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A Line Crossed, A Bond Tested
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2024-12-24 17:16:18Related chapters
Under The Mask Of My Enemy A Fragile Trust
Chapter 16: A Fragile Trust Thorne's POV The sunlight, faint and gentle, filtered through the curtains when my eyes finally fluttered open, casting a soft glow across the room. My body was heavy, my head pounding, but it wasn't that which hit me first. It was Garrett's presence. He stood at the foot of my bed, arms crossed over his chest, keen eyes pinned on me. The look in his eyes carried anger and concern in fairly equal proportions, but one thing for sure, that tensed stance did let me know he was in no mood for small talk. "Garrett," I croaked. I sounded husky from sleep, from exhaustion. "You're awake," he said firmly without much inflection. "Good. I pushed myself up slightly, wincing as the movement sent a dull ache through my side. "I—" "Don't," he interrupted, taking a step closer. "Don't even try to justify what you did." His voice wasn't loud, but it held weight. I swallowed hard and felt the guilt pool heavily in my chest. "I'm sorry," I said low and dropped my gaz
Last Updated : 2024-12-25Under The Mask Of My Enemy A Kiss
Chapter 17Thorne's POVGarrett disappeared not long after agreeing to let me return to the company. At first, I'd thought he might have gone out to cool his head. After all, my insistence on resuming my role as his assistant hadn't exactly thrilled him. But as the hours turned into longer and he did not return, unease set in.Was he mad? Hurt? Or had he just grown weary of me? I shook my head, trying to banish the thoughts. Garrett wasn't the sulky type, nor would he avoid a problem. Whatever his reason for leaving, I couldn't afford the distraction. I had to focus.If I wanted to do this-really step back into the role of his assistant-then I needed to be prepared. The last thing I wanted was to mess up and prove everyone, including myself, wrong.I decided to begin with research. First, I went through Garrett's study, where the walls were lined up and down with books: business strategy, corporate finance, leadership principles-the volume was overwhelming. Filling my arms with a pret
Last Updated : 2024-12-26Under The Mask Of My Enemy A Change In Routine
Chapter 18Garrett's POVThorne's first day of work started in a way I really hadn't anticipated. For the first time since I'd taken over as boss, I made it to the office on time. I wasn't running in late or making up some excuse for why I couldn't be there. Instead, I found myself actually looking forward to the day, and I knew exactly why.Thorne had set up a desk for himself on the left-hand side of my office, a position where I couldn't help but see him without trying. He was already seated as I entered, his eyes fixed intently on the screen. He was plainly keen-sorting through files, typing furiously, and then from time to time, making jottings in a notebook with that eager doggedness that brought me up short.I leaned against the doorframe for a moment, observing him. His sleeves were rolled up; his brow was slightly furrowed as he focused, and every now and then, he'd smile faintly, as if pleased with himself for figuring something out. He looked… good. Too good, if I was being
Last Updated : 2024-12-26Under The Mask Of My Enemy Confusion
Chapter 19: Confusion Thorne's POVA few days into working with Garrett, the façade began to crack. No matter how prepared I had gotten, all the reading, and meticulous notes taken, my gut still told me this wasn't for me. The tasks piled up higher than I could manage to handle, and no matter how hard I tried, it would feel like I was actually faking my way around being Garrett's assistant.I couldn't believe in myself: had I really been an assistant before losing my memories? A part of me knew better. While some things, like note-taking or processing schedules, felt instinctively easy, other tasks-very sensitive ones, at that, like maintaining negotiations or processing financial transactions-puzzled me completely. And this disquiet in the chest grew heavier with each passing day.In the late night, being all alone in the office, I sat looking at Garrett's desk, where usually Garrett worked, neatly kept with files and reports. It frustrated me because I hammered one hand on the desk
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Under The Mask Of My Enemy The Other Side
Chapter 20: The Other SideThorne's POVThe metallic tang of blood and the sharp scent of alcohol filled the dimly lit room. I stood beside Garrett, trying to suppress the unease clawing at my chest. My eyes shifted to the man suspended from a rusted chain in the center of the room, his face pale and streaked with sweat. His shallow breaths betrayed his growing panic, though he tried to appear defiant.This wasn't the Garrett who had smiled at me just that morning, teasing me over my clumsy attempts at office work. This was a man cold, calculated, and terrifyingly efficient."How did the transaction go through today?" Garrett asked calmly, an edge in his voice shivering me to the bones."Everything went fine, Mr. Cullen, no problem," the man replied with stammering voice trembling.Garrett cocked his head to one side, as if weighing the answer, but his eyes gave nothing away. Silent, he jerked his hand at his men. They moved forward, hauling the man higher on the chain, his screams re
Last Updated : 2024-12-30Under The Mask Of My Enemy Breaking Point
Chapter 21: Thorne's POVThe deafening sound of the gunshot reverberated in my skull, a shockwave running across my body. I just kept staring at the body that was lying on the floor-the lifeless body of the man Garrett had just executed. I should be used to this by now. I should understand it and accept it. But there was something about the act of watching that cold and efficient death-it broke something inside of me. A shudder ran down my spine, and all at once, my body felt too heavy to carry.I couldn't breathe. My chest tightened up in pain, and the walls around me seemed to close in, pressing against my lungs, suffocating me. The smell of blood mixed with the sharp tang of alcohol filled the room, yet it did little to dissipate the fog in my mind. My hands shook, my fingers tingling with an insistent need to do something, anything, to staunch this suffocating panic. My vision blurred, and everything around me was out of focus. The figures of Garrett's men moved in and out of a f
Last Updated : 2024-12-30Under The Mask Of My Enemy Hope
Chapter 22: Garrett's POVI heard the clang of the knife as I caught Thorne's collapsing body in my arms. The blade slipped from his grasp, the metallic sound chilling, but it was nothing compared to the sight of blood spilling from the deep gash he'd carved into his own arm. Warm and wet, it coated my hands as I clutched him tightly, as though sheer will alone could undo the damage.His face was pale, slack, his breathing faint—but there. Barely.I laid him on the cold floor, and my heart thundered in my chest with a violence that I had not experienced in years. I couldn't turn the scene off inside my brain: the madness in his eyes, the flash of recognition when he saw me—and then the knife, plunged into his own flesh. That resolve, that desperation. What had he been thinking? Was it an act of defiance, his final way of breaking free from whatever chaos had him in its grip?Or had he done it for me?The thought hit me like a blow to the solar plexus, stopping me dead in my tracks. No
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Under The Mask Of My Enemy A Liar
Chapter 23: Thorne's POVThe first thing I became aware of was the faint sound of waves crashing and salted air as sea breeze wafted into a bedroom through an open window. Blinding, I fought off bright light that filtered through in from somewhere. The bed creaked with it, accommodating my shifting position underneath; so unlike normal, comfortable-smelling sheets felt silky on my skin. Thumbing in, I sat up really gingerly-my racing heartbeat was thudding strongly enough for me to hear, for sure.My gaze darted around the room. The walls were painted a soothing cream, and the decor was understated but elegant. The windows were wide, offering a breathtaking view of the ocean in the distance. But none of it was familiar.The last thing I remembered was Garrett—his face tight with concern, his voice calling my name as I lost consciousness. And before that, the chaos I'd created in the basement, the knife in my hand and the…I flexed my fists and shook off the memory.A soft knock at the
Last Updated : 2024-12-31
Latest chapter
Under The Mask Of My Enemy A Day For Us
Chapter 30: A Day for UsGarrett's POVWhat had shaken me more than it should have was Thorne's confession of his childhood-a story not so much about what happened, but how it was told in a quavering voice, the weight of years of pain apparent in every word. The memory had branded him; the scars ran so deeply that I doubted he even knew how much it still hurt.Days went by, and I just couldn't seem to get it out of my head. This little boy, Thorne, hopeful and excited as he waits for his parents and then will never see them again-that haunted me. That wasn't fair. He was too young to be forced to carry the weight of that horror with him throughout his life. Yet, he had borne it silently, without complaint, letting it color his life in ways he never should have had to endure.I couldn't change the past, but maybe-just maybe-I could give him something new to remember.It struck in the dark of night as I sat and stared out the window: an amusement park-a simple thing of innocence-but to
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Burdened Memories
Chapter 29: Garrett's PovIt was a long and exhausting morning; my head was still blurry from last night, for which it wasn't the least prepared to hear from Thorne what he actually had to say.The soft shuffle of footsteps hit behind my back, and without even looking further, I already knew him since his presence in my life-an anchor, welcome or not-loomed well amidst the world around me. But there was a difference in the air, surrounding him today. The feeling inside him was monumental, weighty, something that spoke of a titanic shift. I instinctively could feel the rising tension inside my body as I knew he needed to say.When he finally spoke, his voice was low, uncertain, almost like testing the waters. "Garrett," he said, his words drawing me in completely, "I remember… some things.I froze, the fork I had been holding midway to the plate of eggs in my hand. My heartbeat faltered for a moment. A memory. His memory. It was a long time since he started recovering it, but now… now
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Shadows Of The Past
Chapter 28This nightmare came with no warning at all, tugging me out of that fragile cocoon of sleep I'd managed to wrap around myself after the emotionally draining night with Garrett. The dream was just so real-so visceral-the initial feeling when I woke was not about knowing where I was. It took a few moments for my mind to sort out just exactly if I was still dreaming or finally awake.I felt the grain beneath me; I was five again and stood at the window of our old house, peering out into the black night. It was raining hard, blowing as if in howls; I was waiting-just for them to come home. A birthday hat sat crooked on my head, its strings pulling uncomfortably at my neck. I remembered clutching the little handmade card I’d spent all day working on, the one with the misspelled words and clumsy drawings. I’d wanted to show it to them so badly.In my dream, I still hear my own childish voice, insistent and pleading, "You have to come home! It's my birthday! You promised!" I didn't
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Intimacy
Chapter 27: Thorne's POVThe night air was so thick with unsaid words and tension that it could wrap itself around the room and just not let go. I sat on the edge of the bed and stared out the window at the weak moonlight filtering through the curtains. The coldness of the day still lingered, and the sharp edge of Garrett's silence cut deeper than the words could ever cut.The creaking of the door opening startled me, and my head jerked up. There he was-Garrett. He stood in the doorway, his shoulders tense, his gaze heavy with something I couldn't quite name. He didn't move, and for a moment, I wondered if he'd simply turn and walk away again.But then he stepped inside, his movements deliberate, the door clicking softly shut behind him.Garrett," I said, my voice slicing through the silence that had stretched between us all day to unbearable lengths.He didn't say anything for a minute. Instead, he crossed the room in a few long strides, stopping directly in front of me. His hands re
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Relief
Chapter 26: Garrett's POVThat night, I had no idea what to expect. Thorne had been standoffish all day, ignoring me with a coldness that sat wrong in my stomach. Usually, he'd give me those small, subtle hints if something was wrong-like his silence or the way he would avoid my eyes. But tonight, as I stepped into the bedroom, I was prepared for him to ignore me, to pretend I wasn't even there.But he didn't turn away when I entered. He was sitting up in bed, his posture much more relaxed than it had been in days. He looked at me a long moment, then, without saying anything, shifted over to give me space. It wasn't much, but it was enough for me to realize he wasn't going to keep fighting me. He had softened.I just stood there, not knowing how to reach out to him. The tension in the room was still thick, but it wasn't as cold a barrier as it had been. I could feel something shift between us, but I wasn't sure what.First spoke Thorne. "Garrett," he said, quieter than he commonly spo
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Cold War
Chapter 25: Thorne's POVBut in this quiet villa, there was something that almost salvaged my soul, far from nightmares and chaos. My insomnia, which once got me pacing through long nights, had faded, as had the relentless anxiety that seemed to dog my steps. I could breathe once more, think with clarity, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I was able to rest fearlessly.Yet, there was a hollowness in everything. My memories still sat tight, out of reach. I knew they held answers—truths about who I was, what I had done, and why I was here—but for now, I didn't push. This peace, so rare, was too precious to shatter with more questions.Still, the days stretched long and empty. Garrett was gone much of the time, wrapped up in the dark dealings of his world, a world I had no desire to return to. The violence, the manipulation-it repelled me now. I couldn't square it with the man who came into focus during those quieter moments-the one bringing tea and not straying when
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Trust
Chapter 24: Garrett's POVLate into the night, the waves lapping softly against the shore serenaded the villa, but even this usually soothed me not. My gaze had been on a figure next to me, Thorne, whose pallor belied even sleep. His brows furrowed, and his breathing came out uneven. He stirred and murmured something unintelligibly, his fingers convulsing against the sheets.Another nightmare.It had been the same every night this past week. Thorne's injuries had healed, but his mind seemed in turmoil, something unseen gnawing on it. Every night, he woke in cold sweats, his wide eyes darting across the room, as if searching for threats that were not there.And each time, I was left helplessly standing by.I'd tried everything: reading to him, staying up with him when he woke, and even bringing in relaxing oils to calm the atmosphere of the villa. None of it seemed to work. The nightmares still came, and I could literally feel the tension in him accrue day by day.What really unnerved
Under The Mask Of My Enemy A Liar
Chapter 23: Thorne's POVThe first thing I became aware of was the faint sound of waves crashing and salted air as sea breeze wafted into a bedroom through an open window. Blinding, I fought off bright light that filtered through in from somewhere. The bed creaked with it, accommodating my shifting position underneath; so unlike normal, comfortable-smelling sheets felt silky on my skin. Thumbing in, I sat up really gingerly-my racing heartbeat was thudding strongly enough for me to hear, for sure.My gaze darted around the room. The walls were painted a soothing cream, and the decor was understated but elegant. The windows were wide, offering a breathtaking view of the ocean in the distance. But none of it was familiar.The last thing I remembered was Garrett—his face tight with concern, his voice calling my name as I lost consciousness. And before that, the chaos I'd created in the basement, the knife in my hand and the…I flexed my fists and shook off the memory.A soft knock at the
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Hope
Chapter 22: Garrett's POVI heard the clang of the knife as I caught Thorne's collapsing body in my arms. The blade slipped from his grasp, the metallic sound chilling, but it was nothing compared to the sight of blood spilling from the deep gash he'd carved into his own arm. Warm and wet, it coated my hands as I clutched him tightly, as though sheer will alone could undo the damage.His face was pale, slack, his breathing faint—but there. Barely.I laid him on the cold floor, and my heart thundered in my chest with a violence that I had not experienced in years. I couldn't turn the scene off inside my brain: the madness in his eyes, the flash of recognition when he saw me—and then the knife, plunged into his own flesh. That resolve, that desperation. What had he been thinking? Was it an act of defiance, his final way of breaking free from whatever chaos had him in its grip?Or had he done it for me?The thought hit me like a blow to the solar plexus, stopping me dead in my tracks. No
