Novel-novel oleh My Masterpiece

Aria’s POVMorning light spilled into the bedroom in muted streaks, brushing over Gabriella’s sleeping form. She was curled toward me, one arm still looped loosely over my waist, as if she thought I might vanish if she let go.For a moment, I stayed still, breathing in the faint scent of her hair — shampoo and something that reminded me of safety — and wished I could freeze the world right here. No Julian’s deals. No Ethan’s smirks. No Lauren.But the murmur of voices downstairs cut through that fragile peace.I eased out from under the blanket and slid off the bed. Gabriella stirred but didn’t wake, just shifted into the warm spot I’d left behind. The voices grew clearer as I padded barefoot down the hall, the cold marble floor biting into my skin.Julian’s tone was low, almost a growl. Ethan’s, sharper, amused.By the time I reached the top of the stairs, I could make out fragments: “Not negotiable.” “You agreed.” “I don’t trust you.”I descended slowly, each step creaking slightly

The drive back from the warehouse was suffocating.Gabriella was curled against my side in the back seat, her small hand gripping my arm so tightly I could feel her heartbeat through her skin. She hadn’t let go of me since I pulled her from that closet, and I wasn’t about to make her. Every so often, her tiny frame would shudder, and I’d whisper, You’re safe now. I promise.But the truth was, I didn’t know if that promise was worth anything.Julian sat opposite us, silent, his gaze locked out the window. His knuckles were still scraped from shoving open that rusted back door. Every so often, his eyes would flick toward Gabriella — and then to me — as if checking we were both still there.Ethan, of course, was the only one who seemed perfectly comfortable. He lounged in the front seat like this was just another day in the office, his phone buzzing intermittently. Every time it lit up, his smirk deepened.He was enjoying this.When we finally reached Julian’s penthouse, the driver barel

The car ride to the warehouse was silent. Too silent. Even the usual hum of the city felt muted, like the universe was holding its breath.Julian sat beside me in the back seat, fingers drumming restlessly on his thigh. Every so often, I’d catch him glancing at his phone, as if expecting it to ring with more bad news. Ethan sat up front with the driver—his choice, not ours. Probably didn't want either of us at his back. Understandable. I didn’t trust him either, but right now, he was the devil we needed.“She’s been hiding in plain sight,” Ethan had told us before we left. “Disguised. New name. New life. But same twisted obsession.”That last part haunted me.Lauren had smiled when I brought Gabriella to her months ago. A soft, fragile smile, like someone holding on to the last string of sanity. I’d believed she was healing. I *wanted* to believe it. But now, I couldn’t stop seeing the image from that photograph—her arms around Gabriella, claiming her like a prize.She’s mine too. You

I stood in the middle of the cabin, heart pounding. I felt disoriented. The weight of everything Clara had said, everything she had done, even though it was a dream , was still hanging in the air like smoke.I glanced at the table beside me. I saw A small envelope, half-hidden under a pile of papers. It had my name on it. I immediately rushed to get it.My hands were shaking as I opened it. Inside was a photo.It was a picture of Gabriella .With her mother, Lauren.My breath caught in my throat. The photo was old, grainy, but it was unmistakably Gabriella , sitting on lauren’s lap. They were smiling, a perfect mother-daughter moment.But that wasn’t what caught my attention.It was the note scribbled on the back.“She’s mine too. You’ll never keep her from me.”***I turned to Julian, who had just entered the cabin, his face pale. His eyes locked onto the photo in my hand.“lauren,” I whispered, barely able to speak. “Gabriella’s Mother been involved in this all along.”He walked t

The room was silent except for the occasional rustling of leaves outside the small cabin’s windows. I stood still, my breath steady, trying to keep my emotions in check.Clara was sitting across from me, her cold eyes fixed on me like a predator watching its prey. The knife she had been wielding earlier was nowhere to be seen, but I knew better than to assume she was disarmed. She could snap at any moment.“You look so... calm,” Clara finally spoke, her voice filled with that same eerie sweetness she always used. It was like she was pretending to be something she wasn’t. “I thought you’d be more afraid.”“I’m not afraid of you,” I said, my voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline in my veins. I wasn’t sure if I was lying to her or to myself. “I’m just waiting for Julian to get here.”Her lips twisted into a smile. “Oh, he’s coming. He’s always coming. But you don’t understand, do you? He’s mine. He always was.”I didn’t respond. There was nothing I could say to that. Julian had bee

Finally after what seemed like eternity, Clara walked through the café’s entrance like she belonged there.Hair dyed black. Eyes covered in dark sunglasses. But I knew it was her.She didn’t even try to disguise the way she moved—sharp, quick, always scanning.She sat across from me without a word.I didn’t speak either.For a moment, it was just the sound of clinking cups and faint music from the radio.Then she removed her sunglasses.Her eyes were hollow. But alive.“I was wondering when you’d finally give up,” she said.“I didn’t.”“You left him.”“I didn’t say that either.”She tilted her head, amused. “You always were good at pretending.”I said nothing.Clara leaned forward.“I’m not here to make a scene,” she said softly. “I’m just here to tell you something.”I kept my tone even. “I’m listening.”She glanced around. “Not here.”“I’m not going anywhere with you.”“Suit yourself.”She stood.Then she slipped a note onto the table.The Warehouse before Julian’s Estate. Sunset. C