As Ellaya entered the villa, she gasped in shock and peered at the man seated in the living room with his head bowed, his elbow resting on his thighs, and his head in his hands. He appeared feral, akin to a lion with wounds. He got up and approached her slowly; his hair was disheveled, his coat was thrown on the floor, his shirt buttons were broken, and he was sheeting. His eyes were red and his nose was fanned.Her heart raced at the sound of his slow steps, her palms perspired, and her legs remained planted. 'He said he was only an assistant, but his aura was that of a king. He said, "You are a queen, Ellaya; I am a slave," but I feel as if he is a king and I am a bird in his cage. Why am I feeling this way when he is near me?' She stared at his irate face, lost in contemplation.Bringing her out of her trance, he grabbed her arm, spun her around, and caged her between the wall and his arms. "Ellaya, stay away from him", he commanded in a deep, fierce voice. After a brief pause, sh
"Oh, come on, Laaya. How long are you going to ignore me?" She went into the kitchen, and Iden trailed behind. Sitting on the kitchen island chair, she waited for Lily to bring her coffee and breakfast without saying word to him or even looking at him. He sat across from her as well. Lily placed her breakfast and coffee on the table. Ellaya scowled, her lips turning downward as she looked at the coffee. The word sorry floated over the coffee, and ketchup was used to draw a smile on the sandwich. She lifted her head and gave Lily a glare. Lily bent her head and glanced at Iden. Ellaya understood whose craft it was. She got up and walked out without taking a sip of her coffee or a bite of her breakfast. Iden got up as well and trailed behind her. Lina and Lily were staring at them as if they were the weirdest people ever to walk the planet.She sat in the car and gave James the order to drive, but Iden sat down next to her before he could revved the engine."Ain't you accompanying M
Without taking her eyes off of him, Ellaya managed to break free from him she stepped back, averting her gaze from Iden again, before turning to open the door as Austin stood grinning and holding a bouquet. Iden glanced at him and then at Ellaya, furrowing his brows and puckering his lips before turning and walking away.Austin brought Ellaya a bouquet, which she put in a vase before going outside with him. "Who was that man?" While seated in the driver's seat, Austin inquired."He is Mr. Raun's assistant". She answered while glancing at his room's window.He gave her a frown but said nothing. "What is wrong?". She asked, flinching her eyes at him."Somewhere, I think I may have seen him?""Where?""I am not sure, I mean I cannot recall right now, let's go and forget about him". He cranked the engine and made no further attempt to bring up the subject.She was greeted by the group of hotel's managers and all of his hotel employees in an upscale hotel." Welcome, Miss Stone, we ar
"What" he gripped her tighter "Ellaya, this is the first time someone has touched you, which is why you are feeling this way. It is fine, everything will be fine; you will get used to it." He held her face and attempted to kiss her, but was thrown to the ground before he could even do so.Iden took hold of his color, pulled him, and punched him once more.HOW. DARE. YOU. MOTHER. FUCKER . Kapow, he struck him, furious.Austin regained consciousness after a moment and struck him in the chest, causing him to stumble back. As Iden's shadow bodyguard pointed their gun at Austin from a distance, he lifted his eyebrows and motioned for them to stay out of his way. Austine charged him once more, grinning and wiping the blood from his lower lip, but Iden blocked the blow and struck instead. "Did you not hear what she said?" KAPOW"She does not want you to touch her you mother fucker" . KAPOW"She does not want to marry you a fucking bastard". KAPOW"How the fuck you dare touch her, you fucki
Ellaya woke up the following morning to her phone ringing nonstop. Glancing away from her sleep, she extended her hand to grab her phone. Her phone exploded as soon as she pressed the green button, and a sharp voice called out from the other side "Ellaya, how did it happen and why were you not in contact with us last night?" Her mother's stern voice sounded in her ear, confusing her. "Mama, what happened and what I did not tell you?" her confused brows knit."Oh my sweetheart, I know you do not want your parents to worry, but please don't; everything will work out just fine. I wish I could be with you right now.""Mama..." she was interrupted."You are a star; you just need to control your image. It is okay, my darling, do not cry so much."Ellaya was staring at her phone, unable to make sense of what her mother was saying or what was happening. Her voice came through as she put her phone back to her ear."Austine's parents will be arriving shortly, so you can go and relax.Oh, my s
"Ellaya, are you ready?" Iden grabbed her arms and looked at her, concerned.Ellaya nodded her head and pressed her lips firmly. Two women assisting her in handling her gown, and the other two helping her with her microphone.Her naturally purple hair, worn loose, complemented her purple long gown perfectly, bringing out the brilliant purple in her eyes. Iden told her that she looked like the most beautiful woman in the world and forbade her from using any artificial lenses or makeup to cover up her natural skin tone and hair colors. Her pink skin was glowing with a hint of shiny makeup. And there she stood looking like a goddess."Ellaya" Iden said, gazing into her purple eyes, "You do not have to be nervous okay.""All I am worried about is that they might think I am endorsing a cartoon character at this charity event, or that they might throw tomatoes and rotten eggs at me for looking like a purple princess". Ellaya repeated her statement nth time while biting her inner cheek.Iden
She turned to look around; she could only hear screams and loud footsteps in the empty hallway. She slowly walked while holding her gown and trying to make sense of what was going on. The farther she walked, the more distinct the creams and heavy footsteps were. She looked around for people but was unable to locate even one. She picked up her pace quickly but was startled by a burning smell that she could not identify. She was terrified and wanted to enter the party hall, but a thick cloud of smoke obscured her vision, making it feel burning. She wondered where the cloud of smoke was coming from as she turned to look at her left and saw a huge flame shoot out of one of the guest rooms. She felt the flames roar angrily towards her face and fell down with a scream, avoiding a near-death experience. She realized the hotel was on fire, she broke out into a cold sweat "The hotel is on fire, shit, shit, oh god, please save us". She muttered. She knew she had to flee, but her body w
His phone had rung multiple times previously, but he had decided to ignore it and watch her perform. After she finished, he left and went outside to the garden, where he lit a cigarette and dialed the number. Kaito had been explaining to him how the Russian mafia had invaded their territory; during the attack, over ten soldiers were killed, but they were able to capture three of their men alive, who were now in his custody. "How much time will it take, man?" Frustrated, Kaito asked"Do not kill them in your fret already, Kai, keep them alive until I return".Moments passed in silence before Kaito answered, "Yes."He was aware of Kaito's prolonged silence, which was likely an attempt to maintain composure. He loved his people the most, and his weakness was that he could not keep his cool; he lost it easily. Kaito was a short-tempered and ignorant individual. He needed to finish his business here and return as soon as possible if he did not want Kaito to kill them and rush to the Rus
The hand under his trembled slightly, her eyelashes flicked. Iden's body stiffened, rigid, and his heart throbbed violently. He clenched his hand, his eyes focused on her. Her eyes weren't focused, but she slowly opened them and tried to say something. "Laaya," he whispered. Finally, the tear he had been holding back fell down his cheeks, and he didn't even realize it. "Iden," she spoke softly. Her eyes were still not focused and fluttered twice before she finally shut them again. "Ellaya," he called out, his voice laced with panic. The doctors rushed in. "She... she just opened her eyes," he said anxiously, gently rubbing her hand. "Don't worry, Mr. Ruan. She's out of the coma now," the doctor reassured him. Iden exhaled deeply, nodding silently, his gaze fixed on her pale face and the steady rise and fall of her breaths. Every passing moment felt like agony to him. Guilt, a sensation foreign to him until now, gnawed at his insides, tormenting him with every breath. At
Iden returned to the hospital, his clothes clean and looking noble and handsome, as if the accident meant nothing and was just a passing moment. But the scrapes on his knuckles hinted at a fierce battle he had fought, as if he had gone through hell and back. He pushed open the door, and the sight still stung his eyes, hurting him like hell. His footsteps were light on the floor as he approached her bedside. Sitting down beside her, his fingertips touched her. She was pale and warm against his skin, still unconscious, still in a coma. He caressed her cheeks, noting the bandages on her head and the faint marks of several small cuts. "I am sorry, princess. I should have done better," he whispered, his voice cracking with sheer emotion. He had beaten the shit out of the person who caused her condition, but the flame in his heart still burned fiercely, and he knew why. If only he had not allowed her to sit in the car and wait for her death. If only he had never left. But he knew th
Ellaya was taken to the emergency room, leaving Iden waiting outside, surrounded by doctors and nurses. He was injured and still bleeding but was hell-bent on not getting treated until he was sure she was mended. "Iden, you need to wrap up your wound first," Annabel said, clasping his shoulder and squeezing lightly to ground his lost soul. Iden sat on a chair, his fingers clasped together, head hung low, legs spread apart. His shirt was dyed with red and dark blood, not only his. He was amidst a quest for revenge, yet here he was, tortured by the woman he sought vengeance upon. His eyes flicked toward the operating room, and his fingers tightened. His lips stretched in a straight line, and his eyes were bloodshot. The cold metal gate stared back at him as if mocking him. Inside, Ellaya was surrounded by doctors and nurses. Each moment stretched like an eternity, piercing him like a knife cutting through his very soul. Kaito stood in the corner, arms folded, eyes fixed on his brothe
Iden gently lifted Ellaya out of the wreckage, holding her close as he carried her away from the burning car. Ellaya felt delicate and weightless in his arms, her skin warm to the touch. Despite the searing heat from the flames, Iden pressed on without hesitation. His sole purpose was to ensure Ellaya's safety. Ellaya, can you hear me?" he gasped, his voice trembling with fear and anxiety as he hurried to a safe distance, Annabel right beside him. His heart raced in his chest as he rushed away from the burning wreckage, holding Ellaya close. Each step felt like a race against time, every movement fueled by desperation and a fierce resolve to save her. Ellaya's body seemed so delicate and weightless in his arms, her skin radiating warmth against his own. Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, meeting his gaze with a hint of recognition before gently closing again. "Stay with me, Ellaya," he murmured, his words thick with emotion. "Please, stay with me." Tears welled up, clouding
Sitting rigidly in the car, Ellaya watched in horror as her husband, holding her best friend, jumped out, leaving her utterly alone in the speeding vehicle. Her face lost all color, and her body shivered uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her cheeks like raindrops, and her grip tightened around the car seat as fear crept into her bones, sending chills down her spine. Her fingers trembled as she grabbed the handle of the car door, contemplating jumping out to save her own life. But as if something shifted within her, she dropped the idea. She retreated, folding her legs to her chest and hugging them tightly, hiding her face between her knees as if shielding herself from impending harm. She felt cold and numb, her mind unable to process anything but her past—her abusive and manipulative parents, her struggles in childhood to live a normal life, her desperate craving for parental love, and then Iden, who had entered her life like a sweet melody. Everything had seemed surreal at th
Iden's knuckles turned white as he cranked the wheel at the upcoming bend, but the car careened ahead, unyielding to his desperate pressure on the brakes. An unfamiliar terror clawed its way up his chest, betraying the battle-hardened warrior within him. This wasn't a battlefield with enemy fire; this was a different kind of war, one where his allies' lives hung precariously in the balance. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his jaw clenched in determination, and his eyes widened with raw fear, a stark contrast to the steely resolve usually etched on his face. Iden had always been a warrior, unflinching in the face of battles and bullets, his resolve unwavering even in the shadow of death. Yet today, a different kind of fear seized him, one that clawed at his insides with icy fingers. It was not his own life he feared for, but for the women who stood beside him. The weight of the promise he had made to his dear friend pressed down on him, a solemn vow to protect Annabel at all costs.
Ellaya wiped her tears as she exited the washroom, trying to regain her composure. Her eyes were red and puffy, evidence of the emotional storm she had just endured. She took a deep breath, hoping to steady herself, when she was suddenly startled by a voice. "Hello, rockstar." The deep, husky male voice came from the shadows. Ellaya looked up, her eyes narrowing. The man seemed familiar, but she couldn't place him. He had long hair tied neatly, and he was extremely handsome. "Had a rough night, I see?" The voice carried a hint of mockery. Ellaya saw the man leaning against the wall, arms crossed and smirking at her. His dark eyes seemed to pierce right through her, making her feel even more vulnerable. She tried to mask her emotions, but the pain was still evident in her eyes. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. Kaito pushed himself off the wall and took a step closer, his smirk never wavering. "Just here to enjoy the party, like everyone else. B
Fuck the marriage. Fuck the damn woman Fuck this feeling. It was the fifth bottle of whiskey—maybe rum or vodka, who knew? The burn, the goddamn burn, was still there. He tried to soothe it with alcohol, but the more he drank, the more the unbearable fire engulfed him. It was an inferno that never dimmed, swallowing him whole. His coat jacket was thrown somewhere in the corner, necktie dangling loosely, shirt buttons ripped and lost. His disheveled hair mirrored his total mess of a state. His phone rang, and for a second, he wished it was her—the woman who had turned his world upside down. At first, he married her for revenge, to show her what poverty felt like, to make her realize the sting of broken trust, to leave her surrounded by people yet utterly alone in darkness. To make her feel heartbreak. But now, whatever was happening was totally different from what he had planned. He didn't know when and how he had fallen into the dark grave he had dug for her. Not only was sh
Ellaya moved with deliberate grace, the clinking of dishes softly counterpointing the morning stillness. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room, mingling with the scent of warm pastries. Iden's gaze bore into her, his body tense, betraying the storm brewing within. As he sipped his coffee, the ceramic cup clinked against the saucer, harsh against the quiet tension. His eyes, dark pools of emotion, followed her with an intensity that made her skin prickle with unease. The silence between them was heavy with unspoken words, each gesture laden with meaning. After their latest confrontation, he didn't leave the house. Instead, he sought refuge in the guest room. Anger boiled inside him, driving him to smash everything in sight. Despite hating to waste money, he took out his frustration on the furniture. Each blow was intense, showing his inner turmoil. The room echoed with his destruction. From the adjacent bedroom came muffled cries, fueling his rage even more. Breaki