Chapter: Chapter 72: Catching UpThe wind outside whispered through the lodge’s shutters, brushing snowflakes against the window panes like tiny fingers asking to be let in. Annette sat on the edge of her bed in her hotel lodge. It was 9: pm, the golden light of the antique lamp beside her made everything feel a little softer, like the world was holding its breath with her. Just as she was about to switch off her bedside lamb, her screen lit up with a video call from Jane. She hesitated for a beat, wondering what time it was in New York. 2pm. She swiped to accept. The screen came alive instantly with a chorus of overlapping voices. "ANNETTE!" "There she is!" "Took you long enough, stranger." Jane’s familiar grin beamed at her. George waved from behind, half-visible, tapping on a keyboard. Cassie popped her head into the frame with wide, sparkly eyes and a fancy bonny headband. “Okay, we’re all here," Jane said, crossing her arms dramatically. "You owe us a full update. And don’t you dare hang up in twenty m
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-06-22
Chapter: Chapter 71: Greece: First Week of Light
The bar was dim and gold-lit, quiet enough for one to think, and warm enough to forget. Annette sat across from Sam, a light breeze sneaking in from the terrace doors. The scent of roasted garlic and fresh basil hung in the air. Her plate was half-finished, and her wine barely touched. She sat across from Sam, looking relaxed. Her shoulders had loosened.She had texted him a few hours after waking up. “Feel like a drink?”He replied almost instantly. “Always. Meet me downstairs?”Now here they were. His white shirt sleeves rolled up, collar open, his eyes were on her, but not for too long. He didn’t ask too many questions. Just gave her space to eat, sip, breathe.“Try the grilled octopus,” he said with a wink. “Greece will disown you if you don’t.”She rolled her eyes, smiling. “Is that a law?”“Unwritten. Like most things here.”He was easy to be with. His voice never raised, and his laughter came soft. Annette felt comfortable around him. And when she finally reached for her wine,
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-06-21
Chapter: Chapter 70: 'Little Things Count'The air in Greece tasted like sun. Light on her tongue as the wind teased loose strands of hair from her bun. Annette stood still for a moment outside the terminal, soaking it in. She hadn’t wanted to come—not at first. But Sam had insisted. He said it was good for her mental health. And now, standing here in the familiar heat, she was quietly glad.Sam spotted her before she saw him. His arms were already open when he crossed the space between them, wrapping her into a hug that went on longer than it should have. She didn't resist. She folded into it, breathed in his scent, and felt something loosen in her chest."You're here," he murmured into her hair, then pulled back and studied her face. His thumb brushed near her temple, eyes narrowing at the faint reddish bruise just above her brow."Annette..." he said, voice low and full of concern."It's fine," she lied."No, it's not." He took her hand without asking, held it gently between both of his. "What they did to you... everything
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-06-07
Chapter: Chapter 69: The Escape The living room glowed with soft lights, tinsel wrapped carefully around the bannister, a plastic tree blinking in the corner. But it felt... staged. Like someone had built a holiday set and left the heart out of it. Annette sat stiff on the couch, wrapped in a knitted shawl, her eyes blank. Cassie sat beside her, quiet, arms gently resting against Annette’s side, just to remind her she wasn’t alone. Jane came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel, George trailing behind her. “Breakfast is almost ready,” she said, voice light in a way that tried too hard. Annette nodded vaguely. George leaned down to murmur something into Jane’s ear. She gave him a look that said now’s not the time, but he caught her hand anyway and pulled her gently toward the kitchen. She followed with a sigh. Just as Jane turned on the stove, her phone buzzed on the counter. She blinked, confused, then reached over. “Hudson?” she answered softly, stepping to the side. George stood quietly nearb
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-06-05
Chapter: Chapter 68: The Fallout “No Annette, I—”"Netty, he saved you, rushed you down to the hospital, and–” Jane was cut short in her attempt to defend Hudson.“Enough of that!" Annette sat upright, fingers clutching the sheets like she needed something to tether her—something to keep her from flying apart. Her face was pale, but her eyes burned. "You didn’t save me," she whispered, voice so soft it was barely sound. "You destroyed me."The rest stood at their place, watching nervously.The hospital room was filled with silence.Hudson froze where he stood. Those words—God, those words. He'd prepared himself for a thousand possibilities. But not this. Not her looking at him like he was the ghost that haunted her own skin."Annette..." His voice cracked. He stepped forward instinctively, hands twitching like he wanted to reach for her, but stopped short. "Please—just listen—""No." She shoved herself upright with shaky limbs. The IV line tugged, but she didn’t care. "Don’t come near me.""You don’t understand," he
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-06-05
Chapter: Chapter 67: Christmas Night The hospital smelled like bleach and something colder—like metal or rain. The air was dry, and the lights were insanely bright. But as Jane and Cassie walked down the quiet corridor toward Annette's room, none of that really registered. Their hearts were too full. Too heavy. Jane kept a firm grip on Cassie’s hand. Cassie came with a backpack. Cassie sniffled beside her. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes red and swollen from crying the whole ride there. Her small frame shook with every breath.“Why does this keep happening to her?” she asked, her voice cracking in the quiet hallway. “Why is it always her? It’s not fair, Jane. She’s always the one in the hospital. She’s always the one getting hurt or sick.”Jane didn’t have an answer. She just gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I know, baby. I know.”When they finally reached the room, Jane paused with her hand on the doorknob. For a second, she couldn’t move. She was afraid of what might be on the other side. Afraid of more tubes. More
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-05-30
The Billionaire Wants me
"You're mine, cara mia. All of you…" Stephan whispered huskily into my ear. I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I could smell the faint scent of his cologne, mixed with the heady aroma of sweat and desire. His large, strong hands were wrapped around my body, one of them trailing slowly down my thigh. I felt completely consumed by him, unable to escape the heat of his touch. My heart was pounding…
“But I have a fiance." Although I was loving every moment of this, I couldn't bring myself to accept what he laid before me. “And he loves me so much, Stephan. I can't do this to him. I—”
His next response left me in bewilderment. “Shssh—” He hushed me, placing a finger across my lips. "I'll pay him off…"
••••••••
Even though I knew it was wrong, I felt my heart racing at the thought of him. I was engaged to someone else, a kind and caring college student who had always been there for me. But this man, this powerful and mysterious billionaire, had awoken something in me that I couldn't ignore. I knew that I was playing with fire, and that it could all go up in wild flames. But I was willing to take the risk, because I knew that this was something I had to explore. Every inch of it.
I had to find out what lay at the end of this dangerous path
Baca
Chapter: CHAPTER 013: *A new responsibility* After the woman left the office, Mr. Gray gestured for me to take her seat. I sat down, placing my bag on my lap. As I glanced at my watch, I realized that Marissa would be returning any minute. And yet, I hadn't been able to accomplish any of the tasks I'd set out to do that day. I felt a sense of frustration and disappointment, knowing that my day had been a waste. Mr. Gray began to peruse the documents I had brought, and I did my best to remain composed, still and silent. My eyes dropped to the floor as I waited.My mind drifted to the thoughts of all that needed to be done: visiting my mother, resigning from my job, and gathering the ingredients Arielle had requested.Time seemed too slow as I waited, fidgeting in my chair and growing impatient. ‘Why is he taking so long?’ I wondered. ‘I have so much to do!’ I couldn't help but glance up, and when I did, I was surprised to find him staring at me. It was as if he could read my every thought. I felt a flutter in my stomach, a
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-04-04
Chapter: CHAPTER 012: *Mr. Gray's Order (part 2)* I looked up and read the name on the wall, "Gray's Corporation." And my heart made a flip. I was scared to walk through that door and meet Mr Gray. I was scared of what his employees would think, seeing me deliver documents to him. "You'll find me in the parking lot," Miguel said as he got out of the car after me. The parking lot was massive, taking up a large portion of the company's grounds. There were cars parked in every row, all neatly arranged."Alright. See you later, Miguel," I said, looking around at the impressive sight. Tall trees lined the walkway, providing shade and adding to the aesthetic appeal of the place. The building itself was magnificent, rising up into the sky for over 40 floors. “I hope he's around." I muttered to myself. With my fingers crossed, I walked through the door, hoping that Mr. Gray would be at the reception office, waiting to get his documents, or that he already sent out his secretary to fetch it from me. Inside, the lobby was spacious an
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-03-09
Chapter: CHAPTER 011: *Mr Gray's Order* It was 11Am, and the house was quiet. The maids had retired to their rooms, having nothing more to do. The only sound was the ticking of the clock on the wall.I was dressing up, about to step out when someone knocked on my door. I hesitated for a while, wondering who it could be. Of course the last person I wanted to see was Azula. Ever Since the incident at the stairs, I'd tried my best to avoid her. It was too early to have clashes for the sake of my job. “It's me, Scarlett." Arielle said, pushing the door slightly open."Oh please, come in," I said with a warm smile, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "There's no need to knock," I put down the brush I had been using to smooth my hair and walked over to greet her. “Good afternoon." "Are you going somewhere?” Arielle asked, regarding me.“Yeah. There are a few things I need to get from home, before Marissa gets back." I answered, "Is there something I could help you with?”"I'm not feeling too great," Arielle said, "and
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-03-08
Chapter: CHAPTER 010:
*Marissa's wish* I woke up with a startle and checked the time. It was 7:10 AM! “What?!” I got out of bed, slipping my feet into my moccasins. I rushed out to Marissa's room. She wasn't there and her bed was made. It looked so smooth like she didn't sleep there the previous night. She wasn't in her closet either. “6 A.M,” he said." I uttered to myself as I rushed to the sitting room, fearing the worst. “Totally useless." Azula sneered as she walked past me carrying Marissa's worn clothes.I turned to look at her, until she was out of sight. “What have I done to her that she keeps making those remarks?" I wondered. "Good morning Miss Scarlett!” Marissa called and I turned to look at her. She was having breakfast at the dining table, and I could see that she was dressed for school. “Hello, Marissa." I said, grinning at her as I walked over to the table. “I can see you're dressed for school.” I said as I dragged out the nearest seat and sank into it. "You look like a Barbie princess in this dres
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-03-07
Chapter: CHAPTER 009: *Rules* “I— want to get some water." I stammered. I couldn't understand why Mr Gray's presence always made me feel so uncomfortable and self-conscious. There was something mysterious about him that made me feel this way.“I instructed you to come see me after, but you flout my order. Why is that so?” He asked, looking at me, as he drummed rhythmically on the arm of the couch. “I… I'm sorry I fell asleep.” I apologized looking away.He took a quick glance at his wrist watch. “Okay. Get whatever you want from the kitchen, meet me here, I want to speak with you for a while.” He said as he picked up his glass of water, taking a sip. I nodded, tossing back some tousled strands of hair as they slipped off, entering my mouth. “Alright Mr Gray."As I walked away, very conscious of myself, I wondered how long he had been there, probably ever since the time I got back with Marissa. ‘What kind of a human being is he?’“Damn it, why do I have to feel this way!" I cursed, leaning against the kitche
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-03-06
Chapter: CHAPTER 008:
*Midnight Call*I reached for my phone on the nightstand as it kept ringing, jolting me awake. It was the middle of the night, and I had no idea who could be calling at such an hour. As I fumbled to answer the call, I felt someone move behind me on the bed. I froze. "Where am I?" I thought to myself, trying to recall the last place I was before I fell asleep."Marissa's room?" I whispered in surprise. My eyes snapped open and I jolted up to a sitting position, grasping my phone and quickly silencing it. I looked over my shoulder to see the sleeping child who hadn't been disturbed by the noise. By now I was wide awake, my heart pounded in my chest out of fright. I adjusted, holding the phone in my hand, trying to piece together what was happening. ‘How did I fall asleep here?’ I wondered. I glanced over my shoulder at the sleeping child again, she was sleeping so soundly, seeming not to have heard the noise. "You crafty little thing," I whispered as I watched her, "You tricked me into falling asleep
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-03-06
Masuk
