Lilah's POV :“She did this?” he asked, his voice deceptively soft, yet carrying a dangerous edge that sent a shiver down my spine.I nodded, my voice barely a whisper. “It’s nothing, really. Lucy took care of it.”His thumb brushed close to the scratch, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw something that resembled concern flicker in his cold gray eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the steel mask I had come to associate with him.Ivan straightened, his imposing frame towering over me. “Mia will pay for this,” he said flatly, as though he were discussing a mundane business matter rather than a woman’s fury.I swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond. Part of me wanted to demand an explanation—why he allowed someone like Mia to stay in his orbit, why I was even here in the first place—but the words refused to come out. His presence was suffocating, an invisible force that silenced me.“Stand up,” he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.I hesi
Lilah’s POV :The moon hangs low in the sky, its silver glow spilling through the sheer curtains of the room. My heart races as I sit on the edge of the bed, my hands fidgeting in my lap. The air feels heavy, almost suffocating, with unspoken tension. Ivan stands by the window, his tall frame illuminated by the dim light. He’s shirtless, his muscular back taut with restrained energy, and I can’t tear my eyes away.“Why do you always make things so difficult, Lilah?” His voice is low, rough, and carries a weight that presses against my chest.“I’m not the one keeping secrets,” I shoot back, though my voice trembles.He turns to face me, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine, and in that moment, the room seems to shrink. His gaze is unreadable, a mix of frustration, longing, and something darker that makes my skin prickle.“You think you know everything, but you don’t,” he says, stepping closer. “You have no idea what I’ve been through, what I’ve sacrificed.”“Then tell me,” I whispe
Lilah’s POV : The morning started with a mission: convincing Ivan Volkov, of all people, to let us leave the house. It had been days since Lucy and I had stepped outside, and the need to breathe fresh air and feel sunlight on my skin was overwhelming. Ivan, however, was a fortress of resistance. “You don’t need to go anywhere,” he said coolly, sipping his coffee at the breakfast table. “Ivan,” I argued, crossing my arms. “You can’t keep us locked up forever. We need normalcy. A simple shopping trip won’t kill anyone.” He raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “It might, considering who we are.” Lucy chimed in, batting her lashes dramatically. “Oh, come on, Mr. Big Bad Mafia Boss. Don’t you want to see us happy? What’s a little retail therapy compared to the joy of seeing us smile?” Ivan stared at her like she’d grown another head, but I caught the tiniest twitch at the corner of his mouth. Damien and Andrey, standing nearby, exchanged amused glances. Maxi, always the cheerful one, join
Lilah’s POV :The hallway stretches endlessly ahead, dimly lit and eerily quiet except for the faint sound of my heels clicking against the polished floor. My heart feels lighter after talking to Lucy; her unwavering optimism has a way of grounding me. For the first time in days, I almost feel normal. Almost.But as I near Ivan’s bedroom, a soft, muffled sound reaches my ears. Laughter—low, sultry, and distinctly feminine. My steps falter. Mia.I shake my head, trying to dismiss the sinking feeling in my stomach. Maybe she’s just talking to him. Ivan wouldn’t... would he?With hesitant steps, I approach the slightly ajar door. The flicker of warm light spills out, illuminating the cold hallway in hues of amber. My breath hitches as I peek inside, and the sight hits me like a sledgehammer to the chest.There they are—Mia and Ivan—entangled in an intimate embrace. Her perfectly manicured fingers are tangled in his dark hair, and her lips press against his with a hunger that makes me fee
Lilah's POV :I couldn't bring myself to look back at Ivan. His voice, that deep, commanding tone, sliced through the air, but I refused to acknowledge him. My feet moved quickly, carrying me away from him, away from the suffocating feeling that had begun to wrap around my chest the moment I’d met his eyes. I didn’t want to see him, didn’t want to hear his voice, didn’t want anything to do with him right now. The weight of his gaze still lingered, like a mark I couldn’t wash off.Lucy, always tuned into my moods, must’ve sensed it. She moved in step with me, her usual teasing smile replaced by a softer look. “Ignore him,” she whispered, though her tone was more of an understanding than an order. “You don’t owe him anything.”I exhaled, grateful for her presence. But my heart was a storm that I couldn’t escape, no matter how far I walked. Every step away from him felt like a battle, a slow pull toward some strange, uncharted space where I could try to forget him—if only for a few hours
Ivan’s POV: (Past)The night is dark, the air thick with tension as Mia storms into my office, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floors. Her face is twisted with anger, the flush of fury painting her cheeks a bright red. She’s upset—no, more than upset. She’s furious.“Mia,” I begin, my voice flat, a warning in it, but she doesn’t seem to care. She’s already too far gone, too deep in her own rage to hear reason.“You’re a fucking bastard, Ivan!” she spits out, her eyes flashing with fire. “You make me look like a fool!”I stand from behind my desk, the chair scraping loudly against the floor, and look at her. She’s trembling, her hands shaking as she throws a stack of papers off the desk in a burst of anger. I don’t react—don’t flinch. I’ve seen her like this before, and I know exactly where this is going.“You think I don’t know what’s been going on?” Her voice rises, filling the room, but I’m already tired of hearing it. I don’t want to listen to her accusations, to her
Lilah's POV :The morning starts like any other in Ivan Volkov’s world—calculated and efficient. But for me, Lilah Daniels, it feels anything but ordinary. Sitting in the lavish living room of Ivan’s penthouse, my fingers toy with the edge of my coffee mug, nervously glancing at Ivan. He leans back in his chair with that maddeningly calm expression, scrolling through his phone like a man with all the time in the world.“So,” I finally ask, my curiosity getting the better of me, “why did you call everyone over this early?”He glances up at me, his piercing gaze making my breath hitch. “Pack your bags. We’re leaving for Egypt tonight.”The words hang in the air like a thunderclap. Egypt? The idea feels surreal. It takes me a moment to register the excited chatter of our friends—Lucy and Maxime—who are just as taken aback by Ivan’s sudden announcement.“Wait, wait,” Lucy exclaims, “you’re serious? Egypt? Like, pyramids and camels and—oh my God!”Ivan’s lips twitch into a faint smirk. “Ye
Lilah's POV :The golden sun hovered low on the horizon, casting a fiery reflection across the Nile’s rippling surface. I leaned against the railing of the boat, letting the gentle breeze caress my skin and carry with it the earthy scent of the river. My fingers trailed lazily through the air, tracing invisible patterns as the tranquility of the moment wrapped around me like a warm embrace. It was a picture of serenity—palm trees swayed gracefully along the shoreline, distant minarets pierced the crimson sky, and the silhouettes of camels moved in slow, deliberate strides across the golden dunes. Yet, the calm outside couldn’t quiet the storm inside me.Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Ivan standing a few steps away, his tall, imposing figure softened by the amber glow of the setting sun. His profile was sharp, his ocean-blue eyes fixed on the horizon with an intensity that belied the peaceful scene. There was something unnervingly beautiful about the way he stood th
Lilah's POV :The next morning dawns cold and gray, the sky heavy with the threat of rain. I stare at the ceiling, trying to ignore the gnawing unease lodged in my chest. The events of last night replay in my mind, each detail sharp and unrelenting.I roll out of bed with a groan, determined not to let my nerves get the better of me. I have work today, and Linda is counting on me.By the time I leave the apartment, the streets are alive with the bustle of village life. The familiar chatter of vendors and the scent of freshly baked bread fill the air, grounding me in the present.Still, as I weave through the market toward Linda’s bakery, I can’t help but glance over my shoulder every few steps.---Work starts as it always does, with Linda greeting me warmly and handing me a cup of tea.“Morning, Lilah,” she says, her voice cheerful despite the gloomy weather.“Morning,” I reply, managing a small smile.We fall into our usual routine, and for a while, the steady rhythm of baking sooth
Lilah's POV :I wake up to the first slivers of dawn creeping through the curtains. The quiet hum of the village surrounds me, and for a moment, I let the peace of it settle over my restless heart. It’s strange, living somewhere so far removed from the chaos of my past. But no matter how much I try, I can’t seem to leave the shadows behind.I slip out of bed, careful not to wake Lucy or Robert. The last thing I want is another argument about how I shouldn’t be working. They mean well, but I can’t keep relying on them. I need to pull my weight.The walk to the bakery is quiet, the cobblestone streets damp with morning dew. As I step into Linda’s shop, the warmth of freshly baked bread envelops me.“Good morning, Lilah,” Linda greets me with her usual smile, handing me a cup of tea.“Morning,” I reply, already tying on my apron.Linda has been nothing but kind since I started working here. She’s patient when I fumble a recipe, quick to praise when I get something right. I’m learning mor
Lilah's POV : Lilah woke up early, the faint sunlight filtering through the thin curtains of their small rented apartment. The quiet hum of village life outside the window felt worlds away from the chaos she’d fled. She shook off the lingering remnants of her restless night, determined to make today productive. She’d been staying here with Robert and Lucy for weeks now, grateful for their support but restless with the feeling of being a burden. Her search for work had been disheartening—every shop and stall in the village market either didn’t need help or couldn’t afford to hire anyone new. But today, she was determined to try again. Pulling on her worn coat and tying her hair back, Lilah grabbed her small purse and slipped out the door, leaving Lucy and Robert to their morning routines. The market was bustling by the time she arrived, the aroma of fresh produce, baked goods, and spices mingling in the crisp morning air. She wandered past the stalls, scanning for any signs of
Lilah's POV :The next morning, the air in the apartment feels heavier, as if the walls themselves are closing in. I barely sleep, tossing and turning until the first rays of dawn seep through the curtains. The note lies on the nightstand, its message burning into my mind.You can’t hide forever.The words feel like a noose around my neck.By the time Robert comes home from the bakery, I’ve managed to convince myself to stay calm. He sets a box of leftover pastries on the counter and eyes me suspiciously.“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he says, brushing flour from his hands.I force a smile. “Just a rough night.”“Rough how?”“It’s nothing, Robert. Drop it,” I snap, sharper than I intended.He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t push further. Instead, he grabs a cup of coffee and retreats to his room, leaving me alone in the kitchen.Lucy stumbles in later, her shift at the bar clearly taking its toll. She flops onto the couch with a groan, her red hair sticking out in all directions.
Lilah's POV :The streets seem quieter than usual, but maybe that’s just me. Every step I take feels heavier, as if the weight of someone else’s gaze is pinned to my back. I glance over my shoulder again, my heart skipping a beat, but the sidewalk behind me is empty. Just a woman walking her dog, a cyclist pedaling lazily, and the occasional honk of a car. Normal. Too normal.I pull my coat tighter, the brisk December air biting through the fabric. My doctor said I was fine, perfectly healthy, yet I feel anything but. Maybe it's the lack of sleep or the constant ache in my chest that has nothing to do with my health and everything to do with him—Ivan.He doesn’t want me. Worse, he probably wants me dead. I remind myself of this every time my thoughts drift to the way his voice dipped when he was angry or the rare moments when his icy exterior thawed. Foolish. There’s no going back, no undoing what’s already been done.I shake the thoughts away and focus on the walk home. Robert and Lu
Lilah’s POV :The village was small, nestled in the lush countryside of southern France. Rolling hills stretched out as far as the eye could see, dotted with vineyards, olive trees, and cottages that seemed untouched by time. It was picturesque, serene—everything we needed after the chaos we’d escaped. But no matter how beautiful it was, I couldn’t shake the heaviness that lingered in my chest.Robert had found the village through a contact of his, someone who knew how to keep secrets. The house he rented for us was small but cozy, with pale stone walls and a thatched roof. It sat at the edge of the village, overlooking a field of sunflowers that swayed gently in the breeze. For most people, this would be paradise. For me, it was a hiding place.Lucy and Robert were already settling in, unloading the few belongings we had from the car. I stood in the doorway, staring out at the quiet street, my hand resting on my stomach. The thought of the life growing inside me still felt surreal, l
Lilah’s POVThe night was dark, the only sounds around us the soft rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of the woods. Lucy and I moved swiftly through the trees, our breaths shallow, hearts pounding in our chests. Robert had made the call earlier, securing tickets for a flight to France, away from everything. Away from Ivan and the terror that had crept into our lives.I glanced over at Lucy, her face pale in the moonlight, eyes wide with fear. “You really think this is the best idea?” I whispered, the words heavy on my lips.Lucy nodded, her voice low and determined. “It’s the only way, Lilah. We can’t stay here. Not with him still looking for us.”I bit my lip, glancing back at the small cabin we’d called home for the past few weeks. It felt like we were abandoning it, running away like criminals in the dead of night. But there was no other choice. Not if we wanted to survive.Robert had arranged everything, a taxi waiting for us at the edge of the woods. We hurried toward it, th
Lilah’s POV :The days that followed were like a haze, a never-ending cycle of fear and uncertainty. Lucy and I had found a tiny, isolated cabin deep in the woods, a place where we could hide and regroup. But even here, the weight of what we’d escaped from lingered heavy in the air.I avoided Ivan’s calls and texts, turning away from the messages that popped up on my phone, pretending I didn’t see them. It was a survival tactic, a way to protect myself from the pain of knowing he was out there, hunting us. Every time his name flashed on the screen, my heart clenched, a sharp, agonizing twist of emotion that I couldn’t bear to confront.The truth was, I was scared of him. Not just scared—terrified. Terrified of what he’d do if he found us, of what he’d become if he ever caught up with us. And more than that, I was terrified of the darkness that seemed to swirl around him, a darkness that had already claimed my brother and threatened to take everything from me.Lucy tried to comfort me,
Lilah’s POV :The air felt heavy with unspoken words as Ivan stood there, his intense blue eyes fixed on mine. I could feel the weight of his gaze, the lingering intensity of his presence. The silence stretched out between us, thick with memories and unshed tears.I tightened my grip on Lucy’s hand, finding strength in the warmth of her touch. She stood beside me, her expression a mixture of fear and determination. “Lilah, we should go,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “He’s dangerous.”I shook my head, my throat suddenly tight with emotion. “I can’t run forever, Lucy. I can’t hide from him forever.”Ivan’s expression darkened, a muscle twitching in his jaw. “You shouldn’t have left,” he said, his voice low and rough. “You should have trusted me.”“Trusted you?” I spat, the bitterness in my voice surprising even me. “You were going to kill me, Ivan. Just like you killed my brother.”His face paled, the flash of pain in his eyes only fueling my anger. “Robert was a liability,”