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2023-11-17 05:24:44Rhys paused as Mr and Mrs Roderigo walked in, not just behind them was no one other than Alec Freeman; the man his wife chose over him.
Oh wait, he's ex-wife now.
So Natalie isn't his anymore? Rhys has never imagined that a day would come when he had to give her up.
All this while he has been living in deceit.
"You" Mrs Roderigo sneered, sparing him a disgusting look along with her husband brushing past him.
His jawline tightened as his eyes fell on Alec who had a smirk darting on his lips.
"Natalie, what is this poor deceitful man doing in our home?" Mrs. Roderigo questions.
Rhys turned to face the family that never really liked him or the relationship he shared with Natalie. They always mocked and insulted him at how incompetent and not wealthy enough to meet up with their daughter's standards.
No matter how much Rhys tried to please them, it was never enough.
"Natalie. What's wrong? Are you crying?" Alec asked, walking towards her in concern.
Rhys felt the burning jealousy brewing in him but it was pointless. He has no rights over her now. She had made her choice and so has he.
Rhys loves Natalie so much that he doesn't know how life is going to lead now without her. She's the only good thing he considers in his life now aside from Nonna and with Nonna fine, he thought Natalie would give him hope and stand by him, but only if he knew.
If only he had seen it coming, he would have safeguarded his heart a long time ago.
"What did you do to her?" Mr Roderigo questions sending daggers at him.
Rhys sent him a cold dominating glare that had him fear and his mouth sealed.
"What did he say to you, Natalie? Tell us, what did he do?" Mrs Roderigo questions reaching out to her daughter.
Natalie wiped off her tears, "Nothing Mum, we were just talking" she lied sharing a look with Rhys that barely spared her a second.
Mrs Roderigo looked between the duo before shaking her head in displeasure, "I think it's about time we end this. You need to tell him Natalie or I will"
About time?
Her words rang in Rhys's head, the betrayal hitting him even harder than expected. For how long have they been planning this?
It all makes sense now. Everything is finally making sense to him now, he gets why Natalie had been acting strange with him, so they all had it planned out right from the start.
"Natalie tells him how you no longer need him in your life, give him the divorce papers" Mrs Roderigo orders, sending Rhys a distasteful look.
Natalie shakes her head wiping off the tears, "It's alright Mum, he already signed the papers. It's of no use" she says
Mrs Roderigo sucked in a breath taken aback as she didn't expect Rhys to agree to the divorce judging by his poor nature and his living off of their wealth.
Rhys smirked, "There's no need indeed. You've got what you've wanted, at least now I don't need to tolerate your ill manners"
Alec chirped in, "You dare come here with your filthy mouth and spew rubbish? Just who do you think you are? What do you have other than your ragged outfit? All this while you've been living off on your wife's, oh sorry, ex-wife's wealth, and when she finally comes to understand that you never really loved her but what she had to offer, you dare stand in front of not only her but her family, insulting them "
Rhys had to calm every nerve in his veins to prevent lashing out on him.
"Don't act stupid. We all know the reason you're clinging on to her is because she saved you sorry ass company from running bankrupt!" Rhys scoffed, cutting Alec off guard.
Rhys knew all about the Freeman Corp falling to ashes as they've lost eighty percent of their shares due to unsteady and incompetency in their market.
"Lies! Who told you that?" Mr Roderigo defends offensively.
Mrs Roderigo walked to Alec placing a hand on his shoulder, "Don't take what he says to heart, we all know what he said is not true"
"Oh please--" Rhys mocked but gets cut off by Natalie.
"ENOUGH!" She thundered sending daggers at Rhys which cut him by surprise
He didn't expect such a reaction. His Natalie had never raised her voice on him, she's always been gentle and kind towards him but today all that has suddenly disappeared into thin air.
How pitiful.
"You have no right to come here and speak utter nonsense, Rhys. Just cause I don't want you anymore doesn't give you the right to speak I'll of my family and the man I," she paused, her eyes narrowing down.
Whoever this woman is, isn't that same one he fell in love with. It's like she's turned into someone else.
Rhys stepped forward, "You what?" He ushers, "Say it Natalie" he insists his eyes hardening in displeasure.
"I Love. The man I love is Rhys... Yes! Do you have a problem with that?" She says building up such confidence all of a sudden.
Rhys's muscles raged in not only anger but hurt. "Did you ever love me," he cleared his throat, "All of what we shared was nothing to you from the start Natalie. You led me on all this while making me feel what I was not supposed to. I was willing to bring down everything at your feet--"
She cut him off, "Everything Rhys? Seriously? Just what do you mean by everything?" She sneered, "What do you have to offer to me other than your poor wretched self that has only been a burden and nothing more?"
Every word of hers pierced through his heart breaking every ounce of love and respect he once had for her.
He bore his eyes deep into hers trying to figure out the uncertainty of her words but all he saw was nothing but the truth, crushing his bleeding heart even more.
So this is love?
He nods, "You're wrong!" his voice cool but tune soaking with hurt, "I had everything to offer. My love and respect for you is more than the so-called opulence you consider sufficient"
Mrs Roderigo laughed mockingly, "Coming from a low-life crap like you, I'm not surprised you're saying this "
Rhys shut his eyelids briefly giving himself the pep talk, "With all due respect Mrs. Roderigo, I suggest you take back your words or you will regret it" he threatened.
Natalie's eyes lit up offensively, "Mind the way you speak to her, she's my mother!"
"Then she better keep her manners intact" he replies the duo sending daggers at each other.
"It's alright Natalie, he's not worth it. He's just going through the face of reality, trying to understand him." Mrs Roderigo says sending him a pitiful look.
Rhys breathes out, slipping his hands into the pocket of his slacks, "A mouth you've got there. Before my marriage with your daughter, your family business was also falling, am I right?"
Mr Roderigo's eyes widen in shock as Rhys knows about it.
"What is he saying?" Natalie asked, shifting her eyes to her parents inquisitively.
"I don't know what he's talking about," her father responds.
She shakes her head, "I think that's enough. You should go, cooking up cock and bull stories just to get payback, huh?" Natalie's left brow arched up, "You're even more disgusting than I thought. I can't believe I ever gave us a chance, if only I had listened to my parents in the first place, then none of us would be standing here getting insulted by a sorry of a mistake"
"Mind your words, Natalie. Just cause I loved you doesn't mean I'll favor you" he orders with his index finger pointing towards her.
She moved closer to him till they were an inch away, leaning in, "Or what? What are you going to do about it? Hit me? File a complaint against me? Huh?"
Rhys greeted his teeth letting out a series of breaths, trying as hard as possible not to lose his temper or her.
He loves Natalie, with every action and word she's giving off towards him; is taking away every bit of the feelings he has for her.
"Speak!" She roared, cutting him out of his train of thought.
"This isn't you. This isn't the Natalie I fell in love with. Can't you see that you're under the influence?" Rhys tries to reason in the hope that she backs him up and stops with whatever this is.
Losing her the same day he lost Nonna would hurt even more than it already has. The two most important figures in his life are gone.
She laughed a weary one, "I never loved you, Rhys Mickelson, never had and never would. I could say it was only just an infatuation" She paused.
"And guess what?"
His left brow lifted urging her to go on.
"Now I've come to realize it, now gather the remaining shame you have in you and walk away"
Rhys took a step back nodding hurtfully, "Fine. I get that" he pulled out his hands from the pocket of his slacks checking the time on his wristwatch.
They all weren't this. None of them staying here would only hurt him even more than he already is.
"I'll leave. But you all will regret this"
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Vindictive Dr Rhys 4. A Taste Of Deceit.
Rhys walked out of the house feeling agitated and betrayed. The cold night air hit through his skin making his hands more cold. Natalie's words rushed down to him making a hiss of displeasure slip out from his lips. He rubbed on his temples lifting his sleeves as though he was going to punch anyone that dared to come his way.He gave up everything for Natalie and this is what she repays him with?His family went against them and married her when they tried to point out how much of a bad idea it was yet he was blinded by the love he had for her. He thought their love was more than anything one could ever imagine.Out of all the girls he has been with, he has never felt the way he felt with Natalie. He went against his mum's words after she had warned him Natalie didn't sit right with her yet he didn't listen.His father, sister, and brothers, all of them; he gave them up for her and this is what he got in return.Rhys knew that Natalie's family wasn't fond of him seeing as he wasn't
Vindictive Dr Rhys 5. Grave Mistake
Rhys gulped down the third cup of the Vodka wiping off his mouth. It seems to be the only tasteful and ease he feels as of the moment. "I think that's enough" the bartender reasons, giving Rhys a pitiful look.Rhys shot his eyes briefly as though calming himself as it didn't seem to work. He wasn't drunk, and a few drinks won't do the trick, he has had much more than he is now, but Rhys has it by composing himself. He felt a hand placed on his shoulder while he lifted the cup to his lips. He paused, keeping the cup down before turning.He growled seeing Blake of course he was here too. Mum would never let Angela attend gala's on her own without having one of the Mickelson brothers tag along.Angela is like the golden egg of the family, she has everyone's love, respect, and protectiveness. "Yeesh! You look like crap" Blake spat playfully, settling down on the seat next to his brother.Rhys shrugged. "You're here too?""Of course, Angela is here after all." He responds to which Rhys
Vindictive Dr Rhys 6. On Second Thoughts.
"The fuck" Austin hissed getting up. He gave Rhys a flabbergasted look spitting out a pile of blood.Austin's minions made an attempt to lunch on Rhys but he halts them."Stop! He's mine" Austin blurts hissing, "Why don't you say we take this somewhere else? Huh? There's an octagon behind the hall, Let's fight it off, whoever wins gets the lady""No!" Angela instantly spat her eyes widening in horror.She took pity on Austin and didn't know who he was dealing with. If that fight does happen, only the god from heaven could save him from Rhys. It was a bad idea trying to fight him, it's not even an option Austin should be choosing."Fine. Let's go" Rhys says after a momentary SilenceBoth Blake and Angela interjected, "No! We should leave"They both shot Rhys pleading looks yet he didn't look like he was having it today. He's been patient enough. For two years he had to burn down his rage. Every emabarssment, torment and insult they thre at him, Rhys had taken it all because of the lov
Vindictive Dr Rhys 7. It Comes With A Price
Rhys walked into the hotel room they had boarded. He had Blake send off every person that was lounging in discarded as Rhys wanted a peaceful environment for the night. He didn't want to be disturbed or have any sort of disturbance. He's trying to recollect his lost self and get a hold of his emotions. He needed to rise back to his true self and not someone he had been pretending to be for a while now. Only now did he figure that most of him had been lost due to the impact of his actions. He deeply regrets ever giving love a try, thinking that true love could be found in a world like this was absurd and now he has come to terms with that. Sadly, he didn't notice till it was too late.A knock came through his door cutting him out of his thoughts. He had told his sister and brother not to be disturbed. He didn't need any of their support right, all he needed now was time to himself. The door clicked open revealing his sister who came in with a tray of food. "I brought you some food
Vindictive Dr Rhys 8. Burning Thirst Of Revenge.
"Son" She reached out for him, slipping a hand on his side cheek as a tear rolled down. The longing in her eyes is evident in how much she has missed him. Breaking into sobs, she pulled him in for a hugRhys stood stiff, unable to retaliate as he felt a pang of guilt. He has not only been selfish but a disappointment to his mother. He chooses a woman that has not only caused him pain over his mother."I thought I'd never see you again " She cried out patting his back. She pulled back from the hug cupping his face, "You look different" The way she said the word differently had him comprehend what aspect she meant not only because of his physical appearance. Yeah! He looks like crap. "Come" she ushers, leading him to one of the seaters. "How have you been my child? I thought I'd lost you"Rhys clears his throat having enough of the sentimental moment, "I'm fine mum--""No. You're not!" She goes against it, "Look at you, Rhys. You're not the same as you left years back."He sighs o
Vindictive Dr Rhys 9. Dwelling In The Past.
He stirred on the bed with the sheets covered around his body. Every inch of his muscle felt numb and drained. A sharp pain hit his forehead, urging a growl out of his lips.Fucking hangover. He brought his right hand to his head and mumbled curses under his breath."Good morning, Master. What would you like for me to do for you today?" Curella questions her sound, piercing his ears.He hissed, putting the pillow on his face, with a feeble groan. "No." He mumbled, knowing that if he didn't reply, she'd go on with her questions, which would only irritate him further."Okay, but you should know that your sister is approaching," she says.His eyes instantly split open. "Whatever you do, do not give her access," he warns."Angela has access to my security panels."Rhys curses; of course she does. It's Angela, after all; she always finds her way in and out of his affairs or belongings.Rhys could tell one or two things why she's here: either mom sent her to check up on him orHis thoughts
Vindictive Dr Rhys 10. Family Dinner.
He clad himself in a sweatpants and hoodie taking one of his spotless watches that were arrayed at their respective positive. He was to have dinner with the family, if it was up to him, he'd rather stay locked up at his penthouse dwelling into his sorrows but he knew better than to go against his mother's invite, especially since it's family dinner, something he hasn't shared with them for a while. Rhys stared at himself in the mirror, the reflection of a different version of him that he never thought would come to life.He rubbed on his unkept jawline, scratching on his itchy beard. Natalie has not only ripped his heart and soul but has transformed Rhys into the worst version of himself. If only he had known right from the start. As observant as Rhys is, he wasn't dumb to be deceived so easily yet Natalie had proven him to be wrong. Sparing himself a last-second glance, he lifts the hood of his hoodie covering up before picking a random car key from the stack. He walked out of
Vindictive Dr Rhys 11. A Father's Pride.
After dinner, Claus, Rhys's father, invited him into his study room to discuss. Their usual conversation hadn't been taking place for a while now, and he thought they needed to catch up.Rhys has a feeling it has everything to do with the mission Natalie told him about. His mental state is not in for missions now; what he has in mind is nothing but vengeance on how to get back at the people who have caused him everything, mostly the goodness in him."Come in, son," Claus ushers as they walk in, closing the door behind them.Rhys took a seat on one of the seats.The room suddenly fell into silence as Claus walked behind the office table, pulling a drawer and bringing some files.He returned to the center of the room, where the seaters were taking a seat adjacent to Rhys. Claus placed the papers on the center table, pushing them toward Rhys.Rhys's brows drew together as he moved forward, reaching out for them."These are all the details you need to know for the upcoming mission." Claus
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- Vindictive Dr Rhys
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His heart dropped as he sighted her figure at the distinct end of the room. His breath heavier feeling the rage surge through him, just by her silent sobs.“Tigress” he mumbled walking towards her but she didn’t move an inch, probably didn’t hear him.He stood by her side and still no amount of awareness being shown by Ashley. It’s like she’s suddenly turned into a rock.The thoughts of what Giovanni has done to his wife don’t sit well with him. It bothers him big time knowing Ashley had to go through it alone.He had a choice either to save her or the mission and once again he chose the mission. He maybe doesn’t have feelings for her but he cares for her that’s for sure.Heaving out a sigh, he placed a hand on her lower back urging her to bolt her head up in terror with a scream smiling from her lips.Soon her screams died down as her sight came in contact with Rhys’s.He knew he was the last person she was expecting but he didn’t think it’d be this obvious.He cupped on her cheek, “
- Vindictive Dr Rhys
78
His heart dropped as he sighted her figure at the distinct end of the room. His breath heavier feeling the rage surge through him, just by her silent sobs.“Tigress” he mumbled walking towards her but she didn’t move an inch, probably didn’t hear him.He stood by her side and still no amount of awareness being shown by Ashley. It’s like she’s suddenly turned into a rock.The thoughts of what Giovanni has done to his wife don’t sit well with him. It bothers him big time knowing Ashley had to go through it alone.He had a choice either to save her or the mission and once again he chose the mission. He maybe doesn’t have feelings for her but he cares for her that’s for sure.Heaving out a sigh, he placed a hand on her lower back urging her to bolt her head up in terror with a scream smiling from her lips.Soon her screams died down as her sight came in contact with Rhys’s.He knew he was the last person she was expecting but he didn’t think it’d be this obvious.He cupped on her cheek, “
- Vindictive Dr Rhys
77. Who Are You?
His heart dropped as he sighted her figure at the distinct end of the room. His breath heavier feeling the rage surge through him, just by her silent sobs.“Tigress” he mumbled walking towards her but she didn’t move an inch, probably didn’t hear him.He stood by her side and still no amount of awareness being shown by Ashley. It’s like she’s suddenly turned into a rock.The thoughts of what Giovanni has done to his wife don’t sit well with him. It bothers him big time knowing Ashley had to go through it alone.He had a choice either to save her or the mission and once again he chose the mission. He maybe doesn’t have feelings for her but he cares for her that’s for sure.Heaving out a sigh, he placed a hand on her lower back urging her to bolt her head up in terror with a scream smiling from her lips.Soon her screams died down as her sight came in contact with Rhys’s.He knew he was the last person she was expecting but he didn’t think it’d be this obvious.He cupped on her cheek, “
- Vindictive Dr Rhys
76. Coma.
Rhys walked out of the building with Alec tailing behind. Before Rhys could register what was going on, Alec had pinned him to the ground launching punches on him.“You dare lay your hands on my wife” he punched on Rhys.“How dare you place a finger on her?!” Punch.He had already gathered a scene just as he wanted. Rhys had to struggle with his inner thoughts, one side of him telling him to retaliate and the other urging him to keep calm and not endanger his wife.It was hard to choose which to go with the embarrassment Alec was causing him.“What’s going on here!?” A third party arrives with his guards standing at the back of him.Rhys lifted his gaze meeting with Giovanni’s just then Ashley walked out of the building but soon her steps came to a halt when she met eyes with Giovanni.“Clear the path” Giovanni orders the guards to which they adhered.Soon it was only, Ashley, Giovanni, Alec, and Rhys in the scene.Rhys stole a glance at his wife who looked like she’d pass out any mo
- Vindictive Dr Rhys
75. Natalie.
Rhys walked into the boardroom oozing confidence and power. His jawline hardens to be sharp, sharp enough to slice through any obstacles that come his way.His breath hitched as he walked meeting with his wife in converse with Damien. One of the perverts in the Freeman Corp.He burned his stare making his presence known to her. Just as their eye clicked he didn’t miss the way she moved uncomfortably.“You’re late” Alec spat sending daggers at Rhys that seemed to be unhinged.Rhys had almost forgotten about the role he was to play before his true identity was revealed. He didn’t care at the moment, what irked him was the fact that his wife was seared a few steps away conversing with Damien while he rubbed her shoulder.His hands fisted, “Sorry” he mumbled taking a seat with his eyes still glued to his wife.Ashley moved away from Damien making Rhys smirk before he turned his stare away, letting the poor girl breathe.Soon enough the meeting began.Rhys knew the meeting had everything t
- Vindictive Dr Rhys
74. Anger, hurt And Disappointment
Rhys walked out of the car with Ashley by his side walking their way to the entrance of the house.He wasn’t only introducing her to his parents but rather a way of telling them he has agreed with their decision even though he knows deep down his siblings would be the last person to agree to the fact that Rhys accepted defeat.The door swings open revealing one of the maids.“Good Morning Master” she greets sharing a look with Ashley.He didn’t miss the way the duo had smiled at each other causing his left brow to arch up. He didn’t need to be told that the two had formed a relationship with the days Ashley had spent in the villa.He placed his hands on Ashley’s lower back ushering her inside the house and caught into their staring contest moment.“Let’s go” he ushers.He led them to the dining table where he’s sure by now they must be having breakfast. Their presence has the air suddenly filled up the place seizing Mickelson’s attention.Rhys's eyes dropped on his mother who has her
- Vindictive Dr Rhys
73. Be Your Worst Nightmare.
Ashley watched as he walked away unsure of how she was feeling at the moment. Seeing a different shade of Rhys kept her on the edge these days.It’s like he’s a different person. Deep down she knew that right from the start Rhy had more to what she thought of him even though she couldn’t point it out.Rhys Mickelson.Her husband, or rather disguised billionaire into a riffraff. There is more to Rhys that she’s yet to see, she’d be lying if she says she says she wasn’t afraid deep down but the comfort Rhys had been rendering makes her feel insecurely safe.The sincerity in his tune when he said he’d protect her and make sure her uncle and Giovanni would stay a length away from her has her doubt cleared out now that she knows what sort of a person he is.Maybe not know him completely but she has a hint.He’s a Mickelson after all. Their power and dominance are enough to wipe their enemies out of existence with a snap of a finger and with no trails left behind.She huffed out a sigh gett
- Vindictive Dr Rhys
72. Acceptance.
“Where is she?” Ron grumbled through the phone as Rhys placed the fry that threatened to slip from the plate he had assembled Ashley’s breakfast.Heaving out a sigh Rhys held onto the phone on his right ear. “With me, is there a problem with that?” he asked knowing very well who Ron was talking about.“Mum thinks she’s unsafe with you. You better not try—“ Before Ron could complete his statement Rhys cut off the call discarding it to the side.Rhys paused for a second placing both hands on the counter as he let out deep breaths of frustration and annoyance.He’d be lying if he said it didn’t bother him but how his relationship with his mother is going? It’s like she has completely diverted away from him and turned him into an outsider.She has no ounce of respect or faith in him which makes his heart squeeze in displeasure. He knew it was going to take a lot more than fixing Ashley’s life to patch up their relationship but nothing he wasn’t willing to try to get her back to to his si
- Vindictive Dr Rhys
71. Speak.
Rhys stared as she forcefully took spoons of the food with her limbs shivering here and there while she stole glances at him.He probably shouldn’t be making her much more panicked and as uncomfortable as she is but he couldn’t help but stare at her.She is a freaking goddess in all shades of her, beautiful yet poisonous to him. Ashley is a forbidden fruit that he needs to abstain from before she fully becomes part of his life. He feared he would pull her into his already messed-up life.How on earth does his parent expect him to live with her for the rest of his life without breaking the boundaries? As it is, he has tried crossing limits here and there but he always backs out before it’s too late.He moved his eyes around her shuddering lips gulping down as he tried to keep himself calm until he could no longer contain it, he leaned up grabbing a hold of her left cheek before claiming her lips. Rhys groans nibbling on her lower lips till she eventually gives in and grants him access
