Mrs. Cassiopeia sat in her grand sitting room, the faint scent of jasmine lingering in the air. The soft ticking of the antique clock on the wall was the only sound, each passing second fueling her worry. Her gnarled hands tightened around the carved handle of her walking stick, her heart heavy with thoughts of Eulalia.Then, the front doors creaked open.Her head snapped up. Elowen stood there, framed by the golden evening light, cradling Eulalia tightly in her arms. The little girl’s face was pale, but she was safe.Mrs. Cassiopeia gasped, tears springing to her eyes. Relief crashed over her like a wave. She struggled to stand, gripping her cane as she pushed herself up with trembling hands. Her steps were wobbly but determined as she rushed toward Elowen.“Oh, my sweet girl!” she cried, her voice cracking with emotion. She reached for Eulalia, her hands quivering as she took the child from Elowen’s arms. Pulling her close, she hugged her great-granddaughter tightly, burying her fac
As the guards dragged Rebecca away, her screams echoed down the marble hall, sharp and raw, bouncing off the high ceilings like a ghost refusing to be silenced. But it wasn’t her screams that froze the room it was her parting words.“You think this is over?” she spat, her chest heaving as wild eyes locked onto Mrs. Cassiopeia. “You have no idea what you’ve started.”Her voice lingered in the air long after the heavy doors slammed shut behind her.Mrs. Cassiopeia’s knuckles whitened around the handle of her cane. For the first time that day, doubt a rare and unwelcome guest slithered into her thoughts. Her stern mask faltered, and in its place, a flicker of something fragile.She lowered herself onto the velvet sofa with a grace that only age and pride could teach. The crackling fire in the grand hearth cast long shadows across the room, but they didn’t reach her like the chill that now sat heavy in her chest.“Elowen,” she murmured, patting the empty seat beside her.The young woman m
Lysander’s hands curled into fists, his knuckles turning white. “Don’t think I’ll let you walk out of here. An eye for an eye.”The room seemed to freeze, thick with tension. The air, once filled with Mrs. Cassiopeia’s sobs, now sat heavy and silent waiting. Lysander lunged forward, his movements sharp, fueled by years of pent-up rage.Mrs. Cassiopeia closed her eyes, her frail body trembling, tears slipping down her wrinkled cheeks. The sounds of betrayal, heartbreak, and vengeance reverberated through the grand hall echoes of a family torn apart.Oxford staggered backward, his breath shallow, fear etching deep lines across his face. He’d known Lysander for years, watched him grow, mentored him even. But he also knew that when Lysander uttered those five words “an eye for an eye” there was no turning back. It meant destruction, merciless and cold.Still, he forced a smirk, masking the terror in his gut. “What will you do?” he asked, his voice shaky beneath the facade.Lysander’s jaw
“I ended things with my man,” Seraphina whispered. “And I feel… used.”Her voice cracked, and the silence that followed felt heavier than the air around them. Elowen’s fingers tightened around her phone as she sat straighter in her chair, her mind racing.“What?” she breathed.“I’m at the airport,” Seraphina continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “I couldn’t stay there, Elowen. I just couldn’t.”That was all Elowen needed to hear.She grabbed her keys and headed for the car, barely stopping to tell her assistant to reschedule her meetings. As she sped through the city streets, her mind swirled with confusion. Seraphina and Zephyr were the kind of couple people envied their chemistry, the way they moved together so effortlessly. She had never once sensed trouble between them.Had something happened while she was away? And if so, why hadn’t Seraphina told her sooner?By the time she reached the airport, the evening sky had melted into soft shades of orange and pink, the city light
Elowen reached across the small space between them, wrapping her fingers around Seraphina’s trembling hands. “You don’t have to figure everything out right now,” she murmured. “Just breathe. I’m here.”Seraphina inhaled shakily, her grip tightening as if Elowen’s touch was the only thing keeping her from crumbling. She hadn’t cried not really. The tears sat heavy behind her eyes, threatening, but she held them back with sheer force of will.And then, for the first time since she arrived, she whispered, “Thank you.”The words had barely left her lips when her phone vibrated against the wooden table. The name flashing on the screen sent an icy shiver down her spine. Zephyr.She stared at it, heart hammering. Confused. Scared. Unsure of what to say if she answered.Elowen caught her hesitation and offered an encouraging nod. “Pick it up.”Seraphina swallowed hard, then slid her thumb across the screen.“Thank God, babe. You answered.” Zephyr’s voice was breathless, like he had been waiti
The early morning sun filtered through the glass walls of Elowen’s office, casting soft golden streaks across the sleek mahogany desk. She adjusted her posture in her chair, fingers gliding over the keyboard as she lost herself in the work on her screen.A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. She glanced up, momentarily disoriented before shifting her focus toward the doorway.Andrew stepped in, bowing slightly. "Ma'am, you have a visitor."Elowen frowned. "A visitor?" She hadn't been expecting anyone."She says she’s your friend," Andrew replied.Curiosity flickered in her eyes. "Let her in."Andrew bowed again and exited. Moments later, the familiar figure of Seraphina stepped through the door. Dressed in a stylish yet casual ensemble, she radiated confidence as she took in the space around her.Elowen's lips curled into a smile as she shut her laptop. "You should be at the villa, not here," she said, a playful reprimand in her tone.Seraphina rolled her eyes as she san
Elowen stood slowly, the quiet scrape of her chair against the floor the only sound in the room. She smoothed her hands over her dress, then crossed the space between them with graceful precision. Settling into the chair across from Seraphina and Zephyr, she crossed her legs, her sharp gaze never leaving them.She had never asked Seraphina about her mother. It wasn’t out of disinterest far from it. She had respected her friend’s choice to never speak of the woman. But now, hearing Zephyr's words, a chill crept down her spine.She folded her hands in her lap. "Why would her mother want her dead?" Her voice was calm, but the steel underneath was unmistakable.Zephyr leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his fingers interlocked. He let out a slow breath, his jaw tightening as he spoke. "From what I’ve uncovered, Seraphina’s mother never wanted her in the first place. She only married her father for his wealth, and children weren’t part of the deal. She was a spy planted by the
Elowen’s heels clicked against the marble floor as she paced in her office, her mind racing. Her hands trembled slightly as she clenched her phone, her heartbeat thrumming in her ears. Seraphina was in danger. And if there was one thing Elowen couldn’t stand, it was feeling helpless.She took a deep breath and dialed Lysander’s number.The call barely rang twice before he answered. "I was just about to call you," he said, his voice carrying its usual smoothness.Elowen forced a smirk. "Yeah? But I called first.""Touché, my love," he teased, but there was an edge to his voice, like he sensed something was wrong."I need your help," she said, dropping all pretenses.A pause. Then, "What do you need?"Elowen swallowed hard, gripping the edge of her desk. "The full force of your guards."Another pause. She could hear Lysander shifting, the rustling of papers being pushed aside. "Why?""My friend has been taken by her own mother."Lysander let out a low, frustrated sigh. "Seraphina?""Yes
Lysander gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white as he sped down the narrow, unpaved road. The engine’s low growl barely masked the storm brewing inside him. The headlights cut through the thick darkness, illuminating the overgrown bushes that lined the path to his family’s old hideout.His hideout.Now overrun by the very woman who once swore she loved him.He should have killed Calista when he had the chance.The thought burned through his mind as he cut the engine a few feet away from the compound. Silence. The night was still, but Lysander knew better. She’d have men posted everywhere.He slid out of the car, moving like a shadow. The bulletproof vest felt snug against his chest as he unholstered his silenced pistol. His eyes scanned the area two guards at the entrance, standing stiff, their breath visible in the cold night air.Lysander exhaled slowly.Two bullets. Two bodies.They crumpled without a sound.He stepped over them, slipping inside through the creaky d
The room was silent.Thick. Suffocating.But Elowen didn't flinch. Instead, she did something that made Calista pause.She smiled.Cold. Unyielding.And when she spoke, her voice was steel.“Then I hope you’re ready.”A flicker of hesitation flashed in Calista’s eyes.“Because I don’t plan on dying today.”Calista's laughter rang through the dimly lit room, sharp and full of venom. Her heels clicked against the concrete floor as she stepped out of the shadows, finally revealing herself.Elowen’s head throbbed, warm blood trickling down her face. The ropes bit into her wrists, cutting off circulation, but she refused to let the pain show.Calista crouched before her, tilting her head like a predator studying its prey.“You always were full of fight.” Her fingers clamped onto Elowen’s jaw, nails digging into her skin. She squeezed tight, unforgiving. “But let me make one thing clear.”She leaned in, her breath hot against Elowen’s ear.“You don’t get to win.”Elowen gritted her teeth, b
“I miss it already,” Seraphina sighed, her fingers trailing along the cold glass of the car window. The city lights blurred past, casting golden reflections over the darkened streets.“Me too,” Elowen murmured, her hands tightening on the wheel.The road stretched ahead, slick with rain, the faint hum of tires the only sound between them. The night felt calm, almost too calm—Then came the headlights.Blinding. Fast. Barreling straight toward them.A truck.No time. No space.BANG.The impact slammed into them with bone-shattering force. The seatbelt bit into Elowen’s chest as the car was sent skidding, tires screeching against asphalt. Metal groaned, twisting under the weight of the collision.Glass exploded.The world spun flipping, rolling, tumbling.CRASH.Then silence.Thick. Suffocating.A metallic scent filled Elowen’s nose blood. Gasoline. Smoke curled in the air.Somewhere, a phone buzzed.Seraphina.“Are you there? Elowen, answer me!” Seraphina’s voice was sharp, frantic.No
Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, warming Elowen’s skin as she shifted beneath the covers. A lazy yawn escaped her lips, her body protesting against the idea of leaving the comfort of sleep. Just five more minutes…A shadow fell over her.Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the light only to find Lysander perched at the edge of her bed, watching her.She jerked upright. “Lysander? What the hell—”“Good morning.” His voice was smooth, teasing, like he had been waiting for her reaction.Her gaze flickered around, confirming she was indeed in her own bedroom. The realization did nothing to soothe her racing heart. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t tell me you spent the night in my room?”Lysander leaned in slightly, his presence filling the space between them. “Is that how you greet someone in the morning?” His fingers ghosted through her tousled hair, making her stomach flip.Elowen swallowed. “Good morning.” The words came out breathy, uncertain.Lysander sat back, cro
Elowen’s pulse hammered in her ears as Mrs. Martha’s words echoed in the dimly lit room."I’m going to kill her right in front of you."The woman said it so casually, like she was discussing dinner plans.Elowen’s fingers curled into fists.Mrs. Martha leaned closer, smirking. "Then, I’ll erase Zephyr’s memory. And we’ll all pretend this never happened."A laugh slipped past Elowen’s lips low, cold, unnatural.Mrs. Martha’s smirk faltered. "Something funny?"Elowen tilted her head, her gaze locking onto the woman’s with unsettling calm. "You’re right about one thing, Martha."Martha’s brow arched in amusement."You’re good at eliminating problems."Elowen’s eyes turned to steel. "Too bad you never realized you’re mine."A flicker of confusion crossed Mrs. Martha’s face before Elowen moved.The gunshot shattered the silence.Martha’s smirk didn’t even have time to fade before the bullet slammed into her skull. Blood splattered across the cracked concrete walls as she crumpled, her body
Elowen’s grip tightened on the steering wheel as she stared at the blinking red dot on her phone screen. The tracker had stopped moving. An abandoned building deep in the forest. Her gut twisted. That’s where Seraphina is.She took a steady breath and killed the engine. The line of black SUVs behind her followed suit, their headlights cutting through the thick fog. The air smelled damp, the scent of pine mixing with something metallic something off.As Elowen stepped out of her Lamborghini Aventador, a dozen guards followed, moving with sharp precision. Their black suits blended with the night, silent shadows awaiting orders. Her pulse was steady, but beneath it, rage simmered."Surround the building," she commanded, her voice low but firm.The men split instantly, disappearing into the darkness, their training evident in the way they moved no wasted steps, no hesitation.Elowen adjusted the gun holster beneath her coat. She wouldn’t leave without Seraphina.With a flick of her wrist,
Elowen’s heels clicked against the marble floor as she paced in her office, her mind racing. Her hands trembled slightly as she clenched her phone, her heartbeat thrumming in her ears. Seraphina was in danger. And if there was one thing Elowen couldn’t stand, it was feeling helpless.She took a deep breath and dialed Lysander’s number.The call barely rang twice before he answered. "I was just about to call you," he said, his voice carrying its usual smoothness.Elowen forced a smirk. "Yeah? But I called first.""Touché, my love," he teased, but there was an edge to his voice, like he sensed something was wrong."I need your help," she said, dropping all pretenses.A pause. Then, "What do you need?"Elowen swallowed hard, gripping the edge of her desk. "The full force of your guards."Another pause. She could hear Lysander shifting, the rustling of papers being pushed aside. "Why?""My friend has been taken by her own mother."Lysander let out a low, frustrated sigh. "Seraphina?""Yes
Elowen stood slowly, the quiet scrape of her chair against the floor the only sound in the room. She smoothed her hands over her dress, then crossed the space between them with graceful precision. Settling into the chair across from Seraphina and Zephyr, she crossed her legs, her sharp gaze never leaving them.She had never asked Seraphina about her mother. It wasn’t out of disinterest far from it. She had respected her friend’s choice to never speak of the woman. But now, hearing Zephyr's words, a chill crept down her spine.She folded her hands in her lap. "Why would her mother want her dead?" Her voice was calm, but the steel underneath was unmistakable.Zephyr leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his fingers interlocked. He let out a slow breath, his jaw tightening as he spoke. "From what I’ve uncovered, Seraphina’s mother never wanted her in the first place. She only married her father for his wealth, and children weren’t part of the deal. She was a spy planted by the
The early morning sun filtered through the glass walls of Elowen’s office, casting soft golden streaks across the sleek mahogany desk. She adjusted her posture in her chair, fingers gliding over the keyboard as she lost herself in the work on her screen.A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. She glanced up, momentarily disoriented before shifting her focus toward the doorway.Andrew stepped in, bowing slightly. "Ma'am, you have a visitor."Elowen frowned. "A visitor?" She hadn't been expecting anyone."She says she’s your friend," Andrew replied.Curiosity flickered in her eyes. "Let her in."Andrew bowed again and exited. Moments later, the familiar figure of Seraphina stepped through the door. Dressed in a stylish yet casual ensemble, she radiated confidence as she took in the space around her.Elowen's lips curled into a smile as she shut her laptop. "You should be at the villa, not here," she said, a playful reprimand in her tone.Seraphina rolled her eyes as she san