Love Until Death Do Us Part novel Chapter 2

Five years later, in Stardale City.

"Did you hear? Athena is getting engaged to the eldest son of the Bradshaw family!"

"The Athena who was tainted by some wild man five years ago and even had a kid? How did the Bradshaw family from Everglade City fall for such damaged goods?"

"Exactly, it's been five years, and Ms. Dempsey hasn't dared to spill who the father is. I heard it was some drifter; that's why she's keeping it hush-hush."

"Don't you ladies want to come work as maids in my house? That way, you might get the chance to hide under my bed and eavesdrop on my private life."

A clear, feminine voice rang out, causing the gossipy socialites in the hotel lobby to turn their heads.

The woman standing behind them removed her sunglasses, revealing an unmade-up face, fair as snow, strikingly beautiful.

Athena was a celebrity in Stardale City. She vanished out of the blue five years ago and when the Dempsey family found her, her reputation was in ruins, sending shockwaves throughout the city.

And those discussing her were also well-known socialites of Stardale City.

Seeing Athena, they were far from embarrassed. Instead, they gossiped, "Mr. Bradshaw just checked into this hotel and Ms. Dempsey, you're already here. You sure are eager."

Another socialite was more blunt, "Mr. Bradshaw is known for being a ladies' man. I wonder if he'll actually fancy a woman like you, the one who's already had a child."

Athena scoffed, "I'm here to call off the engagement with the Bradshaw family."

"What?!" The ladies' mouths gaped open.

Her voice was teasing and bold, "What the Bradshaw family's young master likes is none of my business. I've never had any respect for guys who can't keep it in their pants!"

The sleek marble floor reflected the woman's slender, graceful figure as she stepped into the elevator, leaving the socialites looking at each other in bewilderment.

Athena jabbed the elevator button with force.

She had just returned from a business trip when she got a call from her father. The Bradshaw Group from Everglade City was looking to expand their southern business territory and had decided on a strategic alliance with the Dempsey Group.

Newman, who wielded the power in the Bradshaw Group, had pushed his nephew Zoey Bradshaw into this arranged marriage. Zoey was supposed to marry into the Dempsey family, with Athena as his partner.

Looking at her reflection on the elevator wall, Athena recalled her vow from five years ago when she returned to Stardale City - never to have anything to do with Newman again, not even with that man's nephew!

Reaching the executive suite, Athena saw the door ajar. She pushed it open and entered, "Zoey, I'm here to tell you..."

The room was pitch dark. Before she could finish her sentence, her wrist was seized.

The scorching breath sprayed on her face. The familiar scent she hadn't forgotten in five years made her tremble all over!

"Don't come any closer!!" Her voice was muffled as the man, like a beast lying in wait, trapped her in his arms.

He embraced her tightly, his hot breath all over her face, "Silly girl, stop squirming."

His voice, husky and sexy, sent Athena's head spinning! This man wasn't Zoey. It was Newman!!

Had she been recognized?! Impossible! She looked nothing like the naive girl from years ago!

Pinned against the wall, she had no escape! The surging tide pulled at all of Athena's senses, engulfing her whole!

After a long while, Athena stood under the showerhead, her body exhausted. The hot water splashed on her face, leaving her in a sorry state.

Meanwhile, in the living room, the man, now satiated, slowly buttoned up his shirt. The rising collar concealed the crisscrossed red scratches on his chest, as if marked by a cat's claws.

Newman sat on the crimson sofa, an amethyst bracelet on one wrist, his long, jade-like fingers holding a lit cigarette.

He heard the doorbell and got up to answer it.

"Mr. Newman Bradshaw, these are the women's clothes you asked me to buy, and morning-after pills."

Newman responded casually. After taking the paper bag from Kent, he closed the door. He walked to the bathroom door and hung the bag on the doorknob.

Inside the bathroom, Athena shivered as she heard the "click" from the doorknob. Newman, in a languid tone, reminded the person inside, "I've hung your change of clothes on the doorknob."

After he finished speaking, he returned to the living room.

A moment later, the bathroom door opened, and a wet hand reached out, taking the bag from the doorknob.

After blow-drying her hair and taking a deep breath, Athena turned the doorknob and stepped out of the bathroom.