Axel's heart raced as he sped through the streets, his mind consumed by worry and fear. Why? The question echoed in his mind like a mantra, refusing to let go.He couldn't lose her. Not now, not ever. They may not have gotten married in a good condition but he still couldn't afford to lose her.It will only ruin his plan and he is also worried about her. As he screeched into the hospital parking lot, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He leapt out of the car, not even bothering to shut the door, and sprinted towards the entrance.Collins and Asher were already there, their faces somber and worried. "Axel, thank God you're here," Collins said, grabbing his arm."Where is she?" Axel demanded, his voice rough with emotion."She's in with the doctors," Asher replied, his eyes filled with sympathy. "They're doing everything they can, but...it's not looking good, Axel."Axel's world came crashing down around him. He doesn't know how to begun explaining things to his grandfat

As they pulled into the driveway, Axel's anxiety grew. He had been trying to get Raya to talk to him for days, but she remained stubbornly silent."Raya, we're home," Axel said softly as he helped her out of the car.Raya's eyes gazed blankly ahead, her face expressionless.Axel's heart ached as he led her inside, his mind racing with ways to get her to talk to him."Raya, please," he begged as they entered the living room. "Just say something. Anything."But Raya's silence was deafening.Axel tried again, his voice cracking with emotion. "Raya, say something. What happened? What did he do to you? I promise to protect you, and I can't do that if you don't let me." He tried to reason, but she wasn't going to listen to it.Raya's eyes flickered, but she remained silent.Axel's frustration boiled over. "Raya, damn it! Talk to me!"But Raya turned and walked away, her feet echoing down the hallway."Raya, wait!" Axel called out, but she disappeared into their bedroom, locking the door beh

Axel's eyes blazed with anger as Asher explained the terms of his bail. "You want me to work for Mickelson? As a personal assistant to Darius? You must be joking!"Asher's expression was sympathetic but firm. "I'm afraid it's the only way, Axel. Unless you want your secret to be exposed."Axel's face twisted in disgust. "There has to be another way," he says, the thought enraging him.He could never stand to work by Darius' side; he'd murder him before he even blinked his eyes.This can't even be an option; there has to be another way, because there's no way on earth he would agree to that term and condition.The thought alone irked him.Asher shrugged. "Call it what you will. But you need their help, and this is the price you have to pay." He reasoned, but Axel was too enraged to even answer or listen to what he had to say.He knew he couldn't stand out now, not when the mission wasn't completed, and it was the best thing he'd have to do now, but he didn't want to bow down to their m

Axel trudged through the front door, his feet heavy with defeat. He felt like he was surrendering, like he was losing himself. The thought of working for Darius and being at his mercy made him feel cold and numb.He went straight to the bedroom, seeking to clear his mind. As he walked into the room, he came into view of her lying on the bed, her eyes closed and her face pale. Axel's heart ached with what he couldn't fathom. He wanted to talk to her, to tell her everything, but he couldn't find the words.He stood there, frozen, his eyes fixed on her face. He wanted to say something, anything, but his voice was trapped in his throat. He felt like he was drowning, like he was losing his grip on reality.He watched here's split open, knowing that she was never asleep but was only pretending, and he didn't make any attempt to wake her up or anything. Their eyes clocked as she sat properly, her eyes roaming around his face, which had bruises that had already begun to heal due to the ring

Axel's eyes narrowed as he waited in line at the cafe, his mind still reeling from the morning's events. Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder, and his ex, Ashley, stood before him with a smug smile on her face."Well, well, well. Look what we have here. The poor, worthless Axel," she sneered, her voice dripping with venom.Axel ignored her, but Ashley wouldn't let up. "Hey, I'm talking to you. You're not too good to respond, are you?"Axel's eyes flashed with anger, but he remained silent."Oh, I see. You're still as mute as ever. No wonder you're stuck in a dead-end job, working for my sweetheart, Darius," Ashley taunted.Axel wanted so badly to ignore her, but no matter how much he wanted to resent her, she had been his first lover.He can still remember when he made things official with her and how she showed him what it meant to be loved.She made him believe in love; they had plans for each other, and he wanted to fight the world for them just so he could give them a decent li