All Chapters of The CEO'S SECRET BRIDE : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

I got up from the floor. My body felt heavy, and my limbs ached. I stumbled into the bathroom. The light of the vanity mirror was harsh. I splashed cold water on my face. The sting was a welcome shock. Then I looked up.My eyes widened. There, on my cheek, was a faint red mark, a small bruise blooming just below my cheekbone. It was a stark visual reminder of Victoria’s hatred. I clenched my hands on the sink. The porcelain felt cold against my skin. I had to get out. I had to leave this place.The thought consumed me. It wasn't a flicker of an idea; it was a fire, burning away the last remnants of my hesitation. The silence of the mansion, once a comfort, now felt oppressive, like a tomb. Every hallway seemed to echo with Victoria's contempt, every expensive piece of furniture a testament to a life I no longer wanted. I didn’t belong here. I never had. This wasn’t a home; it was a gilded cage, and the bruise on my face was a key turning in the lock.I went to my closet, my movem

The silence had grown oppressive. Annabel sat on the couch barely comfortable on the plush cushions. She had a dizzying loop of thoughts. Her legs were stiff from sitting still for so long but she forced herself to stand up at last. She entered the kitchen quietly. The air was heavy with the aroma of herbs and garlic. Fred hummed softly as he stood facing away from her. Standing before the stove he was agitating a pan. He was dressed in a basic gray t-shirt. It was the first time she had seen him like that. At home. It was a startling and peculiar sight. In sharp contrast to the jumble of her thoughts he appeared calm. With a spatula in his hand Fred turned at her silent entrance. His eyes crinkled at the corners as a warm smile appeared on his face. “Hey.” he said. He spoke in a soft low tone. “Look at what the cat brought.” She smiled a little hesitantly. “My hunger was growing.”He turned back to the pan and said “Good. I was afraid I'd have to eat everything by myself. Its

The front door closed with a sound. The sound was quiet but definitive. Once again the apartment was enveloped in silence. Something felt different this time. The weight of the recently concluded conversation and everything left unsaid hung heavy in the air. Fred was a calm sturdy man who stood in the living room. His gaze remained focused on the corridor where Annabel had vanished. There was still a faint sound of her footsteps. After that nothing. He remained motionless for a minute. He simply listened. Outside he could hear the distant sounds of traffic and the quiet hum of the kitchen refrigerator. However there was nothing but a thick profound silence from the rear corridor. He was wise enough to avoid rushing in. Pushing was something he knew better. He went back into the kitchen and started to fill a container with the remaining pasta. He moved slowly and methodically. He cleaned the forks after the final plate. His thoughts were diverted. The unadulterated unfiltered pai

Silence hung heavy in the room. It was oppressive and thick. Carson wore a mask of shock and disbelief and his jaw was clenched. He didn't say anything.His mothers last icy declaration of her authority lingered in the air. Victoria just grinned. Her lips curved thinly and knowingly but they stopped short of her eyes. There was only the rustle of her silk dressing gown as she moved elegantly. She moved slowly and deliberately in Carson's direction. When she got to him she halted. She was standing very near him. She raised her hand and gave his cheek a light pat. It felt smooth and cool to the touch like marble. “You understand, don't you?” she said in a low quiet voice. “Every action I take and every action I have ever taken is for your benefit.”Carson remained silent. He simply gazed at her. He had wide eyes and a pain in them that she didnt seem to notice. “You have to believe me” Victoria continued as she stroked his cheek with her thumb. “Annabel isn't your match. She is a

Annabel's hands felt heavy with the folded paper. She took it from Fred with trembling fingers. The handwriting was hurried almost frantic and it was a note. She felt a shock when she saw Carson's handwriting. Her nostrils caught. Slowly as though it might break she unfolded the paper. Initially the words were hazy. After that they became clear. Dear Annabel Please listen. I apologize. I was mistaken. I was an idiot. I ought to have pursued you and told my mother to burn in hell. But I didn't. I didnt realize I already had everything but I was terrified of losing it all. The most significant aspect of my life was already gone. I need you. I need you to help me do this. Please come back. I'm going to fix it. I'll defend you. I'll defend us. You are everything to me Annabel. You're my home. Come back to me please. Always yours Carson. Annabel's vision became hazy. Tears came hot and different than before. Not of suffering but of an agonizing mixture of relief and grief. Her tea