تسجيل الدخولSelene’s POV. My legs go weak. I took a step back to get a better look at the man standing. A part of me wants to walk up to my room and act like everything never happened. Like my life wasn't slowly crumbling. Father leaned forward in his seat, and Mom's eyes were fixed on me. “What…what about her?”The officer exhaled. “It seems she might be missing.” My heart sank. The guilt of not having heard from her and not bothering to reach out clawed at my chest. “Missing?” Mother gasped. “Ssh,” Dad said, pulling her back. “What do you mean missing?” I asked the officer. “Well, it appears she might have arrived in the city some months back. Her travel records show she landed here. But an alarm was raised from her workplace that she hasn't been around, which is strange because you stay at her house, don't you?" The not-so-intimidating one asked, standing up from behind. My head thundered loudly. I placed my hands over my chest and took the seat next to me. Mother rushed to my side, h
Selene’s POV. My phone has been bombarded with calls from Mom all afternoon. I wasn’t ready to pick up. How do I explain to her where I have been all this while? I felt the slight reddening of my cheeks. I sat across from Rowland in the passenger seat. He wouldn’t allow me to drive back home. Not in my shaken state. I wasn’t shaken anymore, really. I haven’t felt this calmness in my nerves since Amira died. We made love yesternight. Like a reconnection of our bodies, the past and the present. I had allowed myself to feel things. Things I never thought I could feel again. I couldn’t help but smile at how protective and angry he was last night when he heard about Tom. I stole a quick glance at him. His grip on the wheel was tight, and his eyes were fixed on the road. He didn’t utter a word. Did I do something wrong? I sat still, letting the silence wash over us while I fiddled with my fingers. “Mmhmm,” he started, without averting his eyes from the road. “Th
Selene’s POV.She was beautiful.Elena.She sat across from me while I sipped water from the glass. I recognized her from the funeral. I never quite got to know about her.She was around Rowland most of the time. But I couldn't have cared any less; I was far too preoccupied to be concerned.But now, I stared at this young woman, who fidgetted with her fingers. Fully copernicately dressed and her perfume.Goodness.A slight sting of jealousy hit me when I opened the door and there she stood, all fair-faced and smiling.I had no idea where Rowland went to.Rowland stepped in seconds later, his eyes wide as his gaze moved from Elena to me."Elena," he muttered.I caught the flush of color to her face before she looked away.“Hi, Mr. Rowland.”I stood up quickly, very well aware of Rowland's shirt on me, and walked to Rowland's side.“I have been looking for you everywhere, Rowland.” I said, placing my hand over his arm briefly.The sudden urge to claim him in front of this woman who I kn
Rowland's POV.Her tongue rolled over mine.My hands remained still, unmoving over her body. I wasn't sure what she wanted. I didn't want to be too much. But lord, I wanted this.I have wanted it ever since the first time. Again and again and again.Her head rose, and she rolled on top of me so that the softness of her body rested on mine.She gazed at me, her fingers grazing my stubble.“I am sorry…. For keeping her away all these years.”My brow arched at her.“All my life I have been running, Rowland, from the truth, Tom, my parents…you.” She took in a breath. "But now I am done.”My lips parted to speak, but she placed an index finger over my lips. “Sssh.”I swallowed.She crossed a leg over me and leaned in, planting another wet kiss on my lips.My hands slid over her body, memorizing every inch. Relearning every part I had missed over the years.Her fingers landed on my crotch. It arched so badly. For her. Just for her.“Selene.” I groaned, but she wasn't listening. Her fingers
Rowland's POV. “Wait.” The soft sound of her voice behind me made me freeze midstep. I haven’t spoken to Selene for this long since Amira left. I don’t want to be too pushy either. I don’t want her to disappear into her shell again. I turned slowly. Her eyes raked over me quickly before she looked away. The shirt she wore, dangerously exposing her leg. The blanket is barely covering anything. "I…I don’t want to be alone.” She muttered. “Not tonight.” I arched a brow. “Are you saying…” She nodded, tapping the empty space beside her. “Stay here tonight. At least until I sleep off.” I gazed at her. I wasn’t sure that was a good idea. She’s probably shaken by Tom’s appearance tonight, and that’s it. "O…Kay," I said, moving towards the bed. She shifted towards the edge. I lay on my back, my arms behind my head and staring right at the ceiling. The room fell silent again. “Thank you for staying and always making sure I am okay," she whispered, still looking ahead
Selene’s POV “Selene!” I hit the accelerator, and the car pushed forward. My heart pounded in my chest. I watched him through the side mirrors. His fingers curled into a fist. His face… twisted. Not the man I used to know. “You are mine, Selene. Mine and mine alone.” The words followed me even after his figure disappeared into the darkness. I pushed towards the road. A shiver ran down my spine. I was shaking. I searched for my phone frantically; I really underestimated Tom. I thought he would be far gone. “What do you want from me…” I whispered. With trembling fingers I dialed the private investigator. There seem to be no traces of Tom, yet he shows up. “Pick up…” I muttered, my voice cracking. “Please pick up…” Straight to voice mail. Lord. I ended the call and threw the phone onto the passenger seat. Think, Selene. Think. Home. The word came first. But just as quickly… it didn’t feel safe. Too easy to follow. Not there. I drove past the t
Tom’s POV. Lisa sat sideways on my lap, one arm looped loosely around my neck, the other scrolling through pictures on her phone. Sunlit beaches. Private villas. “Look,” she said. “This one has private villas. No crowds. Just us.” I glanced at the photo. Clear water. White walls. “Looks nic
Selene’s POVI woke up sometime around midnight. The house was extremely quiet.My mouth felt dry, and I needed water.I swung my leg over the bed and slipped my feet into flip-flops.I checked my phone for Sophie’s message, but still nothing.“I hope she's okay. Her phone’s always on.”I exhaled,
Selene’s POVI had never been more relieved to see Rowland in my entire life.The tightness in my chest eased when I looked up and he was standing by my window.I hated it. I hated how comfort came easily with him. Even after all these years.I glanced at him. He had on a suit like he was coming fr
Rowland’s POVI was on my way to Elena’s to pick her up for the date. I glanced at my watch for the hundredth time. I was this close to canceling.This close.Selene’s call earlier today had been surprising. I had expected her to be happy. I mean, I was only trying to help. But she seemed more piss







