Without thinking, I pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry," I murmured into her hair, my heart breaking for her. "I had no idea." Rachel leaned into me, her body trembling slightly as she clung to me. The warmth of her body against mine was a stark contrast to the cold fear that had gripped my heart."You can't tell anyone," she whispered, her voice muffled against my shoulder. "Please, Emma. If he finds out, he'll hurt me, or worse."I nodded, stroking her hair gently. "I promise, Rachel," I murmured, my voice filled with determination. "I won't say a word."With a deep breath, Rachel pulled away, wiping at her eyes. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Now, we should get back to work before someone notices we're gone."I nodded, a lump forming in my throat as I took in the gravity of Rachel's confession. The mansion's glamorous facade was beginning to crumble, revealing the dark underbelly of manipulation and control that had been hidden beneath the sur
I turned on my heel and practically ran to the kitchen, my heart pounding in my chest. Rachel met me with a knowing look. "You okay?" she asked, her voice low.I nodded, trying to compose myself. "I can't do this," I whispered, my eyes darting to the door. Rachel grabbed my arm, her grip firm. "You can, and you will," she said, her voice filled with a fiery determination. "We all have our stories here. You're not the only one with secrets."Her words were a balm to my soul, and I felt a newfound strength in her touch. Rachel had been through hell and back, and she was still standing. If she could do it, so could I. I took a deep breath and nodded, squaring my shoulders. "Okay," I said, my voice stronger now. "Let's do this."The rest of the night was a blur of serving, smiling, and biting my tongue. I ignored Mr. Harrison's furtive glances and Miss Adrianne's thinly veiled disdain. I focused on the task at hand, serving drinks and clearing plates, all while keeping my eyes firmly on R
Miss Adrianne's smile grew more predatory, and she gestured to the bed. "Take off your clothes," she said, her voice a silky command. "And let's see what kind of entertainment you can provide."I froze, my mind racing. I couldn't do this. I couldn't let her do this to me. Rachel stepped forward, her eyes flashing with anger. "Ma'am," she began, "I don't think that's appropriate. She's just a maid."Miss Adrianne's smile grew colder. "Rachel," she said, her voice a warning, "you're dismissed. Leave us."Rachel's eyes met mine, full of anger and fear, but she didn't argue. With a curt nod, she turned and marched out of the room, the door slamming shut behind her. The finality of it echoed through the small space, leaving me alone with the woman who had just ordered me to undress.Miss Adrianne's smile grew more predatory as Rachel left, her eyes raking over my body with a hunger that made me want to shrink away. But Rachel's words echoed in my head, a reminder that I wasn't just a victi
"I-it was just a bit of fun," Mr. Luca stuttered, his eyes flickering towards Miss Adrianne for support. She scurried off the bed, straightening her dress and smoothing her hair, trying to regain some semblance of dignity.Miss Adrianne giggled, a high-pitched sound that grated on my nerves. "Oh, come on, Harrison," she cooed, her voice sticky with fake innocence. "You know how these girls can be. They just get so lonely down here, and who can blame them for seeking a little...companionship?"Mr. Harrison's gaze flicked to me, his eyes filled with a storm of emotions I couldn't quite decipher. "Is this true, Emma?" he asked, his voice tight with tension.I didn't ask for a companionship,it's not true, I screamed inside my head. But the words wouldn't come out. All I could do was shake my head, my throat closing up with fear. "No," I managed to whisper, the sound barely audible. "It's not true."Mr. Harrison's eyes narrowed, and he turned back to Mr. Luca. "Get the fuck out of my hous
I woke up the next day feeling tired and exhausted, the memories of the night before clinging to me like a damp fog that wouldn't lift. Rachel was already up, bustling around the room, her movements efficient and silent. She glanced at me when she heard me stir, a soft smile on her lips. "How are you?" she asked, her voice a balm to my frazzled nerves."I'm okay," I lied, sitting up slowly and swinging my legs over the side of the bed. My body felt bruised and sore, a constant reminder of the violation I'd barely escaped. Rachel handed me a cup of tea, the steam curling up like a gentle embrace. "Thank you," I murmured, taking a tentative sip. It was sweet and soothing, just what I needed."Well, I have good news, Emma," Rachel said, her eyes bright with something that looked like hope. "Mr. Harrison told me to tell you that you don't have to work today. He said you should rest."I stared at her, my heart skipping a beat. "What?" I croaked. "But why?"Rachel's smile grew a little wid
I blinked at him, surprised by his sudden intimacy. But before I could protest, he was leaning down, his warm breath fanning across my face as he kissed me. His lips were soft, his kiss tender, and it was nothing like the violent, possessive kisses Miss Adrianne had forced on me. This was a kiss filled with care and concern, and it sent a warmth spreading through my chest that I hadn't felt in a very long time.For a moment, I just lay there, letting him kiss me, letting him hold me. It was like a balm to my bruised soul, and I found myself responding, my arms wrapping around his neck, pulling him closer. His hands began to roam, exploring my body with a gentle touch that had me gasping for breath. He kissed me deeper, his tongue sliding into my mouth, and I could taste the hint of mint from the tea he'd been drinking.But then, reality crashed back down around me like a ton of bricks. I remembered his fiancée, the beautiful Miss Adrianne, and the games they played in this mansion.
A furious knock pounded on the door, jolting us out of our passionate haze. "Sir?" It was the voice of one of the mansion's employees, urgent and unyielding. "Mr. Harrison there's an important call for you!"Harrison's eyes narrowed, his body tensing above me. The raw desire in his gaze shifted to irritation in an instant. "I'll be right there," he barked, his voice strained with frustration. He rolled off me, his erection bobbing with the sudden movement.My own anger surged as the interruption shattered the delicate moment. Who could be so brazen as to disturb us? The knock came again, more insistent this time. I scrambled to pull my shirt down, trying to compose myself as Harrison stumbled to his feet, tucking himself back into his pants."Fuck," he muttered, his expression a stormy mix of irritation and lust. He stalked over to the door, yanking it open. The sight of Rachel on the other side took me aback. She looked frazzled, her eyes wide with urgency. "What is it?" he snappe
As night came, I headed to my small room, feeling a mix of excitement and fear. Rachel had left me a neat note: "Be careful, darling. Remember, this place is dangerous." I put the note in my pocket.I was very tired, so I lay down on my bed, thinking about the day. Soon, I fell asleep without realizing what my choice meant.A soft knock on my door woke me up hours later. My heart raced as I said, "Come in." The door opened, and I saw Harrison's shape in the dim light. He shut the door, and the sound echoed in the small room."Hey," he said quietly, stepping closer. I could see he was tense. "We need to talk."My heart skipped. Was he going to tell me to stop leading him on? To remind me of his engagement? Or maybe he wanted to end things before they got worse. I sat up, trying to push away my fears. "Okay," I said, trying to sound calm.Harrison took a deep breath and said, "I can't stop thinking about you, Emma. Since the first day I saw you, I've wanted you, but I didn't think it wa
The day had finally arrived. The morning sun poured through the windows, casting a warm golden glow over the house. Harrison stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his suit. His hands were steady, but his heart raced with excitement. Today was the day he would marry Emma, the woman who had brought light back into his life after so much darkness.He could hardly believe it. After everything they had gone through, after the pain, the uncertainty, and the fear, they had come this far. Now, they were about to start a new chapter together, one filled with love, happiness, and hope.Harrison looked at his reflection one last time, straightening his tie before walking out of the room. Downstairs, he could hear the soft murmur of voices. Rachel and Ethan were already there, helping with the final preparations. Emma was getting ready, and Harrison couldn’t wait to see her, to see the woman he would call his wife.He walked into the living room where Rachel and Ethan were waiting
Harrison slowly opened his eyes, feeling the soft warmth of the bed around him. But as he turned to his side, he noticed something was missing. Emma wasn’t there. His heart skipped a beat. Where could she be? He rubbed his eyes and sat up, glancing around the room. She wasn’t on the other side of the bed, and the house felt unusually quiet. His mind raced as he pushed the covers off and got out of bed. Maybe she was in the sitting room or downstairs. He quickly walked out of the room, his steps light, as he looked for her. As he made his way down the hallway, he could hear voices coming from the sitting room. It sounded like Emma, Rachel, and Ethan. Harrison’s heart lifted a little at the sound of their voices. He smiled to himself, glad they were all together. It meant everything was okay. When he reached the sitting room, he stopped in the doorway. There, sitting together on the couch, were Emma, Rachel, Ethan, and the maid who had been helping with Ethan. They were all talking an
Morning light crept into the room, soft and warm. Emma slowly opened her eyes, feeling the weight of Harrison’s arm around her. He was still sleeping, his breathing slow and steady. She smiled, her heart full of warmth. She had never felt this peaceful before. His presence beside her made everything feel right. But she didn’t want to wake him. He needed his rest. Carefully, she slid out of the bed, being as quiet as possible. The cold air of the room made her shiver slightly, but the memory of last night kept her warm. She tiptoed out of the room and into the sitting room, not wanting to disturb him further. Once she reached the sitting room, Emma let out a sigh of relief. It felt like her own space, a place where she could just think and breathe. She reached for the remote and switched on the TV, hoping for some distraction. The soft buzz of the screen came to life, but she didn’t expect what came next. The news anchor’s voice echoed through the room. “Breaking news: Mr. Blackwood
The door clicked shut softly behind us as Harrison and I entered our room. The house was quiet, but the thought of everything that had happened still hung in the air. The past days had been a whirlwind of emotions, but now, in this moment, there was just the two of us. I walked towards the bed, my heart racing as I thought about everything we had been through. But before I could sit down, I felt Harrison’s presence behind me. I turned slowly, meeting his gaze, and my breath caught in my throat. His eyes were dark, filled with something I couldn’t quite read. He didn’t say anything at first, but I could feel the tension building between us. Without warning, he stepped forward, his hands reaching for me. My heart raced as he gently pulled me into his arms. The warmth of his body surrounded me, and for a moment, I let myself relax, feeling the safety and comfort he always gave me. But then, the moment shifted. Harrison’s hands moved to my waist, his touch firmer now, sending a ripple o
The moment we stepped through the door, a sense of relief washed over me. We were finally home. It felt like a lifetime since I had last walked through this threshold, but there was something different about this time. It wasn’t just the physical space—it was the change in the air, the way everything seemed just a little bit lighter, a little less heavy. It wasn’t perfect, not by any means, but it was a step in the right direction. I didn’t even have time to fully take in the warmth of the house before my feet were moving toward Ethan’s room. My heart had been heavy with worry ever since I’d heard about the accident. It was like I couldn’t breathe until I knew he was okay. I pushed open the door quietly, my eyes immediately searching for my son. Ethan lay in his crib, surrounded by the soft glow of the nightlight, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest telling me that he was peacefully asleep. Relief filled me, but it was bittersweet. I stepped closer, careful not to disturb him. T
The atmosphere in the hospital room was heavy, filled with unspoken words and lingering tension. The sterile smell of antiseptic mixed with the soft beeping of machines, the only sound breaking the silence. Rachel sat in the hospital bed, her eyes fixed on the door as she waited. She wasn’t sure what to expect from Luca, especially after everything he had done. But deep down, she hoped that, at the very least, he had changed. Luca stood by the door, his hands clenched tightly by his sides. His face was weary, eyes downcast, as if he was afraid to look anyone in the eye. He had been through so much, but nothing felt as heavy as what he had done to Rachel. He had hurt her, destroyed her family’s trust, and pushed her to the edge. The weight of his actions had followed him every day since, and now he had come to this moment to face the consequences. Harrison stood beside Luca, his presence offering quiet support. He hadn’t said much on the drive over, but Harrison knew this was importan
the morning sun filled the room with a soft glow. Harrison looked at his brother, Luca. They had done something huge together, something that took all their strength. After everything they’d been through, he didn’t want to keep holding on to their old fights. “Luca,” Harrison said quietly, “I think it’s time we put all this behind us. There’s no point in fighting anymore. We’re brothers. We should stick together.” Before Harrison could say more, Luca spoke up. His voice was low, and there was a sadness in his eyes. “No, Harrison. I need to say something first. I’m sorry.” Harrison was surprised, so he stayed quiet, listening. “I’m sorry for all the pain I caused you, Emma, and Rachel,” Luca continued, looking down. “I let my hunger for power control me. I thought I was doing it for us, for the family, but it was just my pride. I was wrong.” Harrison could see Luca’s regret. This was the apology he had waited for, but now that it was here, it felt strange. He felt a mix of rel
Back at Harrison’s apartment, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Harrison moved quietly, his mind still reeling from everything they’d gone through. He and Luca hadn’t spoken much on the way over; both were too lost in their own thoughts, each weighed down by the magnitude of what they were about to do. They were about to open a drive that held the only real chance they had to stop Mr. Blackwood—one of the most dangerous men they’d ever crossed paths with. Harrison took a deep breath, trying to steady himself as he plugged the USB drive into his laptop. His hands were trembling slightly. The weight of what they were about to witness filled him with a mix of dread and resolve. He knew they needed this evidence, but he couldn’t ignore the fact that whatever was on this drive had cost lives—especially the life of Rachel’s sister, a wound that still hadn’t healed. Luca sat beside him, watching Harrison with a calm and focused expression. But Harrison knew his brother well enough to s
The drive to the hospital was tense and silent. Harrison focused on the road, replaying his approach to Rachel in his mind. He knew she’d be furious seeing Luca, but he also knew they needed her help. Beside him, Luca looked calm, but Harrison sensed his brother’s mind working just as intensely, planning his next steps. When they reached the hospital, Harrison paused outside Rachel’s door, taking a steadying breath. He wasn’t sure how Rachel would react, especially with Luca here. But there was no choice—they needed that USB drive, and time was running out. Pushing open the door quietly, he found Rachel asleep, her breathing soft and steady. The sight of her lying there, still and peaceful, stirred a wave of guilt in Harrison. She’d already sacrificed so much for them. Emma, who had been sitting quietly by Rachel’s bedside, looked up as they entered. She quickly moved over to Rachel and gently shook her shoulder. “Rachel, wake up,” Emma whispered, glancing warily at Luca. Rachel st