Diamond POV

The car halted in front of pinky’s apartment. I sigh and turned to look at him.

“Thank you!”

That’s all I could mutter.

“You don’t have to thank me. We both needs each other help”

He said and I nodded. He was right. We both needed each other.

“I should get going now”

“Great. I will come pick you up tomorrow. We’ll be meeting with my family!” He said and my eyes widened.

“Y…your family?”

I stuttered. Of course I was surprised. We just made a deal.

“I don’t have time” He said subconsciously reading my thoughts.

“Mmm”

I muttered.

Do I really have a say?

“Fine” That was my respond as I pushed the passenger door opened.

“Have a peaceful night”

He winked. I watched him drive out before turning to leave.

My body froze at who I saw. I couldn’t move as my body went numb.

“Diamond!” He called as he frantically walked up to me.

My chest tightened mere seeing him. I felt the pain surge again.

“M….Max” I hiccup as he walked up to me.

I felt the anger in me build up. Why was he here?

How the hell did he found me?

“Who is him?” He asked, staring directly at me. I lost myself as I tried figuring what he was talking about.

“Who fucking drop you?” He said, his voice becoming louder.

I frowned and clenched my fists, containing my fury.

"I own you no explanation Max”

I said trying to walk out.

With a wicked smile, Max block my way and grab my arm.

“You don’t walk out of me Diamond” he said angrily. If only looks could kill.

“W…what do you want from me?"

I fought back, shouting, "Let me go!"

“Isn’t the humiliation and betrayal you gave to me enough? What more do you want from me. Do you want to end my remains?” I yelled angrily.

I saw his eyes fumed with fury.

“That’s not enough!. “ he shouted.

“You will pay for every damn betrayal you gave to me” he added and I frowned.

What was he talking about. He betrayed me. He humiliated me along side with my claimed parent.

Disgust surged inside me at the thought.

“Stop the pretense. Stop acting like a saint. You fucking betray me first Diamond. Do you think I’ll agree to their scheme so easily? “ He asked and I squeezed my forehead.

“You fucking made a fool out of me first!” He growled.

“You cheated on me two night to our wedding. You think I won’t know?. We’re you really gonna hide it from me forever?”

He said, staring at me with disgust.

I release a laugh.

“I didn’t cheat on you. Where the hell is that coming from?” I asked.

“Seriously. You will never admit it. Don’t you?” He asked.

I scoffed

As far as I was concerned, i didn't owe this backstabber an explanation. I shook off his hand and said coldly, "Mind the way you speak to me, Max. You no longer mean anything to me!” I said.

He held his head and let out an angry laugh. He kicked the dustbin nearby. "What did you just say? Are you kidding me?"

Mu heart skipped a beat when she saw his bloodshot eyes. I spun on my heels, but Max pulled me back again.

"Did I tell you to leave? Don't even dare walk out on me, Diamond! I'm not done speaking to you!" Sparks of fury burned in Max’s eyes.

I was both scared and annoyed. I tried to break free while glaring at him. "Let go of me!"

He grabbed my shoulder and leaned closer to my face. His breath fanning me directly.

"You aren’t gonna hurt me and just walk away Diamond. You cheated on me with some random guy. Why can’t you just admit it. Why being adamant?. I’m not gonna rest until I ruin you completely. You’re not gonna smile until I let you go. You won’t ditch me. I’m the only one allowed to do the ditching. It’s not yet over until I said so!. You still hurt that I married Fiona instead of you. The world is taunting you Diamond. Apologize for what you did cuz I know you still love me and you aren’t getting over me yet.

Apologize and I might consider taking you as a second wife” he muttered and I felt the urge to puke on his face.

“Bah!” I spat on his face.

"I’m never gonna apologize to you no matter what happens, I didn’t even cheat. You better come to terms with it now! I’m never gonna apologize for what I didn’t do"

This comment drove him nuts. He raised his hand to slap me.

But before that could happen, Pinky came to the scene.

“Bestie !” She walked to me and I saw Max slowly drop his hand.

“You punk. What the fuck are you doing here?” She asked.

He faced Pinky and I used the opportunity and rushed into the house.

I entered the room. I lay on the bed and bury my face on the pillow as I started sobbing.

“I hate you Max. I fucking hate you!” I sniffed out. I kept crying until I finally drifted to sleep.

RICARDO POV

The sprawling O'Brien’s estate was a maze of hallways and rooms, adorned with vibrant flowers in every shade. I made my way down the endless corridor, lost in my thoughts and worries. I finally reached the small villa where Grand father was recuperating, nestled behind the lush garden.

The peaceful surroundings were bathed in warm sunlight, a sharp contrast to the chaos in my mind.

My face was drained of color, my eyes filled with anger.

Grandfather O’Brien was known to be cruel and merciless, with power and connections that reached far and wide, even among the police and gangs. Those who dared to cross him often met with a grisly fate.

“Sir, Cardo is are." I was jolted back to reality by the servant's voice.

I breathed deeply, and took a harsh step inside.

A group of doctors encircled Grandfather on the huge bed as they approached.

After the examination, the attending doctor sighed and said, "Although Mr. O’Brien has regained consciousness, the accident has taken a toll on his body, particularly his legs. They are too damaged, and he will never be able to walk normally again. Physiotherapy will take a long time."

My disbelief was palpable. "You mean he's... he's disabled?"

"I'm afraid so," the doctor admitted with deep regret.

"I see. You can leave now." With a flick of his wrist, I dismissed the doctors and turned my attention to Grandfather.

Grandfather sat propped up against the headboard, his eyes filled with an icy indifference that sent shivers down anyone's spine. He seemed aloof and detached from everything around him, his face shrouded with an icy chill.

Finally, he looked up and locked his gaze with Mine.

A lady walked in at that moment.

“I found you a wife Cardo” he said and my eyes widened.

“Who’s she?”

I muttered, asking in a frigid tone

"This is Helena. She is gonna be your wife” he said.

My expression turned colder. "You just woke up old man and the first thing you thought of was to get me a wife. I don't remember asking for one grandpa"I said, disdain dripping from my words.

"I arranged her for you," He replied in a tone that was uncharacteristically sharp. "Everyone knows it."

"Then I won’t marry her!" I spat. "Not just anyone can be my wife.

My words hung in the air, freezing the already tense atmosphere. Grandfather face twitched with anger, but he restrained himself.

"I know of my responsibility. You don’t have to force a woman on me" I said through gritted teeth.

“Cardo!” Mr. O’Brien yelled angrily. He was sneering at me which is so obvious.

I tapped my head in frustration. "What right do you have to make decisions for me?"

“I’m your grandfather!” Mr O’Brien voice quivered with fury as he growled,

“She’s gonna be your wife. I’m tired of you getting one for yourself “ he said and my eyes snapped to my supposed wife to be, scanning her form as if she was a mere object.

“I’m not marry her and there’s nothing you can do !” I growled.

Grandfather was beyond furious and he pointed a trembling finger at me. "How dare you speak to me in that manner? You are an ingrate! Do you not consider me your Grandfather father?"

I let out a cold sneer. "GrandFather? You are not worthy of being called that, Mr O’Brien."

The atmosphere was tense, I could feel it already.

It was suffocating me and I needed to get out of here as soon as possible in order to vent my anger.

I came out of my thought as Grandfather hand came down hard on the lamp, sending it crashing to the floor.

Despite Grandfather rage , I remained unperturbed. I watched him take a deep breath, his body radiating anger as he realized there was no use in continuing the conversation.

“There’s no need forcing a woman on me cuz I already found a wife!” I spat out, the frustration clear in my voice, before turning and storming off in a huff.

“Mr.Cardo”

I heard a voice and halted.

Her voice trailed off as my icy eyes stare bore into her.

My hand shot out and seized hers in a tight grip. I watched her gasped in surprise and stumbled, falling into my arms.

As she struggled to right herself, I put my other hand on her nape and pressed her head closer.

I sense fear welled up inside her as she realized just how dangerous i could be.

"You don't have what it takes to be my wife. This position demands someone who isn't a coward, someone who isn't afraid of me. Do you have a guilty conscience?. Did you make a deal with my grandfather?. Is that why you're so nervous around me?" She shivered in fright at the cause of my voice.

My gazed fixed down on her. I felt her heart race.

Her voice quavered with trepidation as she stuttered, "I... I don't."

I sneered with a malevolent glint in his eyes, relishing the fear he had induced in her.

I could feel her heartbeat, each thump ringing in my ears like a death knell.

I pushed her off me.

"You'd better leave that I’m still nice," I hissed, my voice laced with venom. "Because i won’t like to come back and see you here. I'll make sure you never sees the light of the next day."

She lowered her head,

“Mr. Cardo, please listen to me. Your grandfather wants…..

"Leave!!" I said running out of patient as my face twisted into an icy mask. "I never want to see your face again."

With pains, I watch her run out of the corridor we were in. I sigh.

Becoming the only heir of O’Brien groups and corporations demands special works.

“Mr. Cardo” someone said behind me. I turned I saw my personal investigation.

He handed a test report to me.

"According to the doctor, your Grandfather body is healthy, and after some remedial exercises of his legs, he can fully recover. It seem your Grandfather only wants to pretend and make everyone believe that his legs are disabled” he reported to me.

I balled my fist.

“That old Man”

I later smiled, the satisfaction clear in my eyes.

“He thinks he can fool me. Well I will play along. Let's keep him the dark for a little longer.." I said and watched him take out another document.

"Boss, this contains information about Helena, your supposed new wife” he said, and I frowned at the word new wife.

I snatched it from him and went through it.

"You may be surprised to hear this, boss, but Ms. Helena lived a miserable life. Her life has been marked by a series of unfortunate events that have left her with little recourse. She lost her mother at the tender age of 13, and shortly thereafter, her father remarried a woman who brought with her a girl. Grandfather was the one that took her in when she had no where to go. He gave her a new life. She only agreed to marry you in appreciation to all what Grandfather did for her…..” he paused and stare at me.

I gave him a signal to continue.

“It seems she’s not that bad. Your grandfather only wants you to get married. He might understand if you bring in another woman to marry”

My eyes narrowed as he perused the report, a slight frown marrying my features. " I can read. You don't need to interpret everything ," I said in a clipped tone.

He nodded subserviently, but it wasn't long before he could no longer hold his tongue.

"I just feel that Ms. Helena and grandfather doesn’t mean any harm to you. Stop being harsh to…...

My face contorted into a cruel smile as I cut him

“Are you tired of working for me?" I hissed. He gulped audibly and took a step back. He knew my question was a clear thrher voice trembling with fear as she tried to explain herself.

I turned around and left with the document without uttering any further words. I still have a long day tomorrow.