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
Selena was far too exhausted to move. Her joints throbbed, and her eyes felt heavy with fatigue. She had cried herself to sleep the previous night and hadn’t risen from bed until this evening. How had she allowed herself to get tangled in such a mess? “Aunty, please take care of her for me,” she murmured, holding her phone tightly against her ear. “I don’t want her getting involved, please.” “I will,” her mother replied on the other end before abruptly ending the call. Selena’s Aunt lived all the way in Italy and hadn’t attended Selena’s wedding because of a bitter divorce with her father. It was just as well. Aunty Nani had been guarding Selena’s deepest secret for three years. Her presence now would only unravel everything—and Adrian would never forgive her if he discovered the truth. Knock, knock. “Ma’am?” Paula, one of the maids, peeked cautiously into the room. “Sir asked me to give you this.” She stepped inside, placed a box on the bed, and quickly left. Selena lifted the l
Selena stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. The red gown fit her like a glove, its flowing chiffon skirt brushing against her ankles. Despite its beauty, she felt no joy wearing it. The dress was another tool in Adrian’s arsenal to control her, another piece of his game. Her fingers brushed against the lace detailing on the bodice as her mind drifted. Why had Adrian demanded she dress up tonight? What was he planning now?Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Paula entered, holding a small velvet box. "Sir asked me to deliver this, ma’am." She placed the box on the vanity and left without another word.Selena hesitated before opening it. Inside lay an intricate diamond necklace, each gem sparkling under the soft bedroom light. A note was tucked inside: *Wear it. I’ll pick you up in ten minutes.*She sighed and fastened the necklace around her neck. Its weight felt oppressive, like a shackle. Just as she finished, another knock sounded at the door,
Adrian sat in the darkness of his study long after Selena left. The glass of whiskey in his hand trembled slightly as he lifted it to his lips, his mind replaying her final words. "One day, you’ll look back and realize what you lost."He growled low under his breath and slammed the glass onto the desk, the sound of shattering crystal breaking the suffocating silence. Selena paced the length of her bedroom, her mind filled with anger and confusion. Adrian's coldness, his refusal to let her in—it was infuriating. She glanced at the clock on the wall. Midnight. Sleep was out of the question. Her thoughts kept drifting to Nathan’s cryptic words and the look of barely contained rage on Adrian’s face. What was he hiding? Her pacing was interrupted by the sound of her phone buzzing on the bedside table. She hesitated before picking it up. The caller ID read "Unknown." Frowning, she answered. "Hello?" "Selena." Nathan's voice was smooth, teasing. Her grip tightened on the phone. "
Selena’s breath hitched as the tension in the room thickened. Adrian stood tall and menacing, his gaze locked onto Nathan, who remained calm, a smug grin on his face. “Adrian, I—” Selena began, but he cut her off with a sharp glance. “Stay back,” Adrian ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. His eyes never left Nathan as he stepped forward. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Nathan? Coming here, sneaking into my home?” Nathan shrugged, leaning casually against the balcony railing. “Relax, cousin. I was just having a little chat with Selena. She deserves to know the truth, don’t you think?” Adrian’s fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. “You don’t get to decide what she deserves.” Selena’s frustration boiled over. “Stop talking about me like I’m not here!” she snapped, stepping between them. “I’m done with this. Both of you need to tell me what’s going on. Now.” Nathan smirked, his gaze flicking to Adrian. “See? She’s curious. Why don’t we give her wha
Selena stared at the pale green walls of the motel room, her thoughts swirling. The room was small, with a lumpy mattress and threadbare curtains that barely kept out the glow of the flickering neon sign outside. The faint hum of passing cars on the highway did nothing to calm her nerves. Adrian’s betrayal was fresh in her mind. He hadn’t loved her—he’d bought her, forced her into his life like she was some item he owned. And even after everything, he had the audacity to act like she was the one in the wrong. She clenched her fists. This wasn’t the life she wanted. This wasn’t the freedom she craved. But what choice did she have? Adrian had ensured she was tied to him financially, emotionally—every which way. The only money she had was from the account Adrian had set up for her. Her eyes drifted to the wallet on the nightstand. The money wasn’t hers, but right now, it was all she had. She hated using it. Hated the reminder that, even here, far away from Adrian, he still had powe
The air smelled of gunpowder and sweat. Shouts echoed through the dark alleys, and the occasional crack of gunfire sent shivers down Selena’s spine. The night, which had started with tension, had quickly spiraled into chaos. "Boss, the place is surrounded by Lucian's men, almost as if it was a setup," Matteo said, his voice urgent. "Matteo! Make sure Selena is safe," Adrian ordered, his voice steady but laced with tension. "Nothing must fucking happen to her." Matteo nodded and grabbed Selena's arm. "Come on, miss" he said firmly, pulling her toward the back door. Now, as Selena stumbled behind Matteo, trying to keep up, her chest burned with panic. She clutched her side, her breathing ragged. Her heart pounded in her ears, drowning out most of the noise around her. “Stay close to me, Miss Selena,” Matteo barked, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Where is Nathan?” Selena shot back, her voice trembling. Matteo spun around, his eyes blazing. “We don’t have time for th
The night smelt of smoke, blood, and gunfire. The club had turned into a battlefield, and Adrain was right in the middle of it. It didn't faze him, this was his usual night routine. Fighting for his life and that of his men.Then his phone began to ring, he checked it and saw it was Matteo."What's the problem?" He asked after picking the call. Matteo never calls unless it is urgent.“Boss, we’ve got a problem!” Matteo’s voice crackled over the phone, urgency thick in his tone. “I already know, Matteo,” I growled, scanning the dark street ahead of me. “Lucian’s bastards are everywhere. Fucking rats.” “Your wife—she’s hurt,” Matteo said. My blood ran cold. “What the fuck do you mean hurt?” “She got stabbed. It’s bad, Boss. Nathan’s with her, but…” Matteo’s voice trailed off. “Where are you?” I barked, gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white. “We’re heading to the Sade house for cover. It’s the closest safe spot.” “Stay there,” I ordered, my voice low
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