The night passed quietly.But not peacefully.Alexander lay beside Dysis, his body still while his mind ran through every word, every glance, every silence. Her head was tucked beneath his chin, her breath slow and steady against his chest. She looked weightless in sleep, but he knew better. She carried too much beneath that soft exterior—memories she wouldn’t speak, feelings she hadn’t buried deep enough.He didn’t need to ask what she and Vee were whispering about.She may not have said Lucian's name out loud, but he heard it like a damn bell. Alexander looked up at the ceiling. The drapes were open, hence the dull street lamp light was streaming through and creating thin lines on the elegant moulding. He still vividly recall the lovely glow of her wedding gown and the way the lights danced in her eyes. He did, however, wonder whether she ever wished someone else had been there for her at the altar. Louie is The idea made him ill to his stomach. Lucian had been there in the shadows
The late afternoon sun spilled through the tall windows of the Levi estate's drawing room, throwing golden hues across the polished marble floors and elegant furnishings. The space radiated classic beauty with its lofty ceilings and detailed moldings. Overhead hung a crystal chandelier whose facets caught the sunlight and distributed it into a rainbow of hues.Alexander sat by the fireplace, his sharp features softly illuminated by the flames. Wearing a custom charcoal suit, he radiated authority with a straight posture and focused eyes. Apart from the distant chirping of birds outside, the only sound in the fire was soft cracking. Nani entered the room, her footfall light on the marble floor. Her dark hair, flecked with silver, was pushed back into a sophisticated chignon. She walked elegantly despite her age; her brown eyes revealed a depth of knowledge and warmth. She wore a basic gold necklace against her collarbone and a deep burgundy dress that matched her complexion."Alexand
Alexander’s fingers curled tightly around his phone, his jaw clenching as his father’s words echoed like a shot fired in the dark.“About Sofie,” Adam repeated, his voice low and grave.The silence that followed was ice-thick and heavy. It crackled in the air like static—something dangerous was coming.Alexander turned slowly, his gaze finding Nani still standing by the doorway. Without taking his eyes off her, he spoke into the phone. “Talk.”“She’s gone,” Adam said. “Vanished. No trace. Her number’s dead. Her apartment? Emptied. No luggage, no forwarding, nothing.”Alexander’s voice dropped to a lethal register. “What are you telling me, exactly?”Adam exhaled through the phone. “She was working for someone. I don’t know who yet. I’ve had people digging, but it’s like chasing a ghost. She’s left no trail.”Alexander’s mind began to rotate in quiet, surgical precision. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”“I wasn’t sure. I had to be sure,” Adam said, his voice hardening, the guilt only
The automobile hummed gently as it negotiated the twisting road, its tires rolling over the well-kept asphalt. The engine's rhythmic sound seemed to resound in the calm of the evening, almost as if the car were a part of the silent symphony encirclement. Outside, the delicate colours of the twilight sky mixed with the deep shadows of the approaching night as the fading sunshine merged with the encroaching darkness. With her hands tightly closed in her lap, Nani sat in the rearseat and her body stiff and strained. From the pressure, her fingers had turned white, and the leather of the car seat appeared to press back on her, the tightness in her chest was building with every second. Though her attention was far-off, as if her mind were elsewhere caught in a whirl of ideas she was unable to escape, she stared out the window. The weight of her daughter's dangerous circumstances made her heart heavy. Dispersion. Nani's stomach turned over at the idea of her, vulnerable and open to the da
Cormac turned slightly, his angular face sharply shadowed by the low bulb above casting. "No more mistakes," he said slowly and stepped forward, his boots softly thudding against the concrete floor. “And in return for your loyalty, I suppose you have needs.”Sofie paused. Her eyes dropped to her hands, precisely groomed and barely shaking.Indeed, she said softly. "I want you to guard me... from her."Cormac raised a brow, intrigued. “Lili Levi.”Sofie’s head snapped up. The name itself tasted bitter on her tongue. “She’s going to kill me,” she said quietly. “Or worse. She already warned me. If Dysis talks… if Adam finds out what I did at the wedding… I’m dead.”A sharp laugh echoed from Cormac’s chest, but it wasn’t mocking. It was calculating. “So, the queen of the Levi family has finally lost her leash on you.”"I was never on a leash," Sofie said, then stopped with a shaky voice. "I just didn't have a choice." Cormac watched her for a long beat, then moved gently around the table
Cinnamon and sugar still smelt, like a secret clinging to the warmth of the kitchen. It curled softly around the marble counters and the golden afternoon light, weaving itself into the corners of the mansion that rarely held such sweetness. Dysis was at the counter spreading whipped vanilla frosting over the top layer of the cake with deliberate fingers. Her hair, pulled carelessly back, was flecked with flour. Her apron was covered in powdered sugar and streaks of buttercream, yet today she was calm—a terrible stillness that did not quite reach her eyes. Following her lead, Nani moved next to her with subdued hands, trying not to overreach. She did not speak very much. Every syllable seemed like walking on thin glass. Then I heard the sound of a door. The front door clicked open; then the solid, distinct thud of boots upon wooden flooring.The hand of Dysis stopped. She was aware of the sound. Alexander. She needed not to turn around to find it was him. The change in the air
"Do you think your tears are important to me?" I knelt in front of my father, shaking, the cold cement floor soaking into my knees as I attempted to swallow the sob that had stuck in my throat. As usual, his remarks pierced me deeply. His words filled the little, darkened room, brimming with disdain. For as long as I could remember, I had been forced to live this existence, and every beat of my heart served as a reminder of it.I didn’t look up at him. I couldn’t. His cruel eyes were too much to bear. Too much to endure. “Answer me!” His hand shot out, grabbing a fistful of my hair and jerking my head up. The pain stung, but it wasn’t new. Nothing he did was new anymore. He’d punished me in ways I couldn’t count, but today was different. Today, it wasn’t just my body he was angry with; it was my existence. “Why won’t you ever listen?” His breath reeked of whiskey, and his fingers tightened, pulling me painfully closer. “You’re worthless, just like your mother. A disappointment. A bur
Like a drumbeat marching towards my demise, the sound of heavy footsteps reverberated in the confined hallway, methodical and harsh. Something like panic replaced my father's customary arrogant confidence as his gaze darted towards the doorway. I saw a small tightening of his jaw, although it was subtle. The man who walked into the room caught me off guard. He was tall, and his broad shoulders were encircled by a sleek black suit that radiated might and riches. The way his icy-blue eyes scanned the room made me feel vulnerable, like if he could see into every dark corner of my life in an instant. His presence filled the room like a rising storm, and not a single strand of his dark hair was out of place. Levi Alexander. Although I had heard the name, I didn't know him. Everybody had. He was more than simply a man; among the city's shadowiest nooks and crannies, he was a legend. A mafia boss who used brutality and terror to establish his empire.And now, he was here. “Mr. Levi,” my fat
Cinnamon and sugar still smelt, like a secret clinging to the warmth of the kitchen. It curled softly around the marble counters and the golden afternoon light, weaving itself into the corners of the mansion that rarely held such sweetness. Dysis was at the counter spreading whipped vanilla frosting over the top layer of the cake with deliberate fingers. Her hair, pulled carelessly back, was flecked with flour. Her apron was covered in powdered sugar and streaks of buttercream, yet today she was calm—a terrible stillness that did not quite reach her eyes. Following her lead, Nani moved next to her with subdued hands, trying not to overreach. She did not speak very much. Every syllable seemed like walking on thin glass. Then I heard the sound of a door. The front door clicked open; then the solid, distinct thud of boots upon wooden flooring.The hand of Dysis stopped. She was aware of the sound. Alexander. She needed not to turn around to find it was him. The change in the air
Cormac turned slightly, his angular face sharply shadowed by the low bulb above casting. "No more mistakes," he said slowly and stepped forward, his boots softly thudding against the concrete floor. “And in return for your loyalty, I suppose you have needs.”Sofie paused. Her eyes dropped to her hands, precisely groomed and barely shaking.Indeed, she said softly. "I want you to guard me... from her."Cormac raised a brow, intrigued. “Lili Levi.”Sofie’s head snapped up. The name itself tasted bitter on her tongue. “She’s going to kill me,” she said quietly. “Or worse. She already warned me. If Dysis talks… if Adam finds out what I did at the wedding… I’m dead.”A sharp laugh echoed from Cormac’s chest, but it wasn’t mocking. It was calculating. “So, the queen of the Levi family has finally lost her leash on you.”"I was never on a leash," Sofie said, then stopped with a shaky voice. "I just didn't have a choice." Cormac watched her for a long beat, then moved gently around the table
The automobile hummed gently as it negotiated the twisting road, its tires rolling over the well-kept asphalt. The engine's rhythmic sound seemed to resound in the calm of the evening, almost as if the car were a part of the silent symphony encirclement. Outside, the delicate colours of the twilight sky mixed with the deep shadows of the approaching night as the fading sunshine merged with the encroaching darkness. With her hands tightly closed in her lap, Nani sat in the rearseat and her body stiff and strained. From the pressure, her fingers had turned white, and the leather of the car seat appeared to press back on her, the tightness in her chest was building with every second. Though her attention was far-off, as if her mind were elsewhere caught in a whirl of ideas she was unable to escape, she stared out the window. The weight of her daughter's dangerous circumstances made her heart heavy. Dispersion. Nani's stomach turned over at the idea of her, vulnerable and open to the da
Alexander’s fingers curled tightly around his phone, his jaw clenching as his father’s words echoed like a shot fired in the dark.“About Sofie,” Adam repeated, his voice low and grave.The silence that followed was ice-thick and heavy. It crackled in the air like static—something dangerous was coming.Alexander turned slowly, his gaze finding Nani still standing by the doorway. Without taking his eyes off her, he spoke into the phone. “Talk.”“She’s gone,” Adam said. “Vanished. No trace. Her number’s dead. Her apartment? Emptied. No luggage, no forwarding, nothing.”Alexander’s voice dropped to a lethal register. “What are you telling me, exactly?”Adam exhaled through the phone. “She was working for someone. I don’t know who yet. I’ve had people digging, but it’s like chasing a ghost. She’s left no trail.”Alexander’s mind began to rotate in quiet, surgical precision. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”“I wasn’t sure. I had to be sure,” Adam said, his voice hardening, the guilt only
The late afternoon sun spilled through the tall windows of the Levi estate's drawing room, throwing golden hues across the polished marble floors and elegant furnishings. The space radiated classic beauty with its lofty ceilings and detailed moldings. Overhead hung a crystal chandelier whose facets caught the sunlight and distributed it into a rainbow of hues.Alexander sat by the fireplace, his sharp features softly illuminated by the flames. Wearing a custom charcoal suit, he radiated authority with a straight posture and focused eyes. Apart from the distant chirping of birds outside, the only sound in the fire was soft cracking. Nani entered the room, her footfall light on the marble floor. Her dark hair, flecked with silver, was pushed back into a sophisticated chignon. She walked elegantly despite her age; her brown eyes revealed a depth of knowledge and warmth. She wore a basic gold necklace against her collarbone and a deep burgundy dress that matched her complexion."Alexand
The night passed quietly.But not peacefully.Alexander lay beside Dysis, his body still while his mind ran through every word, every glance, every silence. Her head was tucked beneath his chin, her breath slow and steady against his chest. She looked weightless in sleep, but he knew better. She carried too much beneath that soft exterior—memories she wouldn’t speak, feelings she hadn’t buried deep enough.He didn’t need to ask what she and Vee were whispering about.She may not have said Lucian's name out loud, but he heard it like a damn bell. Alexander looked up at the ceiling. The drapes were open, hence the dull street lamp light was streaming through and creating thin lines on the elegant moulding. He still vividly recall the lovely glow of her wedding gown and the way the lights danced in her eyes. He did, however, wonder whether she ever wished someone else had been there for her at the altar. Louie is The idea made him ill to his stomach. Lucian had been there in the shadows
Vee walked back into the room slowly, bringing a tray with a glass of water and two pale capsules nestled inside a small ceramic bowl. A soft click came from the door. In dim light, the tray sparkled and reflected the sparkle of the crystal wall lamps around it, giving the room a warm glow. The soft whisper of her boots cut through the heavy silence in the air as she moved slowly across the thick, fluffy carpet. There was a delicate kind of quiet that was heavy with too many feelings and words that were not said. The soft velvet furniture and small gold accents in the room seemed to know—they were caught between stress and release, like the quiet before a storm.Vee spoke with a gentler, more measured tone than normal. "Lucian advised taking them before bed," she remarked, gently arranging the tray on the nightstand next to the bed. Her gaze stayed on Dysis, observing the worn-out sag in her shoulders and the subtle lines of tension starting to show up on her face. Under the low ligh
Warm golden light flooded the marble floor as the brilliant mahogany doors of the Levi home opened. From the ceiling, chandeliers dripped crystal tears whose delicate, low brilliance created shimmering shadows along the tall, arched corridor. Freshly waxed wood smelt like jasmine, a perfume Dysis loved mixed with mild undertones. She was unaware Alexander had specifically ordered the perfume just for their trip back.Their footsteps echoed softly as they stepped inside.Dysis held Alexander’s hand like it was the only thing anchoring her to the world. Her fingers were cold, wrapped tight around his larger, calloused ones. He noticed—of course he did—but said nothing. Rather, he looked at her sideways, brows wrinkled beneath a mass of coal-black hair slightly twisted simply from the drive. Her temple rested against the hard muscle under the black fabric of his fitted shirt as she leaned into his arm. He wore only the neat dark shirt tucked into formal trousers that lethally elegantly h
The stairs of the private jet unfolded with a mechanical hiss, the sound sharp and final like a knife sliding from its sheath. The white steps gleamed under the pale morning sun, still kissed with dew as if the runway itself had been waiting for their return.First Dysis walked out, the faint click of her heeled boots touching metal reverberating over the silence. Her frame was hugging a navy trench coat, belted tightly at the waist, and the hem fluttered in the chilly breeze like a flag of quiet resistance. Her dark hair, sleek and parted to the side, was twisted into a low twist, the kind of easy grace required without asking for it. Under the coat, black silk shadows and disciplined lines suggested something armor-like less a dress, more a declaration.Behind her, Alexander emerged like a storm in a tailored suit obsidian-black with a deep charcoal shirt beneath, open just at the collar, no tie. His silver cufflinks, bearing the Levi crest, caught the morning light like small, deli