It took Aren less than a minute to free me from my tiny bikini bra and shorts. Then he began celebrating every inch of my naked skin, searing it with his lips and tongue. My hands wandered through his perfect slabs of muscle, enjoying the feeling underneath my fingertips. He grinned wickedly, watching me bite my lip as he enticed my arousal with carefully measured caresses. I couldn't help that he knew my body well. He studied my reactions and perfectly directed me toward my climax. I screamed his name aloud enough for the sound to reach the corridor as his thrusting fingers led me to my second orgasm."I told you that I would make you scream," he breathed, lifting himself before pushing the waistband of his boxer shorts down.I looked at his rigid erection and gasped, thinking that my husband was built to perfection. He didn't let me feast my eyes for too long. He jerked his hips, entering me roughly. I whimpered as the size of him heated my insides. He smiled and kissed my lips befo

I had never realized what this freak show with my official introduction was all about until it was after dinner, and all those businessmen came to talk to me. It was all about recognition, and that meant power. My husband was always around, observing my expression and making sure I was safe, but he didn't interfere. I was no longer just Aren Lan's wife—I was Cora Bell Lan, an independent woman with business ideas of her own. I was casually describing details of the security software I'd created, and those people listened to me with interest. I collected the business cards of American, Chinese, and Japanese investors, hearing that they would gladly become my business partners. It felt surreal. Of course, they believed whatever I said mainly because Lan Jing's compliments placed a huge "capable" sign on my forehead, but they weren't completely blinded by that. It was more like they were giving me the benefit of the doubt, but it was more than enough for me. For the first time in my life

*TRIGGER WARNING* To sensitive readers, please mind that this chapter contains a description of mental abuse, control, and manipulation.I slowly opened my eyes and found myself lying on a soft bed, unrestrained. The clothes I had on me stayed untouched. As I slightly lifted my head, I realized that I was in some kind of room that looked like a dim-lighted palace chamber. My eyes still struggled with distinguishing shapes around me and were naturally drawn to the only source of light in the room—a lamp standing on the desk. Once I looked at it closely, I froze."You're awake." Caishen chuckled as his eyes cautiously scanned my body. He was sitting by the desk, holding my diamond necklace in his hands. He was wearing a loose sweater and a pair of jeans, but his slightly narrowed, intimidating eyes spitefully reminded of how dangerous he was."Where am I?" I breathed, all my senses alarmed."You're in my... home," he said, oddly smiling.Suddenly, he stood up, put my necklace on the des

Caishen's peel of laughter told me that I could breathe again. I emptied my lungs in one hectic exhale. The gun's barrel was still touching my temple. My hand was trembling. I blinked my eyes, slowly realizing that there was no bullet in the chamber. Caishen clapped his hands, visibly entertained that I decided to risk my life, playing his sick game. I hated him. I hated him for making me choose between my life and the lives of the criminals standing around me. It would have been easier if I had lost my moral values and had given up on respect for human lives, but it was something I could never do. Certainly, I believed that there were deviants in this world that didn't deserve to live, but if I was their judge, I would rather grant them hell on earth than send them to hell myself."Are you trying to become a saint, my dear?" Caishen laughed as he snatched the gun from my hand. "We are surrounded by meaningless people. Their lives don't matter. They will always be workers, not creator

My husband was two feet away from me. He was covered in blood, but all I cared about was that the blood wasn't his. His eyes carried an explosive mix of emotions. There was fear, guilt, relief, need, longing, pain, anger, and an unrecognizable form of warmth. He stood still, as if he was waiting for my permission to come closer, to touch me, to embrace me. Seeing him near me and not feeling his skin against mine was almost unbearable. My whole body craved him. I could finally breathe because he was close. I spread my arms open, invitingly. It only took a heartbeat for him to encircle me in a tight hug, allowing me to melt into his muscular frame. I breathed in his scent like it was a remedy for all the physical pain."I missed you so much," I mumbled, shedding a wide stream of tears.His hands delicately traced up and down my back as if he was afraid to hurt me. "I'm sorry, sunshine... I'm so sorry." He breathed heavily in between leaving soft kisses on the crown of my head. "I was so