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
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
“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
“Get the hell out of my son’s house!” Mrs. Thalassa’s voice cut through the dimly lit room, sharp as a blade, echoing off the walls. The venom in her words struck Elowen like a physical blow, freezing her in place. Three years of marriage, three years of love now shattered with a single command.Elowen’s heart hammered in her chest as she stood, rooted to the spot. This was her home too, wasn’t it? But in Mrs. Thalassa’s eyes, she was an intruder. Her gaze swept the room, once filled with love and laughter. Now, it felt foreign, hostile. The air buzzed with betrayal.Her fists clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms. She had devoted herself to Caspian since childhood, her love wrapping around him like vines. But those vines had turned to shackles, tightening with each passing day, choking the life out of her. His touch once warm and tender now felt cold, like a ghost of what they once shared."Why should I leave my husband's house?" Elowen’s voice trembled, weak against th
Elowen shot awake, her body heavy with a deep, throbbing ache. The damp sheets clung to her, and the dim, claustrophobic room felt as if it was swallowing her whole. Her breathing was labored, shallow gasps escaping her as panic crawled up her spine. Something was horribly wrong.She tried to sit up, but the sharp pain in her lower abdomen forced her back down. Wincing, she peeled away the covers to reveal an unfamiliar bed. Where am I? Her heart hammered in her chest as she scanned the room, eyes darting from the heavy velvet curtains to the modern, sleek furniture. None of this was hers. This wasn’t her life.The fragments of last night flickered in her mind like pieces of a shattered mirror: music, laughter, and the touch of a stranger. Her palms pressed against her temples, but it did little to suppress the rising nausea.On the nightstand, a delicate silver necklace gleamed beside a crumpled piece of paper. Dread filled her as she reached for it, her fingers trembling.Find me. I
Elowen stepped off the train, her heart racing as she scanned the bustling city of Alphacrest. The cacophony of voices and the rhythmic clattering of luggage on the platform felt like a distant storm, but one familiar face stood out amidst the chaos. Seraphina beamed at her from the crowd, a handmade sign with Elowen's name scrawled in bright red letters held high.“Elowen!” Seraphina called, her voice cutting through the noise like a beacon. Before Elowen could respond, Seraphina swept her into a tight embrace. The familiar scent of vanilla and jasmine enveloped her, grounding her in memories of laughter and simpler times.“Come on, let’s get you home,” Seraphina said, grabbing Elowen's suitcase with a determined tug.As they drove through the city, the lights blurred past like fleeting memories, but Elowen felt the weight of unspoken tension thickening the air between them. She stared out the window, lost in the shadows of her past.Once inside Seraphina’s apartment, silence stretch
Four years later…“Mummy, Mummy!” Eulalia’s tiny voice echoed through the hallway as she burst into her mother’s office, tears streaming down her cheeks.Elowen looked up from her desk, her heart melting at the sight of her daughter’s distress. She rushed to scoop Eulalia into her arms. “What’s wrong, my little angel? Why are you crying?”Eulalia sniffled, clinging tightly to her mother. “Leander took my toy and won’t give it back!”At that moment, Leander appeared in the doorway, arms crossed and brow furrowed. “Mum, she’s going to break it! I told her she can’t just throw it around. You bought it for her, but she’s being childish!” he muttered, glaring at his sister.Elowen gently set Eulalia down and crouched to Leander’s level, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Leander, she’s your little sister. You have to teach her with love, not force. Can you do that for me?”Leander’s stern expression faltered, replaced by guilt. He glanced at Eulalia, whose teary eyes watched him expectantly.
Elowen turned slowly, her heart pounding as her eyes met Caspian’s across the crowded lot. His piercing gaze narrowed in suspicion. She lowered her cap, tugging it further down her face, and adjusted her mask to obscure her identity. Her every instinct screamed at her to remain calm, even as her pulse quickened.“Who are you looking for?” Caspian’s tone was measured, but the steel edge in his voice betrayed his unease.Elowen hesitated for a beat, carefully schooling her expression. “I’m just looking for a friend,” she replied evenly, gesturing vaguely toward the far side of the lot. “I must have gotten the address wrong.”Caspian’s sharp gaze lingered, scanning her face for cracks in her story. “Strange place to meet a friend,” he said, his voice low. “I could help you find them.”“No need,” she said, her voice clipped as she took a deliberate step back. “I’ve got it under control.” Turning on her heel, she walked away, her pace steady despite the fire raging within her.Sliding into
“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
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
“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