Iris POV:The thrill of anticipation bubbled up inside me as Ace drove us through the bustling streets of Manhattan. Today was special— it had been far too long since I last saw my brother, and the prospect of reuniting with him filled me with joy. Ace’s willingness to bring me here meant so much.But every time I glanced at Ace, my gaze inevitably drifted to his lips, and I recalled the events of this morning. A memory that made my cheeks flush with heat every time I glanced at him. It felt almost sinful to let my mind drift back to those moments, especially when we were on our way to something as important as seeing my brother.TGosh, it was such a dirty thing to do.Do all people feel this way? But Ace didn’t seem awkward about it, not in the slightest. He carried himself with that same confident, composed demeanor, as if nothing had happened.“Mini,” Ace’s deep, velvety voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.“Yes?” I responded quickly, biting my lower lip
Ace POV:Seducing.That’s what she’s doing to me, and she doesn’t even realize it.Every detail about her is driving me wild— the way her eyes light up with curiosity, the way her smile melts my resolve, and especially the way her little body molds perfectly against mine. The way she whines when I don’t sleep beside her— it’s like she’s pulling me into her world, and I’m helpless to resist.But her eyes… those damn eyes of hers— they’re going to be the end of me someday. They hold a depth that’s both inviting and terrifying, and they pierce through every defense I’ve ever had.It’s 5 in the morning.I’m sitting beside her, my gaze locked on her serene form. She’s sprawled out in the center of the bed, sleeping so peacefully. My heart aches with the desire to wake her, but she looks so content and tranquil that I can’t bring myself to disturb her.She’s wearing one of my shirts, the fabric barely covering her. It’s unbuttoned, revealing the soft curves of her body, and a skirt that a
Ace POV:She’s bleeding.The realization hit me like a ton of bricks as I stared at her peaceful face, nestled so close to mine. I wanted to wake her, to tell her what was happening, but she was sleeping so soundly, so undisturbed. It was as if the pain hadn't caught up to her yet.It was 2 in the morning when I stirred from sleep, my throat parched, and reached for the glass of water on the nightstand. But as I moved, something caught my eye—dark spots on the side of my waist. Blood. My first instinct was to check myself, but then I noticed more on her inner thighs.My gaze drifted back to her, a wave of concern washing over me. This girl doesn’t even know she’s having her period. Her head rested on my shoulder, but it kept slipping into the curve of my neck.So yeah, her neck was awkwardly propped against my collarbone, and her face was half-buried into the crook of my neck. I couldn’t bring myself to feel disgusted by the blood. I mean, why would I? It’s just blood. I’ve see
Ivan POV:"I know it's been a long time, I am sorry, kiddo," I whispered, my voice trembling with the weight of my grief. The gravestone before me felt cold and unyielding, a stark reminder of the life that had been stolen from me. My heart burned with a mixture of sorrow and fury, and I struggled to keep my emotions in check as I wiped away the tears that threatened to overwhelm me.I took a deep breath, my vision blurring as I blinked rapidly. "Just a little more, Laurie. I’ve gathered almost everything that can ruin his life just like he ruined ours," I said, my voice strained but resolute. I gently placed the flowers on the grave, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere. The act was both a tribute and a promise— a vow to my brother that I would avenge him.Laurie was the only one who had truly loved me, besides my family. But Ace had taken that away from me. He had shattered my world, torn apart everything I had held dear. The rage inside me simmered,
Iris POV:Tick. Tick. Tick.The relentless ticking of the clock seemed to amplify the chill in the room. The cold breeze sneaked through the slightly open windows, sending shivers through me despite the warm blankets I had wrapped around myself. I stood up from the chair that had become my makeshift desk, peering outside through the partially closed window.The spring was coming to an end. I closed the windows with a soft click, the familiar sound of the latch locking into place adding to the eerie quiet.Flopping back onto the bed, I rolled myself snugly into the blankets, hoping the warmth would chase away the growing sense of unease. The restaurant was undergoing construction, and though the break was a much-needed reprieve, it came with the bitter reality of not having my salary. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position while my mind swirled with worries. Jeremy had been my savior before, helping me land the restaurant job, bu
Iris POV:Pain. It was the only thing I felt when I woke up, dragging me from the void of unconsciousness into a reality that was even worse. The first thing I noticed was the sharp, throbbing ache in my scalp where they had yanked my hair so brutally. My head pounded in rhythm with my heartbeat, the pain radiating down my neck, making every small movement feel like a trial.I tried to swallow, but my throat was so dry it felt like sandpaper. Even my saliva seemed to have dried up. Thirst gnawed at me, a primal need that I couldn’t satisfy. I wondered if this was how it would end for me— dying of thirst, my body slowly giving out in this filthy, dark place. It wasn’t as though I hadn’t considered dying before. In my darkest moments, the idea of ending it all had crossed my mind. But back then, he had saved me. Maybe not this time.I moved slowly, trying to sit up despite the pain shooting through my head. My vision was blurry, my eyes struggling to focus. Everything felt heavy
Ace POV:198...199...200...I finished my abdominal crunches, sitting up with a rough breath. Sweat trickled down my face as I wiped it off with a towel. My morning routine was relentless: five sets of planks, 30 minutes each, and now the sweat-soaked shirt was discarded. It was just past 7 AM. I glanced at the clock, the hands already well into the morning hours. My phone buzzed with messages from my friends, all of them urging me to return. I was holed up in a small cabin in Pittsford Village, a haven of solitude amidst the forest, away from the clamor of city life. Here, it was just me and the five guards who had been assigned to my security. The silence was comforting, but today, it felt strangely ominous.After a quick shower and a hasty tidying of my bed, I prepared breakfast. Scrambled eggs and papaya juice— my culinary skills didn't extend beyond these basics. It was a dish I had learned to make for my mother, a skill I’d never quite mastered but managed to perfect out
Ace POV:The cold water ran down my naked body, easing the tension in my muscles and helping to clear my mind. I let out a slow breath, my chest rising and falling as I inhaled deeply. The water cascading over me felt like a temporary reprieve from the storm brewing inside.I was in a daze, lost in the whirlwind of thoughts that had been plaguing me.I can’t kill Isaac. But now, with the truth out in the open, I knew he wasn’t her brother. Does that change anything? Can I finally kill him?I needed to know more about her— about her past, about everything that had led us to this point.After finishing my shower, I stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped loosely around my waist. The clock on the wall read 7 PM. I dressed quickly, choosing a casual gray shirt and black pants. As I walked through the hallways, I found Liam waiting for me. "Did you find him?" I asked, my voice calm, though my mind was anything but."Yeah," Liam replied, his tone blank. "Are you sure about this?"