*Dominic's POV* “This is stupid.”I cursed, turning the steering wheel into an intersection. I had Caleb on my tail begging me to forget about Selene,I still haven't found where Ares is keeping the journalists –they could be ratting me out to him right now and to top it all up.Selene was avoiding me. I caught sight of Greta’s lean frame standing on the sidewalk,the streetlight casting a lazy glow on her knitted hat.She always looked so honest and likeable,like a kind aunt,that was until you got scammed that you realised that she was one of satan’s minions. I quickly dialled her number and watched her pick up the phone from her coat. “I'm here.” She looks my way. “Black cadillac?” “Yeah,that's me.”I say,cutting the call If This was one of her scams again,I will choke some senses into her tonight. I pulled up in front of the park Greta directed me to and waited for her to approach the window. She stands at the door and peers in . “You are late.” “You are bad at directions,I
*Yolanda's POV* Elais brought Noelle home today,as he has been doing for a while now but something about him irritated me today.The way he and Noelle's laugh merges together so perfectly brought deja vus of what I had to do to ensure her place. Contrary to popular belief,I didn't hate Selene.How could I? She was not my daughter but sometimes I wish she was,well at least at first. She knew the world was a big game and understood it too.She was very much like me and the embodiment of all I wanted in the child. But of course,nothing went perfect for me,she was too much like me. And the second her father died,she set out to get revenge and destroy me and deep down I knew that her wrath was coming to haunt me. I like to think I wasnt all bad. I had a secure plan to make both of them successful but her obvious hatred cancelled it all. I refocused on Noelle And aspired to make her great. And I did,but it came with many regrets. Like getting witches involved to cut Noelle's mate bon
*Selene's POV* “Aren't you worried?”Cassie asked,leaning on the door frame,swirling the wine in her glass. I ignored her and continued stacking my new jewellery. “It's been almost twenty-four hours since you heard from Greta.Don't you even miss her” I threw Cassire a lazy-eye dirty look, but she kept her eyes firm on mine,unphased by my disapproval. “I told you not to bring her up.”I said in a hard tone and returned to stacking my new boxes. “Another word, and I will actually lose it.” “I just feel sort of guilty, you know,I put so much suspicion in your head, and you acted so hastily that you didn't hear her reason…you even kicked her out. What if she had a good reason?” “There is no good reason for stealing.”I reply,hoping to put an end to the matter. “But you stole Noelle's identity once,and you had a very good reason.” The memory hit me like a bitter taste,there were alot of things I wasnt proud of and stashed away in my memory so the guilt doesnt eat me alive,tha
*Yolanda's POV* The stench of rust and dampness hit me the second I stepped inside the warehouse. I hated this place already. The creaking metal above me, the dripping water echoing in the distance—it all felt like the setup to a bad movie. Except I wasn’t the clueless girl walking into a trap. I knew exactly what I was doing. I was here because he had information, and for better or worse, I needed it. My heels clicked sharply on the cracked concrete floor as I moved farther inside, eyes darting around the dim space. It was quiet—too quiet—but I knew he was here. I wasn’t scared, but I was cautious. I’d dealt with men like him before—arrogant, thinking they could control me, thinking they held all the cards. But I wasn’t someone who could be easily rattled. I never was,I wont start now.“Play your games right fool.”I muttered under my breath. “Because the second I find out who you are under that mask,you will know where real evil originates From.”I scanned the shadows, my he
*Dominic's POV* I repositioned the location of the small wooden fountain on the demo scale and analysed it carefully. I couldn't quite decide if I wanted the fountain at the front of the hotel or at the back along with the pond. Perhaps a fountain at the front would be too much if I decide to go along with the statue of Selene. I am more than proud to say I am actually going somewhere in the construction. This might just be a charade to keep suspicious eyes off my back, but I genuinely enjoy it–building,creating a whole new world from the ground up. It does a strange thing to your ego when it's completed,experts will say the pride inflates it, but I like to use better terms. “You are absolutely ridiculous. What if she finds out that you lied,”Caleb complained, pacing around the office. I almost forgot he was still here. At this point, I just used him as background noise to focus better. “I already did a favour for you once.I refuse to partake in this lie, too.” Caleb has gott
*Ares’ POV* Dominic must have figured out where the journalists were,that was the only explanation. And it's at the right timing too,just after the journalists agreed to confess in court,,he rents out the event hall right in front of the warehouse where I'm keeping them and invited me. I don't know what his plan is with that move but moving so hastily means he is nervous, and that's exactly what I want. “Do you think the security we put is enough?”Elais asked,adjusting his cufflinks. “Yes.”I replied curtly. “What If we walk into his trap?” I sighed thoughtfully. “He doesn't have the guts to pull anything in front of hundreds of people.” “If you are so sure he is Saint Locke,I don't think any amount of people will stop him.” I turn to look at Elais in the face. “Stop being so pessimistic. Let's just follow the plan, and everything will turn out fine.” I glanced at my watch and pushed my hand in my pocket. “It's time.” I step into the event hall, the atmosphere buzzi
Selene’s POV Who does he think he is, bossing and carrying me around like I’m some fragile doll? I didn't need his protection before, and I certainly don't need it now. My heart drummed in my chest,I'm not sure if it was from the sound of the guns or his touch. It's definitely the guns. I stood by the door for a second longer, my pride demanding I delay entering the room. I wasn't following his orders—no, I was just making sure that I was safe. Still, the memory of his fingers pressing into my shoulders lingered, warm, and possessive. My body reacted to it like an addictive drug I had been starved from for years. And it felt terrifying,I dont think I have felt so much since...him. And even worse,something deep in me felt ready to obey,without question or hesitation. No,no,no,get yourself together, Selene. I forced a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and pushed the door open, stepping into the cold, mechanical room. The door clicked shut behind me, the darkness swallowing me w
*Selene's POV* *Next Day* “Where did you get that?”I asked, snatching the paper from her hand. The flyer showed an announcement of the complete demolition and renovation of Olive Grown District. My father's house was at the heart of the district, and what was worse was that it was going to be turned into a landfill. “I found it plastered on a street sign on my way here,”Greta stated. “They are all over the city.” I folded the paper and threw it out the window in a fit of anger.What on earth was it going on? Who was doing this? Not only did the price of the house go up by twice its worth but now it was not going to be demolished. Now, not only do I have to pay a ridiculous amount for what was originally mine.. I also have to fight to keep the place from being broken and run down. I fell to the chair and pressed on my temples,trying to evoke calm,serenity or anything remotely different from the panic I was feeling. Was it Ares–no? Why would he? “I know how much you wanted
*Noelle's POV* The knife cut through the onion slice and another strand of tear streamed from my eye. My focus shifts to the boiling pot and smiles sadly.Even with very little practice,I love cooking and thus I've always wanted to cool for someone–that someone being Ares. But that had been a far fetched dream then yunno,I always knew that that was too big of a dream and I may never realize it,that way my happiness lied there-out of my reach,unattainable but at the soothing of some sort,it gave me something to fight for. And now I was in his house,doing exactly what I had dreamed of all this while,I had made it..I should be ecstatic right? No. I felt the opposite. I felt sad,frustrated and lost. Lost in the sense that I no longer understood myself,and it didn't even have to do with my pregnancy,I genuinely can't even understand what's wrong with me ever since Elais and I slept together,the guilt was eating me up but one question remained. Do I even love Elais? The doorbell r
*Selene's POV* I stared at the board blankly,I should be analysing the data on it to plan my next move, but instead, my mind is on the court case. Ares did everything to avoid specifying that we were together during the time of the murder,on one hand it could be him trying to protect me and on the other it could be him just being selfish and trying to protect his image now that he doesn't want me anymore. A sting reached my heart and spread like wildfire,my head began to feel heavy,when I was done with all this revenge was over with,what on earth will I do? My reputation is hanging by a fragile thread,my relationships with my partners are now severed,even Saint Locke doesn't talk to me anymore…and now Ares,not that I miss him, it just felt like I was losing so much of my life to this revenge–would it all be worth it? I replayed my last encounter with Yolanda and shut my eyes tight,that lying witch needed to pay,no matter what it costs,even if it was my happiness. “Have
*Yolanda's POV* “Crushed,bay leaf,turmeric and–” I squinted,what on earth did Victor write here? How am I supposed to complete the potion now without the name of the ingredients? I slapped the piece of paper on the table and frowned. With Selene now in full anger grating at my back,it is getting crystal clear that Im getting into a deeper hole than I had estimated,the assurance of an antidote to any poison spell was the only thing able to give me a good night's sleep,though I doubt she would want to kill me by poison,It's better to be safe. If only Victor had fixed that terrible handwriting of his so I could actually understand how to make this thing. I grunted and slammed the paper down.It's as though everyone and anyone desperately wants me to die. A knock on the door interrupted me from my mental assault against Victor,the maid walked into the room and glanced at the herbs on my table in part confusion. “Well?” I asked harshly. “Are you going to talk or are you just tryin
*Ares' POV*It's finally the day of the trails and my head is blazing hot. The only thing I'm grateful for is the fact that it is a private hearing but other than that,I hated the day already.The sunlight slicing through the grand windows of the courtroom is too harsh, too bright. It doesn't match the shadows creeping beneath the stone columns or the solemnity of the faces around me. The Council members are seated at their elevated sears, each expression a mixture of judgement, curiosity, and barely veiled contempt. Noelle hasn’t spoken a word since we arrived, which is odd, especially for her. She’s standing slightly behind me, her hands clasped in front of her, fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her coat. Her eyes, flickering nervously between the members of the Council, never quite meet mine. Her uneasiness was beginning to rub off on me and that's the last thing I needed today.“What's wrong with Noelle?”I hush to Elias as he walked to me.His face turned sour and he cleared h
*Noelle’s POV* The cold bit into my skin as I clutched the small package in my hand, trembling from a mixture of nerves and the biting chill of the evening. The maid stood before me, her eyes darting nervously around the dimly lit hallway in the maid's quarters. I couldn't help but feel a surge of anxiety with every glance she made over her shoulder. "Did anyone see you?" I whispered, my voice barely audible as I hid the small package within the folds of my dress, slipping it into my bra. “No,” she said quickly, still shifting on her feet as though someone might appear any second. “I was very careful, you don’t have to worry about it.” "Are you sure?" My heart pounded in my chest, the thrum of it so loud it echoed in my ears. Her constant fidgeting made my nerves spike. “Yes,” she whispered, her gaze finally meeting mine, her large brown eyes betraying something between pity and fear. “I have to go now.” My hand shot out and grabbed her wrist before she could escape, my fin
*Yolanda's POV*"You are late." I sneered, my voice just low enough to avoid turning heads, but sharp enough to cut through the noise of the crowded restaurant. My eyes darted around, scanning the dimly lit place—a dingy old Italian restaurant tucked away in a forgotten alley. The smell of burnt garlic and old wine clung to the air, and the stuffy, close atmosphere made my skin crawl. I hated it here. It reminded me too much of my childhood. A place that reeked of sweat and desperation, where people came to lose themselves or drown their miseries in cheap alcohol.Selene approached slowly, her eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. She looked out of place, too polished for a dump like this, but she moved with the confidence of someone who didn’t care. She placed her purse on the table and slid into the chair across from me, casually removing her glasses. Her lips curled into a mocking smile as she eyed me."You sound eager," she said in faux concern, her voice silky and cool. "Miss me al
*Selene's POV*I am actually kissing Dominic.I leaned in closer, my lips hovering just above his, fighting to feel something—anything. Maybe it could be lust, desire, or even comfort, but I needed to feel something. His hands slid up to my waist, pulling me in as if I were the only thing grounding him. His lips moved against mine, soft yet desperate, like he was kissing me for the last time. There was a practiced rhythm to the way he responded, as though he’d been imagining this moment just as much as I had.For a second, I let myself be swept away by it. He was a great kisser—just as I had imagined. But my foolish heart had other ideas. Unbidden, thoughts of Ares crept in, reminding me of how raw, wild, and forbidden his kisses felt. It had been electric, uncontrollable. No matter how hard I tried to shut out the memory, it invaded this moment, and the comparison sank deep into my bones. I could feel my heart twist in frustration.I pulled away, almost embarrassed by the betrayal of
*Dominic's POV* “So."Caleb concluded,slapping his notebook shut. “That's all for today.” I glanced at where Selene sat,she had her hair pulled behind her ears as she pensively stared into the void. I stared out the window of my office,hoping to distract myself from the seething anger within me. Just when I thought I was getting somewhere,the son of a bitch appears again and she follows him like a lost puppy. No matter how rationally I try to think,there is nothing innocent about them meeting up in secret. And it's even more intriguing that she didn't care to clear up the air after it,or ask why I left without her. “Any questions?”Caleb asks,noticing both of us are in our own words. I raised my hand mid air. “When this sting is over,will Ares be in jail or just off the throne.” Selene's eyes shot up and froze on me, staring at me as though I had asked the inhuman question known to man. “Well.”Caleb shrugs,choosing to ignore the tension between Selene and I. “I am not sure.”
*Yolanda's POV* “Mom,please !!! stop!”Noelle cried as I desperately pushed my finger in her throat. “What's happening to you!”Noelle screamed as her fingers scratched me, I swear on my own goddamn life,If Selene poisoned my daughter,I would kill her,right here and right now. I felt hot tears stream down my face when it wasn't working–why wasn't she vomiting? How deep did the damn cake go? Was it way too late? I grabbed her throat and started her deep in the eye. “Listen Noelle,”I say breathlessly. “You have to vomit—” I felt hands yank me off her and another line of tears rushed down my cheeks. I wasn't going to lose my daughter,at least not tonight. “She poisoned the cake!”I yelled,trying to free myself from their grasp. “Selene poisoned the cake! I heard her say it!” I looked around the room In hopes they would start accusing Selene but all their eyes were still glued on me,with pity,as if I was crazy. Noelle’s especially,staggering back as she took deep steady breaths