Louis stumbled through the shadowed streets, clutching his bruised ribs as he gasped for air. The Sovereign’s men had made it clear that his escape wouldn’t come easy. Blood seeped through his torn shirt, each step sending sharp jolts of pain through his battered body. But he didn’t care. There was only one place he could go, only one person who might help him make sense of what had just happened: Ezekiel.When he finally arrived at Ezekiel’s residence, he nearly collapsed at the gate. Summoning the last shred of his strength, Louis banged on the door, his bloodied knuckles leaving red smears on the polished wood.The door swung open, and Louis looked up, expecting Ezekiel’s stern gaze. Instead, he was met with the wide-eyed stares of Liam and Dandelion.“Louis?” Dandelion’s voice was sharp with disbelief.“What the hell are you doing here?” Liam demanded, his expression a mixture of anger and concern.Louis staggered inside without waiting for an invitation, collapsing onto a nearby
Natalie stared out the window of her lavishly decorated parlor, her fingers curled tightly around the stem of her wine glass. The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow across the room, but it did little to brighten the storm brewing inside her.The whispers had reached her ears—whispers that shouldn’t exist, whispers that sent her carefully constructed world teetering on the edge of chaos. Daisy. Alive.The name burned in her mind like a brand, fueling a mixture of fear, anger, and something dangerously close to envy. Louis hadn’t been the same since his return from the Sovereign’s clutches. He was distant, restless, his eyes constantly clouded with thought. Natalie knew where his mind wandered, even if he didn’t dare speak it aloud. It wasn’t hard to guess.Daisy.She swirled her wine absently, her mind working through the implications. If Daisy truly was alive, everything Natalie had worked for could come crumbling down. Louis had been hers for years now, tethered by duty and conven
Natalie watched Louis from across the room, her eyes narrowed as he sat slouched in his chair, nursing a glass of whiskey. His injuries had mostly healed, but the emotional wounds he carried were far from mended. He barely acknowledged her presence, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.She smiled faintly, masking the bitterness that twisted in her chest. Tonight would be the night she secured her future.“Louis,” she called softly, stepping closer. Her voice was soothing, almost maternal. “You’ve been drinking too much again.”“I’m fine,” he muttered, swirling the amber liquid in his glass.“No, you’re not,” she said firmly, taking the glass from his hand. “Come sit with me.”He didn’t resist as she guided him to the couch. She handed him another drink, this one carefully prepared.As he drank, Natalie sat beside him, her hand resting lightly on his arm. “I’ve been worried about you,” she said, her tone sweet and laced with concern.Louis blinked slowly, his vision beginning to blur. “I’m
The room was quiet except for the rhythmic flicker of the lantern hanging from the low ceiling. Its dim light cast warm, dancing shadows over the walls, illuminating the worn furniture and the faint outlines of two figures. Daisy sat in her usual corner, her knees pulled to her chest, her face half-hidden beneath the curtain of her hair. Ezekiel was nearby, his posture relaxed as he leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed on the small cloth bag sitting between them.“You didn’t eat much last time,” Ezekiel said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, unassuming, but there was a trace of concern in his tone. “I figured I’d bring these along.”Daisy glanced at the bag, her expression neutral. But the faintest flicker of curiosity crossed her face when she caught the familiar scent of freshly baked pastries.“Your favorite,” Ezekiel added, nudging the bag closer to her.Her lips twitched into a fleeting smile she quickly suppressed. She hadn’t mentioned her preferences in years—hadn’t
Daisy sat cross-legged on the floor of the abandoned workshop Ezekiel had claimed as their occasional meeting spot. The scent of sawdust and faint traces of oil hung in the air, and the cracked windows let in just enough light to give the space an otherworldly glow.Across from her, Ezekiel was crouched over a blueprint spread out on a makeshift table, his brows furrowed in concentration. A faint smudge of ink streaked across his cheek, and Daisy couldn’t help but let her gaze linger.“You’re staring,” Ezekiel said without looking up, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.Daisy’s cheeks flushed. “No, I’m not.”He glanced at her then, his hazel eyes dancing with amusement. “You’re a terrible liar.”She rolled her eyes, but there was no bite in her response. “Focus on your work.”“I would if someone wasn’t distracting me,” he teased, sitting back on his heels.Daisy huffed, but the warmth spreading in her chest betrayed her irritation. Moments like this—quiet, unguarded—they were b
Pain—an emotion she was no stranger to. Emotional, mental, physical. She had known it all, endured it all, but never imagined it would come from the one person she trusted most."Mr. Grant, after so long, you finally appear with Miss Rodrigo! Are you two making your relationship public?" a reporter's voice echoed across the prison hall."Please make way for Mr. Grant," came the coy voice from the television—the voice of the one person who had shattered her world."They look like the perfect couple." "Wonder what their baby will look like." "Bet Mr. Grant’s a beast in bed."Laughter bubbled around her, but Daisy couldn’t tear her eyes from the screen. The cold, aloof Louis Grant, who once held her hand, massaged her tired feet, and carried her on his back... now standing beside someone else, his arm draped casually around her. How had everything changed so drastically?Who would remember the woman who had once been the center of his life? The woman who had thrown it all away for the sa
"And you're sure no one’s been bothering her at work?" Liam asked, glancing over at Dandelion as they stood in the hallway, both trying to figure out the reason for their younger sister's strange behavior that morning."Liam, I’m her manager. If anyone tried anything, I’d know. Sure, she’s had her moments, but nothing that would cause such a drastic change," Dandelion replied, crossing her arms."I found her staring out the window earlier," Liam muttered, his brow furrowing. "She seemed lost, but at the same time... excited? I’ve never seen her like that before.""I’ll keep a closer eye on her," Dandelion promised, knowing how protective Liam was over Daisy. The youngest Croft sibling had always been Liam’s bottom line, and no one dared cross that line."Just promise me—if something comes up, I’m the first person you call," Liam said firmly."Do we have a choice?" Dandelion laughed, shaking her head. "Come on, let’s get downstairs before the little wolf devours the entire table."They
Daisy sat across from Louis, her hands clenched beneath the table as she tried to calm the racing thoughts in her mind. The restaurant was quiet, the kind of high-end place where hushed whispers and the soft clinking of glasses filled the air. Louis had yet to say much, his eyes distant, as though he'd already made up his mind. He looked just like she remembered—tall, composed, and heartbreakingly handsome. The silence between them stretched as Daisy gathered the courage to speak."I’m glad you made it," Louis finally said, his voice low, betraying none of the emotions she knew he had once held for her. "We need to talk about us."Daisy's heart squeezed at his words. This was it—the moment he had planned to break things off. She had been preparing for this. Her eyes met his, and she forced herself to speak, her voice trembling slightly. "Louis, I know things have been difficult between us. But I want to fix this. I realize now how much I took you for granted."Louis raised an eyebrow,
Daisy sat cross-legged on the floor of the abandoned workshop Ezekiel had claimed as their occasional meeting spot. The scent of sawdust and faint traces of oil hung in the air, and the cracked windows let in just enough light to give the space an otherworldly glow.Across from her, Ezekiel was crouched over a blueprint spread out on a makeshift table, his brows furrowed in concentration. A faint smudge of ink streaked across his cheek, and Daisy couldn’t help but let her gaze linger.“You’re staring,” Ezekiel said without looking up, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.Daisy’s cheeks flushed. “No, I’m not.”He glanced at her then, his hazel eyes dancing with amusement. “You’re a terrible liar.”She rolled her eyes, but there was no bite in her response. “Focus on your work.”“I would if someone wasn’t distracting me,” he teased, sitting back on his heels.Daisy huffed, but the warmth spreading in her chest betrayed her irritation. Moments like this—quiet, unguarded—they were b
The room was quiet except for the rhythmic flicker of the lantern hanging from the low ceiling. Its dim light cast warm, dancing shadows over the walls, illuminating the worn furniture and the faint outlines of two figures. Daisy sat in her usual corner, her knees pulled to her chest, her face half-hidden beneath the curtain of her hair. Ezekiel was nearby, his posture relaxed as he leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed on the small cloth bag sitting between them.“You didn’t eat much last time,” Ezekiel said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, unassuming, but there was a trace of concern in his tone. “I figured I’d bring these along.”Daisy glanced at the bag, her expression neutral. But the faintest flicker of curiosity crossed her face when she caught the familiar scent of freshly baked pastries.“Your favorite,” Ezekiel added, nudging the bag closer to her.Her lips twitched into a fleeting smile she quickly suppressed. She hadn’t mentioned her preferences in years—hadn’t
Natalie watched Louis from across the room, her eyes narrowed as he sat slouched in his chair, nursing a glass of whiskey. His injuries had mostly healed, but the emotional wounds he carried were far from mended. He barely acknowledged her presence, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.She smiled faintly, masking the bitterness that twisted in her chest. Tonight would be the night she secured her future.“Louis,” she called softly, stepping closer. Her voice was soothing, almost maternal. “You’ve been drinking too much again.”“I’m fine,” he muttered, swirling the amber liquid in his glass.“No, you’re not,” she said firmly, taking the glass from his hand. “Come sit with me.”He didn’t resist as she guided him to the couch. She handed him another drink, this one carefully prepared.As he drank, Natalie sat beside him, her hand resting lightly on his arm. “I’ve been worried about you,” she said, her tone sweet and laced with concern.Louis blinked slowly, his vision beginning to blur. “I’m
Natalie stared out the window of her lavishly decorated parlor, her fingers curled tightly around the stem of her wine glass. The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow across the room, but it did little to brighten the storm brewing inside her.The whispers had reached her ears—whispers that shouldn’t exist, whispers that sent her carefully constructed world teetering on the edge of chaos. Daisy. Alive.The name burned in her mind like a brand, fueling a mixture of fear, anger, and something dangerously close to envy. Louis hadn’t been the same since his return from the Sovereign’s clutches. He was distant, restless, his eyes constantly clouded with thought. Natalie knew where his mind wandered, even if he didn’t dare speak it aloud. It wasn’t hard to guess.Daisy.She swirled her wine absently, her mind working through the implications. If Daisy truly was alive, everything Natalie had worked for could come crumbling down. Louis had been hers for years now, tethered by duty and conven
Louis stumbled through the shadowed streets, clutching his bruised ribs as he gasped for air. The Sovereign’s men had made it clear that his escape wouldn’t come easy. Blood seeped through his torn shirt, each step sending sharp jolts of pain through his battered body. But he didn’t care. There was only one place he could go, only one person who might help him make sense of what had just happened: Ezekiel.When he finally arrived at Ezekiel’s residence, he nearly collapsed at the gate. Summoning the last shred of his strength, Louis banged on the door, his bloodied knuckles leaving red smears on the polished wood.The door swung open, and Louis looked up, expecting Ezekiel’s stern gaze. Instead, he was met with the wide-eyed stares of Liam and Dandelion.“Louis?” Dandelion’s voice was sharp with disbelief.“What the hell are you doing here?” Liam demanded, his expression a mixture of anger and concern.Louis staggered inside without waiting for an invitation, collapsing onto a nearby
The room was oppressive, suffused with a damp chill that clung to Daisy’s skin. Her wrists were shackled above her head, the iron cuffs biting into her flesh. She stood in the center of the punishment chamber, her cloak discarded, her back bare to the cold air. The Sovereign’s heavy footsteps echoed ominously, each step a grim promise of what was to come.“You failed me, Phantom.” His voice was devoid of warmth, each word cutting like a blade. “You, my most trusted. My most loyal.”Daisy remained silent, her chin lifted defiantly despite the weight of the accusations. She had made her choice, and she would endure the consequences.The Sovereign circled her slowly, his presence looming. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice? That I wouldn’t see the hesitation, the weakness? You let him escape.” His voice dropped, chillingly calm. “You, of all people, betrayed me.”She stiffened but didn’t speak. What could she say? He was right. She had faltered when she saw Louis, the memories of their pas
The room reeked of damp cement and rusted metal, its oppressive silence broken only by the faint drip of water from a leaking pipe. Shadows flickered against the walls, cast by a single bulb hanging precariously from the ceiling. Louis sat hunched in a steel chair, his wrists bound tightly by chains that dug into his skin. Dried blood crusted on his cheek from a deep gash, a testament to the rough treatment he’d endured, yet his eyes still burned with defiance.He wasn’t afraid of them. At least, that’s what he told himself. But deep down, beneath his stoic facade, there was a small, gnawing fear—not for himself, but for those he had failed.The heavy door groaned open, its sound reverberating through the room like a warning. Louis lifted his head, squinting through the haze of pain and dim light. The rhythmic clink of boots filled the silence, deliberate and unhurried.She entered the room with a calculated grace, her black cloak billowing slightly as she moved. A sleek mask covered
Daisy sat at the edge of a deserted rooftop, her legs dangling over the ledge as the neon-lit city sprawled below her. The air was thick with the hum of distant traffic, broken only by the occasional siren. She exhaled, her breath forming a mist in the cool night air. The trail she had left behind was deliberate—a breadcrumb she knew he couldn’t resist.He would come. He always did.But why? Why was she doing this? Each time, she told herself it would be the last. Yet here she was, waiting, her heart warring between anticipation and dread. She hated this pull he had over her, hated how his presence stirred something deep within her that she thought she’d buried forever.The faint sound of footsteps reached her ears, steady and purposeful. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. She closed her eyes briefly, steeling herself.“You’re getting sloppy,” Ezekiel said, his voice low and tinged with worry.She smirked, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Or maybe I’m just testing you
The tension between them had always been an undercurrent, simmering beneath the surface, threatening to boil over. But lately, it had become impossible to ignore. Daisy sat at the edge of the Sovereign's grand meeting hall, her eyes scanning the room as the powerful figures debated alliances and power plays. She could feel his gaze on her—intense, unwavering, and maddeningly familiar.Ezekiel was there, standing among the few who had been granted access as external advisors. His focus was razor-sharp, but Daisy could tell it wasn’t on the room's politics or the Sovereign’s plans. It was on her. Always her.After the meeting concluded, Daisy made her way through the winding halls of the Sovereign’s estate. Her steps were deliberate, echoing against the cold marble floor. She didn’t want to acknowledge his presence trailing her, but she knew he was there. He always found a way to close the distance, and today was no different.“Do you think you can avoid me forever?” Ezekiel’s voice cut