All Chapters of HARSH: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Victor Husley stood at the of bustling art gallery, his sharp eyes were scanning the room with his predatory gaze. The clinking of glasses and low conversations were filling the air, but his mind was somewhere else. Events like these were more of an obligation than a pleasure, a place to rub shoulders with other wealthy people and nod at the approval of overpriced paintings. His tailor suit fit him perfectly, seeing his broad shoulders and powerful build, while his expression was cold which keeps strangers at a safe distance.Tonight, however, something was different. His attention had been drawn, quite unexpectedly, to the art of piece in the far corner. It wasn't the art itself that attract him, but rather the artist who was standing near it, engaged in a conversation with a small group of admirers.She was striking, to say the least. Long, dark hair cascaded down her back, and her bright green eyes sparkles with a passion that seemed to light the entire room. She was young, probabl

The days passed slowly, each one like a reminder of Olivia’s trembling situation. Victor's words haunted her thoughts, whenever she tried to push them away. She went through working her freelance jobs, visiting her father in the hospital, and painting late into the night, hoping that distraction would drive out the unease in her heart. But no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t escape the growing pressure.Her father’s condition took a sudden turn to the worse, and the doctors were now recommending a high-risk surgery that would give him a fighting chance. But it came with an even higher price. Olivia listened to the doctor as he explained the situation, the numbers going through her eyes. It was more than she could ever hope to come up with on her own.That night, as she lay on her bed, Olivia found herself reaching out for the letter she had thrown across the room few days ago. She looked it out, staring at the address Victor had provided. Her heart pounded as she it. Every fiber

The days which followed the business dinner settled into an uncomfortableness. Victor insisted on controlling nearly every aspect of Olivia’s new life, from what she wore to who she could speak to. His possessiveness was becoming suffocating, yet there was a warmth in his eyes that made her heart race. She found herself walking on a tightrope between defiance and submission, testing his limits while unwillingly surrendering small parts of herself to his will.The house became her prison. Each morning, she woke to find Victor already dressed, his mind was in phone calls and meetings, planning each day. Despite her attempts to establish some independence, it became clear that Victor's impact touched every corner of her world. She had nowhere to run, no safe place outside his eyes.One evening, as she sat on the balcony looking the city, she heard his footsteps approaching. She straightened and braced herself for another one of their tension-filled conversations.“You seem deep in though

Olivia sat on her bed, gripping Alexander’s card tightly in her hand. The small piece of paper feels like a lifeline, an invitation to freedom, or perhaps a tool to regain some control over her life. She knew that reaching out to him was risky. Victor was not the kind of man to forgive betrayal, and his anger was as dangerous as it was impulsive. But the thought of doing nothing, of staying in this cage, was even worse.The encounter with Alexander had planted a seed of rebellion in her. She couldn’t help but wonder if he has a way out, a path to break free from Victor’s grasp. She knew she needed someone who could help her unlock the chains of her to this life.Taking a deep breath, she dialed the number on the card and waited, her heart beat fastened as the phone rang. After a few moments, Alexander’s smooth and calm voice answered.“Olivia,” he said, as if he’d been expecting her call. “I wasn’t sure if I could hear from you.”She swallowed hard, steady her breathing. “I… I need he

Victor was seeing Olivia with a cold look, one that seems to strip away defenses of her that she had. He took a step closer; his eyes go on her phone before returning to her face. "Couldn't sleep?" he asked.Olivia grip tightened around her phone. "I needed some fresh air," she replied, hiding her fear in her voice. "The room felt… hot."Victor smile, but it held no warmth. "Interesting. I swear I heard you texting someone." He paused as he waited for her response.Olivia’s breath hitched, trying to come up with an explanation. "I was… just checking the time," she said, her voice was above a whisper. "I didn’t want to disturb you."He holds out his hand. "Let me see your phone."Her inner part panic, but she forced herself to stay calm. She couldn’t let him see the message she had sent to Alexander. Handing over her phone would be like signing her own death contract. She looked down, pretending to be hesitant, and finally said, "Victor, please… don’t you trust me?"He raised an eyebro