DISCLAIMER

...This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, businesses, location, Events, and incident are either made up by the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manners. Any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, or real-life event is entirely coincidental....

...Please be advised that this story is contains sensitives content, mature themes and strong language that are not suitable for a very young audience. ...

...****************...

Synopsis:

Betrayed. Framed. Left to die.

Ariadne Asselina Ildelfonso never imagined that the man she loved would one day become her executioner. Gavyn Del Herrera, her husband, the man she had vowed to stand beside, had been so easily deceived.

It all started with a lie—a cruel fabrication spun by his ex-lover, a woman who was not only his former flame but Ariadne's own second cousin. A woman who had always envied her, who had always wanted what was hers.

And she took it all.

With cunning precision, she accused Ariadne of something unspeakable—attempting to poison her. And Gavyn, blinded by rage, believed her without question.

He didn't listen to Ariadne's cries.

He didn't see the trap closing in around her.

Instead, he punished her.

Exiled to a remote villa on a desolate island, Ariadne was left to suffer, abandoned and isolated. But her cousin wasn’t finished with her yet. She had no intention of letting Ariadne simply exist.

She hired an assassin. A cold-blooded killer sent to ensure Ariadne never left that island alive. Her death was meant to look like suicide, just another tragic ending to a woman consumed by guilt.

Only… fate had other plans.

On the very night she was supposed to die, someone saved her. A stranger who risked everything to help her escape.

And just as she was slipping into the shadows of the world, her twin sister—whom she had not seen in years—was found dead.

A perfect body. A perfect switch.

By the time they buried "Ariadne Asselina Ildelfonso Del Herrera," the real Ariadne was already gone.

For one month, Gavyn mourned the woman he had cast aside.

Then the letter came.

"The woman you buried was not your wife."

Shock turned to doubt. Doubt turned to obsession.

Piece by piece, Gavyn uncovered the truth: Ariadne had been set up. His ex-lover, the woman he had defended, had orchestrated the entire scheme.

But by the time he realized the weight of his mistake, Ariadne had disappeared without a trace.

Five years passed.

And then—he found her.

Living a quiet life in a small city, Ariadne had rebuilt herself. No longer the desperate woman who had once begged him for trust, she had become a strong, independent team leader in a modest company. She had buried her past, severed all ties, and lived as if the nightmare had never happened.

Until he walked through her door.

The new consultant assigned to her team?

Gavyn Del Herrera.

He had tracked her down, and this time, he wasn’t letting go.

But Ariadne was no longer the same woman.

And love—if it ever existed—might not be enough to fix what was already broken.

Could he earn her forgiveness?

Or was he too late to mend what was already shattered beyond repair?

(Ariadne Asselina Ildelfonso's POV)

The scent of salt and damp earth lingered in the air.

A faint glow from the gas lamps barely illuminated the pathway, casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. The sound of water sloshing against the wooden dock filled the silence, broken only by the shuffling of heavy boots against the floorboards.

I was dragged forward.

My delicate wrists were bound, my fingers numb from struggling against the coarse ropes that dug into my skin. My breath came in shallow, ragged gasps as I fought against the sheer terror swallowing me whole.

"No... no, please—"

My voice trembled, breaking under the weight of my fear.

The grip on my arms tightened.

"Walk."

The command was cold. Unfeeling.

I dug my heels into the wooden planks, trying to resist, but the force behind me was merciless.

Beyond the dock, a small boat waited. Dark. Ominous.

And him.

The man I once loved stood just a few steps away, his face cast in shadow. The dim light of the lantern above reflected in his icy gaze—one that no longer held the warmth it once did.

"P-please…" I choked out.

Tears streaked down my face, but I no longer cared about the humiliation of begging.

"Just this once… believe me."

But there was no hesitation when he turned to his butler.

"Send her to the Green House."

A sharp gasp escaped my lips.

"N-no! NO!"

I fell to my knees, clutching at his legs, desperate.

"Please, I’m begging you!"

But he simply looked down at me.

Not with love.

Not with sympathy.

But with utter detachment.

Sir, the boat is ready."

"Then take her away."

"N-no! P-please! P—"

I screamed, my cries swallowed by the vast emptiness around them.

And then—darkness.

"PLEASE!"

I gasped awake, my body jerking upright in bed.

Cold sweat clung to my skin, my breath coming in sharp, panicked bursts.

My fingers curled around the sheets as I tried to steady my racing heart.

I swallowed hard, looking around.

I was in my apartment.

Not there.

I exhaled shakily, brushing damp strands of hair from my face.

It had been years since that nightmare haunted me. But now, it was back.

I shook my head.

No. I shouldn't dwell on the past.

I had built a new life. A life of reason. Restraint. A life I was determined to protect.

With a sigh, I threw the blankets off and got out of bed. There was no point in trying to sleep again—I wouldn’t be able to.

I grabbed my laptop and checked my schedule, immersing myself in work until I realized it was already six in the morning.

After a quick shower and a simple breakfast, I dressed in my usual office attire and headed out.

The ride to work on my motorcycle took only thirty minutes—fifteen minutes faster than if I had taken the train.

By the time I arrived at the company, the parking lot was already half full.

I clocked in, then made my way to my desk, only to be greeted by a familiar voice.

"Good morning, Ms. Yannie!"

I looked up to see Bella, one of my closest colleagues, grinning at me.

"Good morning," I replied, offering her a small smile. Then, with a teasing glint in my eye, I asked, "You're early today. That’s unusual."

She laughed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, shut up."

I was about to tease her more when Ahsirt arrived, plopping down at her desk with a heavy sigh.

"Morning," she mumbled dully.

Bella and I exchanged looks before approaching her.

"What's wrong with you?" I asked.

Ahsirt sat up, stretching. "Do you guys want coffee?"

Bella and I nodded instinctively.

"Okay, I’ll go buy some," she said before walking off without another word.

Bella blinked. "What’s up with her?"

I shrugged.

Just then, Alexa, our other deskmate, appeared, laughing as she overheard our conversation.

"Don’t worry," she said, smirking. "She’s just being dramatic because her favorite character in Demon Slayer died."

Bella and I groaned in unison.

"Seriously?"

Alexa held up her phone, proving her point.

As expected, when Ahsirt returned with our coffees, she was back to her usual self.

"Told you," Alexa said smugly.

The conversation shifted when Bella suddenly asked, "Did you guys see the announcement about the new consultant?"

I shook my head. "No, not yet."

"Apparently, he's the same age as Bella," Ahsirt chimed in.

"He must be elite of elites, then," Bella mused.

"Or just really strict," I muttered.

We made our way to the meeting room together, chatting along the way.

Once inside, the assistant manager began the morning meeting.

"As mentioned, we've brought in a consultant from TL-IL Corp to assist with our business developments. Please introduce yourself."

I was focused on my laptop, barely paying attention—until I heard the voice.

"Nice to meet you all. My name is Gavyn Del Herrera."

My entire body went rigid.

The world seemed to stop.

I couldn’t breathe.

I felt Ahsirt’s hand against mine, and I gripped it tightly.

"W-what was the consultant’s name again?" My voice shook.

Ahsirt looked at me oddly. "Didn’t you hear? Gavyn Del Herrera. Why?"

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t.

My hands trembled.

No.

No.

He was here.

Gavyn.

Why?

Slowly, I forced myself to look up.

And that was my mistake.

Because the moment our eyes met—

The color drained from my face.

He was staring right at me.

Expression unreadable.

But his presence alone suffocated me.

The past clawed at my mind, whispering of things I had fought so hard to forget.

"And that concludes the morning meeting."

I barely heard the words.

The meeting had lasted only a few hours, but to me, it felt like an eternity.

I stood quickly, gathering my things.

Bella caught my arm. "Are you okay? You look pale."

"I’m fine," I lied. "Just… not feeling well."

She didn’t look convinced, but she let me go.

I walked out of the meeting room, trying to steady my breath.

My phone vibrated.

I checked the screen.

Shaun.

My boyfriend of one year.

I hesitated before answering.

"Shaun?"

"Yannie… I need to talk to you."

There was something off about his tone.

"I have work, but I’ll be free tonight. Is that okay?"

A pause. Then, a sigh.

"Yeah… Okay. I’ll wait for you at the café downstairs."

The unease in my chest deepened.

By the time I finished my report and clocked out, it was 6:30 p.m.

I headed straight to the café.

The moment I walked in, my eyes landed on him.

And the woman sitting beside him.

Holding his hand.

I approached them, my heart pounding.

Shaun looked up, his expression serious.

"I want to break up."

The words crashed over me like a tidal wave.

"I want to be with Lyka."

I felt like the ground had been ripped from under me.

"Shaun… Aren’t you being deceived?"

Lyka’s voice trembled as she clutched his arm. "It’s my fault… I just couldn’t let him go… even though I knew he had a girlfriend."

I stared at her.

She knew.

And she still did it.

"I’m sorry, Yannie," Shaun said. "But I have needs."

SLAP!

I hit him hard.

"I won’t let you break up with me," I spat.

"Because I’M breaking up with YOU."

And with that, I walked out.

Never looking back.

I stormed out of the café, my heart pounding violently against my ribs.

The humiliation burned in my chest—everyone saw. Everyone heard Shaun’s words, his pathetic excuses, his betrayal.

I clenched my fists.

I refused to cry. Not here. Not now.

But the cold night air did little to cool the storm raging inside me.

My feet moved on their own, and before I knew it, I was standing beside my motorcycle in the parking lot.

My hands shook as I reached for my helmet.

I needed to leave. To be anywhere but here.

"Still reckless, I see."

That voice.

Deep, smooth, with an edge of amusement.

I froze, my fingers tightening around my helmet.

No.

It couldn't be.

Slowly, I turned.

And there he was.

Gavyn Del Herrera.

Standing only a few feet away, hands tucked casually into his pockets, his sharp suit looking effortlessly expensive.

The years had refined him. His once-boyish features were now strikingly chiseled, his dark eyes more piercing, unreadable.

But the smirk—the one that used to drive me insane—that was still the same.

I felt the ground shift beneath my feet.

"What the hell are you doing here?" My voice barely came out steady.

Gavyn took a slow step forward, his gaze never leaving mine.

"That’s quite the way to greet an old friend," he mused.

"You are not my friend."

His smirk deepened. "Harsh."

I took a step back, gripping my helmet like a lifeline.

"Why are you here?" I demanded, forcing steel into my voice.

Gavyn tilted his head slightly. "I believe the assistant manager already answered that. I’m the new business consultant."

"Bullshit."

He chuckled. "Now, now, kitten. You wound me."

My breath caught.

Kitten.

That name.

A name I hadn’t heard in years—a name only he used to call me.

The past slammed into me like a freight train, memories I had buried clawing their way back to the surface.

I couldn't do this. Not now.

Not with him.

"Stay away from me," I bit out.

I turned, but before I could mount my bike, a hand wrapped around my wrist.

Not tight. Not forceful.

But firm.

Unyielding.

"Let go," I hissed.

Gavyn didn’t move.

"You’re shaking." His voice was softer this time.

I gritted my teeth. "I said let go."

A beat of silence.

Then, slowly, he released me.

I didn't hesitate. I got on my bike, revved the engine, and sped off—away from him, away from everything.

But no matter how far I rode, one thing remained clear.

Gavyn Del Herrera was back.

And this time, he wasn’t leaving.

(Ariadne Asselina Ildelfonso's POV)

The night air was cold against my skin, but it did nothing to cool the fire burning in my chest.

I didn’t stop riding until the city lights blurred into streaks of gold and white, until my fingers were stiff around the handlebars. Until my mind stopped screaming his name.

Gavyn Del Herrera.

I pulled into the parking lot of my apartment building, killed the engine, and exhaled sharply. My hands were trembling. I hated it. Hated that even after all these years, he still had the power to shake me.

I swung my leg off the bike, ripped my helmet off, and made my way upstairs. Every step felt heavier, like I was dragging my past behind me.

By the time I reached my apartment, I was exhausted. But the moment I closed the door, the silence pressed in.

And my mind refused to rest.

The way he looked at me in that meeting room—calm, unreadable, as if I were just another stranger. As if he hadn’t once sworn he would love me forever before condemning me to hell.

I should’ve been relieved.

But I knew better.

That wasn’t indifference in his eyes. It was something else. Something far more dangerous.

He knew.

He knew I was alive.

And now, he was here.

I exhaled, rubbing my temples.

There was no use dwelling on it. I needed sleep.

But as I slipped into bed, I knew.

There would be no peace tonight.

The Next Morning

I arrived at work early.

I had barely slept, but I refused to let it show. I refused to give Gavyn the satisfaction of thinking he had affected me.

I was pouring coffee into my mug when Bella appeared at my side.

“So…” she drawled, sipping her latte. “About yesterday.”

I stiffened but kept my face blank. “What about it?”

She gave me a look. “Don’t play dumb, Yannie. The way you reacted when Gavyn introduced himself? You looked like you’d seen a ghost.”

I took a slow sip of my coffee. “Maybe I did.”

Bella blinked. “Wait—do you know him?”

I was saved from answering when a voice interrupted us.

“Good morning, ladies.”

I felt it before I saw him.

That quiet intensity. That unshakable presence.

I turned, meeting the dark gaze that had haunted me for years.

Gavyn stood there, looking effortlessly composed in another immaculate suit. His tie was slightly loosened, his hair perfectly styled—everything about him screamed control.

Except for his eyes.

There was something there. A flicker of amusement. Of challenge.

“Yannie,” he greeted smoothly.

I tightened my grip on my mug.

Bella looked between us, her gaze sharp with interest. “Oh? You two know each other?”

Gavyn’s smirk deepened. “You could say that.”

I wanted to throw my coffee at him.

Instead, I forced a polite smile. “We’ve met before.”

Bella’s eyes widened. “Oh my god. Were you—”

“I should get to work,” I cut in, setting my mug down harder than necessary.

I turned on my heel, but Gavyn’s voice followed me.

“Don’t be late to the project briefing, kitten.”

I froze.

Kitten.

That name again.

My blood ran cold, but I forced myself to keep walking.

I didn’t see Bella’s expression, but I knew she was gaping.

I could already hear the questions she would bombard me with later.

But right now, I had bigger problems.

The Meeting

The conference room was already filled when I arrived.

I took a seat, doing my best to ignore the way Gavyn’s presence dominated the space.

The assistant manager cleared his throat. “Let’s begin. As you all know, we’re launching a new project—an exclusive travel package for couples. We need a team to develop a high-end yet accessible vacation experience, including itinerary planning, partnerships with resorts, and a marketing strategy.”

I barely paid attention—until I heard my name.

“And leading this project will be Ms. Yannie Ildelfonso.”

My breath hitched.

“What?” I blurted out.

The assistant manager smiled. “We believe you have the perfect vision for this. And to ensure the project’s success, we’ve assigned a consultant to assist you.”

A sinking feeling settled in my stomach.

No.

Please, no.

“Gavyn Del Herrera will be your partner on this.”

The universe hated me.

Gavyn’s gaze slid to mine, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.

I clenched my fists beneath the table.

I couldn’t do this.

Not with him.

Not when he had already taken so much from me.

After the Meeting

I stormed out of the conference room, my mind racing.

I had to get out of this.

I couldn’t work with Gavyn.

I wouldn’t.

But before I could make it far, a hand wrapped around my wrist, halting me.

My body went rigid.

I knew who it was.

Slowly, I turned.

Gavyn stood there, watching me with an infuriating calmness.

“You’re not running again, are you?” His voice was quiet. Dangerous.

I wrenched my arm away. “I don’t have time for this.”

He stepped closer. “You’re afraid.”

I glared at him. “I’m not afraid of you.”

His lips curved. “No?”

My breath caught as he leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“Then why are you shaking?”

I hated him.

I hated that he could still unnerve me with just a few words.

I squared my shoulders. “I’m not doing this project with you.”

Gavyn hummed. “That’s not your call, kitten.”

I bristled. “Stop calling me that.”

He tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Why? Does it bring back memories?”

My nails dug into my palms.

He was playing with me. Testing me.

Fine.

Two could play this game.

I took a step forward, closing the distance between us. His smirk faltered slightly, as if he hadn’t expected me to push back.

I lifted my chin. “You don’t scare me, Gavyn.”

His eyes darkened, his amusement vanishing.

For a second, I saw something else in them.

Something raw.

But then, just as quickly, it was gone.

“You will.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

I turned sharply and walked away, forcing myself not to look back.

But deep down, I knew.

This was only the beginning.

And this time, I wasn’t sure if I would survive the storm he was about to unleash.