BELLA POVCould my life get any worse?Probably. I am the most unfortunate human to ever walk the earth so, I’d rather not find out.As much as I hated to admit it, I was settling into a routine at this house, this miserable, suffocating place that I refused to call home.Every day had started to blur together. Breakfast with Vincent, a walk around the estate, movies, overthinking, plotting ways to escape, and doom-scrolling through social media to watch other people live the life I wanted. A pathetic existence, really.The real shock, though? Vincent gave me back my phone.That alone was suspicious enough, but even weirder was the way he had changed. Gone was the arrogant, overbearing version of him I had grown used to. Now, he spoke to me like I was fragile like I mattered. And I hated that it confused me. It made me question everything.Still, there was another problem, he was barely around anymore.“Where the hell does he keep disappearing to?” I muttered, flipping onto my stomach
BELLA POVA knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I had been lost in my head ever since I ended the call with my father, running through every possible way I could convince Vincent to let me leave. Meeting my father felt like an impossible dream, but I had to try.The door creaked open, and Alessia stepped inside, as composed as ever in her neatly pressed uniform.“Good evening, ma’am. Don has asked you to join him for dinner.”My heart lifted at her words. Finally, a chance to talk to Vincent. I must find the right moment to bring it up. Hopefully, he is still nice.“Thanks, Alessia. I’ll be down in a few minutes.”She nodded politely and slipped out, closing the door behind her.I hurried to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and splashed cool water onto my face. My hands gripped the sink as I looked up at my reflection.I looked better.Healthier.My skin had a glow that wasn’t there before, and the exhaustion that once weighed down my face had faded. Whether it was the ex
BELLA’s POV“If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here anymore. I’d still be rotting away in jail, and you… you’d continue to suffer in ignorance.”“I can’t believe this!” I exclaimed, my voice shaking.I really couldn’t believe it. All this time, I had blamed my dad for abandoning me, convinced he had chosen to walk away from my life. But the truth was far worse. He had been suffering while I resented him. I had let Vincent manipulate me into hating the only real family I had left.I felt so stupid.Vincent had played me like a fool. He had wrecked my life, stolen my trust, and as if that wasn’t enough, he had tried to kill my father.He was a monster.“I know this is a lot to take in,” my father said gently. “But it’s the truth. If not for Santiago, I would have died in that prison.”That name. Santiago. It sent a jolt through me. Why does that name sound so familiar?“Do I know him?” I asked, frowning. “The name, it feels like I’ve heard it before. And how did he do it? How did he
BELLAI was brooding in my room, trapped in a cycle of anger and helplessness.I hadn’t stepped out since last night. Even breakfast had been brought in by the maid, which I barely touched.I refused to see him.The bastard who should be rotting in prison for his crimes. The murderer had no right to walk free, let alone keep me locked up like a prisoner in his home.The door swung open without warning. I didn’t bother turning around. I kept my back to the intruder, staring at the empty wall like it held all the answers to my misery.“Looks like someone’s having a bad day.”His voice grated against my nerves.I turned slowly, my expression twisted into a scowl.Vincent.“What are you doing here?” I spat, my voice dripping with venom.He leaned casually against the doorframe, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “Calm down, princess. This is my house, remember? I can go wherever I want.”Smug and Infuriating.I clenched my jaw, refusing to engage any further. I wasn’t in the mood to d
BELLAI still couldn’t believe it.Even as I sat in the car, my neatly packed bag resting on my lap, it felt surreal.I was really going back to school. Today is the day.I exhaled slowly, my fingers gripping the strap of my bag a little tighter.“Are you sure you packed everything? You didn’t forget anything, right?”Vincent’s voice pulled me from my thoughts, and when I turned to meet his gaze, I found his sharp eyes watching me closely.Why was he doing this?“Yes, I did,” I answered, trying to keep my voice steady. “Thanks to you, I got the timetable and everything else.”He nodded, but his expression remained unreadable.I hesitated.There was something I wanted to ask him, but after everything he had already done for me, I wasn’t sure if he’d agree. Still, I had to try.“Can I ask you for a little favor?” I finally said, my fingers fiddling with the hem of my sleeve to keep my nerves in check.Vincent’s head tilted slightly. “Go ahead.”I swallowed. “Can you ask the guards to st
BELLACarmen.“How long has it been since I last saw her?” I mumbled.I had disappeared without a word, not because I wanted to, but because I couldn’t bring myself to pile my problems onto her. She was my only friend, and I had abandoned her.“Carmen!” I yelled, spotting her across the hallway. Before she could react, I ran up and pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly, as if that alone could make up for my absence.She stiffened in my arms, unmoving. My smile faltered, but I refused to let go. I had missed her too much.“Get off me.”Her voice was dry, emotionless. It stung more than I expected.I released her slowly, searching her face for something but all I saw was indifference. No relief, no warmth. Just ice.“Carmen, I missed you,” I said, my voice softer now.She scoffed. Then she turned away and started walking, her steps sharp, heels stomping against the floor. She was angry. I couldn’t blame her.“Carmen, I’m sorry!” I called out, weaving through the sea of students in
BELLAThe guards dragged me back to the mansion, but my heart had already made a run for it. Fear gripped me so tightly I could barely breathe. There was no doubt in my mind that they had already filled Vincent in on what happened or at least their version of it. They’d say I tried to escape, and even though that wasn’t the truth, how could I possibly convince him otherwise when I had run from the guards?“Don is waiting for you,” one of the guards said, nodding toward the door.I swallowed hard. My legs felt like lead, but I had no choice. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.Silence.A silence so thick, so unnatural, it sent a chill racing down my spine. My gaze snapped forward, and there he was.Vincent.He was sitting in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, but his entire body was rigid, his fingers gripping the armrest like he was seconds away from snapping it in half. His aura had shifted completely, gone was the controlled, charming man I had s
VINCENTWhy couldn’t she just fucking listen? All she had to do was obey, but no, she had to push, to test me, to defy me.And now look where that got her.I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. I never wanted to lose control, but she drove me there. Even then, I knew when to stop. If I hadn’t, she would have passed out.I leaned against the wall, the distant sound of her ragged sobs filtering through the closed door. My jaw clenched.I should probably get her out now.Pushing off the wall, I stepped back into the dimly lit room. The scent of sweat and faint traces of blood lingered in the air. She was curled up, her body trembling with each broken sob, tear-streaked cheeks glowing under the faint light. The red welts and fading handprints on her pale skin stood out like battle scars.She noticed my presence and lifted her head, her eyes burning with venom as she glared at me. Pure, unfiltered hatred.I ignored it. I reached for her wrists, unclasping the cuffs from the chain
BELLAWhat was I thinking? I knew today was going to be like every other day, so why am I feeling so disappointed? Why was I hopeful? It’s not like I have any family left. Even when my dad was alive, he always forgot about my birthday, so I should be used to this by now.I let out a heavy sigh as I got out of the car and slammed the door shut behind me. Even my best friend forgot that today was my birthday. Honestly, saying I was in a bad mood would be putting it lightly.The guards opened the front door for me, and I walked in without so much as a glance in their direction. My brows knitted together the moment I stepped inside. The house was too quiet. Suspiciously quiet. For a second, I wondered if something had happened. But then again, nothing ever really did around here. I shrugged it off and headed to my room.I swung the door open, kicked my shoes off, and tossed my bag aside. I was just about to flop onto the bed when something caught my eye, something that wasn’t there this m
VINCENTI couldn’t believe my ears. It felt like a cruel joke, but Bianchi wasn’t one to joke about things like this. Someone had betrayed me. Someone had broken into my bunker, a place only a handful of people knew about.I needed answers. Now.Bianchi stood in my office, flanked by some of my men. The air was thick with tension, the kind that made breathing feel like a chore. I tapped my fingers against the desk, slow and deliberate, the only sound in the room besides the faint hum of the city beyond these walls.“What happened?” My voice was low and controlled for now.“And there better be some good news, or so help me God, someone’s getting a bullet between the eyes.” They paled. Every last one of them.“Speak,” I commanded. No one moved. No one breathed. Instead, they exchanged nervous glances, like schoolboys caught doing something they shouldn’t.My patience snapped.“I don’t have all damn day! How in hell did Bullet escape from my bunker? That place is locked down tighter than
VINCENT“Vincent!”The front door slammed open, and Bella’s excited voice rang through the house.“Vincent!”I barely had time to register the sound of her rushing footsteps before she appeared in the living room, practically bouncing with excitement.“I’m right here, Princess. You don’t have to scream my ears off,” I said lazily from my place on the couch.She didn’t care.With a bright grin, she launched herself onto the couch beside me, her energy filling the entire room.“Dramatic much?” I smirked, setting my phone aside. “Welcome back.”“You won’t believe what happened in school today!” she blurted out, eyes shining.I chuckled. It had been a week since she’d fully come back to being her usual, talkative self since things had gone back to normal. And honestly? I had missed this.“Stop staring and guess!” Bella nudged me, her expectant gaze locked onto mine.“You know I’m terrible at guessing,” I said, shaking my head. “Just tell me.”She huffed dramatically. “Fine, old man.”I sh
VINCENTIt had been a whole week, and I still couldn’t get Bella out of my head.She had been distant since the night I ignored her, and for the life of me, I couldn’t understand why.It wasn’t just avoidance. She refused to look at me. She hadn’t gone to school, barely ate, and spent every damn day locked in her room like the world outside didn’t exist.The last time I tried to approach her, it ended in disaster. She acted like I was invisible like my presence didn’t even register. The only time she reacted was when I reached out to touch her.She flinched. Hard.Like my touch was revolting. Like I was something she needed to get away from.I had walked out of her room that day, shaken in a way I couldn’t explain. But I hadn’t stopped trying.I made sure the maids prepared her favorite meals. Stocked the kitchen with her favorite snacks. Left little gestures to remind her that I was still there.She barely touched any of it.I didn’t know exactly what depression looked like, but what
BELLAThe driver dropped me off at school, but the sinking feeling in my stomach still wouldn’t go away. I let out a slow breath, adjusting my bag on my shoulder as I quickened my pace through the gates.I needed to meet Santiago fast.Before I could get far, someone grabbed my arm. I flinched my pulse spiking, only to exhale in relief when I turned and saw Carmen.“Bella. Where is your head? I’ve been calling your name since you stepped through the gates,” she said, eyes narrowing in concern.“Sorry, I didn’t hear you,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.She didn’t look convinced. “Are you okay? You look a bit lost.”I groaned internally. Of course, she’d notice. Carmen was too perceptive for her good. And now I had to find a way out of this conversation without hurting her feelings.“I’m fine, Carmen, but I’m kind of in a hurry. Can we meet up in class?” I forced a smile, hoping she wouldn’t push.Her brow furrowed. “Where are you going? Classes start soon.”I gently pulled
THIRD POVSantiago’s jaw was clenched so tight it felt like it might snap. His fists curled at his sides as he paced the length of his office, his mind spiraling with anger. Vincent had stood right in his own home, his own territory, and dared to threaten him like he was nothing more than a disgusting street rat. The audacity of it burned in his chest like wildfire.The door to his office swung open, and he halted mid-step. His head snapped toward the intruder with a deep scowl on his face.Nathan stepped in, bowing slightly before straightening. “Boss,” he said, his voice calm despite the tension thick in the air. “What are you going to do now that Vincent knows about your plan to use Bella? He didn’t even seem fazed when he found out she went through his phone. It makes me wonder if there was anything valuable in there to begin with. What’s our next move?”Santiago’s frown deepened. Nathan had just voiced the very thoughts gnawing at his mind, but if there was one thing Santiago pri
VINCENT“Don! Wake up!”I felt hands gripping my shoulders, shaking me with a force that rattled my bones. A groan slipped past my lips as I weakly swatted them away.“Don! Vincent!”The voice cut through my drowsiness like a blade. It was familiar, urgent.“Bianchi?” I cracked one eye open, my vision blurring before slowly sharpening to the sight of my right-hand man hovering over me.My head pounded like a drum, heavy and sluggish as if my brain had been stuffed with cotton. I felt like I’d been hit by a truck.“If you weren’t breathing, I would’ve assumed you were dead,” Bianchi muttered, scanning me with wary eyes. “What the hell happened?”I yawned, stretching out my stiff limbs before dragging myself up to rest against the headboard. “What are you doing here?” My voice came out rough, hoarse.“I’ve been calling your phone for hours no answer. I asked the guards if you’d stepped out, and they said you hadn’t left your room all day.”I frowned. “All day? Stop being dramatic, Bianc
VINCENTSomething felt off.Bella had been talking nonstop since I started eating, filling the silence with rants and complaints about being stuck in the house. It wasn’t unusual, Bella loved to talk but there was something too deliberate about it. Like she was keeping me distracted.I eyed her suspiciously as she sighed dramatically. “I’m honestly tired of always being stuck in this house. I need to go outside, make friends, go to parties, and just do everything a college student should do.”I stabbed a piece of pancake with my fork. “I can take you out.” My tone was casual, dismissive.Bella snorted. “So I can end up getting kidnapped again? No, thank you.”She’s joking with me? I reminded myself. It’s Bella. She jokes about everything. Maybe she wanted to go back when we were comfortable just talking about everything while eating.“It’s not funny.” She gave me a pointed look. “I nearly died because you wanted to party. I wonder what would happen the next time you took me anywhere.”
VINCENTSantiago chuckled, the sound low and mocking as he stirred his soup slowly. His indifference only fueled my rage.“You always did enjoy being dramatic Vincent,” he mused, lifting the spoon to his lips. “Tell me, did you rehearse that little entrance, or does your anger just make you naturally a comedian?”I slammed my fist against the table, rattling his bowl and making a few people glance our way. He didn’t even flinch. If anything, he looked mildly entertained.“Don’t test me, Santiago.” My voice was filled with warning. “You think you can use that bastard as a shield? That you can hide behind that flimsy excuse of a father and walk away unscathed?” I leaned in, my voice a low snarl. “You don’t get to slip away this time, I know your fucking plans and I suggest you drop it.”Santiago sighed as if I were an annoying child rather than a man ready to rip his throat out. He dabbed the corner of his mouth with a napkin before meeting my glare with a smirk.“And what exactly do yo