로그인DrentI was going through the last of the paperwork spread across my desk when the door swung open without so much as a knock, and Marcus strolled in like he owned the place."Look who finally decided to show his face," I said, not bothering to look up right away."Just wanted to check in on my dear brother," Marcus said, dropping into the chair across from me with a smugness that immediately set my teeth on edge. "Are you ready for the presentation next week? Ready to lose?"I finally looked up, meeting his gaze evenly. "You're awfully confident for someone who hasn't even put together a real plan.""Confidence is earned, Drent. Something you clearly lack right now." He leaned back, studying me. "How exactly do you plan on winning this? Have you forgotten what father said?""I remember perfectly well what he said," I replied, my patience already thinning."Then you'll remember he made it clear that whoever wins needs a woman by his side to truly seal the deal. Legitimacy, stability,
RenataAll I wanted to do was make that call and get through to the TKO meeting again, but Finn had my phone in his tight grip, and it seemed he was not willing to let go."Look, Finn, I'm sorry, but this isn't really the right time to do this." I tried reaching for my phone, but he lifted it up in a way I could not reach.His expression darkened as he pinned me to the wall. He was not smiling. What I saw was rage."This is the third time, Renata. You give excuses when I've done everything to have you."The look in his eyes scared me. This was not the Finn I first met, the one I thought I knew well. What he had for me was not love, it had turned into obsession. He pinned me tightly to the wall with no space to breathe, my hands trapped beneath his. I struggled to free myself, but he would not let go."Finn, please, you're hurting me."He leaned closer to my face, and I could feel his breath against my chin."Oh really. I guess there's no one here to save you." There was a crazed look
RenataI walked back onto campus after three long weeks of being absent, and the moment I spotted Edwina waiting by the entrance, a genuine smile broke across my face for what felt like the first time in days."There she is," Edwina said, pulling me into a tight hug. "I was starting to think you'd dropped out on me.""Never," I said, laughing as she looped her arm through mine. "It's been a lot. I'll tell you everything."We walked the length of the school together, catching up on everything I had missed, but I quickly realized just how much had changed in my absence. Students I barely recognized stopped to congratulate me as we passed, some even asking for pictures, others simply staring like I was someone worth staring at."Congratulations on the match," one girl called out, waving enthusiastically."You were incredible," said another, practically starstruck.I offered polite smiles and quiet thank yous, but the attention still felt foreign to me, uncomfortable in a way I hadn't qui
Drent"And take her mother to somewhere safe. I would not want Payton doing this anymore.""Yes, sir," my guard answered quickly as I hung up the call, relief settling in my chest.I had promised Renata I would save her mother, and I was glad I had kept my word. It was my nature to always deliver on my promises, and this time was no different.But the thought of Payton still roaming around, and therefore being a potential threat to Renata, still lingered at the back of my head.The moment I dropped my phone, another call came in.I picked up slowly to see the name flashing across the screen. It was not Renata, it was my father calling me.Which I found amusing, since Mr. Cole Ardent rarely called me unless it was pressing, and seeing his name on the screen made me feel uneasy.I picked up after the third ring."Father.""Drent. I'm happy you answered. I was worried you wouldn't."I sat up."What's the problem? You don't usually call.""Exactly, son. So you should know this is of utmos
RenataI saw Drent walking back toward the car alone, and my stomach dropped instantly. "Where's Payton? Where's my mom? Javier said they'd be here. Why aren't they here?"Drent hesitated, and that hesitation alone told me something was wrong before he even opened his mouth. "There was... a mix up," he said finally.I could sense it immediately, the way his eyes wouldn't quite hold mine, the way his jaw tightened like he was choosing his words carefully. "What kind of mix up, Drent?""Calm down," he said gently, reaching for my shoulders. "The location changed. We need to head somewhere else. I'll explain on the way."I tried to breathe, tried to trust him the way I had trusted him through everything else so far, but my patience was wearing painfully thin. I had barely slept, I had missed my meeting with the board, and now the one lead we had turned out to be nothing. Anger toward Payton simmered beneath the fear, but the fear itself was louder, drowning out everything else. I didn't
DrentThe phone rang just after dawn, and something about the timing alone made my stomach twist before I even answered. Renata's name flashed across the screen, and I picked up immediately, already sensing something was wrong.Her voice came through frantic, breathless, the words tumbling out so fast I had to steady myself just to keep up."Drent, I woke up and they're gone. My mom and Payton, they're both gone. I don't know where they are, I don't know what happened, I...""Peach, breathe," I said, cutting through her panic even as my own pulse began to race. "Don't go anywhere. Stay exactly where you are. I'm on my way."I hung up before she could argue, my jaw clenched so tight it ached. Anger surged through me first, hot and immediate, because some part of me had seen this coming from the moment Payton resurfaced in our lives. I had warned myself to keep a closer eye on her, and now that carelessness felt like it was about to cost us something irreplaceable.Fear followed close b
Renata The first thing I was aware of was the pounding. It came from somewhere deep behind my eyes, rhythmic and insistent, like something knocking to be let out. Then the smell hit me, sharp and medicinal, and I flinched away from it before I had fully opened my eyes. "There she is." Drent'
DrentLike I always said, I never pressure what is mine, and I had finally made her agree to go to the party. The best part, the part I loved most, was teasing her and watching her get flustered about it.I ordered my men to take both Theodore and his son home and handed Renata back her papers just
RenataAfter three straight days in the hospital, I had not taken calls from anyone. I had stayed off social media, away from school, and away from everything else. Just sitting beside my mom and watching over her, hoping she would be alright.I had applied for a job at Tinnies, a fast food spot ne
RenataA week passed and all my efforts to get into the tournament had failed. A part of me began to regret not taking Drent up on his offer, but another part of me was glad I had not. I did not trust him or his family.They were probably the kind of rich family that believed only money mattered, o







