Elena.He was unaware that I held the necklace with the J on it. Sebastian and Ari entered the room at the same time. The former cut a sleek, powerful figure in his all black outfit- black pants, black shoes, black boots, and black shirt. A sharp contrast with his tan complexion. My fingers tightened around the necklace. The sharp pain I got from the J pendant digging into my skin helped calm my racing heart.Sebastian and I didn't greet each other. Not even a word, a slight nod of acknowledgement. "Hey Ari," I said quietly. I willed myself to become even smaller to avoid whatever punishment Sebastian had in store for me.She kept her gaze on Sebastian instead, ignoring me like I was some sort of cockroach beneath her boots. Just when I thought I knew her, she gave me another slide of her personality.Horrid, beautiful, graceful.The air hummed with silence as I watched Sebastian get rid of the gloves and boots. It wasn't something that was overly sexual but I found myself giving h
Elena.Of all the ways I had pictured my Friday night going, getting trapped in my room by a man that Sebastian had considered to be dangerous, currently staring at me like I had committed the worse kind of treason was not one of them.“I am sorry, but I don’t think staring at me would have the desired effect you hope for,” I stroved for bravery even as I took a step back. He stared at me like he had something against me, and like he was ready to see me squirm.“I don’t believe I actually ever explained who I was to you.” His smirk was as dangerous as the devil’s, strong enough to break glass. Objectively, he was one of the most handsome men I had ever seen. With his hair as dark as midnight, his chiselled jaw, cerulean eyes, and a body like one of those Greek gods. But there was something sinister about him, something about his expression that would be considered ‘sinful’ to a set of women.He had the sort of vibes my ex, Charlotte’s father, was known for.“Ryan Walter of the Walter
Elena.If I had to describe Sebastian Halloway, my catalogue of words would be. Cold. Destructive. Beautiful. Deadly."Calm" was never going to be among the top thousand. It wasn't even in the top million.But over the past couple of days, I had to admit I had to bump it up in the list, because he had been nothing but calm and patient as he taught Jaden and Charlotte how to ride a bicycle.He guided them through the series of ways they could get badly wounded if they weren't careful enough on Jaden's birthday.If anyone had told me a few months ago that I would be "running" and "trying to get the children to understand," with Sebastian Freaking Halloway in his hidden estate, then I would have laughed my ass off, then prepare for my job as a waitress.But the only thing constant in life was change. And sometimes, our reality was stranger than fiction."What if I told you there was a way to leave this estate that doesn't involve the gates or Sebastian’s room."Ryan's words taunted me ev
Something was wrong.I felt it deep in my bones as I placed the piece of chicken into my mouth, chewing as silently as I could.“What if I told you there was actually a way to leave this estate that doesn’t involve the gates or Sebastian’s room.”Those words kept echoing in my mind any time I stole a glance at Ryan, Sebastian’s brother in law. It was currently two weeks since the incident happened, and this was the first time we were sharing a room together again.Ari, like always, sat close to him in a way that suggested they were together, but no one could ever prove it. I found it rather ridiculous to hide the relationship from people who couldn’t care less who one bedded in this place.Surely, some people needed some sort of relief when they were in a place like this. Starved of human attraction.I watched the door discreetly, and as often as I could, the sound of my heart pumping blood was the only thing I could hear. Jaden’s birthday was four days ago, and Sebastian avoided me l
Elena. Rachel's wing was enormous. As the Lady of the estate, she had exquisite taste, which was evidenced by the sort of clothes, shoes, jewellery, make-up, and wigs stationed carefully and without dust in her walk in closet. The entrance to my escape began from that walk-in closet. After Ryan and Ari left, and I retired to my room, I found a little note on my bedstand table, close to where Jaden had left his favourite toy. The little boy was cuddled up with Charlotte. Their beautiful little faces were free from the worries of the day. I spent an hour in Rachel's room trying to find the particular spot Ryan had mentioned in his note, but something niggled at me. Something about the whole situation was tricky. He had given me a way out of the estate. The one person he considered a spy - meant to bring the downfall of the great empire. I wasn't too sure what I was looking for, but after an hour of searching her walkin closet - even for false drawers and
Elena.He rolled a joint the first day I saw him, holding both leads to two different dogs in front of our manor's grounds. There were acres of forests all around us, the nearest house miles away from here.I was seventeen, fresh out of high school.James, on the other hand, was nineteen, his skin glowing while the moon highlighted his face. He wore a cap and had a sort of permanent smile on his face. A smile that kept drawing me in."Are you sure you want to go ourside, Elena? It is awfully chilly."I looked up at my dad from where I sat close to the door, lacing up my boots. "Yeah. I want to meet the friends of my new elder brother."Dad huffed and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "We just got here recently. Evangeline would be mad. She wouldn't want you to wander around with her barely there nineteen years old son."My smile dropped when the 'barely there' son walked out down the stairs, ignoring both Dad and I because surely he heard what Dad had said. I rolled my ey
Elena.Twenty four hours.The hours did not pass in a blur. Instead, I felt each second, and every minute pass with each stroke he made on my skin. With each taunt Ryan unleashed at me. I blinked against the bright light he shone on my face, my hands and ankles cuffed to a metal chair in the middle of the room.“What did such a sweet soul ever do to you?.” Ryan demanded.” James loved you so much, he abandoned me for you. He said both of you were about to have a daughter.”“What?” I asked, confused and a bit disoriented from the gnawing feeling in my stomach.He hummed, flipping through a folder. My folder. “You seduced him at his lowest point, and got yourself pregnant for him. Then your dad had to make sure you both got married.”I felt every drop of blood in my body turn to ice, but I tried my best not to show it. Whatever file the Halloways had found on me, it wasn’t accurate. None of what he just said made sense or was the truth in any possible way.“Is that what James told you?
Elena.A week after."You look like shit." Jaden commented one morning as he sank into the chair opposite mine, his eyes sharp as he appraised me. "And you haven't played with us for a week."I looked up from the book I was currently staring at and watched him with careful eyes. Age seven seemed to be the one for him, as he looked like a younger Sebastian now. Charlotte, beautiful daughter of mine, was his devoted best friend who followed him everywhere.She arched her eyebrow at me when I didn't respond to Jaden's statement after five minutes. "You haven't tried attending our classes for two weeks now."I dropped the book I had been staring at - not reading because I just kept looking at the words without comprehending anything - and leaned back, irritation coiling in my stomach as I saw Ryan's curly hair outside the room door.Stalking me like a predator.Ever since I was locked up for almost forty-eight hours at that shack in the woods, I kept away from Ryan and Ari like my life an
Elena.Two weeks later.The day I decided to end the marriage contract with Sebastian, the sky was an endless stretch of grey.The kind of grey that blankets the world in a dull, heavy silence, making everything feel colder, more distant. I found it fitting, really. I was about to make the hardest decision I had ever made. The world should feel as bleak as I did inside.We sat across from each other at the kitchen table. The kids were in the other room,playing with their toys and whatnot.We both stared at the divorce papers in front of us, Sebastian’s face as unreadable as ever.He hadn't said much when I told him what I wanted. No anger, no argument. Just an unsettling calm that made me wonder if that was what he wanted."I think this is the best thing for all of us." I said quietly, breaking the silence that threatened to envelope us. "After everything that happened. The lies. I need to focus on gibing those kids their own lives. And you need to take care of your demons."He looke
Elena.The weight of everything that had happened pressed down on me as we were escorted out of that hellish place.The men were all around, their voices distant as they checked around the area, and talked to each other.But all my focus was on the two little hands gripping mine tightly - Charlotte on one end and Jaden on the other.Sebastian was by my side as well, his face distant but resolute as we made it outside.There were paramedics around, checking us over. Their gentle hands tended to the cuts and bruises we had.But no matter how many times I told them I was okay, I knew I wasn't. I kept glancing at Charlotte and Jaden, reassuring myself that they were here, that they were safe. But each time I looked at them, I couldn’t help but remember Ryan’s cold, calculating voice, his cruel smile as he threatened the children. It haunted me, replaying in my mind over and over again.I had no idea how I was going to tell Charlotte that her father was dead yet, and that was the reason
ElenaThe cold floor bit into my skin, the damp air thick with the scent of mildew and....urine. Thud. Thud. Thud.My heart pounded in my chest, a frantic rhythm that drowned out the echos of Charlotte whimpers."Mommy." Charlotte's voice was barely a whisper as she unwrapped her arms around me and moved to my side.Jaden was on the floor. Passed out cold from the looks of it.The terror in my eyes mirrored that in Charlotte's. They must have brought him in when we fell asleep.I held unto him.I had to be strong for them.But how was the possible when every breath felt like it could be my last.Footsteps echoed along the hallway, signifying the presence of a couple of people. The door creaked open, and I felt my heart stop.Ryan stepped into the cell, his face twisted into a mask of cold, calculating fury. Behind him, Sebastian’s limp form was dragged in by one of Ryan's men.Blood matted his hair and clothes, and I had to bite back a scream."It's only fitting that I kill the whole
"Elena. Get up. Now."I woke up to the harsh whisper slicing through the silence.Disoriented, I wasn't surprised to find myself alone on the bed, the remnants of last night's comfort dissipated like smoke.What was happening?"Sebastian?" I called out softly, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it.Something was wrong.He was at my side in a flash, his hand gripping mine tightly.For the past eight months, I had worked with and even married him and I had never seen the expression he wore on his face."Get dressed quickly." Sebastian commanded, his voice low but firm. "We need to leave. Now."Panic clawed up my throat. "What's going on?"Sebastian's jaw clenched. "I have no idea what kind of deals you held with Ryan and Elliot but Ryan has gone rogue. He's going to kill you the way he...."A pang pierced my heart at the realisation.Scrambling to my feet, I could feel my heart racing as I yanked on my clothes. "Charlotte, Jaden...""She'
Elena."Hey."I had my arms wrapped around myself, unshed tears glistened in my eyes. "I'm sorry you had to see me like this, but... I didn't want... Charlotte..."My lips trembled in an effort to keep the wobbly smile I had on."Fuck whatever happened." He was by my side in an instant, his eyes scanning my exposed body for any sign of injury. "What happened now? Did Ryan..."His words hung in the air. I could see the way he struggled with himself mentally."It's Charlotte father." I swallowed hard. "My first husband, James Miller. The hospital called and said he was admitted after a car accident. He's..he's..." I choked on a sob I didn't want to slip out.I guess I didn't need to finish my sentence before he understood what I was trying to say. But I didn't expect sympathy from him - his wife crying over her first husband - or anyone in this estate. I expected rage."Come here, sweet girl." The rough crack in his voice was unexpected.He opened his arms, and I didn't hesitate to ste
Elena."My old man's name is Adrian Romanov too. He wants to meet you, and only you."Adrian Romanov's words played a loop in my head like a broken record. Two days after we met and I was yet to find the pause button.Even now, as I watched the kids play, I sensed the torment from Ryan when he couldn't come close to me since Sebastian stayed home and by my side a lot.I also sensed something else from Sebastian. An hostility I never knew he had until now towards Ryan.We'd returned after his conversation with the Russian lord, my heart a vigorous drum in my chest, my blood vibrating in my veins. It was like he had something important he wanted to ask, yet kept himself at a distance. "Does he plan to hurt you too?"Yes.Ryan would stop at nothing to hurt me or the kids if it meant he would have a chance to get some time with his precious James. But I needed his help with Elliot.I'd always been the good girl. The one who loved her parents and hoped for a healthy marriage like theirs w
Sebastian.If Elena was to be described with one word, it was stubborn.The novelty of being our little argument at the estate faded quick when she insisted on coming with me to wherever I was going to.The way we had left things moments ago gnawed at me, and it was quite possible I would go insane if nothing was done about it.I gave in.I was happy that I finally got an audience with Adrian Romanov, but all I could think about was Elena.I stared at her as we walked through the door of the apartment complex where we were supposed to meet. She wore a simple black gown that flared out at the waist side and ended at her knees, but she glowed in a way that made it impossible to look away.I traced her features with my eyes, soaking in the curve of her lips and the way her features came together to birth a beautiful being. When she gave me a little smile to show her support, my heart dipped.Where people smiled with just their mouth, Elena smiled with her eyes. The way the corner of her
Elena.I had no idea how on earth I was supposed to follow a man who was using a car to get to his destination, with a group of people tailing him already.But I knew I had to do it. Even if it was the last thing I did.**Sebastian's face had leached of colour. "That was days ago." He said, his voice low. "People tell their kids stuff all the time. Just to get them off their back.""Did yours? Because until you needed me for some sort of deal, I wasn't more than a nanny to your son to you."He flinched. "Look. I shouldn't have said what I said, but I'm very protective of... Jaden, he's my son, especially after what happened to Rachel. You know, as well as I do, how a child would feel if something happened to someone else he cared about.""So what would happen years after you're done with me?" I couldn't change the sting from the memory. "Once I can be disposed.""You would never be disposed." He raked his hands through his hair, successfully destroying the sleek back look. He was cl
Elena.No one actually thinks they are a bad person.I was playing the game for the long run."There are two options. Get me in on your husband's business and everything it entails, or provide the money and diamond you and James stole from the office."A tough call.I could never be able to provide those.In my defence, I had a good reason for shooting James and inadvertently causing the destruction that followed. I had good reasons for staying away from my dad and Evangeline.When I made attempts for them to end James's life quietly, they had refused.Blackmailing me shouldn't be an option in their lives.The blackmail wasn't something I could tell Sebastian, not when I made a deal with Ryan already.I should have told Sebastian from the beginning. He would have handled the situation in a way that I never could, with poise and dignity. Then again, if I had done that, Elliot wouldn't be able to care for James anymore.I adjusted the tablet in my hand. Between learning how to use devic