ANNAThe soft hum of the hospital room’s air conditioning fills the quiet space. I’m staring at the ceiling, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. The pain in my side is a dull throb now, nothing compared to the agony I felt before the surgery. Still, the tightness lingers, reminding me of how close things got.I shift slightly on the bed, wincing as the ache sharpens. It’s hard to focus on anything, especially with my mind swirling. I still can’t believe this happened. Surgery. I’ve never had surgery before, and the thought of something like this hitting me so suddenly terrifies me. One minute I was just nauseous, thinking it would pass, and the next I was being rushed to the hospital with Damien by my side.He’s been here the whole time, holding my hand, watching over me. It’s strange, seeing him like this. I’ve always been confused about his feelings, and always kept my guard up, but now, his attention is unwavering. His care feels different.“Baby?” His voice breaks
ANNAAs we step through the front door, I feel a strange mixture of relief and nerves. It’s comforting to be back in familiar surroundings, but a sense of tension sits between Damien and me, a quiet buzz that has only grown since I left the hospital.Damien keeps his hand on my back as we walk through the house. “You need to rest,” he says, his voice softer than usual, as if afraid I’ll shatter under his care.“I know,” I reply, the words feeling small. I don’t resist as he leads me to my room, where I’ve been staying since we got married. But when he stops at the door, he pauses, glancing at me with something unreadable in his eyes.“Actually,” he begins slowly as if testing each word, “I think you should stay in my room. Just for tonight.”His words hang in the air, heavy and unexpected.I cross my arms, leaning slightly on the doorframe to steady myself. “Why?” The question comes out sharper than I intended, but I can’t help it. Sharing a room with Damien, especially with how tense
DAMIENAs morning light filters through the curtains, I wake up to the soft rise and fall of Anna's breathing beside me. She’s still asleep, looking so peaceful, and for a moment, I just lie here watching her, caught off guard by how beautiful she looks. I’m not exactly the sentimental type, but something about seeing her like this completely at ease, her hair falling loosely around her face—gets to me in a way I wasn’t expecting. It’s strange, the effect she has on me, and it makes me feel… out of my element. Since we got married, I've mostly kept my emotions in check, playing the role, and keeping things in order, but this morning, lying here next to her, that resolve feels thinner, stretched.I brush a few strands of hair away from her face, letting my fingers linger against her cheek. Her skin is warm and soft under my touch, and before I even realize what I'm doing, I lean down, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. She stirs, her eyes fluttering open, and for a brief second, I feel
DAMIENVanessa closes the office door behind her, and an unmistakable tension fills the room. She leans against the door, arms crossed, her eyes fixed on me with that familiar look intense, unyielding as if she’s challenging me to break first. It’s a look I used to find thrilling, but now it feels… complicated. And that’s the last thing I want at this moment.“So,” I start, keeping my tone casual. “What’s this about, Vanessa?”She tilts her head slightly, her lips curving into a small, almost knowing smile. “You know what this is about, Damien. I thought we agreed things between us wouldn’t change just because you decided to go ahead with… this marriage.”She says the word as if it’s something bitter, something she can’t bear to even acknowledge. I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck, feeling the weight of her words settle over me.“We did talk, yes,” I reply carefully, keeping my voice level. “But things are different now. I have responsibilities. Anna… she’s my wife, Vanessa.”She sco
ANNAI’ve barely had time to sip my tea when my phone rings, Lola’s name flashing on the screen. Perfect timing. I settle onto the couch and pick up, eager to pour out everything that’s been happening.“Finally!” Lola's voice chirps. “I was starting to think you’d fallen off the face of the earth.”I laugh, a bit too quickly. “Not quite, but close enough. There’s so much I need to tell you. I don’t even know where to start.”“Well, I’m all ears. Spill it!” Her voice is giddy like she’s buckling in for a ride.I take a deep breath, wondering where to begin. “Okay, so you know how everything’s been a bit…awkward with Damien?”“Uh-huh, understatement of the year, Lola teases. “Go on.”“Well,” I continue, “he’s…different lately. There’s this new side of him. This morning, he…he kissed me, Lola.” The memory still feels surreal, leaving me warm and flustered.I can practically hear her jaw drop. “Hold up! You’re saying he kissed you, like, actually kissed you?”“Yes! And it felt…nice,” I ad
DAMIENI’m in my office, staring at the computer screen, as the numbers scroll by in a mocking parade of red and zeroes. This is a nightmare—one technical glitch, and suddenly I’m haemorrhaging money by the second. I clench my fists, willing myself to stay calm, but it’s like everything is slipping out of my control. My phone buzzes in my hand again, and I barely recognize the voice on the other end as mine when I bark a greeting.“James, where are we on this? I don’t want excuses. I need solutions!”The voice on the other line stammers, going on about server errors, and backup delays, but I can’t even process the words anymore. I grit my teeth, my patience unravelling like a thread.“Enough!” I snap, my voice colder than I intended. “I don’t care what you have to do—get it fixed. Now.”I hung up before he could respond and immediately called the finance team. They’re scrambling too, I know, but I don’t care. This is my responsibility, my reputation is on the line, and it feels like t
DAMIENIt’s only been a few days since that night in my office, but I can’t shake the memory of Anna—the feel of her lips, the softness of her touch, the way she held me like I was something more than a broken mess wrapped up in business suits and deadlines. I can still feel her presence, lingering like a shadow in my office, in my home, in every quiet moment that used to be reserved for the mental noise I’ve cultivated over the years. Work has only become more complicated since then, and I try to distract myself with calls and files. Yet, the harder I throw myself into my work, the more I crave her company. I keep replaying that kiss, wondering if it meant as much to her as it did to me—or if I just read too much into it like I always do. I glance at my watch. It's nearly midnight, and I’ve been hunched over my desk for hours. Numbers, data, endless calls to suppliers and disgruntled clients—it all blurs together, a wash of monotony that would usually lull me into a numb state of f
ANNAI wake up slowly, the soft light filtering through the curtains, casting gentle shadows on the room. The warmth of Damien beside me is comforting, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath. I turn my head to look at him, and my heart does a little flutter. He’s asleep peaceful, relaxed, looking nothing like the stressed-out, intense man I’ve seen the past few days. His face is softened, his jaw no longer tight with tension. He’s so beautiful when he’s not worried when the weight of the world isn’t on his shoulders.I can’t help but admire him, the way his hair falls across his forehead and how his lips are slightly parted as he sleeps. He’s so different when he’s at peace. I want to memorize this moment, this quiet, intimate space we’re sharing. I run my fingers lightly along his arm, tracing the contours of his muscles, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine.I stay like that for a few minutes, just watching him, and I realize how much I want to see him happy, to
DAMIENA scream shatters the silence of the night. It’s sharp, raw, and filled with so much pain that it jolts me upright in bed. My heart pounds as I turn to Anna, who’s thrashing wildly, caught in the grip of a nightmare. Her cries are broken and desperate, her hands clawing at the air as though fighting off invisible demons.“Anna!” I call out, shaking her gently. “Baby, wake up. It’s just a dream. Wake up!”She doesn’t respond. Her face is damp with sweat, and tears streak down her cheeks as she sobs in her sleep. The sight of her like this a mixture of fear and vulnerability feels like a punch to the gut.“Baby,” I say again, my voice softer but urgent, as I gather her trembling form into my arms. “It’s me, Damien. I’m here. You’re safe.”Her eyes snap open, wild and unfocused before they lock onto mine. She doesn’t seem to recognize me for a second, her body stiff and trembling. Then, like a dam breaking, she collapses against me, sobbing uncontrollably.“I couldn’t get away,” s
ANNAThe car glides to a halt in front of the house, and I spot Miss Rosie standing on the porch, her face etched with worry and hope. Her hands are clasped tightly in front of her, her lips moving silently as though in prayer. The moment Damien steps out of the car and rounds to my side, she’s already descending the steps, rushing toward us like a mother hen reuniting with her chicks.Damien helps me out of the car, his touch firm yet tender. The cool evening breeze brushes against my skin, but his hand is a source of steady warmth, grounding me in this surreal moment of finally being home.“Anna!” Miss Rosie exclaims, throwing her arms around me the moment my feet touch the ground. Her embrace engulfs me, a warm, maternal cocoon I didn’t realize I needed until now. “My child, you’re home! Oh, you’re home.”The floodgates break. I sob into her shoulder, clutching onto her as though letting go would send me back to the nightmare I’d just escaped. “Miss Rosie,” I manage between gasps,
DAMIEN The low hum of the private jet’s engines fills the cabin as we finally leave New York behind. My body aches, and my arm burns where the bullet grazed me, but none of that matters. Anna is seated beside me, her fingers clutching mine like a lifeline. I haven’t let her out of my sight since the rescue, and I have no intention of doing so now.Evans stands a few feet away, speaking in low tones with Don Emilio. They’re strategizing the next steps, but my focus is entirely on Anna. She’s wrapped in a soft blanket, her face pale and her eyes hollow. Even though the ordeal is over, the scars are fresh.“Damien,” she whispers, her voice barely audible over the engines.I turn to her immediately. “I’m here my baby,” I say, squeezing her hand gently.She leans her head against my shoulder, her body trembling slightly. “I don’t know how to thank you,” she murmurs.I kiss the top of her head softly. “You don’t have to thank me,” I reply. “You’re my wife. I’d walk through hell to keep you
ANNAThe rumble of the boat engine fades as Nicholas’s men drag me into yet another damp, cold hideout. My body is trembling from exhaustion, starvation, and the relentless torment Nicholas has inflicted. The faint glimmer of hope I’d held onto is almost extinguished. Every door feels like another step closer to death, but I can’t stop thinking about Damien. Despite everything, his face, voice, and promise to protect me keep me clinging to life.Nicholas’s dark laugh breaks through my thoughts. He stands by the window, barking orders into his phone, his frustration palpable. Something has rattled him.“Boss,” one of his men mutters, stepping inside with a nervous glance. “They’re close. Gusavo’s men are closing in on the docks.”Nicholas’s eyes snap to the henchman, and his jaw tightens. “Gusavo…” he hisses like the name is venom on his tongue. “That rat. Fine. Let them come. I’ll burn this place to the ground with every one of them inside.”The man hesitates. “And… her?” He nods towa
DAMIENThe private airstrip hums with activity as Don Emilio’s plane lands smoothly on the tarmac. The sleek black jet, adorned with the Gustavo family crest, looks as intimidating as the man himself. As the hatch opens, Emilio descends the steps, flanked by four men who radiate danger. Each of them is armed, their sharp eyes scanning the area for any sign of threat.Emilio strides toward me, his tailored suit immaculate despite the long flight. His salt-and-pepper beard frames a face that commands respect, and his dark eyes lock onto mine with unwavering intensity. Evans and I step forward to meet him, and I feel like I have a fighting chance for the first time in days."Damien," Emilio greets, his deep voice carrying the weight of authority and familiarity. He clasps my shoulder firmly, his grip both reassuring and unyielding. "I came as fast as I could."I nod my throat tight with a mix of gratitude and desperation. "Thank you for coming, Emilio. I wouldn’t know where to begin with
ANNAThe room is dim, lit only by a flickering bulb that barely illuminates the damp walls. My wrists are raw from the coarse ropes that bind me to the chair, and my throat feels like sandpaper. Nicholas’s menacing presence lingers, even when he isn’t in the room. I’ve lost count of how many hours or days I’ve been here.The door creaks open, and Nicholas steps inside, his dark eyes gleaming with malice. His lips curl into a smirk as he approaches, carrying a whip in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. My stomach growls at the sight of it, but I know better than to expect kindness from him.“Well, well, Mrs.Donovan,” he drawls, his voice dripping with mockery. “How’s your stay so far? Cozy?”I glare at him, my lips too dry to form words.He crouches down, holding the water bottle just out of my reach. “Thirsty?”I nod weakly, my pride shattered by my desperation.Nicholas laughs a cruel sound that echoes through the room. “Beg me for it.”My heart sinks. I know he’ll take ple
DAMIEN The walls of my office feel like they’re closing in as I stare blankly at the framed photo of my parents on my desk. It’s been years since I let myself feel this kind of raw, unrelenting pain—the kind that claws at your soul and doesn’t let go. My chest tightens, and before I know it, hot tears blur my vision.The last time I cried like this was the day we buried my parents. But now, I can’t hold it in anymore. I’ve failed Anna. I’ve failed to protect her, and the weight of that realization is unbearable.Evans sits across from me, his usual sharpness dulled by worry. "Damien, you need to pull yourself together. Crying won’t bring her back."His words, though harsh, ground me. I inhale deeply, wiping my face with trembling hands. "I know," I whisper, my voice raw. "But it feels like I’ve lost everything again, Evans. First my parents, and now Anna. She’s... she’s all I have left.”Evans leans forward, his tone softening. "Then we fight. You’re Damien Donovan, damn it. You don’
ANNAThe cold air bites at my cheeks as I step out of the terminal at JFK Airport, clutching my suitcase. The New York skyline looms in the distance, a strange mixture of awe and dread settling over me. Nicholas’s text with his address burns in my mind. My hands tremble slightly as I hail a cab.Was this the right decision?Doubt claws at me, but I shove it aside. Damien doesn’t care. He hasn’t cared for a long time or so I tell myself. The memory of his angry eyes last night twists something deep in my chest, but I force myself to breathe. This is about me now. About starting over.The cab ride feels endless, and when it finally pulls up to a towering building, my stomach churns. Nicholas’s directions lead me to a penthouse suite, the opulence of the place making me hesitate for a moment before knocking.The door swings open almost immediately, and there he is Nicholas, looking as polished as ever in a tailored suit, his dark eyes sharp and calculating."Anna," he greets, his lips cur
DAMIENThe moment I read Anna’s message, my entire world shifts."Don’t bother coming home tonight. I won’t be here when you do."The words burn in my mind as I grab my car keys and race out of the office. Every mile I drive feels like a lifetime, the thought of her leaving consuming me. She can’t leave. Not like this. Not without me setting things right.My tyres screech as I pull into the driveway, the house eerily silent. The lights are on, but the emptiness screams louder than words. I storm inside, calling out her name."Anna!"No answer.I head upstairs, my chest tightening as I push open the bedroom door. The sight stops me cold. Her side of the closet is half-empty, drawers open and rifled through. A suitcase is gone. My heart pounds.She’s gone."Miss Rosie!" I bellow, my voice echoing through the halls.My appears at the bottom of the stairs, her face pinched with worry. "Damien, what’s wrong?"I take the steps two at a time, reaching her in seconds. "Where is she? Where’s A