Nobela ni Ruth Benneth

Daniel’s POV A rumbling groan slipped past my chest. I still couldn't wrap my head around why she was in desperate need of such a huge amount of money. Yes. I felt terrible for asking for this even though she was under so much pressure, but I couldn't help it anymore. Sex with Annabel used to be filled with lovemaking, at least for me. I had no idea if I ever meant anything to her then. But not anymore. All I wanted from her was to fill up the desire burning inside me, even though I still felt something for her. I glanced at Annabel. Her palm was still open, waiting for my reply. “Fine,” I murmured. “But you will have to do anything I ask of you here.” She swallowed hard. Her eyes moved around mine. “Okay…” That was all I wanted to hear from her. If she was going to continue acting like I meant nothing but a transaction to her, then I would have to treat her like every other random girl I’d had a fling with. My eyes studied her, deliberating if she would be able to handle w

Annabel’s POV As soon as we got outside the building, he jacked me as if I weighed nothing. His arm was wrapped tightly around my waist, pressing my ass hard against his shoulder. Half of my body fell against his back while my leg kicked against his temple. Even with all my struggles, setting myself free from him was impossible. “Daniel, let me go right now!” I kept hitting him on his back, but he did not stop for any reason until we reached his car. Leo ran around and opened the door before Daniel threw me in, and I found myself falling so hard into the seat. The drive was quick and silent, with me struggling with my breath, cursing him in my mind while Daniel kept scrolling his tablet, pretending I didn't even exist. After we arrived at his place, he still carried me until we were in his room. My breaths grew heavier, every muscle within me throbbing as I fought to break free from his grip. “Get your filthy hands off me!” I fired before he bounced me on the bed. He sucked

Annabel’s POV After I had left Stephanie’s office, I felt so helpless, with no idea what my next move would be. I was still struggling to figure out how to make up money to clear my dad’s debt, now this? I have an enemy that I know nothing about who is ready to hurt me by all means. Why on earth is my own life always difficult? From Stephanie’s office, I decided to go and see Lucian. Maybe he could be of help. My heels dragged lazily across the marble floor, too weak to carry the weight of my trembling body. I could still see other staff stop to gossip as I passed them. I should be questioning them to know the reason behind it. But no. I was too weak to even lift a finger, let alone talk too much. Whatever they had been saying about me shouldn't bother me, my priority now was to figure out how to save my dad, then I would think about my own safety later on. On getting to Lucian’s office, I was about to turn the door handle to open it when he opened it instead, and our bodies

Annabel’s POV I wanted to. God, I wanted to throw everything out and tell him the truth. Every single detail. But the image of my father… Fiona’s look… how she would take all this when she finds out the truth, and then there is Daniel. He would never forgive me for making him believe we have a future, only to discover that I knew we were siblings and had been hiding it from him. The thought of what the news headline would look like kept replaying in my head: “Daniel Stroke, the second richest bachelor in New York, is rumored to be in a relationship with his stepsister.” Daniel stared at me, searching, as if trying to dig the truth out of my skin with just his eyes. Finally, he swiped the phone to answer the call, but he put it on loudspeaker so I could hear whatever it was. “Leo, what’s the update?” he asked, standing rigid, one hand in his pocket, his back half turned to me. “We lost him, sir.” Leo’s voice was faint on the other end. Daniel’s eyes flew open, his jaw tighteni

Daniel’s POV All my life, I have never been this scared. At one point, I thought I had lost her forever. The moment Leo informed me about her being in danger, my throat sank into my chest, every thought of something worse flashing through my mind. But watching her lean on my chest now, too weak yet looking peaceful, gives me a strange sense of calm. Leo pulled over in the garage, and in a flash, I scooped Annabel into my arms and carried her until we were inside my room. Gently, I laid her on the bed, believing she was fast asleep, only for her hand to coil around my wrist, gripping too tightly, just as I turned to leave. “Don’t leave, please,” she whispered. I turned and walked back to her, sitting at the edge of the bed. I could still see how terrified she was from the incident that had just happened. “Please, stay with me. I’m scared.” She whispered. I couldn’t even say no. How could I? No matter how hard I try to convince myself to hate her, there is still this spot in

Daniel’s POV My gaze remained fixed on the spot where Annabel had walked through, every part of me aching to go after her. Something was definitely wrong, not just the glass of drink that she hardly finished. I saw it. Her eyes, when she dropped the glass… it felt like she was drowning in a shallow depth. Struggling to act brave, but I could see through her. That drink was not just a normal one. Leo came inside the room, his eyes searching every corner before landing on me. With a sharp step, he was standing beside me. He leaned over, sounding urgent. “Boss, I think Annabel might be in trouble,” he whispered. I jolted out of the sofa that I was resting on, standing up to make my move out in search of her when Stephanie held me back. “Daniel, the main fun is about to start.” Feigning concern, she took turns glancing between Leo and me, acting like she had no idea about whatever was going on. But I already knew it. She had a hand in everything that had been happening t