AVERY'S POV:
His voice cut through me, sharp and cold, and I didn’t need a second reminder to obey. As Katie, the maid who introduced herself in a low, calm tone, led me down a quiet, lavish hallway, my mind was fixated on one thing: his left eye. The one I could see.
Axel Blackwood’s left eye was a smoldering, molten copper—alive with an inner fire that seemed to light up the very air around him. The iris, polished like burnished penny, radiated an intense warmth and depth that made the gaze hypnotic, magnetic. Flecks of gold glinted within that coppery storm, as if shards of sunlight had taken residence there, restless and burning. The cream-toned skin around his eye only served to make its color more striking, like the contrast of fire against pale ember. And his lash, thick and dark, framed his eye like brushstrokes on a masterpiece, accentuating the dangerous gleam within them.
As he’d looked at me, his eys had held a glint of mischief, laced with something far darker—command, authority. It wasn’t just his; it was his power, his weapon. It could make you question your place, make you feel small or helpless, as if just a glance was enough to strip away any defiance. And then there was that eye patch, concealing the other eye as if what lay behind it was even more lethal. I couldn’t help but wonder what lay beneath.
“Katie…why does he have an eye patch?” The words left my mouth before I had time to filter them.
Katie’s face remained an impassive mask, her steps measured and brisk. She hadn’t dared to look directly at Axel when he summoned her earlier, and she’d looked visibly relieved when he’d dismissed us. Now, she merely arched a brow at my question. “Who?” she asked, her voice flat.
I held back an eye roll. Right. They probably didn’t have multiple eye-patch-wearing men brooding around here.
“Mr. Blackwood,” I clarified, though I already anticipated her response.
Her posture stiffened slightly, and she stopped in her tracks. “Mrs. Blackwood, we aren’t at liberty to discuss certain things. I suggest you ask him directly.” She cast me a quick glance, one that warned me she wouldn’t be saying anything more on the subject.
Yeah, like he would actually answer me. I still couldn’t get over the fact that he’d nearly strangled me just for demanding an explanation. Not that I was new to abuse; Chase, my ex-husband, had made sure I was well acquainted with violence. I’d been his punching bag, the one he’d choke, slap, and raped whenever he wanted. He called it love, and he made sure the world thought it was too. Outside, we were the “it couple.” People saw my flawless makeup, my designer clothes, the smile I forced whenever a camera turned our way. They envied me. Little did they know that all the jewels in the world couldn’t cover the bruises and the love everyone thought I had? It was never real. Just a mask.
As Katie opened a set of double doors, my breath hitched. We’d stepped into a bedroom, vast and elegantly appointed, with clean lines and soft lighting. The walls were painted a warm, soft gray, somehow both welcoming and grand. It felt like stepping into a tranquil oasis, miles away from the chaos that had just engulfed my life. A large bed sat in the center, with white sheets and a textured throw blanket draped at the end. Everything looked expensive, perfectly coordinated in shades of cream and beige that hinted at restraint yet whispered of decadence.
Katie motioned for me to follow, leading me to another set of doors on the far left, which she pushed open to reveal a bathroom fit for royalty. The centerpiece was a massive, oval bathtub positioned under a skylight, framed by tall, frosted glass panels that kept the space both open and private. In the corner, a rainfall shower was bordered by sleek marble walls, while a glass divider separated it from the rest of the room. A vanity mirror, illuminated by soft, warm lights, hung over a marble sink, while a wardrobe fitted with a sliding full-length mirror stood against the wall. Every detail, down to the chrome fixtures and the meticulously folded towels, felt meticulously designed and painfully beautiful.
Katie placed a set of toiletries—soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, and fresh towels—on the counter. “There will be clean clothes and fresh undies waiting for you when you’re done.” With a nod, she excused herself, leaving me to process…all of this.
I slipped into the bathtub, letting the warmth of the water soak into my skin, hoping it could wash away the reality that was sinking in. The spot where the door had scraped me earlier throbbed, as water touched it. But it was the emotional ache within that truly stung, surpassing the physical discomfort.
The dirt and grime of the past hours swirled down the drain, but the pain clung to me, rooted deeper than mere skin. The water turned murky, my skin raw, but I scrubbed harder, trying to erase every remnant of Chase’s touch, his memory. Yet, as much as I tried to shove it away, I couldn’t help but remember everything that led me here.
The betrayal, the heartbreak, it all felt so fresh, like a wound that hadn’t yet scarred. After everything I’d done for Chase, he’d discarded me like trash, moving on without a second thought. And my family—my own mother—giving my sister my place in the life I was supposed to have, as if I’d never mattered at all. I thought they loved me, or at least needed me. Now, I wasn’t sure they’d ever cared at all.
As I sank deeper into the bath, the tears came. Hot, stinging tears that wouldn’t stop, spilling over as everything—the years of hiding bruises, the nights spent convincing myself I was happy, and now this…this nightmare—closed in around me. I sobbed for what I’d lost, for the woman I used to be, for the girl who’d once believed love meant safety.
But it was more than grief. Anger bubbled up, fueled by the memory of Axel’s hand around my throat, his indifferent gaze as if he had every right to control my life. And now, because of some twisted deal Chase struck with the devil himself, I was “Mrs. Blackwood.” A pawn in yet another man’s game.
When the bathwater turned cold, I climbed out, wrapping myself in one of the luxurious towels. I knew I couldn’t let this break me. Axel Blackwood might think he owned me, that I was another possession to add to his wealth and power. But he didn’t know me. He didn’t know that I’d survived the worst hell could throw at me. And if he wanted a fight, I was ready.
By the time I’d dried off and slipped into the fresh clothes left on the bed—a soft, elegant dress that fit perfectly—I had resolved one thing: I was going to find out exactly what Axel wanted from me and just how much control he thought he could wield. And if he wanted a wife, a mother for his daughter, then he would have to learn that I wouldn’t play the role of obedient doll.
I was done being anyone’s prisoner.
AXEL’S POV:I leaned back in my office chair, rubbing the part of my chest that still ached like a damn knife wound. No one knew the truth I was harboring along with a dozen other secrets: I was dying. Slowly, and it felt as brutal as anything I’d ever inflicted on my enemies. The doctors broke it to me two months ago—an inexplicable hole in my heart, they said. "Six months left, if you're lucky." Nature, or fate, or karma—whatever it was—finally decided to catch up.It was right after I’d taken care of a bastard and his entire family who’d tried sabotaging one of my shipments. I didn’t feel a damn thing as I strangled him, then ordered my men to take out every breathing thing in his house. There’s no other way to be clear: you cross me, you die. He knew the stakes when he made his choice. Still, something about him and his family felt… strange.But there was no time for questions now, especially with the ticking clock in my chest. It’s what pushed me to find Sea someone to leave her
AVERY'S POV:I was done with crying. It felt like a curse had latched onto my life, shadowing every breath I took. Why did everything have to go wrong? Not a moment to breathe, to laugh, or feel free—just an endless stream of pain, betrayal, and torment. Let me take you back to where it all started, to the reason I can’t seem to stop the tears.Growing up, the only warmth I felt came from my father and grandfather. My mother, Lyra Russell, used to be loving—at least, that’s what I was told. But then something changed when I turned two. My father said her love began to fade. I didn't understand it then, but as I grew older, I saw the truth for myself. The moment Astrid, my younger sister, entered the picture, it was as if all the love my mother once had for me shifted to her.That alone was hard, but at least I had my father and grandfather. They were my sanctuary, wrapping me in a love that softened the sharp edges of my mother’s indifference. But even that comfort was ripped away all
AVERY'S POV:Sea's small voice, full of vulnerability, tugged at memories I hadn’t let myself touch in years. Hearing her admit she was afraid of the dark was like looking in a mirror back to my own childhood. I remembered lying in bed, hiding under covers, watching shadows stretch across the walls, and waiting for the sound of my father’s footsteps. He’d read me a story every night, staying until I drifted off. If he left even a second too soon, I’d call out for him, sure that the monsters would sneak in the moment he was gone.I glanced down at Sea, curled up tightly, hugging her teddy bear. Her eyes peeked over its fuzzy head, watching me warily, not trusting but not sending me away either. Slowly, I stepped closer to her bed and lowered myself down, one hand gently resting on her back. Her shoulders were stiff, defensive, but she didn’t pull away.My eyes locked onto the phone nestled next to her pillow, and I knew I had to act. I paused for a moment, collecting my thoughts.“Woul
AVERY'S POV:The idea hit me like a spark, and suddenly, every cell in my body felt electrified. Could this be my chance? Instead of relaxing into this twisted arrangement, I’d rather be smart and run while I still could. I had no plans to settle into this deceitful life, to play the submissive wife. I had to get out.With my heart pounding, I bolted downstairs, keeping my steps light and quick. Every glance over my shoulder felt like Axel’s eyes might appear in the shadows, tracking my every move. But I didn’t stop. I reached a side door that led outside, and without hesitation, I slipped through, barely closing it behind me before breaking into a run.The night air was sharp and cool, but I barely felt it as I sprinted, following a path that led away from the house. The grounds were enormous, more like an estate than a simple backyard, with sprawling gardens and dense hedges lining the pathways. I thought I could see the edge, some glimpse of freedom, but as I rounded a corner, I st
AVERY'S POV: I bolted from the thicket, leaving the gruesome scene behind me. My pulse thundered in my ears as my bare feet slapped against the damp, cold earth. The maze loomed, suffocating in its enormity, its hedges closing in like walls of an unending prison. I didn’t care about getting lost anymore—I just needed to keep moving. I didn’t think about Axel, bloodied and monstrous, or the guards, or even the possibility of being caught. Survival had taken over, and every breath burned as I pushed my body past exhaustion. The jagged edges of branches snagged at my arms and legs as I tore through the maze, leaving faint trails of blood on the leaves. My dress now shredded and caked with dirt, mostly torn. My feet stung with every step, the soft soles of my shoes long gone, leaving my skin exposed to the rough ground. A sharp stone tore through the arch of my foot, and I bit back a scream, my teeth sinking into my lip until I tasted copper. I couldn’t stop. If I stopped, I was as good
AVERY'S POV:“Avery Grayson,” I whispered, gripping the receiver so tightly my knuckles ached. It was the last name my ID bore. It should give them a heads-up on finding me. “I was taken to a house… a big estate. There were guards—armed guards. I escaped through the woods, but I don’t know where I am now. Please, they’ll find me if I don’t get away.” The dispatcher’s tone shifted, becoming sharper. “Avery, can you see any street signs or landmarks? Anything that might help us locate you?” I looked around frantically, the faint glow of a nearby store sign catching my eye. “There’s… there’s a gas station down the road. I think it says ‘Jefferson Fuel.’” “Good. That’s a start. Stay there if you can. Officers are being dispatched to your location now.” “No!” I blurted out, panic taking over every nerve. “I can’t stay here. What if they find me first? I can’t be taken back to him. I won’t survive.” “Okay, Avery,” the dispatcher said calmly, “do you know the address of where you’r
AVERY’S POV:"Mum, I was kidnapped by a stranger," I began, my eyes scanning every shadowy corner, my gaze darting back and forth to ensure we were truly alone. "I barely managed to escape. Please, we need to call the police. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m so scared," I begged, my voice shaking as I clung to the last shred of hope I had. Their reaction caught me off guard. I had braced myself for concern, for sympathetic hands reaching for phones to call for help, for warm arms enveloping me in comfort. But instead, they stood frozen, their faces impassive, their eyes unyielding. My mother's icy blue eyes bore into me with a look so detached it hurt more than my bruises. "What nonsense are you talking about?" she asked, her voice clipped and dripping with disbelief. "Mum, I’m not joking." I took a shaky step back, my voice cracking as I narrated the entire incident. My disheveled appearance, the bruises and cuts on my skin, and my bloodshot eyes should have been enough
AVERY’S POV:"Avery..." my mother called out. I gnored her and continued."When I was helping you with contracts, bringing in clients, and doing everything you asked, you always had a new task for me. I'm in trouble again, and you're turning your back on me. Please, I need you until the police figure out what's going on." I blurted out, my emotions boiling over.My mother's face crumpled, and she dissolved into sobs. Seeing her like that shattered me. I loved her so much, and knowing I'd caused her pain was unbearable. The weight of my regret crushed me. I shouldn't have spoken those words; they'd tumbled out before I could stop them."Mum, I’m..." I tried to apologize, but she wouldn't let me get the words out."Shut up, Avery!" Her face twisted with rage as she stormed back toward me. The slap landed before I even registered her movement. My cheek stung, the sound echoing in the room. "How dare you!" she spat, her voice venomous and low. "You think you can manipulate me with guilt
AXEL'S POV:“Daddy, I want my mom. Bring back my mom.” Sea’s voice still replayed in my ears, the same broken plea she’d repeated for weeks. She wasn’t eating. Couldn’t sleep. Every day brought a new tantrum. A new heartbreak. And I couldn’t fix it.Sea was mostly in the care of Katie and Cedric while I lost myself. I shut the world out. Nothing entertained me. Nothing made me happy. I hated life right now. I stood at the window of my office, the city blurred behind a sheet of condensation. It was late, or early—I didn’t care anymore. I hadn’t left this house in days. Maybe weeks. The silence had become a kind of cell. A warden pressing its weight into my chest.Outside, it rained. Inside, I unraveled.The world was shattering beneath my feet.Word had spread—about the fallout between Ryan and me. About the medication. About how my strength was fading. Some of the Dons had already turned, sniffing out new allies like dogs chasing meat. Business was bleeding out. The foundation
By the time Akira finished the tour, I was dazed—like someone had spun me around too many times and dropped me into the middle of a dream.She didn’t need more words. No speeches or convincing. I was already there.The Temple of Oman and Kore stood like something from another century, carved into the belly of a mountain and wrapped in ivy that twisted into the shapes of runes I didn’t recognize. Stone pillars, etched with golden script, stretched toward the sky like they were holding it up. A soft mist rolled down from the peaks above, layering the steps in a silvery sheen. The entrance itself glowed faintly—breathing, almost—as if the temple was alive, watching me.Inside, it was quiet. Not the awkward kind of silence, but the sacred kind. The air smelled like sandalwood and ancient earth. Candles burned in long, neat rows, casting shadows that danced across murals on the stone walls—murals of people with glowing hands, wide green eyes, dark robes rippling in wind that wasn’t there.
AVERY’S POV:"Oman was the first of us—a healer who survived the burning plague when entire villages perished. They say he walked through flame and came out whole. His gift passed down through the bloodline, marked by the tattoo only seers can see. We have guarded it for generations."Every word reverberated through me, mingling with the pain of the past and the shock of the present. I recalled vague memories of love and loss, of fleeting moments when my world had been whole. Now, the truth shattered that fragile illusion—Axel’s betrayal, my own mistakes, and the dark legacy that I had never even known.I burst into laughter—loud and out of place. The sound echoed in the quiet sanctuary like I’d just dropped a bomb into a library. I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye, not sure if it came from laughter or exhaustion. Maybe both.“Okay, Akira, please,” I said, waving my hand as if that could erase all the absurdity. “Let’s end this comedy show. What is this? Harry Potter’s lost trib
AVERY’S POV:The smell of fine earth, incense, and freshly turned soil filled my nostrils as my mind and body slowly woke up. Around me, harmonized chants and melodic singing wove through the air like a gentle caress. For a moment, I wondered if I had found heaven—a place of peace and solace after so many sleepless, torturous nights.I felt a light sting that vanished as quickly as it came, and I fluttered my eyes, trying to wake up from the most peaceful sleep I’d had in ages.I realized I was lying sideways, my face turned away from the world and my stomach pressed flat against the cool floor. The scent of cedar smoke and wild herbs lingered in the air. When I finally blinked my eyes open and raised my head, I found myself inside a hut that looked like it belonged in a forgotten fairytale. I was in an odd acupuncture pose, as if someone had deliberately positioned me for healing. Before I could gather my thoughts, a soft female voice spoke."She's awake," the voice said gently.I a
AVERY’S POV:Each step away from Axel’s estate was a war. My body fought me with every breath, but my heart? It was the real enemy.I clutched my shirt tighter around me, the wind being mean like it had a personal vendetta. I jumped at the sound of a car swerving in the distance and ducked behind a low wall when two men laughed too loudly around the corner. I kept going, head down, tears streaming silently—not that anyone was around to notice. This was the second time in my life I was walking away from a man who had power over me. The first time, I ran from a monster. This time... I was walking away from my angel. And that was what made it hurt so damn much.My heart felt like it was dragging behind me, scraped raw and bleeding on the pavement. The thought of Axel—his hands, his warmth, the way his voice changed when he said my name—haunted me with every step. And Sea. God, Sea. I missed her so badly it physically hurt. My chest ached, my arms ached, my soul ached.The world sp
AXEL’S POV:I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned back to Baron. “Take him to the dungeon.” Baron hauled Ryan up roughly. He didn’t resist. Didn’t struggle. Just held himself stiff. No remorse. No regret.That silence. That goddamn silence. I should’ve felt victorious. But all I felt was the ache of my heart shattering beyond repair. ***Ryan had always been the strongest in combat—the one who moved faster, hit harder, and never hesitated when it came to pulling the trigger. His skill with a gun was unmatched, his instincts sharp enough to predict a man’s next move before he even made it. And when it came to taking down an enemy, no one was more ruthless. Ryan was a fire—destructive, relentless. I had spent years trusting that fire to burn for me, to protect everything we’d built. But now? That same fire had consumed the bond between us, leaving nothing but ashes in its wake. All the CCTV across the entire mansion had gone dark. Every single camera—inside, outside, t
AXEL’S POV:Devon hesitated. “What happened?” I cut him off with a glare that could’ve turned a man to stone. He swallowed hard, nodded, and took off, barking orders. I wasn’t waiting around. I followed, my heart hammering against my ribs as we tore through the house, searching every inch, every shadow. Baron led the charge, moving like a bloodhound on a scent. But as the minutes stretched, an unsettling realization crawled into my mind. Ryan was missing. I ground to a stop. “Where the fuck is Ryan?” I bellowed. The men exchanged uncertain glances. No one knew.“Devon,” I snapped. “Take a squad and find him. Now.” He nodded and disappeared into the night. I moved on, searching, hoping—but each dead end, chipped away at me. Every step I took was heavy with despair and loneliness. I could feel the fractures spreading inside me.I remembered the mornings when Avery’s laughter filled our home, the way she would greet me with bright eyes over breakfast, sneaking food off m
AXEL’S POV:If Avery hadn’t been there when Sea nearly slipped away, I don’t know if I would have survived it. She was our light in these endless, bruising nights—my guiding star. Every time I thought of the hell that threatened to consume me, I saw her smile, heard her gentle words, and remembered that fate, in its twisted irony, had made her not only my partner but also my cure.I couldn’t keep the secrets from her any longer. If she was to stay in my world, it had to be by her own choice. I craved her pure love, free of deception—something real and untainted.Tonight, I stood among my men, going over every weak spot in our defenses. The estate had to be impenetrable. I wouldn’t risk Avery or Sea. But then—just as I was finalizing orders—the lights cut out.For a split second, I felt as if the very ground had vanished beneath me. I immediately grabbed my phone and contacted Baron, who now controlled the estate’s security. I had already stripped Ryan of his responsibilities in that
AVERY'S POV:The words slammed into me like a punch to the ribs. My breathing slowed, my heart pounded so violently I could hear it in my ears. My eyes darted frantically across the pages, absorbing lines I couldn’t comprehend, but somehow understood too well.The truth was staring at me, undeniable. I couldn't stay.No.No, no, no…My fingers tightened around the edges of the papers, crumpling them in my grip. My chest ached.Axel had betrayed me. Betrayed us.I felt my knees weaken, my body barely keeping itself upright. This wasn’t just a mistake. This wasn’t something we could come back from.I couldn’t breathe. I needed to get out of here. Now. But—Sea. I couldn’t leave her. Not like this. Not after everything she’d been through. But I couldn’t stay. Panic climbed up my throat, squeezing the breath out of me. My mind screamed at me to move, to run, to escape before Axel came back.My world tilted. The thought of Axel, the man I had grown to love despite all his darknes