로그인The unknown number flashed on Ava's phone, and I knew Dr. Harrison had found a new way to hurt us.
I sat in the living room, reviewing the latest security protocols, when Ava walked in fast, her face pale and her hand trembling as she held the phone. "It is him. Dr. Harrison. He wants to talk."
I stood up quick, my instincts screaming danger. "Put it on speaker. Do not say too much. Let him reveal his hand first."
Ava answered, her voice steady despite the t
Ava climbed the ladder and pulled the vent cover loose, and I held my breath as she reached inside.My heart pounded as I watched her fingers probe the darkness of the duct. She had been insistent all morning convinced that something was hidden in the ventilation system, something that explained the whispers and the shadows. I had followed her, part of me still clinging to doubt, but another part hoping she was right."What is it?" I asked quickly, my voice tight with anticipation.Ava's hand emerged, clutching a small black device. It was no bigger than a matchbox, sleek and professional, with a tiny LED that pulsed faintly. "A micro vaporizer. Hidden in the master bedroom vent. It has been releasing something into the air. This is what's been happening to me, Damien. This is what they've been doing."I took it from her carefully, turning it over in my palm. The device was warm, still active. "This explains the voices. The clocks. Everythin
Ava jumped at her own shadow in the hallway, and I felt my heart sink as I realized how bad things had gotten.I caught her arm gently, steadying her before she could stumble. "Ava, stop. You have not slept properly in days. What is going on? This isn't like you."Ava rubbed her face with both hands, her movements jerky and exhausted. "I keep hearing things. Seeing things. I thought the devices were gone, but it still feels wrong. Every shadow looks like someone watching me. Every whisper sounds like Victor's voice."I led her to the couch, my hand firm on her back. "Sit. Talk to me. I am worried about you. More than I've ever been."Ava sat down heavily, her body sinking into the cushions like she hadn't truly rested in weeks. "You think I am breaking down too? Like the Council wants you to believe? Like Harrison predicted?"I sat across from her, studying her face. The dark circles under her eyes. The way her hands trembled slightly
Ava screamed from the bedroom, and I ran in to find her staring at the wall like she saw a ghost.My heart pounded as I rushed to her side, my hands finding her shoulders. "What happened? Talk to me. What did you see?"Ava pointed at the clock on the nightstand, her finger trembling. "It reset. Victor's voice. I heard him. Telling me I am losing it, that I'm not fit to be a mother, that Maya would be better off without me."I held her, pulling her against my chest. "It is not real. Harrison is playing games. This is what he does—he uses technology to create fear."Ava shook her head, her eyes wild with confusion. "The clock showed the old date. The day I found out I was pregnant. Then it changed. Objects moved in the nursery. I heard footsteps walking around Maya's crib. I went to check and there was nothing there."I looked around the bedroom, searching for any sign of intrusion. "We check the cameras. We call the tech team. We
The unknown number flashed on Ava's phone, and I knew Dr. Harrison had found a new way to hurt us.I sat in the living room, reviewing the latest security protocols, when Ava walked in fast, her face pale and her hand trembling as she held the phone. "It is him. Dr. Harrison. He wants to talk."I stood up quick, my instincts screaming danger. "Put it on speaker. Do not say too much. Let him reveal his hand first."Ava answered, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hand. "What do you want?"Harrison's voice came through smooth and cold, the same measured tone I remembered from those dark days during Ava's pregnancy. "Ava. Good to hear you. I have something you need. Victor's old psychological files. The contingency plan."Ava looked at me, confusion and fear warring in her eyes. "What plan?"Harrison laughed quietly, a sound that made my skin crawl. "The one to drive you mad if you ever took his fortune. Detailed profiles
The file on my desk showed Dr. Harrison's face, and I felt the old nightmare rush back like it never left.I sat in the study reviewing the latest security report, my mind already churning with the implications of the internal mole. The city lights glowed through the windows, indifferent to the war being waged in the shadows. Ava walked in fast, her footsteps urgent against the marble floors. Her face was pale, drained of color in a way that made my stomach drop."Damien, you need to see this." She handed me the tablet, her hand trembling slightly.I took it, my eyes scanning the screen. And then I saw him Dr. Harrison, his cold, calculating face staring back at me from a professional headshot. The name beneath it confirmed what my gut already knew."Dr. Harrison. He is out. Released on a technicality. And now he works for the Cipher Council."I stared at the screen, the memories crashing over me like a wave. "The same doctor Victor hired. The one
The secure server log showed an unauthorized access from inside the penthouse, and I knew the Cipher Council had someone on the inside.I stared at the screen in the study, the glow of the monitor casting harsh shadows across my face. The timestamp was damning 3:47 AM, when most of the household was asleep. The access point was a terminal on the executive floor, one that required biometric clearance. The time stamp matched perfectly with when the night team was in the room.Ava walked in with Maya on her hip, her bare feet silent against the heated floors. She took one look at my expression and stopped. "What is wrong? You look like you saw a ghost."I turned the screen toward her, pointing at the log entry. "Someone inside is helping them. The access came from the executive floor. One of our own used their credentials to let the Council into our systems."Ava set Maya down gently on the play mat in the corner, her movements careful and controlled. "Who?
Damien’s words from last night still burned in my ears.I barely slept. When morning came, I forced myself to get dressed in a simple white blouse and black skirt. My hands shook as I looked in the mirror. I felt dirty knowing Victor could come to me at any moment. I sold my body to a man old enoug
I signed my life away with a shaking hand.The pen felt heavy as I wrote my name on the marriage contract. At twentytwo years old, I had just become Mrs. Victor Langford. I was now the wife of a fifty eight years old billionaire. The thought made my stomach twist with deep regret. I should not have
Victor’s question hung in the air like a loaded gun.“Damien,” Victor repeated in that dangerously calm voice. “Did you touch my wife while I was gone?”My heart slammed against my ribs so hard I thought I might faint. I stood frozen between the two men. The mark on my neck suddenly felt like a bri
Victor was coming home early and I was still covered in his son’s marks.My eyes flew open. Damien’s strong arm lay heavy across my waist. The master bedroom smelled like sex and his skin. The sheets were twisted around our naked bodies. I felt sore in places I should not. Shame washed over me like







