Nora P.O.VI pulled my gun from its holster and pressed the nozzle against the lock. The sharp crack of two bullets echoed down the empty hallway as the lock clattered to the floor. Quickly, I put the gun back in its holster, pulled off the lock, and pushed the door open. As we stepped inside, all the eyes turned toward us,wide, terrified, and filled with desperation from inside the cage. The cages were small, barely giving the girls room to move. Each girl sat huddled against the bars, some covered in dirt, others with bruises that showed the marks of their suffering. The sight ignited a fierce anger within me, making it hard to keep my emotions in check. The girls that were there seemed to be between fourteen to twenty three. They are so young. At this age when they are supposed to be studying they are being dragged into this world that some of them hardly understand.“Don’t worry, we are here to get you out,” I whispered to them, as Lily followed close behind. The girls watched us
Nora P.O.VI parked just outside the cemetery, the car’s engine cutting out with a low rumble, leaving only silence. Ahead of me, the iron gate stood rigid and weathered, vines creeping up its frame as if trying to reclaim it. Rust chipped away at its hinges, and the weight of time seemed embedded in every worn down bar. I looked over to the passenger seat, where a delicate bouquet of white lilies rested, stark against the faded leather. Taking a deep breath, I reached over, gently wrapping my fingers around the stems before unfastening my seatbelt and opening the door.After what happened to the other day, it brought back the past painful memories that I thought I had buried long time ago.I knew I have to finally come here. This has been a long awaited visit that I need to make, an unfinished chapter I needed to face, a wound that had scarred over but never fully healed and still as new as the day they were buried.Standing before the cemetery gates, I paused, letting the cool air wa
Nora P.O.VLeaning my head on Cyber’s shoulder, I let out a long, weary sigh. The weight of memories settled heavily, like a dark cloud that had been gathering in my heart for years. My eyes grew misty, and I squeezed them shut, as scenes of the past started playing like a movie reel I could never escape from.Layson was forced to take a leave to recover. He moved into the neighbourhood when I was sixteen, almost seventeen, and even back then, I was captivated by him but my past experience with men forced me not to let him get too close. He had this effortless charm, the kind that teenage dreams are built around. At first, I had no clue how he felt about me. There were always lingering touches , looks , I tried not to read too much into the situation. He was this big successful army who could have anyone he wanted .What a barely legal teenager with a bad past could give him? Cyber’s father, whom I had come to love like my own father, often invited Layson over, which did not do any goo
Nora P.O.V I woke up and found myself on a hospital bed, the familiar sterile smell filling my nostrils. Cyber was there, sitting by my side, his face lined with worry. Another friend of Uncle’s stood against the wall, his face grim. As I stirred, Cyber leaned over, his eyes red-rimmed from exhaustion and grief. “What happened?” I croaked, my voice barely a whisper. “You collapsed. I found you at Layson’s house, passed out on the floor,” Cyber said, his voice tight. I tried to sit up, but he held me back, a mixture of concern and frustration in his eyes. It has been so long Just then, a doctor entered, clipboard in hand. “Oh you are awake,” she said, her tone neutral. “Your tests came back. You are exhausted, malnourished. This is not good for you and your baby.” She said, I just felt like something shifted under my feet. “What?!” I asked weakly. “Oh you do not know. You are pregnant. The lab results came positive for pregnancy.” I just wanted this to be some sort of lie thoug
Unknown P.O.V The man sitting in the dark sedan had his gaze fixed intently on the cemetery entrance, every sense trained on his target. Neither Nora nor Cyber, her brother who was accompanying her, had noticed the uninvited observer. He lifted a phone to his ear, his voice was rough as he spoke into the phone. “Boss, the lady is coming out,” he reported. “She is with the guy who went in after her.” The response crackled through the speaker, rough and commanding. “What are they doing?” “She is getting in her car. The man is leaving on his bike.” He kept his voice level, watching as the figures split up. “Follow her,” came the gravelly order. As Nora’s car rolled away, the man smoothly started his engine, following at a safe distance, ensuring he would not lose sight of her. Nora P.O.V Pulling into the driveway of a ranch-style house, I gripped the steering wheel and took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.I could not believe I am going to do this after thirteen year
Nora P.O.VStepping out of the sleek black sedan, a wall of flashing lights assaulted my senses. Paparazzi crowded the entrance of the grand hall, cameras. Each flash pierced the air, an electric rhythm that sent adrenaline coursing through my veins. I let my eyes scan the crowd quickly . So far everything is fine but the same thing can not be said when we go inside, full of criminals who want you dead. Can not believe I have to do this for an enemy. But beggars can't be choosers so I needed to stay sharp. Before us was a red carpet that led to the main entrance of the hall.Robert moved around the car and extended his arm to me, his expression unreadable, though a faint smile curved his lips. I looped my arm through his, meeting his gaze briefly before I faced the blinding lights again.“Smile for the cameras,” he murmured under his breath.I forced a bright smile onto my face. I hated every second of this act, but tonight it was necessary. This was not about my revenge. I think noth
Robert P.O.VThe door to the VIP room creaked open, its heavy sound cutting through the low murmur of voices in the hall. My eyes darted toward the entrance, narrowing instantly as Aldo Bianchi strode in, his polished black shoes clicking against the marble floor. He was flanked by his men, all clad in sharp black suits, their expressions as blank as stone. My own men shifted subtly behind me, their presence a steady force I could feel without looking.My hand instinctively moved to my gun, and in one swift motion, I pulled it out, pointing it directly at Aldo. My men followed my lead, their weapons drawn and aimed. In a room full of mafiosos, bringing guns was not just a precaution; it was survival. These gatherings may have been wrapped in a veneer of civility, but everyone knew the truth, bloodshed was always a hair-trigger away.Aldo’s men reacted just as quickly, their weapons glinting under the dim chandelier light. The only two people in the room without guns in hand were Aldo
Robert P.O.V Years later, here he was, standing before me with that damned smile. “Aldo,” I said finally, my voice cold and sharp. “I should kill you where you stand.” Lowering my gun along with my men. His smile didn’t falter. “You could try, but we both know that would not be wise.” I ignored his taunt. “What do you want?” Aldo put his one hand in his pants pocket and with the other he was still holding the file. “I did not come here to fight , dear nephew. There is something you need to know.” saying he lifted the file I laughed bitterly, the sound echoing in the room. “What is in that ? What game are you trying to play after what you did?” He tilted his head, feigning innocence. “Your father survived, didn’t he? In fact, I hear he is doing quite well these days.” My blood boiled, but I forced myself to stay composed. Losing my temper here would only give him the upper hand. “Enough of these games. I have no interest in what is in that file. I am not falling for your bull
Nora P.O.V I ran my fingers down the fabric of my dress, smoothing out the silk as I gazed at my reflection in the full-length mirror. The black and red gown hugged my figure perfectly, the intricate floral lace carving delicate patterns over the sheer black overlay, while the royal red silk underneath added a touch of richness. The detachable black skirt trailed behind me like a shadow, enhancing my every step with an air of mystery. My dark waves cascaded over my shoulders, shining under the dim glow of the vanity lights like a river kissed by moonlight. I had returned to the DiFronzo estate this morning after completing the case, though formalities had dragged the process out longer than expected. I hadn’t spoken to Robert properly since I left a few days ago. Our last interaction had been brief, filled with unspoken words and unreadable expressions. Lily had barely given me a moment to settle in before dragging me off for dress shopping, her excitement contagious despite my exh
Nora P.O.V The room was steeped in darkness, the kind that felt suffocating, pressing in from all sides. The only source of illumination was a weak, flickering bulb hanging from the ceiling, its light barely reaching the corners of the space. The bulb swung slightly, creaking on its loose fixture, casting long, shifting shadows over the stacks of cardboard boxes piled against the walls. The air inside was thick with dust and the stale scent of sweat and old wood. Each breath I took felt heavy, tainted by something metallic smell. The distant echoes of gunfire and chaos outside barely reached this place, but even with all of that, nothing in this room disturbed me more than the sight before me. Layson’s arms and legs were tightly restrained with thick ropes, the fibers biting into his skin. His face was a mess of bruises, his right eye swollen, his lip split open, and a deep gash above his brow left a jagged streak of blood trailing down the side of his face. The blood had begun to d
Nora P.O.V The warehouse loomed ahead, its steel exterior bathed in the pale glow of the distant streetlights. A thick, eerie silence blanketed the area, broken only by the occasional rustle of the wind against the stacked shipping containers. The air was tense, charged with the weight of the mission ahead. Inside, Layson and his son were being held captive by the Cutlers, and there was no telling what condition they were in. Our van was parked a few yards away, tucked into the shadows, where Cyber and his team monitored the interior movements. The dim glow of their screens illuminated their faces, their fingers flying over keyboards as they fed us real-time updates through our Bluetooth devices. “Heat signatures confirm at least two dozen men inside,” Cyber’s voice crackled in my ear. “More might be deeper in. No sign of Layson or the child yet, but we are tracking.” I nodded, my grip tightening around my firearm as I surveyed the agents standing with me. I had already distribut
Nora P.O.VThe conference room was silent except for the quiet hum of the projector as the video began playing. The large screen flickered to life, casting a dim glow across the dimly lit room. My seniors sat at the long table, their expressions grim, while Cyber stood near the laptop, ready to control the playback. A few other agents were scattered throughout the room, watching with keen eyes.The video was grainy, likely recorded from a hidden camera. It showed a weak, sickly child strapped to a chair inside a dark room. The only source of light was a dim bulb hanging overhead, casting eerie shadows across his frail body. The boy’s head drooped forward, exhaustion visible in the way his shoulders sagged. He barely moved, except for the occasional twitch, as if he lacked the strength to even lift his head properly.I clenched my jaw. This had to be Ryan, Layson’s son.Several figures stood around him, just beyond the reach of the weak light. Their faces were obscured, but their voice
Nora’s POV I adjusted my dress, smoothing out the wrinkles as Robert fixed his tie. The air inside his office was thick with the remnants of what just happened between us, but I refused to dwell on it. Instead, I reached for my blazer, but before I could slide it on, Robert pulled out his black credit card and handed it to me. "Get a dress and whatever else you need for next weekend’s ball." His tone was firm, almost dismissive, as if this was a mundane transaction."And whatever else you need for next weekend’s ball.” I took the card between my fingers, my brows furrowing. "Why?" I asked, looking up at him. "I can buy my own clothes. Working at DiFonzo's pays me well, and the party is next weekend. I have time." Robert straightened his cuffs, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Because you’re mine," he said simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "And I take care of what’s mine." His words were effortless, like he was not aware of the weight they carried. I s
Nora P.O.VThe ride to DiFronzo Enterprises was tense, the air in the car thick with unspoken frustration. Robert had taken a call the moment we left the mansion, his voice low but sharp, each clipped word laced with irritation. I sat quietly beside him, watching through the side of my eye as his grip on the phone tightened, his jaw clenching harder with every passing second. Whatever was being discussed on the other end, it was clearly not good. When the call finally ended, he tossed his phone onto the seat beside him, exhaling through his nose in a way that told me he was barely holding onto his temper. His knuckles were white against his knee, his fingers twitching as if itching to break something. I did not say a word. I knew better than to try to pry when he was in this state. Instead, I simply observed, letting him simmer in silence. By the time we arrived, Robert did not wait for the driver to open his door ,he shoved it open himself and stepped out with a force that se
Nora P.O.V The sun cast a golden hue over the dining room, filtering through the sheer curtains that framed the tall windows. The table, grand and ornate, stretched the length of the room, covered with an array of breakfast dishes that screamed wealth, freshly baked croissants, glistening fruit platters, cured meats, and steaming pots of coffee. The clinking of cutlery against fine china was the only sound filling the room as the DiFronzo family began their morning ritual. I sat between one of DiFronzo’s men and Riccardo, an awkward position considering the unspoken tension that always hung over these gatherings. To my left, Riccardo leaned back in his chair, a picture of casual arrogance, his dark hair slicked back and his suit impeccably tailored even for breakfast. His tattoos were peering out from under his sleeves.He whispered something to Robert, who was seated beside him, just to the right of his father, Robert DiFronzo Sr., who occupied the head of the table like a king sur
Aldo P.O.V The heavy oak door to the DiFronzo mansion’s east wing creaked open, and I stepped into the lavish bedroom that was now mine. A slow smile spread across my face as my gaze swept the room. Gold-framed mirrors, antique furniture, and deep burgundy curtains. It was everything I expected from the family I despised,opulent, arrogant, and far too secure in their false sense of power. I ran a finger along the edge of the polished mahogany dresser, feigning admiration for the craftsmanship. In truth, I hated everything about this house. It was not the grandeur or the wealth that disgusted me; it was the memories tied to it. Memories of being cast out, belittled, and treated like I was nothing. Elinor DiFronzo did not bring me into the family out of kindness. She brought me to pay for my mother's sin. While his son was treated like a prince I was treated worse than a servant. No one came to save me when she beat me behind closed doors, not even my deadbeat father. For the world E
Nora P.O.V I moved carefully, each step light and deliberate as I made my way toward the living room. The tension was palpable even from the hallway. I did not want anyone to know I was there; the last thing I needed was to be dragged into whatever family chaos was unfolding. I pressed my back against the wall near the doorway, craning my neck just enough to get a glimpse of the room. Aldo Bianchi stood in the center, his posture as smug and self-assured as ever, surrounded by his men.The sight of them in the DiFronzo mansion was jarring, like seeing a fox in a henhouse. Robert was there, standing at the forefront with Dant and Riccardo flanking him. The other members of the family formed a tense semi-circle, their expressions ranging from anger to confusion. I edged closer, careful not to let the wooden floorboards creak underfoot. I did not need to see Robert’s face to know he was seething, his shoulders were rigid, his hands clasped behind his back in an effort to maintain contr