Derrick ripped the seal tape off Matthew’s mouth in one swift, ruthless motion. The skin on Matthew’s lips, already split and bleeding, peeled with it. But Matthew didn’t flinch. He didn’t even hesitate. The moment his mouth was free, he summoned every ounce of disgust, every drop of rage he’d buried over the years, and spat—straight into Derrick’s face.It wasn’t just saliva. It was everything. Years of betrayal. Bitterness. Vengeance. It struck Derrick full on the cheek with a wet smack, sliding down his jaw like a curse—delivered not from weakness, but from defiant, deliberate loathing. As if Matthew had rehearsed that spit a thousand times in his head and now, finally, had his chance.Derrick jerked back, recoiling as the warm insult soaked into his skin. For a moment, he simply stood there—stunned, blinking, silent. His mouth twitched. His jaw clenched. Then fury surged to the surface, dark and unmistakable. One of the men leaning against the wall—stoic, bored, maybe even entert
Matthew's POV The moment I stepped into the room, my eyes immediately landed on him.Adrian Throne.The son of a bitch I so much detest. He sat there, drinking and talking to this lady. She seemed as cheap as her make-up as she smiled at him cheekily.Why are all ladies like this? Why do they like men whom they are sure will break their hearts?I clenched my teeth at that thought. Anger boiled in me and the next second I was already landing a punch on his face. The sound of my fist on his face was great, but the greater impact was when the glass he held on fell on the floor and shattered."You son of a bitch!" I yelled as I kept on punching him. Ready to spoil his so-called handsome face. It's unlike me doing this, but I couldn't help."What are you doing? Stop" The lady kept shouting in nothing but fear, this little scene caused a lot of commotion. But I didn't care.I hate this bastard with everything in me.Of all the men in this world, it was him...dad chose to marry Evelyn off
Matthew's POV "I can't go in," I said to my friend's dismay."Why can't you?" Kyle asked, he had this look that demanded me to explain myself."I was here not long ago and I created a scene when I saw..." I clenched my teeth, irritation and anger boiled in me as I thought about that bastard."They won't let me in, most especially that big head guard" I bobbed my head to where the guard who warned me was standing."You can't be so sure" Jordan adjusted his dress and walked up to the two guards at the door.He greeted them so cheerfully like they've known each other for some time. They seemed to be discussing for a while before Jordan turned to us and waved for us to come forward."You should behave this time," The guard warned me.I gave a half shrug and nodded before he turned his attention back to Jordan."Keep an eye on your friend, cause the least commotion I will hear because of him will definitely be the end of him" Jordan smiled, "I've got him, trust me" He threw his hand ove
Matthew's POV I let Adrain fall on the couch like a bag of rice and went for the door and locked it. When I was sure it was well locked and no one could come in, I turned back to him.A smile tugged on my lips as I watched him all helpless and defenseless before me."Never thought you'd imagine this day" a smirk plastered on my lips. This day, I will forever hold in mind.The day I ruined the great Adrain Throne and reduced him to nothing."Today, you will scream and beg me to go easy on you but you know what? I won't...I will do exactly what you did to Lily, I will break you in the hardest and roughest way and you, will be at my mercy"My friends weren't the only ones that had plans, I did too. I pulled out a herb from my jacket, I was told it helped to stimulate sexual urges. Some people call it aphrodisiac incense but whatever the name is, I want nothing but a result.I placed it on a cigarette plate, brought out my lighter and lit it. The smoke was small at first but as it burne
Matthew's POV It felt like a new beginning, as I stretched out my hands yawning at the now fresh bright morning staring at me. Last night was a tug of war and I'm sure I did complete my mission.My eyes snapped open at that thought, I jumped out of the bed only to cry in pain. My butt hurts, like...Damnit! What just happened?I couldn't believe anything, whatever my mind was telling me. It can't be me right? It's him.It's supposed to be Adrain feeling this pain, not me. I was the one to do all these things to him.Then, the memories of last night came flooding my head, he's got me. Just right where he was supposed to be but it just didn't work as planned. That bastard always has to win in the end. It's a shame how many times I've been trying to get him to beg for my mercy only for me to end up begging.On the bed where we knew clothes. I'm sure he much have kept them for me but fuck him, I won't wear it.I forced myself to walk, I grabbed my clothes on the floor only to see how t
Matthew's POV I hated the way Adrian looked at me, that irritating smirk on his face making me want to punch it away.With gritted teeth, I rolled my eyes at him and turned to face my dad."What’s so serious about what you want to talk to me about?" I paused before adding, "You’ve never been one to involve me in your business.""This isn’t my business, Matthew," Dad growled.I gave him a half-shrug. There was nothing he could say to convince me otherwise. All of this was his business—it benefited no one but him."This is about our family and—" He stopped, cutting himself off before he could say something that might expose him.Letting out a heavy sigh, his voice softened."There’s a problem."I frowned, confusion and unease building inside me."Mr. Adrian can’t marry your sister anymore."That was what he called a problem? This was good news. Something worth celebrating.My heart pounded with excitement. This—this was the best news I’d had so far. Did this mean my efforts had finally
"You should have been working beside me, but I guess I'll find someone else," he said, turning to face me. His expression was cold, unreadable. "When I discovered what your slutty sister did, I feared everything I had built—everything I planned—had crumbled. But then, surprisingly, Adrian seemed interested in you."He paused, studying me with mild amusement."I wonder why he saw you," he mused. "But whatever the case, I'm glad the deal is still on. And you, my son, will take your sister’s place.""No," I interjected, my voice shaking but firm. "Never. I won’t do it, Dad. I won’t be what you want me to be."I forced myself off the floor, my body aching from the weight of his expectations."I'm not my sister. I don’t cower in fear or cry my eyes out. I am a man, and I will defend myself from you. I won’t marry that devil, and I won’t let you, a greedy bastard, dictate my life!" The words rushed out, sharp and unfiltered. "And if you think you've done enough for me, then stop. I’ll pay y
There was no mercy in his eyes, no warmth—only the cold satisfaction of a man reveling in his own success."Stop. I'll do it." The words left me like a jagged lump forced from my throat, scraping and cutting on their way out.Was this what I wanted? To be his puppet, his stepping stone to greatness? No.But what choice did I have?I glanced at my sister—her fragile frame slumped in the chair, her wrists raw from the restraints, her skin sickly pale under the dim light. Even unconscious, she looked like she was in pain, her face twisted in a silent nightmare she couldn't escape. And maybe she never would.If I didn't act now, the consequences would be irreversible.Saving her cost me everything—my freedom, my peace, my happiness.And yet, if given the choice again, would I do it?Yes.Because if I didn't, no one else would. Because the thought of a world without her—without her stubbornness, her laughter, her constant nagging—was unbearable. I'd rather suffer under my father’s thumb, c
Derrick ripped the seal tape off Matthew’s mouth in one swift, ruthless motion. The skin on Matthew’s lips, already split and bleeding, peeled with it. But Matthew didn’t flinch. He didn’t even hesitate. The moment his mouth was free, he summoned every ounce of disgust, every drop of rage he’d buried over the years, and spat—straight into Derrick’s face.It wasn’t just saliva. It was everything. Years of betrayal. Bitterness. Vengeance. It struck Derrick full on the cheek with a wet smack, sliding down his jaw like a curse—delivered not from weakness, but from defiant, deliberate loathing. As if Matthew had rehearsed that spit a thousand times in his head and now, finally, had his chance.Derrick jerked back, recoiling as the warm insult soaked into his skin. For a moment, he simply stood there—stunned, blinking, silent. His mouth twitched. His jaw clenched. Then fury surged to the surface, dark and unmistakable. One of the men leaning against the wall—stoic, bored, maybe even entert
Matthew stepped out into the crisp night air, dragging in a breath so deep it felt like he might swallow the whole sky. The cold bit into his lungs, sharp and unforgiving, but he welcomed it. Let it burn. Let it strip away the fog clouding his thoughts. The chaos in his head had been building all day, clawing at him, whispering doubts he couldn’t silence. Work. Family. Life. All of it pressing in from every direction.The street stretched ahead, dimly lit and mostly deserted. A few windows flickered with life, pale rectangles of gold behind drawn curtains. Somewhere in the distance, a siren wailed and faded. The hum of traffic barely reached his ears. He walked slowly, like each step might bring clarity, his footsteps echoing off the wet pavement. His hands were jammed deep into the pockets of his jacket, shoulders drawn up against the wind, but it wasn’t the chill that made him shiver—it was the storm in his head.He wandered without direction, letting the city guide him. Past shutte
Adrian paced outside Noah's house, fists clenched at his sides, heart pounding like a war drum in his chest. Ragged breaths tore through him as he locked eyes on the heavy door. He’d already screwed up once. Now he stood there, begging for another chance—one he wasn’t even sure he deserved. But he had to try. Only Matthew could help him. Only Matthew could drag him back into the game, back where he belonged.He knocked once. Before the sound could echo back at him, the door swung open. Noah filled the frame, tall and unyielding, his face a cold mask.“Adrian,” he said, voice low with a blade-sharp edge. “You need to leave. Now.”Adrian’s chest constricted. “Please, Noah. I—I’m sorry. I know I messed up. But I’m asking for just one more shot. Matthew will listen, I know he will. I can fix this.”Noah’s lips twitched into a thin, humorless smile. “You had your chances, Adrian. And you blew them. If I were you, I’d turn around before I have to spell it out.”Adrian stepped forward, despe
Author's POV Adrian paced outside Noah's house, fists clenched at his sides, heart pounding like a war drum in his chest. Ragged breaths tore through him as he locked eyes on the heavy door. He’d already screwed up once. Now he stood there, begging for another chance—one he wasn’t even sure he deserved. But he had to try. Only Matthew could help him. Only Matthew could drag him back into the game, back where he belonged.He knocked once. Before the sound could echo back at him, the door swung open. Noah filled the frame, tall and unyielding, his face a cold mask.“Adrian,” he said, voice low with a blade-sharp edge. “You need to leave. Now.”Adrian’s chest constricted. “Please, Noah. I—I’m sorry. I know I messed up. But I’m asking for just one more shot. Matthew will listen, I know he will. I can fix this.”Noah’s lips twitched into a thin, humorless smile. “You had your chances, Adrian. And you blew them. If I were you, I’d turn around before I have to spell it out.”Adrian stepped
Matthew turned his back to Adrain, his spine rigid, like a wall hastily rebuilt after a collapse. His shoulders quivered as he scrubbed at his face with both hands—rough, trembling palms dragging down skin already raw. He wasn’t just wiping away tears. He was clawing at the storm beneath them, desperate to rid himself of the weight, the filth of what he felt. The emotion clung like grime soaked deep into his pores, no matter how hard he rubbed.His breath hitched, uneven and sharp, like each inhale scraped along the inside of his chest. The silence that pooled between them wasn’t passive—it pressed down like a lead blanket, heavy with all the words neither of them could voice. It screamed without sound, teeming with every cut left to fester, every truth withheld, every apology that came too late.Adrain could hear the chaos inside Matthew’s body—the ragged way he breathed, the stiff way he held himself like he was about to break or bolt. Then Matthew shifted, just a fraction. His foot
Adrain's POV Happiness.That’s all I felt in my heart—pure, unfiltered happiness. A feeling so foreign, it almost scared me with how good it felt. They say, "It doesn’t always rain," a phrase I used to brush off like dust on my jacket. It sounded like one of those cliché lines people throw around when they don’t know what else to say. But standing here now, breathing in the calm that’s slowly wrapped itself around my chest, I think I’m finally beginning to believe it.For the longest time, home was just a word. Just letters stitched together with no weight, no warmth, no anchor. A concept, not a feeling. But when Matthew said it… when he said it, the word didn’t just sound different—it felt different. It didn’t feel hollow. It didn’t pass through me like wind. It settled—warm and solid—in the center of my chest. For the first time in what felt like forever, I believed him. I believed in the idea that I could belong somewhere. That I could belong to someone.He was my home—my peace, m
Everything had been going perfectly—so perfectly, in fact, that I dared to believe the universe was finally giving me a break. Our time together felt like a dream I never wanted to wake from, a fleeting slice of heaven stitched together with laughter, silent glances, and stolen kisses. Just like how we had arrived—excited and wrapped up in each other—we rode back home, the weight of the world forgotten for those few precious hours.The wind outside hummed against the car, but inside, it was quiet. Comfortable. Safe.But somewhere along the way, something clicked in me. Or maybe it unraveled. I looked over at Adrain—always composed, always in control—but there was a fire in his eyes whenever he looked at me. A wild, unspoken intensity that said everything his mouth didn’t. That man may come off like ice to others, but when it came to me... he burned. He was obsessive, overbearing even, never letting me drift too far. And though it should've felt suffocating, strangely, it didn’t. I nev
Rudolph gave a stiff nod, his face pulled tight in a strained, unnatural smile as he shot a fleeting glance at me over Adrian’s broad shoulder. His usual easygoing charm had all but evaporated, leaving behind a raw, uncomfortable shimmer of regret and unease in his eyes. It was the first time I had ever seen him look so thoroughly out of his depth.I scraped together a small smile in return, barely more than a twitch of my lips. It was the least — and honestly, the only — thing I could offer him at that moment. Anything more felt impossible, too heavy for the fragile air hanging between us."I'm sorry," Rudolph muttered, voice low, scratchy with tension. His words seemed to trip over themselves as he shifted backward, pressing himself deeper into the corner of the elevator like a boy caught red-handed. His gaze dropped to the floor, unable or unwilling to meet either of ours, his whole body language screaming apology and shame.Adrian, by contrast, didn’t move an inch. Every line of h
Matthew's POV I grabbed the last bag sitting on the bed, giving the room one final, lingering glance. The walls, once so familiar, now seemed foreign, stripped of everything that made them ours. It felt strange, leaving like this — a bittersweet tug in my chest I couldn't explain, a quiet ache blooming under my ribs. Tightening my fingers around the handle, I drew in a slow breath, grounding myself, then stepped out and headed downstairs. Adrian was already there, waiting at the bottom of the staircase like a sentinel carved out of shadow and light. The moment my foot touched the ground floor, he moved, closing the distance between us with a few quick strides. Without a word, he took the bag from my hand, his touch casual but lingering — like he wanted to take every burden off me, not just the physical ones but the ones stitched deep into my bones. Wordlessly, I followed him out. The air outside wrapped around me, crisp and cool, tinged with the damp, earthy scent of rain still cl