After leaving the hospital, Julian's mind was still spinning from Miss Yvonne’s words. He tried to focus, but everything seemed to blur together. His thoughts were interrupted when he met with Mr. Lee, the private investigator he had hired. Mr. Lee greeted him with his usual calm demeanor, but the look in his eyes told Julian that something wasn’t right.
“I’ve dug into Alexa’s background,” Mr. Lee began, his tone serious. “And there’s something you need to know—Alexa wasn’t from the employment agency. I couldn’t find much about her, but all signs point to her being a spy.”
Julian felt the ground shift beneath him. His breath caught in his chest, and for a moment, he couldn’t process the shock. A spy? It didn’t make sense. Alexa had never given him any indication of such a thing.
He shook his head, a mix of disbelief
The stale air in Marcus’s darkened room suffocated Alexa as she stood trembling before him. Her ribs ached from his earlier blows, and her knees threatened to give out beneath her. Marcus’s sharp eyes bore into her, void of mercy."You have three days," he hissed, pacing in front of her like a predator circling its prey. "Three days to finish what you started, or I’ll make sure you don’t leave this world in one piece." Alexa’s breath hitched. She wanted to protest, to plead for a chance to escape his grasp, but Marcus cut her off with a sharp backhand. Her cheek burned as fresh tears spilled from her eyes. "Don’t even think about failing me," he continued, his voice cold and final. "This time, you’ll have no excuses. The golden watch will be in my hands, or you’ll regret ever being born." He motioned to one of his men, who handed her a small, cheap phone. "Morning and night," Marcus barked. "You call me for updates. Don’t forget, Alexa—" He leaned closer, his rancid breath makin
The warm glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across the room, but the weight of unspoken words darkened the space. Alexa sat upright against the pillows, her trembling fingers clutching the edge of the blanket. Across from her, Julian stood, arms crossed, his gaze piercing and unrelenting. For several moments, neither spoke. The silence between them was heavy, almost suffocating. Julian’s jaw tightened as he finally broke the stillness. “Who are you, Alexa?” His voice was steady but laced with an edge of impatience. The question struck Alexa like a physical blow, her heart hammering against her ribs. She had prepared for this moment countless times in her mind, but now, staring into Julian’s penetrating gaze, every rehearsed word dissolved. “I…” she started, her voice faltering. Fear clawed at her throat. She didn’t want to lie anymore—especially not to him. But the shadow of Marcus loomed large in her mind, his threats echoing like a sinister mantra. “Alexa,” Julian s
The secluded bar was dimly lit, the faint smell of whiskey and tobacco lingering in the air. Julian sat at a corner booth, his posture tense as he swirled the glass of bourbon in his hand. Across from him, Mr. Lee placed a thick folder on the table, his expression grave.“Mr. Salvatore,” Mr. Lee began, his tone cautious. “The information we’ve gathered about Alexa is... troubling.”Julian’s chest tightened. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “Go on.”Mr. Lee opened the file, revealing photographs, documents, and transcripts. He pulled out a picture and slid it toward Julian. It showed Alexa being dropped off from a dark car near the villa gates. Her frail figure stumbled as the vehicle sped away.“This was taken the night she returned to your estate,” Mr. Lee explained. “The vehicle
In the dim light of Marcus’s lavish study, a faint red light blinked on the recorder he had discreetly embedded in Alexa’s belongings. As the voices of Julian, Theo, and Alexa played back, Marcus’s face darkened. His jaw tightened with rage as Julian’s accusations thundered through the recording.“Idiota,” Marcus spat, slamming his fist onto the desk. “That girl is a liability now.”One of his men approached cautiously. “Boss, what’s the plan?”Marcus exhaled sharply, his mind racing. “Julian Salvatore is not a man to cross, especially when his guard is up. Block our location— I need to leave. Ensure no one can reach us for the meantime. And prepare the jet. We’re leaving the country tonight.”“Yes, boss.”
Alexa sat on the edge of her bed, her trembling fingers clutching the mini phone Marcus had forced on her. She dialed his number repeatedly, each attempt met with silence. The call wouldn’t connect. Panic gripped her as the reality set in—Marcus must have figured out what was happening and cut her off.Her mind raced. What would he do now? If Marcus knew his plan was unraveling, he wouldn’t hesitate to abandon her, leaving her to face Julian’s wrath alone. She swallowed hard, her chest tightening as she realized she was truly on her own.---Miles away, in a modest apartment, Mia sat beside Roberto, her hands clasped tightly as she stared at the computer screen. Tears streamed down her face, her desperation evident.“I need to find my daughter,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “even if it means going with t
Julian’s hands tightened into fists as he paced the length of his study, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. The golden watch, gleaming under the dim light, sat on the desk, an unspoken reminder of the betrayal he hadn’t seen coming. His thoughts churned with fury. Someone was after his watch—an item that held an irreplaceable place in his heart—and it had to be her. He stared grimly at her. His breathing was heavy, his chest heaving with the effort to contain the storm of emotions swirling inside him. Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be her? His gaze flickered back to Alexa, who stood trembling near the door, her face pale and tear-streaked. He wanted to demand answers, to unleash the storm of emotions tearing him apart, but the lump forming in his throat stopped him. She wasn’t just another enemy. She was Alexa—the woman he had come to love, even if he hadn’t admitted it to himself. And that realization made her betrayal cut deeper. “You were sent to stea
Julian stormed into his command center, his face like thunder, his fury palpable in the air. His team of guards and security personnel scrambled to follow his rapid-fire orders. The betrayal had ignited something deep within him, a fire that would not be extinguished until Marcus was found and brought to his knees.“Have you locked down all exit routes?” Julian barked, his sharp gaze sweeping over his team.“Yes, sir,” Theo replied, stepping forward. “All international and local airports have been notified. Marcus’s name has been flagged, and any attempt to board a flight will be immediately reported. We’ve also intercepted multiple bookings under fake identities, all leading back to him. He’s grounded.”Julian’s eyes narrowed. “And yet you still haven’t found his location?”T
Miss Yvonne sat at the edge of her bed, her frail frame leaning heavily against the pillows. Despite her discharge from the hospital, her body felt weak, her movements slow and deliberate. She was home, but her heart weighed her down even more than her illness.Theo had visited her that morning, updating her on the turmoil that had unfolded at the villa. His words painted a picture of chaos—Julian’s wrath, Alexa's situation, and the strange bond between Julian and Alexa. The news had shaken her deeply. She had always known Julian as a man of control and strategy, but this? This was personal, and it was tearing him apart.The thought of Julian suffering silently tugged at her heart, but it was Alexa who worried her the most. The girl seemed lost, burdened with secrets and sorrows too heavy for her young shoulders.With a soft sigh, Miss Yvonne rose, clutching h
On a secluded island surrounded by the calm, endless sea, Marcus sat in his lavish yet foreboding hideout. A messenger handed him a file detailing Dante’s frantic search for Mia. His lips curled into a devious smile.“So, he’s distracted,” Marcus muttered to himself, fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. “And it’s not just a casual search. Whatever he’s hiding must be tied to her.”He leaned forward, his mind already weaving a plan. If Dante’s occupied, now’s the perfect time to act.Turning to his trusted aide, Marcus ordered, “Make contact with the gunmen we used in Milan. I want a team ready to infiltrate the Salvatore villa.”The aide hesitated. “Sir, Julian Salvatore’s security is nearly impenetrable.”Marcus&rsq
Madame Melissa sat in the car, her legs elegantly crossed, her gaze fixed on the rearview mirror. The driver remained unconscious, his head tilted to the side. She smiled faintly as her phone buzzed. It was a text from Dante:Keep her intact and secure. She must not return to that villa.Her fingers glided across the screen as she typed back:Dante, Alexa is contained. She won’t be a problem. Come quickly before anyone gets suspicious.”She leaned back against the seat, a sense of satisfaction washing over her. Alexa’s confinement at the mall ensured the girl wouldn’t interfere with Dante’s plans. But she couldn’t help but wonder what Dante was so desperate to hide.---Roberto veered sharply onto a side street, tires screeching as he braked in front of an old, a
Julian leaned back in his chair, gripping the phone tightly. Mr. Lee’s voice was calm, but what he said sent a wave of shock through him. "I’m with Mia right now," Mr. Lee began. "I’ve been tracking Dante. He went to a private residence, and as I waited for him to leave, I saw a woman. She was terrified, running for her life. It was Mia." Julian sat upright, his heart racing. "Mia? As in Alexa’s mother?" "Yes. She’s safe, for now. We’re at the Crystal Cove Hotel." Julian exhaled slowly, his mind spinning. "Stay there. Don’t let her leave. I’m coming." He ended the call, grabbing his jacket and heading out of his office. ---Meanwhile, Madame Melissa adjusted her wide-brimmed hat in front of the mirror, her fingers trembling slightly. Dante’s text played in her mind like a sinister echo. Make sure Alexa leaves the villa immediately. Don’t raise suspicion.”She composed herself, smoothing her dress, and forced a serene smile. There was no room for error. Moments later, she f
The air was thick with tension as Roberto stood in Dante’s path, his stance firm and unyielding. Dante’s sneer deepened as he sized up the man in front of him. "Move, young man," Dante growled, his voice dripping with menace. "You don’t want to test me." Roberto tightened his fists, his body instinctively shifting into a defensive position. "You’re not getting near Mia, not while I’m here." Dante didn’t waste another second. He lunged at Roberto, his fists flying with brute force. Roberto dodged, his years of martial arts training kicking in as he blocked and countered. The sound of their clash echoed through the house—grunts, the dull thud of fists, and the shattering of furniture. Dante was relentless, his strength fueled by fury, but Roberto was quick and strategic, his movements calculated. However, the fight was wearing on him. He was already bleeding from a cut above his eye, and his side throbbed from a hard blow. As they fought, outside, Mia paced nervously by the wind
The morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the grand dining room, casting soft hues on the polished tableware. Julian sat at the head of the table, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his features sharp with a focus that belied his inner turmoil.Miss Yvonne was busy setting down a tray of freshly baked croissants, her frail hands moving with practiced ease. Julian’s eyes narrowed as he watched her, the frown on his face betraying his concern.“Miss Yvonne,” he began, his voice low but firm, “why are you up so early again? You need rest.”She gave him a soft smile, brushing off his worry. “I’m perfectly fine, Julian. Taking care of this house gives me purpose. Besides, I like to keep busy.”Julian sighed, leaning back in his chair. “What about Alexa? Is she—&rdqu
The moonlight filtered through the heavy drapes of Julian’s bedroom, casting silvery shadows across the floor. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, Dr. Patel’s words looping in his mind."She’s a key, Julian. Stop fighting it. Let the answers come to you."His jaw clenched. If Alexa truly held the missing pieces of his past, then he couldn’t afford to let his anger or mistrust cloud his judgment. Perhaps through her, he could find the truth about his parents’ murder—and unravel the secrets that had haunted him since childhood.The weight of those thoughts dragged him from the bed. His throat felt parched, so he decided to head to the kitchen for a drink. As he descended the grand staircase, the faint sound of muffled sobs caught his attention.Julian paused, his sharp ears picking up the source. He follow
The hum of muted voices filled the conference room as Julian sat at the head of the table, his sharp suit doing little to hide the storm brewing within him. The stakeholders before him discussed figures and projections, but their words felt distant, muffled by the memories that consumed his mind.The kiss. Why are the memories coming again?He had tried to shove it away, bury it under the weight of his responsibilities, but the memory clawed its way back every time he blinked. The warmth of Alexa’s lips, the softness of her touch, the way she looked at him afterward—it all left a trail of heat and confusion in its wake.But then came the betrayal. Her lies. Her ties to Marcus and Dante.His fists clenched under the table as anger surged. 'How could she make me feel this way after everything she’s done?'&n
Alexa stood frozen in the dark room where Julian had dragged her into, Julian’s words were echoing in her mind. The intensity of his gaze, the frustration laced in his voice—it all left her reeling. “You’ve turned my life upside down.” How?Her fingers brushed against her temple as if to ease the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. “What did he mean by ‘buried somewhere in his past’? How am I connected to that?” she whispered to herself. Her chest tightened as the weight of her double life pressed down on her. Somehow, she also felt the same. She felt that Julian is connected to her childhood. **Was there no end to this chaos?**Sighing deeply, she left the room, stepping into the hallway. As she descended the stairs, her eyes caught Julian near the entrance, facing Madame Melissa.Melissa was all smiles, her voice sm
Julian paced his room like a caged animal, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. The memory of Alexa’s lips on his, the softness of her skin under his hands, replayed in his mind with maddening clarity. He struck his thigh hard, the dull pain barely cutting through the chaos in his head. “What the hell is wrong with me?” he hissed, raking his hands through his hair. He’d kissed her. The one woman he swore to keep at arm’s length, the one he didn’t know whether to trust or hate. And yet, in that moment, he hadn’t cared about betrayal or lies—only about her. The way she’d looked at him after—the surprise in her eyes, the way her lips parted as though she wanted to say something but couldn’t—it haunted him. He could still hear the faint sound of her soft gasp, feel the warmth of her breath against his skin. He sat on the edge of his bed, gripping his head as if he could stop the flood of emotions and memories crashing over him. Then, like a flash of light cut