A Crown of Strength

A Crown of Strength

rabbit

5.0
Comment(s)
1.9K
View
22
Chapters

Everyone said Xander Fuller loved me deeply. If it had been a day earlier, I would have believed it too. But then I saw him through the hospital window, holding a sobbing woman tightly in his arms. "Don't overthink it! She's just your stand-in. If I didn't play the part, what if my enemies went after you? Thank goodness the explosion didn't hurt you, or I'd regret it forever!" I looked down at my scarred hands and gave a bitter smile. When my life hung by a thread, Xander saved me and gave me a love that felt one-of-a-kind. Back then, I naively thought I had found happiness. But when enemies kidnapped and tortured me to threaten him, he acted indifferent, even showing a hint of relief in his eyes. I didn't understand why back then, but now it all made sense. I touched my mother's portrait and dialed a number I hadn't called in ages. That night, bodyguards surrounded the hospital entrance, bowing respectfully to me. "Welcome back, Miss!"

Chapter 1

Everyone said Xander Fuller loved me deeply.

If it had been a day earlier, I would have believed it too.

But then I saw him through the hospital window, holding a sobbing woman tightly in his arms. "Don't overthink it! She's just your stand-in. If I didn't play the part, what if my enemies went after you? Thank goodness the explosion didn't hurt you, or I'd regret it forever!"

I looked down at my scarred hands and gave a bitter smile.

When my life hung by a thread, Xander saved me and gave me a love that felt one-of-a-kind.

Back then, I naively thought I had found happiness.

But when enemies kidnapped and tortured me to threaten him, he acted indifferent, even showing a hint of relief in his eyes.

I didn't understand why back then, but now it all made sense.

I touched my mother's portrait and dialed a number I hadn't called in ages.

That night, bodyguards surrounded the hospital entrance, bowing respectfully to me.

"Welcome back, Miss!"

...

After learning none of Xander's enemies survived the explosion, I knew my marriage to him was over.

He no longer needed me to shield his true love from danger.

The hospital at night felt eerily quiet.

When Xander walked in, I had just finished my final bandage change for my hand injury.

Unlike before, he didn't check my wounds or offer comfort.

He stood in front of me and placed a prepared divorce agreement on the table. "Sign it."

"Did you ever love me?" My voice trembled as I forced the question out.

Though I knew the outcome, I still wanted an answer for the love I poured into these years.

Three years ago, when my uncle Kory Curtis hunted me over family inheritance, I fell into the sea and nearly died. Xander saved me.

From then on, I stayed by his side, and he treated me well.

The day I learned he wanted to marry me, I was so excited I didn't sleep for days.

Back then, I innocently believed this was the love and happiness my mother spoke of.

At my words, Xander let out a mocking laugh. "Love? What's your status to think I'd love you? I will only ever love Dorothy. Saving you was just because you were an orphan. If you died, no one would care. You were perfect as Dorothy's stand-in. Now that I've eliminated all threats, it's time you gave her place back to her!"

Looking at his impatient face, my anger made my hands tremble as I gripped the divorce agreement. "So, Xander, all your talk of loving me and spending our lives together was a lie!"

He sneered with disdain. "If I didn't say that, would you have willingly stayed by my side as Dorothy's stand-in for three years?"

Before I could respond, he roughly grabbed my freshly bandaged hand. "Sign it quick! Why didn't that explosion kill you too? If you were dead, I wouldn't even need to sign this!"

The gauze and medicine rubbed against my unhealed wounds, and pain made sweat bead on my forehead.

But Xander didn't care. After I signed, he grabbed the agreement and left my room eagerly.

Watching his retreating figure, I gave a cold laugh.

He'd pay for his betrayal.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a familiar number.

That night, bodyguards surrounded the hospital entrance.

They bowed respectfully and addressed me.

"Miss."

Continue Reading

Other books by rabbit

More

You'll also like

HIS DOE, HIS DAMNATION(An Erotic Billionaire Romance)

HIS DOE, HIS DAMNATION(An Erotic Billionaire Romance)

Viviene
4.9

Trigger/Content Warning: This story contains mature themes and explicit content intended for adult audiences(18+). Reader discretion is advised. It includes elements such as BDSM dynamics, explicit sexual content, toxic family relationships, occasional violence and strong language. This is not a fluffy romance. It is intense, raw and messy, and explores the darker side of desire. ***** "Take off your dress, Meadow." "Why?" "Because your ex is watching," he said, leaning back into his seat. "And I want him to see what he lost." ••••*••••*••••* Meadow Russell was supposed to get married to the love of her life in Vegas. Instead, she walked in on her twin sister riding her fiance. One drink at the bar turned to ten. One drunken mistake turned into reality. And one stranger's offer turned into a contract that she signed with shaking hands and a diamond ring. Alaric Ashford is the devil in a tailored Tom Ford suit. Billionaire CEO, brutal, possessive. A man born into an empire of blood and steel. He also suffers from a neurological condition-he can't feel. Not objects, not pain, not even human touch. Until Meadow touches him, and he feels everything. And now he owns her. On paper and in his bed. She wants him to ruin her. Take what no one else could have. He wants control, obedience... revenge. But what starts as a transaction slowly turns into something Meadow never saw coming. Obsession, secrets that were never meant to surface, and a pain from the past that threatens to break everything. Alaric doesn't share what's his. Not his company. Not his wife. And definitely not his vengeance.

Chapters
Read Now
Download Book