Elizabeth's POV:
When science finally ended, the feeling of relief washed over me. It wasn’t that the class was particularly hard, but my mind had drifted off a few times, making it seem longer than it was. The bell rang, and Anna and I exchanged smiles as we packed up our books. “So, can I have your number?” I asked her, casually slipping my phone out of my pocket. Her eyes widened slightly, but she nodded, a shy smile tugging at her lips. We exchanged numbers, and I felt a little lighter knowing that I had officially made a friend today. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. It felt good to have someone I could talk to outside of Zack and his friends. I made a mental note to text her later, just to see if she made it home okay. The hallways were crowded as usual, a rush of students pushing their way out of the school. I didn’t mind, though. It was the same every day—people eager to get home, escape the day, or meet up with friends for whatever plans they had. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and pulled it out as Anna waved goodbye and headed in the opposite direction. It was a text from Levi, asking about my day at school. I couldn’t help but chuckle. I knew he’d ask me in person the minute I got home, so the text felt a little redundant, but that was just Levi being Levi. He liked to check in on me, no matter how small the details were. **Levi:** “How’s school going? Meet anyone interesting?” **Me:** “Yeah, I made a friend. We’ll talk when I get home :)” I slipped my phone back into my pocket and continued walking, my pace slowing as I spotted Zack’s car parked up ahead. He was with his usual crew—Teo, Mikey, Austin, and James. They were talking and laughing, completely oblivious to the fact that I was approaching. I hesitated, not wanting to interrupt them. It was always a little awkward for me when Zack was with his friends. They weren’t unfriendly, but I always felt like the odd one out in their group. So, instead of heading straight for the car, I slowed my steps, hoping that maybe Zack would notice me on his own. He didn’t, of course. Rolling my eyes at their obliviousness, I finally cleared my throat. “Can you please unlock the door for me, Zack?” I mumbled, my voice quiet. For some reason, I felt sleepy—probably from the long day and the emotional exhaustion of navigating a new school and new faces. The group stopped talking, their attention turning toward me in unison. Teo’s eyes lit up first, a warm smile spreading across his face. "How was your day, princess?" Teo asked, his playful tone making me smile despite the tiredness weighing on me. Teo had a way of making people feel at ease, even with just a few words. “Went well. I made a friend,” I said, my voice a little more animated this time. I couldn’t help but feel a bit proud of myself, even if it was just one person. A real friend was a big deal, especially when everything else at school felt so foreign and distant. Teo grinned at me and raised his hand for a high-five. “That’s awesome!” he said, his enthusiasm infectious. I slapped his hand with a bit more force than necessary, earning a chuckle from the group. “Well, see you tomorrow, princess,” Teo said, giving me a wink before heading off toward his car. Zack’s eyes followed him as he walked away, a little too intently, and I couldn’t help but smirk to myself. I had a good idea of what was going on. The rest of Zack’s friends were staring at him too, waiting expectantly, like they were daring him to do something. It was almost comical, watching them exchange knowing looks and silent nudges. "Go to him, you puck," Mikey muttered, glaring at Zack with exaggerated exasperation. His ginger hair practically glowed in the afternoon sun, making him look like a bright, impatient beacon. Zack shot him a look that could’ve burned through steel, but I could see the hesitation in his eyes. He glanced at me, then back at his friends, clearly torn between his own thoughts and whatever pressure they were putting on him. I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Just go already. I don’t mind waiting for you, big bro,” I said, giving him a gentle push. Zack stared at me, his eyes wide with surprise. He looked like he was trying to figure out how I knew what they were talking about. He opened his mouth, probably to deny it, but I beat him to it. “What? We both know you like him,” I said, cocking my head to the side, a teasing grin playing on my lips. He blushed furiously, stammering something under his breath, but before he could argue, Austin kicked him square in the butt, causing him to yelp in surprise. All of us burst into laughter as Zack turned to glare at his so-called friends. “Come on, man. Don’t be a coward,” Austin said with a grin, not bothering to hide his amusement. Zack muttered something that sounded a lot like a string of insults, but eventually, he gave in. With a final glance at me and another glare at his friends, he stalked off in Teo’s direction, mumbling the whole way. “Well, let’s hope they work out together,” Mikey said, a sly smile spreading across his face. He gave a small, approving nod, as if everything was going according to some secret plan. The others nodded in agreement, and I couldn’t help but chuckle along with them. “Also, sorry we haven’t properly introduced ourselves yet, Eli,” Mikey said, his tone shifting to something more genuine. He smiled at me, and for the first time, I felt like I wasn’t just Zack’s little sister tagging along. I waved my hands in front of me, shaking my head. “It’s no big deal,” I said, smiling back at him. “Well, I’m Mikey, and that’s Austin,” he pointed to the guy who had kicked Zack, “and James,” he said, motioning toward the quieter boy standing beside him. James gave me a small nod, not much for words, it seemed. “Nice to officially meet you all,” I said, giving a slight nod in return. For a moment, we stood there in comfortable silence, watching Zack and Teo from afar. They were standing a little ways off, talking quietly, but there was something in the way they smiled at each other that made me smile too. “They’re so gonna mess with each other tomorrow,” James said, breaking the silence with a laugh. His comment set off a chain reaction, and soon all of us were laughing, imagining the teasing that was sure to follow. Zack and Teo had been dancing around each other for a while now, and it was only a matter of time before something happened. As the laughter died down, I realized just how tired I was. The day had been long, but not in a bad way. I had made a friend, spent time with Zack’s friends, and somehow, it felt like things were starting to fall into place. Maybe this school wasn’t going to be so bad after all. Zack and Teo started walking back toward us, their conversation over but their smiles lingering. Teo gave me a quick wave before heading to his own car, and Zack climbed into the driver’s seat beside me, his expression soft and content. “Are you ready to go?” he asked, his voice quieter than usual. “Yeah,” I said, buckling my seatbelt. Today will be a good day, I thought to myself. Maybe tomorrow will be even better.Elizabeth's POV:When we finally pulled up to the house, I was greeted by my brothers and Dad at the door. The second I stepped inside, they bombarded me with questions about my day.“How was it?” “Did you make any friends?” “Anyone bothering you?” I could barely get a word in between all their questions. Finally, I smiled and said, “I made a new friend. Her name’s Anna.” The room went silent for a second before my brothers and Dad broke into cheers. Mike threw his hands in the air like he was at some kind of sports event, while Levi pumped his fist, and Dad did a weird little dance move that made me laugh. I stared at them like they were crazy."What's the big deal?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.They just kept laughing. "We knew you'd make friends in no time," Levi said with a grin, while Dad nodded like he was proud of some kind of accomplishment.I couldn't help but smile back at them. It felt good to have their support, even if they were being a little over the top about i
Elizabeth POV:It's been two weeks now, and I was enjoying school. Anna and I have gotten close together, and we finished our book. As for the boys, I and Teo also got close; I saw him as an older brother. For Mikey and James, we did talk once in a while. James did try to flirt with me, which got Zack angry, but I laughed so hard I almost fainted.My therapy session was going well too; Mrs. Brown was surprised when I finally spoke to her. Then there's Austin, who was confusing, to be honest. Sometimes he could look at me and just walk away. We haven't had a conversation before, though, but I was hoping one day we could.Today was a sports tryout in school, and I was applying for basketball. My brothers have been teaching me a lot of basketball moves, and I suddenly fell in love with it."What's your name?" a black lady with funny hair asked me."Elizabeth, Elizabeth King's," I said to her quietly. She made a "hmm" sound before giving me a paper.With that, I walked away, still looking
Elizabeth POV:When the Knight Family left the house, I stayed quietly in the kitchen, waiting for Dad to come in."Hey, sweetie, ready for dinner?" He asked, but I just shook my head softly."You guys are in the mafia?" I asked softly.He stopped walking and looked at me with confused eyes."How did you know?" He asked, looking at me.I looked at him before saying, "Just answer my question, Dad," surprising both of us for a moment.He dropped his head slowly before nodding later.I looked at him, waiting for an explanation, but he just stayed there. I knew he was not happy about me finding out, but I had to clear it.With that, I walked into my bedroom while I heard him call my name softly, but I didn't reply.I wasn't angry about them being in the mafia, just angry that they kept it away from me.Four hours later, time passed slowly, but I was still in my room. I could hear Dad and the boys talking downstairs. Zack even came to check on me, but I didn't answer him."Princess, can we
Alexander’s POV:Three hours. Three long, agonizing hours, and Elizabeth still hadn’t come home. It wasn’t like her to disappear for this long, not without telling at least one of her brothers where she was. The boys were pacing the living room, restless, their concern as clear as mine. I sat at the head of the table, my hands clenched into fists on my lap, trying to keep my frustration at bay. The more time passed, the heavier the dread in my chest became.I looked up at my best friend, Michael, who sat across from me, his brow furrowed with concern. The silence in the room was deafening, interrupted only by the occasional shuffle of feet or a sigh from one of the boys. Finally, I cleared my throat, breaking the heavy tension."I'm sorry for disturbing you all this evening," I began, my voice quieter than I intended, "but my daughter, Elizabeth, is missing again."The weight of my words sank into the room like a stone into water. There was a collective intake of breath, followed by
Elizabeth's POV"Why would she just leave without telling anyone, Dad?" I heard a voice murmur quietly in the distance. My head was throbbing, a dull ache pulsing behind my eyes. I blinked, trying to focus, my surroundings still blurry from sleep. Why did my head hurt? And why did my body feel so stiff, like I'd been sleeping on the ground?"Wait... if I was sleeping on the ground in the woods, why does this bed feel so comfortable?" my mind raced, panic rising in my chest. My eyes shot open fully, and I darted a glance around the room, heart pounding. Was I kidnapped? Where am I?But then, I saw them. My family. My brothers, Dad, everyone was there, standing in the room, their faces tight with anger and... hurt."Hey guys," I said quietly, hoping to ease the tension, but it didn’t work. Instead of welcoming smiles or relieved hugs, they all just stared at me, their expressions a mix of frustration and disappointment. Zack was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his jaw tight. Mi
Elizabeth's POVI woke up to an eerie stillness.The house was quiet—too quiet. No footsteps echoing in the hallways, no clinking of dishes from the kitchen, no soft murmurs of conversation floating up the stairs. It was as if the entire house had emptied itself overnight, leaving only me behind. I blinked, slowly sitting up in bed, my heart sinking at the silence that surrounded me. The familiar warmth that used to fill this place was gone, replaced with a cold emptiness that pressed down on my chest. I listened for any sound, any sign that someone was still here, but there was nothing. Just the quiet hum of the world outside, indifferent to the turmoil inside me.I hugged my knees to my chest, staring at the door. No one was coming. No one was going to check on me, ask if I was okay, or even acknowledge that I was still here. They were all angry—Zack, Ryan, Dad—everyone. And I couldn’t blame them. I had messed up, broken their trust, and now... this was the result.I felt the weigh
Elizabeth’s POVAs I walked down the dimly lit street, my mind swirling with everything that had happened. My brothers, my dad... the look of disappointment on their faces replayed in my head over and over again. No matter how much I told myself I did the right thing by leaving, it still hurt. Each step I took felt like I was trying to leave behind a part of myself that no longer fit.The streetlights flickered as I passed under them, their dim light barely cutting through the fog that had begun to settle in. I clutched the handle of my small suitcase tightly, trying to shake off the feeling of dread that crept up my spine. I wasn’t going far—just to Anna’s house—but the silence of the night was unnerving. It felt like the world had gone still, holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.I hadn't called Anna yet. I figured I’d just show up, hoping she wouldn’t mind me crashing at her place for a while. She was my best friend, the only one I could count on right now. I just ne
Alexander’s POVI woke up with a heaviness in my chest, a feeling I couldn’t shake no matter how much I tried to convince myself it was just exhaustion from the previous night. The silence in the house was unsettling. It was too quiet. Even though it was early, the house normally had some life to it—either one of the boys would be up and about, or Elizabeth would be downstairs, maybe having breakfast or just sitting quietly. But today, the stillness gnawed at me.I sat up, running a hand over my face, trying to push away the remnants of a restless sleep. The events of the night before played through my mind, and a wave of guilt washed over me. I had been too harsh with her. I knew that now. I had let my anger get the best of me, and I didn’t stop to consider how hurt she might’ve been after finding out the truth. I should’ve been more understanding.The words I said to her... they hung heavy in the air.“We kept it from you for a reason.”The look in her eyes when I told her that—it
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