Anna's POV I placed my hands on the steering wheel as I glanced nervously around me. I was jumpy and suspicious of the people around me whether they were pedestrians or car owners.The journey to my house and out of this hospital lay ahead of me, but my mind was still tangled up with everything that had happened. It all felt like a bad dream. But it was real, every part of it. I was kidnapped. And someone had set me up by using Dorian’s name.I was confused as I don't even know what to even think anymore or what to feel. I was scared witless and confused on turns. Nevertheless I was glad that I was safe but my feelings were mixed up together.Dorian wanted to meet me and I was desperate for answers. Maybe he had some. Maybe he had an idea on whosoever was trying to use his name to kidnap me.When I finally got home, I felt so weak. I had to drag my leg inside my house and I shut the door behind me and just stood there for a minute, looking around at my small, quiet apartment. There
Dorian's POVI stared at Anna's face as she processed the news I conveyed to her. She was trying to process everything and her face told the various stages of emotion she went through. Surprise, pain and was that anger I saw. I wasn't exactly sure.The way she reacted to what I told her was intriguing as was the expression on her face. I took mental notes of everything. It was important I did as I needed to understand her, because I wanted to help her.The moment she heard the words from my mouth about finding her ex-husband, the shock on her face was something else. Her eyes widened in shock and her breathing increased. It was as if I had opened an old wound. She looked very fragile at the moment and an overwhelming urge to hug her came on me but I didn't act on it.I leaned back on my chair, trying to give her space to process whatever was going through her head, I assumed they were not pleasant ones and it was very clear that it stirred something up inside of her.Something that h
Dorian... He doesn't want to tell me... I paused, I didn't ask him again about how he managed to find Marcus. He was sure about his information and he was calm like he knew exactly what he was doing. It isn't a little thing he did just to find Marcus... Not everyone would be able to track Marcus down like Dorian did even though Marcus had gone great lengths to disappear.Marcus had taken everything from me, every dime he could get his hands on, and then vanished without a single trace. Left me broken and with no way of finding him, as if I didn't mattered at all.So, to hear Dorian mention finding him so easily, as if it had been nothing at all... well, it surprised me. I tried not to show it as I kept a straight face, but deep down, I felt like he could probably tell. The way he looked at me, it was as if he knew I was wondering in my mind on how he manage to get the information of the whereabout of Marcus so quickly.The more I kept thinking about it, the more I get to understand t
Anna's POVI never thought that I would shed tear, because I thought I was over Marcus. I thought I had moved on from all the pain he caused me. But here I was, sitting in this place, staring into my glass of red wine, sobbing with tears flowing from my eyes. It didn’t make sense. I tried to stop myself, tried to hold back the tears, but somehow, they kept flowing. How could he just take my money and run away? He is heartless. How could he start a new life while I was left to pick up the pieces? He had the gut to do this to me. All those years I spent supporting him, working hard so he could chase his business ideas. And now, he was doing well without me. It felt unfair. I inhale and exhale trying to calm down but the tears refuse to stop coming out.I didn’t even realize I had let it all pour out.... sobbing... My body shaking. I was so lost in my thoughts and feelings that I completely forgot I wasn’t alone. I didn’t notice when Dorian came to sit beside me. He was quiet, just the
Dorian's POVAnna looked at me with her eyes full of regret... Doubts, and she had this whole idea that she is the reason for Marcus unfortunate behavior... Blaming herself. She kept saying it was her fault that she was holding him back from achieve his dream and she felt like she was nothing but a burden to his life.Her voice was low, as if she was talking to herself more than to me. And before I knew it, I heard myself telling her to stop, to stop tearing herself apart, to stop blaming herself for everything that had gone wrong.The words came out so quickly I almost didn’t recognize them as my own. I wasn’t sure why I’d even said it, but it felt like someone had to pull her out of this pit she was digging for herself. But still… me? Why would I, of all people, be the one to step in like this?It wasn’t like me at all. I was Dorian... the businessman, the one who knew where every line was and never crossed it. I didn’t get mixed up in emotions, didn’t concern myself with people’s p
Anna's POVIt's the weekend already, how time flies... Spending the weekend alone without Marcus... Whatever. I've made up my mind to shut myself indoor, to start cleaning out the house... more than just dust and cobwebs. This wasn’t about the surface dirt. No, this was about the dirt that had stained my life, left by none other than Marcus. There were pieces of him, small and large, scattered throughout my home, I hadn’t realized were still there. But now, I could see them, and I wanted them gone. All of them.I began in the living room, moving from corner to corner, shelf to shelf. In the process of cleaning I found a movie ticket stub. It was from one of our early dates. I held it, staring down at the tiny piece of paper, just staring at it made my heart ache. He had bought that ticket for me. I could remember him laughing as we shared popcorn, him reaching over to hold my hand when I jumped at the scary parts.But then I reminded myself why I was doing this. Marcus. The man who ha
I was still in shock hearing what Brenda said... "Executive liaison to the CEO" does she really mean what she just said. I couldn't even believe it myself. I'm not even sure if I fit into this job. Though I am happy, yes... Who wouldn't be happy when given such position. But I was shocked to my bone marrow... Even the workers present were shocked as well but I don't care about them or whatever they think."Hmmm" Brenda cleared her throat as if wanting my full attention. I gulped looking at her waiting for her to say whatever was on her mind.“So, as liaison,” Brenda continued what she was saying. “you will be the link between the accounting department and the higher-ups. she said as I gulped hard. It's unbelievable."They will rely on you for everything not the other way around because it will make sure things will move smoothly, as long as any kind of issue is brought to the right people for the job to follow. You are the one that will keep everyone on the same page.”I tried to focu
MARCUS' POVRubbing my face, I yawned slightly and opened my eyes. Right beside me was Rachel, who had spent the night with me. On her pretty face was a blissful smile, the kind of smile that sent warmth to my feeble heart and gave me the peace I never knew I could find. I touched her face, her soft, warm cheeks sending a silver of love through me, and a small smile bloomed on my face. I bent to plant a kiss on her cheeks and wiped it gently. "Good morning, Princess," I whispered into her ear. Staring around the suite, I couldn't help but think about how much my life had changed ever since I left Anna. It was as if she had always been a stumbling rock that would never give me the chance to move forward, but the moment I left her, things started changing for good. My life after Anna left was nothing but a dream to the past me, and at the moment, I couldn't help but regret having met her in the first place. "Babe," The tender voice of an angel broke the train of my thoughts and lo
Anna's POV The world had watched Freddie Markson’s death unfold, but now, the world had moved on.His empire had crumbled, his enemies had been silenced, and those who remained knew better than to challenge the ones who had orchestrated it all. Anna and Dorian had won—not just their freedom, but the power to shape their own future.They settled into a life neither had ever dared to dream of.A Life Without FearThe estate that once belonged to Freddie was now theirs, though they had stripped it of anything that reminded them of its former owner. The rooms had been redecorated, the walls painted in lighter tones, the heavy, oppressive air of its previous life erased.Dorian had taken control of Freddie’s financial network, diverting assets, cutting ties with anyone who had been a liability. The wealth was staggering—far more than they could ever need. But it wasn’t about the money. It was about never having to run again.And for the first time in years, Anna felt safe.She spent her d
Anna's POV The world was watching.The chaos erupted within minutes.Freddie Markson was dead.The sprawling estate, once filled with laughter and murmurs of power, now buzzed with panic. Security flooded the halls, hushed conversations turning into frantic whispers as news spread like wildfire. Guests clutched their champagne glasses, some gasping, others exchanging knowing glances—men and women who had spent their lives in high-stakes deals, familiar with the consequences of power plays gone wrong.No one knew what had happened. Not yet.But they would soon.And that was why Dorian moved quickly.He had infiltrated the wedding unnoticed, slipping in through the mass of high-profile guests, blending into the sea of tailored suits and designer dresses. He had watched everything—Anna on Freddie’s arm, the way she smiled at him, the way she played her part so well it made Dorian’s blood boil. He had clenched his jaw through every toast, every scripted glance, every sickening display of
The world was watching.Hundreds of guests filled the sprawling estate, their laughter mingling with the soft notes of a grand piano. The ballroom itself was a masterpiece—vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate gold detailing, chandeliers dripping with crystals that refracted the warm glow of candlelight. Outside, the vast gardens were illuminated with soft lanterns, casting long shadows over the manicured hedges and reflecting pools. Waiters in crisp white jackets wove through the crowd, balancing silver trays laden with vintage champagne, caviar, and delicate amuse-bouches.The guest list read like a who’s who of power—Hollywood elite, Wall Street titans, political dynasties, and foreign dignitaries. They moved through the estate like chess pieces, each conversation laced with subtle negotiations and whispered alliances. Tonight wasn’t just about a wedding—it was a spectacle, an orchestrated display of power.And at the center of it all stood Freddie Markson and Anna.The cameras n
Dorian’s POVDorian woke to cold sheets.At first, he thought that Anna was in the shower or making coffee. But the apartment was silent—too silent. His gut twisted. He reached across the sheets, finding them cool to the touch.For a moment, he lay still, his mind sluggish with sleep, but then it hit him—Sophia was gone. She had taken advantage of the night and slipped out.He slept late which was what had made him wake up late as well. He knew it was futile to search for her on foot since she'd have had a wide head start. His heart pounded as he threw back the covers and sat up. The apartment was silent. Too silent. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and dialed her number. It went straight to voicemail.He tried again. Nothing.Panic gnawed at his insides as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood, scanning the dimly lit room. Her things were still here—her shoes by the door, her jacket draped over the chair. But she wasn’t.Moving quickly, he checked the front do
The wind roared around me as the private jet touched down on a long, isolated runway. I had barely spoken since Viktor led me aboard. Part of me still couldn’t believe I had agreed to this. The USB drive he’d given me burned in my pocket, but I hadn’t dared to look at it. Not yet. Not until I knew exactly what I was stepping into.As the plane taxied to a stop, Viktor unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to me. “This is your last chance to turn back.”I met his gaze. “You and I both know that’s not an option.”His jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He stood and grabbed his coat, nodding for me to follow. The moment we stepped off the plane, a sleek black car was waiting for us, the driver already holding the door open.I slid into the backseat, my fingers curling into my lap as Viktor settled in beside me. The moment the door shut, the car moved forward, gliding through the night.The estate was massive. Iron gates loomed ahead, the emblem on them gleaming under the dim security lights.
The fear never left me. It clung to my skin, wrapped around my throat and sat heavy in my chest. I told myself I was strong, that I had survived worse, but the truth was, I was exhausted.Every night, I laid awake listening to Dorian’s steady breathing. I imagined them finding us, breaking down the door, dragging us back into the nightmare we had barely escaped. I imagined what they’d do to us.After a while I couldn’t live like this anymore. I knew what I had to do.I waited until Dorian was asleep. He always slept light, but exhaustion had finally caught up to him. It was the only chance I’d get.I moved carefully, easing out from under the blanket, barely breathing as I pulled on my coat. My heart pounded so hard I was sure it would wake him. My boots were by the door. I slipped them on, then hesitated. My fingers hovered over the doorknob.If I left now, there was no turning back.I stepped out into the night.The cold bit at my skin as I pulled my coat tighter, shoving my hands i
Anna’s POV“You need to be checked, Anna. We don’t know—”“No,” I cut him off, shaking my head. “We don’t know who we can trust.”Dorian clenched his jaw no doubt frustrated by my stubbornness but I wasn't going to back down.We were arguing once more about going to the hospital. I knew that he was right and I ought to but the facility had been relentless in hunting us down. We had no way of knowing who was still looking and who might recognize me. A simple doctor’s visit could be the mistake that led them straight to us.Instead, I focused on listening to my body, trusting what little instinct I had. The nausea came and went, and a strange sort of awareness settled in my bones. It wasn’t just me anymore.Dorian was torn. I saw it in the way his hands hovered near me, as if he wanted to shield me from everything but didn’t know how. He tightened security around us, changing our routines. No more walking the same routes, no more visits to the same markets or shops. He made sure the apa
Anna's POV The highway stretched endlessly before us so much that I wondered if it would end. The sound of the engine was the only noise we heard as we crossed another nameless border under stolen identities. Dorian kept his hands tight on the wheel, his jaw clenched. There were so many things I wanted to talk to him about but I was content for the moment with watching the road signs blur past, my fingers tapping anxiously against my thigh.Neither of us spoke because we didn’t need to. We both understood what was happening. Our old lives and everything as we had known it were gone. The facility, the experiments, Reinhardt. Everything we had run from was behind us. But the thought of them was hard to let go off.I closed my eyes, but the moment I did, flashes of the lab burned behind my lids. I remembered being trapped on the cold metal table. The scalpel in my hands and the guard’s blood seeping between my fingers.I jolted upright, gasping and saw Dorian hovering above me. "Nigh
Anna's POV "You were meant to be an experiment," Dr. Reinhardt said to me leaning over to emphasise his words.I wondered what I had done to warrant the attention of this mad German scientist. I knew though that it had to be because of Dorian mixing up with the wrong crowd.The heavy door behind Reinhardt hissed open and a guard in a black uniform stepped in and Reinhardt nodded toward me."Prepare her for transport."I yanked at the restraints with all the strength I could summon. I wasn’t going to let them win like this.The guard moved closer and just then the lights flickered.The sudden dimming made Reinhardt pause and looked up at the overhead lamps which buzzed as if it was struggling for power. Then, in a blink, red emergency lights flooded the room.A low alarm groaned through the facility and the pitch kept increasing.Something was wrong.Reinhardt’s expression tightened as he turned toward the guard. "Find out what—"~BOOM!!!~The entire room shook and dust rained down