I recline my body serenely on the plush bed. My garments lay discarded on the floor.
As I stood there unclothed, my skin adorned with a multitude of passionate imprints of his. My legs felt slightly slick, a lingering reminder of the passion we had just shared.
My ebony locks cascaded gracefully down my small frame, exuding an air of elegance and sophistication. All for his eyes. Although I appeared calm and composed, being in his presence still brings me nothing but a tingling thrill.
"What's the matter, Marga?"
A firm grip enveloped my delicate waist from behind. His calloused fingers caressed my skin as he skillfully reached down.
I simply adored it when Justin affectionately referred to me by that nickname of mine, especially when he whispered it gently in my ear. It seemed incredibly captivating, causing ny heart to skip a beat.
Justin's eyes fluttered open, taking in the sight of my body. Yet, his hands continued to move without pause. He was filled with an irresistible allure.
I spun around, my cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. Justin had always been incredibly talented between the sheets. The undeniable connection between us was electric. Every time, we would only pause when both of us were completely worn out.
I grasped Justin's hand, my face filled with a heartbreaking expression of innocence. "Justin, please reconsider our situation. I don't want us to end our marriage." I told him.
When he heard my words, Justin's hand froze and the desire in his eyes slowly faded away. His voice, though slightly raspy, maintained a soothing quality. "Marga, you are quite obedient, aren't you? Why are you suddenly becoming stubborn now?
"Regina has returned, you know." I respond back.
Of course I was well aware. Regina was the woman Justin longed for but could never have.
Had Regina not been the illegitimate daughter of the distinguished Hudson family, and if Madam Victoria of the Montefalco's had not set her sights on a better wife for Justin, she might have become his wife and not me.
I, on the other hand, came from a humble background, with parents who had made the ultimate sacrifice to protect Madam Victoria. My family’s history was unassuming and pure.
Madam Victoria, driven by a desire to distract Justin from his thoughts of Regina and to show gratitude to my family, the Reynes clan, for their life-saving actions, compelled Justin into a marriage with me.
Over the course of three years, I found myself swept into the world of the affluent Montefalco family, ultimately becoming Justin's devoted wife. We instantly had an exceptional connection. Yet, through these time, I had never truly captured Justin's heart. Right from the start, Justin made it clear to me that everything was merely to please Madam Victoria.
"Nothing to be afraid of my little rabbit, as long as we remain married, you will always be the one and only Mrs. Montefalco," he declared. "You are free from the clutches of bullies and no longer burdened by any grievances. Although you should be aware that we'll be parting ways in three years. When the time comes, I'll provide you with a generous amount of compensation that will ensure you a lifetime of comfortable living. Not unless you reckless spend them lavishly. I'm out of it, of course."
Justin likes to address me that way since I possessed a gentle demeanor, akin to that of a delicate white rabbit, devoid of any assertive force or intimidation.
Also, Justin usually exerted a commanding presence over me every time and I always end up being a coward rabbit clinging to him.
Justin never had any concerns about me being disobedient.
Little did he realize that my motives for marrying him were not driven by wealth. I had only married him out of a profound affection for him.
Now, my hopes were on the verge of being crushed.
“I don't wish to be separated from you, Justin.”
“Now, now, little rabbit. It will ruin my mood if you continue to be like that.”
Despite three years of kind, thoughtful, and compliant behavior in bed, Justin had not developed romantic feelings for me.
I whispered, "Justin..."
Whenever I spoke Justin's name, my voice exuded a tender and genuine affection.
“Marga, you know that for the time being I evoked a strong desire in you, in order to shield and claim you, ensuring that no one else could lay eyes on you but me alone.” Justin said, shifting the subject.
This instantly left me becoming enamored into him once again, making me completely forget what it was that was bothering me since earlier for a moment.
Justin often found himself captivated by my alluring voice and seductive demeanor, envisioning the intense pleasure he would experience in my presence.
He purposefully disregarded the frustration bubbling within him.
"What is it?" he inquired.
"I... I believe I may be expecting a child though." I summoned the bravery to speak my mind. This was my final move to hold onto to him hopeful that it would work somehow.
Surprisingly, Justin's face immediately turned serious. "What?!"
And it caused my heart raced as I hesitantly confessed, "Um...I Think I'm pregnant. I'm....we're going to be expecting a baby..."
Justin blurted out, "No. abort it. You know I won't alter my decision due to this child, and I cannot allow this child to become a nuisance to me and Regina in the future."
His statement made me fell numb. This baby was supposed to be the undeniable connection that bound us together, intertwining out lives in a way that felt almost fated.
And yet, In Justin’s opinion, it was just an eyesore to Regina. To think this is a precious life that also came from him.
Justin was such a cruel man, husband and a father.
My heart was filled with a mix of emotions, and yet I couldn't resist letting out a laugh. "Pfft!" hiding my true emotions.
"What's so funny?" Justin observed my unpredictable actions with a frustrated expression.
"I was just lying to you in order to prevent our separation actually," she confessed. My demeanor was calm, yet my heart was filled with sorrow.
"You lied to me?" Justin asked, completely naive of my true feelings.
I gave a slight nod. "Indeed. If you doubt my words, we can always visit the hospital for a thorough examination."
I was well aware that if i didn't refute the accusation, Justin might resort to extreme measures against the child. I simply couldn't believe it.
Justin appeared to breathe a sigh of relief. He was not thrilled about my pregnancy. Even if I could abort the baby inside my womb, he knew that it would still be quite a hassle.
"That's for the best. Margarette, I'd rather avoid any conflicts with Regina. If you're truly expecting a child, I can offer you an extra hundred million dollars. If you abort this child, you know very well that it will benefit you as well. It won't have any impact on you should you plan to have a second marriage."
Second marriage? I thought. I was filled with a sense of resentment hearing those from my very own husband.
And yet, I still mustered a smile. "You don't have to worry about any financial obligations, Justin. I told that I was just joking about expecting a child. If you still doubt me, I think we should consider going to the hospital for a check-up, just to address any suspicions you may still have."
Justin rose from the bed, his spirits lifting once more. He embraced me, his hands gently caressing my delicate curves. He inquired about my future plans once their marriage came to an end as he asked, “What are your plans after the divorce though?”
I then surrendered myself to his embrace, my body molding against his with a tender vulnerability. “Well, I have a strong desire to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.”
I had initially graduated with a degree in acting. After I tied the knot with Justin Montefalco, I have decided to let go of my dreams of pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.Additionally, possessing an air of innocence and irresistible charm, I've already heard that I was the object of desire for many in the entertainment industry. But of course, Justin preferred to keep his possessions out of the reach of others which was why I couldn't be able to pursue it.And since now that they were ending this marriage, there was no need for him to be so spiteful."Alright, once the divorce is finalized, I'll make sure Hector helps you get in the industry much easier," Justin said, assuring me. "With your exceptional talents, it won't be long before you achieve widespread recognition as an actress, my little rabbit." Justin Montefalco's voice exuded a touch of frostiness.He was determined to go through with it. Meanwhile, it left me torn between conflicting emotions.I couldn't be
Justin hurried his footsteps outside just as after he saw from the screen that it was Regina calling. Cautiously avoiding letting me hear whatever conversation they would have. Of course, I pretended I didn’t know it was her. Following their conversation, Justin returned and promptly headed towards the walk-in closet adjacent to our bed to get some new clothes.“Who called you just now?” I asked, pretending I was not aware it was Regina.Anyone would easily say that I look so pathetic given how I actually tried to act like it’s fine when it’s not.“There is something I need to see at the office.” Justin replied.“In this early morning?” I asked with a soft grin on my face.He was such a pretty bad liar. But even as a bad liar, I found myself always swayed by his figure that was just extremely perfect. His broad shoulders and his narrow waist. The muscles on Justin’s body were just the right amount, and he exuded sexiness. His extremely handsome appearance made him the dream lover o
It was impossible for Doctor Lou to contain her shock. My parents were her teachers. Since the time that they had passed away, Doctor Lou had received very little information regarding me.Surprisingly, upon our unexpected reunion, I found myself in the midst of marriage and pregnancy. To complicate matters further, I now had to approach her with a delicate request - to keep my impending pregnancy a secret.She asked, “Why?”“I intend to retain custody of this child even though I am divorcing my husband. I refuse to entrust this child to my husband or anyone else.” I let Doctor Lou delicately place her hand on my stomach, her eyes brimming with the tenderness of a shared motherhood."You naive young thing. It is not solely your responsibility to care for the child. Furthermore, your husband is obligated to accept responsibility of the child too. Are you aware of how challenging it can be for a woman to lead a child after she has been divorced?” Doctor Lou's heart was filled with sorr
"Oh, what a surprise to see you here as well."I greeted her with a casual smile, not showing any particular interest.Regina observed my fragile demeanor. Her attire exuded an air of elegance and sophistication, reflecting her refined taste. It appeared that Justin had been quite generous with his financial gestures towards her over the years.I can't believe as these were supposed to be mine!"Indeed, I am afflicted with leukemia. Justin went out of his way to make sure I was admitted to this hospital and assured me that they are highly skilled in treating leukemia." Regina's eyes burned with a mix of envy and animosity, yet her voice remained detached."Leukemia?" I was absolutely taken aback."Yes. According to Justin, your parents were highly knowledgeable about leukemia and had a history of working at this hospital. Thus, numerous treatments and methods have been left behind by them who worked here before." Regina couldn't help but bring up Justin in every single sentence she ut
"Yes, I am aware." Regina pressed her lips together, responding with empathy.Unable to tolerate the wait any longer, I swiftly whisked Justin away from the hospital.As soon as we reached the exclusive restaurant I had mentioned, I wasted no time in placing a generous order for multiple delectable dishes. "Duck soup, prawn meat dumplings, garlic beef bone marrow..."These dishes are packed with essential nutrients.Once I placed my order, I made sure to inquire with Justin about his culinary preferences. "What would you like to have?" I asked him."Feel free to indulge in a delicious meal. I'm not hungry," Justin replied with a distant look on his face.I couldn't help but break into a warm smile. "Of course. Would you be interested in having dinner with Regina after you have already consumed enough food to satisfy your hunger? You could consider getting a meal for her. There is no doubt that the food served at this establishment is of the highest quality.”I attempted to bear with t
"I told you, don't be too greedy!" Justin's face was filled with a deep sense of sadness.However, fear did not consume me. I was on the verge of losing it all anyway, so what was there left for me to fear?With the child growing inside me and my last bit of self-respect on the line, I was determined not to make any compromises this time."I believe we don't need to finish this meal. I already lost my apettite." I grabbed my bag, my face devoid of emotion. Justin was fully aware of the depth of my affection for him.However, he had exploited my emotions, oblivious to the fact that I would also experience heartache.Once I left the restaurant, I took a moment to collect my feelings before returning to Montefalco's ancestral home in order to see grandma.Grandma was incredibly kind and loving towards me, just like a grandmother should be. Despite my disagreement with Justin, I couldn't overlook the significance of his grandmother.In addition, grandma has been experiencing some health i
“Mother, I’m here to see Grandma. Since Grandma is going to rest. I’ll go ahead now.” Even if Justin’s mom didn’t ask, I still told her the reason why I came.As she looked at me leaving, I could still see from my peripheral view how Justin's mom glared at me with such pity.I guess I was too sensible. I hid everything inside and never complained to grandmother. And I let Justin do whatever he wanted.“Would you like to spend the night here? I asked the kitchen staff to buy wild yellow fish. It tastes good,” Justin’s mom said calmly.Although she was asking for me to stay, her attitude didn’t change at all. It was still dull that I couldn’t tell whether she was asking that to me wholeheartedly or out of force.I appreciate the effort in whatever way she must have learned about the yellowfish. Perhap, my mother-in-law was only doing this because she pitied me, her thin and fragile-looking daughter-in-law, especially after asking me to stay and have dinner with them.And I somehow appre
[MARGA’S POV]Her son was really full of nonsense!However, it would seem that none of this reasoning from Justin would ever work for his own mother. Wilma looked at him coldly. “I am not your mother for nothing, Justin. I know how poor you’re in lying, so don’t pass the blame to your wife. You’re such a disgrace!”Although Justin’s way of blaming me for not being able to provide a child yet made me shock, I was even more surprised when my mother-in-law actually refused to believe her own son. She’s a very good lawyer after all.Justin frowned. “I’m telling you the truth, mother.”“Enough, Justin. I am no fool to believe your lies.”Somehow, Justin wasn’t lying about the part where he wanted a child. However, he just didn’t want to have it with me. As a matter of fact, he didn’t want to have this marriage with me at all, which was why we’re even having this divorce. I am well aware that if they were to discover the truth about me being pregnant with his baby, Justin would undoubtedl
The rain was falling again.It always did on days like this—days that felt like endings.I stood on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the stormy waters of Anacortes, my coat pulled tightly around me, the hood shielding my face from the wind that carried the scent of salt and something older—something like goodbye.Leon stood behind me. I didn’t have to turn around to feel him there. His presence was familiar now, carved into my skin like muscle memory. He’d been my gravity, my storm, my salvation, and my ruin—sometimes all at once.“It’s really over, isn’t it?” I whispered, more to the wind than to him.He didn’t answer right away. His silence was as heavy as the stormclouds above us.“I wanted to fix everything for you,” he said finally, his voice hoarse, like it had been dragged across a battlefield. “I wanted to give you a life that didn’t hurt.”I closed my eyes. The ache in my chest pulsed with every beat of my heart. “You did,” I said. “For a while, you did.”I heard the crunch
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “I’m not the same person I was before,” I said, my voice firm, unwavering. “And I’m not walking away this time.”The man’s eyes flickered with a moment of doubt, just enough for me to catch. And then, before I could even register what had happened, Leon moved.Faster than I could blink, Leon was in front of me, his hand grabbing the gun and twisting it out of the man’s grasp. The force of it sent the man stumbling back, but he didn’t go down easily. His bodyguards rushed in, but Leon was already a step ahead, disarming one of them with a swift, calculated move.I stood frozen for a moment, trying to process what I was witnessing. Leon—always so calm, always so careful—was ruthless. He was like a force of nature, determined to protect me at all costs.But the fight wasn’t over yet. The man recovered, his eyes burning with rage. “You really think you’ve won?” he spat, his voice dripping with venom. “You’re nothing but a pawn in a game you can’t ev
The sound of boots drew closer, pounding the floor with an urgency that echoed through the cavernous halls of the estate. My heart raced as the reality of what I had just heard crashed into me like a tidal wave. The man who had once been a part of my life—my family’s betrayer, the one who had orchestrated their deaths—stood there, calmly, as if this was just another night for him.Leon’s grip on my hand tightened, but I didn’t let him pull me away. I could feel the air thickening with tension, the walls pressing in as everything I thought I knew began to crumble.The intruders were only moments away.The man—he—smirked, watching us. “You think this will end well? You’ve no idea what you’re up against. My people are everywhere.”I took a step forward, ignoring Leon’s silent plea to retreat. “You killed them. And you thought I would be the next one to fall in line?” My voice was a whisper, but it held a power I hadn’t realized I had. “You were wrong.”The man’s face faltered, just for a
Next Morning at the Estate Archives. The basement was cold and damp, and the air smelled of mildew and secrets. Old boxes lined the walls, labeled in my father’s tidy script. Financial records. Land deeds. Correspondence.Leon sifted through a crate of documents while I dug through another.Then something caught my eye.A faded folder labeled: Project Thornfield.I opened it slowly.Inside were blueprints—plans for development across coastal land that was supposed to be protected forest. There were signatures from multiple board members, including names I recognized.And then, one I didn’t.N. Vallis.Leon leaned over. “You know that name?”I shook my head. “No. But look here—he signed off on the project two weeks before my parents died.”Leon pulled out his phone. “I’ll run a background check.”I kept flipping through the documents—and found something that made my blood run cold.An aerial photo.Of the cliffside. Our property.With a giant red X drawn over the coordinates where my p
THREE WEEKS LATER...The investigation moved faster than I’d expected. With the board fully on our side now, the paper trail unraveled like a thread pulled from an old sweater—each piece of evidence exposing the next. Shell companies. Forged contracts. Witnesses who had remained silent out of fear but were finally coming forward.Still, no one had seen him since the day of the summit. He had vanished without a trace. No flights. No offshore activity. No messages. It was like he’d disappeared into smoke.But Dorian didn’t believe in ghosts. “He’s hiding,” he said as he handed me a thick folder. “And this—this will force him out.”I flipped through the documents. Bank records. A property registered under an alias. Hidden deep in the woods outside of Anacortes. I felt my stomach twist.Leon stepped up behind me, his hand grazing my shoulder. “Let’s pay him a visit.”The cabin was barely more than a shadow tucked between trees. No lights. No car. Just silence and the thrum of insects in t
Sunlight crept cautiously through the cracks in the blinds, casting golden slivers across the hardwood floor of the safe house bedroom. I sat curled up on the edge of the bed, a blanket draped around my shoulders and the journal heavy in my lap. The cover was cracked, worn with age and secrets. My fingers hovered over the first page for what felt like an eternity.Leon was nearby—he hadn’t slept much, either. He stood at the window with a mug of black coffee, watching the world outside with quiet alertness. When I finally opened the journal, he turned slightly but didn’t speak. He knew I needed silence for this.The first entry was dated nearly two decades ago.July 14th. We signed the contract today. Two families, one future. The woman from Delmar Holdings is more cunning than I expected. She knows we’re desperate—and she used it. I told Mariana to trust me. That this was the only way. God help me, I hope I’m right.My breath hitched. Mariana—that was my mother’s name.I flipped thro
MARGARETTE'S POVBefore we could react, the door behind us burst open.Three armed men rushed in, dressed in black, their movements precise and rehearsed. Leon shoved me behind him, drawing his gun up in an instant. Dorian, who had been lingering near the entrance, took cover behind a cabinet, gun already out.“Elise’s father wasn’t bluffing,” I breathed, my heart hammering. “He had backup ready.”Leon fired the first shot, catching one of the intruders in the shoulder and sending him crashing to the floor. Chaos erupted. Dorian ducked low and returned fire, narrowly missing another attacker who retaliated with a spray of bullets that shattered the windows.I crouched behind an overturned table, the sound of gunfire drowning out my thoughts. The locket in my palm dug into my skin, its edges sharp—a painful reminder that I couldn’t afford to lose control now.“Elise’s father!” I shouted to Leon. “He’s escaping!”Through the haze of smoke and broken glass, I saw the man slinking toward
The sound of footsteps pounding in the hallway was the last thing I heard before the door slammed open.I barely had time to react before a rush of armed men poured into the room, their eyes scanning every corner, landing finally on me. There was no mistaking the intent behind their cold stares.“Get down!” Leon’s voice crackled through the earpiece again, but there was no time to obey. I couldn’t allow myself to hesitate—not now, not when the truth was within reach.I raised my gun, my hands steady despite the chaos unfolding around me. I wasn’t going down without a fight, not after everything I had lost. Not after everything Elise’s father had taken from me.Before the first man could react, I fired. The sound of the shot echoed in the confined space, the bullet finding its mark in the man’s chest. His body crumpled to the ground with a sickening thud, but the others didn’t hesitate. They moved in faster, their guns drawn, but I was ready.I ducked behind the desk, using it as cover
Dawn came in silver slivers through the cracks in the window. I hadn’t slept—not really. My mind was too loud, looping the footage over and over like a broken reel.Leon sat across from me at the table, sipping his coffee like it was the only thing keeping him grounded. Neither of us had said much since the footage. We didn’t need to. The truth had cut so deep, it didn’t leave room for small talk.But I had questions.And I needed answers.“How long do you think he’s known I survived?” I finally asked, voice hoarse.Leon didn’t look away from his mug. “Long enough to start covering his tracks. But he didn’t expect the locket to resurface.”My hand instinctively reached for it. The locket was warm now, like it had absorbed my grief and fury. Inside was a picture of my mother and me—her arm around my tiny shoulders, her smile soft but tired. A photo I hadn’t even remembered until last night.“He killed her,” I whispered. “He killed my father. For what? A project?”“Not just a project,”