The morning sunlight filtered through my curtains, but it didn’t bring the usual warmth. It felt sterile, cold even, as if the world had conspired to rob me of comfort. Sitting at the edge of my bed, I stared blankly at the floor, replaying last night’s events over and over in my head.Alexander’s words still stung, but it wasn’t his cruelty that lingered the most—it was Sebastian. The way he had intervened so seamlessly, as if he had rehearsed every line, every gesture. For a moment, I had felt safe in his presence, but now, in the harsh light of day, I couldn’t shake the strange unease that had settled over me.With a sigh, I forced myself out of bed. I had a job to do. Routine was my only solace.---The office was alive with its usual buzz of activity, but I felt like I was moving through a fog. I made my way to my desk, nodding absentmindedly at my colleagues’ greetings. The familiar surroundings brought a flicker of comfort, but it was fleeting.I tried to lose myself in work, c
I sat in the darkened study, my fingers steepled beneath my chin as the silence closed in around me. The dim glow of the city’s lights seeped through the cracks in the heavy drapes, but it was nothing compared to the storm raging within me. Olivia. Her name wasn’t just a sound; it was a tether, binding me to a reality I couldn’t bear to lose. Yet, something was wrong. I had felt it for days now, an unmistakable shift in her demeanor. She was pulling away, retreating behind a wall I hadn’t seen coming. Was it possible she knew? The thought twisted my stomach into knots. I had been meticulous, careful. Every message, every glance, every encounter was designed to seem accidental, harmless. I had built my presence in her life like a puzzle, each piece falling into place without her realizing. But Olivia was sharp. If anyone could figure it out, it was her. I clenched my fists against the armrests of my chair, the leather creaking beneath my grip. The idea of her knowing—of her seei
The airport was bustling with activity, the echoes of announcements mixing with the chatter of travelers. Olivia stood outside, clutching her suitcase as the cold night air bit at her skin. Her heart was pounding. She checked her phone for the umpteenth time, confirming her cab’s arrival time. The minutes dragged. Every second felt like an eternity as her mind raced with thoughts of the past few weeks—of the humiliation, the pain, the suffocating obsession that had clung to her life. She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. This was her chance to leave it all behind, to start over. The headlights of the cab finally pierced through the darkness. The driver rolled down his window, asking, “Ms. Brooks?” She nodded and climbed in, her suitcase placed neatly in the trunk. The driver adjusted the rearview mirror, giving her a quick look of reassurance, but Olivia remained silent, staring blankly at the passing streetlights. Her phone buzzed in her lap. She hesitated before flipping
Sebastian’s grip on Olivia tightened as she struggled against him, her body stiffening in his arms. Her breath came in shallow, panicked gasps as she instinctively pushed at his chest. She was disoriented, the weight of the world pressing down on her as she tried to make sense of what was happening. “No… please,” Olivia murmured weakly, her voice trembling. She wanted to fight, to break free, but the disorientation from fainting, combined with the heaviness in her chest, left her powerless. Her limbs felt like lead as she hung there in his arms, her head lolling to the side as she tried to gather enough strength to resist. Sebastian didn’t respond, his expression unreadable. His hands cradled her with a gentleness that contrasted with the force he used to hold her close. His eyes lingered on her face, tracing the lines of her features as if committing every detail to memory. His movements were deliberate, steady—almost tender, but there was an unmistakable hunger in the way he held
Olivia sat on the edge of the sofa, her posture tense, arms crossed tightly over her chest. The dim lighting of Sebastian’s spacious study cast long shadows across the room, amplifying the unease that hung in the air. She gazed at him, her brows furrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line. The weight of unanswered questions had grown too heavy to bear. “I’ve had enough,” she said, her voice sharp but trembling. “Enough of your cryptic words, your vague gestures, and your riddles. If you’ve got something to say, Sebastian, then just say it. Get straight to the point.” Sebastian stood by the large window, his silhouette framed against the backdrop of the dark, sprawling cityscape. His shoulders stiffened at her words, and for a moment, he didn’t turn to face her. Instead, he gazed out into the night, his hands clasped behind his back, as though drawing strength from the world beyond the glass. Finally, he sighed—a long, slow exhale that seemed to carry a burden he had been holding
Olivia stepped back instinctively, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and disbelief. She clenched her hands tightly at her sides, her breathing shallow. “You don’t own me,” she said, her voice trembling but defiant. Sebastian’s expression darkened, his intense gaze pinning her in place. The air seemed to grow heavier as he took a deliberate step closer, the space between them shrinking. His presence was overpowering, the quiet menace in his demeanor sending a shiver down her spine. “You don’t understand, little bird,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. He leaned in slightly, his piercing eyes locking onto hers. “You don’t have any choice. You were mine the moment I saw you.” Olivia felt the walls close in around her, the room suffocating with his words. “You’re insane,” she whispered, her voice cracking as she stumbled back. Sebastian tilted his head, a ghost of a smirk curling his lips. “Call it what you will,” he said, his tone eerily calm, “but it won’t change anything.” His
The morning light seeped through the grand, floor-to-ceiling windows of Sebastian’s mansion, bathing Olivia’s room in a muted glow. She stirred awake, her mind clouded by the chaos of recent events. Her heart felt heavy as the memories came rushing back—Sebastian’s dark declaration of possession, the way his intense gaze seemed to pin her down, and the realization that she was no longer free. Olivia sat up in bed, her fingers gripping the silk sheets. Her reflection in the ornate mirror across the room caught her attention. She looked pale, her eyes carrying the weight of sleepless nights. She let out a shaky breath, pushing herself to stand. Moving to the window, she pulled back the delicate lace curtains. The mansion’s sprawling gardens stretched before her, meticulously landscaped with precision. But what caught her attention were the men stationed at various points. Dressed in black suits, they blended into the shadows, yet their presence was unmistakable. Each was armed, th
The grand dining room is bathed in soft morning light streaming through tall windows. Olivia hesitates at the entrance, her gaze sweeping over the opulent setup. A long table stretches across the room, covered in a white tablecloth and adorned with an array of dishes. The aroma of freshly baked croissants and brewed coffee fills the air. At the head of the table, Sebastian sits casually, dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He’s sipping from a porcelain coffee cup, his eyes flickering toward Olivia as she steps in. “Good morning, little bird,” he says softly, a hint of amusement in his tone. Olivia freezes at the nickname, her stomach twisting uneasily. Despite her apprehension, she forces herself to walk forward. We just wished each other,” she snaps then sit, her voice guarded. Sebastian gestures to a chair near him. “Come, sit. Breakfast is ready.” Olivia glances at the table, her eyes widening in shock. Every dish in front of her is something she lov
It had been a week since college began, and the city buzzed with excitement—tonight was finally the night of the Freshers' Party, an event that promised to be a whirlwind of introductions and new friendships.Salvatore stood in front of the mirror, his heart racing as he carefully adjusted the collar of his navy-blue shirt. The fabric felt crisp against his skin, and the faint scent of his cologne—a fresh blend of citrus and cedar—lingered in the air, filling him with a sense of confidence. As he gave himself one final look, he ran his fingers through his hair, ensuring every strand was in place.From the kitchen, the soft clattering of pots and pans accompanied Olivia’s warm, encouraging voice as she reminded him not to forget his wallet. Her tone was nurturing, a blend of motherly concern and excitement for the night ahead. “You’ve got your wallet, right?” she called out playfully.“I’ve got it!” Salvatore replied, his voice eager. He grabbed the wallet from the desk, feeling its fa
The next day at school, Salvatore strolled through the bustling hallways with his usual calm demeanor, the noise of excited chatter filling the air alongside the faint, lingering aroma of cafeteria coffee. He scanned the crowd and soon spotted his friends—Ethan, Liam, and a few others—gathered near their lockers. They were animatedly discussing the upcoming Freshers party, their voices rising and falling in enthusiasm.“Dude, it’s next week!” Ethan exclaimed, practically bouncing on his heels, his eyes alight with anticipation. “The theme's gonna be epic! Just picture us strutting around in bell bottoms and flashy shirts!”“Or picture you embarrassing yourself on the dance floor again,” Liam retorted with a playful grin, the banter sparking laughter among the group.Salvatore chuckled softly at their banter as he approached them, feeling a sense of belonging. But the moment was interrupted by an unexpected sensation that made him pause.Across the hallway, near the staircase, Isabella
The dining table was set as it always was, exuding warmth with steaming dishes, gleaming cutlery, and the gentle flicker of candlelight casting playful shadows on the walls. Yet, there was an unshakeable sense that something was amiss.Salvatore occupied his usual spot at the table, but his demeanor was noticeably off—his back rigid, and his gaze far away, as if he were peering through the window into another world. His fork moved listlessly across his plate, tracing circles rather than delivering food to his mouth.Sebastian, seated beside him, sliced into his meat with deliberate precision, studying Salvatore in silence. Across from them, Olivia offered a gentle smile, her eyes reflecting both warmth and concern.“Long day?” she ventured, trying to keep her tone light and conversational, but the tremor of worry underlined her words.Salvatore blinked, coming back to the present as if surfacing from a deep sea of thought. “Yeah. Just tired,” he replied, his voice a little too monoton
The class had commenced, but Salvatore's mind remained adrift. He sat at his desk, elbow propped up, his eyes half-focused on the front of the room, where the professor’s voice melded into a monotonous hum that played in the background, drowning out any sense of engagement. His thoughts clung to a moment that had unfolded just before—the moment she walked in. Isabella. She hadn’t made a grand entrance; there were no dramatic flourishes, no shaky nerves or bright smiles typically found among freshers. Instead, she had entered with an almost ethereal calmness, her posture poised and unyielding, her expression an unreadable mask that intrigued him. His friends were quick to notice her, as they always were in this first week of university life when the thrill of ragging was in full swing. They peppered the newcomers with questions designed to elicit embarrassment, but it was clear they were merely testing the waters, nothing vicious or malicious. Then, it was her turn. Just her voi
The laughter around the bench intensified, a vibrant mix of stories and ideas flowing among the boys, each tale more outrageous than the last. Their excitement seemed to sizzle in the air, building palpable energy with every second. Meanwhile, Salvatore leaned back, stretching his legs out and letting his gaze drift skyward, where fluffy clouds lazily meandered across the blue expanse.Ethan nudged him playfully. “So? You in or what?”Salvatore popped his gum, the sound sharp against the growing chatter, and replied with a casual flip of indifference, "If you guys want to, then fine. Do what you want."That reluctant permission was all they needed. With a wild cheer that echoed off the walls, the boys sprang up like wolves released from a cage, rubbing their palms together in eager anticipation as they made their way toward the row of benches near the auditorium—where freshers nervously gathered, unsure of their new surroundings and awaiting the assignment of their orientation groups.
The morning sun poured over the sprawling school grounds, casting a warm, golden light that danced across the cobbled courtyard. Students buzzed around in animated clusters—some engaged in lively conversations, others rushing to their classes, while a select few lingered in anticipation, awaiting the arrival of one person: Salvatore. Then, as if on cue, the heavy gates creaked open. Salvatore stepped inside, exuding a natural charisma that turned heads effortlessly. He stood tall, with dark hair slightly tousled by the breeze, lending him an air of casual sophistication. His crisp white shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, revealing strong, muscular forearms that could make half the school’s population momentarily forget how to breathe. The school blazer hung carelessly over one shoulder, and a leather strap from his backpack was slung over the other, accentuating his relaxed demeanor. Instantly, a chorus of gasps erupted from the surrounding students. “He’s here!” one girl exclaim
Salvatore Massimo was eighteen, yet he bore the weight of a man living a life much longer than his own. He was not the type to draw attention to himself; instead, there was an intense depth in his eyes that suggested he comprehended everything around him while holding onto every detail tightly. In the school's bustling corridors, he maintained a measured distance, embodying a kind of coolness that seemed effortless—an air of untouchable confidence that set him apart. Yet, within the tight circle of friends he chose to engage with, a different Salvatore emerged. He would share laughter, deliver witty quips, and wear a smirk that hinted at secrets he was unwilling to disclose. Beneath this facade, however, lay a palpable tension, as if he carefully curated parts of himself, denying even his closest friends access to the totality of who he was.Salvatore's childhood was steeped in a paradox—a home that thrived in silence, echoing the storms of conflict and passion that had long since sub
The soft light of dawn slipped gently through the sheer curtains, casting a warm, golden hue across the spacious bedroom. The room was enveloped in a tranquil silence, broken only by the rhythmic breathing of the couple nestled together in soft, rumpled sheets.Olivia was the first to stir, her lashes fluttering like delicate butterfly wings as she turned toward the man sleeping beside her. Sebastian's arm was draped protectively around her waist, his face serene and peaceful, softened by the remnants of sleep. The past two years had gently altered his features—his eyes held a gentler light, and his jaw appeared more relaxed—but the depth of his intensity remained, just redirected into a calm reassurance.As she watched him, a small smile crept across her lips, savoring this quiet moment. Then, a tiny sound shattered the stillness of the morning.A faint, muffled giggle erupted from the baby monitor resting on the nightstand.Olivia’s heart warmed at the sound. “Your son’s awake,” she
The soft rustle of the wind outside the grand window whispered gently against the glass, creating a soothing backdrop to the scene within. Moonlight poured into the room, casting long beams of silver that danced across the crisp, white linens and enveloping Olivia’s weary face in a tranquil, pale glow. Her eyelids felt heavy with exhaustion, yet her gaze remained steadfastly fixed on the tiny bundle cradled against her chest—his flushed cheeks glowed softly in the moonlight, his eyes barely open, and his miniature fingers curled tightly around her pinky, as if holding on to a lifeline. Sebastian stood at the foot of the bed, still and silent, his presence a protective shadow in the dim light. He observed them with a reverence that bordered on reverent awe, as if he might disturb some fragile moment of perfection with even the slightest movement. “He has your eyes,” Olivia breathed, her voice hoarse from the rigors of labor yet imbued with a deep sense of wonder. The corner of her li