Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
And to which Marcus only had four words to say—-
“I love you, Anneke.”
Anneke laughed harder. Cried harder. “Says the man,” she choked out, “who left me on our wedding night – to fuck another woman.”
The pain in her voice nearly undid him, but Marcus told himself he had to stick to the plan. If their earlier meeting had taught him anything, it was that she wasn’t ready to hear what he had to say about that night.
He had to take things slowly.
He had to show her he deserved her, had to at least prove to her that no other man could love her more –
And only then he could he tell the truth about that night.
Only then could he reveal the sick truth about himself.
Only then could he risk losing her completely.
“Mi dispiace, amore mio.” His voice was harsh and bleak the same time. “I am so damn sorry I keep hurting you, but I simply cannot give up without trying one last time.”
The words were everything she used to dream about.
But not anymore.
“Oh, Marcus.” And she couldn’t stop laughing and crying again.
Marcus breathed harshly, knowing how close she was to shattering. Mi dispiace, amore mio. Mi dispiace.
“Can’t you see—-” She gulped. “Can’t you it’s too late?”
He closed his eyes at her words, saying hollowly, “Even so. I’ll die trying to change your mind.”
“H-how melodramatic.” But her voice broke in the end, and Marcus wanted to smash something into pieces.
He said fiercely, “Tu sei l’unico per me.” You’re the only one for me.
“Oh, M-Marcus.”
“Ti amo, Anneke.” A piece of his heart was carved out with every word.
“Goodbye, Marcus.”
Part Three
One
Coming back to DKE’s headquarters after a morning meeting at a nearby hotel, Anneke was surprised to see Serenity Raleigh, Willem’s eighteen-year-old PA, entering the building just ahead of her.
“Goedmorgen, mevrouw.” Greetings from the staff had Serenity turning around, and seeing her boss’ sister coming inside, Serenity automatically halted.
Anneke hurried forward when she saw the younger girl waiting for her. “Hallo, and you totally didn’t have to wait for me, you know.”
“It was no trouble.” Serenity’s tone was well modulated, her smile picture-perfect with just the right mix of courtesy and warmth. The younger girl was affectionately known as Willem, Jr. within DKE, and it wasn’t just because she was blonde, blue-eyed, and beautiful like Anneke’s eldest brother. Simply put, the teenager was more like the Dutch billionaire’s clone than a mere protégé. Polite to a fault, always unfazed, and pretty much perfect.
“Have you just arrived?”
Serenity shook her head. “I waited with Mr. Turner until his driver came up in front.”
Recognizing the name as one of their long-term partners in the States, Anneke glanced around, looking for her brother. “Where’s Willem then?”
Something flickered in Serenity’s blue eyes before the younger girl answered politely, “He has an engagement with my sister.”
Crap. Wishing she had just kept her big mouth shut, Anneke said hurriedly, “It’s probably about business again. I, umm, heard that Willem was thinking of getting your sister as the new face for this makeup company we had recently invested in.”
“I understand.”
Anneke bit back a sigh. Yes, Serenity no doubt understood that was a big, fat lie, but the younger girl was nice enough to pretend it wasn’t so. Joining the other woman inside the elevator, Anneke willingly took up the burden of conversation, chatting nonstop to give Serenity time to recover her composure. That Serenity was in love with Anneke’s eldest brother was open knowledge among her and her other siblings, but it was also one they never voiced outright to the Good-Hearted Tyrant. For one thing, Willem didn’t seem to be aware of it either, and even if he were, Anneke had a bad feeling it would only keep him further away from Serenity.
Love was so complicated.
No sooner than the thought formed in her mind did the elevator doors open to the executive floor, and the first thing Anneke saw was the huge bouquet on the counter and the receptionists’ grinning faces.
Oh, crap.
“Flowers for you, Ms. de Konigh.” Rachel then asked slyly, “Wonder who it’s from.”
Speaking of complications, here was her own, confronting Anneke regularly like clockwork. Throw it out. That was what her first instinct told her to say, but good manners eventually prevailed, and she said briskly, “Thank you.”
Andrea, the other receptionist, appeared flummoxed at her lackluster reaction to the bouquet. “Don’t you think it’s terribly sweet that Marcus Ravelli always sends you flowers?”
Anneke couldn’t help feeling a little exasperated. “You do remember I’ve asked him for a divorce—-”
“But it hasn’t been granted yet,” Rachel quickly pointed out. “So maybe there’s a chance that you guys could get back together?” She knew she was being forward, and while she wouldn’t dream of saying any such thing to any other de Konigh, Anneke was different. In the receptionist’s private opinion, Anneke – despite her occasional display of reserve, which Rachel chalked down to Willem de Konigh’s training - was the most approachable of the bunch. There was just something about the blonde Dutch heiress that was unquestionably angelic.