chapter eight

"You see, princess," Riven began, his voice smooth but dangerously calm, "this is all your cold father's fault. He did something to me and my family years ago… and today he has to pay for that mistake. And what better way to pay than by hurting the ones he loves most?"

His words slithered through the air like venom.

He reached forward, his hand gripping her chin firmly , not enough to bruise, but enough to make her look him directly in the eyes.

Bella's heart hammered in her chest. She didn't want to look, but his stare dragged her in ,deep, blue, and cold like the ocean on a winter night.

She didn't pay attention to him before, but now he forced her to.

Father? her mind echoed, confusion slicing through her fear. How does my father know this man? What is he talking about? My father would never hurt anyone ,he can't even kill a mosquito.

No, she whispered in her thoughts, this man is lying. He's mad… he's cruel.

Riven stepped back slightly, watching her shake her head in disbelief. He could see through her ,the confusion, the anger, the silent refusal to believe him.

He found it… interesting.

A heavy silence filled the room, thick like smoke. The air carried a faint metallic scent , iron and dust, mixed with something cold and stale. The single light above flickered weakly, casting shadows across the cracked concrete walls.

Riven looked down at his watch. The time — five minutes until midnight.

The night was nearly over, and still, Mr. White had made no decision.

His lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. "You have just five minutes left to live," he said quietly, his tone calm but chilling.

Bella's body froze. Her hands trembled where they rested on her lap. Her eyes widened, and a tear slipped down her cheek, glistening under the dim light.

Riven watched the tear fall and for a strange, almost infuriating moment, something inside him faltered.

A feeling. Small but sharp. Guilt? Pity? He didn't know, and he didn't want to know.

Her silence spoke louder than anything she could've said.

Her light brown eyes ,beautiful, soft, filled with terror — met his ocean-blue ones.

There was something in them. Something too human.

Riven blinked, and suddenly his chest felt tight. His heartbeat, normally steady and cold, thudded faster. Harder.

What the hell is this? he thought. Why does she make me feel this way?

He quickly cleared his throat, forcing his expression blank again.

"If your father doesn't call me within two minutes," he said, pulling his gun and aiming it at her, "this bullet will meet your head before you can even blink."

Bella let out a choked cry, her eyes squeezing shut. Fear consumed her.

Back at Mr. White's Mansion — 25 Minutes Earlier

Lilly sat on her bed, restless. Her fingers twisted the edge of her blanket over and over again.

Where's Bella? she thought, panic tightening her chest. Father is going to kill me. He told me to watch her. He said not to let her out of my sight.

She stood, pacing the room. The sound of rain pattered gently against the window, but it did nothing to calm her.

Maybe she's fine, she whispered to herself. Maybe she's with him… please, let her be safe.

But deep down, Lilly knew the bitter truth — the truth that had haunted her since she was six years old.

She knew what her father was capable of.

She knew what he'd done to other people… and to her.

And she knew the kind of silence his promises came with ,the kind sealed with fear.

Her thoughts shattered when the front door slammed open downstairs.

"LILLY!"

Her father's voice roared through the mansion, echoing off the marble walls.

Her blood ran cold. She froze.

Heavy footsteps approached , louder, faster , until the door to her bedroom flung open, and there he stood.

Mr. White.

His face red, veins bulging, eyes burning with rage.

"What did I tell you before we left the house?!" he thundered. "Did I not say keep a watchful eye on Bella?!"

Lilly stammered, tears already forming in her eyes. "Father, I—I can explain—" she backed away slowly.

"Because of you," he interrupted, his voice cracking like a whip, "I was humiliated tonight! All because of you!"

"What did I do, Father—" she cried.

"Silence!" he snapped, stepping closer. He grabbed her arm roughly. Pain shot through her, and she screamed.

"Shut up! Because of you, your sister is in trouble! Do you realize what you've done?!" he yelled.

Lilly broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. Her body trembled like a leaf in a storm.

He glared down at her, disgust twisting his face. "You disgust me," he spat, clicking his tongue before shoving her back and storming out.

She fell to the floor, her sobs echoing in the room. Her tears hit the carpet as she whispered, "I hate you… I hate you…"

She began throwing everything in sight, books, pillows, glass. A cry of anger and heartbreak filled the room as hatred bloomed inside her — dark and dangerous.

Mr. White's Office — 10 Minutes Until Midnight

Mr. White sat in silence.

The room around him was a mess — broken glass, torn papers, and the faint smell of whiskey and rage.

He stared at the clock. Ten minutes left.

His heart pounded, each beat screaming that time was slipping away.

He knew Riven. He knew what the man was capable of. If he didn't decide now, Bella would die.

His hand trembled as he reached for the phone. Then stopped.

He wanted to throw it — smash it into the wall — but he couldn't.

Instead, he grabbed the bottle of Hennessy from the corner of his desk and drank straight from it. The bitter taste burned down his throat.

He gasped, slamming the bottle against the table — glass shattering, brown liquid splashing across the floor.

"Damn you, Riven…" he whispered. "Damn you…"

Back in the Room

Bella's head throbbed.

Her body trembled.

Her lips moved, whispering words only heaven could hear.

"Lord… please. Please get me out of here. I don't know these men. I don't know what they want from me. But please… protect me."

Riven's finger rested on the trigger.

He exhaled. "I guess your father made the wrong decision," he said softly, the words cold, cruel — but his hand didn't move.

Something stopped him. For the first time in his life, something stopped him.

Then — his phone rang.

The screen flashed a name. Mr. White.

"Speak," Riven said flatly.

"I've signed the papers," Mr. White's voice came through the line, rough and broken. "Let my daughter go."

Riven smiled faintly. "Good. I'll send my men to collect them. And don't think about doing anything foolish to him , or you'll never see her again."

He hung up, then turned his gaze back to Bella.

He lowered the gun and fired — not at her, but at the door. The loud bang echoed through the room. Bella screamed inside, curling up instinctively.

Riven crouched down in front of her, his tone soft but heavy.

"Seems like Daddy made a very wise choice," he murmured.

Bella didn't reply. She shut her eyes tightly, tears falling once again.

He pulled the ropes off her wrists and ankles.

The moment she was free, her body gave in — collapsing from exhaustion, fear, and everything in between.

Riven watched her for a long second. His chest felt heavy again , that strange, unfamiliar feeling crawling back.

Instead of calling for his guards, he slid his arms under her and lifted her gently.

Her head fell against his chest , warm, fragile, still trembling.

When he walked out, his men rushed forward. "Sir—" one started, but stopped when Riven's cold silence answered everything.

He carried Bella outside through the rain, the droplets sliding down his black coat like silver threads.

Opening his car door, he placed her gently inside , careful, deliberate.

Then he got in, his eyes fixed ahead.

No one dared to speak.

Riven started the engine.

The rain fell harder.