The Broken PromiseAdrian's eyes snap open, and the world feels like it's spinning. His head throbs, and there is this weight in his casket- a stifling pressure he cannot shake. His heart pounds, but it's not from fear. Not yet. No, it's more like the blood is rushing back into his veins, reminding him he is still alive- slightly.His body is heavy. Stiff. Like he is just been hit by a truck. His arms are behind his reverse, the rope tied around the wrists digging in with every small movement. The legs? The same story. Dead weight. But he doesn't watch. Not yet. All he could suppose about now was one thing Flora.Where is she? What's passing? The last thing he remembers is. the scream. The gunshot. Her scream.He tries to move, but his body does not cooperate it's wrapped in thick fog. The sedatives have not worn off yet. He cannotindeed clear his throat duly, the dry air scratching his oral cords.steps. Slow. Measured. They echo through the silence, nearly designedly so.Adrian's he
The Poison in the Veins"Flora, wake up." a voice seemed to call from somewhere far off, but to Flora all she could perceive was the knocking in her ears. Her eyelids fluttered open, and the first feeling that hit her was the stinging cold, which pierced the thin fabric of her clothes. A throb coursed through her whole body, a dull ache inside that made her head feel like it was full of cotton. The gunshot, the bloodcurdling scream-they still lingered in her mind, yet now they seemed so far away, fuzzy, some kind of nightmare happening to somebody else. Then, in an instant, panic set in.Adrian…" she whispered to herself, her heart slamming against her ribcage as she tried to recall his face, his voice-anything that would remind her that he was there, that he was still with her.She jerked upright, but a searing pain in her side made her gasp and wince. She looked down with trembling hands and realized, to her horror, that she was lying on the cold, unforgiving concrete floor of what
OUT OF TIMEThe murmurs in the room grew louder, a mixture of anger, sorrow, and uncertainty. Kade’s voice cut through the rising clamour, cold and dismissive. “No one gets to decide what happens now, Adrian. Not after everything you’ve done.”Adrian’s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. “This isn’t about me,” he said, his tone resolute yet tinged with regret. “It’s about all of us—and about setting things right.”Lorne, who had been silent until now, spoke in a low voice that barely rose above a whisper. “We’re running out of time.”The heavy silence was relieved only by the sound of footsteps somewhere and the soft rustling of papers. Flora's mind raced: every moment, every second, could be their last. Callum was out there-a relentless force that would stop at nothing to replace Adrian, erase everything Adrian had ever been.Tears welled in Flora's eyes at the attempt of imagining a tomorrow, a day without Adrian by her side-a man whom she had come to trust with all her heart.
The CountdownTick.Tick.Tick.The clock on the wall isn't loud. It's quiet, steady. To Adrian, however, each elapsing second is a hammer striking his skull.His wrists are raw from fighting against the ropes, and the drug they pumped into his veins still clings to him like a thick fog. His limbs feel heavy as lead, his muscles lethargic, but his brain is working- much too fast, much too slow, flickering between memories and the cold, hard present.Flora.Where was she?The last thing he remembers is the gunshot. Her scream. The sound of something heavy hitting the ground. Then—nothing. Just darkness.A door creaks open.Adrian’s head jerks up, sharp pain slicing through the back of his skull. His vision blurs, then clears, but the figure standing in the doorway is nothing but a silhouette.Boots against concrete. Slow, measured steps.Then, a voice.Low. Gravelly. Familiar.“You’re still breathing.”Adrian stiffens. That voice. It’s impossible.“…Derek?”The man steps forward, and f
The UnravellingThe room is too quiet.Flora's breathing is shallow, her wrists raw from the ropes that had bound them for hours. Or maybe longer. Time has blurred, stretched into something shapeless, endless. She wants to scream just to break the silence, but she swallows it down, forcing herself to stay still. Stay aware.Then—Footsteps.Not the slow, heavy kind meant to intimidate. These are quick, precise. Controlled.Her heart slams against her ribs as the door creaks open.She makes herself not to hope. Hope is dangerous. Hope is a lie.But then she sees him.Not Adrian."Lorne?" Her voice barely makes it past her throat.He steps inside, his dark eyes scanning the room, jaw tight. "We need to go. Now."Flora sways as she pushes herself up, her body sluggish, weak. The drugs are still in her system, making everything feel distant, like she's moving through water. But she doesn't stop."Where's Adrian?" Her voice is hoarse, but the urgency cuts through.Lorne doesn't answer imme
The UnravellingThe room is too quiet.Flora's breathing is shallow, her wrists raw from the ropes that had bound them for hours. Or maybe longer. Time has blurred, stretched into something shapeless, endless. She wants to scream just to break the silence, but she swallows it down, forcing herself to stay still. Stay aware.Then—Footsteps.Not the slow, heavy kind meant to intimidate. These are quick, precise. Controlled.Her heart slams against her ribs as the door creaks open.She makes herself not to hope. Hope is dangerous. Hope is a lie.But then she sees him.Not Adrian."Lorne?" Her voice barely makes it past her throat.He steps inside, his dark eyes scanning the room, jaw tight. "We need to go. Now."Flora sways as she pushes herself up, her body sluggish, weak. The drugs are still in her system, making everything feel distant, like she's moving through water. But she doesn't stop."Where's Adrian?" Her voice is hoarse, but the urgency cuts through.Lorne doesn't answer imme
The Game Has Changed"You really think you can win?" Derek's voice oozed amusement, but his eyes told a different story. Cold. Calculating.Adrian barely spared him a glance. His fists clenched at his sides, nails digging hard into his palms. He needed to be sharp, a step ahead. Callum was changing the game, but Adrian wasn't playing by his rules.Derek took another step forward. "You look like you've seen a ghost. Thought you'd left me behind, huh?"Adrian blew out hard through his nose. "I should've known Callum would dig you up.""You say that like it's a bad thing," Derek chuckled, but there was steel underneath. "I'm just looking out for myself. You should've done the same.A beat elapsed between them, and the silence thickened further. Adrian heard the distant, reassuring hum of the city against the boarded-up windows, yet here, just them. Another kind of battleground."Let me guess," Adrian said low. "He made you an offer you can't refuse."Derek flashed another grin that was w
The Betrayal"Flora, go!"Lorne's voice broke through the mayhem, hard and insistent. He had her arm and pulled forward as the walls appeared to press in on them. The air was thick with dust, concrete and sweat clingy, like a wet second skin.She stumbled but kept moving. Her legs screamed with every step, but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered but getting away. But Adrian-She twisted her head around. "We have to go back."Lorne didn't break stride. "We can't."Flora braked, her heels digging into the floor so she jerked out of his grasp. "I'm not leaving him!"Lorne pivoted, frustration etched into every line on his face-and something else-something almost like fear. "Flora, listen to me. We don't have time to play hero. Adrian knew what he was doing. He told me to get you out.Her stomach twisted. "And you just-what? Left him?"His jaw clenched. "He gave me no choice."She wanted to hit him, scream-anything to block out the image forming in her mind-Adrian, alone, surrounded, fight
A Father's Woeful Demise" Flora, run — there's been a extremity at the sanitarium!" Marissa cried in a pulsing hurry as she nearly dragged Flora out of the small safehouse door.Flora's blood was pounding in her ears." What's it? What passed?" she was suitable to query, her own voice no further than a soft tale, laden with call.Marissa's bright, encouraging eyes were veiled in gashes." It's your father I looked out and there was a crowd of people. They are yelling, and someone said he is getting beaten up by a mob. Flora, I am so sorry."" Beaten?" Flora's voice shook, a mix of disbelief and a deep, eating fear." No it can not be.".While contending down the avenue, Marissa rumored constantly," They're at St. Joseph's Hospital. I heeded to the temptress of the ambulance and heard the cries. You need to see him."In the corridor of the sanitarium, uneasiness prevailed heavy and mutters filled the terrain. Malik, a tired- looking nurse, approached them." Are you Flora? There's an exig
Consequences Unleashed" What have you done, Flora?" Malik's voice cut through the angry hum as he had her backed into the salon doorway. His tone was sharp, eyes narrowed in unbelief.Flora's reply was cold," I did what was demanded, Malik. Alice would n't leave anyone in peace, and now see what she does.".Across the room, a low moan erupted as Alice gripped her side, her face blench from the impact. “ You — Flora, you’ve gone too far this time, ” she whizzed, staggering as she tried to undergird herself against a counter.“ Too far? ” snapped a husky guard, stepping forward. “ You’ve disrespected our pride, and now you’re bleeding on our bottom. ”Alice's voice quivered with wrathfulness," I simply spoke the verity! You know what I said, do not you? I said Flora was nothing but a shadow, a broken oath."There was a murmuration of outrage among the patrons of the salon." That is enough!" a cry came from the reverse, and also voices chimed in with whoops for justice.Flora's eyes bur
The Salon Incident" Flora, did you see that? I heard someone mention Alice was then again," rumored Jasmine as she shifted the security examiner near the salon door.Flora's reply was tense, her voice kept low," Yes, Jasmine. I know whom you're pertaining to. And I'm not in the mood for her capers moment.".Across the room, Malik, the shift administrator, joined in, “ You sure you’re ready for this, Flora? Alice always knows how to stir trouble. ”Flora’s tone was steely, “ I’ve had enough of her prying and her trim smile. I’m then to cover this place, not to be lowered by her arrogance. ”The frontal door chimed just also as a familiar, mocking voice cut through the noise of exertion." Flora, sweetie pie, is not it? Still playing guard like you always did? How cute."Flora's eyes grew narrower, and she approached the door, her voice refocused and clear," Alice. What do you want? I allowed you'd learned your assignment."Alice's laugh was jingling and pathetic," Oh, Flora, always so
Turning Point" Flora, are you absolutely sure about this?" Marissa asked, her voice pulsing with a blend of fear and stopgap as the two of them sat facing each other at a worn kitchen table in Flora's small new apartment.Flora spoke forcefully, yet a hint of pain colored what she said." I could not continue to do this in the same way, Marissa. diurnal excursions to the training grounds recall to mind that which I was created to do. I do not like it all the stress, the admonishment, being constantly compared to others."Marissa leaned in, her aspect sweeping over Flora's." But what about the work you did there? You motivated everyone. You pushed through those delicate sessions like nothing differently."Flora jounced, her voice hard but gentle." Inspiring them was an resultant of making it. It was not about getting a coach it was about proving to everyone that I was not that broken girl presently. I can not redeem myself by adhering to that history."" Are you quitting?" Marissa inqu
A Bitter Memorial" Flora, did you hear what they are saying about Adrian?" Marissa's voice quivered as she leaned in across the small café table, her words slightly above a tale.Flora's voice came back, low and flat," Yes, I did. They say he is been spotted with Alice again — mixed up in her schemes, of all effects. I can not believe it, Marissa. It's like a kick in the stomach, each over again."Marissa's eyes glistered," I know, Flora. It's like every time I'm trying to assure you that everything will be alright, this news comes and shatters whatever hope you had left. How do you cleave to anything when the one person who was supposed to be your future turns out to be so unstable?Her voice shook with rage and anguish," I was finished with it. I believed that awful day, the marriage treason, closed that chapter. But knowing Adrian's returned to Alice it's as though the history is oohing in to tell me some injuries noway actually heal."Marissa soughed heavily," It is n't a memoria
The Sting of Rejection" Flora, please, just one further chance to explain," Adrian contended as he stood outside the small café where Flora had agreed to meet. His voice, husky with remorse, quivered slightly as he looked up at her.Flora's eyes were frigid, her voice freezing and wounded as she replied," Explain? After everything that happened on our marriage day? You've formally explained it a thousand times with your empty defenses, Adrian."Adrian shifted, his shoulders dropping as he tried to bridge the gap between them." I know I hurt you — I know I left you when you demanded me most. But that exigency was not what you suppose.Flora strangled, crossing her arms." Not what I suppose? Adrian, you left me there in front of everyone. I was lowered, devastated, and you — your incuriosity was the worst possible treason."There was a silence in the air as Adrian's eyes searched hers." Flora, I have been trying to make restitutions. I have called, texted, indeed stopped by the pack ho
A Regard Of StrengthFlora stood in the center of the training field as early morning daylight poured through the high windows, the air being filled with the sound of determined voices and the metrical thud of exertion. Amidst the commotion, she was girdled by her fellow trainees, each one of them seeking to their limits. Now, the air hummed with further than just physical exertion; it was charged with the eventuality of reinvention, a chance to prove that she was further than the weight of her history.“ Flora, come on, you’ve got this! ” Coach Ramirez called out, his tone both establishment and encouraging as he circled around the group. His words cut through the noise like a lifeline, and Flora felt the familiar pressure of anticipation mingled with a shifting stopgap.Flora breathed heavily, her muscles burning as she pushed herself through a series of violent exercises. She broke between sets, her voice low but determined as she spoke to Marissa, who had joined her on the sideli
Breaking Free" Flora, are you really going?" Marissa's voice quivered as she spoke, her tone a blend of unbelief and anguish. In the muted morning sun, the normal noise of the family home hummed vocally around them, and Flora stood poised in the doorway, her hands shaking as she gripped a battered duffel bag." I've to, Marissa," Flora said, her voice low but bent ." Every day then's like suffocating under prospects that are quaint, in a script not meant for me." She talked in quick, decisive bursts as she stepped down from the worn welcome mat and into the uncertain bite of a new morning." Is it freedom you are chasing, or is it just getting down from then?" her brother Ethan questioned, standing in the doorway with a creased forepart. His tone was gentle but with an edge of concern." We always knew you were different, but you are immolating everything — your recollections, your family."Flora's aspect met his, and she replied," Ethan, you know I have tried to be what they wished.
New Onsets" Flora, are you ready for moment's session?" Coach Ramirez asked as gentle early morning sun filtered vocally through the training hall windows." Yes, Coach," Flora replied, her voice steady but with a hint of nervous anticipation." I have awaited so long for this."." Flash back, this is n't just an issue of physical strength," Coach Ramirez said, leaning forward with a warm smile." It's an issue of having the courage to stand alone. And you, Flora, have that courage in spades."Flora's eyes burned with resoluteness as she said," I know, and moment I am going to prove it — to the world, and to myself. I've to show that I can make a future on my own terms."" Good," intruded Marissa, her friend who had come along to advance support." We have all seen you struggle with the history, with all those heavy prospects. moment, you are reshaping your story."" Precisely," Flora answered, her voice growing more determined." I have been held back long enough by other people's prosp