Different screams tore through the air. The sharp scent of gunpowder burned my nose, mixing with the smell of blood. My ears rang as the deafening blasts of gunfire echoed around me.I gasped, my breath coming in ragged gasps. My fingers numb as the gun slipped from my grip and clattered to the ground.No. No, no, no.My body refused to listen. My legs wobbled, barely able to hold me up. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would break through my ribs.Boom! Another shot fired.I flinched, instinctively covering my ears, but it didn’t stop the noise. It didn’t stop the fear. It didn’t stop the sheer terror clawing at my throat.I needed to move, to get my child. But I couldn’t as my muscles were frozen.Then I heard Cynthia’s scream. A sound so raw, so filled with pain, that it sent shivers through my veins.“This was never meant to happen! You all will pay!” she shrieked, her voice cracking with anger and pain.My legs gave out beneath me, and I crashed to the ground, helpless. M
Myla POV:At twenty-three, I knew exactly what I wanted: to marry the love of my life and start my own family. Today was my wedding day—a day I had dreamt of since I was a little girl.I stood before the full-length mirror, adjusting the lace of my wedding dress. My hands trembled, not with excitement but with a feeling I couldn't explain. I had dreamt of this moment for years —walking down the aisle to the man I loved, the man I was about to marry. Today was supposed to be perfect.My fiancé, Damien Brooks, is the love of my life. We met three years ago, and it was love at first sight for the both of us. In a few hours, we will finally be husband and wife.My breath hitched as I looked at my reflection. The dress was breathtaking, hugging my curves perfectly, with the train flowing behind me like soft waves. My dark hair was styled elegantly, framing my face, and the veil rested gently over my head. For a moment, I felt like a princess. “ Are you ready, darling?” my mother's voice i
My heart felt as if it had been brutally ripped from my chest. My mother - the woman who carried me for nine months, the one I would lay down my life for — and Damien, the only man I'd ever truly loved, had destroyed me. Their betrayal was a wound that consumed me.I stood frozen in the doorway of Damien's bedroom, unable to move my eyes away from the scene that had shattered my life. My mother was still straddling him, her face showed no sign of shame or regret. While Damien had the audacity to smirk as if he had just won a lottery.I couldn't take it anymore. I yanked off the veil from my hair and threw it to the ground. I tore my wedding dress, ripping it apart as anger consumed me. My legs became weak, barely able to hold my weight. "You were supposed to love me. Both of you."" Love you?" Damien scoffed, leaning back against the pillows, completely unbothered by my presence. " Myla, do not be naive. I was never in love with you. I just wanted a taste, and now that I've had it. I'
Tears welled up again, and I clenched my fists, hating him even more for backing me into a corner. “You want to know what’s wrong?” I yelled, spinning around to face him. “My mother and my fiancé…” My voice cracked, and the rest of the words refused to come.Instead, I crumpled into tears again, unable to hold back the emotions. Jaxon stepped forward, his expression softening as he drew me into his arms once more.“I’ve got you,” he murmured, his voice soothing. “Let it out, Myla. You don’t have to do this alone.”For the first time in hours, I felt peace. Jaxon may have been the last person I wanted to lean on, but in that moment, he was the only one there.“Come on,” he said gently, guiding me toward his car. “Let’s get you somewhere safe.”I didn’t resist as he helped me into the passenger seat. He turned to one of his workers, who had arrived on the scene, and instructed them to take my car for repairs.As the car pulled away, I stared out the window, tears streaming silently down
“Of course, I've… had sex with a man before,” I thought to myself. Once. Twice. Well, maybe. He didn't actually get the chance to go all the way in, but that still counts, right?"You're still so young, Myla. You need to embrace your true self more… I have a zoom meeting to attend. Chat up if you want,” Cynthia said before hanging up.I covered my face with a pillow and let out a muffled, irritated scream. This wasn't the first time Cynthia was lecturing me, and I was extremely tired of it. I decided to do something rash. I took all the remnants of the wine in the bottle.The wine tasted… Sweet.“Whoa," I said to no one. Realizing I was talking to myself, I started giggling. My head felt good. Really good.I laughed again. Why didn't I drink more often? It was making me feel really, really, really good."Stupid, Cynthia," I murmured. "I'm having fun. And I want sex. I want...to...FUCK! I want to fucking fuck."I giggled again and made a decision. I went over to my phone and unlocked i
He kissed me all over, and I melted into him, gasping for air. Every touch from him sent waves of pleasure through my body, leaving me breathless. I didn't think anyone could make me feel this way."You taste so good, Myla.” Jaxon whispered, his lips against mine, his voice filled with pleasure. “I can't stop it anymore.”As he deepened the kiss, a soft moan escaped my lips. His fingers teased the sensitive skin between my thighs, igniting a fire I couldn't control. His breath, warm and steady against my neck, sent shivers running down my spine. At that moment, I didn't want him to stop. I loved what he was doing to me.The kisses weren’t enough; I wanted more. The need to feel him inside of me completely consumed me, an irresistible desire burned within me. Slowly, I bit his lip before letting it go. A smirk played on my lips as I caught the hungry look in his eyes. Jaxon was ready to devour me.He smiled, the kind of smile that made my knees weak. His thumb gently rolled over the ti
I froze, my hand gripping the doorknob tightly. I could swear I heard Jaxon call my name. My heart raced as I turned slowly, bracing myself for the worst. But when I looked back, he was still sleeping peacefully, his chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm. “Am I losing my mind now?” I whispered to myself, shaking my head. Maybe the guilt and fear were finally taking their toll on me. I walked back to the nightstand and picked up a small notepad and pen. For a moment, I just stared at the blank page, unsure what to say. Then, with trembling hands, I began to write: Jaxon, I don’t know what this night meant to you, but for me, it was a reminder that I deserve to feel alive, even if it just for a moment. Thank you for being my escape, and my comfort. I’m sorry for dragging you into my mess. This will be the last time you hear from me. Be happy, Jaxon. You deserve it. —Myla I placed the note beside him, my heart aching with every step I took toward the door. The morning air outsi
Father reached out to touch my arm, his eyes filled with regret, as if realizing he had gone too far with his words. But I didn't care. The damage was done already.“Myla,” he called softly, his voice trembling. It was the same voice that once soothed me as a child, but now, it only intensified the hatred I felt for him.“I… fucking… hate… you, not just you, but every single one of you sitting in this room,” I snapped. Without waiting for their reaction, I turned and walked up the stairs.When I reached my room, I slammed the door shut and fell onto the bed. My sobs sank into the pillows, while my father’s harsh words replayed in my mind. He has hurt me more than I could bear, breaking me in ways I never imagined.“I've had enough.” I hissed through gritted teeth, wiping my tears away with shaky hands. “Enough of Vanessa and her mind games. Father has no idea the fire he's playing with.”I stood up, ran my fingers through my hair, and grabbed my suitcase. I packed furiously, tossing
Different screams tore through the air. The sharp scent of gunpowder burned my nose, mixing with the smell of blood. My ears rang as the deafening blasts of gunfire echoed around me.I gasped, my breath coming in ragged gasps. My fingers numb as the gun slipped from my grip and clattered to the ground.No. No, no, no.My body refused to listen. My legs wobbled, barely able to hold me up. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would break through my ribs.Boom! Another shot fired.I flinched, instinctively covering my ears, but it didn’t stop the noise. It didn’t stop the fear. It didn’t stop the sheer terror clawing at my throat.I needed to move, to get my child. But I couldn’t as my muscles were frozen.Then I heard Cynthia’s scream. A sound so raw, so filled with pain, that it sent shivers through my veins.“This was never meant to happen! You all will pay!” she shrieked, her voice cracking with anger and pain.My legs gave out beneath me, and I crashed to the ground, helpless. M
Liam sobbed uncontrollably, his body trembling violently. His breath came in ragged gasps as he struggled in vain against the chair he was tied to, desperate to break free. His flushed face turned red from all the screaming, and his tiny hands twisted against the ropes, begging to be free.My chest tightened, and before I knew it, tears blurred my vision. I wanted to walk out and yank Sophia’s hair, make her pay for all the pain she had caused me and Liam. But I couldn’t, I couldn’t destroy everything Cynthia and I had worked so hard for. My hands trembled as I raised the gun, my finger brushing against the trigger.Then, just as I was about to do it, Sophie moved. Without another word, without a single flicker of pity, she lifted her hand and let the lighter slip from her fingers.Liam was still clutching his toy, his tiny fingers wrapped so tightly around it that his knuckles had turned white. Tears streamed down his red, swollen face.Sophie didn’t hesitate. She walked over to one
Cynthia’s eyes burned with urgency as she pointed toward the back door. “Now, go!” she commanded, leaving no room for argument. Without waiting for my response, she spun on her heels and strode toward the front door. Panic swirled inside me. “Cynthia, wait!”She halted, her shoulders rising and falling with each breath. Slowly, she turned to face me, her brows furrowed in frustration. “What is it?” she snapped, “Do you not understand what’s at stake? Every second we waste, the risks increase. We don’t have time for this!”I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “And how do you plan to protect yourself when you’re out of bullets?”Silence.Cynthia stiffened. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. The flicker of realization in her eyes sent a chill down my spine.She was tough, fearless—always the one to take charge. But now? Now she had no answer.“It’s not about me. It’s about Liam. And I’d lay my life down for him without hesitation.”The words hit me like a punch to the gut. S
We sprinted to the back of the warehouse, our breaths ragged as our hearts slammed against our ribs. Behind us, the man's screams tore through the air, raw and filled with agony.I grabbed Cynthia’s arm the moment we stopped, my fingers digging into her skin. "Cynthia, what the hell did you just do?" My voice came out in a harsh whisper, but I couldn’t control it. Fear and shock tangled inside me, making my hands shake.She turned to me, her chest rising and falling. "I had no choice.""No choice?" I hissed, my eyes darting around the warehouse as I scanned for any signs of movement. The man’s agonized screams still tore through the air, each one making my stomach twist. I turned back to Cynthia, my voice barely controlled. "You nearly killed him, Cynthia! Do you even realize what the hell you’ve just done?""He had what we needed," she said, her voice sharp. "We don’t know what’s waiting for us in there. It’s better to be ready."I wanted to argue, to tell her that this was insane, t
Cynthia pulled into the parking lot near the airport, her knuckles white against the steering wheel. The car engine hummed beneath us, but all I could hear was the pounding of my heart. My fingers trembled as I reached for the door handle, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. We had come too far to back out now."Are you ready?" Cynthia asked, her voice steady, but I could see the tension in her eyes.No, I wasn’t. But I nodded anyway. "Let’s do this."We stepped out of the car, the afternoon sun beating down on us, making the air thick and suffocating. I wiped my sweaty palms against my trousers and glanced at Cynthia. She was scanning the area, her gaze sharp and calculating.The warehouse loomed ahead, its towering structure casting a long shadow over the ground. Every instinct in me screamed that things might not go as planned, but I ignored it anyway. We had a mission to accomplish.As we approached, my stomach twisted. The gate was locked. Not just locked—chained and padlo
As I pushed open the heavy glass door, the crisp afternoon air slapped my face, a refreshing relief from the suffocating conversation I had just escaped.My heart pounded, not from fear, but from the weight of it all. I needed to leave. Fast. Thank God I hadn’t run into Jaxon on my way out. Then, just as I stepped onto the pavement, a familiar voice echoed through the air, “Hey! You’re leaving already?”I turned to see Linda standing a few feet away, arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning my face like she could read every thought running through my mind.I forced a smile. “Yeah, I have to pick up my child from school—plus, I’ve got an appointment to get to.”She narrowed her eyes, stepping closer. “That’s it? You just suddenly have to go?”I tightened my grip on my bag strap. “Didn’t you hear me, Linda? That’s it. I have to go.”She studied me, her gaze piercing, like she could see right through my lie. And she was right, I wasn’t just leaving for my child or some appointment. I was ru
The moment my eyes landed on the wall, my breath hitched. There they were. Pictures—dozens of them.Photos of me as a child, my small hands clutching a toy, and my toothy grin wide and innocent. Pictures of me in high school, frozen in time, caught in moments I barely remembered—laughing with friends, lost in thought, staring out of a classroom window. Some were crisp and clear, others slightly faded, as if they had been touched too many times, held too close, cherished beyond reason.A lump formed in my throat.Why?How did he even get these?My fingers trembled as I reached out, tracing the edges of a picture, one from my first year in high school. He had been watching me all along.The realization sent a shiver down my spine, but it wasn’t fear that took hold of me—it was something deeper, something raw. Love. Devotion. An obsession that felt both overwhelming and terrifying.Tears welled in my eyes, blurring my vision as I stepped back, taking in the sheer magnitude of what I was
The soft hum of machinery filled the air, low and almost hypnotic. Then, with a faint click, the chandelier above flickered to life, casting a silver glow over the space.For a moment, I thought it was just a passageway—a shortcut leading somewhere else. But as the light spread, the shadows melted away, revealing something far more striking.This wasn’t a passage.It was a restroom.No—more than that.My heart pounded as I took it all in. This wasn’t just a place to freshen up; it was a quiet display of wealth and power. Every inch of it felt intentional, untouched, as if nothing ever moved unless it was meant to.To the left, a long, sleek rack held an immaculate collection of tuxedos, each hanging with precision. Black, white, dark grey—every shade exuded elegance, the kind of suits worn by men who didn’t just follow rules but created themJust below, a row of polished dress shoes rested on a glass shelf, each pair lined up perfectly. The leather shone under the light, spotless and
Oh, shit. My heart pounded like a war drum. Before I could react, Cynthia yanked me down with her, making me slide off the chair in one sharp movement. My back slammed against the cold wood of the desk, breath hitching as we pressed ourselves against it.The air felt thick, suffocating. I turned my head so slowly, and the moment I saw Jaxon, a cold knot tightened in my stomach.He stood at the doorway, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the room. My heart pounded, my breath hitchng in my throat. He hadn’t seen us. Not yet. But every second dragged, stretching unbearably, like a rope pulled too tight, ready to break.If he took even a few steps closer… if he pulled out the chair and sat, then—We were screwed.Exposed.Doomed.The thick desk barely shielded us and there wasn’t enough space to crawl underneath, so we pressed our backs against it, gripping each other’s hands so tightly that my knuckles ached.Every second felt like an eternity, the silence stretching, heavy and