The front gates of her father’s estate creaked open slowly, revealing a sight that Kayla hadn’t expected to see. The once old looking mansion—its walls chipped and its garden overgrown and dried—now stood immaculate and ever green. The freshly painted exterior gleamed in the sunlight, and the hedges were trimmed to perfection .Her breath got caught in her throat as she stared at the beautiful transformation.Kayla dragged her suitcase along the gravel path, her mind curious.. What was happening? Where had this sudden wealth come from? She couldn’t connect the dots between this polished image with the struggling man who had been drowning in debt the last time she saw him.The front door swung open, and her father appeared, his figure leaner but more energetic and better looking than she remembered. His face broke into a wide grin, and for the first time in years, he looked genuinely.... Happy.“Kayla!” he called, arms wide open.Her heart skipped, as she dropped her suitcase, rushing i
The hospital room was dimly lit with sunlight reflecting in through the blinds. Clarissa sat at the edge of her bed, her hand pressed lightly against her side where the bullet wound was healing. Kayla stood beside her, folding Rissa's clothes into a small bag with determined precision and focus.“I swear, you’ve been more of a nurse than the actual staff here,” Clarissa teased, her voice light but tinged with gratitude.Kayla rolled her eyes, smiling. “You’re lucky Its you, if not I would have charged a lot for this care"Before Clarissa could reply, the door opened, and Ethan walked in, his broad shoulders and easy smirk lighting up the room. “Hello ladies,” he greeted, warmly with his deep voice. He held a big bouquet of Roses in one hand and a box of chocolate in the other. “Thought you could use some love& support and sugar.”Clarissa’s cheeks flushed lightly. “Ethan, you didn’t have to—”“Oh, I had to,” he interrupted, stepping closer and placing the flowers on her nightstand. “C
Chapter 18: betrayal of the pastThe silence of Adrian’s mansion can be likened to that of a grave yard but this silence was interrupted by a heavy knock on the door. It was late, and way past visiting hours for him. Uninvited guests always brings trouble.Adrian, seated in his study with a glass of whiskey in hand, frowned at the interruption.His demeanor calm yet cold. He felt greatly irritated by this sudden interruption. A second knock, harder this timeHe set down his glass, rolled his shoulders, and moved toward the door with measured steps. When he pulled the door open, his heart froze.Standing before him, dressed in a sleek black dress that hugged her curves like a second skin, was ......Fiona.The air in the room shifted instantly, heavy with so many emotions.Adrian’s expression darkened, his jaw clenching as he looked at the woman who had once owned his heart—only to shatter it in the most brutal way possible.“Fiona,” he said, voice cold as ice. Quite some nerves you've
Adrian barely had time to regroup after the threat video before the storm hit.The study doors slammed open with a force that rattled the walls."Where is she?"Kayla’s father, Mr Marshall, stormed inside, his face twisted in rage. His usual controlled demeanor was nowhere to be found. His eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging in his neck and forehead as he pointed an accusatory finger at Adrian."You arrogant, power-hungry , manipulating bastard! Where the hell is my daughter?"Adrian slowly looked up from his desk, his fingers tightening around the edge of his chair in anger. His patience was already getting to its limitd, and he had no time for misplaced accusations."You think I took her?" Adrian’s voice was low, dangerous. "Think before you speak, old man."Mr Marshall advanced, slamming his fists onto the polished mahogany desk. "Who else would do this? My daughter has been nothing but a pawn in your twisted games! You dragged her into this world—your world—and now she’s paying the
Fiona entered into her car and drives away. She so happy that she turned the music up. Confidence dripped from her with her every move. She had won. She had Adrian Lockwood right where she wanted him. And soon, he’d have no choice but to bend to her will and do her biddings.What she didn’t realize was that she was being followed.A car had been following her—silent, precise, always there but never noticed.But Fiona was oblivious.She reached her house, came down and joyfully headed straight for the hallway She reached the heavy steel door at the end of the hallway, punched in a code, and stepped inside the room where Kayla was being held hostage.Kayla's body was weak against the chair, her wrists hurting from the ropes. She was bruised but far from broken. The fire in her eyes burned as hot as ever when she saw Fiona enter.Fiona smirked. "Ah, look at you. A little battered, but still defiant. I admire that. Really, I do."Kayla glared. "Cut the theatrics, Fiona. You’re wasting yo
Adrian sat in his dimly lit study, fingers tapping rhythmically against the surface of his desk. The frustration was obvious on his face as his forehead tightened . It's not that he was scared about his safety, he is scared because of Kayla. They now know that she's his weak point and this is what he has been trying to avoid . Now Kayla is going to be used against him, making her vulnerable and not safe. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Without waiting for permission, Ethan stepped inside. His usual lovely smirk was absent, replaced by a very serious face. He closed the door behind him and leaned against the wall nearby just staring at Adrian. "We have a huge problem Ad," Ethan announced, cutting straight to the point without menacing words. Adrian sighed, rubbing his temples. "Tell me something I don't already know Ethan." Ethan walked over, tossing a file onto Adrian's desk. "Fiona and Victor signed an alliance. They are going to be helping each other from now on
" You know that you could have said something right?, Kayla said." Said something? I felt like you wouldn't understand even though I had spoken up." Adrian repliedAdrian leaned back in his chair and sighed, Kayla who is sitt6across from him, her eyes locked onto him. The room then fell silent but the silence was defeaning . Kayla exhales. "All these times, I thought you were just being mean and cold towards me. I thought you hated me and wanted nothing more than to punish me . Buy it was all to protect me?? Only if you had talked. She said feeling guilty.Adrian scoffed, And you would have listened and believed me? You detested me, thought I had ruined your life. Bring lovey doveywith you wouldn't have helped you in any way. I had to feign anger towards you to make you stronger. " I'm so sorry Adrian. I really am. I apologize for my stupid behaviors then. I was only trying to defend myself. " She says feeling sad and sorry."No baby girl. Don't be . Nobody can stand being manip
Kayla paced across the room, her arms folded tightly across her chest. “He’s never going to stop, us he?"Adrian sat on the edge of the bed, watching her with amusement,“No, he isn't".Kayla turned to him sharply,her frustration threatening to overflow.“Then what do we do, Adrian? He walked in here asking for me like I'm some package, Like I’m some deal he’s cashing in on. I swear, I had the irresistible urge to slap that smirk off his face!!".Adrian’s jaw ticked. “You should have.”Her lips parted in surprise. “Really?”A sarcastic smile tugged at his lips. “Would’ve been fun to watch.”She scoffed. “You’re impossible, like how aren't you bothered by this.” But despite the tension in her body, she felt herself relax, just a little.Then Adrian’s smirk faded, replaced by a more serious expression.“Victor’s not backing down. I know him too well—he doesn’t take no for an answer neither does he know when to stop until he gets what he wants."Kayla swallowed. “So, what do you suggest we
Ethan tightened his grip on the steering wheel, maneuvering his way through the traffic like a pro. He stole a glance at Kayla through the rear mirror. She wasapplying pressure with a cloth to her wound, her face pale, but her eyes— held something more than the pain she was supposed to be feeling."Say something please," she whispered, her voice hoarse.Ethan exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "What in God's name do you expect me to say, Kayla? That I didn’t just hear Victor call you Elora? That I didn’t just watch you stand there like a deer in headlights instead of denying it properly?"Kayla swallowed hard. "Ethan, please, don’t tell Adrian. Not yet."Ethan let out a sad chuckle. "Not yet? Kayla, you knew all this time but didn't tell him?, you've been living with him, lying beside him all these time and yet you didn't tell him the damn truth?!!!" His voice rose, but he forced himself to be calm and focus on the road before he ends up causing an accident.Kayla reached out, touchin
"No, no , What have you done Fiona?". Kayla said shocked," I thought we had a deal Fiona!!!!!", she yelledFootsteps echoed from the shadows, and one by one, Victor’s men emerged, their faces cold, their weapons visible. Kayla stiffened, her hands curling into fists as a defense tool also her mind raced for an escape plan. And then he appeared.Victor stepped into the dim glow of the hanging bulbs, his expression bubbly, his dark eyes dancing with amusement. He took slow, calculated steps toward her, clapping his hands mockingly.“Well, well, well… Look what we have here,” Victor said , stopping just a few feet away. His smirk deepened as he tilted his head, eyes flickering with something stupidly amusing to him. “Did you really think Fiona would really betray me for you?"Kayla swallowed hard but kept her face blank. “What do you want, Victor?, why are you always after us?"He let out a low chuckle. “You see, I’ve been doing some digging. And I must say, I stumbled upon something…
Victor leaned back against the leather chair in his dimly lit office, rotating his chair as his cold gaze fixed on Fiona. The lighting in the room isn't even helping matters. It makes everywhere look eerie.. He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the polished surface of his desk, the silence between them suffocating Fiona, she kept thinking why he must have summoned her in such a haste.. Fiona stood before him, her heart pounding, her hands clenched at her sides in fear."You will kill Kayla," Victor said, his voice disturbingly calm for the words he just uttered.Fiona's breath hitched. Her fingers curled into fists as her body tensed. "What?" she whispered, as if she had misheard.Victor leaned forward, a slow, menacing smirk playing on his lips. "I know You heard me, Fiona. If you don't do it, I'll kill you myself. And trust me, it won’t be quick or painless."Fiona felt her stomach drop. She had played dangerous games before, but this… this was beyond anything she had ever imagined
Adrian leaned back against his bed's headboard, his shirt slightly open, revealing the bandages still wrapped around his chest.. Though the pain lingered, it had dulled into a manageable ache, allowing him to be more mobile and active a little bit.She sat beside him, her hands enterwined with his, her eyes scanning his face as if memorizing every single details .For days, she had barely left his side, sge has only left to either bathe or when the doctor came in to check and dress his wound.“I'm so glad that you are recovering really fast. You had me scared for a minute.,” she muttered, her voice thick with emotion.Adrian smirked, his fingers brushing against hers. “I told you baby girl, I'm not that easy to kill."Kayla swallowed hard, looking away. “That’s not the point, Adrian. I had endangered your life. I put you in this condition and I'm so sorry, deeply sorry."The vulnerability in her voice sent a pang through his chest. He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her e
Kayla gripped her phone with trembling fingers, her knuckles turning hardening The weight of everything—being kidnapped, nearly killed, watching Adrian bleed—had built up inside her like a tornado waiting to explode. And now, standing in Adrian’s hallway, she was ready to unleash it all on the one man who had chosen business over his own daughter.The phone rang. Once. Twice.Then her father’s voice came through, calm and unconcerned as always. "Kayla."She didn’t mince words. "Cut ties with Victor." Her voice was sharp, edged with restrained fury. "End every single business deal with him. I’m not asking—I’m telling you."A pause. Then a scoff. "Telling me?" Her father let out a dry chuckle. "You forget your place, Kayla."Her grip tightened. "My place? Do you have any fucking idea what I’ve just been through in the past few weeks? Victor kidnapped me. He tied me to a chair and held a gun to my head like I was nothing! And you want to talk about my place?"A heavy silence followed be
Adrian's bedroom was very except for the steady beeping of the heart monitor attached to Adrian. His unconscious body laid still on the bed. His clothes still blood soaked. The doctor had to cut it up to treat the bullet wound on his chest. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic. The chilling chaos of what happened could not be forgotten. Kayla sat beside him, her fingers entwined with his, her firm grip as if , if she held onto him tightly, it would keep him from slipping away from her. She hadn't eaten or slept. Infact, she hadn't left his side since they brought him back home. Ethan and Clarissa had insisted she refreshed herself and sleep, but how could she do that? How could she sleep or eat or feel calm knowing that the man she loves is in this state. Her eyes became weak with exhaustion yet she refuses to rest them. Every few minutes sger check him anything unusual. She didn't want to miss him waking up. The bullet had oy missed his heart by a few inches Ethan hov
The moment Adrian and Ethan storm into Victor’s estate, they know it’s a trap. The air is thick with tension, and the eerie silence of the grand hallway screams danger. But that is the least of things Adrian cares about . His grip tightens around his gun as he strides forward, he could hear his own heartbeat as his ears becomes tingly. Victor has Kayla. That’s all that matters. Ethan walks beside him, face set like stone. "This feels too easy," he mutters under his breath. Adrian’s jaw ticks. "It’s not. He wants us here." They push through the heavy double doors leading to Victor’s private lounge. And there he is. Sitting in the middle of the dimly lit room like he owns the world. Very stupid individual.A smirk plays on his lips as he twirls a glass of champagne in his hand. But Adrian’s eyes don’t linger on him. His focus immediately shifts to the two figures tied to chairs beside him—Kayla and Clarissa. Kayla’s head jerks up the second she sees him. Her lips part, relief
yla laughed as she held up a red dress against her body, twirling slightly in front of the Checking herself out. "This red one? Or the black one?"Clarissa looked at them.. "Black. Red makes you look like you're trying too hard, like it's giving desperation.Kayla gasped in mock offense. "Excuse me? Red is bold. Red is confidence!"Clarissa smirked. "Red is Adrian’s favorite color."Kayla rolled her eyes. "Okay, maybe that too. Maybe"The boutique was luxurious, filled with the scent of expensive perfumes , clothes , bags and every ladies dream and soft music playing in the background. They had been shopping for nearly two hours, hopping from one designer store to another. Kayla felt light—genuinely happy for the first time in a while. It feels good to wind up sometimes."You know," Clarissa said as she examined a row of high heels, "I never thought I'd see the day where you would willingly use Adrian’s black card freely, considering how you guys started. I thought it was going to be
Adrian never used to hate Victor.Once, they had been inseparable. Brothers—not related by blood, but by something even stronger. Trust. Loyalty. A bond forged through struggle, ambition, and an unshakable belief that they were destined to conquer the world together.They built their empire side by side, together , rising from nothing, turning their names into something feared and respected. Removing every obstacles together. Their friendship was to die for.But that was before jealousy poisoned everything.Before Victor killed the only woman Adrian ever loved.Seven Years Ago – The Night Everything ChangedA grand ballroom in New York. Chandeliers hanging like fallen stars. The air thick with wealth, power, and deception.Adrian adjusted the cuff of his suit, scanning the crowd with sharp, assessing eyes. Tonight was a victory. A&V Enterprises had just secured its biggest contract yet, pushing them into the league of untouchables. Every major player was in the room, eager to shake th