, I roughly choked her to the wall. She gasped, her eyes widened as she shrugged to free herself. ¡°For thest time, who paid you?¡±


    ¡°No one paid¡­ me,¡± she scowled, her breath heavy andbored.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fucking lie to me!!!¡± I shrieked, choking her deeper till I could see green veins pop out by the side of her head as she continued fighting my grip. ¡°I¡­. I¡­ am serious, no one paid me,¡±


    ¡°I know everything¡­ everything about how you got married,¡± she blurted out, her words rushing out in a heavy breath.


    She knew everything¡­¡­ the word echoed in my head, how could I have forgotten that she is Daniel¡¯s daughter and of course part of their wretched family?


    ¡°What do you intend to achieve by doing that?¡± I asked, my gaze darkening as my grip tightened.


    Fighting my grip, her glossy eyes gleamed mischievously as sheughed at me. ¡°I¡­ I have told¡­ hmm,¡± she coughed, struggling against my rough grip.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Please,¡± she cried out. ring at her, I pushed her to the floor. ¡°Now, start talking,¡± I demanded, my voice filled with frustration.


    Rubbing her neck, she coughed and panted heavily before tilting her head to look at me. ¡°I¡­ I told you that I love you, Damien,¡± she said, her breathing heavy.


    This fool!!!!


    Doesn¡¯t she realize that I am married to her sister?


    I shot her a cold stare, my voice filled with icy resolve. ¡°I am married to your sister,¡± I stated firmly.


    But instead, sheughed, still rubbing her neck, as she waved off my statement. ¡°Both of us know that it was just based on a mere contract. There isn¡¯t love there,¡± she taunted, grinning mischievously.


    ¡°Watch your tongue or you will have me cut it off,¡±


    ¡°I love you, Damien, that fool doesn¡¯t love you¡­¡­¡±


    Before she could finish her sentence, I felt my hand connect with her face. She let out a scream of pain as her head snapped to the side. Holding her swollen cheeks, she turned to re at me with anger in her eyes. ¡°She loves someone else¡­ She doesn¡¯t love you. If she truly loves you, then why does she still have her ex¡¯s gifts?¡±


    I stopped in my tracks, my anger ring up. ¡°What an obsessed fellow, damn it!¡± I muttered under my breath, frustration evident in my voice.


    I think I just have to end her here. I took fierce steps toward her as she crawled back in fear but instantly the door was bashed open and Eros rushed inside. His eyes widened in surprise as he took in the scene before him ¨C the half-naked girl with swollen cheeks and my intense demeanor. Shaking his head, he quickly moved to intervene, preventing me from taking any further action.


    ¡°I told you to wait outside,¡± I barked, ¡°Why are you here!¡± I snapped, turning to look at him but seeing the worried look on his face. I stopped to face him.


    He leaned forward and whispered, ¡°We have a bigger problem right now,¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Our warehouse at the outskirts of the city was burnt down,¡±


    My eyes widened in disbelief as I processed the information. ¡°WHAT?¡± I eximed, my voice filled with shock and confusion.


    ¡°Pasito just called now,¡±


    ¡°To the car!¡± I roared, my voice filled with urgency as I hastily made my way out of the room.


    Hurrying to the parking spot in anger, I suddenly felt a soft, feminine hand wrap around my waist. ¡°Damien, I love you!¡±


    Growling thunderously, I turned to see the same woman from the VIP room. My gaze darkened with anger as I furiously grabbed her hand. Suddenly, a camera light shed, but I wasn¡¯t in the mood for that right now. ¡°Don¡¯t be unfortunate!¡± I forcefully pushed her to the floor and quickly made my way inside the car.

 Chapter fifty-nine(The snitch)

    I felt restless, and immediately the car stopped, without hesitation, I hopped out. My gaze scanned the area, observing my men as they moved about. As I neared the half-burnt building, my anger surged, boiling within me. The sight that unfolded before my eyes was haunting, sending shivers down my spine.


    The charred remnants stood as a somber reminder of the destructive force that had engulfed it. The thick smell of smoke swirls around the ce, creating an unsettling atmosphere.


    Damn it¡­.. This is one of my profitable warehouses!


    I clenched my teeth as I nced at the building. The once majestic structure now wore the scars of fire, its walls ckened and crumbling, its windows shattered and empty.


    ¡°I got the newste,¡± Pasito said as he came to stand beside me, his right hand gently resting on my shoulder.


    ¡°What happened here?¡± I managed to form my words, my voiceced with anger as I fought to contain it. ¡°This didn¡¯t just start burning,¡± I turned to face him, my eyes narrowing at the sight of blood stains on the ground.


    A fight might have taken ce here in my absence.


    He let out a frustrated sigh, and in a tone tinged with irritation, he said, ¡°It was robbed.¡± My head snapped toward him, my eyes locking onto his. ¡°Here, where it was fully guarded. So tell me, is it impossible?¡±


    ¡°We have a snitch among us,¡± Eros cleared his throat as he walked up to us. My anger red, and I snarled, ¡°A SNITCH¡±


    ¡°We noticed that the robbers were smuggling our weapons out when we attacked, but the signal came veryte,¡± Pasito sighed, his frustration and anger palpable. ¡°By the time we arrived, they had already smuggled out a lot of weapons,¡± he rubbed his jaw, his disappointment evident.


    ¡°The guards assigned here?¡± I asked, though I already knew what wasing next.


    ¡°Dead, while a few were badly injured,¡± he blurted, dragging in a deep breath. I nodded, the bloodstains confirming my suspicion.


    ¡°Howe the fire?¡±


    ¡°Seeing us, they set the ce on fire as a distraction to escape,¡± I nodded at his words. My anger intensified as I paced around, and I felt Eros ce his hand on my shoulder. ¡°We have dispatched our men to search for them,¡± he reassured me.


    I took in a deep breath, my eyes zing with anger. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, buddy,¡± Pasito sighed, his voice filled with regret.


    I stopped and turned to face him, my gaze piercing. ¡°Not your fault, Pasito,¡± I assured him, my voice steady. I let out a deep sigh, the pieces of the puzzle starting toe together in my mind. Those robbers couldn¡¯t have made it inside unless someone from within helped them. But who could that possibly be? I have plenty of enemies, but having a snitch among my own men is a dangerous game.


    ¡°Capo!¡± One of the guards rushed over to us, gasping for breath. We immediately turned to face him, my cold gaze piercing through him as I raised an eyebrow in confusion.


    ¡°We found someone from those robbers,¡±


    ***  ***


    We arrived at my underground dungeon, a dark and foreboding ce. The walls are made of cold, rough stone, giving it a chilling atmosphere. The air hung heavy with a musty odor as if it had been deprived of daylight for countless years.


    As I walked down the corridor, my gaze swept over each cramped cell with its rusty iron bars, where prisoners are held captive. ¡°Where is he?¡± I questioned, my voice echoing through the corridor as I continued to move forward.


    ¡°He¡¯s in the torture room,¡± Lucas blurted out. As


    we passed by each cell, and the guards responsible for their watch bowed slightly in respect, acknowledging my presence as their boss.


    I paid no attention to the guards, a smirk forming on my lips as wicked desires clouded my mind. Nobody dared to cross me. ¡°Lead the way,¡± Imanded, my voiceced with authority. Lucas pointed towards the iron door, signaling our destination. We came to a halt.


    ¡°Wee, Capo,¡± the guard standing before us greeted, his tone respectful. He opened the door, stepping aside to allow us entry. I nodded in acknowledgment and walked past him.


    The flickering light barely illuminated the room, casting eerie shadows through the small holes in the walls. It added to the sense of dread that permeated the air. The whole ce is guarded by tough-looking mobsters, ready to bounce on the snitch that is sitting in the center of the room with his hands tightly chained behind the chair. His face is hidden beneath a cloth, and his mouth is securely taped, muffling any sound he attempts to make.


    A cold dreadful smirk tugged at my lips as I reluctantly studied him, my fingers clicking together in the air. With a flick of my wrist, one of the mobsters stepped forward, forcefully yanking the cloth off his face. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± I heard him groan through the tape that sealed his mouth.


    ¡°Kenzo Jones!!!¡±


    My eyelid twitched in surprise, but I swiftly concealed any trace of emotion on my face. As soon as he heard his name, his head snapped up, and I noticed an immediate tremble running through him. Our gazes locked, and the intensity in the air was noticeable.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­.¡±


    He continued to struggle, shaking his head in disbelief. I could see the fear widening his gaze, his eyes filled with terror.


    ¡°Nice to meet you again, Kenzo Jones,¡± I smirked, stepping out of the shadows to ensure he could see the dangerous look on my face clearly. Tears streamed down his eyes as he continued to shake his head, the muffled sound escaping from his taped mouth.


    The flickering torchlight casts eerie shadows on his face, highlighting the lines of worry etched upon it. His eyes darted around the room, searching for a chance to escape.


    ¡°Remember what I told you, Kenzo Jones,¡± I sneered, shing him a brutal smile that widened into a sinister grin. ¡°Just like the red-colored ink in the contract, so shall be the blood of your blood anytime you dare to defy me.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­!!!¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­.!!!¡±


    ¡°Remove the tape,¡± I ordered, my face hardened.


    Lucas stepped forward, forcefully ripping off the tape, leaving a bruise on his lips. My gaze narrowed on him, observing as he took in a deep, heavy breath before his voice trembled as he muttered, ¡°Pl¡­ Please, Damien.¡±


    ¡°Boss to you!¡± Lucas barked, smacking him on the back of his head. He let out a scream, his head shaking in fear. Quickly, I raised my hand to halt Lucas, signaling him to refrain from any further actions.


    ¡°Who sent you?¡± I demanded, my voice filled with urgency. But he ignored me, his mouth opening and closing forcefully, yet no words escaped his lips.


    ¡°Where are my billion-dor weapons that you smuggled out?¡± I growled, moving closer to the table and tapping my index finger on the hand ax. I locked eyes with him, watching as he nced nervously at the ax, his eyes welling up with tears. He quickly shifted his gaze to the stoic faces of everyone in the room before swallowing hard.


    Despite his restraints, I could sense an air of tension and fear emanating from him. His bodynguage spoke of helplessness and desperation as he struggled against his chains.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± I smirked, ¡°What an obedient puppet?!¡± I turned around to face Pasito.


    ¡°Force out the truth from his mouth,¡± he nodded at me. I tilted my head to nce at Lucas and then back at Kenzo. ¡°Kill him after,¡± I responded, my voice filled with disgust.


    I turned to spare Kenzo thest threatening look and spoke with a firm tone, ¡°Speak up or go down alone.¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡­!!!!¡±


    ¡°No¡­! Please, Dam¡­ Boss!¡± I could hear his fearful scream echoing behind me as I walked away from the section.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Shut up and start talking!¡± Pasito roared, his voice filled with anger. I smiled at the sound of a loud smack echoing in the room before the door mmed shut.


    I headed outside toward the car, with Eros by my side. He hurried to catch up with my fast pace and asked, ¡°What are you going to do about the Gadget partnership announcement?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll do it my old way then,¡± he nodded in agreement as I opened the car door and settled into the back seat. ¡°Take me to their headquarters,¡± I instructed him.


    ¡°Alright, boss,¡± he replied, starting the car¡¯s engine and driving off.

 Chapter sixty (The pleasurable moan)

    Ashley


    I¡¯ve been pacing around the room since morning after Damien left, and I can¡¯t shake this restless feeling. It¡¯s a mix of fear and confusion that¡¯s been consuming me. My mind keeps searching for answers, but nothing seems to make sense.


    Who hacked my ount? How am I going to exin this mess to Damien when it¡¯s clear that I was the only one who knew about the announcement, besides his friends?


    Is it his friends? Holy shit¡­¡­ not possible!


    I rubbed my palms nervously, what about my father? Has he seen the news?


    Damn!


    I could feel the anxiety building up with each step I took. A sigh escaped my lips as I heard a faint knock at the door. ¡°Aurora, just go!¡± I screamed, not caring to see who it was. ¡°I¡¯ve already told you that I¡¯m not hungry¡­ Take your lunch away,¡± the words rolled out in a muffled tone as I sobbed uncontrobly, my hand instinctively covering my mouth to stifle the sound.


    ¡°Is Emily, ma,¡±


    ¡°Dinner is ready,¡± she announced behind the closed door.


    My heart raced as I took a deep breath, trying topose myself before responding. I made sure to steady my voice, not wanting her to detect the traces of tears in my words. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± I dismissed, hoping she wouldn¡¯t notice the emotional turmoil I am going through right now.


    There was a moment of silence before I heard her let out a tired sigh. ¡°Okay, ma,¡± she replied.


    I could hear the sound of the click echoing through the corridor, confirming that she had left. Immediately I copsed to my knees, ovee with sobs. Fear gripped my heart as I wondered how that monster would punish me. Would he strangle me, or perhaps¡­ Slowly, my gaze swept towards the door of that pink room, will it be there?


    Memories of thest time sh through my mind.


    No! No! Just no¡­..!!!


    Through my tears, I heard the door being pushed open, and the sound of footsteps approaching. Filled with a mix of anger and pain, I swiftly snapped my head in that direction, ready to yell at the intruder. ¡°I told you that I¡¯m not hungry, Emily!¡± I eximed, my voice trembling with emotion.


    But suddenly, I stumbled backward, my eyes widening as I saw the person standing just inches away from me with his brow raised in curiosity. Damien nced at me before a sinister smirk slowly spread across his lips.


    ¡°I¡­ You¡­ I mean, um,¡± I stammered, my voice trailing off as I instinctively took a step back, trying to create some distance between us as he continued to advance toward me.


    Is he here to punish me? I didn¡¯t expose anything, please Damien!


    My heart was pounding in my chest, and with each step he took, I found myself desperately stepping back, trying to create more distance between us.


    ¡°What¡­¡­ What are you doing?¡± I stammered, my voice trembling with nervousness. I swallowed nervously, my eyes darting around the room, searching for an escape route.


    But he paid no attention to me, wearing a smirk on his face as his eyes gleamed mischievously. He continued to approach me with slow, calcted steps. I took a deep, shaky breath, trying to gather some courage. ¡°You¡­ You just stay there,¡± I opened my mouth, my voice quivering. However, before I could finish my sentence, I felt my back collide with the wall, leaving me trapped between him and the unyielding surface. Hees and stops in front of me, so close that there is no space between us.


    Gulping nervously, I naturally shut my eyes, anticipating the worst as I noticed his gaze narrowed on me. Would it be a p across my face? Or perhaps he would grab my hair and yank it painfully? Maybe he would press me harder against the wall, cutting off my breath? The possibilities raced through my mind as I braced myself for whatever was about to happen.


    But to my disbelief, his rough hand gently grabbed my chin, pulling my face forward toward his. Oh my goodness¡­! I could feel his minty breath fanning across my face.


    ¡°Look at me,¡± his gruff voice sent shivers down my spine, igniting a wave of heat that coursed through my body. Slowly, Iplied, opening my eyes, my heart pounding in my chest.


    ¡°Why are you so beautiful?¡± he hummed in a deep voice. His words freezing me instantly.


    What?!


    I gasped at hispliment, my eyes widening in surprise. ¡°You¡­ Did you¡­ What? You¡­ I mean, umm,¡± I stuttered, struggling to find the right words.


    ¡°First time hearing that?¡± his left eyebrow shot up, an amused expression crossing his face.


    Yes¡­ I mean no! Not that this is my first time hearing that buting from you, Damien! Are you not here to hit me, punish me, or maybe vent your waves of anger on me?


    Why does he seem different to me? Did he drink? But he is not irking of alcohol or did he hit his head somewhere?


    ¡°Something bothering you?¡± A faint smirk touches his lips.


    I gulped hard as I opened my mouth, but no words came out. My mind went nk as I struggled to find the right response. Seeing my reaction, his smile widened, and he leaned in even closer. He was dangerously close, his eyes roaming over my body.


    ¡°YOU_¡±


    ¡°What about me?¡± he breathed, his words hanging in the air. I could hear the rhythmic thump of his heartbeat as if it were synchronized with my own.


    Holy fuck!


    ¡°Hmm¡­ You,¡± I swallowed hard, desperately trying to find the right word to say to him. But every time I opened my mouth, a wave of warmth washed over my body, making it difficult to form coherent thoughts. The mix of sexual desires, confusion, and a deep, undeniable attraction hung in the air like an invisible mist, clouding my vision and clouding my mind.


    ¡°He is bad news,¡± I mumbled to myself yet I couldn¡¯t help but crave his touch.


    More like he read my mind, he sensually traced his finger along my lips, gently parting them. My jaw dropped in response, and a rush of blood surged through my veins. My heart raced even faster, pounding in my chest very hard, while my pulse beat unevenly. Tremors coursed through my body as his finger slowly traced down my face. His piercing silver eyes locked onto mine.


    ¡°YOU_¡± I get stuck on the same word again.


    What is going on? What are you doing to me, Damien? Did you hit your head?


    Is this some kind of dream or am I hallucinating?


    I pressed my body deeper against the rough wall, desperately trying to create distance between myself and the captivating presence that is invading my personal space.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°You look confused and aroused at the same time,¡± he stated the obvious, his words cutting through the air. I swallowed the huge lump in my throat, feeling a mix of nervousness. Releasing a deep, shaky breath, I tried to steady myself. My hands clenched tightly by my side as I fought the overwhelming urge to reach out and touch this sculpture of perfection standing before me.


    ¡°But the question is¡­¡± he muttered, his finger lifting to trace along the bridge of my nose. A soft gasp escaped my mouth, and my eyes fluttered shut involuntarily. A pleasurable moan slipped past my lips as a shiver cascaded down my spine, electrifying every nerve in my body.


    ¡°The confusion or the desire?¡± he whispered, his warm breath gently caressing my earlobe. ¡°Which one is more stronger?¡±


    Damnit!

 Chapter sixty-one (The passionate bedroom sex)

    What is he doing to me? Gosh¡­¡­!


    I should be more concerned about the announcement, right? He went out after the phone call earlier in anger but now_ why is he standing right before me, messing with my senses?


    /Fuck/


    As I squeeze my legs together, I feel my arousal intensify, growing more powerful than ever. I can¡¯t help but throw my head back, surrendering to the pleasure as his hands explore every inch of my body.


    He still has my father¡¯spany under his grasp, I shouldn¡¯t be doing this!


    The moment those thoughts race through my mind, my eyes fly open to find him standing even closer than before. I can¡¯t help but notice the sparkle in his eyes and that mischievous smirk on his face, instantly causing me to lose control once again.


    I feel his gaze fixated on my parted lips, and without even realizing it, I find myself inching closer to him. The warmth of his breath against my lips makes it difficult for me to think clearly. All I want at this moment is him. I don¡¯t want this to end; I crave this version of Damien, not the monster I was married to.


    If this is a dream, I don¡¯t want to wake up!


    A seductive smile ys on his lips as he leans in closer. ¡°You look too innocent,¡± he murmurs in a voice that sends shivers down my spine.


    My body trembles in response to his words, and I can see desire flickering in his eyes. Before I have a chance to collect my thoughts or regain myposure, he leans in and passionately presses his lips against mine.


    ¡°Uh¡­ ah!¡±


    I let out a moan, surrendering to the intensity of the moment. With every ounce of emotion within me, I pour my feelings into the kiss, making sure he knows exactly how I feel at this very moment.


    The once gentle kiss abruptly transforms into a passionate, possessive, and demanding kiss. His lips press against mine with fervor, leaving me breathless. His touch intensifies as he sucks on my lips and hungrily explores my mouth.


    I let out a deep groan against his lips, unable to resist the overwhelming desire that coursed through me. As my lips part, he seizes the opportunity, slipping his tongue inside my mouth and exploring every corner. The atmosphere was nothing like the other day, this one feels different. There are so many emotions swirling around us, too intense.


    I gasped as he pressed me deeper into the wall, feeling the heat of his body against mine. Sensation surged through me as I felt his hard cock rub against my core. With a groan, he effortlessly lifted me from the ground, never breaking our passionate kiss.


    However, I eagerly wrap my hands around his shoulders, my legs instinctively hooking around his waist. He breaks the kiss, allowing me a moment to catch my breath before he reconnects our lips once again.


    He moves forward, and in the next moment, my body hits the soft mattress. He breaks the kiss once more, and as I gaze up at his silver orbs, I can¡¯t help but tremble at the intensity and mischief I see in them.


    I can feel the intense desire between us, mirrored in the look on his face. It¡¯s clear that he wants me just as much as I want him. As he traces his fingers over my swollen lips, I can hear the heavy throbbing of his heart.


    I was still lost in my thoughts when I heard the ripping sound of my clothes. My gaze snapped to meet him, but his hand was already ying with the tiny band of my pants, his eyes fixed on them. Looking up at me, he smirked, and in the next instant, I felt my pants being ripped off. I gasped, my eyes widening as I found myselfpletely naked beneath him.


    Slowly, he steps away from the bed, moving to remove his own clothes. His gaze bores into mine, never breaking the connection as he continues to unbutton his shirt. With each article of clothing he removes, dropping them to the ground, his full dragon tattooes into view, entuating the flexing of his muscles. It¡¯s a sight I¡¯ve seen before, but it still arouses me even more as I find myself unable to look away.


    Seeing my reaction, a smirk yed on his lips, his gaze never wavering. He slowly pulled his trousers off, and for a moment, I wanted to look away. But as my gaze fell upon his hard dick, I couldn¡¯t help but feel my mouth salivate. He is thick, hard, and dripping with precum. I swallowed the lump in my throat and lifted my darkened gaze to meet his silver orbs.


    This is not good, I thought to myself, feeling a sense of panic wash over me. This shouldn¡¯t be happening, I shouldn¡¯t be feeling this way. But as he started climbing back onto the bed, all my rational thoughts flew out the window. The spell was too strong, overpowering any attempts to resist or snap out of it.


    He towers over me and captures my lips, nipping hard at them once again.


    I let out a deep groan as his mouth pressed against mine, the heat intensifying more than before. His kiss ignited a burning desire within me, consuming every fiber of my being with a dangerous passion. I couldn¡¯t help but arch my body, aching for more, as I closed my eyes, surrendering to the intoxicating sensations. As my body responded, my hardened pinky nipples brushed against his hard chest, sending shivers of pleasure through me.


    Still kissing me, his hand ventured downwards, tracing the tip before giving it a firm squeeze. A loud moan escaped from deep within me, echoing through the room.


    ¡°Yes, babe¡­ Moan for me louder,¡± he breathed, his words mingling with mine as our mouths remained connected. The sensation sent waves of pleasure coursing through my body, causing my stomach to clench in ecstasy.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    His tongue miraculously glides along my throat, I can feel the gentle nip of his teeth as he sucks and grazes over that sensitive spot. I try to stifle my moan, but the moment he sucks hard on my G spot, I lose all control. A loud, unrestrained moan escapes from deep within me, echoing through the room. My body arches up in response, and I can hear the heavy pounding of my heart, my breath bingbored.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± he huffs out a hot breath and whispers in my left ear.


    His lips captured mine once again. As his hands squeezed my two breasts, I couldn¡¯t help but let out a gasp of pleasure. Slowly, he moved down my body, his lips finding my hardened pinky nipple. With each suck and bite, the sensations intensified, causing me to writhe in pleasure.


    I am now a moaning mess.


    His touches are gentle and dominating at the same time. Still sucking my breasts, he moved his hand down, tracing it down till it stopped right at my entrance. Gently he rubs on my clits repeatedly, earning a pleasurable moan in response. And before I knew it, I felt his one finger sneak inside, I gasped, arching up immediately. He sneaked another one, pulling and sliding it in slowly before it took a faster pace.


    Fuck¡­¡­!!!


    Pulling his hand off, he lowered and gave me a deep kiss on my clits. I screamed and heaved my back up, my nails clenching the duvet hard.


    Holding my waist, he looked at me. I could see emotions swirling in his eyes, leaning in to give me a quick peck. He entered inside me. ¡°Ah¡­!!¡± I screamed, digging my nails into his hard shoulders as I quickly closed my eyes again.


    Likest time, he didn¡¯t wait and started pounding hard. So, I waited for him to start as tears stung in my eyes at the memories. My body easily adjusts to his lengthy size, making my insides tremble.


    I waited for him to start but nothing came so I opened my gaze to see him staring at me, a frown etched on his face. Leaning in, he kisses away my tears. Heat res all over me, clouding my vision and mind.


    Slowly he began pounding before he gradually increased his pace. Hitting every right center.


    ¡°Ah¡­..!¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­. Uhm!¡±


    My right handes to hold onto his hair, which I couldn¡¯t do before. I felt his finger intertwined with my other hand before I traced my hand down his back.


    He let out a groan and grabbed my waist steady under him as he began pounding inside me nonstop.


    I felt my body tremble, a knot forming in my stomach, my muscles tightening and clenching around his hard cock.


    ¡°Cum for me babe,¡± he groans, his warm breath fanning my earlobe.


    Waves of pleasure consume me, stars dancing before my eyes. I moaned out, my juice sputtering out in full force.


    ¡°Fuck!!¡±


    I heard him groan out, his hold hardening around my waist as I felt his hot release shoot straight to my womb. A low growl erupts through his chest before he pulls off and lies t beside me.


    The room fell quiet as only our heavy breaths could be heard.

 Chapter sixty-two(The early morning breakfast on the bed)

    Olivia


    ¡°Is your leg still paining you?¡±


    ¡°Just a little,¡± I hum in response before letting out a tired sigh.


    Mason nodded and pulled a chair forward, sitting in front of me with his arms crossed.


    ¡°What!¡± I snapped, raising my brow at him.


    Sighing, he cleared his throat before speaking up, ¡°You might hurt yourself.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s just acting, he¡¯ll give in as time goes on,¡± I said, giving him a wink. A mischievous smile yed on my lips, though my own words didn¡¯t even seem that convincing to me.


    He acknowledges her as his wife and even fights the urge to have anything to do with me. Who in their right senses would reject this alluring body?


    ¡°But the way he pushed you says otherwise,¡±


    ¡°Mason!¡± I snapped, slowly massaging my ankle. ¡°It¡¯s my business, I don¡¯t care!¡±


    Shrugging, he rested back on the chair. ¡°Not my business though, I¡¯m just caring because your target seems like a hard crack.¡±


    I snarled at him, ring. ¡°Did you get the pictures?¡±


    Sighing, he hummed in response before stretching out his hand and leaning in to ce the pictures beside me. ¡°I will apud you for the little show you pulled out there. At least the photos seem real and intense.¡±


    I smiled, my eyes glowing as I ran my fingers over each of the photos. ¡°Not that bad,¡± I retorted.


    ¡°So, what do you n on doing with them?¡± he asked, his eyebrow itching up in curiosity.


    Looking at him, a mischievous smirk appeared on my lips, widening my smile. ¡°We¡¯ll use them at the right time,¡± I replied, my voice filled with a hint of excitement.


    *** ***


    Ashley


    As I wake up, I stretch my limbs, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me. My lips curl into a lingering smile as I recall the intimate moments shared with Damien the night before. It was incredibly intense, and honestly, it felt like a beautiful dance of emotions and desires, where every touch and kiss ignited a fire within me.


    A smile danced across my lips as I delved into the vivid memories¡­ It was an experience beyond words!


    The room enveloped me in its warm embrace, basking in the gentle glow of the morning light seeping through the ethereal curtains. With anguid stretch, I reached out, my fingertips eagerly seeking Damien¡¯s presence. But to my surprise, his side of the bedy empty, leaving a void that stirred curiosity within me. The air crackled with unanswered questions, and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder where he had disappeared to.


    What?


    My eyes widened, and I immediately sat up, the duvet wrapping around my body. I looked beside me and around the room, but he was nowhere to be found. Panic tinged my voice as I called out his name. ¡°Da¡­.. Damien,¡± The silence only amplifies my growing concern. Where could he have gone? The room felt empty.


    ¡°Da¡­ Damien,¡± I quietly called out again, my voice tinged with uncertainty. Could he be in the bathroom? Or did he leave me here, abandoning everything we shared? Did the night hold no significance for him?


    As my mind swirled with countless questions, my eyes welled up with tears. I blinked them back, trying to regainposure. Turning my gaze to the right side, I was met with a sight that caught me off guard. There, on a beautifully arranged tray, sat a sumptuous breakfast. The enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air, awakening my senses. With cautious anticipation, I lifted the te covering the food.


    A breakfast? Did Aurora bring in my breakfast while I was fast asleep?


    I scratched my neck in confusion, but my attention was quickly diverted by something else. Beside the tray, I noticed a small folded note, elegantly adorned with a delicate ribbon.


    A wave of curiosity washed over me, and I couldn¡¯t resist the urge to pick up the note. With gentle hands, I unfolded it, revealing the elegant handwriting that belonged to Damien.


    ¡°Dear sunshine,


    I apologize for leaving earlier due to an urgent matter that required my attention. I hope you find the tray of food on the nightstand. I prepared it specifically for you, with love and care. Please savor every bite and enjoy the vors.


    Looking forward to seeing you in the office soon.


    With love, your husband¡±


    Smiling, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a rush of joy as I brought the note to my lips, kissing it gently and hugging it closer to my heart. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes. It meant that the night held importance for him.


    Awn!!


    I re-read the note repeatedly, a smile gracing my lips with each sentence. At this moment, even though Damien was physically absent, his presence felt palpable through the loving gesture of the breakfast tray and the heartfelt note.


    cing the note beside me, a lingering smile yed on my lips as I reached for the tray. With anticipation, I leaned forward and inhaled the enticing aroma of the freshly brewed coffee. The scent enveloped me, awakening my senses and adding to the delightful experience. I couldn¡¯t resist the temptation any longer, so I picked up one of the cinnamon rolls and took a bite. The soft, doughy texturebined with the sweet cinnamon vor created a perfect harmony of taste.


    Hmm¡­ I couldn¡¯t help but close my eyes slowly, savoring the exquisite vor as it melted on my tongue. ¡°So sweet,¡± I murmured in response, my voice filled with delight. I couldn¡¯t resist taking another bite, relishing in the delectable taste that danced on my pte.


    It didn¡¯t take long before I devoured the entire tray of food, a satisfied smile gracing my face. With contentment filling my heart, I ced the empty coffee cup back on the tray and leaned back to rest. At that moment, I couldn¡¯t help but reflect on the overwhelming sense of satisfaction I felt. It had been so long since I experienced this kind of pure joy and fulfillment.


    So does that mean that Damien is not angry with me concerning the announcement?


    The announcement¡­¡­!!!


    My father!


    I felt a rush of fear as I reached for my phone, eager to check social media. However, to my surprise, the news had vanished. Although my Instagram ount was still unavable, I couldn¡¯t help but let out a sigh of relief. At least the news was no longer trending or being discussed in any blogs.


    *knock. *Knock


    ¡°Come in,¡± I quietly muttered.


    The door swung open, and Aurora gently entered the room. ¡°Good morning, ma¡¯am,¡± she greeted with a warm smile.


    ¡°Aurora, how are you doing?¡±


    There was a sudden silence which drew my attention. Lifting my head, I noticed that Aurora appeared taken aback by something. It made me wonder if there was a problem. I found it puzzling because this wasn¡¯t the first time I had asked her the question, so why did she seem so surprised? It left me feeling a bit confused and curious about what might be going on.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ ma,¡± she nervously scratched her neck, ¡°I¡¯m fine, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Is there a problem?¡± I asked, my toneced with concern.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°No, nothing, ma,¡± she quickly defended herself before her voice softened. ¡°You¡¯re glowing this morning,¡± she said, her voice trailing off as she nervously bit her lips.


    ¡°Really?¡± I raised my brow teasingly, trying to suppress my smile.


    ¡°You are sleeping in the master¡¯s bedroom,¡±


    ¡°We are married, Aurora,¡± I said, shaking my head as I watched her adorable face.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± she nodded and nced at the empty tray. ¡°Master woke up in the morning to prepare all these just for you,¡± she said, her smile lighting up the room. Her words resonated with me, and I couldn¡¯t help but return the smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re so cute, Aurora,¡± Iughed, stretching my hands towards her as she took them.


    ¡°How long have you been working here?¡±


    ¡°For three years now, ma,¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± I paused to look at her, my curiosity piqued. ¡°It has been a long time, have you ever visited your parents?¡± I asked, genuinely interested in her response.


    ¡°No,¡± she said sadly, her voice filled with sorrow. ¡°Emily and I lost our parents in a tragic ident. But Master was kind enough to take us in instead of sending us to the orphanage.¡±


    Hmm, Damien let them in just like that. Did he kill their parents?


    ¡°Emily and you are siblings?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she is a year older than me,¡± she smiled, nodding at me.


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s good,¡± I nodded, my voice filled with curiosity. ¡°But¡­ hmm¡­ did, I mean Damie¡­ I mean, how did your parents pass away?¡± I cleared my throat instantly, realizing my slip-up.


    ¡°In a fire ident,¡± she replied, her voice tinged with sadness. ¡°They were Master¡¯s workers, so after their passing, he took us in. Since then, he has been incredibly kind to us.¡±


    ¡°Oh sorry about that,¡±


    She shrugged like it was nothing and shed me a wide smile. ¡°The driver is waiting downstairs,¡± she said, her words filled with a yful tone. ¡°You should dress up for work.¡±


    Oh about that¡­.. I almost forgot!

 Chapter sixty three (The threat)

    Damien


    I sat in my office, a sly smile ying on my lips as I ruthlesslybed through myputer files. My fingers danced across the keyboard, swiftly navigating through folders and documents. With each click, my excitement grew as memories ofst night flooded my mind.


    Smiling.


    I had left earlier to attend to urgent matters concerning the silly gadget announcement.


    Sighing, I heaved out a breath as I multitasked, scrolling through my phone, my eyes darting between the screen and myputer monitor. I effortlessly switched between apps, checking emails, messages, and my social media notifications. And just then the corners of my mouth curled upward in satisfaction as I saw the news online.


    ¡°Breaking News: The Gadget Innovation Company declines business partnership with Alexander Smith and wees an exciting new business partner with the well-known Damien Albrecht, the recent owner and CEO of PowerTech Innovation Company¡±


    I paused on what I was doing, smiling as I dialed Michael¡¯s number.


    ¡°Yeah, sir,¡± he said, picking up on the first ring.


    ¡°You saw the news, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sir,¡± he said, echoing each word with a quick response.


    ¡°I believe you already know what to do,¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sir, we¡¯ll set up a meeting with them right away,¡± he answered obediently, his tone tinged with fear.


    Nodding, I ended the call and tossed my phone on the desk. My face lit up with a huge smile. Not even up to two minutes, my phone started buzzing on the desk.


    Who could that possibly be?


    Pasito¡­.


    ¡°Yes, buddy,¡± I picked up the call and pressed the phone to my ear.


    ¡°We found out the person behind Enzo Jones,¡± my ear perked up instantly, and I leaned forward, my curiosity getting the best of me.


    Noticing the silence, he continued. ¡°You were right,¡± he said with a hint of anger in his voice, ¡°it¡¯s Alexander Smith.¡±


    The name echoed repeatedly in my mind, instantly fueling my curiosity more. ¡°They¡¯ve been smuggling out a ton of your products and making a hefty profit off of it.¡± The revtion sent a surge of adrenaline through my veins, causing me to grit my teeth in anger.


    Alexander Smith¡­. That motherfucker!


    ¡°Damn!¡± I screeched, my voice filled with disbelief and frustration. The sound of my palm hitting the desk echoed in the room as anger surged through me. ¡°How is that even possible?¡±


    I heard him sigh from the other end, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and helplessness. ¡°We have no idea,¡± he said, his words tinged with exasperation. It was clear that the revtion had caught him off guard as well, leaving us both puzzled about how that coward had managed to carry out such a scheme without our knowledge.


    ¡°Send some men to track that coward down!!!¡±


    ¡°I have sent them, but Alexander is nowhere to be found till now,¡± Pasito retorted, his frustration seeping into his words.


    Missing¡­.. Alexander!


    That fool¡­. How?


    ¡°Fine, what about Enzo? I am sure he will have an idea where the coward is hiding,¡±


    There was a silence at the other end, and that only fueled my anger. ¡°Pasito!!¡± I eximed, my voice filled with impatience.


    ¡°Sorry, but Enzo couldn¡¯t survive the beating,¡± he whispered, ¡°He is dead,¡±


    ¡°Damnit!¡± I growled, feeling my anger boiling over. In a fit of frustration, I angrily smashed my phone against the wall, the sound of impact reverberating through the room. ¡°Fuck it!¡± I muttered, rubbing the edge of my nose in exasperation. I then rubbed my palms together, trying to release some of the pent-up frustration that had built within me.


    Pacing around in anger, ransacking my mind on where exactly that coward could be hiding, I was consumed by anger. Just then, I heard amotion in the corridor outside my office door. The sound of voices grew louder, and suddenly, the door was forcefully pushed open.


    ¡°Please wait! Mr. Damien is¡­¡­.¡±


    Snapping my head at that instant, my eyes widened as I turned to see Mr. Daniel Harlow fuming in anger, his face red with frustration. Beside him stood a terrified Micheal, his eyes wide with fear. Concealing my expression quickly, I let out a light cough.


    ¡°Sir¡­ Sir¡­ Please, I tried to stop him,¡± Micheal pleaded, his voice trembling with fear. His words came out in a stammer as he desperately tried to exin himself.


    Clearing my throat, I waved at him to leave, ¡°But sir¡­.¡±


    ¡°Get out!!¡±


    He nervously nodded and hurried out of the office, closing the door behind him, leaving me alone with a furious-looking Daniel Harlow, my wife¡¯s father.


    ¡°And how can I help you, Daniel?¡± I asked, motioning toward the chair in front of my desk. ¡°Would you like to take a seat or prefer to continue standing?¡± I raised an eyebrow, a faint smile ying on my lips.


    ¡°You bloody bastard!!!¡± he roared, his voice filled with anger as his fists clenched tightly. ¡°We had an agreement!¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Fuck! I am clearly not in the mood for this, Daniel.


    ¡°You came here for this,¡± I responded, my brow furrowing in irritation. ¡°You should know better, Daniel, that my presence will have a more meaningful impact on thispany than yours.¡±


    ¡°You bastard!¡±


    ¡°You should be grateful, Daniel. I¡¯m doing you a favor,¡± I pointed out, feeling the urge tosh out but instead choosing to rub my jaw to hold myself back.


    Looking at him, I felt a pang of sympathy for him.


    ¡°Which favor, you monster!!¡± he screeched, but I couldn¡¯t help but smile, refraining myself from doing anything stupid. ¡°Go live and correct that. You¡¯re supposed to stick to the rules,¡± he yelled.


    ¡°And what if I said no?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t test my patience, be reasonable for once!¡±


    Laughing, I leaned back to look at him. ¡°Are you reasonable, Daniel?¡± I smirked. ¡°You, who married off your daughter because of your dead reputation.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but infuriate him a little, enjoying the look on his wrinkled face.


    ¡°YOU!¡± he yelled, his voice filled with a mix of anger, hatred, and regret. ¡°You tricked me,¡± he mumbled, the pain evident in his voice.


    But instead, Iughed out, adjusting my tie. ¡°Leave my office, Daniel Harlow,¡± I said, my face changing instantly to a stoic expression.


    Enough of the banter!


    I might have felt a pang of sympathy for him earlier but right now¡­¡­ not anymore! He doesn¡¯t have the right to shout or threaten me.


    ¡°Why did you go against the rule?¡± he asked, ring fiercely at me. ¡°How did I even fall for your silly trap?¡±


    ¡°A desperate time calls for desperate measures,¡± I replied with a cold smile, my gaze fixed on him. ¡°If you want answers, perhaps you should direct your questions to a whore of your daughter, the one who made the announcement.¡±


    ¡°YOU!!!¡± he barked. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare call my daughter names? She is still your wife!¡± he eximed, his anger palpable.


    Wife?


    Who is he even talking about? Ashley or the fool of a stepdaughter.


    Wait a minute! Does he think it was Ashley? Really?


    I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm in the face of his outburst. ¡°Leave my office,¡±


    ¡°It was my office, Damien!¡±


    With a mocking cold smile, I clenched my teeth in anger and rubbed my jaw in frustration before I snapped my sharp gaze at him and said, ¡°Yours before, but is mine now, so get out!¡± My words carried a snarl, causing him to flinch back slightly.


    Regret and anger swirled in his gaze.


    ¡°I regret every bit of this,¡± he said, feeling a pang of remorse. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have desperately hurried to marry her off because I still lost everything.¡± As tears welled up in his eyes, I simply nodded in agreement. Meeting his sharp re, I couldn¡¯t help but mockingly remark, ¡°Yes, you shouldn¡¯t have acted so foolishly.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget, I still have those contracts. I will sue you, Damien Albrecht,¡± he snarled, his tone filled with anger and threat. The mention of my name, Damien Albrecht, only fueled my own anger.


    No one is threatening Damien Albrecht, not even my father!


    Slowly rising from my chair, a cold, dreadful smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I locked my fierce gaze on him. ¡°Who makes thew here, Daniel?¡± I retorted, my voice dripping with confidence. ¡°Do you really think you can sue me?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t test my patience, Damien Albrecht,¡± he spat, his wordsced with venom. I couldn¡¯t help but smirk, noticing how he tried to maintain a straight posture in a feeble attempt to hide his nervousness. It was clear to me that he was struggling not to cower and desperately searching for a corner to hide.


    He must have forgotten who I am.


    I took a step closer, my hand firmly gripping his cor, intensifying the fear that coursed through his body. He couldn¡¯t hide his terror as I leaned in, my breath hot against his quivering face. With a snarl, I warned him in a low, menacing voice, ¡°Don¡¯t start something you can¡¯t finish, Daniel. You¡¯re well aware that I have the power to end your life in an instant, and no one would dare question it.¡±


    ¡°You mon¡­.. monster!¡± He stammered.


    However, a smile spread across my face, and at that very moment, the door was violently pushed open, apanied by a loud piercing scream that sent shivers down my spine. ¡°Dam¡­ ien!¡±


    ¡°Da¡­. Dad,¡±

 Chapter sixty-four (I miss you, dad)

    Ashley


    I couldn¡¯t contain my excitement as I walked into thepany, my mind consumed by thoughts of Damien, the man who hadpletely ravished me the night before. Stepping inside, the usual silence enveloped the workce, with everyone seemingly pretending to be engrossed in their tasks, acting like they didn¡¯t see the juicy gossip spreading like wildfire on social media.


    Without paying any attention to their pretense, I hurriedly made my way upstairs, a wide grin stered across my face that seemed to irk them. As I approached Damien¡¯s office, I could hear a heatedmotion, filled with discussions about killing someone and taking legal action. Initially, I assumed it was just his friends engaging in a heated argument, so without giving it much thought, I forcefully pushed open the door.


    And there, look and behold, stood Damien and, to my utter astonishment, my father!


    My face twisted into a scowl, a mix of confusion and surprise reflecting in my eyes.


    ¡°Da¡­ mien!¡± I eximed, my voice piercing the air and causing both him and my father to turn their heads instantly in my direction.


    ¡°D¡­ Dad,¡± I stammered, my voice trembling with uncertainty. But instead of a warm response, all I received was a sharp, piercing re from him.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    My heart pounded in my chest, my eyes welling up with tears as the fragments of what I had overheard began to form a haunting picture in my mind. Time seemed to stand still as I fixated on Damien, his hands retreating to his pant pocket with a quick, almost guilty motion. A deep sigh escaped his lips, the weight of his actions hanging heavy in the air.


    Is he threatening to end my father? Who is taking legal action?


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you regret this!¡± My father¡¯s words sliced through the air, his voice dripping with venom. I watched as he locked eyes with Damien, a seething hatred burning in his gaze, before abruptly turning away, his face marked by a trail of simmering anger.


    ¡°Never set foot in this ce again, Daniel,¡± Damien growls, his teeth gritted and his fists tightly clenched at his sides. Each word bursts forth from his mouth like a warning,ced with a tone that brooks no argument.


    All this while, I couldn¡¯t find the right words to say anything. It was as if I was frozen, my mind spinning in different directions. The person I had a great moment withst night now seemed like a terrifying presence, almost like a dreadful demon. And then, to add to the confusion, my father¡­.. Why is he here?


    Why are the two arguing? Why suing and threats?


    I was still lost in my thoughts when, out of nowhere, I suddenly felt an intense, furious shove from the side. My heart skipped a beat as I turned to see who it was. And there, standing before me, was none other than my own father! ¡°Dad!¡± I called out, hoping for some exnation,  but he ignored me, continuing to walk away.


    Stunned, feeling a mix of confusion and hurt, I leaned against the door for support. My eyes darted between my father, who seemed distant and unresponsive, and then at Damien, whose anger was palpable.


    What is going on?


    ¡°What happened?¡± I turned to face Damien, our eyes locking in a moment of shared tension. He let out a heavy sigh.  ¡°Damien,¡± I whispered, fighting against the urge not to believe what I heard earlier.


    And without acknowledging my presence, he nonchntly made his way toward his ashtray, reaching out to grab his cigarette.


    ¡°Why is my father here? What the heck happened?¡± I eximed, my voice filled with confusion and frustration. But again, hepletely ignored me, turning his back and casually lighting up his cigarette. The scent of smoke filled the air as he puffed it out, seemingly ignoring my presence. ring at his back facing me, my anger boiled inside me, my jaw clenched tightly as I made a quick decision. Without another word, I turned on my heels and stormed out of his office.


    I know staying in there will not give me the answers that I need but will only annoy the shit out of me.


    Thankfully, my dad hadn¡¯t made it far down the corridor yet. ¡°Dad¡­!¡± I called out, my voice filled with urgency as I sprinted towards him, desperate to stop him before he could take another step.


    ¡°Good¡­ Good afternoon, Dad,¡± I managed to say, my voice trembling slightly as I took a deep breath, attempting to calm my racing heartbeat. However, the icy re that met my words sent shivers down my spine, freezing me in ce.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Dad,¡± I cleared my throat, despite the heavy tension in the air. ¡°You seem¡­ I mean, you came,¡± I stammered, struggling to find the right words.


    Hissing, he red at me and attempted to walk away, but I quickly intercepted him once more. ¡°Dad, please, I miss you,¡± I pleaded, my voice filled with longing and desperation.


    The words had barely escaped my lips when I felt a stinging p across my face. ¡°Ahh¡­!¡± I cried out, clutching my cheeks as hot tears streamed down my face, flowing freely and uncontrobly.


    This is the first time my father has ever raised a finger at me. What happened? Did I say something wrong?


    ¡°Wh_ what did I do, father?¡±


    ¡°What did you do, huh? What did you do?!¡± he barked, his furious gaze piercing into me. ¡°Every time you do something stupid, you have the audacity to ask me what you did!¡±


    What is going on?


    ¡°F¡­ather,¡±


    Rubbing the shell of his ear, he let out a regretful sigh, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and disappointment. ¡°I gave you everything, absolutely everything!¡± he yelled in my face, causing me to flinch involuntarily.


    ¡°But all you ever pay me back is with pain and regret,¡±


    ¡°Father,¡± I stumbled, my voice cracking, as I struggled to find the right words to express my emotions.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me father!¡± heshed out at me. ¡°I only have one daughter, which is Olivia!¡±


    What?!


    That cunning maniptor¡­. Really?


    I staggered, my gaze widening as pain shed through my eyes. Olivia¡­¡­?


    ¡°They were right, I shouldn¡¯t have hastily married you off or spent fortunes on you because¡­¡± he paused, ring at me. ¡°You never deserved them.¡±


    He snarled, and I felt my words shatter instantly at hisst statement. ¡°Thank you! Now the whole world knows who the new owner of thispany is,¡±


    What is he talking about? Wait¡­ The announcement, damn!


    Damien should have told him that I wasn¡¯t the one. We had a good timest night, so that means he knows I wasn¡¯t the one, right?


    ¡°I didn¡¯t make those announcements, my Instagram ount was hacked,¡± I quickly defended, but he only scowled at me.


    ¡°Everyone can¡¯t be lying, stop ying the victim card. I have always believed you but not anymore,¡± he snarled, taking a step forward, and I instinctively took a step back. ¡°All thanks to you, I¡¯ve been banned from thepany I built from scratch,¡± he eximed angrily.


    ¡°Dad, please, just believe me,¡± I cried out, tears streaming down my cheeks and smudging my makeup.


    ¡°I regret having you as a child, Ashley Albrecht,¡± he spat in disgust, his tone filled with regret.


    ¡°Please, Dad¡­¡± The word had barely left my lips when I felt him angrily push me out of his way. I staggered, losing my bnce and falling to the ground.


    I wanted to scream at him, to tell him everything that had happened. The truth¡­ everything! The weight of it all was crushing me, and I felt an overwhelming urge to let it all out.


    But as I watched him walk away, tears welled up in my eyes. I wanted to pour out my heart to him, to share the pain I was going through, and to exin the betrayal that led me into this mess. I wanted him to understand what his so-called beloved daughter had done to me. But deep down, I knew that nobody would believe me, not even him.


    Though I believed the only way to restore the trust and love that we once shared is by securing ownership of thispany for him¡­¡­ The thought of it brought a solitary tear to my eye.


    How will I do that now?


    Not when those old gray eyes that I cherished so much while growing up no longer held the same love for me. Instead, they were now filled with an overwhelming sense of hatred and disgust.

 Chapter sixty-five (Prestige Medical Center)

    Sneezing, I wiped my tears and rushed back to Damien¡¯s office.


    Why didn¡¯t he tell my father the truth? Did he know who published those articles online?


    Damien I know won¡¯t let anything slide under his nose no matter how small it is.


    So with determination, I pushed the door wide open with force and walked into the room. Damien sat across his desk, engrossed in a phone call. Pausing, he raised his brow at me, seemingly surprised by my sudden entrance.


    ¡°I need an exnation,¡± I eximed,pletely ignoring the phone pressed against his ear. At that moment, I must have appeared like aplete wreck, my disheveled appearance matching the chaos of my emotions.


    Ignoring my presence, Damien abruptly ended the call and carelessly tossed his phone onto the desk. Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes as if trying to shut out the world. Frustration boiling inside me, I raised my voice. ¡°Damien, I am talking to you!¡± I eximed, my voice filled with exasperation.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell my father the truth?¡± I shrieked, my voice filled with a mix of anger and desperation. The skin between Damien¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, forming a deep frown, as he slowly opened his eyes. With a hint of annoyance in his voice, he replied, ¡°You know what I hate most is¡­ shouting.¡±


    ¡°Then talk to me, tell me the truth,¡± I pleaded, my voice trembling with emotion as tears welled up in my eyes. Damien gave me a puzzled look, his expression reflecting a mix of concern before he quickly looked away.


    Gulping hard, I cleared my throat, blinking back the tears as I asked with a slight tremor in my voice, a bit scared to hear the truth. ¡°Aboutst night¡­¡±


    ¡°What aboutst night?¡± Damien turned to face me, his expression devoid of any emotion as he asked, his voice matching the nkness on his face.


    Curling my fists by my side to hide my nervousness, I continued, my voice trembling slightly, ¡°You know who made those announcements, right? So why didn¡¯t you tell my father the truth?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm?¡±


    Snarling, I red at him, frustration seeping into my voice. ¡°Stop ying dumb with me, Damien!¡± I paused, taking a deep breath as I fought back the tears. ¡°We had a good timest night, you know, lovemaking¡­ Everything proves it,¡± I said, my voice filled with a mix of frustration and curiosity.


    Rubbing his jaw, he nced at me, his face remaining nk and cold. ¡°Do I need any reason to have a good time with my wife?¡± he stressed, emphasizing thest word, sending a shocking wave down my spine.


    Comport yourself, Ashley!


    Don¡¯t let his charms get to you.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re hiding something, Damien. Who hacked my ount? Who made those announcements?¡± I shook my head, tears rolling down my cheeks. ¡°And the threats¡­ Why would you threaten my father? You know he¡¯s been through a lottely.¡±


    ¡°And thispany¡­.


    ¡°Was his,¡± hepleted my statement, causing me to trail off. ¡°But it¡¯s mine now,¡± he shed me a dreadful smirk.


    ¡°Dam¡­. Damien,¡±


    Sighing, he quickly pulled his gaze away from me, irritation evident in his actions. ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood for this right now. My mind is upied,¡± he said, reaching for his cigarette.


    ¡°All I need is some exnation,¡± I sniffed, noticing his fists curled into tight balls.


    ¡°Must you all add to my anger this morning?¡± he snapped, his teeth clenched. ¡°Go to your office,¡± he added with frustration in his voice.


    Really, office?


    Does this seem like nothing to him? My father is out there hating me because he thinks that I published those stuff online.


    My father hates me! My presence irritates him. And here my so-called husband wants me to go to the office, working for the exactpany that my father was threatened with and being banned from entering?!


    ¡°Office? When my father is out there thinking that I made those announcements online?¡± I eximed, my voice filled with anger and worry.


    ¡°We will discuss this some other time,¡± he muttered with a sigh. ¡°This is a working ce and I need to clear my head,¡± he added, earning a re from my tearful eyes,


    ¡°I need some exnation! I need to clear my head! I can¡¯t just act like nothing happened!¡± I yelled, anger evident in my voice. ¡°I need my father back,¡± I pleaded, my voice filled with longing and desperation.


    ¡°The same man that handed you over to the enemy,¡± he snarled, mocking, but I instantly shot him a warning re. ¡°He is still my father¡­ I love him,¡± I choked, my throat burning, tears streaming down my cheeks.


    Damien gave me a long look, my words taking him by surprise. Composing himself, he let out a dry chuckle. ¡°Sometimes I do wonder if this family of yours loves you the same way,¡± he said, his tone filled with doubt.


    ¡°Get my family off your lips! You know nothing about them,¡± Ished out, surprising both him and myself. Sniffing, I coughed slightly to ease the tension in the room. ¡°All I need is an exnation of what happened here, why the threats? And who made those announcements? Why is that too hard for you?¡± I quietly pleaded. But instead of responding, he shot me a cold nce, intensifying the silence in the room.


    ¡°Go to your office,¡± he instantly dismissed me with a wave. ¡°Michael will bring you some documents, go through them, and make some corrections.¡±


    ¡°Damien,¡± I shake my head in disbelief.


    ¡°That¡¯s all¡­ Leave,¡± he turned to face hisputer, totally ignoring my presence and, of course, my questions. It was frustrating to be brushed off like that.


    I am his wife, right? Even if he doesn¡¯t acknowledge me,st night and this morning say a lot.


    He should stop treating me like trash like I¡¯m worth nothing.


    This is my image and the rtionship with someone I value so much that is being dragged through the mud.


    What if I tell my father the truth? Will he believe me when I have no solid evidence on who published those? I don¡¯t think so.


    Using the back of my palm, I wiped my tears as I stared at the man I called my husband, tapping away on his keyboard. Swallowing hard, I turned to leave when suddenly my gaze fell on the car keys on top of his desk.


    I stared at it for a long time¡­ I think I need to clear my head. Without much thinking, I quickly grabbed the keys, drawing Damien¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Ashley what the fuck¡­..


    He had barely finished speaking when I immediately rushed out of the office and down to the parking spot. My eyes were red, clearly showing that I had been crying. I could hear murmurs from the other staff as I made my way down from the top floor of the building to the exit.


    Reaching the parking spot, I sniffed hard, taking in a deep breath. Thank goodness, I spotted his car immediately.


    Hopping in, I ignited the engine and drove out of the premises. I know my head will be blown off once I return, but right now I don¡¯t care.


    I need to clear my head and think of what to do next. How to get my rtionship with my father back?


    As I drove aimlessly with no destination in mind, my phone started buzzing on the cup holder. My eyelids grew weaker as tears involuntarily streamed down my face. My heart shattered with each passing minute, yet I couldn¡¯t find the strength to pick up the phone.


    The phone kept ringing and with a sigh, I continued driving and stretched my hand to pick up the phone from the cup holder. Without bothering to check the caller ID, I pressed the phone against my ear with my free hand.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I weakly muttered, but the voice I heard from the other end quickly made me m my foot on the brake immediately.


    ¡°Mason,¡± I stammered, unsure of the voice I heard on the other end.


    ¡°Starting to Prestige Medical Center,¡± he sounded urgent.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Hmmm¡­..


    Wait, Prestige Medical Center¡­ isn¡¯t that his hospital? I questioned, puzzled as to why I should go there.


    It was as if he read my mind because his next words hit me like a punch, the blood draining from my face. ¡°Your father had a heart attack,¡±

 Chapter sixty-six (The old wound)

    I rushed into the hospital, heading straight for the receptionist¡¯s desk. ¡°Where¡¯s my dad?¡± I asked, my wordsing out in a rush, my heart pounding in my chest.


    ¡°Where is who?¡± she inquired, adjusting her sses, a look of confusion crossing her face.


    ¡°I¡­ my father,¡± I stuttered, ¡°He¡¯s been admitted here.¡±


    ¡°Your father,¡± she mumbled, still puzzled. ¡°His name, please, so I can confirm,¡± she trailed off, scrutinizing my appearance. Doubt creased her face as she eyed me up. ¡°Are you certain your father is here?¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Exhaling heavily, I nodded, trying to steady my breath. I was fully aware of my disheveled state, with my puffy eyes and tousled hair.


    Still uncertain, she scrutinized me until her eyebrow twitched in recognition. ¡°Wait! You seem familiar.¡±


    ¡°Where is your manager, Mason!¡± I blurted out, feeling impatient with the situation.


    ¡°You¡¯re Mrs. Ashley Albrecht, right?¡±


    She was still in shock when suddenly a familiar voice called out from behind, ¡°Ashley.¡±


    Thank goodness!


    Turning instantly, I let out a sigh of relief, ¡°Mason,¡± I eximed as I rushed forward. ¡°Where is he? What happened to my father?!¡± I grasped his hands tightly, gently shaking his arms. ¡°Heart attack¡­ How??¡±


    ¡°Calm down,¡± he exhaled. ¡°He is being attended to.¡±


    ¡°Where is he? I need to see him right now!¡±


    Nodding, he smiled and motioned for me to follow him. I didn¡¯t even bother acknowledging his greeting; all I wanted was to see the man who raised me.


    Talking, I didn¡¯t even listen to him, my mind was in chaos. Seeing that I was not paying attention to him, he sighed and stopped in front of a white door with room 119 written on top. ¡°He is inside,¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I muttered and rushed inside.


    Closing the door behind me, my heart throbbed as I walked into the dimly lit hospital room. Swallowing hard, I blinked back my tears as I stood beside his bed. ¡°He is still unconscious,¡± seeing his condition, I could no longer hold it anymore as the tears streamed down my face in full force.


    The heart monitor beeped softly in the background, a constant reminder of my father¡¯s fragile state. I looked around but couldn¡¯t spot his precious daughter, Olivia.


    Smiling, my heart ached as I turned to look at him. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of sadness and regret washing over me. The beeping of the machines was the only sound in the room, punctuating the heavy silence.


    Leaning forward, I gently ced my hand on top of his, my voice trembling as tears welled up in my eyes. ¡°Dad, I¡¯m truly sorry,¡± I choked out, wiping away the tears. ¡°If only I hadn¡¯t sneaked out that fateful night¡­ We shouldn¡¯t be in this situation; you shouldn¡¯t be lying here so vulnerable,¡± I whispered softly, my voice barely audible amidst the beeping and my own sobs.


    I reached out and gently traced my fingers on his hand, hoping he could somehow feel my presence and the weight of my emotions in that moment. ¡°I wish you could forgive me and give me a chance to exin everything to you,¡± I held my mouth, sobbing hard, so hard that I felt pain in my chest.


    ¡°I was crying so hard that I didn¡¯t hear when the door was pulled open and someone walked in. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Ashley¡­ He will be up in a few minutes,¡± I felt a hand ced on top of my shoulder, causing me to slowly lift my head.¡±


    ¡°He needs some rest, please,¡± I nodded at Mason and stood up to leave.


    Stopping in front of the door, I turned to look at him again. ¡°I know you won¡¯t be pleased seeing me here once you wake up, but just know that I love you, Dad, and will surely fix this,¡± I said in my head, gulping hard before walking away.


    ¡°Who brought him here?¡± I asked Mason as soon as we were out of the room and in the corridor.


    ¡°Mrs. Charlotte,¡± he replied, looking at me.


    I smiled sadly and nodded, ¡°Where is she?¡± I nced around the ce, but it was just us in the corridor apart from busy staff walking up and down.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ She stepped out to get something,¡± Mason nervously scratched his neck. I gulped hard, feeling awkward.


    A few minutes passed in silence, tension thick between us. Neither of us wanted to break it. My heart raced, nerves getting the best of me.


    Clearing my throat, I spoke up before he could say anything. ¡°Thank you, I will start going,¡± I turned to leave, but he was quick to stop me.


    ¡°Ashley,¡± I tensed as I felt his hand grabbing my arm.


    Swallowing the huge lump in my throat, Iposed myself, hiding my nervousness as I turned around to face him. ¡°Send the ount details, I will sort out the hospital bills.¡±


    ¡°No need, I have already handled it,¡± he quietly muttered, surprising me.


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± I chuckled, ¡°This is not a charity foundation; he is my father.¡±


    ¡°My fiance¡¯s father,¡± he quickly chimed in, cutting me off.


    ¡°Ex,¡± I interject.


    Sighing, he ran his hand over his hair,bing them backward. ¡°We had something serious.¡±


    ¡°I am married, Mason.¡±


    ¡°At least I deserve an apology,¡± he blurted, stepping closer to me, but I immediately took a few steps back.


    ¡°Not when you messed around with my step-sister,¡± I snarled. ¡°Where is she?¡± I nced around mockingly. ¡°She¡¯s your girlfriend now, right?¡±


    ¡°You shattered me, Ashley!¡± He barked, scaring me. ¡°I was devastated when I heard the news¡­ I was in agony, my fiancee; just days before our wedding, you were discovered in a hotel room with someone else!¡±


    Smiling sadly, I blink back the tears, pulling my gaze away. ¡°And you decided to sleep with her without finding out from me!¡± Ished out, pain evident in my tone.


    ¡°She seduced me,¡± he stopped right in front of me, pain and regret shing through his gaze. ¡°I was vulnerable, I called you to meet me in the hotel room. I waited all night and the next day¡­.¡± He paused. ¡°I saw in the news that you slept with a total stranger, still recovering from the fact that you were married off immediately.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t withstand his piercing gaze, so I immediately looked away. Tears welled up in my eyes; I wronged him, but I couldn¡¯t undo it though I wish I could. ¡°I am married now,¡± I swallowed hard, finding it damn hard not to cry out.


    ¡°Are you happy?¡± I snapped my head at him, his words breaking me harder.


    Am I happy?


    ¡°I am sorry, Mason, but I am married,¡± I insisted, my wordsced with hidden anguish, a veil over my true emotions.


    ¡°Are you happy?¡± He closed the space between us. ¡°Do you love him?¡± he added, his breath fanning my face, his words hanging heavy in the tense air between us.


    However, looking at him, I swallowed hard as I slowly ced my hand on his chest and pushed him away from me. ¡°Sorry, Mason but this can¡¯t work,¡± his face furrowed in a deep frown. ¡°I need to leave,¡± with that said, I turned and started walking away.


    ¡°Ash¡­. Ashley!¡±

 Chapter sixty-seven (Just a cup of coffee)

    ¡°Goodbye Mrs. Ashley Abrecht,¡± I heard the receptionist say, but I paid no attention as I rushed toward the carport. I can hear the heavy footsteps behind me and I already know who it was.


    ¡°Ashley, just wait!¡±


    I pressed the car remote, and the car beeped, but just as I reached for the door, a hand mmed it shut, blocking my way in.


    ¡°Mason!¡±


    ¡°Please, we need to talk,¡± he swiftly stated,ing to stand in front of me.


    Closing my eyes, I draw in a sharp breath before meeting his gaze. ¡°We have nothing to talk about,¡± I assert.


    ¡°No,¡± he shakes his head in disapproval, ¡°We have a lot to catch up on,¡± he deres, cing his hand on my shoulder.


    Tilting my head to nce at his hands, I exhale a sigh and return my gaze to him. ¡°Mason, I¡¯m sorry, but I am¡­¡±


    ¡°Married,¡± he interjects, cutting me off. ¡°A cup of coffee won¡¯t hinder your marriage, and besides,¡± he pauses, exhaling deeply. ¡°You want me to forgive you, right?¡±


    I squinted my eyes at him in confusion, ¡°Mason¡­ You wronged me too,¡± I pointed out.


    Nodding his head, he withdrew his hands and rubbed his jaw in thought before meeting my gaze. ¡°Then let a cup of coffee mend things.¡±


    ¡°Just a cup of coffee,¡± I responded skeptically, eyeing him up.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he choked, trailing off, ¡°Of course, just a cup of coffee.¡±


    Nodding, I murmured, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s find the closest coffee spot,¡± putting his hands inside his pant pocket, he gave me a gentle satisfied smile before moving aside for me to get into my car.


    Gripping my car door, I observed him heading to his own vehicle. He winked at me before opening his car door.


    I can feel the hard beating of my heart.


    Damn!


    Swallowing hard, I stepped in, and mmed the door shut with a bang! Starting the car engine, I drove away from the premises.


    Gosh!


    The issue now is where can I locate a coffee shop in this vicinity?


    As I drove down the road, I kept ncing through my side mirror, searching for any indication of a coffee shop. The thought of still being near my ex was unsettling me; I¡¯m unsure if I can handle it. Concealing my emotions for much longer feels daunting.


    Not like I can refuse¡­ I messed up. If only a cup of coffee could mend the mistakes I made, then I have to go through with it.


    Fucking goodness! Hit my palm on the steering in frustration.


    Luckily, a sign post popped up by the road, ¡°Brew Heaven,¡± a small but elegant-looking shop.


    ¡°This must be a coffee spot,¡± I whispered to myself when suddenly Mason¡¯s car pulled up next to mine. Raising a curious eyebrow at him, he rolled down his window, shouting with a wink, ¡°This ce looks good, what do you think?¡±


    Sighing, I cleared my throat, and offered him a forced smile, ¡°Hmm, much better.¡± Smiling, he raised his ss window and headed towards the coffee shop.


    ¡°Much better,¡± I murmured, repeating my words before releasing a tired sigh as I watched him drive inside the shop parking spot.


    However, exhaling an exhausted breath. I carefully maneuvered my car to the side of the road, ensuring it was in a safe spot. The shop stood just a stone¡¯s throw away, its charm beckoning me closer. since the shop is just along the road with not much parking space. I chose to park on the road so it will be easier to drive out of the area once we are done.


    Closing my car door, I strolled towards the shop. Mason had already stepped out of his car and was patiently waiting for me. If I wanted to make things right, I knew I couldn¡¯t leave him waiting or feeling uneasy, but the awkwardness was hard to shake off.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he muttered, and we began walking inside. His finger trailed slowly against mine, causing me to tense up and quickly pull my hand away. But before I could take another step, he grabbed my hand, intertwining it with his.


    ¡°M¡­ Mason,¡± I gasped, shooting him a disapproving look.


    ¡°I miss the feel of your hand,¡± he said, smiling down at me. I sensed something odd in his smile. Almost like I noticed a camera sh, but as I immediately turned around, there was no one there except for couples heading toward the entrance or exiting the area.


    I attempted to pull away, but he tightened his grip on my hand. ¡°Mason, we¡¯re outside,¡± I reminded him, darting my gaze to ensure no one was watching us.


    For some odd reason, his touch makes me ufortable.


    He is just nice to me, right? I was the one that hurt him first but why this too much awkwardness between us?


    ¡°I know,¡± he whispered, letting go after a moment. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he apologized, to which I simply nodded with a weary look.


    As we walked into the entrance, a serene silence enveloped us. The shop exuded a ssic charm, with ivy delicately climbing the walls, painting a picturesque scene. My breath caught at the beauty of the ce. ¡°To think such a ce exists here, unknown to me,¡± I marveled, captivated by its elegance.


    ¡°Yeah, do you like it this much?¡± he asked as we settled down on the chair by the window side.


    ¡°Yes, of course, but howe I haven¡¯t seen it?¡± I smiled, looking around the ce.


    ¡°I missed your smile,¡± he said, gazing at me intensely. Those words seemed to jolt me back to reality, causing me to let out an awkward chuckle. I offered him a small rueful smile. He looked at me, shaking his head in disappointment before leaning back in the chair.


    ¡°It was openedst month,¡± he answered, confirming my thoughts. ¡°But if you like it this much, we can fix a coffee date every day,¡± he shrugged off, causing me to nervously gulp hard. I could feel my whole body heating up.


    This ce is suddenly hot¡­ I let out a faint cough, using my hand to fan myself to ease the nervous tension building up inside me. The air around us grew heavy with unspoken words and lingering emotions.


    And just in time, the barista walked up to us with a beaming smile on her face, ¡®Wee to Brew Heaven, please how do you want your afternoon coffee?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ We did like atte with almond milk or a cappino, right baby girl?¡± Mason shed me one of his naughty smiles, causing my saliva to nervously bob up and down my throat in full force.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I mean¡­ Just get a normal coffee not too hot, please,¡± I managed to voice out. Thedy nodded with a smile and left.


    Not too hot so that I can easily gulp it down and flee out of here. I don¡¯t know, but I don¡¯t seemfortable around him like before.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Not long after, thedy returned with our order, ¡°Here, please enjoy,¡± she said turning to leave, but I immediately stopped her. ¡°I would like to make payment because I will be leaving soon.¡± I can suddenly feel the change in the atmosphere around us immediately the words flee out of my lips, adding to the tension of the moment.


    ¡°Huh¡­ excuse me, madam,¡±


    ¡°Ashley,¡±


    Ignoring Mason, I smiled at the confused-lookingdy. ¡°Your point of sale machine, please,¡± I requested politely, trying to maintainposure amidst the swirling emotions within me.

 Chapter sixty-eight(Just want a moment away from you)

    I took a sip of my coffee, the warmth of the cupforting me as I gazed out of the window. The city¡¯s rhythm felt distant, overshadowed by the weight of the tension around us. Memories flooded back, a mix of sweetness and pain, as I stole nces at him. His eyes held a familiar longing, a desire that once ignited a fire between us but right now, the space between us feels suffocating to me.


    Sighing, I tighten my grip around my coffee cup and look away. From the corner of my eyes, I could clearly see his eyes fixed on the wedding ring on my fourth finger. My heart races as I notice his nk expression, making it hard to decipher what¡¯s going on in his mind.


    And just then Damien¡¯s face shes through my mind¡­ Damn! How could I forget? I quickly nce at my wristwatch.


    Damn! It¡¯s already 1:30 pm¡­ My eyes widened as I realized I left the office around 9 a. m.


    More reason for Damien to pull off my head, bringing the cup closer to my lips, I gulped down the coffee in one go and quickly stood to leave.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Mason asked, slowly sipping his coffee. ¡°Where are you rushing to?¡± His gaze trails down to my handbag on my hold.


    ¡°Home,¡±


    ¡°We are not yet done with our coffee,¡± he points back to the chair. ¡°We just arrived,¡±


    I sighed, feeling a bit flustered at the time slipping away.


    Clenching my jaw, I swallowed hard to hide my framing nerves. ¡°I have stayed out long and besides I am done with my coffee. I need to head back home,¡± I exined, hoping my excuses were at least enough. But he just smiled and leaned back, shrugging his shoulders.


    ¡°We came here to mend our broken bonds,¡± he swirls the cup around, staring down at the liquid. ¡°By having a cup of coffee,¡± he adds.


    ¡°I have finished mine and¡­¡­


    ¡°But I haven¡¯t finished mine,¡± he quickly snapped. But seeing the look on my face, he quickly cleared his throat before looking back at me. ¡°It¡¯s just a cup of coffee, you have stubbornly made the payment, then at least let me finish mine.¡±


    ¡°Mason, the thing is¡­.¡± I had barely finished before he waved his right hand dismissively in the air, interrupting me. ¡°Yes, you¡¯re married and of course shouldn¡¯t be seen with your ex, huh?¡± He sarcastically blurted out, giving me a mocking grin which only added to my nervousness.


    ¡°Mason the thing is¡­.¡±


    ¡°A cup of coffee,¡± he smiled, raising his cup, ¡°It won¡¯t take hours,¡± he said, leaning back to sip his drink.


    I wronged him and I need to fix up things. And the most important thing, my Father is in his care right now.


    Swallowing, I let out a rueful smile. ¡°Hmm, fine,¡± with that said, I sat back on the chair, looking outside the window, ignoring his burning stares.


    Tick¡­ Seconds passed¡­ Minutes, and he¡¯s still on the same cup of coffee with no intention of finishing it. I¡¯ve even lost count of how many times I¡¯ve nced at my wristwatch. Sighing, I gave up and leaned back, sulking. I can see the satisfactory glint in his eyes¡­ The same smile whenever he¡¯s enjoying a particr thing.


    Ugh! I shake off the memories and fold my arms across my chest, looking away. And just then, out of nowhere, absentminded, I felt a minty breath fan my face, twinkling my skin. But before I could turn, I felt a finger trace along my earlobe, flinching me.


    Holy fuck!


    ¡°W- Mason, what are you doing?¡± I stuttered, my gaze widened at the closeness between us. I gulped hard as he gently smiled at me. I noticed the camera sh like before, but before I could react, he tugged the strand of my hair behind my ear and pecked my forehead before leaning back on his chair, leaving me puzzled.


    Did he¡­. Did he? I mean did he just peck me right NOW?!


    ¡°What? You just pecked my¡­¡± Still, in a state of shock, I point directly at my forehead.


    Shrugging while suppressing his smile, he muttered, ¡°For friendship, nothing much,¡± he blurted like it was the normal thing in the world.


    ¡°Hhmmm,¡± I sputtered, my finger still pointing at my face. Laughing, he pulled them down, looking at me. ¡°Is nothing much, stop acting up,¡±


    ¡°Yes, for friendship,¡± I immediately jolted back to reality, forcing out a smile to ease the sudden anxiety in my fraying nerves.


    ¡°We should start going, I am done,¡± he stood up, stretching out his hand for me to take. Nodding, I stood up as well but instead held my handbag with my two hands.


    Seeing my reaction, he smiled, disappointment shing through his eyes. ¡°Thanks, I had a great time,¡± hemented as we strolled outside. Suddenly, a distant camera sh caught my attention, causing me to swiftly turn towards him.


    ¡°Did you notice anything?¡± His eyebrow twitched up in confusion as he looked at me. ¡°Notice what?¡± he asked.


    Clearing my throat, I fearfully nced around before looking back at him. ¡°A light¡­. Sorry, I mean a camera sh?¡±


    Giving me a long thoughtful look, he burst intoughter as if I had suddenly lost my mind. ¡°The sun is zing today, we better get going,¡±


    ¡°Mason,¡± I wanted to call him back, but I immediately stopped midway. A question shed through my mind¡­ Is Damien spying on me?


    I know I saw a sh countless times!


    ¡°You are noting,¡± noticing my absence, he halted in his tracks, spun around, and found me standing just a few meters away, a hint of surprise in his eyes.


    Letting out a nervous cough, I pushed away the thoughts and strolled over to him. ¡°Go ahead and get into your car, I want to watch you leave,¡± he grinned, his eyes sparkling with affection as he joined me by my side.


    ¡°Huh,¡± I ufortably nodded and began walking away abruptly, but he called out right away, making me turn back. ¡°Thank you!¡± He said.


    Nodding, I forced out a smile at him and immediately made my way back to my car. As I entered, I observed him still standing in the parking space, patiently waiting for me to leave.


    Hmmm¡­. This is creepy! He has never acted this way before.


    Frustrated with how much time I had wasted, I ignored him and inserted my car key into the ignition to start the engine, but to my dismay, the car sputtered and refused to start. I attempted multiple times, but the result was always the same.


    Argh¡­! I nced out and caught Mason staring in my direction with curiosity. Frustrated, I swung open the door and stepped out to pop the car bo. As I peered at the engine, a sigh escaped me¡­ Everything justy there, and I felt lost on where to begin. Uncertain of my next move, I caught Mason approaching from the corner of my eye, causing me to dash back to the car in a hurry.


    And that¡¯s when my gaze fell on the car dashboard, and the fuel gauge showed that the fuel tank waspletely empty.


    Damn!!! I furiously hit the steering.


    Howe I didn¡¯t check the fuel level before driving out?


    Oh God! I should have checked the fuel level before hitting the road. Panic started creeping in when I noticed there were no gas stations around the vicinity. The setting sun painted the road with a long yellow hue¡­.. Is already 3:30 pm right now.


    ¡°What seems to be the problem, Ash?¡± Mason tapped gently on the locked window.


    Fuck!


    My heart was pounding as I thought about my next step right now. I can¡¯t spill the beans; otherwise, he¡¯ll want to stick around, and I¡¯m not certain I can handle another minute in hispany.


    Rolling down the window, I gave him a big nervous grin. ¡°The car is overheated, so I¡¯m just waiting for it to cool down, but that¡¯s not an issue. You can leave.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see,¡± he nodded. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll hang around until it cools down. You shouldn¡¯t be here alone.¡±


    ¡°Huh,¡± I instantly snapped my head towards him.


    ¡°Is there a problem?¡± He raised his brow.


    ¡°No, but you might be needed at your hospital,¡± I replied, hoping he would just leave so I could look for help.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he smiled, but then his phone beeped. Answering the call, I saw his expression change to a frown. After ending the call, he nced at me apologetically. ¡°There¡¯s an emergency at the hospital.¡±


    Thank goodness!!!


    ¡°Oh, okay, you can leave,¡± I smiled as he nodded at me and turned around to leave.


    Once I was certain he had left, I hurried out of the car, eager to find help, perhaps reaching out to my driver. Suddenly, a car pulled up beside me, but I paid it no mind, and focused on scrolling through my phone, looking for the driver¡¯s contact number.


    ¡°Hi, sister-inw,¡±


    I immediately spun around in disbelief, my voice trembling, ¡°Sebastian,¡± I managed to whisper, a mix of shock and confusion enveloping me in that moment.


    Assessing the situation and then turning his gaze back to me, he shed a broad grin. ¡°Looks like you could need a ride,¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter sixty-nine (The Stranger at the Cafe)

    Mason


    Walking into my room, I tugged on my tie in frustration, loosening it a little. Before bringing out my phone, and scrolling through it for any new messages, but as usual, there was nothing¡­ She still hadn¡¯t replied.


    I have dialed her number multiple times since I left her by the roadside to rush and attend to urgent matters in the hospital. I¡¯ve called and sent messages, but still, there¡¯s been no response from her up to this moment.


    Is she okay?


    What if something bad happened to her?


    I was lost in my thoughts when the door was suddenly pushed open, and a familiar voice reverberated behind me. ¡°You¡¯re back,¡± the voice echoed.


    cing my phone on the nightstand, I simply nodded and hummed as I made my way to the refrigerator, grabbing a bottle of canned water. Opening it, I took a sip. I can feel her eyes following my every action. ¡°You look tense,¡± she remarked, her eyes fixed on me.


    ¡°I just got back from work,¡± I replied, but she only hummed and shot me a skeptical smirk.


    ¡°M. M.. mm,¡±


    ¡°My mom called to inform me that she spotted you and, of course, my dear sister at the hospital today,¡± she revealed, shing me a naughty smile.


    Fuck¡­¡­!! Mrs, Charlotte.


    What was I expecting?


    ¡°She told you, I see,¡± I responded, taking another sip of water, ignoring the teasing smile on her face.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she nodded, folding her hands across her chest. ¡°So how did the meeting go? I mean, how does she act around you?¡± she inquired, her curiosity piqued, eagerly watching me.


    Her body reaction? How does she feel around me? This is the truth that I don¡¯t think I am ready to confront.


    She seems nervous and ufortable around me. She is close to me but then again it feels way distant at the same time.


    Closing my eyes, I drag in a deep breath before opening them to meet the curious eyes staring back at me. ¡°I didn¡¯t see you in the hospital today,¡±


    ¡°My mother¡¯s presence is already enough, besides you don¡¯t anticipate all of us to be flocking there like lost puppies.¡± She retorts. ¡°I wasn¡¯t his precious daughter so he shouldn¡¯t expect much from me,¡± she adds, sighing.


    Nodding, I reached into my suitcase and tossed a couple of photos to her. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± she asked, eyeing me suspiciously before she slowly nced at the pictures. I could see a sudden satisfactory smile spread across her face. ¡°What?!¡± She eximed and then turned to stare back at me.


    ¡°She¡¯s still into you, man,¡± her eyes sparkled with excitement. ¡°You should be excited,¡± she said, a smile tugging at her lips as she shrugged.


    I should be happy that we hung out but¡­ but I don¡¯t think she feels the same way toward me anymore.


    ¡°What are you nning with the photos?¡± I inquired, brushing off her questions as I made my way to the nightstand to see if she had responded to me.


    With a smile, she nodded thoughtfully, turning to face me. ¡°I have to send it to Damien,¡± she replied. ¡°I wonder what his reaction will be when he sees the pictures.¡±


    Immediately the word left her lips, I stopped what I was doing and turned around. ¡°That monster will track me down,¡± I eximed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, one step at a time,¡± she reassured me with a smile, moving closer. ¡°We should celebrate,¡± she said, running her hand over my hair, brushing it back before giving me a mischievous grin.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you a bit concerned that I still love her?¡±


    Looking at me, she burst into a mockingugh, leaving me puzzled. Pausing herughter, she gave me a look as if I had gone crazy. ¡°I know you¡¯ve always had feelings for her, and besides, it was just a fling between us, nothing more, Mason,¡± she said.


    Yes she was right, it was just sex between us but at least we¡­¡­


    Seeing the expression on my face, she smirked and halted in front of me. cing her hand on my shoulder, and whispered, ¡°If you still want her, go get her. But as for me, I want that position¡­ I want to be by Damien Albrecht¡¯s side. I deserve that shit,¡±


    ¡°Olivia,¡±


    ¡°Shhhhh,¡± she hushed me, leaning in for a deep kiss on my lips, catching me off guard. ¡°I made dinner, freshen up ande down,¡± she said with a smirk before walking away.


    BAM! The sound of the door snapped me back to reality, and with a tired sigh, I flopped onto the bed. Checking my phone once more, I let out a frustrated sigh and tossed it aside.


    I think she loves him.


    **** ****


    Olivia


    We had finished dinner, and normally, I chose to leave from his ce. I needed a spot to clear my head, a moment to gather my thoughts.


    Taking a seat in a cafe with a cup of coffee in hand, my mind continued to drift in various directions.


    I don¡¯t care how I¡¯ll do it, but I need to make a move. I have toy my hands on Daniel Harlow¡¯s properties, but the problem now is how to get hold of his will. That man is never trustworthy; I wouldn¡¯t be shocked to see that witch¡¯s name written in his will.


    But the question is, how do I find an experienced tracker? Time is no longer on my side, he¡¯s lying in the hospital, and God knows when he¡¯ll wake up. I need to act fast.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    I need help¡­ And just then, Mason¡¯s face shed through my mind.


    Goddammit!!


    That one is a weakling, I¡¯m keeping him around just to use him as a distraction for that winch and get in the picture.


    However, still lost in my thoughts, I noticed the chair in front of me being pulled back. Following the sound, I immediately looked up and saw a young, burly man dressed in a ck sleek suit, gently smiling down at me.


    Who is this?


    ¡°Who told you to sit here?!¡± I snapped, giving him a fierce look, but he just smirked back at me.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure you caught what I said,¡± I growled, fixing my gaze on him but he casually shrugged and reclined in his chair. ¡°Well, hello, Olivia Harlow,¡± he greeted, making me whip my head towards him. A mix of shock and confusion shed through my face.

 Chapter Seventy (The mouthwatering offer)

    ¡°How did you know my name?¡±


    Who the hell is this man?


    Smiling, he spoke in a gentler tone, ¡°Rx, my boss would love to meet you.¡±


    ¡°Your boss,¡± I raised an eyebrow at him suspiciously. But then something clicked in, ¡°Is it Damien?¡± I asked with a smile, feeling my excitement bubbling up.


    Seeing my reaction, he smirked coldly and remarked, ¡°Looks like you¡¯re eager to see him,¡± his words wiped the smile off my face, leaving me confused.


    If it is not Damien then who exactly? Which other boss is he talking about?


    More like he read my mind, he leaned back on his seat, the smile still not leaving his lips.


    ¡°Not him,¡± he stated, earning a re from me. ncing sideways, he leaned in and whispered, ¡°But it has everything to do with him, don¡¯t you want to get closer to him?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t I want to get closer to him?¡± ncing at the stranger before me, I mulled over his words. His grin enticed me, tempting me to give in, and truthfully, I yearned to get closer to Damien no matter the cost, but then¡­


    ¡°Where is your boss?¡±


    Nodding with his head, he gestured towards the ck Aston Martin Valha parked outside the coffee shop. Gulping nervously, I nced at the car and then back at him, our eyes meeting. ¡°I have to sort out the bill before I leave with you,¡± I said anxiously, standing up to go to the cashier when immediately his word startled me, freezing me on my spot.


    ¡°The bill has been taken care of,¡± he said casually, gazing at me. I gasped, my eyes widening in surprise at him. ¡°Rx,¡± he said, giving me a reassuring smile.


    ¡°We need to go,¡± he said, using his head to nod toward the direction where the car was parked. Swallowing nervously, I nodded at him.


    This mystery is creeping me out.


    Soon, we found ourselves outside, heading towards the car. As we reached it, he opened the back door, and I looked at him. He offered me a reassuring smile. I nodded and got in, and he followed, closing the door behind him.


    Inside the car, there¡¯s just the driver, a young handsome man in the front seat, a guard beside me, and the other guy from earlier. If I am not mistaken, these guys beside me seem like guards, and the young handsome man seems like their boss.


    I think so¡­..


    Feeling my nerves fraying, I let out a cough. Clearing my throat, I hid my emotions to appear tough and bold. ¡°What do you want from me?¡± I snapped.


    ¡°Nice to meet you too, Olivia Harlow, the illegitimate daughter¡­..¡± I didn¡¯t get him to finish before I yelled at him. ¡°You¡¯re a real piece of work, aren¡¯t you?¡± I retorted sharply as soon as the word ¡°illegitimate¡± slipped from his lips, but he paid no heed to my outburst and continued with his words. ¡°The illegitimate daughter of a failed business tycoon, Daniel Harlow,¡± the handsome dude chuckled, provoking a re from me.


    ¡°What exactly do you want from me?¡±


    ¡°Is so interesting to think that you crave for your sister¡¯s husband, the same dude that had your father¡¯spany ceased in his hold.¡± he sighed, shaking his head.


    ¡°You really like stirring the pot, don¡¯t you? Talking about my family like that,¡± Snarling, I rolled my eyes at him. ¡°But is still none of your business,¡± I barked, but noticing the cold re from the guard by my right, I cowered back and swallowed the rest of my unsaid words.


    Merely looking at the cold faces of those guards beside me, I swallowed hard and bit down on my tongue. I don¡¯t know these people, and they could easily decide to end me, so I have to tread with caution.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    They seem so stiff next to me like they¡¯re not even listening to our conversation. And at that moment, the guy in the front cleared his throat repeatedly, catching my attention. I gulped nervously, hiding my emotions as I stared straight at his back, which was turned towards me.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s true, but it is in a way,¡± he shrugged. ¡°You are bold, and I love that.¡±


    ¡°I need to use you for a while to get to that motherfucker, so name your price,¡± his voice cold and dreadful.


    To get to which motherfucker? His words echoed repeatedly in my ears. Is he Damien¡¯s rival? No way¡­!!! Fear gripped inside me immediately.


    How did they know me? What exactly do they want from me? Yes, I want Damien, but then again, who are these people? And instantly, all the tough and fierce girl in me vanished as I shivered in my seat.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± I asked, but instead, I earned a sigh from him. ¡°You ask too many questions,¡± he spat back, his tone growing more impatient and mysterious.


    ¡°What do you want from me?!¡± I snapped, feeling the fear gripping me and that¡¯s when the fierceness kicked in again. ¡°You¡¯ll get to know as time goes on,¡± he said, clicking his fingers in the air. The guy from the cafe earlier reached out and brought out a ck suitcase from beside him. Entering a security code, the suitcase opened, and I gasped at the huge amount of money inside it.


    ¡°That¡¯s all yours,¡± the handsome mysterious dude said, causing my saliva to bob up and down my throat in full force as my mouth watered at the sight in front of me. ¡°If you need anything more, then let me know,¡± he added, his offer hanging in the air like a tempting snack.


    Gulping hard, I wanted to say no when suddenly my thoughts from earlier shed through my mind.


    ¡°Since you need me,¡± I smiled, leaning back. ¡°I want to get my hands on Daniel Harlow¡¯s will. I need to track hiswyer down; can you do that for me?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your father, huh,¡± he said.


    ¡°Who cares? Can you do that?¡± I press further, my hopes high.


    There was silence for a while before he said, ¡°Consider it done.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± I gasped, looking at him in surprise, my excitement unable to contain.


    He must really want to get back at that motherfucker like he said.


    Nodding his head, he slowly turned, a dreadful smile on his face as our gaze locked. I gulped, freezing in my spot as I surprisingly gaped at him. He was so handsome, like a Greek god. But then, his lips curled up as his cold gaze eyed me up, making me flinch.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Olivia Harlow. I am Alexander Smith, your boss from now on.¡±

 Chapter seventy-one (The locked up pains)

    Ashley


    We arrived at Sebastian¡¯s house, and I took a slow look around. The small two-bedroom apartment surprised me; it seemed rather simple considering the Albrecht family¡¯s status.


    ¡°I know you must be wondering why I reside here instead of a grand,vish mansion,¡± he chuckled, strolling towards his refrigerator.


    ¡°M¡­ mmm,¡± I hummed, trying not toe out rude.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say I¡¯m all about that low-key life, I prefer to keep things private,¡± he shrugged, pulling out two Margarita cans from his fridge.


    ¡°Mm¡­ yeah,¡± I scratched my neck, shing an awkward smile to lighten the tension. He should¡¯ve offered me a ride back, but honestly, I felt like I needed to cool my head before dealing with the beast waiting for me at home.


    I suggested a club but he refused, worried about bumping into the wrong person there and then again he doesn¡¯t want to get on Damien¡¯s bad side anymore. So left with no choice, we ended up here.


    ¡°Drinks,¡± he grinned, lifting the two cans. I smiled back, nodding as I made my way over to sit beside him on the couch.


    This ain¡¯t our first conversation, but I still feel a bit awkward around him.


    Cracking open the can, he took a sip, leaning back on the couch. ¡°So, you never spilled why you were stuck on the roadside,¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve asked me that like seven times already,¡± I chuckled.


    ¡°Oh,¡± he sounds embarrassed, and we both burst intoughter. But then, the smile faded from my face, almost as if he noticed it right away. He turned around and remarked, ¡°You seem to have a lot on your mind. Want to talk about it?¡±


    I turned to look at him and noticed that the grin had vanished from his face. His expression now held genuine concern, which oddly eased me a bit.


    ¡°Are you always this cheerful?¡± I inquired, but he simply grinned andughed it off.


    ¡°I wish I could be carefree like you, justughing¡­¡± I trailed off, taking a deep breath as I gazed at the can of drink in my hand. ¡°Smiling, without worrying about the things happening around me,¡±


    And just then I felt a sudden hush fall between us before he sighed, saying, ¡°Sometimes, smiles are worn to hide the pain inside.¡±


    I raised my head and looked towards him, ¡°Not for someone like you, Sabastian,¡± I shook my head in disapproval. ¡°You can never understand,¡± I smiled painfully, opening the can in anger, and taking a big gulp.


    The bitterness rushed down my throat, making my face twitch up in disgust. ¡°Ah¡­ Ah,¡± I shook my head, but there was no response from him. The air around us felt a bit uneasy yet strangelyforting.


    Sniffing, I released a weary sigh. ¡°I went to see my ex today,¡± I shared, which instantly caught his attention and he immediately turned to look at me. ¡°Does Damien know?¡±


    Shaking my head, I sighed, ¡°Not really¡­ I ran into him today, and unfortunately, my dad was admitted to his hospital.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± that was all he managed to say. ¡°Do you still miss him?¡± He nced at me.


    Do I still miss him? Oh no, but I feel terrible¡­ I feel horrible that what we once shared was destroyed because of my stupidity and carelessness. I owe him so much for breaking him this much.


    ¡°The feelings just aren¡¯t there anymore. I find myself more ufortable around him, which is quite surprising,¡± I admitted guilt, stealing a nce at those inquisitive eyes fixed on me. ¡°You know, we both went to grab a cup of coffee today,¡± I sadly smiled, averting my gaze.


    ¡°So you don¡¯t love him anymore?¡± He asked, but I just shrugged. ¡°So, is that why you were standing by a coffee shop along the road?¡± I smiled and nodded in response.


    Nodding, as if a realization dawned on him, he furrowed his brow at me. ¡°But I didn¡¯t spot him there,¡±


    ¡°He has an emergency and left earlier before me,¡±


    ¡°Ah, I see,¡± he rubbed his jaw thoughtfully in agreement, pausing to take another long sip from his drink before fixing his gaze back on me. ¡°Does he know that the feelings have faded?¡±


    Immediately the question slipped out of his lips, I paused, my mind wandering around in thoughts. Does he know? He seemed so excited to be around me but then¡­¡­ I release a heavy sigh. ¡°I hurt him, Sebastian,¡± I whispered, tears finally escaping as memories flooded my mind.


    That night in the hotel room, the night that shattered everything I had worked so hard for. The night that continues to haunt me to this day, tearing me apart piece by piece.


    He doesn¡¯t deserve a sh*t like me. He deserves to be happy and I am not just the right person to give him that.


    ¡°I owe him,¡± I said with a bitter smile, using the back of my hand to wipe away the tears as I continued to drink. I gulped down the drink painfully, can after can, not even caring that it was alcohol. The bitterness in my heart far outweighed the bitterness of the drink.


    ¡°Stop,¡± Sebastian quickly grabbed the drink from my hand. ¡°This drink is very strong.¡±


    ¡°I am here to clear my mind, please,¡± I shot him a pleading re.


    ¡°Damien will be angry,¡± he shakes his head at me. Looking at him, I couldn¡¯t resist and burst into mockingughter, leaving him utterly confused.


    The alcohol is starting to affect me gradually. I can sense the pounding in my head intensifying. The alcohol effect in my system urging me to reveal the pains I¡¯ve concealed within me for months.


    ¡°You¡¯re so worried about a man who doesn¡¯t give a damn about me,¡± I chuckled bitterly before yelling in his face. ¡°He doesn¡¯t give a damn about me! He doesn¡¯t!!¡±


    ¡°No. No,¡± he shakes his head, cing the canned drink on the ground. ¡°I don¡¯t believe that,¡± he quickly retorts.


    Really?


    But instead, I smiled, nodding my head at him in disappointment. My eyes were ssy, pain evident on my face. ¡°You know what,¡± I turned to look at him, swallowing hard. ¡°I¡¯ve always admired him, he was my top celebrity crush. Despite what people say about him, his family¡¯s rivalry with my father, I¡¯ve always seen him differently.¡± My voice cracked at the end and I sniffed, biting my lips to control my tears.


    ¡°You were his top fan,¡± he chuckled, grinning at me, which caught me off guard. ¡°You were following him on all his social media ounts,¡± he added.


    ¡°How did you know?¡± I gave him a suspicious look. ¡°Tell me the truth,¡± I demanded.


    ¡°Alright, you want me to be honest,¡± I nodded at him. ¡°Have you heard of Cipher?¡±


    My brow furrowed in confusion; that name rings a bell. It¡¯s like I¡¯ve heard it from Damien before, but I¡¯m not entirely certain.


    ¡°No, what¡¯s that?¡± I asked, looking at him. My face filled with confusion.


    Cipher? What¡¯s that?


    With a sigh, he moved closer to me, leaving a slight gap between us. ¡°Forget about that, but understand that Damien cares about you,¡±


    I whipped my head towards him, but I just burst outughing.¡±Nope, he really doesn¡¯t,¡±


    ¡°You love him?¡±


    Immediately I stoppedughing and froze. His words stirred something unusual within me. Do I love him? This question has been lingering in my mindtely. The memories we¡¯ve created rush back to me vividly. Despite his ws of arrogance, self-centeredness, maniption, and brutality, one thing remains certain ¨C I¡¯ve be deeply attached to him. So attached that all I crave is to be by his side constantly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m feeling at the moment,¡± I responded. He nodded, looking at me, then leaned back on the couch.


    ¡°This minute he¡¯s fine, but the next minute he turns into an uncontroble monster,¡± I said, tears streaming down my face as I nced at him. ¡°I just want to escape, away from all this pain.¡±


    Sebastian sighed, downing his drink, his expression genuinely concerned as he met my gaze. ¡°I wish he had known you before Zuri. The truth is, Damien was not like this before,¡±


    ¡°Zuri?¡± I grinned bitterly, remembering his reaction when his mother brought up the name during dinner. ¡°So tell me, what happened?


    ¡°Is a long story,¡±All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Then make it short, Sebastian. I¡¯m losing it bit by bit as time ticks on.¡±


    He hesitated before finally releasing a sigh, ¡°Fine.¡±

 Chapter seventy-two (The fallout)

    ¡°I broke his trust,¡± he said with a sad smile, taking a huge gulp from his drink.


    ¡°I know something happened because it¡¯s tough to acknowledge you two are cousins; he really can¡¯t stand having you around,¡± I chuckled, mirroring the agony in his expression. I cracked open another can and raised it to my lips, and took a big sip from it.


    Closing his eyes, Sebastian swallowed hard, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing up and down before he gazed at me once more. It was the first time I was privileged to see the blend of pain, longing, and regret etched on his face.


    ¡°We were once inseparable,¡± he chuckled, the hint of regret evident in his voice. Shaking his head, he took another sip from his drink. ¡°Hecked parental love; his folks were workaholics, always busy with their business, leaving him wanting for affection, even though they provided for his every material need.¡±


    ¡°What kind of parents are they? Is that why he hates them?¡± I pondered, hesitant to jump to conclusions just yet.


    He sighed, ¡°He yearned for their love, their time, and attention. He was vulnerable for love and affection then. Eros, him, Pasito, Alexander, and I were on good terms back then,¡± he said, a smile masking the pain that flickered in his eyes but hisst word drew my attention more.


    ¡°Alexander,¡± I sputtered, memories of the man from the party flooding back, that traumatizing night.


    /¡±Nice to meet you, I am Alexander Smith.¡±/ his voice echoed in my mind.


    His enigmatic smile, and then the murderous re on Damien¡¯s face when he caught sight of us. ¡°So, they were once friends?¡± I mused to myself.


    ¡°You have met him, right?¡±


    ¡± Huh,¡± I jerked up a bit, snapping back to the present as I faced him.


    ¡°I mean Alexander,¡± he rified.


    ¡°Yes, I have,¡± I nodded, intrigued to delve deeper into the conversation.


    He smiled, but this time anger shed across his face, yet he swiftly masked his emotions and carried on with the conversation. ¡°Back then, Damien was desperate for affection when he encountered Zuri during our high school days. I was a bit of a nerd back then,¡± he shared with a hint of nostalgia in his voice.


    Chuckling at hisst words, we exchanged nces and burst intoughter, but he suddenly stopped, a wave of sorrow evident in his eyes. ¡°People hardly noticed me in school back then. It was difficult to believe that I was rted to the Albrecht family. Then Damien¡¯s mere presence did scare bullies away from me,¡± he revealed, a mix of emotions flickering across his face.


    ¡°So, what happened next?¡± I asked, turning to him. Sensing the depth of pain in his expression tells me that there is more to this story than I have ever imagined.


    ¡°He and Zuri were the school¡¯s golden couple, envied and admired by many. I may not have loved Zuri for him, but for the first time in years, I saw him genuinely happy,¡± he shared, his smile a blend of authenticity and sorrow.


    ¡°Damien is head over heels for her, and it scares me at times,¡± he shook his head. I felt a lump form in my throat at his sudden revtion and instantly I downed my drink in one gulp.


    Gazing into the vacant space, Sebastian continued, ¡°When his parents caught wind of his high school sweetheart, they weren¡¯t on board with the rtionship.¡±


    I snapped my head at him immediately, ¡°Why?¡± My heart oddly feels excited as it pounds hard against my chest.


    Why am I excited? Is it the fact that I know his parents don¡¯t like the girl? Why¡­ Why is it making me happy?


    Is this jealousy? No way! I quickly shook my head and awkwardly opened another can and sipped it.


    Sebastian was so engrossed in the conversation that he didn¡¯t even notice my sudden behavior. ¡°Because they both wanted him to focus on the family business with no distractions,¡± he exined, confusing me more.


    ¡°Distraction, how?¡±


    Shrugging, he muttered, ¡°They see Zuri as a distraction. It was all about business to them that they didn¡¯t care about their son¡¯s happiness,¡± he spat, ring at the canned drink in his hold.


    I felt paralyzed by his words, ¡°WHAT?¡± What type of parents are they? If they love their business so much, then why did they even have a kid? But then again¡­ I nced at the sad-looking Sebastian sitting beside me.


    If he was on good terms with all of them then what happened? Why the sudden hatred?


    More like he read my mind, he let out a sad chuckle. ¡°You might be asking why Damien hates me so much now, right?¡±


    ¡°Y¡­ Yeah,¡± I swallowed with a nod.


    ¡°Things were moving very well between them, and that¡¯s when Damien formed their gang, La Famiglia Oscura. Zuri was the person that gave it that name,¡±


    ¡°He must have really loved her?¡± I said and suddenly felt a tight knot around my stomach.


    God!


    ¡°But one fateful day¡­¡± he paused, turning to look at me. A sad, disappointed smirk etched at the corner of his lips, giving me a long look. He sighed and looked away, building suspense. My curiosity peaked as I held the can tight and continued looking at him, waiting for him to continue.


    ¡°As the school nerd, I always spend most of my days in the school library even after dismissal,¡± I nodded, urging him to continue. ¡°So one day after school, I was inside the library beside the shelves looking for a geography textbook to use for my project when suddenly the doors were pushed open¡­¡±


    He paused again, the suspense killing me, taking a sip from his drink. He cleared his throat, ¡°I heard voices, and then it was followed by moaning. Curiosity got the best of me, and I peeped through the shelf, and behold it was Zuri and Alexander.¡±


    ¡°WHAT?!¡± I suddenly screamed, the drink I was drinking spitting on my body as I gasped at Sebastian. ¡°You saw¡­ WHAT?!¡±


    Shaking my head to get his point clear, I asked him the question in my mind. ¡°Did you even try to tell Damien?¡±


    As soon as the question fled out of my mouth, there was a sudden silence between us, confirming my thoughts. ¡°You didn¡¯t,¡± I mumbled, nodding as I looked away.


    ¡°Even if I do, he won¡¯t believe me because there was no evidence,¡± he shakes his head. ¡°But now I wish I did, I wish I did the first time I saw them¡­!¡± he yelled, venting out the anger, regret, and pain that he had bottled up for years. Smiling sadly, he plopped on the floor, leaning his back against the chair, he let out a forcedugh. ¡°But then¡­¡± he turned to look at me.


    ¡°It was the first time in years that I had seen him happy. I was afraid that he would go back to being moody and cold if I told him¡­ I was scared, Ashley,¡± his voice cracked at the end, and a lone tear slid down his cheeks. ¡°Still, what I was afraid of happened anyway.¡±


    I moved out of the chair and shifted toward him, sitting on the same floor. I took his hands in mine. ¡°I understand you, Sebastian.¡±


    Smiling, he bit hard on his lips to control the tears in his eyes. ¡°He found outter.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°I caught them another day in the school toilet, I videoed them. This time I wanted to tell Damien because I could no longer stand what was going on between his girlfriend and buddy, but unlucky me, they caught me.¡±N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Oh no! This is so sad.


    I held his hand, giving him a reassuring smile. Smiling, he nodded at me. ¡°They threatened me, and as the weakling that I was then, I was scared and couldn¡¯t do anything. I kept it a secret from everyone; it was hard for me but I was scared.¡±


    ¡°How did Damien find out?¡±


    ¡°I lost my phone a few months after the incident, and Eros seemed to have seen it. Damien found out when we went to Thand for our school end-of-the-year party,¡± he said, his voice filled with so much pain. ¡°And that was the day Damien was nning to engage her.¡±


    My eyes widened in shock at the pieces of news. ¡°But why hate you? It¡¯s not your fault.¡±


    With a sharp shake of his head, he blurted out, ¡°He saw the chats.¡±


    ¡°Which chats?¡±


    ¡°He saw the messages where I promised Alexander to keep my lips sealed.¡±

 Chapter seventy-three (Drunk)

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Sebastian, it¡¯s fine,¡± Ifortingly pat his shoulder. ¡°I understand the fear, and hey, you¡¯ve learned from your mistake.¡±


    ¡°Sniffing, he buried his face on my shoulder, ¡®I miss him, I miss our friendship¡­''¡± I consoled him, feeling the weight of his words. ¡°His jokes, I miss him a lot,¡± he continued, his emotions raw and palpable in the air.


    Swallowing hard, I fought back the tears, a heavy silence enveloping us. ¡°Where is she now?¡± I inquired softly, the question lingering in the air.


    Pulling his head off me, he rubbed his jaw repeatedly, his eyes reflecting a deep frustration. ¡°She died in childbirth, both she and the baby couldn¡¯t make it alive.¡±


    Ah¡­! And for the first time, I felt bad for her. Past few years I was busy enjoying my life while some had messy years. Slowly I stared at the sad-looking guy sitting beside me, ¡°Did Damien kill her?¡± I asked quietly but he gasped in response.


    ¡°Come on, hell no,¡± he was quick to defend. ¡°Though I wished he did but he didn¡¯t,¡± nodding I looked away from him.


    After seeing him shoot someone dead in front of me, everything about him scares though at the same time intrigues me.


    ¡°How are you nning to fix things?¡± I inquired, eager to glean insights as my own life seemed like a chaotic puzzle waiting to be solved.


    Chuckling, he absently massaged his left ear, a gesture of both frustration and resignation. ¡°Sometimes, we have to let fate do its thing,¡± he remarked, our eyes locking in a moment. ¡°Although I¡¯m somewhat limited at the moment, I¡¯m just helping him tackle some minor issues behind him. My main goal is to help him capture that elusive runaway coward,¡± he stated with a determined glint in his eyes.


    Huh! Interesting¡­ He¡¯s right, not everything can be fixed. Sometimes, we¡¯ve got to let fate take the reins. But what does he mean by him helping out from the shadows?


    ¡°How will you do that?¡±


    ¡°I might not be physically present with him but I am with him,¡± I blinked in surprise at his statement, my confusion evident in my gaze. ¡°What do you mean?¡± I questioned again, wanting rity.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°I am cipher,¡± he smiled mysteriously.


    Cipher¡­!


    This is the second time he is calling this name. Is that some kind of nickname or so?


    I gave him a look like he¡¯d gone off the deep end, though I was itching to ask him about the meaning of cipher, but I held back. Minutes ticked by, yet we remained seated in silence. Nothing else was said aside from ourughter, jests, and casual banter.


    My vision blurred, probably thanks to the alcohol in my drink. Strangely, for the first time in months, I felt a hint of relief. Maybe it was because I opened up a bit about my pain. Not everything, but enough to feel like I stumbled upon a slice of friendship and peace with Sebastian.


    He wasn¡¯t the family puppet or physco as they said.


    He is a good listener, and somehow I feelfortable around him.


    ¡°You are damn funny,¡± I chuckled, my head spinning as I leaned on his shoulder. Empty cans of drinks surrounded us. Lost in the moment, Ipletely forgot that it was gettingte until Sebastian¡¯s gaze locked on the wall clock before us.


    ¡°Damnit!¡± He eximed, jumping to his feet. ¡°It¡¯ste. I bet Damien will be searching for you.¡±


    ¡°D-Damien,¡± I stammered, the name hit me like a ton of bricks. I let out a scream and scrambled to my feet, nearly losing my bnce from the alcohol¡¯s effects.


    Supporting me to prevent any missteps, Sebastian guided us out of his ce to his car. Igniting the engine, he drove away instantly.


    **** **


    The night was chilly, the sky dark as Sebastian silently drove down the dark road. I gazed out the car window, lost in my thoughts.


    Just a few meters away from Damien¡¯s ce, he halted. I nced at him, sensing his unspoken words. ¡°He¡¯ll kill me if he sees us together,¡± he muttered, his gaze fixed on the imposing ck gate before us.


    The lights are on, one more move, and our car will be easily spotted. ¡°Is fine,¡± I reassured him with a smile. At that moment, he turned to meet my gaze.


    My vision is getting damn blurry and my head pounds so hard. But I didn¡¯t want him to notice, putting him in trouble was not what I wanted.


    ¡°Can you manage to walk inside by yourself?¡± I nodded immediately, offering him a small smile, even though I knew it would be challenging given how drunk I was but he needed to leave before that monster could catch sight of him.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he nodded, returning the smile. ¡°Thanks for today,¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I get to share the pain inside me with someone after years now.¡± He said, gently squeezing my hand. I smiled and nodded before a sudden realization struck me, his words echoing in my mind.


    /¡± Sometimes we just have to allow fate to y its part,¡±/


    ¡°Something just can¡¯t be fixed, no matter what,¡± I thought to myself. Before I could stop myself, the words spilled out, ¡°Can you arrange me a visa to a distant country where I can disappear without a trace?¡±


    ¡°Ashley!¡± He nearly screamed, his eyes widening so much they almost popped out. ¡°What are you saying? Damien loved you.¡±


    Giving him a rueful smile, I shook my head, ¡°He doesn¡¯t.¡± Iughed sadly, holding my throbbing head.


    ¡°You are drunk, I am sure you don¡¯t know what you are saying,¡± he said, eyeing me up strangely.


    Shaking my head, I drunkenly waved him off, ¡°I know what I am saying,¡± turning to face him, I suddenly held his hand, startling him. ¡°Or don¡¯t you want to help me?¡±


    ¡°Stop it, he loves you, I can see how he stares at you.¡±


    ¡°Stop it, Sebastian!¡± I couldn¡¯t hold it back anymore, yelling with tears brimming down my face. ¡°He doesn¡¯t¡­ He is still stuck in the past.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so, he is not stuck in the past. He just wants to get Alexander, that¡¯s all,¡± he said, trying to reassure me. But my heart seemed to have a mind of its own, and the pain of what was happening in my life recently forcefully shing in my head.


    He can never understand that we didn¡¯t meet in a lovely way, it was all just a contract to him. My head throbs so hard, I immediately hold it and hissed out in pain beforeughing so hard¡­¡­ like really hard, that my stomach started to ache. Honestly, I didn¡¯t know what was going on with me. My heart feels heavy, too heavy that I feel it will explode anytime soon. Sebastian couldn¡¯t say anything but continued staring at me.


    ¡°You think, but it¡¯s a lie¡­ If not, tell me why he still has pictures of his ex all over our matrimonial room?¡± I snapped, shocking Sebastian, who had his mouth wide open at my revtion.


    Coughing, I dragged in a deep breath before saying, ¡°Please help me,¡± my voice calmed as I held his hand again.


    My head banged so hard, and my eyes felt foggy, but before he could say another word, we both heard a voice from a distance. ¡°You all have to be fast, boss is looking for her,¡± it seems like the person is on a phone call.


    Sebastian gave me a sign and I quietly climbed down the car. I almost staggered, but I held the door for support. He gave me a worried look, but I waved him away.


    Staggering as I shifted for him to drive away. Seeing that he had left, I let out a cough, too loud for the guy in the distance to hear.


    ¡°Who is that?¡± I heard him ask.


    Walking forward, I kept swirling to the sides. My steps were unstable and shaky as I walked toward the direction of the gate.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am!¡± I heard him shout and hurried toward me.


    ¡°Boss, she is back,¡± he screamed over the phone.


    Looking forward, I can see the gate opened instantly and three men rushed out. I stared up at the mansion in front of me¡­ Indeed something can never be fixed.


    I don¡¯t think he can ever love me, the whore legitimate daughter of Daniel Harlow that was married based on a mere freaking contract. Laughing drunkenly, I almost fell but was caught on time by¡­ Damien!


    How is that possible?


    ¡°You,¡± I whispered, pointing at his face. His deep intoxicating silver eyes were thest year I saw before I lost consciousness.

 Chapter seventy-four (Feeling nauseous)

    My back ached as I stirred around, stretching my hand. I yawned, and suddenly, a voice beside me eximed, startling me. ¡°Ma¡¯am, thank God, you¡¯ve woken up!¡±


    I jerked my head up abruptly, and instantly regretted it as a sharp throb pulsed through my head. ¡°Ahh¡­¡± I winced, clutching my throbbing head before ncing up to find Aurora smiling gently at me.


    ¡°Aurora,¡±


    ¡°Good morning, ma¡¯am,¡± she greeted and extended a cup toward me, ¡°This is chamomile,¡± she smiled, but I simply stared at her in confusion.


    ¡°What for?¡±


    ¡°This is a herbal tea, it will help reduce your headache,¡± she said softly, handing me the cup. I nodded, took a sip of the tea, and then nced back at her, ¡°Thank you,¡± I murmured.


    Grinning, she nervously scratched her neck, ¡°You¡¯re wee, but I wasn¡¯t the one that prepared it,¡± noticing my confused arched brow, she confessed, ¡°It was sir, Damien.¡±


    Damien?


    And just like that, a flicker of memory darted through my thoughts, a hazy recollection of yesterday. My spoiled car on the road, meeting up with Sebastian, and then copsing into theforting embrace of Damien.


    My gaze widened at the realization, I came back drunkst night, and Damien¡­. I swallowed and instantly looked around, noticing that I was in his room, sprawled on his bed and my dress.


    Wait, my clothes?


    I peeked down, realizing that I was wearing his oversized shirt. Blushing, I immediately looked away, and that¡¯s when my gaze fell on those pictures of his ex on the wall. A surge of anger and pain shed back in my eyes instantly.


    I don¡¯t hate her because I don¡¯t know her but somehow I didn¡¯t like her either. Even after years, he still leaves her a picture of them together in his room.


    ¡°You might be dead, Zuri, but it is obvious that your memories with him haven¡¯t disappeared,¡± I thought, smiling sadly as I continued to look at the picture on the wall.


    ¡°He must really love her so much,¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, do you need anything else?¡± Aurora asked, gently tapping my shoulder to bring me back to the present.


    Shaking my head, I pushed the memories away and asked instead. ¡°Where is he?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Damien has left for work,¡±


    I nodded, yawning, and then suddenly pain shot back in my head. Groaning, I held my head, and Aurora rushed by my side immediately. ¡°Are you okay, ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°What time is it?¡± I asked, rubbing my scalp.


    ¡°Is 11:30 am,¡±


    ¡°WHAT?¡± I gasped, snapping my head in her direction. I hadn¡¯t slept like this before even when I did get drunk back then.


    Howe? Ah¡­. I grabbed my tummy. My stomach feels ufortable, and I feel unusually weak. ¡°Maybe it is because of the alcohol,¡± I guessed, but just then I started feeling nauseous.


    ¡°What is happening?¡± I muttered, tightening my grip around my tummy, and squeezing the shirt.


    ¡°Are you having an upset stomach, ma¡¯am,¡±


    Aurora asked, but before I could respond, I suddenly had this urge to puke. And before I knew it, I rushed out of the bed, hurrying toward the restroom. I opened the door and vomited right inside the washing basin, emptying everything in my stomach.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­.¡± I breathe heavily, my heart pounding faster as I turn on the tap.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, are you alright?¡± Aurora rushed inside, touching my neck. ¡°You are burning up, ma¡¯am, I think you need to see a doctor,¡±


    Washing my mouth, I shed her a forced smile, ¡°I am fine, it¡¯s just because I drank too muchst night,¡± I said, unsure of my own words.


    My body temperature is high, and my body feels somehow this morning.


    ¡°No, ma¡¯am, I think you have a fever,¡± she was quick to protest, shaking her head at me.


    However, after an unending argument about whether I should go to the hospital or not, I finally epted. ¡°Fine,¡± I muttered, stepping out of the bathroom and heading inside.


    ¡°I will go and get your food ready,¡± she turned to leave, but my next word stopped her in her tracks. ¡°I am not hungry,¡±


    ¡°But ma¡¯am, you just¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Go tell the driver to get ready, we¡¯ll be leaving very soon,¡± I remarked, flopping down on the bed.


    ¡°Okay, ma¡¯am,¡± with that said, she left the room.


    Feeling exhausted, I massaged my temples and switched up my phone¡­ 25 missed calls from Mason and 12 new messages. I sighed tiredly and tapped on the messages.


    Mason: /¡±Are you still in your car?¡±/


    Mason: /¡±Have you reached out to your driver, or should I swing by and drive you home?¡±/


    These are yesterday¡¯s messages, I let out a sigh and began scrolling to thest message.


    Mason: /¡±Unfortunately, your dad won¡¯t be discharged today. If you can stop by so we can discuss his health issue.¡±/


    What is wrong with father? Closing my eyes I puffed out a deep breath before opening them again.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be there soon,¡± I messaged him immediately, switched off my phone, and tiredly tossed it aside.


    I feel so drained and exhausted, like I¡¯ve been through the wringer this morning. Even with all the drinking I¡¯ve done before, my body has never hit me like this.


    Why do I have this nagging feeling that something is about to happen?


    *** ***


    I was seated in the hospital, waiting for the doctor. They¡¯ve taken my blood sample and urine for tests. The driver brought me to the Albrecht¡¯s family doctor. A few minutes have passed, yet I still feel weak, and my heart stings ufortably.


    Mason had been blowing up my phone and calling me over five times, but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to answer. I don¡¯t have the energy to chat right now, and honestly, I don¡¯t want him to find out that I¡¯m in the hospital.


    Still lost in my thoughts, the door swung open, and in walked the doctor, with a file in her hand. She¡¯s a young woman, probably in her early thirties, Miss Jessica.


    ¡°Hello, darling,¡± she greeted me with a calm smile, taking a seat in front of me. Sliding her chair closer, she adjusted her sses.


    ¡°Is there an issue, doc?¡± I inquired, going straight to the point. I am definitely not here to exchange pleasantries, I instantly feel sudden fear inside me. The feeling from the morning still lingers around me.


    Laughing, she waved it off, ¡°It¡¯s good news, sweetheart,¡±


    Good news¡­¡­ how?


    My heart raced harder and faster as I watched her go over my chart again like she was double-checking the information.


    ¡°There were traces of HCG in your urine, sweetheart,¡±


    Scratching my neck, I stared at her confusedly, ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    Brushing her hair strand behind her ear, she leaned back with her arms folded across her chest, looking at me with a warm smile. ¡°You¡¯re pregnant,¡±N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

 Chapter seventy-five ( The photos)

    Damien


    ¡°How far, any news about that coward?¡± I pressed the phone to my ear, rushing down the stairs.


    ¡°Sorry boss, but not yet,¡± Lucas said calmly from the other side.


    ¡°Look Lucas,¡± I paused, taking a deep breath to calm my anger. ¡°I give you two days to get a hold of his whereabouts. This is a damn thief we¡¯re talking about. An enemy! A man who should be six feet under by now. So, tell me, why are you all so rxed?!¡± I roared, emphasizing every single word in frustration.


    ¡°So sorry boss, I will try my best and get it,¡±


    Growling, I rubbed my jaw before snapping at him in a threatening tone, feeling a surge of anger. ¡°Don¡¯t try, just GET HIS DAMN LOCATION!¡±


    ¡°On it, boss,¡± seeing the sudden change in atmosphere, he quicklyplied.¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Sighing, I wasn¡¯t paying attention when I bumped into someone. ¡°Ugh,¡± a feminine voice eximed, making me stop in my tracks.


    Lifting her head, our eyes met. ¡°YOU¡­..!!¡± Anger and irritation quickly spread across my face, but the fool just grinned.


    It looks like she deliberately let us collide because she didn¡¯t appear the least bit surprised.


    ¡°Boss, is everything okay?¡± Lucas inquired, noticing the sudden quietness.


    But I ignored him, instead, ring at the fool in front of me, ¡°Who allowed you in?¡±


    ¡°This is a club, Dami,¡± sheughed, ncing around before giving me a mischievous smile. Disgust washed over my face as her words echoed in my mind, ¡°Damien to you, and again, this is my club. I have every right to know,¡±


    Chuckling, she waved it off, ¡°I know, Dami,¡± She repeated the same word again, causing me to instantly snarl at her. Clearing her throat, she seductively took a few strides forward. ¡°How can I easily forget the first ce we had interaction, how can I forget the ce where you roughly choked me¡­.. Hmmm,¡± she moaned, slowly biting her lips.


    What the fuck? What a shameless hawk.


    I stared at her lips and then her face, swallowing hard, I curled my fists in anger before snapping. ¡°Now get out!¡±


    ¡°You know we can have a quickie here, and no one will know,¡± she seductively traced her tongue along her bottom lip. ¡°You will love it, trust me.¡± She tried to step forward, but I immediately backed away, taking a few steps back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare! Now get the heck out or I¡¯ll have my securities throw you away back to the cold streets where you belong,¡± I barked out, my threats so heavy that they immediately wiped those seductive smirks off her face.


    With a defeated sigh, she red at me. ¡°I will still have you no matter what, Damien Albrecht.¡±


    ¡°Get the fuck away you bloody bastard!¡±


    Smiling with so much anger in her face, she turned to leave when suddenly she stopped. It was like something clicked in her mind, and she slowly turned around, a mysterious smirk ying on her lips. ¡°Poor man, you seem to always be left in the shadows. I wonder if this is the mighty Damien that we all know.¡±


    My stare was fiercely sharp as I red at her, but she justughed it off, staggering back like a drunkard.


    ¡°I am warning you to leave now in peace.¡±


    ¡°I will but I think you need to know this,¡± she said, folding her arms across her chest.


    ¡°I have nothing to hear from you, guards!¡± I growled, one of the security guards rushing forward. ¡°Yes, sir,¡± he said, bowing before looking at the two of us.


    Seeing the flushed look on her face, I smiled mockingly and muttered, ¡°Do you still want to leave or prefer to be thrown out?¡±


    ¡°Do you even have any slightest idea that your dear wife is still sleeping around with her ex?¡±


    BOOM!!! She dropped the bombshell, hitting me at that very moment. The blood in my veins froze instantly, and I felt paralyzed. ¡°What nonsense are you spouting?¡±


    The guard shifted ufortably at the sudden revtion, ncing at her as she walked up to me with a smirk on her face. Stopping in front of my sharp, piercing re, she handed me a set of photos.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± I asked, looking at the photos, and ring back at her.


    ¡°See for yourself,¡± she replied with a smile, stepping away.


    Bringing the phone down from my ear, I quietly opened the photos. For some unknown reason, my heart started beating faster as I tried to pull one copy of the photo out.


    However, just like a thunder strike, I felt a sharp pain tugging against my heart as I stared at the photos. My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped, ¡°What¡¯s this nonsense?¡±


    ¡°Did your wife tell you where she went yesterday?¡±


    I gulped hard at her question, my gaze still fixed on those. All I know is that she left the office in the morning and returned hometest night drunk.


    I don¡¯t want to believe that this is true but this man looks familiar. I tried to recall where we had met before.


    Oh! From the birthday party of Senator Juan¡¯s son and¡­ I looked up at thedy standing in front of me. I saw the two of them together that night. The pieces of the puzzle were slowlying together.


    ¡°Why are you doing this? You two are sisters, so why are you telling me this,¡± finding my voice again, I asked instead.


    I don¡¯t want to believe that what I am seeing is true but the photos proved everything right to me. And again, if she was lying how did she know that Ashley wasn¡¯t at the office yesterday?


    Laughing it off again, she shook her head before anger shed across her face. ¡°Some people are not meant to be sisters,¡± she retorted, not even bothering to hide her distaste.


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡±


    ¡°I love you, Dami,¡± she confessed.


    ¡°I am married,¡± I said, gulping hard at the words as I looked back at those heartbreaking photos.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t love you!¡± She shakes her head. ¡°If you think I am lying, then why does she still have a ne from her ex? That ne was the symbol of their love. Why does she still have them in her possession?¡±


    Damn, this is it, closing my eyes, I dragged in a sharp breath before reopening them again.


    Clutching the photos, I felt my heart piecing at her every word. Her words triggered deep memories from the past, and before I knew it, I yelled, silencing her. ¡°ENOUGH!¡±


    ¡°Who is he?¡±


    ¡°Mason Grayson,¡± she smiled.


    Looking at her, I sighed and looked away. Pressing my phone to my ear, I immediately stormed out in fury. ¡°Lucas,¡± I called out as I walked out of the building.


    ¡°Yes, boss,¡± he answered instantly.


    He sure hasn¡¯t ended the call, he obviously heard everything, so no need to beat around the bush.


    ¡°I give you three hours, get me all the information concerning this man, Mason Grayson,¡±

 Chapter seventy-six (The Necklace)

    Ashley


    I sat in the backseat, my gaze fixed on the passing scenery, but my mind seemed miles away. Pain flickered in my eyes, like distant lightning on a stormy night. The road stretched out endlessly before me as the driver drove us down the road heading back home, each passing mile mirroring the turmoil within me. As the car hummed along, what Miss Jessica said kept repeating in my head.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You¡¯re pregnant,¡±


    I quickly closed my eyes as her cheerful face appeared in my thoughts.


    ¡°Why do you feel too weak? It¡¯s not good for a pregnant woman, especially when you have a hormonal imbnce. You need to focus on eating well, getting plenty of rest, drinking enough water, and taking this particr prescribed medication to help bnce the hormones for the baby growing inside you.¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am,¡± I felt a tap on my hand, and I quickly opened my eyes.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I yawned wearily. ¡°We¡¯ve arrived,¡± the driver informed me. I nodded, gently opened my door, and stepped out.


    The guards greeted me, but I brushed past them, making my way up. Thoughts swirled in my mind, leading my mind in different directions. Just when you think everything¡¯s okay, another problem arises.


    cing my hand on my stomach, I swallowed hard. I should feel happy, but fear grips me instead. Damien can¡¯t find out about this. This isn¡¯t his. I consider ending this pregnancy; it¡¯s a constant reminder of that traumatizing night that still haunts me till date. But at the same time, I can¡¯t bring myself to do it. The idea of keeping the child both terrifies and intrigues me.


    Sighing, I opened the room door and tiredly stepped inside, but I was immediately startled in fear by the person I saw in the room.


    ¡°Holy goddess!¡±


    At the sound, he swiftly turned, and our eyes met. ¡°Damien,¡± I uttered, trying to push back the nervousness.


    His gaze was cold and intimidating as he eyed me up. He looked crazy, but something caught my eye ¨C the ne in his grip. As he raised it, my heart raced, and I instinctively took a step back. He slowly started walking closer to me.


    ¡°This is¡­¡± I hesitated, wondering how he came to possess that ne.


    Seeing my expression, he gave off a cold smirk, and stopped a few steps away from me. ¡°Where were you yesterday?¡± His voice was chilling and devoid of emotion.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I went to the hospital; my dad had a heart attack,¡± I said, clearing my throat andposing myself instantly.


    However, giving me a skeptical look, he burst into augh, a harsh and horrendous sound. I instinctively took a step back, pressing my petite frame against the wall.


    Smiling, he folded his arms across his chest. ¡°Fine, let me break it down to you,¡±


    ¡°Little cupcake, you left the office as early as 11am, then you went to Prestige Medical Center, and after that, you drove down to Brew Heaven. You left the ce and then showed up in the middle of the night drunk,¡± I gasped at the revtion, my eyes widening, and my jaw dropping as I watched him break down every part of my routine yesterday as if he had been with me throughout the day.


    ¡°Are you stalking me now?¡±


    ¡°Is that the only thing you coulde up with?¡± His eyebrow twitched up.


    I locked eyes with him before darting my gaze elsewhere. No, I left the office without a driver or guard. And if he wasn¡¯t stalking me, then that means one thing¡­¡­I snapped my head back to him. ¡°So there is a tracker in that car.¡±


    ¡°Should that be a question, little cupcake,¡± he snarled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°There is a tracker in all my cars, so now start talking about where you werest night?¡± He leaned in close, his hot breath brushing against my face.


    I gulped hard and tilted my head elsewhere. I couldn¡¯t reveal that I was with Sebastian; he didn¡¯t need to know, or he would be furious. But this ne¡­ Where did he get it?


    I was still lost in thought, staring at the ne in his grip when abruptly he grabbed my neck and pushed me harder against the wall. ¡°This,¡± he swirled the ne at my face. ¡°The symbol of your love with your ex.¡±


    What the¡­?


    For a few minutes, I felt paralyzed¡­. Confused, speechless or could I say startled. My heart felt like it leaped out of my chest, and fear crept over me, causing my body to tremble as if I had been drenched in icy water.


    What is he talking about?


    How did he know about this ne? Too many questions raced through my mind, yet I couldn¡¯t find the right words to speak. I felt frozen, stunned, staring into those cold face of his, my nerves causing me to gulp repeatedly.


    ¡°Mason Grayson,¡± he smiled, ¡°The owner of the Prestige Medical Center,¡± his bottom lips drawn down dangerously. I could hear the fast beating of my heart; how did he know?


    What is going on?


    Is he stalking me right now, but¡­ But if not, how did he know about all this?


    ¡°I gave you everything, so tell me why you are still keeping this?¡± He squeezed the ne, anger rolling off his face.


    Struggling for breath, my nails unknowingly sank into his skin. ¡°You gave me nothing, Damien, just pain upon pain. Endless pain. I don¡¯t need all this wealth. I just want to be happy,¡± I sobbed, tears now streaming down my face.


    Damien¡¯s eyes hardened, his grip tightening, making me scream out. ¡°Is that the reason for messing with your ex? Is that the REASON!!¡± he barked, staring intensely into my eyes as if they held some revtion for him. Something that confused and frightened him¡­ Something that I couldn¡¯t quite grasp.


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ I¡¯m choking,¡± I stuttered, struggling to find my voice. His eyes softened as they locked onto my neck. He reluctantly released his grip on me, only to swiftly fling me onto the bed as if I were weightless.


    I groaned, coughing hard, and clutching my stomach while gasping for air.


    ¡°Why are you so weak? It¡¯s not good for a pregnant woman, especially when you have a hormonal imbnce, you need to eat well, rest enough, drink a lot of water, and take some medication to correct the hormones for the developing fetus in your womb,¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re pregnant,¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re pregnant,¡±


    The doctor¡¯s words kept echoing in my mind. Tears streamed down my face as I clutched my stomach and lifted my head to re at the man before me. His gaze remained fixed on me, motionless, as if lost in contemtion. Suddenly, his expression shifted, and his cold stare pierced through me.


    He pulled out a photo from his pants pocket and tossed it in front of me. ¡°You went to see him and you¡¯re iming your father had a heart attack. Do I seem foolish to you, Ashley?¡± And for the first time in months, he addressed me by my name.


    Gritting my teeth in anger, I fixed a fierce gaze on him. ¡°You caused my father¡¯s heart issue. I only visited him after hearing the news. I never imagined he¡¯d end up at Mason¡¯s hospital.¡±


    ¡°Just shut up!!!¡± He barked, ¡°You didn¡¯t expect this but you both ended up in a coffee shop together. The fool even perked you, so tell me another excuse you will use.¡±


    Holy shit!


    I nced down at the pictures, tears suddenly clouding my vision again. I know I sensed the camera shes that day, so it was his men all along.


    ¡°Which other excuse?!!¡± He thundered, looking at me with no emotion. I tried to speak, but no words came out.


    Damien took a fierce step forward, and honestly, I wanted to run, crawl, or hide but I just couldn¡¯t move. I feel so weak and powerless. Leaning in, he yanked a handful of my hair, sending searing pain through my scalp.


    ¡°This is your final warning. If you don¡¯t want to witness that fool¡¯s demise, steer clear of him, or you¡¯ll have only yourself to me.¡±

 Chapter seventy-seven (The change of plan)

    Olivia


    Exactly 8:30 am


    At the Enchanted Moonrise Hotel on the outskirts of town, I found myself seated on the bed in room 418, anxiously checking my wristwatch. Suddenly, the door swung open, and six men dressed in ck suits strode in.


    ¡°And here she is, the tigress.¡± I stood up the moment I caught sight of Alexander entering.


    ¡°Good morning,¡± I greeted, nervously fidgeting with my fingers.


    Though we might be working together, I still feel uneasy in his presence. He gives off a chilling, and menacing vibe. Damien may have a reputation for being ruthless, but the man before me now, d in a sharp ck tuxedo, is truly dreadful.


    His demeanor changed as he closed the windows and kept only the AC running. Lighting a cigarette, he settled in, releasing smoke into the air as he fixed his gaze on me.


    ¡°Sit,¡± he barked in a cold tone. I nodded, mustering a small forceful smile, and took a seat. I cleared my throat, trying to calm my nerves.


    As he puffed out another smoke, a smirk yed on his lips while he observed the cigarette in his hand. The smoke swirled in the air, slightly blurring his face.


    I don¡¯t understand why he wanted me here so early and in this secluded part of town. But one thing I¡¯ve picked up on in our time working together for the past few weeks is that he seems to be keeping something hidden.


    But who is he hiding from¡­ could it be Damien?


    ¡°You see,¡± he began, making me halt my thoughts and turn to face him. ¡°We¡¯ve held up our end of the deal,¡± he stated, releasing more smoke into the air.


    I wrinkled my nose at the acrid scent but felt powerless. It¡¯s like striking a bargain with the devil¡­ where your voice holds no weight.


    They can make you vanish in a second, and nobody would care.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I responded.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± he eximed, pping his hands, and one of his men approached, handing me a ck suitcase.


    I nced at the suitcase in my hands, then back at him, feeling my curiosity intensify.


    ¡°So, these are all the documents of your father¡¯s properties,¡± I gasped in disbelief at the revtion. ¡°And his will too,¡± he added.


    I quickly moved to open it, ¡°The pin is 2000/04,¡± one of the guards mentioned, causing my fingers to freeze halfway.


    2000/04¡­ That¡¯s Ashley¡¯s birth year and month.


    Seeing the look on my face, Alexander cleared his throat, ¡°It looks like your father still favors your sister, little tigress,¡± he chuckled, catching my attention.


    His words shattered my heart, and I felt every part of it breaking. ¡°What nonsense are you spouting?¡±


    ¡°Half of his properties were willed to her name¡­ Ashley,¡± he smirked mysteriously, cing emphasis on that name.


    ¡°You¡­ You have no idea what you¡¯re talking about,¡± I shouted, my heart racing, but as he gazed at me, he erupted into a thunderousugh.


    My anger is simmering within me. Using his head, he motioned for me to open the suitcase.


    ncing at the suitcase once again, I gulped hard, my fingers trembling as I slowly entered the pin, and BOOM¡­!!! The box opened instantly.


    ¡°You see,¡± he chuckled.


    Swallowing hard to the bitter truth, I quickly shuffled through the files until my hand found the white, neatly folded paper by the second zip inside the box. My heart throbbed hard as I quietly opened it and started going through it. My eyes watered at every single word that was written, he was right.


    Most of the properties were willed to her name.


    Why?!!


    Am I not enough of a daughter to him? Even after everything, he still gave her most of the things and left little in my name.


    The anger in me turned into pain, tugging at my heart as I kept staring at the piece of paper.


    ¡°Hmm, it is surprising to see the little tigress cry,¡± Alexanderughed, earning a side re from me.


    But immediately his gaze darkened, and theugh vanished, reced by a cold and hardened expression. ¡°But we can still help you,¡± I instantly tossed the paper aside and turned to face him. ¡°How?¡± I stammered, sniffing as I wiped my tears away.


    Nodding at his other guard, who stepped forward with a well-written contract in his hold. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°We have managed to draft out another will for you. All you need is just to get the sick, almost dead man to sign it, and then¡­¡± He paused, looking at me. ¡°Then all his properties will be under your ownership.¡±


    My heart skipped instantly at the news, ¡°I don¡¯t get it.¡±


    ¡°Everything is ready, just his signature, and you will get the properties. I am sure you weren¡¯t expecting the old man to start rewriting his wills, so we did everything for you,¡± he smiled, shing all his pearly white teeth.


    ¡°Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!¡± I said, rushing to grab the document from his hand, but his cold voice instantly stopped me in my tracks. ¡°Not so fast, darling.¡±


    ¡°But that¡¯s on one condition,¡±


    I paused and turned to face him. ¡°Which condition again?¡±


    ¡°Get her for me.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± I raised my left brow at him in confusion.


    ¡°The wife, your sister¡­ Ashley.¡±


    That brat¡­ how do I even get that winch? We are not on good terms, and obviously, I am thest person she will want to see. And now if I tell Mason to bring her, that will be the impossible part because now Damien knows about them. This is crazy¡­ Gosh, I shouldn¡¯t have told Damien about them.


    This is fucked up!


    ¡°This wasn¡¯t the n,¡± I suddenly said, disagreeing with his offer.


    ¡°The n was to break them, stop their union, to get in the picture,¡±


    Shaking his head, he dropped the minuscule of the cigarette in the ashtray before muttering. ¡°Come to think of it, what will their break up do for me?¡± He turned, and our eyes locked. ¡°People that break up will still reconcile,¡± heughed, tapping his left foot on the cold tiles.


    ¡°But¡­.¡±


    ¡°Do you want the properties or not?¡± He asked, cutting me off instantly.


    Do I want the properties? Absolutely, but then, I took a deep breath, squeezing my fists to calm my jittery nerves. I¡¯vee too far to give up now. ¡°Yes, I want the properties,¡± I dered, looking straight into his eyes.


    ¡°Good,¡± he pped his hands, smirking with a dangerous look. ¡°The faster you get her to me, the better for you. The ball is in your court now.¡±


    With that said, he rose from the chair and began moving towards the door. One of his guards opened the door for him. Pausing in front of the door, he nced back at me. ¡°The document will be here waiting for you. The faster, the better.¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

 Chapter seventy-eight (The urgent call)

    Ashley


    It was Monday morning, and Jessica had asked me toe in for a check-up. Mason had been calling nonstop for the past few days, so I blocked his number. I needed to see my father, but I didn¡¯t want to cause Mason more trouble or pain, concerning Damien¡¯sst threat.


    I know him, and I¡¯m sure he meant every single word that left his lips that day, so I sat back.


    Getting ready, the driver took me to the hospital. It was bustling with people, just like any other regr workday.


    I walked up to the young nurse at the counter and said, ¡°Hello, I have an appointment with Doctor Jessica.¡±


    Looking at me, she offered a warm smile. ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Ashley,¡± she greeted before saying, ¡°May I see your card?¡±


    I handed her the card, and after checking it, she nodded and returned it to me. ¡°Please have a seat and wait for her. She¡¯s in the operating room but just wait for five minutes. She¡¯ll be out,¡± she said with a smile which I also returned. I nodded and made my way to find a ce to rest my tired body.


    I had told Damien that I was diagnosed with a fever this morning when he found out about me going to the hospital. I know I have to tell him the truth, but how do I break the news to him?


    The big question is, how do I tell him that I¡¯m pregnant, but the baby isn¡¯t his? It¡¯s from a stranger, a result of a night of rape.


    This sounds crazy and really messed up.


    As I walked to take a seat, I immediately heard someone call my name from behind, ¡°Ashley!¡±


    I halted in my steps and instantly turned around to find a surprised and grinning Sebastian.


    ¡°Sebastian,¡± I eximed, shocked to find him at the hospital.


    Why is he here so early in the morning? I looked down and noticed he was holding a bouquet of roses. Hmm¡­ Is he here to visit someone?


    Grinning as if he had just reunited with an old pal, he approached me and enveloped me in a warm hug. ¡°How are you, sister-inw?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m great, Sebastian,¡± I replied, yfully tapping his shoulder.


    ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t call to check on you that day,¡±


    Shaking my head with a smile, I replied, ¡°No worries, I¡¯m good, of course I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Fine and in the hospital?¡± He raised his eyebrow. ¡°Are you sick?¡±


    Sick? Oh, I¡¯m more than that right now.


    With a smile, I swiftly diverted the conversation, indirectly tucking the hospital card into my bag and ncing at the flowers in his hand. ¡°Why are you here so early?¡±


    Hearing my question, Sebastian bashfully scratched his neck and averted his gaze. ¡°Ohe on, why the boutique? Are you here to see someone?¡±


    Biting his lip, he shyly smiled and nodded. ¡°Yes.¡±


    I paused, then squinted. He had mentioned his parents¡¯ passing, and based on what I¡¯ve seen, he seems like a solitary person. So why is he here with a bouquet of roses? ¡°Who¡¯s the person?¡±


    He dropped his head, shaking it from side to side, which made me give him a weird look.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I grinned.


    ¡°Okay. Okay, fine,¡± he lifted his head. ¡°I¡¯m here to see my fiancee.¡± Heughed.


    ¡°You have a girlfriend?¡± I gasped.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he appeared sheepish, prompting me to chuckle, but I quickly regained myposure to avoid drawing attention. ¡°Who¡¯s the lucky one?¡±


    ¡°Her name is Jessica.¡±


    Jessica¡­. Wait a minute!


    ¡°Doctor Jessica,¡± I inquired to confirm what I heard.


    ¡°Wow!¡± He seemed taken aback. ¡°You know her?¡±


    I felt frozen, or should I say paralyzed. I opened my mouth but couldn¡¯t utter a word; every fiber in my body seemed to be crushing.


    What a small world.


    Jessica is his fiancee? She¡¯s the only one aware of my pregnancy; what if she spills the beans to him?


    But she vowed to keep it confidential, right?


    ¡°Hey, sister-inw,¡± he waved his hands in front of my face. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Snapping back to reality, I immediately mustered up an ufortable smile. ¡°Yeah¡­ Yeah, I¡¯m good.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡±


    ¡°Of course, don¡¯t worry about me. Congrats but¡­ umm,¡± I stammered, offering a wry smile. ¡°I need to leave; I have something urgent to attend to at the office,¡± I fibbed, waving at him when suddenly the nurse from earlier approached us.


    Holy fuck!


    Do I always have to be unlucky? He shouldn¡¯t know that I am here to see Jessica, I don¡¯t want him to know about the pregnancy.


    ¡°Good morning, sir,¡± she greeted Sebastian and then turned to me. ¡°She¡¯s out; you can go see her now.¡±


    ¡°Huh,¡± my gaze widened, but I quicklyposed myself.


    ¡°Are you here to see someone?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she¡¯s here to see, doctor¡­¡±


    ¡°No, no,¡± I quickly interjected, cutting off the nurse. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we canceled the appointment. There¡¯s something urgent I need to attend to at the office.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± she gave me a confused look, nodding before leaving.


    ¡°Hope everything is okay?¡± He asked as soon as the nurse left.


    Turning to Sebastian, I shed him a forced smile. ¡°Everything¡¯s good. I need to leave now,¡±N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°Should I drop you off?¡±


    ¡°No, I came with a driver,¡± smiling, I waved at him and hurriedly rushed outside.


    Oh my goodness! That was close.


    Walking back to the car, my phone started buzzing. Bringing it out from my bag, I pressed it against my ear. It was a new number. ¡°Hello..¡±


    ¡°Thank goodness, I finally reached you,¡± The person said with relief.


    I immediately halted my steps upon hearing the voice. ¡°Mason,¡± I stammered, sounding startled.


    ¡°Please, you need to start rushing to the hospital right now. You know the short narrow road, just follow it to be fast.¡±


    Rushing to the hospital?


    ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Before I could finish asking, he ended the call. ¡°Mason¡­. Mason.¡±


    ¡°Damn it,¡± I redialed the number, but it wasn¡¯t connecting anymore.


    Oh my goodness¡­. He sounded so urgent. Is there a problem? Did anything happen to my father?


    Hurrying toward the car, I quickly instructed the driver, ¡°Take me to the Prestige Medical Center, fast.¡±


    ¡°Is there a problem, ma?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Just go! Follow that narrow road that leads to that hospital,¡±  I yelled, mming the door shut.


    ¡°Okay, ma,¡± he replied and started driving away to the destination. ¡°Hope everything is fine, do we need to call the boss,¡±


    ¡°No, it is not necessary, and enough of the questions,¡± I snapped. Nodding, he nced at me through the front mirror and focused on the road without saying any more words.


    I kept praying that nothing would happen to my father. I continued dialing the number, but it wasn¡¯t connecting anymore.


    My heart was pounding very fast.


    ¡°Be fast!¡± I yelled, nervously sping my palms together.


    ¡°Calm down, ma, we are close,¡± he said, but instantly I noticed our car halt in full force, jerking me forward. ¡°What happened?¡± I asked, confused as I nced at the surprised-looking driver.


    ¡°Damnit,¡± he banged his fists hard on the steering wheel. Following the direction of his eyes, my gaze fell on the four ck cars that circled us.


    My heart went up in panic as I nced at the driver, ¡°What is going on?¡±


    ¡°I think we are in danger,¡± he mumbled and quickly retrieved his gun from the car¡¯s cup hole.


    Danger?


    My gaze widened at the information. I nced outside and noticed seven men in ck suits walking toward our car. The road is empty and lonely, no car or anybody can be seen in sight.


    In just a few more minutes, we will be in Mason¡¯s hospital.


    ¡°What should we do? What should we do!¡± I panicked, tears quickly stinging my eyes.


    The driver also seemed terrified, ¡°We are outnumbered. Please ma¡¯am, call the boss immediately.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I suddenly dialed Damien¡¯s number with my shaky hands. The men were already in front of our car, and Damien picked up at the third ring.


    ¡°Yes, are you back from the hospital?¡± That was the first question that he asked, but before I could answer, I heard a loud gunshot¡­ BAM!!


    The driver fell back on his seat and died instantly, his blood sshing on my face. Screaming, I threw the phone to the ground. ¡°What was that? Ashley!¡± Damien shouted from the other side.


    ¡°Where are you?¡±


    I scarily screamed hard, crawling back in fear. The window has shattered into pieces on the steering and on top of the driver¡¯s body. Putting their hand inside the car, they opened the door.


    ¡°No no no!¡± I kept on shouting, fear gripping me. They have their faces hiding in masks.


    ¡°Ashley!¡± Damien yelled, but before I could respond to him, the side of my door was pulled open, and I was forcefully dragged out. ¡°Ah¡­ please!¡± I cried out.


    ¡°I have seen the location, just stay tuned, I aming right away!!!¡± I heard the worried voice of Damien for the first time in months before everything went ck.

 Chapter seventy-nine (A visit tonight)

    Damien


    ¡°How the fuck did this happen?¡± I run my hands through my hair in frustration, feeling like I¡¯m at my wit¡¯s end.


    It¡¯s been two days since Ashley went missing, and we still have no leads on her whereabouts or any traces of the people who kidnapped her. The helplessness is suffocating me, and I can¡¯t shake off the feeling that time is running out.


    Though when Pasito, Eros, and some of my men arrived with me at the scene that day, we were only met with a grim sight. The driver¡¯s lifeless body, shattered window sses, and an open door were the only clues left behind. Despite being dyed by traffic, we were greeted by an eerily quiet road, with the driver¡¯s dead body lying there, like a haunting wee.


    I still can¡¯t fathom why on earth she would even follow down that deserted road.


    Who could have taken her?


    I have a lot of enemies who could stop at nothing but to see me in my lowest and that¡¯s the problem. Who exactly took her?


    The questions swirling in my mind are driving me insane. Honestly, I¡¯ve been a wreck, and the thought of anything happening to her is unbearable. If she¡¯s harmed in any way, I¡¯m FINISHED.


    And I have this unsettling feeling that she is not safe.


    Since yesterday, everyone¡¯s been on edge, working tirelessly to uncover any hint of a lead. My mansion has been eerily silent for the past two days, with all hands on deck searching for any clue that might lead us to the culprits.


    ¡°Boss,¡± Lucas suddenly says, entering my room. His eyes flicker to the portrait of Zuri on the wall behind me, gulping hard, he quickly diverted his gaze back to mine.


    Good heavens, I wonder if there is any good news?


    My mind is a jumbled mess, and I didn¡¯t even notice his weird behavior earlier.


    And instead, I ask, ¡°Did you find anything?¡± I rub my jaw, my anxiety spiking, as he stops in front of me.


    ¡°Yes, we managed to recover her cell phone,¡± he replies, handing it over to me, his expression somber.


    Damn! I noticed all my hopes vanished.


    I red at the phone, then turned my fierce gaze on him, my face twisted in anger. ¡°What on earth will I do with her cell phone?!¡± I thundered, my voice echoing through the room, as I took a step closer to him.


    Themotion drew the attention of Eros and Pasito, who rushed in from the corridor. ¡°What¡¯s going on, bro?¡± Eros asked, his eyes darting between Lucas¡¯s nervous expression and my enraged face.


    ¡°Did you find anything?¡± Pasito asked, calmly ignoring my outburst, and turning to Lucas.


    Lucas nodded, opening the cell phone, ¡°Sorry, boss, but given the situation at hand, I took the liberty of examining her phone to trace herst call and to know if I could find the reason they followed that lonely road.¡±


    This idiot!!


    I felt this anger in me, as I turned to snap at him for having the mind to go through my wife¡¯s phone without my permission, but Pasito restrained me, gesturing for the nervous Lucas to proceed.


    ¡°Thest call she made was to you, but earlier, she received a call from an unknown number. However, we managed to trace the owner of the line,¡± Lucas exined.


    ¡°Unknown number?¡± I repeated, my toneced with urgency and desperation, momentarily forgetting my earlier anger.


    ¡°And who is that?¡± I asked, my voice tinged with a sense of foreboding.


    ¡°It¡¯s Mason Grayson,¡± Lucas revealed, and I felt like I¡¯d been drenched in ice water.


    My heart sprints with anger and disappointment, tightening with each passing minute. The anger inside me is building up, threatening to erupt.


    ¡°Who is Mason Grayson?¡± Pasito and Eros ask in unison, their voicesced with concern.


    They look at Lucas but noticing the unease on his face, they turn to me, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and caution. ¡°Who is the motherfucker bro?¡±


    Who else could it be?


    I grit my teeth, my fists clenched in annoyance, and then I snarl, ¡°Her ex¡­¡± The word spews out of my mouth like venom, filled with disgust and contempt.


    BAM!


    The moment the word left my lips, the room fell silent. The tension was draining before Pasito broke the silence, turning to Lucas with a questioning gaze. ¡°What else did you find?¡± he asked his voice firm butced with a hint of curiosity.


    I watch Lucas swiftly scrolling through the phone, opening an app before handing it over to Pasito. ¡°He sent her this message at 11 pm, but it looks like she never read it,¡± Lucas pointed out, his eyes fixed on the screen


    I quickly grabbed the phone from Pasito and read the messages, my eyes scanning the screen with speed as I saw the first message. ¡°I am in the operating room.¡±


    I scrolled to the next one, my heart racing with impatience.


    ¡°Make sure to follow the narrow road, so you can be early before noon. Your dad really wants to speak with you. Please follow the short road to the hospital.¡±All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°That fool,¡± I snarled, hurling the phone away in disgust. Luckily, Lucas was quick to catch it, preventing it from hitting the ground.


    ¡°Which short road is he talking about?¡± Eros muttered, his frustration evident as he tapped his jaw. His knuckles had turned white, a clear indication of his growing anger.


    ¡°What are you talking about? I¡¯m lost,¡± Pasito chimed in, his voiceced with confusion. But my mind was already racing, putting one or two clues together.


    ¡°Mason Grayson is the owner of Prestige Medical Center,¡± Lucas exined, addressing the confused looks on Eros and Pasito¡¯s faces.


    He then paused, clearing his throat before continuing, ¡°Mrs. Ashley¡¯s father was admitted there, and that¡¯s where they were going.¡± he adds, causing Eros¡¯s eyes to widen in shock.


    ¡°Oh my goodness!¡± Eros eximed, his voice knitted with shock.


    ¡°But¡­¡± Pasito started to say, opening his mouth to speak, but then instantly shut it, his words remained unspoken. He looked confused and startled, his expression a blend of disbelief and bewilderment.


    ¡°How did you know they were going there?¡± Eros asked. But before anyone could respond, I cut in, my anger boiling over. ¡°Enough!¡± I snapped, my face contorted in rage, my eyes zing with intensity, showing how fed up I am.


    Everything is now making sense ¨C that deceitful fool tricked them! And here I was wondering why they followed that road.


    I had warned her to cut ties with that scoundrel!


    I sighed,bing my hair backward.


    ¡°Calm down, bro, we need to be sure before making any move,¡± Eros said, cing a hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me down


    Sure? Sure of what exactly?


    I was about to speak, but Lucas quickly beat me to it. ¡°From our investigation, we discovered that taking the main road to the hospital takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes, but following that short, lonely road cuts the journey down to just 1 hour,¡± he exined.


    ¡°Damnit!¡± Pasito eximed, mming his fist into his palm in frustration.


    ¡°Where is that deceitful fool?¡± I snarled, my voice harsh, leaving no room for an argument.


    Enough of the banter and exnation,


    Lucas replied, his tone calm and decisive. ¡°We¡¯ve found his home address.¡±


    Pasito¡¯s eyes lit up immediately and he quickly asked, ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°No. 5 Lavender Haven Estate.¡±


    No. 5 Lavender Haven Estate¡­¡­ What a lovely ce to end the fool.  I smirked dangerously, tracing my finger along the edge of my pistol. ¡°A friendly visit tonight won¡¯t be that bad,¡± I said, my eyes locking onto Eros with a deadly glint. ¡°Shall we, men¡­.?¡±


    ¡°Everyone is ready,¡± he replied, his expression mirroring the evil smile on my face.


    ¡°Let¡¯s pay him a visit then,¡± I said, tossing a gun to all of them before tucking mine into my waistband.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I said, furiously striding out of the room, and they shortly followed behind me instantly.

 Chapter eighty (The mysterious men)

    Mason


    I removed my tie and tossed it onto the bed, taking a deep breath in and exhaling slowly before sitting down to remove my shoes.


    My life has been a bag of trouble and restless for the past few months. Ashley was everything to me; she was the definition of perfection. We shared amazing memories, and we had agreed to wait until marriage to consummate our rtionship back then. But then¡­ Olivia happened


    I wronged Ashley, and I know it. But I couldn¡¯t help myself. Back then, I yearned for her, craved her, and wanted her to make me feel like a man. But she still held firm to her beliefs about no sex until after marriage. I had a strong desire for intimacy, but I didn¡¯t know where to turn until Olivia entered the picture.


    It was all sudden like a movie.


    Though I¡¯ve never known a sensible man to resist a tantalizing offer¡­ especially not one as irresistible as Olivia.


    My intimate experiences with Olivia were beyond amazing. She was incredibly skilled, and I became fearful of losing that connection. That¡¯s when things began to fall apart in my rtionship with Ashley. To maintain our little secret affair, I felt pressured to cater to Olivia¡¯s every desire and needs. Even if I had married Ashley, I doubt I would have been able to resist the temptation of continuing my affair with Olivia.


    But now, I¡¯m consumed by regret for my past actions. I¡¯m exhausted from the same game with Olivia. It¡¯s painfully clear that Ashley¡¯s heart now belongs to Damien; the affection in her eyes when she speaks of him is undeniable.


    I noticed that the connection we once shared has dissipated, and I can see that our bond is no longer intact.


    Oh God¡­..!


    I let out a sigh and reached for my phone to call Olivia, but my efforts were met with frustration. I dialed her number repeatedly, but she didn¡¯t answer.


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder, where could she be? It had been seven hours since shest answered her phone, and the silence was starting to worry me.


    Clearing my throat, I redialled her number and this time she answered.


    Not wasting a moment, I blurted out the question that had been guing me all day. ¡°Olivia, I didn¡¯t see you at the hospital again,¡± I said, my words tumbling out in a rush.


    ¡°Mason, I¡¯m busy right now,¡± she replied, her voiceced with an unusual tone. I detected strange noises in the background, piquing my curiosity. ¡°Where are you?¡± I asked, my interest heightened.


    ¡°Mason, I told you I¡¯m busy right now!¡± Olivia snapped, her irritation obvious. ¡°I¡¯m hanging up now.¡± She added but I quickly interjected, ¡°No, no, wait! You said you wanted to see Ashley, but I didn¡¯t see her at the hospital today. Did you two meet upter?¡±


    As soon as the question left my mouth, Olivia abruptly hung up the call. ¡°Wait¡­ Wait, Olivia!¡± I desperately called out, but the line had already gone dead.


    I cursed under my breath, ¡°Damn! She ended the call, this girl¡­ What is she up to this time?¡± I thought to myself, still trying to process the whole thing. I know I heard strange manly voices in the background.


    I wondered what she is up to, my mind racing with possibilities. But after a moment of contemtion, I let out a deep sigh and dialed Ashley¡¯s number instead, but it wouldn¡¯t connect. The call simply wouldn¡¯t go through, adding to my growing frustration and curiosity.


    Ah. What¡¯s going on?


    Just then, a heavy knock at my door broke the silence, and I looked up immediately. Confusion etched on my face as I wondered who could be visiting me at thiste hour. It definitely wasn¡¯t Olivia ¨C I had just spoken with her a few minutes ago. But then, who could it be?


    Flinging my shoe to the other side of the room, I then stood up, and ran my fingers through my hair tob it back into ce. I straightened my dress to at least appear good to whoever that is out there.


    Despite my inner turmoil, I climbed downstairs, my heart racing with unknown fear. Without hesitation, I yanked the door open, not even bothering to check the peephole. That¡¯s when I came face to face with a tall figure in a ck surveince costume. He was huge, dressed in ck leather pants, a heavy ck jacket, and gloves.


    His face was obscured by a mask that covered half of his features, leaving only his piercing eyes visible. I felt a shiver run down my spine as our gazes met.


    I swallowed hard, my palms suddenly slick with sweat.


    ¡°Yes, how can I help you?¡± I asked, eyeing him suspiciously as I struggled to conceal my growing unease. I positioned myself between the door and the stranger, trying to appear braver than I felt.


    ¡°I guess you are, Mason Grayson, the owner of Prestige Medical Center,¡±


    My eyes widened in rm instantly and a hard lump formed in my throat as I noticed another group of men, dressed in the same ck surveince attire, emerging from the darkness and positioning themselves behind the stranger in front of me.


    ¡°Who¡­ Who are you people? And how can I help you?¡± I stammered, fear taking hold of me. I instinctively tried to m the door shut, but one of them was too quick, blocking my attempt with a swift motion.


    My body trembled vigorously in fear as one  of them unleashed a forceful kick to the door, causing it to crash into the wall. I gulped hard, taking a step back as I watched them stride in with an air of confidence, as if they owned the ce.


    Who the hell are these people? I can already feel the heavy beating of my heart.


    Looking at them in terror, I shrieked at no one in particr, ¡°Who the hell are you people? What the hell do you want?¡± But before I could even finish my sentence, a hand struck me across the face with brutal force, sending me crashing to the ground.


    I saw tiny stars dancing before my eyes, my head spinning from the impact.


    ¡°Holy goodness!¡± I tried to stand up, but my vision was blurry and I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. I can hear the sinisterughs from the mysterious men.


    What is going on? Still unsure if I was dreaming or hallucinating, I blinked twice and pinched my cheeks hard, trying to snap myself back to reality. When I felt the stinging pain.


    Ahh ¡­! I lifted my head, only to be met with the chilling metallic sound of a knife being drawn.


    /Holy fuck/Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    What is happening? Who are these people? My mind was racing with different questions and that¡¯s when I saw the monster ¨C the devil himself, Damien Albrecht ¨C standing amidst the men, his presence radiating an aura of malevolence that it felt like every fiber in my body stopped functioning immediately.


    Smiling menacingly, his gaze locked onto mine, sending a chill down my spine. My heart raced with panic as one of his men handed him the knife, its glinting de seeming to mock me.


    He didn¡¯t even bother to hide his face like others as he began walking towards me.


    ¡°What the hell do you want?!¡± I screamed, scrambling backward in panic.


    My heart raced furiously as I continued to crawl away. Every step he took felt like a looming threat, each stride echoing through the air like a deadly storm warning.


    He exuded danger, his face a mask of nkness and emotionlessness, despite the sinister smirk that yed on his lips.


    Trailing my fearful gaze off his face, it locked with his cold eyes which tells a different story, gleaming with a ruthless intensity, like a lion stalking its next prey.


    I was vastly outnumbered, which made me feel utterly powerless.


    What had hee here to do? Did he discover my secret n with Olivia? Many questions were rushing into my head like a sh.


    What is going on? How did I inflict the wrath of a monster upon myself?


    My body trembled with fear as I continued to crawl backward, desperate to escape. But my retreat was halted when I hit something solid. Twisting my head back, I looked up to see one of Damien¡¯s men towering over me.


    I let out a blood-curdling scream, my body shaking uncontrobly as I watched Damien move behind me. He stooped down, his menacing presence making my skin crawl. Slowly, he ced the cold de of the knife against my neck. It¡¯s sharp edge prickling my fresh.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s see where you¡¯ll run to now,¡± he sneered in a low, dominant, and harsh voice, his words dripping with hostility.


    My heart raced furiously, pounding in my chest like a drum, and I was already drenched in sweat.


    ¡°What do you want from me?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, strangled by fear.


    ¡°Your miserable life,¡±

 Chapter eighty one (Where is she?)

    Mason


    I yelled, ¡°Leave me alone!¡± as the sharp knife sliced along my arm, causing me to scream in agony. Damien yanked the knife out, and blood gushed from the wound. ¡°Let¡¯s get down to business,¡± he growled.


    I whimpered in fear and pain, the bravery and tough facade that I once had were gone. My body trembles uncontrobly, tears blurring my vision as I gaze in terror at my bleeding arm. The sight of my own blood sends a fresh wave of fear coursing through me, and I find it hard to maintain a semnce ofposure anymore.


    What did I do?


    ¡°Come over,¡± I heard him muttered, his voice low and intimidating. One of his men stepped forward, his movements fast and brutal. He yanked out a coarse rope and tied my hands behind my back with a harsh, tight knot. Then, he ruthlessly tied up my leg.


    ¡°Ah¡­.¡± I let out a pained groan as the rope bit into my skin. Once the man was done, he then stood up and stepped aside, allowing Damien to move into his ce in front of me.


    I lifted my head, my gaze meeting the ruthless man¡¯s in front of me. Indeed the rumors were true¡­ his reputation for brutality and mercilessness was true.


    If only I had known, I would have never gotten entangled with Ashley again.


    I tried to speak, but the words felt like lead in my mouth, refusing to budge.


    My fear was palpable, and he sensed it. With an unsettling calmness, he squatted down to my level, his eyes piercing mine. ¡°So, where are you hiding my wife?¡± he asked, his voice cold and menacing.


    Wife as in Ashley?


    And instantly a deep frown etched onto my terrified face, ¡°And how am I supposed to know? Last I knew, you were still married to her,¡± I spat, my fear momentarily giving way to defiance as I shot him a venomous re.


    But instead, his expression remained unyielding, his eyes narrowing as he repeated his demand, ¡°Don¡¯t test my patience, where is she?¡± His words only added to my confusion more.


    Is Ashley missing?


    ¡°Keeping her? Is she missing?¡± The words had barely escaped my lips when a stinging pnded across my cheek, leaving a burning sensation. My neck jerked violently to the side, and I gritted my teeth in rage as the metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth.


    ¡°SPEAK!¡± he thundered. But I was quick to retort, my eyes shing a mix of fear, confusion, and panic. ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about!¡± I eximed, my voice shaking slightly at the end.


    ¡°Still lying¡­ hmmm,¡± he smirked, his eyes gleaming with deadly amusement. With anguid wave of his hand, he summoned one of his men, who stepped forward and handed him a cell phone ¨C Ashley¡¯s phone, which I recognized instantly with a jolt of fear.


    What is going on?


    He opened the phone and quickly scrolled through its contents, his eyes scanning the screen. Then, with a deliberate motion, he turned the phone to face me, positioning it so that I could clearly see the message disyed on the screen.


    ¡°Are you not the one that sent her those messages earlier this morning?¡±


    Yeah, but¡­¡­


    My eyes widened in shock, and I felt a numbing sensation wash over me. Yes, I had sent those messages to Ashley, but then again I don¡¯t understand his questions.


    ¡°I¡­ I sent her those messages,¡± I stuttered, my voiceced with confusion and uncertainty. ¡°But I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about,¡± I added, my words barely above a whisper.


    ¡°Hmm, really,¡± he nodded, his expression unreadable. Another of his men stepped forward, with his thick, heavy boots adorned with sharp razor edges at the tips. With a merciless gaze, he began to repeatedly kick my tightly tied legs, the blowsnding with a sickening thud. I screamed in agony, watching in horror as my legs bled profusely, but the man showed no sign of stopping.


    ¡°Are you ready to start talking?¡± Damien asked, his voice cold as the man continued to kick me mercilessly. I screamed in anguish, shaking my head wildly as scorching tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision.


    ¡°Who sent you or rather who are you working for?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I am¡­ No, no, no,¡± I stammered, my voice dissolving into sobs as I felt every bone in my legs shattering under the relentless kicks. ¡°I am working for no one, please!¡± I begged, my words tumbling out in a desperate plea, my eyes streaming with tears.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Grinning menacingly, Damien shook his head, his eyes glinting with malice as he strolled around my sitting room. Scanning the area with his hand tucked inside his pants pocket.


    ¡°You think I¡¯m unaware of your hang out with my wife, those ndestine meetings at the cafe?¡± He let out a cold, mirthlessugh, the sound sending a shiver down my spine.


    What have I gotten myself into?


    Fuck you asshole, fuck you Damien!!


    ¡°She was mine before you maniptively took her from me,¡±


    ¡°Shut the fuck up!¡± he bellowed, and before I could even flinch, a powerful fist crashed into my face.


    ¡°Ah!¡± I cried out in agony as my nose bone crackled, blood trickling down from my nostrils. Damien loomed over me, his eyes zing with fury. ¡°Enough!¡± he thundered, his voice echoing through the room.


    Damnit!!!


    I inhaled sharply, my breathing heavy as my whole body aches.


    ¡°Now, where is my wife?¡± Damien snarled, his hand darting into his waistband to retrieve a pistol. He aimed it squarely at my face, his finger resting on the trigger.


    The man halted his brutal kicks on my legs, and I gazed up in horror, my vision blurring as I took in the sight of my mangled, blood-soaked legs and the menacing gun barrel inches from my nose.


    No no no¡­. This is not happening.


    ¡°How can I answer something I know nothing about?¡± I stammered, my voice trembling with fear as I sniffled.


    ¡°Why did you contact her?¡± he asked immediately, his face twisted in a cold, fierce scowl.


    However, as I gazed at him, everything suddenly fell into ce as realization hit me. ¡°Olivia, why?¡± I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief as a solitary tear rolled down my cheek.


    ¡°Speak!¡± he barked, his voiceshing out like a whip.


    The rope bite hard into my skin as I swallowed hard, my voice barely audible before I muttered, ¡°To see her sick father¡­¡± But before I could finish, he cut me off, his tone dripping with irritation. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m joking?¡±


    He immediately cocked the gun, the sound echoing through the air like a death knell. My heart raced, and I let out a blood-curdling scream.


    ¡°Oh my God!!!¡± Shaking my head frantically, I blurted out a desperate plea. ¡°Please don¡¯t kill me!¡± I cried, my voice cracking with fear.


    ¡°Her sister told me to call her, to convince her toe to the hospital and meet with her. She wanted to reconcile with her,¡± I confessed, the words tumbling out in a rush.


    Damien paused, his expression nk. ¡°Olivia Harlow,¡± he called the name like it was poison, and I nodded instantly.


    I watched as Damien¡¯s face darkened, his brow furrowed in a deep scowl. He nced at his men, their faces equally stern, before his gaze snapped back to me, his eyes zing with anger.


    I swallowed hard, my throat constricting with fear, and I continued in a shaky voice. ¡°If I had told her it was Olivia, I know Ashley¡­ she wouldn¡¯t havee out. So we had to use her father, and Olivia had insisted that she take the shortcut to the hospital to hurry up.¡±


    My heart throbbed hard with every word that escaped my lips. ¡°Please spare me,¡± I begged, my voice cracking.


    But just then, his phone started ringing, piercing the tense silence. One of his men, standing behind me, stepped forward and handed him the phone, their eyes never leaving mine.


    ¡°Is an unknown number, boss,¡±


    Damien turned to the guy beside him and muttered, ¡°Pasito, pick it up.¡± The guy nodded and connected the phone to a loudspeaker, positioning it beside Damien¡¯s left ear.


    Nodding, his index finger hovered over the trigger, ready to shoot me, when suddenly a loud scream pierced the air from the background of the cell phone, causing him to freeze instantly, his eyes widening in shock.


    ¡°Ash¡­ ley¡­¡± I stammered, my head jerking up instantly.


    Damien immediately snatched the phone from the guy, his voice urgent as he asked. ¡°Ashley, where are you?¡± But instead of a response, a mockingugh echoed from the other end, the sound sent a terrifying chill as everyone turned their attention toward the phone in Damien¡¯s hold.


    ¡°How nice was it to hear from you again, brother?¡±


    BAM! The gun in Damien¡¯s hand slipped from his grasp and crashed to the ground, his face draining of all color as he whispered, ¡°Alexander¡­¡±

 Chapter Eighty Two (The shocking revelation)

    Ashley


    My hands were tied behind me, and my eyes were blindfolded with scraps of cloth. I struggled to free myself, but the restraints held tight. Panic set in as I realized that I have been trapped.


    I can hear the heavy beating of my heart as fear grips me like a w. The smell of dust seems strong here and my echoing voice taunts me with its emptiness. My voice kept bouncing back and forth.


    ¡°Where am I?¡± I scream, but the only response is the haunting reverberation of my own terror. My head pounds with a painful ache, like a thousand needles stabbing my brain. And just then my stomach growls, a sign that I¡¯ve gone without food for some time now.


    Though despite the rumbling of my stomach and Doctor Jessica¡¯s warnings about my health echoing in my mind, food is thest thing I¡¯m thinking about right now. All that kepting to my mind was the sight of the lifeless body of the innocent driver slumped over the steering wheel.


    Oh my God¡­¡­! I bite down hard on my lips to stifle my sobs as cold goosebumps crawl down my skin. My body trembled in fear before my mind raced with terrifying questions: Will I be next? Will they kill me like they did the driver?


    Will anyone save me?All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    But suddenly my  jumbled thoughts were interrupted by the ominous creak of a door opening, followed by the heavy, deliberate click of a boot on the floor. The sound sends a chill down my spine, and my heart races with uneasiness and dread.


    ¡°Wh¡­ Who¡¯s there?¡± I stammer, my voice trembling as I frantically wiggle my tied hands, desperate to free myself. The ropes dig deeper into my skin as I struggle, but they refuse to budge. My heart races with every step, the footsteps growing louder and closer, echoing off the walls.


    ¡°Who the fuck are you?¡¯ I screamed, my voice hoarse with fear, as I gulped hard and tried to crawl away. But my body betrays me, refusing to move. And that¡¯s when I realized that my legs were also shackled together by cold, unforgiving chains.


    And suddenly, the footsteps stopped, and I sensed a presence looming over me before I felt a warm breath dance across my face, sending shivers down my spine. And immediately, the cloth covering my eyes was forcefully ripped away, leaving me momentarily blinded by the intense sunlight seeping through the open door.


    ¡°Ah!¡± I eximed, my eyes reflexively shutting tight as the sun¡¯s rays hit my face.


    ¡°Hello, pretty damsel,¡± a deep, masculine voice resonated, sending shock waves down my spine. And immediately I snapped my eyes open, and my gaze locked with the man¡¯s face as he squatted beside me.


    My heart skipped a beat as our faces drew level, and I felt a jolt of recognition. The familiarity of his features made my mind race, but I couldn¡¯t quite ce where we had met before. His chiseled jawline, piercing eyes, and rugged charm all seemed to stir a memory, but it lingered just out of reach.


    ¡°You!¡±  My voice trailing off as I struggled to ce where we¡¯d met before.


    ¡°Nice meeting you again,¡± he said with a charming smile, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. He then stood up, his movements fluid and confident, and he turned his back on me,


    Where have we met before?


    I stared at him in utter shock, my mind reeling as I struggled to ce his familiar face. Suddenly, his name burst forth in my memory like a revtion, ¡°Alexander Smith.¡± I whispered it aloud, my voice barely audible.


    He froze instantly, and then, with calcted steps, he turned to face me, his lips curling into a dangerous smile. ¡°You still remember,¡± he purred, his voice dripping with a sinister satisfaction.


    ¡°What the fuck am I doing here?¡± I bellowed instantly, my voice echoing off the walls as I red at him with my eyes zing with fury. But instead, he remained unmoved, his expression unyielding, his raised brow mocking me with its calm superiority.


    I yelled again, my frustration boiling over, ¡°Why the fuck am I here? Why did you bring me here?¡± My words hung in the air, demanding answers, but Alexander¡¯s silence was like a p in the face, leaving me seething with rage and helplessness.


    And just then, my eyes stung as Sebastian¡¯s words about Alexander began to sh through my mind like a stark reminder. The memory of his encounter with Damien in the hallway that fateful night came flooding back, and I felt a lump form in my throat as I struggled to blink back the tears threatening to spill down my cheeks.


    What if he harms me?


    However, with a slow shake of his head, Alexander smiled as the door creaked open and one of his men entered, carrying a chair. The man set it down in front of me, and Alexander sat down, his eyes never leaving mine.


    He rubbed his jaw contemtively, his gaze roaming over me. ¡°Has she been fed yet?¡± he asked the person beside him, his voice low and even, his eyes still fixed on me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t fucking need your food,¡± I spat, shaking my head not even giving the guy any chance to respond.


    ¡°Just let me go, please,¡±I cried out, my voice cracking at the end with desperation as I pleaded with him.


    But instead of sympathy, he threw his head back and let out a cold, mirthlessugh that sent chills down my spine. The sound was like ice water in my veins, and I felt a shiver run down my back.


    ¡°Do you think I brought you all the way here just to let you off scot-free?¡± he asked, his voicecing with sarcasm and his eyes shing with anger.


    ¡°Is this some kind of yground to you, pretty damsel?¡± he sneered, his gaze piercing through me like a dagger.


    I gulped hard, trying to swallow my fear, and asked in a shaky voice, ¡°Why am I here?¡±


    Alexander¡¯s gaze bore into me, his eyes narrowing slightly for a while before he let out a heavy sigh. He rubbed his jaw, his expression thoughtful, before responding, ¡°You see, I¡¯ve always had my doubts about the love between you and that bastard, Damien. But today, I want to know just how important you are to him.¡±


    I felt my heart skip a beat at his words, and before I could think better of it, I blurted out, ¡°You two aren¡¯t on the best terms, so let me go if you don¡¯t want to incur more of his wrath!¡±


    I sounded so serious but merely looking at me, Alexander¡¯s expression turned amused, and he raised his left eyebrow mockingly. ¡°Who, Damien?¡± he asked sarcastically. The way he said it, made my skin crawl.


    ¡°He wille for me,¡± I snarled, threatening him, though unsure of even my own words.


    Am I even important to Damien?


    What if he doesn¡¯t bat an eye at my demise?


    Yet my threats seemed not to even bulge him. Laughing hard like I have just said something so funny, Alexander rose from his seat and began to stalk towards me, his slow, deliberate steps filling me with dread. He halted in front of me. The smile disappeared, his eyes burning with hatred as he then squatted down to my level, his face inches away from mine.


    But I immediately cringed my face in disgust as his hot breath whispered against my skin before he snarled through gritted teeth, his voice low and horrifying. ¡°That¡¯s what I want, pretty damsel.¡±


    ¡°Toe so that I will see the look on his face when I end two important people in his life, you and¡­¡± His sharp gaze trailed down to my stomach, and he smirked deadly, his eyes gleaming with malice as he blurted out the word that drained the life out of me. ¡°And the baby,¡±

 Chapter eighty three (The baby)

    My gaze widened in horror, and I felt the life drain from my soul. My world seemed to grind to a halt as my heart raced wildly, pounding in my chest like a drum. My body trembled violently, my limbs shaking with fear. I stared back at him, my mouth agape, but no words escaped my lips. I was frozen in terror, my voice caught in my throat.


    What is going on? How did he know?


    What is he talking about?!


    More like he read my mind, he instantly pped his hands in the air, the door opened and I watched one of his men walk inside with my purse.


    Alexander took the bag from him and opened it. My heart kept beating hard, and my mouth kept pping open and close, like a fish gasping for air. Yet no word left my lips, I felt numb.


    Oh my goodness, this can¡¯t be happening.


    I trembled hard as Alexander pulled out my hospital card, his lips curling into an evil smirk as he stared into my terrified face. ¡°Congrattions, preggy,¡± he taunted, his voice dripping with venom as he tore the card into pieces. ¡°It¡¯s a shame to end this beautiful soul before it can even take a breath,¡± he sneered, his words stabbing me like a knife.


    The tears I¡¯d been holding back finally burst forth, streaming down my face as I looked down at the pieces of the cards on the ground. I swallowed hard, trying to stifle my sobs. I shot him a fierce re, my ssy eyes gleaming with rage.


    ¡°You¡¯ll regret this!¡± I screamed, my voice hoarse with anguish, my veins bulging in my forehead with rage as tears rolled furiously down my cheeks. ring at him, I spat in his face, the saliva hitting his smirking lips with a satisfying st.


    ¡°You will regret this!¡± I yelled, but my words were immediately met with a swift and stinging p across my face. The force of the blow sent shockwaves through my skin, and I felt my own taste of blood in my mouth.


    ¡°YOU BLOODY BASTARD!¡± Alexander growled, his face twisted in rage as he grasped my hair, yanking it hard backward. Causing a sharp pain to shoot straight to my scalp, making my eyes water more.


    ¡°I have been lenient with you but don¡¯t make me end you before that bastard will reach here,¡±


    Gritting my teeth, I curled my tied fists behind me. The pain was excruciating, yet I was powerless to do anything. My hands and legs were chained up, rendering me helpless. ¡°You bastard!¡± I shrieked at him.


    ¡°What are you waiting for? Kill me already!¡± I spat, my anger and frustration boiling over.


    I will endure everything but not my baby!


    He simplyughed, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. ¡°Not so soon,¡± he said, shaking his head. ¡°Where¡¯s the fun in ending you right now?¡±


    He pushed my head away, slowly cleaning up my spit on his face with a handkerchief. As he squeezed the fabric, he tossed it back at me with a smirk. I swallowed hard, ring at him.


    Now I see why Damien wants him dead by all means.


    Nobody deserves to die but not for someone like Alexander. Sebastian¡¯s words now made more sense to me ¨C Alexander was a backstabber, a monster with no remorse for his actions.


    ¡°Let¡¯s call your bastard husband and see his reaction first before making any move,¡± Alexander hummed, his cruel smirk irritating me as I watched him pull out his cellphone from his pants pocket.


    My heart started beating very fast, will Damiene here? This is a damn trap! Alexander¡¯s evil words kept bouncing back and forth in my head of wanting to lure him here so as to end him.  I felt a surge of fear and anxiety, my breath catching in my throat.


    ¡°Please God,¡± I stammered, desperately fighting back tears.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t do this!¡± I begged, but it was toote. The call had already been answered.


    And instantly, I let out a scream as Alexander intentionally stepped on me, his foot grinding into my skin as he took a few steps forward, his eyes shining with a wicked smile.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I couldn¡¯t make out what Damien said on the other end of the call, but Alexander¡¯s mockingugh sent chills down my spine.


    ¡°How nice was it to hear from you again, brother?¡± Alexander said with a light, mockingugh. ¡°And oh yes, I do have your sweet wife with me,¡±


    I knew the depth of their animosity, and I could only imagine the venomous words Damien would spit in response.


    Alexander paused, turning to me with an evil grin. ¡°She¡¯s doing wonderfully¡­ for now,¡± he added, his smile twisting into something even more wicked and sinister.


    ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t want anything to happen to her?¡± Alexander taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Hahaha, so sad I can¡¯t guarantee her safety!¡±


    He took a step closer to me, his eyes glinting with malice as my heart raced with every step he took. Stopping in front of me, he put the cellphone on loudspeaker, and I could feel my anxiety spiking.


    ¡°Oh, your sweet wife can hear you now,¡± he said, his voice heavy with sarcasm. ¡°What do you have to say to her, dear husband?¡± Heughed hard, clearly enjoying the situation.


    I swallowed hard, my dry lips trembling as I hesitated, waiting for Damien to speak first. I knew he would be furious, but I had gone to see my father, not Mason. But now I feel so scared because this bastard will try to use me and destroy him.


    I wish he wouldn¡¯te.


    ¡°Ashley,¡± Damien¡¯s deep voice sounded from the speaker, causing me to instantly lift my head. My tense shoulders rxed ever so slightly, almost unconsciously.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t be scared, I¡¯ll get you out of this mess,¡± he reassured me but I was quick to shake my head, tears streaming down my cheeks as I pleaded, ¡°No, this is a trap! Please, no!!¡±


    I blurted out all at once, but Alexander¡¯s stinging p shut me up quickly. I screamed in pain, but my cry was cut short as his men rapidly taped my mouth shut. ¡°Ashley¡­. You bastard, what are you doing to my wife?!¡± A lone tear slipped down my eyes, hearing Damien yell at the other end.


    ¡°You remembered how you killed my woman and my unborn child?¡± Alexander asks impatiently, his words rolling off like that of a broken man.


    ¡°You traitor,¡± Damien¡¯s voice remained impassive, ¡°I never touched Zuri nor your child.¡±


    ¡°Enough of this crap!¡± Alexander snarled angrily. ¡°Expect to see her piece by piece, her body parts scattered in front of your house in less than 24 hours,¡±  he threatened, his words dripping with malice.


    I trembled slightly at his cold words.


    ¡°You can¡¯t do such,¡± Damien snapped at him. ¡°Take her out of this!¡±


    Smiling cruelly, Alexander scoffed with a silent nod of his head. ¡°It¡¯s a pity to let you know that both your wife and your unborn child will cease to exist in less than 24hrs¡­¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Damien had barely finished talking when Alexander immediately ended the call and turned to re at me.


    Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and a stinging pain flickered across my face. My heart skipped multiple beats as I felt another piece of my heart chip away.


    He shouldn¡¯t have told him about the baby, and now he knows.

 Chapter eighty four (Regret)

    Mason


    After the call, Damien left with his men, and I¡¯ve been lying on the floor, wallowing in deep pain and regret. My body aches all over, and every part of my bones feels like they¡¯ve been shattered.


    Coughing out blood, I slowly crawled forward, my body trembling with eachbored breath. I finally reached the couch and rested my head against the armrest, my eyes closed as I struggled to catch my breath. But immediately I heard the door creak open. I jerked up, snapping my eyes open, but instantly regretted it as a sharp pain shot through my back, earning a loud groan from me.


    ¡°Mason,¡± Olivia eximed, rushing forward and squatting beside me. ¡°What happened to you? Who did you get into a fight with? You¡¯re bleeding profusely,¡± she asked, her eyes scanning my body with concern.


    ¡°Were you attacked by armed robbers?¡±


    Gulping hard, I finally managed to look at her. ¡°That could have been better but hell no¡­ They came for me,¡± I coughed, holding my chest.


    Olivia¡¯s gaze narrowed at me, her expression intense. ¡°Who came for you?¡±


    ¡°Da¡­ Damien,¡± I sputtered, coughing violently. As soon as the name left my lips, Olivia¡¯s eyes widened in rm. She stood up abruptly, backing away from me with a look of shock and fear.


    ¡°Hope you didn¡¯t tell him anything, Mason!¡± she eximed, ignoring the blood trickling from my mouth.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Ashley?¡± I coughed, struggling to catch my breath.¡±


    ¡°Answer my question first!¡¯l¡± Olivia snapped, her eyes zing with urgency. ¡°Hope you didn¡¯t say a thing?¡± She pressed.


    I swallowed hard, my aching body making it hard for me to move. ¡°He¡­ he now knows everything,¡± muttered, my voice barely audible.


    ¡°WHAT?!¡± she eximed, her bag dropping to the ground as her jaw dropped in shock. ¡°You did what?!¡± she demanded, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    ¡°Don¡¯t me me, Olivia¡­,¡± I paused, my heart pounding in my chest. ¡°I had no choice.¡± I said before reaching out my shaking hands, and whispered, ¡°Please¡­ please help me sit on the couch.¡±


    Looking at my stretched hand, she red at me before I heard her let out a snort. ¡°You bloody fool, I should help you when you can¡¯t keep your mouth shut. If you know how you leaked the secret, go help yourself out!¡±


    Fuck it.


    I dragged in a deep breath, dropping my hand back to my side. I shook my head at her. The pain hit me hard with each movement, ¡°I tried my best, Olivia, but you lied to me. You said you wanted to reconcile with Ashley, but you kidnapped her instead.¡±


    She paused instantly, raising her brow. ¡°Kidnap,¡± she said,  feigning innocence.


    And that seems to  really annoy the shit out of me because I remember the pain I went through earlier. I nearly lost my life. ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb with me, who is Alexander!¡± I stuttered, the words trembling off my lips as I coughed hard.


    Olivia seemed surprised before she let out a heart-wrenchingugh. ¡°Alexander is a kind soul who helped me catch my father¡¯swyer. He was a man of his word, not a coward like you.¡± Her words scrunched with a mockery grin.


    ¡°In exchange for¡­?¡± I smiled sadly, my Adam¡¯s apple bobbing up and down in regret.


    ¡°In exchange of my brat of a sister,¡±


    ¡°This is not right, Olivia, this wasn¡¯t the n,¡±


    ¡°Huh,¡± she scoffed, herughter dripping with sarcasm as she locked eyes with me. ¡°And who gives a damn about the n anyway?¡±


    ¡°Because of you, I nearly died and you¡¯re not even bothered,¡± I snapped, feeling a pang of disappointment at the cold-hearted individual I had been standing beside all this time.


    Laughing, she shakes her head in disgust, waving her hands dismissively. ¡°Why should I even bother? I¡¯m through with you, Mason. You¡¯re no longer worth my time,¡± she dered, nonchntly shrugging her shoulders, arms over her chest crossed. ¡°You¡¯re a coward, a pushover¡­ you¡¯re not the kind of man I want.¡±


    My heart shattered, consumed by regret as her words pierced me deeply and before I knew it. I pushed myself up slightly, wincing as the sharp pain at my back.


    Tears of remorse welled up in my eyes, and for the first time the pain cuts deeply. My eyes reflect the pain and shame within me. ¡°Because of you, I lost my fiancee.¡±


    ¡°Because of you, I LOST ASHLEY!!¡± I shouted, fixing her with a fierce re, only to be met with a mocking grin.


    ¡°No, dear one,¡± she shakes her head, ¡°You lost her because of your selfishness¡­ you lost her because of your greed.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare say that,¡± I sniffed deeply, the pain in my heart more piercing than my aching body. ¡°You entered our lives when we had something beautiful, and you shattered my wonderful rtionship with her.¡±


    But however, instead of feeling remorse, Olivia let out a dreadfulugh, which kept echoing in the intense air coldly and frighteningly. Slowly, she majestically strode seductively toward me, her hips swaying sideways. Stopping in front of me, she smirked. ¡°Let¡¯s just say that you were¡­¡± she paused, trailing her fingers sensually down her hips, but for the first time, I didn¡¯t feel moved anymore.


    Surprisingly my dick didn¡¯t even react.


    All I see when I look at her now is anger, hatred, and regret.


    Lifting her head with a wicked smile on her bottom lips, she bent slightly before snarling, ¡°Let¡¯s just say that you were obsessed with my¡­ Pussy.¡±


    ¡°When you were sleeping with me, using me for different sexual styles. You didn¡¯t remember that a day like this will evere. You were so obsessed that you can go any length just to have me in your bed.¡±


    My heart shattered with every word she uttered because she was right¡­¡­ I was foolish, obsessed that I didn¡¯t know that I was trading the wrong part. My memories with Ashley shed before my eyes, I shouldn¡¯t have let her go. I tried to speak, but words failed me, and tears streamed down my face, and that only widened her smile.


    This is a monster; I¡¯ve been foolish about all this time.


    Howe I didn¡¯t see the part of her all along?


    ¡°You used me,¡± I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips.


    Olivia¡¯s smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with a cruel light. ¡°Oh, no, honey, don¡¯t forget that we¡¯ve been in this together for a long time. Nobody forced you, you did everything willingly on your own.¡± She said, her voice dripping with a forced sympathy at the end.


    ¡°You got what you wanted, right?¡± Iughed bitterly, looking at the file in her hand.


    Flipping her hair, she blinks hershes seductively, a huge satisfied smile stered on her face.


    ¡°You want to be Ashley so much but you can never be her. Now I see why Daniel Harlow loves her so much,¡± I spit, ring at her.


    I wish I could stand on my feet so that I can strangle her to death so much.


    I regret every single thing.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± sheughed, shing me the documents of all Daniel Harlow¡¯s properties. ¡°All mine,¡± she stresses the words, saying in a sing-song tone before shaking her head andughing in victory.


    Looking at herughing and leaving only worsened my anger, and before I knew it I snarled at her. ¡°You ruined my life but I promise you Ashley I will ruin you.¡±.


    My words seemed to have stopped her, and immediately she turned to face me, an amused look on her face. ¡°You know Ashley has always hated me but have you asked yourself how she will feel if shees to know that you have been behind all her problems all this while as well?¡±


    My heart skipped a beat the moment she posed her question and Ashley¡¯s innocent green eyes appeared in my head.


    ¡°But don¡¯t worry much, she won¡¯t make it alive out of Alexander¡¯s sight,¡± she said, a sinister smile ying on her lips, eliciting a gasp of shock from me.


    ¡°You are evil,¡± I screamed, taken aback by her callous words. ¡°I will destroy you, Olivia, I promise.¡±


    ¡°Only if you will be alive to do that,¡± she smirked cruelly, pulling out a gun from her jacket. My eyes widened instantly as I scrambled back a bit,


    ¡°Wha¡­.. What are you doing?¡± I had barely finished my words before I heard bam!


    BLACKOUT.

 Chapter eighty five (The night visitation)

    Olivia


    The wind rustled through the roadside grass as I sped down the road towards the hospital as the cold rain kept tapping against the car windows.


    The night is silent, with few souls out and about at thiste hour. A smile ys on my lips as I nod along to the soothing melody of ¡°Kiss Me In The Rain ¡± by Barbara Streisand, as the idea of what I am about to do echoes in my head.


    The ride was as slick as a greased pig, no bumps in sight. And just like a sh, I rolled up to the hospital premises. A wicked grin crept onto my face as I nced at the paper in my grip and then back at the hospital¡¯s entrance door.


    ¡°All I need is his damn signature and everything else will be mine,¡± I mumbled and neatly tuck away the paper into my bulky jacket. ¡°No one can throw a wrench in my ns now, thumbs up, Olivia.¡± I smirk, putting on my cap and gloves before cracking open the door.


    I slipped on my umbre and strolled towards the entrance. The rhythmic tap of my boot on the damp ground echoing through the quiet dark surroundings with only the hospital light on.


    Pushing the door open, I rested my umbre against the entrance and approached the receptionist, with a force smile painted on my face,


    ¡°Good evening, ma, how may I assist you?¡± A youngdy who appeared to be in her early thirties suddenly inquired, when arranging some piled up files.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to see Mr. Daniel Harlow,¡± I responded, still maintaining the same smile.


    Immediately, she heard me. I noticed her stopped on what she was doing before raising her head to meet my gaze. ¡°Sorry, but visiting hours have ended for today; it¡¯s his resting time now.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± I gave her a disapproving shake of my head. ¡°But he specifically asked for some homemade porridge or do you expect a sick old man to go to bed on an empty stomach. ¡± I exined, raising a sk of food. The receptionist inspected it before turning her gaze back to me.


    ¡°Who is he to you?¡± she inquired, a pleased smile spreading across my face. ¡°My father,¡± I responded.


    She raised her brow, her gaze locked on me, ¡°Why didn¡¯t youe early?¡±


    Damn with the questions!


    Smiling, I scratched my neck awkwardly seeing her brow still furrowed up at me. ¡°There was traffic.¡±


    ¡°Name, please.¡±


    ¡°Olivia Harlow,¡± I stated confidently.


    I narrowed my gaze as I watched her flipping through a lengthy ck notebook in front of her before she finally looked up, wearing an apologetic expression. ¡°Sorry I just wanted to confirm, please follow this way to your right, then take the first staircase upstairs. Once you reach the corridor, stop at the seventh room on your left.¡±


    After she finished giving directions, I nodded promptly, a mysterious smile ying on my lips as I softly whispered, ¡°Thank you,¡± before turning around. With a sigh of relief, I followed her instructions.


    Soon enough, I stood before the seventh room, staring at the prominent room number on the door, a mischievous smile creeped onto my lips.


    Twisting the door open, I slowly walked in and there lied the man that I was looking for, Daniel Harlow.


    I closed the door behind me, locking it and the sound seemed to jerk him out of his sleep and suddenly he opened his eyes.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°I heard that you are responding well to treatment.¡± I said, throwing him a wicked smile as I moved closer to him.


    A few meters away from him, I stopped. He didn¡¯t say anything but kept looking at me, a deep frown etched on his face.


    ¡°Oli¡­ via,¡± he struggled to say, his voice faltering, which only made me burst intoughter.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stress yourself, old man. I¡¯m definitely not here to start exchanging pleasantries,¡± I said, noticing his frown deepened.


    Reaching into my jacket, I retrieved the document along with a sleek blue pen. ¡°I need you to sign this paper,¡± I announced, my voice cold and demanding.


    ¡°Wh¡­ Wha¡­ What document?¡± he stammered.


    ¡°Ugh,¡± I groaned in exasperation, my expression twisting with irritation as I watched him grapple with his speech.


    The more he talks, the heavier his breathing gets.


    ¡°Alright, let me go straight to the point,¡± I dered, flipping open the pen¡¯s cap. ¡°This is your will,¡± I revealed, dropping the bomb, causing his eyes to widen in shock instantly.


    With a smirk, I crossed my arms. ¡°Stop guessing. You must be dying to know how I got hold of them, right?¡± My smile turned wicked. ¡°Underestimating me, Daniel? Bad move. I know your schemes, but guess what?¡± I paused, leaning in slightly, our faces mere inches apart.


    ¡°I tracked down yourwyer, Mr. Johnson, but don¡¯t fret.¡±


    I let out a cruelugh, leaning back. ¡°He¡¯s dead,¡± I stated, and he shot me a sharp re, disbelief evident in his eyes.


    And seeing his reaction was enough to spur me into revealing some more details. ¡°Now that I know you won¡¯t survive the next 4 hours, I feel the urge to unveil some truths,¡± I said.


    Ignoring his response, the disappointment in his eyes, I pressed on. ¡°Since childhood, I have yearned for your love, attention, and care. I longed for a father, to be acknowledged as a daughter, not some burden.¡±


    I can feel his eyes following my every damn move as I paced around the room, hands sped behind my back. Lost in deep thoughts, I let my emotions spill out, ¡°All I craved in this life was your love. Yet you despised me and my mother so much. We were treated disparately. You showered Ashley with affection, fulfilling her every desire, while I received the opposite treatment¡­¡±


    ¡°So¡­¡± I stopped, turning to face him. ¡°I swear to destroy her. So I used her best friend and ex to set her up to sleep with an old reckless man. She didn¡¯t do it intentionally, it was all my n.¡±


    A look of utter shock shed across Daniel Harlow¡¯s face.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ You¡­ hmm,¡± he stuttered, his rage palpable as he shook the bed angrily. I smiled, releasing a scornful chuckle. ¡°Everything that happened that night was all my doing!¡± I gloated, walking forward and cing a piece of tape over his mouth to silence him. ¡°No one will ever hear your voice,¡± I added, my eyes gleaming with triumph.


    All I could see in his face was a mix of anger, regret, disappointment, and hatred as he seriously shook the bed in anger. The strings make some loose sounds but I no longer care- the love that I desperately needed from him had long gone.


    However, I whispered, my voice cold andced with venom. ¡°But of course, I forgot how much you love her. You didn¡¯t even wait for her to feel the pain and you married her off and even risked your million dorspany in the process. As if that wasn¡¯t enough, you willed almost everything to her name!¡±


    I spat in anger before walking over to him. I forcefully grasped his hand, shoving the pen into his palms and dragging it forward to sign on the line below the document.


    ¡°Enough of the exnations!¡± I snapped, frustration seething inside me as he stubbornly clenched his fists, refusing to sign. And that only irritated me further. ¡°Your precious daughter has only 24 hours to live,¡± I dered, my tone firm and icy. ¡°So, it¡¯s your choice: sign this document or watch her perish.¡±


    I threatened yet he refused to bulge. ¡°Hmmm¡­.¡± I smirked ring at him.


    I know your weak point old man.


    I leaned back, pulled out my phone, and showed him the footage of Ashley trapped in the basement. The video, recorded immediately after her abduction, was all the leverage I needed. Shock and anguish shed across his face before he turned back to me, his eyes zing with fury.


    ¡°So, the choice is yours,¡± I smirked, pushing the document toward him.


    He bit down on his lip, a single tear tracing a path down his cheek as he hesitantly scrawled his signature. Despite hispliance, and also seeing his signature well written down a pang of sorrow echoed within me,  mingling with my forced smile.


    He truly was capable of doing anything¡­ absolutely anything for her.


    Suddenly, I cleared my throat,posing myself as I hid the pain within. ¡°Now that everything is settled and you know my secrets,¡± I said smoothly, tucking the document back into my jacket.


    And then gradually strode over to stand beside him, my eyes locked on his. ¡°Do you think you deserve to live?¡± I asked, my voice dripping with malice. His gaze followed me, and for a moment, a flicker of fear danced in his eyes. He tried to speak, but his words were muffled by the tape covering his mouth.


    ¡°Go wait for your dear daughter in the next world,¡±


    With a cruel smile, I yanked off the oxygen tube connected to the nasal cann in his hand, the device that had been sustaining his fragile breathing. Iughed heartlessly watching him struggling to draw air, his body convulsing in desperation.


    The minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness¡­2 minutes¡­


    3 minutes¡­


    The machine beeps erratically as he thrashes about in the bed, his ssy, wrinkled eyes fixed on me with a mixture of fear and struggle. Iughed hard, a cold, cruel sound that sent shivers around the room.


    5 minutes¡­


    6 minutes¡­¡­


    And then, I watched with a mix of fascination and horror as his body finally went still, his life slipping away.

 Chapter eighty six(They鈥檙e here)

    Ashley


    As the day broke, the whistling of birds filled the air. Iy tied up in the dark room, drifting off to sleep, when suddenly a cold water was poured down on me, jolting me awake. ¡°Fuck!¡± I hissed, snapping my eyes open. My body shuddered in the cold as I lifted my head to see the psycho¡¯s evil smirk staring back at me.


    ¡°Morning, morning,¡± he chimed, pping his hands together as he sat down in front of me, his cigarettes in hand. I red at him fiercely, but he just shrugged it off, unfazed. ¡°It¡¯s a good morning, a good day to remind you that you have only three hours left to breathe,¡± he mocked, lighting up his cigarette and puffing out the smoke with a smug smile.


    ¡°I red at him, scrunching up my face in distaste as the smoke wafted into my nose. I looked away, my expression twisted in disgust.


    ¡°You know, it still baffled me to know that you love a man that doesn¡¯t have a thing for you, a womanizer.¡±


    I turned back my face to look at him, too exhausted to do anything but re. When I failed to react as he¡¯d hoped, he stood up and tossed a picture onto the floor beside me.


    I had barely nced at it, but my heart skipped a beat. It was a photo of Olivia and Damien together.


    ¡°You see,¡± he said, nodding towards the picture, ¡°They¡¯ve been seeing each other.¡±


    I shut my eyes, clenching my fists behind me.


    ¡°No¡­ this can¡¯t be happening.¡± I thought to myself, trying to process what I saw in the picture. ¡°Ashley, please don¡¯t believe him,¡± I silently pleaded.


    Opening my eyes, I blinked back the tears and forced down the lump in my throat, trying topose myself. She had already ruined me and Mason, and now she want Damien? How could she be so shameless?


    But instead of breaking down, I unleashed my anger. ¡°I don¡¯t fucking care! Just get me the hell out of here!!¡± I yelled, surprising him with my outburst. This wasn¡¯t the reaction he had been expecting.


    Clenching his jaw, Alexander snarled in return, ¡°Let me call that bastard of a man you called husband.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the least you could do, coward!¡± I spat, ring at him, but before I could react further, a loud p twisted my neck to the side. I spat out a mouthful of blood and turned to face him, but he was already on the phone, his voice dripping with anger.


    ¡°Hello, Damien Albrecht¡­¡± he paused, taking a seat. ¡°How would you like me to dispose of her body? Inrge pieces or small?¡±


    ¡°You bloody coward, leave her and face me if you aren¡¯t scared, Alexander Smith!¡± Damien¡¯s voice growled over the phone, followed by a loud snarl that made my heart skip a beat.


    But then, I heard the unmistakable sound of Eros agape, and a sudden smile spread across my face. ¡°Damn, his location is on,¡±


    ¡°You know¡­¡± Alexander started to say but immediately trailed off, his eyes widened in panic as he heard Eros¡¯s sudden gasp. He quickly ended the call and switched off his location. He turned and stood up from his chair like a scared dog, screaming as he strode toward the door.


    ¡°Guards! Guards!¡± Alexander yelled, his voice panicked.


    His men rushed inside, responding promptly. ¡°Yes, boss!¡± they chimed in unison.


    ¡°Get the car ready, our location has been discovered!¡± Alexander barked, his face pale with fear.


    I watched as a mix of shock and rm shed across their faces, one after the other, like a wave of panic spreading through the room and that brought a small smile to my lips.


    ¡°Quick!!¡± Alexander shrieked, sending his men scurrying away like frightened chickens.


    I watched him with a narrowed, confused expression as he paced back and forth, rubbing his palms together as if he¡¯d just witnessed a horrific scene. His frantic behavior only deepened my confusion. ¡°I thought you wanted him here,¡± I said, my voice calm and weary from exhaustion. But Alexander ignored me, continuing to pace around the room. ¡°Hmm¡­ seems you were all talk and no action,¡±


    ¡°In a simple word, a COWARD!¡± I mocked, stressing thest word, which instantly made him halt and turn to face me. His eyes zed with anger, and his expression turned icy cold.


    ¡°Shut your damn mouth!¡± he screamed, like a wounded lion, and started marching towards me. But just as he was about to reach me, one of his men rushed in, diverting his attention.


    ¡°Is the car ready?¡± he asked instead, his voice filled with urgency and desperation.


    ¡°No, sir, I came to inform you that there¡¯s no fuel in the car,¡± his man replied, earning a disbelieving snort from Alexander.


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? We came here with two damn cars!!¡± Alexander exploded.


    ¡°Yes, but Luciano took the other one on an errand,¡± his man exined. And instantly, Alexander¡¯s face contorted in frustration as he mmed his fist into his palm. ¡°Oh shit!¡± he cursed. I watched them with an exhausted smile.


    I heard him muttered to himself, ¡°Not now. Not now,¡± before rubbing his face in despair.


    ¡°You can still fix this, Alexander,¡± I said, suddenly drawing all of their attention. ¡°A simple apology can fix this. Acknowledge your mistakes and plead for forgiveness from those you¡¯ve wronged.¡± I added, but my words only earned a mockingugh from him.


    ¡°Alexander Smith never begs,¡± he bragged, curling his lips into a cruel smile.


    ¡°I think right now, Miss Sharp Tongue, you should worry about your life and that thing growing inside you.¡± His sharp, cruel gaze trailed down to my stomach, sending an instant shiver down my spine.


    ¡°You do no such thing!¡± I barked, shooting him a sharp re that only widened his smirk.


    Alexander nodded his head, a wicked smile spreading across his face as he called out, ¡°Cease her¡­ Since there¡¯s no car avable, we¡¯ll follow n B.¡± His gaze remained fixed on mine, his eyes glinting with malice. ¡°Tell Luciano to meet us at the YR junction instead ofing here.¡±


    One of his men nodded, gesturing to the others to drag me away. They forcefully untied me, hauling me to my feet despite my chained legs. When they tried to tie me up again, I resisted, struggling to make things harder for them, to waste their time.


    ¡°Behave yourself,¡± one of them scolded, but I refused toply. I knew that if I leave with them, I wouldn¡¯t survive to see another day.


    I couldn¡¯t die like this, not before I had a chance to exin everything to my father. I still need to get back thepany for him, and to see Damien again.


    I didn¡¯t want Damien toe here and risk his life, but right now, I needed him most.


    ¡°No, no, no!¡± I yelled, but my cries were immediately silenced with a tape ced over my mouth and a huge p across my face. Breathing heavily, I red up at Alexander, my eyes zing with hatred.


    ¡°Done, boss,¡± his men replied, having sessfully restrained me once again.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°Now let¡¯s go before that bastard gets here,¡± Alexander snarled, but his words were immediately cut short by a sudden gunshot outside.


    BAM!!¡±


    A sudden silence enveloped the room, so profound that a pin drop could be heard. Then, another gunshot rang out, echoing through the air 9nce again. I watched as Alexander¡¯s men exchanged nervous nces, fear flickering in their eyes.


    ¡°They¡¯re here,¡± one of his guards announced, his voice barely above a whisper.

 Chapter eighty seven(It鈥檚 over)

    Another loud gunshot rang out, almost deafening me. I watched in horror as the door to where we were standing was knocked down, and the dead body of one of Alexander¡¯s men came crashing inside.


    I gasped, my fists clenched in shock, as the grim reality hit me ¨C I¡¯d lost count of the dead bodies I¡¯d seen over the past two months.


    ¡°Come here,¡± pulling me out of my shock state, Alexander¡¯s iron grip closed around my neck, and he hauled me forward with brute force. His pistol pressed against my temple, the cold metal making my skin crawl.


    ¡°Everything has to end today,¡± he growled, his breath hot against my ear. I stumbled forward, helpless and terrified, as his men scrambled out of the building, their guns in their hands.


    Soon, the only sound was the relentless barrage of gunshots, bullets whizzing through the air in every direction from outside.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I struggled fiercely, but Alexander¡¯s grip only tightened as he dragged me forward, his voice a menacing growl: ¡°You better start saying yourst prayer.¡±


    I groaned through the tape in my mouth as I watched Alexander dragged me to the top floor of the building, finally stopping on the balcony where the scorching sun instantly hit my face. The groans of pain and gunshots can nolonger be heard, everywhere is now oddly quiet making my heart race.


    ¡°If I were you, Damien¡­¡± Alexander sneered, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a dangerous grin. ¡°I would drop my weapons.¡±


    I frantically scanned the area, my eyes darting around as my body trembled with fear. Damien was nowhere to be seen, nor were two of his friends, but there were gruesome sight of dead bodies littered all around the area. ¡°Where is he?¡± I whispered to myself, my mind racing with terror as fear gripped me tightly.


    ¡°Come out now, I know you¡¯re still here,¡± Alexander shouted, his voice echoing off the walls. But there was only silence in return.


    ¡°NOW!!¡± he yelled again, and I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I held my breath, praying that Damien wouldn¡¯t fall for the trap.


    ¡°Please don¡¯te out,¡± I begged silently, they¡¯ll kill us for sure.


    Suddenly, my body shook uncontrobly as I caught a glimpse of another one of Alexander¡¯s men from the corner of my eyes hiding behind a pir with a gun positioned outside through a tiny hole in the wall.


    This is a setup.


    I struggled to break free, desperate to scream a warning to Damien ¨C wherever he was, he shouldn¡¯t daree out or he¡¯d be shot dead on sight. But my voice was muffled, the sound rolling off my lips in a barely audible whisper.


    ¡°Come out now or watch your wife and unborn child die,¡± Alexander sneered, the cold metal of his gun pressed against my temple as he cocked it.


    ¡°In the count of four, I¡¯ll st her head off,¡± he announced, his eyes scanning the surroundings once again with a mixture of anger and impatience. Smoke choked the air, it¡¯s acrid tang burning my lungs. I can see lifeless bodiesy scattered around the dirt ground. Their twisted limps, lifeless eyes and bloods in their bodies terrifies me, pushing me into trauma.


    I heard him started counting down, his voice echoing in my mind, I dragged in a sharp shaky breath. ¡°One¡­


    ¡°Two¡­


    ¡°Three¡­¡± My eyes scanned the whole ce, but there was no one in sight. I then muttered a desperate prayer, ¡°Oh God, please ept my soul,¡± my heart raced, waiting for him to reach four and end this nightmare, hoping that death would bring an end to the drama and terror that had consumed me.


    ¡°You think I¡¯m joking, right?¡± Alexander shouted, pressing the gun further into my skin, hard enough to leave a bruise.


    ¡°Four¡­¡± He had barely finished counting when a familiar voice cut through the air, making my heart stutter.


    ¡°Let her go,¡± Damienmanded, stepping out from behind a tree.


    And suddenly a wicked grin spread across Alexander¡¯s face as he saw him, he sneered before snapping at Damien. ¡°Have you considered the pain I felt when you killed my pregnant woman?!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t kill her, I wasn¡¯t behind her murder,¡± Damien snapped, his voice firm. ¡°We have the issue, not her. She¡¯s innocent, so let her go!¡±


    But instead, Alexander¡¯s grip on me tightened as he screeched, ¡°I can¡¯t let her go! I want you to feel the same pain I¡¯ve endured for years!¡±


    Damien¡¯s anger red, his wordsced with venom: ¡°You want me to feel the pain you went through? You¡¯re the one who backstabbed me! She was mine first, but you know what? I don¡¯t regret losing her to you now. You two are perfect for each other.¡±


    I felt a sudden warmth in my heart at his words, so doesn¡¯t that means that he had move on from his past. That Zuri, now meant nothing to him?


    Or is he saying this to make me better? But I don¡¯t think because I can feel the sincerity in his voice. Alot of questions were ying in my head as Damien and Alexander continued to exchange some words.


    But suddenly, my gaze fell on the guy hiding behind the pir again, and my eyes widened in shock as I saw his finger inching toward the trigger. I snapped my head in Damien¡¯s direction, then back at the guy, and that¡¯s when I noticed the gun was pointed directly at Damien.


    I know this is Alexander¡¯s n and Damien has no idea.


    I screamed, but my voice was muffled. I instantly gestured toward the guy behind the pir, trying to catch Damien¡¯s attention.


    My face contorted in fear, I continued to struggle, but Alexander¡¯s grip around my neck only tightened. ¡°Behave,¡± he sneered. The guy behind the pir remained focused, his finger mere inches from the trigger.


    And that¡¯s when Damien finally caught on, understanding the desperate warning I was trying to convey.


    I saw Damien¡¯s eyes widen in rm as he spotted the gun barrel protruding from a small hole in the wall. He was frozen, unable to move without risking being shot.


    The guy had him in his sights, and any sudden movement would be fatal. That meant I had to act fast.


    Despite his ws, Damien had somehow managed to capture my heart, and I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of losing him.


    Seeing him hurt was thest thing I wanted. Watching this bastard, Alexander, holding me hostage and breaking him was unbearable. I needed to distract them, specifically the guy behind the pirs.


    With my back and hands pressed against Alexander¡¯s front, I seized the opportunity. I grasped his groin through his fabric with my tied hands, squeezing as hard as I could.


    Alexander let out a pained scream as he staggered back, his gun hand jerking in response, and the weapon identally struck my head. I lost my bnce and tumbled over the balcony railing, falling to the ground below.


    ¡°Ashley¡­¡­..!!!!!¡±


    I heard Damien¡¯s nervous scream as he rushed toward me. Everything unfolded very fast. I saw the guy press the trigger, but Damien swiftly dodged the bullet and instantly firing his own bullet at Alexander immediately, who was still clutching his groin in agony and total shock, taking him unaware.


    As my body grew weaker, the gravity pulling me toward the ground, I caught a glimpse of something shing. Before the guy could fire another shot, I saw a bullet whizzing toward him from behind his back.


    And quietly, I closed my eyes, surrendering to my fate, and waited for the darkness to envelop me. But instead of falling, I felt myself suspended in mid-air.


    ¡°Babe,¡± Damien¡¯s voice uttered the word for the first time, sending a shiver down my spine. Gradually, I blinked open my eyes, finding myself enveloped in his embrace.


    Concern, fear, and nervousness painted his face. And for the first time, I was able to witness the raw honesty of his feelings.


    I looked at him but couldn¡¯t see any wound or blood then I immediately looked down to see the lifeless body of Alexander sprawled on the dirt ground.


    ¡°Her head is bleeding, you need to rush her to the hospital.¡± I heard a Pasito¡¯s nervous shriek and I looked upstairs instantly. My vision was blurry but I managed to see him in the balcony and beside him was the guy from the pir lying lifeless.


    Another lifeless body.


    I gazed up at Damien, and smiled weakly, watching him hurry toward his car with me cradled in his arms. ¡°It¡¯s over,¡± I whispered, my voice barely audible before a fit of coughing racked my body, my head throbbing in agony.


    ¡°Please, babe, hold on for me,¡± Damien¡¯s desperate plea reached my ears. Those were thest words I heard before I slipped into the warm, dark embrace of unconsciousness.


    ck out!


    AUTHOR APPRECIATION NOTE?


    Hi, sweethearts, I just want to thank every single one of you so much. Thank you for finding the story worthy and for your constant support, I honestly appreciate every single one of you.


    Thank you.

 Chapter eighty-eight (Finding out the truth)

    OliviaProperty ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I stepped out of my car, the morning sun beating down harshly. As I made my way into the house, my eyes swept across the sitting room,nding on the familiar sight of the swinging chair where Daniel Harlow usually sits to drink his morning tea.


    I should feel remorseful, but I felt nothing; I¡¯m certain Ashley is dead by now too.


    With a malicious chuckle, I adjusted my jacket and started heading upstairs. I need to leave this country immediately with my mom and provide her the life she has always desired.


    Reaching her room, I twisted the door handle and hesitated, hearing her voice engaged in a heated phone call. ¡°Adide, you just can¡¯t seem to understand,¡± my mom eximed in frustration before sighing.


    Adide, my mother¡¯s best friend and my godmother, is currently in the US. So hearing her voice caught me off guard, causing a wide smile to suddenly spread across my face as I rushed to enter the room. However, her next words instantly froze me in my tracks. ¡°Charlotte, you know you¡¯re the primary reason Olivia is struggling through this difficult time in her life,¡± she said, her tone piercing through the phone line.


    What¡­ are they talking about?


    I took a step back, holding the handle as I quietly eavesdropped on their conversation.


    ¡°Honestly, Adide, you know how much I love Daniel,¡± my mother said, her voiceced with defensiveness. ¡°He was mine first, before Doris even entered the picture.¡± Her words only piqued my curiosity further.


    Doris was Ashley¡¯s mother. What are they discussing? How did my mother contribute to the pain that has lingered deep inside me since childhood?


    As I stood silently by the door, a multitude of questions began swirling in my mind as I continued to listen to their conversation. Fortunately, my mother¡¯s phone was on loudspeaker, allowing me to hear every single word.


    Suddenly, Aunty Adide¡¯s deep sigh brought me back to the present, and her next words cut through the air like a knife. ¡°He was never yours, Charlotte. Let¡¯s be honest for once  his heart has always belonged to Doris, even back in high school. I warned you, but you refused to listen.¡±


    ¡°Adide, please, stop,¡± my mother begged, her voice cracking with emotion. ¡°Do you think I don¡¯t regret every single thing now? Looking at Olivia, her life is a mess because of my selfishness.¡± I watched as she wiped away a tear from her cheek.


    ¡°Of course, you should regret it. You betrayed your best friend¡¯s trust in the worst possible way. You hurt Doris deeply by sleeping with her husband. Daniel never truly loved you; he only saw you as a sister. The bond between you two was never there from the start.¡± Aunty Adide¡¯s response was upsparing.


    ¡°Stop it, stop it!¡± my mother yelled, before breaking down into sobs. ¡°Adide, please, stop it!¡± Her desperate pleas sent my heart racing, and I felt my legs turn to jelly. I was stunned, unsure of what to make of Aunty Adide¡¯s words.


    What was she revealing? What secrets was she uncovering? I gasped, shock etched on my face, as I struggled to process what I just heard.


    ¡°Come on, Charlotte, pull yourself together, okay? It is morning already, Daniel will need breakfast, so just go see him. I¡¯ll call youter,¡± Aunty Adide said before the line went dead.


    My mom remained silent, and I heard the phone beep, signaling the end of the call. I waited a few more minutes, trying to process everything I had just heard, but nothing made sense. Confusion and shock still lingered, so I spoke up, my sudden words jolting my crying mother upright.


    ¡°What is Aunty Adide talking about?¡± I demanded, my voice firm. My mother turned to face me, startled by my sudden presence.


    ¡°How long¡­ How long have you been standing there?¡± she stammered, her eyes darting nervously around the room.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t answer my question,¡± I pressed on, my tone unwavering. ¡°I heard everything, so start exining.¡±


    She quickly averted her gaze, her eyes darting around the room as she nervously fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. ¡°It¡¯s just Adide being Adide, nothing to worry about,¡± she forced a smile, attempting to exit the room.


    But I swiftly mmed the door shut, locked it, and pocketed the key. ¡°Do I look stupid to you? Start talking, Mom!¡± I demanded, my sudden outburst making her flinch. Shock shed in her eyes.


    ¡°So, Ashley¡¯s mother was your best friend, but you told me that you two never knew each other,¡± I used, ring at her for lying to me for years.


    I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of believing what Aunty Adide had just revealed, because if it was true, it would mean that my own mother had been feeding me lies for years.


    ¡°Fine!¡± she screamed, her voice cracking. ¡°Since you want to know everything, I¡¯ll tell you.¡± She sniffled, brushing her hair back, a mix of regret, pain, and frustration shing in her eyes.


    ¡°Your father was my childhood crush, and at a point I became obsessed,¡± she admitted, her voice trembling. ¡°We grew up in the same neighborhood, and I even went to the same school as him, hoping to be close to him. But sadly, my love was one-sided.¡± She sniffled, wiping away tears.


    ¡°He only saw me as a little sister, with no romantic feelings or intimacy. It hurt to see him give another girl, Doris, the love and attention I craved. So, I befriended her to understand what made her so special.¡±


    I shook my head, still reeling from the shock of her revtion, which was different from everything she had told me before. ¡°Mom,¡± I said, trying to process the truth.


    ¡°I thought their love would only end after high school because Daniel left for his masters after school, but to my surprise, after two years, he came back and married her,¡± she paused her pacing and turned to look at me.


    ¡°But do you know the worst?¡± she asked, and I raised my brow in curiosity. ¡°That fool rubbed it in my face and made me her maid of honor.¡±


    ¡°So I couldn¡¯t bear it. Their love was suffocating me, and every night, I was left alone in my house, consumed by pain!¡± Her gaze locked onto mine, and I felt a chill run down my spine. ¡°So I did the unthinkable,¡± she continued, her voice trembling.


    ¡°Daniel was everything to me ¨C rich, charming¡­ and I couldn¡¯t have him. So, I set Doris up with a pervert, just to destroy their rtionship and their home.¡± I staggered backward, my back hitting the wall as if punched in the gut.


    This was exactly what I did to Ashley.


    ¡°Then she was few days pregnant, so heartbroken, Daniel came to discuss the issue with me¡­ I already have everything nned, so I drug him and slept with him.¡±


    I screamed, my hand flying to my mouth in horror. ¡°No, Mom!!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how you came into existence,¡± she said, a sad smile on her face.


    ¡°Mom why? Why would you do such a thing? Now I see why he was never in my life because I remind him of your atrocity!!¡±


    ¡°Adide warned me, but I wouldn¡¯t listen,¡± she sobbed uncontrobly.


    And I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. ¡°You deprived me of a father¡¯s love for twenty-two years of my life,¡± I used, tears streaming down my face. ¡°You lied to me!¡± I eximed, my voice cracking with pain.


    ¡°Please, my child, forgive me,¡±


    ¡°I spent years ming him and hating my own sister!¡± I snapped. Clutching my heart in pain as regret washed over me like a tidal wave, drowning me in sorrow.


    ¡°Look, we can still fix this,¡± she said, her shaky hands reaching out to touch me as I dropped the bombshell.


    ¡°Fix what?¡± I spat, my voiceced with pain. ¡°He¡¯s dead!¡± Her hands froze, suspended in mid-air.


    ¡°Who?¡± she whispered, her eyes wide with horror.


    ¡°I killed him,¡± I wailed, my head shaking in agony. ¡°I killed my father¡­ I killed Daniel Harlow!¡±


    ¡°WHAT!!!¡± Charlotte screamed, her hands clenched to her chest as if grasping for air, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief.


    ¡°Tell me you¡¯re lying!¡± she begged, shaking her head in denial, and stepping back from me as if retreating from a nightmare.


    Gritting my teeth, I wiped away my tears and turned to face her, my anger and pain simmering. ¡°I killed himst night,¡± I spat, the words tumbling out like a dark confession.


    ¡°NO!!!!¡±

 Chapter eighty nine

    Charlotte crumpled to the ground, her hands grasping at her chest as if trying to contain the shattering of her heart. Tears streamed down her face, her head shaking wildly in denial.


    ¡°All these years, you sowed a seed of hatred in me, why? Why, Mom?¡± I sobbed, my words strangling in my throat.


    When suddenly, I heard a gasp from beyond the closed door. I wiped away my tears, and slowly turned the handle. As the door creaked open, my gaze locked onto Margaret, her eyes wide with shock, her hand sped over her mouth as if stifling a scream.


    ¡°You heard everything, right?¡± I asked, my voice dripping with pain as I let out a cold, mirthlessugh.


    Margaret¡¯s eyes widened in horror and she stumbled backward.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°I killed him!. I did it, Margaret! I did it!¡± I blurted, myughter grew louder, more hysterical, as I pulled out a gun from my jacket.


    I watched her eyes widen before she let out a loud screamed, missing her bnce and instantly scurried away from my sight. Her panicked footsteps fading into the distance.


    ¡°Olivia, what are you doing?!¡± Charlotte gasped, her eyes fixed on the gun in my hand. I can hear her voice trailing off into a whisper, ¡°That¡¯s a¡­ a gun¡­¡± She cowered, crawling backward in fear, as I slowly turned to face her, a chilling smile spreading across my face. ¡°When I said, I killed him, you thought I was lying¡­¡±


    All my deeds from these years rushed before me , ¡°They¡¯re all gone, father, Mason, and of course, Ashley.¡±


    ¡°No. No. No!¡± My mother¡¯s scream filled the room, her body trembling in terror, fueling my rage, causing me to released a sinister chuckle.


    ¡°You are supposed to be happy, mom,¡± I sneered, walking towards her, but she shook her head vigorously, scrambling away.


    ¡°You always craved this, didn¡¯t you? The wealth, freedom, power, and what else¡­?¡± I crouched before her, leaning in.


    She quivered in shock, her body trembling. Her eyes fearfully tracked the gun¡¯s movements in my hand. Noticing it,  I sighed, tossing it aside before rising to leave.


    When suddenly, I heard sirens red from outside, halting me in my tracks, both of us turned our heads quickly towards the window.


    ¡°Olivia. Olivia, no!!¡± My mom cried out, crawling to hold my legs.


    But I just smiled, tears streaming down my face. It is impossible; the police had surrounded the building.


    So I squatted, firmly prying my mother¡¯s hands from my legs. ¡°Olivia, pleaaeeee,¡± she pleaded again, her voice strained with desperation.


    My n was to leave this country with her after returning from the hospital but right now, she have just shattered me.


    I opened my mouth, but no words came out, just tears streaming down my cheeks. ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± My voice trailed off, and suddenly the door to our room was smashed open, seven police officers walked in.


    ¡°You¡¯re under arrest, Olivia Harlow, for the murder of Mr. Daniel Harlow,¡± one of the policemen dered, approaching me with handcuffs.


    I remained silent, locking eyes with my mother. ¡°You think you¡¯re clever, but you forgot about the CCTV,¡± another officer taunted, but I could only swallow hard as they cuffed me.


    Shaking her head with tear-filled eyes, my mother clutched at one of the policeman¡¯s legs. ¡°Please take me with her,¡± she pleaded.


    ¡°No, madam, she will face her judgment alone,¡± he said, pushing my mother¡¯s hands away and instructing his men to escort me out.


    Amidst my mother¡¯s screams and tears, all I could manage, with regretful tears streaming down my face as they pulled me away, was, ¡°Goodbye, mom.¡±


    Her loud scream of pain was thest thing I heard before the policemen drove away.


    *** *****


    Damien


    I paced anxiously in the reception, fear clutching at my heart.


    I instructed Lucas to leave and assist Eros in the office while Pasito cleared the mess we did. The bodies scattered around needed to be taken care of.


    So I was left, alone with Ashley, who had been in the emergency room with our family doctor, Jessica, for what felt like an eternity.


    After three long hours, the door finally swung open, and Jessica came out. I wasted no time and hurried towards her, blurting out, ¡°How is she? Is she awake? Is she okay?¡±


    ¡°Calm down, Damien,¡± she uttered, her voice steady. ¡°She is okay, but we need to talk.¡±


    Breathing out a sigh of relief, I nodded and followed her inside. Just that assurance eased the turmoil in my chest ¨C she is fine.


    ¡°Please, have a seat,¡± Jessica gestured as we stepped into her office.


    I nodded, taking a seat and gesturing for her to continue. ¡°I don¡¯t have much time; I need to be with my wife,¡± I emphasized.


    ¡°Alright,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°I understand it¡¯s not my ce, but given my profession, I¡¯m curious about how she got that injury,¡± Jessica inquired.


    ¡°She missed a step on the stairs and fell, hitting her head on the wall,¡± I fabricated, attempting to ease the tension, even though I sensed her disbelief.


    She shot me a suspicious look, then shrugged. ¡°I advise you to be careful with her, concerning her pregnancy,¡±


    ¡°Pregnancy? She¡­ Is pregnant?¡± I gasped, my eyes widening in disbelief.


    She opened her mouth to talk and immediately froze as if she remembered something.


    ¡°Speak!!¡± I demand, mming my fists on her desk, flinching her.


    ¡°Damien¡­ I mean, Mr. Damien, please, calm down,¡± she urged.


    I know we¡¯ve had sex without protection, but it was just once, and it hasn¡¯t been a month yet.


    ¡°How far along?¡± I pressed, my voice tense.


    She swallowed hard but remained silent.


    ¡°I said, how far along is the pregnancy?¡± I insisted, needing to know if I am responsible for that or not.


    ¡°Two months,¡± she blurted, and shock coursed through me.


    Alexander¡¯s threat echoed in my mind, ¡°Come out now, or watch your wife and your unborn child die.¡±


    It all clicked into ce ¨C her frequent hospital visits. And she lied about being sick when, in truth, she was pregnant.


    But if I am not the father, who is then the father?

 Chapter ninety(Just three days)

    Ashley


    I heard about Olivia¡¯s arrest, though I didn¡¯t know the reason. Still, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. I wondered what she had done to end up in police custody.


    Sighing, I climbed out of the car and headed inside. It had been seven days since Ist saw Damien, and I noticed that the picture of Zuri was no longer in his room. But despite this, I still felt a hollowness in my heart.


    I wasn¡¯t sure if he took Alexander¡¯s words seriously about me and the baby. I felt restless, wanting him to say something, but how could I know when I hadn¡¯t seen him since my return from the hospital?


    ¡°Wee, madame,¡± Emily greeted as soon as I walked inside the mansion.


    ¡°Thank you, Emily. How is your sister?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s fine, can I help you with the bag?¡± she asked, noticing how dizzy I looked.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± I said dismissively, before walking upstairs. Somehow, the mansion that once felt like hell to me was starting to feel like home. Stopping in front of our room, I pushed the door open and walked in reluctantly.


    Another day to be left lonely, I don¡¯t think he will stille back tonight. Switching the light on, I turned around, but immediately flinched back in total shock as I saw Damien sitting on the bed with a cigarette in his right hand.


    A nervous smile crossed through my lips.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯de back today,¡± I said, attempting to ease the tension, but his nk expression quickly wiped the smile off my face.


    ¡°When were you nning on telling me about the pregnancy?¡± he growled, his words making my heart skip a beat.


    ¡°Pregnancy,¡± I stuttered, unsure how to react.


    Is that why he has been avoiding me?


    Because of the pregnancy.


    ¡°Who is the father of that thing in your stomach?¡± he sneered, his teeth gritted together. ¡°Two months pregnant, obviously not mine.¡±


    I gulped hard, my breathing getting heavier.


    ¡°Is it your ex¡¯s child, that weakling of a man?¡± Heughed, his sharp gaze piercing mine.


    *No need to hide anymore.


    ¡°It¡¯s not¡­ it¡¯s not his,¡± I stammered, dragging in a deep, shaky breath. Hisugh was so cold it sent a fast shiver down my spine.


    ¡°Then whose child?¡±


    He asked again, but I couldn¡¯t speak, swallowing hard like a fish struggling for air.


    The worst part was that I didn¡¯t even know how to start the conversation. How could I boldly tell him that the child was a result of rape? A result of a night that had left me traumatized.


    A night that had somehow brought us together. A night I could never forget.


    A night that had shattered my rtionship with my father, a tragedy night that had broken me into pieces.


    How do I tell him? Would he even believe me?N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even try to tell me it¡¯s mine,¡± he said, his voiceced with anger. ¡°We haven¡¯t had unprotected sex in over a month, but here you are, two months pregnant.¡± He tossed the cigarette into the ashtray and stood up, taking a step towards me.


    I stepped back immediately, feeling my heart racing as if it might jump out of my chest.


    ¡°I asked you about the constant daily hospital visits, and you looked me straight in the face and lied to me.¡±


    I could detect the hurt and betrayal in his voice. I wiped away my tears, holding back the sobs.


    ¡°Fine,¡± he stopped in front of me, his voice back to its usual serious tone. ¡°I will forgive you because obviously this happened before we got married, but¡­¡±


    He paused, and I gulped hard, my heart beating very fast as I waited for him toplete his sentence. ¡°But I will not raise another man¡¯s child as my own, so I¡¯m giving you three days to terminate the pregnancy.¡±


    ¡°Da¡­ mine,¡± I choked out, ovee with emotion, as he slowly lifted my chin and stroked my tears with his thumb. ¡°Just three days, wife, don¡¯t test my patience.¡±


    With that said, he turned around and left.


    Looking at the closed door, I just couldn¡¯t hold the sobs again so I let my tears flow in full force. Despite hating that night, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to terminate the pregnancy.


    I just can¡¯t kill an innocent child, my first womb opener¡­ . My child.


    I feel so emotional about this pregnancy, that I can¡¯t even think of killing the innocent baby. The thought is just unbearable.


    But what will I do?


    He gave me just three days.


    **** ******


    The chirping of birds outside hinted that it was early morning. Stretching my arms, I yawned before sitting upright. I tilted my head to the left, but the space beside me was empty. I guessed I had slept alone against night.


    *Sighs!


    I dragged in a deep breath and rubbed my face to shake off the sleep, clearing the tiny specks from my eyes.


    I was supposed to go to the hospital today, as Damien had scheduled a private session for me with Doctor Jessica, but I didn¡¯t think I would follow through with his n.


    Though Staying here didn¡¯t seem like a good option either. I sighed, leaning against the bed frame, when suddenly a knock came at the closed door.


    Exhaling out a breath, I rubbed my palms.


    ¡°Come in,¡± I whispered, and Aurora walked in.


    ¡°Good morning, madame,¡± I nodded at her, not saying anything as I gestured for her to speak up.


    ¡°Mr. Owen, your driver is downstairs waiting for you.¡±


    He is damn serious about this.


    ¡°Okay, fine, tell him to give me 5 minutes,¡± I said dismissively, and Aurora nodded before walking away.


    As soon as I heard the door close, I buried my face in the pillow and screamed, my eyes burning with tears. What do I do now?


    He doesn¡¯t want the baby and I just couldn¡¯t terminate the child, not only because of my health issue but somehow I have grown attached to the little twinkle star in there.


    But what exactly should I do?


    He gave me just three days and today is already day one.

 Chapter ninety-one (The hospital visitation)

    As we drove into the hospital carport, Mr. Owen parked the car, I climbed out, and without much words, I started heading straight to the entrance.


    And just like always, everywhere was busy. So I made my way straight to the same receptionist I had seen the previous day.


    ¡°Good morning, ma¡¯am, wee,¡± she said, smiling down at me. I nodded curtly, eager to get on with it.


    ¡°I have an appointment with Doctor Jessica,¡± I stated.


    ¡°Okay, wait,¡± she replied, swiping through theptop in front of her for a few minutes.


    I didn¡¯t know what she was doing but at a point,  I grew restless, my toes aching in the high heels I wore.


    She paused, dialed a number, and ced the phone to her ear.


    ¡°Good morning, ma¡¯am. Please, Mrs. Ashley Albrecht is here to see you,¡± the receptionist announced.


    I sighed, waiting for her response. I watched as she nodded along to whatever Doctor Jessica was saying on the other end of the call. When she hung up, she smiled at me and said, ¡°You can go in, ma¡¯am.¡±


    I nodded, returning her smile, and walked towards Doctor Jessica¡¯s office.


    The more I near her office, the more my heart beats hard, reminding me why I am here.


    If I said that I am not scared then I will be lying¡­.. I am scared of everything. The innocent fetus developing in my stomach, Damien, and a lot.


    I am scared of a lot of things, I don¡¯t want to lose Damien but at the same time, I also don¡¯t want to lose the baby.


    Clutching my handbag, I stopped in front of her door and knocked twice. ¡°Come in,¡± I heard her say, and I entered, dragging in a deep breath topose myself.


    I pushed the door open and walked in.


    ¡°Wow, nice to see you again, Ash¡­ How have you been?¡± Jessica¡¯s face lit up with a warm, genuine smile immediately her gaze fell on me.


    But I wasn¡¯t there for pleasantries, there isn¡¯t any reason to be happy. Damien gave me three days and now there are only two days left.


    I sighed, looking desperate as I sat down, facing her.


    ¡°Jessica, I¡¯m not fine,¡± I said bluntly, my pain and distress spilling out. ¡°If I were fine, would I be here considering an abortion?¡± I didn¡¯t bother to hide my emotions.


    Looking at me, Jessica let out a deep sigh and leaned back in her chair, her expression turning serious. ¡°I told Damien that the abortion isn¡¯t possible, given your health, but he still insists you terminate the pregnancy.¡±


    I heaved out a deep shaky breath.


    ¡°This is a 50/50 chance, Ash, and with your health issues, God forbid, the risk is too great,¡± she exined.


    I understood every word she said, but the problem was that Damien didn¡¯t want the baby. I couldn¡¯t me him, but he should consider my health.


    ¡°Did you exin all this to him?¡± I asked, and Jessica leaned forward, taking my hands in hers. ¡°Ashley, I did. In fact, I pleaded with him, but I have a question for you,¡± she said, and I raised my eyebrows, curious.


    ¡°Which question?¡±


    ¡°The baby? Why wouldn¡¯t Damien want to keep his baby? I know it¡¯s not my ce, but we¡¯ve established a good friendship with you two.¡±


    Hearing her questions, Iughed inwardly. Damien¡¯s baby?


    ¡°No. No. Jessica¡­ is not his and that¡¯s the issue.¡± I whispered in my head. I sighed, my eyes welling up in tears before I quickly pulled my hands away from hers, trying topose myself.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°It¡¯splicated, Jessica. It¡¯s a family matter,¡± I said dismissively, trying to brush off the topic.


    Jessica nodded understandingly, leaning back in her chair, sensing that I wasn¡¯t ready to discuss it further. ¡°But don¡¯t be angry,¡± she suddenly said, her voice apologetic. ¡°I¡¯m just confused, so I told my fiance, Sebastian.¡±


    WHAT!


    Her words left me stunned and shocked¡­.. I didn¡¯t even know the right word but all I knew was that I felt numb for a few minutes as I tried to process what she just said.


    ¡± You did what¡­!!¡±


    ¡°Calm down, I was confused,¡± Jessica said, trying to reason with me. ¡°A child¡­ I mean, it¡¯s supposed to be a blessing, a thing of joy. But here you both are, wanting to terminate it.¡± She sputtered, clearly flustered, which only annoyed me more.


    And before I knew it, I mmed my palms on the desk, making her flinch back in her seat.


    ¡°Patient confidentiality, Jessica! You¡¯re supposed to keep my issues private,¡± I reprimanded, shaking my head in disappointment.


    How could she betray my trust like this? This was a child whose fate I was still uncertain about, and now she wanted to expose my secret to the entire Albrecht family?


    If they ask now why the abortion, what should I tell them? That it wasn¡¯t Damien¡¯s child, but a child from a traumatic night that I still want to keep?


    My head was spinning with questions, and Jessica¡¯s apology felt like a drop of water on a rock


    I wanted to snap at her, scream or maybe shout till I lost my voice, but just then a sudden knock at the door broke the silence and snapped me out of my jumbled thoughts.


    The door was pushed open before I could respond. I turned my head, and my gaze fell on him.


    ¡°Sebastian¡­¡± Jessica stammered, nervously ncing at me and then back at him.


    I saw him smile at me, but I remained silent, unsure what to say. Sighing, he sensed the tension in the air and slowly walked towards me.


    ¡°Sister-inw,¡± he whispered, but I still ignored him.


    ¡°Ash, I¡¯m so sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to tell him,¡± Jessica continued, but I quickly brushed her off. ¡°But you did,¡± I snarled.


    ¡°Ash,¡± Jessica pleaded.


    I heard Sebastian call out from behind  ¡°Sister-inw.¡±


    I took a deep breath, and turned to Jessica. ¡°You said the baby and I had a slim chance of surviving the abortion. Please, try to reason with Damien more.¡±


    With that said, I didn¡¯t wait to hear any more things from them and I immediately walked away from her office.


    My heart is racing faster, I feel so scared and ashamed at the same time.


    Not now that things are starting to go well between Me and Damien, another drama sets in.


    He told me clearly that he doesn¡¯t want the child. I can see the seriousness in his facest night and that was enough to prove to me that he sure doesn¡¯t want it.


    What should I do? Honestly, I didn¡¯t want to lose him.


    I didn¡¯t realize I was crying until someone offered me a handkerchief. Sniffling, I looked up to see a concerned Sebastian.


    ¡°Sebastian,¡± I mumbled, my voice shaking.


    ¡°Can we talk?¡± He asked, before turning to nce through the hospital window.


    He saw my driver leaning against the car, waiting for me. I knew I had to keep Sebastian¡¯s presence a secret; if they saw him with me, they¡¯d tell Damien, and I knew what that would mean.


    More like he understood my fear, Sebastian turned back to face me. ¡°Maybe we should talk somewhere private,¡± he suggested.


    After a few minutes of contemtion, I sighed and nodded at him. ¡± Fine,¡± I mumbled. I know it is about the baby, and I think it is high time I also open up to someone.


    At least I am sure, Sebastian won¡¯t judge me or ce the me on me like others did.

 Chapter ninety-two (Opening up)

    There was a silence between us, we were just inside one of the empty rooms in the hospital.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I had so much to say, but the words wouldn¡¯te. I sat down on the bed, my gaze fixed on the white paint on the wall, trying to gather my thoughts. When suddenly, Sebastian cleared his throat with a light cough, breaking the stillness.


    ¡°Sister iw,¡± I slowly tilted my head to look at him.


    ¡°We¡¯re more than just family. You¡¯re my best friend, and seeing you hurt without being able to do anything hurts me too.¡±


    I forced a smile, trying to hide the pain in my eyes. ¡°Sebastian, I¡¯m fine,¡± I lied. But he was quick to see right through me.


    ¡°You¡¯re not, sister-inw. Please talk to me. Why do Damien want to abort his own baby?¡± he asked, his voice filled with concern. I instantly shut my eyes, gulping hard, as the emotions I¡¯d been trying to suppress threatened to surface.


    ¡°I know something is wrong,¡± Sebastian continued. ¡°Why do I feel that the baby isn¡¯t his? But wait¡­¡± He trailed off, his eyes locking onto mine as if an idea shed through his head, and he immediately shifted forward to hold my hands in his. ¡°Ashley, you know I¡¯ll never judge you. I¡¯ll always be here to support you, no matter what.¡±


    That word was enough to open the flood gate of my tears, I inhaled sharply as tears flooded my eyes. Our gazes met, and I saw the genuine concern etched on his face.


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story, Sebastian,¡± I stammered, my voice shaking.


    ¡°I¡¯m listening,¡± he replied, giving my hands aforting squeeze.


    I opened my mouth to speak, but the words caught in my throat. The memories of that night still felt like yesterday, and I didn¡¯t know where to begin.


    ¡°Ash¡­. Say it and get the burden off your chest.¡±


    ¡°This¡­. this,¡± I trailed off before I continued, ¡°You are right, the child wasn¡¯t his.¡±


    I blurted out instantly, my body trembling as fresh tears rolled out. I remained silent waiting for him to at least react¡­. I was expecting a look of disgust, disappointment, or even an ugly snort. But instead, I heard none.


    Sebastian lifted his right hand and gently wiped the tears off my face, ¡°I can never judge you, Ashley,¡± he said softly. ¡°I know there¡¯s a story behind it.¡±


    His words caught me off guard.


    He is not judging me? Really? I turned to him, another fresh tear rolling down my cheek. For the past few months, I have been judged and condemned, but seeing Sebastian acting differently somehow brought a warm feeling in my heart, urging me to open up.


    ¡°I was set up by my best friend and step sister,¡± I said, the memories flooding back. I recalled the smile on Olivia¡¯s lips at the foyer that day. ¡°They drugged my drink and I ended up getting raped by a total stranger that night.¡±


    Sebastian¡¯s eyes widened, I can see the puzzled look on his face as his eyes scanned mine, trying to process the truth. ¡°But ording to the media, you and Damien were dating then. He was your fiance,¡± His words came out more like a question.


    And I smiled wryly, taking a deep breath before shaking my head.


    There was no need to hide anything anymore.


    ¡°They recorded everything and uploaded it on the inte. To save face, my father arranged with Damien to pretend to be the man in the video¡­ to act as my fiance and marry me. But in exchange¡­¡± I trailed off, the pain and shame still raw.


    ¡°He gets hispany,¡± Sebastian interrupted,pleting my statement. I nodded in agreement.


    I wanted to ask him how he knows but then again I decided to brush it off. After all, Olivia once leaked the news on social media, so I am sure he gets to know from there.


    ¡°So, it was just a contracted marriage,¡± he added.


    I nodded again, giving him a small, sad smile.


    Sebastian let out a deep sigh, rubbing his jaw as he leaned against the bedhead, his gaze never leaving mine.


    ¡°And since then, you haven¡¯t seen the stranger,¡± he stated, his tone gentle.


    I turned my head to face him, my face c***d in disgust. ¡°There¡¯s no need to see him again,¡± I scoffed.


    ¡°Did Damien know?¡± Sebastian asked, but I just shook my head. ¡°What difference would it make? I heaved out a frustrated sigh.


    Sebastian sighed, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully. ¡°I think he¡¯s supposed to know,¡± he said, but I gave him a side look before letting out a bitter chuckle. ¡°Even if he finds out, will he still want to keep the child?¡±


    ¡°Fine, then we need to find the stranger,¡± Sebastian suddenly blurted out, causing my heart to beat faster.


    What?! Why?


    The disgust vanished from my face and fear and confusion rushed through me.


    ¡°That willplicate things, Sebastian,¡± I said, shaking my head in disagreement.


    ¡°We can¡¯t let a rapist roam free, have you considered what he might do to other young girls?¡±


    Sebastian¡¯s words struck a chord, and I swallowed hard, closing my eyes. He was right, but why hadn¡¯t I thought of finding him? Maybe I was scared of facing the person who had turned my life upside down in an instant.


    ¡°That fool needs to be behind bars,¡± Sebastian said, his angry snort snapping me back to attention.


    ¡°But Sebastian¡­ mmm¡± I began, only to be cut off by him.


    ¡°Just forward me your best friend¡¯s full name, the name of the hotel, and the date,¡± he said, his tone firm but gentle. I tried to speak again, ¡°Seb¡­¡± but he let out a sigh, taking my hands in his and squeezing them reassuringly.


    ¡°Leave everything else to me,¡± he said, his smile calming my nerves, even as I saw the anger simmering in his eyes.


    He didn¡¯t need to say it; I knew he felt bad for me, and angry that the culprit is still roaming free.


    Sighing, I shifted forward and rested my head on his shoulder. He patted my back, whisperingforting words.


    How I wish, Damien is this understanding.


    **** *****


    Just like Sebastian had requested, I forwarded him the details.


    Though part of me wanted to see the man that had caused me this pain, while the other part seemed terrified of confronting the harsh reality.


    Getting home, I stepped inside the building heading straight to the room. I felt so exhausted and drained from crying. My eyes seem swollen.


    Luckily, Damien¡¯s car wasn¡¯t outside, so I assumed he hadn¡¯t returned yet. Honestly, I didn¡¯t know how to face him.


    Reaching the upstairs area, I headed toward the corridor leading to our room when I suddenly heard an argumenting from the other corridor to my left, where Damien¡¯s small home office was located.


    But I had just checked, and his car wasn¡¯t outside¡­ So who was in his office? My curiosity got the better of me, and I slowly started walking toward the office. The closer I got, the louder the voices became.


    Wait¡­ it wasn¡¯t just two people in there.


    I stopped beside the door and slowly peeked inside, noticing it wasn¡¯t fully closed. I saw the backs of Eros and Pasito, confirming my suspicion that it wasn¡¯t just two people in there.


    So Damien is back.


    My heart throbbed hard but then I heard Pasito say something that grabbed my attention.


    ¡°Bro, you know you also contributed to this man¡¯s death, assuming you didn¡¯t collect thepany. He couldn¡¯t go through hell before dying.¡±


    ¡°Whose death? What has Damien done this time?¡± I mumbled in my head and inched closer, eager to hear more of their conversation.

 Chapter ninety-three (Broken)

    Who are they talking about?Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I leaned in further, slowly peeking inside.


    ¡°Calm down, Pasito,¡± Eros said, telling him to bring down the topic but Pasito shakes his head.


    I can see Damien holding a ss of whiskey in his hand as he swirls his office chair around.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you used to Pasito¡¯s endless arguments?¡± Damien asked with a hint of amusement. I heard Eros chuckle and stepped forward to pour himself a drink.


    ¡°Bute on, man, think about it. How do you think your wife will feel if she finds out how you deceived her father and took thepany from him?¡±


    Wait, I thought my father said they signed a contract. Which one is deceived again?


    ¡°You¡¯re the one saying it now, or are you nning on telling her?¡± Damien red at Pasito, silencing him instantly.


    I wanted to know what Pasito meant by deceiving, but before I could take a step forward, Eros dropped a bombshell that made my heart leap out of my chest.


    ¡°When are you nning on telling her about her father¡¯s death? I mean, he¡¯s your father-inw; the daughter deserves to know.¡±


    Everything seemed to crumble around me as I felt a sharp pain in my chest, causing me to stagger back in a mix of fear, shock, and confusion.


    ¡°I¡¯m nning on telling herter,¡± Damien said, but I had barely registered his words before letting out a painful scream, drawing their attention.


    They immediately snapped their heads towards the door, their eyes wide with shock.


    ¡°No! No! No!!!¡± I screamed, shaking my head in shock.


    My father is dead¡­ How? Why? Why, universe? Why my father?!!


    ¡°What have you done to my father?¡± I rushed toward Damien, hitting his chest as tears streamed down my face.


    But it was like hitting a rock. I sobbed uncontrobly, hitting him again and again.


    He grasped my hands, pulling me toward him.


    I saw the pitiful looks on Eros¡¯ and Pasito¡¯s faces, but I didn¡¯t care right now. Their pity wouldn¡¯t bring back my dead father.


    I¡¯m now truly alone, with no mother and no father.


    ¡°You threatened to end him,¡± I said, pulling away from Damien instantly.


    ¡°Because of thepany? You deceived him,¡± I used, my voice shaking with sobs.


    Damien red at Pasito before turning back to me. He tried to take a step forward, but I stepped back immediately, ring at him.


    ¡°What did that old man ever do to you?¡± I demanded.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t kill him!¡± Damien shouted, silencing me.


    The air was thick with tension as he gritted his teeth in anger, then rubbed his temple in frustration. ¡°Yes, he was desperate to sign the contract and didn¡¯t bother to read the content,¡± he barked, and I continued to stare at him in silence.


    Waiting to hear what he has to say.


    ¡°It¡¯s not my fault that he didn¡¯t read the fine print¡­ The contract states that if I act as your fiance and marry you, thepany will be transferred to me as the new ownership,¡± Damien finished.


    I shook my head, stepping back until my back hit the wall. Sliding down, I sobbed uncontrobly.


    ¡°You¡¯re lying!¡± I snapped my head up, tears streaming down my face. ¡°Then who killed him, since you threatened him the other day?¡± I yelled, my words rolling out more like a sob.


    ¡°Have you ever wondered why your sister Olivia was sentenced to life imprisonment?¡± Damien yelled back.


    I paused, looking at him as the puzzle pieces began to fall into ce in my mind.


    No. No. Olivia!!


    No. No. You didn¡¯t Olivia.


    I cried harder, what has the man done to you?


    He brought you and your mom into our house despite everything.


    Why kill him?


    Nothing is making sense to me.


    Damien sighed, took a phone from Eros¡¯ hand, and walked towards me. He squatted down to my level, opened the phone, and passed it to me.


    I stretched out my trembling hands and managed to take the phone from him. My gaze widened as I saw the footage.


    ¡°She was caught on CCTV in the hospital by a staff member,¡± Damien exined.


    Tears streamed down my face as I watched Olivia disconnect the oxygen pipe.


    But why? I wanted to ask him, but somehow I lost my voice.


    The news is devastating.


    Noticing the question in my eyes, Damien sighed and took the phone from me. ¡°We have no idea why she killed him.¡±


    ¡°Why¡­ What about Mason?¡± I asked, and instantly regretted my words as Damien¡¯s face turned murderous.


    ¡°The coward has not been seen for a while now,¡± he said, his voice cold. I let out another painful sob.


    ¡°Leave,¡± he nodded to Eros and Pasito, who quickly exited the room, locking the door behind them.


    ¡°Come here,¡± he said, pulling me towards him. I sobbed uncontrobly into his shoulder as he gently patted my back.


    ¡°I am sorry, wife,¡± he said, caressing my back.


    I can feel his fresh breath on my exposed neck, as he pulls me closer.


    I cried even harder until something clicked in my mind, and I suddenly pulled away.


    He gave me a curious look as I narrowed my gaze suspiciously at him.


    ¡°Why did you keep it from me?¡± I asked, my voice firm. His gaze slowly trailed down to my stomach before he let out a sigh.


    He didn¡¯t need to say it; I already knew why¡­ Because of the baby. He didn¡¯t want me to go to the abortion clinic, devastated and broken.


    He is scared of losing me yet he wants me to go for abortion. How ridiculous!


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± I screamed again, hitting his chest as more tears streamed down my face.


    He sighed and pulled me back again into his arms, holding me close. I cried really hard, resting my head on his chest.


    He gently stroked my hair and continued to pat my back, offeringfort. Eventually, I cried myself to sleep in his arms, exhausted.

 Chapter ninety-four (That night)

    My ringing tone pulled me out of my sleep, and I yawned, stretching out my hand to grab the phone from the nightstand beside the bed.


    Again, Damien hadn¡¯t slept herest night.


    My head pounded as I tried to sit up straight in bed. I picked up the call without checking the caller ID and ced the phone to my ear.


    ¡°Yes?¡± I sounded drowsy, my voice husky from sleep.


    ¡°Are you just waking up?¡± Sebastian chuckled from the other end of the line.


    Startled, I pulled the phone away and checked the caller ID.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I hissed under my breath.


    ¡°It¡¯s still morning,¡± I said, yawning.


    I heard him chuckle again before saying, ¡°When you¡¯re done,e to the eatery at Street 10 by the roadside.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± I asked, my curiosity piqued.


    ¡°It¡¯s about ourst discussion,¡± he replied.


    My gaze widened, and I instantly sat up straight in bed, my heart racing.


    ¡°Did you find anything?¡± I asked, clinging to the duvet in fear.


    I heard Sebastian sigh before saying, ¡°Juste out, at least by 10 o¡¯clock.¡±


    The line went dead as he hung up.


    I tossed the phone aside, my fear banishing the remnants of sleep from my eyes. My heart was beating very fast.


    Did he find anything?


    **** *****


    Exactly at 10 o¡¯clock, Mr. Owen drove me to the street and parked in front of the restaurant.


    It was an unassuming, old eatery ¨C not fancy at all.


    I wondered why Sebastian wanted us to meet here.


    ¡°What kind of friend are you meeting in this old restaurant?¡± Mr. Owen asked, eyeing the ce with a frown.


    ¡°Not everyone is born into fortune, and besides, it¡¯s an old school friend,¡± I smiled at Mr. Owen, and he nodded, looking apologetic for his earlier judgment.


    Smiling, I patted his shoulder and said, ¡°Wait for me here.¡±


    Turning around, I walked into the restaurant.


    The outside appearance was actually better than the inside. Mr. Owen was right; the ce was very old and worn down. There were hardly any customers in sight.


    My phone beeped, snapping me back to reality. I opened my purse and pulled out my phone.


    Sebastian:  ¡°If you are already here, juste upstairs to thest floor.¡±


    I put my phone back in my purse and began walking upstairs.


    Even the staircase looked like it was on the verge of copsing, with some of the tiles broken. I reached the top floor without difficulty.


    ¡°Ash,¡±


    I turned to see Sebastian waving at me with a warm smile.


    I smiled back and was about to take a step forward when I suddenly stopped in my tracks, my gaze widened as they fell on the two people sitting beside Sebastian at the same table.


    What are they doing here?


    One was my shitty ex-friend, La ¨C the one who had betrayed me in the worst possible way.


    The other person was Mason, and my eyes instinctively went to the bandage on his left hand.


    My phone beeped again, and I pulled it out to see a new message from Sebastian: ¡°Rx, I¡¯m here with you.¡±


    Taking a deep breath, I started walking towards them. As I approached, La and Mason both looked down, their faces lowering in embarrassment.


    Why is Mason looking ashamed and worried?


    I pulled out a chair and sat down, my face contorting in disgust. ¡°Why are they here?¡± I asked, my voice firm.


    ¡°Wee,¡± Sebastian said, but I cut him off with a warning tone. ¡°Sebastian¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± he replied, brushing off the pleasantries.


    ¡°They have something to say to you.¡±


    ¡°I have nothing to say to her,¡± I spat, pointing at La, who couldn¡¯t meet my gaze, her face lowered in shame.


    ¡°I am sorry, Ash,¡± she stammered, trying to hold back her tears, but I red at her, my expression silencing her.


    ¡°Ash, please listen to them,¡±


    ¡°I told you I have nothing to say to her,¡± I said to Sebastian, my tone unwavering.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to know about the stranger?¡± he asked, and I immediately shifted ufortably in my seat.


    An awkward silence fell between us, but after a few minutes, I sighed and spoke up. ¡°Fine.¡± Sebastian gave my hand a reassuring squeeze across the table before turning to La. ¡°Talk.¡±


    She nced at me but quickly looked away. ¡°You know, Ashley,¡± she began.


    I didn¡¯t allow her to finish and I snapped, ¡°I know nothing,¡±


    She closed her mouth instantly, looking down.


    ¡°Ash,¡± Sebastian said, raising his eyebrows, and I sighed.


    ¡°Continue,¡± he prompted, turning to La.


    ¡°My grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer, and no hospital epted to treat her without upfront payment first. She was dying, and we were out of funds. I could have asked you for help, Ash, but that was when your dad reduced your monthly allowance due to the fight at the club.¡± La looked at me, regret shing in her eyes.


    I remained silent, continuing to listen to her.


    Mason, on the other hand, seemed oddly quiet, having not looked up or spoken to me since I arrived.


    That is strange.


    ¡°The little you had was barely enough for yourself, so I didn¡¯t want to burden you further,¡± La exined. ¡°One day, I heard from our neighbor that Prestige Medical Center might be able to help me if I spoke with their doctor.¡± She paused, shooting Mason a re.


    I followed her gaze, my curiosity piqued.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°So, I went there and was fortunate enough to meet the doctor that same day. The receptionist directed me to his office, but when I entered, I found it empty. I suddenly felt pressed, so I decided to use the restroom in the office before the doctor could arrive. But when I got there¡­ I saw Mason and Olivia in an intimate position.¡±


    That¡¯s a lie!!


    I immediately whipped my head at Mason, waiting for him to defend himself but yet he didn¡¯t say anything. And that means one thing, that La is right.


    My eyes widened in shock, but surprisingly, I didn¡¯t feel hurt. Instead, I felt foolish ¨C stupid for thinking that the time I caught them was their first encounter, when in reality, Mason had been secretly seeing Olivia behind my back.


    ¡°I was shocked to discover Mason was the owner of the ce,¡± La continued, turning to look at me. ¡°Remember, you never told me about his hospital or that he owned the well known Prestige Medical Center. I had assumed he was just a junior doctor at another hospital.¡±


    She was right; I had kept most of Mason¡¯s personal and professional life a secret from her because she had never trusted him or his feelings for me.


    She was never a fan of him.


    And now, all I could think was that I had been a blind fool in love.


    A lot of secrets seemed to be unveiling though I am still confused on how all this rtes to that stranger.


    Or is there something else that they are not saying?

 Chapter ninety five (The truth)

    ¡°And how is this rted to the stranger?¡± I turned to Sebastian but La was quick to answer.


    ¡°I just wanted to tell you how everything happened,¡± she said, attempting to look pitiful


    But I am not buying those cheap looks on her face.


    She had betrayed me, and I wasn¡¯t about to forget it.


    ¡± Then be fast, I don¡¯t have all day,¡± I snapped, my patience wearing thin.


    Sebastian patted my hand to calm down.


    ¡°After I caught them, I threatened to tell you,¡± La said, tears streaming down her face. ¡°Honestly, I wanted to tell you, but they used my grandma¡¯s condition against me.¡± She sobbed, but I raised an eyebrow at her.


    ¡°He offered to treat her for free if I kept quiet and went along with their n. I was devastated¡­,¡± she trailed off, sniffling.


    Sebastian handed her a tissue across the table, and she took it, turning to face me.


    ¡°They threatened to kick my grandma out if I didn¡¯t cooperate. You know how much I love her; she¡¯s my only living rtive. So, I agreed to y along.¡±


    I smiled wryly, folding my arms with a disappointed smirk. ¡°Of course you did.¡±


    La nodded, wiping away her tears before continuing. ¡°So, that night was the perfect opportunity for their n. The man you were supposed to sleep with had already been paid by Olivia.¡±


    As she spoke, something clicked into ce in my mind. It was like a memory shed immediately in my mind.


    ¡°That night, I might have been drunk, but I remember receiving a call from Mason to meet him in room 5088,¡± I said, turning to face Mason. And that¡¯s when he lifted his head, his eyes filled with regret, which only confused me further.


    ¡°I was the one who called you that day,¡± he admitted, his voiceced with remorse.


    I knew it!!


    I know what I heard.


    ¡°That was the room where he and Olivia held the old pervert who was supposed to sleep with you,¡± La revealed, her words sending my gaze widening in horror.


    That I didn¡¯t even realize when I screamed, ¡°Mason!!¡± ¡°Why?¡± I stammered, my voice shaking with anger and betrayal.


    For the first time since I came here, I felt pain.


    What did I ever did to him to deserve this?


    ¡°What did I do to deserve this from you? And to think I once believed I owed you an apology.¡± I red at him, my eyes zing with fury and regret for ever trusting him.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ashley,¡± Mason said instantly, his voice trembling. ¡°I was so consumed by my sexual obsession with her that I lost sight of what I was doing. You withheld sex in our rtionship, believing we should wait until marriage, and I¡­¡±


    I didn¡¯t allow him to finish, and I cut him off quickly, my anger boiling over. ¡°We both agreed, Mason! We both agreed to wait until our wedding night!¡± I yelled, mming my fists on the table.


    Thankfully, we were alone, and Sebastian quickly moved to restrain me.


    Anger and betrayal coursed through me like a raging river.


    How could I have trusted this fool?!


    ¡°What do you two hope to gain from this?¡± I demanded, my voice venomous. ¡°Do you want to strip me of Daniel Harlow¡¯s properties? Make me the bad one? Ruin my reputation?¡± I finished with a cold, mirthlessugh, before leaning forward and grabbing Mason¡¯s shirt, ignoring the bandage on his arm.


    ¡°Tell me!¡± I yelled, but Sebastian quickly pulled me back, holding me in a firm grip.


    Mason couldn¡¯t say anything but continued lowering his head in shame and regret.


    What regret? Regret that he ruined me after I trusted him?


    And at that point the puzzle started connecting one after the other, ¡°That day you called me to the hospital, the kidnapping was all your doing, wasn¡¯t it?¡±


    Mason immediately raised his head and shook them in disagreement, ¡°No, Olivia said she wanted to reconcile with you, but I had no idea she had already nned everything out.¡±


    I smiled, my gaze drifting to his arm, and he followed my gaze, before letting out a deep sigh. ¡°She shot me, but luckily, my neighbor was able to rescue me,¡± he said, but I felt no sympathy for him.


    Nothing was making sense to me.


    I don¡¯t care why she shot him, is clearly none of my business.


    I have never wished anyone death but at this moment, I wished he never survived it.


    Forcing my gaze from him, I turned to the sudden quiet La by my side, ¡°The leaked video, I ¡­¡­¡±


    I had barely finished, and she interrupted again, ¡°You¡¯re not the one in it.¡±


    Her words surprised both me and Mason, except for Sebastian, who seemed to have expected it.


    ¡°How did you know?¡± I asked, stunned.


    La took a deep breath before confessing, ¡°I couldn¡¯t let you sleep with him, so I asked one of the whore in that hotel that night who resembled you, with simr blonde hair, to pretend to be you and sleep with the man, in exchange¡­.. I gave her the golden jewelry my mom left me before she passed away.¡±


    Her revtion earned shocked gasps from both me and Mason at the same time before I turned to re at him.


    Wait, he thought I truly slept with the old pervert?


    ¡°But when I came out of the restroom, you were nowhere to be found. I searched for you everywhere until the morning, when I saw you rushing out of VIP room 5089, wearing a tattered, wrinkled dress.¡±


    I was too stunned to respond, unable to do anything but continue to stare at her in shock.


    La took a deep breath, giving me a sad smile before proceeding. ¡°After I left with Olivia, I lingered around the area, waiting to see the man you slept with. A few hourster, the door opened, and¡­¡±


    I nervously swallowed hard, feeling the suspenful air around as we all waited for her to finish her sentence.


    ¡°¡­ the man who emerged from that room was none other than your crush¡­ now your husband, Damien Albrecht.¡± Her revtion was met with an unsettling silence.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    I seemed dead for a while before I let out a very loudugh. ¡± Have you gone crazy?¡± I asked, still trying to process what she just said.


    ¡°I wanted to tell you, Ash, but I just can¡¯t stand you after everything,¡± she cried out, but I shook my head in doubt, myughter dying down as I saw her serious face.


    But just then, Sebastian cleared his throat beside me, drawing my attention. He pulled out photos from his side pocket and handed them to me, along with his phone, which disyed a video.


    I stared at the phone, then back at him, confusion etched on my face. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°I conducted research after ourst meeting at the hospital, and although these copies and videos were difficult to find, considering your father told the hotel manager to clear the hotel¡¯s surveince footage from that day. But still we were fortunate to obtain some clips,¡± Sebastian exined, taking my hands in his.


    My heart was beating very fast, I felt like I was going to copse.


    ¡°La is right, the stranger from that brutal night was none other than Damien Albrecht, and the baby¡­¡± Sebastian¡¯s voice trailed off as I let out a deep, painful scream.


    He was still talking, trying to calm me down but It felt like the ground had been pulled from beneath me.


    I was numb, my body shaking, and my eyes welling up with tears as I watched the grainy ck and white clip on his phone. Although the quality was poor, my face and Damien¡¯s were very visible.


    Standing up immediately on my feet, I mistakingly knocked the chair down in the process. Every memories from that night were rushing back to my head, I feel so stunned. I held my lips and kept shaking my head repeatedly in disbelief as I kept taking steps backward.


    ¡°Ash,¡± Sebastian called.


    But I turned around fast and ran away, unable to cope with the truth.

 Chapter ninety six (Leaving)

    Tears were rushing down my face as I hurried down stairs.


    All my world seemed to be crumbling before me for real this time.


    My heart was full of pain, and hurt.


    I haven¡¯t felt this broken before all through my life.


    It feels like I am suffocating. I held my chest, feeling a painful tug against my heart.


    So all the time I have been living with that monster from that very night.


    He was the reason that my life was full of pain, bruises, suffering and trauma.


    I was almost downstairs, when a hand suddenly grabbed me from behind and pulled me into an empty corridor in the restaurant.


    ¡°Ash, please calm down, let¡¯s talk,¡± Sebastian whispered urgently beside me.


    But I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. ¡°No! No!¡± I eximed, my voice cracking.


    ¡°He broke me!¡± I wailed, and Sebastian pulled me in a tight,forting hug.


    I continued to sob, screaming, and venting all my anger and frustration until exhaustion took over.


    **** *****


    Sitting across the table alone with Sebastian on the second floor. I felt numb.


    The only thing in my heart was anger, hatred, and pain.


    I don¡¯t even know how long I have stayed here but I know that Mr. Owen is still waiting patiently for me in the car outside the building.


    But I just didn¡¯t care anymore.


    The idea of going back to that house makes me feel sick.


    I haven¡¯t seen Mason and La again, I don¡¯t know if they had left or still upstairs.


    ¡°Here.¡± Sebastian said and ced a hot chocte coffee in front of me. ¡°Please drink up,¡± he said,ing to sit in front of me with his own cup of coffee.


    I didn¡¯t say anything and took the coffee and sipped. My heart is filled with anger and hatred.


    ¡°So what next?¡± He asked after a few minutes of silence but I ignored him, my gaze fixed on the cup in my hand.


    ¡°How did you get in touch with them?¡± I asked instead, my voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°Who?¡± He raised an eyebrow, confused.


    ¡°The two betrayals upstairs,¡± I spat, my voice heavy with resentment and disgust.


    Understanding what I mean, Sebastian made an ¡®oh¡¯ sound. ¡°After you gave me the details, I tried to get in touch with La. So good, she was back in the city,¡±


    ¡°Did she travel before?¡± I whipped my head to look at Sebastian with a curious gaze.


    ¡°Yeah, she said she left for New York with her grandma after the incident,¡± he exined and just nodded without saying much.


    But if she left immediately after the incident, then¡­ I turned to Sebastian again, curiosity killing me. ¡°What about her grandma¡¯s health?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s fine now ording to her,¡± Sebastian replied, ¡°But La is currently working here as a waitress.¡± I slowly nced around the area, taking in the surroundings.


    Working here? I wondered. How much could she possibly earn? And she does look thinner now than she did in the past.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    I barely could recognize her again.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s next for you?¡± Sebastian asked again, pulling my attention back.


    I smiled bitterly, gazing at the cup in my hand. What¡¯s next for me?


    ¡°I think we need to discuss this with Damien,¡± he said but I was quick to stop him. ¡°I am not discussing any shit with that demon,¡±


    ¡°Easy, calm down,¡± Sebastian cautioned, his voice soothing, ¡°He is the father of your child, I am sure he needs to know.¡±


    Hmm


    Absolutely funny.


    Father of the same child he wanted me to abort, right? He ruined me!!!


    ¡°I told you the other day to help me secure a visa to a very far country,¡±


    ¡°Ash, just please¡­.¡±


    Sebastian started but I immediately cut him off, ¡°I need to think, I am not mentally stable to face him right now, please,¡± I pleaded, not bothering to hide the pain in my voice.


    He sighed before asking, ¡°Are you nning on divorcing him?¡±


    ¡°I wish I could but I don¡¯t have time for that,¡± I said, surprising him. ¡± Get me the next flight, I will be leaving immediately,¡±


    His eyes widened in rm.


    ¡°What!¡± he half-screamed, ncing around nervously to ensure no one overheard us before turning back to me. ¡°So soon,e on, Ash,¡± he urged, his voiceced with concern.


    ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for the divorce papers once I¡¯m settled there, just take care of the flight bookings,¡± I said, but Sebastian remained silent, his face etched with shock and disbelief.


    I could see the questions swirling in his mind.


    What¡¯s the point of staying here anymore? My father is gone, and now my husband¡­ the man I married, the man I¡¯ve grown to love, was the same man from that fateful night.


    Getting up from the chair, I stopped beside the sad looking Sebastian, who looked like he¡¯d lost hisst hope and ced my palm on his shoulder. ¡°Give me a call when everything is ready. I just need to pick up a few things in that house before leaving.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I muttered and walked away.


    My entire life, I¡¯ve been surrounded by people who have hurt me in one way or another.


    During the drive home, I remained silent, unable to muster the energy to speak. Even when Mr. Owen tried to initiate a conversation, I responded with silence.


    My eyes felt dull, drained from crying until no more tears woulde. I stared nkly out the window, lost in thought, until we arrived at the ce I once called home¡­ but it couldn¡¯t be my home anymore.


    As soon as the car stopped, I quickly got out, not waiting for Mr. Owen to open the door for me.


    I rushed upstairs, relieved to find that Damien wasn¡¯t there. The domestic staffs informed me that he hadn¡¯t returned yet. I quickly entered our room, grabbed my mini suitcase, and began packing essential items.


    Once I finished, I hastened downstairs with my luggage. I will have to lodge in a hotel till I receive Sebastian¡¯s call because I don¡¯t know when that demon wille back home.


    ¡°Madame, where are you going?¡± Mr. Owen asked, hurrying up to me.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to the hospital,¡± I replied, maintaining a straight face.


    Mr. Owen gave me a puzzled look, then his gaze shifted to the bag by my side. ¡°The boss didn¡¯t inform me that you had a hospital appointment today.¡±


    ¡°Then call and tell him,¡± I snapped.


    Just the way he called the ¡®boss¡¯ made my stomach churn with anger and hatred.


    Mr. Owen shot me another curious nce before pulling out his phone and dialing Damien¡¯s number. The phone rang three times, but there was no answer.


    ¡± Madame, he is not picking,¡± he said.


    ¡± Then drop me to the hospital,¡± I gave him one of my fake smiles. Nodding, Mr. Owen opened the door for me to enter.


    I entered and he drove off to Damien¡¯s family hospital.


    I discreetly removed my SIM card from my old phone and snapped it into half. If we reach there, I will have to use Jessica¡¯s phone to contact Sebastian and then look for how to sneak out of that hospital without them knowing.


    Letting out a soft chuckle, I leaned back in my seat, a bitter smile spreading across my face.

 Chapter ninety seven (The revelation)

    Damien.


    Swirling my office chair around, my mind kept drafting to different directions.


    I won¡¯t deny the fact that I am kind of scared about the abortion that Ashley is about to go through but then again¡­ .


    I rubbed my face, and let out a deep sigh.


    What if I lose her? God forbid!


    I don¡¯t think I will survive that, picking out my phone to dial Ashley¡¯s number when suddenly the door to my office opened and Lucas walked in.


    ¡°Good evening, boss,¡± he said, but I just raised an eyebrow in response.


    Noticing my expression, he added, ¡°Someone is here to see you, boss.¡±


    Someone is here to see me? Who?


    I am not expecting anyone.


    ¡°Who?¡± I asked, eyeing him up suspiciously.


    He gulped hard and scratched his neck nervously, ¡°I think is best to see him,¡±


    Him?


    Giving him a suspicious re, I leaned back in my chair and nodded for him to let the person in.


    He nodded and went back to the door. My curiosity widened as the door opened, and I readjust to see the person but to my surprise, Sebastian walked in.


    ¡°YOU!¡± I eximed, my face flushing with anger. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    Sebastian smiled calmly and walked further into the room, his hands tucked into his pant pockets. ¡°How have you been, brother?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb and answer me, why are you here?!¡± Itched out, instantly rising up to my feet in anger and that¡¯s when the door opened again and Eros and Pasito entered.


    ¡°Hey, buddy, what¡¯s going on?¡± Pasito asked, noticing the tense air.


    But I ignored them, my piercing re fixed on Sebastian.


    Immediately, Eros saw Sabastian, he seemed surprised before he shed him a mocking grin. ¡°Wow! Look who we have here, the nerd!¡± He eximed, smacking Sebastian by the shoulder and walking over to me.


    Sebastian smiled quietly and brushed off his words.


    This guy¡¯s nonchnt behavior freaks me out at times.


    They both nced at Sebastian and then back at me, curious.


    ¡°Get out of here!¡± I barked but again he didn¡¯t budge and rather he stepped forward and pulled out copies of photos from his jacket.


    ¡°At 10:30pm on Friday night at Aurum Vi for thest two months, during the celebration of the opening of Albrecht Luxe innovations.¡± he broke the words one by one after the other, surpising not only me but also Eros and Pasito who were standing by my side.


    That was thepany we hadunched justst two months prior, at Aurum Vi hotel.


    So what is he talking about?


    ¡°Before I start, I would love to introduce myself.¡± He paused, earning a weird look from us.


    ¡°Introduce yourself?¡± Pasito gave him the look as if he had gone insane.


    But again, he smiled, ¡°I am Cipher.¡±


    What?!


    We all gasped, including Lucas who had been standing by the door.


    ¡°C¡­. Cipher,¡± Eros stammered.


    This is the dude I have been searching all over the ce for¡­.. what? Sebastian?


    He waved his hand dismissively in the air, pulling back our attention again to him. ¡°But I am not here for that,¡± he paused, and scanned our faces one after the other before continuing. ¡°I am here to tell you the name of the mysterious girl you slept with that night, in the VIP, room 5089.¡±


    ¡°Hahaha¡­..¡± Eros cracked up in a mockingugh. ¡°Have you lost it, nerd?¡±


    Eros snapped at him but somehow I felt shocked, stunned, confused at the same time.


    How did he get to know about that night?


    I whipped my head immediately at the surprised looking Lucas, he is the only one that knows about it.


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about?¡± Ished but he just stepped more forward and pulled out his phone.


    ¡°The child you are nning to abort is your child, brother and I won¡¯t allow you to do something you will regret,¡± his voice is now calmer but my eyes were full of confusion as they locked with him.


    ¡°Child?¡± Eros and Pasito said in unison. ¡± Did you have a child and we don¡¯t know?¡± Pasito asked, confusioncing in their faces just like mine.


    ¡± Stop talking nonsense and leave my office!¡± I barked but he justughed.


    ¡°The mysterious woman that night that you took advantage of was none other but your wife, Ashley.¡± He revealed, causing my breath to stifle instantly.


    My eyes widened in shock


    ¡°Da¡­ Damien,¡± Eros sputtered out in a confusing tone


    ¡°¡­. And the baby in her womb is a product of that night¡± Sebastianpleted, my eyes turning to snap at him in total shock.


    It felt as if a cold water was been sshed all over me, frozen me in my spot.


    Switching on his phone, Sebastian gave it to me but Pasito was fast to snatch it from him.


    And immediately I heard him let out a loud gasp. Eros and I quickly turned to him and he turned to show us the video.


    It was clearly me and Ashley.


    I staggered back instantly, the phone in my hand slipping off.


    The call that I was about to make earlier was long forgotten.


    ¡°How did you find this?!¡± Eros barked but Pasito nudged him to calm down.


    I can hear the fast beating of my heart.


    ¡°Ashley was never a whore, but that night ruined her life.¡± Sebastian said and every word he said kept hitting me hard in my chest.


    And before I knew it, I screamed.


    She can¡¯t abort the baby!


    I quickly reached for my phone again but Sebastian dropped the bomb.


    ¡°She had left,¡±


    ¡°What do you¡­. mean that¡­. She had left?¡± I stammered, my body shaking in fear of what next he will say.


    ¡± She found out and left this afternoon, she said she will send you the divorce papers,¡±


    He had barely finished and I rushed toward him, and angrily grabbed his shirt.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!!¡± I yelled and Eros and Pasito rushed to pull me back. ¡°What did you tell her?!!¡± I tightened my grip and pulled him closer before punching his face.


    No no no¡­. I can¡¯t lose Ashley.


    I knew that there was something off about her¡­.. that strawberry perfume.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think this is the right thing to do now?¡± Eros drew me back and Pasito rushed to pull Sebastian up from the ground.


    Sebastian clutched his face and lifted his bleeding face to look at me. ¡°Her ne will be leaving in the next 30 seconds.¡±


    Fuck it¡­ .. Damn!N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    I immediately whipped my head at Lucas and roared out in desperation, ¡°Contact the air traffic controllers now¡­. The borders should be closed, no ne should leave the airport!!¡±

 Chapter ninety-eight (A chance to explain)

    Ashley


    The airport is full of people leaving and entering from arriving flights. I sat down on the bench there waiting patiently for my flight, when suddenly the airport¡¯s public address system crackled to life. The air traffic control personnel announce, their voice echoing through the terminal¡­


    ¡°Attention all passengers and airport personnels, due to severe weather conditions, all flight departures are currently suspended. Please check with your airline for further updates and instructions.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± I gasped, shocked. Which weather? I thought, ncing up at the small opening up there to see the sky but to my surprise, it was clear. Not a cloud in sight, no sign of rain or even a hint of turbulence.


    What are they now talking about?


    I wasn¡¯t the only one perplexed, my fellow passengers exchanged confused nces, and a low murmur and noises started rising and that¡¯s when my phone beeped.


    I pulled it out from my pocket and it was Sebastian.


    ¡°Hey, Sebastian,¡± I answered, stepping away from the nosy crowd to take the call.


    ¡°How are you? I saw the news now about the weather, you can¡¯t just stand there, someone might recognize you. Starting back to the hotel.¡± He said, sounding so urgent.


    ¡°But Sebastian¡­..¡±


    I didn¡¯t finish and he cut me off. ¡°Just stay in the hotel till the weather clears.¡±


    Which weather? The weather is crystal clear. I am sure those personnels are obviously insane or blind at this point.


    ¡°Ash, please, I am sure you don¡¯t want anybody recognizing you there.¡± Sebastian said again but I remained quiet, my anger and frustration growing.


    Why now?


    ¡°Hello! Hello! Are you there? Ashley?¡± Sebastian doubted my presence at the other side of the call.


    After a few minutes, I let out a half-hearted sigh before responding, ¡°I¡¯ming there now¡­¡±


    **** *****


    I tried calling Sebastian¡¯s number countless times, but he didn¡¯t answer. Frustrated and worried, I entered the hotel room, but he was nowhere to be found.


    Just as I was starting to get anxious, a knock at the door broke the silence. I dropped my phone on the bed and rushed to open it, hoping to see Sebastian¡¯s familiar face. But instead, my eyes widened in shock as I took in the person standing before me. Tearing my gaze from him, it then fell on the three guys standing behind him, one of them was Sebastian.


    How did he know that I was here?


    Anger shed through my eyes as they fell on Sebastian again.


    He did, he brought them here.


    ¡°Wife, please,¡± Damien begged, holding the door open as I tried to m it shut. ¡± Please I can exin¡­. Just please hear me out?


    ¡°I have absolutely nothing to talk with you about, just get out and never show your face in front of me ever again.¡± I spat, anger and pain shing in my eyes.


    ¡°Wife please.¡± Holding my hand, Damien desperately knelt down, surprising me. ¡°Punish me, do anything, but please don¡¯t leave me,¡± he pleaded. But I felt numb, my emotions were already exhausted. I didn¡¯t care about his words anymore.


    All I can feel inside is pain, hurt, and anger.


    ¡°Ash¡­¡± Sebastian began, but I cut him off, my anger simmering. ¡°You brought them here, didn¡¯t you?¡± I used, my eyes narrowing. He gulped, his gaze darting away in guilt.


    ¡°So, the border closure was your doing!¡± I turned to snap back at the desperate looking Damien, my voice rising. I don¡¯t know where the sudden bravery ising from. Though I think it is from a ce of hurt.


    I shoved his hands away.


    ¡°You ruined my life!¡±  I screamed, leaning forward, my face inches from Damien. ¡°You condemned me to months of trauma and pain. I lost everything ¨C everything!¡± I spat, my voice echoing through the room.


    I didn¡¯t care that his friends were witnessing my outburst, they averted their gaze, exchanging apologetic nces. But I shot them a withering look before rolling my eyes in disgust.


    Damien¡¯s face contorted in desperation as he crawled forward, pleading, ¡°Ashley, I didn¡¯t know it was you. I was drunk that night¡­ Please, don¡¯t leave me.¡±


    But instead, Iughed, stepping back as if his words were poison.


    That night memories were so painful to forget, I lost a lot because of that night.


    I know the fault was Olivia, Mason, and of course my shitty friend that thinks betraying me will solve her problems but my pain is knowing that the stranger that I had hated, scared to face¡­¡­ traumatized to think about was none other but my husband.


    The man that I have grown to love, despite how we met.


    The pain knowing that it was him that night, and he had subjected me to nothing, and made me look like a whore.


    ¡°But you knew you took advantage of a girl that night, and you didn¡¯t care. You didn¡¯t bother to look for her,¡± I said, myughter bitter and mocking.


    I shot him a fierce re, and he opened his mouth to speak, only to snap it shut again. His eyes filled with regret, pain, and fear as he lowered his head in shame.


    ¡°He told us but we were actually the one that talked him out of the idea, we didn¡¯t know it was you.¡± Pasito and Eros said, pleading but I red at them again.


    ¡°I know you are hurting but please consider the baby,¡±. Eros said but I quickly snapped at him, my warning sharp. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!!¡±


    ¡°The same child that he wanted me to abort!¡± I shrieked, ¡°Do you know what I lost? My life was a mess because of that night!¡±


    ¡°Please wife¡­. Please don¡¯t leave, I am deeply sorry.¡± Damien continued, his voice cracking at the end. ¡°I love you and I am so so sorry, please.¡±


    He continued pleading but I just smiled, a sad smirk appearing on my face.


    Sebastian didn¡¯t say a thing, he had his head tilted to the other side.


    ¡± How I wish a mere apology can fix everything,¡± I snarled, going inside the room to bring my luggages.


    ¡°Ash please!!¡± Eros fell on his knees as well but I ignored him.


    Dragging my luggages out, I stopped to re at the sad looking Damien, who seemed like all his world wasing to an end.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look for me nor the baby!¡±


    ¡± Wifey, please we can fix this.¡± I turned to leave but he immediately grabbed my bag. ¡°Punish me, hate me, hit me, do anything but please don¡¯t leave.¡±


    I tilted my head to look at him, he now seems different and not the stoic, cold, and intimidating Damien that I was married to.


    Instead, he appeared pitiful, broken, and scared, his eyes etched with pain.


    If he was feeling this way, he should try to imagine what I endured for months ¨C the allegation, the pain, the neglect.


    I might have fallen for him but months of staying with him wasn¡¯t a romantic fairy tale; it was a never-ending nightmare. Months felt like years.


    ¡°My regards to Aurora and Emily,¡± I said, and angrily yanked my bag from his grasp.


    For the first time, I saw tears well up in his eyes, but I didn¡¯t falter.


    ¡°Wifey¡­¡± he stammered, his voice cracking. I turned my back on him and walked away.


    With each step, tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision. I heard him scream in desperation as I stepped into the elevator.


    ¡°Wife!!!¡± The sound of his pain was drowned out by the closing doors of the elevator, but it echoed in my mind as I crumpled against the wall, my emotions badly eating me inside.


    No matter how much I stared at the closed  elevator, my heart kept breaking as his face continued shing in my mind.


    I love him but I feel betrayed, I can¡¯t just look him in the eyes because it reminds me of that fateful night.


    Though somehow, my heart still beats for him.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

 Chapter ninety-nine (The sudden visitation)

    It¡¯s been three months since I left Los Angeles, and I must admit, I miss Damien every single day. He¡¯s tried every possible way to reach me, bombarding me with countless apologies and calls, desperate to make things right.


    Yet, despite the ache in my heart, I still yearn for him. But the painful realization runs too deep, and I just can¡¯t bring myself to go back to him. My heart and mind are at war, torn between the love I still feel and the hurt I thought I¡¯d never ovee.


    I felt utterly betrayed, so I blocked Damien on all social media tforms. Since then, the only people I¡¯ve been in contact with are Sebastian and Jessica.


    Though I¡¯ve also heard through the grapevine that Damien has relinquished control of my father¡¯spany and resigned as owner.


    But I couldn¡¯t care less, my father is already dead.


    As I sat on the couch, staring nkly at the TV in front of me, my mind wandered, not even concentrating on the news. When suddenly, the doorbell rang, signaling that someone was at the door.


    I snapped my head toward the door, is it Sabastian because he promised toe visit?


    With a great effort, I heaved myself and my growing baby bump off the couch, dragging my weary self to the door. As I opened it, my gaze widened in surprise. ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Catherina,¡±


    ¡°Good morning, my beautiful daughter,¡± she replied, setting her bag aside immediately and enveloping me in a warm, motherly hug.


    The hug was exactly what I needed ¨Cforting and reassuring.


    After a while, she pulled away and grabbed my face, concern written all over her wrinkled face. ¡± You haven¡¯t been eating well.¡±


    I gave her a small sad smile and muttered, ¡± How did you find me here?¡±


    Kissing my visible baby bump, she smiled and then lifted her eyes to look at me. ¡°I had to beg Sebastian to tell me.¡±


    That boy?!N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    I nodded and opened the door wide for her to enter.


    But immediately she stepped inside, her wrinkled face clutched in disgust and concern as she took in my surroundings; squeezed tissues that I used to wipe my tears after crying, empty cans of junk foods and shattered pillows all over the ce.


    Infact, the ce was a mess!


    ¡°You haven¡¯t been eating well, you look pale.¡± She sighed, but I ignored her and closed the door before walking toward her.


    ¡°I will show you to your room,¡±


    ¡°No need, I think you need to first show me the kitchen.¡±


    My eyebrows twitched ufortably as I nervously scratched my neck. I think the kitchen is even the worst messier ce right now.


    I just remembered that I haven¡¯t done the dishes for three days now.


    **** *****


    Mrs. Catherina helped me to tidy up and also cooked a homemade meal for me. I felt so excited and surprised at the same time though I am still curious as to why she traveled all the way here just to see me.


    Sighing, Iy on the couch, scrolling through my phone, secretly sneaking nces at Damien¡¯s social media pages, curious to know if he had posted anything new.


    But for the past two months, since the incident, his ounts have been inactive.


    ¡°Here you are,¡± I heard Mrs. Catherina¡¯s worried tone and quickly hid my phone by my side before turning to face her.


    ¡°Hmm, what¡¯s wrong?¡± I asked, adjusting my position to sit morefortably. Mrs. Catherina sighed and sat down beside me, taking my hands in hers, which confused me.


    ¡°Are you alright, Ms Catherina?¡±


    ¡°Yes, are you free for us to talk, Ash?¡±  she asked, her eyes filled with concern. I gave her a narrowed look, then nodded curtly. ¡°I heard what happened, Ash,¡± she said, her gaze dropping to my baby bump.


    I sighed heavily and looked away, trying topose myself.


    ¡°You two are obviously hurting each other,¡± she blurted out, her voiceced with empathy. Taking a deep breath, I turned to her, struggling to hide the longing in my eyes. ¡°He¡­ he broke me,¡± I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°I know, Ash,¡± she said, shifting forward. ¡°What Damien did was terrible. I had no idea what was happening until I went to visit him. He hadn¡¯t taken my calls, replied to my texts, or even called back. I tried reaching you too, but your line wasn¡¯t connecting.¡±  She paused, and I could hear the pain in her voice.


    ¡°So I went to visit him, and his friends and Sebastian told me what happened. Damien looked like a shadow of himself right now¡­ please, Ash,¡± she trailed off, her voice cracking.


    ¡°Please forgive him and give him a chance to make things right again.¡±


    I sniffled, unaware I was crying until Mrs. Catherina pulled me into a warm hug. ¡°Nobody knows what I went through,¡± I sobbed into her shoulder, and she gently patted my back.


    ¡°I know, Ash¡­ we all know, but I think he loves you.¡±


    ¡± No. No. He doesn¡¯t,¡± I screamed, sobbing hard.


    Mrs. Catherina sighed and rubbed my back, offeringfort. ¡°He does, Ash. I¡¯ve never seen Damien act this way, not even when he broke up with Zuri. I¡¯ve seen the way he looks at you ¨C the adoration, the love, it¡¯s always been there, though he messed up big time.¡±


    I wiped away my tears and pulled out of her embrace, my eyes swollen and red. ¡°I loved him, Mrs. Catherina,¡± I sniffled again, my voice cracking.


    ¡°I¡¯ve always loved him but he treated me like I¡¯m not worth it but when it started seeming like he was about to charge, I found out the truth.¡± She nodded, her expression understanding. ¡°I know, Ash.¡± she muttered.


    ¡°I am in pain, why will he be the man from that night.¡± She wiped my tears, and sighed.


    I looked at her with teary eyes, searching for answers, my voiceced with pain. ¡°But what did I do wrong? Everyone who¡¯s been by my side has always hurt me in one way or another.¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t deserve you, Ash. You¡¯re great and amazing. Please don¡¯t judge yourself harshly.¡± she patted my head. ¡°All I¡¯m asking is for you to give him a chance to exin himself even if you don¡¯t want him again. I don¡¯t love to see you two like this.¡±


    I sniffled and leaned back into the couch, my gaze fixed on the white walls of my rented apartment. ¡°It¡¯s not easy, Mrs. Catherina,¡± I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to do it now,¡± she said gently. ¡°Just take your time. But know that I¡¯ll always be here for you, as long as I¡¯m alive, to support you through this difficult moment.¡± She leaned forward and gently pecked my cheeks.


    Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I looked away, quickly blinking them back.


    ¡°Everything is going to be fine,¡± Mrs. Catherina reassured me, her voice soft and soothing.


    She gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze, then began massaging my toes, her touch helping to calm my tense muscles and ease my emotional pain.


    It felt like a huge burden was lifted off my shoulder by mere talking with her. She gave me that mothering support and I think that is what I needed right now.


    She didn¡¯t judge me, she felt my pain.

 Chapter hundred (Her location)

    Damien


    The room is dark, with a smell of alcohol lingering in the air.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    I sat on the ground with another bottle of alcohol and leaned my head against the wall.


    It has been four good months that I haven¡¯t seen Ashley. I have tried to reach her, to exin things but it was all a futile mission.


    She doesn¡¯t want to see me.


    She had blocked me on all the social media tforms from reaching her.


    Since her absence, life has been hard and bitter on my side. I had to give up her father¡¯spany and resigned as the owner but still she doesn¡¯t want me.


    I know I wronged her but I am ready to fix things. To show her the sweet, jovial, and easy going side of me.


    But I guess it is all toote now.


    I pulled my hair and took another huge sip from the drink.


    For the past few months, I have regretted the life I had lived.


    How I had neglected her.


    I med myself day and night for not being so serious in finding her then after that night.


    I hated myself more¡­. More for the constant abuses, neglect, foul words and how badly I treated her in the past.


    I do wish that time will go back so that I can fix everything.


    I was so focused on my past, my quest for revenge that I didn¡¯t know I was hurting someone dear to me¡­.. that I was losing a precious gem.


    A sudden knock at the door jolted me back to reality, but I ignored it. I had been locking myself inside here for months, drowning my sorrows in alcohol and isting myself from everyone.


    The knock came again, followed by the sound of my door being knocked out. Eros, Pasito, and Sebastian rushed inside, their faces filled with concern.


    ¡°Hey, buddy,¡± Eros said, flipping on the light switch. Their gazes widened as they took in the scene before them ¨C empty bottles littered everywhere.


    ¡°Damien, are you trying to drink yourself to death?¡± Sebastian asked, his voice filled with worry.


    I merely sighed and took another swig of my drink.


    ¡°Buddy,¡± Pasito called out, trying to reach me.


    ¡°She hates me,¡± I blurted out instead,ughing painfully, the words feeling like a fresh wound in my heart.


    ¡°I wronged her so much, I broke her¡­¡±  I trailed off, taking a sip of my drink as I turned to face my friends. Their concerned expressions only added to my guilt.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll still forgive you,¡± Pasito said, trying to lift my spirits, but I shook my head, my lips downturned in despair. ¡°She¡¯ll never ept me again.¡±


    ¡°You know I warned you about this,¡± Pasito said and I nodded, with a regretful sigh. ¡°You sure did.¡±


    ¡°This is not the time for me, we just need to find a way and reach, Ash.¡± Eros chimed in. ¡°We are gradually losing Damien.¡±


    ¡°I love her, I always do.¡± My lips curled up sadly. But before I could take another swig of my drink, Sebastian snatched the bottle away. ¡°Enough, brother!¡±


    I snapped my head towards him, anger shing in my eyes. ¡°Give it back to me!¡± I demanded, but he shook his head firmly.


    And dropped the bottle by his side. ¡°Mrs. Catherina has gone to speak with her, I am sure she will still forgive you.¡±


    The anger in my eyes vanished and confusion instantly appeared in them. ¡°How did she know where she lives?¡±


    After ourst encounter, she had vanished into the thin air. I have tried within all my power but her location still remained untraceable.


    We all turned to look at Sebastian, our faces mirroring each other¡¯s confusion.


    ¡°I know,¡± he replied calmly, his words earning a collective gasp from us. I raised my eyebrows, seeking rification. ¡°You do?¡± I asked, wanting to confirm what I¡¯d heard.


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯ve been in touch since then,¡± he said, his handsing to envelop mine in a gentle grasp as I surprisingly gaped at him.


    I don¡¯t know if to feel excited about the information or sad that he had known all these while and watched us search relentlessly.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to tell you earlier because I thought she needed time to heal and process everything.¡± Sebastian said.


    He was right, I realized, sighing heavily as I lowered my head in fear again.


    ¡°I am a monster! She can never forgive a monster.¡±


    ¡°Stop it, that night wasn¡¯t entirely your fault, you were drunk,¡± Sebastian said, but I shook my head in disagreement. ¡°It doesn¡¯t justify the fact that I was a monster to her.¡± I released a deep breath and leaned my head back against the wall.


    ¡°So, what do we do? Damien is slowly losing himself,¡± Eros asked, cing a hand on top of my shoulder.


    A sudden silence fell over as everyone turned to Sebastian, awaiting his response. He is the only one that knows her exact location. He sighed after a moment, then turned to look at us. ¡°I¡¯m nning on going to see her tomorrow. Maybe, if you¡¯re ready, we can go together, Damien.¡±


    Go with him to see her?


    My heart raced instantly and opened my eyes immediately.


    I can feel the excitement though I still feel scared.


    ¡°Are you serious?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Sebastian replied, stretching out his hands to help me up. ¡°Now, you need to get up, freshen up, eat, and¡­¡±


    ¡°And take a bath,¡± Pasitopleted his sentence, grinning mischievously.


    ¡°You sure smell horrible,¡± Eros chimed in, chuckling, and the two of them burst outughing.


    I tried to join in, but somehow, the humor fell t for me. My heart felt heavy, weighed down by my thoughts. The only thing in my mind is just her¡­.. is just her.


    When she left, she left with entirely everything in me; the zeal to live, and my happiness.


    They helped me stand on my feet, but as soon as I was upright, I staggered backwards and fell to the ground.


    My head hurts very well, and I can no longer feel my legs.


    ¡°Damien¡­!!¡± Sebastian¡¯s nervous voice rang out, his concern etched in his tone, just before I lost consciousness.

 Chapter hundred and one (Missing him)

    Ashley


    Time flies and before I knew it it was morning already.


    I spoke with Sebastian yesterday and he told me that he will being with a surprise package.


    Knock. Knock


    ¡°I aming,¡± I shouted and perked Mrs. Catherina in the cheeks and hurried to open the door.


    ¡°Hey Sebastian,¡± I greeted with a warm smile and he smiled back. ¡°How have you been?¡±


    ¡°Just there,¡± I replied, my eyes curiously trailing all over him for any present or anything but he came empty handed.


    Where is the surprise package?


    ¡± Hey, you said that you have something that will cheer me up,¡± I pouted and heughed while walking in.


    ¡± Yeah, I did,¡± he replied but just then, Mrs. Catherina walked in. ¡°Hey Sebastian.¡±


    ¡°Wow!¡± He went in to give her a warm hug, though I noticed they exchanged a strange look.


    What was that for?


    I opened my mouth to ask, but Sebastian beat me to it, ¡°So, Ash, how¡¯s my little nephew?¡± He plopped down on the couch, and Mrs. Catherina returned to her cooking, humming a tune in the kitchen.


    I couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that something was off. Since morning, she¡¯d been in an unusually cheerful mood, preparing a plethora of dishes as if we were expectingpany.


    But it was just the three of us ¨C her, me, and Sebastian. When I asked, she brushed it off, saying she just felt like cooking.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    She has been acting strangetely.


    ¡°Nephew? Who told you? Maybe it¡¯s a girl,¡± I teased, taking a seat beside him on the couch.


    ¡°No, I want a football mate,¡± he said, frowning, which only made me chuckle. ¡°You¡¯ll surely make a great uncle and husband, Jessica is lucky,¡± Iplimented, and his cheeks flushed instantly.


    ¡°By the way, how is Jessica?¡± I asked, and he replied, ¡°She¡¯s fine.¡± Then, he paused, his eyes locking onto mine with a concerned gaze. ¡°And¡­ how have you been?¡±


    I sighed and leaned back on the couch, ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ there, Sebastian.¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Albrecht called me yesterday night,¡± I said, earning a curious brow from Sebastian.


    ¡°She called you? Why?¡±


    I sighed, and gave him a small sad smile. ¡°She is scared of losing Damien, she pleaded for me to forgive him.¡± I said, earning an ¡®oh¡¯ sound from surprised Sebastian.


    I am also surprised to see her call, considering the fact that she doesn¡¯t care about him. And all of a sudden, she is scared, calling back to back for reconciliation.


    ¡± Is he that terrible?¡± I asked Sebastian, struggling not to show that I still care.


    ¡°You miss him,¡± he asked abruptly, catching me off guard.


    ¡°No,¡± I replied quickly, trying to convince myself more than him.


    Sebastian gave me a long, knowing look before chuckling, his eyes glinting with amusement. ¡°You don¡¯t, and I believe you¡¯ve been on his page since today.¡± He nodded towards the phone beside me, and that¡¯s when it hit me ¨C I had been on his Instagram page before Sebastian arrived.


    I quickly switched off my phone, earning a mocking grin from him.


    Fuck! How could I forget?


    ¡°Whatever,¡± I rolled my eyes and looked away.


    ¡°You still want him,e on, you and Damien are just hurting each other,¡± Sebastian said, and I sighed, leaning back.


    He¡¯s right, I am missing him.


    ¡°I told him I¡¯d be traveling to see you,¡± he said, catching me off guard. My head snapped towards him in surprise.


    ¡°Calm down, but he lost consciousness, so we had to rush him to the hospital.¡± My eyes widened, fear shing across my face.


    ¡°How¡­?¡± I stuttered, my heart racing.


    I know he wanted to know if I still care and honestly I just proved him right by my sudden concern.


    ¡°Damien hasn¡¯t been himself since the incident,¡± Sebastian exined, his expression somber. ¡°He mes himself every day and looks like a shadow of his former self.¡± His words somehow made me feel guilty.


    ¡°I think you have tortured him enough, Ash.¡± I swallowed hard and instantly looked away. ¡°At least give him a chance to exin, then if you still don¡¯t want him, you can now issue a divorce.¡± He added.


    And I turned to look at him again, ¡°Wh¡­. Where is he now? Hospital?¡±


    Noticing the concern etched on my face, Sebastian shed me a wide, reassuring grin. ¡°You want to see him?¡± he asked, and I blushed, rolling my eyes at him.


    ¡°Just stop.¡± I replied. My cheeks are already red.


    I watched as he pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to someone before lifting his head back to me. ¡°Look behind you,¡± he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement.


    I gave him a puzzled look before my heart skipped a beat as I heard the door open. And slowly, I turned around, my gaze widening as it fell on Damien.


    He looked pale and thinner, his beard unkempt and bushy, as if he hadn¡¯t been taking care of himselftely.


    Though despite his disheveled appearance, he still managed to look handsome, his features still striking, but his eyes seemed to hold a deep sadness.


    His silver eyes look dull.


    I opened my mouth to talk but instantly closed them.


    Sebastian patted my shoulder and headed to the kitchen, leaving Damien and me alone.


    The air felt thick and ufortable, heavy with unspoken emotions. I could feel my heart racing wildly in my chest.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ash.¡± Damien finally said, his voice filled with regret, apology, and longing. My heart skipped a beat at his words ¨C this was the voice I had been desperate to hear for months.


    But I remained silent, unsure of how to react.


    ¡°That night¡­ I got carried away and got drunk,¡± he exined, his eyes pleading for understanding.


    ¡°I was about to call Eros to bring in a woman for me for the night, but then you appeared at my doorstep, and I was swept away by the strawberry scent of your perfume.¡± He paused, and I swallowed hard, looking away.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Ash. Honestly, I wanted to find you. I felt guilty for taking you without your consent,¡± Damien said, his voice filled with remorse. He pulled out his phone, ¡°If you think I¡¯m lying, check my messages with Lucas. I asked him to look for you, but at some point, I stopped.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± I managed to whisper, tears welling up in my eyes.


    ¡°Because you thought I wasn¡¯t important,¡± I repeated, seeing the hesitation in his eyes.


    ¡°I know that sorry won¡¯t fix anything, but I am sorry,¡± he replied instead.


    ¡°You broke me, Damien. Day in and day out, you treated me like I meant nothing.¡±


    ¡°Because I was scared!¡±  he suddenly eximed, his voice cracking as he turned away to rub his face.


    Surprise etched on my face, ¡°Scared?¡± I repeated.


    He then turned back to me, his eyes vulnerable. ¡°Yes, I was scared because I was falling for you so fast, and that wasn¡¯t what I wanted. I hated the fact that I loved you, so I tried to convince myself to hate you by torturing and abusing you. But despite my best efforts, I found myself falling deeper and deeper,¡± he confessed, regret and shame visible in his eyes.


    ¡°And that¡¯s when I stopped trying to fight it, wanting to embrace our connection¡­ until I found out you were pregnant. Then I became afraid, scared that my past was about to repeat itself all over again.¡±


    Tears streamed down my face as I listened to every raw, emotional word that left his mouth.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Ash. Please forgive me. I promise to make it right again,¡± Damien pleaded, his voice cracking at the end.


    But instead, I shook my head, tears flowing down my face. ¡°You hurt me so much, Damien,¡± I sobbed, my voice barely audible.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he whispered, his voice trembling. ¡°I can¡¯t breathe without you, Ash.¡± He sniffled, his voice shaking with sobs.


    I continued to cry uncontrobly, and he slowly approached me, his steps calcted and gentle. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace.


    I cried, breathing into his scent. He patted my back and we both sobbed hard, holding each other in a desperate attempt to heal the wounds in our heart.

 Chapter hundred and two(Epilogue)

    ¡°Do you, Jessica Hall, take Sebastian Albrecht as your wedded husband, to have and to know from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do you apart?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do,¡± Jessica replied, earning a loud excited p from the crowd.


    It has been four years and here we are in the church, witnessing the wedding of Sebastian and doctor Jessica.


    I don¡¯t know but I feel like the happiest today, I have always blessed their union.


    Sitting beside me is Mrs. Albrecht, carrying my three years old son, Ryan, in her arms.


    He is just the cardboard copy of his father, Damien. The only thing he took from me is just my deep blue ocean eyes, other features are just like that of Damien.


    Damien rubbed my right hand, and perked it before intertwining them in his.


    I looked at him and smiled, he didn¡¯t lie when he said that he will make things right again.


    He had been incredibly sweet, easy going, jovial and loveable.


    ¡°Now by the power vested on me, I now pronounce you, Sebastian Albrecht, and Jessica Hall, husband and wife. You may seal your love with a kiss.¡± The priest finished, earning an excited loud murmur from the crowd.


    I giggled as I watched Sebastian and Jessica kiss each other passionately.


    Mrs. Catherina is in front of us, her wrinkled face filled with joy and warmth.


    And of course, the two friends, Eros and Pasito are sitting behind us, arguing over who is getting married next.


    Iughed, resting my head on Damien¡¯s shoulder.


    It wasn¡¯t long and the wedding ended, so we went to the reception hall for the normal celebration.


    I am dressed in a long wine gown thatplimented my figure very well, bringing out my shape. The back is open and the front has a round curve, making my boobs pop out though in an attractive way. It is a sleeveless gown.


    Ryan is with his grandparents and sometimes when I look at Ryan I miss my father though I am sure that wherever he is right now, he is happy.


    Iughed as I remembered how the boys had battled over who to be Ryan¡¯s godfather. But at the end Damien had to give it to Sebastian.


    I am d that they have reconciled.


    ¡°Here, madame,¡±


    I turned to see a waitress holding a ss of wine for me to take. ¡°Thank you¡­.¡± I smiled, nodding at her.


    She smiled and walked away.


    I sipped my drink, staring at the beautiful decoration in the hall. Everything has been peaceful since the incident, and finally my father¡¯spany is now under me as the new CEO.


    I have also gotten his other properties which Olivia had wanted to take earlier but I left our house for Margret.


    I feel like I needed to give her something to appreciate her loyalty. Looking after me after the death of my mother and still in the Mansion even after we lost everything wasn¡¯t easy so I had to appreciate her. And then again, I can¡¯t take the Mansion because it reminds me so much of the past.


    And one thing is for sure, if I truly wanted to move on, I have to let go of certain things and it was one of them.


    Mrs. Charlotte was nowhere to be seen after the arrest of Olivia.


    I was lost in thought when Damien¡¯s gentle voice broke the spell. ¡°You look stunning,¡± he whispered, his breath caressing my ear as he approached me from behind.


    His hand slipped around my waist, sending shivers down my spine as he trailed soft kisses across my exposed back.


    I smiled, melting into his touch.


    ¡°If you keep dressing like this, I¡¯ll have no choice but to keep making babies with you,¡± he teased, his husky voice sending tremors through me.


    Damien¡¯s hands rubbed my back in slow, gentle circles, he leaned in to nuzzle my ear before nting a tender kiss on my neck.


    The sensation was pure magic, and I almost forgot we were in public until Ryan¡¯s piercing sweet voice cut through the moment. ¡°Mom! Dad!¡± he shouted from behind us.


    We both froze, jolting back to reality as we turned to face our little boy.


    He stood before us, his tiny face scrunched up in a fierce pout with his small hands folded across his chest. ¡°I told you two I don¡¯t want another baby!¡±


    For a three year old, he talks very well and even acts more mature than his age.


    ¡°Ryan,¡± Iughed, scooping him up in my arms.


    Damien chuckled, shooting Eros a yful re as he tried to stifle his ownughter.


    ¡°I thought he was with Grandma,¡± Damien said, raising an eyebrow. We both turned to Eros, who shrugged and continued rubbing Ryan¡¯s hair.


    ¡°I caught him running away from Grandma¡¯s room.¡± Eros shrugged, still rubbing his hair.


    Ryan swatted his hand away immediately, and slowly smoothing his hair back with his tiny fingers.


    He¡¯s such a character.


    ¡°Little cutie, why are you running from Grandma?¡± Damien asked, pinching his cheeks affectionately.


    Ryan scowled, ¡°She was¡­ making those teateless ck tea again.¡± I burst outughing at his adorable voice.


    ¡°Come on, it¡¯s chocte coffee, not ck tea!¡± Damien chuckled and pinched Ryan¡¯s cheeks again.


    ¡°Stop it, Dada!¡± Ryan frowned, giving him a tiny re.


    I smiled, enjoying the yful moment between them and Eros.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll get married next weekend,¡± Pasito said, approaching us with a ss of juice and a slice of cake. We allughed and turned my heads in his direction as he came to a stop in front of us.


    ¡°Next weekend, with an imaginary girlfriend, right?¡± Eros teased and stepped forward to take some pieces of cake but Pasito immediately stepped back, and yfully flipped him a middle finger.


    ¡°Have they started serving cake?¡± I asked, eyeing the decadent delicious slice in his hand.


    ¡°Want some?¡± Pasito asked and I nodded. He then yfully tries to feed me a bite. Just as the cake was about to reach my lips, Damien quickly swooped in, his hands swatting it away.


    His lips were curled up in a mock-jealous pout, making me smile. I felt a sudden urge to kiss him, touched by his sweet behaviortely.


    ¡°Hahaha,e on, give some to Ryan!¡± Eros chuckled, and Pasito carefully ced a small amount of cake in Ryan¡¯s mouth.


    Damien sneaked his hands on my waist again, pulling me and Ryan toward him. And just then, Sebastian walked up to us with Jessica.


    ¡°Un¡­ cle!!¡± Ryan squealed excitedly, stretching out his arms to be lifted up.


    Sebastian chuckled and scooped him up from my hands, cradling him in his arms.


    ¡°Ryan, your godfather is married, so I¡¯ll be your temporary godfather for now,¡± Pasito teased with a grin. But Ryan scowled, his tiny face adorable in his disapproval. ¡°No!¡± he dered, making us allugh at his emphatic response


    ¡°He¡¯s so cute,¡± Damien whispered in my ear, his lips grazing my earlobe. ¡°Thanks for making me a proud man,¡± he added, nting a gentle kiss on my corbone up to my neck.


    I quickly dragged in a sharp breath, struggling to suppress my moan when immediately, Ryan shouted out again, ¡°Dad! Mom!¡±


    Everything was just like the way I wanted it, peaceful, happy, and free from drama.


    This is a new phase in my life that I feel so excited to embrace and one thing I havee to learn is that what doesn¡¯t break you, makes you stronger.


    Author Note:


    Thank you, cuties for the support? I appreciate you all.


    Please don¡¯t forget to check out my new book, ¡°Alpha King¡¯s imed Mate (His Broken Luna.¡±


    Thank you!


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!