Sunlight streamed through the curtains, and Selena stirred awake, blinking against the brightness. Her body ached from the tension of the past few days, but the faint hum of voices drew her out of bed. Rubbing her eyes, she slipped on a robe and padded down the hall. The sight in the dining room stopped her in her tracks. Alina sat at the breakfast table, her hair brushed neatly, though her face still bore faint signs of exhaustion. Across from her was Selena’s mother, quietly sipping tea as if this were a normal morning. “Alina?” Selena’s voice wavered, half-convinced she was dreaming. Alina turned, her tired eyes lighting up when she saw Selena. “Morning,” she said, her voice soft but steady. Selena hurried to her side, gripping her shoulders gently. “You’re okay. You’re really okay.” Alina nodded, her gaze dropping. “Thanks to you.” Selena sat across from her, her heart heavy with relief and guilt. “How did it happen? How did they take you?” Alina hesitated, her han
The evening air felt oppressive as Selena made her way to Adrian’s study. Her steps were heavy, but her determination was solid. She couldn’t keep living like this. Every moment spent in this house was another reminder of how far she had fallen under Adrian’s control, and it had to end. Tonight, she would tell him the truth—she was leaving. The door to the study was ajar, and she pushed it open without knocking. Adrian sat at his desk, leaning back in his chair with a glass of whiskey in hand. His dark eyes flicked up at her, cold and calculating, as though he had been expecting her. “Selena,” he drawled, his voice low and smooth. “To what do I owe this unannounced visit?” She swallowed hard, willing her voice to remain steady. “I want to leave.” His hand stilled mid-air, the glass halfway to his lips. A beat of silence passed before he set it down and laughed—a deep, mocking sound that sent a chill down her spine. “Leave?” he repeated, standing from his chair. The amusement
Selena stood in front of the mirror, her lips pressed into a tight line as she reluctantly fastened the last strap of the red gown. The thin, revealing fabric clung to her body, leaving little to the imagination. She felt exposed, vulnerable, and furious. Adrian had taken control of so many aspects of her life, and now, even her clothing wasn’t safe. Her reflection glared back at her, defiant despite her discomfort. "Fine", she thought. "If he wants me to wear this, I’ll wear it. But I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me broken."When she stepped out of the room, the guard and maid exchanged glances but said nothing. She ignored them, lifting her chin as they escorted her down the hall and outside, where Adrian waited by the car. He was leaning casually against the sleek black vehicle, dressed in a tailored suit that hugged his frame perfectly. His dark hair was slicked back, and the faintest hint of stubble lined his jaw. Selena froze for a moment, caught off guard by ho
Selena’s heart pounded as Adrian led her to a private booth overlooking the bloodstained arena. The VIP section was luxurious in stark contrast to the brutality below. Plush seats, gold trim, and thick curtains made it look more like a throne room than a place to watch men fight to the death. Selena gripped the edge of the chair Adrian directed her to, her knuckles white as her eyes fixed on the scene below. Two men circled each other in the ring, their faces hardened with desperation. The crowd cheered wildly as one lunged, slamming his opponent to the ground. “Why are we here?” Selena whispered, her voice barely audible over the noise. Adrian leaned back in his seat, swirling the glass of dark liquor in his hand. “To teach you a lesson,” he replied smoothly. Her gaze snapped to his, confusion and anger swirling in her expression. “A lesson? What kind of lesson involves this barbarity?” He tilted his head, smirking faintly. “Patience, Selena. Watch.” She wanted to refuse,
Selena’s eyelids fluttered open to a dimly lit room. Her body felt heavy, her head pounding faintly as she tried to sit up. A sharp tug on her arm made her pause. Glancing down, she saw a thin tube connected to her wrist, leading to an IV drip beside the bed. “What…?” she murmured, confusion clouding her thoughts. Instinctively, her free hand reached for the needle. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” a deep, familiar voice rumbled from the shadows. Selena froze, her heart skipping a beat. She turned sharply toward the voice, her eyes widening when she saw Adrian seated in a chair near her bed, his arms crossed and his gaze piercing. “You—” she began, her voice trembling with surprise and anger. Adrian cut her off, his tone calm but firm. “Leave the drip alone. You need it.” Selena’s confusion turned to suspicion. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice hoarse. Before Adrian could respond, there was a knock at the door. “Come in,” he called, his voice commandin
Selena hesitated, the sound of his name on her lips feeling foreign, weighted with too much history. She tried again. “Adrian, I don’t understand. If you hate me so much, why bother?” He didn’t turn around. His silhouette against the window was unyielding, as if he were made of stone. “Because hate isn’t enough,” he said finally, his voice colder than the night air. “Not when you’re still breathing.” Selena flinched at the venom in his words. Her mind raced, trying to piece together the tangled web of emotions she saw flicker in his eyes earlier, emotions he was so desperate to suppress. “Is that really it?” she asked, her voice sharper now. “Hate? Or is it guilt?” Adrian stiffened but didn’t respond. “I broke your heart, Adrian. I know that.” She swallowed hard, forcing herself to continue even though her own voice cracked. “But don’t pretend this is only about me. You’re angry at yourself too, aren’t you? For still caring.” His shoulders tensed. Slowly, he turned to face
Three days after being discharged from the hospital, Selena felt restless. She wandered the quiet halls of the mansion's east wing, her footsteps echoing softly. Adrian had insisted on keeping her on a strict meal schedule, ensuring she regained her strength, but her heart felt heavier with each passing day. She paused when she heard the faint strains of music drifting through the air. It was classical—gentle and melancholic.Following the sound, Selena found herself at a partially open door. Inside, Valerie sat at a grand piano, her fingers dancing across the keys with ease. The melody was familiar: Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major. Selena froze, her mind taking her back to late nights in their college music room. Back then, she and Valerie had giggled over missed notes, sharing secrets between measures.“Are you going to stand there all day?” Valerie’s voice broke the spell. Her hands hovered over the keys, but her sharp tone cut through the melody.Selena hesitated, stepping into
Adrian watched from his study window as Selena and Valerie walked through the garden together, their heads bent in conversation. It had been a week since he'd seen them working in Valerie's office, and the sight still unsettled him. Not because he didn't want them to reconcile, but because their renewed friendship meant something had changed – something he couldn't control. And he controls everything. This had surprised him because he knew Valerie didn't forget that easily. It was like Selena knew the key to the heart of The Russos."They look like they used to be best friends," Viktor commented from the doorway. "Before everything fell apart."Adrian didn't respond immediately, his eyes following the two women as they paused by the rose bushes. Selena was showing Valerie something on a tablet, probably work-related. His sister had started involving Selena in some of the legitimate business operations, claiming she needed the help."Have you heard anything from Dmitri?" Adrian finally
The air in the grand hall was silent. The room was dimly lit, the glow of the chandelier above casting long shadows across the polished mahogany table. Every seat was filled with men—his men. His family. Some leaned back in their chairs, arms crossed, their faces hardened with skepticism. Others murmured among themselves, whispering in hushed voices as Adrian stood at the head of the table, his expression unreadable. Matteo stood beside him, arms stiff at his sides, his gaze scanning the room warily. He knew this wasn’t going to be easy. Adrian exhaled slowly before speaking. “I called you all here because there’s something we need to discuss.” A low murmur spread across the room. “I’ve made a decision,” he continued, his voice even but firm. “I want to make a pact with the Monrelli family.” Silence. Then— “Are you out of your fucking mind?” The voice came from across the table, deep and laced with disbelief. The man who spoke—Marco, a thick-built man with graying hair a
Selena woke up slowly, the warmth of a blanket wrapped around her. She blinked, disoriented, her eyes scanning the dimly lit library. The flicker of candlelight cast gentle shadows on the walls, and the room was still. She had fallen asleep in one of the chairs after her long, exhausting conversation with Matteo. Her body ached from sitting for so long, and the soft, soothing silence of the library had lured her into a deep, unplanned sleep. The blanket that now covered her felt comforting, though she hadn’t noticed when it was placed over her. Her fingers brushed against the fabric, but she didn’t care about that now. What mattered was Adrian—she needed answers, and she needed them now.Her mind was a whirlwind as she stood up, stretching her stiff muscles. The floor creaked underfoot as she walked toward the door, the cold air hitting her skin like a slap. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, leaving only a faint glow in the sky. She couldn’t waste any more time. The questi
Selena sat on the couch, a book in her lap, but she wasn’t really reading. Her mind was spinning with everything that had happened over the last few days. Nathan’s kiss, Adrian’s cruel words—it was all too much. Just as she was starting to feel overwhelmed again, Valerie strolled into the living room with a big, mischievous grin on her face. Selena raised an eyebrow. “What’s with the smile?” Valerie plopped onto the armchair, looking smug. “Oh, nothing. Just thinking about shaking things up a little.” Selena frowned. “What does that mean? What are you up to, Val?” Valerie leaned back, crossing her legs. “Matteo. He’s always so serious, so distant. I think it’s time someone showed him how to have fun.” “Matteo?” Selena blinked. “You mean *our* Matteo? Quiet, doesn’t-talk-to-anyone Matteo?” Valerie grinned. “The very same. He needs to lighten up. And I’m just the person to help him with that.” Selena stared at her friend, unsure if she was joking or serious. “Valerie, Ma
Selena stormed down the hallway, her breath coming in sharp bursts. Every step she took away from Adrian’s room felt like a victory. Her anger burned brightly in her chest, drowning out the pain that threatened to creep in. She wouldn’t cry over him—not tonight, not ever again.As she reached the corner of the hallway, she nearly bumped into a young maid carrying a stack of folded towels. The girl gasped, her eyes wide as she looked up at Selena. "Ma'am," the maid stammered, adjusting the towels in her arms. "Is everything all right?" Selena squared her shoulders, forcing her voice to remain steady. "Everything is fine. I need a different room to sleep in tonight. Can you show me one?" The maid hesitated, her gaze flickering with curiosity. She seemed unsure whether to follow Selena’s instructions or ask questions. "A... different room?" she repeated cautiously. "Yes," Selena said firmly, narrowing her eyes. "I don’t want to stay in that room anymore. Is there a problem?" Th
Selena opened the door to Adrian’s room, surprised to find him sitting there. He hadn’t slept in this room for the past few days, and she hadn’t expected to see him now. The room was dark, only lit by the fading light outside the window. Adrian’s eyes flicked up to meet hers, his expression unreadable.“What are you doing here?” Selena asked, stepping further into the room. She didn’t know why it bothered her, but seeing him here, in the space that used to feel like home, made her uneasy.Adrian didn’t answer right away. He just stared at her for a moment, his jaw clenched. Then, his voice broke the silence, low and cold. “Are you disgusted seeing your husband in his room?”Selena frowned, unsure of how to respond. “Why would you say that?” she asked, her heart beginning to race. Adrian stood up suddenly, closing the distance between them with long, angry strides. He grabbed her arm roughly, his grip tight as he pulled her closer. “Are you disgusted by me, Selena?” he asked, his voic
The late afternoon sun poured over the garden, casting long shadows across the stone path. Selena walked slowly, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, lost in thought. The atmosphere in the mansion had been unbearable lately, and she needed the fresh air to think clearly. Her argument with Adrian replayed in her mind, stoking her frustration. They hadn’t argued about love or confessions, but about priorities. Adrian had been focused on protecting the gang at all costs, shutting everyone else out in the process. Selena had tried to reason with him, to tell him that his methods were alienating the people who cared about him, but he wouldn’t listen. She had left the conversation feeling unheard and dismissed, her anger bubbling just under the surface. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Adrian saw her as naïve, incapable of understanding his burdens. Now, as she walked through the garden, the cool breeze did little to calm her nerves. “Selena?” a voice called softly from behind
The whole house was silent, except for the faint ticking of a clock somewhere down the hall. Selena moved through the dimly lit corridors, her heels clicking against the marble floors. She wasn’t supposed to be here. She knew that. But something in her gut had drawn her back, and now she found herself standing outside Adrian’s study, the faint glow of a fire flickering through the slightly ajar door. She hesitated. After their argument at the dinner party, she had sworn to stay far away from him and the troubles that came with his world. But witnessing the heated argument between Adrian and Nathan earlier had shaken her. Even though he hates her she didn't like the the thought of Adrian dealing with it alone. With a deep breath, she pushed the door open. Adrian sat in a high-backed leather chair, his posture rigid, his gaze fixed on the glass of whiskey in his hand. The warm light of the fire danced across his sharp features, casting shadows that made him look even more dangero
The mansion was looked and felt calm, but everyone was walking on tiptoes. Adrian and Nathan had been at each other’s throats for weeks, and tonight felt like it was about to explode. Everyone inside the house moved in hushed silence, heads low, avoiding the tension crackling between the two men. Valerie, who normally didn’t care to involve herself, knew better than to step in the middle of this storm. Selena, sitting in the library with a book in her hands, couldn’t focus. She tried to lose herself in the words, but every time she tried to turn the page, her mind would drift back to the mess between Adrian and Nathan. Their relationship had always been strained, but now it felt like they were two ticking time bombs, just waiting for the other to explode. Nathan was reckless, constantly challenging Adrian, while Adrian, hated being challenged. The argument in Adrian’s study started as a murmur, but it quickly escalated. Selena put the book aside, her heart racing. She didn’t need to
Selena sat by the large window in her room, her thoughts swirling. She rested her forehead against the glass, trying to make sense of her feelings. Adrian had barely spoken to her after dinner. His cold demeanor left her uneasy. Nathan’s words from the terrace echoed in her mind. You don’t belong in this world... You deserve better.But what did "better" even mean? Selena wasn’t sure anymore. Downstairs, Adrian stood in the study, staring out at the gardens. His sharp gray eyes scanned the horizon, though his thoughts were miles away. Matteo entered, shutting the door behind him. “She’s still quiet,” Matteo said, crossing his arms. “Barely ate breakfast.” Adrian didn’t turn around. “I know.” Matteo hesitated before speaking again. “Nathan’s a problem.” Adrian’s jaw tightened. “He’s always been a problem.” “You’re letting him get too close,” Matteo warned. “Selena doesn’t know what he’s doing, but you do. She trusts him because he’s good at pretending to care.” Adrian f