Olivia sat on her bed, gripping Alexander’s card tightly in her hand. The small piece of paper feels like a lifeline, an invitation to freedom, or perhaps a tool to regain some control over her life. She knew that reaching out to him was risky. Victor was not the kind of man to forgive betrayal, and his anger was as dangerous as it was impulsive. But the thought of doing nothing, of staying in this cage, was even worse.
The encounter with Alexander had planted a seed of rebellion in her. She couldn’t help but wonder if he has a way out, a path to break free from Victor’s grasp. She knew she needed someone who could help her unlock the chains of her to this life.
Taking a deep breath, she dialed the number on the card and waited, her heart beat fastened as the phone rang. After a few moments, Alexander’s smooth and calm voice answered.
“Olivia,” he said, as if he’d been expecting her call. “I wasn’t sure if I could hear from you.”
She swallowed hard, steady her breathing. “I… I need help,” she replied, in a whisper. “Victor isn’t the man I thought he was. I feel like I’m trapped, and I don’t know who to trust.”
There was a pause on the other end, and then Alexander’s voice softens. “I understand more than you know. Victor has always been a man who demands full control, and anyone who tries to oppose him usually regrets it. But if you are serious about this, there may be a way.”
His words feel like hope to her, but also a wave of nervousness. She was entering into dangerous territory, but there was no turning back now. “I am serious,” she replied. “I can’t live like this anymore.”
“Very well,” Alexander said. “Meet me tomorrow at noon, at the café on Fourth Avenue. We will talk more there. And be careful of Victor.”
As the call ended, Olivia feels relief and fear in her chest. She was taking her first real step towards freedom, but she knew that if Victor discovered her plans, the consequences will be severe.
The next day, she went to the café, her heart was racing hard. She kept looking over her shoulder, half-expecting to see Victor’s men following her, but no one appeared. She walked into the café and spotted Alexander at a corner table, his expression was calm.
As she took a seat across him, he gave her a reassuring smile. “Thank you for trusting me, Olivia.”
She nodded; her hands were trembling slightly. “I don’t have much of a choice. Victor is… he’s dangerous, and I don’t know how much longer I can endure all of this.”
Alexander leaned forward. “I understand. But escaping him, won’t be easy. He has connections everywhere, and he won’t let you go without a fight.”
She bites her lip; his words were pressing hard on her. “So, what should I do?”
“We’ll have to be careful,” he replied. “Victor’s reach is far, but there are ways to work around it. I have people who can help and they are skilled at… evading attention. But this will require a careful planning.”
As Alexander outlined a plan, a sense of hope was building in Olivia. For the first time since her marriage to Victor, she could see the freedom on the horizon.
That evening, she returned to the house, trying to keep her expression normal, but her mind was busy with the possibilities Alexander had put. She knew she have to play her part perfectly, pretending to be the obedient and submissive wife that Victor expected.
When Victor arrived home, he seems unusually cheerful. He poured himself a drink and joined her in the living room, his eyes were warm.
“I have decided we need a change,” he announced, taking a sip of his drink. “A trip, just the two of us. I thought I might give us a chance to… reconnect.”
Olivia’s heart skipped a beat. A trip would complicate her plans with Alexander, but she forced a smile, nodding in agreement. “That sounds… lovely.”
Victor’s eyes go on her, with a suspicion in his eyes, as if he could sense her hesitation. But he didn’t say anything. He simply watched her with a possessive look that always made her feel like a prey under a predator’s eyes.
The following day, as they prepared for their trip, Olivia found a way to send a quick message to Alexander, informing him of the sudden change in plans. His response was immediate: “Stay calm. I’ll adjust the plan. Just keep me informed.”
They boarded a private jet bound for remote estate. Olivia felt her anxiety growing as they traveled, knowing that her every move was being watched. She was entering further into Victor’s territory, and if she made one wrong move, there would be no escape.
As they arrived at the estate, she was struck by the lavishness and isolation of the place. The mansion was surrounded by acres of forest, and the nearest town was miles away. She realized that Victor had chosen this location deliberately, making sure that she would be completely at his mercy.
The following days were of a delicate balancing act. Olivia played her role to perfection, smiling when Victor wanted her to, engaging in small talk, and pretending to be the obedient wife he expected. But beneath her calm nature, she was counting down the days, waiting for the perfect moment to put Alexander’s plan into action.
One evening, as they sit by the fire in the grand sitting room, Victor seemed unusually thoughtful. He looked at her.
“Do you ever wonder why I chose you, Olivia?” he asked, his voice was soft.
She meets his eyes, forcing herself to remain calm. “You have never told me.” She replied.
He leaned forward; his eyes were darkening. “I saw something in you the first time we met, like a fire and boldness. I knew you would be a challenge, and I liked that. But I can’t tolerate betrayal, Olivia. Not from anyone.”
His words were full of fear. She realized he was testing her, seeing for any sign of disloyalty. She refused to show any sign of fear. “I understand, Victor. I have learned my place.” He smiled, almost satisfied with her response, but she could feel, as if he were searching for cracks in her.
As the evening comes, Victor excused himself, leaving her alone in the sitting room. She took the opportunity to get away, heading to her room to send a quick message to Alexander. But as she opened her phone, she felt a heavy presence behind her.
Turning, she saw Victor standing in the doorway, his expression was cold and calculating.
“Who were you planning to message, Olivia?” he asked, his tone was calm.
Her heart raced as she struggles to come up with an excuse, but she knew she had been caught. The trap was set, and she had walked right into it.
To be continued…
Olivia’s breath stuck as she stared at Victor, his eyes were fixed on her with suspicion. The room feels smaller and darker, as if the walls were trapping her in this moment with no escape. She felt as though she was standing on the edge of the cliff, with Victor ready to push her if she made the slightest wrong move.She tries to calm herself, to think of an excuse that would soothe him, but the words wouldn’t come. Victor stepped closer into the room.“Well?” he prompted, his voice was smooth and gentle. “Who were you planning to contact?”Olivia swallowed hard, forcing herself to look into his eyes. She had to play it right; one slip could mean disaster. “It was just a friend,” she said, hoping her voice didn’t shake from fear. “I needed someone to talk to. You’ve been… keeping your distance lately, and I just… felt alone.”Victor tilt his head, studying her expression. For a brief moment, she thought her excuse might have worked. But then his expression changed again, and he took
Victor was seeing Olivia with a cold look, one that seems to strip away defenses of her that she had. He took a step closer; his eyes go on her phone before returning to her face. "Couldn't sleep?" he asked.Olivia grip tightened around her phone. "I needed some fresh air," she replied, hiding her fear in her voice. "The room felt… hot."Victor smile, but it held no warmth. "Interesting. I swear I heard you texting someone." He paused as he waited for her response.Olivia’s breath hitched, trying to come up with an explanation. "I was… just checking the time," she said, her voice was above a whisper. "I didn’t want to disturb you."He holds out his hand. "Let me see your phone."Her inner part panic, but she forced herself to stay calm. She couldn’t let him see the message she had sent to Alexander. Handing over her phone would be like signing her own death contract. She looked down, pretending to be hesitant, and finally said, "Victor, please… don’t you trust me?"He raised an eyebro
Victor's presence was like a shadow, it was like a cage tightening around her with every passing moment. She knew her window of escape was thinning, and now she had to take a risk. The question was how far she was willing to go.That night, as Victor slept, Olivia was sitting by the window, staring out. Her fingers curled around the edge of the window glass as she tried to steady her breathing.She replayed Victor’s frightening words in her mind. "I won’t let her go. Not now… And never." This promise was suffocating her. It wasn’t just possessiveness; it has turned into obsession; a dangerous force that left her with no choice but to act.The next morning, Victor’s mood was cheerful. “I have a surprise for you,” Victor said as they were doing breakfast. His voice was casual, but Olivia could sense the hint of control. “We are going for hiking. It’ll be also good for you to get some fresh air…and enjoyment.”Olivia’s heart pounded. A hike means being alone with him in the wilderness,
Victor’s grip on Olivia’s wrist was firm but not painful, yet it carried the weight of his words and a promise with a warning. Olivia hesitantly looked at him, her mind thinking of some excuses.He pulled her closer, his tall figure cast a shadow over her small body. "I’m curious," Victor began. "What exactly you were planning to do with this?" He held up the knife as he took out from her pocket.Olivia’s throat went dry. Her silence amused him and his lips curved into a dark smile."Let me guess," he continued, touching the blade between his fingers. "You thought you could sneak out, maybe hurt me if I got in your way, and then… what? Run through the forest in the middle of the night? Do you even know how far the nearest town is?"She said nothing, her eyes were between the knife and the door.Victor leaned in, he whispered in her ear. "I told you, Olivia. There’s no escaping me." He forcefully took her to the bedroom and what happens between them, only Olivia could feel the pain pas
Victor’s presence in Olivia’s room felt suffocating. He was looking at her with sharp gaze, the map in his hands was like a mysterious piece of evidence. Olivia’s heart was racing, her breathing was hard as the door shut behind him."I told you," Victor said, in a calm way. "I will be always one step ahead."Olivia sat up on bed, clutching the sheets tightly. "You can’t expect me to just… stay here," she said with a trembling voice. "I am not a prisoner."Victor gave a smirk; his eyes get dark. "Aren’t you?" he asked, moving forward. "Because last I checked, prisoners don’t get the luxury of planning their escape."Victor closed the distance between them. Olivia refused to look away, even fear resides in her. "Tell me, Olivia," Victor said, "What exactly you want to do if you managed to get past me? Wander uselessly through the forest? Get help from the first car you see? You’re smarter than that."Olivia said hesitantly. "I… I wasn’t going to leave. I just…""Don’t lie to me," Victor
The room becomes suffocating as Victor closed the door behind him."Eavesdropping isn’t polite," Victor said, his voice was low. "Care to explain what you were doing by the window?"Olivia’s heart raced. "I wasn’t eavesdropping," she said hesitantly, taking a step back. "I just… heard voices and I was curious."Victor gave a cold smile as he moves toward her. "Curiosity," he sneers. "It’s a dangerous thing. Haven’t you learned that by now?"Victor stopped few inches away from her. "What did you hear?" he asked, his voice was sharp."Nothing," Olivia lied, her voice trembles. "I couldn’t make out what you were saying."Victor studied her for a moment, looking at her. "Do you know what happens to people who lie to me?" he asked. She swallowed hard. "I’m not lying."Victor’s smiles widens but there was no warmth in it. "You are not a very good liar. But since I’m feeling generous tonight, I’ll give you one more chance to tell me the truth."Olivia clenched her fists to calm herself. "I d
Sleep escaped her, the fragments of Victor’s conversation with the unknown visitor replayed over and over. "She’s not ready… They will expect her soon." Each word felt like a shard of glass, cutting her deeper.Who were "they"? And what could they possibly want from her?The morning sun comes through the curtains, but its warmth brought little comfort. Victor had locked her room again, a precaution she was getting used to. Yet Olivia was anything but submissive. She was roaming in the room like a caged animal.She needed answers.When Victor arrived to take her to breakfast, he was calm. His suit was perfect, his dark hair perfectly styled. He extended a hand toward her.Olivia placed her hand in his, and he take her down the familiar corridors. As they reached the dining room, Olivia forced herself to speak. "Victor, who was that man last night?"Victor’s expression didn’t change but she noticed the slight tightening of his jaw. "You were dreaming," he said smoothly, pulling out her
Victor's eyes dig into Olivia’s, pinning her in place as if he could strip away her thoughts. Her heart was racing with the memory of the journal and the circled date.“What is it we need to discuss?” she asked.Victor leaned in closer. “You’ve been restless,” he said, his voice was full with suspicion. “It makes me wonder what is it that keeps you wake up late at night?”You, Olivia thought, but she didn’t say. Instead, she shrugged. “This place. It’s hard to feel comfortable when I’m here locked up like a prisoner.”Victor’s smile faded, replaced by a cold expression. “You aren’t a prisoner. You’re my wife. There’s a difference.”“A wife has a choice,” she shot back, surprising him. “A prisoner doesn’t.”Victor’s expression changed and for a moment she thought she had gone too far. “You’re right,” he said, leaning back. “A wife does have choices. But she doesn’t make mistakes, Olivia, you chose this path when you married me. And now, you can’t turn back.”His words felt like tighten
The morning sun cast a soft glow over the mansion, but Olivia’s mind was anything but calm. She sat in the library, a quiet corner of Victor’s expansive home that she had come to cherish. A heavy book rested in her lap, but the words on the pages fades as her thoughts drifted to the events of the night before.Victor’s touch lingered like a phantom on her skin. She had spent the night in his arms, his possessive grip refusing to let her go even in sleep. And while her body still felt the echoes of his dominance, her mind was at war. Was his obsession love, or something darker?As she tried to shake off the memory, her eyes fell on a file left on the nearby desk. It was unlike Victor to leave anything out in the open, he guarded his secrets fiercely. Curiosity tugged at her, and despite the risk, she reached for the folder.Inside were documents, maps, and photographs. At first glance, they seemed to be intelligence reports on Victor’s enemies. But as she flipped through the pages, her
The tension in the mansion was deep, like the calm before a storm. Olivia had barely slept since the incident at the southern gate. Whispers among the staff spoke of an organized attack, though Victor had kept the details from her.The next morning, she found him in his study, surrounded by maps, documents, and his most trusted advisors. His expression was as cold and calculating as ever, but the dark circles under his eyes betrayed his exhaustion.“Victor,” she said, stepping into the room.His head snapped up, his sharp eyes softening slightly when he saw her. “You shouldn’t be here,” he said, though there was no bite in his voice.Ignoring his warning, Olivia approached the table. “I want to help.”The room fell silent as Victor’s men exchanged uneasy glances. One of them, a tall man with a scar on his left eye, cleared his throat. “Sir, with all due respect, this is no place for…”“She stays,” Victor interrupted, his voice leaving no room for argument.The man nodded and stepped b
The following morning, the sunlight came through Olivia’s windows, its warmth was opposite to the cold tension of the night before. Her mind replays the events in the archives, the look of fear and willpower on Victor’s face as he swore to protect her. It left her tensed, torn between gratitude for his protection and frustration at the cage he kept her in.The knock at her door startled her. Before she could answer, the door swung open, and Victor stepped inside. He was perfectly dressed, as always, but there was a softness in his eyes she wasn’t used to seeing.“I’ve arranged for you to have access to the gardens,” he said without introduction.Olivia blinked, unsure if she’d heard him correctly. “The gardens?”He nodded. “You’ve been closed up inside for too long. You deserve a bit of fresh air.”She stared at him, her mind racing. Was this a joke? Some kind of test? But his expression betrayed nothing but sincerity.“Thank you,” she said cautiously.Victor steps closer, his fingers
Olivia sat on her bed, her knees drawn up to her chest, staring out the massive window of Victor’s mansion. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in colors of orange and red, but its beauty did little to ease the storm inside her.Victor’s words from the night echoes in her heart: You’re everything.She had seen the fear in his eyes, the desperation in his voice when he’d begged her to stay out of his affairs. He wasn’t just trying to control her; he was terrified of losing her.It was a revelation that both softened and confused her. Victor’s actions… his overprotectiveness, his jealousy, even his violence wasn’t just about power or control. They were born from a place of deep, all-consuming love.But was it love?Olivia hugged her knees tighter. Love was supposed to be tender and freeing, not suffocating and cruel. And yet, there were moments like when he held her in his arms or whispered her name that made her heart ache.The door creaked open, pulling her from her tho
Olivia’s heart tightens as she watched Victor pace back and forth in his study, his phone pressed against his ear. His voice, sharp and commanding, carried through the room as he barked orders to his men.The mansion was still winding from Emilia’s bold attack. Broken glass littered the hallways. Olivia knew she was walking on a fine line, but she couldn’t stand by while chaos consumed them.When Victor ended the call, she cleared her throat. “Victor, we need…..”He shot her a warning glance. “Not now, Olivia.”“No, we’re talking now,” she said, standing her ground.Victor’s jaw tightens, but he said nothing, his silence granting her permission to continue.“I think I can help,” she said, her voice softening. “If Emilia wants revenge, then maybe we can offer her something that will make her back off. A truce, or...”Victor’s sharp laugh cut her off. “You think you can reason with someone like Emilia? She doesn’t want a truce, Olivia. She only wants blood.”“But have you even tried?” s
The air in the estate was cold. News of the ambush had spread quickly among Victor’s men, and the once-solid fortress now felt fragile. Olivia sat in her room, her thoughts racing. Victor hadn’t returned since the gunshot, and the guard who escorted her inside had offered no answers.She paced back and forth, her mind flickering between anger and worry. The kiss they had shared earlier haunted her…. how close they had been, how real it felt. And yet, it only made his sudden absence more unbearable.A sharp knock at the door snapped her from her thoughts. Before she could respond, the door swung open, and Victor stepped inside. He looked different, wild, his shirt stained with blood, though it didn’t appear to be his.“Victor!” she exclaimed, rushing towards him. “What happened? Are you okay?”He held up a hand, stopping her in her tracks. His expression was dark, his usual controlled posture was at the edges. “I’m fine,” he said curtly. “But things are about to get worse.”Olivia’s he
Victor’s estate was quieter than usual, yet the silence seemed on edge. The threat from the rival gang hung over everything, but inside the mansion, there was a different kind of battle steeped between Victor and Olivia…. one of control, trust, and a promising connection.Victor had always been cautious, keeping Olivia under a metaphorical lock and key. However, something in her recent decision to cooperate had softens him. Though she still bristled against his authority, her willingness to acknowledge the danger surrounding them marked a light shift in their dynamic.That morning, Victor summoned Olivia to his office. When she entered, she noticed how different he looked. His usually harsh expression had softened, and there was an unusual calm in him.“You wanted to see me?” Olivia asked, keeping her voice even.Victor gestured for her to sit, his dark eyes scanning her face. “I’ve been thinking,” he began. “Perhaps it’s time to loosen some of the restrictions.”Her eyebrows shot up
Victor’s presence had become even more suffocating in the past few days. It wasn’t just his eyes watching her from everywhere, but the constant tension, the weight of the knowledge that danger was always lurking just out of sight. Olivia could feel it, an undercurrent of danger that surrounded both of them, stronger than ever.She had never seen him like this, his eyes dark with unspoken worry, his jaw tight, his movements more guarded. The cold and calculated Victor she had known seemed to be slipping away, replaced by someone who, was increasingly desperate to protect her.It was frightening.Tonight, as she walked through the hallways of the mansion, she couldn’t ignore the way the guards’ eyes lingers on her… sharp. Something had changed.A knock at the door startled her from her thoughts.“Come in,” she called, still uneasy about the entire situation.Victor entered in without hesitation. His sharp eyes saw the room, as if ensuring everything was in its place.“Olivia,” he said,
The hours dragged on in the study after Victor’s departure, and Olivia could feel the silence pressing in around her. She paced the room, unable to settle her thoughts. She had always been good at handling her emotions, but now, with each passing minute, her feelings for Victor were slipping out of control.Her mind kept replaying the look in his eyes, the unexpected tenderness of his touch and the way his words had pushed the feeling between them. It was all wrong. She knew it was wrong. She had to push him away before it was too late.She wasn’t naive enough to believe she could find happiness in this twisted world they were caught in. She had come too far to let herself be distracted by desire, by emotions that would only drag her deeper into danger.Her heart twisted at the thought.Why do I care so much?Victor was a threat to both, her body and her heart.Olivia stopped pacing and walked towards the window, staring out at the city below.A knock at the door startled her from her