Novel-novel oleh Gafwrites

AVA MAXWELL’S POVThe first thing I registered was the weight.It was a heavy, comforting pressure draped over my waist; a thick, muscular arm that anchored me to the mattress. Then came the heat, radiating from the solid wall of chest pressed against my back. And finally, the scent sandalwood, musk, and the faint, lingering metallic tang of the cool night air clinging to his skin.Jerome was back.I didn’t open my eyes immediately. I lay there in the quiet of the morning, letting the reality of his presence wash over me. For the last twenty-four hours, waking up had felt like a punishment, a return to a world where my marriage was crumbling and my husband was a stranger. But today… today the air felt different. The crushing heaviness of betrayal was gone, replaced by a tentative, fragile peace.He hadn’t cheated. The boy wasn’t his.I shifted slightly, and Jerome’s arm tightened instantly, a reflex even in his sleep. He pulled me closer, burying his face in the crook of my neck, his

JEROME’S POVThe Los Angeles night air was cool, but inside the cabin of the blacked-out SUV, the atmosphere was suffocatingly hot, charged with the static electricity of my own rage.I gripped the steering wheel with hands that I forced to remain steady. My knuckles were white, the leather creaking under the pressure. I wasn’t driving fast. I wasn’t weaving through traffic like a maniac. I was driving with the precise, terrifying calm of a man who knows exactly where he is going and exactly what he is going to do when he gets there.Beside me on the passenger seat, my phone sat face up. The screen was dark, but the PDF of the negative DNA test result was burned into my mind.0.00%.Innocent.I was innocent of the betrayal my wife had feared, but I was guilty of something else: complacency. I had allowed myself to get comfortable. I had allowed myself to believe that the wars of the past were over, that with Autumn and Damian dead, the threats to my family had been neutralized. I had

JEROME’S POVThe silence in the east wing was heavy, a physical weight that pressed against my chest and made every breath a conscious effort. Outside the uncurtained windows, the sky had shifted from the harsh brightness of the afternoon to the bruised purples and greys of twilight, marking the passage of time in a slow, agonizing crawl.I hadn’t moved from my spot on the floor. My back was pressed against the drywall, my legs extended in front of me, numb from the hard surface. But I couldn’t bring myself to shift, to seek comfort. Comfort felt like a luxury I didn’t deserve, not while my entire world hung in the balance.Across from me, Ava was sleeping.She had collapsed against the opposite wall hours ago, her body finally giving in to the exhaustion of grief. She was curled into a tight ball, her knees pulled to her chest, her cheek resting on her arm. Even in sleep, her face was etched with pain, her brow furrowed, her lips parted slightly as she took shallow, uneven breaths.

Ava gasped. “Vane? The man from the meeting? The one who sent the flowers?”“Yes,” I said, my voice hardening. “He hired her. He paid for the lawyer. He probably paid a surgeon to alter that boy’s eyes or found a lookalike. It was a corporate hit, Ava. He wanted to destroy my credibility. He wanted to crash the stock. But most of all… he wanted to break us. He wanted to separate you from me so he could pick off the company piece by piece.”The realization hit her like a physical blow. The color returned to her cheeks, flushed with anger and relief.“He did this?” she whispered, her voice rising. “He made me think… he made me doubt you?”“He tried,” I corrected.Ava let out a sob.She launched herself at me.I caught her, wrapping my arms around her waist as she buried her face in the crook of my neck. She clung to me, her fingers digging into my shoulders, her body shaking with the force of her weeping.“I’m sorry,” she cried into my shirt. “I’m so sorry, Jerome. I should have trusted

Jerome's POVI signaled Dr. Marcus.He stepped forward with the swabs and the needles."I want blood," I said. "Saliva is too easy to fake. Blood."Elena gasped. "He's just a baby! You can't stick him with a needle!""It's a prick," I said coldly. "He'll survive."I watched like a hawk. I watched Marcus clean the boy's arm. I watched the needle go in. I watched the boy cry—a sharp, high-pitched wail that twisted something uncomfortable in my gut. I hated hearing it. It triggered an instinct I didn't want to have.Stop it, I told myself. He's a plant. He's a prop.But he looked so much like me.Marcus drew two vials. He labeled them in front of me. He handed one to me."I'm taking this to the lab myself," I announced."Standard procedure requires—" Blackwood started."I am the procedure," I cut him off.I turned to Elena. She was comforting the boy, whispering in his ear. She looked up at me, and for a second, the mask slipped.There was no love in her eyes. No hurt. There was only gre

JEROME’S POVThe morning light was harsh, unforgiving. It cut through the cracks in the curtains, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air and the woman sleeping beside me.Ava.She was curled on her side, facing away from me, her breathing shallow and even. One hand was tucked under her pillow, the other rested protectively over her stomach. Even in sleep, she was guarding our child—guarding him from the world, and perhaps, guarding him from me.I lay there for a moment, staring at the curve of her shoulder, the exposed skin marked by the faint, purpling bruise of my grip from last night.Guilt, sharp and acrid, coated my tongue.Last night hadn’t been lovemaking. It had been a desperate, feral attempt to stitch a gaping wound with nothing but adrenaline and lust. I had forced my way back into her bed, forced her to acknowledge that we belonged together, but as I looked at the stiffness in her posture, I knew I hadn't fixed anything.I had only bought myself time.It was imposs

FINALE..TWO WEEKS LATER.Diane has been doing all her best to avoid Stefan including ignoring his calls.Stefan had been trying to reach her for two weeks but she either claimed to be busy or ignored his calls.After several attempts to reach her, it finally went through.“ Hey.” He was currently in his office and all day he'd been grumpy because she'd refused to talk to him.“ Hey.”“ Where are you? I'm coming to pick you up right now.” He said with a calm expression.Diane took a deep breath while fidgeting with her fingers.“ I'm sorry but I'm unavailable. You don't have to come pick me up.” Diane declined and Stefan had reached his peak.“ Are you avoiding me?” He finally asked after several weeks.“ isn't it obvious?” She sternly asked and he took a deep breath while leaning against his chair.“ Why? Can you at least tell me why you have been avoiding me?” Stefan asked with a frown.He was ready to do anything to get her to open up to him. He misses her so much.“ Well I guess I

ISABELLE'S POV.I gasped as the lights came on and I was surprised at how beautifully decorated the yachtwas.“ This feels like we're on a honeymoon vacation but I love it..” I chuckled softly as I turned to him and threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly while he planted a kiss on cheeks..“ I don't mind as long as you like it.” He mumbled nonchalantly and I couldn't help but pull his cheeks playfully.“ Are you kidding? I love it..” I honestly said as I glanced at the decorated dining area.His arms tightened up around my waist as the music came on and we began moving to the rhythm.“ You're so beautiful.” He whispered as we both moved in synchronization.“ You're just as handsome as ever.” I said while maintaining eye contact with him..I was so happy I got to spend this moment with him and wanted Everything to last forever.We had some romantic moments after which we had some dessert and sat at the top watching the stars, enjoying the moment like every other person p

ISABELLE'S POV.“ Hello pretty lady, what are you doing here all alone?” He asked with his Thailand accent.“ Oh I'm waiting for my lover.” I responded without sparing him a glance but unfortunately he refused to leave.“ I see… You don't look like you're From around here, are you perhaps on vacation?” He asked as he stood beside me but before I could respond Kristen came over and if looks could kill, the stranger would have been six feet below.“ Is there a problem, love?” Kristen asked with a stern expression as he handed over the smoothie and placed his hand around my waist.“ Oh not at all.” I smiled brightly.“ Is he your lover?” The stranger asked and Kristen looked like he was about to bite his head off.“ This is my husband, Kristen.” I said and he looked kinda surprised.“ I'm so sorry, I really didn't know you were married..” he apologized but Kristen wouldn't stop glaring at him.“ Scram.” Kristen said in between clenched teeth and the stranger immediately excused himself a

ISABELLE'S POV.“ If you're done talking to her Can I have my wife back?” Kristen asked with a raised eyebrow and Dad immediately raised his hand in defeat.“ Of course. I wasn't going to drag with you anyway.” Dad scoffed and I smiled.“ Dance with me my love.” Kristen whispered in my ear as he held my hand and slid in his free hand around my waist.“ What are you up to?” I asked, seeing how he was being all sweet.“ Do you wanna run away with me for a few days?” He whispered just loud enough for me to hear and I looked at him with a confused expression.“ Let's leave now while everyone is still having fun..” He added and I couldn't help but chuckle.“ I love the excitement that it brings.” I giggled as his arm tightened up around me.“ Let's go.” He grabbed hold of my wrist and pulled me away from the crowd and headed towards the exit without drawing attention to them and right outside the mansion Richard was waiting by the car..He immediately handed the car to Kristen.“ Is everyt

ISABELLE'S POV.I took a deep breath as the event of that dreadful day played in my head.Kristen took my hand and pressed a kiss on it without saying a word.“ how did you feel when you first killed someone?” I suddenly asked while staring at our entwined fingers and he heaved a sigh.“ To be honest it wasn't as exciting as it may seem.. I'd nightmares. I was haunted by the scene of me stabbing someone to death and my hands covered in blood.” He explained and gave me a loop side smile.“ I was 17.” he added and I looked at him with a surprised expression.“ They say the first kill is always the worst and I totally understand how you're feeling, okay? You're going to be fine, I promise.” His reassuring words made me feel much better.“ I love you.” I flashed him a smile and stroked his hand gently.“ I love you more.” He whispered just loud enough for her..“ Now I want you to stop thinking about It and stop making the baby worry.” he poked my forehead and I glared coldly at him.“ St

ISABELLE'S POV.Something about how he said it made me emotional.“ I love you so much and it's crazy how I fell in love all over again.” He Chuckled at his own words as he lifted my chin with his index finger Making me stare at him while he stared down on my lips.“ Why don't we finish up where we left off?” He whispered and leaned in for a kiss which I wholeheartedly accepted.He kissed him back with the same hungry and raw need.. our lips moved in synchronization and only then did I realize how much I have missed him. How badly I'd wanted that husband who dotes on me so much.He grabbed hold of my head as our tongues fought for dominance and only the sound of our lips moving together could be heard in the quiet leaving room.He finally pulled away and rested his forehead against mine with a smile on his face.“ I love you.” I mumbled without hesitation with my palm on his cheek.“ I love you more, Mi Amor.” He planted a kiss on my hand which was on his face and made me lean against

“ Master, you need to see this..” Chairman Dellian who looked like he'd not been sleeping due to all the pressure on him suddenly sprung up and followed his butler upstairs..He'd lost a few employees because he was unable to pay them and only the ones who were still loyal to him..“ What's going on here?”He asked with a worried expression when he found a maid in front of Alex's room holding a food tray but he wouldn't open up..“ Sir Alex wouldn't open the door no matter how hard I knocked..” the maid explained and he immediately knocked on the door in front of him but got no response..Ever since they returned from the hospital, Alex didn't want anyone trying to take care of him and preferred being alone in a wheelchair in his room..No one was allowed to come inside without getting permission from him..“ Alex?” He called out to him as he knocked on his door but got nothing so left with no choice. He asked for the master keys and the butler immediately brought it out and Delian tri

“ Master, you need to see this..” Chairman Dellian who looked like he'd not been sleeping due to all the pressure on him suddenly sprung up and followed his butler upstairs..He'd lost a few employees because he was unable to pay them and only the ones who were still loyal to him..“ What's going on here?”He asked with a worried expression when he found a maid in front of Alex's room holding a food tray but he wouldn't open up..“ Sir Alex wouldn't open the door no matter how hard I knocked..” the maid explained and he immediately knocked on the door in front of him but got no response..Ever since they returned from the hospital, Alex didn't want anyone trying to take care of him and preferred being alone in a wheelchair in his room..No one was allowed to come inside without getting permission from him..“ Alex?” He called out to him as he knocked on his door but got nothing so left with no choice. He asked for the master keys and the butler immediately brought it out and Delian tri

SAMANTHA'S POV..Even though I tried so hard to hold back my tears I just couldn't stop myself as memories of us bickering all the time..“ I would always bring your grandchild to come pay you a visit, Dad..” I assured him and I broke into a smile..“ I hope you're not alone in there? You don't have to worry, okay? Damian is gonna take good care of me..” I assured him and right on que Damian returned with a calm expression..“ That's right, Mr Lee… I wanna thank you for giving such a precious gift and I promise to take good care of her so you don't have to worry..” Damian assured him and planted a kiss on my temple I couldn't help but sob…“ It's okay, Honey. “ He pulled me into his embrace and patted my back gently..After letting it all out, I decided it was time to leave..“ This isn't goodbye, Dad..” I mumbled before walking towards the exit with Damian.Damian wrapped his arms around my waist securely as we both walked towards the car.He opened for me like a gentleman before goi

SAMANTHA'S POV..A few days weeks later I was discharged from the hospital while Catty had Been discharged a week earlier..“ Watch your step, crazy lady..” Damian held my hand as we both got outta the car and began walking towards the entrance of the mansion..Even though I kept telling him I was fine, Damian wouldn't stop treating me like a fragile doll..“ You know I can actually walk on my own..” I glared playfully at him but Damian wouldn't listen as he held me all the way to the master bedroom and after which he made he sit on the edge of the bed..I couldn't help but chuckle at how cute he looked at the moment..“ Are you hungry? Is there something you want to eat?” He asked while holding onto my palm gently and I shook my head with a smile on my face..“ I don't know.. do you want to prepare something for me?” I asked with an eager smile on my face and he nodded without hesitation..“ Anything for you, my darling..” He planted a kiss on my palm and moved to a standing position

Janelle could barely stand after they were done with her..She felt disgust wash all over her body as she picked up her clothes with shaky hands and leaned against the wall as she managed to walk outta the room but she was suddenly stopped by someone wearing hospital clothings..Janelle moved backwards in fear but unfortunately for her she was surrounded immediately.“ Who are you? Stay the hell away from me!” Janelle screamed as she tried to run but of course there was absolutely no way out for her .“ Do not be afraid, miss, we're only gonna take you in for treatment..” A man in a mask Said but of course Janelle was still suspicious of them and didn't dare let her guard down but unfortunately she was suddenly caught from behind and dragged out of the building where an ambulance was waiting..“ Let me go, now!” Janelle struggled to break free from them but unfortunately she wasn't strong enough..“ Relax, it's gonna be over soon..” The man in a mask Said as they suddenly placed her i

Ramon held onto Cathy's hand the whole time as he waited for her to open her eyes and she finally did…“ Ouch… That hurts..” she grumbled as she fluttered her eyes open..“ Thank goodness you're awake..” Ramon heaved a sigh of relief..“ Am I dead? Where am I?” She asked innocent as she stared at Ramon who was dead ass worried about her..“ You're in a hospital..” He informed her and she muttered a ‘Oh’ and stared at him intensely as she began to remember everything he'd said to her ..“ Don't scare me like that,Okay?” He stroked her hair gently and planted a kiss on her forehead..“ Why?” Cathy was gonna do anything to hear him say those words to be sure she wasn't hallucinating when she heard him..“ Because I would go crazy should anything happen to you…” Ramon mumbled without hesitation.He was done playing around and was gonna own up to his feelings after what had just happened to her..The thought of losing her almost drove her insane.Cathy was about to say something again but