MasukLORETTA I came downstairs as early as I could.The penthouse was silent, even the air felt heavier than usual. Outside, the dark sky was slowly giving way to the rising sun.A spark of hope ignited inside me.It was a new day—a new day to make things better than yesterday.I had decided to give Elion the space he needed. He was angry, and talking to him immediately would only make things worse.Inside, the lights were dimmed low. I walked carefully down the staircase in my work heels. This was usually the exact time Elion left for the company, and I had made sure to wake up early enough to see him before he went.Not that I had slept anywayEvery time I tried to close my eyes, my mind dragged me back to his bedroom, back to the look on his face when he told me he never wanted to see me in there again A short, pained breath rushed out of me. It hurt more than I wanted to admit., It hurt so bad that every second since yesterday was torture. Every time I tossed in bed at night, my gaze
LORETTA“Elion” I repeated weakly.He..he was here. He wasn't supposed to be here but he was, dressed in his expensive black suit and black shirt that only made him look more dangerous Those coal black eyes zeroed in on me and the air in my lungs turned to stone. If I weren't already kneeling, I might have collapsedElion's scrutinizing gaze dropped to the floor, he took in the rug I folded back and the open safe in the floor then slowly back to me My stomach feels straight to the floor. “It's...it's not what it looks like” I scrambled to my feet so quickly I nearly lost my balance.One dark eyebrow rose, “No?”His expression and tone remained perfectly calm, the kind of calm that sent chills all over my body. ”What exactly does it look like, Rea?”My mouth opened and closed. My heart was practically begging to be set free from my chest. My brain shut down on me when I needed her the most because I couldn't think of any sensible lie to cover myself with “Why...why are you here?” I
LORETTAMy palms were clammy when I first keyed in the code to the penthouse.The keypad flashed red: Incorrect code.I wiped my damp hands against the sides of my sundress and tried it again, This time, the lock clicked and the heavy front door swung openTemporary relief flooded my veins. For a second there I thought Elion had changed the house entrance code, but it was just my nerves getting the best of meI passed through the second entrance, keyed in the second code which gave me access to the foyer and the masterpiece of a penthouse Afternoon sunlight spilled through the windows, turning the polished marble floors into gold, Everything in this house screamed luxury and money. Silence echoed through it allIt was the staff's off days and Elion was undoubtedly at work, so I was alone. I walked past the foyer and into the spacious, grand living room. The familiar scent of sandalwood and expensive cologne lingered in the air, wrapping around me instantlyIt felt good on my skin. It
LORETTA I leaned down and kissed Abel's forehead softly, careful not to disturb any multiple wires attached to his fragile body.The steady beep of his heart monitor filled the room, a constant reminder that my little brother was fighting for his life on a daily basis.Abel stirred, his eyelashes fluttered weakly against pale cheeks, and the clear oxygen mask covering his nose and mouth was fogged with each pained breath he took.My chest tightened painfully, I had been home since the day before yesterday, but he hadn't opened his eyes once. Able looked so small right now, with tubes all over his bodyI brushed my fingers gently through his hair and swallowed around the lump stuck in my throat. “Next time I see you, you'll be awake" I whispered softly “Your surgery date has been fixed, everything is going to be fine, I promise”His eyelids fluttered again as though he was trying to wake up for me, and the sight nearly shattered meHis nurse smiled sadly as I stood up“Keep me update
LORETTA “I don't understand” my voice came out in a whisper. “What do you mean Heath is back for me?”Father leaned back in his chair, looking genuinely pleased with himself in a way that made me both anxious and exasperated “Did you really think I was going to leave you all alone to Fitzpatrick without any backup?” He asked with pursed lips. “I know Elion has many tricks up his sleeve. What did he do to make you fall for him, hmm? Was he nice to you, buy you flowers or was it something more?”“Father!” I snapped, “Are you going to tell me why Heath is coming back or not?”His smile wobbled. “Alright. You see, I may or may not have informed him about your engagement to Fitzpatrick”My skin began to crawl at the glint in father's eyes, I stared at him as I would look at a cunning stranger. “What did you say to him?”Father rubbed his chin again before settling his hand down “I told him the truth, that you were forced into a contract marriage with Fitzpatrick. That you married him to
LORETTA His expression shuttered down immediately, like iron doors slammed shut before I could access through Father's eyes turned calculating. "How do you know that?" he asked, his voice dropping low enough to make my pulse spike with apprehension.I forced myself to keep my expression neutral and unbothered even though I was anything but“The man who kidnapped me mentioned something like that," I answered, giving him no further explanation. "Before he got shot”My father leaned backwards in his chair, the leather creaking under his weight. He hummed thoughtfully and rubbed his chin, his gaze never leaving mine.I watched him while waiting for a response, a knot pulling tighter in my stomach as I noticed the new strands of grey hair evident on his head.When had he aged so much?When had the man who'd raised me become this stranger?“Tell me what else they told you?” I opened my mouth to protest but Father raised a hand. “You came here seeking answers, did you not?”“Yes,” I nodde







