The moment they arrived the security at the estate doubled. Guards were at the entrance while inside the premises the tension was charged.Alexander wasted no time at all giving orders, his voice imperious and sharp as he spoke to his troops. Dysis stood off to the side, noticing the way that all of them sprang at his every word.He was himself present. He was at easeGone was the man who had looked at her with something so vulnerable standing by the side of the road. In his place was someone untouchable.“Get every bodyguard on the ready,” Alexander instructed Milo at the front door to wait for their arrival. “Nobody sees this house without me knowing about it first.”Milo nodded hastily, already getting out his phone.Dysis crossed her arms. “What about me?” she asked.Alexander’s gaze turned to her. "You stay here."She scoffed. “That’s it?”“That’s everything,” he told me, coming closer to me, his voice lowering to a deep timbre. “You're not leaving without me again."Dysis glared
The moment he entered the hall, the air became heavy.The hush was immediate. It was as if the entire mansion drew in, and then simply remembered to hold the breath. Lucian's arms locked around Dysis, holding her in place. She was weakened, her hands loosely gripping his wrist to support her, her body refusing to obey.But none of that mattered. Not to Alexander.His gaze was glacial, cold and merciless. Icy-blue eyes froze Lucian in position, like a wolf who spotted another by the side of his prey.“Step. aside.”The words themselves calmed, and what rendered them so terrifying.Lucian didn’t blink, didn’t let Dysis go. His green eyes remained locked on Alexander, not in defiance, but in something worse—concern.“She nearly fainted,” replied Lucian, his voice steady and controlled. “I was tending to her."A muscle in the jaw of Alexander tensed. He didn't utter a word, but the tenseness could be sensed, so tight the smallest misfire would spring.Dysis felt a rush of fear. Her head w
Adam sat in his study, the weight of his years pressing down like an iron chain that had long rotted yet never loosened. The room was gently lit, the flames flickering on the shiny mahogany walls, casting unsettling shadows that seemed to whisper of past wrongdoings. A glass of whiskey sat untouched beside him, the amber liquid reflecting the glowing coals, its warmth mocking the coldness in his heart. Across from him, Milo stayed silently watchful, his sharp gaze scrutinizing the man who had once been a formidable giant at the peak of his strength. Now, Adam appeared diminished in some way—not in height, but in how regret had started to settle into the lines of his face.Adam breathed out, rubbing a worn hand across his face. "It's odd," he whispered, nearly to himself. "You go on believing there’s always extra time… until one day, you see that there isn't." Milo stayed quiet, understanding it was best not to interject. He had discovered long ago that occasionally, silence was the
"Do you think your tears are important to me?" I knelt in front of my father, shaking, the cold cement floor soaking into my knees as I attempted to swallow the sob that had stuck in my throat. As usual, his remarks pierced me deeply. His words filled the little, darkened room, brimming with disdain. For as long as I could remember, I had been forced to live this existence, and every beat of my heart served as a reminder of it.I didn’t look up at him. I couldn’t. His cruel eyes were too much to bear. Too much to endure. “Answer me!” His hand shot out, grabbing a fistful of my hair and jerking my head up. The pain stung, but it wasn’t new. Nothing he did was new anymore. He’d punished me in ways I couldn’t count, but today was different. Today, it wasn’t just my body he was angry with; it was my existence. “Why won’t you ever listen?” His breath reeked of whiskey, and his fingers tightened, pulling me painfully closer. “You’re worthless, just like your mother. A disappointment. A bur
Like a drumbeat marching towards my demise, the sound of heavy footsteps reverberated in the confined hallway, methodical and harsh. Something like panic replaced my father's customary arrogant confidence as his gaze darted towards the doorway. I saw a small tightening of his jaw, although it was subtle. The man who walked into the room caught me off guard. He was tall, and his broad shoulders were encircled by a sleek black suit that radiated might and riches. The way his icy-blue eyes scanned the room made me feel vulnerable, like if he could see into every dark corner of my life in an instant. His presence filled the room like a rising storm, and not a single strand of his dark hair was out of place. Levi Alexander. Although I had heard the name, I didn't know him. Everybody had. He was more than simply a man; among the city's shadowiest nooks and crannies, he was a legend. A mafia boss who used brutality and terror to establish his empire.And now, he was here. “Mr. Levi,” my fat
“You’ll like her,” my father said, his voice a blend of forced confidence and desperation. “She’s obedient. Quiet. A real prize, Mr. Levi.”My ears rang, his words fading into noise as the room closed in on me. My claws pushed into the tattered fabric of my skirt, and my pulse raced like a frantic drum in my chest. Obedient. Quiet. I felt like I was just a commodity to be weighed and exchanged. Alexander Levi did not respond soon away. He stood in the centre of the room, his back straight and his posture tight, emanating might and danger. His icy-blue eyes moved between my father and me, appraising the situation with a coolness that made him even more horrifying. "Is that what you think of her?" he finally questioned, his tone distant. He didn't look at me as he talked, as if I didn't deserve to be addressed directly. “A prize?”My father chuckled nervously, rubbing his hands together. “She’s young and strong. She can be molded, taught. Whatever you need her to be.”A wave of nausea h
My frantic breaths were drowned out as the sleek black automobile rushed forward, its engine roaring to life. I was now flanked by the men who had pulled me from the house, their features blank and austere. My heart hammered so fiercely I thought it may bruise my ribs, and my wrists hurt where their clutches had been too tight.My father’s house, my prison, disappeared in the rearview mirror. I didn’t look back. What was there to see? The only home I’d ever known had betrayed me, just as its walls always had. But this wasn’t freedom. This was something worse. The man sitting to my left adjusted his cufflinks, his silence unnerving. “Where are you taking me?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I expected given the panic roaring through me. Neither of them answered. “Hey!” I forcefully pressed my hand against the partition that separated us from the driver. "Where are we heading?"The driver didn’t so much as flinch. My pulse thundered. I looked between the two men and swallowed hard
I stood at the entrance of the Levi mansion, the towering structure casting a shadow over me that seemed to swallow every ounce of light. The grandiose double doors that had once seemed to promise safety now felt like the mouth of some deep, hungry abyss, waiting to consume me whole. As Vee led me through the grand hall, I couldn’t help but notice the stark difference between the mansion’s imposing exterior and its lavish interior. The floors were polished to a mirror finish, gleaming in the flickering light of a dozen ornate chandeliers. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries and priceless works of art, but none of it made me feel safe. It all felt… wrong. Every inch of it screamed power, control, and isolation.Vee walked ahead of me without looking back, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Her silence made my pulse race. I wanted to speak, to ask questions, but what was the point? What could I say that would change anything? The door to my new room wa
Adam sat in his study, the weight of his years pressing down like an iron chain that had long rotted yet never loosened. The room was gently lit, the flames flickering on the shiny mahogany walls, casting unsettling shadows that seemed to whisper of past wrongdoings. A glass of whiskey sat untouched beside him, the amber liquid reflecting the glowing coals, its warmth mocking the coldness in his heart. Across from him, Milo stayed silently watchful, his sharp gaze scrutinizing the man who had once been a formidable giant at the peak of his strength. Now, Adam appeared diminished in some way—not in height, but in how regret had started to settle into the lines of his face.Adam breathed out, rubbing a worn hand across his face. "It's odd," he whispered, nearly to himself. "You go on believing there’s always extra time… until one day, you see that there isn't." Milo stayed quiet, understanding it was best not to interject. He had discovered long ago that occasionally, silence was the
The moment he entered the hall, the air became heavy.The hush was immediate. It was as if the entire mansion drew in, and then simply remembered to hold the breath. Lucian's arms locked around Dysis, holding her in place. She was weakened, her hands loosely gripping his wrist to support her, her body refusing to obey.But none of that mattered. Not to Alexander.His gaze was glacial, cold and merciless. Icy-blue eyes froze Lucian in position, like a wolf who spotted another by the side of his prey.“Step. aside.”The words themselves calmed, and what rendered them so terrifying.Lucian didn’t blink, didn’t let Dysis go. His green eyes remained locked on Alexander, not in defiance, but in something worse—concern.“She nearly fainted,” replied Lucian, his voice steady and controlled. “I was tending to her."A muscle in the jaw of Alexander tensed. He didn't utter a word, but the tenseness could be sensed, so tight the smallest misfire would spring.Dysis felt a rush of fear. Her head w
The moment they arrived the security at the estate doubled. Guards were at the entrance while inside the premises the tension was charged.Alexander wasted no time at all giving orders, his voice imperious and sharp as he spoke to his troops. Dysis stood off to the side, noticing the way that all of them sprang at his every word.He was himself present. He was at easeGone was the man who had looked at her with something so vulnerable standing by the side of the road. In his place was someone untouchable.“Get every bodyguard on the ready,” Alexander instructed Milo at the front door to wait for their arrival. “Nobody sees this house without me knowing about it first.”Milo nodded hastily, already getting out his phone.Dysis crossed her arms. “What about me?” she asked.Alexander’s gaze turned to her. "You stay here."She scoffed. “That’s it?”“That’s everything,” he told me, coming closer to me, his voice lowering to a deep timbre. “You're not leaving without me again."Dysis glared
Laughter filled Dysis’s room as she and Brayden played together, his small hands eagerly stacking blocks into a wobbly tower. Every time it collapsed, he let out an exaggerated gasp, eyes wide with delight before urging her to help him build it again."You have to be careful, Brayden," Dysis teased, placing a block with precision. "If it falls again, I’m blaming you."Brayden grinned. "Nooo! You did it last time!"Brayden's small hand tugged at the hem of Dysis’s dress, his bright blue eyes wide with curiosity. “Can I stay with you a little longer?” Dysis hesitated, glancing toward the open door where Silver had left moments ago. The mansion was vast, and the boy likely felt lonely despite its grandeur. Additionally, she had developed an affection for him in a manner she hadn’t anticipated. “Okay,” she murmured gently, tousling his golden hair. A wide smile emerged on Brayden’s face as he hopped onto the soft rug in her room. He pulled out several toy soldiers from his pocket and
The morning sunlight streamed through the grand windows of the Levi estate as a maid carefully fastened the last button on Dysis’s dress. It was a gentle, flowing garment featuring an intricate floral pattern, the material airy against her skin. It was a gentle, flowing garment featuring an intricate floral pattern, the material airy against her skin. The soft pastel shades complemented her, giving her an elegant yet subtle look—precisely the type of presence that wouldn’t attract excessive attention. "You look lovely, miss," the maid remarked respectfully, stepping back to appreciate her handwork.Dysis managed a small smile. "Thank you."A knock at the door interrupted them, and another maid stepped in, bowing slightly. "Miss Dysis, Lady Lili has requested your presence at the dining table for breakfast with the family."Dysis blinked. "She… requested me?"The maid nodded. "She wishes to apologize for her behavior at the party."An apology? That surprised her. She hadn't had much i
The morning sunlight streamed through the thick curtains, creating a gentle illumination throughout the room. The soft buzz of the mansion was far off, smothered by the heavy walls, with just the noise of consistent breathing in the gap between them. Dysis lay still, her body tense, fully aware of the weight draped over her waist—Alexander’s arm. His presence was overwhelming, his warmth pressing into her back, his grip firm as if holding her there on instinct. Her heartbeat betrayed her. It drummed too fast, too erratic, as if her body hadn’t gotten the message her mind was screaming: This doesn’t mean anything. She inhaled sharply, trying to shake off the disorienting pull of him. Carefully, she shifted, attempting to slip out of his grasp. But before she could move an inch, his grip tightened. “Alexander,” she murmured, her voice quieter than she intended. He grumbled in response, low and rough, not fully awake—but unwilling to let go. Her breath caught. He was still a
He caught it effortlessly—of course he did—and raised an amused brow. “Violence? After everything I just did for you?” “You call making fun of me ‘helping’?” she snapped, burying herself deeper under the covers. “And don’t act like killing a spider is some grand heroic act. You were probably just showing off.” Alexander smirked, tossing the pillow onto the bed. “If I was showing off, I’d have made sure you were watching.” Dysis let out an exasperated groan and turned away from him, pulling the blanket over her head. This man is impossible.A beat of silence passed. Then she heard the rustle of fabric, followed by the dip of the mattress. Her body went rigid. He was on the bed. “W-what do you think you’re doing?” Her voice was unexpectedly high-pitched, causing embarrassment. Alexander reclined against the headboard, extending himself next to her as if he were meant to be there. “Getting comfortable.” Dysis peeked out from under the blanket and glared at him. “Go to your
Dysis groaned as she sat up, untangling herself from Alexander’s arms. Her dress was ruined—ripped in several places thanks to the chaos from earlier. She sighed, trying to pull at the fabric, but the intricate design made it impossible. She hadn’t dressed herself—four maids had helped her into it before the party. She glanced at Alexander, who was now propped up against the headboard, observing her with a grin. “Could you assist me in getting out of this dress?” she inquired, feeling flustered. Alexander raised a brow, amused. “Are you asking me to undress you?” Dysis’ face heated. “No! I mean, yes—but not like that! Just the back—ugh, forget it!” She marched to the bathroom before he could poke fun at her anymore. Inside, she battled with the dress for about five minutes before it dawned on her something dreadful—she had no other outfit. “Alexander!” she called through the door. “I need something to wear!” He chuckled from the other side. “So you do need my help after
The party had descended into a low hum of whispers as the last guests made their way toward the exit. The evening, meant to be a celebration, had become a spectacle of half-spoken truths and mounting tensions. The question on everyone’s mind, though unspoken, was clear: What did Dysis really mean to Alexander Levi?As Alexander and Dysis stood by the grand doorway, ready to leave the mansion, the weight of the night seemed to press down on them both. Dysis’s mind raced, still processing the stares, the whispered gossip, and, most significantly, the possessive look Alexander had given her earlier. Despite her growing connection to him, the entire evening had left her uneasy, as if everything around them was shifting. “Are we really leaving?” she asked, her voice softer than she intended. Alexander, ever the enigma, met her eyes with his usual unreadable expression. “We are.” She gave him a brief nod, turning her attention to the large wooden doors ahead. But just as they were abo