. . . ADELINE I sat on my bed, my legs crossed as I stared blankly at my phone. My mind was still spinning from the pictures and the threatening call I had received earlier from Elena. The weight of confusion, betrayal, and anger pressed heavily on my chest. I could not believe it. How could Luciano hid this from me? I should be aware of his past and specially now that his past had come in my way. Our way. Our life. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t hear the door creak open. When I finally noticed, my head snapped up to see my mother, Bianca, stepping into the room. My frown deepened when Bianca quickly closed the door behind her and turned the lock. We never had a good relationship. Never had that mother - daughter thing going on and she rarely came to see me and every time she came, it was all for her benefit or to show others. “What are you doing?” I asked, my voice uncertain as I set my phone aside. Bianca ignored the question, walking toward me
. . . ADELINE The loud music continued to blast through the speakers making my head slightly hurt. My chest rose and fell as I took a deep breath, the cool glass of vodka trembling slightly in my hand before I tipped it back. The liquid burned its way down my throat, but I welcomed the sensation. It was a distraction, a reprieve from the whirlwind of emotions Bianca’s words had stirred up earlier. I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away, and glanced at the dance floor. Aurora, Kiara, and Rose were completely lost in the music, their laughter and wild movements blending into the pulsing beats of the club. They looked carefree—exactly how I wanted to feel. I wanted to be free and do whatever the fuck I wanted but this love had messed me up so bad. My fingers reached for another shot, determined to drown every ache in the bitter drink. I didn’t notice the figure approaching until a firm hand wrapped around my wrist, halting me mid-motion. “Let go,” I gr
. . . ADELINE The flashing neon lights flickered erratically as the club’s music faded into the background. A moment ago, the pulse of the bass had been deafening, bodies moving in sync with the rhythm, but now, the sudden brightness exposed the faces of the intoxicated crowd, their movements sluggish as they adjusted to the abrupt shift. The once-dim corners, where shadows danced freely, were now illuminated, revealing everything—except the person I was looking for. My breath came fast, chest rising and falling in quick succession as I spun on my heels, scanning the faces around me. Someone had been close—too close. I could still feel the whisper of their presence, the ghost of a touch that had sent a shiver down my spine. The nickname. Yet, there was no one that stood out, no one that looked remotely suspicious. My heart pounded against my ribs, an erratic rhythm that matched the chaos of my mind. What was that? A horrible memory from the past flashed in fron
. . . AUTHOR’S POV The city lights blurred past the window as Adeline sat in the passenger seat, lost in thought. The quiet hum of the car’s engine mixed with the distant echoes of the nightlife behind them. Her fingers traced idle patterns on her lap as she stared out at the passing streets, her mind clouded with emotions she couldn’t quite untangle. William, ever vigilant, was focused on the road. His grip on the steering wheel was firm, his posture straight, trained to be alert even in moments of silence. He wasn’t just a driver—he was one of Luciano’s best men, trusted with her safety. The ride was smooth, almost peaceful, until— SCREECH! A car came to a sudden halt right in front of them, forcing William to slam the brakes. The tires screeched against the asphalt, jerking both of them forward. Adeline gasped, her pulse spiking as she grabbed onto the dashboard for support. “What the hell?” William muttered, already reaching for his gun. His sharp eyes l
. . . ADELINE The dimly lit room was filled with an unsettling silence, broken only by the faint sound of breathing. The weight of unspoken words hung heavy in the air. I stood frozen, my eyes locked onto the figure sitting on the couch, his head bowed, shoulders slumped in exhaustion. My breathing was heavier than before as everything finally settled in. My heart clenched at the sight of him—Vladimir. He looked so different from the boy I remembered. His once-vibrant energy was now replaced with a heavy stillness, as if the world had drained him of everything but sorrow. His long hair fell over his face, concealing his expression, but I could see his hands clenched tightly into fists on his lap, the tension in his body evident. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I stepped forward, my movements slow, hesitant. My hands slightly trembled but I inhaled sharply and calmed my racing heart. I lowered myself onto my knees in front of him, reaching for his hand, my finge
. . . ADELINE The moment the sinister words left Charles’ lips, my’s world tilted on its axis. My breath came in shallow gasps, but I refused to show weakness. Vladimir being tortured- My nails dug into my palms as I clenched my fists, my entire body trembling with barely restrained fury. I pulled away from Vladimir without a second thought, my legs moving before my mind could catch up. In the next moment, I was in front of Charles, grabbing his collar with a force that made the room collectively gasp. “Who the hell are you?” I demanded, my voice shaking with rage. “And what were you doing with my brother?” I glared at Charles not knowing what he was playing. Why he was doing this. Behind me, Vladimir stood abruptly, his voice urgent. “Adeline!” But Charles… Charles only looked amused. His lips curled into a smirk as he glanced down at my hands gripping his shirt. His green eyes gleamed with something dangerously entertained, something darkly intrigued.
. . . ADELINE The room was bathed in a warm, golden glow from the bedside lamp, casting soft shadows across the walls. It was quiet—so quiet that I could hear the soft ticking of the antique clock in the corner and the rhythmic breathing of my brother. Vladimir laid curled up against me, his head resting on my lap, his fingers weakly holding onto mine as if afraid I would slip away. Even in sleep, his grip was uncertain—hesitant, as if he had spent too long without knowing the safety of family. I stared down at him, my heart aching. He looked so small. Despite the hints of maturity that life had forced upon him—the sharp angles of his face, the scars, the pain buried deep within his unconscious form—he was still just a boy. Sixteen years old. A child who had never been given the chance to simply be one. Tears brimmed in my eyes. I wanted to cry. To sob, to scream, to let the weight of everything crash down on me. But I couldn’t. I had spent so long forcing my
. . . AUTHOR’S POV The morning air was filled with the comforting scent of freshly brewed coffee, warm butter, and crisping bacon. Sunlight filtered through the large kitchen windows, casting golden hues across the marble counters. The atmosphere felt light, peaceful—almost as if, for once, everything was normal. Adeline stood at the stove, humming softly as she flipped pancakes onto a plate. A rare, genuine smile curled on her lips. It had been so long since she had felt this—this warmth, this sense of home. It wasn’t much, just breakfast, but it was hers. A moment of simplicity in a life filled with chaos. She wanted to give a happy life to Vladimir and she could go to any extent to keep that smile on his face. As she arranged the plates on the long dining table, she heard approaching footsteps. She turned just in time to see Vladimir entering the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, his hair a mess from just waking up. “Adeline,” he called, his voice grogg
. . . AUTHOR’S POV The grand ballroom was alive with soft laughter and the clinking of glasses, the warm golden glow of chandeliers reflecting off crystal and polished marble floors. Adeline sat poised at the head of a round table, surrounded by influential guests who hung onto every word of conversation, their voices mingling with the delicate notes of a string quartet playing in the background. She smiled at the man seated beside her, elegantly swirling the wine in her glass before taking a slow sip. The taste of aged red lingered on her tongue, but even as she engaged in lighthearted conversation, a strange, nagging sensation settled over her. A prickling awareness at the back of her neck. A weight—an invisible force pressing against her skin, drawing her attention no matter how much she tried to ignore it. She let her lashes lower slightly, her eyes subtly drifting across the room. There was a crowd, faces shifting and blurring together in a sea of glitt
. . . AUTHOR’S POV The grand chandeliers overhead cast a golden glow over the venue, illuminating the polished marble floors that stretched endlessly beneath Adeline’s heels. She held onto Vladimir’s arm, her fingers light but firm, feeling the tension in his muscles. He was nervous—he always was in places like this, surrounded by wealth, power, and eyes that scrutinized every move. But Adeline? She thrived in it. The flashing cameras surrounded them like fireflies, capturing every second, every expression, every unspoken promise of power that dripped from her presence. She smiled, the picture of effortless grace, her features unreadable yet captivating. The press murmured amongst themselves as the flashes slowed, their whispers already spinning stories about her. A queen reclaiming her throne. A lioness stepping into the den of wolves. She didn’t need to acknowledge them. Instead, she simply stepped inside. The moment she entered, the atmosphere shifted. Heads
. . . LUCIANO My fingers dug into the polished wood of the desk as I clutched my phone. My jaw tightening with each passing second. The absence of Adeline sending wave of loneliness through my whole body. My patience had worn thin, my mind clouded with a dangerous mix of frustration and unease. The moment Christian answered, his voice was sharp and commanding. “Get in here. Now.” The call ended abruptly, leaving the room in an eerie silence. Outside the tall windows, the city lights flickered, oblivious to the storm brewing inside my mind. Why was she doing this? And the hatred in her eyes sent chills down my spine as I refused to remember how painful it was. I turned away, inhaling deeply in an attempt to control the fury simmering beneath my composed exterior. The door to my office burst open, and Christian strode in, his brow furrowed with concern. He had known that my summons meant trouble, but the sheer intensity in my eyes sent a wave of apprehension throu
. . . ADELINE I turned to leave, my heart pounding so loudly in my chest that I could barely hear my own footsteps. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to keep walking, to put as much distance between myself and Luciano as possible but my knees refused to listen. But before I could take another step, a strong hand wrapped around my wrist. Before I could even react, Luciano spun me around in one swift, forceful motion, pulling me against his chest. I barely had time to gasp before his arm tightened around my waist, locking me in place, trapping me against him. “Luciano—” I started, my voice sharp with warning. My eyes widened at his action and my heart racing at his touch and stubbornness. He didn’t let me finish. His lips crashed onto mine with a force that stole the air from my lungs. I froze. It was so sudden that I could not process what had happened. My fingers instinctively pressed against his chest, my entire body going rigid. The kiss felt too…… emot
. . . ADELINE I took a deep breath, the cool night air filling my lungs as I placed a steadying hand on the open car door. The hard part was done now I had to face the hardest one yet I knew I could do it. The mansion loomed behind me, its towering structure casting a long shadow under the dim glow of the estate lights. The mansion I once called my home was nothing in my eyes now but a mere architect that I had to burn down. I could feel Vladimir’s eyes on me, his concern tangible in the air between us. “Where are you going?” he asked, his voice low but firm. His grip on my wrist was firm as If he hated to let go of me once again. I turned to face him, my expression unreadable. I wasn’t sure if it was the exhaustion settling in my bones or the storm of emotions swirling in my chest, but I knew one thing—this was the end of something. “I’m coming,” I said softly, nodding once, as if that alone could reassure him. Vladimir hesitated. His dark eyes searched mine,
. . . ADELINE The room was filled with tension as the evening wore on. I sat on one of the plush couches and my posture poised, hands resting calmly on my lap. Vladimir, as ever, remained beside me, his dark presence an impenetrable wall of silence. His cold eyes scanned the room, offering nothing of warmth or invitation. His body language was unmistakable—he didn’t care about the people around him, nor did he make any attempt to hide his indifference. After what he’d been through, it was a sure outcome. Luciano, seated across from me, was unable to mask the simmering irritation in his gaze. He glared at me with intensity, as though trying to read the thoughts hidden behind my composed expression. I knew he had questions to ask and he could not do that in front of his family and it made me laugh. A man who can’t accept me in front of his family can do nothing. How could he be loyal. His eyes narrowed as they briefly flickered over to Vladimir, then back t
. . . AUTHOR’S POV Adeline exhaled heavily as she stepped inside Luciano’s grand mansion, the weight of her return pressing down on her like a vice. The air was thick with expectation, and even before she had fully crossed the threshold, she knew—they had been waiting and she was prepared to give them. It was as if the walls themselves whispered her name. Luciano’s men had already spread the word, and in a matter of seconds, the entire house was set into motion that she was here. The once-familiar halls no longer felt welcoming. The warmth she had once associated with this place had long since turned cold. She took another step, but the moment she did, the heavy wooden doors swung open behind her, and a rush of hurried footsteps filled the space. Adeline stopped. Aurora was the first to reach her, barreling toward her with tear-filled eyes, wrapping her arms around her in a desperate hug. “Adeline!” she breathed, holding her tightly as if afraid she would d
. . . ADELINE I laid sprawled on the bed, my fingers idly tracing the soft fabric of the sheets as my mind refused to rest. No matter how much I tried to distract myself, no matter how many deep breaths I took, I couldn’t escape him. Luciano. His name alone sent a shiver down my spine, and the mere thought of him had me body betraying me. I had needs and I wanted him. I hated that how much of an effect he had on me. My mind was occupied by him and my body …… craved him and it messed me. I could see him so clearly in my mind—those piercing blue eyes that always seemed to look straight through me, the sharp cut of his jaw, the way his muscles flexed beneath his crisp shirts, his powerful presence that both terrified and consumed me. I had spent so long fighting for his love, so long yearning for even the smallest sliver of his affection. And now, even after everything that had happened, even after all the lies and betrayals, …… I still wanted him. My breath hitch
. . . ADELINE I sat curled up on the couch, my arms wrapped around my legs as I buried my face in my knees. The dim glow of the lamp beside me cast long shadows across the room, but I barely noticed. My thoughts were a tangled mess, circling the same painful truth over and over again. The image of Vladimir getting tortured made me want to end my life in guilt for not being there for him but …… the pain i also felt for was …… myself and …… Luciano. For so many years, I had tried. I had fought for his love, endured his coldness, his silence, his indifference. I had stood by his side, hoping—praying—that one day, he would see me, truly see me. That he would love me the way I had loved him. But after everything I had learned… after the truth had come crashing down around me like an avalanche, burying everything I once believed in, I could no longer see a future with him. I could not see …… myself with him. Not anymore. I lifted my head slightly, exhaling a deep si