เข้าสู่ระบบTracey’s P.O.VI barely slept. I couldn't sleep despite how comfortable the bed was. This was supposed to be my most peaceful night, but thanks to Elena's cold welcoming, my mind refused to slow down.Elena’s sharp voice kept replaying in my head. The way Luca had stepped in front of me, defending from her prying eyes. Sophia’s words that sounded like a cold warning.By the time the sky began to lighten, I gave up trying to sleep. I slipped out of bed quietly and padded downstairs, following the faint sound of movement.The kitchen lights were already on.Luca stood by the counter, sleeves rolled up, one hand wrapped around a mug as steam curled lazily into the air. He looked… calm and hearty. Like mornings didn’t exhaust him.Not like Damien.Damien would , waiting. Waiting to be served. Waiting to be obeyed.Luca noticed me almost instantly.“You’re up early,” he said.“So are you,” I replied.“I don’t sleep much.”“I noticed.”He turned slightly, studying me. “Did you rest at all?
Tracey's P.O.VI was done cleaning up and changing into the dress Sophia had prepared for me when I heard the loud exchange causing me to stop in track, behind a wall. Elena was back into the kitchen and this time she was going head on with Luca.“That was unnecessary mama.” Luca exhaled angrily.Elena looked at him coolly. “So was bringing a stranger into this house and calling her your fiancée without warning.”“She’s not a stranger!” Luca replied. “Not to me.”Sophia shifted uncomfortably. “Mama, Luca’s an adult. He doesn’t need permission. He can get married to whoever he wants.”Elena’s eyes flicked to Sophia. “And you don’t need to involve yourself in matters that don’t concern you.“Sophia stiffened. “She does concern me? This is my home too. She’s standing in my territory, my kitchen covered in mud because of kids I’m responsible for.”I blinked. Wait. Her kitchen? Her territory? What did that mean?Elena sighed, as if deeply burdened. “Fine. Since you both have decided to be
Tracey’s P.O.VSofia didn’t loosen her grip until we were halfway across the lawn.“Careful,” I muttered, glancing down at my muddy shoes. “I’m sorry. I seemed to have messed up the place withmuddy footprints all over.”She laughed softly. “You’ll get used to it. Mud has a way of finding everyone here.”Luca walked beside us too, quiet, but distracted. As if his mind had roamed else where Sofia finally slowed when we reached the house. I looked around realizing this was different from the one Luca had taken me to earlier.This was more ranch-like and quite a distance because I was exhausted from walking all the way here.I let out a ragged breathe.“I really am sorry about that,” she said again, glancing at my clothes. “The kids get… too excited sometimes”“It’s fine,” I replied. “I’ve survived worse.”Her eyes observed to my face but she said nothing.Instead, she walked along, guiding me toward the kitchen. The warmth of coffee, baked bread, something herbal simmering on the stove
Tracey’s P.O.VI stood there long after Luca walked away, his words echoing louder than the quiet farmhouse ever could.The word fiancee settled uncomfortably in my chest, heavy and unreal. I wasn’t anyone’s anything. Not anymore. Not after everything.I slowly made my way upstairs, each step creaking softly beneath my feet as if it knew the room at the end of the hall was clearly mine. The door stood open, inviting but cautious, like it wasn’t sure what kind of ghost I was bringing with me.And without thinking, I stepped in.Inside, the room was simple but beautiful. A wide bed dressed in clean white sheets. A wooden dresser by the wall. A reading chair near the window. Nothing extravagant or cold. Instead all I It felt was the intentionality and Thoughtfulnes.I dropped my small bag by the bed and walked straight to the window.The view stole my breath.The land stretched endlessly, rolling green fields melting into distant hills, fences cutting clean lines through the earth. Tree
Tracey’s P.O.V“What did you say?“ I asked again, oblivious of his previous statement. I was too far into the beauty and serenity of this place. “I said welcome to your new Home, Tracey.“ He smiled at me and I simply smiled back, unable to hide the excitement on my face.“This place…” “Not what you expected?”“I don’t know what I expected,” I admitted. “But not this.”He smiled faintly. “Most people imagine animals like horses and cows ….with land full of grasses, woods and cowboys when they hear 'ranch'." “And this isn’t?”“Oh, it is,” he said calmly. “Just on the surface. Deep down more blood goes down that you'd ever expect.“That made my nerves twitch but not enough to ruin the moment.A black SUV waited nearby. Another vehicle farther back. Men stood around, alert but relaxed, dressed casually, eyes scanning the perimeter with trained ease.No stares. No threats.No one reached for a weapon.I realized then how used I had become to being watched like prey.Luca motioned towar
Tracey’s P.O.V“What??“I felt my heart stop beating the moment he uttered those words. I stared at him, my fingers curling into fists, but from his expression I couldn't tell if he was joking or being hell serious “That’s… that’s not funny.”“Who said I was joking?”“You didn’t mention a ranch,” I snapped. “Or that you owned a private plane earlier on the road.”“I didn't think it was necessary at that point” he replied calmly.That made something inside me snap. “You knew,” I said slowly. “You knew back there. On the road. You knew exactly who we were”His lips curved into sinister smile just like the one from earlier and I knew that was all the confirmation I needed.I was damn right about this fucker. But why did he choose to help and who was he?“You lied well back there. Almost convinced me you were Camille yunno.”A cold shiver crawled down my spine as I stared at him, unable to process my words “I'm sure you must be wondering why I played along?” he cut through my thoughts.







