MasukAdrian's I stared down at the open pages of my leather journal on the dark wood desk, the gold pen frozen in my hand. The ink was completely dry, but my mind was stuck in a chaotic maze of thoughts that had nothing to do with my shipping records or the winter line logistics. My thoughts kept violently pulling back to the kitchen scene from the previous evening. When I had heard Rusali screaming those insults, accusing Liora of taking the diamond necklace, I hadn't even hesitated. I did not know what prompted me to stand up to Rusali like that, throwing my chair back and stepping directly between her and the shivering, weeping girl. I always tried to avoid anything that would make Rusali feel insecure or prompt her to cause an elite scene. I knew that standing up for the worker where Rusali was concerned would mean actual, deep trouble because Rusali was a woman who wouldn't take any perceived slight lightly. Yet, in that heated kitchen, I had completely forgotten about upper-
Liora's I pushed myself up from the velvet chair, my flat servant boots skidding slightly against the polished floorboards as I turned toward the door. I walked rapidly, my head firmly bowed as I hurried up the grand staircase and slipped into the massive, dark master wing. The room was entirely transformed, filled with Rusali's expensive luxury perfumes, designer dresses, and matching white leather luggage. The scent of her jasmine was everywhere, completely obliterating the aroma of hot ash and sandalwood that used to linger on the silk sheets. My hands shook violently as I found the small white bottle on the marble vanity, clutched it against my apron, and hurried back downstairs to deliver it to a senior footman at the dining room entrance Once the errand was done, I couldn't bring myself to go back to that table. I retreated straight into the heavy, humid air of the mansion kitchen, my limbs feeling like lead weights as the silent fatigue of the early pregnancy settled
Liora's "You aren't eating, Liora. Is the roasted duck not to your liking?" Rusali’s voice was smooth, a pleasant, melodic purr that cut right through the quiet clinking of silver against porcelain. She sat at the long mahogany table, looking completely radiant in a silk emerald gown that matched the large stone on her finger. She had a wide, generous smile on her face, but as her dark eyes locked onto mine, a subtle, cold smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. I sat rigidly in the heavy velvet chair, my fingers tightly clutching my cloth napkin under the table. My face burned with a sudden, intense heat. I kept my head slightly bowed, my strict model posture the only thing keeping me from sinking entirely into the cushion. I was wearing my gray uniform, a stark, humiliating contrast to the luxury surrounding me. "The food is wonderful, Lady Rusali," I whispered, keeping my voice as small and submissive as possible. "Thank you." "Of course it is, dear," Rusali said, le
Liora's The massive front doors of the mansion swung back, and Rusali stepped into the grand foyer. Behind her, three footmen struggled to carry a mountain of matching white leather luxury luggage, their boots clicking rapidly against the polished floor tiles. The household staff was already lined up against the marble walls, their heads bowed low in a tight, terrified sequence. "Oh, look who it is!" Clara whispered from the pantry archway, her eyes widening as she nudged another maid. "The real lady of the manor is finally home. Now the trash can go back to where it belongs." Rusali stopped in the center of the foyer, her expensive designer fur coat flaring as she looked around the grand space. She didn't look angry or unhinged; instead, she adjusted her diamond rings and flashed a bright, incredibly sweet smile at the head housekeeper, Mrs. Gable. "Mrs. Gable, it is so wonderful to see you again," Rusali said, her voice dropping into a smooth, melodic cadence that sounded en
Adrian's The lift doors slid open on the fifth floor. "Let's go," I said, stepping out onto the tiled floor. Rusali marched straight out ahead of me, her heavy fur coat brushing against my arm as she stormed into my office. The moment the heavy wooden doors swung shut behind us, she violently turned on her heel and slammed both her open palms directly against my chest. Smack! "Like how could you do this to me, Adrian?" she yelled, her small fists shaking as she struck my jacket again. Tears instantly filled her eyes, her face twisting with pure rage. "Look at me! Look what you've done to my name! The internet portals are screaming about you and that trash! Everyone is talking about how you got your own worker pregnant!" I stood completely still, absorbing the blows without moving an inch. "Rusali, stop hitting me. It doesn't change a single thing." "Look at me and tell me the truth!" she screamed, her hands flying up to cup both sides of my face. Her manicured fingers dug ha
Adrian's "Give her to me, Adrian," Julian whispered, his voice barely carrying over the deafening noise of the shutter lenses clicking at the entrance. He stepped into my personal space, his hands extending cautiously to take the weight from my arms, his face tight with a sharp, hidden panic. "Just give her to me. I’ll take her straight to the hospital. Go deal with Rusali before she blows this up completely." My jaw locked into a rigid, defensive line as the reality of the scene pressed into my chest. Julian was right. The media had already captured dozens of embarrassing, chaotic moments of my life over the past few months, from the restaurant altercation to the viral party video trending on every entertainment portal. Standing in the center of my own lobby, completely disheveled and holding an unconscious worker, was only feeding the paparazzi exactly what they wanted. I looked down at Liora’s pale face, her dark curls damp against my shoulder, and a dark, territorial irr
Liora's Pov I needed to know who this monster was. I needed to know the face of the man who had just taken my first time. The morning sun was just beginning to peek through the heavy velvet drapes, cutting a thin, sharp sliver of golden light directly across the chaise lounge. I turned back and f
Liora's Pov The morning sun beat down mercilessly onto the cracked asphalt of the outer transit station, but the heat outside was nothing compared to the blistering, toxic hostility radiating from the crowd of workers waiting for the early corporate transport shuttle. I stood near the back of t
Liora's Pov The harsh morning sunlight cut through the gaps in the heavy velvet drapes like a sequence of physical blades, instantly shattering the warm, dark illusion of the night before. I woke up with a sharp jolt, my heart immediately hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs as the reality
Liora's Pov "Liora! If I catch you slacking off again, I will personally see to it that your wages are docked this month!" Mrs. Gable’s voice cut through the damp basement air, rattling the iron pots hanging overhead and completely shattering my focus. I flinched, my fingers slipping against the







