MADAME BROWNE'S POV I swirled the wine in my glass, watching as the liquid caught the last rays of the evening sun. The balcony looked out over the estate gardens—perfectly manicured, each hedge and blossom precisely where it was supposed to be, a testament to my taste and control. There was something soothing about sitting here high above the chaos that I so ably cultivated. The world looked small from up here, manageable. Just like people.A gentle rap sounded from the double doors behind me. I didn't turn around. "Come in," I called lazily, enjoying my sip of wine as the cool breeze kissed my skin.The door creaked open and the sound of heels clicking announced Genevieve's entrance."Madame Browne," she said, her voice silky polite, just like I had trained her.I gave a faint smile to her reflection in the glass. "Ah, Genevieve. Finally. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten how to walk."She laughed softly, as if my insult were a compliment, and practically glided further into
MISS GENEVIEVE'S POVThere's a little kick in it, watching things come undone-especially when the person who's keeping it all together has no idea you're the one tugging at the seams. That was the just kind of satisfaction I was after this morning. Madame Browne had given me my orders and, as always, I intended to follow through with precision.I sank into the leather seat of my car, the soft drone of the motor dulled by my mind as I sped in the direction of the McKinney mansion. Deliciousness played in my mind, knowing Ella Rocci was out there in ignorant bliss with a storm heading her way. The fact that she actually thought she had the reins was humorous. I could almost taste the humiliation.The mansion's gates rattled open mechanically, and I pulled into the circular driveway. The air around the estate was pristine, too perfect-the kind of atmosphere that would smother rather than soothe. Roses in bloom wafted up toward me as I stepped out of the car, heels clicking sharply agains
ELLA'S POV "I'll check in with you shortly Ella," Miss Genevieve's voice echoed against the soft silence in the room. She flashed a smile at me before heading in the direction of the door. I watched her figure slip out of the room, the soft yet hazy sound of her footsteps beaming into my ears.The warmth air in the room felt chilling, the tension of her absence settling into my bones. My fingers traveled across the list she gave me, I traced the letters obsessively. My eyes scanned the lists of vendors categorized by their area of expertise and ratings I'd guessed was from Madame Browne herself.My fingers tightened on the corners of the lists as I collided into the bed, the plush texture of the bed engulfing me in it's inviting hold. Having such help when you needed it felt nice especially at this very daring moment.The president's birthday was pulling closer and if things weren't planned beforehand, everything could go haywire. The vendor's contact information were written on the
ELLA'S POVAfter discovering the truth behind Madame Browne's sudden simplicity and her 'kind' gestures, I had formulated my own plan to override theirs. I was lucky to have figured out their plan before the event launched, if I hadn't, I would have found myself in a tight corner with no where to turn to.The next time I met Madame Browne, I was ready to finally face her and her sinister plans. Her figure sat at the other end of the table, her hair curled up in a chignon, she smelled of lavender, oudwood and something darker. Her face twisted into a frown as she met my gaze, the disdain in her eyes were clear, almost unnoticeable. But as quickly as I'd catch the disdain in her eyes, she masked them with some glints of feigned sweetness."How are you doing Ella?" The sickeningly sweet sound in her voice was sharp against my uncertainty. I sniffed, my fingers brushing through my hair. The glints in Madame Browne's eyes were comical, feigned but somewhere beneath the layers of feigned
Ella's POV"I will have her go over the list again. You can stop by my room after you've eaten. I have something to discuss with you." Madame Browne's voice sliced with an edge of finality, as sharp as a knife clicking home.I nodded, an action more out of habit than respect, as my mind began to spiral into a knot of dread. I turned to the array of the generous breakfast spread in front of me, the flaky pastry laid on fine china, fresh fruits glistening under the morning rays of sun, pots of steaming coffee were managed to catch the picture. Obviously, none of that was too tempting. The intent of making this meal was evident-too perfect, it were, as though perfection were set out to blind me from something underneath.The chef stood stiff beside the table, his eyes smiling hopefully for approval. I forced a polite nod in his direction, though the tight knot in my stomach made it impossible to even consider eating. I wasn't hungry-just restless. There was something about Madame Browne
ELLA'S POV I froze at the doorstep to Madame Browne's room, the cold air in the room bracing my ears for what they were about to ear. I overhead Madame Browne on a call with someone, her voice was high pitched which meant she was venting out her anger to the person on the other end.Just before I gripped the doorknob to step in, I overhead her saying, “You promised.” Madame Browne continued, her voice dropping into a low, dangerous register. “You swore you’d ruin her.”I stiffened at the sound of her voice, the air shifted as ai bit my lower lip. What had just happened? My jaw had fallen and I was still in shock. Madame Browne's words hit me like a punch, a tidal wave that settled for my bones.So it was true after all? Her hated and resentment towards me. I knew her plan was obviously another try at ruining the event for me and having everyone watch me fail so she could say she was right after all. To say I told you so and pounce on my shame, her plan was to ruin it all for me and
ELLA'S POVAs the elevator door chimed open, my heart leaped with anxiety. A glance at the hallway to my room did nothing to ease me of the cruel anxiety I had storming in my veins. My body was still revolving from the shock of overhearing Madame Browne's plan.I could still remember her exact words, the way she cackled darkly after ending the call, the way she vented her anger at the person on the other end clearly. I never expected Madame Browne to be this power hungry, it was now beginning to look like the more you look, the less you see.The less I saw. A swift glance at Madame Browne would give you the impression she was a nice member of the McKinney family who wanted nothing but the good and betterment of the event I was hosting.But from my eyes, you'll find out that beneath the feigned giggles and smiles lays a dark twisted hatred boiling and waiting for the right time to spill. The fear in my veins echoed in sync with the fear instilling silence in the hallway. The walk from
MADAME BROWNE'S POV I sat at the balcony sipping wine from the tall wine glass framed in between my fingers. The soft berry like tinge in the wine stung my tongue as I tasted it. Everything was going smoothly, my plan was working perfectly now and nothing could stop me from reigning over the forthcoming event Ella was going to host.I'd told Genevieve to leave whatever she was doing at her office to come address the issue of the list. I didn't expect Ella to be smart enough to crosscheck the information given on the list, I had expected things her to wait for the event to pull closer before placing the booking like the fool she was.But either ways, I still had everything in control and that was all that mattered. The sunlight from the sun poured down from the open heavens basking my figure in in the golden brown hue of the evening sun. I tapped the glass before raising it to catch the glow of the setting sun. I was enjoying this, the cold air blowing gently against my flesh, the wi
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Dear readers, I apologize for the repetition of the previous chapters. I'm working with my editor to get it deleted. I apologize to the affected readers. I promise to make it up to you all. Updates will resume from today.ELLA'S POV Fear gripped my chest as I stayed there. Tied, bound and helplessly vulnerable. The air in the room was filled with tension. Tension from them— the two guards standing by the door. My heart raced in my chest as I had a pulsing headache bracef my scalp.I fiddled almost immediately as a low groan tore through my lips. I tried to move my hands but for a second, it seemed I forgot they were chained and pinned to the back of the chair. As I tried the yank then, a sharp jolt of pain lashed around my wrists as I winced.The tight ropes used to tie my hands were strong and it seemed the more I tried, the tighter they got. Scream after scream, groan after groan, I tried. The knots binding my arms to the back of the chair only grew tighter as the me
The silence in Lucas’s house always got under my skin, but today it felt like a blade. I moved from room to room, lookingnfor nothing, my heels clicking against marble floors, and the whisper of my own breathing sounded too loud.I was trying to escape that stupid bitch words, but they still didn't leave me. They followed me step by step, room to room.“You hated me because I got everything you wanted so easily. I didn't have to lie or sell myself —” Her voice echoing in my mind as if she was right next to me.That bitch had seen right through me. Right through the skirts and the tailored jackets and the flawless smile. I’d laughed it off at first—of course I’d brush it aside—until I realized how deep that knife had sunk.Deeper than anything had ever stuck me.I still walked aimlessly along the halls, and to my anger and surprise, I felt tears stung my eyes. Furiously, I wiped them off with the back of my hand. What did that birch know about my story. I hadn’t always been this wicke
The silence in Lucas’s house always got under my skin, but today it felt like a blade. I moved from room to room, lookingnfor nothing, my heels clicking against marble floors, and the whisper of my own breathing sounded too loud.I was trying to escape that stupid bitch words, but they still didn't leave me. They followed me step by step, room to room.“You hated me because I got everything you wanted so easily. I didn't have to lie or sell myself —” Her voice echoing in my mind as if she was right next to me.That bitch had seen right through me. Right through the skirts and the tailored jackets and the flawless smile. I’d laughed it off at first—of course I’d brush it aside—until I realized how deep that knife had sunk.Deeper than anything had ever stuck me.I still walked aimlessly along the halls, and to my anger and surprise, I felt tears stung my eyes. Furiously, I wiped them off with the back of my hand. What did that birch know about my story. I hadn’t always been this wicke
Ella’s POVI didn’t know how long we had been driving and I really didn't care. Minutes, hours—it could’ve been an entire day for all I knew.Time had lost meaning to me. Everything outside the window blurred together—trees, signs, shadows, but none of it mattered.I sat in the back seat, my hands tied, feet numb, lips dry. My head rested against the cold glass, and I stared blankly at the road passing by, trying not to let the panic consume me.Ivy.The thought of my daughter's name alone made my chest tighten.Her name was both a comfort and a curse right now.Tears welled in my eyes, but I blinked them away. I couldn’t break down now. I needed to stay awake. Alert. I needed to watch everything, remember every detail.Anything. Just in case I got the chance to escape. Just in case someone asked me later, “What did you see?”The man driving hadn’t said a word since they threw me into the back seat. Lucas was fitted beside me, the filthy smell of him pervading my nose.In the front s
Xavier’s povThere was a smile on my face as I drove into my street. I could see my home already, and the thoughts of my family waiting made my smile a little bigger.I pictured Ivy clinging to her inseparable teddy bear, her tiny feet racing toward me as soon as she heard my voice. I imagined Ella standing at the doorway, that sparkle in her eyes lighting up the second she saw me. That sparkle—God, it was everything to me. It made every long day worth it. They were my world. The reason behind every sacrifice, every late night, every early morning.They were why I did everything, my reasons for living.They were my world and I would always do everything I could for them.I doubted if I would go on living if they weren't here anymore.“Bad thoughts, Xavier,” I said to myself, shaking my head. “Snap out of it.”The smile stayed on my face as I continued driving, but when I turned into the compound, my smile quickly died from what I saw.I barely parked my car before I stepped out from i
Xavier’s povThere was a smile on my face as I drove into my street. I could see my home already, and the thoughts of my family waiting made my smile a little bigger.I pictured Ivy clinging to her inseparable teddy bear, her tiny feet racing toward me as soon as she heard my voice. I imagined Ella standing at the doorway, that sparkle in her eyes lighting up the second she saw me. That sparkle—God, it was everything to me. It made every long day worth it. They were my world. The reason behind every sacrifice, every late night, every early morning.They were why I did everything, my reasons for living.They were my world and I would always do everything I could for them.I doubted if I would go on living if they weren't here anymore.“Bad thoughts, Xavier,” I said to myself, shaking my head. “Snap out of it.”The smile stayed on my face as I continued driving, but when I turned into the compound, my smile quickly died from what I saw.I barely parked my car before I stepped out from i
ELLA'S POV.The silence hit me the moment I stepped my foot into the house. It was too quiet and immediately, I knew something was wrong."Ivy?" I called out, my voice uncertain as I held my breathed and waited for a reply. “Baby, Mommy's home.”Nothing. Usually, she would come running into my arms the moment she held my voice, but....I dropped my bag onto the floor, not caring where it landed, and bolted up the stairs towards her room. Her bedroom door was slightly opened, and I pushed it open fully, my heart pounding.It was empty.Everything was the same way I had left in in the morning. The bed was made, the curtains drawn, her favorite stuffed bunny sat untouched on the pillow. My throat closed in panic.I dashed to the bathroom, too, but she was nowhere to be found.She wasn’t here.Where could she have gone? She never left the house on her own and I’d made sure she knew never to open the door for anyone unless it was me or her father. Where could she be?My legs started to
MADAME BROWNE'S POV The moment the words left my mouth, a weight slammed into my chest, and my legs nearly gave out beneath me. My knees wobbled as I clutched the counter for support as I drew in a heavy whiff of air.The world, as I knew it, stopped as I watched shock flash through Lucas's eyes. They darkened almost immediately as I clenched my fingers tight. My nails dug into my nails as I let out a heavy breath before gripping my forehead with my fingers. I tapped my index finger over it as I felt set strands of my hair stick close to my hand and I felt a scalding heat zapping into my chest and I immediately knew who it was.It was his gaze.Lucas's jaw dropped as he got up from the chair and pushed away the two prostitutes sitting by his side. “Get away from me!” He thundered as his gaze lashed in my direction.It lingered on my body as I nearly froze on the spot. Fractured puffs of air rolled out of my nostrils as his gaze roved over my features. I lowered my head and swallowed
LUCAS'S POV I was at the bar when the door slammed open all of a sudden and I heard the heavy thudding sound of footsteps. I was halfway through taking a sip of my drink when all of a sudden, I heard her voice.My blood ran cold almost immediately as I whipped my head in her direction. “W-why are you here?” I questioned slowly with my fingers tightly clutching the glass cup in my hands as I placed it back on the counter. As I uttered the words, two arms snaked around my neck as the soft smell of roses washed into my nostrils. I turned my head in the direction of one of the ladies who was standing close to me as I whispered into her ears. “Stop that.”The arms slithering around my neck uncoiled almost immediately as the girls pulled back. The soft jazz music blurring into the air stopped playing as Madame Browne walked towards me. Her shoes clapped against the floor and the sound echoed repeatedly against the four walls of my room as I held in breath.Iit was obvious she was here wit