Born For Starlight: The Mysterious Wife Who Stole My Heart

Chapter 1 The Woman Who Was Never Chosen Out on the ocean bridge, gripping the steering wheel with all the strength she had left, Dayna Murray pushed through the stabbing pain that burned deep in her abdomen. Her foot slammed down on the gas pedal again, urging the car forward with everything it had. In the passenger seat, Madison Reid was visibly shaking, her complexion paper-white. Her voice cracked with fear. "Dayna, if I die out here, Declan will never forgive you!" In the rearview mirror, the kidnappers' vehicle loomed closer and closer. They were gaining on Dayna fast. Another few seconds, and they'd ram her off the road. Only three hours earlier, she and Madison had been abducted. Breaking free had pushed Dayna past every limit, but somehow, she'd pulled it off. But what she didn't expect was the sheer persistence. The men were glued to their tail, refusing to let them escape for good. Dayna's grip on the wheel tightened and she threw a freezing glare her way. "sh*t up." Calculating the distance and speed in her head, she made a snap decision. "Open the door," she ordered sharply. "We're jumping." Even as the words left her mouth, she was already reaching for the handle of her own door. "I-I can't!" Madison's voice rose in panic, her breath coming in shallow bursts. "I'm scared. I can't do it!" "Then stay here and die," Dayna hissed, her gaze sharp and unflinching. Up ahead, the bridge curved into a sharp bend right as they neared the tunnel exit. "Jump now!" Dayna shouted. She didn't wait. She let off the gas and threw herself from the speeding car. Madison, shaking, leapt after her. The turn was sharp and sudden, and their jump had caught the kidnappers completely off guard. A thunderous crash followed as the two vehicles smashed together, metal on metal. Dayna's body hit the road hard, tumbling over and over until she skidded to a breathless stop. The pain was blinding, like her bones had all been shattered under a massive weight. And then came the blast. One of the cars burst into flames behind her, the blast wave tossing her like a rag doll. Coughing, she clutched her ch**t and swallowed hard, pushing the rising bl**d back down. Then she heard the low roar of a car coming closer. Dayna lifted her head, hope sparking faintly in her exhausted eyes. It was her husband, Declan Foster. Dressed sharply in black, he came rushing toward them, his expression tight with a wild desperation she had never seen from him before. Bracing herself on trembling arms, she called out softly, "Declan..." and stumbled toward him. However, he didn't even glance her way. Without hesitation, he moved right past her and pulled Madison into his arms. Dayna's eyes went wide. Of course, it was always her. Always Madison. Her heart twisted, and she suddenly felt cold all over, like the wind had been knocked out of her. Declan was her husband, but time and again, no matter what, Madison always came first. Even now, after barely making it out alive, he didn't check on her--he ran straight to Madison's side. A wave of relief crossed Declan's face as he held Madison close and began fussing over her. "Maddie, are you hurt?" he asked, concern filling his voice. Madison leaned on his shoulder, sobbing softly. "You got here just in time. If you hadn't shown up, Dayna would've gotten me k**led." Declan's expression darkened as he turned to Dayna. "You set all this up, didn't you?" His voice was sharp with fury. Dayna looked stunned. "We were both taken! I nearly got myself k**led trying to save her!" Madison had only slowed things down. If Dayna hadn't been stuck helping her, she wouldn't be hurt this badly. And now, instead of being thankful, Madison was blaming her? With fake tears in her eyes, Madison hissed, "This was your plan all along. You worked with the kidnappers--one of them told me everything!" Dayna's jaw clenched as she stared at her, stunned. She always knew Madison had no shame, but this? This was beyond anything she'd imagined. Honestly, at this point, she wouldn't be surprised if Madison had staged the entire kidnapping herself. After all, it was Dayna who'd been beaten by those kidnappers, not Madison. Holding back her fury, Dayna met Madison's gaze with cold steel in her eyes. "You'll pay for every filthy lie that just left your mouth." "Dayna!" Declan jumped in front of Madison like a guard dog, his voice filled with nothing but contempt. "How could you be this cruel? I can't believe I married someone like you! We'll settle this when I return!" And just like that, he turned his back on her and walked off with Madison. Dayna didn't move. The bruises on her body were nothing compared to the agony in her ch**t. It was as if something inside her had cracked wide open. What was the point of defending herself when Declan never believed her anyway? Just a whimper or one tearful look from Madison, and Declan would take her side--without question, every time. Dayna's arms hung stiff at her sides as she watched him lift Madison effortlessly and hurry toward the car. Madison leaned against him gently, her movements soft and graceful, but even then, she managed to throw Dayna a smug, mocking glance. It was the middle of June, yet Dayna had never felt such a chill run through her before. Her mind drifted back to that night years ago when Declan crashed his car and she had risked her own life to drag him out of the wreckage with her own hands. After that, she blacked out from the effort. When she came to, the story was already twisted--Madison had claimed she was the hero. And no matter how hard Dayna tried to tell the truth, Declan never listened. In his eyes, Madison had saved him, and Dayna was just a bitter liar desperate for attention. From day one, Dayna had understood that this marriage wasn't about love. It was a cold transaction between two powerful families. And as for Declan's affection? That had always been reserved for Madison. In three long years of their marriage, Declan hadn't given Dayna a single ounce of warmth. Even the basic courtesy owed to a spouse had been too much to expect. The very night before they were to wed, Madison had set Dayna up to look like she'd cheated on Declan. Nothing had really happened, but Declan had seen Dayna as d**ty ever since. And from that moment forward, Dayna's world turned into a nightmare. Her father was suddenly accused of d**g abuse and locked away in re**b. With no one left to run Murray Group, Declan stepped in--seizing control without hesitation. Dayna's mother had passed years ago, the poor woman's heart broken by her own husband's betrayal. Dayna had grown up resenting her father, believing he had earned his fall from grace. So at the time, when Declan offered to step in and save the company, she had been grateful, blindly so. But it wasn't until much later that the truth dawned on her--none of it was coincidence. It had all been a trap. Her father's downfall had been carefully staged by Declan. The company hadn't been rescued--it had been swallowed whole. Every part of it was part of Declan's scheme. And once he'd gotten everything he wanted, all that remained was loathing. He stopped coming home. And on the rare occasions they crossed paths, it always ended with her dignity in pieces. The memories came flooding back, crashing over Dayna like a storm she couldn't escape. Dayna stumbled forward before her strength gave out completely. Blood spilled from her lips, and then everything faded into darkness. Chapter 2 Mr. Hudson, Why Don't We Make A Deal? Inside a private hospital suite, Dayna remained unconscious, trapped in a dreamless slumber as monitors quietly tracked her condition. Seated silently next to her was a man in a wheelchair, dressed in a perfectly cut black suit that spoke of wealth and precision. He was twenty-seven, with a face so flawlessly carved, it almost felt unreal--like a statue touched by the hands of gods. Everything about him exuded power, the kind that didn't ask for attention but commanded it effortlessly. "Mr. Hudson... your health," the elderly doctor began, pausing before his voice turned grim. "The paralysis is progressing. If we can't stop it, permanent immobility is certain. At this stage, your only chance may lie with... the Wraith Physician." That man was Kristopher Hudson--CEO of Hudson Group and the reigning figure of the powerful Hudson family. The Hudson lineage was long-established and deeply influential, cloaked in both prestige and mystery. As for Kristopher, in the eyes of the city's elite, he wasn't just powerful--he was unreachable. At the mere age of six, he cracked the cyber defenses of a global crime ring, retrieving billions in stolen funds in under ten minutes and bringing the entire syndicate to its knees. By ten, he held multiple national patents in cutting-edge energy technology, giving Hudson Group a commanding grip on the sector. And at fifteen, he was already working alongside his father to take the family empire global, reviving a waning legacy and turning it into a force that demanded the world's attention. But now, the same man who once seemed unstoppable was confined to a wheelchair, left paralyzed from the waist down after a devastating accident three years earlier. However, mobility wasn't the only concern anymore. Kristopher looked up, his voice calm, eyes cold as frost. "With my current condition... is fathering a child still an option?" It wasn't pride or ego behind the question. His grandmother, frail and nearing her end, had only one wish left--to see a great-grandchild before leaving this world. The doctor was stunned. "Excuse me?" ... Dayna couldn't remember how long she had been lying on that bridge. She had no clue who had found her or when help had arrived. Her memory was a haze of scattered fragments--fleeting images slipping through her grasp like fog. One memory stood out--a pair of eyes. They were cold, unreadable... unfamiliar yet hauntingly recognizable. And then suddenly, they morphed into Declan's face--burning with hatred. "Why won't you die already, Dayna?" She heard Declan scream. "Once you're out of the way, Maddie and I can be happy. You're worthless! Just die!" No! If she gave up now, it would be the victory they were waiting for. All her mother's life work--years of sacrifice--would be handed to Declan on a silver platter. She wouldn't allow it. Not in this lifetime. Dayna jolted awake with a sharp inhale. The first thing she saw was a bright, sterile ceiling--one she knew too well. The sharp stench of antiseptic hit her like a punch. Her stomach twisted, and she curled forward, dry heaving with no strength to fight it. But this time felt different. For once, she was thankful--thankful that she was still breathing. "You're awake?" A calm, deep voice drifted to her, slow and unhurried. She froze instantly, her whole body going stiff as sweat dampened her back. His features were striking--so sharply defined they bordered on cruelly handsome. But it wasn't his face that truly unsettled her. It was his eyes. Cold and still, like the surface of a deep, motionless lake. There was no warmth in them, only a quiet, unspoken threat that pressed against her ch**t. "Kristopher Hudson?" she blurted in shock. Why on earth was he here? Was he... back? Really? "Afraid now?" Kristopher's stare was intense, cutting through her like a bl**e. Yet when he spoke, his voice was calm and deliberate. "You had no fear when you plotted against me for the Foster Group. Interesting how that bravery seems to vanish now." The air around him was stifling. Dayna felt as though she'd plunged into icy waters--paralyzed, breathless, freezing. Three years ago, Hudson Group and Foster Group had clashed in a ruthless corporate battle. Back then, Dayna had already sealed a deal with Kristopher, promising him a critical patent project. He'd poured in millions, countless hours, and a full marketing campaign in anticipation. But in the final hour, she gave it all to Declan. Because she'd let her heart lead. Because Declan had begged, and she couldn't bring herself to say no. In a single move, everything Kristopher had invested went up in sm**e. She had offered apology after apology, bracing herself for the inevitable fallout. But the retaliation never came. Kristopher simply vanished. She told herself he must've been too busy, caught up in other priorities. But now, three years later... seeing him right in front of her again... Was this what he'd been waiting for all along? Revenge? No, that couldn't be it. If that were his goal, she wouldn't be alive to wonder about it. Taking a slow breath, Dayna steadied herself. "You were the one who saved me." Kristopher gave a cold laugh, tapping his temple. "You're not entirely useless. If I hadn't passed by and intervened, you'd be dead by now." Indeed. She had come that close to dying. Dayna bit down on her lip, rage flickering in her eyes. Back then, she had convinced herself that giving her mother's legacy to Declan was a gesture of love--a sign of unwavering trust. But now, that very trust felt like poison in her gut. It turned her stomach to think of how easily she'd foolishly handed over everything. She was done being the fool. She had made up her mind. If she was going to reclaim her life, she had to take back every single thing that had been stolen from her as well. A soft cough pulled her back from her thoughts. It was Kristopher. She turned toward the sound, and only then did it hit her. He wasn't standing. He was sitting in a wheelchair. She looked at him, shocked. "Your legs..." And then it clicked. "That's why you disappeared... three years ago..." His gaze narrowed. "So? You going to laugh at me now?" She quickly shook her head. "No. I wouldn't." But her voice faded as she looked at him--still commanding, still unreadable, still every bit a force even in a wheelchair. In all of Arkmery, there was only one man left who could rival Foster Group, and he was sitting right here. Her thoughts raced, analyzing every possible angle. Then she slowly balled her fists, lifted her chin, and said with a quiet calm, "Mr. Hudson, why don't we make a deal?" Chapter 3 Let's Just Get Married The hospital room turned oddly quiet, like even the air was holding its breath. Dayna stayed still, barely breathing, waiting for Kristopher's response. But instead of a nod or a rejection, she was met with a sharp scoff. Kristopher's voice was low and laced with ice. He lifted his gaze, and in that one look, the temperature in the room dropped several degrees. "Dayna, what makes you think you have the right to bargain with someone like me?" But Dayna didn't flinch. She tilted her head ever so slightly, her expression calm, unwavering. Her naturally striking features were now touched by a delicate vulnerability, making her look hauntingly beautiful. "What if I told you... I could help you walk again?" That caught him off guard. His expression flickered, if only for a heartbeat. His hand gripped the armrest tighter. Was she insane? Or worse--was this some cruel game meant to dangle hope in front of him, only to snatch it away? What kind of game was she playing now? Fury bubbled just under Kristopher's skin, pounding at his temples. Before he could utter a word, Dayna slipped out of b*d and lowered herself calmly in front of him. "Start now, and I promise you'll see results in three months," she said gently, reaching out as her hand moved toward his leg. But right when her fingertips were about to touch him, Kristopher's body reacted on instinct. With lightning speed, he grabbed her wrist, squeezing tightly enough to make her wince. Dayna looked up at him, her eyes wide but unafraid. He was furious and his grip punishing. "What the h*ll do you think you're doing?" He spat the words out through gritted teeth, barely restraining the storm churning inside him. Pity? Tricks? More lies? He wasn't having any of it. His grip tightened, harsh enough to leave marks. His presence was suffocating, and Dayna found herself gasping for air. Her lashes trembled. Her already pale face seemed more delicate now, and her eyes were faintly red as though she were on the edge but holding on. Something in him tensed. With a growl, he shoved her hand aside. She staggered but steadied herself quickly, and this time, reached again without pause. Her fingers were elegant yet steady. She moved with confidence, pressing expertly along key nerve points on his calf like someone deeply familiar with the human body. Then, something unbelievable happened. A surge of feeling shot through his leg--sharp, electric, and alive. Kristopher's brows shot up in disbelief. He could feel it--his leg. Real sensation. And it was her doing. Dayna looked up at him with calm certainty. "So? How does that feel, Mr. Hudson?" Kristopher didn't respond right away. He stared at her like he was seeing her for the very first time. Like he couldn't quite decide if she was a liar, a miracle, or both. Finally, his voice came, low and even. "What do you want in return?" Dayna's eyes turned steely, her voice low but pulsing with long-buried rage. "Help me crush Foster Group and reclaim everything my mother was robbed of." Was she seriously asking him to dismantle Foster Group from the ground up? A short, humorless laugh escaped Kristopher's lips. "You want me to go after your dear husband's empire? Is this another one of your twisted games? Don't forget--you betrayed me once. That project you backed out of and handed to Declan? It cost me tens of billions. Wasn't that stab in the back deep enough for you?" Dayna lowered her gaze, her lashes trembling faintly. She didn't argue because there was nothing she could say to undo the past. In truth, that single loss should've been a blip on Hudson Group's radar. But when Kristopher vanished after the project failed, the company pulled out of every joint deal, and the cracks widened from there. That was when Foster Group slithered in, seizing the chaos as an opportunity and rising overnight as a corporate juggernaut. She didn't want to rewind the clock. The past was p**son. With quiet resolve and a clear gaze, she said, "Give me three months. I'll have you walking again. That's all I ask." Kristopher didn't blink. His expression was still impossible to read. She bit down on her lip, fighting the urge to retreat. She wasn't backing down either. "If you don't believe me, we can write it up. Sign a contract. If I can't do it, I'll..." She hadn't even finished her thought when Kristopher's voice cut in sharply. This time, his tone had shifted--measured, calculating, still laced with coldness. "We can strike the deal you want, but what I need from you now is an heir," he said flatly. The words hit her like a sl*p. Her eyes widened, her body tensing in disbelief. An heir? Did he mean... she had to leave Declan, marry him, and bear his child? He caught the hesitation in her eyes and gave a dry, mocking laugh. Of course. She was still shackled to Declan--emotionally, mentally. Pathetic. "You can't even handle one condition? Then there's nothing more to talk about." With that, Kristopher spun his wheelchair around and headed for the exit. "Wait!" she called out. Panic clawed at her throat. She moved to go after him, but her knees buckled--still too frail to hold her up. Her sight blurred. She could feel herself collapsing--fast and unsteady, headed toward the wall. However, Kristopher moved on instinct and caught her by the waist before she hit the floor. In that moment, the distance between them disappeared completely. His crisp, woodsy scent, like cedar in snowy winter, surrounded her, strangely comforting, almost addictive. Somehow... it felt familiar, though she couldn't place where she'd smelled it before. When she glanced up, the cold rage in his eyes sent a chill down her spine. "Are you finished putting on a show?" he said sharply. Dayna's body shook slightly. After a few breaths, she regained control, straightened up in his arms, and stepped back. "No, I'm not done. I was going to say that I agree to your condition. Let's just... get married." Kristopher tensed up the second he heard Dayna. What was she trying to pull now? Did she really just say that? Was this another one of her lies? Another trap? Behind those cold, unreadable eyes of his, something dark started to stir... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &2&