LIZ POV.“What’s wrong? Want me to help you take it off?” Audrina crouched down, her smirk widening. Anger burned in my veins. I clenched my fist so hard, and for a moment, I wanted to smack that look off her face. “I’ll do it myself,” I said in a low tone. “Oh! Be fast then. You’re wasting time.” She snapped. I glanced at Hazel. She shook her head gently, but enough for me to understand the warning in her eyes. It made me wonder what she was really scared of, and why she looked tense. My hands went to my mask, and I was ready to remove it. Suddenly, the maids and security lowered their heads. What’s going on?“Good evening, Sir.” They greeted in unison. I barely had time to process before Audrina’s excited voice screamed. “Brother!” She practically launched forward, sprinting like a little kid. My eyes snapped towards the new arrival, and the moment I saw who it was, my breath hitched. Even with his mask on, the aura, his broad shoulder, the way he carried himself—Gawwd. H
JAKE POV.The long dining table stretched before me, covered in an extravagant spread. On the table were different kinds of meals—roasted chicken, lobster, caviar, creamy mashed potatoes, ruffled pasta, expensive wine bottles, and so on. Maids stood around us in silence, ready to take orders. While others poured wine into the delicate crystal glasses on the table. This used to feel special. Sitting here and sharing meals with my family. Now, it felt forced—like I wasn’t supposed to be here. I gripped my knife, my fist clenching hard onto the handle as my gaze landed on the man sitting across me—my father. My jaw clenched, along with my fist, but then a flash of cold fingers against mine made me soften. I thought of her again, that maid… Liz. No doubt she had a spell on me, and I couldn’t shake it off. I could still feel the way she trembled under Audrina’s torment—helpless. I was glad I got there just on time to save her from sister’s torment—I couldn’t watch that.A sharp throa
JAKE POV.My body was unsteady as I ran towards her, my legs unstable. The alcohol made my movement sluggish but I didn’t stop. My vision flickered between blurry and clear. She shielded herself with her hands, trying to say something—but I didn’t care, I couldn’t even hear anything. I was driven by an uncontrollable rage. As soon as I got to her, I wrapped my fingers around her throat. “Die, you bitch!” I snarled. She struggled, her nails clawing at my wrist. “S—stop!” Her voice choked desperately, but it only fueled my rage. “You have to die!” I said, squeezing harder. She struggled, trying to save herself but she was too weak compared to me. “Nobody can save you now,” I growled. “I saved you before. You owe me your life, and I’m finally here to take it back.” In a blind rage, I pushed her into the pool. She stumbled back, her fingers holding onto my shirt. Before I could react, she pulled me in with her. The water hit me like a slap on my face—cold. It shocked my system, a
LIZ POV. I should be terrified. I was terrified. This same man had tried to kill me, not once—twice! But this—this felt different. I felt his breath on my neck, and I shivered. It wasn’t from fear but something deeper, something I wasn’t ready to name. At that moment, I felt something hard. It pressed right against my stomach causing my breath to hitch. My legs clenched and a low heat curled inside me. What was that?I swallowed hard. I could tell—I could tell he was already hard and it was making me wet too. His hesitation made me restless. I closed my eyes, feeling a strange pull—like déjà vu. I leaned in before I could stop myself, pressing against him. What are you doing, Liz? My head screamed at me to run, but my body betrayed me—it wanted his touch even more. A moan slipped from my lips. “Jake…” Do it! My mind urged. Kiss me!“Fuck it,” he growled. He gripped my neck gently, tilting my head back. His lips hovering just above mine. Every nerve on my body was on fire. His
LIZ POV.“I can explain!”Hazel’s jaw tightened and her fist clenched tight. “Start explaining!” I opened my mouth, but no words came out. No excuse, not even a lie could form in my head. Before I could react, Hazel grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled hard. “You stubborn little thing. You're going to get us in trouble again.” She snapped. “Wait, wait! Hazel…” I gasped, gripping her fist but she wouldn’t let go. Then an idea struck my mind. I stopped struggling. My body went limp, slumping forward in her grasp like life had left me. Hazel froze. “Liz?”I stayed still, my breathing slow and shallow. Her fingers loosened slightly. “You better not be playing games with me now, Liz.” I still didn’t move. My acting skills were perfect. I needed enough time for her to get distracted so I could run. I could see her hesitation shift to panic. Then she exhaled sharply, tapping my cheek. When I didn’t react, she began to panic. “My God! Liz, get up please.” Her voice cracked. “Water,
VICTORIA POV“Help! Someone help me, please…” I cried out, but no one seemed to hear me. Everyone had evacuated the building. The flames were burning hot. The heat clawed all over my skin. I was beginning to suffocate from the intense thick smoke. This wasn’t how I had thought I’d die, especially not on my 25th birthday. “Michael! Michael! Honey, where are you?” I cried out for my fiancé to help me but even he was out of sight. I managed to leave that spot. I was so weak, so I supported myself with the walls. I clutched my hands because even the walls were already hot. I didn’t know how, but I really wanted to survive.Soon, I began to feel dizzy, and every breath I took felt hotter than the former, burning through my heart and down to my lungs. My vision began to blur, causing me to collide with a falling wood. The pain caused me to vibrate like that of an electric shock. My knees hit the cold tiles hard, and my body fell flat to the hot tiles. I lost hope as I slowly took what
JAKE POV.It wasn’t my birthday, but I came dressed like the celebrant anyway, stealing the spotlight as usual. It’s something I don’t need to stress over; I could get any woman in that hall if I wanted her, with just a snap of my fingers. Let’s be realistic—what else do women want? I was handsome, tall, rich, a multi-billionaire, and, of all importance, a pro in bed. But tonight, it wasn’t just anyone’s birthday, it was HER birthday—Victoria Langston. It’s crazy how I was obsessed with my enemy and rival, maybe it was just how much she hated me that drove me crazy every time she moaned my name in my bed. She sat not too far from my table, gisting and laughing politely, but I could tell how distracted she was from her frequent side glances.“Jake?” One of the models sitting close to me called out. “You’ve been so quiet. I’ve been watching you since you got in.” She bit her lip in a sexy way. “If you want, I could take the boredom away, Daddy.” She slid two of her fingers from my
VIVIAN POV.I watched my mother’s every move from the balcony. She stood there, watching the night sky as if they held the solution to her problems. I joined her, clutching the glass of Champagne I held, and sipping little by little.“Don’t overthink yourself, mother. She’ll be fine.”Her head turned to me, her eyes red and soaked with tears. “Of course, I know she will. But, Vivian, what exactly were you thinking? Do you want people to start talking?”My breath seized for a while. How did she know? “I don’t know what you’re talking about, mother.” I took a sip of my champagne, feigning ignorance. Her voice became cold. “Don’t play dumb with me. I told you to stay away from him, but you just don’t listen!”A pang of relief clouded me. For a moment, I thought she caught me. “I said I don’t know what you’re talking about! Do you have proof that I was with him?” I shot back, now losing my cool.“Oh! Really? Then how come you were with Michael during the fire? He was so busy with you th
LIZ POV.“I can explain!”Hazel’s jaw tightened and her fist clenched tight. “Start explaining!” I opened my mouth, but no words came out. No excuse, not even a lie could form in my head. Before I could react, Hazel grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled hard. “You stubborn little thing. You're going to get us in trouble again.” She snapped. “Wait, wait! Hazel…” I gasped, gripping her fist but she wouldn’t let go. Then an idea struck my mind. I stopped struggling. My body went limp, slumping forward in her grasp like life had left me. Hazel froze. “Liz?”I stayed still, my breathing slow and shallow. Her fingers loosened slightly. “You better not be playing games with me now, Liz.” I still didn’t move. My acting skills were perfect. I needed enough time for her to get distracted so I could run. I could see her hesitation shift to panic. Then she exhaled sharply, tapping my cheek. When I didn’t react, she began to panic. “My God! Liz, get up please.” Her voice cracked. “Water,
LIZ POV. I should be terrified. I was terrified. This same man had tried to kill me, not once—twice! But this—this felt different. I felt his breath on my neck, and I shivered. It wasn’t from fear but something deeper, something I wasn’t ready to name. At that moment, I felt something hard. It pressed right against my stomach causing my breath to hitch. My legs clenched and a low heat curled inside me. What was that?I swallowed hard. I could tell—I could tell he was already hard and it was making me wet too. His hesitation made me restless. I closed my eyes, feeling a strange pull—like déjà vu. I leaned in before I could stop myself, pressing against him. What are you doing, Liz? My head screamed at me to run, but my body betrayed me—it wanted his touch even more. A moan slipped from my lips. “Jake…” Do it! My mind urged. Kiss me!“Fuck it,” he growled. He gripped my neck gently, tilting my head back. His lips hovering just above mine. Every nerve on my body was on fire. His
JAKE POV.My body was unsteady as I ran towards her, my legs unstable. The alcohol made my movement sluggish but I didn’t stop. My vision flickered between blurry and clear. She shielded herself with her hands, trying to say something—but I didn’t care, I couldn’t even hear anything. I was driven by an uncontrollable rage. As soon as I got to her, I wrapped my fingers around her throat. “Die, you bitch!” I snarled. She struggled, her nails clawing at my wrist. “S—stop!” Her voice choked desperately, but it only fueled my rage. “You have to die!” I said, squeezing harder. She struggled, trying to save herself but she was too weak compared to me. “Nobody can save you now,” I growled. “I saved you before. You owe me your life, and I’m finally here to take it back.” In a blind rage, I pushed her into the pool. She stumbled back, her fingers holding onto my shirt. Before I could react, she pulled me in with her. The water hit me like a slap on my face—cold. It shocked my system, a
JAKE POV.The long dining table stretched before me, covered in an extravagant spread. On the table were different kinds of meals—roasted chicken, lobster, caviar, creamy mashed potatoes, ruffled pasta, expensive wine bottles, and so on. Maids stood around us in silence, ready to take orders. While others poured wine into the delicate crystal glasses on the table. This used to feel special. Sitting here and sharing meals with my family. Now, it felt forced—like I wasn’t supposed to be here. I gripped my knife, my fist clenching hard onto the handle as my gaze landed on the man sitting across me—my father. My jaw clenched, along with my fist, but then a flash of cold fingers against mine made me soften. I thought of her again, that maid… Liz. No doubt she had a spell on me, and I couldn’t shake it off. I could still feel the way she trembled under Audrina’s torment—helpless. I was glad I got there just on time to save her from sister’s torment—I couldn’t watch that.A sharp throa
LIZ POV.“What’s wrong? Want me to help you take it off?” Audrina crouched down, her smirk widening. Anger burned in my veins. I clenched my fist so hard, and for a moment, I wanted to smack that look off her face. “I’ll do it myself,” I said in a low tone. “Oh! Be fast then. You’re wasting time.” She snapped. I glanced at Hazel. She shook her head gently, but enough for me to understand the warning in her eyes. It made me wonder what she was really scared of, and why she looked tense. My hands went to my mask, and I was ready to remove it. Suddenly, the maids and security lowered their heads. What’s going on?“Good evening, Sir.” They greeted in unison. I barely had time to process before Audrina’s excited voice screamed. “Brother!” She practically launched forward, sprinting like a little kid. My eyes snapped towards the new arrival, and the moment I saw who it was, my breath hitched. Even with his mask on, the aura, his broad shoulder, the way he carried himself—Gawwd. H
LIZ POV.“Liz, wake up!” A voice called out, but I buried my face deeper into my pillow. “I said wake up!” A sharp tap landed on my shoulder. I shot up so fast I almost fell off the bed. “I didn’t go in this time, I swear!” Hazel’s brows pulled together. “Huh?” My heart dropped immediately—shit. Hazel sighed. “You’ve forgotten? The Blackwell family will be returning today! You’re sleeping too much, Liz.”My eyes widened. “Oh my God! Why didn’t you wake me up? And how long have I been asleep?”Hazel shrugged. “I don’t know. Don’t forget—I wake up early before anyone else. Been helping Madam Olivia with some arrangements.” I groaned, swinging my legs off the bed. “How do I face Madam Olivia now? I don’t wanna scrub toilets for waking up late again!” Hazel chuckled, arms crossed. “Well…” she dragged, smirking. “If you hurry and get down there on time, you might make it there before she notices. And maybe—just maybe—I won’t tell on you for being late.” I gasped. “You wouldn’t dar
LIZ POV. After our morning duties, it was finally time to eat. We all lined up in the staff’s kitchen, holding a tray. The scent of eggs and toast bread filled the air, but my stomach felt tight. It wasn’t hunger—it was the way the maids kept glancing at me after what had happened earlier. Worst was that Hazel refused to talk to me after everything. She stood few feet away with her arms crossed, acting like I didn’t exist anymore. My heart ached, seeing my own sister ignore me. Suddenly, some maid spoke to me.“Hey, newbie!” A voice rang out. “How the hell did you do it? She asked, tilting her head. I had not been there for long, but I managed to learn their names. Her name was Maya. Before now she’d been ignoring me, but now all of a sudden, she was talking to me.Amber— her friend, spoke next. “Yeah, Liz. How exactly did you pull that off?” I frowned. “Pull what off?” Maya let out a short laugh, exchanging glances with the others. “Oh, come on. Don’t play dumb.” “You went int
JAKE POV.The water poured over me relentlessly as I stood under the shower, but it wasn’t enough to cool the storm inside me. It had been over a week since I locked myself in my room like a monster. Not a single day passed without regrets. I shouldn’t have gone that night. My fingers tightened into fists. The thought sent a fresh wave of rage through me, causing my fist to slam into the tiled wall. It ached, but it was nothing compared to the fire I still felt on my left face. My fingers grazed the scarred flesh, tracing the rough skin that was once smooth. Once admired. My eyes squeezed shut as tears poured, mingling with the water washing over me. I had risked everything for her, but in the end, I lost everything. I’ll make them all pay. Victoria…Just then, I heard it—a sound. I was certain someone was creeping around in my room. Quickly, I grabbed my towel and my mask, anger burning within me. Slowly, I stepped forward. My gaze over my dimly lit room, then it landed on her
LIZ POV. Then I saw him. He stood right in front of me, shirtless. The faint glow of light from the hallway caught on the water dripping from his skin. A towel was wrapped loosely around his waist, making it obvious to me that he had just stepped out of the shower. I couldn’t stop my gaze. I started from his feet, moving slowly up. Drops of water slid lazily down his chiseled abs, making the air around me feel heavier. His body looked like it was sculpted gently into perfection. I swallowed hard as my eyes went upward to his face, but his piercing eyes burned into mine with a force that made my heart skip. He had a mask on, but those eyes were sharp. I wanted to look away, but it was hard. A force—an invisible pull—urged me forward. My hands trembled as they moved forward to feel if what I was seeing was real. Before I could, he grabbed my wrist.“Don’t,” he growled. His deep voice sent shivers down my spine. His hands went to my face, his touch—tender. My breath hitched as his