LOGINMorning had arrived, but surprisingly, no one came to fetch me. My room remained undisturbed, with no knocks on the door to wake me. It was just as well, considering my mother's regular routine for pouring me with cold water rather than gently waking me. Or Orla's creative method of sending her dog to my room to bark me awake. I had often wondered how she managed to transfer her personality to her dog.
I left my room, heading to the dining room. I was marveled by how beautiful the house looks, it felt different from yesterday. The scene yesterday kept ringing in my head, the bloody man!! I felt a sudden surge in my stomach. I didn't eat throughout yesterday. I was highly disgusted by the scene. I puked till I slept, I really don't want to stay here anymore.
“Are you Mrs Blackwood?” A mature woman said, I immediately snapped out of my thoughts.
I nodded my head in response.
“Mrs Black….” I cut her off immediately.
“Please call me Aurora, I am sorry but I prefer to be called my.name.” I replied politely, forcing a smile.
“But.madam..”
“Please, I.will appreciate it,” I said with a smile.
“My name is Rhoda, Ma.” She added, still smiling at me.
“Come downstairs Ma, Breakfast is ready. Should I go call Sir Rylan, or you will call him yourself.” The maid suggested.
“Just do your normal routine.” I said, walking away from her.
I saw her shake her head, her gestures seemed disappointed by my response. But what can I do? I hate it here!!!
I headed downstairs, I still can't believe the beauty of this mansion. I bet Orla and my Adopted mother will die with jealousy if they find out where I live.
Was it the glittering Chandelier or the fancy fireplace in the Sitting room?
The design was very exquisite, I wished Rylan was a good man. I wouldn't mind living here with him. But I have made up my mind. I am leaving for good. I can't let others control me.
The doorbell rang, but Rhoda wasn't downstairs to get it. I don't want to.meet other people coming to this house, I feel like hiding. I thought about going up to.call her to get the.door. But would I seem like a bad person, if i do that. The doorbell kept ringing, then I reluctantly stood up to fetch the door.
As soon as I opened the door, I was taken aback by a woman wearing a revealing red dress that showcased her cleavage. Her provocative attire was so shocking that I almost spat out my coffee. Before I could react, a thunderous slap landed across my face.
“Who are you? Why are you in Rylan's house?” She spat, her voice filled with venom. She looked like she could strangle me at any moment from now.
"What do you mean? And who are you? Why did you hit me?" I demanded, my anger growing rapidly.
She raised her hand again, but Asher, my husband's assistant, intervened, holding her back. "Anne, she's the boss's wife," Asher reminded her, still gripping her wrists.
Anne's expression changed as she sneered, "Oh, really? The wife his mother chose for him? I thought she was just another gold-digger chasing after Rylan."
Asher released her hands, and Anne walked away, deliberately bumping my shoulders without apologizing for the slap.
I just needed to compose myself, because my mom said that I should be in my best behaviour. That this marriage is very important to my family business. I just have to come to terms with my so-called husband, if not I will run away to where nobody can find me.
They climbed upstairs laughing their lungs out, I am very sure that they were laughing at me. She glanced at me while she climbed the stairs and shook her head. That gesture was like she saw me as a disgusting ant. Did she just look down on me? But who is she? Rylan's girlfriend? He doesn't have a good taste in women. Is this the kind of Vulgar woman that he likes? Her and the Assistant seemed so close. I felt like a stranger in this house. Can I really endure living in this house?
**-***
“Boss, I am sorry. I actually slapped your new wife when I saw her open the door for me.” Anne said softly, holding onto Rylan's hand.
I felt nauseated and disgusted by how she spoke. I should be the one getting an apology not him?
“It's really my fault, I thought it was one of those leeches that fly around you.”
“It's not your fault, it's understandable to make a mistake.” Asher responded like he was the boss.
“But Rylan can't hear, why is she talking to him?” I thought deeply.
Anne tried to sit beside Rylan on the dining chair, but Rylan gave her a deadly glare. She immediately stood up and I took the seat beside him. It was a sweet gesture but my legs were shaking. Since I met him, we haven't had any discussions, just cold glances. I couldn't focus on eating, recalling the fact that this dinning table was used to chain the bloody man.
15 mins later breakfast was over.
I hurriedly climbed the stairs, heading to my room. I couldn't spend a minute there with them. The tension was high, only Anne and Asher kept talking like the house belongs to them.
For the 5th time, I really don't like it here!!
I can't breathe with them around me.
Anne suddenly grabbed my arms tightly at my room entrance, blocking me from entering.
"What exactly are you looking for?" I exclaimed, with a serious tone. I had no time to listen to their shenigans.
“Do you think because he let you sit beside him that he likes you? You are just a monitoring spirit sent by his mother!! I advise you to leave here before you get kicked out!!” Anne hissed, brushing me off as she went down the stairs.
“Why is she so worked up? Like I am here to steal her man?” I asked no one in particular.
Instead of staying here and recieving insults from this people, should I just run away? But how can I leave this marriage. What about I report him to the police? Afterall locking a man with chains is a crime!!!
Aurora POVPain!!That was all my brain told me!It came in waves that tore through my body like fire, ripping the air from my lungs, crushing my spine, splitting me open from the inside. I screamed until my throat burned, until tears soaked my hair and the sheets beneath me.“Push, Aurora,” the doctor urged. “You’re doing well. Just breathe and push.”I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. The only thing on my mind was how I could strangle Rylan to death if I saw him right now.My hands clawed at the bed as another contraction slammed into me, stronger than the last. I cried out, my body shaking violently as I tried to push again. It felt endless like my body had been locked in this torment forever.“Mummy…” I sobbed.Aaliyah my mum was right beside me, gripping my hand with both of hers, her face pale with fear but her voice steady. “I’m here, my baby. Look at me. You are strong. You are not alone. You are doing well. You are such a strong woman. I am proud of you.”Another scream ri
9 months LATERThe Bali sun poured down like gold, warming Rosie’s skin as she lay on a white lounge near the shoreline. The ocean sounds were beautiful and sounded sweet in her ears. Palm trees swayed lazily above, and soft music drifted from the beach bar behind her.She looked effortless in her bikini, confidence clinging to her like perfume. For nine months now, this had been her sweet life, sun, luxury, indulgence. No worries, and no memories she couldn’t outrun.A man crouched beside her, smiling, a small bowl of grapes in his hand. He plucked a grape and leaned in, feeding it to her slowly.Rosie parted her lips, accepted it and then bit his finger lightly, teasing.“Ouch,” he laughed. “Careful, Queen Rosie, don't hurt your tooth. I will cry if you do.”She smirked, removing her sunglasses just enough to look at him.He studied her for a moment, curiosity creeping into his voice. “You know… when you left for Ireland, you were poor and broke. That you even made a fake health r
CHAPTER: KARMANicky’s car rolled to a stop in front of the familiar but now ominous mansion.Aaliyah stepped out first, her posture calm, eyes sharp with a fury that had been buried for twenty-three years. She surveyed the house slowly, committing every detail to memory.“So this is where they live?” she asked, her voice low.Nicky nodded. “Yes.”Aurora hesitated as she stepped down, her fingers curling into the fabric of her coat. “MUM… do we really have to come here?”Aaliyah turned to her daughter, cupping her face gently for just a second before her hand dropped.“Everyone who hurt you,” she said coldly, “everyone who bullied you, humiliated you. Treat you like dirt! They will pay!”Her eyes hardened.“How dare an illegitimate son’s wife treat my daughter like a thief,” Aaliyah continued. “They will all kneel and beg you for forgiveness.”At her signal, the guards moved.The gate was forced open. The front door didn’t stand a chance either.It crashed inward with a deafening soun
Asher held her hands. His face was pale and drained of color. “Um...um...Mum...there is an issue.”“What Issue?” Red screamed, her eyeballs almost falling out.“It's um..um..” He stuttered.“What are you doing stuttering like a kid? Where is my fucking money?!!” She barked, her tone loud.Blarke and Rylan stared at each other confused. What money is she talking about?“Um..um..it's the..50 million euro cash.” Asher said, scratching his head.“Yes..The 50 million euro cash. Where is it?”.Red asked again, grabbing his arm.He said calmly, “So…the guards said..Rosie..that you're Rosie. She said she will bring the money from the company to us. So the Guards let her take the money to bring to us. But right now I can't seem to reach her.” Asher said, his voice breaking down.“Which Rosie? Can't you go find her?” She asked, her tone low.“Your Rosie..Rhoda so daughter..The one you sent to seduce Rylan. That Rosie.” He explained nicely.She slapped him. “Do you think I don't know the Rosie y
A WEEK LATER. RED CALLED A SHAREHOLDER MEETINGA week later, the Blackwood boardroom was filled to capacity.Every seat was occupied. Shareholders, directors, silent observers each one carried a different expression, but all shared the same curiosity. Power was about to change hands, and everyone could feel it. Everyone was ready to sell their shares since the Blackwood family was falling.Red Blackwood stood at the head of the long mahogany table, dressed in a sharp red gown, her posture confident, her chin lifted like a queen already crowned.She placed both palms on the table and scanned the room slowly.“Let’s not waste time,” she said coolly. “Anyone willing to sell their shares to me…raise your hand.”There was a brief hesitation. Then Lucian said. “Do it now or you will regret it later. This is your only chance to be free.”One by one, hands began to rise. A few, then more.Red smiled faintly, satisfaction glinting in her eyes.“You see,” she continued, her voice smooth and del
RYLAN POVThe moment Raine stepped into the courtyard, the air shifted.I felt it before I saw it..the sharp intake of breath, the way her body froze like she had walked into a ghost.Her eyes landed on Blarke.And then she shattered.“Blarke!” she cried, rushing toward him as if the last twenty-three years had never existed. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched his arms. “You finally came back to me. I knew it. I knew you would come back. Now you see it, don’t you? I am better for you. Not that Aaliyah!! I am the one who belongs to you.”She laughed through her tears, hysteria lacing every word.“I’m so happy you came back for me.”My stomach turned, How shameless she was. How self depreciating she was to herself. And she is at the stage of being unstable.“I still love you, Blarke,” Raine continued desperately. “You see Dylan? I lied about him. I only said those things to make you jealous. He is my brother’s son, not mine. I never cheated on you. Never. My assistant and I..w







