Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
As their kiss deepened, Gemma’s thoughts began to blur. Pierre did not seem to care – he was driven by the growing need to hold her close, to feel that connection. She tried to pull away, but he held her tight, unwilling to let go. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, and she felt herself growing weaker.
Without realizing it, Gemma’s body softened. She leaned against him, her head resting in the crook of his arm. Fighting for breath, she pinched his hand in desperation.
Pierre pulled back, his lips leaving hers, but he did not move away. His senses sharpened and he became aware of the sound of Gemma’s breath against his ear, her body still trembling slightly. Her breath was warm and ragged, her chest rising and falling against him in a rhythm that made his pulse quicken. The faint sobbing undertone to her breathing only drew him deeper into a daze, the conflicting emotions he felt swirling within him.
At that moment, resentment turned to desire, surging through Pierre. He gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek as he pulled her closer. He had not intended for things to go this far. At first he’d just wanted to tease her. But the situation had clearly gotten out of hand.
Before he could fully process it, he pulled Gemma back into his arms, his lips seeking hers again. This time, everything seemed to unfold naturally, almost instinctively.
As her skirt was lifted, Gemma pulled back in resistance, her voice trembling as she whispered, “Pierre, no…
In a low, husky tone, Pierre murmured, “Why not? Don’t you like it when I kiss you and hold you?”
And why was she clinging to him so tightly, despite her protests? He grinned inwardly and, with a surge of defiance, intensified his movements, showing no signs of restraint.
Gemma’s reactions betrayed her, though she struggled to hide them. Pierre could feel her body responding to him, her delicate form pressing against him. It stirred something deep within him – desire mixed with a strange, simmering rage that made his entire being ache.
He kissed her roughly, his hand gripping her throat with a possessive force. For a fleeting moment, a thought crossed his mind – what if he ended her right here? She was Corey’s sister, after all. She was anything but an innocent angel.
“Pierre…” Gemma’s voice broke through, fragile and pained.
Her cry snapped Pierre back to reality, and he suddenly realized that something was terribly wrong. Gemma’s breathing was off – shallow, labored, constricted.
Panic surged through Pierre. He pushed aside any cruel thoughts and quickly turned on the light. The sight that greeted him made his heart race. Gemma’s face had begun to turn purple and her hands were clutching her chest, gasping for air. She was suffocating. She was having a heart attack.
Without wasting a second, Pierre rolled off of her and dialed for an ambulance with trembling hands. He quickly dressed them both, lifted Gemma into his arms and rushed outside with her. Time slipped away.
They arrived at the hospital just as Corey burst through the doors.
Gemma was immediately rushed into surgery. The doctor’s assistant filled Corey in on her condition, explaining that unlike her previous heart attacks, this time her vital signs were rapidly deteriorating and warning that they might lose her. Corey’s face turned pale.
“What do you mean, she’s going?” Corey’s voice cracked as he clenched his fists. “She was fine hours ago – are you trying to scare me?”
The assistant stumbled backwards in horror, trying to protect himself. But Corey’s rage was unstoppable, and he lashed out, kicking the assistant hard and sending him crashing into the wall.
Pierre stepped forward and tried to restrain Corey, his voice firm but calm. “Mr. Hampton, please!”
Corey turned sharply, his eyes bloodshot and filled with anger. “Why did she have an attack out of nowhere?” he snapped. “What were you doing?”
Pierre’s breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling with the weight of the moment. Rage will not help her now. It won’t ease her suffering. You need to think clearly. We need to figure out what to do next.”
Corey felt a sharp sting, as if the words had hit him like a blow to the head. His anger, which had felt all-consuming, began to fade: < His plan was bubbling up right now, screaming for attention.
Pierre’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Mr. Hampton, is there any chance of a heart transplant?”
Corey glared at Pierre, his eyes sharp and full of venom. A heart transplant was the only thing that could save Gemma now – and Alicia’s heart was the only match. But how could he steal a heart right under Caden’s nose?
The hours passed painfully. When the doctors finally came out, their faces were not filled with hope. They told Corey that Gemma’s condition was temporarily stable, but could change at any moment. Without a heart transplant, her next attack could be fatal.
Corey had never felt so helpless, so scared. The doctor’s words tore down every bit of resistance he’d had. He knew what he had to do.
After a short pause, Corey turned to Pierre. “Take care of her,” he ordered, his voice calm but full of determination.
Pierre nodded, his expression unreadable. “Understood, Mr. Hampton.”
As Corey walked away, his steps unsteady and lost in thought, Pierre watched him go. Gradually, Pierre’s tense expression softened and a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips.
In the stillness of the early morning, the phone rang sharply, breaking the silence of the Ward Mansion bedroom.
Alicia slept soundly, undisturbed by the noise, but Caden awoke immediately and answered the call, his concentration sharp as he listened to the brief instructions on the other end.
Moments later, Caden hung up and quietly returned to the bed, wrapping his arms around Alicia. She stirred slightly and mumbled sleepily, “Who was it?
Caden kissed her forehead gently. “Nothing important. Go back to sleep.”
The morning light was soft when Alicia awoke, only to find that Caden had already left. There was a short message from him on her phone. “Had to step out for a bit. Be back in half an hour.”
She did not question him. Instead, she rose and began to prepare breakfast.
The delicious aroma soon filled the dining room. Just as Alicia finished washing her hands, she heard the front door creak < open. Turning with a smile, she called out, "You're back. Walked out.
Her words caught in her throat and stopped suddenly.
Corey entered the room with slow, measured steps, moving as if he owned the place. But it wasn’t just his confident posture that unnerved her – it was the intense hostility that radiated from him. Alicia glanced toward the doorway, but there was no sign of Caden. Her heart skipped a beat and she instinctively took a step back, her fingers wrapped tightly around the handle of a fruit knife she had picked up from the counter.
Corey noticed the knife, his gaze flickering to it before meeting her eyes. He said, his voice low and almost condescending, “Alicia, we’ve known each other a long time. Do you really think a knife will stop me?
Alicia’s fingers tightened around the knife, her knuckles blanching under the strain. She knew all too well the depths of Corey’s ruthlessness – his hands were stained with countless lives. Caden’s sudden disappearance and Corey’s calculated appearance left her in no doubt: this had been his plan all along.
Corey approached Alicia with a menacing aura, his steps deliberate, each one exuding control. His voice was calm but commanding as he demanded her surrender.
But Alicia wasn’t naive enough to believe there was mercy behind his words. Clinging to the only chance she had, she put her faith in the fruit knife that trembled in her grasp.
Unimpressed, Corey settled into a chair at the dining table, his sharp gaze taking in the carefully prepared breakfast. The aroma tantalized his senses, but no amount of hunger could quell his appetite. “Was that for Caden?” he asked, his tone laced with mockery. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “1 never pegged you as the domestic type. Two years in Xada and you haven’t even poured me a glass of water.”
Alicia’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t flinch. “Did you send Caden away just so you could have this little chat?
Corey chuckled darkly, his grin deepening. “Sharp as ever. I thought you two were on a honeymoon. Caden’s not an easy man to put aside, but who would have thought that something so trivial could keep him occupied?”
Alicia’s grip on the knife tightened, her pale fingers trembling with suppressed rage and fear.
Corey leaned back, exuding an infuriating calm. “You miscalculated, Alicia. Caden doesn’t love you as much as you want to believe. If he did, why would he leave you alone over something so insignificant?
Corey smiled. Caden knew that Corey had come to Averibon. Caden knew that Corey had bad intentions towards Alicia. Caden also knew with chilling clarity how easily Corey could infiltrate their home.
Corey’s voice fell into a mocking tone. “Marrying Caden wasn’t your wisest decision.
Alicia’s eyes narrowed, anger overtaking her fear. “What do you want from me, Corey? Stop playing games and just say it! His calm gaze fixed on hers, as if making a decision. Finally, his expression softened, though his words carried a dangerous edge. “Come with me quietly, Alicia, and I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.
Alicia paid no attention to his words. But in the face of Corey’s unyielding presence, she realized that resistance was futile.
With practiced ease, Corey led Alicia to the car, leaving the Ward mansion behind without a hitch.
Eventually, Alicia found herself in a cold, clinical room that reeked of sterility. Her pulse quickened as Corey removed the blindfold from her eyes. The harsh, blinding light made her flinch < instinctively. Blinking rapidly, she gradually adjusted to the brightness and took in her surroundings.
Alicia was handcuffed to a bed surrounded by high-end medical equipment.
Alicia’s mind raced as she pieced together the frightening scenario. Her gaze shifted to the surgical light overhead, its ominous glare confirming her worst fears.
Corey stood at her bedside, now clad in sterile surgical garb. Behind him, two assistants meticulously prepared an array of surgical instruments.
Alicia’s stomach churned. She knew these tools well – each one was for heart surgery. Her eyes met Corey’s. Despite the gravity of the situation, her expression betrayed no fear, no shock. Her pupils dilated slightly, but she remained calm.
You’re so calm.” There was a hint of annoyance in Corey’s tone. It seems you already know what I’m going to do.”
Alicia’s demeanor was unnervingly calm, as if she weren’t the one about to be sliced open.
“Would struggling help?” Alicia’s voice was unwavering, her tone cutting. “You probably wish I’d resist, so you could take my heart without hesitation-for Gemma’s sake.”
Corey froze for a moment, her words taking him by surprise. She had known about Gemma’s critical heart condition all along. But what unsettled him even more was her complete lack of fear – her calm acceptance of what was coming. “So are you ready to save Gemma?” he asked.
Alicia let out a cold sneer. “You think I’m some kind of saint? How could you ask such a ridiculous question?”
Corey found himself amused and picked up the anesthetic. “Alicia, at times like this, you remind me of Caden – stoic, unflinching, even when staring death in the face. ‘
Corey rolled up her sleeve. The sharp needle glinted under the sterile light before piercing her vein and injecting the anesthetic.
Alicia didn’t flinch or struggle. She sat there, calm, as if the pain was irrelevant. Corey’s eyes lingered on the syringe as it emptied, his hand unusually heavy. “Tell me the truth. Are you really not afraid? Not even a little?”
Alicia’s fist clenched, her steely gaze meeting his. “Would you really let me die?
For a brief moment, Corey’s eyes flickered with hesitation. In the two years they had spent together in Xada, the three of them-Alicia, Gemma, and him-had shared a strange semblance of family. He had grown fond of the sound of their laughter echoing through the house when he returned from work. He liked how they always included him in their plans, no matter how trivial or spontaneous. He enjoyed tagging along to everyday places.
Alicia and Corey schemed against each other in quieter moments, carefully weighing pros and cons, each occasionally tempted to eliminate the other. But for Gemma’s sake, they put aside their sharp edges and guarded hearts. Together, they played their roles so convincingly – sharing meals, smiling through tensions – that eventually even Corey couldn’t tell what was real and what was an act.
As Corey withdrew the needle, a sudden wave of powerlessness washed over him. For the first time, he felt like a child, weighed down by an unbearable guilt. His voice was rough, barely a whisper. “Alicia, Gemma’s not gonna make it.
When Gemma was first diagnosed with a malignant heart condition, Corey had no intention of involving Alicia. But when a heart transplant became Gemma’s only chance, desperation drove him to Terryland and he spared no expense to find a match. Despite his best efforts, he failed.
When Corey’s thoughts turned to Alicia for a heart transplant, it wasn’t just Caden’s wrath that gave him pause. Deep down, Corey couldn’t bear the thought of Alicia dying. That hesitation was why he had delayed until now, clinging to hope until there were no more options. Now, standing in front of Alicia, he decided with a heavy heart to choose Gemma over her.
Corey waited patiently, his gaze steady as the anesthetic began to take effect. His extensive knowledge of the human body was not just a skill – it was a necessity, honed for Gemma’s sake. Heart extraction was his specialty, disturbingly precise and practiced.
Under the flickering operating light, an assistant handed Corey the scalpel, the weight of the task settling over the room.
Alicia closed her eyes, seemingly surrendering to the inevitable. With a stern expression, Corey covered her face with a cloth and began unbuttoning her shirt.
But the silence broke abruptly. The assistant next to Corey spoke up, her voice tense with anxiety. “Mr. Hampton, something’s wrong.”
Corey clenched his jaw, his frustration obvious. “Is Caden here yet?”
“No, the anesthesia isn’t working on her.”
Corey froze, his hand hovering in the air. His heart skipped a beat. “Is she immune to the anesthesia?
The assistant shook her head, helpless. “1 dont know. We didn’t have time to run tests. ‘
Pulling back the cloth, Corey’s gaze met Alicia’s open eyes. She spoke with unnerving calm, her voice cutting through the tension. “What is it, Mr. Hampton? Having second thoughts?” Corey’s pupils contracted. A sense of foreboding had gnawed at him since he entered the Ward mansion – now it loomed larger than ever.
The assistant, glancing nervously at the clock, urged Corey, “Let’s go ahead with the surgery. The organs are still viable without anesthesia.”
Corey’s eyes burned with a mixture of anger and desperation. “You want her to suffer a slow, painful death?”