My Villain Husband Stole My Life

On my wedding day, my sworn enemy, Kieran Steel, slams his foot on the gas and rams his car straight into my wedding car. If he can't have me, then he'd rather die with me. He ends up gravely injured, while I lose my memory. He limps over to me and pulls me into his arms. His face is alight with joy as he tells me he's the man I love. After tying the knot, Kieran cherishes and keeps me hidden away like his most prized treasure for five whole years until he finally grows tired of me. A young woman named Talulah Clive shows up at our friends' gathering. Both her appearance and personality are identical to the old me. With a cheeky grin, she insists we play "Never Have I Ever". "I've been with my boss. He even stole his wife's wedding ring and gave it to me. That's not all…" Her smile turns brazen and taunting. "I'm four months pregnant with his child. You lose, Kendall! So, as punishment, Mr. Steel belongs to me for the next six months, okay? He promised he'd be there for me when I bring our baby into the world." Everyone present holds their breath, not daring to make a sound. Kieran's the only one whose dark gaze shifts back and forth between Talulah and me. After a long while, he parts his lips, yet I can't be bothered to hear what he has to say. "Sure. He's all yours!" His expression changes drastically. He has no idea that I've regained my memories. Before he enters the picture, my lover's a man named Jasper Slate. He's drop-dead gorgeous, crazy as hell, and never lets a single slight go unpunished. And I'm cut from the same cloth. With that, Kieran's so done. Chapter 1 Kendall's POV "Kendall, I can explain! I warned her not to run her mouth, but she insisted on..." Kieran Steel leaned over, attempting to hold my hand. But I raised my leg, placed the tip of my shoe against his shoulder, and gave him a gentle shove in the young lady's direction. Talulah Clive took the opportunity to link arms with him, lifting her chin and grinning triumphantly. "Why are you so nervous? You kept warning me not to cause a scene in front of her, so I thought she'd be a tough nut to crack." She tilted her head and sized me up with pure disdain. "Look, she's easy work! Even after everything I've done, she hasn't made a peep; she's such a wimp! "Come on, baby daddy. Let's go home so you can cook for me." Kieran didn't budge. His dark, brooding gaze locked onto me. Perhaps my indifference had displeased him. Was he hoping to find some kind of emotion on my face? I slowly raised three fingers and jeered. "Who told you you could leave? The game's not over yet. First of all, I have a marriage certificate; I'm no mistress." Talulah stopped in her tracks, and the smile on her face stiffened. "Secondly, I actually have plenty of wedding rings. He bought all the rings I laid eyes on in the jewelry store so I could wear them on rotation. The one that was stolen was my least favorite and the cheapest of them all." Her expression hardened, and a dangerous gleam flickered in the depths of her eyes. Kieran's friends hurriedly intervened. "That's enough, Kendall! Talulah's a total psycho. If you piss her off, there's no telling what she'll do!" A soft smile played across my lips as my gaze landed on her lower abdomen. "Lastly, he has actually tried a labor pain simulator before. He told me it was unbearable, and he couldn't bear to see me suffer, so we agreed on going childfree or adopting one down the line. It makes me wonder, though... Could he have gotten someone else to carry a baby in my stead?" Talulah's expression abruptly became grim. I lowered my fingers and smiled at her. "In any case, you lose." A pin-drop silence hung heavy in the air. It took everyone a long while to snap out of it and talk over one another to diffuse the tension. "Kendall still can't bear to part with Kieran. Isn't this her way of attempting to win him back?" "That's enough. It's just a game. Don't read too much into it. Kendall, Tal, let's call a truce and drop it..." Kieran visibly breathed a sigh of relief. He immediately let go of Talulah's wrist and walked toward me, smiling. However, I shook my head and smiled at Talulah. "You can have Kieran. As for your punishment… I'll take your child." "Do you have a death wish, bitch? I endured all that pain to bring my baby into the world. Naturally, they'll only recognize me as their mother—" I rested my chin on my hand and smirked, cutting her off. "I mean, I want the child right now." Right after saying that, I gently pushed a fruit knife toward Talulah. Its blade reflected her furious, incredulous face. Chapter 2 Kendall's POV Talulah lost her shit. In the blink of an eye, she grabbed a bottle of liquor and smashed it against the corner of the table. Clutching the jagged half of the broken bottle by its neck, she charged at me. "You asked for this, you bitch!" Kieran and his friends hurriedly stopped her. Yet, I was one step faster. The split second before the bottle came crashing down, I'd already pressed the tip of the fruit knife firmly against her lower abdomen. Beneath the thin knitted dress was the warm, slightly rounded curve of her belly. Talulah went rigid. Cold sweat trickled down her face, and her hand began to tremble. I took in her expression and couldn't help but want to smile. Wasn't she supposed to be a psycho? Talulah was a lot like the old me. However, a knockoff was, and always would be, a knockoff. I'd reined myself in for far too long around Kieran. It was no wonder he'd forgotten just how unhinged I could be. "Kendall!" Kieran hurriedly pulled Talulah behind him. He placed his hand on her lower abdomen protectively. "Cut it out." I cocked my brow. "Cut what out? Weren't you the one who allowed her to run her mouth right to my face? Since she dared to push my buttons, she has to pay the price, doesn't she?" A prolonged silence ensued. Kieran sighed, as though he didn't know what to do with me, and his tone softened. "I'll pay the price on her behalf." The moment the words left his lips, he closed the distance between us. Inch by inch, the fruit knife sank deeper into his side. In a heartbeat, blood spread across his pristine white shirt. I stared at the rapidly widening pool of crimson. It almost hurt to look at. Yet, he acted as if he couldn't feel a thing. He smiled at me tenderly before raising his hand and caressing my cheek. "There. Are you happy now?" "Have you lost your bloody mind, Kieran?" Talulah shrieked, rushing toward us. However, she was forcefully scooped up in his arms and carried away. Talulah thrashed and cursed the entire way out. Her profanities and emotional voice drifted up from downstairs. I lowered my gaze. Talulah cursed and threatened to kill me while crying and checking Kieran's wound. Kieran, on the other hand, cautiously shielded her belly. The couple's figures embraced. I silently curled my lips. The human heart was truly impossible to fathom. Kieran and I used to be sworn enemies. He'd steal my project one day, and I'd blow up his company the next. For the longest time, I genuinely thought he wanted me dead. Who would've thought he'd actually fallen in love with me? And now, he'd fallen out of love with me. I gently clutched my chest, attempting to ignore the dull ache that was spreading through it. To make matters worse, in the last five years, I'd actually fallen in love with him, too. … That afternoon, I flipped my phone over and over again in my hands. My lover, Jasper Slate, had been searching for me for the last five years. Kieran, however, had planted countless false leads, tricking him into going abroad. Then, under the pretense of worrying that my enemies might come after me for revenge, Kieran had made sure I was under constant surveillance. He'd either personally kept an eye on me or sent someone to shadow me. The microchip inside my phone could pinpoint my location. Every single call I made and message I sent was monitored. Even my attempts to upload a photo online were intercepted and blocked. Kieran had locked me inside a gilded cage and welded the door shut with his own hands. I was lost in thought when a friend request popped up on Facebook. The profile picture was a photo of Kieran and Talulah. Talulah was snuggled up in his chest, her eyes crinkling into little crescents, against the backdrop of a sunset on some island. After I accepted the request, she sent me a barrage of messages. First came several photos. Kieran sat on the edge of the bed in the first photo, applying belly oil to Talulah's stomach. His eyes were filled with tenderness as he massaged the oil into her baby bump in gentle circles. He stood at the stove in the kitchen in the second picture, wearing an apron. The counter was lined with mouthwatering, nutritious dishes for pregnant women. I played the voice message and Talulah's triumphant voice came through. "I heard from his friends that he used to be madly in love with you and that you were someone he couldn't reach. So what? He still got tired of you in the end. "I couldn't care less about who's the mistress or the wife. The one who holds his heart is the true victor. By the way, I've sent you a little gift. Make sure you sign for it when it arrives." Just then, the doorbell rang. The package contained a divorce agreement. Kieran's name had already been written in the section for the husband's signature. His handwriting was sharp and decisive. It was unmistakably his. I stared at his name for a good while. Then, I laughed heartily. Did she think I'd cling to him and refuse to let go? In reality, I couldn't wait to get the hell out of this marriage. Without a second thought, I signed my name, snapped a photo, and sent it to Kieran. "Wishing you a happy new marriage." Chapter 3 Kendall's POV Less than a fraction of a second later, my phone started ringing off the hook. I didn't answer any of Kieran's calls. Five minutes later, the front door was kicked open. Kieran braced against the doorframe, panting heavily. He had run so fast that his wound had ripped open. The horrifying patch of crimson spread across his side. Yet, he seemed completely oblivious to it. Like a man possessed, he charged at me and ripped the divorce agreement to shreds. As if that wasn't enough, he set the scraps on fire and reduced them to ashes before lifting his gaze and looking me in the eye. His gaze was dangerous, almost predatory. "Kendall, you know damn well that I'd rather die than leave you. You must've known that Talulah had tricked me into signing the divorce agreement, so why the hell did you sign it?" Before I could answer, his lips crashed against mine. His kisses were fierce, ravenous, and tasted of blood. I desperately tried to turn my head away before letting out a breathless chuckle. "Right... You'd rather die than leave me. But you're totally fine cheating on me." He went rigid. I snapped, "What, did you think that because I love you, I'd never be able to leave you no matter what you did?" Meeting my mocking gaze, his expression softened. He gently nuzzled my neck with his cheek. "I was wrong. What will it take for you to forgive me?" "I want Talulah to abort the baby." "Consider it done," he answered without a moment's hesitation. "I want you to break up with her." This time, he fell silent for a moment. "...Alright." I chuckled. Almost simultaneously, heart-wrenching sobs burst from the pillow beside us. "Kieran Steel, you son of a bitch!" Kieran's expression changed drastically. With a sweet smile, I pulled out my phone. The screen revealed that the call was still connected. I'd been livestreaming the whole conversation to his lover for quite some time. Talulah bawled her eyes out on the other end of the line. "Kieran Steel, you're the one who chose to abandon our baby and me first! Don't you dare regret this!" With that, she hung up. Kieran appeared frustrated, as if he wanted to chew someone out. Yet, the moment he saw my face, he gritted his teeth and held his tongue. He shoved me away and stormed out. By the time I leisurely followed his location to a grand bridge, the two of them were already locked in a full-blown lovers' quarrel. One moment the couple was hurling insults at each other; the next, they were kissing. They threw hands, shoved, and then pulled each other into their arms. The moment he spotted me, Kieran tensed and shielded Talulah behind him once more. Suppressing his anger, he gritted out, "What the hell do you want now, Kendall? Tal's pregnancy is still unstable. I'm warning you, don't provoke her again!" Talulah abruptly darted out from behind him. Her cheeks were still wet with tears, yet the triumphant gleam in her eyes had returned. She lunged at me before whispering in my ear. "You shouldn't take a man's words to heart. At the end of the day, actions speak louder than words. I'm carrying his baby right now. Guess who he'll choose between you and me?" As soon as her words fell, she clamped her hands around my neck and leaped off the bridge, dragging me down with her. The ice shattered beneath us, and I plunged into the freezing water. The ripples were like countless shimmering blades, slicing into my skin until every inch of me screamed in agony. Talulah's frantic yet confident voice rang in my ears. "I'm carrying your child, Kieran! Let's see if you have the guts to watch me die!" Ice cracked and water splashed around us as Kieran leaped in after us and swam toward us like a madman. After hesitating for only a few seconds, he grasped Talulah and pulled her into his arms. "I know you're an expert swimmer; you can make it to shore on your own, but Tal can't!" Talulah rested her head on his shoulder before turning around to flash me a triumphant grin. "I win," she mouthed. I smiled back at her. "Who knows? Maybe it's a win-win situation?" She was caught off guard, staring at me like a deer caught in headlights. However, I didn't call for help, nor did I swim toward the surface. Kieran was right. I was an exceptional swimmer. Merely moments ago, I suddenly realized that if I remained alive, I could never leave him. What if I faked my own death, though? Sunlight shimmered faintly through the surface above me. I watched the two of them cling to each other as I silently sank deeper into the abyss. "Goodbye, Kieran…" I thought to myself. I was just about to swim away unnoticed when the flickering silhouette near the water's surface suddenly froze. Chapter 4 Kendall's POV When he turned around and realized that I was nowhere to be found, Kieran was scared out of his wits. Without a moment's hesitation, he shoved Talulah aside and dived into the underwater depths. The lake was freezing, but his body felt like a blazing furnace as he wrapped his arms tightly around me. After getting me safely onto the shore, he turned back to rescue Talulah. Unfortunately, he was too late. The water was unbearably cold. By the time she was brought ashore, Talulah clutched her stomach. She was in so much pain that her whole body trembled. Blood trickled down her white dress. When she was rushed to the hospital, her baby was already gone. "I hate you, Kieran Steel! You killed our baby! This is all your fault, and that bitch's! Kill her and avenge our baby!" she wailed, sinking her nails into his flesh. Kieran's eyes held a tenderness I'd never seen before. However, when he turned to look at me, his expression was stoic. I smiled at him. "Are you crying? That's a first. I've never seen you shed a tear before. "Why did you insist on saving me earlier? Now, everyone's disappointed." His eyes instantly became bloodshot. For the very first time, he raised his hand as if he wanted to slap me. His chest heaved violently as he growled, "Don't push your luck, Kendall! Don't think you can keep acting like a bitch just because I love you!" His trembling hand hung in midair for a long while before he ultimately mashed his fist into the wall instead. "Get the hell out. I don't want to fucking see you right now!" From then on, he never came home. He used to send me ten messages in a single minute, but now, my phone was as dead as a grave. … By the time Talulah was allowed out of confinement, their baby's grave had been completed. I was invited over by Kieran's assistant, Sam Smith. The moment Talulah saw me, hatred blazed in her eyes. "Get down on your knees and beg my child for forgiveness!" she bellowed. I arched my brow and looked at Kieran. This time, he didn't shield me unconditionally like he used to. In fact, his expression was grim as he walked up behind me. My calf was kicked hard, and caught off guard, I dropped to my knees. His large hand clamped down on the back of my head, forcing it toward the ground without giving me a chance to resist. He forced my head against the cold ground three times until my vision went black. Kieran's low, hoarse voice sounded above me. "Tal hasn't eaten or drunk anything in three days. She said she wouldn't until you came to beg for forgiveness. Kendall, you caused our baby's death. You brought this on yourself..." Lying flat against the ground, I stared at the name engraved on the tombstone—Amber Steel. Kieran must've chosen it. He sure cared about his child. Talulah sneered as she stood in front of me and raised her hand. Kieran instinctively tried to stop her. She looked at him with teary eyes. "What, is your heart aching for her? What about our child, then? Who gave a damn about our child's pain?" As soon as her words fell, her palm came crashing down against my cheek. My cheek went numb, and I tasted blood in my mouth. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that his hands had balled into fists, trembling uncontrollably. However, that still wasn't enough. Kieran took us back home. Talulah kicked open my bedroom door and surveyed the room as though she were inspecting her spoils of war. My wedding gown lay in shreds, hacked apart by her scissors, while dozens of my wedding rings glittered on her fingers. Talulah wiggled her fingers, grinning triumphantly. "Kieran and I are going on our honeymoon. He has promised to give me another child. Now… tell me, who's the worthless one here?" I kept my gaze lowered and remained silent throughout it all. The front door slammed shut, and Talulah's laughter echoed from downstairs. "Come on, call me Mrs. Steel!" Kieran's friends hesitantly said, "Y-Yes, Mrs. Steel…" By the time I walked out to the balcony, their car had already disappeared into the distance. Talulah turned around to taunt me, flipping me off. The diamonds on her fingers glittered brilliantly in the sunlight. At long last, a smile from the bottom of my heart broke across my face. I leaned against the railing and waved goodbye. Kieran couldn't seem to take his eyes off me in the rearview mirror. When he took in my reaction, his brows knitted together, and his foot unconsciously eased off the gas. Talulah, however, took his hand and placed it on her lower abdomen. In the end, he shifted his attention back to the road and drove farther and farther away from me. After his vehicle left the city and merged onto the highway, Talulah suddenly exclaimed, "Holy shit! I lost my phone!" Just then, one of Kieran's friends gasped. "Tal's livestreaming? Wait... Isn't that Kendall?" I was leaning against the railing of our balcony at home on the screen. The wind tousled my hair, while the setting sun bathed me in a warm golden glow. Nothing obstructed the sweeping view around me. I looked happier than I'd ever been. Kieran had guarded my phone under lock and key. But that didn't mean I couldn't steal someone else's. The passcode was Kieran's birthday. How predictable. If not for getting my hands on it, I wouldn't have let them lay a finger on me. I cleared my throat and looked into the camera. "I miss you." Laughter erupted inside the car that was speeding down the highway. "Kendall's something else. I can't believe she's actually using this trick to coax Kieran back." Kieran stared at the screen. The corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly as warmth spread through his eyes. Yet, he maintained a straight face. "I'm not going back. This time, I need to teach her a lesson she'll never forget..." Almost simultaneously, my laughter rang out from the phone. Tears of mirth spilled from my eyes. I tilted my head slightly toward the camera and said softly, "I miss you… Jasper." All it would take was the slightest hint from me, and he would find me. Jasper, my love. The moment those words rolled off my tongue, a piercing screech of brakes rang out on the highway.