Without thinking twice, the sharp crack of my palm meeting Victor’s face echoed through the penthouse.For a moment, time seemed to stop. My hand stung, but not as much as my pride. I hadn’t slapped anyone in my life, let alone someone ten times older than I was. Victor barely flinched. His head snapped to the side, his jaw tightening, but he didn’t move away.My heart was racing. “Are you insane?” I snapped, breathing heavily. “What the hell is wrong with you?”He lifted his hand to his cheek, exhaling slowly, then turned his gaze back to me not angry, not surprised. Just… resigned.“You’re starting to take my kindness for granted,” I seethed. “I have never—never—given you a reason to think this was okay.”Victor took a step forward. “Haven’t you?”I staggered back, my pulse hammering. “Don’t twist this on me.”“I’m not twisting anything,” he said, voice low, almost pained. “I know you feel it too, Elena.”I scoffed. “Feel what, exactly?”“This,” he gestured between us, his voice r
Mia’s POVI kept running and didn’t look back.My lungs burned. My legs screamed in protest. But I kept running.The city lights blurred as I darted through the empty streets, barefoot, breathless, and bleeding.I didn’t know how long I had been running. All I knew was that I couldn’t stop. Not yet.The night air was cold, biting against my exposed skin. My dress once pristine was now ripped, dirty, clinging to my sweat-drenched body. My feet throbbed from stepping on gravel and debris, but I ignored the pain.I turned a corner, pressing myself against the cold brick wall of a deserted alley, listening.Nothing.No footsteps. No voices.Had I lost them?I clenched my fists, my breath coming in ragged gasps. No. I couldn’t afford to be careless. Not when they were willing to erase my entire memory just to shut me up again.I needed to get to Elena.Now.I pushed forward, ignoring the sharp sting in my calves. Every instinct in me screamed to keep moving, keep going, keep running.I cut
Elena’s POVMia’s entire body went rigid at the sound of Alexander’s voice.She didn’t answer.She didn’t even flinch.She just stood there, eyes dark with like she had just seen a ghost, her jaw clenched so tight it looked painful.Alexander took another step inside, his presence commanding, his sharp gaze locking onto her. “Mia, is everything okay, why do you look like this?.”Silence.My stomach knotted. The air between us was thick with unspoken words, with tension so heavy it made my chest ache.Mia’s fingers twitched at her sides. I could feel the energy vibrating off her the barely contained storm raging beneath the surface.“Mia?” Alexander said again, his tone calm, smooth. But I knew that tone. It was the same one he used when he was dangerously close to losing his patience.Still, Mia didn’t answer.I swallowed hard, glancing between them, unsure of what to do.“Uhm…” I started, my voice barely above a whisper. “She was just about to”“I heard everything.”Mia’s voice slice
Chapter 55Elena’s POVThe silence that followed was suffocating. My heart pounded in my chest as I turned to face Mia, swallowing hard against the lump forming in my throat.She was still glaring at Alexander, her chest rising and falling with sharp, angry breaths. Every inch of her body screamed betrayal.I took a tentative step toward her. “Mia…”She didn’t look at me. Her hands were balled into fists at her sides, her jaw so tight I thought she might crack a tooth.I took another step, my voice softer. “Mia, You must have misunderstood.”Mia’s head snapped toward me so fast I flinched.“What?” Her voice was dangerously low.I forced myself to hold her gaze. “Like Alexander said… maybe you didn’t hear everything.”She stared at me as if I had just slapped her. “You can’t be serious.”I swallowed, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Mia, I I know you wouldn’t lie about something like this, but you were in a vulnerable situation. You were in that space, hiding. Maybe you only caught bi
Chapter 56Elena’s POVI hesitated for a moment, watching Isla’s expression shift from curiosity to concern.“Can I really trust you?” I asked again, my voice quieter this time.She gave me a small, reassuring smile. “Yes you can, Elena. What’s going on?”I exhaled slowly, my fingers gripping the edge of the table. “I know you’re just my assistant and I’m not meant to bother you with my personal but I just really need someone else to talk to about this situation”“You can tell me anything Elena, I’m all ears” Isla reassuredI took a deep breathe then continued “It’s about my best friend, her name is Mia and my husband”Isla’s brows furrowed. “What about them?”I swallowed the lump in my throat, feeling the weight of everything that had happened the night before pressing down on my chest. “My best friend was attacked.”Isla’s eyes widened. “What?, how did that happen?”I nodded. “She was trying to warn me about something she overheard about Alexander’s business partner, Lorenzo Morett
Victoria’s POVI arrived at The Velvet Room, our usual spot, a secluded lounge tucked away in the heart of the city. It was dimly lit, with plush red seating and a bar stocked with the finest liquor. It wasn’t just a place to unwind, it was a place for secrets, a place where power players whispered about things the world wasn’t meant to hear. Isla and I had met here countless times, and each time, she brought me something valuable. But tonight, something in her voice told me she had something better. I spotted her immediately, sitting in our usual booth near the back. She looked restless, fingers drumming against the table. Her dark hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, her fitted blazer emphasizing her sharp features.I slid into the seat across from her, crossing my legs. “Well, well. You sounded urgent.”“Oh yeah, that’s because I have a lot to tell you, I don’t even know where to start from” Isla chuckled.“Oh well, this had better be something good”Isla exhaled and leaned
“Unknown number?”Victor glanced at the screen, irritation flickering in his eyes before answering with a clipped tone.“Victor speaking.”A pause. A soft, almost amused chuckle came through the line.“Oh, come on, Victor. No need to be so formal. It’s been a while.”Victor’s brows furrowed. The voice was familiar, but he couldn’t immediately place it.“Who is this?”“Tsk, tsk. Have you forgotten me already? That’s disappointing.”There was a slow, deliberate drawl to her voice, laced with amusement and something more sinister. Then it hit him.“Victoria.”His tone was flat, unimpressed.“Bingo.”Victor exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. What the hell did she want?“If this is some pathetic attempt at to rekindling your connection with the company or Alexander, just know I can’t help you with that”I let out a soft chuckle “Of course not ! I know it was your idea to have me kicked out in the first place”“Don’t be ridiculous, I could care less about your existence or non-existence i
Elena’s POV“Alexander?” I stepped closer, touching his arm lightly. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”He blinked rapidly, his focus shifting slightly as if pulling himself out of a trance. “It’s nothing,” he muttered, but his voice lacked its usual steadiness.I followed his gaze again and turned to see an elderly woman standing there, dressed in an elegant navy blue dress, her silver hair pinned neatly back. There was a warmth in her eyes, but beneath it lay something deeper nostalgia, sorrow, and familiarity.Her gaze softened the moment she locked eyes with Alexander. “You look just like your father,” she murmured.Alexander swallowed hard. “Ms. Florence?” His voice carried a rare tenderness.She smiled at the recognition. “It’s been years, Alexander. The last time I saw you, you were just a boy.”Florence stepped forward, her eyes misty. I glanced at Alexander, sensing the tension in his posture. Whoever this woman was, she clearly meant something to him.“I—I didn’t expect to
Alexander’s POV“I’ll sort Adrian out.”Victoria’s voice was steady, but I didn’t trust it. I folded my arms and leaned back against the leather chair in my office, watching her carefully.“You’ll sort him out?” I repeated, skepticism dripping from my tone. “Sorting out isn’t enough for someone who nearly destroyed my reputation and kidnapped my wife like a madman. You expect me to believe he won’t blackmail you again?”Victoria exhaled and stepped closer. “Alexander, listen to me. Adrian is obsessed with me, yes, but I know how to handle him now. I won’t let him come after me or the company again.”I scoffed. “And what exactly is your plan?”“I have my ways, just trust me please.”Her answer was vague, and I hated that. “That’s the problem, I can’t trust you Victoria.”She sighed, rubbing her temples. “Look, I know I messed up before, but I swear I’ve changed. I want to come back, and I want to make things right. You need someone you can trust in your company—someone who understands
Victoria’s POV“It’s time for what papa?” I asked, gripping my phone tighter. My father’s voice was calm but firm, carrying that heavy weight of authority that always made my stomach twist.“Since you refuse to come to Milan, I will come to Florida.”My heart nearly stopped. “What?”“I should have done this sooner,” he continued. “This situation has gone on long enough. Your silence, your avoidance—it all tells me there’s something you’re not saying. If you won’t come to me, I have no choice but to come to you.”Panic surged through me. “You don’t have to do that,” I said quickly, forcing out a small laugh as if the idea were ridiculous. “I mean, I’ve just been… busy. Things are under control, really.”“Victoria.” His voice held no patience for my excuses. “Enough.”I swallowed hard. “Dad, please. There’s no need to—”“I’ll be in Florida soon.”The finality in his voice made my chest tighten. “Dad—”The call ended.I let out a shaky breath, pressing my phone against my forehead. Shit.
Alexander’s POVLorenzo met my gaze, his jaw tightening. “I want answers.”I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my head as he reached for the glass of whiskey he’d abandoned earlier. “Answers?” He took a slow sip before setting the glass down. “To what, exactly?”I leaned forward, bracing my hands against the desk. “To this mess, Alexander. To the way my name and yours is being dragged through every damn blog and media outlet. To the way the showcase was sabotaged. To how exactly I got tangled in all of this.”My eyes darkened. “You think I wanted this?” My voice dropped, the underlying anger in it barely restrained. “Do you think I enjoy waking up to headlines splashing my name across the internet like I’m some fucking criminal?” I scoffed, shaking my head. “I was supposed to be the shadow, Lorenzo. The one pulling strings from behind the scenes, not the one thrown into the public eye like a circus act.”I studied him for a moment. For all his arrogance, there was a layer of genuine fru
Elena’s POVVictoria stood near one of the displayed paintings, arms folded across her chest, a smug smile curling on her lips the second her gaze met mine.“Well, well, well,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery. “Look what the cat dragged in.”Isla, beside me, exhaled softly but said nothing. My eyes flickered to her briefly, but her expression was unreadable—calm, indifferent. She made no move to acknowledge Victoria, and Victoria, in turn, acted like she didn’t see her. But something in the way Isla stiffened ever so slightly didn’t sit right with me.“You seem surprised to see me,” Victoria continued, stepping closer, her heels clicking against the polished floor. “I figured after that… spectacle you put on at the showcase, you’d be too busy hiding under a rock somewhere.”I squared my shoulders, refusing to let her get under my skin. “Funny. I was thinking the same about you.”Victoria let out a laugh, sharp and taunting. “Oh, darling, please. Unlike you, I don’t crumble u
Mia reached into the box and picked up the bracelet, her eyes widening as she turned it over in her palm. It wasn’t just any bracelet—it was expensive-looking, delicate yet striking. A thick, silver band wrapped around itself in an intricate woven design, almost like intertwining vines. The metal had a polished gleam, catching the dim light in the room, and at the center was a locket charm. Mia clicked it open, revealing a tiny, hand-painted portrait of Elena inside.“Oh, wow,” Mia breathed, holding it up to the light. “This is some real Romeo shit.”Elena said nothing. Her fingers curled around the edge of the box, heart hammering against her ribs.Mia turned the bracelet in her hands again, tilting her head as she examined the artistry. “Look at this detail. This isn’t some basic mass-produced jewelry; this was customized. The way the edges are carved? The way your picture’s been hand-painted and set into the locket instead of just printed? Girl, Victor did not play around with this
Elena’s POVI blinked, sure I had misheard him. “What?”Victor’s eyes remained steady on mine. “I think Isla might be involved.”I let out a sharp laugh. “You think Isla—my assistant —is involved? Are you even hearing yourself?”Victor sighed, leaning back slightly. “Elena, I need you to listen—”“No, you listen,” I snapped. “You don’t get to come in here and start pointing fingers at someone who has been nothing but good to me.”Mia, who had been silently munching on her fruit, straightened up. “Wait. I’m gonna need some context for this one.” “Who’s isla again ?”I turned to her “Isla Kerrington, she’s my personal assistant and her reason why I got on that showcase”“Oh that’s nice , so mr Victor, why is she your suspect?”Victor exhaled. “Look, something happened in London when Alexander was away.”I crossed my arms. “I know that’s where Alexander met Isla for the first time.”“Right,” Victor nodded. “But what you don’t know is that something strange happened to Alexander during t
Elena’s POV“You won’t at least take the flowers?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.I stared at them again. I had no reason to accept anything from him. Yet, something in the way he was looking at me, almost as if he was pleading, made me reach out and take them.“Fine,” I muttered, plucking them from his grasp.Victor’s lips twitched into a small smile, but I turned away before I could acknowledge it. I walked into the living room, setting the flowers down on the coffee table before sitting on the couch. Victor followed, sitting across from me.The air between us was thick, unspoken words sitting on both our tongues. Before either of us could say anything, footsteps sounded behind us.“Well, well, well,” Mia’s voice was laced with sarcasm as she strolled into the room, arms crossed. “Look what we have here, the Romantic lawyer himself .”Victor chuckled, shaking his head. “Always a pleasure, Mia.”Mia smirked. “Flowers? Gifts? What’s next, a violinist playing love songs outside
Isla’s POVI grabbed the phone and answered immediately.“Elena?”“Isla,” she breathed, her voice quiet but urgent. “I need to talk to you.”I frowned, my grip on the phone tightening. “Are you okay? How are you doing ?, sorry I didn’t reach out to you after I left the hospital”There was a brief pause before she sighed. “It’s fine Isla.”Something in her tone put me on edge. “What’s wrong, you don’t sound fine”.Elena hesitated, as if she was weighing her words carefully. “I don’t know Isla, the whole thing from the showcase, my name being on blogs, has put my career on the line and I’m just so overwhelmed.”I exhaled, sinking into the chair. “I know Elena, but don’t worry about it, soon something else would take over from this and the bloggers would move on. Besides, I reached out to the sponsors and PR team of the showcase already ““Really?” I could feel the excited in her voice “Yes Elena, you have nothing to worry about for now”“For now?” She asked “Yes, they would have to ge
Victoria’s POV“Who the fuck is this?”The words flew out of my mouth before I even processed the call. I wasn’t comfortable having this phone call while I was still at Alexander’s premises. Then, silence. A beat too long.And then“Are you fucking serious right now, Victoria?”Victor, I realized.I blinked, my grip tightening on the phone as recognition settled in. “Oh.” A slow smirk crept onto my lips. “Victor, darling, didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. What, miss me already?”His voice was ice, laced with barely controlled rage. “You set me up, you crazy bitch. Right ?”I rolled my eyes, already bored. “Oh, please. Set you up? I did you a favor.”“A favor?” he spat. “Are you out of your damn mind?”I sighed dramatically, looking around cautiously before responding “Think about it, genius. Now that Elena thinks Alexander’s some bitter, conniving snake, guess what? She won’t go running back to him anytime soon.” I let that sink in before adding, “Which means you have the perfe