The car sped through the winding roads, illuminated only by the moonlight and the faint glow of streetlights. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with tension and unspoken words. The brothers sat in a mix of relief and frustration, their eyes frequently darting toward Elizabeth, who sat quietly between Ryan and Leo.They finally had her back.Mike, in the passenger seat, glanced into the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of her bowed head. A weight he didn’t even realize he carried lifted from his chest. The months of searching, interrogating, and chasing shadows were finally over. But as his relief faded, questions clawed their way to the surface.“Why did you want to stay with him?” Mike asked, his voice sharp as he broke the silence. His gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, though his tone made it clear he expected an answer.Elizabeth hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. “He told me he was family. He showed me pictures of Mom and told me stories…” Her voi
The morning sunlight filtered through the grand windows of Mr. Black’s mansion, casting a warm glow over the elegant interiors. Elizabeth stirred from her sleep, her mind still clouded with the events of the previous day. Being back with her brothers was supposed to bring her comfort, but her heart was far from settled.She rose from her bed, pulling on a robe before stepping out into the hallway. The faint sounds of her brothers’ voices reached her ears as she headed toward the dining area.In the spacious room, Mike was already dressed, his phone in hand as he gave instructions to someone on the other end of the line. Ryan and Leo sat at the table, helping themselves to a light breakfast. They all looked up when Elizabeth entered.“Morning,” Leo greeted, his tone gentle but wary.“Good morning,” Elizabeth replied softly, taking a seat across from Ryan. She grabbed a piece of toast, her appetite minimal but her nerves needing some sort of distraction.Mike ended his call and turned
The air was thick with tension as the family prepared to leave Mr. Black’s mansion. Elizabeth remained quiet, her thoughts swirling around her conversation with Mr. Black and the revelation of her missing brother, Zake. She trailed behind her brothers as they loaded their belongings into the cars, her heart heavy with uncertainty.Mike stood near the SUV, issuing instructions to Ryan and Leo. “We’ll head to the old house first, check in with Dad, and then figure out our next move,” he said, his voice firm.Ryan grumbled as he secured the last bag. “I still don’t understand why we’re dragging Elizabeth along when she clearly doesn’t want to listen to reason.”“Ryan, not now,” Mike warned, his tone sharp.Elizabeth flinched but said nothing. Instead, she focused on the mansion behind her, its imposing walls seeming to call her back. She felt an ache in her chest, a tug she couldn’t explain.“Elizabeth,” Mike called, snapping her out of her thoughts. “Let’s go.”She hesitated, her feet r
The early morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Zake’s penthouse, illuminating the sleek, modern decor with a golden hue. The faint hum of traffic from the streets below created a backdrop of white noise, but Zake was still sprawled across his bed, his blankets tangled around his legs.The door creaked open, and Olive strolled in, his usual carefree demeanor evident in his casual gait. He tossed an apple into the air, catching it effortlessly before taking a bite.“Your sister’s back, man,” Olive announced, his voice cutting through the silence of the room.Zake groaned, burying his face in his pillow. “I know,” he muttered, his voice muffled.Olive frowned, leaning against the doorframe. “So, when are you going to see her? It’s been, what, two months now?”Zake sighed and turned onto his back, his striking blue hair falling into his eyes. He swiped it away, revealing the dragon tattoo on his left arm as he stretched. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I just don’t feel like go
The ride to the hospital was quiet, an unusual tension lingering in the air. Elizabeth sat sandwiched between Mike and Leo in the backseat, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. Her heart pounded with every mile closer to the hospital, a nervous energy she couldn’t shake.Her brothers had barely spoken since they left the mansion, and she couldn’t blame them. Every now and then, Ryan, sitting in the passenger seat, would glance back at her, his expression unreadable.When they finally arrived, Elizabeth’s stomach churned. The sterile white walls of the hospital seemed colder, more suffocating than she remembered. As they walked through the long corridors, the smell of disinfectant made her nauseous.Leo led the way, his shoulders tense, his steps quick. Mike stayed close beside her, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. The gesture, though small, was the only comfort she had.When they reached the private room at the end of the hall, Elizabeth’s legs felt like jelly. She hesitate
Darkness had been his home for far too long. Alexander Black had spent countless days—or perhaps months—locked in the depths of his own mind, his body unresponsive, his world nothing but shadows and silence. Yet even in the void, the familiar voices of his children penetrated the darkness, stirring his spirit.He couldn't move. Couldn't speak. But he could hear.And what he heard broke his heart.“Why did you want to stay with him?”Ryan’s voice rang out, laced with anger. Alexander recognized the frustration, the sharp edge of disappointment.His heart clenched as he listened to Ryan’s accusations, his harsh words toward Elizabeth.“She’s your sister,” Alexander thought, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. You’re supposed to protect her, not tear her down.But he couldn’t say anything. He could only endure, each word like a dagger to his heart.Mike’s calm but resigned tone followed, and then Leo’s quiet, steady presence filled the room. They were all there, his sons, carrying
Elizabeth froze when she heard her father’s voice echo softly from his hospital bed. The words hung in the air, weighted and sharp, as if they had cut through the tension filling the room.Ryan was the first to answer, though his response was delivered with a casual shrug that screamed of disdain. "He’s in Australia," he said, not even glancing at Elizabeth.Elizabeth blinked in confusion, her head snapping in Ryan’s direction. "I thought you said you guys didn’t know where he was?"Ryan’s lips curled into a mocking smirk. "If we told you, what would happen? You’d run to him, like you always do?""Ryan," their father interjected weakly from the bed, his tone carrying both reprimand and fatigue. "Elizabeth is your older sister. Have some respect."Ryan scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. "Yeah, older sister who doesn’t have brains," he muttered, punctuating his words with a derisive laugh.Elizabeth lowered her head, her fingers fidgeting nervously in her lap. The sting of his
The room was silent, save for the steady hum of the machines monitoring Dad’s vitals. I sat on the chair beside his bed, my hands clasped tightly in my lap. My brothers had left an hour ago to pack up our things since we were moving out. It was just Dad and me now, and I knew I needed to take this opportunity to ask the questions that had haunted me for years."Dad," I began softly, breaking the silence.He turned his head to look at me, his expression tender despite the weariness etched into his features. "What is it, love?"I hesitated, the words catching in my throat. Finally, I took a deep breath and said, "I want to ask you about something that’s been on my mind for a long time."His brows furrowed slightly, but he nodded for me to continue."The day I was kidnapped," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "When Zake was taken from me, and you came to rescue him… why was I kidnapped in the first place?"Dad’s expression darkened at the mention of that day."The man who took me," I
Elizabeth's Point of ViewAs the car pulled up in front of the house, a smile spread across my face, lighting up my entire being. I could barely contain the excitement bubbling inside me. After everything—after the surprises, the time spent in Paris, the love from Black, and everything else in between—I was finally going back home.Home.There was something so comforting about returning to the familiar, the place that had once felt so chaotic but now felt like a refuge. I couldn’t wait to see my dad and my brothers again. They’d all been so supportive, and I couldn’t help but wonder what they had planned for my birthday.It felt surreal, knowing that I was about to turn twenty. Two decades of life, with all the ups and downs. But this moment—this was the best birthday I could have ever asked for.I stepped out of the car, holding my puppy gently in my arms, and walked toward the door with a skip in my step. Each footstep brought me closer to the people who mattered most in my life. Th
Elizabeth's Point of View"Everything ready?" Black asked me as I snuggled my new puppy closer to my chest, feeling her little body warm and soft against my skin.It’s been a month now since we left everything behind and went on our little escape to Paris. The memories we made here were unlike any other, and I cherished each moment. The Eiffel Tower, the cafés, the romantic walks under the Parisian sky—it had all felt like a dream. But all good things must come to an end, and now, it was time to go home.“Yeah, everything’s packed,” I replied, walking around the room to double-check that nothing was left behind. I couldn’t help but smile. It was a bittersweet feeling, knowing that this chapter was closing. But I was also eager to get back to my family.Home was waiting, and it was time to reunite with them after everything that had happened. My father had called earlier, telling me that Mr. Black was trying to take me away from him, and it made me laugh. I knew how possessive my dad c
Rose’s Point of ViewThe air felt warmer than usual as Mike’s car hummed softly along the road. My fingers twisted nervously in my lap, the soft fabric of my dress bunching between my fingertips. I glanced at Mike every few moments—his calm expression as he drove, the faint smirk he wore like it was second nature, and the way his strong hands gripped the steering wheel.I didn’t understand him.“Why?”The word slipped out before I could stop myself.Mike glanced at me briefly, his voice soft as he replied, “Why what?”“Why are you being so kind to me?” I asked, forcing my voice to stay steady. I didn’t dare look at him now; instead, I focused on the houses blurring past outside the window. “You’ve been like this since the first day we met.”For a second, there was silence—just the soft hum of the car and the faint music playing from the radio.Then he said it.“Because I like you, and I want to take you on a date.”His voice was so casual, so matter-of-fact, that for a moment I though
Mike’s Point of ViewI leaned back in my office chair, exhaling a long breath as I scrolled through my phone. My sister Elizabeth’s picture popped up—her smiling face glowing brighter than the Parisian lights in the background. She looked so happy, holding that tiny white puppy in her arms, Mr. Black standing proudly beside her.She looked like Mom.That smile, those eyes—they reminded me of the mother we lost far too soon. I set my phone down with a quiet sigh, my fingers brushing over the stack of papers on my desk. No matter how chaotic life got, seeing Elizabeth happy always brought me a strange kind of peace.“Mr. Mike?”I turned my head toward the soft, almost hesitant voice coming from the door. Rose stood there, her small hands fiddling nervously with the hem of her dress. Her wide eyes peeked up at me shyly, and I couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at my lips.“Yeah, Rose?” I said softly, leaning back in my chair.She hesitated for a second before speaking. “Um, today
Elizabeth’s Point of ViewThe sunset cast streaks of gold and pink across the Parisian skyline as I stood by the balcony, staring at the Eiffel Tower. The view was breathtaking—unreal, almost—but nothing felt as dreamlike as this moment.Behind me, the faint rustle of fabric caught my attention. I turned to see Mr. Black walking toward me, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his tailored slacks. He had changed into a crisp white shirt, the sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal his strong forearms, and his top two buttons left undone.It wasn’t fair how effortlessly handsome he looked.“You’re staring,” he teased, his lips curving into a slow smile.I blushed and turned back toward the balcony, pretending to focus on the view. “No, I’m not.”“Liar,” he murmured.I felt his presence behind me before he touched me—a soft warmth that sent a shiver down my spine. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me gently against him, and rested his chin on my shoulder. I melted int
Elizabeth’s Point of ViewWarm lips pressed against my cheek, then my nose, and finally my forehead, stirring me awake. I giggled, scrunching my face and swatting lightly at the culprit.“Stop it,” I murmured with a laugh, trying to push Mr. Black’s face away as he hovered over me, peppering me with kisses.“Good morning to you too,” he teased softly, his voice deep and smooth like melted chocolate. “You didn’t complain last night when I was being this affectionate.”I blushed at his words and shoved him playfully. “You’re insufferable.”He grinned that roguish grin that always did something to my heart, sitting back slightly so I could sit up. I stretched, the soft sheets pooling around me as I blinked, trying to take in the elegant room we were in.Paris. We had arrived in Paris.Two hours ago, we stumbled into this hotel room after a long trip, too tired to do much more than crash onto the bed. But now, the light pouring through the balcony windows revealed the beauty I had missed
Alexander's point of View The shots echoed through the building, sharp and final. I didn’t need to be there to know what had happened. Victor Hale was dead, and my boys had finally done what needed to be done. I leaned back in the chair, a slow exhale slipping past my lips.It wasn't exactly. More like relief—the kind of relief that settled deep in your bones after years of carrying a weight too heavy to bear.Adrian sat next to me, his fingers drumming idly on the armrest. He looked calm, but I knew better. Guilt sat heavy on his shoulders, and no amount of time could erase it.“Where’s my little Elizabeth?” Adrian’s voice broke the quiet. He smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.I let out a low chuckle. “Not so little anymore. She’s off with that man—Mr. Black.”Adrian’s brow furrowed slightly, but the smile returned. “And you’re fine with that?”“She’s in love with him,” I replied simply, a smile tugging at my lips. “He makes her happy. That’s all I care about.”M
Mike’s Point of ViewThere was a kind of satisfaction that came with this moment—a deep, twisted feeling of triumph as we stared at the man who’d torn our family apart. It wasn’t the kind of happiness that lit up your soul; no, this was darker. Sharper. A vengeance that burned in our veins.Victor Hale. The man who’d orchestrated our sister’s suffering, who’d sent our mother into an early grave, all because of jealousy. My mother’s sister Amanda had fallen into his trap years ago, and in her delusion, she’d joined him. But Victor… he was the mastermind. The cancer that ate away at our family until nothing was left but pieces.And tonight, we were finally going to end him.The room stank of sweat, blood, and concrete. Leo was the first to go at him. Every punch he landed echoed against the walls, and Victor grunted with each impact, his face swelling more with every blow. But the bastard… he was still smirking, as if he wanted to die.With every punch, I felt something inside me come
Adrian's Point of ViewThe dim light from the single hanging bulb flickered as I leaned against the chipped wall, staring at Victor Hale. Beaten, bruised, and bound to the chair, he still managed to look smug. His lip was cracked, his face swollen, but his arrogance hadn’t disappeared.“Your biggest nightmares are coming,” I told him, my voice low and cold.Victor let out a short, bitter laugh, his bruised face twisting into a smirk. “They’re finally coming, huh? Took them long enough. Must be a family reunion.”His words grated on me, but I didn’t let it show. Men like Victor thrived on getting under people’s skin. He wanted a reaction, something to latch onto so he could twist it into his favor.“I don’t think you understand what’s coming for you,” I said, pushing off the wall. My boots echoed against the cracked concrete floor as I stepped closer. “You sold my niece, shattered her life, and sent my sister—your precious Amanda—down a road she’ll never come back from. You’re going to