ANYA I stepped out of my room, leaving Bernice behind, my mind spinning with regret and uncertainty. I’d made a terrible mistake...no, a disastrous one. What was I thinking, bringing Bernice into this house? My stomach churned as I replayed everything in my head. Yes, Hunter was involved in things I didn’t like. The guns, the violence, the fights—I hated all of it. But underneath it all, he wasn’t a bad man. Not really. I let out a shaky breath as memories flooded my mind. Hunter had been faithful to me, something I couldn’t ignore no matter how much I tried. Since we got married, I’d never caught him with another woman. Not once. That had to mean something, didn’t it? He always gave me a way out, too. Even when he asked me for things in return, they were things he could have easily taken by force if he wanted. But he didn’t. He gave me a choice. That kind of control, that restraint.....it wasn’t the kind of behavior you expected from someone like him. And then there was Be
ANYA I opened my mouth reluctantly, letting Hunter feed me. The moment felt so intimate, so unlike anything we’d ever shared before. My heart raced, and I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes. Bernice, on the other hand, couldn’t take it anymore. She shoved her chair back with a loud screech and stood up. “Excuse me,” she said stiffly, before storming out of the room. Hunter watched her leave with a look of mild irritation. Once she was gone, he turned back to me. “When is Bernice going to get her own place? She can’t live here forever.” I swallowed, unsure of how to answer. “I don’t know,” I said finally. 'I need to talk to Cross about it first." I added inwardly. Hunter shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “If you want, I can arrange for a house for her. It’s no trouble.” “No,” I said quickly, desperate to change the subject. “Let’s not talk about Bernice. Tell me more about our date. What do you have planned?” He smiled at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “
ANYA The helicopter ride was like something out of a dream. The moment the blades started spinning, the wind rushed around us, whipping at my hair. Hunter’s hand never left mine as we ascended into the sky, the city shrinking beneath us. I looked out of the window, the view breathtaking. The sprawling buildings, the lush greenery, and the endless horizon—it was a sight I’d never forget. Hunter leaned closer, his voice barely audible over the hum of the helicopter. “You’re going to love where we’re going.” I turned to him, and his eyes held a spark of excitement that was contagious. “Where are we going?” I asked, my curiosity bubbling over. “You’ll see,” he replied, his tone teasing but warm. The journey was smooth, and I felt a strange sense of peace sitting beside him. After a while, the helicopter began to descend, and my breath caught in my throat. Below us was an island surrounded by sparkling blue water. The sun reflected off the waves, creating a dazzling effect, and t
ANYA When I stepped into the hall, my breath caught. The chandeliers sparkled like scattered stars, casting a soft, golden glow across the enormous space. The walls were lined with intricate carvings, and every corner of the room was adorned with fresh roses and lilies. On the right side of the hall, six doors stretched down the length of the wall, each leading to smaller, luxurious rooms. The room was filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. I scanned the crowd, recognizing familiar faces from high school. It felt surreal seeing them all in one place after so many years. A mix of nostalgia and unease settled in my chest as I exchanged polite greetings. Evans waved enthusiastically from across the room, Bernice surprisingly flashed a smile at me, and Cross tried to speak to me using his eyes. Even my brother, Mark, was here. Mark’s face lit up when he saw me. He pushed through the crowd and pulled me into a tight hug. "Anya! Finally. I was looking forward to see
ANYA As I walked away, I could feel his eyes boring into my back. But I didn’t look back. I couldn’t afford to. Not when I knew the walls had ears and the shadows carried whispers. However, Cross chased me, refusing to give up. Refusing to let my hand go, he pulled me forcefully back to where we stood before and blocked my way. The tension between us was almost unbearable but I refused to be weak. His expression softened and he looked at me, his eyes pleading. "Anya, don’t say goodbye to me, please. How do I live without you? Forget about me for a second, what about Bernice? I’ve already given her hope as her elder brother. If she leaves now, she’ll never have a chance with Hunter. And… I’ll never have the chance to be with you." I folded my arms, trying to hold my ground. "Cross, I’m not sure there’s a future for Bernice and Hunter. And I don't think there's a future for us either." He stared at me, his expression twisting into something hurt and desperate. "Why do you kee
BERNICE The moment Anya collapsed onto the floor, I felt a surge of satisfaction run through me. Finally, everything was going exactly as planned. From the shadowy corner where I had been hiding, I stepped out and walked toward her, a smile creeping across my face. There she was, sprawled on the floor, helpless and completely unaware of what was about to happen next. Her phone lay on the ground beside her. I bent down, picked it up, and inspected it for a moment before tucking it into my bag. This was the key to everything. I turned to Elliot, the guy I had roped into this plan. He stood a few feet away, looking slightly nervous but eager enough to do the job. He was one of Anya’s old classmates, and the fool had no idea she was married to Hunter Steele. I had paid him well for his part in this. All he needed to do was ensure that they ended up in the room together, looking compromised. If he wanted, he could go ahead and have sex with Anya, but that was left to him. The most i
MARK The party was supposed to be fun. I’d been looking forward to it for weeks. Honestly, I didn’t care much for the reunion itself, but knowing she’d be there? That was all I needed. My high school crush—the girl I’d dreamed about all through senior year. Back then, I never had the courage to talk to her, and after graduation, our paths never crossed again. When Anya had rolled her eyes at me earlier and stormed off, I decided to ignore her. That’s what we did...avoided each other when we didn’t want to deal with our sibling nonsense. Tonight wasn’t about her attitude. It was about seeing my Lisa. I’d dressed up for this. A sleek suit, polished shoes, even cologne I never bothered with. She’d notice me this time. I just needed her to show up. But she didn’t. The party was in full swing, full of faces I didn’t care about, old classmates and schoolmates trying to relive their glory days. I scanned the hall a dozen times, but she wasn’t there. Disappointment gnawed at me. T
ANYA I woke up feeling like my head had been struck with a baton. My eyes fluttered open, and the soft glow of a bedside lamp revealed Hunter sitting beside me. His expression was calm, but his eyes were filled with concern. An IV drip was attached to my wrist, and the sight of it made my stomach churn. “What… what happened?” My voice was barely above a whisper. Hunter leaned forward, his hand brushing lightly over mine. “You were drugged, Anya. It was at the party. Mark found you just in time.” The words hit me like a slap. “Drugged?” I repeated, disbelief laced in my tone. Memories of the party flashed through my mind, but they were fragmented, like pieces of a broken mirror. “The last thing I remember was talking to Evans. I walked away from him, and then… nothing.” Hunter clenched his jaw. “I know who did this,” he said, his voice low and controlled. “Who?” I demanded. He shook his head. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it once I get the evidence I need.”
The silence in the room stretched for minutes. Hector sat on the edge of the bed, watching Ruby carefully. Then, without a word, he picked up the plate. He held out a spoonful of food. “Eat.” Ruby hesitated, shaking her head. “I meant what I said...I really don’t have much of an appetite.” Hector didn’t budge. “I’m not asking, Ruby. Just eat a little. You’re going to break down if you keep this up.” She sighed, looking away. He exhaled. “You know, I left an important meeting for you. I don’t do things like this. I don’t sit by anyone’s bedside and care for them. But here I am.” She looked at him, eyes soft. “Thank you.” His jaw clenched. “I don’t want your thanks, Ruby. I want your honesty.” His gaze locked onto hers. “Are you still hurt by Don Gray’s death?” She frowned. “No.” “Were you in love with him?” She stiffened at the question. Then, without hesitation, she swore on her life. “I despised that man, Hector. With a passion. And now that he’s dead?” Sh
Hector had barely been gone an hour when Ruby stirred from sleep. She sat up slowly, hugging her knees to her chest. She felt a sadness so deep, so consuming, that it left her breathless. She didn't know how long she stayed like that, curled up on the bed, lost in thoughts. But then a soft knock came at the door. The housekeeper entered, carrying a warm smile. “Good, you’re awake,” she said gently before turning to leave. A few minutes later, she returned with a tray of food. The aroma filled the air, rich and inviting, but Ruby barely glanced at it. "I don’t really have much of an appetite," she murmured. The housekeeper placed the tray in front of her and gave her a knowing look. "You should try it. It’s nice.” Ruby sighed, feeling too tired to argue. "Thank you," she said quietly. She picked up the spoon and had a taste. And then a memory hit her. She was sick. Feverish. Weak. She had been lying in bed, waiting for the family doctor to arrive. At that ti
After watching Don Gray’s body disappear, Ruby turned and walked away. She didn’t look back. She made her way to Hector’s room. Hector followed her, his sharp gaze fixed on her back. He expected something....a reaction, a flicker of emotion. But she was quiet. Too quiet. Hector prided himself on understanding people. He could break them, twist them, strip them down to their very core and know what made them tick. But her? She was an enigma. What was she thinking? Was she disturbed by Don Gray’s death? Did she regret anything? He hated this uncertainty. Hated that he even cared. In the past, he would have used pain to get the answers he wanted. A knife. A whip. A gun to the temple. But now? The thought of hurting her made him sick. The realization burned inside him like a slow fire. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to speak. "Are you okay?" Ruby looked at him, her expression calm. “I’m fine.” A lie. But he didn’t push. Instead, he changed
Ruby watched in silence as Don Gray's screams faded into nothing. His body twisted and convulsed in agony until the fire consumed him completely. His last movement was a desperate, futile roll across the floor....then stillness. The room smelled of burning flesh and smoke. Hector took one last glance at the charred corpse, then waved his hand. “Dump him in the river,” he ordered, his voice devoid of emotion. The men moved at once, hauling what was left of Don Gray away. But Camila was not there to witness it. She sat in her bathtub, submerged in warm water, yet feeling no warmth at all. Her mind was miles away, trapped in the past. She saw it again...the gun in her hand, her finger pulling the trigger, Hector flinching as the bullet grazed his hand. She had tried to stop him. Tried to save Ruby. But then Ruby had fallen at Hector's feet begging to be his dog, just to spare Camila. Camila squeezed her eyes shut, gripping the edges of the bathtub as nausea threate
A few hours later, Hector straightened his cufflinks and glanced at Ruby. “It’s time,” he said, his voice calm but carrying an edge of excitement. "Get ready." Ruby could tell this was important to him. The sharp suit. The polished shoes. The way his men stood straighter when he spoke. She dressed quickly, slipping into one of the red dresses he had given her. Almost all of them were red. She didn’t bother to ask why. She tied up her hair and stepped out. The same men from the last execution attempt were present and four more, with the exception of the dead ones were there as well. The air in the room was humming with silent anticipation. But this time, something had changed. Ruby was not thrown into a cage. She was not told to sit on the floor like an animal. Hector pulled out the chair beside him and motioned for her to sit. The men exchanged glances. They noticed. They understood. Ruby’s place in Hector’s world had shifted. No speech. No grand declaration. Hector simp
After they left the torture chamber, Hector led Ruby back to his room. He stood by the door, watching her for a moment before speaking. “Get enough rest,” he said. “The time for Don Gray’s execution will arrive very soon.” Ruby’s lips curved into a small smile. “You already agreed that I would do the honors.” Hector smirked, shaking his head. She never forgot anything, did she? “I did,” he admitted. Then, for reasons he couldn’t quite explain, he added, “Is there anything you want?” Ruby blinked. “I feel like I still need to do something for you,” Hector continued, crossing his arms. “For putting your life on the line for me.” The words felt strange on his tongue. Since when did he care about repaying people like Ruby so much? More than that, why was he being so... considerate toward her? He knew he was attracted to her, but he wasn’t the kind of man who was unnecessarily kind to women. The idea alone made him uncomfortable. Still, he waited for her answer. Ruby
As Ruby pulled away from their embrace, she looked at Camila with a soft but determined gaze. “Hector cares about me, Camila,” she said. “I can see it.” Camila shook her head. “Ruby...” “No, listen to me.” Ruby held her hands firmly. “Apart from the misunderstanding in the beginning, Hector isn’t a bad person.” Camila scoffed, crossing her arms. “Are you even hearing yourself?” “Try to see things from his side,” Ruby insisted. “Don Gray destroyed his family. He killed his parents right in front of him.” Camila’s lips parted slightly. Ruby’s voice lowered, filled with emotion. “Who could bear that?” She took a deep breath and met Camila’s eyes. “Look at me, Camila. Imagine if someone was responsible for your father's death. Wouldn’t you want revenge?” The words hit Camila like a blow to the chest. She gasped softly, suddenly understanding. But she still shook her head. “Ruby… revenge is dangerous. You’re playing with fire.” Ruby gave a small, knowing smile. “Tru
Camila paced her small room, her stomach twisting in hunger. The untouched plate of food sat on the ground, mocking her. She stole another glance at it, but the knot in her chest made it impossible to eat. Then, the door creaked open. Her head snapped up, and she froze. Standing in front of her was Ruby. She looked… different. Dressed in a flowing white dress, her face soft and calm, Ruby seemed untouched by the nightmare they were trapped in. But Camila saw beyond the surface. She saw the sadness in her friend’s eyes, the weight she carried. Tears burned Camila’s vision, and before she could say a word, Ruby ran toward her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Camila clung to her, holding on as if she would disappear. Behind them, Hector stood in the doorway, watching in silence. For a moment, his expression was unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned and shut the door, leaving them alone. Camila pulled back slightly, her hands gripping Ruby’s arms. “Are you okay?” R
Ruby sat still, her mind racing. She had begged Hector countless times before, pleaded with him to let her go. Yet, every time, he refused. So why now? She raised her head, meeting his gaze. “Why the sudden change of heart?” Hector’s fingers curled into a tight fist. His jaw clenched, but he kept his voice steady. “Why are you questioning me?” Because it didn’t make sense. That’s why. Ruby stayed quiet, watching him. Hector exhaled and turned his back to her. Anger swirled in his chest...not at her, but at himself. If only she knew how hard it was for him to send her away. Still, she pressed. “I just want to know why, Hector. You were so sure before. What changed?” He turned around slowly and walked toward his chair, sinking into it. His eyes locked onto hers. “I have a rule,” he said finally. “A life for a life. You’ve probably heard it before,” he went on. “Since you were willing to give your life for mine, I can’t let anything happen to you. That’s why I’m setting you