Eloise clenched her fists, holding back the tears that threatened to spill. She wanted to tell them no, to walk out of the room, but she couldnโt. This was her life. If they asked her to sing, she would. She had no choice.โHer voice is so unpleasant,โ the man said, looking skeptical. โAre you sure you want to hear her sing?โAmeliaโs smile widened, clearly enjoying the discomfort she was causing Eloise. โThatโs exactly why I want her to sing,โ she said, her eyes glittering with amusement. โIโm curious how unbearable itโll be.โThe mocking tone in Ameliaโs voice cut deep into Eloiseโs heart. How had her life come to this? To be a subject of entertainment, something to be laughed at, to be humiliated for the amusement of men like Mr. White.โMr. White, what do you say?โ Amelia asked sweetly, her hand resting on his arm, as if she owned the moment, owned him.The manโs eyes lingered on Amelia for a moment before turning to Eloise. His expression was one of indifference, but there was a f
Eloise wasnโt mocking her or trying to start an argument; it was just a fact, stated plainly. Her tone carried no judgment, but it hit Mavis like a sharp slap.Mavisโs face flushed with embarrassment at first, her anger boiling over. "Iโฆ" she stammered, trying to gather her thoughts. Then, in an instant, her frustration bubbled over. "I came to Club Scarlet Heart to be a waitress. You know my family's situation. I needed money to pay for my studies and living expenses."She paused for a moment, trying to collect herself. Eloise said nothing, simply watching her. The silence between them felt heavy, thick with unspoken words.Mavisโs eyes narrowed as she glared at Eloise, her voice suddenly cold. "I'm not like you! I won't do anything just for money. Unlike you, I have limits!"The words stung. They were meant to make Eloise feel inferior. To paint her as someone with no dignity, no self-respect. But Eloise just smiled softly. Mavis could say whatever she wanted, but the truth remained:
Eloise continued, her voice low and strained, โI was humiliated, made to crawl on the ground and bark like a dog, scorned with every dirty word they could think of. But thatโs nothing compared to what happened to me in prison. They stripped me naked and threw me into a cage, hosed me down with high-pressure water. And so what? What does any of it matter now? Racheal, I endured pain that I canโt even begin to explain. And Rainโฆ She died trying to protect me. I owe her everything. Her death, her sacrifice, it haunts me. I owe her that much. Thatโs why I have to keep going, no matter how much it hurts. I have to live, to fulfill the dream she had for me. Itโs the least I can do for her.โRacheal listened quietly, her heart heavy with the weight of Eloiseโs words. She had known that Eloise had a tragic past, but hearing it all laid bare like this was something else entirely. Rain. Who was he to Eloise? And what dream had he left behind for her? Racheal didn't have the answers, but she coul
Ainsleyโs POVThree years. Three long years since I last saw her facial features up close. And now, here she was, lying in front of me in a hospital bed, a mere shadow of the woman I once knew. Eloiseโฆ "my mate"The sight of her took me by surprise, knocking the air out of my lungs. Time had worn her down, just as it did everyone. But I wasnโt prepared for this. Her skin, once as soft as moonlight, now had a rough, weathered texture. Her eyes, once sparkling with life, were hollow like someone who had been through hell. And maybe she had, I thought bitterly.I could see the traces of her former beauty, the features everyone in the Golden Moon pack and all over the packs in Metrocity worship her beauty, but now they were buried beneath exhaustion and neglect. Her lips were chapped, the corners of her mouth turned down in a way that made my chest tighten with something I didnโt want to name.You should never have let her go. You had rejected her, pushed her away when you shouldโve fought
Eric knew instantly that the woman lying on the bed was Eloise. He had recognized her the moment he saw her at the Scarlet Heart Club. But what he didnโt expect was to witness her disbelief as she grappled with what had happened.โAinsley, you pressured meโฆ you kissed me...โ Eloise murmured, still reeling from the experience."Can't you see it?" Eric asked, his voice tinged with frustration.โNo way!โ Eric grabbed Ainsley as he was about to leave the room. โAinsley, donโt tell me you have feelings for her?โAinsley froze, his expression turning dark. Slowly, he turned back to face Eric, his eyes filled with menace. โHer? Who are you talking about?โโEloise,โ Eric responded, his voice sharp.Ainsleyโs gaze sent a chill down Ericโs spine as he stepped past him, re-entering the room. He was like ice-cold, distant, indifferent. He looked at Eloise as though she were nothing more than an inconvenience.โI asked Eric to bring you food,โ he said, his tone flat. โItโs on the nightstand.โElois
โDo you remember what happened in the private room that day?โ Rachelโs voice was sharp, laced with anger. โIf it werenโt for Eloise sacrificing herself, do you think youโd still be standing here, spouting nonsense and making snide remarks?โMavisโs face paled, but she quickly hid her unease behind a mask of defiance. She couldnโt bring herself to admit that Eloise had helped her out of sincerity. โRachel, what youโre saying is true. Eloise did help me,โ Mavis began, her tone defensive. โBut I didnโt ask her to act like a dog to please customers. She did it for the money, and that has nothing to do with me.โRachelโs anger flared as she stared at Mavis, but her lips curled into a bitter laugh. It seemed to her that Eloiseโs sacrifice had been wasted on Mavis, an ungrateful person who couldnโt see the depth of the gesture. She sighed, shaking her head. โItโs a shame that Eloise paid such a high price to save someone like you, someone who doesnโt even know how to be grateful.โMavisโs fa
Rachel wasnโt sure about Ainsleyโs attitude, so she decided to simply recount the situation calmly. She took a deep breath and began speaking in a clear, steady tone."At first, only Amelia, her client, and Eloise knew what had happened that day." Rachelโs eyes darted over to Eric for a moment, before continuing. "Eloise bore all the pain in silence, unwilling to reveal a thing. In fact, it was Amelia who casually mentioned it as a joke to the others at the Scarlet Heart Club. Thatโs how I found out."Eric's expression shifted, and his eyes widened in surprise. He leaned forward slightly. "Ameliaโs not a werewolf," he said, his voice laced with disbelief. "But sheโs more vicious than any beast Iโve ever seen."Ainsleyโs face darkened at the mention of Amelia. His lips tightened into a thin line, and his cold gaze sharpened as he looked at Rachel.Without another word, he nodded towards her. "Bring me Amelia. Iโll wait for you in Room 1."With a fluid motion, he turned and walked toward
"Alpha... No. Ainsley Williams, I know you're the Alpha of the Litha Night Walker Pack, but that doesn't mean you can insult me at will," Gold said, her voice sharp with defiance. She stood tall, almost arrogantly, as she addressed him. "You're in the Scarlet Heart Club now. No matter who you are, you must follow the rules here."The room fell silent as her words echoed, the weight of them hanging in the air. Almost everyone in the Scarlet Heart Club knew Ainsley was an influential figure in this small but highly respected establishment, but few knew he was its owner. To most, he was just another mysterious face among the club's powerful members. But Goldโs challenge was reckless, considering Ainsley was known for his volatile temperament and power, especially when it came to matters of disrespect.The Scarlet Heart Club may have appeared to be a humble establishment, but beneath its polished exterior, it was a place of secrets, where power, wealth, and influence mingled behind closed
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.โAre you here yet?โ she asked sharply.From the other end, Ericโs voice came hurried, uneven, and heavy with movement. He was clearly in motion. โI canโt come,โ he said, no greeting, just urgency. โIโll leave Ainsley with you for now.โEloise shot upright. โWait a minute,โ she snapped. โLeave him with me for now? Isnโt Hank there?โShe heard the sigh in Ericโs throat before he spoke. โHank isnโt fre
Stepping aside, Eloise said in a formal tone, โLet me introduce you. This is Jack Ray, the representative of our partner.โMandy, blinking in confusion, stepped forward and extended her hand politely. "Helloโฆ.."โMandy, Iโll follow the project this time,โ Eloise cut in swiftly, not allowing her to finish.Mandy froze, utterly bewildered.Eloise leaned close and whispered in her ear, โIโll explain after we get back.โJack 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.โHave you met Jack before?โ Mandy asked curiously as they neared the Moonlight Garden. โI thought I was going to be in charge of the project?โEloise forced a smile. โDon'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.โMandy still looked unsure. โOkayโฆ but rest well after this problem is solved, okay?โA
The secretary suddenly stood up, her voice hurried and apologetic. โIโm sorry, Mandy." Our president said he wanted to meet with Ms. Anthony alone to seek cooperation this time.โEloise, 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. โTake the others out of the conference room,โ she instructed quietly, her voice calm but commanding.โButโฆโ Mandyโs brows furrowed in deep worry. She didnโt want to leave Eloise alone.Eloise looked at her steadily, her gaze unwavering, burning with determination. โMandy, you know how important this cooperation is to me.โIt wasnโt 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. โLetโs go,โ 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.โGet in the car,โ 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.โNo,โ he said firmly.โWhy?โ Eloise asked, frowning deeply, confused by his sudden refusal.โI donโt want to sit in the back seat, I want to sit there.โ He pointed insistently at the passenger seat beside her.Eloise blinked, momentarily stunned. She didnโt quite understand what difference it made, but for Ainsley, it clearly meant everything.โI want to sit next to you,โ he said seriously, his eyes locked onto hers, filled with an intensity that surprised h
โNo reward?โ Ainsleyโs mouth trembled, and he looked like he might burst into tears at any second.Eloise bit her lip hard. โOf course, you get a reward. Like I said, you did great.โ 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. โEverythingโs ready, we can send it now.โNo 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 โ in every memory, every thought. Now, the air inside the car felt stifling. Eloise turned her head sharply to the window, blinking hard. He couldnโt 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 Ainsleyโs 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 didnโt cry. She didnโt 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.โWonโt it hurt her if she doesnโt cry?โ Eric asked once, whispering in a low voice, watching her through the window.โIโve been through worse,โ Eloise heard it she croaked, her voice raw and
โI want shoes to match,โ she said softly.โYes, maโam. Right away,โ the shop assistant said, hurrying off.Mandy walked closer and touched Eloiseโs arm gently. โEloise... are you sure youโre ready for this?โEloise turned her eyes toward her. There was no hesitation in them. Only a fierce, burning determination.โI have to be,โ she said, her voice almost breaking. โI donโt have a choice.โMandyโs throat tightened. She wanted to hug her, to pull her back, to stop her from going, but she knew she couldnโt.Just then, Eloiseโs phone buzzed.Mandy immediately grabbed it from the counter and handed it to her. โItโs Jacob,โ she said quietly.Eloise answered on the second ring. โIโm ready.โโGood,โ Jacobโs voice came crisply through the speaker. โA car is waiting for you outside. Your passport and visa are in the car. Youโll be taken directly to a private jet. You need to leave within the next twenty minutes.โโUnderstood,โ Eloise said without hesitation.โAnd Miss Anthony... donโt be late,โ
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!โ Eloiseโs 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, โAinsley! I hate you!โAinsley's eyes were filled with unbearable pain, the kind that didnโt 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