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 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
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,
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
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 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
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
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
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 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
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