[Juliette’s POV] ‘I used to think I’m good. I’ve got the Virtus’ gift afterall. The born strategist who’ll lead the family.’ A dry chuckle strangled the cool air around us, particularly him. ‘But I’ve done enough to be undeserving of…of an heir.’ Silence constricted the air. I turned to snuggle my cheek against his shoulder, wanting to refute him, but he wouldn’t let me. ‘So it’s not your fault, Juliette. It’s….’ The swell in his throat bobbed furiously against the back of my head. The muscles in his body tightened. ‘It’s all me.’ I finally got around to face him, my freed hand cradling his strong, righteous jaw. ‘We’ll keep trying then.’ His hand covered mine and pressed my palm deeper into the warm skin of his face, as though wanting me to feel the rush of blood beneath it, to tell me that he’s a person, not the devil he was made to be. ‘I don’t care what you are, Ralph Virtus,’ I whispered fiercely. ‘I love you too. I love you. Got it?’ I tilted my face a little to ma
[Ralph’s POV]She was trying hard to please me. Was it out of fear that I’d leave her?The revelation jolted upright and held her face to take a good look and a tear rolled down her steamed cheek. ‘Did you not hear what I said? I’d kill myself if you got hurt—.’ Two round purple eyes glistening like diamonds glared at me. ‘Did you not hear what I said? I said we’ll keep trying!’ More tears rushed down. ‘I want to have your baby. Do you not understand that? You fucking idiot!’ My throat thickened. Does she not understand that some things can’t be rushed? I want a child too. But even more, I want her by my side eternally. How the hell can that happen if she twisted her other arm?!Calm down. I brushed the hair from her face and held it more firmly. Then, I kissed her pouting lips. Her lashes battered in forgiveness. So I kissed her again and, immediately and eagerly, she kissed me back. When the kiss ended, I scrutinised her face, every curve and shape, as my thumb felt the plumpnes
[Juliette’s POV]A thick file slapped on the desk and the bird shit of chubby clasped hands dropped on it. The school principal sighed with the smirk of a landlord. “Miss Lux. This is the sixth time Dante took one of his school peers as his personal punching bag.”I gave a nod. “Yes. And this is the sixth time you allowed a bully roam the innocent corridors of this sacred institution. Seriously, I am deeply troubled by your incompetence, Principal Wayne.’ Those slimy eyes widened in shock. Fumes of accusation blew from the crocodile’s nose. “How dare you—.” I stood, pressed my palm on the desk and leaned over to shove my deadpan face in that surprised round face of sagging cheeks.“HOW DARE YOU,” I snarled. “What if it was Christopher? And they called him the ‘sons of town killer’?” I was boring a hole through his oily forehead. “Would you let it run up to six fucking times?”Yes, you piece of shit: I’m the ghost of your Christmas past. Think I won’t dig up on you before coming her
[Juliette’s POV]Skirt up, thighs widened, feet on the wooden top, I opened up nicely for him. The memory of his magical skills nearly busted my heart out of my ribcage. “Ralph… hurry….” Why isn’t he doing anything but… watching? God, it’s so erotic, I could just come with it. My knees felt weak so he grabbed them to keep them apart. Wide apart to continue the full view. And the longer he waited, the more nervous I got, the more soaked I was down there. “Are you going to train the kids too?” He asked out of nowhere. “To carry themselves better in the name of the Virtus. Yes—.” I swallowed a breath. “I’ll train them the same way we do—oh shit!” He kissed my aching desire—right in the middle. Then his fingers spread the lips and he started French kissing. “Oh mmph!” The pleasure was too much. Zapped the energy out of my limbs. He paused and muttered, “Keep talking, kitten. Your proposal.” Jesus…. I swallowed another breath, but another wave of euphoria swarmed up my throat, clog
[Juliette’s POV] “They’re ready for you, Miss Lux,” a polite voice pierced through. I blinked. And just like that, with the click of the closed door, the bubble burst. Everything vanished into thin air—my past, my dreams, my future. Nothing remained, except the silhouette in the mirror. It surfaced, growing vividly and sharper until a woman stood before me, her purple sapphire eyes observing me with an empty look. I heaved a silent, despondent sigh at her, and the woman’s breasts rose and fell with the same despair. I traced the slender curves of her exquisite white gown, going through every stitch and sparkle, every contour of the sheer tulle overlay. By the time I reached that massive Mikado silk cascading off her waist, a huge ball of hotness had burned the back of my eyes and nose. Hastily, I sucked in my deepest to push back the heat of grief and lock up the tears. No matter what happens, a deep voice of wisdom echoed in my ears, don't show it, Juliette; don't ever let th
[Juliette’s POV] For someone who reads lots of romance novels, I’d take the slightest detail and exaggerate it romantically. Worse, I’d catch the tiniest spark of response and interpret it as an attraction. I noticed the wavy top of his short dark hair in a nice, clean sweep to the back—which was different from the sexy mess it was yesterday—and was immediately flattered by the extra effort. Then I started admiring him—just as I did yesterday. Whether it was a boring business suit or a midnight blue tuxedo, he could easily pass for an exotic prince or an elegant British spy. Even with that fierce gaze, he looked nothing like a mafia or a devil. Pfft! I mentally rolled my eyes as my feet kept gliding along the plush carpet of the aisle. Now I know why Papa forbade me to peruse that form of literature—it makes your female hormones go wild unnecessarily; it would only be a matter of time before I was trapped in The Devil’s spell, thinking that I was in love
[Juliette's POV] Yesterday… “Miss Lux, we’ve landed safely at the U.R.T. International Airport. The time is nine in the evening….” I unbuckled the belt, looked out of the window and sighed in nostalgia. Ah…, I miss Bora Bora already. The turquoise waters and the clear blue sky flashed across my mind, and I could still feel the warm salty breeze on my cheeks. Four days is not enough for a graduation trip, not for the daughter of the richest man in the Republic. But for the new CEO of Lux Corp, it's just nice, I thought with a tired yawn and a lazy smile of satisfaction. I'm ready to start work at the office, Papa. Hmm? I leaned forward, squinting to make sense of the dark forms through the misty glass pane. It took a second, but I saw what they were: men—two of them—in black suits and shades, standing erect in a soldier’s stance. As the plane swerved to a complete stop, I saw three more. Bodyguards, I concluded silently. Papa must have sent them; he always said that it's be
[Juliette’s POV]Doctor Rose slotted the chart under her right arm and casually tucked both hands into her robe pockets. “The bills aren’t cleared, and there’s another patient waiting for this bed. So, we’re out of choice, Miss Lux.”My eyes couldn’t grow any larger. “Are you telling me that you’re gonna take him off the machines and expect me to wheel him out of the hospital right now?”“Like I said, Miss Lux–.”“Don’t you ‘Miss Lux’ me! You've been my doctor since I was born! What’s gotten into you? Don’t act like you don’t know me!” I cried in anguish. These people, the ones Papa called friends, are now turning their backs on him. First, Uncle Jerry, now, Doctor Rose. Money seems to be the only thing that’s been keeping their friendships alive.Doctor Rose sighed and said, “Bills are bills, Miss Lux. The hospital needs funds to cure more people. Your father is not the only one here who needs medical attention.”“But he’s in a coma!” I protested strongly, my lips quivering in disbel