[ZARINA] I used to think growing up in an orphanage was painful. I obviously overlooked what tormenting a bullet in your gut would feel like. For the past five minutes, I’m trying to sit, but the pain is unbearable. The stitches are fresh so every time I move or even try to breathe a little deeper, my body hurts like hell. I can hear my own painful cries bobbing against these walls. It’s not a terrible place for captivity, but it sure isn’t anything like the Perazzo mansion either. It’s dark and desolate. Instead of elegant rooms, it’s an underground cell with chirpy rats and reeking floors. They operated on me, had taken the bullet out. Glad to know that I’m still alive. For how long, however, only God can tell. As much as I would like to want to survive this, the pain is just too much. They haven’t even cared to give any pain-relieving drugs. I’m pretty sure even the crappiest doctor of the century wouldn’t forget to write one. “You should really rest, Zarina! Focus your energy o

Sitting in the backseat of the white Mercedes, parked right outside the Perazzo mansion, a flood of memories overwhelmed Aurora. Her heart raced, her hands grew sweaty, and her breath hitched in a way she had never experienced before. Maybe they were right. There's a first time for everything.Who would've thought that simply seeing this massive white mansion, where she had spent almost a year of her life—a place she believed she had left behind for good—could make her question the entire purpose she had been living for?Why?Why was she putting herself through this?What was the point?Everything was going according to Lorenzo and Angela's plan for her ultimate freedom. This wasn't the time to feel anxious or have shaky legs. It was time to take control of her own destiny, seize the opportunity that lay before her, just like she always wanted, and claim what she rightfully deserved.However, something held her back—a naggi

[XAVIER]I never truly realized how blessed I have been all my life. Perhaps I was too busy comparing things I did not have than appreciating what I did. Maybe I am not alone. Perhaps we all do this at some point in our lives. And that makes me wonder- why do we keep going on? Why don’t we do anything to change?When I was little, I used to be envious of my brother. I envied he got to spend more time with our father than I normally did. I hated my father would give Mir the sort of attention he never gave to me.During dinners—which our father always made sure to have with family—he would pay critical interest to the things Mir did or said. The whispers they would share behind the office doors, the places our father would take him, all the secrets they kept between themselves—all of that…all of that made me bitter. And upset.It wasn’t like our father treated me poorly or something. He was actually nice

It did not take long for Vladimir’s men to land on the whereabouts of Angela Moretti. Locating her home was even more effortless. And to walk into it, nothing but a piece of cake.Vladimir rigorously instructed Vector to ask his men to wait and keep an eye outside and cautioned him to stay in hiding until he said otherwise. Vector obeyed with a nod and walked out without a word. His men caught his steps and quickly shuffled to their feet, locking the door on their way out.For now, everything was going according to plan. Yet, Vladimir knew better than to not have a backup. It had been way too long for him to be in this temperamental business, to know what were the odds of circumstances like these, to fully go according to how they needed. They rarely ever did. And he dreaded that today was going to be any different.The reason was the woman they were here for.Angela was a crafty woman. Mir knew her that much, and had heard of all the dirty jobs (an

Vector looked himself into the mirror and saw a tall man in a perfectly tailored suit. His eyes were sombre and dull as ever and not even a shadow of a smile attempted to venture anyplace near his lips. He appeared in all business, precisely what they deemed him to be. Before leaving the room, he made certain to pick a briefcase from the side cabinet. It had all the papers Mir had asked for. Although Vector suspected they would get the time to make a bargain. Everything that included his boss was short-lived. But it wasn't always a bad thing. Particularly not with their business. Patience was a virtue but waiting for too long led to one's downfall. Despite his messed-up personal life, Mir's lack of patience and trust had led him to where he was today, on top of the underworld of business. He was the only one standing, the only one they feared. "Vector, wait!" Lizzy called out from behind. It was becoming a routine of sorts. She would say nothing when he was home but as soon as he rea