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2025-01-09 14:55:47
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Under The Mask Of My Enemy A Mother’s Warmth
Chapter 40: Thorne's POVThe silence in the room was deafening as Garrett stood frozen, his eyes glued to the woman before him. His face was unreadable-a mask of shock and vulnerability that had my chest constricting. He wasn't saying a word, but I did notice how his eyes didn't leave hers. It was as if he wanted to absorb every detail of her face, like he needed reassurance this wasn't some cruel joke.I did not know what to do, so I sat with him and allowed him to process. It wasn't until his mother, in her soft, quivering voice, called his name that brought a flash of recognition to his eyes. It wasn't instantaneous; as the minutes ticked by, I could see him start piecing things together.I also was quick with feelings of relief and my heart ached as he stepped forward and into the waiting arms finally. It had been a very telling moment for Garrett-it was a juncture that he needed, hoped for, and prayed would go at least this good.I stood to the side, silent, as his mother held hi
Last Updated : 2025-01-09Under The Mask Of My Enemy The Return Of Happiness
Chapter 41: The Return Of HappinessGarrett's POVThe sun had just started to rise as I stood at the airport terminal and watched my mother disappear into the security checkpoint. Neither of us had slept that night. We had spent hours catching up on all that we had missed over the years. It was a sad feeling, watching her leave this way, but I knew it had to be done. She couldn't stay long without drawing the Cullens' attention, and I couldn't risk her safety in my selfish desire to keep her near.The instant she was out of view, I wheeled around and was off towards the car. My head was such a jumble of feelings-gratitude and longing and exhaustion. My driver caught my eyes in the rearview mirror but said nothing. He must have seen the circles under my eyes, the weight of my shoulders.The villa was silent as I went back inside; the house was deathly still. Upstairs, to the bedroom I went, each step creaking out unusually loudly. Thorne lay across the bed, sleeping peacefully. His fac
Last Updated : 2025-01-10Under The Mask Of My Enemy Gentle Flames
Chapter 42: Gentle FlamesGarett’s PovThe soft light of the bedside lamp shone golden into the room and onto Thorne, who stood by the window. His shirt was loose on his lean frame, his hair tousled from his sleep. He was effortlessly beautiful, he usually was, but tonight, there was just something about him that cut a little deeper.I leaned against the doorframe, my gaze tracing every inch of him. There was no denying it: Thorne had become my haven, my source of joy, and my most significant vulnerability."Thorne," I whispered his name low.He finally turned toward me, his eyes locking on mine with this curious, tender expression. I moved closer to him, another step, until I could touch him. My hand reached out and gently cupped his cheek. He didn't pull away, just leaned into my touch and let the trust and the warmth of his wash away the walls I didn't even realize I was still nursing."You've given me so much more than I ever thought I deserved," I murmured, my thumb brushing agai
Last Updated : 2025-01-10Under The Mask Of My Enemy In Search Of Answers
Chapter Forty-Three: In Search of AnswersThorne's POVThat confirmation of our relationship had brought a temporary sense of peace, the first glimmer of stability in my mind. Garrett's love felt like an anchor in the storm, but the gaping void of my past continued to torment me. I couldn't ignore it anymore. If I was to be his-to give myself to him fully-I needed to know who I was. Fully.But intertwined in that need to uncover my past was a bitter element: feeling guilty for keeping secrets from Garrett-for hiding my pursuit of answers from the man who'd been my one constant in this uncertain existence. Yet, as much as I loved him, with each passing day the questions just boomed louder in my mind.Garrett had been slackening the reins on me of late. Perhaps it was a sign that he trusted me, or perhaps he felt I needed to become autonomous; whatever the reason, I quietly set about finding. well, finding whatever I found.Contacting GavinGavin had once been a good, trustworthy friend
Last Updated : 2025-01-11Under The Mask Of My Enemy A Dangerous Favor
Chapter Forty - Four: A Dangerous FavorThorne's POV:The ring of the telephone had come too damn early in the morning, shrill as it sliced through my restless sleep. Rubbing my eyes to shake off the fogginess, remnants of a night plagued with nightmares, the sight of that unknown number flashing on the screen sucked a cold knot into my belly. I knew it wasn't good.Thorne ," I replied, trying to keep my voice from betraying the anxiety creeping up my spine.The voice on the other end was cold, impersonal, and unmistakably familiar; Donovan's subordinates."You want to prove yourself to the Cullen family, don't you?" the voice said, getting to the point without mincing words. "Donovan's been keeping a close eye on you. And if you want his approval-if you want him to support your relationship with Garrett-then you'll need to show your loyalty.My heart skipped a beat. This wasn't an offer; it was a condition. One I couldn't ignore, no matter how much I despised being manipulated by Don
Last Updated : 2025-01-13Under The Mask Of My Enemy A Dangerous Rescue
Chapter Forty-Five: A Dangerous RescueGarrett's POV:I was pacing across the villa as my heart raced and the panic started to rise in me with every second that ticked away. It had felt like hours since I started searching for Thorne, and yet he was nowhere to be seen. The place was empty without him-a piece of me had gone, it felt like-and the sense of unease that gnawed in my guts was growing by the second. Where the hell was he?It wasn't until I saw the slight disturbance near the back door that it hit me: he had left the villa. I felt my heart dip, and a cold shiver ran down my spine. He was out there, all by himself. Without explanation, without a note. He hadn't told me where he would go. I called, but he went straight to voicemail.Panic clawed at me, but I pushed it down. Thorne was resourceful; he could take care of himself. Still, my instincts screamed at me to find him-fast.I tracked him quickly, my mind already working out where he might have gone. I knew Thorne well eno
Last Updated : 2025-01-13Under The Mask Of My Enemy Tempests Of Memories
Chapter Forty-Six: Tempests of MemoriesThorne's POVThe world had been a blur-a cacophony of muffled voices, a blur of lights-as I was rushed into the hospital. I could feel the chaos around me-hands holding my arms tight, voices issuing orders, the smell of antiseptic in sterile air-but it felt all so very distant, like it was happening to somebody else. My body felt heavy, unresponsive, while my mind certainly was not. It was a storm, an onslaught of visions and sounds, snatches of a life which was never mine from the very start.I saw glimpses of white coats and the frantic motions of nurses and doctors leaning over me. Someone was yelling orders, and I faintly recognized the words "stabilize him" before continuing even deeper into the fog. My body was no longer mine; I lay at its mercy, while my mind refused to give in.Nightmares started the moment I fell unconscious.They were not nightmares, actually-they were memories. Fractured, disjointed, and painfully vivid: running throu
Last Updated : 2025-01-14Under The Mask Of My Enemy Escaping The Cage
Chapter Forty-Seven: Escaping the CageThorne's POVThe air in the hospital room felt unbearably stifling; the walls just seemed to close in on me with every passing second. Garrett's constant presence was comforting and oppressive all at once. His gaze followed me wherever he was, full of unspoken concern. Still, it wasn't enough to soothe the storm brewing inside me. The fragments of my past haunted me, and the questions that came with them had grown too loud to ignore.I couldn't dwell on anything else. I couldn't fully believe in Garrett, not with parts of my memory missing and this nagging feeling there was more to my past than he was letting on. And I couldn't afford complacency, not now that for the first time, I felt like I was getting closer to the truth. But Garrett's men were always outside my room, guarding and watching me like a hawk. It would virtually be impossible to do anything.Today was different, though.Garrett had left early that morning, muttering something abou
Last Updated : 2025-01-15
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Under The Mask Of My Enemy Unbelievable
Chapter 57:Thorne's POVMy head throbbed like a drum, each pulse a dull ache radiating through my skull. It was a shock to open my eyes and look at what met my gaze - an instant spasm of dread ran through me. The room was foreign, antiseptic in cleanliness but oppressive in its silence. Pale gray walls surrounded me, with only one window and heavy curtains drawn tight against the world outside.As I tried to move, the cold bite of metal against my wrist stopped me. I looked down to see my right hand cuffed to the bedframe, the unforgiving steel digging into my skin. Panic surged through me, sharp and sudden, as the realization set in: I had been caught.The memories came rushing back-the screaming engine, the guns, the crash that had rolled my car across the ground. I recalled the pain, the feeling of suffocating defeat as my body had been tossed about like a rag doll. And now… this."You're awake.The voice was soothing, almost too soothing, and made my stomach twist into knots. My
Under The Mask Of My Enemy No Escape
Chapter Fifty Six : No EscapeThorne's POVThe car jolted and lurched, tires skidding on dirt as it tore through the darkness, every pulse a splinter of adrenaline racing through my veins. The engine was so loud that everything else was blocked out, but my head was clear—sharp-edged, attuned to one thing alone. The road ahead was a smear of gravel and rough terrain, but I couldn't afford to look away. My hands were stiff on the wheel, knuckles white. I couldn't stop. I couldn't let myself stop.The wind howled through the cracked window, lashing my face as if the world itself tried to push me further away. Behind me, the chase was relentless. The headlights disappeared for a moment, granting a brief respite. Yet that wasn’t enough for me to feel safe. Not after what Garrett had done. His reach—his influence—stretched far beyond anything I’d ever known. Whoever was in that car wasn’t working alone.My heart thudded in my chest—a mad beat, pushing me to hurry. I bent down to check the r
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Escape
Chapter 55: Garrett's POVThe night was wearing on, the villa settling into a soft hum of quiet. Most of the guests had left, leaving only family behind. I leaned back in my chair, a glass of whiskey in hand, savoring the faint burn that seemed to dull the high emotions of the evening. The engagement had gone perfectly. Thorne was mine—officially, undeniably.The image of his face when I slipped the ring on his finger filled my mind, and I smiled to myself. I had never seen him look so captivating. For the first time, I allowed myself to believe that happiness was within reach."Garrett," Donovan's voice cut sharply through my thoughts.I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his expression solemn. My older brother had always been good at grounding me, but tonight I really wasn't in the mood for lectures. "What is it, Donovan?" I asked, waving him off with a lazy hand."Come with me," he said, his voice low, almost a command.I frowned, setting down my glass. Something in his ton
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Wedding Engagement
Chapter 54: Thorne's POVIt was less than perfect-the wedding engagement party that Garrett had turned into an over-the-top festivity that would shame royalty, down to every single last obsessive attention to detail: a grand hall chandeliers glimmered; roses, champagne-the lot. The whole evening surrounded me with congratulating people: huge, honest-to-goodness, real, teeth- showing grins on the Cullens.The world seemed to hold its breath as Garrett slipped the diamond onto my finger. Pure happiness danced unguarded in his eyes, as the force of applause burst loudly around us. He hauled me in, his mouth coming down against mine in a sure declaration of love to everyone present.For a moment-a so-tiny fraction of time-I almost managed to get myself to really believe this could be it. I could contemplate really staying in this world he'd carved out for me.But reality was relentless, and so was my mission.As the hours passed, the guests trickled out, their farewells growing softer unt
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Suspicions
Chapter 53: Garrett's POVThe days leading up to the wedding had been a flurry of activity and happiness. My mind was consumed with planning: confirming the flowers, finalizing the guest list, and making sure that everything was just right for Thorne. For the first time in my life, I allowed myself to dream of a future beyond power and control, of a future with him at its center.Yet in quieter moments-when I found Thorne gazing out a window or fleeing into his thoughts-I sensed there was something hovering just beyond my grasp. His smiles didn't always meet his eyes, and when laughter did come, it sounded hollow. But I overlooked it. He had said yes, hadn't he? That was all that mattered.I buried any doubts beneath the weight of my happiness.I hadn't expected Donovan to show up at my office that afternoon. He came in, his usual placid exterior sharpened, tightened. I put aside the pile of documents I was working my way through and waved him on."What's so urgent it couldn't wait?"
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Hidden Emotion
Chapter 52: Garrett's POVThe low hum of the motor was the only sound as we ventured into the heart of the city. I shot a sideways glance to Thorne riding beside me in silent introspection, staring out of the window, his gaze unreadable. His hand lay against his thigh; the ring that I had popped onto his finger that night gleamed bright in the reflected light of morning sun.The view before me swelled up a tide of emotion I hadn't known in years, a mix of pride and love, the kind of joy that pained my chest. He had said yes. Thorne was mine in a way no one else could ever be, and I was determined to make our wedding everything he deserved, even if he didn't realize how much it meant to me yet.Are you sure you do not want to chime in on at least the venue?" I tried to lighten the tone with a slight chuckle as I glanced at him. "It is your wedding, after all."He arched an eyebrow before his lips set into a small smile that barely reached his eyes. "I think I can trust you to do the ri
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Will you marry me?
Chapter 51: Thorne's POVThere was a silence in the villa, an almost palpable stillness due to what wasn't said between Garrett and me. The moment we stepped inside, neither of us said a word. The door shut softly behind us, and it had all the effect of a thunderclap in the oppressive stillness.I didn't know what to say, how to breach the wall that had risen between us. My mind was a jumble of thoughts, emotions swirling in a storm I couldn't name. Garrett's protectiveness felt like a double-edged sword: comforting one moment, suffocating the next. I couldn't tell if his desperate attempts to keep me close came from a place of love or something far darker.Was I the one he was afraid of losing? The idea of me? Was he afraid that if I finally remembered, I would leave him behind and go back to the FBI?The thought stung my chest, the ache one I couldn't quite shake.I turned to him now, his face a mask of conflict, a reflection of my turmoil. His jaw was clenched, his shoulders taut,
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Safe Play
Chapter 50: Garrett's POVGlowing monitors cast an as cold, sterile light across the room; the soft hum of the equipment was the only sound that relieved the silence. My office felt suffocating, the weight of the situation weighing upon me. My mind refused to stay put on the arms theft investigation. It kept going right back to Thorne.He was no longer in the hospital, that much was for sure. I had located him, watched his position veer off from safety and toward part of the city I would never have approved. Even now, when I knew I could pinpoint where he was at any given time, a niggle gnawed at me. My chest felt tight, my instincts screaming that something wasn't right.I told myself to trust him, that Thorne wasn't someone to be careless or naively walk into a trap or put himself in harm's way. But unpredictable, his curiosity often got him into situations he was ill-prepared for.I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples as I tried to push away the frustration that had been bu
Under The Mask Of My Enemy Escaped
Chapter 49Thorne's POVThe knife was suspended above my mark, poised to fall, when I heard that voice."Thorne, it's me."My body froze, blade inches from its mark, as I turned to him. His features were indistinct, shrouded by the darkness, but there was no mistaking the desperation in his eyes. Without saying another word, he released me and gestured for silence.Follow me," he whispered, his voice commanding yet calm.A million thoughts flooded my mind. What was Gavin doing here? Was he working for Donovan? Was this some kind of trap? My instincts yelled at me to keep my guard up, but something in the way he sounded made me pause. I lowered the knife and nodded reluctantly.Gavin led me through the maze of crates and shadows, his movements definite and calculated to avoid the main pathways so that we were out of sight. My heart thudded in my chest as every step shook the faintly echoing voices and footsteps around us-the reminder of our danger.Finally, he stopped before a car tuck
