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 Rosso family’s estate was bathed in the golden glow of late afternoon as the mahogany doors of the grand conference room loomed large. Inside, the tension was palpable, voices overlapping in heated debate. The long oak table, polished to a mirror sheen, was surrounded by family elders and representatives from allied clans, their expressions a mix of frustration and determination. “This family cannot afford delays!” one of the elders barked, slamming his fist onto the table. “Adrian’s refusal to settle down is a weakness, and the other families know it. We need a proper alliance through marriage.” “I agree,” another added, her sharp tone cutting through the din. “The Calabrese girl is perfect—young, well-bred, and her family controls key territories. It’s a logical match.” “Logical, perhaps,” another voice countered, “but what about the Marinetti heir? Their shipping routes would strengthen our operations in the south.” The arguments grew louder, descending into chaos as ev
Selena sat on the edge of her bed, the contracts spread out in front of her on the polished wooden surface. The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the neatly typed words that seemed to mock her. Each line she read made her heart sink further. At first glance, the terms seemed standard—clauses about partnership and mutual respect. But as she delved deeper, the true nature of the agreement revealed itself.Clause after clause painted a picture of control and submission. "Once Party A and Party B are married, party B would not leave the estate without a bodyguard.""Once Party A and Party B are married, party B will cease communication with any man outside the family.""Once Party A and Party B are married, party B will comply with any request I make without question."Selena’s fingers trembled as she flipped the pages back and forth, searching for something—anything—that resembled fairness. There was nothing. The entire contract was written to reduce her to a puppet, her string
The sun was high, bathing the streets in a golden glow as Valerie and Selena arrived at the café for their luncheon. It was a quaint little place nestled in the heart of the city, with outdoor seating and a view of the bustling streets. The air carried the enticing aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted coffee beans, and the gentle hum of conversations created a comforting backdrop.Valerie stirred her iced tea absentmindedly, her gaze fixed on the table as Selena spoke about her latest project. "...and that’s when I realized he’d been working on the wrong file the entire time," Selena said with a laugh, her hands gesturing animatedly. Valerie forced a small smile but remained silent. "Val?" Selena leaned closer, her voice laced with concern. "Are you okay?" "I’m fine," Valerie replied quickly, but her tone lacked conviction. Selena frowned and followed Valerie’s gaze, trying to understand what had caught her attention. That’s when she saw him. A man seated a few tables aw
Selena settled into the plush armchair in Valerie’s living room, the soft hum of the heater filling the otherwise silent space. Valerie sat across from her on the cream-colored sofa, her fingers clutching a steaming cup of tea. The living room’s warmth felt at odds with the icy tale Valerie was about to share."Selena," Valerie began, her voice tinged with sadness, "you asked how we became what we are today. It’s not a simple story, and it’s not one I enjoy telling. But since you asked, I will tell you. I just hope you won’t judge us."Selena nodded, her gaze steady and encouraging.Valerie placed her cup down, leaning back as she let out a heavy sigh. "Adrian and I didn’t always know the truth about our family. Growing up, our parents were our heroes, busy, successful, and always protective. We thought they were ordinary people with extraordinary lives. We couldn’t have been more wrong."She paused, her eyes glassy as she stared at the flickering fireplace. The weight of the memory s
The Gathering in the WarehouseParker stood in the center of the dimly lit warehouse, his sharp gaze scanning the masked figures surrounding him. Shadows danced along the cracked concrete walls, the single, flickering overhead bulb casting an eerie glow over the meeting. The air was thick with the scent of oil and dampness, the remnants of a forgotten storage facility now serving as the meeting ground for a faction that thrived in secrecy.Each figure stood cloaked in dark garments, their features concealed by masks of varying designs. Some bore symbols etched into the fabric,silent declarations of past allegiances or blood debts yet to be settled. Though their faces were hidden, Parker could feel their eyes on him, waiting, expecting."The Monadikos are moving," Parker announced, his voice steady, carrying the weight of the intelligence he had gathered. He took a step forward, his boots echoing slightly on the cold floor. "They already know Adrian has access to the weapon blueprint,t
A large wooden table sat at the center, surrounded by figures cloaked in darkness. The air was thick with tension, the weight of secrets pressing heavily against the silence.A man in a tailored suit leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the aged surface. His eyes, sharp and calculating, flickered with something close to amusement. “So… it seems our dear Adrian has found what we have been looking for.”Across from him, a burly figure with a scar running down his left cheek exhaled sharply. “I told you we should have destroyed that underground years ago,” he growled. “Leaving it there was a mistake.”A woman with piercing blue eyes and an aura of authority spoke next. Her voice was calm, yet laced with venom. “The mistake was underestimating him. We assumed he would remain blind to what lay beneath his own empire, but Adrian is no fool.”But it is not the same underground. Our informant told us it was something no one could ever discover it was if not for their smal
Isabella held the phone to her ear, The silence that followed her selene's father’s words was deafening, ringing in her ears like an unspoken warning. Her heart pounded against her ribs, frustration and confusion clashing inside her like two raging storms.“I will tell you when it is time, but for now, give yourself a good rest,” he had said, his voice calm yet distant, before abruptly ending the call.Isabella stared at the dark screen, her lips parting as if to say something, but the words never came. A lump formed in her throat, thick with emotions she couldn't quite name. Anger? Worry? Fear? She clenched her jaw and inhaled deeply, trying to suppress the surge of questions threatening to drown her thoughts. What was he hiding? Why was he being so cryptic? She hated being kept in the dark, especially when it concerned something so obviously important.He should have just tell her right away. When he knew he won't tell her immediately, why did he call? She hissed in anger. With
The night air was biting cold, making Selene shiver slightly as she wrapped her arms around herself. Nathan noticed and turned to her. “You should go inside,” he said, his voice laced with concern.Selene nodded. “I will head to my room now.”Nathan fell into step beside her, escorting her through the dimly lit corridors. Just as they neared her room, footsteps echoed from the other side. Nathan looked up and immediately stiffened when he saw Adrian, Matteo, and Rosco approaching.The moment Selene saw Adrian, her face lit up. Without hesitation, she left Nathan’s side and rushed toward him. “Adrian,” she called softly, relief and affection clear in her voice.Nathan clenched his fists as he watched her throw her arms around Adrian, pressing herself against him as though he was the only thing that mattered. His stomach twisted in knots, but he forced himself to remain composed.Adrian responded immediately, holding her close as he kissed the top of her head. His grip on her was posse
Nathan’s footsteps echoed sharply as he stormed down the corridor, his jaw clenched so tight it ached. His hands balled into fists, his mind racing with everything that had just happened.Adrian was playing with them. Toying with them.He didn't need to say their names. His knowing looks, the smug amusement in his voice, it was clear. Adrian suspected them. No, he knew. And that meant they were walking on a thin line that could snap at any second.Behind him, Isabelle followed at a measured pace, her expression eerily composed.“Are you going to slow down,” she murmured, “or should I run to keep up?”Nathan exhaled sharply but didn’t stop. “He was testing us.” His voice was low, furious. “And you played right into it.”Isabelle chuckled, a soft, knowing sound. “Me?” She arched a brow. “I handled that beautifully.”Nathan spun to face her, his eyes flashing with barely restrained anger. “He doesn’t need proof, Isabelle. Not with the way you smirked through the entire thing. You might a
A slow, wicked smile curled her lips as she glanced back at the door they had just shut. Nina’s pained gasps still echoed faintly behind it, her weak body convulsing as the poison did its work. A fitting end for a loose end.Isabelle exhaled sharply, the thrill of control surging through her veins. She had done it. One less obstacle standing in her way.But Nathan wasn’t as composed.He walked beside her, his jaw clenched, his posture stiff. Something about the way he moved, the way his fingers twitched at his sides made it clear that something was on his mind.Isabelle noticed, but she didn’t comment. Not yet.They emerged from the labyrinth and stepped into the crisp night air. The guards they had drugged still lay motionless, their breathing slow and even. Everything had gone exactly as planned.No mistakes.No witnesses.Nathan ran a hand through his dark hair, his expression unreadable as he turned to her. “It’s done.” His voice was flat, but there was something underneath it.
The moment Isabelle returned to her room, she shut the door and pressed her back against it. Her chest heaved, her fingers trembled, but not with fear. No, it was something else.Disappointment.Power.Nathan’s words still echoed in her mind, cutting deeper than she wanted to. "You should be making peace with Victoria, not picking fights with her. That is the only way you stand a chance of winning Adrian back."Her lips curled in disgust.Make with peace with that brat that doesn't even like me at all, she scoffed. He thought she was weak.Adrian thought she was insignificant.Selene and Victoria had made a fool of her.The rage inside her boiled hotter, clawing at her insides, demanding release.She wouldn’t allow this.She refused to be discarded like trash.Her fingers curled into fists as she paced the room, her nails digging into her palm. Her entire body shook with fury, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge.They want a war?A slow, cruel smirk tugged at her lips.They wil
Nathan’s villa was quiet, but the silence was shattered by a deep, thunderous voice.“ISABELLE!”Adrian’s furious roar echoed through the sitting room , his voice sharp enough to cut through the whole villa. His eyes blazed with rage, his presence commanding as he stood in the middle of the sitting room, his fists clenched.Isabelle sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers digging into the sheets as she bit her nails, her mind a whirlwind of frustration and anger. The events at the training grounds played over and over in her head, taunting her.She should have handled it better. She should have fought harder.Her pride was wounded, and the humiliation burned deep.“Damn it,” she hissed, her fingers gripping her hair as she rocked slightly, seething. How could she have let Victoria humiliate her like that? How could she have lost control in front of everyone?Her breath came out uneven, rage tightening her chest.Then. “ISABELLE!”The deep, thundering voice shattered the silence.Her
Adrian had planned to spend a quiet evening with Selene. He walked into her room with the simple idea of enjoying some calm time together. But as he opened the door, he found Victoria sitting there, chatting with Selene. The two women looked up, startled, as they saw him. Selene’s eyes widened in surprise because she had not expected Adrian so soon. It has been long he visited her room.Victoria was about to offer an excuse, a polite reason to leave them alone, when Adrian raised a hand. “Sit down,” he said calmly. With that, Selene moved toward him and gently rested her head on his lap. Adrian smiled softly and began to caress her hair, his touch both comforting and intimate.Once they settled, Adrian began to share news about recent events. He spoke about Nina’s latest activities, his tone low and serious. Then he mentioned Isabelle. The moment the name crossed his lips, Selene instantly sprang up from his lap, her face filled with worry.“How did she get back into the estate?” Sele