Selena was startled awake by the sound of footsteps and hushed whispers. Blinking groggily, she sat up in bed to find two maids bustling around her room, their hands full of fabric, jewelry boxes, and makeup kits. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the chaos. “Good morning, Miss Selena,” one of the maids said, her tone polite but hurried. “It’s time to get ready. The wedding is in a few hours.” The words hit Selena like a wave, her chest tightening. The wedding. The reality of the day settled over her like a heavy cloak. She sat silently for a moment before nodding. One of the maids walked over to the wardrobe and carefully pulled out the wedding dress. Selena’s breath caught as she saw it. The dress was stunning—an elegant white gown with intricate lace detailing and a long, flowing train. She remembered the day Adrian had picked it out. He’d insisted on this one, ignoring the protests of the designer who wanted something more extravagant. “Simple,
The laughter on the balcony turned into giggles, and the giggles into full-blown hysteria as Selena and Valerie stumbled back into the reception hall, clutching each other for support. The half-empty bottle of wine in Valerie's hand swayed dangerously, and Selena’s cheeks were flushed from both the alcohol and the cool night breeze. “We should... we should get more wine!” Selena declared, her words slurred but enthusiastic. Valerie nodded dramatically, holding the bottle aloft like a trophy. “Yes! More wine for the queens!” But before their grand quest could begin, a dark figure appeared in the doorway. Adrian, his suit immaculate despite the late hour, crossed his arms and raised a single brow as he watched the two women sway on their feet. “Selena,” he said, his voice calm but edged with authority, “I think you’ve had enough for tonight.” Selena blinked at him, her lips forming a pout. “Adrian! You’re ruining our fun. Valerie, tell him!” Valerie snickered but quickly hel
The morning light crept through the curtains, casting soft, golden hues across the bedroom. Selena stirred, groaning as the dull ache of a headache made itself known. She blinked her eyes open, squinting at the unfamiliar ceiling."Where..." she began, her voice raspy.“You’re awake,” Adrian’s voice cut through the quiet. He was seated in a chair by the window, a book in hand and a steaming cup of coffee on the side table next to him. He looked calm, almost unnervingly so, considering the chaos of the night before.Selena rubbed her temples, the memories slowly trickling back. The wine. The dancing. The balcony. Her cheeks flushed as she recalled the torn gown, the bathtub, and Adrian’s steady, unflinching care.“I...” she started, sitting up too quickly and immediately regretting it as a wave of nausea hit her. “Oh no.”Adrian was already by her side, a glass of water in hand. “Drink this. Slowly.”She obeyed, sipping the water as her eyes darted to his face. He looked impeccable as
Adrian stood in the doorway of their shared bedroom, the dim morning light filtering through the curtains. Selena was still asleep, her dark hair fanned out across the pillow, her soft breathing the only sound in the room. She looked so peaceful, so far removed from the chaos that defined his world. He ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tightening. He hated leaving her like this, but it was necessary. He had kept her in the dark about the darker parts of his life, and as much as he wanted to stay and hold her, his world didn’t allow for weaknesses—especially when someone had betrayed him. Walking over to her side of the bed, Adrian leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake. “Stay safe,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. He straightened, grabbed his coat, and left the room without a backward glance. His footsteps were heavy as he made his way down the stairs, where Viktor was waiting by the door. “She doesn’t know, doe
The library was quiet, just as Valerie liked it. Morning sunlight poured through the tall windows, casting warm golden rays over rows of bookshelves. After breakfast, She decided to spend some time here. Her mood wasn’t suited for company, and the library felt like a safe haven. She wandered the aisles, running her fingers along the spines of books, searching for something that would hold her attention. Finally, she spotted one on the top shelf. Its title was barely visible, and she had to squint to read it. “That’s the one,” she muttered to herself. The ladder was close by, a sturdy wooden thing I’d used a thousand times before. She moved it into position, climbed up carefully, and stretched toward the book. It was just a little out of reach. “Come on,” she grumbled, standing on tiptoes, her fingers brushing the edge of the spine. The door creaked open behind her. She froze mid-reach, her heart skipping a beat. Turning her head, she saw Matteo stroll in, his usual cocky
Selena stood in the kitchen, stirring a spoon through her coffee, though she wasn’t drinking it. Her movements were sharp, almost irritated, the clinking of the spoon against the ceramic mug betraying her frustration. She wasn’t expecting him back so soon. “Not even a hello?” Adrian’s voice broke the silence, smooth and cutting like a blade. Selena stiffened but didn’t turn around. “You’re back early. Should I roll out the red carpet?” Adrian smirked as he leaned against the doorframe, his dark eyes studying her with a mix of amusement and something else—something she couldn’t quite place. “Charming as always.” Selena finally turned, her expression set in a glare. “What do you want, Adrian?” He pushed off the doorframe, walking into the kitchen with deliberate, slow strides. “What, no kiss to welcome me home?” She scoffed, crossing her arms. “In your dreams.” Adrian stepped closer, the air between them growing taut. He had that maddening way of invading her space without
Selena woke to an unusual stillness in the house. For a moment, she lay in bed, her eyes on the ceiling, letting the faint morning light seep into the room. The silence was unnerving. Adrian wasn’t a quiet presence. Even when he wasn’t speaking, his footsteps echoed, his voice carried, his dominance filled every corner of the house. But today, it was eerily quiet. She sat up, her brows furrowing as she glanced at the clock. It was nearly 9 a.m. Adrian never left without telling her—not because he cared to, but because he liked reminding her she was under his control. Slipping out of bed, Selena wrapped herself in a robe and padded down the hallway. The guards stationed near the stairs straightened as she approached. “Where’s Adrian?” she asked, her tone curt. The guards exchanged glances but said nothing. “I asked you a question,” she snapped, irritation sparking in her chest. Still, silence. She turned to Matteo, Adrian’s right-hand man, who stood by the doorway with his
The office was quiet. Everyone else had gone home, but she stayed behind, sitting alone at her desk, working on designs no one had asked for.Her hands were sore, but she kept going, determined to keep her mind off the mess her life had become.“Ma’am, it’s getting late,” Matteo said, glancing at his watch. “We need to leave now. Sir will be worried.”She rolled her eyes. Worried? Yeah, right.The constant presence of her bodyguards annoyed her to no end. Who brought four guards to work? They barely spoke to her, standing around like statues, always muttering, “Ma’am,” as if that was all they could say.Matteo was the worst. He acted like she’d personally offended him. She could feel how much he wanted her out of Adrian’s life—as if that wasn’t her dream too.Three months of being married to Adrian Russo, and she was already desperate for a way out.She wanted to escape so badly, but there was no way out. If she ever had the chance, she’d shoot Lucien Bennett, her useless father, for
Nathan sat in silence, his back resting against the bed frame, while Damon leaned against the small table in the room. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on the walls, making the room feel smaller than it actually was. The air was thick with tension, but Damon acted as if he didn’t notice, scrolling lazily through his phone.Nathan, on the other hand, felt like he was suffocating.He had been holding everything in for too long.His frustration.His confusion.His feelings.And now, after what had happened in the training hall, everything was boiling over.Selena.He hated that her name alone had the power to unsettle him. It was a dangerous thing, dangerous because she wasn’t his to want.And yet, here he was.Damon finally looked up from his phone and sighed. “Are you just going to sit there and mope all night?”Nathan shot him a glare. “I’m not moping.”Damon smirked. “Right. You are just sitting in the dark, staring at nothing, thinking about a certain girl who happens to be y
Selena hesitated outside the heavy wooden doors of the training hall, her heart pounding in her chest.Inside, she could hear the sharp, heated voices of Adrian and Nathan clashing against each other like swords.She wasn’t sure what was being said, but the tension in their voices was unmistakable.Nathan was angry.And she had a feeling she knew why.She exhaled shakily and pushed the door open just enough to slip inside.Nathan stood in the middle of the hall, his shoulders tense, his jaw clenched. His dark eyes burned with frustration as he glared at Adrian, who, as always, stood calm and composed, his expression unreadableThe air inside the training hall felt thick, almost suffocating. The only sound was the distant crackling of torches on the stone walls.Nathan stood rigid, his hands curled into fists at his sides. His heart pounded in his chest, but it wasn’t from exhaustion, it was from anger.Across from him, Adrian stood tall, his face as unreadable as ever. His dark eyes h
Selena lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Her whole body ached from yesterday’s training, but that was not what kept her awake.She kept thinking about Adrian.Why did he suddenly agree to train her?She had trained with Nathan before. It was hard, painful, but she had asked for it. Nathan had pushed her beyond her limits. But Adrian? He was not the type to do things without a reason.If he had decided to train her personally, then he must have seen something in her.But what?She didn’t know the answer, but one thing was clear, she could not fail.Her muscles hurt as she sat up, but she forced herself out of bed. The sun was not even up yet, but she didn’t care. Adrian would be waiting, and she would not show weakness.As Selena pulled on her training clothes, Valerie, who was sleeping , turned over in bed, rubbing her eyes sleepily.“You are seriously doing this?” Valerie mumbled.Selena tied her hair back. “I have to.”Valerie sighed and sat up. “I just hope he won’t be too hard o
Selena’s body felt like it was on fire as she walked back to her room. Every muscle screamed in protest with each step she took, a constant reminder of the grueling training session with Nathan. Her skin was covered in bruises, her arms and legs throbbing with the aftereffects of the brutal workout. It wasn’t just the physical pain that weighed heavily on her, no, it was the emotional exhaustion that came with pushing herself beyond what she thought she could bear.But as the pain continued to pulse through her, there was something else beneath it all. A feeling of satisfaction, of pride in what she had accomplished. It was as if each bruise, each ache in her body, was a step toward something greater. She had faced her limitations head-on, and she hadn’t backed down. She had survived.As Selena made her way down the hallway to her room, she could feel the weight of the day pressing down on her. It felt like the world was spinning faster, and she was trying to keep up with it all. Ever
Selena lay in bed, but sleep evaded her. The attack, Isabelle’s disappearance, Adrian’s frustratingly overprotective attitude – it all swirled in her mind, a chaotic mess of worry and anger. She stared at the ceiling, the ornate patterns blurring in the dim light. She felt restless, trapped.A soft knock on the door broke through her thoughts."Come in," she said, her voice a little rough.Valerie peeked her head in, a concerned look on her face. She was wearing her usual oversized t-shirt and sweatpants, her hair a mess."Can’t sleep?" Valerie asked, padding over to the edge of the bed and sitting down.Selena shook her head. "Too much going on."Valerie nodded, understanding. "Yeah, tell me about it. Isabelle disappearing like that… it’s creepy.""Creepy and weird," Selena agreed. "It’s not like her to just leave without a scene. Did you find out anything else?"Valerie sighed. "Nothing. Matteo checked with all the usual places she’d go – fancy hotels, spas, even some of her ri
Selena crossed her arms, staring at Adrian with a scowl. “Take me home.” Adrian leaned back against the car, his eyes scanning her face. “No.” She clenched her fists to prevent them from trembling. “Adrian, I’m not in the mood for this. I want to go home. Now.” His jaw tightened, but after a long pause, he sighed. “Fine.” Without another word, he opened the car door for her. She slid in, arms still folded, heart still racing from the earlier encounter. Adrian got in, started the engine, and drove in silence. Selena glanced at him. His grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white. He was pissed. No, beyond pissed. But she didn’t care. She was just wanted to get out of there. She wondered how many of these fights she would have to endure.When they finally reached the house, Selena pushed open the car door before Adrian could say anything.She pushed open the heavy front door, her shoulders tight. The familiar smell of the house – the rich scent of aged leather
He deepened the kiss, his arms wrapping around her waist. For a moment, Selena was complacent, lost in the familiar pull of his touch. It was like coming home, a dangerous, intoxicating comfort. But then, the reality of her situation crashed back down on her. She remembered the argument, the forced intimacy, the way he had manipulated her. She remembered Nathan, the hurt she had seen in his eyes. And she remembered the lie she had told him.She pulled away from Adrian, her hands pushing against his chest. “Stop,” she said, her voice trembling.He looked at her, his eyes searching hers. “What’s wrong?”“Stay away from me, Adrian,” she said, her voice stronger this time.He frowned, his expression hardening. “What are you talking about?”“You know what I’m talking about,” she said. “Last night… it wasn’t right.”“It’s what you wanted,” he said, his voice low.“No, it wasn’t,” she said. “I was vulnerable. You took advantage of me.”He scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous.”“Don’t p
Selena slammed the bedroom door shut, the sound echoing through the lavish suite. "Damn him," she muttered, pacing the plush carpet. She felt like a caged animal, trapped in Adrian's gilded cage. Her phone was still in her purse downstairs, and she cursed herself for not grabbing it. She needed to contact Nathan, to let him know where she was. Or maybe she should call the police. But would they even help her? Adrian had connections everywhere. She was practically invisible to the law if Adrian wanted it that way.She stalked over to the window, gazing out at the city lights twinkling below. It was a beautiful view, but all she felt was a suffocating sense of confinement. She needed to escape, to regain control of her life. But how?A knock on the door made her jump. "Go away!" she yelled.The door opened anyway, and Adrian walked in, a bottle of wine and two glasses in his hands. He closed the door behind him, his expression unreadable."I brought wine," he said, holding u
Adrian sat in his office, his fingers loosely holding a pen while his eyes remained locked on the file in front of him. He hadn’t flipped a page in the last five minutes. The words blurred together, meaningless, as his thoughts spiraled elsewhere. Selena.She wasn’t just angry—anger, he could handle. She wasn’t avoiding him, either. Avoidance meant she still acknowledged him, even if only in irritation. No, Selena had gone beyond that. She treated him like he didn’t exist. No glares, no insults, no hatred. Just… nothing. And somehow, that was worse than any argument she could throw at him. His jaw clenched as he drummed his fingers against the desk, his patience thinning with every second that passed without her looking at him, speaking to him, or acknowledging that he was still there. Matteo stood nearby, watching with an amused expression. He had been observing Adrian brood in silence for far too long. He smirked. He knew why. Adrian had messed up. Bringing Isabelle into the