chapter ten

The sun rose gently over the horizon, casting a soft golden glow that stretched across the world a world full of bitterness, yet somehow kissed by new hope. The sky was a blur of tender blue, clouds forming faint, dreamlike shapes as if angels themselves had painted them. Birds chirped in harmony, their songs sweet and unbothered, as they fluttered through the cool morning breeze, catching an early worm for breakfast.

The trees swayed gracefully, their leaves whispering secrets to the wind. Everything looked alive green, bright, breathtaking. A nearby stream glimmered beneath the light, its rippling surface reflecting fragments of the waking sun. Fishes darted playfully downstream, gliding over small stones and through gentle waterfalls. The place was peaceful, almost too peaceful a slice of heaven hiding in a dangerous world.

Inside the luxurious villa, two broken souls lay in restless peace.

Both were wounded but only one carried light, while the other was darkness wrapped in human form.

Riven slept soundly.

Completely still.

Like a man unburdened by nightmares for the first time in years.

Normally, he never truly slept even in rest, his senses were sharp, always alert to danger. But this morning… he was different. He slept like a child like someone freed from every chain of guilt and revenge. His chest rose and fell in calm rhythm, and for once, peace found him before he could push it away.

And on the bed lay Bella.

The sweet girl whose world had flipped upside down overnight.

She turned from side to side, the soft mattress beneath her suddenly feeling like cold stone. Her body trembled as flashes of memory struck her: dressing up, laughing with Lilly, the blinding lights of the mafia party then darkness, rough hands, and the sharp scent of fear.

Then… a man's voice.

A mysterious one.

And the feeling of being lifted into strong arms before everything went black.

Her eyes shot open.

She jolted upright, panic thundering through her chest as her lungs fought for air. The room wasn't what she expected — not a dungeon, not a horror scene. It was bright. Luxurious. Almost… beautiful.

But fear still crawled inside her.

"Where… where am I?" she whispered shakily, her voice trembling like her hands.

She looked down her heart almost stopped.

She was wearing a shirt.

A man's shirt.

Not hers.

Her breath hitched. Who… who changed my clothes?

Her gaze shifted slowly, and then she froze.

On the couch —just a few feet away was him.

Riven.

Asleep.

A gun rested casually on the table beside him, glinting under the sunlight.

Bella's heart raced. This man… this man kidnapped me! she thought, panic whispering in her ears. "Why did he bring me here? What does he want with me?"

Her mind spun. I have to get out of here. I have to find a way to escape. Maybe call the police

But her thoughts cut short the moment Riven began to stir.

Oh no.

He's waking up.

And that gun—!

In a split second, she grabbed the weapon off the table, her hands trembling as she pointed it toward him.

Riven let out a loud, unbothered yawn, stretching like a man who'd had the best sleep of his life. His mind slowly pieced things together the room, the faint scent of coffee, the faint ache in his back and then he looked up.

A gun.

Pointed straight at his face.

For the first time, he blinked in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me," he muttered under his breath.

Bella's hands shook violently. She was terrified, but determined.

Riven tilted his head slightly, voice low, calm dangerously calm.

"Put the gun down, mute chipmunk, before someone gets hurt."

Bella shook her head furiously, taking a step back every time he took a step forward.

"You don't want to do this," he warned again, tone now laced with steel. "Put it down before you regret it."

But Bella's panic had taken full control. Her finger twitched against the trigger and bang!

The gun fired.

The bullet missed by an inch, whizzing past Riven's ear and smashing into the wall behind him.

Riven ducked instantly, eyes wide. "You almost killed me!" he shouted, half in shock, half in sarcastic disbelief.

Bella's mouth opened in horror. "Oops," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head rapidly and gesturing that it was an accident.

"Give me the gun," he demanded, stepping forward.

She panicked again. Another accidental pull.

Another bang!

This time, the bullet grazed his shoulder.

"What the—" Riven hissed, grabbing his arm as blood seeped through his shirt.

Bella dropped the gun instantly, frozen in shock.

"Look what you've done!" he barked, his voice deep, half-angry, half… astonished.

"I—I'm sorry! It was a mistake!" she signed the gun still on her han, biting her lip in guilt.

Riven glared at her. "A mistake? Are you made of chaos or what?!"

Bella couldn't help it a small, guilty smile flickered across her lips. At least he understands me, she thought shyly.

With a sigh of irritation, Riven stormed into the bathroom, searching for his first-aid kit. Bella quickly placed the gun back on the table and sat on the bed like a child pretending innocence after breaking a vase.

He returned moments later, wounded but composed, his expression unreadable.

He didn't even flinch as he cleaned the wound pulling the bullet out with a metallic tool, wiping the blood with cotton, dabbing ointment, then wrapping it neatly with a bandage.

Bella watched quietly, guilt and fascination tangled inside her.

Should I say sorry? He looks hurt.

Her thoughts ran wild, and when he looked up, she quickly turned her gaze away.

Maybe now's the time to ask why he kidnapped me, she thought. She waved her hand shyly to get his attention.

He ignored her. Completely.

Is he ignoring me?! she pouted internally. Maybe I should step closer. But no he's dangerous! I should be running. I should maybe I can sneak away while he's not looking

"Don't even think about it," Riven said flatly, not even glancing up.

Bella froze mid-step. Her eyes widened as she slowly turned to face him.

Riven calmly packed up the medical kit, his every move precise, cold, and controlled.

Then he stood.

And started walking toward her.

His steps were heavy, unhurried like a storm moving in slow motion.

Bella's heartbeat skyrocketed. She stepped back, one shaky foot after another.

Her eyes widened in warning

But he didn't stop.

Step by step, the distance between them vanished until she realized there was nowhere left to go.

Her back hit the staircase railing. One more step, and she'd fall.

She tried to balance herself, but her foot slipped

Before she could scream, Riven lunged forward, catching her.

Except Bella, startled, grabbed him tightly for support too tightly and in the struggle, they both lost balance.

The world spun.

And then crash!

Riven rolled down the stairs, landing hard on the ground below.

Bella gasped from the top of the stairs, biting her nails in panic. "Oops…"

At that exact moment, the front door opened.

Ace walked in, his eyes widening at the sight of Riven sprawled across the floor.

He looked up at Bella, then back at Riven.

"What in the world is going on here?" he asked, half-stunned, half-amused.