Fire&,Lie

Chapter 13: After the night, comes war

The morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting golden light across the room. Gwen stirred awake, her body still aching from the night before, her lips swollen from JV’s endless kisses.

For a brief moment, she smiled. So this is what it feels like… to be completely his.

Her gaze shifted — JV was already awake, lying beside her, his arm wrapped tightly around her waist as if even in sleep he refused to let her go. His hair was messy, his jawline shadowed, and his bare chest rose and fell with calm, steady breaths.

She reached out, brushing her fingers lightly across his skin. But the moment she tried to move away, his grip tightened.

“Where do you think you’re going, hmm?” His voice was deep, husky from just waking.

Her cheeks flushed. “I was just… going to get dressed.”

His eyes opened, dark and intense. “You’re not leaving this bed unless I say so.”

Her heart skipped. He pulled her closer, burying his face against her neck. “Last night wasn’t just desire, Gwen. It was a promise. You’re mine now — and I don’t share.”

The Knock That Shook Everything

Before Gwen could reply, there was a loud, commanding knock at the door.

“Gwen! Open this door immediately.”

Her blood froze. Her father’s voice.

JV’s eyes narrowed, his body going tense.

Don Emilio’s voice thundered again. “I know she’s in there with you, Villarreal. Open the damn door!”

Gwen’s heart raced in panic. “JV… Papa can’t—”

But JV was already climbing out of bed, pulling on his trousers. His jaw was set, his expression cold and unyielding.

He threw open the door.

Don Emilio stood there, flanked by two bodyguards, his face red with fury. His eyes swept past JV — landing on Gwen, still wrapped in the sheets, her hair tousled, her lips marked from JV’s kisses.

The truth was undeniable.

Father vs. Possessive Lover

“You bastard,” Don Emilio spat at JV. “How dare you touch my daughter like this? Without my blessing?”

JV’s voice was calm, but his eyes burned. “With all due respect, Don Emilio… Gwen doesn’t need your blessing to be mine.”

Gwen gasped. “JV…”

Her father’s fists clenched. “You think because you’re a Villarreal, you can steal what’s mine to decide? She is my daughter! Her marriage is not for you to claim!”

JV stepped forward, unshaken even as Don Emilio’s guards bristled. His voice was sharp, like steel. “She is not yours to give away. She belongs to herself. And she chose me.”

Don Emilio’s eyes flashed. “Did she choose? Or did you trap her in your bed to force her loyalty?”

The words cut Gwen deep. Tears pricked her eyes as she whispered, “Papa, please…”

But JV didn’t falter. His hand reached back, pulling Gwen into his side, shielding her with his body.

“She’s not a bargaining chip, Don Emilio. Not a pawn in your empire. If you think you can take her from me, you’ll find out exactly how far I’ll go to keep her.”

The Ultimatum

Don Emilio’s voice was low, dangerous. “This is war, Villarreal. You’ve made a grave mistake.”

JV smirked coldly, his arm tightening around Gwen. “No, Don Emilio. The mistake would be thinking you could separate me from your daughter.”

The tension in the room was suffocating, thunderous even without the storm.

Finally, Don Emilio turned, his voice heavy with finality. “Very well. If Gwen insists on defying me… then she will no longer be my daughter. From this moment forward, she is cut off from Ramirez Holdings. From me.”

Gwen gasped, her tears spilling. “Papa, no!”

But Don Emilio didn’t look back. “If you choose him, Gwen… you lose everything else.”

The door slammed shut behind him, leaving silence in his wake.

Aftermath

Gwen collapsed onto the bed, sobbing. “He disowned me… I’ve lost him…”

JV knelt in front of her, lifting her face, forcing her to meet his burning gaze. “You didn’t lose anything, Gwen. You still have me. And I’ll build a world so powerful, so unshakable, that you’ll never need your father’s empire again.”

His thumb brushed her tears away. His voice lowered, raw and possessive. “You’re mine now — not Ramirez’s, not anyone else’s. Just mine.”

And even through her heartbreak, Gwen believed him. Because the fire in his eyes promised destruction… but also devotion.