KIERA'S POVThe dining room was a masterpiece of elegance—crystal chandeliers dripping light like molten gold, a table so long it seemed to stretch into eternity, and a breakfast spread that could rival any royal banquet. Platters of freshly baked croissants, ripe fruits arranged like art, and silver carafes brimming with coffee and tea were just the beginning. Yet, the grandeur felt suffocating this morning, as if the walls themselves were closing in on me, ready to swallow me whole.I hesitated near the doorway, my gaze instinctively darting toward Catherine, who was sitting beside Abuela.My heart screamed for me to sit beside her, to escape the magnetic pull of Gabriel sitting opposite Abuela.Just as I took a tentative step forward, Abuela’s voice sliced through the air like a knife, “Kiera, sit next to Gabriel,” she said with a tone that brooked no argument.My stomach twisted. Of course, she’d insist. With a measured breath and a strained smile, I made my way to the chair besid
GABRIEL’S POVWhat the hell was Abuela thinking? My fork paused halfway to my mouth, the food suddenly tasting like ash on my tongue. I forced myself to chew, but each bite felt like gravel, heavy and bitter. The look on Kiera’s face—wide-eyed, pale, practically trembling, was impossible to ignore. It was written all over her: she was overwhelmed, teetering on the edge of panic.My jaw tightened, muscles clenching as I set the fork down with deliberate care. If I let myself speak now, I’d regret it. Abuela’s declaration echoed in my head. "I’m hosting your engagement party tomorrow night." No warning, no consultation, just a bomb dropped in the middle of breakfast.“Abuela,” I said, my voice low, controlled, but with an edge that sliced through the hum of conversation. “I need to speak to you. Now.”Her sharp eyes flicked toward me, arching a brow in challenge, but she didn’t argue.“Fine. My study.”I pushed my chair back and stood. I caught a glimpse of Kiera’s frozen form, her hand
KIERA’S POVMy mind was a jumbled mess the moment Gabriel stepped into the room, his presence filling the space like a storm cloud about to break. My nerves were already stretched thin, but I forced myself to stay composed. Barely.“What did she say?” I questioned, though I already knew the answer deep in my gut. I just needed to hear him say it.His piercing gaze rested on me for a few heavy seconds before he finally spoke. “I’m sorry, Kiera, but we have to go through with it.”The words landed like a gut punch, knocking the air from my lungs. I blinked, my vision narrowing as I let out a bitter scoff.“I can’t do this!” My voice cracked, betraying the tidal wave of emotions crashing inside me. “Everything is just—just too much! Your grandmother is relentless, Gabriel! Do you even understand what this means?” My chest heaved with every breath, a mocking laugh almost escaping my lips. “She’s talking about an engagement party now. What’s next? Planning an entire wedding? Or let me gues
KIERA’S POVThe garden unfolded before me like a scene from a dream, the kind you didn’t dare wake from, no matter how unreal it seemed. Lights flickered along the pathway, delicate and soft, casting a golden glow that danced against the darkening sky. My breath caught as I moved closer, the atmosphere heavy with the scent of jasmine and roses.Then I saw him.Gabriel stood at the center of it all, surrounded by the kind of romantic decor you’d only see in movies. Lanterns hung from low branches, their light illuminating his face—a face so achingly perfect it made my heart stumble. His eyes, piercing and deep, found mine instantly, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.He wore a simple white shirt, the sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal strong forearms, the fabric clinging to his frame in a way that accentuated his broad shoulders and toned chest. Casual, yet effortlessly magnetic, he looked like he had stepped out of a TV show.“What is this?” I asked, my voice trembling as
ABUELA’S POVThe first thing I became aware of was the dull, insistent throbbing in my head, followed by the faint murmur of voices, hushed yet urgent. My body felt like it had been weighed down with stones, each limb sluggish and aching. A soft groan escaped my lips as a wave of confusion clouded my thoughts. What on earth had happened to me?Memories wavered at the edge of my consciousness, fragmented and disjointed. One moment, I had been walking to my room, and then—sharp, searing pain, like a knife driving into my temple. After that, there was only darkness.My eyelids felt impossibly heavy, but I forced them open, blinking against the golden light spilling through the curtains. The world came into focus in a haze of soft morning glow, and the first thing I saw were two pairs of eyes, filled with an emotion I couldn’t quite place—fear, relief, something deeper. Kiera’s gaze shimmered with unshed tears, her lips parted as if she had been mid-prayer. Gabriel’s was darker, stormier,
Kiera’s POVClang!The shrill shattering sound of the plate hitting the floor jolted me awake, my eyes flying open in alarm. “What’s going on there?” Dahlia descended the stairs, her eyes blazing profusely.Without hesitation I stooped to the floor, collecting the shattered pieces.“You stupid clumsy girl! Do you know how much that plate cost?”Before I could speak, her hand struck my face leaving her devilish mark on my cheeks. Streams of tears gathered in my eyes as my mouth shook in pain.“Oh.. you will pay dearly for this,” her teeth gritted in barely contained rage.“I’m sorry Dahlia, I’m so tired after staying up all night doing the laundry you asked me to do. I could use Elise’s assistance in doing some of the chores around the house but she’s never around. God Knows what she’s been up to these days.”Her eyes instantly grow larger, “How dare you speak about your sister in such a manner? Wherever Elise goes and whatever she does is none of your business. The only business you h
“What are you doing here?” A familiar voice echoed in my ears“Kiera!”My eyelids fluttered as I found myself back in reality. I glanced around trying to comprehend how I got here. I must have been so pain-struck that my legs instinctively led me here. “You shouldn’t be here Kiera,” Joe, one of Miguel’s bodyguards said sternly.Besides him, three other guards stood at the entrance. “I… umm… I … need to speak with Miguel,” I stuttered, still reeling from the devastating revelation.“You can't see Miguel now. Besides you can't go in without an invitation,” Joe responded, his tone unyielding.“Please, let me just speak to him once. I don’t know what Elise has given him, but I'm sure he isn’t thinking straight,” I pleaded, but Joe maintained his stand.Impulsively, I dived toward the guards trying to force my way through,“Stop creating a scene Kiera, there are paparazzi around, and I wouldn’t wanna do anything to hurt you, so please just go home,” Joe insisted.I fumed, as the pain that
Kiera’s POVThe room was suddenly flooded with light, causing my eyes to struggle to adjust to the brightness.As I looked around, I noticed several young girls, some younger than me, and others around my age. The walls of the room were old and I could see some cracks on them. There was a fireplace, bed, and a bucket filled with things I couldn’t clearly see. Then my eyes settled on him–The man who has absolute power over my fate, surrounded by six able-bodied men and 4 middle-aged women.“Strip!” He shouted, his voice echoing in the room.Suddenly, some of the girls began taking off their clothes, revealing their bare bodies.“What are the rest of you buffoons waiting for?” He shouted.Trembling, my hands began peeling my clothes off my body. My clothes were no longer moist, as they dried on me over the passing hours.I watched as my clothes fell to the floor and my hands quivered as I pulled off my pants. No man had ever seen my bare body, not even Miguel.“Now, turn around,” he inst
ABUELA’S POVThe first thing I became aware of was the dull, insistent throbbing in my head, followed by the faint murmur of voices, hushed yet urgent. My body felt like it had been weighed down with stones, each limb sluggish and aching. A soft groan escaped my lips as a wave of confusion clouded my thoughts. What on earth had happened to me?Memories wavered at the edge of my consciousness, fragmented and disjointed. One moment, I had been walking to my room, and then—sharp, searing pain, like a knife driving into my temple. After that, there was only darkness.My eyelids felt impossibly heavy, but I forced them open, blinking against the golden light spilling through the curtains. The world came into focus in a haze of soft morning glow, and the first thing I saw were two pairs of eyes, filled with an emotion I couldn’t quite place—fear, relief, something deeper. Kiera’s gaze shimmered with unshed tears, her lips parted as if she had been mid-prayer. Gabriel’s was darker, stormier,
KIERA’S POVThe garden unfolded before me like a scene from a dream, the kind you didn’t dare wake from, no matter how unreal it seemed. Lights flickered along the pathway, delicate and soft, casting a golden glow that danced against the darkening sky. My breath caught as I moved closer, the atmosphere heavy with the scent of jasmine and roses.Then I saw him.Gabriel stood at the center of it all, surrounded by the kind of romantic decor you’d only see in movies. Lanterns hung from low branches, their light illuminating his face—a face so achingly perfect it made my heart stumble. His eyes, piercing and deep, found mine instantly, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.He wore a simple white shirt, the sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal strong forearms, the fabric clinging to his frame in a way that accentuated his broad shoulders and toned chest. Casual, yet effortlessly magnetic, he looked like he had stepped out of a TV show.“What is this?” I asked, my voice trembling as
KIERA’S POVMy mind was a jumbled mess the moment Gabriel stepped into the room, his presence filling the space like a storm cloud about to break. My nerves were already stretched thin, but I forced myself to stay composed. Barely.“What did she say?” I questioned, though I already knew the answer deep in my gut. I just needed to hear him say it.His piercing gaze rested on me for a few heavy seconds before he finally spoke. “I’m sorry, Kiera, but we have to go through with it.”The words landed like a gut punch, knocking the air from my lungs. I blinked, my vision narrowing as I let out a bitter scoff.“I can’t do this!” My voice cracked, betraying the tidal wave of emotions crashing inside me. “Everything is just—just too much! Your grandmother is relentless, Gabriel! Do you even understand what this means?” My chest heaved with every breath, a mocking laugh almost escaping my lips. “She’s talking about an engagement party now. What’s next? Planning an entire wedding? Or let me gues
GABRIEL’S POVWhat the hell was Abuela thinking? My fork paused halfway to my mouth, the food suddenly tasting like ash on my tongue. I forced myself to chew, but each bite felt like gravel, heavy and bitter. The look on Kiera’s face—wide-eyed, pale, practically trembling, was impossible to ignore. It was written all over her: she was overwhelmed, teetering on the edge of panic.My jaw tightened, muscles clenching as I set the fork down with deliberate care. If I let myself speak now, I’d regret it. Abuela’s declaration echoed in my head. "I’m hosting your engagement party tomorrow night." No warning, no consultation, just a bomb dropped in the middle of breakfast.“Abuela,” I said, my voice low, controlled, but with an edge that sliced through the hum of conversation. “I need to speak to you. Now.”Her sharp eyes flicked toward me, arching a brow in challenge, but she didn’t argue.“Fine. My study.”I pushed my chair back and stood. I caught a glimpse of Kiera’s frozen form, her hand
KIERA'S POVThe dining room was a masterpiece of elegance—crystal chandeliers dripping light like molten gold, a table so long it seemed to stretch into eternity, and a breakfast spread that could rival any royal banquet. Platters of freshly baked croissants, ripe fruits arranged like art, and silver carafes brimming with coffee and tea were just the beginning. Yet, the grandeur felt suffocating this morning, as if the walls themselves were closing in on me, ready to swallow me whole.I hesitated near the doorway, my gaze instinctively darting toward Catherine, who was sitting beside Abuela.My heart screamed for me to sit beside her, to escape the magnetic pull of Gabriel sitting opposite Abuela.Just as I took a tentative step forward, Abuela’s voice sliced through the air like a knife, “Kiera, sit next to Gabriel,” she said with a tone that brooked no argument.My stomach twisted. Of course, she’d insist. With a measured breath and a strained smile, I made my way to the chair besid
ABUELA’S POVThe phone pressed against my ear felt heavier than it should, as if the weight of the truth I was chasing had seeped into the very device. My voice was a low, sharp whisper, slicing through the silence of the morning like a blade.“What did you find out?” I asked, the words deliberate, measured.The voice on the other end hesitated, a crackle of static, a pause too long to be innocent. Then, finally, the answer came, as infuriatingly vague as the one before it.“Nothing concrete... there’s no tangible link to her background. It’s like she’s a ghost.”A ghost? The phrase lingered, sour in my mind. Ghosts bury their secrets in shallow graves, hoping no one would dig deep enough. But I had a shovel, and patience, and a gut that had never failed me.“Keep digging,” I snapped, my voice edged with the impatience of a woman who had seen far too much.“Yes, ma’am,” came the hurried reply. The line clicked dead.I placed the phone down carefully, though the urge to slam it was a t
ELISE’S POVMy heart raced as I glanced at the clock—8 a.m. Still no sign of Miguel. Part of me felt a sense of relief; maybe this was a good thing. At least, it would give my kitty a much-needed break from his destruction. But then the thought of Freya crept in, and my mood soured instantly.I grabbed my phone, desperate for a distraction, and scrolled through my messages. One stood out—a text from my mom, asking if I had managed to “sack” Freya. Embarrassment washed over me like ice water. I tossed my phone aside, the screen lighting up with a mocking glow.What could I tell her? That I had been bested by a woman who sauntered into my home like she owned the place? The thought made me cringe.The abrupt knock on my door wasn’t a polite one. It was sharp and persistent, the kind that grated on your nerves before you even answered it. I groaned, throwing my phone onto the nightstand, and stomped over. I swung the door open, and there she was Freya, standing there with her perfectly sc
KIERA’S POVThe water was warm as it surrounded me, but it barely registered. My thoughts roared louder than the two mega speakers together, consuming me in a whirlpool of emotions I couldn’t escape. My fingers brushed against my lips as if they still held the ghost of his kiss.Gabriel.The way he kissed me... it was searing, intense, and damn it—undeniably perfect. I hated that I loved it. I hated that it left me craving more, that it lingered in my chest like an ember refusing to die. Would I be crazy to say I had missed it so much? It was everything I had longed for and yet, every time I thought about it, guilt stabbed through me, sharp and unrelenting.Damien. His face flashed in my mind, his grin, the way he looks at me like I was his entire world. What would he think? How would he feel if he finds out what had happened between Gabriel and me?I let out a shaky breath, brushing my face. Two brothers were in love with me, and I was hopelessly drawn to both. I was torn between two
GABRIEL’S POVThe morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the bed. My eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the soft golden glow. The first thing I saw was her—Kiera, lying beside me, her face serene in sleep. In that moment, I was struck by her beauty. She was stunning in a way that made my chest tighten. Her hair tumbled in soft waves around her face, and her lips, slightly parted, looked so inviting. Watching the rise and fall of her chest was hypnotic, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away.For so long, I had held back my feelings for her, but the incident with Linda had pushed me over the edge. I had confessed my feelings without thinking, and ever since, Kiera had been acting a bit awkward around me.I knew she wouldn’t be thrilled about sharing a room, but I craved the closeness, the intimacy of just being in the same space. When Abuela suggested it, I felt like I had hit the jackpot. I pretended to argue against the idea, but deep down, I knew there was