Mike's point of View Mike sat in his office, staring at his phone for what felt like an eternity. His finger hovered over the screen, hesitating, knowing this conversation was long overdue. He couldn’t keep his brothers in the dark anymore. With everything that had happened — their father in a coma, Elizabeth gone, and Uncle Nick’s betrayal — the guilt weighed heavy on his chest. He had kept the truth from his brothers for too long, and now, with the stakes higher than ever, he had no choice.Swallowing the lump in his throat, Mike opened the group video chat, his hands shaking slightly as he pressed "call." The screen flickered, and one by one, the faces of his brothers appeared. Ryan was the first to answer, his expression hard and unyielding. Leo followed soon after, looking more tired than Mike had ever seen him. Finally, Zake’s face appeared, his eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and suspicion.Mike cleared his throat, feeling his heartbeat quicken. "I need to tell you a
Ryan's point of View Ryan stormed out of the house, the front door slamming behind him with a deafening thud. His chest tightened with every breath, fury bubbling under the surface like molten lava. He could still hear his brothers, Leo and Zake, calling after him from the living room, their voices filled with worry and confusion. But he wasn’t in the mood for explanations. Not now. Not after what Mike had just revealed.Mike. His own brother. Ryan’s fists clenched at the thought, his knuckles white from the pressure. How could Mike have kept something so monumental from them? How could he have been so reckless with Elizabeth’s life? The betrayal cut deep, far deeper than Ryan had ever thought possible.He needed space, needed air. He needed to get as far away from the house as he could before he exploded. The weight of everything was suffocating him, pressing down on his chest until it hurt to breathe.Ignoring the voices of his brothers growing faint behind him, Ryan picked up his
Leo's point of View Leo stood at the front door, watching Ryan storm off into the distance, his back stiff with rage. His brother had been like a time bomb since Mike’s revelation, and now he was ready to explode. Leo felt the weight of it all settle in his chest — Ryan’s anger, Mike’s betrayal, Elizabeth’s disappearance — it was suffocating. He glanced over his shoulder at Zake, who stood there silently, his face unreadable."I’ll go search for him, so he won’t get hurt," Leo said, his voice calm but edged with worry. He didn’t wait for Zake’s response, but Zake gave him a small nod before retreating to his room.As Leo stepped outside, the cool evening breeze hit him, sending a shiver down his spine. The sky was beginning to darken, a soft orange glow stretching across the horizon. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jacket, his mind racing as he tried to figure out where Ryan could have gone.Ryan had always been the wild card of the family — impulsive, emotional, prone
Zack's point of View Zack stood by the window, watching the rain pour down in steady sheets. The sound of the droplets hitting the glass was soothing, but it didn’t ease the tension coiled tightly inside of him. His mind kept replaying the events of the past few days—Elizabeth’s disappearance, Mike’s betrayal, Ryan’s breakdown. It was all too much, and yet, he knew sitting around wasn’t going to solve anything.He needed to act.Pushing away from the window, Zack ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of his frustration settle deep in his chest. He had never felt so powerless, so out of control. His little sister was out there, possibly in danger, and he had no idea where to start looking. But one thing was clear: he wasn’t going to wait around any longer. Not while his family fractured around him. Not while Elizabeth could be out there, terrified and alone.His phone buzzed on the desk, a message from one of his contacts. He ignored it for now. There was only one person he
Mike paced the room like a caged animal, his fists clenched at his sides, his face tight with frustration. His mind was racing, replaying the events that led to this moment, and the anger only burned hotter with each passing second. Elizabeth—his sister—was gone, taken by Uncle Nick, and it was Mr. Black’s fault.He stopped pacing for a moment, turning to glare at Mr. Black, who stood silently by the window, staring out with a tense expression. Mr. Black, usually so calm and in control, seemed on edge, his fingers drumming lightly against the windowsill, his jaw clenched tight.“How could you let this happen?” Mike’s voice was harsh, accusing. “You were supposed to protect her! You promised she’d be safe with you.”Mr. Black’s gray eyes flicked toward Mike, his expression unreadable. “I did everything I could—”“It wasn’t enough!” Mike cut him off, his voice rising. “You let her slip through your fingers, and now she’s gone. Uncle Nick has her, and God knows what he’s planning to do!”
Ryan and Leo stood in front of the hospital, neither saying a word. The white building loomed before them like a fortress, sterile and cold. It felt unnatural, suffocating, and neither brother wanted to go inside. But they had to. They had almost lost their father once, and the thought of it happening again sat like a heavy weight on their chests.“Are you ready?” Leo finally asked, breaking the silence. His voice was quiet, but there was a tremor in it that Ryan had never heard before.Ryan shook his head. “No. But we don’t have a choice, do we?”Leo didn’t respond, and after a moment, they both started walking toward the entrance. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the hallway as they made their way to the ICU, each step feeling heavier than the last.Ryan’s heart raced, and his mind was a mess of emotions—fear, anger, and guilt all tangled up inside him. He hadn’t been able to protect their father, and now, the man who had raised them, who had been the strongest person in the
Elizabeth point of View Elizabeth sat on the cold metal chair in her uncle’s office, her wrists bound tightly with thick, rough ropes. The small, dim room felt stifling, her every breath short and sharp, laced with worry. She didn’t know where she was, and each second spent in this eerie silence amplified her fear. Uncle Nick had been keeping her here, away from everything and everyone, and she knew he enjoyed every second of her torment.The door creaked open, breaking her from her thoughts, and Uncle Nick entered with a smirk plastered across his face. His gaze was sharp, predatory, and it made her skin crawl. He looked down at her, hands clasped behind his back, the faint light casting eerie shadows over his features.“Well, well,” he sneered, circling her like a predator. “Look at you, all tied up, helpless. I bet you never thought things would end up like this, hmm?”Elizabeth met his gaze, her expression defiant despite the fear simmering beneath the surface. “You won’t get awa
Elizabeth’s heart raced as she was dragged from the dim room, hands tied tightly behind her back. Her uncle Nick had a vice grip on her arm, his steps steady as they maneuvered through narrow, hidden hallways. Each turn only confirmed her fear that she had no idea where she was, let alone where they were taking her next. But her instincts told her something worse was coming, something that no amount of courage could protect her from.They reached the garage—a cavernous, shadowy space with a black SUV waiting in the center. Nick’s men, their faces impassive, stood by the vehicle, ready to transport her to whatever location her uncle had planned. The air was cold, sending a chill down her spine as her captors hustled her toward the car.“You could’ve just stayed put,” Nick muttered beside her, his voice dripping with disdain. “You didn’t need to get involved with people like your brother or that pathetic excuse for a guardian, Mr. Black. But no, you had to make it difficult.”Elizabeth
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