English
NovelToon NovelToon

The CEO's Shattered Heart

Episode 1

[A tall, imposing man in an expensive suit stands before you. His dark eyes show no warmth as he speaks in a cold, controlled voice.]

"So you are now my wife. Let me make some things clear from the start. This marriage is nothing but a business deal arranged by our parents. Do not expect love or kindness from me.

My heart died with Amara, my true wife. Her memory is sacred to me. You will never replace her, so don’t even try.

These are my rules, and you will follow them without question:

First, my office is off-limits to you. Never enter it for any reason. That space belongs to Amara’s memory.

Second, you will maintain this house perfectly. Any failure will not be tolerated.

Third, you will appear with me at business events and act like a proper wife in public. Smile, be quiet, and make me look good.

Fourth, do not touch Amara’s things. Her photos stay where they are. Her perfumes remain untouched.

Fifth, never speak of love to me. What we have is not a marriage of hearts.

You may have your own room in the east wing. Stay there when I don’t need you. The staff will show you around.

Remember your place in this house. You are here because our families wished it, not because I wanted you. Disappoint me, and you will regret it.

One last thing—never cry in front of me. I have no patience for weakness. Amara was strong until her last breath.

That is all. You may go now."

[He turns away without waiting for your response, his attention already elsewhere, as if you’ve ceased to exist in his world.]

[Mahendra’s back is rigid as he strides toward his desk, the polished mahogany gleaming under the soft light of the room. He doesn't acknowledge your departure, his focus entirely on a framed photograph of a vibrant woman with laughing eyes—Amara. His tailored suit, a dark charcoal grey, is impeccably pressed, the silk tie a subtle pattern of silver threads woven through it. The weight of his power seems to settle around him like an invisible cloak.]

He runs a long, slender finger across the glass protecting the photograph, his touch almost reverent. The gesture is slow and deliberate, as if drawing strength from the image. A flicker of something that might be pain crosses his face, quickly masked by a familiar hardness. He adjusts a small porcelain figurine – a gift from Amara during their honeymoon in Kyoto – ensuring it sits perfectly centered on the desk.

[Mahendra remains fixated on Amara’s photograph, his jaw tight. The silence in the room is heavy, punctuated only by the quiet hum of the air conditioning and the distant murmur of activity from the bustling city outside. He doesn't seem to notice your departure, lost in a world of memory and regret.]

He slowly releases his finger from the photograph, a barely perceptible tremor running through his hand. The expensive Italian leather of his watchband feels cool against his wrist as he unconsciously adjusts it. It’s a limited-edition piece, a gift from Amara—another carefully preserved relic of a life that ended too soon.

He swivels in his chair, the plush leather creaking softly under his weight. The chair itself is an antique, sourced from an exclusive auction house in London—another testament to Amara's impeccable taste.

Episode 2

[Mahendra’s gaze sweeps across the expansive office, his eyes lingering on each meticulously placed object—a testament to Amara's presence. The room is a shrine to her memory, a stark contrast to the cold, calculating CEO he presents to the world. Sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air and highlighting the rich textures of the room.]

He rises from his chair, his movements precise and deliberate. His tailored suit ripples as he walks, the dark grey fabric clinging to his lean frame. The silk tie is knotted perfectly at his throat, a subtle silver pattern catching the light. He crosses to a large antique desk crafted from dark mahogany, its surface gleaming with polish. A silver letter opener, intricately engraved with Amara’s initials, rests beside a stack of documents—all untouched since she last used them.

[Mahendra stops before a floor-to-ceiling window, his hands clasped behind his back, gazing out at the sprawling Jakarta cityscape. The morning sun glints off the glass towers, creating a dazzling display of light and shadow. He’s dressed impeccably in a dark charcoal grey suit, the fabric so finely tailored it seems molded to his frame. A crisp white shirt peeks from beneath the jacket, and a subtle silver-threaded tie adds a touch of understated elegance.]

His posture is ramrod straight, reflecting years of disciplined training and an ingrained sense of authority. The expensive Italian leather of his watchband feels cool against his wrist as he unconsciously adjusts it—a limited edition piece Amara had gifted him years ago. He barely registers the movement, his mind lost in a labyrinth of memories.

[Mahendra continues to gaze out the window, his expression unreadable. The Jakarta skyline stretches before him—a concrete jungle shimmering under the morning sun. He’s a silhouette against the light, a figure of immense power and quiet sorrow.]

The tailored fabric of his suit—a bespoke creation from Savile Row—moves subtly as he shifts his weight, the dark charcoal grey a stark contrast to the vibrant hues of the city below. A faint scent of expensive cologne—a blend of sandalwood and citrus—lingers in the air around him, a subtle reminder of his meticulous attention to detail. The silver threads woven into his tie catch the light with each movement, a silent testament to his wealth and status.

He slowly unclenches his hands, the knuckles white with tension.

[Mahendra remains at the window, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The city sprawls beneath him—a chaotic tapestry of concrete, glass, and steel—yet he seems oblivious to its vibrancy. His shoulders are stiff, his posture betraying a deep-seated tension that no amount of wealth or power can alleviate.]

He’s impeccably dressed, as always. The dark charcoal grey suit is a testament to his meticulous nature; the fabric is a heavy wool, expertly tailored to accentuate his lean frame. The cut is classic, timeless—a statement of understated authority. A crisp white Egyptian cotton shirt lies beneath the jacket, its collar starched to perfection. A silver tie, woven with a subtle geometric pattern, is knotted precisely at his throat – a detail he personally oversees with his valet each morning.

[Mahendra remains at the window, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The Jakarta skyline stretches before him—a chaotic tapestry of concrete, glass, and steel—yet he seems oblivious to its vibrancy.]

A subtle tremor runs through his hand as he slowly releases it from the window frame. He turns, his movements deliberate, and crosses back to his desk. The polished mahogany gleams under the diffused sunlight filtering through the expansive windows, reflecting the carefully curated collection of objects that adorn its surface. A silver letter opener, intricately engraved with Amara’s initials – a delicate script he can still recall perfectly – rests beside a stack of unopened correspondence. He avoids touching them, as if disturbing their order would somehow disturb her memory.

He settles back into his antique chair, its plush leather creaking softly under his weight.

Episode 3

[Mahendra's fingers hover over the polished surface of his desk, tracing an invisible pattern. The antique chair creaks softly as he shifts his weight, the plush leather molding to his form. His gaze drifts to a framed photograph of Amara—her smile radiant, her eyes sparkling with life. It's a picture from their honeymoon in Kyoto, one of the last they took together before... before everything changed.]

He reaches for the silver letter opener, its cool metal smooth against his fingertips. The intricate engraving of Amara's initials glints in the light—a delicate script that seems to dance under his touch. He runs his thumb along the edge of the blade, feeling its sharpness—a subtle reminder of the pain that still cuts deep within him.

[The tailored fabric of Mahendra's suit stretches across his broad shoulders as he leans back in his chair, the dark charcoal grey a stark contrast to the vibrant hues of Amara's photograph. A faint scent of expensive cologne—a blend of sandalwood and citrus—lingers in the air around him, a subtle reminder of his meticulous attention to detail.]

His eyes drift to a small porcelain figurine—a delicate geisha holding an umbrella—perched on the edge of his desk. It was a gift from Amara during their honeymoon in Kyoto—a city that holds both cherished memories and haunting echoes of their last days together.

[Mahendra's hand trembles slightly as he reaches for the figurine, lifting it gently from its place. The porcelain is cool against his skin, its delicate curves a stark contrast to the rough calluses on his fingers—testament to years spent climbing through corporate ranks with ruthless determination.]

He turns it over in his hands, examining every detail—the intricate painting on her kimono, the delicate folds of her obi sash, the tiny beads adorning her umbrella. Each element brings back vivid memories: their stroll through Gion district at dusk; Amara's laughter echoing through ancient temples; their intimate dinner overlooking Kamo River...

[Mahendra's breath catches in his throat as he sets down the figurine with exaggerated care. His knuckles are white from gripping it too tightly—the porcelain unscathed but for a tiny chip on its base that only he would notice.]

He rises from his chair and strides towards a large mahogany bookcase lining one wall. The floor-to-ceiling shelves are filled with leather-bound volumes—many first editions and rare texts collected by generations of Viranatas. But it's not knowledge he seeks now.

[The soles of Mahendra's Italian leather shoes click softly against the polished hardwood floor as he approaches the bookcase. Each step is measured and deliberate—the stride confident yet laden with an undercurrent of tension.]

He reaches for a specific volume—a thick tome bound in rich burgundy leather with gold leaf accents. As he pulls it from its place on the shelf, several other books shift slightly—an imperceptible change that only someone intimately familiar with this space would notice.

[The burgundy leather is soft and supple under Mahendra's fingers as he opens the book carefully. The pages are yellowed with age but well-preserved—their edges gilded and crisp.]

It contains photographs—hundreds upon hundreds of them—carefully preserved behind protective sheets: Amara laughing at some long-forgotten joke; Amara standing beside him at some business function; Amara cradling their stillborn child...

[Mahendra turns each page slowly and deliberately—the crackle of aged paper filling the otherwise silent room. His expression remains impassive but for a slight tightening around his eyes—a barely perceptible sign that these images stir something deep within him.]

As he nears the end of the album, there are fewer photographs—and those that remain are more somber: Amara lying motionless on a hospital bed; Amara being lowered into her grave; Mahendra himself standing alone at her funeral...

[The final page contains just one photograph: Mahendra kneeling beside Amara's grave site—the earth still fresh and raw around her casket. His face is turned away from camera—but even so you can sense grief etched into every line.]

Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play

novel PDF download
NovelToon
Step Into A Different WORLD!
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play