06/08/2025
🔒SOLD & CLAIMED🔒
(...Bound to the Devil…)
CHAPTER 101🖤102
By: Greenie J.
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★
Her heart skipped a million times.
Pregnant? What was he saying?
But she couldn't piece her thoughts together...not with the pressure on her neck.
Her nails scratched his hand.
"I—" she gasped, the air draining from her lungs.
Cross's dark, chilling eyes bore into hers.
His mind was a complete mess right now. He wasn't thinking straight.
Watching her struggle like this should've felt satisfying to him but why did his heart ache instead?
A single tear slipped from her left eye and his gaze slightly softened.
"Cross, p-please" she choked, tears streaming harder.
His grip loosened. Slowly, his hand dropped from her neck.
She collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air, clutching at her throat.
Cross turned his back to her.
"I feel the urge to kill you right now" he muttered, jaw clenched.
She looked up at him with teary, trembling eyes.
No words formed. She could only stare.
"But you know what?" he added, his voice darker.
"Why the hell do I feel like killing you would be the biggest mistake I'll ever make?" he said, his voice low and dangerous. She swallowed hard.
"Cross" she called out weakly, trying to stand, but her legs gave out.
"Don't say my name. Don't you dare" he muttered coldly.
He could feel the tension tightening inside him.
Knowing staying longer might make him lose it completely, without another word, he turned and strode out.
She stayed frozen, eyes locked on the space where he had disappeared. Her lips quivered, and a fresh wave of tears spilled down her cheeks.
Her heart hammered painfully in her chest.
Her heart felt heavy, and the memory of his hands on her throat burned in her mind.
Does he hate her now? Her lips trembled.
Her hand moved on its own to her stomach, her fingers brushing it like she was trying to feel something.
A HOUR LATER…
Novella remained on the floor, her quiet sobs the only sound in the room. Tears soaked her lashes, falling silently as her shoulders trembled.
The door creaked open. Lady Elowen stepped inside, her expression composed but the sorrow in her eyes betrayed her.
She walked to Novella and crouched beside her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"You need to stop crying" she said. "It's not good for the baby"
Novella stiffened. Slowly, she lifted her head, her face pale and damp.
"What… what did you just say?" her voice cracked.
"You heard me," Elowen replied, her tone low
A confused breath escaped Novella.
"You mean I'm really…?" her gaze searched Elowen's face, pleading for clarity.
"I'm pregnant? Like he said?" she completed.
Elowen gave a small nod.
"The doctor confirmed it. He ran the test thrice"
Novella shivered.
"Why didn't you take the pills?" Lady Elowen asked.
Novella didn't reply but only cried harder.
After a long pause, she spoke.
"You once told me if he found out I'm pregnant. He'd kill me and the baby?" she asked, her voice shaking.
Elowen exhaled slowly. "That's… not what's happening anymore"
Novella looked up, her eyes red and swollen.
"But he hates me" she breathed.
"He choked me. He was furious… His eyes... gawd, his eyes were…" she hiccuped.
"He wants you out of the clan before nightfall" she dropped the bombshell.
Novella blinked rapidly at her. "What?!"
"Hmm. We need to pack. What do you want to take with you?" Elowen asked.
"No…" Novella shook her head, backing away. "No, that can't be true"
Before Elowen could respond, Novella rose to her feet not minding her injured leg.
Lady Elowen stood as well.
She stumbled toward the door, but Elowen quickly stepped in front of her.
"Where are you going?" she asked, not getting her.
Novella didn't answer. She turned in another direction, but Elowen blocked her again.
"Please…" Novella stopped, her chest rising and falling. "Don't stop me"
"You're going to him? To beg him to let you stay?" Elowen asked, surprised.
Novella's lip quivered as her tears welled again.
"Then what am I supposed to do?" she whispered.
"This is your chance to leave! Do you really want to stay here?! Do you know how angry I was when I heard you were pregnant? I thought Cross would kill you in the room" Lady Elowen raised her voice.
She took a step closer
"He hates children. He knew I would've given you pills without being told. That's why he never ordered me to do so but you never used it. He had ordered you to leave the clan. And you don't wanna go?"
Novella's voice cracked as she raised hers to match.
"Why are you so desperate to send me away? Why aren't you even a little sad about it? Do you want to be out of the way and marry him yourself?"
The room fell silent for a second then a sharp slap echoed.
Novella held her cheek, her eyes wide.
Yeah, she was just slapped hard
Lady Elowen's chest heaved, her hand trembling as she lowered it.
"You think watching another person's daughter suffer under a man like him who has no mercy is what I enjoy? If you were my daughter, I'd still tell you to run from this place. Because I care!” she shouted.
"But I love him" she whispered, sniffing.
“I don't know when it happened... but I can't stop. I just want to see his face badly" she took a shaky breath and walked away.
Lady Elowen didn't stop her this time.
HALLWAY OUTSIDE CROSS'S SUITE*
Novella stood in front of the door, eyes locking with Yugo's own.
"Please...tell him I want to see him" she said, already choking on her tears.
Yugo's expression didn't change. He looked away.
"It's not allowed. He gave the order himself; you need to leave," he said coldly and flatly.
"You're lying!" she yelled.
“He'd let me in. He would. You just don't want to tell him!"
She banged her fists against the door, sobbing.
"Cross!" she screamed.
"Please don’t do this to me! I want to see you!!"
“Cross... please!!"
She slid down to the floor, her hands hitting the door one last time before they dropped. Her tears soaked her clothes as she leaned her forehead against the door.
"I love you" she whispered.
Yugo's eyes flicked toward her. His face twitched for a second hearing that but he said nothing.
In front of her room, Lady Elowen stood, watching.
"Foolish to fall for him like this" she murmured.
Then her expression softened.
I hope he comes to you...for the sake of the baby, she thought.
She approached her, walking past Yugo. She knelt and pulled her into her arms.
Novella kept crying, but her body stilled in the warmth of her embrace.
"If you keep crying like this," Elowen whispered, placing a gentle hand on Novella's belly.
"You'll only hurt this little one" she continued.
Her sob's broke again.
"Why did this have to happen? Why did the baby have to come?"
Lady Elowen stroked her hair.
"Both of you called it into the world. Don't blame the child"
Yugo turned his face away.
★
BATHROOM…
Cross sat in the bathtub, fully clothed, water soaking through his shirt and pants. His head leaned back, arms resting on the edges and his face was blank.
The pounding on the door, the screaming—he heard it all but he didn't move.
His jaw tightened.
He took a deep breath and slowly sank deep inside the water,, the water rising over his face.
FLASHBACK TO 9 YEARS AGO>>>>
The door to the suite opened.
Novella (Cross' first love and late bodyguard) stepped in after Cross did.
Her wide blue eyes scanned the lavish space.
"Wow" she breathed, spinning slowly to take it all in.
Cross sat on the leather couch and reached for the pack of ci******es and lighter on the table.
He pulled one out and dropped the pack beside him.
Novella's eyes locked onto him.
He was about to light it when she spoke up.
"A kid smoking?'
He looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Kid?"
She nodded quickly. "When I asked the mobsters about you, they said you're only seventeen" she said, folding her arms.
He rolled his eyes and moved for the lighter again.
Before he could strike the flame, Novella dashed forward and snatched the cigar away. She stepped back, holding itm
Cross grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled her toward him.
She stumbled and landed on his lap, gasping.
A frown appeared on her face.
"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, struggling to get up.
He held her firmly. With his other hand, he yanked the cigar away.
"You want me to end you on your first day?" he said, eyes dark.
She froze, caught in his beautiful eyes.
Noticing, Cross pushed her roughly off his lap.
She hit the floor hard, letting out a sharp "Ahh"
She turned to look at him, but he was already on his feet, heading toward a door.
"Jerk" she muttered.
LATER, AT THE TRAINING GROUND…
Cross was on the ground, doing push-ups. A guard stood behind him, lashing his back with a whip.
His teeth clenched tight, sweat dripping down his face.
Pain stabbed his muscles with each movement.
Since he was ten, this had been his life.
His father's words were: As the next leader of the clan, training hard to get stronger is the right aim.
But brutal training??
Hiring guards to torture and train him??
That's bu****it!
He pushed through, finally stopping at seventy-two push-ups and collapsed to the dirt, gasping for breath.
His back was a map of bruises already.
The guard's face was hard as he stared at him and dropped the whip.
"Training's done for today, young master" he said, bowing before walking off.
Cross lay there, every breath burning.
"Cross" a soft voice called.
He turned weakly to see his sister approaching.
She knelt beside him, brushing a hand over his cheek.
"You okay?" she asked in concern.
His eyes welled with tears and he broke down.
"I'm not" he sobbed, burying his face in her hand
"I know. Let it out" she said softly.
She closed her eyes and started rubbing his back but he winced.
She opened her eyes and quickly pulled away, staring at the angry purple marks across his back.
Her heart sank.
Ronan appeared, clutching a big cup of popcorn, his cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk.
He looked fat and cute at the same time.
"I hate Dad" he mumbled, stuffing popcorn in his mouth with a pout.
[SIX MONTHS LATER, TRAINING ROOM]
Cross stood behind Novella as she punched the heavy bag with fierce focus.
She wore a dark green tank top that showed a hint of cleavage, the muscles in her arms flexing and sweat tracing lines down her neck.
Her hair was tied back in a tight ponytail, loose strands framing her face.
"Ten more minutes" Cross said quietly, watching her.
"I'm dying, Master" she groaned between punches, wiping sweat from her brow.
He smirked but stayed silent.
After the final count, Cross said, "Time's up"
Novella threw one last punch and slowly fell to the floor, breathing heavily.
"Feels like my life's leaving me" she muttered, eyes closed, head tilted back.
Cross tossed something toward her. It landed right on her stomach.
"Ow" she gasped, looking down.
A bottle of water.
She smiled and picked it up.
"Thanks, Cross" she said, then quickly corrected herself,
"I mean—Master"
He didn’t respond, just kept his eyes on her while she twisted the cap open and took a long sip.
Six months had passed. In those times, she had come to find him interesting. Cute, even. He is cold, but his heart isn't. His piercing blue eyes? She could stare at them all day.
They had grown close. Hard to believe the same boy who shoved her to the floor on day one was now someone she... liked. A lot. But being a Cancer girl meant keeping her feelings locked up was second nature.
She giggled softly and stood, dropping the bottle on the floor.
When she turned around, she froze.
Cross was sitting on the floor, back against the wall, watching her. His expression was unreadable, but something about the way his eyes lingered on her made her heart skip.
But something caught her attention. His eyes looked tired.
She walked toward him slowly, his gaze following every step. She got to him in no time and sat in front of him.
Gently, she leaned and cupped his cheek with one hand. Her thumb brushed across his skin.
"You look tired...is your training getting harder?" she asked.
He looked away.
She tilted her head. "Are you... shy to talk to me?"
He scoffed. "What are you talking about?"
"Then talk to me" she murmured, turning his face gently back to hers.
"And why should I?" he frowned.
"Because we're close now and that makes us friends" she winked.
"Friends?" his brows rose slightly. "Because we are close?"
"Well… yeah. Haven't you ever had one before?" she asked softly.
He hesitated. "Not really"
She blinked. "Oh…"
"Ronan and I were homeschooled. Never had friends. And Yugo has been my bodyguard since I was eight. But I don't count him as a friend"
She met his eyes.
"So you've been alone in this fortress your whole life?"
He gave a small nod.
"Thanks for opening up to your beautiful bodyguard, cold young master" she teased, grinning with her dimples on full display.
Cross stared at her face, completely drawn in.
His gaze drifted to her lips.
"Can I kiss you?" he asked, almost in a whisper.
Her lashes fluttered. "What?”
But he was already leaning in. His eyes closed as he gently brushed his lips against hers.
She froze, and then, in the next second, she melted into it. Her eyes went shut.
This is a moment she never thought would happen.
The kiss was slow, soft and careful, like neither of them wanted to let go too fast.
From a distance, someone watched.
Myron stood by the doorway, his eyes almost popping out. His lips trembled, feeling his heart ache.
He bit down hard on his lip and shifted back.
Tears blurred his vision before he realized he was crying.
Back inside, the kiss was still going on between the two teens, lost in their own quiet world.
—
19-year-old Novella was on her way to the dining room when a hand touched her back from behind, making her heart nearly leap out of her chest.
She turned quickly, ready to strike but paused after recognizing the person.
"Myron" she smiled.
"Going to eat?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Starving like crazy" she said.
They walked side by side, quiet. Not awkward to her...it felt normal. But for Myron, every second made his heart pound.
"I, uh… wanted to tell you something—"
"Master!" Novella suddenly squealed, cutting him off.
Myron turned just in time to see Cross from afar.
Before he could blink, she was already running to him.
Myron clenched his fists.
"Bye, Myron!" she called over her shoulder, barely slowing down.
He watched her reach Cross and said something to him. And then, he smiled.
He smiled?? Myron stared at Cross in disbelief.
The same boy who hadn't smiled once?
Myron stood frozen as Novella grabbed Cross's hand, dragging him back toward a way.
Cross's locked with Myron's from a distance.
Myron lowered his head in a quick bow.
Cross didn't acknowledge it. Instead, his attention shifted to the girl beside him, her arm wrapped around his.
His eyes stayed on her face.
ONE YEAR LATER>
In the parking lot, Novella leaned against a car, laughing with Myron.
"You're so funny, Myron" she said, covering her mouth as she laughed.
He raised a brow.
"Be serious; how could the teacher fail my test when I clearly got the answers right?"
Novella smirked.
"So in return, you smeared glue on her chair. She sat on it and couldn't stand up when she tried to" she giggled
He laughed, and then his tone shifted.
"Your smile… it's beautiful"
She blushed faintly.
"Thanks" she replied.
Suddenly, she paused and glanced around after she felt familiar and intense eyes on her.
She scanned the lot but saw no one.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing"
"Anyway..." Myron started, shifting nervously.
"I've been meaning to say something"
"What is it?"
He hesitated.
"Wait...does it involve food?" she asked with a grin.
He laughed but his tone dropped.
"No. I like you" he muttered.
Her grin vanished.
"I like you a lot. You don't have to say anything. I'll wait" he said.
"Myron…"
He leaned in, aiming for a peck but she stepped back quickly and held a hand out.
"Don't" she said quietly.
He stopped and straightened.
"Sorry," he apologized.
She didn't respond. She turned and walked away.
LATER THAT NIGHT…
Novella stood outside Cross's room, knocking softly.
"Cross? Can I come in? I hope you're not naked"
His voice came from inside, low and calm.
"Come in" She opened the door, went in and shut the door.
He was sitting on the edge of the bed, a cigar between his fingers.
She wrinkled her nose.
"Really? Smoking?"
He said nothing.
She walked over slowly, watching his expression.
She stood in his front and he dropped the cigar, crushing it under his bare foot.
Then, he stood.
She stepped back as he closed the distance between them.
"You're upset,” she said. "It's all over your face"
Unexpectedly he grabbed her and pushed her gently against the wall. His hands caged her in.
"Cross—" she whispered, startled, her back meeting the cold wall.
His voice was low and sharp.
"Laughing with that damn mobster… you really dared to do that?"
Her heart skipped.
The familiar stares in the parking lot were from him??
"That was you watching?"
His jaw clenched. "You were smiling at him like that. What did he say? What made you laugh so much?"
She batted her lashes.
"You reacted the same way when you saw me talk with Yugo outside the fortress. Why?"
He moved closer, their bodies nearly touching.
"I love you, Ella" he whispered.
Her breath caught.
"I f**king love you. And I hate it when you get close to other guys. It drives me insane" he said, voice trembling slightly now.
She bit her lip slightly, her eyes widening in shock.
Was she hearing things??
She stared into his dark blue eyes.
"I hate it so much I want to rip them apart" he added.
“Isn't my Cross being so cute?" she giggled suddenly.
Cross frowned.
"You think I'm joking?"
She tilted her head.
"I know you aren't" she said and leaned in.
"I love you too, my bad boy" she muttered.
Then, rising on her toes, she pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
Cross froze. His breath hitched.
He blinked at her, and she smiled prettily, her dimples showing.
"I love you so much" she mouthed.
Without warning, he crashed his lips against hers, claiming her in a desperate, hungry kiss.
She wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her off the ground, her legs quickly locking around his torso.
They didn't stop kissing till they both became breathless.
After what felt like an eternity, their lips parted with a soft pop.
His breath fanned her face, warm and sweet.
Cross traced a thumb over her lip.
"I'll always love you, Ella" Cross murmured before pressing a kiss to her neck.
Her heart leaped in joy.
*
*
TBC.
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