Semua Bab Seducing my Ex-husband back: Bab 51 - Bab 60

HELL IS HOME~Annette's POV~The moment I stepped into the house, I knew. The mood itself felt negative, stuffy with something unstated, as if the walls had been waiting all day just to suffocate me the second I walked through the door. My father was already in the living room, planted in his chair like a predator waiting for its prey. His eyes tracked me the way a hawk tracks a mouse, and I didn't need to hear his voice to know what was coming."Where have you been?" His tone was a low growl, the kind of voice that crawled under your skin before his fists ever had the chance."Out." That was all I gave him. One word, clipped, quick, meant to cut the conversation short before it spiraled.But of course, nothing ever ended with one word."Out with who?" he barked, his voice booming louder than the television that blared behind him. "You think I don't have a right to know where my daughter is?"I stiffened, clutching the strap of my bag tighter. My voice came out calm, steadier than I f

STRANGER FROM THE PAST ~Claire's POV~By the time I pulled up to Alexander's office, I was two minutes away from eating the steering wheel. The whole week had been a damn circus....board meetings, phone calls, and fake smiles that felt like I had been chewing glass.Lunch with him wasn't just a date....it was a rescue mission. My sanity was the hostage.I parked, adjusted my jacket, and gave myself a quick pep talk in the rearview mirror. "Okay, Claire. Smile. Don't bite anyone. Don't stab anyone. You're just here for food, maybe a little flirting, and some peace."The elevator ride was mercifully short. I stepped into the lobby, already picturing a toasted sandwich from that deli I loved....thick bread, caramelized onions, and extra pickles. My stomach growled like an angry dog.The new receptionist at the front desk looked fresh out of college....perfect lipstick, sharp bob, and the kind of smirk that screamed, 'I think I'm better than you.'"Hi there!" I said, trying to sound plea

DELICATE MONSTERS~CLAIRE'S POV~Once things calmed down a little, I figured it was time to dig for answers. Annette looked far too calm for someone who had just been beaten half to death by "gravity."I shifted in the chair beside her bed, arms crossed, eyes fixed on her face. "Annette," I said quietly, watching her attention stay a bit too long on Darla. Jeez, could she make it any more obvious? "What exactly happened? Darla said you fell down the stairs?"Her eyes darted toward me, and for a second, I saw something flicker there—fear, or maybe stubbornness. Then she gave me that tight little smile that made my stomach twist. "Yeah, just a stupid accident," she replied, voice thin, unconvincing."Stupid accident, huh?" I leaned forward slightly, arching a brow. "You sure it was just that?"Annette sighed, her hand twitching against the bedsheet. "Honestly, Claire, it is what it is. Just clumsy me." She tried to laugh it off, but it came out brittle.I wasn't buying it. Not even a li

PAIN & PLEASURE~MONICA POV~"Lost in thoughts again? You must really not take me seriously," he swung his paddle again and I let out another cry."P-please, stop," I begged him."Wouldn't this be a lot easier if you just be a good girl and obey the rules?" I felt his cold hand against my butt cheeks. "Now, answer my question. Again, what happens to disobedient slaves?" He asked in a firmer tone."T-they are punished," I was still shaken by the second whip. Hopefully, I had answered him so it should be fine, right?"Good girl," he praised and I let out a sigh of relief but my relief didn't last long with his paddle striking against my butt again."I thought you said you wouldn't hit me if I answered you?!" I yelled at him."A slave shouldn't raise her voice on her master," he whipped me again and again till I lost count of how many times he had flogged me. My legs felt weak and my butt hurt. I was too weak to even say anything and I didn't want to annoy him more so I chose to remain q

HALF TRUTH DINNER ~ELEANOR'S POV~The day had been too quiet for my liking. The kind of quiet that made the walls echo with your thoughts. I was curled up in my favorite chair near the bay window.....the one that had seen me through more heartbreaks and half-baked family dinners than I cared to count. A cup of tea sat steaming beside me, its scent mingling with the faint polish of the old mahogany table.I had just opened my book—finally ready to lose myself in someone else's story instead of the circus that was my family—when my phone began to buzz across the table like it had something urgent to confess.I glanced at the screen, saw Richard flashing, and sighed. "What does he want now?" I muttered, grabbing the phone. "Hello?""Mother, can we meet?" he asked, his voice tight with something I didn't quite recognize...guilt, maybe. Or cowardice."Meet?" I straightened in my chair. "What's going on? Have you even spoken to Claire yet?"Silence. I could almost hear the gears grinding