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I bit my bottom lip as I moved my gaze to Lorenzo, trying hard to keep my emotions in check. It was hard! The man I loved once was nothing like I knew him. He left me once, cheated on me and suddenly came back, destroying my world. "So?" His voice echoed in the empty room. "I'll come with you." My voice was a mere whisper. A smirk formed on his lips as he heard me. Fixing his eyes on Lily, he scoffed, "I didn't hear it. Louder." "I will come with you." My voice shattered as I spoke. Closing our distance, he whispered, "I always get what I want, sweetheart. So never defy me ever again. Your every action will bear a consequence." "Pease, don't harm them." I pleaded. He frowned for a moment. "I never break my words, Cora, unless you are going back on yours." His tone was laced with seriousness whereas his eyes wore a stern expression. You never break your words! Then what was that three years ago, Lorenzo? Why did you play with me? You had a girlfriend, and I was just another plaything. You left without a word. I smiled inwardly.
||Lorenzo||
The room was decorated just to my taste. Dimly lit aromatic candles and dark curtains. They were representing what I was. I smirked as I pulled her by her hair. With a seductive moan, she responded. She stood up, reading my intention, and sat on my lap, wrapping her legs around my waist. I clenched her face, taking a good look. Not bad for a wh*ore. She bit her lower lips temptingly, and then she did exactly what I wanted. She licked my abs, placing sloppy kisses on my shoulder, on my chest. I ran my hand over her naked torso, squeezing her perfectly shaped curves. She moaned again, moving her naked hip against my hardness.
Her eyes looked at my lips temptingly. She knew it was beyond her reach. I had my reasons. I was aroused enough, and hence I pushed her away, giving her another signal. She understood my intention again. So docile. Just what I liked.
She knelt in front of me. With a flirtatious smile, she licked my manhood. I groaned as she took my hardness in her mouth. Slowly, she moved her head, making it pleasurable. I let go of her curve and held her hair again, forcing her to move faster. She gaged at my length. Not her fault. Everyone does. It gave me another satisfaction. The satisfaction of being what I was.
The blood rush made my member even harder as the warmth of her saliva covered it. I was ready to take her; I was ready to release my frustration. Throwing her on the bed, I parted her legs and pressed my length inside her. She moaned loudly. This was a loud one. Not that I didn't like it. Only that it wasn't her! Her delicate face flashed in my mind again, and with that, I could fill her lips on mine. Her scent, her softness, her mischievous gaze. I could feel every f*cking thing, and I hated it.
I concentrated on what I was doing. Soon I reach the climax. Emptying myself inside her, I parted. It was over.
"Get out," I ordered her to leave as soon as I was done. I didn't care who she was. It was her job to satisfy me unless she wanted to lose her life. She probably had enjoyed it more than I did.
Picking up the clothes from the floor, she left quickly. She knew exactly who I was. Ignoring her existence, I rubbed my face, hitting the shower. Her face flashed in my mind again. D*mn. I was doing everything to forget her. Hell, I would do anything to forget her! I had shared only one damn kiss with that girl three years back! Still, it popped up in my head during every intimate moment. I hated how much effect she still had on me. I hated her! I hated myself. But people were still out there looking for my weakness. And if they found out anything about her, she would not last to see the next sunrise. Things were better that way. I pushed her away from my head.
After the much-needed shower, my veins calmed down. Wrapping the towel around my waist, I came out of the bathroom only to find Antonio sitting lazily on my bed.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked with irritation. He was a family and very dear to mom, unfortunately. Not to mention my right-hand man in all dirty works.
"Just came by to drop this off!" He replied, showing me an envelope, "I see you were having quite a fun, bro," his eyes scanned the room. The evidence of my earlier performance was still there.
"What's that?" I ignored his mockery and took that envelope. The seal was telling it all. It was from Rodriguez. An invitation.
"Not going there," I threw it on the floor and made my way to the closet.
"What? But why?" Like whiny babies, he followed me to my closet.
"Because I said so," I brushed him off again.
"Don't tell me it's about that girl!" impatiently, he spoke. Well, he guessed it right. It's about Rodriguez, and their pretty precious Cora would be there. Honestly, I had no clue how to face her. Even if I could, I shouldn't. I kept silent. That was enough for him to realise the fact. A shadow of seriousness covered his face. It was sporadic to see him like this.
"Cora Fletcher. A regular university graduate. Work in a fashion boutique. One little kiss and our beloved king is out of his line," he scoffed.
"Anything else? Or leave," I gave him the cold shoulder.
"You are Lorenzo Bernardi. The business tycoon who swallows other's properties in a blink, the cold-blooded murderer who can shake the whole underworld. You are the f*cking mafia king. How long are you going to ignore it?" He yelled, just as expected.
"It's nothing like that," I replied calmly.
"Is it?" He frowned.
"Yes. Now just leave," I yelled again. It was a sore topic for me. The only thing I couldn't handle properly.
"In that case, I have found him, Lorenzo. The last man who knew about Cora." He smirked. What! How did he know about that?
"How do you know?" I asked in disbelieve. That was impossible. I never mentioned it to anyone.
"When you stay in this kind of business, you learn a thing or two. I know why you are hunting the dragon group," he replied.
"Listen, Lorenzo. It has been three d*mn years. One-night stands and workaholism aren't helping here. We are done doing it your way now. You are going there and sleep with that girl and get over her unless you have any feelings for her. Just fly your ass there, face it head-on, and get over with that. Emotions have no place in our world, Lorenzo. Do you understand?" He hollered again before leaving the room.
I sighed. Maybe he was right! Was it just her carves I was craving for? Or was it something more? Whom was I kidding? But he had a point. I had to face the problem head-on.
Betrayed. Abandoned. Left to die. Lilac had given everything to Alpha King Kael-her love, her loyalty, her very soul-only to be cast aside when his fated mate arrived. The fragile Omega not only stole Kael's heart but destroyed everything Lilac had built, leaving her broken and watching her family perish. As Lilac took her final breath, the last thing she saw was Kael holding the woman who had ruined her. But death was not the end. When Lilac's eyes opened, she was back, six years in the past, standing in the ceremony where she was first chosen as Kael's mate. The goddess had granted her a second chance. But this time, she would not be the same naive woman who loved blindly. This time, she would fight. She would take back what was hers. Yet, with every choice she makes, the future begins to shift. Kael's half brother Alaric showed up in the picture. Fate is no longer predictable, and the kingdom's destiny is no longer set in stone. As Lilac walks a new path, one question haunts her: Is she rewriting her salvation... or her doom?
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."