LOGINRachel POV
Marcus’s smile faded as quickly as it had appeared. He leaned back in his chair, fingers folding together, his gaze sharpening into something cold and analytical. The warmth in his voice was gone when he spoke again. “I just find it interesting,” he said mildly, “that you met six months ago, but somehow Rachel’s attendance record started slipping around that same time.” My heart slammed against my ribs. “What?” I asked. Marcus reached into his baRachel POVThe car stopped in front of the familiar apartment block, the driver parking close as he turned off the engine."We've arrived, Mrs. Montrel," he said.I nodded, and Mark got out of the car from the backseat, opening the passenger door for me."Thank you, Mark," I said with a small smile. Even though he was doing this as a job, I still needed to show my appreciation.Mark nodded politely, standing beside me. "It would be better if I followed you in, ma'am. I know you want privacy, but it's for your safety."I nodded. "It's fine. Just hope you don't mind the rundown apartment." I tried to joke, though Mark didn't respond-just gave another curt nod.I began walking toward the apartment complex, climbing the stairs with Mark a few steps behind.Finally, I arrived in front of Dad's door and knocked.I heard a sniffling sound from inside, then shuffling footsteps before the door creaked open.Dad stood there, and my breath caught.He looked terrible.His face was pale and unshav
Isabella watched Rachel walk away toward her next class, Mark following behind her. Rachel's hand absently lifted to touch the necklace resting against her collarbone.She'd done that at least five times in the past hour.Chloe noticed too. She nudged Isabella the moment Rachel was out of earshot."Did you see her face when we asked about it?" Chloe whispered. "She was practically glowing.""I know," Isabella said quietly, pulling out her laptop. "She seems really happy."Chloe bit her lip. "That's good, right?"Isabella hesitated. "Yeah. I guess."Chloe's smile faded. "You're still worried."Isabella sighed, glancing around. "Aren't you? I mean, remember our video call?"Chloe shifted uncomfortably. "When we asked if she was safe and she got defensive?""Exactly," Isabella said. "And she hung up before we could really talk about it.""But she seems fine now," Chloe said, though she didn't sound entirely convinced. "Better than fine. She's confident. She doesn't look scared.""I know,
Rachel POVWearing this necklace had made me giddy all morning-and oddly confident.It was nothing like the old one Damien had given me. That blood-red teardrop had felt like a collar, a mark of ownership.This one felt thoughtful. Pure. Romantic.Romantic?I paused mid-step in the campus courtyard, the thought catching me off guard.That felt like too much. Here I was, reading into things again. He'd given it to me as a gesture of respect. Recognition. Nothing more.Right?Mark stood a few paces behind, waiting patiently for me to continue walking.I shook off the thought and kept moving.Everyone had complimented the necklace since I'd stepped onto campus-classmates, professors, even the barista at the coffee cart. And now I couldn't wait to hear what the girls thought.We finally reached the café, and I spotted Chloe and Isabella at our usual table near the window.I jogged over, grinning. "Good afternoon!"I slid into the seat between them as Mark positioned himself a respectful d
Damien POV I closed the office door behind me, the sound of Leo's laughter still echoing faintly in my mind.The portrait session had been successful. Rachel had been laughing, Leo had been playing, and soon I'd have a portrait of this family hanging in the manor-unlike the cold, formal ones from my past.The necklace had also been given. The one I'd been planning since we made that cake for Rachel. And she'd accepted it.I moved to my desk but didn't sit, just stood there staring at nothing in particular.A soft knock came at the door."Come in," I said.Vance stepped inside, closing it quietly behind him. His expression was carefully neutral, but I'd known him long enough to recognize the faint approval in his eyes."The session went well," he said simply."It did."He moved closer, hands clasped behind his back in that familiar stance. "And the necklace?"I glanced at him. "She accepted it.""I could see that," Vance said, warmth creeping into his tone. "She seemed very pleased. A
Rachel's POVI made my way down the grand staircase to the main foyer, the soft pink dress fitting as though it had been made for me. My hair was neatly styled, swept back from my face with delicate white and pink clips. The makeup was subtle-just enough to polish, not to overpower.Simple white flats complemented the white embroidery woven throughout the fabric.I felt important like someone stepping into a moment meant to be remembered.I smiled as I descended, greeting the guards I passed along the way.Then I saw them.Leo, Damien, Vance, and the photographer with his equipment set up near the tall windows. Morning light poured in, bathing everything in a soft, golden glow.Damien was kneeling in front of Leo, who was tugging at his collar with both hands, his face scrunched in clear discomfort."It itches!" Leo whined."Just for a few more minutes," Damien replied, his tone hovering between patience and mild exasperation. "You can take it off right after."I walked toward them, a
Rachel's POV"A family portrait!" Leo's voice rang through the dining hall, bright with excitement.Damien paused, his fork hovering above his plate at the sudden volume. "Yes, Leo. That is what I said. Why are you repeating it?"I chuckled softly and set down my fork.Two days had passed since they'd baked me that terrible-yet incredibly sweet-cake to lift my spirits. Things finally felt normal again. Or as normal as they could be.Except for the silence from Dad and Marcus.That still weighed on me. I knew I needed to check on Dad soon, maybe even visit to make sure he was alright. Part of me wanted to call Marcus, too-just to talk-but a nervous flutter held me back.All I knew was that I wasn't ready to let go of the family I'd grown up with. Not completely.But today, the idea of family portraits was a welcome distraction-something happy to pull my thoughts away from that difficult night.I'd known Damien was planning something like this. Vance had mentioned it in passing last wee
Rachel POVI sat at my vanity table, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I wasn't ready. Wasn't ready to go back to campus, to walk those halls, to see the pity or the whispers. And I definitely wasn't ready to see him.Eli.I sighed, the sound frustrated and heavy
The cold night air did nothing to clear the ringing in Damien’s ears. It was a high-pitched whine, a relentless chorus to the pounding in his skull and the sharper, burning ache along his ribs. He leaned against the sedan. The warehouse behind him was a silent tomb now, the echoes of gunfir
Rachel POVThe day passed in a blur of avoidance, my heart still pounding a frantic, irregular rhythm whenever the memory of today surfaced.I'd been avoiding him all day. Avoiding the ghost of his fingers brushing my lips, the solid warmth of his hand on my hip. And his confess
Damien POVMark’s eyes widened, a mix of shock, pain, and fierce determination flooding his features. This wasn't just a job; it was a sacred vow in Damien's eyes. "Yes, sir. My life for theirs. I understand.""Good." Damien's gaze swept over me and Leo one last time, a silent declaration







