In the afternoon, as the workday came to a close, a light drizzle began to fall over Metrocity. Eloise, carrying the weight of exhaustion in her bones, walked slowly in the rain, her movements sluggish as the pain in her waist intensified with each step. She passed by the towering buildings of the city, the cool rain against her skin doing little to alleviate the aching in her body.Eloise reached a convenience store near Club Scarlet Heart, its bright lights a welcome contrast to the overcast sky. She stepped inside, the warmth of the store wrapping around her like a blanket. The employee at the counter greeted her with a polite smile."Miss, that's six dollars and forty cents total," the employee said as Eloise placed the cheap, flimsy umbrella on the counter.Eloise glanced at the umbrella, noting how it was the least expensive option in the store. Her fingers lingered on the handle for a moment, as if the weight of the decision to buy it were too much to bear. She looked at her pu
Mavis’s voice sliced through the silence, sharp and impatient, as she interrupted Eloise’s thoughts.“I told you, I closed the door by accident. It wasn’t on purpose! What do you want from me?”Her words were laced with anger, a hint of defiance that Eloise could feel deep in her chest. Mavis was certain Eloise was accusing her of something she had not done. Ever since Mavis had witnessed the kiss between Eloise and Lucian on the staircase, she had harbored a simmering resentment towards her. But despite that, Mavis believed she had done everything right. She had explained herself, hadn’t she? Eloise should be grateful, not playing the weak victim.Mavis glanced at Eloise, who stood with a pale face, her shoulders tense and her body rigid. At that moment, the sight of her made Mavis feel an uncomfortable tightening in her chest. The memory of Lucian coming to her aid when she had been humiliated by Ainsley at the Scarlet Heart Club surfaced again. She could never forget how Lucian had
Eloise was lost in her own thoughts, her mind floating in an endless fog. She didn’t hear Mavis’s sharp voice cutting through the silence, demanding a response."Eloise, you scolded me for being rude just now, and now you're pretending you don’t know what’s happening?"Mavis’s words struck the air like a whip, but Eloise couldn’t focus. She felt detached, as if her mind was too far gone to engage in the reality unfolding around her. But Mavis’s high-pitched voice grew louder, mixing with the frantic panic that bubbled inside Eloise, pulling her back to the moment.A loud bang echoed through the room, the noise so jarring that it caused Eloise to flinch. Her body collided with the doorknob, and a searing pain shot through her forehead, blurring her vision. She crumpled to the ground, disoriented and stunned, unable to make sense of what had just happened.Blood trickled down her forehead, staining her skin, her world becoming a haze of red. She gasped, trying to regain her bearings, but
Rachel’s smile faded as the manager’s words hit her like a slap. The warmth in her eyes disappeared, and a chill settled on her expression. She stood there, silently processing the gravity of the situation, her mind racing back to the past.She stared intently at the manager, her thoughts drifting to a time long ago. Rachel had once been a rebellious young woman, lost and reckless in her own world. It was Ainsley who had pulled her from the brink, offering her a lifeline when she had nothing left. He had taken her in and introduced her to the Litha Night Walker Pack, a world she’d never imagined she could be a part of.When Ainsley discovered the Alpha blood flowing through her veins, he had welcomed her into a new chapter of her life. He had even invited her to help manage the Scarlet Heart Club, a place that now felt like home. But the manager of the Public Relations Department, while still part of the Litha Night Walker Pack, lacked the Alpha blood. And it was that very blood, that
Eloise became quieter as Mavis’s words continued to echo in her mind. She didn’t dwell on the apology; she just wanted to be respected, something she had almost forgotten how to expect from others.Ainsley, the powerful Alpha, had destroyed everything. He destroyed Eloise.Pain and regret twisted inside her as she recalled the past. She had once believed she could rise, that she could demand respect. But those hopes had been shattered long ago. She had learned that it was foolish to expect too much from anyone, foolish to expect respect when she was treated as little more than a stepping stone.The harsh words from Mavis stung deeply. Eloise could feel the weight of the cruel accusation: "You crawled on the ground and barked like a dog for money."She clenched her fists, trying to suppress the burning ache in her chest. Mavis’s words reverberated in her mind as she lay still in the sterile hospital room.Mavis had followed her tirade with a cruel smirk. "If you want to tell others tha
With Eloise's words, Mavis became even more frightened. The tension in her chest tightened as her anxiety grew. Mavis was afraid of Rachel, Eloise's association with her, her connection to that powerful figure was something Mavis had no interest in challenging. Yet, as Eloise walked away, her resolve hardened, and Mavis's hatred simmered beneath the surface.Little by little, Eloise began to change. What had once been a humiliated, submissive woman, now displayed a quiet strength. With each step, Eloise moved further from the fragility that had once defined her. Mavis, too consumed by her own bitterness, failed to notice. She remained blind to the subtle shift in Eloise's demeanor, to the newfound poise that radiated from her.Unaware of the transformation, Mavis failed to see the man who stood in the hallway, leaning lazily against the door frame. His eyes briefly met Eloise's, and for a fleeting moment, their gazes locked before she disappeared into the elevator. The man, who had be
In the Public Relations Department lounge, the escort girls were deep in conversation, their voices rising as they discussed the latest happenings. Whispers echoed through the room, as their eyes occasionally flicked toward Eloise, who sat quietly in the corner.Despite Amelia and Gold's lessons on how to behave, no one took Eloise seriously. It wasn’t just the new girls; even the more experienced workers gave her dismissive glances. There was something about her that didn't fit the glamorous image they all tried so hard to project. Her past as a cleaner in the club's toilets still lingered in the minds of many, making her presence here, in this department, feel out of place.They couldn’t understand how someone like Eloise had suddenly risen to be one of them, and the awkwardness hung in the air like an unspoken truth.Eloise followed Flora as she walked down the corridor towards the VIP lounge on the fifth floor. Flora’s face was unreadable, but Eloise could sense her impatience. Sh
As Eloise stood there, staring at the cheque in her hand, her face gradually grew paler. The weight of the situation began to sink in. She had been through countless humiliations before clients who treated her like a disposable object, who took from her what they wanted without regard for her feelings. Yet, she had always kept a part of herself intact. This time, though, something felt different. The sum on the cheque was more than she'd ever been given for so little.Why me? She thought bitterly. What did I do to deserve this money?She had understood when Micheal had given her $100,000 before, it had been because he thought she resembled the woman he loved. A twisted sympathy, maybe. But today, she hadn’t done anything to deserve this amount. She hadn't even gone through the usual humiliation, yet here she was holding the cheque.Jack was standing in front of her, a little taller than she was, watching her with eyes that seemed to dissect her every move. His gaze was unwavering, stu
Time passed slowly.Eloise glanced at her wristwatch again, her brows knitting in frustration. The ticking felt like it echoed louder in the room than it had any right to, like each second was dragging its feet, deliberately mocking her patience. She shifted slightly in her seat, the silence becoming more stifling by the minute. Ainsley sat across from her, completely still, his small eyes trained on her face with an eerie calmness.The shrill ring of her phone startled her.Her body tensed instinctively. She snatched the phone from the table, her thumb sliding across the screen to answer.“Are you here yet?” she asked sharply.From the other end, Eric’s voice came hurried, uneven, and heavy with movement. He was clearly in motion. “I can’t come,” he said, no greeting, just urgency. “I’ll leave Ainsley with you for now.”Eloise shot upright. “Wait a minute,” she snapped. “Leave him with me for now? Isn’t Hank there?”She heard the sigh in Eric’s throat before he spoke. “Hank isn’t fre
Stepping aside, Eloise said in a formal tone, “Let me introduce you. This is Jack Ray, the representative of our partner.”Mandy, blinking in confusion, stepped forward and extended her hand politely. "Hello….."“Mandy, I’ll follow the project this time,” Eloise cut in swiftly, not allowing her to finish.Mandy froze, utterly bewildered.Eloise leaned close and whispered in her ear, “I’ll explain after we get back.”Jack personally walked them all the way to the car, his gaze never leaving Eloise until she disappeared from his sight.Inside the car, Eloise slumped back against the seat.“Have you met Jack before?” Mandy asked curiously as they neared the Moonlight Garden. “I thought I was going to be in charge of the project?”Eloise forced a smile. “Don't misunderstand. There are certain things about this project I need to handle personally. You've been working so hard, Mandy. You deserve a break.”Mandy still looked unsure. “Okay… but rest well after this problem is solved, okay?”A
The secretary suddenly stood up, her voice hurried and apologetic. “I’m sorry, Mandy." Our president said he wanted to meet with Ms. Anthony alone to seek cooperation this time.”Eloise, Mandy, and the other Anthony Group representatives exchanged confused glances, uncertainty flickering between them. What a strange request! Suspicion brewed silently in the air.Mandy parted her lips to protest, but Eloise reached out, stopping her with a firm hand. “Take the others out of the conference room,” she instructed quietly, her voice calm but commanding.“But…” Mandy’s brows furrowed in deep worry. She didn’t want to leave Eloise alone.Eloise looked at her steadily, her gaze unwavering, burning with determination. “Mandy, you know how important this cooperation is to me.”It wasn’t just important to her; it was crucial to the future of the Anthony Group. It was everything.Mandy hesitated a moment longer, then finally nodded. “Let’s go,” she said, her voice reluctant. She signaled the othe
Ainsley was in a pitiful state; his clothes soaked through, his shoes worn out beyond recognition. He must have been searching for her for a long, long time, wandering alone through the rain.“Get in the car,” Eloise said urgently, her voice cracking as she took his trembling hand.Leading him carefully, she guided him back to the car, shielding him as best she could from the relentless rain.She pulled open the back seat door and gestured for him to climb in. But Ainsley stubbornly shook his head, water flying from his wet hair.“No,” he said firmly.“Why?” Eloise asked, frowning deeply, confused by his sudden refusal.“I don’t want to sit in the back seat, I want to sit there.” He pointed insistently at the passenger seat beside her.Eloise blinked, momentarily stunned. She didn’t quite understand what difference it made, but for Ainsley, it clearly meant everything.“I want to sit next to you,” he said seriously, his eyes locked onto hers, filled with an intensity that surprised h
“No reward?” Ainsley’s mouth trembled, and he looked like he might burst into tears at any second.Eloise bit her lip hard. “Of course, you get a reward. Like I said, you did great.” She reached out and ruffled his hair. The next moment, she froze as Ainsley, clearly overjoyed, rested his head contentedly on her shoulder.Just then, Eric came up behind them, his voice low. “Everything’s ready, we can send it now.”No one spoke. The tension in the air was almost unbearable as they quietly got into the car. As the vehicle rolled down the dark road, Eloise stole a glance at Ainsley, who had already fallen asleep beside her.He used to occupy most of her life — in every memory, every thought. Now, the air inside the car felt stifling. Eloise turned her head sharply to the window, blinking hard. He couldn’t remember anything.All the entanglements they once shared ; love, hate and pain, now belonged to her alone.The car headed farther into the remote outskirts, taking a dark road lined wi
Eric hesitated, concern flickering across his face, but finally he nodded and stepped out, shutting the door behind him with a soft thud. Silence swallowed the room. Eloise stood motionless for a long, long time. The steady beeping of machines was the only sound, each one a harsh reminder of how fragile life was.Finally, she moved. Slow, heavy steps carried her to Ainsley’s bedside. She reached out with a trembling hand but stopped an inch from touching him.Instead, she sank into the chair beside him, folding her hands tightly in her lap to hide how badly they shook. She didn’t cry. She didn’t scream. She just sat there, hour after hour, her eyes never leaving his broken body.Five days and nights blurred into each other.Every time Eric or Jacob tried to pull her away, she stayed rooted there.“Won’t it hurt her if she doesn’t cry?” Eric asked once, whispering in a low voice, watching her through the window.“I’ve been through worse,” Eloise heard it she croaked, her voice raw and
“I want shoes to match,” she said softly.“Yes, ma’am. Right away,” the shop assistant said, hurrying off.Mandy walked closer and touched Eloise’s arm gently. “Eloise... are you sure you’re ready for this?”Eloise turned her eyes toward her. There was no hesitation in them. Only a fierce, burning determination.“I have to be,” she said, her voice almost breaking. “I don’t have a choice.”Mandy’s throat tightened. She wanted to hug her, to pull her back, to stop her from going, but she knew she couldn’t.Just then, Eloise’s phone buzzed.Mandy immediately grabbed it from the counter and handed it to her. “It’s Jacob,” she said quietly.Eloise answered on the second ring. “I’m ready.”“Good,” Jacob’s voice came crisply through the speaker. “A car is waiting for you outside. Your passport and visa are in the car. You’ll be taken directly to a private jet. You need to leave within the next twenty minutes.”“Understood,” Eloise said without hesitation.“And Miss Anthony... don’t be late,”
Mandy, who was driving, opened her mouth, only to realize she couldn't find a word to comfort Eloise. She knew Eloise too well, so she didn't feel the need for words to comfort her.The Anthony Group had many problems. Perhaps they had been overlooked, or perhaps Gary didn't think they were serious. Mandy was a little worried about Eloise, who was in the backseat. When Eloise was busy, she worked almost suicidly. Mandy thought she was supposed to hate Ainsley. After all, he was the one slowly forcing an extroverted woman into a corner. In all of Metrocity, Ainsley was the only person who could corner Eloise. But now, Mandy felt grateful to Ainsley. At least he would come on time to pick Eloise up for lunch and dinner, or Eloise would be too busy to eat.Mandy accompanied Eloise to work for several days, and Ainsley did not appear during this time.Eloise knew he was on a business trip.It wasn't the first time Ainsley had been on a business trip. Before, he'd call her no matter where
"Ainsley WIlliams! Damn you! "You promised me!” Eloise’s eyes blazed red with fury, veins visible on her temples as her body shook violently.Her scream echoed so loudly throughout the room that the light on the ceiling trembled from the force of her rage. She kicked at the bed frame, sending it crashing against the wall with a loud bang. The curtains flapped wildly in the air from the force of her movements, as if they too were disturbed by the storm erupting within her.The pain that flashed through Ainsley's eyes nearly froze him in place. His breath caught, but he focused hard on what he was doing, refusing to waver, even though guilt was clawing through his chest.Then her voice ripped through the room, raw and shattering, “Ainsley! I hate you!”Ainsley's eyes were filled with unbearable pain, the kind that didn’t show in blood but hurt worse than any wound. He clenched his jaw and abruptly lowered his head. Without a word, he pressed his lips to the scar on the back of her waist