ANMELDEN~Elias~ I slam my hand down on the desk, the sound vibrating through the wood. "Get out of my office, Alice! I don't want your tarts, I don't want your coffee, and I don't want you hovering over me! Just do your damn job and leave me alone!" Alice freezes. The color instantly drains from her face, leaving her entirely pale. Her eyes are widen in pure shock. I have never, in all the months she has worked for me, raised my voice at her. Never. She handles my schedules, my business, sometimes personal life, and I have always treated her with respect. For three agonizing seconds, she just stands there, her lips parted, looking at me like I’ve just transformed into a monster right in front of her. A sharp, painful flash of hurt crosses her features, her eyes glinting with sudden tears before she forces them back. She doesn't say a word. She just stumbles backward, her movements disorganized, and scrambles out of the room, slamming the door behind her. The echo of the slam rings
~Elias~ I didn’t sleep last night. Every time I closed my eyes, the same image burned into the back of my eyelids. Sienna. Yesterday was supposed to be a celebration. It was her engagement party. I stood in that crowded, luxurious hotel room, surrounded by her family, friends and some business colleagues, forcing a perfect, professional smile onto my face. I watched Norman Garrison, a man who carries himself like a king, step up to her. I watched the way his hands slid possessively around her waist, the way he looked down at her like she was the only thing that mattered in the entire universe. And worse, I watched her smile back at him. It wasn't just any smile. It was the kind of smile that meant she felt safe. Completely, utterly safe. Protected and chosen. The triplets were there, laughing and crawling, a perfect little family unit under Norman’s fierce love and protection. I loosen my tie with a sharp, aggressive tug, feeling like the silk is choking me. A heavy, bitter
~Sienna~ I lunge for my phone on the nightstand, but Norman’s hand shoots out, pinning my wrist to the wooden surface before I can grab it. "Put the phone down, Sienna," he rumbles, his chest pressing against my back as he traps me between his body and the edge of the bed. "I just need to check on them, Norman! Just one call to Mom," I argue, twisting in his grip. "What if Noah is crying? What if Naysa won't take her bottle from Nova? I’m just worried. Just give me a moment." Norman doesn't even budge. Instead, he spins me around, his large hands sliding firmly over my waist to lift me onto the edge of the high mattress. He steps between my knees, leaning down until our noses touch. "Your mother has raised you single-handedly, and Nova is more than capable of watching her siblings for one night," he whispers, his voice thick with a playful, dangerous warning. "The babies are fine. But right now, you are in my hands. And I haven't forgotten the promise you made me on the livin
~Sienna~The small, flesh-colored bud in my ear hums with a faint, electric sound as Nova pulls the zipper of my silk gown upward. The sound of the teeth locking together feels final, like a gate closing. To Nova, who is fussing over the lace on my sleeves and humming a wedding march, I am just a nervous bride. But every crackle in that earpiece is a heartbeat in a high-stakes game. My hands are steady, but my mind is a tactical map."You look breathtaking, Sienna," my mother whispers as she steps into the bridal suite. She looks radiant in her champagne-colored dress, her strength fully returned, her eyes clear and bright. She reaches out, smoothing a stray lock of my hair with a hand that no longer trembles. "Are you ready, sweetheart?""More than ready, Mom," I say, forcing a smile while my brain tracks the low, deep voice of the security lead in my ear.“Target is on-site,” the voice whispers. “Disguised in a blonde wig and oversized glasses. She’s moving toward the garden entranc
~Sienna~I grip the steering wheel, my knuckles white against the leather as I adjust the rearview mirror. For the third time in ten minutes, the black sedan makes the same turn I do, keeping a steady, haunting distance of two blocks. My heart doesn't race with the same paralyzing fear it once did, instead, it burns with a cold, sharp anger.I hit the Bluetooth icon on the dashboard. It doesn't even ring twice before Norman’s voice fills the car."Sienna? Are you finished with the fitting? I’m just getting the kids settled.""Norman, the car is behind me again," I say, my voice remarkably steady. "The same black sedan from Tuesday and Wednesday. I’m coming from the boutique, and it’s been on my tail since the highway exit. Tell me you’ve identified the plates. Is it her?"There is a brief, heavy silence on the other end, followed by the sound of Norman’s sharp intake of breath. I can practically feel his protective instincts surging through the phone."It’s her," Norman says, his voic
~Sienna~"Fred, if you give Noah one more piece of bacon, he’s going to turn into a piglet," I laugh, reaching across the massive breakfast table to swipe the greasy treat away from my son's reaching fingers.Noah lets out a playful screech, bouncing in his high chair, while Fred holds up his hands in mock surrender. He has only been back from his business trip for two days, and he is already the favorite uncle, mostly because he has no concept of baby-safe diets."He looks at me with those big eyes, Sienna," Fred defends himself, grinning as he adjusts his glasses. "The kid is a natural negotiator. He’s going to be just like Norman.""God help us all if there are two of them," Nova chimes in, leaning her head on Fred’s shoulder. She looks radiant, the stress of the past few weeks finally gone now that her husband is home and her family is safe.Norman, sitting at the head of the table, doesn't even look up. "I heard that, Nova. And for the record, Noah’s negotiation tactics are far m
~Sienna~I exhale quietly and widen my lips, plastering a broad smile on my face as I step inside the church.My long-tailed green dress parts as each of my legs strides forward.I stare up ahead, marching to the altar. Heads turn, their eyes fixed solely behind me, watching, waiting for the main c
~Norman~ I step back and draw in a sharp breath as my eyes rush over her. Her eyes are dimmed, glassy, her lips smeared with lipstick and swollen. I grind my teeth, my chest tightening, but my face gives nothing away. I remain calm, watching her as she does the same. I can’t stop staring. I can’
~Sienna~“You guys are going to love this,” Nova squeals, bouncing in her seat.“Whatever you’ve planned, I just hope it will make me forget about him. I want to have fun, wild fun.”Carol, one of Nova’s cousins, cries.“You shouldn’t cry over that asshole anymore. You deserve better, but first you
~Sienna~Fairy LED lights are woven into the sheer white curtain material. Petals are scattered around the living area, on the floor, table, everywhere. It smells sweet and dreamy.I don’t see Nova.My heart squeezes as my breath rushes. My steps falter as the door clicks softly behind me.“Sienna,







