Morning had already come by and we have returned to the Hawthorne residence. Sebastian remained skeptical about the situation and suggested getting a new apartment for Maryam and me, saying the area on its own wasn't safe but we turned down his offer. Instead, he stationed security at the front of the house, always on standby. The gesture warmed my heart because it wasn’t just about me; Sebastian genuinely cared about the people in my life as well.Despite the comfort of his concern, things still felt awkward. I hadn’t spoken about what happened the other night, and while Sebastian didn’t push, I could see the unspoken questions lingering on the tip of his tongue.The fact that I had a stalker didn’t sit right with him. He wanted to press charges and dig deeper into the case, but I refused. His anger was evident and after a little heated argument before he left for the office, he gave in, but not without a warning : “This conversation isn’t over, Daphne. I’m done with your bullshit a
Sebastian’s POVI watched her out of the corner of my eye during the ride. She was uneasy, fidgeting with her fingers, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery as though it could save her from something. It didn’t take much to see the storm swirling in her mind. She hadn’t expected me to come with her. That much was clear. But what wasn’t clear were the secrets she carried. The more I tried to dig, the deeper I fell into it with no answers. But I wasn't done, not yet.There was so much she wasn’t telling me, and I had sworn to uncover each of them. One by one.She was doing something to me, something I wasn’t prepared for. I had built my walls high over the years, fortified them with every scar and betrayal. Yet here I was, letting them crumble for her. And the irony? She wasn’t even trying.If anything, I was the one clawing to climb over her walls instead. And I didn’t mind. I didn’t need her to lower them for me. I’d scale them, brick by brick, no matter how long it took.The silence
Sebastian’s POVI furrowed my brows, following the direction of her trembling finger. She tried to form words, but her voice failed her. I could feel a pang of panic crawling slowly through my chest. “Him? Who?” I asked with worry. I scanned the hallway, but it was empty. There was no one there. What was she so terrified of?“Shh.” I cupped her face gently. “You’re safe with me. I promise.”Her wide, panicked eyes met mine, and for a moment, I felt her relax, her body leaning into mine. I guided her to a nearby chair, holding her close until her breathing steadied.“Take me home,” she whispered, her voice hollow as she stared at the wall, unblinking.“Home? But we’re here for an appointment—”Before I could finish, she erupted, slamming her fists against my chest. “Take me home! Fucking take me home right now!”Her outburst stunned me. I had never seen her act this way—so violent, so unhinged. Something was deeply wrong. Her fear wasn’t just fear; it was terror.“Daphne, please.” I r
Daphne’s POVI watched him slowly as I revealed the biggest truth of my life. A mountain I had carried all alone, weighing me down at every turn. But Sebastian didn’t flinch at all. Instead, he pressed my hand tightly, as though what I’d just said was nothing.“I… I…” I stammered, unsure where to even begin. “My stalker is connected to Matthew, I saw the mark. We’re all tied to him, and I’m terrified he’s here to exact revenge on me for killing him.” My heart raced as I lifted the veil of my past, the words tearing free like a dam breaking.Sebastian remained calm, his thumb drawing lazy circles on my palm. He didn’t interrupt or judge. He simply listened. I searched his eyes, to find nothing. That silent acceptance was more than I deserved.“I know you, Daphne,” he said softly, steadying his voice. “I know you had your reasons.”His eyes held mine, offering a safe space in which to release the poison I’d been holding for years. For the first time, I didn't convince myself but “belie
Daphne’s POVA few moments passed, and I tried to remain calm. A nurse entered to check my vitals, ensuring I was stabilized before escorting me to see the neurosurgeon. Dr. Williams began explaining the dos and don’ts of pregnancy and my diet plan, also giving me a guide.“Are you the father?” Dr. Williams asked, turning to Sebastian, who held my hand throughout the appointment.“No—” I started, but Sebastian cut me off.“Yes,” he said at the same time.We both froze. I stared at him with glossy eyes, and he threw a small smile my way, squeezing my hand a little tighter.“I’ll prescribe additional vitamins for her, and she needs rest,” Dr. Williams continued, glancing at me. “Stress is affecting both her and the baby.”Sebastian nodded earnestly. “I’ll make sure she’s well taken care of.”Once I was cleared, we left the hospital. I nearly tugged my hair in frustration over how many times he asked, Are you okay? on the way home.Back at the house, Ella was out for a walk with Mrs. Tee
Daphne’s POVIt’s been two days since I had the most intense orgasm of my life, and somehow, Sebastian and I have grown even closer. Every time he tries to bring up what happened, though, I get embarrassed and shut the conversation down immediately.Sebastian has become obsessed with digging into the underground network. The deeper he delves, the more roadblocks he seems to hit. It’s complicated—far more than I ever imagined. He mentioned something about the dark web, but he hasn’t gone into detail with me yet.As we spend more time together, I’ve begun to open up about my past. He now knows everything about my so-called masters. I’ve told him the truth—that I am the real Claire, and the woman living my life is a doppelganger.I even shared some memories about Nate. Talking about him made me cry, and Sebastian held me as I confessed my feelings. Beyond what I felt for Sebastian, I admitted that Nate had been my anchor in many ways, helping me survive mentally when I thought I couldn’
Sebastian’s POV The dim light from my laptop bathed my tired face, my eyes already red and heavy. Lines of encrypted messages and suspicious forums on the dark web filled my screen. My jaw clenched tighter with every failed lead. A mug of cold coffee sat abandoned at my desk, the bitter scent mingling with the stale air of the room.I leaned back, exhaling sharply, my hand dragging down his face. The traffickers were meticulous, their traces buried under layers of proxies and false trails. Every click felt like a step closer, but when I thought he had something solid—another dead end.“Damn it!” I muttered, slamming my fist against the table. My laptop wobbled, and papers scattered across the desk. The anger was bubbling under my skin, not just at the monsters I was chasing, but at himself. Feeling like I could do more.Picking up my phone and about to call one of my colleagues in college who is now DSS, the sound of the door opening pulls me away. I glance over my shoulder and see
Daphne’s POVI tossed and turned on the bed, unable to find peace. Memories crept in, uninvited, like shadows slipping through cracks. Tears streamed silently down my cheeks as I faced the truth I had tried so hard to avoid—I wasn’t as strong as I pretended to be.Sighing, I sat up and stared into the darkness. The voices in my head whispered relentlessly, dragging me back to moments I wanted to forget. Each time I closed my eyes, those haunting images loomed, leaving me trembling.Grabbing my duvet, I shuffled down the hall. My hand hovered over Sebastian’s door, hesitating. A part of me craved his warmth, his comfort—but I couldn’t bring myself to knock. Changing course, I turned to Ella’s room instead.Slipping inside quietly, I climbed into her bed. She stirred, her little body shifting under the covers.“Daphne?” she murmured, half-asleep.“Yes, honey, it’s me,” I whispered, brushing a stray curl from her forehead. She smiled, her small arms reaching to wrap around me.“I love yo
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