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 “Here you go. Please take a break.” I said softly, sinking down beside Sebastian. He had been tireless, combing through every lead, every detail, trying to uncover who had planted the photograph. He suspected it was the stalker, but the truth remained maddeningly out of reach. His face was etched with exhaustion, yet his resolve never wavered. Just as I closed my eyes, trying to summon some strength, my phone rang. Maryam’s name lit up the screen. “You won’t believe what just happened,” she whispered in a hushed, urgent tone. There was no small talk, no preamble—just fear. My stomach dropped. “What is it, Maryam?” I asked, my voice already unsteady. “Okay, don’t freak out…” Her shaky breath crackled through the receiver. “Maryam, you’re making me freak out. Just tell me!” My voice rose sharply, drawing Sebastian’s attention. His brows knitted together as he stared at me. “There’s a man here. He came looking for you,” Maryam said, her voice trembling. “I think… I th
Nate’s POV Her name escaped my lips like a prayer I hadn’t said in years. “Daphne?” I whispered, my voice trembling under the weight of everything I had carried—every sleepless night, every haunting memory of her face. And now, here she was, standing before me. She looked…different. Stronger, colder. Her eyes pierced through me like daggers, but it was her stomach that made my knees almost give out. My child. Our child. My gaze dropped to her stomach, then to the man beside her—who I looked into, Sebastian Hawthorne . His protective stance told me everything I needed to know. She wasn’t alone anymore. That I had lost my right to her. Still, I had to try. “Give me a chance,” I began, but her expression froze me. There was no warmth, no recognition of the man I used to be. Truth is, ever since I bumped into her in LA, I’ve been watching her from afar. I was her stalker, her shadow. But I wasn’t the only one tailing her. “What do you want, Nate?” Her voice, once my solace, cut throug
Daphne’s POVAs Nate walked out, the room around me spun.“Easy,” Sebastian said, kneeling in front of me, his hand gently stroking my cheek. Maryam rushed to the kitchen, returning quickly with a glass of water, which I gulped down desperately.Nathaniel’s words echoed in my mind. What did he mean by that? And Claire… she set me up to destroy my marriage. But why? I always knew she wanted to take everything I had, but to go this far? To ruin me?Sebastian’s phone dinged, breaking my spiral of thoughts. He pulled it out, his face darkening as he read the message. His jaw clenched, and a dangerous gleam flashed in his eyes.“Is something wrong?” I asked, my voice trembling.He shook his head, forcing a tight smile. “Give me a second.”Without waiting for a reply, he stood and walked out, leaving me and Maryam alone. My heart pounded as I watched him disappear. What could have upset him like that?Maryam wrapped her arms around me. “Oh, Daphne, you’ve been through so much. I feel like i
Daphne’s POV As soon as we stepped outside, the night air hit me like a slap to the face. The cold seemed to seep into my bones, but nothing could freeze the pit of dread that was rapidly growing in my stomach. My nerves were on edge, but then Sebastian’s voice broke through my thoughts, sending a shiver down my spine. “Daphne,” he said, his tone unusually tense, “I think the stalker’s been found.” Those words—just those simple words—turned my world upside down in a way I hadn’t prepared for. The nausea hit me so fast I felt like I might suffocate. For a moment, I wished I could just turn around, crawl back into bed, and wrap myself in Ella’s soft warmth, pretending this wasn’t happening, pretending everything was okay. I had told myself time and time again that I had moved forward, but deep down, I couldn’t shake the anxiety that something like this could bring everything crashing down. It was human nature to fear the unknown, but this… This was something else. Something bigg
TRIGGER WARNING!!!! Proceed with caution He walked around in circles, laughing maniacally before he spoke again. “Hmm… let’s see, what do you want to know? Why I’m stalking Daphne? Who sent me? Why don’t you ask Pierce the same question?” My eyes snapped to Nate, who clenched his jaw, his face hardening. “Or haven’t you told her about sweet old daddy?” He said, his voice cold as ice. What was going on? Was Nate behind all this? Stalking and tormenting me? As if he could read my thoughts, Nate stepped forward. I took a step back, but Sebastian quickly raised his hands, stopping him. “Daphne, it’s not what you think.” “Then what exactly do you think I think?” I raised my voice, louder than I meant to. “Uh, uh, slow down, tiger.” The stalker teased, and I felt my emotions explode. I wanted to rip my hair out—confusion and tension consuming me. “What do you want?” I demanded. He smirked, his eyes trailing slowly over my body. “You,” he said, the word heavy with a goal. His respon
My body trembled uncontrollably as we were dragged outside. Sebastian was pacing, his phone glued to his ear, making urgent calls to his DSS contact and the detective. He was planning a way to cover everything up, but I wasn’t sure it mattered anymore. This wasn’t over, not even close. We had uncovered a piece of the truth, yes, but at what cost? My thoughts spiraled, colliding with one another, drowning me in questions I couldn’t answer. What did the stalker mean when he said someone was out there trying to take my father down? And how was it all linked to me? Was this the reason for my kidnapping as a child? Was he—whoever he was—the person behind it all? My chest tightened as the weight of everything settled over me. The stalker, Matthew’s mind games, Nathaniel’s cryptic warnings. Every thread seemed to lead back to my father. But what haunted me most was the knowledge that there was no escape, just as Sebastian had said. This was a war I didn’t ask for but couldn’t avoid. I cl
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