ANYA I stared at the phone in my hand, the one I had picked up at the primary school. My mind kept going back to the scene...Evans bleeding, Hunter standing over him, his hands pressed against the wound. The more I thought about it, the more the pieces seemed to click together in my head. Hunter must have taken my phone when he dropped me off in the morning. He didn’t want Evans to call me. He didn’t want me to know what he was planning. But somehow, Evans had found a way. He always found a way. Even when I was stubborn, ignoring his calls, refusing to listen to him, he never gave up on me. I closed my eyes, the image of Evans lying in a pool of his own blood flashing in my mind. When I had walked into that classroom and seen Hunter there, I thought....no, I knew he was hurting him. He didn’t look like a man trying to save a life. He looked like a man trying to finish what he started. And the way he had been so shocked to see me....his face when I walked in told me everythin
CROSS "I'll leave only after I see Anya," Bernice said stubbornly three hours earlier at the abandoned school. The cold air brushed against my face as I let her have her way and we waited a while longer. "Will we really succeed?" Bernice asked as she suddenly began to entertain doubts. "So far, our plans have failed." “Of course we will,” I replied confidently. "Unfortunately, Hunter won't go down easily." She frowned, her brow furrowed in confusion. “Why not? If Anya tells the police Hunter killed Evans, won’t they arrest him?” I shook my head, lowering the binoculars for a moment to look at her. “You don’t understand men like Hunter. People like him are untouchable....at least by ordinary means. A simple accusation won’t be enough to bring him down. He’d need to commit a crime so shocking, so public, that even his wealth and connections couldn’t save him. But that’s not the point of this. We don’t need him in jail, at least not for now.” Bernice nodded slowly, though
ANYA I sat across from the police chief, my hands trembling as I clutched my phone. My heart pounded in my chest, but I forced myself to stay composed. What I was about to do was quite difficult for me but Hunter had left me no choice. Just as the chief opened his mouth to speak, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen. It was Evans’ mother. My throat tightened as I excused myself and answered the call. “Mrs. Moore?” Her voice came through the line, broken and trembling. “Anya... what happened to my son? They won’t tell me much. Is he... is he going to make it?” I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper. “He’s been stabilized already. His condition was critical before but the doctors told me he is out of danger.” She broke into sobs, the sound tearing through me like a knife. “Why would anyone do this to him? Evans is such a good boy. He never hurt anyone.” Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them away. “I promise you, Mrs. More, I’ll make sure whoever did
HUNTER I sat in my study, gripping the edge of my desk so hard that my knuckles turned white. My head throbbed with anger. My men had just informed me that Anya had gone to the police station. Obviously to report me. I couldn't believe it. My own wife, betraying me like this. I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes for a moment, trying to suppress the boiling rage inside me. The memory of Evans’ lifeless body flashed in my mind. Cross had shot him. Cross, that sneaky coward, had dared to set me up. He thought he could twist everything to make me look like the monster. Before Anya left the hospital, I had received a call. Cross had been there, trying to see her. I knew without a doubt that Cross had seen an opportunity to manipulate her, and when Anya left the hospital, I knew Cross wasn’t done. The thought hit me like a jolt of electricity....Cross would try to finish what he started. He would try to kill Evans completely. I grabbed my phone immediately, dialing the doc
ANYA As I followed Hunter out of the station, a bitter laugh almost escaped my lips. The same evidence Evan’s uncle had just dismissed was the one Evans had been so sure would bring Hunter down. That video, the one I had clung to like a lifeline, was supposed to be the proof we needed. Proof that Hunter could kill without batting an eyelid. And yet, here we were. The police chief didn’t even try to question my words, didn’t bother to dig deeper, to call Evan’s friend, to verify anything. The evidence was right there, but it didn’t matter. He let Hunter walk free, speaking to him with so much respect, almost like he was afraid of him. I had thought coming here would bring justice, but all it did was show me how powerless I really was. I felt stupid. I had believed, foolishly, that the truth would be enough. That the law would do what it was meant to do. That justice would stand tall, unshaken. But reality was much colder. The law bent for men like Hunter. It didn’t protect pe
ANYA After Hunter left, I turned and headed back to the hospital. My steps were quick, each one fueled by the burning rage inside me. I needed to see Evans. I needed to make sure he was getting better. But the moment I arrived, I knew something was wrong. The nurse at the reception called me back when I started heading to Evans' room. “Where is Evans?” I asked her.. The nurse hesitated before answering. “He’s been moved.” I blinked, my mind struggling to catch up. “Moved? What do you mean moved? Why? He was fine just a few hours ago!” I approached the doctor who had treated him, panic rising in my chest. “Where did you take Evans? Who gave the order? Was it his mother?” The doctor hesitated, as if choosing his words carefully. And then he said it. “It was Hunter Steele.” The world around me tilted. No. No, no, no. “That’s impossible.” My voice was barely above a whisper. “Why would Hunter....” “He called earlier,” the doctor continued, unfazed by my reaction
HUNTER The moment Anya walked out, a storm of emotions crashed over me. My fists clenched, I felt a knot in my chest, and without thinking, I drove my fist into the wall. The sharp sting in my knuckles did nothing to ease the pain in my heart. I had never felt so betrayed. If it had been anyone else who had dragged me to the police, accused me of attempted murder, treated me like some monster, I would have made them regret it. But this was Anya. The girl I loved more than my own life. The only person I had ever let my guard down for. And she had walked away, believing the worst of me. I sucked in a sharp breath, my jaw tightening. Fine. If she wanted to leave, let her. If she wanted to believe I tried to kill Evans, let her. I wasn’t going to explain myself anymore. I wasn’t going to chase after her like some lovesick fool. I grabbed my keys, stormed out of the house, and got into my car. I needed a drink...something to numb the anger, the pain, the gaping wound she had j
HUNTER I watched Bernice with cold amusement. She stood there, naked and defiant, like she still had some kind of power over me. "Bernice," I said, my voice dangerously low, "do you really think you're too smart? Get out of my room right now, or you'll regret what I'm about to do." She flipped her hair over her shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere." I felt my jaw tighten. "What's wrong with you, Hunter?" she demanded, closing the distance between us. "Why are you acting like this? Why are you pushing me away when Anya..." She spat Anya's name like it was poison. "Anya doesn't even deserve you!" I said nothing, but my anger had risen to the surfece "She doesn't love you, Hunter!" Bernice continued, her voice rising. "She's trying to destroy you! She's playing you for a fool, and you're too blind to see it! I know she's cheating on you. Behind your back. With someone else!" A sharp pain shot through my chest, but I pushed it down. Bernice smirked, thinking she had struck
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