Mag-log inRose on the other hand, remained where she was, composed, her posture relaxed in a way that didn’t match the situation at all. Beside her, Alissa sat stiffly, still shaken. Her hands were clenched together, but she leaned ever so slightly toward Rose, as if grounding herself in her presence. A f
The ropes fell away from Rose and Alissa's wrists with a soft thud against the cold concrete floor. For a brief second, the entire warehouse seemed to go still. Zane stood a few steps away, one hand tucked into his pocket, the other loosely gesturing as his men stepped back after obeying his order.
The door opened and both girls turned to the direction. Rose’s head lifted slightly at the sound. Her eyes immediately locked onto the new figure stepping in. And for the first time since she woke up, she paused. Cobra on the other hand froze, then his eyes widened slightly. “…You’ve got to be kidd
If Rose had been there, she would have recognized them instantly. Cobra. Byron. Fury. The same loan shark gangster she had once paid off to leave Maya alone. Cobra did stop walking until he got to where Zane was standing. “Zane,” he greeted, his tone casual. “Didn’t think you’d still be working out
The warehouse had grown quieter as the night stretched into morning. The kind of silence that pressed against your ears and made every small sound feel louder than it should. Rose, her head slightly lowered, strands of her hair falling across her face. From the outside, she looked still, but her mi
Across the city, inside the top floor of Anderson Corporation, Julian was in the middle of a meeting when his phone rang. He almost ignored it, until he saw Nicholas’s name. He frowned slightly before he picked up immediately. “What is it?” “Rose is missing.” The words were simple, but they land
Their waiter arrived shortly after, handing them both leather-bound menus. They placed their orders — grilled salmon for Mr. Reyes and a plate of lemon herb chicken with roasted vegetables for Rose — along with two glasses of sparkling water. With the formalities out of the way, their conversation
That night. The Anderson estate’s dining room glowed in the soft amber light of the chandelier, casting a warm haze over the polished mahogany table. The scent of roasted chicken, buttered vegetables, and freshly baked bread filled the air, making the evening feel cozy despite the formality of the
Later That Day – School Library, Quiet Section. The library was quiet, filled only with the faint hum of the air conditioner and the gentle rustle of pages. Most students were at lunch, but Rose remained seated at the far end near the tall arched window, surrounded by opened books and notes. She
The next day. It was still early in the school day, just before the second bell. The halls buzzed faintly with the murmur of students heading to first period, but Victoria wasn't in class. She excused herself with the calm assurance of someone used to moving unnoticed—just a quiet nod and a vague







