LUCIANO.I sat on the edge of the couch, my phone clutched so tightly in my hand that my knuckles ached. It had been hours—hours—since Eloise headed home , and she wasn't back yet . This past few days has been hostile between the both of us but I seriously wasn't expecting her to decline my offer to driver her home. The triplets were scattered around me, their small voices filling the empty air, but none of their words could drown out the anxiety eating at me. It wasn't safe out there. Especially for her. "Daddy, when’s mommy coming home?" Nicole asked, his small brow furrowed as he tugged at the sleeve of my shirt. His voice was the soft, sweet sound of a child’s curiosity, but I could hear the worry there, too. . "I’m not sure, buddy," I said, forcing a smile, though it felt like it cracked when it reached my lips. "She’s probably just stuck in traffic. You know how that goes."But I didn’t believe it. Eloise always checked in. Always. She'd text me that she's stuck or she'd be
LUCIANOI quickly untied the apron around my waist and headed to the sitting room. "How many I help you" I barely spoke out loud. My heart slammed against my ribcage. my grip tightening on the phone until my knuckles turned white. The kids were watching me with wide, innocent eyes, their earlier laughter replaced by curiosity and unease. "Her car is in a very bad shape" the man said from the other end “Is she okay?” I managed to ask, my voice low but tight. My free hand curled into a fist at my side, every nerve in my body bracing up. “There’s been an accident,” the officer said, his tone still too calm, too clinical. “She’s been taken to St. Mary’s Hospital.”For a moment, the words didn’t fully register. An accident? Eloise? It felt like my brain short-circuited, refusing to comprehend what I’d just heard. "Is she—" My voice broke, and I cleared my throat, forcing the words out. "Is she... alive?"“She’s stable,” Officer Harris said quickly, though the weight in his voice se
ELOISEI could neither see nor move. I couldn't even speak nor make body gestures. My eyes felt impossible to open like it was glued together with something that is now burning my eyes from the inside. "Eloise?" Someone touched my hands with their warm fingers. "Can you hear me Eloise?" the voice was feminine and kind. It sounded like it was an echo from a very far empty distance. "You've got to get up already Ma'm" she said and I couldn't feel her fingers on me anymore. "Your husband is here to see you" that sounded wrong I have a husband? I tried to picture his face in my head but it was blank. What the hell happened to me?"I'm sorry but she's still not responding yet.. She probably might not survive this" the female voice sighed. I felt like screaming at her , like telling her I was awake, healthy probably, and Alive! But my mouth wasn't helping. It just won't open for the voice to escape ."Three months in the hospital for heavens sake and she still won't wake up? Everyone
ELOISE.“Will Mom remember me?” an impertinent girl’s voice demanded, and I strained to open my eyes. The pain had reduced probably due to some kind of medication, but I couldn’t move my mouth still. My tongue felt thick and tasted awful, my eyelids were too heavy to open and I had no sense of my sorrounding. The only thing I knew knew was that I'd floated in and out of this state of semiconsciousness with my mind a jumbled blur. However, I wanted to see my daughter. I fought to lift a lid but couldn’t.“Of course your mother will remember you,” a woman said softly, her sharp, staccato footsteps snapping loudly as she approached the bed, the soft chink of jewelry accompanying the scent of that same elusive perfume. It was probably my mother in-law. her cologne was familiar. “Don’t worry.”“But she looks terrible.” The girl said again—my daughter. “I thought she’d be better by now.”“She is, but it just takes time, Giana. We’re all going to have to be patient. Do you want
LUCIANO "she's going to be fine. I assure you. Eloise can't die easily" "That’s just one theory.” Alex took a drag “The police and insurance companies are looking into it. I had the highway shut down. they said The vehicles never hit each other, at least that’s what they think. Eloise's Benz ended up off one side of the road, then semi further down the hill on the opposite side. both ended up smashed into trees, but you know what I think? It wasn't an accident. The truck driver sacrificed himself. ”“Damn,” I muttered underbreath. “Poor bastard.Alex snorted his agreement. “There’ve been detectives all over the place, asking everyone questions, waiting for Eloise to wake up and tell her side of the story.” He scowled darkly at the waters lapping in the bay.“She could be charged with negligent homicide, I suppose, if... She does pull through and wakes —”“If, Alex? If? She’s the strongest, most determined woman I know. She’ll make it. For Christ sakes, don’t put her in the grav
LucianoI spent the rest of the night staring out at the rain-drenched cityscape from my penthouse. The lights of Portland blurred behind the steady downpour, but I wasn’t seeing any of it. My mind was locked on Eloise, on the tubes and machines keeping her alive, on the bruises Alex said covered her delicate skin. I poured myself another glass of bourbon, the amber liquid burning my throat as it went down. Damon had always been a thorn in my side, a constant shadow that refused to disappear. When I came into Eloise’s life, she had just begun piecing herself back together after her divorce from him. She never spoke of him often, but I didn’t need her to spell it out for me. The way her shoulders tensed at the mention of his name said enough. He’d broken her, stripped her of her confidence, and left scars no one could see. And now, the man who had torn her apart once was keeping me from her. He was controlling access to her hospital room, spinning the narrative to make it look like
LUCIANO“Breaking news this morning,” the anchor began, her tone perfect “A video has surfaced showing Damon , the CEO of GED . Today, exactly five years ago, the grand inauguration of GED, the largest construction company in Italy took an unexpected turn when a dramatic altercation unfolded before cameras. What should have been a celebration of corporate achievement became a scandal that has left the media abuzz.As the ceremony began in GED’s grand event hall, an uninvited woman pushed her way through security, claiming to be the CEO’s wife. Witnesses say the woman, later identified as Eloise Huxley, was visibly distraught and holding what appeared to be important documents. Her arrival caused a stir among the distinguished guests, all of whom were gathered to honor the new ownership of the company.However, what happened next shocked everyone. The CEO, Mr. Damon publicly denied any connection to her, addressing her as his ex-wife and accusing her of clinging to an ‘illusion.’ In a
LUCIANO“Damn it, Eloise, what the hell happened?” I gasped. Shaking my head in disbelief. it was as if her situation got worst or maybe because she hadn't got surgery done when I saw her last. No matter how wretched she looked right now, in a drab cotton gown that she would have disdained as a rag, I had to remember the woman within. “How the hell did you end up here?” I whispered but I got no response. Behind her lids, her eyes moved. Wasn’t she supposed to be in a coma? The hairs on the back of my neck rose. “Eloise?” I whispered, his throat nearly closing on her name. “El?”Slowly, as if with all the effort in the world, her eyes opened a crack and then wider. She stared straight at me. My heart jolted.She squinted, blinked, but continued to keep me in her line of vision.“I thought you . . . I’d better call a nurse or a doctor.” my knuckles turned white as I gripped her bedShe lifted a hand to touch mine and struggled to speak, but her lips moved over teeth that were lac
DAMIEN POVWe moved quickly, staying low, and taking cover behind the nearest warehouse. My heart thudded in my chest, but I didn’t let it show. Every muscle was coiled with anticipation. Eva was close. I could feel it. And I was going to make sure Marcus didn’t get away with what he had done.I signaled to Marco to take the left side, while I led the team to the right, the area where Marcus’s phone had been traced to. The building was run-down, the kind of place where people went to disappear. But this wouldn’t be where Marcus disappeared. This was where his story would end.I couldn’t let him hurt Eva.As we closed the distance, I signaled to my men to stay alert. I was just a few feet from the entrance when I heard a noise. It was a slight scuffle followed by a faint whimper. It was enough to make my blood run cold. Eva.I moved forward, silently, my hand on the grip of my gun, eyes scanning for any sign of Marcus. There was no room for error. We couldn’t risk a standoff. We had t
DAMIEN"No,’ Chairman Huxley said. ‘We found out late tonight. A call came through, and the man on the phone threatened to kill Eva if the FBI or the cops are brought in.I need your help,’ he said, appealing to me ‘I have to get my daughter back safely.I clenched my fist. Marcus just doesn't know the boundaries that are not meant to be crossed. How dare he kidnap my wife in my absence. He didn't even try to be anonymous. He fucking told her father he was Marcus. Which means he has so much guts and no fear. "Well, ‘this is unusual. Of course, I understand the situation, and if you wish to pay him in that fashion, I can arrange it. However, I never recommend paying kidnappers and, believe me, I’ve had my share of threats.’‘What would you do?’ Chairman Huxley asked."I wouldn’t call in the FBI, they’re useless,’ I said. ‘I have my own people who use the latest technology. When he phones again, we can put that into action."He’s calling tomorrow at 10 a.m.""Where?""L.A.," Chairma
Eva.Finally I got it. This was no joke.When I’d started to struggle with the short man, he’d run out of the room, slamming the door in my face and locking it so I couldn’t get out.Shit! I thought, looking around. I really am a captive.There were no windows, a stone floor, a big old heavy door, a rickety cot with a stained mattress in the corner, an old blanket and a bucket.I'm screwed.How had this happened?I shut my eyes for a moment, trying to summon all the strength I could. Don’t panic, A little voice whispered in my head. Stay calm. You will get out of this.The short man with the pop eyes had tried to force some pills into my mouth. I’d kicked him in the balls and the pills had scattered on the ground. If I’d been quicker, I might have reached the door before him, but he was fast for such an unfit-looking man. Strong and smelly, too. I wrinkled my nose in disgust.Kidnapped. It seemed like a plot from a movie. No wonder I felt so sick, they’d obviously used somethi
A year later.Brenda's pov"From the moment we met, I liked you. I think about you all the time and I even dreamt about you at night. I know this might seem sudden but I don't think I can wait any longer"I smiled. Watching Micheal from across the table in the fancy exquisite restaurant. He knelt on one knee and brought a ring box out of his jacket pocket, the velvet catching the soft candlelight between us. My breath hitched as he opened it to reveal a delicate diamond solitaire, shimmering like a secret under the stars."Will you marry me?" he asked, with a low earnest voice , his eyes locked on mine like I was the only person in his world.For a heartbeat, the whole restaurant seemed to fade away the clink of glasses, the low hum of conversation, even the soft classical music floating through the air. All I could see was him, his trembling hand, and the hope in his eyes.Tears welled up before I could stop them. Not because I was surprised—but because I had waited so long to hear
Eva I woke up two weeks later “Eva, come home right now.”The urgency in my father’s voice froze me in place. I dropped my phone and rushed out, not even bothering to change out of Damien's pajamas. Yes his own because they are bigger and thicker and the weather is just damn too cold. Within seconds, I was behind the wheel of my Land Rover, tearing down the road, my heart pounding with worry.This wasn’t like Chairman Huxley. My father never called like that—never sounded that rattled. A thousand thoughts flooded my mind, each worse than the last. Was he sick again? Had something happened? I imagined him on the bed whimpering about how he loves me and that I should take care of myself. Oh God! I dreaded that thought. I must agree that the worst part of having parents is watching them grow old I parked haphazardly in front of the house, not caring that the tires weren’t straight or that I’d blocked part of the driveway. Kicking the door open, I ran up the stairs, two s
EvaThis isn’t what I was expecting at all. Ever since I got back, I’ve been starving myself. Not on purpose, okay, maybe a little out of pride. I've texted Damien for his address so I can easily order something to eat but he won't reply and I wasn't going to call him Gosh I literally haven’t eaten a single thing today and I slept off only to wake up by past 11pm. my stomach is punishing me for my negligence. The growling is so loud it could probably summon the dead. I tried to sleep, I really did, but the hunger pangs were too painful to ignore.It was too late to order anything. No restaurants will be open for delivery. So I was left with the one option I always end up taking a midnight snack.I tiptoed to the kitchen like a thief, praying not to wake anyone. The first time I tried this at home, Chairman Huxley nearly turned my head into a pancake with a frying pan. He thought I was a burglar. I still don’t understand why he chose a frying pan of all things. What if
Eva’s POV“What am I doing? Seriously?” I asked, trying not to let the irritation in my voice rise too much. His cold tone had sparked an ache I couldn’t quite describe. I only wanted to celebrate with him, to share in his moment and maybe, just for a second, pretend there was something real between us.But apparently, even pretending was asking too much.The audience hadn’t picked up on the tension between us yet. We were both still smiling like a picture-perfect couple. All fake. All for show.“You should stop acting up, Eva,” Damien muttered under his breath, though his smile remained intact, perfectly sculpted for the cameras that wouldn’t stop clicking. "Or else I will do this" He pulled me closer, his arm tightening around my waist as if this moment actually meant something. His lips cut mine I was so flustered by the sudden kiss . What was he doing. This is going overboard To the watching world, we were the romantic headline of the week: Office Romance Goals—The Alexa
Eva's POV"Get up."The deep voice cut through my sleep. Blinking my eyes open, I saw Damien standing in front of me. My surroundings felt unfamiliar—this wasn’t the plush hotel suite we’d stayed in the night before."Where…?" I began to ask, startled and confused. I felt embarrassed to be so disoriented.“We’re back in the States. Now get up. The car is already waiting,” Damien said, his tone sharp and devoid of warmth.Back in the States? My mind raced. I didn’t remember boarding a plane, let alone arriving here. The last thing I recalled was collapsing into bed, exhausted from the gala night. We were supposed to stay for two weeks, not just one. So why the sudden change?I covered my face with my hands, trying to wake up fully—and to hide the panic rising inside me. Something didn’t feel right.“Come on! I have things to do,” Damien snapped, grabbing my wrist and dragging me toward the exit. I stumbled down the stairs, still groggy and struggling to keep up with his long strides.W
Eva’s POVThe suite was quiet . The kind of silence that presses against your ears, heavy and watchful. I stared at the three dresses laid out on the bed, each more extravagant than the last. velvet. Midnight blue silk. Gold sequins.All picked by Damien not me. Apparently, even my wardrobe was part of the arrangement.I chose the midnight blue one. It was elegant but simple, the kind of gown that didn’t scream for attention, but still turned heads. As I stepped into the walk-in closet and zipped it up, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.My makeup was flawless. My hair swept into soft waves. I looked… expensive. But I didn’t feel that way.Not when my heart was still sore from this morning. Not when I still heard Damien’s voice in my head like a cruel echo. “After the divorce, I doubt I’ll even remember your face.”I grabbed the silver heels from the box on the wardrobe and slipped them on just as the door creaked open.Damien stepped in.He wore a black tux, with a dark bo