Daphne’s POV “What the heck was that?” My heart almost jumped out of my chest. His scent still lingered in the air as he walked away. That arrogant prick—who does he think he is? Still fuming, I stomped back to the pub. Just as I opened the door, "Where the heck have you been? You had me worried!" James barked. I hesitated, not knowing what to say. "I just... needed some fresh air." He sighed, the tension easing. "Alright, but don’t scare me like that. You know you're pregnant." James was a good guy—he knew I was carrying, but not the full, messy story of my life. He thought I was just another girl with a cheating ex, trying to get by. If only he knew the half of it. Closing time rolled around, and James walked me home, like he always did. “Goodnight, take care.” He gave me a quick hug before turning to leave. As I stood on my porch, I felt it. That weird feeling again—the one where it feels like someone’s watching. I squinted into the dark, but there was nothing there. Just sh
With shaky fingers and clammy hands, I stood in front of his door yet again, my thumb lazily hovering over the doorbell. Why am I doing this to myself? My heart raced like a rabbit’s, and every cell in my body screamed at me to run back home, curl up, and pretend I never agreed to this. But Maryam's potential lecture loomed over me. Nope, not dealing with that today."You’ve been standing there for five minutes. Are you coming in, or are you planning to wear out my doorbell with indecision?" came Hawthorne’s deep voice through the intercom.I almost jumped out of my skin. Seriously? Was he watching me this whole time? The nerve! My heart gave an extra thud of irritation as I fumbled with the doorknob, realizing it was already open. Of course, it was. Of course, he knew I’d come. This man... Why is he always so infuriatingly ahead of me?As I stepped in, I regretted it immediately. Coming down the stairs, in nothing but dangerously low-hanging slacks, was Sebastian Hawthorne. Bare-ches
I paced the room, biting my fingers as my eyes flicked to the clock. The minutes dragged, and my stomach twisted in knots. Why was I so nervous for Ella to return? The fridge was stocked—you name it, it was there—but I couldn’t bring myself to heat anything until I knew what she wanted. Something about this evening felt different, as if I was preparing for more than just her company. The front door creaked open, and there she stood. Ella, frowning at me like I was a puzzle she was determined to solve. The tension broke when her eyes widened, and she bolted toward me, jumping into my arms with surprising force. “Daphneeeeee!” She squealed, wrapping her arms around my neck as I spun her around. Her infectious energy pulled me in, and I realized—she actually likes me. All those times she’d come by the café, staring at me with that shy curiosity, made sense now. There was a connection here, and I wasn’t imagining it.I set her down gently, a smile tugging at my lips as I crouched to u
Sebastian’s POVWalking down the hallway, my eyes lock on her. There’s something about her that makes me lose control, as if some unseen force draws me to her, wild and determined. It’s not just possessiveness; it’s something deeper, primal, as though the universe itself carved her just to unravel me. There’s no way in hell I’m letting her step outside dressed like that. Call it jealousy, call it protectiveness—I don’t care. All I know is that she’s mine to look after, even if she doesn’t see it that way.The pub she’s going to is far from safe. Creeps lurk in the shadows, waiting for girls like her—vulnerable, alone. My gut tells me there’s a man stalking her, and if I ever catch him... God help me, it won't end well. She looks up at me, confusion clouding her expression. “Wha... what do you mean?”“You’re not leaving like that,” I say, the finality in my voice certain, emphasizing the ‘Not’. Her irritation rises, thickening the tension between us.“I’m not your responsibility. I c
Daphne’s POVWith tears streaming down my face and my heels dangling from my left hand, I wandered aimlessly. So damn tired, so damn scared. I needed comfort, security—everything good—but nothing good ever seems to happen to me.“Arghhh!” I yelled, replaying what just happened between Hawthorne and me. Why did I have to go off like that, ranting and embarrassing myself? I cringe just thinking about it. I blame you, baby Alex, I really do. You’ve made me overly sensitive! My whole body aches, my feet are numb, and don’t even get me started on my sore nipples. While I should be enjoying pregnancy perks—like snuggling up and watching TV—I’m out here, working my butt off just to survive.Maybe if I start working full-time for Hawthorne, I could take a break and visit Anne and Andrew over the weekend. They deserve to know I’m alive and okay. If only I still had their number… but nope, lost that on the bus.I pushed open the door to the pub and headed to my usual spot when my phone rang, s
I kicked off my shoes with a sigh, feeling the relief as I massaged my sore toes. "Can you believe it?" I gushed to a half-asleep Maryam. After Liv called them, they were so happy to hear from me, but it was weird—they didn’t seem surprised, like they already knew where I was.We exchanged contact info, and I promised to call them often. ‘You can’t forget your Ma and Pa, okay?’ Andrew had said, his voice warm.That reunion had brought some much-needed joy after the disaster with Hawthorne. That arrogant bastard! I wanted to rip his perfect hair out of his perfect head for the way he treated me earlier.I collapsed onto the bed without even bothering to clean up or change, too tired to care. Disgusting, I know, but it was one of those nights.********Morning came too soon, but I didn’t drag myself out of bed until 10 a.m., lazily preparing for work. I hoped by the end of the day, I'd officially have the job. True to his word, Hawthorne had paid me for every hour, though with a smug
Sebastian’s POVAfter the successful meeting at Greys Tower with Mr. Anthony, I lingered for a bit, hoping the rain would ease. It was close to 10 p.m., and I fought the urge to call home. Every second, I glanced at my phone, waiting, hoping for some notification—anything. But there was nothing.Ella’s probably asleep by now. She’s with Mrs. Tee; she’s safe, I kept reminding myself, though the pit in my stomach refused to ease. Every time I check in, Mrs. Tee scolds me. “I’ve been watching over Ella for years, Sebastian. Trust me, if anything were wrong, I’d be the first to call you.” She’s right, of course. Still, paranoia has always been my downfall.The rain lessened, falling in gentle sheets now, and I figured it was safe enough to drive. I hurried to my car, turning the ignition and watching as the windshield wipers moved rhythmically, clearing the view of the dark, rain-soaked streets.When I finally arrived home, something felt… off. I inserted the key, pushed open the door, an
Daphne’s POVSheer darkness… That’s all I see. Beyond the thick veil of blackness, just nothingness—just a suffocating emptiness. Then suddenly, I see me,—a frightened five-year-old girl staring up at the smiling faces of Mommy and Daddy. But their smiles morph into something darker, something sinister. "Come with us," they chant, voices haunting, their faces distorting. Strange hands reach out, pulling me, dragging me into shadows. Each day, it’s a different face, a new hand. I’m helpless, thrown into a cold, unforgiving cell, branded like an animal, showcased like a prize for lustful eyes to devour. I want to scream—to break free—but my body is no longer mine. Pain ripples through me as old wounds tear open, the stitches of unraveling, bleeding. Just when I feel like I’ll break, a voice calls out, soft but firm, beckoning me from the madness. "Daphne, Daphne," it says, drawing me in like a lullaby, soothing yet powerful. My enchanter.Thud. Thud. Thud. We’re running, running so fa
Charles soon turned, leaving the room with a chuckle, clearly enjoying the moment, thinking he might bag a contract by the end of the day. “Let go of me!” I screamed, thrashing with every ounce of strength I could muster. My nails clawed at his arms, my legs kicking out blindly. His grip only tightened, and I felt his hot, sour breath on my neck.“Stop fighting, Whore,” he growled, his tone laced with menace. His filthy hands roamed where they shouldn’t, and panic clawed at my chest. Fear flooded through me like a wildfire—not just for myself but for my unborn baby and Claire.Claire… Is this what she endured? I couldn't imagine her calling such a man Father, even after all he had put her through.I was always jealous of their relationship, always wondering why it couldn't be me, why he constantly chose her before me. I doubted myself, wondering if I acted a little bit more Claire, I would be more…loveable. If I perfected her tone, manner, and everything else. Tears blurred my visi
Sebastian’s POVThe first time I saw Daphne, something shifted in me. There was something about her—fragility masked by a fiery determination—that captivated me in a way I couldn’t explain. She wasn’t just beautiful; she was magnetic, drawing me in like a moth to a flame.But tonight, it wasn’t just her strength or her sharp tongue that caught my attention. It was her vulnerability, the way her body stiffened under the watchful eyes of those twisted old men in the room. Their gazes lingered on her like predators sizing up prey, and it took every ounce of self-control I had not to lose it there and then. I clenched my fists, fighting back the rage boiling inside me. This wasn’t the time or place. I had to play the part, no matter how much it sickened me. When the bidding began, I raised my paddle without hesitation. I wasn’t bidding for art; I was protecting her from the leering eyes of monsters.When the hammer fell and the art was “mine,” I felt a twisted mix of relief and disgust.
“Daphne? Don’t panic.”I tried to respond, but my voice came out raspy, my throat tightening as though invisible hands were choking me. I gasped, desperate for air, as the room began to spin. My mind slipped into the past—dark, horrifying memories clawing their way to the surface.I was back in the stone room, surrounded by cold, damp walls that whispered torment. We were tied, naked, and broken. We didn’t dare believe escape was possible. Our captors paraded us like art, like objects. They said they were bidding on portraits, but we knew better. They were bidding on lives.My legs refused to move. I stood rooted to the spot, my trembling hands betraying the anxiety creeping in. It felt as if taking even one step closer to reality would shatter the fragile illusion that I’d escaped that life. What if I never truly had? What if this life—my freedom, my hope, Sebastian—was all a lie? A cruel trick my mind played to survive?“Was I even real?” I whispered to myself. My breath hitched. “I
I stared at the mirror, barely recognizing the face reflected back at me. My skin was pale, my lips painted deep red, and my eyes hollow but sharp. I settled for a ball gown, enough to hide my baby bump. Elegant and dangerous, this wasn’t me. It couldn’t be. But tonight, I had to be someone else —I had to be Claire. “Daphne.” Sebastian’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. “Are you there?” He called out from the miniature transmitter he gave me in a pin form. “Nate will be there,” he said quietly. “Stay close, blend in, and follow my lead.” I nodded, forcing down the lump in my throat. I couldn’t mess this up. I went down to the living room my heard thundering, and heels clicking against the floor. I had threatened Claire to stay and pretend to be me. It was cold and silent, the ticking clock pounding in rhythm with my heartbeat. Every breath was tight in my chest as I waited, shoulders straight, fingers trembling at my sides. Footsteps echoed behind me. “Claire.”
“I… I…” My voice faltered as my breath hitched. “Daphne? Is everything alright?” Sebastian’s voice cut through the mic, steadying me. I straightened my posture, forcing control back into my trembling hands. “Richard?” I snapped, turning to face the butler. “You caught me off guard.” His eyes widened, and his hands shook slightly. “Miss Claire… I apologize. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He bowed his head respectfully. I bit back a laugh, savoring the rush of dominance. Since my return, I’d noticed Claire had dyed her hair back to brunette, making us nearly identical again. Apparently, not even Richard could tell the difference. Lifting my chin, I channeled Claire’s practiced poise and walked out of the room, heart drumming in my chest like a distant war drum. Back in my room, I locked the door and retrieved the stolen documents, snapping photos and sending them to Sebastian. His reply came quickly: We need to act fast. Time isn’t on our side. Collapsing onto the bed, I FaceTi
It was the next day already, I was left yet again alone in the house. Father and mother were invited by the Stones for a buisness negotiation, while Claire is out to see her “doctor.” I knew she was up to something.Currently standing outside my father’s office, my palms were slick with sweat. The hallway was deathly quiet, My heart pounded so hard I thought it might echo through the empty corridor.I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out the small lockpick set Sebastian insisted I carry. My fingers trembled as I held the cold metal. Memories of my father’s punishments clawed at my mind, the only times I came here was when I did something wrong or received scoldings. The slaps, harsh condescending words, and unforgiving eyes, always compare Claire and me. This was his space. I was never supposed to be here.Suddenly, Sebastian’s calm voice crackled in my ear through the tiny microphone he’d given me.“You’ve got this, Daphne. Slow breaths. In and out.”I inhaled sharply, holdi
“Yes, you heard me right. I’m six months pregnant… and it’s a boy.”The room went silent. The air felt heavy like the walls themselves were holding their breath. Claire’s face turned ashen, her eyes widening as she struggled back to sit up.“That’s… that’s not possible,” she whispered, her voice shaky. “But…”I folded my arms, keeping my voice steady though my chest felt tight. “What’s not possible, Claire? That I’m pregnant? Or that you all thought I couldn’t have children?”I turned to my father, who stood stiff and unreadable, as always. “Nathaniel is investigating Dr. Matthews. It seems he’s been deliberately giving us false results… like he’s working for someone.” I stepped forward, holding my father’s gaze. “So… please, Dad… I’ll need your help.”His expression darkened a bit, the sharp edge of suspicion flashed in his eyes, but he said nothing.Claire squirmed like a cornered animal, her hands trembling at her sides. “N-No… don’t.” Her voice was thin, almost a plea. She looked
She let out a blood-curdling scream, her voice echoing through the house as she gripped her ears, her body shaking. The smirk that had been playing on my lips vanished instantly, replaced by shock. “Miss Claire!” Richard rushed to her side, his face pale. “Claire… Are you okay?” “No! No! Stay the hell away from me!” she shouted, her voice frantic, her legs kicking as she writhed on the floor in a fit of hysteria. I could hear frantic footsteps pounding the hallway, and the door flew open. “What is—” Her sentence was cut short when she gasped, covering her mouth. “Daphne? You’re alive?” I could hardly believe it myself. “Mother, Father!” I cried, running to them. I fell into their arms, sobbing uncontrollably. “I never thought I’d see you again.” “Are you okay? What happened? How?” Father croaked, his voice strained as he looked me over, his gaze scanning me as though he couldn’t believe I was standing before him. “You… You’re alive.” “Yes, Father, I’m alive.” But before I could
“Please, take care of yourself, okay?” Maryam cried, pulling me into a tight hug. Her voice was shaky with concern as she wrapped her arms around me. “Eat well… and take care of Alex too.” “I will, I promise,” I whispered, squeezing her tightly. I couldn’t help but feel my heart break as I hugged her back. “Eww, get your snorty body off me,” I fake-gagged, making her laugh and slap my arms lightly. I turned to Ella, who was standing just behind Maryam. Kneeling down in front of her, I pulled her into a warm hug and kissed her forehead. “I’m going to miss you, my Ella bear. I’ll FaceTime you every day, okay?” “Okkkk,” she replied with a cheerful smile, wrapping her little arms around me. She wiped away the tears threatening to spill down my cheeks. “Big girls don’t cry, Daphne.” I pinched her cheek, dragging it playfully. “You’re right, I’m not a big girl,” I teased, giving her a wink. My heart ached at the thought of leaving her, but I knew I couldn’t back out now. After a brie