I swallowed hard, my hands clenched tightly at my sides.The silence stretched, unbearable. Then, finally, his voice cut through the tension like a blade.“When were you going to tell me that you were being threatened?”I felt my blood run cold.So he knew.Of course, he knew.I should have expected this. Nothing escaped him.“I—I was going to tell you,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. “I just—”“Just what?” His voice remained calm, but that was what made it terrifying.I felt exposed, vulnerable. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment before finally blurting out the truth.Everything.The blackmail. The person who saw me try to run Bella over. How I had no choice but to do what they wanted.I admitted to putting the virus into Julius’s system.The moment the words left my lips, he slammed his hand against the table.I jumped, my entire body tensing.The force of his anger sent a chill straight down my spine.“You didn’t think to tell me that you were being blackmailed?” h
I was at home, sprawled on the couch with my laptop open, scrolling through some bussiness files when my phone rang.Ellen.A small smile tugged at my lips as I picked up. “Ellen, to what do I owe the pleasure?”“Bella! Hey,” she greeted, her voice warm. “Are you busy?”“Not particularly.” I closed my laptop and sat up. “What’s up?”“There’s a high school reunion this weekend,” she said excitedly. “A bunch of our old classmates will be there. I thought it’d be fun if we went together.”A reunion?I leaned back, considering it. High school felt like a lifetime ago, a place filled with faces I had long since forgotten—or purposely erased from memory.“Not interested,” I said lazily.“Oh, come on, Bella.” Ellen laughed. “It’ll be fun! Besides, I’m not going if you don’t.”I smirked at that. “You really don’t want to go on your own?”“I could,” she teased. “But I’d rather have you there.”I sighed, pretending to be annoyed, even though I didn’t really mind. “Fine.”Ellen gasped. “Really?”
Ellen sighed, shaking her head. “I need to go freshen up. I’ll be right back.”I nodded, still watching our old schoolmates whisper. Vannessa had disappeared but the damage to her reputation was done. Good.A few moments passed before my phone buzzed.Ellen: Hey, can you come to the bathroom? My zipper’s stuck, and I need help.I exhaled, slipping my phone into my pulse.Making my way to the bathroom, I pushed open the door. “Ellen, where—”Before I could finish, a rough hand shot out, grabbing my wrist in a bruising grip.“What the—?!” I struggled, my heels scraping against the floor as I was yanked inside. The door slammed shut behind me.A familiar scent—expensive cologne and chocolate oud—hit me before I even saw his face.Julius.I looked up, as his fingers tightened around my arm. His lips curled into a smirk, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement.“Did you miss me, Bella?”Julius chuckled, his grip tightening even more instead of releasing me. “You won’t say anything?”I tried
I sighed and turned off my screen, tossing my phone onto the bedside table. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with anything else tonight.I checked my phone one last time before bed. Still no response from Jesse.I missed him. So much.His touch… the way his hands would glide over my skin, the way he would whisper my name in that deep, husky voice. Just thinking about it made my body heat up. My fingers trailed absentmindedly down my stomach, lower—I gasped and immediately pulled my hand away, my cheeks burning. What am I doing?I buried my face into my pillow, willing the thoughts away. This was ridiculous. I shouldn’t be thinking about him like this when he wasn’t even here. Shaking my head, I reached over and turned off the lights, forcing myself to sleep.The next morning arrived much faster than I expected.I stretched lazily in bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I instinctively reached for my phone.Still no text from Jesse.A small frown crept onto my lips. He usually finds a w
"It’s called Fall of Duty," Daniel announced excitedly, leaning forward like a kid about to share his favorite toy. "Basically, you shoot some guys down, win, and feel like an absolute badass. Simple, right?"I raised a brow. "Sounds like every other shooting game.""No, no, this one is different!" He wagged a finger at me. "This one has—uh—realistic graphics. Oh, and you get to customize your weapons! Oh! And there are missions! Like, really intense missions where you have to infiltrate enemy bases and—wait, why am I explaining this? Just download it, you’ll see!"I smirked at his enthusiasm. "Alright, alright. Let me download it.""Good choice, Bella! Excellent choice!" He nodded approvingly. "Don’t worry, I’ll help you pass the beginner levels. It can be a bit tough at first, but I got you."I rolled my eyes as I tapped the install button."Oh, and make sure to create a cool username!" Daniel added. "Something intimidating, like… ShadowSniper or QueenOfChaos. Ooh! Or maybe—""Bella
The gunshot rang out, but it wasn’t aimed at me—or any of my men. It was shot up at the sky.I snapped my gun up, scanning the area. From the shadows, a figure emerged, his steps slow, deliberate. He held his gun raised toward the sky, but there was no fear in his posture. Instead, he carried himself like a man with nothing to lose.I kept my weapon trained on him, finger steady on the trigger. Whatever game he was playing, I wasn’t about to give him the upper hand.The man stopped a few feet away and did something unexpected.He knelt.A wicked smile stretched across his lips, his eyes glinting with something unhinged.“My master has a message for you.”I didn’t respond. My grip on the gun didn’t waver, but I could feel my patience wearing thin. This wasn’t a negotiation.The man tilted his head, amusement flickering across his face. Then, with a dry chuckle, he continued, “He said—”I pulled the trigger.The bullet hit him between the eyes, cutting off whatever nonsense he was about
After spending hours playing the game with Daniel, I quickly grew bored. At first, his endless chatter was amusing, but after a while, I found myself just nodding along, barely paying attention.Daniel, ever the observant one, finally took the hint. He stretched dramatically, yawning as if he had exhausted himself. "Alright, alright, I get it. You’re tired of my company."I raised an eyebrow. "I didn’t say that.""But you were thinking it," he said with a grin before grabbing his jacket. "I’ll get out of your hair. Don’t miss me too much."I rolled my eyes. "Not likely."He laughed as he walked toward the door, pausing for a moment. "Try not to be too lonely without Jesse, okay?"I didn’t bother responding. I just waved him off, and as soon as the door shut behind him, I let out a deep breath. Finally. Peace and quiet.I pulled out my phone, scrolling through my notifications when my eyes landed on a new message.Jesse: See you soon, baby.I didn’t know when my lips curved into a smil
"Aren’t you tired, Bella?"Athena.I turned, and there she was, standing. Her expensive silk dress clung to her frame, her hair styled to perfection. She always made sure to look like the picture-perfect wealthy heiress, but her eyes—her eyes gave away how much she despised me.I sighed lazily. "You just can’t help yourself, can you?"Athena smirked, stepping closer. "You humiliated my friend."I raised a brow. "I didn’t know your pets had feelings."Athena’s lips twitched, but she quickly masked it with a fake, amused laugh. "You always did have a sharp tongue, Bella. But don’t you ever get tired of playing the villain?"I smirked, shaking my head. "Says the woman who’s been trying to ruin my life since forever."She let out a mocking sigh. "You act like you’re some untouchable queen, but let’s be real—without Jesse, you’re just the same lonely, unwanted girl from before."I clenched my jaw. I wasn’t going to let her get under my skin."Unwanted?" I chuckled. "That’s rich, coming fro
Chemical-induced psychosis.Someone had been feeding Reza a micro-dose of hallucinogenic toxins over the last year—strong enough to twist her mind without killing her.Only one family had the kind of expertise needed to pull it off perfectly, without detection.The Elmore family.Anna.I slammed the file shut, my fury cold and precise.“She’s not working with a ghost,” I said.“She’s just another broken toy.”Kael nodded grimly. “Anna used her. Planted the fear. Fed her the stories. Made her believe she was part of something bigger.”"And when she was done with her?"Kael’s expression hardened. "She left her to rot in her own madness."Later that night, I returned to the dungeon alone.Reza was curled on the floor now, muttering to herself.She didn’t even look up when I entered.I stood there for a long time, watching her.She had betrayed me.She had tried to weaken the Empire.But somehow, staring at her now, I didn’t feel hatred. Just indifference. Bella’s POVI stood at the high
Gasps echoed through the room. One of the councilmen stood in panic.But before she could move, Kael was already there—steel against her wrist, slamming her to the ground with a precision honed in blood.The blade clattered to the floor.Reza let out a sharp breath, rage etched into every line of her face.“Dominion is already lost,” she hissed, spitting the words like poison. “You think you’ve won, girl. But you don’t even know the real plan.”I stepped forward, eyes locked on hers.“Then speak,” I said coldly. “Before I decide your death should come quicker than your trial.”She laughed then—low and bitter.Not the laugh of someone defeated.The laugh of someone who knew what was still coming.My pulse slowed. Tightened.“Who?”Reza’s eyes gleamed.“The one even your uncle feared.” She leaned closer, whispering like it tasted good to say it.“Cyrus.”I stared at her.“ Cyrus is the real move. And he’s already begun.”I didn’t blink. “What has he started?”She refused to speak any lo
He walked beside me as we moved toward the armored vehicle waiting beyond the runway.“We’ve reestablished order in the outer provinces. The council is restless but compliant. Your presence alone has stabilized the unrest.” He paused. “Your uncle’s name hasn’t been spoken in weeks. He’s in hiding.”The gates of the Dominion estate swung open.As I stepped out of the car, the familiar scent of power, blood, and memory greeted me like an old friend.Guards lined the entrance.Servants bowed.Kael stood at my side as the heavy doors opened.We hadn’t been inside the main hall for five minutes before I turned to Kael.“Set up a meeting with the council. Now.”Kael didn’t hesitate. He nodded once and slipped out the corridor without a word.An hour later, the great chamber doors opened.Every member of the Dominion council stood or sat stiffly in their appointed seats—lined in gold, trimmed in pride. Some of them tried not to look surprised. Others stared at me like I’d returned from the g
He didn’t rise.Didn’t speak again.He just stayed there, silent on the floor, as I turned and walked away.I hadn’t spoken to Daniel since everything happened. And I knew I had no right to expect anything now.Still, I pressed call.He picked up after two rings.“Bella?”His tone was flat. Cold.“Daniel, I need to talk to you. Can you come to my penthouse?”Silence.Then: “You’ve got to be kidding me.”I blinked. “What?”“You ignore my calls for months. You vanish. You ghost me. You ghost him. And now you’re calling out of nowhere like nothing happened?”I closed my eyes. “I know—”“No, you don’t,” he snapped. “Do you know how many times I tried reaching out to you after Jesse disappeared? I thought maybe you were hurting too. I thought maybe we could piece something together—anything. But you disappeared.”“Daniel—”“Do you know what it felt like watching the engagement headlines?” he said, voice rising. “First yours. Then his. You left. And now you want what? My help? My loyalty?”
An hour passed.I didn’t expect a reply.But then… my phone buzzed.Anna.Tell me more.I glanced around, made sure I was alone, and began typing.I told her everything.The call with Kael. The research into her father’s empire. The theory about memory drugs. Bella’s plan to act.I sent it all.There was a pause.Then:Thank you.That was it.Just two words.But they felt like a knife twisting between guilt and satisfaction.Bella’s POVTwo days after I told Kael to dig into Anna’s background, I got a message.It wasn’t anonymous. It wasn’t a threat.It was a polite request.From Anna.Let’s meet. There’s a café nearby. Let’s talk.I stared at the screen for a while, debating. But I knew I had to go.The café she chose was quiet. I spotted her immediately—sitting at the far end, in a corner seat, tea already waiting.She smiled as I approached, perfectly composed.“Bella,” she said, standing slightly as if we were two old friends meeting for brunch.I didn’t return the greeting. I ju
Her voice was soft, curious. Almost amused.I didn’t move.She stepped further in, letting the door close behind her.“You really are something,” she said, circling a little. “Daughter of Alaric. I suppose that makes sense.”I narrowed my eyes. “Cut the nonsense. Why did you bring me here?”She smiled again, lips sharp.“You should learn to mind your own business, Bella,” she said. “Why do you think you can just waltz into my wedding and cause a scene?”I didn’t respond.My voice came out cold. Flat. “What did you do to Jesse?”Her smile didn't falter, but her eyes darkened.“He doesn’t even remember me,” I said. “What did you do?”She shrugged lightly. “Maybe he wanted to forget you. Or maybe he’s pretending… because he wants you to go away.”I stepped forward, eyes locked on hers.“No,” I said. “That’s the thing about Jesse. Jesse doesn’t lie. And he definitely wouldn’t just marry someone out of nowhere.”Anna's laugh was light, airy—and full of mockery.Then she tilted her head and
No goodbye. No message. No explanation. Just headlines and pictures of a life he was about to build without me.Didn’t he love me?Or was everything between us just timing? A moment that was never going to last?Was it because of the photos with Julius?Had he seen them? Had he assumed the worst and moved on?Or was this marriage something else entirely—a lie to protect something bigger?I couldn’t stop asking the questions.I couldn’t stop seeing his face.I couldn’t stop missing him.The morning of the wedding arrived.I sat in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection like I was waiting for it to speak for me.It didn’t.I stood, my hands clenched into fists.No.I wasn’t going to sit here while Jesse married someone else. Not without hearing the truth from him. Not without standing in front of him one last time and saying what I should’ve said long ago.No, I won’t allow that to happen.I pulled on a dark blue dress—elegant, simple, not flashy.I didn’t want to be seen.I want
“…Understood. Do you want to see the child? Just once?”I said nothing.He cleared his throat gently. “He has beautiful brown hair. And his eyes… I’ve never seen anything like them. Gold. Like—sunlight and fire. Rare.”I closed my eyes.For a moment, I felt something strange flicker in my chest.Not guilt.Just… a ripple of something I couldn’t name.Then I exhaled.“No. Just put him there.”Vin’s voice was quieter now. “Yes, sir.”I kept the burner phone back inside my secret compartment then laid back on the bed relived. Bella’s POVI had stayed with Julius for a few days.But my heart remained empty.Every time he smiled at me, I felt like I was watching a stranger try to wear the face of someone I used to know. And worse than the emptiness… was the ache I couldn’t silence.Jesse.I walked out to the balcony as the evening light spilled across the skyline and pulled out my phone again. The screen lit up. No new messages.Just silence.I exhaled sharply and dialed the one number t
My breath steadied. My eyes cleared.There was no more time to waste.I reached for the emergency phone hidden in the drawer by the bed and dialed a direct line.“Vin.”My personal guard answered within a single ring. “Sir.”“There’s a woman coming. Possibly today. Pregnant. Her name is Athena.” My voice dropped into a low command. “If she shows up at the estate or near it—I don’t want Bella to see her. Or hear her. Or know.”Vin was silent for a moment. “Understood.”“Lock her in the lower security post. Restrain her. Tie her mouth if you have to. No one, and I mean no one, is to interact with her except you.”“Yes, sir.”I stood from the bed, pacing now, blood still hot with panic disguised as resolve.**“Once she’s locked in, call me immediately. If I cough after answering—**even once—it means I’m not alone and you can’t speak. If I answer and say nothing, it means you’re clear to talk. Got it?”“Crystal clear.”I tightened my grip around the phone. “Good.”He hung up.If Athena sh