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Chapter 4
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2025-03-31 16:26:22I let the night breeze brush my pale skin as I peered out the window of the black SUV.
The breeze was chilly against my skin but nothing could be more chilly than the thought of starting a home with Ace. Becoming his wife. Ace Reynolds took a different car. A Rolls-Royce Sweptail drove closely behind us. I supposed I should be relieved that we weren't sharing the same breathing space at the moment and I was but, whenever I peered back and caught a glimpse of the Rolls-Royce behind us, I felt my stomach twist in anxiety. It even felt worse. It felt like I was being watched. I was under the watch of the most ruthless man. He wasn’t with me in the car but his presence wasn't missed either. I felt it. Closely. Like he never left. Ace Reynolds had grabbed my wrist forcefully and pulled me out of the party before I had time to protest - which I wasn't even planning to do. However, when I saw my mother watch me as I got pulled out by Ace Reynolds, a proud smile on her lips, my heart bounced. Once. Twice. A thousand times. And since then, it never stopped bouncing. It thumped desperately, threatening to rip out. My mother who was my only source of escape had no problem tossing me into the hands of my enemy himself. What more was left? Isobel is never coming back, Mom is not in the slightest bit interested in saving me, and Dad, well… Dad valued the reputation of his stupid wine company more than he does me. A tear slipped down my face. This was never meant to be a momentary thing. This marriage. This identity. I wasn't meant to bear a different identity for a moment, I was meant to bear it for an eternity or more. Because, surely, marriage with Ace would feel more than an eternity. Marriage with Ace. More tears slipped down my face. Shortly, sobs followed. The driver—my driver, didn't even budge in his seat. No extension of a handkerchief or solace. He just minded his business, deaf to my sobs, pretending I was invisible. It was like he had seen something like this before, more than once. Which is the most terrifying part. If someone who has been working for Ace wasn't bothered about a woman crying because she got married to him, it definitely was going to be a far worse experience than I imagined. My sobs got louder. I sniffed and coughed the sobs out, letting tears slip out of my eyes uncontrollably. The SUV sweeps past Beostre Library and the sobs subsided as I looked past the library. Elijah It was our fifth anniversary and we were supposed to meet at the library after the wedding and retire to his house later, for a movie night. Damn! I had forgotten. The sudden change of events had taken a toll on me that I had forgotten I was supposed to be celebrating a fifth anniversary with my boyfriend. I peeked back at the Library whose view was slowly fading away then, my gaze fell back on the Rolls-Royce still following closely behind. What if I run away? Elijah once mentioned a family villa back in Redcar. Redascar was one of the rural areas in Lesly, Chelsea. It was known for its poor internet connection so, it would be hard for Ace to track me if he wanted to. If I explained things to Elijah, we could leave together tonight and I would have to remain there until Isobel was found. Once Isobel is found, I can return to my life. Sounds like a perfect plan but, how do I meet up with Elijah? Asking Ace was out of the question because it might expose my scheme to escape. So, no! Never! Then, how? I noticed the car was diving towards Berver Tunnel. The tunnel headed towards Brookline - a city twelve hours drive away from home. Away from people I know. The minute we dive into that tunnel, I would have to say goodbye to my family and friends, as well as my plan to abscond. Now was the perfect time. “Hello. Can you stop for a bit?” We were almost at Sip And Dip cafè, a place my friend, Valerie, did a night shift on Saturdays like this. This was more than a perfect time for my escape. She could help me send a quick text to Elijah then, as soon as he got there, we would both take off before Ace and his men discovered I lied about needing to use the restroom. “I want to use the restroom, please.” The driver, dark and sturdy, peered at me through the rearview mirror, his dark expression colored with doubt, just as I had expected. I had to make it look more real. “I consumed too much alcohol. I have to pee, please.” I sounded urgent and desperate. Except the desperation was not out of act as was the urgency, it was a real one. It was a desperation to escape. He suddenly punched a number on the Android Auto attached to the Car’s dashboard. I peeked behind me. Is he calling Ace? On the third ring, the other receiver picked. It was indeed Ace. “She said she needs to use the restroom.” He informed Ace, continuing towards Berver Tunnel. I tapped my foot in anxiety. If they should reach Berver Tunnel, I would have to forfeit the opportunity to escape. Ace breathed into the speaker. “Take her, you have five minutes.” Perfect. Step one of my plan was activated. Now, onto step two. The driver pulled to a stop, got down from the driver’s seat, and rounded the SUV to open the door for me. When I got out, I was staring right back at Sip And Dip. Would it be too early to celebrate my plan for being a huge success? Everything was working perfectly as I had planned. The only difficult part was convincing Ace that I needed to use the restroom. But, it wasn't as difficult as I had expected. This was working too well. “There is a restroom here. I would be quick.” I made sure my voice left no room for deliberation. No room for the driver to decide if he should let me go or not. And, I sounded as urgent as possible. Immediately he gave an approving nod, and I bolted inside, feeling the air condition of the cafè against my skin. Before I turned around the corner that led to the staff lunch room where I could find Valerie, I caught a glimpse of Ace getting down from his Rolls-Royce and watching me intensively. My heart skips. This guy looks at me as if he wants to devour me. There was always this lust in his gaze which is even more terrifying. Why does he regard me with such a lustful gaze? Does he think he would get a chance where I let him touch me sexually? Or, he could. If he used force, that is. It was an imaginable scenario which was the more reason I needed to escape. Valerie wasn't at the counter neither was she in the staff lunch room. Where the hell was she? I desperately peered around, searching for a glimpse of her when I bumped into another staff member at the entrance of the staff lunch room. Luke. Luke was my high school mate and he had once asked me out before the whole school when I rejected him, informing him that I had a boyfriend. I had no idea he worked here too. “Hi.” I greeted awkwardly. “Hey. Are you okay?” No, I'm not. “Have you seen Valerie?” I threw my gaze around, pausing and freezing right on the spot when I saw Ace walk into the cafè. His cold gaze sweeps around the busy cafè and when they got nearer to where I stood, I quickly hid behind Luke. Damn! Fuck! Hell!
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“Hey. What's the problem?”Luke asked, a tiny frown planted on his forehead.“Can you lend me your phone real quick, please?”My voice came out urgent and shaky.“Brielle, you don't look good. What's happening?”When Ace began to make it into the cafè, closer to me, searching every corner with his hard gaze, I grabbed Luke’s shoulder violently.He flinched at my sudden move but, I didn't care, I was on the brink of doom.“Just give me the damn phone!”Luke brought out his phone and handed it over to me. I grabbed it with trembling hands.“Brielle, if you need me to—”“I'm fine!”I snapped at Luke, scrambling to find a hiding place to call Valerie.A water dispenser stood at the rounding of a corner and I quickly went there to hide, moving away from Luke.I bit my finger as I waited for her response to the call. On the fourth ring, she picked.“God, Val! Where are you? I'm at your workplace!”“Brielle? I called in sick today. What's wrong?”Fucking hell!She started speaking again but
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Waiting for the year I finally turn eighteen and finally getting the chance to do anything of my will such as; having sex and breezing in and out of a bar as much as I wanted. It was indeed a long torture of wait.I had plans with Elijah. Sexual plans. I wanted to try the sexual things my peers discussed amongst themselves.There were so many of them. Blowjobs, fingering, tongue-fucking, and all of that. And only with Elijah and Elijah alone.However, Ace had snatched all of that reality out of my firm grip. I had lost it, the possibility of it ever happening drifting away.I couldn't believe that just a day in my life could change my fate so drastically like that and rid me of my long-life dreams.Life is so funny.Once we crossed the border of Brookline, I let yet another tear slip down my face, followed immediately by others.Ace, stationed next to the wheels and driving along Brookline highway, passed a handkerchief to me.I now sat in the passenger’s seat of Ace’s Rolls-Royce, t
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My trembling fingers tugged at the hem of my dress nervously, contemplating on adhering to his command and let him take my virginity or, try for an escape.The only escape route was the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the beautiful views of Brookline skyscrapers. And, the only way I could make an escape through that was by crashing into the window and landing on the ground floor below, which could result in a broken spine, a damaged brain, or even a demise. The door entrance wasn't an option either. It would be stupid to try for an escape through that. This was his house and he surely knew his house by every length and breadth.He would effortlessly fish me out of any corner I hide in seconds.My eyes watered. I had lost count of the number of times I cried today alone. Ace’s puzzled frown knocked me back to my senses and I realized I had been keeping him waiting. I also realized something else - the wine, silky nighties he was extending to me.“You can change into this.”I blin
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The dress was lovely. I loved the way it showed my curves. I loved the way it exposed most of my sensitive skin. Still, I felt nauseated that I was dressed like this only for Ace and not for Elijah or even anyone other than Ace.The Lady led me down the stairs where Ace was waiting to receive me at the landing, made a few saucy remarks and disappeared into a door by the East Wing of the building. When Ace grabbed my hand, led me into the passenger’s seat of a Range Rover and drove out of the mansion, I tried to take my mind off the fact that I would be alone with him once again for several minutes. Maybe hours.I swallowed the bile in my throat.Of course, it was a fancy restaurant. A five-star restaurant.I still would like an explanation from Ace on why he brought me here for a date.He led us into the cozy, empty restaurant. There wasn't a soul there and it brought me to the realization that Ace must have reserved the whole restaurant.For a moment, I imagined I was here with Elij
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I backed away slowly, watching with a panicked look as Jasper approached me.He had a tiny frown on his forehead.He regards me from head to toe. Checking out my outfit.I've never had to wear something as expensive and exposing as this. No occasion prompted me to afford such a piece, not even my extravagant 17th birthday party. I couldn't afford it nor could I afford the Jimmy Choo heels I wore to compliment the dress.Jasper wasn't stupid. Though, he knew nothing about fashion but, at least, he knew I should be in Chelsea, not several miles away. He knew I shouldn't be in an expensive restaurant and in this expensive outfit, doing God-knows-what.I swallowed hard.“What are you doing here? Is Elijah here?”His frown deepened as his gaze sweeps around the restaurant, expecting to see Elijah somewhere. I panicked, my brain doing a quick analysis of a lie I could come up with.Something that would ease me out of this mess, effortlessly.But, I came up with none except the one lie t
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Ace stepped before me protectively, keeping me out of Jasper’s reach as he sauntered into the room.Jasper now had his gun removed out of his holster, steady in his tight grip.I shivered.Jasper just caught me kissing not just anybody but a criminal. The man he intended to put behind the bars.“Wow. What a pleasant surprise, Brielle. Does Elijah knows you are fucking a murderer?”Murderer. The words he had used in describing Ace even terrified me more. But, wasn't he right? Ace Reynolds was indeed a murderer. I'm sure the number of the people he had murdered was twice my age.And, I was married to him. I was the wife to a man who rendered a lot of people motherless, fatherless, childless, and even orphan. I let him kiss me. Irritation stirred a bile in my throat.“Maybe I should do you a favor and let him know.”Jasper fished out his phone, placing his gun in his other hand, steadily. Panic rose in my throat. No. Hell no!“Jasper, I—”“Leave, Brielle.”The command burst through Ace
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I could ignore it. Swirl the steering wheel and drive as fast I could.I should ignore it. I shouldn't give a flying fuck if Ace Reynolds died or not. Wasn't that what I wanted in the last 24 hours?For him to at least, die an untimely death so I could leave the hell hole called marriage?However, I chose to remain in the parking lot. I chose to wait for Ace. My heart prayed that he made it out instead of the other way around. I pressed my palm together, foolishly praying that Jasper doesn't get him instead of planting those palms on the wheel and escaping Ace for once and for good.If Ace finally does any of those things expected of him as a ruthless mafia Don, I have myself to blame. It was I who saw an escape route and chose to ignore it.Finally, Ace Reynolds bursted out through the back door. Unscathed and breathing fine.It didn't look like he arrived from a building where bullets were flying around.Who was this man?Though, his shirt was stained but, I doubt the blood was hi
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He wasn't breathing. His chest wasn't heaving. His body was stiff.My fingers trembled as they brushed underneath his nostrils to confirm again he was indeed not breathing.My first move was to reach for my phone to dial the emergency line. But, as I was just about to press the red “dial” button, a thought, vile and wicked, crossed my mind.What if I left him dead? Wouldn't it be easier to move on with my life and pretend we didn't happen? It was yet another chance to escape this hell hole. He wasn't breathing which meant if he was not placed on an oxygen bag in the next one hour, he would die.The thought of that made my heart skip.It seems heaven heard my prayers, presenting me with so many opportunities like this. And, out of all opportunities, this was the easiest.No one would come looking for me. I would need not to hide from anyone. It was liberation. A breath of fresh air.However, a few hours later, I found myself driving to the nearest hospital, Ace Reynolds unconscious b
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I wasn’t supposed to be here.That much was obvious.The hallway was dimly lit, the faint golden glow from the sconces casting long shadows against the polished wood. My footsteps had been light, careful, every nerve in my body telling me to turn around and go back.But then I heard them.Dawson’s voice, low and edged with something unfamiliar. Isobel's softer, more vulnerable than I’d ever heard before.I knew I should leave. This wasn’t my business.But I stayed.Pressing my back against the wall, I positioned myself near the slightly open door, the gap just wide enough for their voices to slip through.“I can’t do this,” Isobel whispered. “I keep telling myself that, but then…”Dawson let out a slow exhale. “Then what?”“Then I see you,” she admitted, her voice barely above a breath. “And everything I try to bury comes back.”A silence stretched between them, thick and charged.“You think I don’t feel the same way?” Dawson’s voice was lower now, almost dangerous in its intensity.I
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The bar was loud. Not the kind of loud where music drowns out everything else, but the kind where voices and laughter blend into a constant hum of chaos.I swirled my drink in my hand, watching the ice melt into the amber liquid. I hadn’t taken more than a sip, too distracted by the whirlwind of thoughts in my head.Isobel nudged me with her elbow. “You’ve been quiet.”“I’m always quiet,” I muttered.She smirked. “No, you’re brooding. There’s a difference.”Valerie, sitting across from us, leaned in, her curls bouncing slightly as she lowered her voice. “I… think she’s still thinking about what happened earlier.”My stomach tightened. “I’m not.”Isobel scoffed. “You so are.” She drummed her fingers on the table. “It’s written all over your face. And honestly? I get it. I’d be thinking about it too.”I shot her a glare. “Could we not?”Isobel grinned, completely unbothered by my tone. “Oh, come on. It was kind of hot.”Valerie nearly choked on her drink. “Isobel.”“What?” Isobel shrugg
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The moment the door clicked shut behind Isobel, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. I had spent the last hour staring at my sister, searching for any trace of the girl I once knew. She was here, she was alive, but something was off. I could feel it. And the worst part? No one else seemed to care. I paced the room, my fingers tightening into fists as I tried to make sense of it all. Ace was seated in the armchair by the fireplace, watching me with that infuriatingly calm expression. “You’re going to wear a hole in the floor,” he murmured. I shot him a glare. “And you’re just going to sit there like nothing happened?” Ace tilted his head. “What do you expect me to do, Brielle? Interrogate her the second she walks in the door?” “Yes!” I snapped. “That’s exactly what I expect! She was missing for months, Ace. And now she’s just back, no explanation?”
