Rosella stepped into Marcus’s mansion, the heavy doors creaking shut behind her. The quiet of the hall was oppressive, a stark contrast to the chaos it had witnessed earlier. She noticed the broken furniture and shards of glass and the tension in the air lingered like a storm waiting to break.Her shoes clicked softly against the marble floor as she made her way to the living room. Marcus was there, seated on a sleek leather chair by the fireplace. He looked surprisingly composed, his damp hair slicked back from what must have been a long, deliberate bath. His white dress shirt was open at the collar, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the corded muscles of his forearms. He swirled a glass of amber liquid in his hand, the firelight casting flickering shadows across his face.When his gaze lifted to meet hers, his expression was unreadable, a mask of calm that only unsettled her further.“You came back” he said, his voice low and smooth, though his lips curved into a smug s
Rosella’s new life in Marcus’s mansion felt more like a gilded cage than a home.The morning sunlight streamed through the massive windows of her room, highlighting the luxurious furnishings that screamed wealth: a four-poster bed draped in silk, a vanity lined with gold trim, and a closet filled with designer clothes she hadn’t chosen. It was beautiful, opulent even, but none of it felt like hers.She sat on the edge of the bed, staring out at the sprawling garden below. The grounds were immaculate, with perfectly trimmed hedges and a sparkling fountain at the center. It might have been paradise, but for her, it was a prison.The knock on her door startled her. Before she could respond, it opened, and in walked Marcus. He looked sharp as ever in a tailored black suit, his every move exuding confidence and control.“Good morning” he said, his tone casual, as if this were a normal interaction between a couple.Rosella barely glanced at him. “Morning” she muttered, her voice devoid of e
The days in Marcus’s mansion dragged on for Rosella, every moment a reminder of her captivity. Yet, for Marcus, those same days carried an unexpected weight.It started with small things. He would pass by the library and find her curled up in one of the chairs, a book balanced on her lap, her brows furrowed in concentration. He’d linger in the shadows of the garden while she walked along the flower-lined paths, her hand brushing against the petals absentmindedly. Even her quiet moments like gazing out the window, lost in thoughts seemed to pull his attention like a magnet.But he told himself it was nothing. Just curiosity. Nothing more.One afternoon, as Marcus stood in the hallway, his eyes landed on Rosella in the kitchen. She wasn’t doing anything particularly noteworthy, just brewing tea. The sunlight streaming through the window caught the loose strands of her hair, giving her an ethereal glow. He couldn’t look away.Her movements were deliberate yet graceful, the simple act of
The sun streamed into the dining room the next morning, casting a golden glow on the polished table and gleaming silverware. Rosella sat alone, pushing her food around her plate. She wasn’t particularly hungry, but the looming presence of Marcus’s staff watching her every move made her feel obligated to eat.She picked up a piece of toast, forcing herself to take a bite, when a sudden wave of nausea hit her like a punch to the gut. Her face paled, and her stomach churned violently.Without a word, she dropped her fork and bolted from the room, her silk robe billowing behind her as she rushed to the nearest restroom.Emma, who had been lingering nearby under the guise of overseeing the staff, raised an eyebrow. She’d been watching Rosella closely ever since Odessa’s warning to keep an eye on Marcus. Seeing Rosella’s abrupt departure piqued her curiosity, and she followed, her heels clicking softly on the marble floor.Rosella barely made it to the sink in time. She gripped the edges, h
The morning light filtered into the lavish estate, bathing the corridors in a soft golden manner. Rosella sat by the window in the library, flipping aimlessly through the pages of a book. She wasn’t reading, she just needed something to keep her hands occupied as her mind swirled with frustration.Her peace was interrupted when Marcus appeared, his footsteps deliberate but hesitant. He stood by the doorway and had his hands shoved in his pockets. For once, he looked… unsure of himself.“I wanted to apologize for last night,” he said gruffly with his gaze flickering to her briefly before landing on the floor.Rosella didn’t look up. “Don’t bother. It doesn’t change anything.”He sighed and stepped closer, his tone shifting. “I mean it, Rosella. I—”“Save it” she snapped, finally shutting the book and turning to face him. “You’re only apologizing because you feel guilty. It doesn’t erase what you did”Marcus frowned, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. “Fine. You want honesty? I
Franklin stared at the headline on Mirable’s phone, his face a storm of anger and his jaw tightened, he pushed back his chair abruptly while his legs scraping loudly against the floor.“That spoiled brat thinks he can play games,” he muttered, standing to leave.Mirable grabbed his wrist, her voice sharp. “Franklin, stop. You’re not in any position to interfere in my life.”Franklin turned to her, his icy demeanor replaced by something raw and pained. “Not in any position? Mirable, you’re not just some—”“Don’t” she interrupted with a tone that cracked slightly as she looked away. “Don’t make this harder than it already is.”She brushed past him “Whatever you’re thinking of doing, don’t. This is my mess to deal with”He hesitated, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. “You’re seriously going to let him manipulate you like this?”Mirable stopped in her tracks, her shoulders grew tense. “I can handle Mitch,” she said quietly but firmly, before walking away and leaving Franklin st
Mirable yanked her hand free from Mitch’s grip, her eyes blazing with defiance. “What the hell are you talking about, Mitch? I’m not your fiancée!”Mitch’s mother, a woman of commanding presence and sharp eyes, raised an eyebrow as she studied Mirable. Her expression was carefully controlled, but her displeasure seeped through her tone. “Mitch, what is this nonsense? You didn’t think to consult me before such an announcement?”Mirable stepped back, trying to steady her breathing. She refused to be drawn into whatever game Mitch was playing. “Mrs. Stanford,” she began, her voice steady but firm, “I don’t know what your son is trying to pull, but I am not engaged to him.”Mitch leaned casually against the armrest of a nearby chair, unbothered by her protests. “You’ll have to forgive Mirable,” he said with mock sincerity. “She’s still adjusting to the idea. But I’m certain she’ll come around soon enough.”Mirable turned to him, her voice rising with anger. “I am not adjusting, Mitch. I’m
Donovan sat in the dimly lit study long after Franklin had left. The letter from Marcus lay on the desk before him, its sharp words etched into his mind. He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his dark hair, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior.Marcus wasn’t just toying with him. This was a challenge, a dare that was impossible to ignore. And Donovan hated being cornered.By morning, Donovan had a plan. He ordered Franklin to gather a small team, people he trusted without question. They would scout Marcus’s estate and find Rosella’s exact location. But his mind was heavy with the thought of the Ledger.It wasn’t just a book. The Ledger contained secrets that could dismantle families, crush empires, and ruin legacies. If Marcus got his hands on it, the consequences would be devastating.As the hours passed, Donovan kept himself busy. His movements were precise, but his mind kept drifting back to Rosella. He wondered if she was scared, angry, or even thinking of
The tension in the hospital lingered in the air like an uninvited guest, heavy and suffocating. After the doctor delivered the news that their mother had survived the surgery but was now in a coma, neither Rosella nor Mirable could breathe a sigh of relief. The hope of her waking up was the only thread holding them together, yet it felt too thin, too fragile.Rosella’s knees buckled, her strength waning, but Donovan’s strong arms shot out and caught her before she could collapse completely. His grip on her was firm yet gentle, his eyes filled with concern. “You need to rest,” he murmured softly, but she barely heard him, her mind too occupied with the image of her mother bleeding out in her arms.The room where their mother was moved to was quiet, save for the beeping of machines and the faint rustle of nurses shuffling about. The doctor informed them that they could visit, but before they could take a step, Mirable turned to Rosella and Donovan, her expression conflicted. “Rosella… c
Blood spattered on the ground, pooling beneath the crumpled body of Rosella's mother. The sound of the gunshot still echoed in Rosella's ears, even as chaos erupted around her. Her body froze, rooted to the ground as the weight of her mother's falling figure pressed against her chest."No-No, no, no!" Rosella cried, catching her mother in her trembling arms. The air seemed to thicken, bullets zipping past her in the ensuing firefight. She didn't flinch.The world blurred, focusing solely on the woman bleeding out in her arms. ‘Why did she throw herself in front of me?’ Rosella’s mind was pinned on this thought. "Mom! Stay with me!" she screamed, shaking her gently. Blood seeped through her mother's dress, staining Rosella's hands and knees. "Please, don't close your eyes, don't do this to me!"Her mother's eyes fluttered open, her irises clouded with pain yet filled with a strange serenity. "Rosella..." Her voice was barely audible, a faint whisper under the chaos.Tears streamed d
The tension in the air was suffocating, thick enough to choke. The small warehouse echoed with the sound of guns cocking and men shifting into position. The stale scent of sweat, gunpowder, and mildew permeated the room, clinging to the skin like an unwelcome reminder of the danger that loomed.Rosella could barely breathe as she sat on the floor, her wrists raw from the ropes that had only recently been removed by Marcus, her heart thundering in her chest.Her mother was beside her, pale and trembling, though her gaze flickered with a strange kind of strength. Across the room, Odessa stood tall, her arms crossed and her expression cool but edged with irritation as she surveyed the chaos she had orchestrated.In the middle of it all stood Marcus, he suddenly rushed in holding a gun that wavered between two targets, Donovan and his mother, Odessa. His jaw was clenched, his brow furrowed, and his breathing uneven as he wrestled with the storm of emotions raging inside him."Marcus," O
Rosella was slumped against the cold wall of the dimly lit room, her wrists sore from the ropes digging into her skin. The air was damp and carried the faint metallic tang of rust and decay. The room itself was barren save for a flickering bulb overhead, casting long, ominous shadows across the cracked concrete walls. Every creak of the floor, every distant muffled noise made her flinch, the tension wrapping around her like a vice.Odessa stood before her, her figure imposing despite the elegant tailored suit she wore. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she paced, the sound filling the otherwise silent room. Her lips curled into a smirk, and her dark eyes gleamed with satisfaction. She looked every bit the predator who had cornered her prey.“You must be wondering,” Odessa began, her voice smooth but laced with venom, “why I hate Donovan so much. Why I’ve gone to such lengths to tear him down.” She paused, her gaze flickering to Rosella, who stared back with defiance despi
Rosella's breath caught in her throat as her gaze locked onto the older woman slumped nearby. For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Mirable's mother, her mother was sitting just feet away, her head bowed, her blonde hair falling limply over her face.The revelation felt like a sucker punch to the gut. This wasn't just a coincidence or some cruel game Odessa was playing. The truth was undeniable. The woman who had shielded Mirable with her life during the earlier chaos, the woman whose face seemed strangely familiar from the moment Rosella laid eyes on her was the same woman who had abandoned her as a child.Her mother.Rosella's heart thundered in her chest as a whirlwind of emotions tore through her.Shock, betrayal, anger, and the faintest hint of longing all fought for dominance.She clenched her fists against the ropes binding her, her nails digging into her palms as she fought back tears.Across the room, Odessa’s smirk widenedas she basked in the tension. "Well, well," she dra
Rosella’s world felt drenched in icy water as her senses came alive. She gasped, her body jerking against the tight ropes that bound her to the cold, damp floor. The sharp sting of water dripping from her hair to her skin left her shivering, but the real coldness came from the person standing over her.Emma.A wicked smile stretched across Emma’s face as she held an empty bucket, her gleeful eyes mocking Rosella’s misery. “Good, you’re awake,” she said, tossing the bucket aside carelessly. The clang echoed in the dimly lit room, its harsh sound amplifying the tension in the air.Rosella’s eyes darted around, panic rising in her chest. The room was barren except for a few scattered crates and a single dangling bulb casting a dim, flickering light. Her gaze froze when it landed on a motionless figure slumped against the wall.Mirable’s mother.The older woman was still unconscious, her blonde hair matted and her pale face streaked with grime. Rosella’s heart raced, a sinking dread settl
Rosella paced her room, the plush carpet muffling the frantic huffs of her breaths. Her heart raced in sync with her thoughts, each beat heavier than the last. Donovan’s warning to stay indoors had seemed simple enough at first, but as the hours passed, unease wrapped around her like a suffocating fog. Why wouldn’t he or Franklin answer her calls? What was happening out there?The vibration of her phone jolted her from her thoughts. Snatching it from the table, she saw the name Dalgliesh Residence flashing on the screen. Her breath hitched.“Hello?” she answered, her voice trembling.“Miss Rosella,” the voice on the other end was panicked, rushed. “It’s Mr. Dalgliesh. He’s collapsed, been rushed to St. James Hospital. It’s bad… very bad.”Rosella felt her knees weaken, her free hand gripping the edge of the desk for support. “Collapsed? What happened?!”“We don’t know yet. The doctors are trying their best, but…” The voice faltered, leaving the grim implication hanging in the air.Ros
Felix had his father discharged, watching him from home was best, even though Daisy was against the idea he went ahead with it anyway. He hated hospitals, he put up long enough already, any more would break him. Daisy adamantly followed him set his Father at home. Felix leaned against the porch railing, his gaze distant. Could he even look Daisy in the eye after what he was about to say? She stood a few steps away, her face a mixture of hope and hesitation. Did she feel the same tension in the air, the same heaviness that sat like a stone in his chest?Daisy spoke first, her voice soft. “Felix… I know things haven’t been the same since I left, but—”“Why did you come back, Daisy?” he interrupted, his tone gentle but firm. “Was it guilt? Regret? Or did you think you could fix what’s already broken?”Her eyes widened at his words, and she shook her head. “I came back because I realized what I lost. I made a mistake, Felix. I thought I was doing what was best for us, but… can’t we try a
The rain poured relentlessly, a thunderous symphony that matched the turmoil in Mirable’s chest. She tried to wrest her hand free from Mitch’s grip, but his hold was firm. His face was a picture of regret, drenched in rainwater and guilt.“Let go, Mitch!” she shouted, her voice sharp, raw.“Mirable, please, just listen!” Mitch’s voice cracked with desperation.Suddenly, a hand shot out of the downpour, grabbing Mitch’s wrist and forcing it away from her. The strength of the grip made Mitch stumble, and Mirable gasped as the figure stepped into view.It was Franklin.“You heard her,” Franklin growled, his voice low and menacing. “She told you to unhand her.”Before Mitch could react, Franklin’s fist connected with his jaw in a brutal punch, the sound of the impact cutting through the rain. Mitch staggered back, clutching his face as blood dripped from his lip.“Franklin, stop!” Mirable cried, her shock evident.Franklin wasn’t done. He grabbed Mitch by the collar, lifting him slightly