Kraven’s POVNo.This was personal.The kind of personal that made your gut churn before your mind caught up.I stared at the message on my screen, the backlight painting cold lines across my face as every letter felt like a punch. Whoever this bastard was, they didn’t just want to ruin me—they wanted to humiliate me. Crumble me from the inside out.And they were doing a damn good job so far, I must recommend.I had to forward a message to one of my boys, and went downstairs to the sitting room to sit, hoping that soon he would be here.“Is there any way you think I could be of help, Kraven?”Mia asked as she had followed me to the sitting room too.“No, Mia. I am fine. I think I can handle it.”Deep down, I knew this was gradually eating me up and I wish I could ask for help but then, I don't think that Mia could be in a better position to help me as it stands now.A soft knock on the door came and then after the door creaked open. I didn’t even have to look up. I already knew who it
Kraven’s POVWhile we were still on it, my phone buzzed again.A low growl slipped from my throat. I didn’t even bother to hide the irritation twisting through me. If one more person called me with another disaster, I might just smash the damn phone to pieces.I was almost about to ask myself what offense I had committed today. The calls had been non-stop, like the universe was trying to throw me off balance.With a groan, I looked at my phone and squinted at the screen. It was Daniel—my lead developer, the guy who practically lived inside the AI headquarters.Daniel didn’t call unless he had something tangible to let me know. And the fact that he had called twice in one day? As he had called earlier but I had missed his call and he was calling again a bit earlier on and had wanted to return his call when I saw his call but I forgot. That wasn’t just a red flag—it was a whole damn parade.My thumb hesitated over the green button. Something about his call didn’t feel right.Daniel hardl
Mia's POVJust immediately, I noticed the caller was Greg, I felt so uncomfortable with it all. From the first time I saw him, I feel.just off about him but that wouldn't change anything as he is Kraven's best friend.“Hello, man.”His voice came through over the phone the moment Kraven picked up and switched it to speaker. I didn’t know why he had to do that. Maybe he was trying to prove he had no skeleton in his cupboard. But from the look on his face, I could see how drained he already was. The news from his manager had shaken him. He was hanging on by a thread.“Can you tune in to Channel 7?” Greg asked. “There’s something you need to see for yourself.”Kraven’s eyes shifted to me for a split second, then back to the floor. His shoulders looked like they were carrying a mountain. His voice came out flat. “What could that be? Just say it at once. I’ve had enough for one day. I’m expecting the worst already.”Greg didn’t sound surprised. “I wouldn’t want to devastate you more than I
Kraven’s POVHe kept mute for a moment, and I wouldn't know what was going through his mind. His eyes were on me, then away, like they couldn't decide whether to hold me accountable or protect me.The silence felt loud. The kind that claws at your chest when everything inside you is beginning to clear up and make sense. I tried to read her expression—maybe she already sensed the storm coming.Not long enough, my phone rang. I ignored it the first time. My head was still too full. But then it rang again, louder now, sharper as though the world refused to give me one damn minute of peace.“Excuse me, let me take this call,” I muttered, stepping slightly aside, trying to gather the tension tightening around my spine. I picked up the phone with a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.It was my business manager.“Hello,” I said sharply the moment the call connected.“Good day, boss,” he began, his tone already tight with urgency and no hesitation. He went straight to it. “Boss, the compan
Mia’s POVIt took me almost a week—seven long, restless nights—thinking about the offer Kraven made to me.Some nights, I’d lie on my bed staring at the ceiling until my eyes hurt, replaying his words over and over again. The deal sounded tempting. Too tempting, you know. And that was the problem. It wasn’t the kind of gesture I could repay lightly, even if part of me wanted to. Not like this.Other nights, I would pace the floor, staring out the window as the street lights was shining. My mind played tug-of-war. More like, my logic versus instinct. My badge against my blood. I wasn’t just weighing Kraven’s offer, rather I was weighing who I was, who I’d become, and what I might lose trying to get back what I thought justice owed me.I’m not the type to jump at things without considering the consequences of my actions. If I was going to say yes, then I needed to be ready to carry every consequence that would come with it. I don’t do the blame game—I’ve never been that kind of person.
Kraven’s POVI didn’t sleep a damn wink last night. Not even for a second.I just laid there with my eyes wide open, listening to Mia's soft breathing beside me, the rise and fall of her chest pulling me deeper into a kind of stillness I hadn’t felt all my life. Maybe getting to know who she really was made everything about her feel different.There was something about the way she curled into herself when she slept, like she was trying to protect whatever fragile piece of her was left. And watching her like that, I made a silent vow that I would protect her. Even if it costs me everything.She didn’t even know it, but she held a piece of me already.My mind had been restless all through the night, thoughts crawling in like shadows I couldn’t shake off. I kept wondering how it must have felt for her growing up without her parents. The weight of that kind of loneliness didn’t just fade. It settles deep in the bones and stays there, like a dull ache on rainy days.It made sense now that