SARAHI woke up in a stark, sterile room. The white walls and ceiling seemed to close in on me, making me feel small and disoriented. The beeping of machines and the faint smell of antiseptic filled the air. I blinked, trying to make sense of where I was.I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in my side made me wince and fall back against the pillows. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rising panic in my chest. How did I get here? The last thing I remembered was collapsing in Marco’s arms.My eyes darted around the room, searching for clues. There was an IV drip attached to my arm, a heart monitor beeping steadily next to the bed, and a few chairs against the far wall. A hospital. I was in a hospital. But why? How?My head pounded as I started to recall fragments of the most recent events. Viktor’s face flashed in my mind, and I muttered to myself, trying to piece everything together. “Viktor… rooftop… Marco…” The images were blurry, but they slowly started to form a coherent sequ
SARAHThe door burst open, and Marco stormed into the room, his sudden outburst startling both Gloria and me. For a moment, he looked almost childlike in his urgency, his eyes darting around the room until they landed on me. He opened his mouth to speak but then seemed to catch himself, taking a deep breath and composing his expression.“Sarah,” he said, his voice more controlled now, though the concern still flickered in his eyes. He walked up to the bed, his movements deliberate. Gloria stood up, ready to leave, but Marco raised a hand. “Stay, please.”Gloria nodded and remained where she was, watching us both with a mixture of curiosity and professionalism.“How are you feeling?” Marco asked, his gaze locking onto mine.I managed a small smile. “Better. Thanks to Gloria here.” I gestured to the nurse.Marco nodded, his expression still serious. “Good. That’s good.” His response was vague, almost distant, as if his mind was racing with a thousand thoughts.Gloria glanced between us
MARCOAs we walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but realize how exhaustedi was. We got to the office and I nodded at him in thanks, stepping into Dr. Frank’s office. As soon as I entered, Frank stood up quickly, his eyes lighting up with recognition.“Godfather,” he said, bending slightly to kiss my hand. “It’s an honor to see you.”“Frank,” I acknowledged, stepping forward and embracing him in a quick, firm hug. “You’re looking well.”“Thanks, Marco. You’re not looking too bad yourself,” he replied, a warm smile on his face.We both took our seats, the atmosphere shifting from formal to familiar. Frank leaned back, a smile playing on his lips.“How’s everything, Marco?” he asked. “I heard you’ve been dealing with some complications.”“It’s been a hell of a week,” I said, leaning forward. “But we’re managing. Sarah is my priority right now.”Frank nodded understandingly. “She’s in good hands here. Fischer will definitely make sure she recovers fully.”“Appreciate that, Frank,” I
SARAHI woke up to the sound of a soft knock on the door, followed by Gloria’s cheerful voice. “Good morning, Sarah. I brought you some breakfast.”I rubbed my eyes, feeling the grogginess of sleep still clinging to me. “Morning, Gloria.”She wheeled a tray into the room, and the smell of fresh coffee and toast filled the air. “How did you sleep?” she asked, setting the tray on the small table beside my bed.“Better than I expected,” I admitted, sitting up slowly. “What’s on the menu?”Gloria smiled, lifting the lids off the dishes. “We have scrambled eggs, toast, some fruit, and a bit of yogurt. And, of course, coffee.”My stomach growled in response, and I realized just how hungry I was. “That sounds amazing. Thank you.”She handed me a cup of coffee first. “Cream and sugar?”“Just a splash of cream, please.”As she prepared my coffee, I picked up a piece of toast and took a bite. It was warm and buttery, just what I needed to start the day. “This is really good.”Gloria chuckled. “
SARAHThe silence between Marco and me was so thick it felt like I could cut it with a knife. As soon as I got in the car, I felt a knot in my stomach tighten. I glanced at Marco from the corner of my eye, but he was focused on the road, his face a mask of calm.I couldn’t help but wonder what he had in store for me because of my escape attempt. My mind raced with possibilities, each one worse than the last. Would he be furious? Would he punish me? I tried to push those thoughts away, but they kept creeping back in.I looked out the window, watching the city pass by. The buildings, the people, the noise—all of it seemed so distant, like it was happening in another world. I felt a wave of regret wash over me. Maybe I should have stayed put, bided my time, found a better opportunity. But it was too late for that now.“What were you thinking, Sarah?” I muttered under my breath, barely audible.Marco glanced over at me but didn’t say anything. I wondered if he heard me. Did he even care w
SARAHI couldn’t believe what was about to happen. My heart pounded in my chest, my breaths coming in shallow gasps. This couldn’t be real. I had to stop it. I ran to where Marco was seated, dropping to my knees before him.“Marco, please,” I begged, my voice trembling. “Rethink this punishment. They don’t deserve this. It’s all my fault. I’ll take the whippings for both of them. Just don’t hurt them, please.”He looked down at me with cold, unfeeling eyes. Without a word, he flung me off him, his strength sending me sprawling to the floor. I gasped in pain, struggling to get up.“Sarah, you need to see what happens when people make silly decisions around me,” Marco said, his voice low and menacing. “Actions have consequences.”I crawled back to him, my desperation growing. “Please, Marco, they had nothing to do with it. I was the one who planned everything. Punish me instead. Whip me as much as you want, but let them go.”He scoffed, shaking his head. “You really think I’ll change my
MARCOI sat in my office, the silence almost deafening. The events of the day replayed in my mind, and I couldn’t shake the image of Sarah’s tear-streaked face. But I pushed the guilt away. It was a necessary evil. I needed to make a scene, to instill fear in her. It was the only way to ensure she wouldn’t try something like that again.I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. “I can’t let myself get too relaxed with her,” I muttered to myself. “I can’t afford to let my guard down.”The pain of losing someone you love—it’s something you never forget. I had promised myself I would never experience that again. Allowing Sarah any leeway, showing her any softness, would be a mistake. I couldn’t afford to let her think she could escape my control.“She needs to understand the consequences of her actions,” I said quietly. “If she doesn’t, she’ll never learn.”But even as I said the words, a part of me wondered if there was another way. Did I have to be so brutal? Could I have hand
MARCOI flung my fist on the table pacing back and forth, trying to make sense of everything. The latest attempt to intercept Marcel had failed, and my frustration was mounting. Tony turned to me looking equally worn out but determined."Marco," he started, his voice steady. "I know you're upset about this last attempt, but we're not giving up. We’ll get him."I slammed my fist on the desk. "Tony, we've been at this for weeks. Every lead turns into a dead end. It's like he's always one step ahead."Tony took a deep breath. "I get it. Marcel's slippery, but that doesn't mean he's invincible. We just need to change our approach, think outside the box."I looked at him, my anger simmering just below the surface. "What do you suggest? We've tried everything. Surveillance, informants, hacking his communications. Nothing works."Tony nodded, understanding my frustration. "Yeah, but maybe we’re looking in the wrong places. Marcel’s a ghost, right? He operates in the shadows. What if we use t
SARAHIt had been a full day since Isabella’s dramatic arrival, and I was still holed up in my room. I muttered to myself as I tossed another pillow back onto the bed. I wasn’t exactly hiding—I just couldn’t stand the sight of her. Every time I thought about her waltzing in, acting all smug and self-assured, my blood boiled. And Marco… He hadn’t said much since, which only made things worse.I tried to shake off the frustration as I moved around, tidying up my room just to keep my hands busy. “Marco will deal with this,” I said under my breath, like a mantra. “He’ll send her packing today, and this nonsense will be over.”Still, a part of me couldn’t help but wonder how we’d gotten here. How did our lives go from peaceful—almost blissful—to this chaos? One day we were happy, planning our future, and the next, Isabella was barging in with her ridiculous claim.I sighed and headed into the bathroom. The cool splash of water on my face helped clear my mind a little, though not as much as
SARAHI slammed the door behind me, leaning against it for a moment as I tried to catch my breath. My heart was racing, my chest tight with frustration. How had it come to this? Just this morning, Marco and I were fine—happy, even. And now, a woman stood at our door, claiming she was pregnant with his child. The thought made my stomach twist.I paced the room, running a hand through my hair. It didn’t make any sense. Marco had been different lately—better. He wasn’t the man he used to be. He’d been attentive, loving, even vulnerable at times. He was mine. I knew that. So how could Isabella show up with a claim like that?My mind replayed the entire ordeal. Isabella’s smug expression, the way she casually dropped her “news” like a bomb, as if she knew it would tear everything apart. The way she laughed at me, daring me to question her. And Marco—God, Marco. He just stood there, offering nothing but a weak denial.“Unbelievable,” I muttered to myself, clenching my fists at my sides.I c
SARAHIsabella’s words hit me like a brick. My head jerked back, and for a second, I could only stare at her, trying to process what I’d just heard. It couldn’t be true. It had to be a joke. A really bad, tasteless joke.“You’re joking,” I said, my voice sharp but shaky. “You’ve got to be joking. Pregnant? For Marco? Are you even hearing yourself?”Her smile didn’t waver. If anything, it grew wider, like she was enjoying every second of my disbelief. “Oh, Sarah,” she said, letting out a light laugh. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but no, I’m not joking.”I shook my head, still refusing to believe it. “Stop it. Just stop. You’re not pregnant, and if you are, it’s not for Marco. Do you even hear how ridiculous you sound?”Isabella tilted her head slightly, her expression oozing false sympathy. “I know this must be hard for you to accept, but denying it won’t change the truth.”The laugh that escaped me was bitter and sharp. “The truth?” I scoffed. “The only truth here is that you’ll say
SARAHI stepped out of the car, my heels clicking sharply against the pavement, each step fueled by my growing irritation. Marco was right behind me, his footsteps steady, but I didn’t care to wait for him to catch up. My focus was locked on Isabella, standing there like she belonged, her arms folded across her chest, her face a mask of indifference. That blank, self-righteous expression of hers was as irritating as ever. She looked smug and untouchable, as if she hadn’t caused enough chaos already.“What are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended. “Here to cause another scene, Isabella?”She didn’t even flinch.I stopped a few feet away, my arms dropping to my sides as I glared at her. She just stood there, perfectly still, like a statue carved from ice, her silence deliberate and calculated. The audacity of it made my blood simmer.“I asked you a question,” I snapped, taking a step closer. “What are you doing here, Isabella?”Nothing. Not a word, not even a fl
SARAHWhen Marco pulled into the parking lot, I practically jumped out of my seat, my excitement building. But as soon as we stepped out of the car and got a full view of the place, I froze.“Uh… Sarah,” Marco said, raising an eyebrow as he took in the massive neon sign above the entrance. “When you said chocolate spot, you didn’t mention this.”I followed his gaze, my cheeks heating up as I realized what he meant. “It’s… um… an amusement park? With chocolate?”He let out a sigh, shaking his head with a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Of course. I let you pick one venue, and somehow, we end up in a kid’s playground.”I pouted, crossing my arms. “It’s not just a kid’s playground. It’s… an experience.”Marco gave me a look, half-amused and half-exasperated. “An experience?”“Don’t act like you’re not intrigued,” I said, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the entrance. “We’re already here, so we might as well have some fun.”He chuckled, letting me drag him along. “You’re
SARAHI stood in front of the mirror, tilting my head slightly as I adjusted my earrings. My fingers brushed against the delicate pearls, the cool texture grounding me as a soft sigh escaped my lips. Tonight felt different. It wasn’t like the other nights we’d spent together—those moments marked by tension. This felt lighter, simpler. No obligations. No commands. Just Marco and me, stepping into something normal for once.I took a step back to admire myself in the reflection, smoothing the fabric of my dress. It was a deep red, a color I didn’t wear often but felt right for tonight. The material hugged my body in all the right places, the neckline bold enough to make me feel confident but still subtle enough to stay within my comfort zone. I turned slightly, letting the hem swirl softly around my legs, and smiled.“Not bad,” I murmured, tilting my head again.My makeup was understated, but I’d been careful with every stroke. A soft blush warmed my cheeks, a touch of eyeliner made my e
SARAHI woke up feeling strangely disoriented. My body ached in ways I hadn’t anticipated, and as I stretched, I noticed the sheets tangled around me like a storm had passed through the bed. Blinking a few times to adjust to the soft light filtering through the curtains, I frowned. Why did the room feel so… off?My hands instinctively smoothed over the sheets, trying to piece together what had happened. It wasn’t until I turned my head and saw Marco sleeping beside me, his chest rising and falling steadily, that everything clicked into place.He was shirtless, his tanned skin illuminated softly by the morning light. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his expression was serene—almost unrecognizably peaceful compared to the intense, brooding man I was used to dealing with. For a moment, I froze, unable to process what I was seeing. Then, like a tidal wave, the memories from last night came crashing down.My face grew hot as I recalled the way he’d carried me to the room, his strong
SARAHI froze mid-step, my heart skipping a beat as I nearly collided with Marco. He stood in the hallway, his broad frame filling the space, and his face was a mixture of annoyance and something else I couldn’t quite place. Relief? Concern? Either way, I smiled automatically, my nerves kicking in.“You’re back early,” I said, my voice lighter than I felt. “What’s the occasion?”Marco’s eyes narrowed slightly as he crossed his arms. “I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing down here?”I blinked at him, playing innocent. “What do you mean? It’s just the kitchen.”“You know exactly what I mean, Sarah,” he said, his tone sharp but not unkind. “If you needed something, one of the staff could’ve brought it to you. There’s no reason for you to be walking around.”I frowned, the tension in my chest flaring. “Marco, I’m pregnant, not a log of wood. I needed to stretch my legs and take a break from staring at the four corners of that room. Besides,” I added with a shrug, “I wanted t
SARAHI got out of bed, unable to stand the restless feeling that had taken over. The silence of the room felt oppressive, and just lying there made my thoughts race even more. I stretched my arms above my head, rolling my shoulders to ease some of the tension. But it wasn’t enough. My muscles still felt stiff, my mind still a mess.I glanced down at my stomach and placed a hand there, exhaling slowly. “This is all for you,” I whispered softly, a mix of frustration and warmth flooding through me. Marco’s strictness made more sense now, even if it grated on my nerves. But did he think I was some fragile doll who’d shatter if I so much as left my bed? The thought made me snort quietly.I needed to do something, anything, to distract myself.My eyes landed on the pile of clothes in the corner. Folding them wasn’t exactly exciting, but it would keep my hands busy. I moved to the pile and started sorting through it. One shirt, then another. The steady rhythm of crease, fold, stack was almo