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SEVENTY-ONE.
Last Updated:
2023-11-22 09:26:53Related chapters
Little Bird SEVENTY-TWO.
The rapid bang of gunshots sends people racing towards the mansion. A man falls dead on the grass and I have to jump over his still body. Or risk tripping over his limbs that are splayed out beside him, loose and bent where he lies in a puddle of his own blood. My father and Aces’ henchmen all dressed in black suits, yank their concealed guns from inside their jackets free and take aim at the gunmen who are dressed as servers. Someone did a shitty job screening everyone who entered the mansion only hours ago. And because of their delinquency, people are dying right, left and centre. More people plummet to the ground. Some of them are screaming in terror, anger, and pain and others just lay there motionless with blood pooling on their clothes. “Come on, Mrs. Ripley. We need to take cover.” Holden yells over the gunshots ringing in the air. I gulp, doing my best to keep up with him in my heels and the wedding gown that clings to me like a second layer of skin. Unable to mutte
Last Updated : 2023-11-23Little Bird SEVENTY-THREE.
It’s been three days since my world turned upside down.Three days since I got married and watched my husband get stabbed shortly after.Three days that I was brought to this cabin that is in the middle of nowhere.After witnessing Theo stab Ace, I lost consciousness before Holden exited my parent’s mansion. Everything was spiralling out of control so quickly that I couldn’t quite process how much danger we were in until it was too late.I pace the small living room, biting my nails as I hold on to the fragile thread of hope dangling in front of me.There has been no contact or news about Ace, my parents or Wicked and Eleni.I don’t know if they are alive, injured, or dead. And it’s not like I can leave the cabin because I don’t know the pin to deactivate the security system from notifying Holden that the front door has opened without his knowledge.I feel like I am losing my mind.Seconds feel like minutes. Minutes feel like hours, and hours feel like days.“If you don’t stop pacing
Last Updated : 2023-11-24Little Bird SEVENTY-FOUR.
I held my breath, doing my best to try to pick up on any unusual sounds coming from the front of the cabin. My eyes dart around the closet in the dark, looking for any signs of shadows beneath the door and in between the double doors.I feel like I’m about to pass out. This is all too much and I just want it to be over with.Standing up, I slowly open the closet doors, being mindful of the slight squeaking sound it makes when it gets halfway. I turn to my side and slowly squeeze myself between the doors, then tiptoe down the hallway.The cabin is still. Not a sound penetrates the air, and I begin to panic even more, wondering if Holden has been shot or taken hostage by our intruder. As I get to the living room, I hesitantly peek my head around the corner and I am met with the front door being left ajar.I descend the three stairs and look around the living room, noticing that there aren’t any bullet holes in the walls or the kitchen. I lower my gaze to the floor in front of the door
Last Updated : 2023-11-26Little Bird SEVENTY-FIVE.
“Theodore.” She groans as if she is physically in pain, choking on her words. “I know I said that I wanted him dead, but now that he is, I feel like a large chunk of my soul is missing. He was my twin, and I killed him to save Wicked. What have I done...”A gusty breath filled with relief leaves my body almost instantly, and I close my eyes, needing to take a second for myself as I regain control of my emotions once again. Upon opening my eyes, I sigh as my gaze falls on Ele.She looks so torn up about her actions that I can’t help but feel sorry for her. Yeah, I know she had plans to kill Theodore; to end her bloodline. But I guess she didn’t consider that it would emotionally hurt like a bitch for her too because they share a special connection that only twins have.“I’m so sorry, Ele. I can’t even begin to comprehend what you are going through.” I reply, finding it challenging to find the right words to comfort her without upsetting her further. “If you killed Theo to save Wicked
Last Updated : 2023-11-27Little Bird SEVENTY-SIX.
I tilt my head to the side and gaze at my reflection in the full-length mirror, affectionately caressing my belly.Today is a significant day for me as it marks my twenty-first birthday.Coincidentally, it is also the ninetieth day since Ele and I arrived at our second safe house. This safe house became our refuge after Holden failed to return to the cabin. However, we received the relieving news a week later that he was alive and well. The SUV he was driving swerved off the road and crashed into a tree after one of its back tyres popped.He claims that he just missed us and believed it would be safer to observe us from a distance instead. Our new safe house is a penthouse located in the heart of the city, which also happens to be within Ismails' territory.A contract was drafted between him and Ace, stipulating that if either of us needs protection within Ismails' territory, Ismail will receive ownership of Ace's clubs as compensation.We are slowly starting to see some normalcy r
Last Updated : 2023-11-28Little Bird SEVENTY-SEVEN.
I slowly stand up from the ground, wiping my hands down the front of my clothes, tucking the loose strands from my top knot behind my ears, and I finish placing the rest of my roses into the crystal vase.Every fibre in my body is screaming at me to ask Wicked where Ace is. But I also don’t want to take this moment away from Ele. She believed for many weeks that Wicked had forgotten about us; about her.She believed that she was an absolute menace, wreaking havoc wherever she went, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake. Lives were ruthlessly snuffed out, sacrificed in the trail of her existence. The toll of her actions was immeasurable, a dark cloud of tragedy hanging heavy over her every step.And now that Wicked is here, clearing the air between them and openly claiming Ele with his mouth, I would rather not ruin the moment for her.Hell… I’d be fucking furious if someone interrupted Ace staking his claim upon me.Ele needs this.She needs him, and I’m happy for her.I look u
Last Updated : 2023-11-29Little Bird SEVENTY-EIGHT.
EPILOGUE.(Three years later…)While Kayla plays on the kitchen floor with her favourite doll that Holden had bought her for her third birthday just yesterday, I put the finishing touches on her birthday cake.My parents, Wicked and Ele have driven out here for the weekend with their kids. I’ve been looking forward to this day for months. Though living here in the middle of nowhere is nice, sometimes the silence can be just as deafening and lonely. For our safety, Knox and I rarely make the trip out to the city, and I’ve come to learn that I’m more of an introvert, and I’m fine with that. But the company of my mother and best friend is like nothing else. I suppose you could say that I like to live through them. I look forward to hearing their stories and seeing the kids. I know Kayla enjoys seeing the kids just as much as I do, and I can tell that she will make the perfect older sister when her sibling arrives. That’s right…I found out this morning that Knox and I are expectin
Last Updated : 2023-11-29Little Bird ONE.
“Now we have number eight, Ms. Birdene Black.” I freeze, staring at the auctioneer, confused, and then I shift my gaze to the stage with a beam of light shining upon it. The woman with the clipboard in her hand pushes me, and I stumble forward, turning my neck to take one last glance at her. Cheers fill the room, mixed with growls of approval. “Ms. Birdene Black is twenty years old. She likes to read and listen to music. This is her first auction and I do believe she a virgin, which makes her a worthy prize if you win her. Do I hear a hundred thousand?” The auctioneer announces into the microphone as he slowly circles me like a predator getting ready to pounce on its prey. My chest rises and falls with every shallow breath I take. This is insane. I don't know how I ended up here on stage getting auctioned off like a prized possession. Bids start filling the air. Reaching over a million dollars. My jaw drops, stunned that men are willing to throw thousands of dollars away for p
Last Updated : 2023-08-17
Latest chapter
Little Bird SEVENTY-EIGHT.
EPILOGUE.(Three years later…)While Kayla plays on the kitchen floor with her favourite doll that Holden had bought her for her third birthday just yesterday, I put the finishing touches on her birthday cake.My parents, Wicked and Ele have driven out here for the weekend with their kids. I’ve been looking forward to this day for months. Though living here in the middle of nowhere is nice, sometimes the silence can be just as deafening and lonely. For our safety, Knox and I rarely make the trip out to the city, and I’ve come to learn that I’m more of an introvert, and I’m fine with that. But the company of my mother and best friend is like nothing else. I suppose you could say that I like to live through them. I look forward to hearing their stories and seeing the kids. I know Kayla enjoys seeing the kids just as much as I do, and I can tell that she will make the perfect older sister when her sibling arrives. That’s right…I found out this morning that Knox and I are expectin
Little Bird SEVENTY-SEVEN.
I slowly stand up from the ground, wiping my hands down the front of my clothes, tucking the loose strands from my top knot behind my ears, and I finish placing the rest of my roses into the crystal vase.Every fibre in my body is screaming at me to ask Wicked where Ace is. But I also don’t want to take this moment away from Ele. She believed for many weeks that Wicked had forgotten about us; about her.She believed that she was an absolute menace, wreaking havoc wherever she went, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake. Lives were ruthlessly snuffed out, sacrificed in the trail of her existence. The toll of her actions was immeasurable, a dark cloud of tragedy hanging heavy over her every step.And now that Wicked is here, clearing the air between them and openly claiming Ele with his mouth, I would rather not ruin the moment for her.Hell… I’d be fucking furious if someone interrupted Ace staking his claim upon me.Ele needs this.She needs him, and I’m happy for her.I look u
Little Bird SEVENTY-SIX.
I tilt my head to the side and gaze at my reflection in the full-length mirror, affectionately caressing my belly.Today is a significant day for me as it marks my twenty-first birthday.Coincidentally, it is also the ninetieth day since Ele and I arrived at our second safe house. This safe house became our refuge after Holden failed to return to the cabin. However, we received the relieving news a week later that he was alive and well. The SUV he was driving swerved off the road and crashed into a tree after one of its back tyres popped.He claims that he just missed us and believed it would be safer to observe us from a distance instead. Our new safe house is a penthouse located in the heart of the city, which also happens to be within Ismails' territory.A contract was drafted between him and Ace, stipulating that if either of us needs protection within Ismails' territory, Ismail will receive ownership of Ace's clubs as compensation.We are slowly starting to see some normalcy r
Little Bird SEVENTY-FIVE.
“Theodore.” She groans as if she is physically in pain, choking on her words. “I know I said that I wanted him dead, but now that he is, I feel like a large chunk of my soul is missing. He was my twin, and I killed him to save Wicked. What have I done...”A gusty breath filled with relief leaves my body almost instantly, and I close my eyes, needing to take a second for myself as I regain control of my emotions once again. Upon opening my eyes, I sigh as my gaze falls on Ele.She looks so torn up about her actions that I can’t help but feel sorry for her. Yeah, I know she had plans to kill Theodore; to end her bloodline. But I guess she didn’t consider that it would emotionally hurt like a bitch for her too because they share a special connection that only twins have.“I’m so sorry, Ele. I can’t even begin to comprehend what you are going through.” I reply, finding it challenging to find the right words to comfort her without upsetting her further. “If you killed Theo to save Wicked
Little Bird SEVENTY-FOUR.
I held my breath, doing my best to try to pick up on any unusual sounds coming from the front of the cabin. My eyes dart around the closet in the dark, looking for any signs of shadows beneath the door and in between the double doors.I feel like I’m about to pass out. This is all too much and I just want it to be over with.Standing up, I slowly open the closet doors, being mindful of the slight squeaking sound it makes when it gets halfway. I turn to my side and slowly squeeze myself between the doors, then tiptoe down the hallway.The cabin is still. Not a sound penetrates the air, and I begin to panic even more, wondering if Holden has been shot or taken hostage by our intruder. As I get to the living room, I hesitantly peek my head around the corner and I am met with the front door being left ajar.I descend the three stairs and look around the living room, noticing that there aren’t any bullet holes in the walls or the kitchen. I lower my gaze to the floor in front of the door
Little Bird SEVENTY-THREE.
It’s been three days since my world turned upside down.Three days since I got married and watched my husband get stabbed shortly after.Three days that I was brought to this cabin that is in the middle of nowhere.After witnessing Theo stab Ace, I lost consciousness before Holden exited my parent’s mansion. Everything was spiralling out of control so quickly that I couldn’t quite process how much danger we were in until it was too late.I pace the small living room, biting my nails as I hold on to the fragile thread of hope dangling in front of me.There has been no contact or news about Ace, my parents or Wicked and Eleni.I don’t know if they are alive, injured, or dead. And it’s not like I can leave the cabin because I don’t know the pin to deactivate the security system from notifying Holden that the front door has opened without his knowledge.I feel like I am losing my mind.Seconds feel like minutes. Minutes feel like hours, and hours feel like days.“If you don’t stop pacing
Little Bird SEVENTY-TWO.
The rapid bang of gunshots sends people racing towards the mansion. A man falls dead on the grass and I have to jump over his still body. Or risk tripping over his limbs that are splayed out beside him, loose and bent where he lies in a puddle of his own blood. My father and Aces’ henchmen all dressed in black suits, yank their concealed guns from inside their jackets free and take aim at the gunmen who are dressed as servers. Someone did a shitty job screening everyone who entered the mansion only hours ago. And because of their delinquency, people are dying right, left and centre. More people plummet to the ground. Some of them are screaming in terror, anger, and pain and others just lay there motionless with blood pooling on their clothes. “Come on, Mrs. Ripley. We need to take cover.” Holden yells over the gunshots ringing in the air. I gulp, doing my best to keep up with him in my heels and the wedding gown that clings to me like a second layer of skin. Unable to mutte
Little Bird SEVENTY-ONE.
ACE. “By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The priest states in a quivering tone right before a bullet finds a gap in our human defence wall and drills into his skull – instantly killing him. It all seems to play out in slow motion in front of me, blood squirts through the air and I crush my lips against Amelias’, turning our bodies, so her back is facing the now-dead priest. The beat of my heart is drumming against my chest frantically, filling my ears with blood. I didn't think they would attack us this early into our wedding. I close my eyes, pouring my love and soul into our first kiss as husband and wife, praying that this won’t be the last one, either. A small moan departs her lips as a low growl leaves mine and clings to it, entwining our pleasure as one. “We have to move.” Holden bellows with a grunt. “We won’t be able to hold our position much longer, and whoever these cunts are, they have a sniper with them too.”
Little Bird SEVENTY.
My body is almost vibrating with anticipation as the whole morning has flown by in a haze. After I had asked my mother and Eleni to give me a moment alone, I looked at my reflection in the floor-length mirror.My fingers brush over the layers of lace and silk, toying with a few pearls that have been hand-stitched onto the bodice of the gown.I can’t prevent the girly smile from spreading across my face like wildfire as I admire the gown that Ace had chosen for me.Today’s the day that I start my new life and become Mrs. Ace Ripley, leaving my past behind like smoke drifting through my fingers – elusive, transparent. I turn around when the sound of the door softly creeks open again. This time, it’s my father who enters the room with a large grin adorning his handsome face. He places both of his hands over his mouth as his gaze lingers over my gown, then rises to my face.“You look… beautiful, baby girl.” He says in a strained voice like he is doing his best to hold back his unshed t
