DEGREE OF FANCY

Growing up, I witnessed my father bring multiple women into our home. Many of these women became my private tutors, and I later discovered that they were also his secret lovers. My mother remained oblivious to these affairs. As time passed, I became accustomed to the darkness that surrounded me. I learned to accept my fate and hide my true emotions. I almost forgot about my past and where I came from, considering my adoptive parents as my real family. I grew up interacting with influential people in the industry and business. I was known for being quiet, cold-hearted, intelligent, talented, and skilled in sports. At a party, my father's business partner joked, "Who would have thought that your son Anton was a perfect man? Many women must like him, and his future wife will surely benefit from him." My father chimed in, "His wife should also be a perfect girl, as Anton will be the future of the Placido corporation, right, son?" He placed his arm on my shoulder, and I nodded, expressi

As the priest pronounced us husband and wife, Brigitte and I faced each other, her smiling and looking at me with adoration. She placed her hand on my left arm, and we walked together out of the church, surrounded by cheering crowds and happy smiles. Our parents stopped us, beaming with pride. My father adjusted my tie and whispered, "Make her the happiest girl in the world, son." His face radiated joy, clearly thrilled to have secured a marriage between our two powerful families. Brigitte's mother hugged her tightly, while her father grasped my hands, his eyes stern. "Take care of our princess, and promise to love her with all your heart. Never make her cry, or I'll take her back from you." I nodded, trying to appear sincere, but my heart remained cold and detached. As we exchanged vows, I couldn't help but think about my true intentions. I was using Brigitte to gain power and control, to destroy those who had wronged me. My mind was set on revenge, and I would stop at nothing to ac

As we reached the bottom of the stairs, Brigitte stopped and turned to face me. She was smiling, but her eyes seemed to gleam with a mischievous light."Welcome to our secret world, Anton," she said, her voice dripping with excitement. "Here, we can be whoever we want to be, do whatever we want to do. No one will ever know."I felt a shiver run down my spine as I looked around. We were in a large, dimly lit room, the walls lined with ancient stone and the air thick with the scent of decay. It was a place that seemed to exist outside of time, a place where the normal rules didn't apply.Brigitte took my hand and led me deeper into the room. We walked past strange and ominous objects, each one more bizarre than the last. There were ancient artifacts, mysterious devices, and strange symbols etched into the walls.As we walked, Brigitte told me about the history of the mansion, about the secrets that lay hidden within its walls. She spoke of ancient rituals, of forbidden knowledge, and of

As we shook hands, Sophia's grip was firm, but her eyes seemed to hold a secret. I couldn't quite read her expression, and I found myself wondering what she was thinking."Nice to meet you, Anton," she said, her voice low and husky.I nodded, my expression neutral.Sophia's eyes seemed to gleam with amusement, but she didn't say anything else. She just stood there, her eyes fixed on mine.I felt a shiver run down my spine, but I didn't respond. I just stood there, my expression neutral.The silence between us grew thicker, more oppressive. I could feel the weight of Sophia's gaze on me, but I didn't look away.Finally, Sophia nodded, as if to herself. "I'll see you around, Anton," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, feeling confused and intrigued.I watched Sophia walk away, her figure disappearing into the crowd of guests. I couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity about her. Who was she, really? And wha

As I sat in the backseat of the car, staring out the window at the passing cityscape, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I had finally escaped the confines of the office, where the hallucinations of Sophia had been relentless.The driver navigated the crowded streets with ease, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. I settled back into my seat, letting the soft hum of the engine lull me into a state of relaxation.But as we approached a busy intersection, the driver slowed the car to a stop, waiting for the light to turn green. I gazed out the window, taking in the sights and sounds of the city.And then, I saw her.At first, I thought it was just another hallucination, another trick of the mind. But as I looked closer, I realized that Sophia's image was plastered on a massive billboard, towering above the surrounding buildings.The screen was at least 20 feet tall, and Sophia's face filled every inch of it. Her eyes sparkled, her lips curled up into a sly smile, and her skin glowed wi