Chapter One: The return of his curse

Nathaniel's POV

I have always believed control was everything. Control over money, people and my own body.

Well, that belief shattered in the middle of the board meeting. The pain hit without warning, sharp and violent like something waking in my chest, crawling it's way out. 

My fingers dug into the edge of the conference table for support as I tried to keep myself steady. Words distorted into a muffled hum while my vision became blurred. My lungs forgot how to work.

I had felt this before but it was years ago.

Lifetimes ago.

“Mr. Crowe?” someone asked, panic evident in their voice.

I straightened slowly, forcing my breathing to steady. I couldn't show weakness here as weakness was unacceptable in my dictionary.

“I’m fine,” I said coldly.

The lie slid easily off my tongue despite the fire tearing through my vein.

"That will be all for today. You may leave."

"But Mr Crowe, we are yet...."

"I believe I made myself perfectly clear."

The board members exchanged uneasy glances as I ended the meeting without explanation. These men feared me, respected me but fear did not erase curiosity. 

When the doors finally slid shut behind the last executive, i allowed myself to breathe, the glass walls reflecting only my own image back at me.

Perfect suit.

Controlled expression.

A man untouchable by the world, but could be destroyed by a curse.

The pain surged again, stronger this time. I staggered toward the window, my palm slamming against the glass as the city sprawled beneath me but none of it mattered.

Because the curse had returned.

“You’re late Nath,” Mara’s voice said from behind me.

I didn’t turn.

“Mara,” I replied quietly. “Tell me this isn’t happening again."

She didn't reply as she allowed silence to draw the answer on me.

“It is,” she said finally. “Your vitals are spiking. It's the same pattern and the same progression.”

I exhaled through my teeth. “So it’s back.”

“Yeah.”

I laughed once, dark and humorless. “How long this time?”

Another pause.

“Ninety days, if my calculations are right.”

The number settled heavily in my chest.

Ninety days until my heart failed.

Ninety days until the curse finished what it started centuries ago.

I turned to face her. “ What about your assignment? Have you found her?”

Mara nodded. “ Concerning that, still on it. She could be anyone.”

Then the pain eased just a fraction, but enough for me to notice. I froze.

"Did you feel that?"I asked placing my hands on my chest.

"Feel what?" Mara arched a brow The last time I checked, I wasn't inside you."

“i can feel her.” I said quietly.

"Then that means one thing. She is close, closer than we thought."

"Find her" I ordered "And bring her to me."

"Noted. "

As she made her way out of the office, my mind was clouded with thoughts about her.

                                *** 

That night, the dreams again. Her furious voice calling out to me for help.

"Nathaniel...please help me, don't leave me her. Nath, I'm scared."

I stood there, watching as she was locked up in the tower by my father.

"Nath!!!"

The next scene, she was in my arms, dressed in a white gown which was now soaked in blood.

“You chose power over me.” Her voice broke as she cried. "I hate you."

"No, no. I'm sorry, I didn't have my choice. Aria..."

" I hate you!!!" She screamed.

I woke with a sharp inhale, my body was covered with sweat and my heart pounding like it was trying to escape my chest. I could still hear her cries, Her face was burned into my mind with not fear but betrayal.

I swung my legs over the bed and poured myself a drink. Alcohol never helped in escaping or dulling the memories. If anything, it sharpened them.

I saw her as she had been then, standing before me with tears streaking her face as she realized I had already made my choice.

I had loved her.

That was the cruelest part.

The glass shattered in my grip and my blood dripped onto the marble floor, but I barely noticed. Pain was familiar but regret was worse.

My phone buzzed with Mara on it.

“We found her.” she said immediately I hit the green button.

My pulse slowed instantly.

“Name,” I said.

“Iris Moore. Twenty-four. Waitress. No record. No idea who she is.”

Of course she didn’t remember.

“Where is she?”

“Close,” Mara said. “And Nathaniel… she’s barely surviving.”

Something dark stirred inside me.

Fate always enjoyed irony.

I quickly washed up my hands, changed my clothes and head out to meet my past mistake.

                                  ***

I saw her from across the street. Iris Moore stood outside a cafe, tugging her apron tighter around her waist, laughing softly at something a coworker said. The sound of her laughter hit me harder than the pain ever had. It was warm and alive.

The agony in my chest eased instantly, like my body had been waiting for her. My body responded like it knew her even if she didn’t know me.

She looked different, softer, smaller, human but the essence was unmistakeably the same. The tilt of her chin, the quiet strength in her posture and the pull.

Mine, something inside me growled. My fingers curled slowly. Iris suddenly glanced up causing our eyes to meet. The world stayed stilled, and the bond I felt was undeniable. I watched her breath hitch, watched her hug herself like she felt it too.

Good.

She turned away moments later, disappearing back inside, unaware that her fate had just collided with mine.

I exhaled slowly.

“There you are doll face,” I murmured.

Ninety days.

I would not beg fate.

I would bend it even if it meant taking her.

Even

if she hated me for it.

Even if she never forgave me.

The curse had chosen its anchor and this time, I would not let Iris Moore walk away.