Lahat ng Kabanata ng Burning For My Husband's Son: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

VEDA’S POVTwo years ago“Dad, you can’t do this to me,” I whispered, the sob I was trying desperately to hold back breaking free. “You promised me. You promised Mom you wouldn’t sell me off.”“You don’t have a say in the matter, Veda,” he said firmly as tears streamed down my cheeks. You know that feeling in your chest that builds up and sinks to your stomach when someone you trust hurts you? That’s what I was currently experiencing: the only man I’d ever loved broke me like this.“I won’t let you do this, Dad. You cannot do this,” I screamed, ignoring the numerous eyes in my father’s office. This place used to be a haven for me. But not right now. Right now, I was pissed, angry and broken.Fuck, how could he?“Mind your tone, Veda,” my father seethed.“No, I wo–”The harsh sound of skin meeting skin cut me off, and it wasn’t until I felt blood pooling in my mouth that I realised I’d been slapped. I turned to the culprit, and it was my stepmother. A broken laugh escaped my lips as te

ZANE’S POVThe flight back home was draining, but last night’s conversation with my father’s wife wasn't one I’d anticipated.I’d been called a lot of things in my life, from reckless and arrogant to Silas Sterling’s greatest disappointment. But security was new, and I still wasn’t sure whether to be deeply offended or impressed at her audacity. My father’s office looked the same as it had four years ago. Everything was as it was… except the huge portrait of him and the new girl above the fireplace. She wore a silver gown that glowed against her pale skin, and a long slit went up her thigh, the only daring thing about the dress. I looked away from the picture, ignoring the odd thing in my chest.“Why exactly are you back here, Zane?”“Is it a bad thing to miss my old man?” I asked, dropping into the chair across from him without permission. His face remained composed as it's always been since I was twelve and old enough to know what he did at night to my mother. A long silence stretc

CHAPTER 5ZANE’S POVMy cheek still hurt, but the memory of her slap was nothing compared to how fast my heartwas beating.I stood at the edge of the terrace, gripping my glass of Scotch so tightly that my knucklesturned white. Across from me, Luna kept talking in her high voice about some fancy designerstore in New York. She had no idea I wasn't listening to a single word.My mind was still stuck in the library.I rubbed the back of my hand across my lips, and I could still remember the feel of her skin.Veda. She was a sneaky little psycho. One moment she was shaking under my touch,breathing like she wanted more, and the next she was slapping me across the face. I had toadmit, she was good. She acted like an innocent, offended wife so well that anyone wouldbelieve her.But I knew who she really was. A greedy woman who had married an old man for his money.She was wearing my dead mother's pearls like they were some cheap prize from a fair."Don't you think so, Zane?" Luna asked

VERA'S Pov My nails dug into the cold marble wall behind me, helping me stay on my feet as the hallwayseemed to tilt around me. I lifted my chin and locked my knees, hoping my anger would hidethe sweat on my forehead.Zane stopped about two feet away. He stood over me like a wall, blocking the light from thedining room. He smelled of fresh air, expensive tobacco, and cedar. The scent filled my headand made my stomach turn again.Fuck I was going to throw up."You look terrible, sweet Veda," he said, his voice low and rough."Then look somewhere else," I snapped. But my words didn't have their usual bite. Itsounded weak. I swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the bitter, metallic taste in my mouth."I'm sure your little blonde shadow is still inside. Go back to her."Zane didn't move. His coffee-brown eyes watched the way my chest rose and fell. He wasn'tfooled. The bastard knew something was up."You're shaking," he said quietly.His eyes dropped to my hand. My fingers were

VEDAIf one more designer smiled at me while silently adding up how much they could chargeSilas's black American Express card, the expensive lunch I’d barely managed to swallowwas going to make a reappearance.The dark gray SUV rolled smoothly up the long driveway to the Sterling Estate. It was filledwith shopping bags I hadn't even wanted. Behind us, two more cars followed. They carriedthe rest of my group which included three young maids and four armed security guards Silashad assigned to me. They had spent the whole afternoon pretending they weren't watchingevery step I took.I leaned my head against the cool window and rubbed the bridge of my nose. My head stillhurts. The dull ache had stayed with me all day."The linen dresses from the spring collection need to be steamed before Monday, ma'am,"Rosa said from the seat beside me. She held a tablet on her lap while typing quickly."Andyour nail appointment is at four. Your cuticles looked a little dry in yesterday's photos