Michael leaned forward to kiss her forehead before pulling her into another hug. "Lincoln is struggling without you. He's been seeing a psychiatrist due to his parents persistent and concern for health."The hair on Scarlet's head stood on end as she looked at his face for confirmation.He nodded solemnly. "You don't know how much he's suffered since you left. His condition is deteriorating. The doctors have warned his parents he might even... hurt himself."Lincoln!Scarlet gasped.The fear of facing him had driven her to her extreme actions, and now it was what kept her tied to her lie.But learning of his despair, she realized the extent of her selfishness. Even though she loved him truly, she feared him too.There would be no one else besides Lincoln in her life. The will to return for him, her mother, and her brother was what kept her going all these months.As for the devil responsible for shattering her dreams, she would do whatever it took to get rid of him from her life.Tear
Scarlet’s stomach churned the moment Michael mentioned their father had moved back into the mansion.It wasn’t fear. No, she’d burned through her fear of that man long ago. What churned inside her now was pure, undiluted hatred.Not a single part of her cared about his wellbeing. Not his health, not his life—nothing. The mere thought of him being in the same space as her made her jaw tighten.Her hands curled into fists on her lap. “I swear to God, if he tries to touch me…” Her voice was low, venomous, muttered like a warning to herself.She didn’t finish the sentence. She didn’t need to. The thought alone was enough to make her blood boil. She’d rather disappear into thin air than let him so much as glance at her again. After all, he was the one who had destroyed her life.The car slowed as it passed through the mansion’s towering gates. Scarlet glanced out the window, her eyes scanning the familiar grounds. The sprawling gardens, the stone pathways, the grand house… it all looked th
Both mother and daughter clung to each other, their sobs filling the room.Scarlet felt like her chest might burst from the intensity of it all. For the first time in what felt like forever, she let herself sink into her mother’s embrace, into the warmth she thought she’d lost forever.Her face pressed into her mother’s shoulder, and she breathed in that familiar scent—soft and floral, the smell of home, of safety, of unconditional love. It was the same perfume her mom had always worn, and the familiarity of it made her cry harder.Mrs. Wovers eventually pulled back just far enough to take in Scarlet’s face.Her hands cupped Scarlet’s cheeks, trembling as though she couldn’t believe this was real. Then, she began pressing frantic kisses all over her daughter’s face—her forehead, her cheeks, her closed eyes, the tip of her nose. She even gave a quick peck on Scarlet’s lips, just like she usually did when Scarlet was a little girl.“My baby,” she whispered between kisses. “My sweet, bea
A heavy sense of danger surrounded a sleek black car, followed closely by two similar vehicles until they stopped in front of the grand gates of a tall skyscraper.Big men in sharp black suits got out of the other cars and lined up behind the lead vehicle like soldiers.The driver rushed to open the back door for the man inside.First, a pair of long legs stepped out, wearing shoes so shiny they reflected the city around them. Then, a tall man emerged, dressed in a suit that looked like it was made from gold threadsHis hair was jet black and perfectly styled, though a few rebellious strands fell across his forehead.His eyes were a steely gray, sharp and intense, with brows that arched dramatically against his skin.He smoothed out his suit as he walked towards the building entrance.A slight smirk appeared on his lips—hardly noticeable but definitely there."Good morning, sir!" His employees greeted him in unison, bowing their heads respectfully.Some of them were barely able to stan
Dane lingered by the window, his gaze lost in the cityscape below like a silent predator surveying his territory.His eyes held an icy detachment when he finally turned away from the view, making his way toward the exit of his corporate fortress.His guards stood alert before the door, their bodies tensed at his approach. Even after years of service and familiarity, they could never shake off the aura of intimidation that clung to Dane like a second skin."Report!" he commanded, his voice cold and unyielding as winter frost.He didn't need to ask; it was merely a formality."We have him, sir," came the steady reply from Chris, his right-hand man.Dane acknowledged with a curt nod before sweeping past them without another word.His face was an unreadable mask as he stepped into the elevator with an air of impending doom hanging heavily around him.The doors closed behind him and he descended into the bowels of his empire accompanied by a select few of his loyal soldiers.Outside, Chris
Joey was adorned in a red bondage bikini with a garter belt that barely concealed her curves as she perched provocatively on the edge of the plush bed.Her makeup was a work of art, with smoky eyes and audacious matte red lipstick that demanded attention.Her hair was artfully tousled into an updo that exuded a sense of wild abandon.Draped around her neck was an extravagantly expensive choker necklace, adding an air of luxury to her ensemble.Her feet were accentuated with black stilettos, their red soles hinting at a daring persona.As Dane entered the room, Joey rose from her seated position.Her eyes glinted with desire yet held a trace of apprehension as they roamed over his well-defined chest muscles.A surge of fear prickled through her when she met his gaze that brewed with a stormy sea of anger and malice.Her breath hitched in anticipation as Dane prowled towards her, his lips curling into an ominous smirk."Sir—" Joey's voice wavered, breaking off into a gasp when Dane unex
Scarlet's eyes fluttered open as the first rays of dawn peeked through her window.She let out a big yawn and stretched her arms over her head, squinting at the clock across the room. It was seven o'clock - an early start to another bustling day at the hospital where she worked as a doctor.Her fingers rubbed at the sleep in her eyes before she pushed back the plush duvet and rose from her bed with a languid stretch.After luxuriating under the steamy cascade of water, letting it unknot the knots of stress in her shoulders, she stepped out and toweled off.She got dressed for work and stepped out into the hallway. Her older brother Michael's room was right across from hers.Scarlet stopped outside his door, wondering if he was home and awake as well before rapping lightly on the polished wood surface with her knuckles."Come in!" came his muffled reply from within.A soft smile graced Scarlet's lips as she nudged the door open and stepped inside the very masculine yet luxurious bedroo
~Dane Creighton's Mansion~Mrs. Creighton sat elegantly on the velvet chaise lounge, her slender fingers delicately turning the pages of a leather-bound book.The lenses of her tortoiseshell reading glasses reflected the plush living room bathed in a warm glow as she lost herself in the story's world.The tranquil atmosphere was suddenly shattered by the sound of muffled sobs approaching.Mrs. Creighton peered over her glasses just as a young maid burst through the door, her uniform clinging to her trembling frame.Tears streamed down the girl's flushed cheeks as she hiccuped between ragged breaths."Clara, dear, what's the matter?" Mrs. Creighton set her book aside, maternal concern etching her brow.The maid, Clara, could barely form a coherent sentence through her hysterics. "M-Madam...the young master...he..." She dissolved into a fresh wave of sobs.Mrs. Creighton's expression hardened as realization dawned. This wasn't the first time her son had terrorized the staff.She rose gra
Both mother and daughter clung to each other, their sobs filling the room.Scarlet felt like her chest might burst from the intensity of it all. For the first time in what felt like forever, she let herself sink into her mother’s embrace, into the warmth she thought she’d lost forever.Her face pressed into her mother’s shoulder, and she breathed in that familiar scent—soft and floral, the smell of home, of safety, of unconditional love. It was the same perfume her mom had always worn, and the familiarity of it made her cry harder.Mrs. Wovers eventually pulled back just far enough to take in Scarlet’s face.Her hands cupped Scarlet’s cheeks, trembling as though she couldn’t believe this was real. Then, she began pressing frantic kisses all over her daughter’s face—her forehead, her cheeks, her closed eyes, the tip of her nose. She even gave a quick peck on Scarlet’s lips, just like she usually did when Scarlet was a little girl.“My baby,” she whispered between kisses. “My sweet, bea
Scarlet’s stomach churned the moment Michael mentioned their father had moved back into the mansion.It wasn’t fear. No, she’d burned through her fear of that man long ago. What churned inside her now was pure, undiluted hatred.Not a single part of her cared about his wellbeing. Not his health, not his life—nothing. The mere thought of him being in the same space as her made her jaw tighten.Her hands curled into fists on her lap. “I swear to God, if he tries to touch me…” Her voice was low, venomous, muttered like a warning to herself.She didn’t finish the sentence. She didn’t need to. The thought alone was enough to make her blood boil. She’d rather disappear into thin air than let him so much as glance at her again. After all, he was the one who had destroyed her life.The car slowed as it passed through the mansion’s towering gates. Scarlet glanced out the window, her eyes scanning the familiar grounds. The sprawling gardens, the stone pathways, the grand house… it all looked th
Michael leaned forward to kiss her forehead before pulling her into another hug. "Lincoln is struggling without you. He's been seeing a psychiatrist due to his parents persistent and concern for health."The hair on Scarlet's head stood on end as she looked at his face for confirmation.He nodded solemnly. "You don't know how much he's suffered since you left. His condition is deteriorating. The doctors have warned his parents he might even... hurt himself."Lincoln!Scarlet gasped.The fear of facing him had driven her to her extreme actions, and now it was what kept her tied to her lie.But learning of his despair, she realized the extent of her selfishness. Even though she loved him truly, she feared him too.There would be no one else besides Lincoln in her life. The will to return for him, her mother, and her brother was what kept her going all these months.As for the devil responsible for shattering her dreams, she would do whatever it took to get rid of him from her life.Tear
Scarlet felt the weight of immense shame pressing down on her.She averted her gaze from her brother's intense stare, unable to meet the internal fire that burned relentlessly in his eyes.Tears flowed freely down her cheeks in a torrent unlike anything she'd ever experienced before.She drew in a shuddering breath, steeling herself to finally confide in him about the depths of agony she'd endured during her time living alone in a constant state of distress and fear."The fact that I became his...his whore, it shattered me, Michael," she confessed in a broken whisper. "I never should have been tainted by that indelible stain, that filth. You can't possibly understand the weight of shame and disgust that oppressed me, that shook me to my very core."Her voice took on a haunted edge as she pressed onward. "I lived in constant terror that Lincoln would somehow find out, would start to question my purity. And that's a doubt any man in his position would be justified in having, isn't it?"
Scarlet's face contorted in agony as she tried to locate the source of the throbbing ache pounding through her skull. Her eyelids fluttered open gradually, squinting against the harsh light assaulting her senses."Scarlet."She turned her head slowly at the sound of her old name spoken in a deep, achingly familiar voice - one she'd feared she might never hear again. Tears immediately welled up in her eyes as she drank in the sight of Michael hovering over her bedside, his expression a mix of raw hope and guarded restraint.Seeing him there, alive and whole, felt beyond her wildest dreams. But the new persona she'd crafted for herself, this "Hanna" she'd become, was utterly unprepared for the onslaught of emotions his presence stirred up. Lying to him seemed like a terrible thing to do...but maybe it was for the best, at least for now."Who...who are you?" she rasped out, her voice little more than a tremulous whisper as she fought to keep it steady.The look of stunned disbelief that
Dane remained atop the mall building, his sharp gaze fixed on the suspicious events unfolding below. As is customary, Chris stood slightly behind him to his right while a couple of hulking bodyguards stood some distance away from them."Isn't that...?" Dane trailed off with a slight frown creasing his.Chris nodded. "Yes, sir."Dane hummed thoughtfully. "I'm curious about the identity of this female he happened to run into, and then abruptly left with such urgency."Chris gave another solemn nod, his gaze lowered deferentially. "Got it, sir."After a few more tense moments watching the drama play out, Dane turned on his heel and strode away, his entourage falling into step behind him.He climbed into the backseat of his Bentley while Chris took the front passenger seat, and they peeled away from the mall.As the city scenery flashed by outside the tinted windows, Dane couldn't shake the unsettling feeling of nostalgia the glimpse of that girl with the short black hair had stirred with
Hanna jerked violently in Jean's arms at the sound of the familiar booming voice, her body going rigid with terror.If Jean hadn't been holding her so tightly, she would've crumpled bonelessly to the floor. As it was, he collapsed back with her dead weight still clutched firmly against his shoulder, struggling to keep them both upright."No, no, no, don't let him take me," Hanna rasped out desperately, her voice little more than a ragged whisper of panic.Her eyes were wide and wild, darting around like a cornered animal searching for an escape route."Calm down, Hanna. Nobody is going to take you away, I promise," Jean murmured, trying to soothe her with a gentle tone even as his own heart hammered with anxious confusion.He glanced around and noticed his mother and sister standing just a few feet away, completely oblivious to the drama unfolding right under their noses.His chin quivered with the effort of holding the trembling girl against him, but in the end, he couldn't stop the
~END OF FLASHBACK~The family of three plus Hanna made themselves comfy in Jean's modest sedan, then hit the road towards the big city. Jean had some chill tunes playing, setting a relaxed vibe in the car while Hanna gazed out the windows, watching the fields and countryside roll by. It had been a while since she'd seen streetlights.Unaware that for some, daily concerns were more about having their basic needs met and feeling secure in their homes rather than money or hatred, Hanna pondered the simple, kindhearted love this family seemed to share.She snuck a sideways glance at Flora, whose face was alight with awe and wonder at the bustling cityscape coming into view. In that moment, Hanna was struck by the wide-eyed innocence of a child raised amidst the fields.Mrs. Kemron had tagged along too, and she seemed just as gobsmacked by the city's modern visuals - the towering skyscrapers with their massive ad screens, the brightly lit buildings. Even though they'd seen it all before, t
Flora was not pleased by the overly chipper tone the girl used. "I pray I live long enough to see you smile for once," she pouted, jutting out her lower lip. "Now up. We're all going out and about after breakfast. You, me, and Jean."Hanna sat up with a start, the sheets pooling around her waist. "Go to the city with you guys? Why?""Jean needs some machines for his business and decided to bring us along," Flora explained, rolling her eyes. "So come with us and have fun, forget about the past for once...even if you can't actually remember it."Hanna reluctantly swung her legs over the side of the bed, nervously rubbing the back of her neck. "I appreciate you know I can't recall my past," she began, pulling out a simple summer dress from her wooden closet and turning back to Flora. "But you guys go ahead and have fun. I don't really want to go into town."A long, dramatic groan escaped Flora's lips. "But Jean wants to take us! He's doing this for you, Hanna. He wants you to be happy!"