Olivia’s heart raced in the quiet stillness of the villa. Victor’s parting words echoes in her heart, "To see you." It was the claim and a warning, a threat wrapped in the illusion of intimacy.She sat up in her bed, her fists grasping the sheets. Each interaction with Victor seemed to strip away the darkness. But tonight, something had shifted. He had let her out of the house, let her see outside. Yet every step closer to understanding him seemed to drag her further into his web of control.The morning sunlight comes through windows, but Olivia hadn’t slept all night, thinking about it. What deal? And why did Alexander look at me like I was included in it?Victor was nowhere when she stepped into the dining room. She decided to take advantage of his absence.“Excuse me,” Olivia said, her voice was calm as she addressed one of the maids. “Can you tell me where Mr. Victor is?”The maid hesitated; her eyes had something that looked like fear. “Mr. Victor is handling some business in his
Victor’s grip on Olivia’s arm was tight as he took her down the staircase. The air grew cooler as going down, the scent of stones was filling her senses. Her heart was beating hard. Whatever lay below this secret door felt like the key to everything that Victor had kept locked away.“Victor,” Olivia said with a voice shaky, “you don’t have to do this. Just tell me what’s going on.”He didn’t reply. She tried to resist, planting her feet on the steps, but he tightened his grip more, pulling her along.“You wanted to know,” he said. “You’ll get them. But don’t expect to like what you find.”The staircase ended, opening into a dark room. Olivia blinked as her eyes adjusted to see the room. The space was unlike anything she had seen in the villa, stone walls lined with shelves holding documents and strange artifacts. A large table was in the center filled with maps and photographs.But it wasn’t the room that get her attention. It was the man standing at the far end, his back to them.“Al
Olivia stood froze, her mind was spinning as she stared at Alam’s tall figure. There was something familiar about him, in the sharpness of his eyes.“Protection, Alexander?” Alam scoff. “Don’t make me laugh. You can barely protect yourself.” Alexander’s jaw tightens, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he shifted to Olivia, a silent warning in his eyes.Alam wasn’t just another of Victor’s man, he was someone who held power. “You’ve got some nerve,” she said, her voice calm despite her pounding heart. “Coming in here and acting like you own me.”Alam raised an eyebrow, totally amused “Own you? No. But you belong to Victor, and by it, you answer to me.” The words hit her like a slap. She bit her lip, refusing to let her fear show. “I don’t belong to anyone.”Alam chuckled darkly. “That’s where you are wrong, sweetheart. You were taken away before you were even born.”Alexander moved stepping closer to Olivia as if to shield her. “That’s enough, Alam. She doesn’t need to know everything.” A
The sharp and metallic sounds of the enforcers’ boots on the floor brought Olivia back to the present. The smoke lingered faintly in the air, a reminder of the stranger’s sudden appearance and quicker disappearance.“Speak!” one of Victor’s men growled. “What happened here?”Olivia clenched her fists. The truth burned her tongue, but she knew the consequences of speaking too freely.Alexander, still catching his breath, stepped forward. His voice was steady, but his expression betrayed his unease. “The intruder was after me. They used her to get to me.”The man saw, suspicion evident in his eyes. “And you let them escape?”Alexander’s jaw tightens. “They were faster and more skilled. If I hadn’t been here, Olivia might’ve been taken.”The enforcer’s eyes shifted to Olivia, cold. “Victor won’t like hearing about this.”The mention of Victor’s name made Olivia’s heartbeat fasten. She glanced at Alexander; his light nod reassured her that he had a plan.“We’ll report this directly to him,
The forest was a maze, its dense area covering Olivia in total darkness. Her steps were heavy as she goes deeper into the woods, the echo of gunfire was still ringing in her ears.She didn’t slow down. Every rustle of leaves feels like Victor’s men closing in on her. Her heart pounded hardly in her chest, and her breath came in small gasps, but she still goes on. Freedom was close, yet still terrifying.After what feels like hours, Olivia collapsed against a tree, her legs shaking and her lungs were burning. She grabbed her chest, trying to calm the storm circulating within her.The stranger’s face flashed in her mind, those piercing eyes, the calm posture as they faced down Victor’s men alone.“Why did you do it?” she whispered into the darkness, tears coming down her cheeks. “Why?”But a low growl broke the silence, and Olivia froze. Her eyes looked around, searching for the source of the sound. The forest suddenly feels alive with unseen threats, each shadow feels like a potential
The world seemed to fade around as Olivia’s body was falling through the air. The wind past her ears, sinking out her scream, and the sharp rocks below grew closer with every passing second. Her heart raced with panic, her thoughts was fill with fear and regret.Just as she braced for the situation, a strong hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. The shaking halt sent a sharp pain through her arm, but it was lifesaving.“Got you!” the stranger groaned, their muscles straining as they held her hanging body.Olivia looked up, her wide eyes locking onto the stranger’s. Their face was tense with effort, drops of sweat glowing in the moonlight.“Don’t let go!” she plea, tears running down her cheeks.“I won’t,” they said clenching their teeth.With a determined sound, the stranger pulled her up, inch by inch, until she was back on the cliff. Olivia clung to the rock; her body was shaking from the nearly-death experience.For a moment, neither of them spokes. “Are you okay?” the stranger fina
Olivia’s breathing was coming in shallow gasps. She crept closer to the cave’s entrance, her were shaking.“Please,” she whispered, clinging to the stranger’s promise. “Please come back.”The light sound of footsteps reached her ears, breaking the silence. A man comes out from the shadows. For a moment, relief passed over her as she recognized the stranger’s face.But the relief was short. Blood stained their shirt, the dark blood spreading across the fabric.“You’re hurt!” Olivia said, rushing toward them. The stranger jaw clenched in pain. “I’m fine.”“No, you’re not,” she argued, her hands moved uncertainly over their wound. “Let me help.”“There’s no time,” they said sharply while glancing towards the forest. “They’re regrouping. We should move.”Olivia hesitated with concern towards them. “You’re bleeding…”“I said I’m fine!” the stranger raised their voice, harsher than intended.The anger in their voice startled her into silence, but the glimpse of guilt in their eyes softens th
The narrow entrance became a block point. Olivia hides behind the stranger, her heart pounding so hardly. The stranger steadies their breathing, every muscle stiff as they gripped the bloody handle of the knife.“Don’t move,” they whispered, their voice was low.Olivia nodded, she wanted to run. But there was nowhere to go.The first man entered; his gun raised as his eyes goes over to the spot, but he didn’t find them immediately. The stranger waited, their breathing hard despite the pain coming from their side. When the man took another step inside, their movements became quiet.Suddenly, the stranger attacked, their knife digging into the man’s side before he could react. A loud cry echoed through the forest as the man fell, his weapon falling to the ground.Before the stranger could recover, another man ran through the entrance, raising his rifle.“Behind you!” Olivia screamed, unable to hold back.The stranger turned just in time, quickly avoiding the aim of the rifle aimed at th
That night, Olivia was awake, her heart beating. The message had shaken her more than she wanted to admit. She trusted Victor, but the idea that someone was trying to drive a wedge between them was disgusting.Meanwhile, Victor sat in his study, his laptop open as he got through surveillance footage and reports. He was determined to find the source of the messages, but so far, the chance was cold.As the hours ticked by, Victor made a decision. Whoever was behind this was trying to create doubt and fear. He won’t let them succeed.The next morning, as Olivia prepared to leave for the gallery, she found an envelope on the front step. Her name was scrawled across it in elegant handwriting.She hesitated, then opened it. Inside was a single photograph.It was of Victor… standing outside a building she didn’t recognize, speaking to a woman she had never seen before.Olivia stared at the photograph in her hands, her heart pound
Victor guided Olivia back inside, his arm protectively wrapped around her waist. His mind was racing. Someone was playing dangerous, and he couldn’t risk letting them win.Once Ava was safely tucked in for the night and Olivia was preoccupied in her art studio, Victor made a discreet call to his head of security.“Whoever sent that message… they’re moving. I need a lockdown on all of our properties,” Victor ordered in a low and commanding voice. “Increase the security detail around Olivia and Ava. I don’t care what it costs.”“Understood, sir,” the voice replied.Victor’s jaw tightens as he hung up. He had built his empire by staying three steps ahead of everyone else, but now, with Olivia and Ava in his life, the risks were higher than ever.Meanwhile, in her studio, Olivia noticed that something was wrong. Victor had been distant. She tried to focus on her painting, the vibrant co
Olivia’s heart stopped as she stared at the text on her phone. Her hands shaking, and an icy chill crept through her body. She glanced over at Victor, who was peacefully asleep beside her. Should she wake him? Should she tell him immediately?Her instincts screamed yes, but a part of her hesitated. The picture of Ava was taken in broad daylight at the gallery…. surrounded by people, security, and her own watchful eyes. How had someone gotten that close without being noticed?The next morning, Olivia could barely sit still as Victor prepared for a day of meetings. He noticed her unease and touch her face gently, his eyes searching hers.“You’ve been quiet since last night. Is something bothering you?” he asked softly.Olivia bit her lip, debating whether to tell him. The memory of the message replays in her mind. She couldn’t keep it from him.“There’s something you need to see,” she said finall
The gallery was buzzing with excitement as the grand opening neared. Olivia stood near one of her featured pieces, a glass of champagne shaking slightly in her hand. The tension that had been building since the previous day was almost unbearable. She watched as guests milled about, admiring the art, oblivious to the storm rising inside her.Victor was across the room, effortlessly commanding attention as he greeted influential people. Dressed in a sharp black suit, he looked every bit the powerful businessman he was, but Olivia couldn’t shake the memory of Adrian’s suspicious interaction earlier.Her eyes went towards Adrian, who was busy directing staff. He acted as though nothing was amiss, but Olivia’s instincts screamed otherwise. She wants to know what was in that envelope.As the evening progressed, Adrian approached her with a warm smile. “Mrs. Victor, your pieces are stealing the show. The response has been amazing.”
The soft sound of the jet engine filled the air as Victor and Olivia sat side by side, route to Paris. Victor’s hand rested possessively on Olivia’s thigh, his thumb slowly tracing circles against the fabric of her dress. Ava slept soundly in the bassinet nearby, oblivious to the silent tension between her parents.Olivia couldn’t shake the voice on the phone. Who had called her? And why? She glanced at Victor; his sharp jawline set with focus as he flipped through a report. Could she truly share the strange warning she had received? Or would it unravel the delicate balance they had fought so hard to restore?“Are you all right?” Victor’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. His intense gaze pinned her in place, as though he could read her mind.“Yes,” she lied, managing a small smile. “Just a little nervous about the exhibition.”Victor leaned closer, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, &l
The early morning sunlight streamed through the bedroom curtains, casting soft patterns on the bed where Victor and Olivia lay. Olivia woke first, her eyes fluttering open. Her gaze landed on the invitation sitting on the nightstand…. an invitation that had sparked tension the moment Victor laid eyes on it.Victor was already awake, propped up against the headboard with Ava on his lap. He was reading her a story; his deep voice was soft but commanding. Olivia couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her husband, so gentle and fatherly, despite the storm she knew was rising beneath the surface.“Morning,” she said softly, sitting up and stretching.Victor glanced over, his sharp eyes immediately softening when they meet hers. “Good morning, love.”But the calm was short-lived. His eyes drifted to the invitation once again, and Olivia knew they had to address it.“Victor,” she started cautiously, &ldquo
Few Months Later:Olivia stood before the large canvas in her studio, her hands splashed with colors as she worked on her latest piece. The warm afternoon sun filters through the windows. She was utterly captivated in her work, the stress of the past weeks melting away with every stroke of the brush.Victor watched her from the doorway, his arms crossed as a small smile played on his lips. “You’re glowing,” he said, his deep voice pulling her from her trance.Startled, Olivia turned, her cheeks flushed at the way he looked at her. “I didn’t hear you come in.”Victor stepped closer, his eyes seeing her paint-splattered apron. “I didn’t want to interrupt. You look... happy.”“I am,” she admitted, setting down her brush. “The gallery has been so supportive. They’re even hosting an exhibit for me next month.”Victor’s pride was
Victor’s mind was heavy with unease. The unknown man spotted earlier by the lake had triggered his deeply instincts. His study, dimly lit by a single desk lamp, felt suffocating as he combed through reports from his security team. Whoever it was had left no trace, no evidence.“Sir,” his head of security, Richard, called softly from the door. “The team swept the area. We’ve increased the house surveillance and doubled the guards.”Victor nodded, but the assurance brought little comfort. “I need a full report on anyone who has been near the house in the past two weeks. Every contractor, every visitor. I don’t want a single detail overlooked.”Richard hesitated for a moment before adding, “We’ll get to the bottom of this, sir. But you should rest. Mrs. Olivia needs you, and so will the Ava.”Victor sighed and waved him off. Rest was a luxury he couldn’t afford. There was too much
The room was filled with the gentle cries of a newborn as Olivia lay on the hospital bed, her hair damp with sweat and tears flooding down her face. Victor stood beside her, his eyes wide with awe and emotion as he held their baby girl for the first time.“She’s cute,” Victor whispered, his voice trembling. He gently placed the baby in Olivia’s arms.Olivia eyes down at the tiny bundle, her heart swelling with love and relief. “Ava,” she murmured. “Our little Ava.”Victor leaned down, kissing Olivia’s forehead tenderly. “Thank you,” he said, his voice full with emotion. “For giving me this. For giving us this.”The days that followed were full of sleepless nights and quiet joy. Victor had never imagined himself as a father, but now, with Ava cradled in his arms, he couldn’t imagine life any other way.Olivia watched him with a soft smile as he gently rocked Ava to sleep. “You’re a natural,” she said, her voice filled with admiration.Victor chuckled softly. “I’ve handled boardrooms fu