ZARA'S POVThe sunset beams were reaching through a window and filling a sofa in my lying body, turning the pages of a book but not really reading. My thoughts have been kinda spread through and replayed some scenes with Kai during this day like some sort of recording. Something in him was different lately, something that made me not feel so much on guard and more open to the fact that maybe, just maybe, things could really change between us.But what really went through my mind when, above all things, the door was softly tapped, and I was brought back to earth? I started up. At least, I had not in the least expected someone."Come in," said I, laying the book by the side. Madam Tess entered the room, holding a package. Her warm smile added with a gleam in her eyes kind of swayed my curiosity as in what she had before my eyes."Good evening, Miss Zara," she greeted me as she stood before me. "I have a delivery for you.""A delivery?" I parroted, finally catching the cue and sat up. "
It was one of those days on which, as usual, I thought everything was going just hunky-dory. I was sitting at the office, at my desk, reading over some reports, when my assistant, the specter, knocked on the door."Sir, there is a gentleman at the door who says he wants to see you. He says his name is Liam Greenwood," the assistant said.Liam Greenwood? Just the mention of his name made my spine shiver. He is Zara's ex boyfriend, who helped her escape during my welcome party. "Send him in. Okay?" I said, my voice in check, my words keeping my tightening chest calm.A minute later, the door swung wide, and Liam walked in, a few years younger, straddling like a man with that saucy, cocky swagger as though he had nothing to lose. His eyes wandered all over the room before finally resting on me with a smirk that put me instantly on guard."Kai," he said, like we were old chums. "Thanks for fitting me in on such short notice.""I forget that you and I are on first-name terms," I returned
ZARA'S POV My father and I sat in the back seat of his car, parked inside Standesamt Mitte in Berlin, awaiting the arrival of the Adlers. The marriage registration was scheduled for 15:00, and it was already 14:00."There must be other ways of saving the company; do I have to do this?" I turned to my father, who had been silent since our arrival.He sighed heavily, "That's not the only issue; you'll be marrying a man old enough to be your uncle," he grasped my hands, his expression grave as he met my gaze, "But desperate times call for desperate measures, Zara. This marriage is our only option to avoid bankruptcy and homelessness."Tears began streaming down my cheeks as the weight of the situation sunk in. "But why me?" I protested softly. "What about Lena? She's older; she could handle this much better than me."His expression suddenly hardened, and he dropped my hand, signalling my breach of an unspoken line."You, Zara, know exactly why. Your sister is instrumental to the company
ZARA'S POV A knock on my bedroom door woke me up. I got up to open the door, and it was Madam Tess and a young maid who held a tray of food in her hands.“Good morning Ma'am,” they both greeted.“Good morning,” I replied.“Your breakfast is here,” Madam Tess said, motioning to the tray.“Please take it back, I'm not hungry, ” I replied.“You have to eat, Ma'am; Mr Adler won't be happy if he finds out that you refused to eat.” she protested.“What does his happiness have to do with my appetite?” I countered. “My dear, you don't want to evoke Mr Adler's anger, it won't do you any good. Just do yourself and everyone else a favour by doing as you are told and following his rules,” she pleaded with concern in her eyes. “I don't care what he does, he has no right to tell me what to do or order me around.” I closed the door and went back to bed ignoring her pleading. I was still angry at the way Kai treated me last night and felt stupid for thinking he was different from the rumours. I cr
KAI'S POV The room was dim, illuminated only by the glow of my laptop screen. I sat at my desk surrounded by piles of medical journals and printed articles. I stared at the email from Dr. Richardson in London, my pulse quickened as I read the words again. ** Mr Adler, the surgery has a 30% chance of success. However, if you don't undergo the procedure soon, it will be too late. The tumour is aggressive, and immediate action is required. Please consider the risk and make your decision swiftly.**My phone rang. It was my friend and the managing director of my company, Ethan.“Hello,” I said, answering the call calmly.“I just found out that you didn't come to your office today. Did something happen?” Ethan asked, his voice laced with concern.“No, everything's fine, I just needed some rest,” I responded soothingly, trying to ease his worry. “All right. I have some reports to hand over to you personally. So, I'll see you at your house later today,” Ethan s
ZARA'S POV Three days, three blessed, quiet days. The mansion had never felt so peaceful, without Kai's oppressive presence. The weight that usually pressed down on me from every corner of the house has lifted, if only temporarily. I wandered the halls, feeling a strange sense of relief mingled with my ever-present dread. Kai's mansion was an architectural marvel, sprawling and grand with its high ceilings, marble floors and crystal chandeliers. But to me, it was nothing more than a gilded cage. Every ornate detail, every lavish room was just another reminder of my confinement and lack of freedom.But my heart whispers, ‘Not much longer.’ Kai's time is running out; just two months left. I can almost taste the freedom that awaits me.My room, once a prison cell, now feels like a temporary refuge. I spent my days reading, daydreaming and counting down the days until Kai's inevitable departure. “What future awaits us,” I whispered, to the little one growing inside me. Mrs Adler, My da
ZARA'S POV Ethan's announcement yesterday left me dangling over the edge. I was up all night thinking about how the rest of my life was going to be a living hell once KKaireturned. I thought I had it all planned out–Kai's death, my freedom and my life with Liam. But fate had other plans to snatch away my freedom forever, by giving Kai another chance to live. ‘I can't stay trapped with Kai for the rest of my life. I have to get out here, I have to run far away from the Adlers and my family.’ The thought echoed in my head, fueling my determination. I couldn't give up on my freedom yet.I was in my room, pacing and trying to formulate a plan, when I heard Mrs Adler's voice from the living room, which filled the whole house.“Zara, dear!” she called out, her tone unusually cheerful. “I have wonderful news!”I forced a smile and walked downstairs, my heart sinking with every step. Mrs Adler stood in the foyer, beaming. “Kai has regained consciousness,” She announced. “He called me per
ZARA'S POV The next day came with a sense of urgency. Every minute felt like a countdown to freedom. I had packed a small bag with just my essentials and hid it at the back of my closet.It was getting closer to the time for the party. Mrs Adler had informed me that Kai was already on his flight back to Berlin. It was just a two-hour flight, and he would be here soon. Mrs Adler had outdone herself with the party and gone all out for the celebration, and I was just another accessory to display.Madam Tess brought in the dress Mrs Adler had selected for me. It was a stunning emerald green gown that clung to my body in all the right places. The dress symbolized everything I despised about my life here, beautiful on the outside but a cave of thorns inside.“Let me help you with this dear,” Madam Tess said, her voice gentle.“Thank you,” I replied, forcing a smile.As she helped me with the dress, my mind was elsewhere, focused on my escape plan and the perfect timing to sneak out of the