SILVIA'S POV A week had passed since Gerald had let me go.I had returned to my duties at the coffee shop, blending into the mundane routine of a life that didn’t belong to me. The old manager, ever so kind and oblivious, had asked why I hadn’t shown up that day. I had lied, telling her I had been sick, and she had believed me without hesitation.No suspicion. No questions. Just a gentle smile and a warm pat on my back.She had no idea that her newest employee had once been one of the deadliest assassins alive.I carried on as if I were just another woman trying to make ends meet, but the truth was, I was fading.Each day, my body betrayed me a little more.The weight continued to fall off me at an alarming rate. My reflection in the cafe’s kitchen window revealed hollowed-out cheeks, lifeless eyes, and skin so pale it looked almost translucent. I had lost so much strength that I sometimes struggled to carry heavy trays.It was only a matter of time.The alley behind the shop was qui
SILVIA'S POV Gerald Owens’ company was even more magnificent than I had imagined.As I stepped into the grand lobby, my eyes trailed over the high ceilings, the polished marble floors, and the towering glass windows that allowed golden morning light to flood the space. Everything about the place screamed power and wealth. The people who worked here walked with confidence, their expensive suits and skirts tailored to perfection.For a moment, I felt out of place.Then I straightened my shoulders and kept walking.I approached the front desk, where a young woman with sleek blonde hair and sharp green eyes was typing away at her computer. She didn’t even look up when I stopped in front of her.“I’d like to see Gerald Owens,” I said, keeping my voice firm but polite.The clack-clack of her manicured nails paused for only a second before resuming.“Mr. Owens is busy.”I barely resisted the urge to roll my eyes.I leaned forward slightly. “Tell him Silvia Carter is here.”That got her atte
SILVIA'S POV"I want to go to Yale, baby. "I choked on my drink, and his hand quickly went to my back to rub it softly. Once I was able to clear my throat and fill my lungs with enough oxygen, I looked at my boyfriend, Josiah, with a mix of shock and disbelief."Yale? Why Yale? And why so sudden? I thought we agreed to go to the University of California together," I said, pinning him down with my gaze. Most people thought of me as intimidating; that probably had something to do with my fierce eyes and tall stature. And I was told I always had this uninviting look on my face that chased people away. Can't an eighteen year old girl have grey eyes, be six feet tall, and always have a stoic expression without looking terrifying? But I know Josiah didn't look at me as intimidating. He always felt at ease around me. A little too comfortable.He nodded slowly, never taking his striking green orbs away from my grey ones as he spoke, "Yes, we did, but Yale has always been a dream of mine. I
GERALD'S POV The stripper unveiled her body to me like a mother would on her favorite child's birthday. Her body was one of the best I have ever seen—exactly what I ordered. Her breasts were full and perky; those hard and pink nipples were practically begging me to suck them. Her stomach was flat and defined with ab lines, giving her a small waist. But her hips were to die for. They were so wide and smooth, my hands itched to grab them, and those creamy white thighs of hers... Goddamn. "You like what you see, Baby?" she asked, and I didn't bother to hide my cringe. Her voice was not as appealing as her body, so instead of responding, I grabbed her wrist and dragged her down to my lap. A giggle left her lips, and it made the boner I got from her body soften a bit. I pressed my finger to her lips and looked into her dark brown eyes. "Not another sound, okay baby?" I asked, but smiled when she stuck out her tongue and licked my finger. She stuck it into her mouth and took my other hand
GERALD'S POV "Your father is requesting your presence," Paula said as she walked towards the bed and placed her hand on my knee. I caught a glimpse of her smile as I groaned.My father was over seventy years old, yet he followed me around like he was in his twenties. I know exactly what he wants: to nag and yell at me for how much of a failure I am turning out now that I don't take my education seriously. Our conversations have practically been the same over the past five years."You are nothing but a disgrace, Gerald.""How can I hand over my life's work to you if you don't know anything, Gerald?""You're such a failure Gerald.""Your mother would be so disappointed, Gerald.""Gerald, you'll never get into Havard like this.""You need to become more serious with your life, Gerald."God, are all old people like this? Or am I just unfortunate?"Well, his request is denied," I answered, leaning towards the table to grab my phone. I could feel her eyes on me as I scrolled through the de
SILVIA'S POVI checked my make-up through the rearview mirror as I pulled up at Josiah's house. He always likes it when I don't wear makeup, but there are times I keep it simple so other guys don't get attracted to me. He's possessive like that.But today I went a bit extra. I wanted to lure him into making out with me today because honestly, it has been a while. I made sure to go with smokey eyes and a blood red lipstick in order to give me a sexy look. I almost put on some bronzer, but I had to remind myself that we were only going to school. Besides, I have other ways of seducing him. A sly smile stretched my lips at the thought. I was getting too excited, I needed to calm down.On hearing his front door open and shut, I quickly got out of the car to hug him. My smile was bright, but my hands only grazed his jacket before he took a step back from me. His frown was disapproving as he looked at my face. "What's with all that make-up?" he asked, pointing at my face."I wanted to do so
SILVIA'S POV"Do you like him?"My heart jumped out of my chest as Josiah’s voice infiltrated my ears from behind. I turned on my heels to find him glaring at me. My tongue slid over my bottom lip as I desperately tried to search for an excuse for my prolonged staring at another guy.I shot him a disbelieving look before a snort left my lips: "What? Of course not," I answered, but it only appeared to make him angrier.I could have sworn I heard him growl before he said, "You were practically drooling at the sight of him!"My lips parted to defend myself, but Chloe had chosen that moment to step in, "Ugh! Stop being such a drag, Jos. You can’t deny that any woman could be attracted to him; he's so fucking hot!"My eyes fell on Josiah’s clenched fist and chin. It was obvious Chloe’s words had made things worse. A wave of panic rushed through me as he pushed past the both of us and stormed down the hall. I threw Chloe an exasperated look before throwing my hands in the air. "What did you
GERALD'S POV My eyes fell on the familiar car, and a relieved smile graced my lips. Everyone present in the parking lot gaped at the glistening black Audi R8 as Paula brought it to a stop in front of me. So much for keeping things low-key, but I had my doubts based on how I dressed, as I barely managed to keep a low profile myself. But I felt good seeing Paula’s smiling face through the windscreen. I needed a familiar face. I was tired of this hell hole. But sadly, I wanted to come back tomorrow, and that’s a sentiment I have never had towards school.I could feel the eyes of hundreds on me as I got into the passenger side of the luxurious vehicle. I was immediately greeted with a slap on the head: "Ow! What did you do that for?" I whined, earning a chuckle from her. Pain shot through my brain like an arrow during war. Of course she just had to add to my already growing headache.The thing about Paula is that she looked like the weakest person on the planet. Her arms and legs were b
SILVIA'S POV Gerald Owens’ company was even more magnificent than I had imagined.As I stepped into the grand lobby, my eyes trailed over the high ceilings, the polished marble floors, and the towering glass windows that allowed golden morning light to flood the space. Everything about the place screamed power and wealth. The people who worked here walked with confidence, their expensive suits and skirts tailored to perfection.For a moment, I felt out of place.Then I straightened my shoulders and kept walking.I approached the front desk, where a young woman with sleek blonde hair and sharp green eyes was typing away at her computer. She didn’t even look up when I stopped in front of her.“I’d like to see Gerald Owens,” I said, keeping my voice firm but polite.The clack-clack of her manicured nails paused for only a second before resuming.“Mr. Owens is busy.”I barely resisted the urge to roll my eyes.I leaned forward slightly. “Tell him Silvia Carter is here.”That got her atte
SILVIA'S POV A week had passed since Gerald had let me go.I had returned to my duties at the coffee shop, blending into the mundane routine of a life that didn’t belong to me. The old manager, ever so kind and oblivious, had asked why I hadn’t shown up that day. I had lied, telling her I had been sick, and she had believed me without hesitation.No suspicion. No questions. Just a gentle smile and a warm pat on my back.She had no idea that her newest employee had once been one of the deadliest assassins alive.I carried on as if I were just another woman trying to make ends meet, but the truth was, I was fading.Each day, my body betrayed me a little more.The weight continued to fall off me at an alarming rate. My reflection in the cafe’s kitchen window revealed hollowed-out cheeks, lifeless eyes, and skin so pale it looked almost translucent. I had lost so much strength that I sometimes struggled to carry heavy trays.It was only a matter of time.The alley behind the shop was qui
GERALD'S POVI paced the length of my study, my fists clenching and unclenching at my sides. My head throbbed, not just from the whiskey I had downed hours ago, but from the truth I had just learned.Silvia was dying.It should have been music to my ears. A victory worth celebrating.So why did my chest feel like it was caving in?I gritted my teeth and ran a hand through my hair, yanking at the strands in frustration.She had to be lying.It was a trick. A game. A way to mess with my head, just like she always did.But people don’t cough up blood like that for no reason.A scream tore from my throat before I could stop it. I drove my fist into the wall—once, twice, three times—until my knuckles split and blood smeared against the cracked surface. The pain barely registered, drowned beneath the chaotic storm brewing inside me.I had waited years for this. Imagined it. Dreamt of it.And yet…It didn’t feel the way I thought it would.My breaths came out in ragged gasps, my vision swimm
SILVIA'S POV The streets were quieter at night, the occasional flickering of streetlights casting eerie shadows on the pavement. I moved like a ghost, my steps silent, my presence undetectable. I had been doing this for years—blending into the darkness, becoming one with it.Tracking Josiah and Chloe had been laughably easy. Some people never learned.Even after five years, Josiah was still predictable—still reckless, still believing he was untouchable. He and Chloe walked hand in hand, their laughter cutting through the silence of the night as they strolled down the empty sidewalk. Their bodies leaned into each other, lost in their little world.Disgust curled in my stomach.The sight of them together was almost amusing in a twisted way. The same people. The same scenario.It was like déjà vu.I stayed in the shadows, following their movements, watching as Chloe tugged Josiah toward a dark alleyway. The urgency in her steps, the way she pulled him against her—it was obvious what the
GERALD'S POVThe realization hit me like a brick wall.Both Don Casillas and Silvia had infiltrated my security on the same day.It was unacceptable.I refused to be caught off guard again.The next morning, I took immediate action. I fired half of my security team—anyone incompetent enough to let two of my worst enemies stroll into my property undetected didn’t deserve to work for me. In their place, I hired professionals. Ex-military, former intelligence agents, men who understood the weight of their responsibilities.More security cameras were installed at every possible entry point of my mansion and office. My guards now operated on shifts, ensuring there was never a moment of vulnerability. I added motion detectors, reinforced doors, and even had a few hidden weapons installed in key areas.I also got more guard dogs.Rex was a companion, not a protector. He had been trained for loyalty, not aggression. But the new dogs? They were bred for security—large, powerful, trained to sni
GERALD'S POVThe afternoon sun hung high in the sky, casting golden light over the expansive garden of my estate. The scent of freshly cut grass mixed with the lingering fragrance of the roses lining the stone pathway. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the ancient oak trees standing tall like sentinels, their branches swaying in a lazy rhythm.I rolled the ball in my hand, feeling the rough texture against my palm before tossing it across the yard. "Go get it, Rex," I called out, watching as my dog, a massive black German Shepherd, bolted after it with powerful strides. His muscular frame cut through the grass, a blur of black and tan against the green.For a brief moment, I allowed myself to relax. This was one of the few times in the day I could clear my mind. The company, the board meetings, the endless responsibilities—they all faded into the background when I was out here with Rex.But then, the minutes passed, and Rex didn’t return.A knot formed in my stomach. He never took
GERALD'S POVFive years. It had been five years since the night I watched Silvia being dragged away, a mere shadow of the woman I had once known. The weight of the years hung heavy on me, though I had spent that time making something of myself, something unimaginable in high school. I had gotten my degrees, my MBA, my accounting credentials, and had taken control of my father’s empire, tripling the company’s worth in a fraction of the time it took most people to find their footing. Now, I was one of the wealthiest young men alive.I just know that wherever Paula was right now, she was smiling. Not only had I taken down the bitch who had killed her, but I also achieved her dream.I graduated high school, got my degrees and made a name for myself.Yet despite all that, despite all the success, the emptiness gnawed at me. It was a quiet, insidious thing that lingered in the background of every achievement, every financial transaction. The emptiness grew louder every time I looked at
SILVIA'S POV The music faded into a distant hum, drowned out by the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears. I stared at Gerald as we danced, his hands firm on my waist, his grip colder than ice. The warmth that once lived in his eyes was gone, replaced by something hollow, something dark.“You’re a good liar,” he murmured against my ear, his voice laced with quiet venom.His words sent a shiver down my spine, but I didn’t break eye contact. I knew this Gerald was different—the man standing in front of me wasn’t the same person who once held me close, whispering sweet promises in the dead of night.“What are you talking about?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Gerald chuckled, the sound bitter and empty. “Look at you, Silvia,” he said, spinning me slowly. “Dressed up like the perfect student, pretending to be just another normal girl at her high school prom. But we both know what you really are.”I swallowed hard. “Gerald, please,” I said, gripping his arm. “I don’t want that li
SILVIA'S POV Weeks had passed.Weeks without Gerald.Since that night—since the moonlight had illuminated his cold, distant eyes as he nearly ran me over—I hadn’t seen or heard from him. No messages. No accidental run-ins. Nothing.It was as if he had vanished again.Only this time, I knew it was intentional.I had killed his father.I had given him what he wanted—what he should have wanted.George had been a monster. A cruel, manipulative excuse for a man. Gerald had hated him more than anything. He should have been relieved.But deep down, I knew the truth.He wasn’t happy.And he never would be.Because despite all the pain George had caused him, despite all the nights Gerald had spent drinking away his rage and dreaming of a life where his father no longer existed—it was still his father.That kind of hatred runs deep, but so does the connection. No matter how much you want to sever it, there’s always a part of you that remembers.I told myself I would leave him alone.For now.B