All Chapters of His to Punish, Hers to Revenge : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Desi bolted upright in bed, her breath ragged and her heart pounding. The sheets tangled around her legs as she struggled to free herself. Cold sweat clung to her skin, and the echo of her ex-husband’s voice still rang in her ears.“No…” she whispered, her voice trembling. Her hands gripped the edge of the mattress, knuckles white. She could still feel the anger in his words, the way he towered over her, the terror that never seemed to fade.Suddenly, the door to her room swung open. Lucas stepped inside, his face tense. “Desi?” he called, his voice low but urgent.She flinched at the sound of his voice, her mind still trapped in the nightmare. Her wide eyes met his, and for a moment, she didn’t recognize him.“Desi,” Lucas repeated, softer this time. He moved closer, his brows furrowed as he took in her panicked expression. “What’s wrong?”Desi tried to catch her breath, blinking rapidly to clear the images from her mind. “I... I’m fine,” she stammered, though her shaking hands betra

Desi sat by Lily’s bed, marveling at the progress the little girl was making. Just a week ago, Lily looked pale and frail, her energy gone. Now, though she was still recovering, there was a spark in her eyes—a little light that seemed to grow brighter each day.“Dr. Desi,” Lily said, tugging on her sleeve. “Can we read this one today?” She held up her favorite storybook, her eyes wide with anticipation.Desi smiled, taking the book from her. “Absolutely, sweetheart. Let’s see what kind of adventure we’re going on today.”As Desi started reading, Lily curled up closer, her small hand clutching Desi’s fingers. Every few pages, Lily would laugh, her giggles filling the room. Desi felt her heart swell each time, grateful for these moments of happiness and healing.When the story ended, Lily looked up with a thoughtful expression. “Dr. Desi, do you think there’s a place like that?” she asked, pointing to an illustration of a magical garden.“I think so,” Desi replied, nodding. “Maybe not w

The warehouse buzzed with tension, the air thick with the scent of oil and metal. Lucas stood in the center of the room, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He felt the weight of everything pressing down on him—the break-in, the chaos in his home, and the constant threat to his daughter. He needed to release it somehow.Before him knelt Marco, a small-time dealer who owed him money. Sweat trickled down Marco’s forehead, and his hands shook as he tried to avoid Lucas’s steely gaze.“Where’s the money?” Lucas demanded, his voice low and threatening.Marco swallowed hard, his eyes flicking nervously around the room. “I—I swear, Lucas, I’m working on it. Just give me a little more time.”Lucas took a step closer, leaning down to match Marco’s level. “Time? You think I have time to waste on your excuses?”Marco’s breath quickened. “I’ll get it! I promise! Just let me—”“Shut up,” Lucas snapped, cutting him off. “You’ve had more than enough time. You know the rules.”Marco flinched at

Lucas stirred, blinking against the harsh light above him. A dull ache throbbed in his side. He shifted slightly, feeling the bandage pressed against his skin. Memories of the attack flooded back—gunfire, chaos, and blood. Pushing himself up, he tried to assess his surroundings.“Damn it,” he muttered, glancing around the sterile hospital room. The faint scent of antiseptic filled the air.“Lucas!” Desi's voice broke through his thoughts as she entered, her expression a mix of relief and annoyance. “You’re awake.”“Where’s my phone?” Lucas asked, ignoring her presence as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed.“Your phone? Why does that matter right now?” Desi stepped closer, concern etched on her face. “You need to rest.”“Rest? I don’t have time for that.” He winced as he stood, the pain sharp but bearable. “I need to call my men.”“Lucas, you can’t go anywhere like this. You were stabbed! You need to take it easy.”“Easy?” He scoffed, trying to push past her. “They got into my

Lily lay curled up on the couch, a blanket wrapped tightly around her. Lucas walked in, glancing at her pale face. His heart sank.“Hey, kiddo,” he said softly, kneeling beside her. “How are you feeling?”Lily looked up, her eyes glassy. “Not so good, Daddy.”Lucas brushed her hair back, worry etched across his face. “What’s wrong? Did you throw up again?”She nodded weakly. “I want to see you and Desi. Can we have dinner together?”Lucas hesitated, glancing toward the kitchen. “Dinner? You’re not feeling well, sweetheart.”“I want to,” she insisted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Please, Daddy?”He sighed, torn between wanting to care for her and wanting to keep her from exerting herself. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to get sicker.”“I’ll be okay. Just… please,” she pleaded, her small hand reaching out to him.He couldn’t say no. Not when she looked at him like that. “Alright, let me talk to Desi.”As Lucas stood up, he called for Desi. “Hey, can you come here for a minute?”D