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
Like a thief at dawn, I raced back home. I ran from confrontation, from explanations, but isn’t that what I’m best at? Running away? What was I supposed to say? That my life is a whirlwind of chaos, spinning out of control? So, I did what I’ve always done—avoid it. It was Saturday already, and I knew Maryam would be home by now. I didn’t have a clue what to do next, but at least I had her. Maryam, the only person who’s ever seen the raw, unrefined version of me. She knows it all—my days as a trafficked victim, the family trauma that haunts me, Nate’s love, his protection... and his betrayal.As I opened the front door, it was no surprise to find her already up, going about her day. She had a mop in her right hand, looking up with a grin as I stepped inside. "Well, well, look who's glowing!" she teased.I managed a weak smile. "Really?""Oh yes," she said, exaggerating her voice for effect. "It's only been a few days into this trial with Hawthorne, and look at you! Imagine what’ll ha
Daphne’s POV My body shook, a buzzing filling my ears, tears blurring my vision. “I can’t believe this, Seb. I fucking can’t believe this,” I choked out, hugging him tightly, soaking his t-shirt as he held me close. “I’m happy that you’re happy, Daphne. You fought so well,” Seb whispered in my ear, his voice also shaky. Was this it? The end of Charles Sinclair? The end of the torment, the years of abuse, the never-ending cycle, all because of his selfish desires? It felt surreal. After the sentence was delivered, I watched Mom spiral. She couldn’t comprehend it, seeing the man she had placed on such a high pedestal come crashing down. Richard quickly took her away, but not before giving me a nod of acknowledgement. Seeing Mom like that tugged at my heart. She had ruined not just her life, but ours too. She had stayed with a man who repeatedly hurt her, and it had shattered me time and time again. But I had finally come to terms with it. I wasn’t responsible for her choices.
Daphne’s POV “This is the bank transaction, showing all the dirty work and exploitations,” Nathaniel said, spreading the thick sheaf of papers across the table. Sebastian’s eyes scanned the documents, his brow furrowed. “They’re rigging oil prices too,” he muttered. “Just how rich and powerful is Charles? He couldn’t have done this alone. There’s government involvement here, somewhere.” Nathaniel was back, thank God. Richard had been feeding us information over the phone, piecing together the puzzle of Charles’s illicit activities. After countless meetings with prestigious authorities, and after what felt like an eternity of legislative deliberation, we finally had it: an arrest warrant. But there was a problem. Intelligence suggested Charles was about to flee the country. Someone within the legislative body had tipped him off. Thankfully, Charles was tracked down to his private retreat, a secluded estate far from the city. The apprehension was swift and decisive. He would
Two Weeks Later “That’s great news!” I exclaimed, pulling Seb and Claire into a hug, joy bubbling inside me. We were gathered around the table, Skyping Nathaniel, who had finally gotten his hands on the NGO’s bank statements and transaction records. “I’ll be back first thing tomorrow, and the chase will finally be over,” Nathaniel muttered with a cashmere smile. It had been two long weeks since Nathaniel traveled to investigate the NGO. Given his position in the ministry, he was able to gain access quickly, posing as an agent sent by me. Charles had been notified by the NGO of my request for the bank statements. Richard informed us that he had been desperately trying to track me down, still clueless about how I’d accessed the files. He was currently hiding in one of his estates in Suncity, under the pretense of being out of town. Our investigation had uncovered vital information, including receipts for bombs and weapons purchased under Charles’s name, weapons that led to the mas
Richard’s voice cut through the heavy silence, the words pulling us against the unspoken emotions hanging in the air. “Now that everything is done, and we have the documents, with Charles’s signature… all you have to do is sign, and the NGO is legally yours.” His jaw was clenched and his gaze distant. He tried to hold it together after Mother left, but I could see the cracks forming. This was just as hard for Richard as it was for me, maybe even harder. Mother had made her choice—time and time again, she chose Father, no matter the cost. Richard kept fighting for her, trying to pull her back from the edge, but she didn’t want to be saved. She never did. Sebastian broke the tension, his voice gentle as he gathered the papers. “She will, once she finds stability. Let’s go home, Daphne you need to rest.” He drew me away from a broken Claire. I turned to Richard, my voice firm with conviction despite the ache in my chest. “Thank you, Richard, for everything. I will see to it that Cha
Daphne’s POV “M…Mother?” I whispered, the word catching in my throat. The sight that greeted me was a brutal shock. She was disheveled, almost broken. Her lip was split and bleeding, a thin line of crimson tracing its path down her pale skin. Her face, usually vibrant and carefully made-up, was ashen, almost ghostly. “Wh…what’s going on? Why do you look like this?” I stammered, my throat tightening with fear and disbelief. I had expected to see my mother, but this ravaged, vulnerable woman was a stranger. She clutched a thick Manila folder to her chest, her knuckles white. Her eyes darted nervously between us, finally settling on Richard. “I don’t have much time,” she said, her voice was barely audible, very strained and thin. “These are the files. They belong to you. Only you can have full access. The name of the NGO is ‘Project Chilia.’ All the necessary details are inside.” She hurried on, her words tumbling out in a rush, “But I must warn you, everything still runs under you
Daphne’s POV The next day arrived with an unpleasant swiftness. The air in the house hung heavy, thick with unspoken anxieties. Our collective patience felt like a frayed rope, stretched to its breaking point. We sat in an uncomfortable silence at the breakfast table, the clinking of cutlery the only sound disturbing the quiet. Sebastian had made breakfast, but no one seemed to have much of an appetite. The doorbell rang, a sharp sound that shattered the tense atmosphere. Sebastian exchanged a quick, worried glance with me. "Wait here," he said cautiously, his voice low. I nodded, my anxiety spiking. Claire shifted in her seat, clearing her throat uncomfortably. I glanced at her, sensing she had something to say. But I was beyond conversation. The return to the forest had stirred something within me, a raw reminder of her past actions, how she had brutalized me, and her constant ridicule. Ever since I came back home, she made me feel unwelcome, telling me harsh words. Forgiveness
I snorted, listening to Sebastian recount his first impressions of me, a genuine laugh bubbling up from my chest.“I mean…why wouldn’t I be skeptical?” he teased, a playful glint in his eyes. “You gave me ample reasons. First, you trampled my shoes, and second, you bolted from the hospital like a bat out of hell.”“Oh, please,” I groaned, burying my face in a nearby pillow, a wave of embarrassment washing over me. “Don’t make me relive those days.”Sebastian chuckled a warm sound that resonated through the room. “I should’ve known you were anything but ordinary. You entered my life like a force of nature.” I peeked at him from beneath the pillow’s soft fabric. A genuine smile graced his features as he shook his head in amused disbelief.“I thought you hated me,” I mumbled, not entirely blaming him. My initial behavior hadn’t exactly been endearing.“Oh, Daphne,” he said softly, a hint of tenderness in his voice. “You definitely got on my nerves…but I have a small confession to make. Y
Daphne’s POV A chilling dread settled over me. “I… I don’t understand,” I stammered, my world tilting on its axis. What could Richard possibly mean by saying I was the key? He gave a dry chuckle. “No one truly grasps the extent of Charles’s evil. Look at us,” he gestured to the group. “We all bear the scars of his influence, don’t we?” My gaze swept across Nate, Claire, and even Richard himself. Each of us carried a distinct torment, almost like a confirmation of Charles’s destructive power. “And here’s the kicker,” Richard continued, his voice laced with a bitter irony. “Mr. Calloway is the one who orchestrated your kidnapping, Daphne.” The name hit me like a physical blow. Mr. Callaway? One of my father’s business associates? The man who had… tried to….force himself on me last night? A wave of nausea surged through me. I retched, the contents of my stomach emptying onto the floor. Sebastian immediately wrapped his arms around me, his voice was like a soothing balm. “It’s al
THIRD PERSON POV FLASHBACK BEGINS The dogs barked wildly on a stormy night, their growls cutting through the eerie silence. The entire universe seemed cloaked in darkness, a heavy omen pressing down on the night. “I think something’s going on in the house. And from the sound of it, it’s bad,” Theo, the watchman, muttered to himself as he quickly sent a message to Richard. Richard, who had been restless all night, saw the notification and sat upright, his unease deepening. Richard had worked at the Sinclair residence for over a decade and knew every family secret. Though he didn’t have access to Charles’s numerous private dealings—something no one, not even Charles’s wife, possessed—he was privy to much more than anyone suspected. Richard was working as a double agent for a business associate of Charles, Mr. Calloway, who was also a trafficker. Calloway’s goal was to bring Charles down and seize his empire. Fueled by a thirst for vengeance, Richard had long buried any trace