She’s my muse. A face to all my desires. The memories in my veins were as fresh and deep as the wound in my gut. I hate this and I hate it more every second I remember the fearful look on Rara’s face. I lost her. Almost lost her. Like I once lost my mother. The soft pitter patter of rain lingered in my ears. There was another wavering moment before I remember to breathe. I didn’t wanted to think about her, yet here I was. I was five—and foolish, when I lost my mother. Her death wasn’t as tragic as Killian’s mother, but it left a traumatising impact on my life. My chest tightened as I stared in the front, the shadows play on the walls, echoing the turbulence within me. My mother's photograph resting in my hands, the edges worn out. The flickering candlelight casting an ethereal glow, emphasizing the nostalgia that lingered in every corner.I had been awake for an hour or so now. I couldn’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes, flashbacks of my mother’s terrified eyes and her dead bo
I woke up to sore limbs and sweet bitterness in my chest. The sun peeking through the windows told me it was already past noon. Strangely I was feeling better than I was feeling last night. The guilt still tripped my thoughts now and then but except for that, I was not feeling anything—not crane hatred I thought I felt for my captors. I just couldn’t believe that I almost…. cried just because Ralph was hurt because of me. Ralph. I looked to my side to find the beside empty. My hands automatically moved to the cold sheets and I rubbed the spot: I wish he was here so that I could see if he was alright. Sighing I pushed myself up, putting my hair in a messy bun and walked slowly to the bathroom. After brushing my teeth and splashing my face with cold water, I decided to skip the shower since I was not feeling like taking one. The warm hoodie which smelled like Killian’s, I didn’t want to take it off. Walking barefoot, I stumbled to the
As we stepped into the grand hall, Alexei's arm around my waist sent a possessive vibe through me. My hair brushed my face, but I hesitated to fix it, feeling a bit tongue-tied and on edge. My heart was drunk on this new feeling. For the first time in all the years I spent in fear and grief, I found myself letting go of that sensation finally. My eyes automatically moved to Ralph as he stood beside me. My heart fluttered as I gazed at him. Something in me wanted him to feel me like trees. And he was the wind. My heart knew it all, and I felt like I found someone meant for me. I realised I did not need light in my life, I needed darkness. Their darkness. I needed to be taint. To be corrupted. The realization of being in love was like a quiet storm suddenly enveloping me. It was not a loud feeling but a subtle whisper that echoed through my heart. The warmth that spread from within, a gentle realization that they became the melody to m
“That’s odd.” Killian frowned, staring at his phone. “Alessandro Vitale is still not here. And I can not track the men stalling him. Someone intruded our apartment less than an hour ago.”I got up, my pulse kicking up as my instincts go on full alert. “Who would try to breach the apartment like that? And why? Do you thinks it’s Alessandro? Antonio? Call Ralph.” “On it.” His face darkened as he stood up and head to the balcony where a sniper was placed, the phone pressed to his ear. “He isn’t picking up.”I followed him as he covered the distance with long strides. “His phone’s going straight to voicemail,” he said tensely as I felt a shift in the air. This wasn’t how I imagined this night to go. Alessandro Vitale was supposed to be here an hour ago. And our plan was to wipe him up at the time of auction when the lights would be off. It would cause a commotion, but nothing that money couldn’t solve.Killian looked up at me. “C
“Alessandro…” I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him grinning ear to ear. I should feel relieved and grateful, but instead fear gripped me like a sudden shock, making my voice shaky. I gasped, frozen in place, and my hands clutched onto Ralph’s blazer. It felt like the room tilted as he stood there. My hands shaking and my pupils dilating. The hair at the back of my neck erecting. He walked in, wearing his signature smile that once offered peace, but now, he had blood in his eyes. Ready to demolish everything that stood in his way. He reminded me of my dead father. The one I was most scared of. And this did not give me a good feeling. “Stupid, stupid, little girl.” He tsked as he took a step forward. Ralph quickly pointed his gun at him Alessandro as the men soon followed his actions and pointed their guns at us. He was just a few steps away when he looked at me, his dark eyes meeting mine, a cruel smile on his lips. “You know what is the difference between you and your mother?”
I was numb and tired when Alessandro hung up the phone. It was Ralph’s and it seemed like Ralph purposely let him have it. Alexei and Killian must be on their way here. I was too exhausted—both mentally and physically. The betrayal and lies I had been fed all my life were too much. I believed it was my father who killed my mother, but it was Alessandro all along. I thought he wanted me to marry Stefan because of some business, but it was more than that. My death was decided on the day of my wedding and that explained why Stefan always felt guilt whenever he looked at me. He knew what his father and mine were planning and yet he was going to let that happen because of what? Money? Even if it was oceans worth of money, it wasn’t more than my life? I deserved to live, as much as my mother did. Why? WHY?!I wanted to scream, to pull at my hair, but I was too numb to care anyway. I could hear Alessandro mocking me, and calling me whatnot, but that was all I could do at that moment. I was
Alexei stopped hearing my scream followed by furious Ralph and anticipated Killian. “I’ll kill her,” Alessandro said in my ear as a chill ran down my spine. Alexei’s hold on the gun tightened. “If you don’t take your hands off her in the next two seconds, you won’t have hands.” Suppressing a shiver, I flinched when I felt Alessandro tensing behind me. His hand on my throat twitched, and the knife trembled. I knew he was scared, and he also knew Alexei wasn’t bluffing. He’d kill. He’d kill him. For me. I shut my eyes, ready to accept whatever fate had in store for me. Ready to face death. My pulse quickened, the metallic taste of fear lingering in my mouth. Time slowed, each heartbeat echoing like a sombre drumbeat. The cold touch of the knife against my skin sent shivers through me, a cruel reminder of my malicious reality. At that moment, a flood of regrets and unrealized feelings surged, and the impending darkness whispered its chilling promise.Strangely, every flashback was of
“How are you feeling now? Any pain? Any discomfort?” I shook my head as the doctor carefully looked through my reports. I was not hurt that much, just a few scratches and an ugly cut on my throat. He nodded to himself. “Alright then, you’re good to go. Be sure to eat soupy stews. Don’t stress your throat.” Alexei stood behind me, his one hand on my shoulder as he listened to the doctor. I felt safe feeling his presence that engulfed me in a protective embrace. “Here are some medicines, and drugs,” the guard standing behind Alexei grabbed the package. “I’ll see you next week then. Have a good day.” The doctor stood up and nodded at Alexei. My extra-careful husband gently helped me up, his arm around my waist like it always belonged there, like a puzzle piece that fits perfectly. The guard followed us, and by the time we were in the car, two SUVs were behind us and one in front. Two weeks. It had been two weeks yet Alexei was still over the top careful with me around. More guards w