The weeks of suspicion and relentless digging had led to this moment, a moment I never would thought I would thought of depending on to find answers that had been bugging up my mind lately.I couldn’t believe that I would end up going to see my father again. Romeo Martinez, my father, was the only person who might hold the key secrets behind my mother’s death. Which was why when the perfect opportunity arose, I quickly grabbed it. A few days later, I told Thiago I’d be on a business trip in Nebraska with Lucia, but in reality, our flight was bound for Miami. I hate to even actually go and lie about it to my husband but I needed answers—answers only my father could give me.When we arrived, Lucia immediately concern etched into her face. She leaned in, her voice low. “Are you sure about this, Madam CEO? You know what kind of man your father is. She might hurt you.”I took a steadying breath. “That’s exactly why I have to do this. He may be a monster, but he’s the only one who can gi
When I returned to Monaco, my mind was a tangled mess of questions and anger. Each step toward the house felt heavier, the confrontation with my father gnawing at me, his words burrowing deep into my psyche. “Thiago murdered her… Avenge her… Bring justice.” They replayed like a terrible song stuck on repeat, one I couldn’t shake, no matter how much I wanted to.The house felt emptier than usual. I looked around, wondering if Thiago was here, if he could see through the mask I now wore. If he could sense the wall growing between us. But as much as I wanted answers from him, a part of me recoiled at the idea. I needed more—proof, clarity, something I could hold on to.Lost in thought, I nearly jumped as my phone buzzed in my pocket. I looked down to see Charles’s name flash on the screen. The last person I wanted to talk to. But something about my conversation with my father, combined with Charles’s involvement, made me feel that he held something I was missing. I hesitated, then an
With all the information I gathered from my father, plus the somewhat related ones I had gathered from Charles, I finally have decided to call my private investigator to ask for updates.The moment the call came in, I froze, my heart lodged somewhere between fear and relief. The investigator’s voice was calm, clinical, as he laid out each piece of evidence he had collected—facts that aligned all too closely with the stories Charles and my father had told me. Each revelation was another blow to my resolve. Every instinct in me wanted to reject it, to deny the truth lurking in those findings.But there was no denying it anymore. Thiago’s secrets, the shrouded details of my mother’s death, and the suspicion that had crept into my life like a silent intruder—all of it had been validated in one damning phone call.I clutched my phone in a white-knuckled grip, barely feeling the sensation in my fingers. My mind raced back to that night in Miami, to my father’s words and the darkness in Char
As I drove away from the mansion, the bitter chill of the night seemed to seep through the car windows, sharpening the anger and determination pulsing through me. The quiet hum of the engine was the only sound breaking the silence, but inside, my mind was chaotic, unraveling Thiago’s words, each one sinking like a blade into the depths of my resolve. He’d admitted to everything—without remorse, without hesitation. I could still see the cold indifference in his eyes as he’d said it, as if my mother’s death had meant nothing more to him than a minor inconvenience.But if he thought he could silence me or manipulate me into staying, he had sorely misjudged me. Whatever small, twisted bond we’d shared was gone, dissolved into nothing under the weight of his betrayal.I wasn’t just going to leave. I was going to make sure Thiago paid for every single life he had ruined—starting with my mother’s.I parked the car at a nearby overlook, the city lights below shimmering in a way that would’v
Days had passed since I’d stormed out, but the weight of everything that happened between Thiago and me still felt fresh, raw.Eventually I had decided to return for two reasons: one was to collect my things and finally close the door on the life I thought I’d been building here. The life I’d been lied into. And then the second, was to gather anything I could find from Thiago’s things that would associate him to my mother’s death.It has been so long since that murder happened, and I bet finding evidence from Thiago’s things would be rough but I was still willing to bet on whatever I would find.When I arrived back, I wasn’t really expecting him to be here, yet there he was, waiting in the foyer as if he’d known I’d return. His expression was unreadable, a mask of both anticipation and wariness. But I didn’t care to decipher his emotions anymore; I was done trying to understand this man who had made a fool of me.“I’m only here for my things,” I said, my voice sharp and emotionless,
Starting over was harder than I thought it would be.Filing my resignation at the Bermudez Group was the first step, yet walking out of that building felt like tearing away a piece of myself. My work had been tied to Thiago for so long, every project, every deal stamped with his mark, whether I liked it or not. I took a deep breath as I left for the last time, reminding myself this was the beginning of a new chapter. The divorce papers followed next. It was a hollow victory, knowing it wouldn’t be easy; Thiago’s stubbornness was practically a trademark, and he would drag this process out as long as possible.The knowledge weighed on me as I tried to slip back into some semblance of normalcy. Each day felt both liberating and strangely empty, like I was relearning how to navigate life on my own terms, without him lurking in the background, dictating or influencing my decisions. My focus was clear: rebuild and find out the truth. I needed to know exactly how Thiago was tied to my mo
I was still buzzing from the unexpected kindness Sevi had shown last night, my mind replaying his warm smile and easy laugh as he drove me to my hotel. So when he suggested lunch, I agreed, curious about what more I’d find beneath his calm exterior.When I met him in the hotel lobby, he greeted me with the same gentle smile that seemed to soften every hard edge in my mind. Dressed in a simple white shirt and dark jeans, he looked effortlessly put together."I hope you like cafes," he said, leading me to his car.“I practically live in them,” I admitted with a grin. “Perfect place to escape without really going anywhere, don’t you think?”He chuckled. "Then I know just the place for you.”The drive was filled with snippets of conversation that made me feel like I’d known him far longer than just a day. It was easy to fall into step with him, and by the time we reached a tucked-away part of the city, I was utterly at ease.The cafe Sevi had chosen was nestled between tall, vine-covered
The same day, I never expected that Sevi would actually rent a luxury looking motor boat for us use. As the boat sped through the clear blue waters, island after lush island rolling past us in the distance. He’d whisked me away after our time at the café, suggesting we take a boat out to explore some of the quieter islands.“Are you sure this isn’t too much?” I’d asked, laughing at his casual insistence that I “just wait and see.”“Bridgette, you’re on vacation,” he’d replied, his tone lighthearted as he adjusted the boat’s speed. “The whole point is to unwind and not think too much about things. Let me take care of it.”And so I did. I let go, let the wind rush through my hair as we passed secluded coves, sandy beaches, and dense palm groves. We finally stopped at a small, private beach on one of the islands, where Sevi cut the engine and helped me out of the boat. Ahead, there was a table set with white linens and delicate lanterns that flickered like stars against the night sky.E
I woke up the next morning with my phone in hand, the screen still lit up with our chat from last night. Licht’s name stared back at me, his last message lingering in my mind:"Sleep well, Cassie. Sweet dreams. Maybe dream of me?"A small smile tugged at my lips despite myself. I hated how easily he could make me feel this way, but there it was—that stupid fluttering in my chest that I couldn’t seem to shake. Before I could second-guess myself, I opened the Finder app and shot him a reply."Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not that easy."Not a minute later, a reply came in."Oh, really? You’re chatting with me first thing in the morning. Seems like I’m on your mind, Cassie."I rolled my eyes, but a chuckle escaped my lips."You’re unbelievable."His response came almost instantly."And yet, you’re still talking to me. Admit it—you’d miss me if I stopped."I didn’t bother denying it, even to myself. Instead, I leaned back against my pillow, a blush creeping across my cheeks as I typed back
One evening, thiago suddenly asked me to join him for dinner on the terrace. The table was set with candles and flowers, the soft sound of waves in the distance creating a romantic ambiance.“You went all out,” I teased, taking in the sight.“Only the best for my wife,” he said with a smile, pulling out my chair.The dinner was perfect—delicious food, easy conversation, and the glow of the setting sun painting the sky in hues of pink and gold. But as dessert was served, Thiago grew quiet.“Bridgette,” he began, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “There’s something I need to say.”I looked at him, my heart skipping a beat.“When we first met, everything between us was... complicated. Contracts, deals, and obligations clouded what should have been simple. But through it all, you showed me something I didn’t know I needed. You showed me love—real, unconditional love.”Tears filled my eyes as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.“I don’t want contracts or co
The days of chaos felt like years, but it all came down to this—a final showdown with the Syndicate that had haunted our lives. The safe house was silent as we prepared, each of us locked in our own thoughts. Thiago stood at the window, his gaze hard as steel, while Raven briefed the team on the plan.“We’ve isolated the Syndicate’s main server,” Raven said, her voice steady. “It’s housed in an underground facility beneath their headquarters. We take it down, and their entire operation collapses.”“And the leadership?” Thiago asked without turning.Raven hesitated. “They’ll be there. If we’re lucky, we can take them alive.”“No,” Thiago said firmly, his eyes finally meeting hers. “We’re ending this for good. No loose ends.”The room fell silent. No one dared to challenge him.I stepped forward, my voice cutting through the tension. “What’s my role?”Thiago turned to me, his expression softening slightly. “You’re staying back. This is too dangerous.”“No,” I said, my resolve unwavering
The ride was silent, save for the hum of the engine and the occasional crackle of the radio. I kept my gaze fixed out the window, watching the city blur past us like a living, breathing entity. But even as the streets unraveled, my thoughts remained tethered to Thiago.His hand rested on mine, grounding me, yet his tension was palpable. He was deep in thought, his jaw clenched and his eyes fixed ahead as though he could see past the horizon and into the Syndicate’s next move.“Thiago,” I murmured, breaking the quiet.He turned his head slightly, his attention snapping to me. “What is it?”“I just...” I hesitated, unsure how to voice the maelstrom of emotions swirling inside me. “I don’t know how you do this—carry the weight of everything and still keep going. It feels... impossible.”His lips twitched into a faint smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s not about feeling ready or capable. It’s about knowing there’s no other choice.” He paused, his gaze softening. “And now, it’s
Thiago didn’t let go of my hand as we ascended the stairs. His grip was firm, grounding me, even as my thoughts spiraled with fear and adrenaline. The Syndicate was no longer just a distant, malevolent force—it was here, closing in on us. Yet, with Thiago at my side, I felt an unshakable determination building within me.When we reached the roof, the cool night air hit me like a wave. The city stretched out below, glittering and oblivious to the danger lurking in its shadows. Thiago scanned the area quickly, his sharp eyes taking in every detail.“Over here,” he said, guiding me toward a corner where a makeshift ladder had been propped against the edge. It led to the adjacent building, lower and less exposed.“Is this part of the plan?” I asked, my voice tinged with sarcasm as I eyed the rickety ladder.His lips twitched. “Improvisation. You’ll love it.”I shot him a look but didn’t argue. Thiago went first, his movements swift and practiced, as if danger was his second nature. Once h
The tension was suffocating as we returned to the safe house, now bolstered with additional security. Thiago didn’t speak much on the way back, his focus razor-sharp, but I caught the occasional glance he threw my way—each one laced with a mixture of worry and resolve.Inside, Raven had set up a makeshift lab, her equipment humming as she worked to crack the device’s encryption. Thiago paced the room, his movements restless and predatory, while I sat with Sebastian, tending to his injuries.“Do you think it’s real?” I finally asked Thiago, breaking the heavy silence.He stopped pacing, his eyes meeting mine. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I’m not willing to bet lives on the chance that it isn’t.”His honesty was both comforting and terrifying. This was the man who never let his guard down, who always seemed to have a plan. Seeing him uncertain made the stakes feel even higher.Raven’s voice cut through the room. “Got it.”We all turned toward her as the device’s screen flickered to
The safe house was no longer safe. The Syndicate's broadcast left us with no illusions about their reach or their intent. Sebastian’s battered face haunted me, but it was the image of myself, bound and helpless, that twisted my gut. The message wasn’t just a threat—it was psychological warfare, designed to break Thiago’s resolve.Raven paced the room like a caged predator, her fingers flying across her tablet as she pulled up surveillance feeds and encrypted communications. “They hacked our network,” she muttered. “But this wasn’t just about showing off—they wanted us to see this.”Thiago stood by the window, his silhouette rigid against the faint glow of city lights. His silence was unnerving, his usual controlled demeanor fraying at the edges.“Thiago,” I said softly, stepping closer. He didn’t turn, but his shoulders tensed at my voice.“We’re running out of time,” he finally said, his voice low and rough. “If we don’t move fast, they’ll kill him.”“They won’t,” Raven interjected.
The weight of her words hit like a freight train. Thiago’s hand found mine again, his grip firm. “Let them try,” he growled. “They’ll regret it.”But even as he spoke, I could see the flicker of unease in his eyes. He was already calculating, planning—looking for the weak link in their chain.“We’ll meet you at the safe house in twenty,” Thiago said before ending the call. He turned to me, his expression resolute. “You stay here.”“No,” I said, my voice firmer than I expected. “We’ve been through too much for me to sit on the sidelines now. I’m coming with you.”“Bridgette, this isn’t up for discussion,” he snapped, frustration lacing his tone. “The Syndicate isn’t playing games. If they get their hands on you—”“Then I’ll fight,” I interrupted, standing my ground. “I’m not some fragile piece on a chessboard, Thiago. I’m in this with you, no matter how dangerous it gets.”For a moment, the tension between us was palpable, a battle of wills neither of us was willing to lose. Then, with
The weight of the moment pressed down like a stormcloud, suffocating the air between us. Thiago’s battered form was still tense, his fists clenched at his sides. Across the dimly lit room stood a figure that could have been his reflection, but something in the stranger's eyes—a darkness, a smirk that bordered on malice—set him apart.Thiago's voice cut through the silence, sharp as a blade. "What the hell are you doing here, Marcus?"The man tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Is that any way to greet your twin brother? You wound me."I froze, the words ricocheting in my mind. Twin brother? How had Thiago kept something like this from me? The thought of another Thiago—one so similar in appearance yet radiating danger—sent a shiver through me.Thiago stepped forward, his body shielding me instinctively. "You're supposed to be gone. You promised you'd never come back."Marcus chuckled, a low, sinister sound that made my skin crawl. "Promises, promises. But then again, you’ve always be