Selena sat by the window, staring out at the gray morning sky. Rain dripped steadily from the edges of the roof, creating small puddles on the cobblestone paths below. She wrapped her arms around her knees, feeling more trapped than ever. Viktor’s warning last night had shaken her, but it hadn’t made things any clearer. If anything, she felt even more confused. Dmitri was dangerous—that much she believed. But Adrian wasn’t safe either. His mood shifted so quickly, like a storm rolling in without warning. One moment, he seemed almost kind, the next, he was cold and controlling. How could she trust someone like that? Her mother’s sudden appearance had only added to the confusion. When she had appeared in Selena’s room the night before, Selena had been too stunned to speak at first. Her mother had been in hiding, waiting for the right moment to talk to her. “Adrian is dangerous,” her mother had said in a low voice, her eyes darting toward the door. “But Dmitri is worse. Whatever yo
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the Russo estate. Selena wandered through the gardens, her mind heavy with unanswered questions. Every step she took felt like a march deeper into a labyrinth of deceit and danger. Adrian had been distant all morning, but Selena knew better than to assume he wasn’t watching. He always was. His presence lingered like a ghost, impossible to ignore. "Selena." His voice came from behind her, deep and steady. She turned, her pulse quickening. Adrian stood a few feet away, his dark suit immaculate, his expression unreadable. "Walk with me." She hesitated, then nodded. They strolled silently for a while, the gravel crunching beneath their feet. Selena finally broke the silence. "What is this about, Adrian?" He stopped abruptly and turned to her, his gaze piercing. "I want to make sure you understand the stakes. This isn’t a game you can play half-heartedly." "I never said it was," she replied, her voice steady. Adrian ste
The air in Selena’s room was heavy, her thoughts spinning out of control as she paced back and forth. Dmitri’s threats had always loomed like storm clouds on the horizon, but now they were striking far too close. Alina had been taken, and her chest tightened every time she thought about what might be happening to her. Alina was just an innocent coworker and thoughts of her getting hurt because of her was....Selena stopped at the window, pressing her head against the cool glass. The estate grounds stretched before her, quiet and serene, a contrast to the thoughts in her mind. She couldn’t do this alone, and the thought of asking Adrian for help was unthinkable. Adrian. He was her last hope, but he was also the one person she wasn’t sure she could trust. His power was undeniable, his influence unmatched—but his motives? They were something she couldn't trust.The sharp knock on her door made her flinch. She turned, her heart pounding as the door swung open to reveal Adrian. He didn
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 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
Selena sat on the terrace long after Nathan left, staring at the untouched glass of orange juice. The morning breeze felt cool against her skin, but her mind was burning with thoughts she didn’t want to have. Mafias don’t divorce.That one sentence had unraveled everything she thought she knew about her situation. She had signed a contract, believing that once it was over, she would be free. But now? Now she was trapped. Footsteps echoed behind her. She turned to see Maria standing at the doorway, hesitant. “Mrs,” Maria said softly. “Breakfast is ready. Should I bring it here?” Selena shook her head, forcing a smile. “No, I’ll eat inside.” Maria nodded and disappeared back into the house. Selena leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping against the glass as she let the weight of Nathan’s words settle. No divorces. No easy way out. The only way to be free was through death—hers or Adrian’s. She let out a slow breath before speaking. “Then I need to learn the rules.”
The morning sunlight filtered through the kitchen windows as Selena hummed softly, rolling up the sleeves of her oversized sweater. She had woken up feeling restless and decided to do something useful—like making breakfast. She wasn’t exactly a great cook, but how hard could it be? As she stepped into the kitchen, she found a maid standing by the stove, stirring a pot. The woman turned, startled. “M-Mistress?” The maid blinked rapidly, clearly not expecting to see her there. Selena offered a small smile. “You can call me Selena.” The maid hesitated, shifting awkwardly. “I’m Maria.” “Nice to meet you, Maria,” Selena said cheerfully, walking toward the counter. “I thought I’d make breakfast today.” Maria’s eyes widened. “You… you want to cook?” “Yes.” Selena nodded, grabbing an apron and tying it around her waist. “I mean, how hard can it be?” Maria opened her mouth, then closed it, looking conflicted. “Mist—I mean, Selena… you don’t have to do that. That’s our job.”