Elizabeth's POVNo. No. No way. This isn’t real.I moved too fast, and my vision blurred. I held my forehead, groaning as I slowly sat up on the bed, correcting my mistake.My throat felt dry and I needed water. I glanced down, at the thin tube pierced into my wrist. I pulled it, feeling a sharp pain.“This has got to be a joke. God's way of punishing me for being a bitch,” I cursed.How do I even undo it? I was stuck.I didn't think, and grabbed the tube again, and pulled it out. I winced at the pain, as the blood spilled from the tiny hole.I sighed tiredly. Great. Just great. Now I was bleeding too.I pressed my hand over the wound and stared at the small light from the lamp. The room felt tiny, like it was closing in on me, too weak to hold everything I was feeling.I am going to have a baby. Adam’s baby.My fingers shook as I rubbed my stomach. It felt a bit stuffy and I had to slow my breathing. My body didn’t feel like mine anymore. The truth hit me so hard I couldn’t even thin
Lily’s POVRomeThe taxi skidded, wheels screaming on cobblestone streets. I exhaled and clenched the pack straps tightly as I looked out the window.Screaming cars, frantic pedestrians, and the bitter tang of smoke entwined with the smell of fresh bread and stinging coffee in the city. Rome was always this way, so outrageously emotional as if something that was about to happen was already happening. Perfect for dropping the weight.The driver looked at me in the rearview mirror on his head, his bushy eyebrows furrowed in annoyance.I pulled on my hood over the sweat cap that was underneath.My hair, now dyed black, was pulled tight under the cap. My skin, which was pale, was now tanned. I looked like a different person and was no longer recognizable.I gave the driver some crumpled euro bills. "Keep the change."He grunted the thanks as I got out of the taxi and onto the cracked sidewalk.The instant my feet hit the ground, there was a blast on a horn behind me.I looked around as a
Lily's POVI took a quick breath, and glanced at my hands on his. Josh didn't move. I was becoming anxious and slowly moved my hand off his.Smiling like the idiot I was, I blinked, laughing nervously to cover up my mistake.“Urg..” I said. “Sorry.”I looked away, feeling tense. This wasn't supposed to happen.Why the freaking hell was I embarrassed about touching his hand? It was his hand! Not some hot cheese!Josh didn't budge an inch. His lips parted in anticipation of speech and went slack. He swallowed at last and spoke with an even tone that contained a strain of tension within it."I don't mind," he answered with a steady voice. Grinning unevenly that didn't reach the rest of his face, he added, "You alright? You need to get up?"I nodded with excitement. "I can," yes."I pushed myself against the ground and stood this time without stumbling. Josh arose with ease onto his feet. He was taller than my memory had conceived of him, stronger built and confident. His dark eyes ran ov
Adam’s POVWe ran out of the house, feeling the afternoon sun burn against my skin. Pecks of wearing black.The air smelled of gasoline and burnt tyres.My men moved, spreading out in a straight line. Maximus stood a few feet away, raising his gun at the van.“Dang. We can't have a day without trouble, can we?” Nico complained, behind me.“Shut up,” one of my men spoke.“Don’t piss me off, Andrea,” Nico replied.“No figures why Raphael keeps smacking you,” Andrea responded.Another chipped in. “Raph, needs to hit harder. Who knows, he might finally get a spark of sense.”The men and I laughed, briefly forgetting we had a situation. Nico frowned, hating that we had fun of him.The sound of the Van's door opening, pulled my attention. Vance got off the driver's seat and looked at his tire.He groaned. Maximus had shot two of his tires flat. He turned his gaze to me, looking hella frustrated.His gaze moved from Maximus and the wrecked van, then back to me.“You had better have a good ex
Elizabeth’s POVShe sat on the floor, panting from the ass whooping I gave her. She bled a little from her lip.Served her right for trying to hurt me. She wiped it off with her hand.I did not move from my spot.My fingers wrapped around the cold of the broken phone holder, my fists clenched tighter as I looked at her wrestle to stand.My heart pounded in my skull, dampening the confused mutter of noises beyond the shut door.She stretched toward me with a shaking hand. "Help me up."I didn't. She could do that herself.I planted my heel on the floor and edged over, my tone frosty."Get out the way you got in… or by God, this time I'll kill you for sure."Her eyes came up to mine, unemotional.Then she breathed deeply. One that was huffy and annoyed like she was tired of it all.She stood up on her own before I could help her, smoothing out her uniform like she hadn't just materialized in my room.Who the hell was she?And why wasn’t she scared of me?I tore my eyes away from her and
Elizabeth’s POV“Huh?” I asked.“You were talking about Corinth,” he continued. “Who is that?”I know this because, breathing heavy now, I turned to Adam at the door with his arms crossed. He had his gaze on me. And suddenly the room shrank and the air grew thin.“Who?” I said, feigning ignorance.He raised an eyebrow, before walking away from the door. “Are you kidding me?”I laughed, realising he had seen through me. “I didn't say that.”His eyes darkened. “You did.”“No, I…” I started and then tried to come up with a lie.He walked towards me, slowly and he asked again. “I could hear you, when I was at the door. What are you hiding?”“Huh? Me?” I asked, pointing to myself.“Are you okay?” He asked, and I chuckled.“Yeah, I'm fine. It's probably a maid. I don't know,” I said. He was stupid, it was stupid, and it was a stupid thing to lie about.He crept near me, and my eyelashes fluttered.What is he doing?He leaned in, and I swallowed hard. “Did you just say maid?” He asked.I nod
Killian's POV:My pulse plummeted at her words. Why would she ever consider doing that?”I didn’t know what more to say. I hoped she didn't mean it. I wouldn’t allow her to harm my child or herself.“Elizabeth,” I whispered. “You wouldn't dare.”She held my gaze, not a blink. I pulled away from her and breathed in.“I want to leave,” she said.I laughed and took one last glance at her. “So you really think it’s that simple?”“That I’m going to let you go off with my baby? What the hell is wrong with you?” I yelled.She staggered back, her eyes registering fear.“I just want what’s best for my child,” she said.“You know what?” I pointed a finger at her. “You're selfish.”“I'm not…” she argued.“No, you are. You knew what I was before you came to me,” I said.“I am sorry. Okay? I just can't anymore. “I don’t want any of this,” she said.“I want to leave!” She yelled.“I just told you,” I said under my breath. “You're not going anywhere.”“Adam,” she called.“No!” I yelled. “Enough. I'v
Richard's POV:I was getting tired of the silence in this glass cage. I hated how quiet it was. I was doing the same thing on a daily basis and it was starting to show on my mental health.I lay on the rigid mattress, my eyes on the ceiling. Twelve cracks. Counting them over and over, was my only source of entertainment.Nobody made a sound while the door was opened with a click as someone walked in. I didn't move.The guard put the tray down on the table before leaving.“It's breakfast,” the young guard mumbled.Or maybe lunch. I stopped keeping track of the days.The guard paused for half a second and then turned his head.The door closed with a hiss.I waited, drawing three breaths. Then I sat up, my eyes flicking over to the tray.Underneath the plate of a simple meal of eggs, toast, and coffee.I saw the folded white paper with black markings on it.I peered with my fingers beneath it, and drew it out, unwrapping it gently. I took a glance and read.We are in.A slow smile curved
Adam’s POVAs soon as Corinth made a run for it, the chase ensued.The guards immediately shouted orders, their heavy boots echoing on the marble floor as they pursued her. Corinth moved swiftly, weaving through the crowd with a sense of urgency that gave precision to her every action. Her arms pumped, and her legs propelled her forward as she ran down the hallway, holding on tightly to the stolen gun.I followed her at a measured pace. She was driven by survival instincts, but panic often leads to mistakes. She would eventually slip up, and I intended to be there when it happened.At the end of the corridor, Corinth took a sharp turn into another hallway. A guard lunged at her, barely grazing her sleeve, but she spun around, driving her elbow into his ribs. He grunted in pain and stumbled back, crashing into a glass cabinet that shattered, sending pieces of glass everywhere.Another guard was on her quickly, reaching for her arm, but she ducked, swinging the gun to connect with his j
Corinth’s POVThe kitchen was filled with the aroma of fresh herbs and cooked meat, but it didn't give me the satisfaction I needed. I felt out of place.I stood at the shiny counter, my hands steady despite the cold surface.The head chef worked quickly and skillfully, preparing Elizabeth's dinner with pride in his work. He had no clue about my intentions.The moment had arrived. I reminded myself, "Don't mess up. Just do it and get out. It won't kill her. She'll be okay."I kept these thoughts in my head.I glanced at the spice rack. There was a small vial hidden between jars of basil and oregano, easy to miss. I had placed it there earlier to blend with the spices. My fingers brushed over it as I pretended to care about the plates.My heart was racing. There was no turning back.If I hesitated, my boss would punish me harshly. He never forgave mistakes. Failing was not an option for me.The chef turned to grab some rosemary. That was my chance.I carefully added a few drops of the
Adam’s POVThe room felt incredibly small, almost as if it were closing in on me. I could hardly breathe. My heart was pounding loudly, like war drums, as I stormed out, each step driven by the burning anger inside me.Corinth!!!That name was stuck in my thoughts, gripping my anger tightly. She had a simple task: deliver my message. Just one task, and she didn't do it.Maybe she even ignored it on purpose.I moved quickly through the hallway, my hands clenched in fists. I needed to find out what happened right away. Kevin had come out of his coma. That should have been the first thing I was told. Instead, I was kept in the dark. Someone was trying to keep me uninformed, someone wanted me off balance. And Corinth was at the heart of it all.As I got to the stairs, ready to go down, I noticed something move from the corner of my eye."Adam."I stopped and turned to where the voice came from. I saw Maximus standing there.He stepped in front of me, his face serious, his eyes sharp. He w
Adam's POVI hadn’t slept. I was tired, my eyes burned, and yet morning came, but my head wouldn’t sleep. Mirroring a shivering voice, slithering through the thoughts of the mind, wherever I closed my eyes, the very next moment, shadows got keen at the border of my moment, my sight. I didn’t know what was real anymore.Elizabeth curled up next to me, her breathing steady but shallow.Carefully I pushed her hair from her face, letting my fingers linger on her cheek. She appeared serene, but I knew it was an illusion. She was still plagued with nightmares. I had gotten up more than once to her shaking in her sleep and mumbled words that made no sense.That thought turned my blood to ice.Elizabeth turned a little and buried her face in my chest. I held her a bit tighter and then slipped out of bed gently. She didn’t stir.I dressed quickly. My body was worn out but my mind was as sharp as it had ever been. Today was the day I would get the answers I needed.By the time I entered the sec
Adam's POVI first noticed it in the little things — pauses, misplaced objects, an extra beat spent staring into space. Elizabeth had always been sharp, from her calculated endeavors to her scalpel-sharp mind. But recently, there was something different.She would reach for her food but then stop, narrowing her eyes as though she were aware that something just wasn’t right. Then she’d shake her head and make herself eat, though her appetite was sporadic. On some nights, she would eat an entire meal in minutes. On other nights, she hardly ate at all.And then came the confusion.She would forget things, the little things at first. Where she had left her phone. If she had answered a message〕. Then it escalated. Whole conversations fell from her mind. She repeated the same questions, even within minutes of one another.Initially, I told myself it was just stress. Pregnancy was complicated on the body, and Elizabeth had enough on her plate. However, I was not someone who disregarded my gu
Elizabeth's POVThe first time it happened, I wrote it off as nothing but exhaustion. I had screamed my fucking head off at that disappearing figure in the mirror.I caught a glimpse of a mirror today while fitting in brushing my hair before bed. I took the lamp off, and then turned back, and I swear my reflection didn’t follow.I blinked.There was nothing peculiar in the glass. Just me. My slightly uncombed hair, my weary gaze, my finger caught in mid-action.I exhaled and wrangled myself into laughter.Pregnancy fatigue. That’s all it was.But later that night, I was roused by whispers.My pulse quickened as I opened my eyes to stare at the darkness. It was faint, like a voice on the wind, low enough in pitch that the words couldn’t be made out.I turned my head slightly.Adam was lying next to me, his breathing slow and steady, deep in sleep.I held still, listening.The murmurs appeared to come in from one end of the room, close to the window. But when I changed, they went away.
Corinth's POVAfter a long pause, Adam finally sighed. He glanced over at Nico and Raphael and gave a small nod.“Take her to the infirmary.”Without another word, Raphael put a steadying hand on my back and guided me out.*******We had just stepped inside when the cool, sterile smell of disinfectant seeped into my nose. The room was silent, the air-conditioner purring softly.I sat down on the patient’s bed and Raphael stood by the door, arms crossed.But then, Nico stepped forward.His fingers curled and uncurled at his sides. He looked so serious doing it.Then he turned to Raphael.“I got it from here.”Raphael didn’t budge at first. He narrowed his eyes slightly.I could almost hear the silent judgment in his eyes.But after the longest moment, Raphael released a slow breath.He shook his head, muttered some words under his breath and turned and left.The door clicked closed behind him.And then, there was silence.I looked at Nico, who suddenly looked nervous.He cleared his th
Corinth's POVThe maids cast anxious looks at one another. After a few seconds of doubt one of them opened the door.The girl who had shut the door retreated slowly, her fingers shaking.Raphael didn’t wait. He put his arm around my waist for support and walked me toward the exit. My legs shook, but I willed myself to keep standing.As soon as we crossed the threshold, I felt a chill go down my spine when something in the back of the room moved quickly.A shadow lunged toward us.Before I had time to react, Raphael spun around, his reflexes a split second fast.He avoided the hit at the last moment, his hand lashed out and caught the wrist of the girl who dared try to shove us.He yanked her forward with a slightly calculated, completely nonchalant sort of movement, disrupting her center of gravity. She took a shocked, short shout, hands waving as she nearly fell downstairs.The other maids sucked in their breaths, their faces locked with terror.She teetered and almost caught herself
Corinth’s POVThe voices outside the restroom cubicle became louder.“She’s in here.”I scrunched my hand over my mouth, my heartbeat pounding against my ribs. I leaned my back against the cold wall, listening to the footsteps approach.“Corinth,” called one of the maids, sharply, and taunting. “Come out now or we’re coming in.”I dug my fingers into my own skin, struggling to keep my breathing even. If I said nothing, maybe they’d go away. Maybe they’d get bored.But I wasn’t that lucky.Kicking the cubicle door, one of them made a loud bang. I jumped.“You deaf, whore?” another one hissed. “Open the damn door.”I hesitated. And if I took too long, they’d barge in. They had no boundaries.“Last warning.”I squeezed my eyes shut one moment, released a breath, then felt for the lock. As soon as I slid it open, the door flew inward, almost smacking me in the face. Before I even had a chance to react, a fist grabbed a handful of my hair and pulled me forward.A shrill scream tore out of