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
SARAHI stood in the kitchen, chopping vegetables while Maria worked beside me, stirring a pot on the stove. Since the incident with Marco, Maria and I had grown close. Her steady presence was a comfort in this twisted world.“Maria,” I started, glancing at her. “You’ve been working for Marco for a while, right?”Maria nodded, her eyes focused on the simmering soup. “Yes, it’s been almost five years now.”“Why did you take the job?” I asked, genuinely curious. “I mean, working for someone like Marco… it can’t be easy.”Maria smiled wistfully. “It’s a long story, Sarah. But if you’re really interested, I’ll tell you.”I set the knife down and turned to face her, eager to hear more. “I’d love to know. Please, tell me.”Maria took a deep breath, her hands never stopping their work. “I grew up in a small village, far from the city. We were poor, but my parents did their best to provide for us. I had three younger siblings, and I helped take care of them.”I listened intently, picturing a
SARAHWalking down the hallway with the maid, my heart pounded with every step. The air felt thick with anticipation, and I tried to steady my breathing. The maid knocked on Marco’s door, her knuckles rapping sharply against the wood. “Miss Sarah is here,” she announced, her voice steady and formal. She turned to me, offering a polite curtsey before walking away, leaving me to face whatever lay beyond that door.“Thank you,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering in my chest, and stepped into the room.Marco’s room was lavish, more so than I had imagined. The deep, rich colors of the decor exuded a certain opulence, yet there was an unexpected warmth that made the space feel oddly welcoming. It was a stark contrast to the man who occupied it—so much like him, yet so different. I realized then that I had never been in here before, and the thought intrigued me. I couldn’t help but take in every detail, my eyes roving over the int
SARAHStorming down the hallway, I barely registered the maid who had escorted me. My mind was a whirlwind of anger and disbelief. Marco’s audacity was beyond anything I had ever encountered. First, he tried to seduce me, and then, without missing a beat, he demanded I accompany him to a party.When I finally reached my room, I slammed the door shut behind me, leaning against it to catch my breath. My skin still tingled from his touch, but the anger burning in my chest quickly overwhelmed any lingering sensation.“How dare he?” I muttered to myself, pacing the room. “How dare he think he can control me like that?”I glanced at the clock. I had a few hours before this supposed party, and the thought of seeing him again made my blood boil. I walked over to the window and looked out at the sprawling estate. The idea of playing his game made me sick, but I knew I couldn’t let him think he had won. Not this time.“No,” I whispered to myself, shaking my head. “I won’t let it go his way. I’l
SARAHWhen we arrived at the party, the first thing I noticed was the elegant atmosphere. The grand ballroom was adorned with glittering chandeliers, and the guests, all dressed in their finest attire, moved gracefully across the floor. The theme of the night was a masquerade, and as we walked in, a server handed us both ornate masks.I looked at my mask, a delicate creation with silver and blue feathers. I slipped it on, feeling a little more hidden, a little safer behind its cover. Marco’s mask was black and gold, giving him an even more intimidating presence.As we walked further into the party, I took in the scenery. The room was filled with opulence—rich, dark wood paneling, plush velvet drapes, and tables set with elaborate centerpieces. The music, a soft classical piece, added to the air of sophistication.Marco’s arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him. The possessiveness of the gesture made my skin crawl, but I forced myself to keep a neutral expression. He glan
SARAHAs I danced with the man, I kept glancing over his shoulder, trying to catch Marco’s eye. Each time I thought of Marco watching, a thrill ran through me. This was my way of getting back at him, of showing him that he couldn’t control me.The man I was dancing with was handsome and charming, but I barely registered his features. My mind was fixed on Marco. The music slowed down, shifting to a soft, romantic tune. My partner took this as a cue to pull me closer.“Come closer,” he said, his voice smooth and inviting.I cringed inwardly at the idea, but I steeled myself. I was determined to see this through. “Of course,” I said, moving closer to him, feeling his hands settle on my waist.I could just hope that Marco’s gaze was burning into us from across the room. I leaned into my partner, resting my head against his shoulder. It felt awkward, but I pushed through the discomfort, focusing on my goal. This was for Marco to see, to make him realize that I was not just a pawn in his ga
SARAHI couldn't believe what I had just heard. My heart raced, and I took a step back, glaring at Cain. "Don't you dare come any closer," I warned, my voice trembling slightly.He took a step forward, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "What are you going to do, Sarah?" he taunted. "Scream?"I kept moving back, my eyes darting around the room for any possible escape route. "Stay away from me, Cain," I demanded, my voice firmer this time.But he didn't stop. He kept moving closer and closer, his eyes darkening with every step. My back hit the wall, and I felt a cold sweat break out across my skin. "I will scream if you take one more step," I threatened, my voice rising in desperation.Cain laughed, a chilling sound that echoed off the walls. "Go ahead and scream," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "No one can hear you anyway."I could feel the panic rising in my chest, my breaths coming in shallow gasps. "Stay back," I repeated, my voice shaking. "I'm warning you."But