Stepping out of my mother’s house, with my mother and sister behind me, we exchanged smiles once again, like rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds after a storm. Then, when we saw Robert approaching, we saw how he bowed to me like a knight paying homage to his queen.“Ma’am, the acting boss has less than four hours to live. Please come with us, and you may be able to see him before he passes,” Robert said.As he spoke, I noticed Robert bowing slowly again, his movements graceful, like a dancer performing an elegant bow on stage. I nodded gently at him in acknowledgment. With this, I turned to my mom and sister, then glanced at the car key in my hand, its metallic glint catching the sunlight like a precious gem sparkling in the palm of my hand.I instantly took a deep breath. Surely, I was about to embrace my true lifestyle, but I could still feel some level of fear within me, like a lingering shadow that refused to be dispelled by the light. And it seemed as though my mother co
It was my second day in the mansion, yet I was not able to sleep throughout the night. My eyes were as swollen as if I had been beaten up by bullies. The death of my uncle still weighed heavily on me, and I wished I could turn back time and perhaps help him in the situation through any miraculous means available.No matter the luxurious food my private chef had prepared for me and the wait downstairs for me to eat, I did not. I was up in the room Robert had shown me since the night before, still sobbing like a child who had lost her dearest parent.Nevertheless, the death of my uncle had not gone unnoticed, and the television in my room had been left turned on since the moment I had taken to the room.Though I was not focusing on the TV but only on my imaginary thoughts for my uncle and my watery eyes, I was able to tell that every TV news channel was reporting news about my uncle's death.“Good evening, I’m Sarah Johnson, with a special report. At the late hour of the evening yesterd
I shed tears as I read the letter, like raindrops falling from a stormy sky, and instantly I understood that though my uncle had not been present in my life since the death of my adopted father, he had indeed kept his eyes on me and shared in each of my pain and endurance like a guardian angel. But it was all good, just as the letter said; dwelling on the wounds of my heart served no purpose. With that realization, I turned off the television, rose from the bed, and addressed Robert with a resolve as steady as the North Star, ready to face the day's challenges head-on.“You said the burial is today?”“Yes, ma’am. The late boss emphasized that his burial should not be delayed, so this is why we are burying him this early,” Robert explained.“Great! I will be taking my bath now and getting dressed for the burial,” I said to him, then he bowed to me before leaving the room like a loyal servant.***About thirty minutes after he left, I was finished with my bath and had put on the perfec
March 1st, 2024, was the day Tyler knew he had made the terrible mistake of his life. He was seated in the living room with his siblings and his dearest mother. They were all sharing a large pizza, each of them holding a glass of wine. With each sip they took from their glasses, their mouths twisted into mocking expressions aimed at me. Foolish beings, if only they knew what had happened. "A donkey and a tired buffalo—that bitch monster is. I am glad you divorced her at the right time," his mother said of me. And at that moment, Emily chimed in, "Avanna is a beautiful woman that I like. Not like that ugly woman called Alda." With every name and insult directed at me, they laughed and cheered in their amusement. But little did they know that this camaraderie would soon dissipate. Tyler turned on the television. It was 11 a.m., and it was time for him to see what was happening in the city. Tyler, as I remembered him, was more of a person who loved to stay on the edge of the news so
Sending them away, knowing fully well that they had nowhere to go, Tyler was breathing heavily. His emotions choked him up, and he did not believe his own mistake. “What have I done?” he exclaimed suddenly again as he began to pace hurriedly in the house. His hands at his jaws, abruptly thinking about what to do to have me back. And right at this moment, even without changing the news station on TV, he saw the report on TV cut into the burial of my uncle and watched me on his TV screen. He saw how I dressed, the pearl on my neck, my dark gown, and how indeed I looked rich like the TV news had said of me. “F**k!” he exclaimed suddenly once again as he hurried his feet to the wall and began to punch into the wall in great anger and frustration. From the moment I got married to Tyler until the time he divorced me, I did not see him in that madness before, and even after I learned of all of these that happened right after he divorced me, I was shocked at first. Nevertheless, it was h
Seeing all of this on TV, Tyler couldn't tear his eyes away. His emotions were escalating as he regretted his deeds towards me even more like a tempest gathering force, each wave of remorse crashing harder upon the shores of his conscience. At that moment, he suddenly received a call. His picking up the call was a blatant lie. Instead, he allowed it to ring incessantly until it fell dead like a wilting flower, while his gaze still fixed on the TV. *** "Avanna is a woman I learned about the same night Tyler's lawyer brought me those divorce papers to sign." I said as I was asked, hence I saw how the reporters moved an inch closer to me as If i was about to say something that would make the TV station go more viral. "Tell us more about this, ma'am. I'm sure the audience wants to find out," another reporter immediately said. "That night, my heart was almost exploding out of my chest when I saw Tyler leave Nancy's home and head in another direction, which I couldn't understand." "Wa
Just as Tyler hung up the call, his breathing became much heavier, pressing upon his chest, and the way he looked at the TV screen, as if he were staring at Avanna, was frightening. “F*ck!” He yelled at the top of his voice, like an angry man who would not hesitate to break Avanna’s neck if he got hold of her. "One minute, Alda is a motherfucking heiress, and the next minute, stupid Avanna is pregnant?" “F*ck!” He exclaimed again, throwing his phone at the wall, and rose up to stand at the TV. Reaching the TV, he angrily pulled the TV cable from the plug and pushed the TV from its stance to the ground. “F*ck!” He yelled once more. “What can I do? What can I do?” He muttered incessantly as he moved his eyes around and turned his face, as if in search of something. It wasn’t long after this that Tyler heard a knock on his door. Foolishly, he thought it was his mother and shouted from inside to the outside. “Don’t f**king make me call the police, ma! Leave! I don’t care where you
No matter what she did, how she did it, no matter what she screamed, how she screamed it, and no matter how many times she cursed, Avanna's efforts were as futile as shouting into the wind on a stormy night. Tyler did not open the door for her. Hence, she continued to wail in tears until the night sky grew thicker and it struck midnight. Avanna did not know what to do. It was obvious at this moment that Tyler was adamant in his decision, and nothing she could do would change it. Thus, she rose to her feet, walked to her car, and got inside. Even so, her eyes were not dry of tears; they still rolled down her face as she kept thinking about where to go. Should she return home? She knew she was a woman without a job and without any visible means of income. To make matters worse, she knew she was a Sylvorian woman, though she had been living in the United States for ten years. Still, she could not obtain a work permit; thus, she was dependent on Tyler for everything, even her rent. Syl
Robert’s POVMy job is simple: protect Alessandra at all costs. But as I stand here, watching everything unfold, one thought keeps repeating in my head—I’ve failed her.I should never have stayed behind at the hospital, no matter how much she insisted. Alessandra may be strong, but I should’ve known better. I should’ve been there, more alert, more prepared. That woman who pretended to be hit? I should’ve seen right through her. Everything is finally falling into place, and the truth hits me like a punch to the gut.I know who Diana is. I’ve figured out who Emily and Olivia really are. And those three idiots hiding behind their ridiculous code names? Yeah, I know them, too.It was them—we passed them on the road earlier. The bodies scattered across the pavement... the blood... It all makes sense now. Alessandra—Matriarch Alessandra—is in serious danger.That’s why I don’t waste any time. My foot slams down on the gas pedal, racing us past the chaos on the road. Stopping isn’t an option
Sandra’s POVWe pull up to the warehouse, and the moment I spot the front door slightly ajar, I know it’s time. I drive inside, parking with purpose as the tension in my chest tightens. Locking the door behind me, I take a deep breath, bracing myself for what’s next.I watch Alessandra step out of the vehicle, her face calm—too calm. She doesn’t look scared, like I thought she would. Instead, she’s asking, “Where are we now? Are they gone?”I pause. What? Does she seriously think I’m here to save her?A twisted laugh threatens to escape my lips, but I swallow it down. Instead, I turn toward the backseat and yank open the door. My fingers grip the cold steel of the sniper rifle. The weight of it feels satisfying in my hands, a reminder of the power I hold.Without missing a beat, I swing the rifle around and aim it straight at her. “On your knees, now!” I command, my voice as sharp as the edge of a knife.For a second, her eyes widen, but then realization sinks in. She knows now. She’s
Brandon’s POVI never thought I'd find myself here. In custody. The cold metal of the handcuffs still lingers on my wrists even though they’ve been removed. My mind is racing, struggling to keep up with everything that’s happened. How did I get here?I’ve already contacted my family lawyer. He promised he’d help—at first. But then he learned that bigger forces are involved, and he left me to fend for myself. I don’t blame him, though. When powerful people decide you’re guilty, it doesn’t matter what the facts are. According to them, I committed a crime too big to ignore, and they want me to pay for it, no matter who I am.But how do I make them see I’m innocent? How do I prove I’ve been framed? The evidence stacked against me is so clear, so detailed, that even I would think I did it if I were on the outside looking in.It feels hopeless.I sit in the interrogation room, staring at the dull gray walls. The weight of everything crashes down on me. But the thought of Alessandra pushes t
Diana’s POVOut of nowhere, Olivia, Emily, and I suddenly see Viper, Red, Jinx, and Blade fall to the ground, each with a bullet wound to the head. Blood pools around them, dark and terrifying, staining the ground beneath them. The sight makes my heart race, and for a moment, I can’t believe what I’m seeing. My breath catches in my throat, and time seems to stand still. I’m in shock, completely blindsided by the sudden violence. How could this have happened? One moment, we’re in control, and the next, everything’s gone to hell. But as I watch them fall, one after another, the horrifying reality hits me: we’re under attack. We’re not safe. We never were.This can’t be anyone but the police. Who else would come at us like this, so precise, so deadly? And it’s my fault. My fault we didn’t get out sooner. My fault this mission is hanging by a thread. I should have listened to Viper when he told us to leave. We should have been long gone, but I hesitated. And now they’re dead—Viper, Red, J
Sandra’s POVI steady myself in the cramped toilet, heart pounding as I carefully position the sniper rifle out the narrow window. The cold metal of the trigger grounds me, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts.Through the scope, I zoom in to 8X. Alessandra finally comes into focus as she steps out of the law firm. She looks composed, but there’s a tension in her movements that makes my gut clench. Something’s wrong.In the distance, off to the right, a group of people is watching her with an intensity that makes my skin crawl. Their eyes are locked on Alessandra, and the cruel twist of their lips sends a chill down my spine. They’re like predators circling wounded prey, relishing the kill before it even happens.I should take the shot now, end this. It’s the perfect moment. Then Brandon would finally be free, and he’d be mine. But something holds me back. These people, whoever they are, might be more dangerous and I need to know why they’re after Alessandra.As
Diana’s POVAs Viper deftly tosses a small canister of smoke into Alessandra’s car. We don't waste a second, swiftly moving to take control of the other vehicles in her entourage.Alessandra is being escorted by three cars: one at the front, one in the middle where she sits, and one at the rear. The plan is precise, and we execute it with the efficiency of seasoned professionals.Olivia and Emily take on the first car. They expertly deploy another smoke canister, filling the vehicle with a thick, suffocating fog. Meanwhile, I focus on the rear car, tossing a canister of my own into it. Smoke quickly engulfs all three vehicles, forcing their occupants to open their doors, desperately gasping for fresh air. Even Alessandra, who had been hysterically screaming moments earlier, is silenced by the choking haz
Diana’s POVWhen Jezebel’s message arrives, confirming what we've been anxiously anticipating—Alessandra is alone. My heart beats faster, not out of fear but from the anticipation of what's to come. It’s time to set our plan in motion.With a cold, calculated calm, I gather Viper, Red, Jinx, and Blade. “She's alone,” I say, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. “Jezebel’s done her part. Now it’s our turn.”They nod in unison, a silent agreement passing between us. There’s no need for words; we all know what needs to be done. The stakes are high, and failure is not an option.We regroup at my rundown, hidden in the shadows of the city. Viper, the most experienced among us, checks his blade, its edge gleaming under the dim light. “Remember,” he says, his voice low but firm, “guns are for boys in the game. Blades are for men.”His words echo in my mind as I glance around at the others. Red is sharpening his weapon, his eyes filled with a cold, ruthless determinati
Sandra’s POVStepping out of the warehouse, I don’t know where I am, and it’s terrifying. I’m stranded, disoriented, and powerless.I stand by the road, feeling utterly lost, watching taxis whiz by as if the world is oblivious to the chaos inside me. My hands shake as I lift them to flag down a taxi. But just as I do, my phone rings.The sound sends a jolt through me, and I glance at the screen. My heart pounds as I see the caller—Private Number. Dread tightens around me like a noose, and I hesitate before answering, my breath shallow.“Hello?” My voice barely escapes, trembling with anxiety.A cold, deep voice responds, as sharp as ice.
Jezebel’s POVI’ve been treated at the nearest hospital, but if I let this personal assistant slip away now, then I’m not the Jezebel everyone thinks I am.The doctor finishes up, wiping his hands as he says, “There you go, ma’am. You’re free to leave now.”I flash him a polite smile, but my mind is already elsewhere. My fingers tighten around the personal assistant’s arm, my nails digging into his sleeve as I anchor him beside me.The room is cold and sterile, yet I feel the heat of the moment. Matriarch Alessandra sits across from us, her silence dominating the room. When I grip her assistant’s arm, I catch the flash of surprise in her eyes, the slight parting of her lips. She wasn’t expecting this.“I still feel pain in my leg,” I say, my voice tinged with just enough distress to sound convincing. “It’s much worse than I thought. I don’t think I can walk.”Alessandra’s eyes narrow ever so slightly as she watches me closely, trying to figure me out. Let her think I’m putting on an ac